The premier conservative outlet for Idaho news. Dedicated to governmental transparency and human flourishing. Unabashedly Christian. Long Idaho!
Joined March 2025
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An introduction for the many new followers:
The Gem State Brief is the brainchild of a local book club called Locus Lectorum (place of books). Founded as an avenue to expand our horizons by fostering good conversation, we quickly became convinced that we needed to convert our convictions into action.
The GSB became a newsletter in late spring of '25 and continues on as a weekly curation of noteworthy local content with brief descriptions written by members, alongside long-form content recommendations, books, and the occasional piece of original content. Our current membership, a mix of millennial and Gen Z, is nearly all native Idahoan.
Along the way we started experimenting with short form content and identified that Idaho needs a local news source that is independent, focused on human generated content, and represents the traditional Idahoan values of Faith, Family, and Country. One of our members (@FerrinsThoughts) filmed the scuffle at the Charlie Kirk vigil on the Statehouse steps and we've dedicated more time and resources to the nascent endeavor since that footage went viral.
The recent completion of our own studio will allow us to expand our content type; look for a mix of short and long form video and audio content focused on Idaho events in 2026. With the legislative session just around the corner and the biannual primaries in May there will be many stories worth highlighting!
Finally, please DM us if you have an interesting story to share, we are already working on several under-the-radar news stories and look forward to more in the year ahead.
Jeffery Street, candidate for the 4th District judicial seat, signed Proposition 1 this spring. Now he’s claiming to have done so only to further the conversation. We need principled judges and Street does not fit the bill.
58 legislators from across Idaho, representing 28 of 35 districts, signed a proclamation this morning urging Idahoans to reject Proposition 1.
Let Freedom Ring (quietly)
Idahoans can now buy suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns without registration, lengthy waits, or federal taxes following guidance issued by ATF on Friday that it will stop enforcing those requirements nationwide, following the court victory Idaho won with 14 other states.
Idaho gun dealers and owners should read the ATF’s FAQs at: atf.gov/firearms/update-to-n… before buying or transferring firearms or seek a private attorney for more questions.
The Gem State Brief retweeted
Pro-abortion advocates vandalize the home of @RealTheoWold . Some narratives write themselves.
Pro-abortion advocates vandalize the home of @RealTheoWold . Some narratives write themselves.
Traditional media hides under “journalistic integrity” while rigging the game in favor of their pet ideology.
This is why the old model of news is irrevocably broken.
WSJ crew spent at least 2-3 hours with me, and focused on a small section of what I had to say. While they did focus on some good points of what a true conservative is, it was obvious they had an agenda.
Were they successful, you be the judge. However, in my long interview, I had addressed much of the points he was trying to make throughout the video, conveniently they were left out.
They did interview some non "extremists" or "hard right" folks…that being a successful business owner from Stanley and a dairy farmer…you know the average Idaho citizen. 🙄
Is true journalistic integrity dead at the national and legacy media level?
Entitlement reform is the ultimate 3rd rail, everyone knows it's necessary, but no one wants to touch it.
We've built a tool that allows you model out Social Security reform and see the impact against GDP.
Refund all payments with interest? Sure thing!
End immediately or with a 30 year glide path? Check!
Safety net for existing retirees? Customizable.
Here is one scenario, what is yours?
How would you wind down Social Security? Give our simulator a spin here and share your plan.
gemstatebrief.com/social-sec…
In another special edition of the GSB, Caleb sits down with Kyle Bills, an Ex-Mormon and missionary to Chile, to discuss political similarities between Christians and Mormons, religious differences between the two, and how he approaches LDS outreach.
Find Kyle at:
Instagram: instagram.com/bills2chile
ABWE: give.abwe.org/workers/gregor…
Epistle: bills2chile.epistle.org
Regulatory capture is everywhere.
If you want to understand why healthcare is so expensive, I'd start with a Supreme Court case about teeth whitening.
Around 2003, spas and small kiosks in North Carolina were offering teeth whitening for a fraction of what dentists charge.
So dentists complained to the state dental board. That dental board looks like this:
- 6 of 8 are practicing dentists, elected by other dentists
- 8 of the 10 who sat on the board during this period earned substantial fees from whitening
The board sent 47+ cease-and-desist letters, warning non-dentists that they're committing a crime by practicing dentistry without a license. The board also sent letters to mall operators, advising them to expel whitening kiosks.
All this worked! These kiosks shut down, prices stayed high, dentists stayed happy.
Regulatory capture like this exists all over in healthcare. What makes this case notable is that someone actually sued the NC dental board, in a case that went all the way to the supreme court.
In a 6-3 ruling, the SC ruled that if a board is run by those who participate in the market without proper supervision - that looks like a cartel, therefore, antitrust law applies.
I have to believe there are so many other potential cases like this in healthcare, just waiting to be pressed on. I'd love to see more of this.
