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Guest Columnist Brian Almon: How Should Idaho Pick Its Judges?

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Observer Staff
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(Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)

August 19, 2026 (Cover Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)

How Should Idaho Pick Its Judges?
Judicial selections throughout the country

By: Brian Almon

Brian Almon

[Last Tuesday], Gov. Brad Little selected Judge Jason Scott of Idaho’s Fourth Judicial District to succeed retiring Justice Richard Bevan on the Idaho Supreme Court. Bevan, who currently serves as chief justice, steps down on October 30; his fellow justices have already chosen Justice Robyn Brody to take over as chief. The governor was given three names by the Judicial Council, which is made up of nine members, including the sitting chief justice. Scott will be up for election in 2030, and if tradition holds, he will likely run unopposed.

Longtime readers may recall my 2025 article “Voting For Justice,” in which I laid out how Idaho’s judicial elections have become an exercise in theater: only one sitting Supreme Court justice has lost a contested race since the 1940s, and only one sitting justice has even been challenged since 2000. Four of the court’s five current members reached the bench through gubernatorial appointment rather than a contested election.

image 5
Source: Ballotpedia.org

Today, I want to go further and ask what alternatives Idaho might have. The other 49 states and the federal government have their own methods for filling judicial vacancies, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Ballotpedia lists eight major methods for filling judgeships:

  • Partisan election
  • Nonpartisan election
  • Michigan method (hybrid)
  • Legislative election
  • Gubernatorial appointment
  • Assisted appointment (Bar-controlled)
  • Assisted appointment (governor-controlled)
  • Assisted appointment (hybrid)
image 6 edited
Source: Ballotpedia.org

Idaho has a sort of hybrid method for electing judges, though Ballotpedia lists us as having purely nonpartisan elections. Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges are elected to six-year terms, while district judges serve four-year terms. Magistrates—the judges who handle traffic tickets and other minor issues—are appointed by commissions overseen by district judges and then face retention elections. Voters are asked whether to retain the magistrate, and the only options are “yes” or “no.”

However, should a vacancy occur at the district level or above, the Judicial Council forwards three or four names to the governor, who then selects one. That person serves the remainder of the term and then stands for election in his or her own right, often unopposed. That means that, in practice, Idaho is much closer to an appointment method than simply nonpartisan elections.

The Judicial Council, which controls which candidates reach the governor’s desk, is made up of nine members: the sitting chief justice, plus eight others—a district court judge, a magistrate judge, two lawyers, and four non-attorney members—each appointed by the governor and subject to Senate approval. However, the judge seats are, in practice, controlled by the Supreme Court, and candidates for the lawyer seats are nominated by the Idaho State Bar Commission.

This is very different from the way our federal government works. Federal judges are appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the Senate, and they serve life terms. This is meant to insulate them from the political process by ensuring that they neither have to face a direct election nor feel pressure from an executive for renomination. Citizen oversight of the federal judiciary, then, is indirect, through the elected president and senators.

Idaho could adopt the federal system and give the governor authority to appoint anyone qualified for a judgeship, with Senate approval. Rather than being limited to a handful of names submitted by the Judicial Council, the governor could choose from among the thousands of Idahoans qualified to serve as a district judge or on the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court. That candidate would then face tough questions in the Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee and then a vote of the whole Senate. Imagine Sen. Brian Lenney asking pointed questions of a prospective Supreme Court justice in a public hearing!

Of course, it’s possible that Idaho voters would balk at taking away even the pretense of voting for judges and justices. Another option would be the Texas model: full partisan elections at every level of the judicial branch. Judicial candidates run just like legislative and executive candidates: in a partisan primary, with the winners advancing to the general election. Candidates in this system are forced to be much more open about their judicial philosophy and how it fits into the modern political context. Parties campaign on behalf of their judicial candidates, just as they do for other candidates.

One effect of partisan judicial elections is that many voters simply vote the party line, and this could result in less-qualified candidates being elected to the courts. However, in theory, voters have complete control over the process. Another potential downside is the influx of campaign contributions into these races. A 2003 paper published by the Federalist Society suggested that plaintiffs’ attorneys have a much larger pool of cash with which to influence judicial elections.

