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Kyle Pfannenstiel

@pfannyyy.bsky.social

Health and politics reporter for the Idaho Capital Sun. Fawn-in-steel. U of I alum. Always mustachioed. He/him. Tips: kpfann@idahocapitalsun.com.

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Kyle Pfannenstiel@pfannyyy.bsky.social · 2d ago

After a major health insurer dropped an East Idaho hospital from its network, Idaho Republican legislative leaders founded a new working group of state lawmakers tasked with studying the practices of health insurance companies. #idleg #idpol

After contract dispute with East Idaho hospital, Legislature’s task force to study health insurers • Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho Republican legislative leaders founded a new working group of lawmakers tasked with studying health insurance companies.

idahocapitalsun.com

Christina Lords@christinalords.bsky.social · 5d ago

After we reported on a legal claim filed by a D.C. woman who says Idaho National Guard members injured her while detaining her, we heard from some of you asking about how long and how many Idahoans had been deployed there. Here's our follow up:

Idaho National Guard members have been deployed in D.C. since February • Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho National Guard members have been deployed in Washington D.C. since February. Idaho officials didn't publicly announce the action.

idahocapitalsun.com

Idaho Capital Sun@idahocapitalsun.com · 7d ago

The disaster emergency declaration applies to all of Owyhee County, which is affected by the Big Grass Fire, and all of Boundary County, where the Turner Fire burned.

Idaho Gov. Little declares wildfire disaster emergency, authorizes Guard to help along Oregon border • Idaho Capital Sun

The Big Grass Fire exhibited “extreme fire behavior with rapid rates of spread” and has burned more than 300,000 acres in Oregon and Idaho.

idahocapitalsun.com

Idaho Capital Sun@idahocapitalsun.com · 5d ago

“Our most vulnerable unhoused are moving further and further away from resources, so that they’re not able to be seen or ticketed,” said Jodi Peterson-Stigers, who runs the Interfaith Sanctuary shelter. “It’s harder to find people who are on our waitlists.” #idleg #idpol

An Idaho law penalizes people sleeping in public spaces. Advocates say it harms more than it helps. • Idaho Capital Sun

On the afternoon of June 22, Neil “Lee” Spring was sitting in Rhodes Skate Park with a friend when officers from the Boise Police Department approached him. “We’re going to give you a ticket for sitting here everyday,” Spring said officers told him. He was issued a $10 citation for camping on public property — …

idahocapitalsun.com

Kyle Pfannenstiel@pfannyyy.bsky.social · last wk.

Idaho is one of two states that don't dedicate state funding for public transit. In the Legislature, Valley Regional Transit's push to change that faces tough odds in the Legislature. “Hell no,” House Speaker Mike Moyle told me. #idleg #idpol

In Idaho, a public transit program can take you to the doctor. If it has enough funding. • Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho doesn't have dedicated funding for public transportation. But Valley Regional Transit is pushing the Legislature for the power to tax.

idahocapitalsun.com

Kyle Pfannenstiel@pfannyyy.bsky.social · 2w ago

Idaho is gearing up to start Medicaid work requirements by the start of next year. State health officials also took an early look at how people are meeting the rules. The "vast majority" are already working or exempt, the state's top Medicaid official says. #idpol

Idaho’s strict Medicaid work requirements to start next year. Most meet the rules, official says. • Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho state health officials plan to start implementing work requirements for people on Medicaid expansion starting next year.

idahocapitalsun.com

Idaho Capital Sun@idahocapitalsun.com · 2w ago

Amid a rapidly declining cash balance and a half-a-million dollar public pool renovation project that isn’t yet complete, Idaho state auditors are referring a report on spending by the city of Kamiah to the state’s chief legal officer.

In rare Idaho state audit of a city, report finds major procedural shortcomings in Kamiah's spending • Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho state auditors are referring a report on spending by the city of Kamiah to the state’s chief legal officer.

idahocapitalsun.com

Kelcie Moseley-Morris@kelciemmorris.bsky.social · 2w ago

The Trump administration has a new plan for teenagers learning about pregnancy: Millions will now be directed toward organizations that focus on body literacy, fertility tracking, hormonal production and “reproductive goals counseling,” programming usually meant for youth between ages 10 and 24.

