This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on June 26, 2024.
The University of Idaho and the University of Phoenix want more time to talk about a deal.
And the State Board of Education will meet Friday morning to discuss an extension — which could immediately net the U of I $5 million.
If the State Board signs on, the parties would have until June 10, 2025, to reach a deal that would move the for-profit online giant under the U of I’s ownership. The State Board first endorsed the $685 million purchase in May 2023. The deal has been mired in political and legal limbo for months. However, the U of I and Phoenix have continued to negotiate past an initial, nonbinding May 31 deadline.
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“The extension will allow the (U of I) time to incorporate feedback from legislators and other Idaho stakeholders into the transaction and make amendments based on the feedback,” State Board staff said in a memo released late Wednesday afternoon. “There is no commitment to a closing at this time.”
The extension has been in the works for some time. Idaho Education News reported first on many of the basics in a May 28 article.
The State Board memo spells out the details:
Phoenix and its owner, Apollo Global Management, would have a chance to negotiate with other would-be sellers, or pursue an initial public offering.
The U of I would immediately receive $5 million for agreeing to an extension.
The U of I could also receive additional “breakup” fees if the purchase falls through. If the June 2025 deadline comes and goes without a sale, the U of I would receive another $5 million. If Apollo finds another buyer or pursues an IPO, the breakup fees would total $15 million.
The fees to the U of I are designed to offset the university’s consulting and legal bills. As EdNews has previously reported, the U of I has spent some $11 million on due diligence as it has reviewed a Phoenix purchase; the bulk of those fees went to U of I President C. Scott Green’s former employer, Hogan Lovells, an international law firm.
In their memo, State Board staffers say the U of I remains bullish on a Phoenix purchase. The U of I says its Phoenix business model “remains intact and is growing stronger.” The U of I has maintained it could net $10 million or more in annual revenues from Phoenix operations.
The U of I also maintains that it can navigate some turbulent political waters — even after the state Senate voted down a bill in March designed to salvage the purchase.
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“The parties … are committed to continue working collaboratively with legislators, through the 2025 legislative session if needed, to arrive at transaction acceptable to all.”
The board is scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. Friday.
Check Idaho Education News on Friday for coverage of the meeting. And click here for in-depth, exclusive Phoenix coverage from Idaho EdNews.
GARDEN CITY – A Boise-area girl is competing in the 2026 Junior Ranger Competition, and she needs your vote to advance.
Eleven-year-old Cali Lindsay of Garden City is currently in the top 10 in her age group. The first place contestant in each group will advance to the semi-finals, which will wrap on July 17.
The final round concludes on July 24. The winner will be awarded $20,000 and be featured on the cover of Ranger Rick Magazine. They’ll also win a trip with Jeff Corwin.
Cali’s mom, Emily Edginton, tells EastIdahoNews.com how the competition works.
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“You’re allowed one free vote every 24 hours. People can also pay (to vote),” Edginton says. “The contestants have challenges every week to learn about animals and share what they’ve learned. People vote for the answer they like best. If you have enough votes, you move to the next round.”
Cali needs to secure enough votes by Thursday in order to advance to the next round.
The competition is a fundraiser for the National Wildlife Federation, the largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization in the United States.
Edginton says they recently moved to Idaho from San Bernardino, California. Her daughter acquired a love of wildlife living in Lytle Creek, a community near the San Gabriel Mountains and San Bernardino National Forest.
“She’s already like a junior ranger. We picked up trash (in the forest) for fun,” Edginton says. “We try to keep it clean because we get a lot of visitors up there in the summertime and they trash the place. It affects the animals.”
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Edginton says they moved to Idaho in February to be closer to family.
She’s grateful her daughter can be part of what she feels is a great cause, and hopes to see her advance, and even win the tournament.
“It’s a good cause, plus it’s a learning experience,” says Edginton.
To vote for Cali or learn more, click here.
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JACKSON, Wyo. — Springtime conjures images of adorable baby animals. Unfortunately, sometimes well-meaning humans feel compelled to interfere with Mother Nature by “rescuing” baby animals who appear to be alone.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) issued a spring reminder discouraging people from intervening when they assume a wild animal is lost, abandoned or orphaned.
“While these folks typically mean well, the sad reality is they are often doing more damage than good when they intervene — and typically, mom was not far away to begin with,” IDFG shared in a press release.
“Here’s the hard truth,” the agency wrote. “Animal parents will periodically leave their young for an extended period of time for a myriad of reasons, whether it’s to search for food, to rest or to divert attention from their vulnerable offspring, especially if they sense danger. When it comes to wildlife babies, wildlife mothers know best.”
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In short, in an encounter with a lone duckling, gosling, deer fawn, baby bird, red dog or moose calf, do not disturb it. Instead, contact the state’s wildlife agency to report it. In Jackson, call the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at (307) 733-2321. In Idaho, reach IDFG at (208) 525-7290.
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5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
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