AGP Executive Report

Idaho Transportation: ITD warned drivers about major upcoming I-90 changes in Kootenai County, including a Sept. 14 westbound ramp closure near Northwest Boulevard and a mid-October shift to the south side while crews rebuild the north side, plus a Huetter Road closure for bridge work. Idaho Retirement Watch: A PERSI Base Plan account showing 9.68% interest can be misleading—rolling it out can cancel the service credits that support a lifetime pension benefit, so vested members are urged to request a written estimate before cashing out. Public Health: A Michigan fatal rabies case tied to an infected organ donor highlights that most human rabies infections go undiagnosed, raising concerns about missed exposures and delayed treatment. Gas Prices: Ahead of Labor Day, U.S. gasoline hit record levels late in the year, with analysts expecting averages above $4 a gallon as energy costs stay elevated. College Sports (Idaho ties): Oregon survived a scare from Boise State, winning 34-27 at Autzen Stadium, while Idaho State opened with a 29-17 upset over Utah State.

Idaho Courts: The Idaho Supreme Court ordered state officials to rewrite abortion initiative ballot statements, keeping the fight over reproductive rights front and center. Public Safety: An incarcerated man died after an assault at the Idaho State Correctional Center south of Boise; Idaho State Police are investigating. Boise State Football: Boise State opened its season at No. 2 Oregon in Eugene after weather and airport construction caused a detour to Portland and a late arrival; at halftime, the Broncos led 17-14, with Oregon scoring late before the break and Wagner tying it later in the third. DMV Convenience: Idaho DMV is rolling out self-service vehicle registration kiosks at select Albertsons and Fred Meyer stores for renewals, aiming to cut down on DMV trips. Wildfire Update: The Crooked Fire in Boise County has grown to 10,006 acres, with international crews helping and fire behavior reduced by recent humidity, cooler temps, and rain. Wildlife Staffing: U.S. Fish and Wildlife staffing has dropped sharply nationwide, including a reported 35% decline in Idaho since Trump 2.0.

Idaho Courts & Reproductive Rights: The Idaho Supreme Court ordered the state to rewrite Proposition 1 ballot language, blocking the current wording from the November ballot and giving officials a tight deadline to fix “unclear” reproductive rights statements. Public Health & Water: The EPA is seeking more public comment on a proposed rule that would narrow federal wetlands protections under the “waters of the U.S.” framework, a major clean-water fight tied to the Sackett v. EPA decision. Idaho Environment: Yellowstone moved to protect native cutthroat trout by closing Buffalo Creek and using fish poison to remove invasive rainbow trout, with the work set to reopen soon. Idaho Sports (Boise State): Boise State’s season opener at Oregon is still on, but the team dealt with weather-related travel disruptions that pushed arrival late. Local Sports (Prep): Ridgeview shut out Crater 37-0, Rocky Mountain fell 57-14 to Puyallup in the Northwest Showdown, and Idaho high school football highlights rolled across the region. Community Spotlight: Four East Idaho first responders received Idaho Medal of Honor recognition for lifesaving actions.

College Football (Idaho vs. Utah): No. 21 Utah crushed Idaho 66-14 in Morgan Scalley’s regular-season debut, with Devon Dampier throwing three TDs and Wayshawn Parker scoring three times. Public Health (Salmonella): Washington officials are investigating a salmonella outbreak tied to Idaho-made Evergreen Fresh Sprouts’ broccoli sprouts; 13 are sick in Washington, plus cases in Montana and Idaho, and health departments are urging people to throw away or return the sprouts. Idaho Business & Agriculture (Dairy): The University of Idaho will host a National Workshop on Dairy Markets and Policy in Twin Falls Sept. 23-24, covering milk marketing order changes and dairy policy, with tours including Chobani and UI’s Rupert research dairy. Idaho Sports (Boise State at Oregon): Boise State opens its season at No. 2 Oregon, with coverage highlighting what the Broncos must fix after a close 2024 loss at Autzen. Community & Service (Idaho Medal of Honor): Idaho’s Medal of Honor ceremony honored nine first responders for acts of courage, including multiple recipients tied to the Canfield Mountain ambush. Tech/Local Economy (Meta data center): Meta’s Kuna data center is now operating, with reporting focused on water-efficiency claims and local impacts.