Right now, Idaho seems to exhibit the worst of both worlds. We elect our judges, but most run unopposed, making the process more theatrical than anything else. The governor has authority to fill vacancies, but is given a selection of names that have already been vetted by a small cartel of insiders, and the Senate has very little involvement in the process.

In 2022, Reps. Mike Moyle and Greg Chaney sponsored House Bill 782, which would have overhauled the Judicial Council and judicial appointment process. It would have increased the council’s membership from seven to eleven, given the governor more leeway in appointing members to the council, reduced the terms for judges and justices from six to four years, explicitly allowed the governor to reject the list of candidates from the Judicial Council, and added more public transparency regarding the Judicial Council’s deliberations.

H782 passed both chambers but was vetoed by Gov. Brad Little. In his veto letter, the governor said he agreed with many provisions of the bill but wanted more time to examine the ideas with relevant stakeholders.

The Legislature came back in 2023 with Senate Bill 1148, carried by Sen. Abby Lee, who was the floor sponsor for H782, and Rep. Bruce Skaug. This much more limited bill increased the Judicial Council to nine members, gave the governor the ability to choose from a slate submitted by the Idaho State Bar rather than allowing the Bar to directly appoint members, allowed the governor to ask for additional nominees from the Judicial Council, and increased public transparency. This bill passed both chambers overwhelmingly and was signed into law by Gov. Little.

That same year, Sen. Lee introduced Senate Bill 1157, which would have denied senior status to judges who resigned before the end of their term. It was sent to the amending order by the Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee and never taken up. Sen. Phil Hart introduced similar legislation in 2026 that also failed to reach the floor.

If you could snap your fingers and change the way Idaho selects judges, which method would you choose? Which method do you think would have the support of the people and their elected representatives? Judges and justices make up the third branch of our state government and have enormous power over policy, the structure of our society, and our daily lives. It’s important to ensure that these judges are men and women of good character who have a deep understanding of and respect for the law and the traditions of our civilization, and who resist ephemeral political pressure. What’s the best way to accomplish that?

If you have ideas, share them with your legislators, especially with those who sit on the Senate and House judiciary committees. The only way things change is if enough people demand it.

About Brian Almon

Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.

Editor’s note:  This article originally appeared in the Gem State Chronicle.  I encourage our readers to visit their website and consider subscribing.  Find this and other informative articles at the Gem State Chronicle here: About – Gem State Chronicle

Guest Columnist Julianne Young–Back to School: Life Lessons on the Ballot

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Observer Staff
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August 23, 2024

Back to School: Life Lessons on the Ballot

By: Julianne Young

Julianne Young

Fall is not just time for harvest. It’s a season of fresh starts: squeaky tennis shoes, new backpacks, sharpened pencils, and a particular mix of nerves and hope. As Idahoans, we believe in new beginnings. We believe effort matters, that showing up counts, that you can build something better than what you started with — as long as you’re willing to do the work.

This is one reason Idaho remains near the top in the nation for safety, for growth, and for people wanting to raise their kids here. We’ve stayed close to the basics — strong families, personal responsibility, and a shared sense that freedom comes bundled with responsibility, not instead of it.

In Idaho we understand that the family is the first and best institution for raising the next generation. The 2026 Idaho Republican Party Platform puts it plainly: “Families, not government programs, are the best way to properly nurture and protect our children.” Love, responsibility, and accountability are essential. The same platform grounds the whole of Idaho’s political philosophy in one line from its preamble: “The protection of individual rights is upheld when personal responsibility for behavior is exercised.”

That’s the basic lesson we depend on every classroom in this state to teach a six-year-old: your choices have consequences, your work has value, and you don’t get to skip the hard part and keep the reward. It’s the lesson a healthy family teaches, generation after generation. And it’s precisely the lesson that left-leaning progressives are determined to erase.

