AGP Executive Report

Idaho Falls Education: Negotiations between the Idaho Falls Education Association and district leaders have broken down and are heading to mediation over teacher salaries, the third straight year talks have stalled. Roadwork & growth: Knife River starts utility installation and roadway upgrades at the Hitt Road and Lincoln Road intersection in Idaho Falls, with a northbound lane closure expected through late August. Public safety: Boise Police are investigating an incident where a teen accidentally shot themselves in the leg after running into a downtown parking garage; the juvenile was cited and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Wildfire readiness: Boise County moved early to activate an outdoor burning ordinance after recent wildfire activity, restricting open burning outside city limits. Community & culture: A free community screening of the Broadway musical “Suffs” is set for Thursday in Idaho Falls. Northern lights: NOAA forecasts a better-than-usual chance to see auroras Thursday night into Friday, with northern Idaho included. Local business: Chipotle is slated to open in Idaho Falls next week (June 11) and a Pocatello location is also planned. Sports: The Idaho Falls Chukars dropped their seventh straight game Wednesday. Politics & extremism: Leaked documents point to Patriot Front having members in every state except Hawaii, with Florida second only to Texas.

Idaho Politics & Elections: North Idaho candidate Scott Herndon filed a complaint against Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane’s campaign over primary mailers, sending it to the Idaho Attorney General for review. Public Safety: Idaho State Police investigated a single-vehicle crash east of Burley that overturned and blocked I-86 for about two hours, and a two-vehicle injury crash near Gooding where an Explorer driver was airlifted in critical condition. Energy & Growth: Avista agreed to a framework for a “large load” customer in Washington seeking power equal to more than half of Spokane County’s combined customers, with the customer expected to pay added infrastructure costs. Local Community: Habitat for Humanity kicked off its 25th annual Blitz Build in Spokane Valley, aiming to construct 23 affordable homes over two weeks. Business & Idaho Economy: Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining priced a $270M U.S. IPO to restart production at its Idaho Silver Valley mine. Weather & Skywatching: NOAA issued a “strong” Northern Lights watch for June 4-5 that could reach up to 23 states. Transportation Updates: Caldwell’s Linden Street/Ward Road roundabout is now open after a $1.7M safety-focused project.

Northern Lights Watch: NOAA is forecasting possible G1 to G4 geomagnetic storms this Thursday and Friday, with auroras potentially visible across as many as 23 states, though forecasts can shift fast. Local Safety: Boise County Sheriff’s deputies are trying to locate a 67-year-old man after his vehicle was found near the Payette River; officials say he may have medical issues and could have entered the river. Idaho Water Talk: With drought pressure building, Idahoans are debating how much to water lawns and whether xeriscaping can help stretch limited supplies. Sports & Community: Idaho Falls’ Chukars dropped another game, extending their skid to six; meanwhile, Kamiah is gearing up for a July 4 celebration marking the town’s 250th anniversary. State Politics & Rights: A new Gallup poll finds U.S. support for same-sex marriage has leveled off, with Republican support continuing to decline. Public Health Reminder: Idaho Falls Community Hospital is urging residents to recognize stroke warning signs and seek treatment fast.

Local Business: Nauvoo’s newest spot, The Crazy Iguana, is opening at 2205 Mulholland St., serving Tex-Mex favorites like burritos, tacos, enchiladas and homemade queso, with a bright mural and family-built vibe meant to draw visitors. Public Safety: Boise Police are investigating a grass fire near Quinn’s Pond that burned about an acre, with reports of possible illegal fireworks. City Hall & Water: Boise has indefinitely paused construction of its planned southeast recycled-water facility, blaming sharply higher construction and labor costs and aiming to keep utility rates affordable. Sports: The Missoula PaddleHeads kicked off their home schedule with an 8-6 win over the Boise Hawks. Idaho Economy/Health: CMS reports Bridgeview Estates in Twin Falls County received a 3-star rating for Q1 2026, with no fines or penalties listed. Statewide Outdoors: Idaho Fish and Game updates show spring chinook fishing is winding down, with closures or modifications starting June 3. Tech & Jobs: Micron’s AI-memory surge keeps pushing toward a $1 trillion valuation, fueled by sold-out HBM supply under multi-year contracts.

