With more than three decades of public service, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Chief Deputy Director and Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney has announced he is leaving state service.
McElhinney focused on relationships and working with local leaders and community members to improve safety on Idaho’s transportation system. A significant advocate for stakeholder partnerships, he established the work zone safety task force and strengthened the Construction Partnering program with the Idaho Associated General Contractors.
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“I am so grateful for Dan’s dedication and emphasis on connecting with communities and overseeing the historic investments in construction focused on safety and mobility, which have enhanced quality of life for Idahoans,” said ITD Director Scott Stokes.
ITD Chief Engineer Dave Kuisti has been named acting Chief Operations Officer until permanent leadership position changes are determined.
Idaho State Police Sergeant Amanda Ward was named the Idaho State Police MVP during the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation award ceremony. | Daniel V. Ramirez, EastIdahoNews.com
IDAHO FALLS — Sgt. Amanda Ward with Idaho State Police was recognized with an MVP award Thursday at the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation luncheon.
Ward was nominated for her exceptional performance, commitment to training new officers, and dedication to public safety. Colleagues described her as a model of professionalism whose influence is felt across every level of the agency.
RELATED | Local law enforcement officers honored during awards ceremony
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Over the past year, Ward has taken on multiple roles, serving as a TAC officer at the Idaho State Police Training Academy, a TAC for the ILEADS Youth Training program, and a member of the ISP Honor Guard. In each position, she has helped set the standard for new recruits while representing the agency at public ceremonies and major events.
Ward has also been recognized for her outstanding field performance. While assigned to a temporary duty post, Captain Mike Mooney said she approached each shift with energy and enthusiasm.
“She had such a great attitude, always smiling and upbeat regardless of the circumstance,” Mooney said. “She was exceptionally productive—staying busy with traffic, drug cases, and even handling a very dangerous ATL for a suicidal subject. I wish we had 20 more just like her!”
In addition to her operational and training duties, Ward serves as a Peer Support Representative for District Six and has completed the FBI’s LEEDA leadership training. She also leads District Six in both DUI and drug arrests—an achievement highlighting her effectiveness in the field.
Ward accepted the MVP Award alongside four other honorees recognized by the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation for their contributions to law enforcement and public safety. EastIdahoNews.com will share a story and video about each recipient this coming week.
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Watch Ward’s video in the player above.
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Bonneville County Jail deputy honored with MVP award from police foundation
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BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — House Bill 559, which conforms to all tax provisions within the One Big Beautiful Bill of 2025, was discussed by the Idaho Senate on Friday. Earlier this week, the bill was sent to the House floor with a “do pass” recommendation.
The places this bill differs from federal tax policy are in bonus depreciation, a provision allowing businesses to take a large deduction on qualifying property within the property’s first year of service. Idaho has historically decoupled from this provision and will continue to do so in this bill.
House Bill 559 follows a plan implemented by Delaware requiring businesses under a current amortization agreement to finish that agreement in full to spread the fiscal impact into future years.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jeff Ehlers, R-Meridian, said in his opening remarks that the decision to make the taxes retroactive is to “capture the full benefit for individuals.” He said he believes the fiscal impact of a $155 million reduction in revenues for fiscal year 2026 and $175 million for fiscal year 2027 is “reasonable.”
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The Senate voted to return it to the House with a 28-7 pass vote. It now heads to the governor’s desk.
Starting February 15, Idahoans using SNAP benefits will no longer be able to purchase candy and soda with their food assistance cards, following a statewide ban signed into law by Governor Brad Little last year. But the new rules are creating confusion among shoppers who are struggling to understand which items will be restricted.
“It’s gonna be a mess,” said Amanda Chester, a former SNAP recipient.
The restrictions aren’t as straightforward as they might seem. While gummy bears will be denied at checkout, Kit Kat bars will still be approved for purchase with SNAP benefits.
“Like we don’t even know what’s gonna get denied and what’s not once we go to the store,” Chester said.
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WATCH: A Guide to identifying SNAP-eligible items
What you can still buy under Idaho’s new SNAP candy, soda ban
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has created candy and soda guidance sheets to help shoppers navigate the new rules, which reveal that not all candy is treated equally under the law.
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A Kit Kat bar, which contains sugar and comes in bar form, remains SNAP-eligible because it contains flour. Gummy bears, however, contain sugar and come in small pieces but have no flour and require no refrigeration, making them ineligible for SNAP benefits.
RELATED | Idaho Health & Welfare clarifies eligible SNAP purchases after junk food ban
The drink restrictions also have nuances. Bottled Gatorade no longer qualifies for SNAP benefits, but the powdered version does.
“There are ways to go around it. You can make your own candy, your own cupcakes, you can do all of that on your own. It’s just very time consuming,” said Emina Sadiki, a SNAP recipient.
Sadiki said she understands the push for healthier choices but doesn’t understand why small indulgences for her children are now completely restricted.
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Her 12-year-old son has expressed frustration with the limitations. “He says, ‘that just sucks. I can’t wait to get a job that way we don’t need food stamps anymore.’ He’s 12 years old. He shouldn’t be thinking about that,” Sadiki said.
The Department of Health and Welfare said the definitions for candy come directly from the state legislature, House Bill 109.
Idaho grocery stores are already posting signs about the new restrictions.
Sahana Patel, Idaho News 6
When a SNAP card is used for a restricted item, the purchase will be denied, but customers can still pay with cash, debit, or credit cards.
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Some families worry the restrictions will create chaos at checkout lines.
“I can’t imagine how bad it’s gonna be and how people are gonna be so confused and so unsure,” Chester said. “I feel bad for the people that work at the grocery stores, like it’s gonna be a mess.”
