The Connector: Idaho Daily News

The 2026 edition of the Idaho Legislature gavels in today. What's their No. 1 priority? We have an update on the effort to put abortion access on a statewide ballot; and we'll tell you a growing number of ambulances are carrying something called "whole blood."

In the shadow of a fatal shooting involving an ICE agent, there was demonstration on the steps of the Idaho Capitol Thursday evening; we have a preview from both sides of the political aisle on next week's beginning of the Idaho legislative session; and can the Boise State men's basketball team redeem themselves after their coach called them "soft" and "selfish?"

Idaho has relatively cheap prices at the pumps, so how come some of our neighbors pay so much more for gas; after waiting for months, we finally have some new jobs numbers ofr Idaho; and we'll tell you about a crazy thing one Mountain West resort is doing to save its ski season.

We've got details on that new strain of the flu that is putting much of Idaho at high risk of getting sick this winer: we'll tell you about what turned out to be a highly emotional planning and zoning commission meeting at Boise City Hall; and we'll tell you what's to become of the Boise Factory Outlet Mall.

What with the new year, there are a number of comings and goings at the Idaho Capitol and City Halls across the region; we have an update on that horrific New Year's Eve fireworks blast; and we'll ask "How do you make formal policy regarding road closures during blizzards and wildfires?"

We'll tell you how organizers of the Idaho Potato Drop had come under previous scrutiny (in years past) regarding fireworks; we'll hear from officials from the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge about a different kind of challenge - a lack of snow; and we've get details on how and why your utility rates are going up.

Multiple public gatherings in Idaho this weekend to remember Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis VA nurse killed by federal agents last month, plus pro and anti-ICE rallies, Idaho's top educator says she won't cut public school budgets like lawmakers are asking, and a new nuclear energy task force meets for the first time in Idaho today. 

Scores of elected officials in Western States say they're worried about changes in federal policy thare putting their communities at risk from wildfire; Idaho is all set to drop that giant potato on New Year's Eve... plus a giant sugar beet and a giant gem (not a real one).

At the strike of midnight on New Year's Day this week, a number of new Idaho laws will go into effect: the folks at the Idaho Lottery have increased a number of prizes for today's drawing of their Big Million Dollar Raffle; and some Idaho skiers are scorching some of the most famous slopes on the planet.

We will share some of our previous conversation with Boise Mayor Lauren McLean about safety... that, as Boise Police are providing extra protection on the mayor; we'll tell you why a particular gate in rural Valley County is causing so much friction between residents and the U.S. Forest Service; and we'll check in at the Boise Airport to see how holiday travelers are surviving the mad dash.

The legislature's DOGE committee wants to eliminate voter-approved Medicaid expansion; weather experts say La Nina is providing the gift that keeps on giving (snow) to mountain resorts; flu activity in Idaho is among the highest in the nation; plus we'll preview The 2025 Potato Bowl.

Is there a chance to save Obamacare subsidies? An Idaho Senator says he wants to negotiate; Saturday is a big day for Idaho homeowners; and thousands of students are anxiously awaiting this weekend's winter graduation at Boise State.

Micron received a very impressive financial report card Wednesday; State and local leaders will help commemorate Hannukah at the Capitol this evening; and a very big change is being proposed for the Western Idaho Fair.

There are some really interesting numbers in this year's Your Health Idaho enrollment; the Idaho State Board of Education wants to update its "visual identity;" and we'll tell you about a change to speed limits on some Boise City streets.

The Boise City Council is being asked to consider lowering the speed limits on more city streets; we'll tell youy why the outfitters and guides industry will be hit particularly hard when health insurance subsidies evaporate at the end of the month; and there's a rash of broken bike repair stations in Boise.

We'll examine how the White House wants to rollback fuel efficiencies for cars; it's expected to be a bittersweet meeting of the Ketchum City Council today; and we'll meet an artist who looks at our relationship with climate change.

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has floated an idea to offer some help to low income citizens in need of health insurance; our very, very, very dry weather has impacted this year's Christmas tree crop in a big way; and we'll preview Boise State's appearance in the postseason LA Bowl.

Faces of Hope, the Boise-based crisis intervention organization, says it's in significant financial trouble; there's a proposal to change divorce procedings in Idaho; and what will happen at a Boise debate tonight if there's only one candidate?

There's a new effort to make starter homes more affordable to build; we'll tell you about what is being called a "Youth Roadmap," and it includes some troubling data; plus we'll tell you about a bridge in our region that just keeps taking a beating from oversized trucks.

Idaho has received an "F" in a new national report card; Christmas trees, grown in the northwest, are on their way to Japan, Singapore and Dubai; and a recent comedy concert at Extra Mile Arena has set all kinds of new box office records.

Idaho's largest school district is considering armed 'sentinels' for school security, timber harvest on US Forest Service land in Idaho could double in the next five years, the United Way of South-Central Idaho will close, Boise State football heads for the LA Bowl and the College of Idaho moves on in the NAIA playoffs.

Today: Non-residents wanting to hunt elk or deer in Idaho next year will have to count on the luck of the draw, a former municipal treasurer will spend 15 years in federal prison for defrauding an Idaho city out of nearly $200,000, the Ford Idaho Center officially becomes a CWI property, and why Friday's FIFA World Cup draw matters in Boise.

Hundreds of people in Boise this week got a first-hand account of the holocaust, West Ada Schools could have armed 'School Sentinels' in the hallways under a proposed policy, liquor sales at events in Boise city parks could become permanent, and one former mayor of Twin Falls will complete the legislative term of another former mayor of Twin Falls.

This morning: a reward for information on the illegal poaching of a big horn sheep near Riggins, a fatal domestic shooting in Canyon County, EV charging stations back on track for Idaho highways and welcome muddy trail season!

Today, The Nampa City Council formally approved conveying the Ford Idaho Center property to the College of Western Idaho, McCall and Valley County continue to disagree on how to manage future growth in the popular area, new snowplow names in Ada County, and don't throw out those broken holiday lights!