One way to express your opinion and to advocate on certain issues is to write a Letter to the Editor of your local paper as well as to other newspapers around the state. Each newspaper has its own requirements, along with an online form that you can use to submit your letter easily. The list of Idaho newspapers, their requirements, and the links to their online forms are below.
Hints for writing a Letter to the Editor:
- Keep your letter positive. Avoid name-calling, personal attacks, and crude language. They are inappropriate.
- If you wish to include a specific, legitimate action, be sure to keep it factual and objective.
- It’s important to focus on one main issue that is important to you.
- Try to include a personal story or personal connection to the issue.
- Try to take a different approach than other writers who have written on the same or a similar issue.
- Shorter letters are more likely to be printed and read. Also, you will be able to copy and paste your letter easily into the online forms for many more newspapers if it is short.
List of Newspapers
Bonner County Daily Bee (covering Sandpoint, ID area): 1,500 character limit, including spaces
Submit a letter here: https://form.jotform.com/63485081842157/
The Owyhee Avalanche (covering Homedale, ID, and the general SW ID area):
Email: jon [at] owyheeavalanche.com
Coeur d'Alene Press (covers Kootenai County and Bonner County, ID area): 250 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://form.jotform.com/63567976899183
Idaho Press (covering Nampa, ID and the general Treasure Valley ID area): 300 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://www.idahopress.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/
Idaho Statesman (covering Boise, ID area): 200 words or less; Limit of one letter per writer every 30 days
Submit a letter here: https://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/submit-letter/
St. Maries Gazette Record (covering St. Maries, ID area): 250 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://www.gazetterecord.com/site/forms/online_services/letter_editor/
Moscow Pullman Daily News (covering Moscow, ID area): 300 words or less, at least 75% of which are your own; Limit of one letter every two weeks
Submit a letter here: dnews.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/
Lewiston Tribune (covering Lewiston, ID area): 250 words or less
Submit a letter here: lmtribune.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/
The Spokesman-Review (covering Spokane, WA area): 250 words or less
Submit a letter here: www.spokesman.com/letters/submit/
Idaho County Free Press (covering Grangeville, ID area): 350 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://www.idahocountyfreepress.com/site/forms/online_services/letter_editor/
Shoshone News-Press (covering Shoshone County, ID area): 250 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://form.jotform.com/70196836248162
The Idaho Enterprise (covering Malad City, ID area):
Email: brandon.h [at] thecityjournals.com
Montpelier News-Examiner (covering Montpelier, ID area): 450 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://www.hjnews.com/submissions/montpelier/submit_letter/
Idaho State Journal (covers Pocatello, ID area): 400 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://www.idahostatejournal.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/
Post Register (covers Idaho Falls, ID area): 250 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://www.postregister.com/site/forms/postregister/pr_letter/
Rexburg Standard-Journal (covers Rexburg, ID area): 400 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/submissions/letter/
Teton Valley News (covering Teton County, ID area): 400 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://www.tetonvalleynews.net/forms/letter_to_the_editor/letter_to_the_editor/
Idaho Mountain Express (covering Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey, and Bellevue, ID area): 300 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://www.mtexpress.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/letter_editor/
The Times-News (covering Twin Falls, ID area): 300 words or less
Submit a letter here: https://magicvalley.com/forms/contact/letter_to_the_editor/#tracking-source=menu-nav
