The Gem State Brief

Curated by Locus Lectorum

July 10, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Idaho Attorney General and Director of Idaho Department of Health and Welfare sued to prevent enforcement of new immigration law

State Capitol | June 27 | Idaho Capital Sun

ACLU of Idaho has sued multiple Idaho state officials seeking to prevent them from enforcing a new Idaho law that requires lawful immigration status to receive medication under the state-funded HIV treatment program.was recovered from the mountainside, though there is no information as to his motive yet.

Manhunt for Travis Decker in Sawtooth National Forest called off due to mistaken identity

Bear Creek | July 9 | Yahoo

Travis Decker, wanted for the alleged murder of his 3 children in Washington in May, was thought to have been sighted north of Fairfield in the Sawtooth National Forest. The US Marshals' task force received a tip describing a man matching Decker's description, but on Wednesday they found the man and confirmed it was not Decker.

Slice of Texas for Meridian

Meridian | July 8 | Boise Dev

Buc-ee’s, the infamous Texas gas chain, is evaluating a site in Meridian for possible expansion.

After protracted process, new Interfaith shelter approved

State Street | July 8 | KIVI

Interfaith's conditional use permit application for a new shelter on State Street was first denied by Boise's Planning and Zoning Commission in 2022. The denial was appealed to the Boise City Council, which approved the application, but the appeal was overruled by the Idaho Supreme Court. This week, the Boise P&Z Commission unanimously approved an updated application for the sanctuary.

US Supreme Court to hear case for Idaho's Fairness in Women's Sports Act

State Capitol | July 3 | Idaho.gov

The Supreme Court will hear the case Little vs. Hecox, which will determine the legality of Idaho's Fairness in Women's Sports Act. The law prevents biological men from participating in women's sports and was passed in 2020, but was prevented from going into effect by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Highlights & Insights

"Hitting the High Notes" - As the world continues trending towards mediocre products made by mediocre people, this 20-year-old article about software development rings true in a much broader sense about the value of quality and the kind of people it takes to produce it.

🏛️ Apologetics Fact

A new study published in the journal "Geology" claims new evidence pointing to the Cambrian explosion occurring millions of years earlier than previously believed. This study is the latest in a long line of apparently inconsistent findings that evolutionists manipulate timelines to account for instead of questioning the original evolutionary premises.

🗣️ Quote

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity." — George Washington (Farewell Address)

🏅 Person: Brian Kernighan (1942-)

One of the most influential computer scientists in history, Kernighan was one of three original developers of UNIX—arguably the most foundational operating system in modern computing. He also co-authored the first book on C programming, co-developed the AWK and AMPL programming languages, and continues actively contributing to open source projects to this day.

📕 Book: Barbarians at the Gate

Investigative journalists Bryan Burrough and John Helyar masterfully weave together the themes of personal conflict, cunning business decisions, and naked greed as they tell the story of the disastrous leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco, the massive conglomerate comprising the Reynolds tobacco company and the Nabisco cookie brands. While a corporate mishap may seem like a dull topic, this book is a masterpiece of effective historical storytelling, and grants a deeper insight into the thought process and monetary decisions of Wall Street bankers and CEOs.