The United States Department of Agriculture is investing $307 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 34 states, including Idaho. USDA is financing the projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program which provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal,…… MORE
Idaho wildfire grows, prompts evacuations, smoke impacts Montana
Overnight flight data shows that a fire burning near Dixie, Idaho has grown to more than 7,000 acres. On Tuesday the fire prompted evacuations, and sent out smoke that drifted as far away as Bozeman, Billings and Wyoming. The fire is located 65 miles southwest of Darby. CBS2 reports authorities evacuated the areas of Dixie…… MORE
15 fires in the Boise area over July 4 weekend were caused by fireworks
Boise Fire said it responded to over a dozen firework-caused fires over the July 4 weekend. In total, Boise Fire responded to two dozen fires in the Boise area – 15 of which were caused by fireworks. One fire was caused by a sky lantern, three were ruled as undetermined and two are still under…… MORE
Gov. Little appoints Bill Gilbert to State Board of Education
Governor Brad Little announced today his appointment of Bill Gilbert of Boise to the State Board of Education. “As the co-chair of my ‘Our Kids, Idaho’s Future’ task force, which led to more than $225 million in additional funds toward educator salaries by expanding the career ladder, Bill demonstrated his commitment to strengthening public education…… MORE
Arizona county declines to prosecute Chad Daybell over conspiracy to murder Charles Vallow
CBS2 reports an Arizona county declined Wednesday to prosecute Chad Daybell over conspiracy to murder Charles Vallow, his new wife’s ex-husband. Vallow was killed by Lori Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, in 2019. Cox has since passed. Lori has already been accused and indicted for conspiring to kill Charles. The Chandler Police Department submitted a…… MORE
U.S. Forest Service activates a third C-130 for wildfire duty
The U.S. Forest Service announced Tuesday that it has activated a third military C-130 plane equipped with the Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems, or MAFFS, to join two others in helping battle western wildfires. The first two planes were activated on June 25, the earliest activation of the system in a decade. The Idaho Press reports…… MORE
Idaho Department of Labor Apprenticeship Idaho program gets $4.25 million dollar grant
The Idaho Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Idaho program will be getting a $4.25 million boost, thanks to a new federal grant. The scarcity of skilled workers is growing more intense, despite the amount of unemployment created by the pandemic. KIVI-TV reports, the Apprenticeship Idaho program is just one of the several ways local officials are…… MORE
Mayor McLean announces new task force to address homelessness
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean announced a new task force created to help the city address homelessness and emergency shelter solutions. Mayor McLean says the group, named the Shelter Better task force, will “explore options for doing shelter better and to create a solution that’s right for our city.” The task force will come up with…… MORE
Idaho Power asks for help to lighten the load
Multiple days of triple-digit heat around the West are straining the regional energy grid as air conditioners and irrigation systems work overtime. Idaho Power is working hard to continue providing reliable energy during this time of increased demand and unprecedented growth. We’re also asking customers to help. Idaho Power is asking all customers (business, residential,…… MORE
Boise Schools & St. Luke’s Partner to Provide Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics At Junior High Schools
Boise School District, in partnership with St. Luke’s Health System, will provide the following mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics at some of the District’s junior high schools for anyone in the community who is 12 years or older. Note: The following schedule has been updated as of 07/06/2021. West Junior High School: July 6 from 9…… MORE