A different philosophy is on your ballot

Across the country, and even here another philosophy competes for our acceptance – a “society owes me” mentality: the idea that consequences of personal choices are injustices someone else should pay for, that the traditional family is oppressive, and that “freedom” means freedom from accountability. It’s a philosophy that promotes sexual liberty at all costs and sees children, marriage, and even biology itself as obstacles to personal autonomy.

This philosophy is on your ballot this November in the form of Proposition 1. Prop 1’s bent toward codifying “sexual freedom” with no personal accountability is evident from the outset. Look beyond the title and you find one of the most radical pro-abortion laws in the country — creating a “right” to abortion on demand well into the third trimester of pregnancy by redefining “viability” as the point at which a baby can survive without medical help. Contrary to some claims, Proposition 1 isn’t a return to Roe v. Wade. It’s considerably more radical than Roe ever was.

The further you read, the more Prop 1 obliterates personal responsibility. Ironically, while Prop 1 is being sold as a pro-doctor measure, it stamps out Idaho’s longstanding physician-only requirement — a basic safeguard that says abortion can only be performed by an actual doctor — replacing it with a vague “health care provider” standard that would allow staff at Planned Parenthood’s front desk to dispense abortion pills. Parental consent is gone too: under Proposition 1, a young girl could obtain an abortion without her parents ever knowing. And the providers themselves are specifically shielded from legal accountability — making it difficult to hold anyone responsible when “reproductive healthcare,” an ambiguous term that includes much more than abortion, goes awry. Prop 1 erases safety and accountability at every turn, impinging our ability to protect women and minors from sex-trafficking and abuse.

That is not an Idaho family value. It’s sexual-freedom-without-responsibility ethos taken to its most consequential extreme — the belief that an individual of any age, including minors, should be able to act entirely free of any obligation, free even of the ordinary checks — a doctor’s judgment, a parent’s involvement, legal accountability — that responsibility usually requires. Prop 1 leaves society holding the bag with no recourse, including Idaho’s generation yet-unborn and the families left out of “reproductive health care” decisions.

Choosing the fresh start that builds a bright tomorrow

As families settle back into the routines of the school year — alarms before dawn, packed lunches, homework at the kitchen table — it’s worth remembering that the basics that help families run well also make a state worth living in: accountability instead of excuses, family instead of dependency, and the conviction that real freedom is inseparable from responsibility. Proposition 1 undermines all of that — safety, accountability, even a parent’s basic right to know — in exchange for a twisted version of “freedom” that answers to no one. That’s not a new beginning. It’s a recipe for deep-seated pain and societal disaster.

Vote no on Proposition 1 November 3rd. Safeguard an Idaho that understands and lives the kind of freedom that lasts.

Julianne Young is a Bingham County Mom who loves faith, family, and freedom; a former state representative; founder of the nonprofit Idaho Family Strong; regional coordinator for Idaho Chooses Life; and 2nd Vice Chair of the Idaho State GOP.

 

Pocatello PD’s 10 Days of Back-to-School Safety: Distracted Driving

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Observer Staff
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(Pocatello Police Department, August 22, 2026)

That text can wait. The notification can wait. Your GPS can wait. A child’s safety cannot.

As school gets underway, our roads will be busier with buses, parents, students, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

When you’re behind the wheel:

  • Put the phone down.
  • Keep your eyes on the road.
  • Keep your hands on the wheel.
  • Keep your attention on driving.

It only takes a moment of distraction to change someone’s life. Drive like the kids you love are walking through that crosswalk.

Fire and Fall Hunting: What Idaho Hunters Need to Know

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Observer Staff
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(Idaho Fish and Game Press Release, August 17, 2026)

As wildfire activity continues across Idaho, hunters preparing for upcoming seasons should be aware of potential impacts to their hunting areas and know what options are available if a fire affects their hunt.

Idaho Fish and Game is monitoring wildfire activity. The department may temporarily close Fish and Game-owned lands when necessary or coordinate with other state and federal agencies — Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and Idaho Department of Lands — to protect public safety or support firefighting operations. Hunters should stay informed about closures and restrictions in the areas where they plan to hunt by watching for updates and press releases from their local Fish and Game region.

