This column was first published on Rocky Barker’s “Letters from the West” blog on Dec. 30, 2024. The most significant land conservation act in American history started on a raft trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

Former president Jimmy Carter took a float trip on Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River which inspired him to save millions of acres of Alaska's wilderness.

The two men “left without incident” but then returned to pick up Thompson’s son, according to prosecutors. An argument broke out and Thompson fired at Finau 17 times with a 9mm gun, according to prosecutors. Then as Thompson left, Smith came in “and fired seven more shots at Finau,” prosecutors said.

We will see mostly sunny skies after scattered morning fog. The high will be near 40 on Thursday. Tonight we will see clear skies and lows in the mid-20s.

January 9, 2025 • Former president Jimmy Carter took a float trip on Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River which inspired him to save millions of acres of Alaska's wilderness.

BOISE — Alaska Airlines is continuing its expansion of non-stop destinations out of Boise with service to Orlando, Florida.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

The minimum wage will increase in nearly half the states this year even as the federal wage floor remains stuck at $7.25 per hour. In many states, the minimum wage is automatically adjusted upward as inflation rises.

Getting to Disney World is now a little easier, thanks to a new seasonal non-stop flight from Alaska Airlines.

As president, Trump can take the action to rename the body of water, although other countries don’t have to adopt the new name.

And in 2023, according to the latest U.S. Forest Service data, 12 counties in Alaska received $12.6 million; 34 counties in Idaho got $25 million; 32 counties in Montana received $16 million ...

New state laws taking effect this month aim to confront the nation’s ongoing housing crisis in various ways, from expanding housing options, to speeding up the development process, to protecting struggling tenants from eviction. Similar bills are in store for this year’s legislative sessions.