This column was first published on Rocky Barker’s “Letters from the West” blog on Dec. 30, 2024. The most significant land conservation act in American history started on a raft trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

Former president Jimmy Carter took a float trip on Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River which inspired him to save millions of acres of Alaska's wilderness.

We will see mostly sunny skies after scattered morning fog. The high will be near 40 on Thursday. Tonight we will see clear skies and lows in the mid-20s.

Mr. Trump is looking at closer cooperation with Canada on economic issues. We already share a defense posture. Remember all the talk about the Amero.

The minimum wage will increase in nearly half the states this year even as the federal wage floor remains stuck at $7.25 per hour. In many states, the minimum wage is automatically adjusted upward as inflation rises.

BOISE — Alaska Airlines is continuing its expansion of non-stop destinations out of Boise with service to Orlando, Florida.

Getting to Disney World is now a little easier, thanks to a new seasonal non-stop flight from Alaska Airlines.