Idaho Federal Judge to Semi-Retire Next Year

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal court judge for the District of Idaho has announced his intention to leave active service in 2015. U.S. District Court Judge Edward Lodge on Wednesday notified President Barack Obama that he plans to assume senior status on July 3.

Senior status means the 80-year-old Lodge will continue to serve the court but his caseload will be cut back over time. President George H.W. Bush nominated Lodge and he started serving on the court for the District of Idaho on Nov. 17, 1989.

The court says Lodge is the longest serving active U.S. District Court judge in the history of the District of Idaho. Lodge's replacement must be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.