Feds have a new teen pregnancy prevention plan: Fertility and ‘reproductive goals’ • Stateline

The Trump administration has a new plan for teenagers learning about pregnancy: Beginning this summer, it will steer millions of dollars toward organizations that focus on anatomy, fertility tracking,...

stateline.org

Kelcie Moseley-Morris@kelciemmorris.bsky.social · 2w ago

The letter ... argues that Live Action’s articles about Adkins, Smith, St.Michel and 10 other women from around the nation were “false and defamatory.” Most of the Live Action statements referenced in the letter suggest that the women’s pregnancies were not dangerous and abortions were unnecessary.

Idaho women say anti-abortion website's articles are 'false and defamatory' • Idaho Capital Sun

Women who spoke about seeking abortions amid fatal fetal diagnoses while living in Idaho are among a group demanding an anti-abortion website retract its “defamatory” statements made about them.

idahocapitalsun.com

Idaho Capital Sun@idahocapitalsun.com · 3w ago

Although the state ended its recent fiscal year with a positive ending cash balance, the state’s tight budget environment is expected to continue in fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year 2028, state officials said.

After ‘tight budget year,’ Idaho ends fiscal year with positive cash balance • Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho ended the 2026 fiscal year with a positive ending cash balance that lets the state transfer about $250 million into next year’s budget.

idahocapitalsun.com

Peter Baker@peterbakernyt.bsky.social · 3w ago

"Like Captain Ahab in 'Moby Dick'": Trump's prime-time speech underscored how much in his second term he has come to be obsessed with relitigating the 2020 election and finding ways to cast doubt on the 2026 election that his party seems likely to lose. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/u...

Trump’s Obsession With Relitigating the 2020 Election Carries a Cost for Democracy

In demanding steps to address the integrity of voting, President Trump persisted in relitigating his 2020 election defeat while finding ways to cast doubt on the 2026 outcome.

nytimes.com

Kyle Pfannenstiel@pfannyyy.bsky.social · 3w ago

After a legislative session marked by budget cuts, a panel of state lawmakers voted to keep flat the governor’s housing allowance. And they got some history on why Idaho doesn't have a governor's mansion. #idleg #idpol

Idaho committee keeps governor housing stipend flat. But what about building a mansion? • Idaho Capital Sun

After a legislative session marked by budget cuts, a panel of state lawmakers voted to keep flat the governor’s housing allowance.

idahocapitalsun.com

madi mcvan@madisonmcvan.bsky.social · 3w ago

my favorite mike lindell moment is when my former coworker deena winter called him up after the FBI seized his phone at a Hardee's in Mankato lindell re: the @minnesotareformer.com: "you’re way better than Fox News or Newsmax"

Mike Lindell says the FBI seized his cell phone at a Mankato Hardee’s • Minnesota Reformer

Mike Lindell says the FBI seized his cell phone at a Mankato Hardee’s on Tuesday.

minnesotareformer.com

madi mcvan@madisonmcvan.bsky.social · 3w ago

one thing about mike lindell is that he’s going to pick up the phone

Idaho Education News@idahoednews.bsky.social · 3w ago

A “humiliating” story has surfaced in multiple lawsuits litigating the state’s transgender bathroom restrictions. Court records show conflicting accounts of what happened. www.idahoednews.org/top-news/a-d...

A disputed Boise High incident became central to Idaho’s transgender bathroom fight

A “humiliating” story has surfaced in multiple lawsuits litigating the state’s transgender bathroom restrictions. Court records show conflicting accounts of what happened.

idahoednews.org

Kyle Pfannenstiel@pfannyyy.bsky.social · 3w ago

Idaho Congressman Russ Fulcher wants to know what Idahoans think about the management and use of the state's federal lands. Nearly two-thirds of Idaho’s land is federal. He has supported selling or transferring large swaths of federal land to local control. #idpol From my colleague Laura Guido.

Idaho U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher seeks input on federal land management in survey • Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho Republican U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher is seeking Idahoans’ input on management and use of the state’s federal lands.

idahocapitalsun.com

Kyle Pfannenstiel@pfannyyy.bsky.social · 3w ago

A lot is changing with Medicaid: Federal funding cuts, work requirements and more. Want to learn about what's in store? Join this panel event on July 23 with me, other States Newsroom journalists and experts from @kff.org!

