Idaho Student Advocating for Giant Salamander as State Amphibian

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A Boise seventh-grader's push to get recognition for her favorite amphibian slithered to victory in the Senate State Affairs committee. Ilah Hickman has been prodding the Legislature to adopt the Idaho Giant Salamander as the official state amphibian for three years now. Hickman thinks the creature would be a great fit: Not only does the Idaho Giant Salamander have Idaho in the name, but it also resides almost exclusively in the state. A poll of her classmates at Les Bois Middle School revealed that most students favor the salamander taking the crown. Hickman helped draft a bill and testified before the House in previous years, but her crusade failed to lead to a hearing. That changed Friday when senators voted to debate her bill on their chamber floor.