Political news from Southern Idaho and local government from Twin Falls, Idaho, the Magic Valley and surrounding areas of the state of Idaho has been greatly impacted by recent events. Governor Brad Little, a 68-year-old rancher and longtime Republican politician from Emmett, is running for his second term as governor and faces a handful of unconventional rivals in his discreet campaign. His opponent, Ammon Bundy, is an anti-government candidate who is seeking the top position in the Idaho government. Previously, Little served as Lieutenant Governor for 10 years.
Like his father, David, Little also served in the Idaho Senate. In order to resolve conflicts between state and federal laws related to the interstate transportation of hemp in Idaho, Governor Little issued an executive order. Following the retirement of Commissioner Lane Clezie, Governor Little is accepting applications to serve as representative of the Southeast Region on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. Governor Little authorized an increase in Idaho National Guard support from 100 to 250 active-duty personnel to improve medical capacity and the response to COVID-19 across the state. He also announced that Idaho will once again collaborate with the SANS Institute on an initiative to introduce high school and college students in Idaho to cybersecurity careers through the Girls Go CyberStart and Cyber FastTrack initiatives. Governor Little signed a state public health order moving Idaho back to the third modified phase of Idaho's rebound plan, as health centers across the state face alarming demand and capacity restrictions due to the growing spread of COVID-19. He also commented on the death of former House member and editor and publisher of Twin Falls Times News, Stephen Hartgen.
The Navy marked an important milestone in the Idaho Settlement Agreement, which addresses the management of spent nuclear fuel at the Idaho National Laboratory. Governor Little visited high school students in Kuna, Twin Falls and Rigby to reinforce the benefits of Launch's proposed job training program. He also released a statement ahead of Monday's Idaho Supreme Court hearing related to the death sentences handed down against convicted serial killer and rapist Gerald Pizzuto. Governor Little announced four key updates on the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Idaho and applauded the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee following its vote on Wednesday to promote his budget recommendation to improve water infrastructure in Idaho. The governor delivers an annual speech and report to the Idaho Legislature, called the State of the State Address, submits an annual budget request to legislators and is the only person who has the authority to convene a special session of the Idaho Legislature. He also ordered that flags be flown at half-mast in honor of the three Idaho Army National Guard pilots who died in a helicopter crash near Boise on Tuesday night.
Governor Little met with representatives of the Idaho Wheat Commission and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle to sign a letter of intent for the Taiwan Flour Mills Association to buy U.Recent events have had a major influence on politics in Twin Falls, Idaho. Governor Brad Little has been at the forefront of many initiatives that have been implemented in response to these events. From increasing support for medical capacity during COVID-19 to signing a letter of intent for Taiwan Flour Mills Association to buy U., Governor Little has been actively involved in addressing issues that have arisen due to recent events.
