Dorothy Moon, Chairwoman of the Idaho Republican Party
You know, I think I’ve traveled more in the three and a half years since I was elected chair of the Idaho GOP than ever before in my life. In that time, I’ve visited nearly every county in Idaho—sometimes crossing from one end of the state to the other in the course of just a few days. I’ve been to Lincoln Day dinners, luncheons, black-tie events, casual get-togethers, and everything in between. I’ve had the privilege of meeting thousands of good people who are all fighting to preserve faith, family, and freedom in the Gem State.
In the meantime, I try to get back to the cabin as often as I can. It’s already snowing up there—which means I’ve got some shoveling in my future, for sure.
Friends, Idaho is worth fighting for. My husband grew up here, and when I fell in love with him, I fell in love with Idaho too. I came here because Idaho is what America was—and I want to keep it that way.
Whether you’re a fifth-generation Idahoan or a recent California refugee, you understand that Idaho is a special place. The challenge is figuring out how to pass that same sense of specialness down to our children and grandchildren.
The Idaho Republican Party has been on the front line of that fight since long before I was born—and will still be fighting the good fight long after I’m gone. The Idaho GOP was already a force in our state during the debates over statehood in 1889–90, laying the foundation for this remarkable place even then.
Today, both U.S. senators and both of our congressmen, all seven constitutional officers, and 90 members of the Legislature were elected under the Republican banner. These men and women represent a range of ideas and priorities, and we have our share of spirited debates within the Idaho GOP—but that level of electoral strength is a testament to the deeply held values of the people of Idaho.
It’s the people who are the heart of the Idaho GOP. We are not a top-down organization, but a body made up not only of hundreds of precinct committeemen and thousands of volunteers, but also of the hundreds of thousands of registered Republicans who make up our great party. We are truly a grassroots movement—our engine is the time, energy, and generosity of people just like you.
Idaho is worth fighting for—from Bonners Ferry to Bear Lake, from North Fork to Clark Fork to Yankee Fork, from Post Falls to Twin Falls to Idaho Falls, and everywhere in between. I’m proud to live in the best state in the nation, and I know you are too. Together, we will preserve this little slice of American greatness for generations to come.
I had a truly great meeting with President Xi of China. There is enormous respect between our two Countries, and that will only be enhanced with what just took place. We agreed on many things, with others, even of high importance, being very close to resolved. I was extremely honored by the fact that President Xi authorized China to begin the purchase of massive amounts of Soybeans, Sorghum, and other Farm products. Our Farmers will be very happy! In fact, as I said once before during my first Administration, Farmers should immediately go out and buy more land and larger tractors. I would like to thank President Xi for this! Additionally, China has agreed to continue the flow of Rare Earth, Critical Minerals, Magnets, etc., openly and freely. Very significantly, China has strongly stated that they will work diligently with us to stop the flow of Fentanyl into our Country. They will help us end the Fentanyl Crisis. China also agreed that they will begin the process of purchasing American Energy. In fact, a very large scale transaction may take place concerning the purchase of Oil and Gas from the Great State of Alaska. Chris Wright, Doug Burgum, and our respective Energy teams will be meeting to see if such an Energy Deal can be worked out. The agreements reached today will deliver Prosperity and Security to millions of Americans. After this Historic trip to Asia, I am now heading back to Washington, D.C. I want to thank the Great Countries of Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea for being so generous, gracious, and hospitable — Also, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, who were at the Dinner last night hosted by His Excellency Lee Jae Myung. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars are being brought into our Country because of them. Our Nation is Strong, Respected, and Admired Again and, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
October 28, 2025 (Cover Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)
Reforming Family Law An interim committee is addressing long overdue changes to child custody policies
By: Brian Almon
Brian Almon
There are a number of interim legislative committees that have been meeting throughout the summer and fall. (You can find a full list at Idaho Insider.) Being only one person, I’ve had to prioritize my time, and have spent most of it following the DOGE Task Force, which will meet at least once more before next year’s legislative session.
Another important interim committee is the Child Custody & Domestic Relations Task Force, co-chaired by Rep. Heather Scott and Sen. Tammy Nichols. This committee has been meeting each month in a different Idaho location to hear testimony from families with experience in the family court system.
This is an area where policies must be crafted very carefully, lest the law be used for destructive purposes. We’ve all read with horror stories of children facing terrible abuse at the hands of relatives or strangers, cases where authorities should have intervened sooner. On the other hand, we remember the story of Baby Cyrus, taken from his family based on what appeared to many as flimsy evidence and possible political motivation.
The system must be designed to protect children while also safeguarding parental rights. It becomes even more complicated, of course, when a mother and father are fighting over custody.
