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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.

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.

Big Sky Conference to Introduce Women's Swimming Diving in 2027-28, Welcoming UTRGV as Affiliate Member

Big Sky Conference to Introduce Women's Swimming Diving in 2027-28, Welcoming UTRGV as Affiliate Member

Big Sky Conference to Introduce Women's Swimming Diving in 2027-28, Welcoming UTRGV as Affiliate Member

Boise Police Seek Public Assistance in Locating Missing 17-Year-Old Madison McClain

Boise Police Seek Public Assistance in Locating Missing 17-Year-Old Madison McClain

Boise Police are requesting the public's help in finding Madison McClain, a 17-year-old girl who has been missing since September 10. McClain was reported as a runaway by her guardian, and evidence suggests she left school on that date with a backpack containing clothing and personal belongings. Investigators have followed up on multiple leads and locations she is known to frequent, and information indicates she is still within the Treasure Valley or Idaho. Detectives note that Madison may have recently dyed her hair red, which could alter her appearance from previously released photographs. While police have not identified specific safety concerns beyond those typically associated with a missing juvenile, the investigation remains ongoing.

Idaho State Tax Commission Releases Comprehensive Report on 2026 Parental Choice Tax Credit Program

Idaho State Tax Commission Releases Comprehensive Report on 2026 Parental Choice Tax Credit Program

The Idaho State Tax Commission has published a comprehensive statistical report detailing the 2026 Parental Choice Tax Credit Program. This report, available on the Tax Commission's Reports and Statistics webpage, provides extensive data on the program's implementation and impact. Governor Brad Little emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, stating that the report aims to offer policymakers and the public a clearer understanding of the program's effectiveness and areas for improvement. The report includes statistics such as average award amounts for the tax credit and advance payments, average household size and adjusted gross income of recipient parents, and award information for students with disabilities. It also covers the number of applications denied and waitlisted, as well as data on households homeschooling and students previously enrolled in public schools. The data, current as of November 6, 2026, will be updated with year-end statistics before a final close-out report is su...

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.

Sawtooth National Forest Initiates Christmas Tree Permit Sales for Holiday Season

Sawtooth National Forest Initiates Christmas Tree Permit Sales for Holiday Season

The Sawtooth National Forest has begun selling Christmas tree permits, allowing families to cut their own trees for the holiday season. Permits, priced at $10, enable households to harvest one tree up to 20 feet tall from designated areas within the forest. These permits are available at ranger stations, participating vendors, and online via recreation.gov. Nelson Mills, the forest's timber program manager, noted that this tradition has been supported by the Sawtooth National Forest since the early 20th century, with over 5,000 tags sold last year. Visitors are provided with maps, accessible on smartphones, to identify approved cutting locations. Specific distance requirements are in place, such as staying at least 300 feet from water in the Minidoka Ranger District and 200 feet from campgrounds, cabins, lodges, and ski resorts across the forest.

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

Moderates and progressives both claim credit for 2026 Democratic wins

Moderates and progressives both claim credit for 2026 Democratic wins

Progressives and moderates are competing to claim credit for the congressional majorities and arguing over who should shape the party's agenda.

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 ...

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.

St. Thomas University Law Students Challenge Government Immunity in Ninth Circuit Case

St. Thomas University Law Students Challenge Government Immunity in Ninth Circuit Case

Third-year University of St. Thomas School of Law students, Miranda Sharp and Zachary Liebl, working with Professor Gregory Sisk in the Appellate Clinic, have argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. They are challenging the federal government's claim of public policy immunity in a case where an unsafe road design allegedly contributed to their client's injuries in a car crash. The case, Sadie Gumusyazici v. United States, involves the government's failure to install a guardrail and placement of a hazardous utility pole on an Idaho highway on tribal land, leading to severe injuries for a passenger. The students contend that the 'discretionary function exception' to the Federal Tort Claims Act should not shield the government from liability for ordinary negligence, particularly when no meaningful public policy decision is involved. This marks the 15th year of pro bono work by the Appellate Clinic, which boasts a record of prevailing in over 75% of its appeals.