Medicaid and the Road Ahead: Spending Cuts, Work Requirements and What's Next for States, Providers and Families | KFF

On Thursday, July 23 at 12 p.m. ET/ 9 am PT, join KFF and States Newsroom for an event focused on the impacts of work requirements and other federal policy changes on states, health care systems, and ...

kff.org

Kyle Pfannenstiel@pfannyyy.bsky.social · 3w ago

In response to the Trump administration attempt to intervene in elections, a high-ranking Idaho lawyer representing the state’s top election official sent the U.S. Justice Department a stern letter. “First, you can stop threatening your friends in Idaho,” he wrote. #idpol

‘Stop threatening your friends’: Idaho Attorney General’s Office lawyer blasts Justice Department • Idaho Capital Sun

In response to Trump administration’s attempts to intervene in elections, a lawyer representing Idaho's Secretary of State stern letter.

idahocapitalsun.com

Kelcie Moseley-Morris@kelciemmorris.bsky.social · 3w ago

If you'd like to know more about the demographics of those who signed, check out my story from last week:

In deep red Idaho, support for ballot question on abortion access is spread across party lines • Idaho Capital Sun

About one-fourth of the signatures gathered for a ballot initiative to reverse Idaho's strict abortion ban came from registered Republicans.

idahocapitalsun.com

Kelcie Moseley-Morris@kelciemmorris.bsky.social · 3w ago

BREAKING from my inbox: The initiative to restore access to abortion, protect contraception and access to fertility treatments like IVF has officially qualified for the ballot in Idaho in November.

A news release from Idahoans United for Women and Families stating the reproductive freedom ballot initiative has qualified
Kyle Pfannenstiel@pfannyyy.bsky.social · 3w ago

A ballot initiative seeking to legalize medical marijuana in Idaho didn't get enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, election officials announced. Many of the signatures were turned in on the deadline day. In one rural county, officials rejected a batch turned in late. #idpol

In rural Idaho, medical marijuana ballot initiative hits setback after signatures turned in late • Idaho Capital Sun

The Minidoka County clerk wouldn't count signatures turned in late for an Idaho medical marijuana ballot initiative. A PAC sued her.

idahocapitalsun.com

Christina Lords@christinalords.bsky.social · 3w ago

This may have been the last opportunity for Idaho voters to legalize cannabis. A separate ballot issue approved by the #idleg, called House Joint Resolution 4, would amend the Idaho Constitution to allow only the Legislature – and not voters – to have the authority to legalize any drug. #idpol

Medical cannabis initiative fails to qualify for Idaho’s general election ballot • Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho Secretary of State’s Office said medical marijuana ballot initiative failed to meet the total signatures and legislative districts.

idahocapitalsun.com

Kyle Pfannenstiel@pfannyyy.bsky.social · 3w ago

During the legislative session, some high-ranking law enforcement officials told lawmakers that Idaho's trans bathroom ban would require invasive methods to enforce. Now, some officials are confronting the realities of how they’d handle reports of the law being broken. #idleg #idpol

Idaho’s transgender bathroom ban is now the law. How will police enforce it? That’s still unclear. • Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho's criminal transgender bathroom ban is now law. What methods, such as DNA testing, will law enforcement use to prove biological sex?

idahocapitalsun.com

Kelcie Moseley-Morris@kelciemmorris.bsky.social · 4w ago

I haven't had time until now to even promote my story today, but better late than never. Who signed the petition to put a question on Idaho's ballot about restoring abortion access and protecting access to contraception, IVF and more? Some of the answers may surprise you.

In deep red Idaho, support for ballot question on abortion access is spread across party lines • Stateline

Despite Idaho’s status as a deeply conservative state — President Donald Trump won there by nearly 37 percentage points in 2024 — an estimated one-fourth of more than 110,000 signatures collected by t...

stateline.org

Kelcie Moseley-Morris@kelciemmorris.bsky.social · 4w ago

“Idaho’s top election official, Republican Secretary of State Phil McGrane, has declined to give the Justice Department access to sensitive information on Idaho’s 1 million registered voters, including partial Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers.” From @pfannyyy.bsky.social

Trump administration threatens to criminally prosecute Idaho election officials if noncitizens vote • Idaho Capital Sun

The Trump administration warned Idaho officials they could be criminally prosecuted if they don’t stop noncitizens from voting.

idahocapitalsun.com