NOTE: Hunters, however, should not assume that a wildfire or temporary closure means their hunt will be canceled or their season will be changed.

In most cases, Fish and Game does not close an entire hunt or change a season because of a temporary wildfire closure. Most wildfires do not affect an entire hunt unit, elk zone or controlled hunt unit for the entire duration of a hunt. Hunters whose planned hunting area is affected by fire may have a few options.

Consider another part of the hunt area

A fire or temporary closure may affect only a portion of a hunt area. Hunters should check current fire restrictions and closures and consider hunting another portion of their hunt area that remains open and accessible.

Before heading into the field, hunters should make sure they understand which lands are open and any fire-related restrictions that may apply. Restrictions can vary by location and can change as wildfire conditions develop.

Consider hunting later in the season

If fire activity or a temporary closure affects a hunter’s preferred area at the beginning of a season, another option may be to wait until later in the season. Many fire-related closures are temporary. If the fire is contained and restrictions are lifted while the season remains open, hunters may still be able to pursue their hunt later in the season.

Hunters should continue monitoring Fish and Game updates and local fire information throughout the season.

Controlled hunt tag options for resident hunters

Resident hunters who have drawn a controlled hunt and determine that wildfire impacts will prevent them from hunting their intended area have additional options if their controlled hunt tag season has not started.

  • Before a controlled hunt begins, hunters may exchange a controlled hunt tag for a general season tag. Controlled hunt fees are not refunded as part of the exchange.
  • All controlled hunt tag exchanges must be completed at an Idaho Fish and Game Regional Office.
  • Hunters considering an exchange should contact or visit a Fish and Game Regional Office for information about their specific circumstances and available options.

Stay informed before heading into the field

Wildfire conditions can change quickly, and a hunting area that is open one day may be subject to restrictions or closure later. Hunters should check for the latest information before each trip into the field.

Fish and Game regional offices will provide information about closures and other changes affecting Fish and Game-managed lands through regional updates and press releases.

Hunters should also remember that fire restrictions and land closures can apply differently depending on who manages the land. Hunters are responsible for knowing the restrictions that apply wherever they are hunting.

The most important thing for hunters is to stay informed, remain flexible, and follow all fire restrictions and land closures. A wildfire does not necessarily mean a hunt is lost. In many cases, hunters can find another open portion of their hunt area or wait until later in the season when conditions improve and restrictions are lifted.

NOTE: Beginning July 1, 2026, rules related to eligibility for license and tag refunds and rainchecks have changed. Please visit our refund webpage for more information.

Idaho State Police to Break Ground on New Forensic Services Laboratory

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Observer Staff
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(Idaho State Police Press Release, August 20, 2026; Cover photo credit: ISP)

MERIDIAN, Idaho – Idaho State Police (ISP) will break ground Tuesday on a new 20,000-square-foot forensic laboratory at ISP Headquarters in Meridian. This project represents a major investment in Idaho’s forensic science capabilities and supports the criminal justice agencies that depend on these services. Construction is scheduled to be completed in January 2028.

The $29 million facility will include DNA casework, latent print examination, digital forensics, and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). ISP Forensic Services (ISPFS) delivers scientific analysis and related services statewide. In Fiscal Year 2026, the laboratory system received 16,069 case submissions, including 3,745 DNA samples, and supported 114 law enforcement agencies, prosecutors in all 44 counties, 14 public defender offices, and 44 coroners.

“This is a unique opportunity to build for the future and keep Idaho at the forefront of forensic science,” said Colonel Bill Gardiner, Director of the Idaho State Police. “Our scientists need modern facilities that can keep pace with advances in technology and the growing demands placed on our laboratories. This has been a long-term effort, and we are especially thankful to Governor Little for his vision and support of law enforcement, and to the Idaho Legislature for helping make it possible. This investment will strengthen our ability to assist law enforcement across the state and help provide answers and seek justice for victims and their families.”