Idaho Sports: Utah opened its 2026 season by overwhelming Idaho 66-14 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, with Wayshawn Parker starring for the Utes (three TDs, 94 all-purpose yards) as the Vandals struggled early and couldn’t get traction on offense. College Football Preview: Week 1 is light on top-25 matchups, but it’s packed with storylines and “quadbox-friendly” viewing as teams settle into new looks and coaches. Legal/Child Safety: A Rathdrum-area case ended with a 69-year-old David Mario Marquez convicted of five counts of sexual exploitation of children for possessing child sexual abuse material; he was sentenced to 15 years. Public Safety/Health: Idaho health officials warned about increased rabid bat activity and potential human exposures after testing showed a sharp rise in rabid bats since 2025. Business & Community: Idaho Business Review will honor 44 legal and finance professionals statewide at its Leaders in Law and Excellence in Finance awards on Nov. 17 in Boise. Local Infrastructure: Single lanes reopened on Ustick Road after months of closures, easing traffic in the Treasure Valley.

Idaho Courts: The 9th Circuit temporarily stayed Idaho’s abortion ban while an appeal continues, pausing a lower-court order that would have expanded exceptions. Public Safety: Idaho reported 28,127 crashes in 2025, with Boise and Meridian leading city totals and I-84 topping major-road crash counts; about 35% of fatal crashes involved impaired driving. Transportation: ITD is holding an open house Sept. 10 on plans to replace two aging I-84 A Canal bridges west of Heyburn, with construction targeted for late 2027 or early 2028. Community & Outdoors: The Greater Yellowstone Coalition is hosting postcard-writing events in Idaho, including a Sept. 8 stop in Red Lodge, to urge support for the Roadless Rule. Sports (Idaho ties): Oklahoma added former Boise State defensive lineman Braxton Fely after a court ruling cleared the way while his eligibility case plays out. Crime: An Idaho man was charged with first-degree murder in a Centralia, Washington killing, with investigators linking him across state lines.

College Football Kickoff (Idaho matchups): Week 1 hits Thursday, Sept. 3, with Idaho set to open at No. 21 Utah (9 p.m. ESPNU). Boise State spotlight: Boise State starts its season Saturday at No. 2 Oregon (3:30 p.m. CBS), a marquee test for the Broncos’ CFP hopes. Local courts: The Idaho Supreme Court set oral arguments for Lori Vallow Daybell’s appeal for Nov. 2 in Boise. Public safety: Idaho Falls firefighters Travis Adams and Jeremy F. Newman received the Idaho Medal of Honor for rescuing crash victims from a partially submerged vehicle. Road tragedy: Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash near Emmett where a 45-year-old man died and a second occupant was airlifted. Community health: Pocatello plans to proclaim September Chronic Pain Awareness Month at City Council. Business/industry: Perpetua Resources says it’s making progress on the Stibnite Gold Project, including long-lead equipment fabrication and workforce housing work.

Idaho Public Health: Idaho has logged 24 rabid bats so far this year—more than in the past three years—prompting reminders to avoid handling bats and to contact local health officials after any direct contact. Local Government & Planning: Bannock County is drafting a template ordinance for AI data center rules, starting with a work group meeting Tuesday and aiming for a final draft by December. Weather & Safety: The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for Baker County burn scars from Thursday afternoon through Friday evening, warning heavy rain could trigger debris flows. Treasure Valley Watch: Ada County leaders are gathering to tackle a growing rat problem, with Central District Health already approving $250,000 for response efforts. Community & Access: A new Shoshone Falls overlook in Jerome County opens Sept. 17 with parking, safety fencing, and planned audio features for visitors with visual impairments. Sports (Idaho): Boise State’s home opener is Sept. 12, with new Freak Alley-inspired murals unveiled in the north end zone.

