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Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison Files Civil Lawsuit Against Refocus Recovery and Founder Daniel Larson for Nonprofit Violations

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison Files Civil Lawsuit Against Refocus Recovery and Founder Daniel Larson for Nonprofit Violations

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has initiated a civil lawsuit against Refocus Recovery, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, and its founder, former executive director, and board member, Daniel Larson. The lawsuit alleges multiple violations of the Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation Act. According to the Attorney General's Office, Refocus Recovery failed to be properly managed by a board of directors, did not maintain adequate books and records, and exhibited blatant conflicts of interest, including self-dealing and the improper diversion of charitable assets. Daniel Larson is accused of violating his fiduciary duties by establishing and utilizing Refocus Recovery to funnel money for his personal gain and intimidating other board members to prevent lawful operation. The civil investigation revealed that Refocus Recovery acted as a 'sham' entity, primarily outsourcing its services and revenue to Larson's for-profit corporations, Kyros PBC, Kyros Services, LLC, and Kyros Staffing, LLC, under backdated co...

Hay Markets Experience Firmness Amidst Drought and Export Challenges in Western U.S.

Hay Markets Experience Firmness Amidst Drought and Export Challenges in Western U.S.

Hay Markets Experience Firmness Amidst Drought and Export Challenges in Western U.S.

Boise Police Investigate Surge in Tap-to-Pay Fraud Linked to Organized Crime

Boise Police Investigate Surge in Tap-to-Pay Fraud Linked to Organized Crime

Boise police are actively investigating a significant increase in tap-to-pay fraud across the Treasure Valley since March. Detective Marshall Plaisted noted that officers observed a rise in this type of fraud earlier this year, prompting an organized response. Working with retail partners, law enforcement gathered records and security footage, revealing a consistent pattern: individuals rapidly moving between multiple retail stores to purchase gift cards using various stolen payment methods via tap-to-pay systems. These suspects often travel quickly from one location to another, sometimes even crossing state lines. Boise police have identified links between some of these fraudulent activities and organized crime operations originating overseas, specifically mentioning China. While tap-to-pay technology itself is considered largely secure, criminals are reportedly acquiring victims' financial information through traditional scamming techniques, such as phishing, and then loading this compromised data into d...

Meridian STEAM Lab Engages Children in Robotics and Microelectronics

Meridian STEAM Lab Engages Children in Robotics and Microelectronics

Children at Orchard Park Library in Meridian, Idaho, are participating in a weekly STEAM Lab program focused on robotics and microelectronics. The program, designed for ages 6 to 12, offers hands-on activities that introduce young learners to technology, engineering, and electronics. Boise State University students, serving as CHIP Ambassadors with the Microelectronics Education and Research Center, lead these lessons. The curriculum is tailored for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Parents, like Cody Templeman, appreciate the opportunity for their children to explore interests in science and technology, believing it helps them discover future passions and career pathways.

Idaho Expands Forest Management Partnership with U.S. Forest Service, Securing $12.4 Million in Federal Funding

Idaho Expands Forest Management Partnership with U.S. Forest Service, Securing $12.4 Million in Federal Funding

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) have announced five new Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) agreements aimed at expanding active forest management across Idaho's national forests. These agreements include over $12.4 million in new federal investments and establish a 20-year framework for long-term collaboration. The funding will support various activities such as timber sale preparation and implementation, hazardous fuels reduction, road improvements, timber salvage, reforestation, post-wildfire recovery, thinning, and watershed protection. Governor Brad Little emphasized that these agreements build on Idaho's success in active forest management and support his 'Make Forests Healthy Again' Executive Order, aiming to accelerate restoration, reduce wildfire risk, and bolster the timber industry and rural communities. The initiative is expected to facilitate more than 100 future GNA timber sales and numerous restoration projects, increasing the pace and scale of forest managem...

U.S. Treasury Approves Idaho's Opportunity Zone 2.0 Nominations to Spur Economic Growth

U.S. Treasury Approves Idaho's Opportunity Zone 2.0 Nominations to Spur Economic Growth

U.S. Treasury Approves Idaho's Opportunity Zone 2.0 Nominations to Spur Economic Growth

Idaho State Legislature to Consider Public Preference on State Gun After Non-Binding Vote

Idaho State Legislature to Consider Public Preference on State Gun After Non-Binding Vote

Idaho is holding a non-binding vote to determine which of six iconic firearms best represents the state. The results of this public vote will advise the state legislature on voter preferences. The six firearms in contention are the Winchester Model 1894 (.30-30), Winchester Model 1873 (.44-40), 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver (.45 Colt), M1 Garand rifle, Colt M1911 .45 automatic Colt pistol (.45 ACP), and Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle (.30-06). Each firearm has historical or cultural significance, with some representing hunting, Western expansion, military service, or frontier culture. For instance, the Winchester Model 1894 is linked to hunting and rural life, while the M1 Garand symbolizes military service and was a standard U.S. service rifle during World War II. The Colt M1911 is noted as one of the longest-serving military sidearms in U.S. history and is already Utah's official state firearm. The Remington Model 700 is a popular hunting rifle among Idahoans.

