Idaho

More quagga mussels detected in Idaho’s Snake River near Twin Falls • Oregon Capital Chronicle

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2024

More quagga mussels detected in Idaho’s Snake River near Twin Falls • Oregon Capital Chronicle

Officials with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that they have detected new quagga mussels in the Snake River near Twin Falls.

Tuesday’s announcement arrived almost exactly one year after state officials announced they had detected the invasive species in the Snake River for the first time in September 2023. In response to first mussel detection, state officials used a copper based chemical called Natrix in the Snake River in an effort to kill them off, the Sun previously reported.

Until this most recent detection of quagga mussels, state water sampling was negative for quagga mussels in 2024, the Sun also reported.

“While we are incredibly disappointed to see any confirmations, we know that pest eradication is rarely one and done,” Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt said in a written statement Tuesday. “We have made significant progress, and now we must focus on the next phase of eradication. (The Idaho State Department of Agriculture) and the many partners who have helped in countless ways will continue to push for full eradication.”

The quagga mussels were detected in the Shoshone Falls pool, Pillar Falls and the Twin Falls Reservoir behind the Twin Falls hydroelectric facility, state officials said Tuesday.

Quagga mussels are an invasive, nonnative species that reproduces rapidly. State officials with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture said eradicating the mussels is a priority because they are capable of clogging pipes, which could pose a threat to drinking water, irrigation, agriculture, recreational tourism and hydroelectric energy generation.

In a statement released Tuesday, Idaho Gov. Brad Little said the state is fortunate because of its invasive species programs and state investments in those programs. During the 2024 legislative session, legislators approved $6.6 million in the fiscal year 2025 budget to fight invasive species, the Sun previously reported.

“Idaho had the foresight years ago to start investing in the resources needed to detect and eradicate invasive species, and that investment is paying off,” Little said in a written statement. “I want to thank my partners in the Idaho Legislature for making this happen. With an effective, robust invasive species program in place, we are far better off today than we were even a year ago when quagga mussels were first detected in the Snake River.

“One of our greatest success stories as a state has been the coordinated, rapid response to quagga mussels last fall, but we knew we would be on watch for a period of five years. I have great confidence in the team at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and their many, many partners to continue to tackle this problem with minimal disruption to the public.”

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Idaho Capital Sun, like Oregon Capital Chronicle, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: [email protected]. Follow Idaho Capital Sun on Facebook and X.

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Idaho

JFAC approves Idaho National Guard education funding

Published

2 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

JFAC approves Idaho National Guard education funding

BOISE — The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted Friday to partially restore funding to the Idaho National Guard’s education reimbursement program. The near-unanimous vote arrives after the body twice voted against making the reimbursement funding available but failed to come to a consensus on Idaho Military Division enhancements.

With this matter unresolved, JFAC once again took up the issue of funding for the National Guard’s State Education Assistance Program (SEAP), which provides enlisted soldiers and airmen up to $8,000 per year for tuition and fees at Idaho institutions.

Rep. James Petzke, R-Meridian — who has repeatedly voiced support for restoring the reimbursement funding — brought forward the motion Friday to provide a general fund enhancement of $190,800 to SEAP for fiscal year 2027. This amount allows the program to maintain 69% of funding, up from the 39% it would have been reduced to as a result of JFAC’s 5% cuts for next fiscal year.

Though the vote sailed through without comment from committee members Friday, Petzke has couched the funding as necessary as Idaho lags behind neighboring states (including Oregon, Washington and Utah), which each offer 100% tuition reimbursement through their own education programs.

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Idaho

Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Mega Millions, Pick 3 on March 6, 2026

Published

14 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on March 6.

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 6 drawing

08-19-26-38-42, Mega Ball: 24

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 6 drawing

Day: 9-3-1

Night: 9-7-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 6 drawing

Day: 9-9-2-9

Night: 9-0-8-0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Idaho Cash numbers from March 6 drawing

20-21-31-35-38

Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 6 drawing

04-10-29-48-50, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Idaho Lottery drawings held ?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Pick 4: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Lucky For Life: 8:35 p.m. MT Monday and Thursday.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
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.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Idaho

Lewiston advances to title game of Idaho Class 5A boys basketball stat…

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Lewiston advances to title game of Idaho Class 5A boys basketball stat…

The Bengals held off the Wildcats in a game played at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.

With the win, Lewiston (22-3) earned a spot in the 5A championship game, scheduled for 5 p.m. PST Saturday at the Idaho Center. The Bengals will play the winner of today’s other semifinal game between Bishop Kelly and Preston.

Lewiston will try to capture its first boys basketball state title since 2009.

This story will be updated.

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