College Football Preview: Boise State opens its season at No. 2 Oregon on Saturday, with Oregon a heavy favorite but Boise pointing to big-play potential after a tight 2024 matchup. Idaho Sports (Prep): Box Elder’s football team starts 3-0 after a 31-19 win over Highland, while THS girls soccer begins 0-2 with losses to Marsh Valley and Teton High’s cross country posts early success at the More Cowbell Invitational. Local Growth & Housing: Boise’s North End Lofts highlights continued momentum in the North End neighborhood. Idaho Science: University of Idaho researchers named a new spider species, Hexura vandal, discovered in northern Idaho. Consumer & Tech: The FTC and 22 states sue Amazon over alleged deceptive ad-auction practices that they say inflated costs for advertisers, including Idaho. Public Safety & Privacy: Nampa police are showing residents how license plate readers and surveillance cameras work amid growing privacy concerns.

Idaho Courts: The Idaho Supreme Court set oral arguments for Lori Vallow Daybell’s appeal for Monday, Nov. 2, in Boise, as she challenges key legal decisions from her 2023 convictions. Local Government: Emmett City Council approved a $12.26M fiscal year 2027 budget, with public safety taking the biggest slice and property taxes projected to rise. Community Support: Sneakers for Kids delivered 100 pairs of shoes to Emmett School District students, aiming to remove barriers to youth sports. Water & Wastewater: Teton County opened talks with valley municipalities over wastewater failures statewide and the oversubscribed state loan program, as a regional treatment plant plan stretches to 2028. Wildfire Risk: A fuels and fire behavior advisory warns southwest Idaho fire danger stays above normal due to drought-stressed vegetation and critically low fuel moisture. Business & Growth: Mosaic Quarter secured naming rights with Idaho Central Credit Union, and Victor Emporium in Teton Valley is expanding under new owners. Public Safety: Boise police say a woman killed in a Sunday drive-by shooting was likely not the intended target, and detectives are seeking witnesses and rideshare info.

Wildlife & Roads: Idaho is nearing completion of a new Rocky Point wildlife underpass on US Highway 30 south of Montpelier, built to cut deer-vehicle crashes by guiding animals with fencing and three underpasses. Big Tech Watch: The FTC and 22 state attorneys general, including Idaho’s, sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” practices that they say inflated advertising prices for more than a million sellers and brands. Idaho Safety: Idaho State Police reported a semi-truck fire on I-84 near Boise that shut down lanes for about five hours; the driver wasn’t hurt. Missing Person: Bear Lake County is asking for help locating Matthew Darnell Dustin, last seen in St. Charles, Idaho, with a known cardiac condition. Boise State Football: True freshman Rasean Jones will start at wide receiver for Boise State at Oregon, with coach Spencer Danielson praising his maturity and work ethic. Local Community: A West Linn rescue team helped reunite an Idaho family with their lost dog, Peaches, after 12 days.

Snake River Tragedy: Two Idaho Falls men, Robert Martineau (73) and Brandon Rainey (39), died after a jet boat overturned below Palisades Dam; divers found one man trapped under the boat after minutes underwater. Invasive Species Watch: Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture is running another quagga mussel treatment near Twin Falls, with boat ramp closures while work targets the river stretch. Local Business & Safety: Shoshone Ice Caves owner Shane Wallace unveiled a $900K rebuild plan after a suspended walkway collapse last year, and launched a public fundraiser. Consumer Protection: Idaho is among 22 states joining the FTC lawsuit against Amazon, alleging a “secret ad surcharge” scheme that inflated advertising prices for years. Housing & Costs: Mortgage payment affordability improved slightly in July, but remains higher than a year ago. Idaho Courts: A Pocatello man accused of killing his uncle allegedly used an electric flyswatter, according to court documents. Rural Health: Idaho is accepting applications for Healthcare Infrastructure Support funding for rural providers, due Sept. 13.

