The children’s section in the Marshall Public Library. | Logan Ramsey, EastIdahoNews.com POCATELLO — After a controversial bill passed last month, Idaho librarians have had to figure out how to adapt to its requirements and potential consequences. Libraries have until July 1 to comply with House Bill 710, which became law on April 10. The new legislation requires libraries and public schools to “take reasonable steps” in protecting kids from harmful material. Under the law, parents can submit a written request to have certain material relocated to an “adults only” section. The library board h ..read more

In anticipation of the primary election, the Bonneville County Republican Central Committee is holding two events this month where the community can interact with and receive answers from public officials. IDAHO FALLS — The Bonneville County Republican Central Committee is hosting a “2024 Republican Primary Candidate Forum” in preparation for the upcoming primary election on May 21. Members of the public are invited to attend at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Snake River Events Center inside the Shilo Inn. At least 10 candidates are expected to participate. “We will not be going through a mod ..read more

Britt Raybould (left) and Larry Golden (right). | Courtesy Photos REXBURG — Two opponents are campaigning this year to secure a position as Idaho Representative Seat B for District 34. Incumbent Britt Raybould is running against Larry Golden. This is a two-year term. Both candidates are Republican. EastIdahoNews.com sent the same eight questions to each county candidate. Their responses, listed below, were required to be 250 words or less. EastIdahoNews.com is publishing the answers in their entirety, and without any grammatical or style editing. The primary election is May 21. Tell us about ..read more

Joseph Lugo is presented with the Liberty Bell Award from Alayne Bean. | Kaitlyn Hart, EastIdahoNews.com IDAHO FALLS – Local attorneys from the 7th Judicial District and members of the Idaho Falls Rotary Club got together Wednesday morning to celebrate the 65th annual Law Day. Established in 1958, Law Day is celebrated every May 1 to expand knowledge about Idaho’s legal system, the rule of law and the importance of democracy. The theme for 2024 was “Voices for Democracy,” as speakers discussed the importance of unity in our democracy and community. Liberty Bell Award At the beginning, Deputy ..read more

A gray wolf is seen, July 16, 2004, at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake, Minn. The U.S. House moved Tuesday, April 30, 2024, toward ending federal protections for gray wolves, approving a bill that would remove wolves across the lower 48 states from the endangered species list. | Dawn Villella, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House voted Tuesday to end federal protection for gray wolves, approving a bill that would remove them from the endangered species list across the lower 48 states. A handful of Democrats joined with Republicans in passing the bill. The measure now g ..read more

In this Friday, March 22, 2019, file photo, a marijuana plant is visible at Compassionate Care Foundation’s medical marijuana dispensary in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple-effects across the country. The DEA’s proposal still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget. | Julio Cortez, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will move to reclassify marijuana ..read more

Zan Bowles, left, and David Formica | Courtesy photos FRANKLIN COUNTY — With incumbent Boyd Burbank not running for re-election, five new candidates will compete in this year’s primary election for the Franklin County Commission District 1 seat. Zan Bowles, Stephanie Chatterton Gunn, Alexander Erickson, David Formica and Blake Rindlisbaker will vie for the Republican bid. The winner of that contest will take on independent candidate Michael Porter in November’s general election. To learn more about the candidate’s platform, EastIdahoNews.com asked the candidates to answer the same eight quest ..read more

Riverton, Utah, Mayor Trent Staggs, a U.S. Senate candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, addresses delegates at the Utah Republican Party Convention, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. | Hannah Schoenbaum, AP Photo SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Republican Party on Saturday selected Trent Staggs as its nominee to replace Mitt Romney in the U.S. Senate, hours after the local official received former President Donald Trump’s endorsement. While the endorsement carried Staggs through convention with more than two-thirds of delegate votes, that support may not translate to ..read more

Courtesy IdahoEdNews.org MIDDLETON (IdahoEdNews.org) — A new lawsuit is challenging Idaho’s long-standing constitutional provision that bars religious institutions — including private schools — from receiving taxpayer resources.  Last week, Truth Family Bible Church of Middleton filed a federal lawsuit claiming Idaho’s Blaine Amendment infringes on religious and free speech rights protected under the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Idaho, could have weighty implications in Idaho’s ongoing debate over school choice, a catchall term that describes direc ..read more

Rick Carlson (left) and we are still waiting on responses and a photo from John Blayden. | Courtesy Photo SALMON – Two Lemhi County residents are campaigning against each other for a seat on the Lemhi County Commission. Rick Carlson and John Blayden are running for a two-year term. Both candidates are Republican. EastIdahoNews.com sent the same eight questions to each county candidate. Their responses, listed below, were required to be 250 words or less. EastIdahoNews.com is publishing the answers in their entirety, and without any grammatical or style editing. Blayden did not answer multiple ..read more