Planning and design have been ongoing for several years, with ISPFS scientists and managers collaborating with laboratory design professionals to create efficient, purpose-built workspaces. The building will feature specialized electrical, plumbing, HVAC, information technology, and other infrastructure essential for a modern forensic laboratory. The facility will also support emerging technologies, including plans to establish Whole Genome Sequencing capabilities for advanced forensic DNA analysis. These advancements will enhance tools available for current investigations and cold cases.

The NIBIN unit will continue to provide agencies with access to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives database to link ballistic evidence and investigate gun crimes. ISPFS maintains Idaho’s NIBIN system and offers training and support to participating agencies.

Relocating these disciplines to the new facility will expand capacity in the existing Headquarters laboratory for chemistry, toxicology, DNA database operations, and alcohol analysis.

This project is Phase 1 of a larger planned laboratory expansion. Future phases are included in the overall design but are not part of the current construction. The facility is funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds provided to Idaho. Hoffman Construction serves as construction manager and general contractor. Lombard Conrad Architects leads the architectural team, with SmithGroup providing architecture and design consulting.

The project also includes expanded public and employee parking, as well as low-water-use landscaping at the ISP Headquarters campus.

FBI Announces ‘Voices Not Forgotten’ Initiative to Combat Violent Crime in Indian County

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Observer Staff
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(FBI Press Release, August 18, 2026)

Washington, D.C.–[On Tuesday], in a sustained commitment to address violent crime in Indian country, FBI Director Kash Patel announced a new initiative, ‘Voices Not Forgotten’ that increases monetary rewards associated with unsolved investigations into homicides, kidnappings, and missing persons suspected to be victims of homicide in Indian country.

In hosting the National Law Enforcement Partner Conference that gathered more than 200 members of Tribal law enforcement from around the country, Director Patel announced the FBI’s Voices Not Forgotten webpage, which brings attention to investigations in Indian country where federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement are seeking the public’s assistance. The FBI has established a new protocol which created a minimum reward of up to $25,000 for all publicly advertised cases involving homicides, kidnappings and missing persons in Indian country where the FBI has jurisdiction. These cases can include Missing or Murdered Indigenous Person (MMIP) cases. The FBI is highlighting six cases involving significant unsolved casework in Indian country, including: Angel Beach, Sa’wade Birdinground, Maleeka “Mollie” Boone, Logan Warrior Goings, Mary Johnson (Davis), and Emily Pike.

The new FBI’s Voices Not Forgotten webpage includes a searchable and interactive map for FBI Indian country that links posters seeking information about violent crimes Tribal communities have endured.

“Voices Not Forgotten is a brand-new initiative that is part of this FBI’s record dedication of resources to Tribal partners who have been left behind far too long,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The new protocol is designed to raise public awareness as well as create a minimum reward of up to $25,000 for all publicly advertised cases involving homicides, kidnappings and missing persons in Indian country—compelling any member of the public with information to come forward and help us bring justice. We are harnessing the same awareness campaign that has made our Top Ten Most Wanted and Most Wanted Fraudster programs so tremendously successful—the public is one of our best resources. If anyone has information, contact 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov. As always, thank you to our brilliant partners in Indian country who continue to work with this FBI all over the country making America safer.”

Voices Not Forgotten answers Tribal communities’ requests through the Not Invisible Act Commission and the FBI’s conversations with Tribal leaders and advocates. The FBI is addressing requests to make it easier for the Native communities to find information about their community members on fbi.gov. To learn more, visit https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/indian-country-crime.

The FBI encourages anyone with information concerning crimes in Indian country to contact their local FBI field office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI (tips can remain anonymous).

Pocatello PD’s 10 Days of Back-to-School Safety: Know the School Zone Speed Limit

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Observer Staff
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(Pocatello Police Department, August 21, 2026)

School zones mean SLOW DOWN!

As school gets back into session, remember to watch for school zone signs and obey the posted speed limit.

  • Slow down.
  • Stay alert.
  • Put the phone away.
  • Watch for pedestrians and crossing guards.
  • Be prepared for stopped school buses.

