Evan Koch
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OPINION: In the fight for education, the safe middle ground is quickly disappearing
“All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men (and women) to do nothing.” That was Edmund Burke’s 18...
OPINION: Idahoans support LGBTQ rights
Most Democrats and Republicans agree that strong, supportive family relationships are important. Idahoans also have a healthy respect for limiting government...
OPINION: Keep hate away
A safe democracy requires that politicians avoid, discourage, and condemn rhetoric that can lead to violence. Unfortunately that is not what seems to be occu...
OPINION: Michael Gerson, a different kind of Conservative
We heard various definitions of conservatism during the recently concluded mid-term election campaign. “Vetted,” “Conservative, not crazy” and “RINO” (Republ...
OPINION: Lessons from the midterm election
Before we turn all our attention to impending local issues like urban renewal districts and hospital management, we must recognize the important take-home le...
COMMENTARY: To restore Kootenai County values, reject extremism
For the past few months, Democrats have been phone banking and knocking on doors near you. We may have even knocked on your door and spoken to you in person....
COMMENTARY: Unions create better lives
This month as we celebrate Labor Day, it is widely reported that labor unions are resurging in the United States.
COMMENTARY: Help break the silence surrounding suicide
In 2020, more than 419 families throughout Idaho came to know the unique pain of losing someone to suicide. In North Idaho, more than 41 people completed sui...
COMMENTARY: Idaho’s total abortion ban is now in effect
Idaho's total abortion ban took effect on Aug. 25. A subsequent ruling issued by Judge B. Lynn Winmill in federal court temporarily protects doctors who trea...
COMMENTARY: Repair and reclaim our schools
On Tuesday, Sept. 6, Kootenai County parents will send their kids back to school. Mixed in with the full backpacks and the first day of school cell phone pho...
COMMENTARY: Counting the problems in Idaho’s overwhelmed foster care system
The foster care system in Idaho is overwhelmed. Foster care stories are private and personal, but the numbers alone paint a stark picture. As Idahoans who ca...
COMMENTARY: Reform or eliminate unfair grocery tax
Anyone who shops for groceries knows that food costs much more than it did just one year ago.
COMMENTARY: 'Wasted in the filth of fendings and provings?'
Partisan politics as an unrestrained blood sport is at least as old as America itself. And yet, Americans, and Idahoans, are showing signs of exhaustion with...
COMMENTARY: Idaho needs the Quality Education Act
A citizen’s initiative, the Quality Education Act, will be on the ballot in November. In the initiative big corporations (C Corporations, not S corps or small family owned businesses) will see their taxes returne...
COMMENTARY: Public lands belong to all of us
...a handful of well-positioned Idaho politicians with help from some out-of-state financial backers want to take control of public land in order to sell it ...
COMMENTARY: Criminalizing abortion not compassionate
Making abortion illegal will have negative impact