The Connector: Idaho Daily News

It could get harder for Idaho voters to pass new laws via referendum or initiative. Plus, Boise Fire is sending resources to aid Los Angeles firefighters, grizzly Bears will remain protected in the lower-48 United States, and forecasters are optimistic about the latest seasonal snowpack data.

Today on The Connector , the first legislation at the Idaho Statehouse this session will be divisive to some, celebratory to others. Chronic Wasting Disease continues to spread in Idaho, and a major development on the east end of Boise's downtown is moving forward but with fewer units than originally planned.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little laid out his spending priorities for the upcoming legislative session Monday, including more money to fight wildfire, $50M in school tuition subsidies and more tax breaks. Educators in the state had mixed reactions. Plus, Boise State softball has one of the 100 best players in the country according to Softball America.

We'll preview Governor Brad Little's State of the State address; we'll tell you how Idaho legislators are debating how best to forecast state sales tax revenues (here's a big hint. It's between gross and net); and with cases of flu and norovirus on the rise in Idaho, we've got some really helpful information from Idaho's Chief Epidemiologist. 

We'll tell you how the ACLU of Idaho has filed a court appeal, alleging constitutional rights of hundreds, if not thousands of indigent defendants have been violated; yes, the Idaho Legislature reconvenes on Monday but some lawmakers are already at work at the Statehouse; and we'll tell you how Chanukah came to a close in festive fashion in the Treasure Valley this week.

There's plenty of change in the weather... so we'll check in with the experts at the National Weather Service Office and the Sawtooth Avalanche Center; physicians who have studied aborad will no find it easier to practice stateside; plus we'll tell you about 2025's newest arrivals.

It’s been 48 years since music host and producer Arthur Ballinger took to the airwaves on Boise State Public Radio. The year was 1977 and at that time, KBSU was a student-run station on Boise State's campus.  Arthur is planning to retire this year. Julie Luchetta talked with him about his very first time spinning tunes with us and his long career as a late night public radio host. This place sure...

We're sending off the year with the sounds of the Yellow Pine Harmonica festival in Valley County, Idaho. Cheers to 2025!

We'll tell you how Idaho is ending the year when it comes to jobs - those who are lucky enough to have a job and an increasing number of those looking for one: we'll hear about final preparations for what many consider to be the biggest game (thus far) in Boise State football history; and we'll preview New Year's Eve festivities; and yes, that includes that giant potato-thing-y.

As we navigate the winter weather this time of year, residents at Zoo Boise also adjust to the cold temperatures and snowfall. Reporter Julie Luchetta visited the zoo after the first big storm earlier this year – let’s join her.

This morning we’ll check in with a local rabbi about the start of Hanukkah & Idaho’s special connection to the holiday. Plus: we learn about the discovery of an apple variety that has pioneer roots here in the Gem State.

We'll hear from a top Idaho Democrat on how, after a pretty lousy 2024, they'll have a new strategy for 2025; there's some very good news for wildlife crossing near Idaho highways' we've got some news about a hope-for expansion of Darigold in downtown Boise; and the stage is set for the big Fiesta Bowl whoop-de-do.

Ammon Bundy is duking it out again in a courtroom... this time in Utah; we've got some interesting labor news for Idaho's employed and unemployed; and on what was one of the busiest travel days of the year, the Boise Airport had some pretty big news Thursday.

This morning: the State Board of Education has restricted diversity, equity and inclusion offices on campus. Plus, the CEO of the Treasure Valley's bus system is a vote away from joining Amtrak's board. And the murder hornet is no more in North America.

We'll tell you about a rare session including Boise City Council and Boise Library trustees' we'll preview an all-important session of the Idaho State Board of Education which is expected to consider restrictions on DEI programs; and we'll listen in to new research on avalanche risk.

Idaho's official electors will be casting final ballots today in the presidential election; some important updates surfaced in yesterday's drought and climate outlook briefing; avalanche risk was top of mind in Ketchum on Monday; and Valley County lawmakers want citizens to have a greater say in management of public lands... particularly federal lands.

There has been another challenge of a book - this time an art book - in the Boise Public Library system: we'll tell you why Monday is an important deadline to secure health insurance for thousands of Idahoans; and the news is not good for salmon recovery in Idaho this year.

In this episode, an ice cream manufacturer is fined for violating child labor laws and a hearing on a controversial housing development is postponed. Correction: An earlier version of this episode included a story about several Idaho lawmakers sending the Boise State volleyball team a letter thanking them for standing up for women’s sports after their forfeits to San Jose State University. In the...

Will this air stagnation ever clear out? YES, says the weather service: remember Ryan Lee?  He has a new job on his resume; plus, we'll tell you how the City of Boise wants to make permanent a piece of the downtown core to be pedestrian-friendly and car-free.

You'll want to hear the latest from the National Weather Service Office in Boise; faculty at the University of Idaho are pushing back hard against efforts to curb DEI programs; we'll tell you how Idaho's near-total-ban of abortions was debated at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday; and there were two big rulings Tuesday against that proposed Kroger/Albertsons merger.

Commuters are facing another day of thick fog and stagnant air continues to blanket much of the region, so when will this scour out?  Some of Idaho's top economists are looking into their collective crystal balls to forecast the state's economic outlook; plus what's the real chance for Ashton Jeanty to bring home the Heisman Trophy?

In today's episode, groundwater resources are drying up in the West, attendance boundaries are expected to change for Owyhee elementary school, and the 18th annual Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway.

Today's headlines: An abortion referral injunction is upheld, wildfire resilience, and a preview of this evening's Boise State Football game.

On today's episode, Treasure Valley's irrigation system gets a makeover, Idaho is the nation's leader in small business growth, and the Treasure Valley has entered Inversion Season.

With cold, damp air and thick fog dominating the outlook, we'll chat with the National Weather Service about what we can expect; in the wake of this week's court ruling on Idaho's so-called "abortion trafficking law," we have an update on where the state stands now; there's some new interesting post-election polling on Native American voters; and we'll tell you about an interesting proposal that w...