School zones can be busy and unpredictable. The speed limit isn’t just a number—it’s there to give drivers more time to react.

Give yourself extra time, slow down, and help us keep our students safe.

Guest Columnist Brian Almon: Idaho Gets a New Supreme Court Justice

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Observer Staff
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(Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)

August 18, 2026 (Cover Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)

Idaho Gets a New Supreme Court Justice

By: Brian Almon

Brian Almon

[Tuesday] morning, Gov. Brad Little announced his selection of Ada County District Judge Jason Scott to succeed retiring Supreme Court Justice Richard Bevan, effective October 30. Scott has spent the past 12 years as a district judge in Idaho’s Fourth Judicial District, which includes Ada and Valley counties. Prior to that, Scott earned a degree in accounting from Idaho State University and a law degree from Duke University. He clerked for U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill before spending seven years with the Boise law firm Hawley Troxell.

Scott was one of three names submitted to Gov. Little by the Judicial Council, along with Leslie Hayes, a judge in the Office of Administrative Hearings, and Cynthia Yee-Wallace, a fellow judge in Idaho’s Fourth Judicial District.

Judge Scott has made several impactful rulings during his tenure as a district judge. Last year, he heard Adkins v. State of Idaho, in which a group of women and doctors asserted that Idaho’s abortion ban was unconstitutionally restrictive regarding a physician’s determination of when an abortion might be necessary to save the life of the mother. He ruled in favor of the plaintiffs on the medical question, stating that Idaho law allowed doctors to perform an abortion if there was a non-negligible risk of death, but upheld the law on the constitutional question.

The opinion suggests that Judge Scott applied a careful reading of Idaho’s traditional laws regarding abortion—the practice was prohibited in the Idaho Territory—as well as the precedent set by the Idaho Supreme Court in Planned Parenthood v. State of Idaho, which upheld our state’s abortion bans. That opinion was written by Justice Robyn Brody, who was elected chief justice by her colleagues last week.

In early 2024, Judge Scott ruled against Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s claim that the State Board of Education had violated Idaho’s open meetings laws regarding the proposal for the University of Idaho to buy the University of Phoenix for more than $500 million. The Supreme Court later remanded the case, overruling Scott’s decision, but the purchase fell through before a final determination could be made.

Judge Scott’s decisions seem to show a pattern of threading the needle—deciding cases on narrow procedural grounds rather than making sweeping legal statements. In 2020, Scott ruled that Kanye West could remain on Idaho’s presidential ballot as an independent, rejecting arguments from the Idaho Democratic Party that he should be disallowed because he was registered as a Republican in Wyoming. In 2025, Scott dismissed a lawsuit by the Oneida School District regarding a change in school funding options. In 2024, Scott ruled against a Meridian woman who was cited by the city for living in a tiny home in a manner that violated the city’s zoning ordinances.

Judge Scott will be sworn in as a justice of the Idaho Supreme Court effective October 30, 2026, and will be up for reelection in 2030. As the incumbent, it is not likely that he will face a challenger. Whatever one’s opinion of Judge Scott himself, the fact is that Gov. Little was given a choice of three names out of the more than 2,000 Idahoans who meet the criteria to serve as a Supreme Court justice, and his selection is likely to remain on the court until he decides to retire. Idaho voters don’t have much of a say in the matter.

Several Idaho lawmakers have called for reform of the judicial appointment process over the past few years. Sen. Brian Lenney wrote in 2025 that the Judicial Council, which submits a list of names to the governor for appointment, is the “gatekeeper” of the process and demanded its abolition. Sen. Phil Hart introduced legislation in the 2026 session to disallow judges who retire before the end of their term from assuming senior status, as well as another bill that would prohibit judges appointed to fill a vacancy from standing for the next regular election. Neither made it to the Senate floor.

Nevertheless, calls for reform are growing. I’ll take a look at our options in a future piece.

About Brian Almon

Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.