Idaho Politics: North Idaho state Senate candidate Scott Herndon filed a complaint alleging campaign mailers endorsed his opponent, targeting Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane’s office; the matter is now with the Idaho Attorney General. Courts & Public Safety: In Payette County, a judge moved up a pretrial conference in the Stacey Wondra case tied to the 2021 kidnapping and killing of 5-year-old Michael Vaughn; trial still set for Sept. 14. Wildlife & Land Use: USDA unveiled a new framework to support migratory big game conservation across 17 states, including Idaho, aiming to keep working lands working while improving habitat connectivity. Local Government: Coeur d’Alene City Council will consider resolutions tied to wells, including a property purchase around the Locust Well and suitability testing for a future well site. Health Watch: A new Georgetown report says Idaho’s uninsured rate for young children rose sharply, with Idaho among the highest in the nation. Community & Outdoors: Idaho Fish and Game released June rainbow trout stocking highlights, with 240,000+ fish planned statewide. Business & Growth: A Treasure Valley Web Guide platform launched to help Boise-area businesses compare local web design agencies and pricing.

Wildfire Update: Investigators say Idaho Power equipment likely helped ignite the Mountain Home brush fire, after strong winds brought electrical lines into contact with dry vegetation; the 250-acre blaze destroyed 15 homes and injured a deputy, and officials say the injured are recovering. Local Government: Kuna and Nampa fire districts are weighing a possible consolidation/merge to keep up with growth and stabilize budgets, with board votes and public outreach planned this summer. Health Access: A new Georgetown report finds Idaho has the fifth-highest uninsured rate for children under 6, with nearly 8% uninsured in 2024—about 10,700 kids—raising concerns as Medicaid changes continue. Cost of Living/Travel: AAA reports Idaho gas averages $4.61, down slightly week to week but still high, and Washington drivers are crossing into Idaho for cheaper fuel. Community & Recreation: Rexburg kicks off “Flood 50” events marking the Teton Dam anniversary with daily service projects, while Orofino’s Farmers Market hosts a free “Kids Day” and McCall holds a cornhole fundraiser for special-needs climbing.

Wildfire Readiness: Idaho National Guard crews trained with the Idaho Department of Lands on water-bucket drops and Wildland Firefighter 2 qualifications, as officials warn the state could face a significant fire season. Local Public Safety: Investigators are looking into multiple illegal cattle killings across south Idaho, with some animals butchered. Roads & Crashes: A fatal crash north of Idaho Falls left one dead and three injured, and a separate I-84 semi crash near Kasota Road blocked eastbound lanes. Elections: Idaho’s post-primary voting audit is underway, with counties selected at random to verify tabulation. Idaho Economy & Daily Life: Gas prices dipped statewide, but AAA Idaho warns summer could still be bumpy. Community & Culture: Boise’s Albertsons Stadium blue-turf bird myth is back in the spotlight as the field gets refreshed; and “Savor Idaho” returns June 7 at the Idaho Botanical Garden. Tribes & Health Care: The Coeur d’Alene Tribe received an Indian Health Service award for long-term care facility planning. Sports: Baker’s Sammy Gressley swept four individual state track titles.

Highway 55 Search-and-Rescue: Idaho State Police are investigating a Sunday crash on SH-55 near Cascade where a pickup went into the North Fork of the Payette River; witnesses say at least one occupant exited and was swept downstream, and responders can’t safely reach the submerged vehicle yet, with recovery possibly taking days. Fire Updates: Crews are responding to the human-caused Scole Fire near Kuna, mapped at about 181 acres with forward spread stopped, while the lightning-caused Summit Creek Fire in Cassia County is about 45% contained. Community Support: A Mountain Home coffee shop fundraiser is raising money for families and first responders affected by this week’s fire, with proceeds going to the Mountain Home Burn Out Fund. Idaho Outdoors: A popular Boise-area hike to the Adelmann Mine highlights the region’s history and wildlife habitat, while a new University of Idaho Extension guide urges action now to control leafy spurge, an aggressive invasive weed. Weather: Idaho is starting June with mostly dry, sunny conditions and a warming trend, with only small chances of scattered showers.

