Idaho health officials aren’t sure that a Medicaid contractor’s cuts to critical mental health services will end up saving the state money in the long run.

Vanity Fair published a look at President Trump’s inner circle, all photographed by Christopher Anderson, whose lens captured every blemish and blood vessel. We chatted with Anderson about the reaction to the photographs and the process behind them:

Idaho’s health insurance exchange ended open enrollment Monday night, with thousands of Idahoans canceling plans ahead of the expiration of deep federal government subsidies.

After some number crunching this morning, we surpassed the @idahocapitalsun.com's end-of-year fundraising goal of $12K — we're at $14,868.09 (and counting!) as of today!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to those of you who donated so we can continue reporting into the '26 #idleg legislative session!

In Idaho, doctors and a flurry of health care services contribute billions to the state’s economy, a new economic report found.

Led by Idaho Sen. Ali Rabe, a Boise Democrat, the Gem State Housing Alliance plans to focus on local policy and zoning in its first year. #idpol

Thanks to tax cuts from the “one, big, beautiful” law, Utah won’t collect about half a billion dollars of income tax revenue in coming years — about $300 million in 2026 and $200 million in 2027.

Idaho is seeing more money, and more out-of-state money in lobbying than it likely ever has.

The bipartisan momentum among a select group of senators will need to build significantly in the days ahead if an extension of the subsidies is going to speedily garner the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate and then move through the GOP-controlled House.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little appointed a Twin Falls County commissioner to the Legislature to fill a vacancy left by a former Republican lawmaker. #idleg #idpol

An Idaho judge today denied a request to pause a Medicaid contractor’s budget cuts to a critical mental health service. The cuts — which mental health providers and law enforcement warn could risk public safety — are already in effect.

Idaho sheriffs are warning elected officials that new state Medicaid cuts to critical mental health services for people with severe mental illness could pose a public safety risk.

Like local news, and all things state government? @idahocapitalsun.com has you covered. We're hoping to get $12,000 by the end of the year. Here's how to help! #GivingTuesday

Some families enrolled in the Idaho Home Learning Academy public virtual charter school used state funding to pay for hunting equipment, video games, paddleboards, smart watches, tickets to water parks and subscriptions to streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, according to the watchdog report.

Gooood mornin'! During #GivingTuesday, we hope you'll consider the @idahocapitalsun.com as a worthy nonprofit to support. So far, we've raised more than $4,500 — $4,837.28 to be exact 🥳— of our $12,000 end-of-the-year goal. If you value Idaho news, here's how to help! idahocapitalsun.com/donate/

Between #GivingTuesday and the end of the year, we're hoping to raise $12,000 to continue our contextual, fact-based coverage of state politics and policy. So far, we've raised $5,570.16 (and counting! 🤩). Can we count on you to help us reach our finish line? Donate at: idahocapitalsun.com/donate/

The lawsuit is the second the state has faced that attempts to stop Magellan of Idaho’s plans to cut specialized mobile teams that treat patients with severe mental illness who have struggled in routine settings.

After mental health clinics sue, patients file class-action lawsuit against Idaho health officials seeking to halt cut to critical service for people with severe mental illness. idahocapitalsun.com/2025/11/28/i...

Idahoans United for Women and Families announced last week that the group has collected more than 50,000 signatures so far — out of the nearly 71,000 signatures needed. #idleg #idpol

Four Idaho mental health clinics are suing the state over a contractor’s plans to cut critical Idaho Medicaid services for people with severe mental illness.

The new report also shows that wealthy Idahoans in the top 1% of earners – those with an annual income of $738,300 and above – benefited the most from the income tax cuts. #idleg #idpol

The private company that runs Idaho Medicaid’s mental health benefits is planning to cut critical services for people with severe mental illness. The cuts stem from the state’s attempts to avoid a projected budget shortfall.

Check these workshops out! First one is about campaign finance and lobbying, second is about Transparent Idaho and Townhall Idaho (two great tools for state financial records and tracking public meetings), third is about Idaho's Public Records Act, and the fourth is about Idaho's open meeting laws!

The contract ending could raise health care costs at the hospital for around 11,000 Idahoans.