University of Idaho Presidential Search Committee Formed Following President Green's Retirement Announcement

University of Idaho Presidential Search Committee Formed Following President Green's Retirement Announcement

A nine-member committee has been established to initiate the search for a new president for the University of Idaho. This development follows the announcement of current U of I President C. Scott Green's retirement, effective June 30. The State Board of Education publicly announced the committee on Friday, marking the official commencement of the search process. Two State Board members, Shawn Keough of Sandpoint and Pete Koehler of Caldwell, will lead the committee as chair and vice chair, respectively. The committee also includes Chandra Zenner Ford, senior associate to the president; Mya Pronschinske Groza, a marketing professor and associate dean; Bill Gilbert, a former State Board member; Phil Reberger, former chief of staff to Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and Sen. Steve Symms; Clint Marshall, chair of the University of Idaho Foundation; Mary Hasenoehrl, owner of GKH Farms; and Dave Whitehead, president of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. The formation of this committee is the first significant publi...

EPA Region 10 Partners with Boise to Expand Food Waste Prevention Initiatives

EPA Region 10 Partners with Boise to Expand Food Waste Prevention Initiatives

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has announced a partnership with the city of Boise, Idaho, to enhance food waste reduction efforts as part of the EPA's 'Feed It Onward' initiative. This collaboration was highlighted during Food Waste Prevention Week, showcasing Boise's innovative local solutions. EPA Region 10 Administrator Emma Pokon praised Boise's commitment, noting its residential composting program now serves 97% of households. This program diverts over one-third of Boise's residential waste from landfills annually, converting food scraps into nutrient-rich compost for local parks, gardens, and agriculture. The city also launched a free Food Scrap Drop Off Program in 2024, providing composting access to residents in apartments and homes without curbside service, with over 450 participants utilizing four drop-off locations by August 2026. Participants receive monthly newsletters with tips on food storage, preservation, recipes, and meal planning.

Mountain Community Center District to Hire Executive Director for New Indoor Sports Facility in Valley County

Mountain Community Center District to Hire Executive Director for New Indoor Sports Facility in Valley County

The Mountain Community Center District (MCCD) in northern Valley County, Idaho, is actively seeking to hire its first paid executive director. This individual will be responsible for leading the planning and construction of a new multi-generational indoor sports facility. The process will involve conducting a community needs assessment, brainstorming potential program offerings, and refining the project's scope, priorities, and long-term plans. The district aims to create a center that promotes health and wellness, community connection, and year-round gathering opportunities. While a specific location has not yet been determined, multiple sites around McCall and Lake Fork are under consideration, with a land acquisition update expected in the coming months.

Boise Ranks Second Nationally for Uncluttered Living Space in StorageCafe Study

Boise Ranks Second Nationally for Uncluttered Living Space in StorageCafe Study

Boise, Idaho, has been recognized as the second-best city nationwide for 'uncluttered living,' according to a study conducted by StorageCafe, an online marketplace for self-storage units. The city trails only Plano, Texas, in this ranking and leads the western U.S. The study evaluated 350 cities based on factors such as available living space, housing costs, commute times, storage availability, safety, parks, and overall well-being. Boise's high ranking is attributed to its balance of urban amenities and access to open spaces, coupled with practical advantages like short average commute times of approximately 19 minutes. The report also highlighted that Boise offers an average of 12.3 square feet of storage per resident, which is 76% above the national average, placing it 17th nationally in this specific metric. Neighboring cities Nampa and Meridian surpassed Boise in per capita storage space, with Nampa offering 14 square feet and Meridian 13 square feet per resident.

Representative Mike Simpson Advocates for Gold Star Families and Internship Opportunities

Representative Mike Simpson Advocates for Gold Star Families and Internship Opportunities

U.S. Representative Mike Simpson has publicly supported an initiative to designate September 20th through September 26th, 2026, as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week. This initiative aims to honor the families of fallen service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. Representative Simpson emphasized the strength and resilience of Gold Star Families and stated that America stands with them every day. In addition to his advocacy for Gold Star Families, Representative Simpson's office is actively promoting internship opportunities in both his Washington D.C. and Idaho offices. These internships are available for spring 2027, and he recently met with BYU-Idaho students to discuss how they can engage in politics and the valuable experience internships offer. His office also provides assistance to constituents with various federal agency issues, including those related to the IRS, Social Security, passport services, and Veterans Affairs, and encourages feedback from those who have utilize...