In this week's newsletter:

U.S. fire administrator issues warnings on structure fires, changing climate

Roles for Idaho and neighboring states as abortion pill is debated in courts

Catch up on the changes that legislators made to election and voting laws

This week on Idaho Reports, Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke talks about state investments in water, infrastructure, and education, as well as adjusting to his new role in the executive branch. Plus, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visits Idaho to announce $1 million in annual funding to the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Canyon County for community outreach and local conservation partnerships.

Idaho Reports airs Friday at 8 p.m. on Idaho Public Television.

U.S. fire administrator warns of structure fire dangers

U.S. Fire Administrator Lori Moore-Merrell visited the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise on Tuesday to discuss what the community can do to help prevent wildfires in a changing climate. Flanked by other national fire prevention experts, Moore-Merrell spoke to reporters about the ongoing fire threat in the wildland and urban interface.

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“Today we speak with one voice,” said Moore-Merrell. “While the overall fire problem in America remains difficult, I’m confident that with the partnership between federal, state and local levels we can reduce fires and ensure that more people here in Idaho and across our nation have the knowledge to protect themselves and their families.”

Ruth Brown sat down with Moore-Merrell during the visit to discuss her agency's work and what can be done to reduce fire risk and implement resilient communities.

"We can't just look at last year, we have to look at the last five years. In the last five years, we have burned 68% more acreage than we did in the last three decades," Moore-Merrell told Idaho Reports. "That's the important part. Look longer term, understand this beautiful precipitation today will not get us out of the woods."

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Just under 415,000 acres in Idaho burned last fire season, but the majority was on U.S. Forest Service land and the state saw lower costs than 2021's record-breaking price tag.

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Follow Idaho Reports for updates throughout the week

This week on the podcast:

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Abortion Pills in the Courts

National news has focused recently on federal court action regarding mifeprisone, a medication that can be used to facilitate abortion in early pregnancies. Reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris from States Newsroom joins Logan Finney to lay out the cases and arguments, as well as how Idaho and neighboring states are involved.

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What did lawmakers do with elections this year?

Election security and voter integrity have been at the top of lawmakers’ minds for several years now, and this session was no different. Secretary of State Phil McGrane joined the show last week to run through which bills passed, which failed, and what voters need to know when they head to the polls.

Idaho Capital Sun: Little says special session to address presidential primary unlikely

“It’s not up to me anymore,” Gov. Brad Little said about calling a special session. “If you’re going to do a special session, I would urge my legislative branch leadership to do the same thing that I and my predecessors have done. You’ve got one bill, there’s a general agreement on it prior to people arriving here and get it done.”

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