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Whether it’s agriculture, tourism or energy, a look at the industries that shape Idaho’s economy and how they are affected by state policies.

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September 26, 2012

Idaho Lawmakers Will Be Asked To Fund Five Additional WWAMI Seats

In an effort to alleviate Idaho’s doctor shortage, the Idaho Board of Education is asking state lawmakers to approve money to pay for five additional students to attend the University of Washington’s medical school in Seattle.  Idaho, like Alaska, Montana and Wyoming, does not have its own medical school. Instead, the four states rely on […]

September 17, 2012

Buying Trumps Renting In Boise’s Recovering Housing Market

It is, in general, cheaper to own than rent.  That’s the broad finding of a recent report from real estate website Trulia. How much cheaper? Assuming a 3.5 percent mortgage rate and 20 percent down payment, among other things, “buying is now 45 percent cheaper than renting in the 100 largest U.S. metros, on average […]

September 14, 2012

Lewiston Ammunition Maker Continues To Expand

Howell Machine, an ammunition maker in Lewiston, has more than quadrupled its workforce in the last five years.  That’s according to a recent article from the Lewiston Tribune. The newspaper reports Howell Machine has 132 employees and plans to add almost 100 more by March.  The company is also preparing to add some serious square […]

September 13, 2012

In One Year, Idaho’s Foreclosure Rate Posts A 60 Percent Drop

Idaho’s foreclosure rate was the fifth highest in the nation when housing data provider RealtyTrac released its numbers at this time a year ago.  At that time, John Starr of Collier’s International gave a folksy, downbeat description of the local foreclosure problem. “You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting somebody who has been personally […]

September 11, 2012

For Some Idaho Farmers, This Year’s Drought Means Losses Next Year

In Idaho, this summer’s drought has picked winners and losers.  In southeast Idaho, farmers with deep wells and sophisticated irrigation systems predicted record profits as harvest time began last month.  Meanwhile, dryland farmers nearby contemplated withered spring wheat fields, and hoped to break even. Now, dryland wheat farmer Hans Hayden says the drought is beginning […]

September 7, 2012

Farm Bill Delays Bring Frustration, Resignation In Idaho

A coalition of farm groups calling itself Farm Bill Now will descend on Washington, D.C. next week.  The group aims to pressure Congress to take action on 2012 farm bill legislation before the current farm bill expires September 30. The Senate passed its version of the bill months ago, in June, but the full House […]

September 5, 2012

Idaho Touts Local Culture And State Law To Draw Gun Manufacturers

It’s a straightforward pitch: Idaho is a gun-friendly state.  Why not encourage gun manufacturers to come in and set up shop? Several years ago, that logic led Idaho’s Department of Commerce to begin recruiting “recreation technology” companies.  The term refers to makers of all sorts of outdoor equipment, but the department’s most prominent pitch was […]

August 31, 2012

Who Are Idaho’s Firearms, Ammunition, And Accessories Manufacturers?

Kayla Cuellar counts herself lucky.  She was born and raised in Idaho, and considers it a great place for the business she and her husband started a few years ago. It’s called Valiant Firearms and Ammunition, and it specializes in pistol and rifle ammunition.  Each cartridge is assembled by hand. Cuellar spends a lot of […]

August 28, 2012
August 24, 2012

Has Idaho’s Doctor Shortage Affected You?

A 2011 study by the Association of American Medical Colleges ranks Idaho second to last when it comes to the number of physicians per capita. By this measure, Idaho is short on doctors.

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