A parent’s bond with his or her child is one of the most important in society and should not be tread upon lightly. One of my most controversial opinions—and one I’ve held for more than a quarter century—is that no matter your views on Cuba, communism, or President Clinton, Elián González belonged with his father, not as a political pawn in Miami.
Sen. Nichols recently posted a Substack article regarding the current status of the task force, which I republished at the Chronicle with permission:
Our goal has been to review current laws to determine if they are working as intended, if they are being applied as the legislature intended, and if they meet the needs of Idaho families. We will also be evaluating whether certain laws are outdated, ineffective, or missing key provisions. Our next meeting will be public, but will not include any testimony. It will be used for the committee to go over the information we have heard and deliberate on solutions through legislation.
I look forward to covering the next meeting on Monday, November 10, at the Capitol. It should produce concrete plans for legislation to reform the system. In the meantime, the committee is taking feedback from families who have been impacted by family court proceedings:
In addition to public testimony, we are gathering feedback through a survey for individuals who have gone through, or are currently going through, family court or child custody proceedings. This survey is designed to help us identify patterns and gather important information that will guide our work. The survey can be accessed here.
The committee has already heard testimony from many individuals whose experiences with Idaho’s family law system have not been positive. All government policies should be continually reviewed to ensure they still serve their original purpose—and serve the people of our state—especially when they have such a profound impact on families.
Families are the bedrock of society. Government has a responsibility to protect children from dangerous situations, but also to refrain from laying the heavy hand of regulation on areas outside its proper sphere. I’m glad this committee was formed to address such an important issue and look forward to hearing its recommendations next month.
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
(ISP Press Release, October 29, 2025; Cover photo credit: ISP)
DOWNEY, Idaho – Idaho State Police is investigating a vehicle fire that occurred at 1:49 p.m., on October 29, 2025, near Downey.
A 75-year-old male from Spanish Fork, Utah was traveling northbound on I15 at milepost 25, in a yellow and red RV. The RV caught fire and the male pulled over to the right shoulder. The RV was destroyed by the fire.
There were no other occupants in the RV.
There were no injuries from the fire.
The roadway was blocked for approximately 4 hours while crews cleaned up the debris.
Idaho State Police were assisted by Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Downey Fire and Idaho Transportation Department.
(Pocatello for Accountable Government Entities, October 27, 2025)
Remember the City’s new Central Square Solution’s “FINANCE ENTERPRISE” ERP platform highlighted last month?
When questioned at the Gate City Coffee Forum, Mayor Blad said the project had been TERMINATED!
Blad explained that about $500K in ARPA funds had been invested into the new finance platform, but that the system was not built for a city the size of Pocatello. It didn’t work, causing a lot of problems. He then said that the day after they stopped using it, the reports got better, easier to read & understand, etc.
PROBLEMS
ARPA FUNDS – Although day-to-day City operations are under the authority of the Mayor, termination of this federally-funded project requires a formal TERMINATION Agreement which requires Council approval. The Mutual Termination Agreement signed in July 2025 was NOT brought to Council during a publicly noticed meeting. Given this is an incomplete project & what was completed is not being used – is it eligible for ARPA
WASTED FUNDS – Actual cost of this project FAR EXCEEDS the $521,455.50 paid to Central Square since that total does not include the cost of all the staff time and effort. Staff worked on this project for at least 20 MONTHS and included the hiring of a new employee in October 2023 to specifically lead/facilitate this project.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The system was operational and undergoing testing at the beginning of 2025—it was being used concurrently with the old system per statements made in meetings. The decision was made to delay a full switch-over until October 1st to ensure a cleaner auditing process for FY25 without the complication of two systems.
The project included some fixes to reporting capabilities. We saw evidence of new EXCEL expenditure reports within Next Request (requested by previous councils but extremely difficult/labor intensive under the old system.) Hopefully this component is not impacted.
Based on some records requested/received, and statements made during budgeting earlier this year, the new “Finance Enterprise” system was INCOMPATIBLE with Utility Billing. Since this was known at the start of the project, and clear in both the presentation and contract documentation (available online), this fact should not have had any impact.
When converting to a new system, it’s not uncommon that all components cannot be brought together simultaneously. Conversions are often done in phases to make the project more doable and to spread the cost. It is also not uncommon that additional modules are required to bring other pieces into the system.
In his 03/09/23 presentation, the CFO highlighted the importance of shifting to a system that would bring the City into the 21st century and provide accurate and timely information. The new system would have modernized the Finance system, provided timely access to information, spreadsheets, etc. A quick online search reveals the “Finance Enterprise ERP” is used by cities of various sizes and is not specific to very large cities. The Finance Enterprises’ ERP strength per its website is it “. . . connects every process—finance, HR, payroll—into a single, scalable system.” Scalable means that the system that can grow with the City.