Idaho Courts: Bryan Kohberger’s bid to overturn his University of Idaho murder conviction took a new turn as his attorneys filed a motion to disqualify the judge, arguing past comments could undermine impartiality. Religious Construction: Ground broke for the new Coeur d’Alene Latter-day Saint temple, a major milestone for local members and a sign of continued growth in Idaho’s temple footprint. Public Safety: Idaho State Police investigated a late-August rollover on I-84 near Jerome County; the driver was not hurt, but eastbound lanes were blocked while crews cleared the scene. Rural Health: Idaho’s Health and Welfare Department is offering grants aimed at improving rural health care access, with workforce and equipment gaps highlighted as key targets. Community & Sports: The Pocatello Greek Festival returned, drawing crowds with food, dance, and church history; and Boise State women’s soccer bounced back with a 3-1 win over Idaho State. North Idaho Wildfires: Crews are battling multiple fires across Boundary, Bonner, and Shoshone counties, with several still at zero containment.

Eastern Idaho State Fair: The 124th Eastern Idaho State Fair kicks off Sept. 4-12 in Blackfoot with a patriotic theme tied to America’s 250th anniversary, plus big-name acts like Flo Rida, Gabriel Iglesias and Nate Smith. Boise Crime: Boise police are investigating a fatal drive-by shooting on W. Clement Drive where a woman was killed; investigators say a party was happening and the suspect fled in a sedan-type vehicle. Federal Fraud Case: FBI says two men arrested at Boise Airport—Daejon Love and Taylor Jamie Chan—ran a $1.3M romance-and-investment scam targeting women across multiple states, including Idaho, by allegedly posing as an NFL player and using fake financial records. Wildfire Updates: Crews are working to contain the Crooked Fire near Idaho City (8,433 acres, 12% contained) with road delays and closures at nearby recreation sites. Northern Lights: NOAA forecasts a low chance of aurora visibility Sunday night, including Idaho, with a Kp index of 4. Local Safety/Weather: Authorities warn people not to fly drones near the Dudley Fire area near Wallace due to a temporary flight restriction. Community Events: The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic returns to Ann Morrison Park Sept. 2-6 with free public access and weather-dependent launches.

Idaho Nuclear Plans: The Air Force says Oklo’s 5-megawatt micro-reactor at Eielson Air Force Base is now targeted to be built and operating in 2029, with Idaho National Laboratory and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission involved. UI Campus Access: University of Idaho will close the Perimeter Drive/State Highway 8 bridge starting Aug. 31, with detours and SMART Transit changes, expected to run until May 2027. Boise Valley Culture & Growth: Idaho Botanical Garden opened the first spaces of its 10-acre expansion, adding a new Event Lawn, Parking Garden, and educational arboretum plus 3,000+ new plants. Wildfire Worker Housing: A national report highlights how federal wildland firefighters struggle with low pay and a housing crisis, with some living in vans. Local Sports: Idaho State routed VMI 38-10 behind a big defensive effort and QB Jordan Cooke’s four TDs; College of Idaho beat Eastern Oregon 37-7. Community Events: Latino Fest returned to Twin Falls, bringing food, music, and cultural performances.

Idaho Public Safety: Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash in Burley where a 59-year-old motorcyclist died after his bike crossed the center line and hit a Jeep; the roadway was closed for about two hours. Wildfire Response: The Idaho National Guard posted an update on its aviation role in suppressing the Big Grass Fire, including Black Hawk crews dropping nearly 300,000 gallons of water and medevac standby support. Public Health: Canyon County plans mosquito spraying over 46,545 acres Sunday night to curb West Nile risk after the state reported its first human case. Local Life & Community: A new Jacuzzi hot tub dealer opened in Ammon, and Pocatello’s Greek Festival returns as the “largest ethnic celebration in Idaho.” Courts & Crime: Federal authorities say a Boise-area arrest of Daejon Love and Taylor Jamie Chan followed a yearslong romance-and-investment scam targeting 26 women, allegedly posing as a 49ers player; a “last victim” is now sharing details online. Sports: Idaho high school score updates and a roundup of regional action filled the weekend sports pages.