Extra: Managing Idaho's Water And Fire with Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke

2024 was a rough fire year in Idaho. This week, Melissa Davlin sat down with Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke to ask about Gov. Brad Little’s recommendations to improve the state’s firefighting capabilities moving forward. Last year also saw the culmination of a long-simmering water fight in eastern Idaho. A looming water shortage prompted senior water right holders to threaten to withhold the ability of junior rights holders to use their water, at least until the senior rights holders used their share. Had it gone through, it would have overwhelmingly affected agriculture, and could have meant fields going dry. Ultimately, stakeholders worked out an updated agreement that involved, among other things, prioritizing recharge efforts in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.