From speaking with outside experts, typical frustrations with such conversions originate from data not being in the correct format or not transferring easily or accurately, requiring labor-intensive efforts to ensure information accuracy. With time and additional assistance, these predictable obstacles can be overcome.
Terminating a contract and WASTING well over $600K of taxpayer funds is difficult to reconcile. Not to mention all the wasted staff time and effort.
This is just another example of Council being bypassed on an important decision. Or worse, Council abdicating their decision-making responsibilities. It’s well within Council authority to have asked questions of the service provider, questioned City staff, or requested additional information for a more informed decision. Six elected officials working together to make a critical decision in a public forum is far better than any decisions made behind closed doors.
Council should exercise the authority given to them and demand pertinent project information be discussed in a public forum and any decision to “pivot” away from a large-scale project that has cost taxpayers over $600K – be made by them. But, if by chance this specific decision WAS discussed amongst council members behind closed door prior to the termination agreement being signed, that makes the situation even more egregious.
The City MUST update their financial system at some point in the future. Mayor Blad’s decision sets them back to Day 1.
Dress for the weather and catch some trout and whitefish
People may see anglers wading streams during frigid weather and wonder “what are they doing?” The short answer is probably catching fish.
Late-fall and winter fishing are often overlooked on Idaho’s rivers and streams because many people don’t want to deal with the cold, but trout and whitefish remain fairly active. In fact, late-season fishing has some advantages because many streams are at their lowest levels and fish are concentrated. Many rivers are also nearly empty of anglers, so you get your pick of prime fishing spots.
Find the right river or stream
Spring-fed rivers and streams, and those fed by dam releases often fish well during winter months because temperatures tend to be slightly warmer and more stable.
Rainbow trout are a favorite winter quarry, and where you find them, you will often find whitefish. Whitefish school up in the fall and typically spawn in November, so where you catch one, you’re likely to find more. (Read more about catching whitefish.) You will find trout and whitefish in similar places you find them other times of year, but in late season, they often favor deeper, slower water, although you can still catch them in riffles as well.
Also remember that while fish remain active during winter, they’re still cold-blooded, and they may be a little sluggish. They’re unlikely to aggressively chase food, but they will take it, or a good imitation of it, when it’s placed in front of them.
Tweak your techniques
Winter fishing doesn’t require any special tactics, just figure out where the fish are and what they’re likely to be feeding on. Drifting bait or fly fishing with nymphs are often your best tactics. If you see dimples on the water, it may be fish rising to feed on insects, which will likely be tiny midges or mayflies, and fish will rise to a well-presented dry fly.
Try different sections of the river and try to figure out where fish are holding and feeding. After you catch a fish, seek out similar water, but remember, fish may move around during the day. But where you find them one day during winter, they’re likely to remain nearby, so keep those places in mind when you return.
Fly anglers should not overlook streamers. They can look like a big, easy meal when presented slowly, but don’t expect trout to vigorously chase them like during summer. Even dead drifting a streamer can be effective.
Fish spook easily in low, clear water, so be stealthy. Walk softly, don’t immediately wade into the middle of a fishing hole, and wear drab colors. Repeatedly cast into likely looking water before moving on. You may be surprised that you can catch multiple fish in a fairly small area, so cast and drift (or slowly retrieve) your bait or fly numerous times before moving to the next spot.
To find places to fish, check Fish and Game’s Fishing Planner. While many of Idaho’s waters are open to fishing year round, some are limited to catch-and-release fishing during winter, so double check the regulations.
Here are late-season fishing tips:
Sleep in: There’s rarely a need to be there at first light. You will usually have better fishing late morning to early afternoon when the water warms a few degrees.
Stay close to home: Winter is a good time to explore your local trout fisheries, or rediscover them.
Plan short trips: There’s no getting around the effects of cold weather, and eventually it will take its toll. Plan to fish for an hour or two and call it good. If you can last longer, consider it a bonus.
Bring hand warmers: Your hands are most likely to get wet, and they can easily get chilled. A hand warmer will quickly rewarm them. An extra pair of gloves is also a good idea because one pair usually gets wet.
Think about traction: Rocks are slippery when wet, and more slippery when icy. Wading boots with cleats are a good option. It’s also good to have a set of dry clothes in your vehicle in case you take an unexpected plunge.
Keep your feet warm: Probably goes without saying, but you may be wading in water that’s barely above freezing, so wear thick socks or two pairs. If your feet get cold, you will be uncomfortable. You can also use chemically heated insoles in your boots or waders.