Idaho Justice: An Idaho man convicted of a “cold-blooded” triple murder in the Boise Foothills has died by suicide in a private out-of-state prison in Arizona, highlighting ongoing concerns about Idaho inmates housed in private facilities. Public Safety: A fire on I-84 between Boise and Mountain Home briefly blocked traffic and burned about 29 acres before being controlled late Saturday; investigators are looking into what sparked it. Health & Community: The Hunger Coalition will host Idaho’s stop in a nationwide Interdependence Relay community meal on June 1 in Bellevue, with a free meal, music, and conversation. Local Roads: ITD begins a summer resurfacing project on US-95 in Payette and Fruitland starting June 2, with one-lane traffic and delays expected through fall. Wildfire Readiness: A Boise woman whose home was destroyed in May is urging residents to prepare for fire season and plan for recovery after disasters.

Road Work in North Idaho: Seltice Way in Post Falls will see westbound lane closures from June 1 to Aug. 20 as crews install a reclaimed water line, storm infrastructure and frontage improvements, with two-way traffic shifted to the south side. Idaho Transportation Update: In McCammon, Idaho Transportation Department crews will shift traffic to newly paved westbound lanes this Saturday while work starts on eastbound lanes on U.S. 30; Old U.S. 91 into downtown will close and detours route via I-15B and nearby roads. Wildfire Prep: Idaho emergency officials say wildfire season is ramping up and urge residents to sign up for local emergency alerts, build go-bags, plan multiple evacuation routes, and monitor the Idaho Fire Map. Public Lands & Hunting: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says more than 95% of refuge lands could be open to hunting after proposed expansions, including new sport-fishing access in Idaho’s Grays Lake refuge. Local Impact: The Melba Valley Senior Center faces rising repair costs while serving 100+ neighbors weekly, with leaders warning the community hub needs help to keep operating. Fatal Crashes: Police report a deadly Roy multi-vehicle crash killed a 25-year-old man from Idaho after a high-speed Honda Accord collided with a semitruck and trailer; Idaho State Police also investigated a separate Bonneville County crash that killed one and injured others.

Voting Rights Fight: The Trump administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let states purge voter rolls for noncitizens close to elections, a move critics say could disenfranchise eligible Idaho voters. Idaho Courts: An Ada County judge upheld a Meridian man’s conviction tied to a viral 2024 arrest, calling part of the officer’s force “a chilling image.” Public Safety—Roads: A 72-year-old Spokane motorcyclist died in a crash on westbound I-90 near Coeur d’Alene; ISP is investigating. Drugs: A routine traffic stop in Fremont County led to Idaho’s largest meth seizure—115.4 pounds worth more than $1.5 million. Weather/Power: North Idaho storm damage left thousands without power, with restoration expected to take days. Local Infrastructure: Idaho Transportation is moving ahead with a new Southern Idaho bridge design to replace the aging Rainbow Bridge. Elections Oversight: Idaho’s Secretary of State office randomly selected eight counties and precincts for primary election audits. Community: Idaho Falls hosted the state’s first regional National Civics Bee, spotlighting middle school students’ civic projects.

Mental Health in Agriculture: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran joined a bipartisan push to designate May 29, 2026, as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day, urging better support for stressed farmers and ranchers. Water & Drought Impacts: A water curtailment order is now in effect for 924 eastern Idaho groundwater rights, and Idaho is also dealing with severe weather fallout, including a windstorm that knocked out power across Boundary County. Public Safety & Crime: Investigators are looking into multiple livestock shootings in southern Idaho, while in North Idaho a man charged with vehicular homicide after a fatal Hayden apartment crash was released from prison just a day before the crash. Invasive Species: Idaho completed its third round of quagga mussel testing, ramping up sampling as the season progresses. Local Life & Events: Host families are needed for the Idaho International Choral Festival in Pocatello this July, and ISU is staging Idaho’s first amateur “Dear Evan Hansen” production in years. Roadwork: Traffic shifts are planned on US-30 in McCammon and at SH-39/Pocatello Ave. in American Falls.

