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Idaho Governor Brad Little Honors Veterans at Boise Ceremony

Idaho Governor Brad Little Honors Veterans at Boise Ceremony

Idaho Governor Brad Little participated in a Veterans Day ceremony held at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise. The event gathered veterans, community members, and state leaders to acknowledge the service and sacrifices made by U.S. military personnel. Governor Little delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of supporting and recognizing Idaho's veterans. He highlighted the consistent recognition received by the state's veterans service division, noting it had earned awards for six consecutive years, with the latest notification received just prior to the ceremony. The ceremony also featured a presentation on the evolution of American flags, tracing their history from the Revolutionary War, and included the presentation of Spirit of Freedom Awards to individuals recognized for their community contributions and service. Veterans in attendance reflected on their military experiences and the camaraderie shared with fellow service members.

Iowa Offers 75% Income Tax Credit for School Tuition Organization Donations

Iowa Offers 75% Income Tax Credit for School Tuition Organization Donations

Iowa taxpayers are eligible for an income tax credit when they donate to a School Tuition Organization (STO) during the tax year. This tax credit is equal to 75% of the amount contributed to the STO. The Iowa Department of Revenue authorizes STOs to issue tax credit certificates to donors, with the amount of certificates determined by Iowa Code section 422.11S. This is an Iowa-specific tax credit, distinct from the new Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit. To qualify for the credit, an STO must be a charitable organization exempt from federal taxation under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). It must allocate at least 90% of its annual revenue to tuition grants for children attending qualified nonpublic elementary or secondary schools in Iowa, without limiting availability to students of a single school.

Mountain America Credit Union and ISU Bengals Partner to Donate $13,000 to Operation Warm for Idaho Children

Mountain America Credit Union and ISU Bengals Partner to Donate $13,000 to Operation Warm for Idaho Children

Mountain America Credit Union recently donated $13,000 to Operation Warm, an organization dedicated to providing new coats and shoes to children in need. This donation was facilitated through a partnership with Idaho State University (ISU) football, where the credit union pledged $50 for every Bengals first down achieved during the season. Representatives from Mountain America presented the donation on the field during a game on November 7, 2026. The funds are specifically earmarked to supply new coats and shoes to children across Idaho, aiming to ensure they have appropriate attire for colder weather. This initiative highlights a collaborative effort between a financial institution and a university sports program to address community needs.

The Nature Conservancy and USDA Forest Service Launch $2.1 Million Forest Restoration in Idaho and Wyoming

The Nature Conservancy and USDA Forest Service Launch $2.1 Million Forest Restoration in Idaho and Wyoming

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the USDA Forest Service have announced a $2.1 million commitment to expand forest restoration activities across national forests in Idaho and Wyoming. This funding will support efforts to improve forest health and enhance community safety by reducing hazardous overgrowth that contributes to extreme wildfires. TNC will provide additional workforce capacity to assist with prescribed fire initiatives, ecological thinning, and other restoration tasks. The projects will concentrate on national forests located within the wildland-urban interface (WUI), areas where existing partnerships between the Forest Service and TNC are already established. These include the Caribou-Targhee, Payette, and Salmon-Challis National Forests in Idaho, and the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming.

Nampa Requests Amazon Drone Flight Data Amid Resident Complaints

Nampa Requests Amazon Drone Flight Data Amid Resident Complaints

Nampa Requests Amazon Drone Flight Data Amid Resident Complaints

Nampa Initiates Land Exchange for Residential and Commercial Growth, Preserving Lloyd Square History

Nampa Initiates Land Exchange for Residential and Commercial Growth, Preserving Lloyd Square History

The City of Nampa, Idaho, is undertaking a significant land exchange project aimed at fostering new residential spaces, commercial development, and public amenities. A key component of this initiative involves development within the historic Lloyd Square Park in downtown Nampa. Steve Jenkins, director of economic development with the City of Nampa, confirmed that planners and the Nampa Development Corporation are actively working to ensure the area's historical integrity is maintained throughout the development process. Mayor Darl Bruner emphasized the city's goal to transform downtown Nampa into a vibrant hub for both residents and businesses, with a particular focus on creating an environment where future generations and younger individuals are not priced out of the area. The Nampa Development Corporation anticipates issuing requests for proposals within the next month and aims to select a development partner by early 2027. Mitch Minnette, chair of the Nampa Development Corporation, described the project...