See it as adventure: Things will look and feel different, but the trip will be rewarding if you appreciate those differences. Catching a few fish never hurts, either.
Halloween is here — and while you’re hunting ghosts, don’t forget the ones that could be haunting your energy bill.
Phantom load, also known as standby power, comes from electronics that draw electricity even when turned off. The average American home has around 40 such devices — think desktop computers, modems, coffee makers, video game consoles, and anything with a digital display. These energy vampires may look harmless, but they can drain 5-10% of your home’s electricity all year long.
Idaho Power encourages customers to reduce phantom load with the following tips:
Enable power-save features on computers, TVs, and videogame consoles.
Unplug electronic devices that don’t require reprogramming or aren’t frequently used.
Buy ENERGY STAR® products, which have lower standby use.
Check out a Kill A Watt™ meter from your local library to measure the energy use of devices in standby mode at home.
Use a power strip and make it easy to turn off multiple items at once — or better yet, a smart power strip, which will automatically shut off power to devices that are not in use.
Use smart plugs to control the power supply to devices remotely. You can schedule them to turn off during certain hours.
Trinity Classical Christian School will hold an open house on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 8:00 am to 11:30 am. Parents curious about classical Christian education may make reservations to attend the open house by calling 208-242-4545 or by emailing secretary@trinityclassicalchristianschool.com.
The school is located at 1825 Fairway Drive in American Falls.
SWIP-N: Meeting California’s Renewable Goals How California’s Renewable Energy Ambitions Threaten Idaho’s Energy Independence
By: Jeff Pierson
The Devil is in the Details
While reading through the 2022–2023 California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Transmission Plan, one phrase stood out: “regional, policy-driven project.” The term appears again in CAISO’s November 22, 2024 Transmittal Letter to FERC and within the 2022–2023 plan itself.
In its 2021–2023 Transmission Plans, CAISO had described the Southwest Intertie Project–North (SWIP-N) as a candidate for further study or “potential interregional coordination.” By 2023, CAISO’s Board considered SWIP-N “the most cost-effective, timely, and efficient solution to meet an identified public policy need.” In its 2024 filing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under Section 205 of the Federal Power Act, CAISO confirmed theregional designation, explicitly stating that it was pursuing the project under its own tariff as a “voluntary agreement,” not as part of an interregional coordination process.
At first glance, the phrase “regional, policy-driven project” sounds like bureaucratic jargon. In reality, it defines how authority and responsibility are distributed. It means the project is not being pursued solely for market efficiency or grid reliability, but to advance specific state renewable energy policies, primarily California’s. In other words, this is not just about transmitting electricity. It is about who decides where that power goes, whose priorities shape the grid, and who ultimately bears the financial and operational risks.
Under the regional classification, California, acting through CAISO and its development partner Great Basin Transmission (a subsidiary of LS Power), gained full planning authority over a 500-kilovolt transmission corridor that runs through Idaho and Nevada. Idaho Power and the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) remain involved only at the margins. They can regulate local costs, but they no longer share in the planning or decision-making process that determines how the project functions or whom it ultimately serves.
If SWIP-North had been classified as an interregional project, Idaho, Nevada, and California would have been legally required to coordinate planning, share costs, and jointly approve the project through their respective public utilities commissions. Each state would have retained authority over its portion of the costs and benefits, and Idaho would have had the right to evaluate the project’s economic and environmental justification.
By designating SWIP-North as regional, CAISO and LS Power avoided that process entirely. Idaho and Nevada have effectively become corridor states. Their land and transmission corridors are used, but their public representatives no longer have equal authority in deciding how the line operates or what share of capacity their ratepayers may access.
CAISO and LS Power now operate the project under California’s tariff, subject to FERC approval but not to joint state oversight. This structure allows California to decide how the line is built, how capacity is allocated, and how its market rules apply. The project is therefore shaped primarily to serve California’s policy goals rather than the shared reliability and affordability objectives that once defined regional interconnection.
California’s renewable-energy mandates and carbon-reduction targets now dictate the direction and justification of SWIP-North. It is not a partnership. It is a jurisdictional imbalance presented as “regional coordination.”
Market Effects: From Stability to Exposure
As SWIP-N comes under CAISO’s tariff, every megawatt transmitted through it can be priced according to CAISO’s locational marginal pricing (LMP) system. This algorithm determines energy prices based on supply, demand, and transmission congestion across CAISO’s network.
For Idaho Power, this means wholesale electricity traded through SWIP-N will no longer rely solely on bilateral contracts or cost-of-service pricing. Instead, prices will fluctuate with California’s real-time grid conditions. Even limited participation ties Idaho Power’s financial exposure to California’s market volatility.
