Idaho abortion, medical cannabis initiatives learn ballot fates. What you may have missed

From a failed medical cannabis initiative to an abortion measure headed to the November ballot, Idaho saw major news across politics, business and travel in the past week. Here’s a rundown of top stories from the Idaho Statesman.

• Idaho’s medical cannabis ballot initiative failed to qualify for the November ballot amid concerns about “apparent false or fraudulent” signatures, unverified circulator residencies and campaign finance issues. Secretary of State Phil McGrane said even “under the most favorable assumption,” the campaign collected only about 58,000 verified signatures and cleared the 6% threshold in just 13 of the required 18 legislative districts.
• Idaho voters will decide in November whether to restore widespread access to abortion after Idahoans United for Women and Families submitted more than 110,000 signatures for the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act. The measure would legalize abortion up to fetal viability — roughly 24 weeks — or in medical emergencies.
• Meridian resident Doug Davis, the franchise operator who brought Buffalo Wild Wings and Dave’s Hot Chicken to Idaho, died July 8 at age 67 after a battle with lung cancer. A Boise location of Dave’s Hot Chicken at 1700 W. State St. is still on track to open Aug. 20, fulfilling his wish.
• Koco Bell and Koco Bell Express, two highly rated Asian restaurants in Boise, are for sale for $50,000. Its owners are hoping to return to Korea to be with family, though both spots remain open for now.
• Alaska Airlines will launch a daily seasonal direct flight from Boise to Honolulu starting Dec. 17 and running through March 21. The seven-hour route aboard a Boeing 737 MAX makes Honolulu the Boise Airport’s 29th nonstop destination and will be Idaho’s only direct service to Hawaii.
• Food safety company Fortrex notified the Idaho Department of Labor that 53 employees in Kuna will be laid off effective July 30 after CS Beef Packers abruptly ended its contract. Fortrex said it is offering laid-off workers the option to transfer to other company locations within a reasonable commute.
• Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle’s family successfully appealed part of a steep property reassessment in Star, where one parcel jumped from $18,000 to more than $2.7 million after the Ada County Assessor’s Office reclassified previously agricultural and waste land as development ground. Commissioners sided with the Moyles on the southern portion but upheld the higher valuation on the northern parcels.
• Former Middleton High star Robert Orloski was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 16th round of the MLB Draft on Sunday, despite a season-ending shoulder injury in February that limited him to 23 pitches at UTSA this spring. He has until July 27 to sign or return for his senior season.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.