Editor’s note:  This article originally appeared in the Gem State Chronicle.  I encourage our readers to visit their website and consider subscribing.  Find this and other informative articles at the Gem State Chronicle here: About – Gem State Chronicle

President Trump’s Trade Agenda Is Rebuilding the American Auto Industry

By
Observer Staff
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(White House Press Release, August 19, 2026)

Ford Motor Company announced it will reshore production of its Lincoln models to the United States — phasing out imports from China and creating thousands of new American jobs. This is the latest proof that President Donald J. Trump’s America First trade agenda is delivering exactly as designed: rewarding domestic manufacturing, protecting American workers, and rebuilding America’s supply chains.

Ford CEO Jim Farley was unambiguous: “We made this decision as soon as the policy of the Administration was set.”

Ford joins a rapidly expanding roster of automakers expanding their U.S. footprint and returning production to American soil:

  • Toyota is investing $3.6 billion to shift Tacoma production from Mexico to its San Antonio, Texas, plant — creating 2,000 high-quality jobs and doubling the facility’s size.
  • Honda is producing its next-generation Civic in Indiana rather than Mexico to avoid tariffs — locking in approximately 210,000 units of annual U.S. output.
  • General Motors is investing $4 billion to move production of the Chevrolet Blazer and Equinox from Mexico to plants in Tennessee and Kansas, while shifting Buick Envision production from China to Kansas — boosting domestic capacity by hundreds of thousands of vehicles.
  • Mercedes-Benz is investing $4 billion to expand SUV production at its Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plant — citing tariffs as the key driver.
  • Volvo Trucks has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to launch production of the new VNR regional hauler at its New River Valley facility in Dublin, Virginia.
  • Stellantis is making the largest single investment in its 100-year U.S. history to expand domestic manufacturing by 50% — launching five new vehicles and creating more than 5,000 jobs across plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
  • Nissan is maximizing capacity at its Tennessee manufacturing plant — one of the largest and most productive in North America — adding models and sustaining thousands of American jobs.
  • Hyundai Motor Group is boosting annual capacity at its Metaplant America in Ellabell, Georgia, as part of broader multi-billion-dollar U.S. investments aimed at producing the vast majority of vehicles sold here domestically.
  • Rolls-Royce is investing $75 million to boost engine production at its Aiken, South Carolina, facility, and recently completed a $24 million expansion of its Mankato, Minnesota, plant.

President Trump’s America First agenda is scoring a decisive victory over decades of offshoring. Companies that once chased cheap labor overseas are now pouring capital into U.S. plants — delivering vehicles Made in America, by American workers, for American consumers.

Lower Ross Skate Park Temporarily Closing for Maintenance August 24

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Observer Staff
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City of Pocatello City Hall

(City of Pocatello Press Release, August 20, 2026)

The City of Pocatello Parks & Recreation Department will temporarily close the skate park at Lower Ross Park Monday, August 24, 2026, for seal coating maintenance.

The public is asked to avoid the skate park during the closure to allow crews to safely and efficiently complete the work. The closure is expected to last for the day while the seal coating is applied and given time to cure. The skate park at Lower Ross Park is expected to reopen for regular use Tuesday, August 25.

While skate park is closed, Optimist Skatepark, located at 902 N. 7th Avenue, will remain open and available for use.

Regular maintenance, such as seal coating, helps protect and extend the life of recreational facilities while keeping them safe and enjoyable for the community.

The project also supports goals and strategies identified in the Pocatello Comprehensive Plan 2040, particularly within the Outdoor Oriented vision element. To learn more about the Comprehensive Plan 2040, visit pocatello.gov/DocumentCenter/View/318/Comprehensive-Plan-2040-PDF#page=16.

For more information, please contact the City of Pocatello Parks & Recreation Department at 208-234-6232.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the policy of the City of Pocatello to offer its public programs, services, and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.  If you are disabled and require an accommodation, please contact Skyler Beebe with two (2) business days’ advance notice at sbeebe@pocatello.gov; 208.234.6248; or 5815 South 5th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho.  Advance notification within this guideline will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility.

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