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Idaho Transportation Department to host Rainbow Bridge project open houses this week

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Idaho Transportation Department to host Rainbow Bridge project open houses this week


Highway 55’s iconic Rainbow Bridge is set to retire later this decade and the Idaho Transportation Department is looking for public input on its successor.

The agency is holding open houses in McCall and Horseshoe Bend this week to present its proposals to the community.

“We want to bring them in, let them know where we are now and when they can expect to see construction,” said Sophia Moraglio, a spokesperson for ITD.

Built in 1933, the Rainbow Bridge spans the North Fork of the Payette River north of Smith’s Ferry. ITD said it no longer meets industry standards for bridges, with narrow lanes and shoulders, as well as limited sightlines.

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Renderings of possible replacements included in ITD’s feasibility study from 2021 imagine a red, arched steel bridge – an homage to its predecessor. The second alternative would be a cheaper, straight steel bridge with no arch.

Costs for construction are higher now than when ITD first published the feasibility study three years ago. The agency set aside $60 million for planning and construction, according to Moraglio.

Once replaced, the existing Rainbow Bridge could be used as a scenic overlook for pedestrians, according to the feasibility study.

Both proposed replacements would offer gentler curves for vehicles that better match the area’s 45 mile-per-hour speed limit.

The first open house will take place at the Evergreen Hotel in McCall Tuesday, July 23 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Another at the Horseshoe Bend School is scheduled for Thursday, July 25 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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Those who can’t attend can learn more about the project here. Emailed comments may be submitted here.

The final design is expected to be complete by 2026, with construction estimated sometime in 2028 or 2029.

Copyright 2024 Boise State Public Radio





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Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

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Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran


On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched major strikes in Tehran, with President Trump calling for an Iranian regime change.

RELATED | Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, reportedly killing hundreds

President Trump authorized the U.S military operation without congressional approval, a decision that Democrats in Congress are arguing is unconstitutional.

RELATED | Trump’s Iran attack raises legal concerns among Democrats in Congress

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Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea says Democrats are “demanding answers and accountability on behalf of the American people, who are being dragged toward another open-ended war they do not support.”

Necochea says her greatest concern lies with American troops, contractors and civilians who she says “did not choose this conflict.”

“Idaho has thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and military families who live with the consequences when leaders make reckless choices,” she says.

However, not all lawmakers share Necochea’s sentiments.

Idaho Republican representative Mike Simpson commends President Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran.

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“Iran was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully through negotiations but chose not to,” Simpson said in a post to Facebook. “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action against a regime responsible for decades of terror. May God protect our men and women in uniform on this vital mission.”





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Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8

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Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8


POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Nearly two-thirds of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion, but local leaders say that coverage is now at risk.

According to the organizers of a town hall set for Saturday, February 28, proposed changes could severely impact Idaho’s rural hospitals and leave thousands of residents without access to healthcare.

The town hall, titled “Protecting What Works: Medicaid Expansion in Idaho,” will take place at Chubbuck City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

A panel of representatives from across the healthcare sector — including home health, hospitals, and public and community health — will answer questions about how Medicaid expansion works in Idaho and how potential cuts could affect communities. Organizers say there will also be time for audience questions.

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One of the event organizers told Local News 8 why the discussion is important:

“There have been conversations in the last couple of legislative sessions about either fully repealing Medicaid expansion or making significant cuts to Medicaid,” Shantay Boxham, the organizer, said. “This is an educational forum to ensure voters and community members have the information they need about what the program is, what’s at stake, and how it supports Idaho and Idahoans.”

There are limited seats available for the meeting. To reserve a spot, visit members.pocatello.com.

Local News 8 will continue to follow this story and have updates tomorrow.

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Idaho CBD retailers navigating uncertainty under new hemp rules

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Idaho CBD retailers navigating uncertainty under new hemp rules


Idaho takes pride in being a no-THC zone. Unlike our neighbors on all sides, the Gem State has taken a firm stance not to legalize marijuana for medicinal or recreational use for years. This opposition long extended to the legalization of hemp, a plant relative of marijuana with far lower levels of the intoxicating chemical […]



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