Want to learn more about how cuts to Idaho Medicaid will affect health care access in the state? I joined @boisestatepublicradio.org's Idaho Matters to break it down.

The U.S. House approved a spending package Wednesday evening that will reopen the government and end the longest shutdown in the nation’s history, once President Donald Trump signs the legislation into law.

The U.S. House plans to approve a stopgap spending bill Wednesday evening that will end the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown once President Donald Trump signs the legislation.

Before a new library branch opened, Inkom had only been served by a bookmobile.

The clinics by Eastern Idaho Public Health are for people who are uninsured or underinsured.

Founded by brothers Charles and David Koch, Americans for Prosperity, describes itself as a grassroots advocacy organization that supports pro-growth policies, free markets, limited government, freedom and individual liberty.

State officials and medical groups said the federal infusion of money is welcome, but isn’t enough to offset billions in Medicaid losses.

Through Wednesday, the public can participate in an online survey to help guide the future of freight and passenger rail systems in Idaho, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.

The 60-40 vote sends the updated funding package back to the House, where lawmakers in that chamber are expected sometime during the next few days to clear the legislation for President Donald Trump’s signature.

While the Trump administration withholds some food assistance benefits amid court challenges, Idaho is paying reduced SNAP benefits. And here's a timeline of how we got here, starting with the federal government shutdown.

Idaho has begun distributing partial payments of federal food assistance for low-income residents, while awaiting for federal guidance to be able to distribute full benefits.

A slew of cuts are coming to Idaho Medicaid. Advocates say everyone will feel their impact on the health care system — including people on private insurance. Here's how. #idleg #idpol

I don't live anywhere near Idaho but I'll read anything @pfannyyy.bsky.social writes. This is a great look at how state and federal policies converge in a one-two-three-four punch to a state's entire health care system.

Hospital, nursing home and Medicaid advocates say the cuts will create a ripple effect that strains the state’s health care system — predicting more people will become uninsured, providers may close, and private insurance rates will rise as hospitals offset the costs of caring for uninsured people.

Zoinks! Happy Halloween from the Idaho Cap Sun crew and our trusty newshound Scooby-Doo (Bear!) Where are we? Out here solving state political mysteries and bringing accountability reporting to the 208! Check us out: idahocapitalsun.com/subscribe/ and support our work: idahocapitalsun.com/donate/

A federal judge ruled Friday that the USDA's plan to pause a food assistance program for 42 million people was illegal — but gave the Trump administration until Monday to respond to her finding before she decides on a motion to force the benefits be paid despite the ongoing government shutdown.

The Boise-based group Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho, which was created this year, announced it is beginning to collect signatures attempting to qualify the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act to go before voters in the 2026 general election. #idleg #idpol

After a judge dismissed a whistleblower lawsuit against Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office, the fired attorney appealed to the Idaho Supreme Court.

The federal program covers about $50 million to $60 million in special education costs per year. But Idaho still faces a $100 million special education shortfall, state superintendent Debbie Critchfield says. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/state-policy...

Idaho's retirement pension payments for former government employees haven't kept up with rising costs of living. Now, retirees are calling for the state to fix PERSI benefits.

Speakers discussed efforts to create a state crime for concealing, harboring and shielding people who are in the U.S. illegally; tracking and reporting immigration status and nationality of public school students; and tracking and sharing the immigration status of those arrested by law enforcement.

To comply with Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s directive to permanently extend 3% budget cuts, state agencies are planning to cut $88.7 million next fiscal year. As part of those extended cuts for fiscal year 2027, Idaho plans to extend 4% Medicaid provider pay rate cuts for another year. #idleg #idpol

Idaho Medicaid plans to extend cuts to doctor pay rates for another year. That's after Gov. Brad Little permanently extended budget cuts. #idleg #idpol

On Nov. 4, every Boise voter will get to weigh in on whether to continue the decades-long legacy of preserving open space in the city through a third levy. City officials estimate the average homeowner would pay an extra $40 annually for the levy.

The new law went into effect July 1 and requires investor-owned utility companies such as Idaho Power, Rocky Mountain Power, Avista Utilities and Atlanta Power to adopt and submit wildfire mitigation plans to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for approval every year. #idleg #idpol