Thomas Whitaker
Freelance Journalist · Boise, ID
PureSource News LLC
Thomas Whitaker is a freelance journalist based in Boise, Idaho, covering government, business, public policy, natural resources, and economic developments across the Mountain West. His work often involves researching issues that affect communities spread across large geographic areas. Whitaker takes a document driven approach to reporting, using public records and authoritative data to establish the factual foundation of a story. His writing focuses on accuracy, context, and making regional developments understandable to a national audience.
Articles by Thomas Whitaker
157 published articles — showing the 24 most recent
Steven Kolb Resigns as CFDA CEO After Altercation in New York
Steven Kolb resigned as CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America following a physical altercation with PETA employees at a Cos runway show in New York.
FBI Director Patel Halts RCMP Cooperation Over CBC Guidance
FBI Director Kash Patel paused some cooperation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police following CBC guidance on 9/11 terminology.
Mother of Mercy Hospital Treats Cancer Patients in Sudan War
Fatouma Mahdi Ahmed Saeed receives chemotherapy at Mother of Mercy Hospital after fleeing Darfur. Dr. Tom Catena treats patients without oncology support as 37% of Sudan health centers are destroyed.
Von Der Leyen Cites China Shock, Proposes Procurement Rules
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced new measures to counter a record trade deficit with China.
Texas Guard F-16 Crash Prompts Michigan Evacuation
A Texas National Guard F-16 crashed in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. The incident triggered a one-mile evacuation order due to a hazardous chemical spill. The pilot ejected before the crash and is in stable condition at a local hospital.
Irving Pays Fine for Al-Shaair Eyeblack Message
Kyrie Irving said he will pay the $11,941 NFL fine issued to Azeez Al-Shaair for writing Hind Rajab's name on his eyeblack. The payment follows Irving's criticism of ESPN for omitting Rajab's name in its coverage of the penalty.
Victims' Families Urge Congress To Pass ROTOR Act
Families of 67 crash victims gathered at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to demand passage of the ROTOR Act.
X Corp, SpaceXAI Drop Antitrust Claims Against Apple
X Corp and SpaceXAI voluntarily dismissed their antitrust claims against Apple on Monday while continuing their case against OpenAI. The trial date for the remaining lawsuit against OpenAI has been rescheduled to January 11, 2027.
Nairobi Wins Bid to Host 2029 World Athletics Championships
World Athletics awarded the 2029 championships to Nairobi, marking the first time the event will be held in Africa.
Eaton Trial Begins in Vermont Shooting of Three Students
Jason Eaton's trial for attempted murder began September 14, 2026, in Burlington, Vermont. The verdict will determine if he receives life imprisonment or mandatory mental health treatment.
Solet Arrested After Four Stabbing Deaths in Houma
Kaegan Jude Solet was arrested on September 13, 2026, following a stabbing incident in Houma that killed four people. A six-year-old boy remains in critical condition after deputies found victims at two homes on Ashland Drive.
Bangsamoro Holds First Parliamentary Vote During Violence
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region held its first parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026, despite violence killing four people.
Senate Schedules Vote on Clarity Act Tuesday
The Senate will hold a procedural vote on the Clarity Act this Tuesday as sessions resume. The chamber previously avoided a shutdown to focus on priorities like sports regulation.
Judge Nichols Blocks Postal Rule on Mail Ballots
District Judge Carl J. Nichols issued a preliminary injunction stopping new US Postal Service voting rules. The ruling cites risks that valid absentee ballots may not be counted in upcoming elections.
Jacobs Pleads No Contest to Misdemeanor Battery Charge
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage charges on September 10. The court ordered a $1,000 fine while the NFL reviews video for a potential suspension.
Sweden Sets September 13, 2026, General Election Date
Swedes will vote in a general election on September 13, 2026, to choose members of the 349-seat Riksdag. More than 8 million people are eligible to cast ballots as polling indicates a tight race between coalitions.
Massachusetts Court Reprimands Judge Shelley Joseph
The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts publicly reprimanded District Court Judge Shelley Joseph on Sept. 10, 2026. The ruling cited her 2018 proposal to detain an immigrant and order to disable court audio recording.
Homeland Security Proposes Ending 60-Day Visa Grace Period
The Department of Homeland Security proposed removing the 60-day grace period for foreign workers who lose their jobs. The change would make nearly 4,000 workers per year immediately removable upon employment termination.
Order Grants Interior, Energy Secretaries Independent Authority
Executive Order 14427 delegates Defense Production Act powers to three cabinet secretaries for independent exercise. The directive assigns dispute resolution for energy matters to the National Energy Dominance Council.
Census Bureau Proposes Excluding Non-Citizens From Apportionment
The Census Bureau proposed a rule on September 9, 2026, to exclude illegal aliens and certain foreign citizens from the decennial census apportionment count. This change would alter the population base used to distribute U.S.
Rocky Mountain Bear Conflicts Rise as Drought Reduces Food
Wildlife officials report increased black bear conflicts across the Rocky Mountains due to drought reducing natural food sources.
Four Die in Fresno Plane Crash Near River
A small plane crash near the San Joaquin River killed four people on September 5, 2026, including two children. The National Transportation Safety Board leads the investigation while one adult remains hospitalized.
Trump to Speak at Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas
Donald Trump will deliver addresses at the Republican Party midterm convention in Dallas this week. More than 20,000 tickets have been distributed for the event where delegates will not set party rules.
White House Unveils Five-Game Arcade Promoting Trump Agenda
The White House launched Arcade, a collection of five video games promoting President Donald Trump's policies, on September 3, 2026.