Eric Barker

5 days ago | yahoo.com | Eric Barker

May 11—Nonprofit partners of the U.S. Forest Service have scrambled to avoid what some had feared might be a summer rafting free-for-all on coveted stretches of whitewater. The federal hiring freeze combined with the on-again, off-again dismissals of probationary employees and about 5,000 workers opting to retire early or otherwise leave the Forest Service have left it short-staffed across the country.

1 week ago | idahostatesman.com | Eric Barker

May 9-Federal layoffs, retirements and resignations engineered by President Donald Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency have left the nation underprepared for wildfire season, according to two Northwest Democrats. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and their invited guests that included retired foresters and state and local fire officials told reporters Thursday that agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have been hollowed out.

1 week ago | idahopress.com | Eric Barker

In a visit to Lewiston on Monday, Idaho Gov. Brad Little said Idaho is in good economic shape but spending and tax cuts pending in Congress could leave the state vulnerable to reduced revenue. Idaho has been among the fastest-growing states in the country over the past few years and the Legislature has used budget surpluses as justification for significant tax cuts. During the recently adjourned 2025 legislative session, lawmakers passed tax cuts that will reduce state income by $453 million.

1 week ago | idahostatesman.com | Eric Barker

May 4-Everyone is familiar with the sorts of signs, kiosks and brochures that dispense information about treasured places. Few have given much thought to how they are assembled or the amount of work it takes to select and pare down the stories they share.

1 week ago | idahostatesman.com | Eric Barker

May 6-In a visit to Lewiston on Monday, Idaho Gov. Brad Little said Idaho is in good economic shape but spending and tax cuts pending in Congress could leave the state vulnerable to reduced revenue. Idaho has been among the fastest growing states in the country over the past few years and the Legislature has used budget surpluses as justification for significant tax cuts. During the recently adjourned 2025 legislative session, lawmakers passed tax cuts that will reduce state income by $453 million.