Idaho Road Work: ITD will start June 1 repairs on US-95 near Thorn Creek Road in Latah County after a landslide tied to wet winter conditions; crews will excavate unstable material and use rock support, with northbound traffic reduced to one lane and work expected to wrap in early July. Severe Weather: Strong winds battered the Treasure Valley Thursday, toppling trees and knocking out power for thousands, including outages on the Boise Bench and in the North End/downtown area. Mountain Home Fire Response: A Mountain Home resident used a front loader to cut fire breaks and help save homes during the Tuesday wildfire that burned about 300 acres and sent multiple law enforcement officers to the hospital. Local Schools: West Ada School District unveiled Independence Elementary’s mascot and colors at a community open house in Star, with the Osprey theme and blue colors. Public Safety—Crash: A Coeur d’Alene man was arrested after a Hayden crash killed an elderly man and critically injured an elderly woman; investigators say he was released from prison just a day before the crash. Magic Valley Economy: Idaho Milk Products opened a new Jerome ice cream and powder blending facility, aiming to add about 100 jobs. Community Events: Twin Falls Western Days returns this weekend for its 44th year, with parade and vendor activity across downtown streets.

Treasure Valley Growth: Ahlquist and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe unveiled “Peregrine,” a 920-acre mixed-use development in Elmore County near the I-84 Simco Road interchange, aiming to reshape the area’s eastern growth corridor with industrial, commercial and residential plans. Public Safety & Courts: A former Boise school bus driver, Kayden Peterson, pleaded not guilty to felony child sex abuse and lewd conduct charges; trial is set for Sept. 21. Health: A beverage recall tied to possible Salmonella contamination has spread to 25 states, including Idaho. Agriculture: University of Idaho Extension launched a new online tool to help wheat farmers choose ARC or PLC coverage. Idaho Infrastructure: Idaho Transportation Department bridge repairs start Monday on SH9 near Harvard, with lane reductions and short delays expected. Energy & Animals: H5N1 avian influenza has resurfaced in Idaho dairy herds with five new infected herds reported. Local Business: Garage Slick relocated to Meridian and expanded vehicle protection and detailing services.

Mountain Home Wildfire Update: A fast-moving brush fire in Mountain Home injured six first responders, with one deputy still hospitalized and officials still investigating the cause; some residents say emergency alerts didn’t reach their phones, and roads have reopened. Wildfire Watch: Crews are also battling the lightning-caused Summit Creek Fire near Cache Peak (about 1,500 acres) and the nearby Dewoff Fire, with evacuations and road closures in place. Idaho Courts & Records: A court order requires Idaho’s CPO to disclose a report tied to a forestry promotion dispute, after a worker challenged how her University of Idaho degree was treated. Sports on National TV: Idaho Vandal football lands three primetime, nationally televised games in 2026, including ESPN broadcasts for the Cal Poly opener and the Oct. 2 matchup vs. Montana State. Local Leadership: Boise Airport director Rebecca Hupp will leave the city in June after 14 years, and Garden City Police Chief Cory Stambaugh announced his August retirement. State Politics: Ada County’s 4th Judicial District judge race heads to a November runoff after the primary left no majority winner.

Idaho Outdoors: Idaho Fish and Game’s Free Fishing Day is June 13, with Scheel’s and ICCU teaming up to hand out 1,300 free fishing poles and tackle boxes for kids 14 and younger at select locations while supplies last. State Government: The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will hold a special conference call Friday, May 29 at 9 a.m. MDT to make final decisions on 2026 spring Chinook season changes and waterfowl zone updates, with no public comment. Boise & Statewide Events: Moscow High School grad Josh Ritter will headline the July 4 America250 in Idaho celebration in Boise, with a downtown parade, veterans breakfast, military flyover, and performances by Idaho musicians. Local Community: Shelley’s new farmers market launches June 4 and runs Thursdays through September’s Spud Days, with 52 vendors and 11 food trucks planned. Public Safety: A brush fire in Mountain Home sent six law enforcement personnel to the hospital and prompted evacuations; officials say no resident fatalities were confirmed. Business & Jobs: Idaho-based Micron and South Korea’s SK hynix both crossed the $1 trillion market value mark amid the AI chip boom.