The risk is most pronounced near the Harry Allen–Eldorado corridor in southern Nevada, one of the most congested points within CAISO’s footprint. Exports from Idaho could face rising congestion fees, while imports back into Idaho could become more expensive when California’s demand spikes.
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) customers are also indirectly exposed. As CAISO expands its regional influence through projects like SWIP-N, market effects ripple northward through the Western Energy Imbalance Market and day-ahead market integration. Increased California-driven congestion and price volatility can elevate transmission costs for BPA’s balancing operations and influence wholesale rates for public utilities across the Northwest. As CAISO’s policy-driven pricing model extends its reach, traditionally stable hydro-based regions like those served by BPA may face new exposure to California’s market dynamics.
Idaho’s Limited Control
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) retains jurisdiction over Idaho Power’s cost recovery. Idaho Power cannot charge its customers for participation in SWIP-N unless it can demonstrate that the investment is prudent and provides a measurable benefit to Idaho ratepayers.
The IPUC can still:
Approve or reject Idaho Power’s requests to recover costs through retail rates.
Review the prudence of expenses related to CAISO market participation.
Require transparency and accounting for any market settlements tied to SWIP-N.
In practical terms, Idaho still decides what its residents pay. However, because SWIP-N is not an interregional project, Idaho no longer has authority over the line’s planning, sizing, or operation. Those decisions now rest with CAISO, which determines:
How transmission capacity is allocated among California, Nevada, and Idaho users.
How congestion and tariffs are priced within its market system.
How energy flows are prioritized under California’s renewable integration policies.
Bottom Line
SWIP-N changes Idaho’s role in the western power grid. Instead of remaining an independent actor within a shared regional system, Idaho becomes a secondary participant in California’s market.
This alignment introduces three long-term vulnerabilities:
Price volatility: Idaho’s historically stable rates will begin to mirror California’s fluctuating grid conditions.
Revenue risk: Idaho Power’s transmission investments could underperform during periods of renewable oversupply or curtailment.
Policy dependence: California’s energy mandates, not Idaho’s, will determine the long-term value of Idaho’s transmission infrastructure.
The shift is subtle but significant. It transforms Idaho from a sovereign regulator into a dependent market participant.
SWIP-N, once promoted as a regional project intended to enhance shared reliability, now functions as a California-controlled conduit for renewable imports. Idaho retains authority over what its ratepayers are charged, but not over how those prices are formed. That distinction defines the new imbalance in the western grid.
References
California Independent System Operator (CAISO). (2024). 2023–2024 Transmission Planning Process Report.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). (2025, January 21). Order accepting development agreement between Great Basin Transmission LLC and CAISO regarding SWIP-N (Docket No. ER25-543). Washington, D.C.
LS Power. (2024). Southwest Intertie Project Overview.
Disclaimer
This analysis represents opinion based on public filings from CAISO, FERC, and Idaho Power as of October 2025. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice.
On Saturday, there were two separate residential fires which both appeared to be related to lithium batteries.
Thankfully, both fires were quickly reported and handled before they could spread to the whole structure. But we would still like to share seven helpful tips on safety with these new batteries, since they tend to be in everything these days. They are commonly seen in e-bikes and scooters. Make sure you read the manuals that come with your devices.
Only use official batteries, chargers, and accessories from the manufacturer. Sorry, but it’s not worth saving a buck to order cheap batteries off Temu.
This also includes extension cords! Best practice is to avoid extension cords. If you have to use one, you need a heavier duty cord which is from a quality manufacturer and meets all requirements in your device’s user guide. A cord which might be fine for 99% of your other devices can be the weak point in a system when charging these heavy duty lithium batteries. The cord itself can actually catch fire!
Don’t charge your devices near doors. It might be convenient to charge your bike or scooter right by the door so you can take it in and out fast. However, this means if it catches fire, it is blocking your fastest exit.
Remove batteries from chargers as soon as they are done charging. Don’t leave them on the charger indefinitely.
Inspect batteries for leaks, swelling, or other things that don’t look right. If you see something like that, take it out of your house and properly dispose of it.
Consider investing in lithium-safe charging bags or boxes. These can mitigate risk and contain a fire when it does start.
If you have a battery explode or catch fire, immediately call 911 and evacuate the building. Some of these batteries have burning chemicals which cannot be extinguished by normal fire extinguishers. These chemicals cause harmful gas and smoke and should be handled by professionals with proper safety equipment.
As these batteries become more and more common, we unfortunately expect to see more incidents like this. Take some steps to keep you and your property safe!