Idaho Music Teachers Lead AI Resistance, Lobbying Lawmakers for Regulation

Idaho Music Teachers Lead AI Resistance, Lobbying Lawmakers for Regulation

Jack and Cathryn Gardner, a married couple and music teachers from Boise, Idaho, are spearheading a movement to advocate for artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. They have organized the state's first AI protest and are actively meeting with federal and state lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and Sen. Jim Risch, to push for stricter controls on AI development. The Gardners, who co-lead the Boise chapter of PauseAI US, are concerned about AI's impact on critical thinking, independent work, and creativity among students. They also highlight the potential for AI to steal musicians' work without credit or compensation and the broader risk of 'adversarial superintelligence' or rogue AI agents. Their efforts include monthly meetups, community tabling, and a petition to pause AI development.

Idaho Election Officials to Audit Two Counties Following Underreported Votes in Recent Election

Idaho Election Officials to Audit Two Counties Following Underreported Votes in Recent Election

Idaho election officials will conduct audits in Latah and Bannock counties after both initially underreported ballots in the recent election. Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf randomly selected these counties, among others, for audits required by a 2022 state law designed to verify the accuracy of election results. Secretary of State Phil McGrane addressed the unusual circumstances, noting that Latah County officials found over 2,300 early voting ballots that had not been reported on Election Day, leading to a full recount as a cautionary measure. In Bannock County, 333 uncounted ballots were discovered in a poll volunteer's pickup truck. While officials stated that these late ballots did not change the outcomes of any races, the incidents raised questions among voters. McGrane attributed the Latah County issue to human error, where a memory device from a voting machine was not properly integrated into the system for loading results. The audits will involve hand-counting a random selection of thousands ...

Avista Launches Smart Thermostat Program, Offering Bill Credits for Energy Reduction During Peak Demand

Avista Launches Smart Thermostat Program, Offering Bill Credits for Energy Reduction During Peak Demand

Avista, an energy company, has introduced the MyEnergy Rewards: Smart Thermostat Program for its residential electric customers in Washington and Idaho. This optional program rewards participants for helping reduce electricity use during high-demand summer days. When electricity use is anticipated to be at its highest, participating smart thermostats may automatically adjust temperatures by up to four degrees. Customers receive a $30 Avista bill credit upon enrollment and an additional $5 bill credit each month they participate, up to $20 per summer season (June-September). Participants retain control and can skip adjustments or leave the program at any time. Eligibility requires an Avista residential electric account and a qualified smart thermostat controlling a central air-conditioner or heat pump.

Idaho Governor Brad Little Signs Childcare Deregulation Bill Amid Shortage Concerns

Idaho Governor Brad Little Signs Childcare Deregulation Bill Amid Shortage Concerns

Idaho Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 243 in 2025, a legislative measure aimed at deregulating childcare services within the state. This bill was enacted in response to a significant childcare shortage impacting Idaho's workforce and economy. The deregulation includes changes such as the Coeur d'Alene Childcare Commission no longer issuing direct childcare provider licenses. Additionally, the bill altered the adult provider-to-infant ratio, increasing it from one adult for every four children to one adult for every six children. This shift has led to concerns among some local officials and childcare providers regarding the loss of local regulatory control and potential impacts on childcare quality and safety. The legislation is part of a broader effort to address the economic implications of insufficient childcare availability, which has been identified as a critical workforce infrastructure issue.

Sun Valley Film Festival to Open With ‘The Debut’; Honorees Announced

Sun Valley Film Festival to Open With ‘The Debut’; Honorees Announced

The Sun Valley Film Festival, which takes place Dec. 2 to Dec. 6 in the Idaho resort town, will open with “The Debut” and close with “Artificial.” Jessica Lange, Bill Pullman, Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen, Stephen Beresford and Luke Davies are set to be honored by the festival, which was founded in 2012. […]

Senator Jim Risch Honors Idaho Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Ahead of Veterans Day

Senator Jim Risch Honors Idaho Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Ahead of Veterans Day

U.S. Senator Jim Risch, a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, has recognized seven veteran-owned small businesses from Idaho as Idaho Small Businesses of the Month for November 2026. This recognition comes ahead of Veterans Day and aims to highlight the contributions of these businesses to Idaho's economy and communities. Each honored business will be acknowledged in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate. Senator Risch emphasized that Idaho's veterans continue to serve the nation through their mission-driven and highly skilled entrepreneurial endeavors. The businesses recognized include Blackhawk BBQ Pit from Blackfoot, Bunker Baits from Kuna, Hart Whole Home Discount Store from Twin Falls, Idaho Spice Company from Caldwell, J-Dog from Coeur d’Alene, Range 208 from Lewiston, and Strong Shed from Rexburg. These businesses span various sectors, from food service and retail to specialized products and services, many of which actively support ...