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How Come Nobody Else Warned Idaho is Broke?

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How Come Nobody Else Warned Idaho is Broke?


Of all my on-air guests, Dorothy Moon probably takes the most fire, and from all directions.

A couple of months ago, Idaho’s Republican Party Chairwoman told me the state could be staring at an upcoming billion-dollar budget shortfall. I posted Dorothy Moon’s comments online, and didn’t see much reaction. A few days later, I mentioned it on-air to Idaho House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel. Expecting her never to brush aside a possible route of attack on the majority Republicans, I waited for a pithy answer. She warned of a deficit, but seemed to downplay the one billion dollar figure.

I’ve been on vacation for a couple of weeks. While I was away, this story appeared in the Idaho Capital Sun. While one billion may not happen, it could, according to people reviewing the figures. For those who claim some Republicans are squishes, it looks like they’ve found a method for greatly reducing government. Because 2026 is a major election year, nobody in the GOP is going to raise your taxes to balance the books!

I’m not writing this to forecast where the cuts will take place. Old media will be sharing sob stories for the next several months to paint Republicans as Simon Legree. Democrats will be portrayed as an outnumbered army of saints. Rinse and repeat.

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What I do want to mention is that Dorothy Moon was prescient. The 2024 Idaho Republican Party Presidential Caucus is long in the rearview mirror, but remember that was her effort. Granted, it included many dedicated volunteers (one locally even named Grant) and was a Herculean task, but Dorothy was the CEO of that effort. Take a moment to consider the scope and her budget predictions, and you’ll find she has the skills that corporate America needs.

Under Fire from All Directions

The media and its fellow travelers despise her because she’s not a socialist. When I see stories reminding readers about her involvement in the John Birch Society, the goal is to paint her as a dangerous extremist. You’re led to believe that JBS was the equivalent of the Klan. Even the commies at the Southern Poverty Law Center rate Birchers as benign patriots, but in modern newsrooms, the goal is to plant seeds for the left-wing narrative.

 She’s also under constant attack from the Gang of Nate. Members who believe the party should have its thumb on the scales to benefit their candidates. The same quality found in Moon’s predecessors, the gang whined about, and rightly so. If it was wrong then, why would it be right today? Dorothy called the gang out when they were insinuating that some good, newly elected Republican legislators weren’t sufficiently Christian. By the gang’s definition of Christian. “Be careful that you don’t practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention,” comes to mind. As one member of the outfit has said, people knew what they were getting when they voted. She wouldn’t be the first to misinterpret a vote for change as a mandate from heaven.

That’s the sad part, because by misreading the outcome of ’24, they may have overplayed their hand, and we’ll see a return of the establishment in ’26. If their followers are reduced to making that argument above all others, I would say there could be trouble ahead.

Don’t Overplay Your Hand

That struck me when I saw a first responder label the gang in an online post as the “hateful eight”. The opposition will come up with all manner of twists to parody their armor-wearing avatars. Defining the opposition is built on repetition, and with a touch of humor, it can be devastating. Some of the people I’ve been criticizing were once friends, but lack self-awareness. If a hundred people repeatedly fawn over you, it’s easy to get the impression you’ve hit the sweet spot, but what if the 100 are in a minority? I’ve been a broadcaster for most of the last 40 years, and the people who don’t like me generally leave me alone. Aside from a vocal few.

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When I’m shopping, people who approach me are generally friendly. Come to think of it, over the past 20 years, I’ve only had one person tell me he didn’t like the content, and he was polite. I offered him some other options on the dial, and he said he would give them a listen. The thing is, the overwhelming number of people I pass in the grocery store or when leaving church don’t stop to talk.

 Which gets me back to Dorothy. She has worked diligently to provide a fair platform for Republican candidates. Her reward has been vilification by the old guard because it doesn’t favor their lobbyist/government complex. Old allies froth at the mouth because she won’t tilt the machine, yet none of them can approach her organizational skills, her outreach to remote party committees, and her willingness to be publicly available.

Here’s an idea for legislators of all stripes. Solve a billion-dollar puzzle. Don’t waste our time bellyaching about someone else’s campaign in a far-away district. Be focused on doing a good job and on your own constituents. This isn’t brain surgery. It’s politics.

A similar version of this essay appeared on Substack.

10 Best Restaurant Gumbo in Acadiana

We asked, and you responded. Here are your favorite restaurants in the Acadiana area to get good gumbo.

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Gallery Credit: Chris’ Poboys, Facebook / Canva

 





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Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 4 on Dec. 25, 2025

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Looking to win big? The Idaho Lottery offers several games if you think it’s your lucky day.

Lottery players in Idaho can chose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Lucky For Life, 5 Star Draw, Idaho Cash, Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. See more big winners here. And if you do end up cashing a jackpot, here’s what experts say to do first.

Here’s a look at Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025 results for each game:

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Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

Day: 8-8-9

Night: 6-4-1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

Day: 5-4-9-2

Night: 3-1-8-9

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Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

23-29-31-37-45, Lucky Ball: 16

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Idaho Cash numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

03-06-23-24-34

Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

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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.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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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 Shakespeare Festival celebrates 50th season

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Idaho Shakespeare Festival celebrates 50th season


“It’s a huge deal to be celebrating our 50th season. It isn’t easy to have a successful arts organization and it’s not a given that the community is going to accept it. You weather hard moments — whether it’s a recession or a pandemic — you hang in there through it all,” Bruner said.

Bruner has served as producing director since 2024, though her roots with the festival go back to high school, where she began her career as a professional actor — which she has pursued for over 25 years.

The 50-acre amphitheater on the banks of the Boise River adds a one-of-a-kind element to each performance.

“Sometimes in the middle of a Shakespeare play, the cottonwoods will slowly start snowing on the theater or a skunk walks across the stage. It’s fun and different every night because nature wins out there and we’re always operating in relationship to that,” Bruner said.

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The venue seats up to 770 guests, offering table, auditorium and lawn seating. ISF is one of the few theaters in town that allows audiences to bring in their own food and beverages — including booze.

The 2026 season lineup features five mainstage productions: “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare; “Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson — Apt. 2B” by Kate Hamill; “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” adapted by Christopher Bond with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; “The Winter’s Tale” by Shakespeare; and “The Heart of Robin Hood” by David Farr.

“This season in particular is a blockbuster lineup. Usually if I’m steering someone for the first time I have two that I recommend, but this summer, any of them are worth seeing,” said Hannah Read Newbill, Director of Marketing for ISF.

Some shows have age restrictions and feature dark themes, which organizers encourage attendees to review bios before purchasing tickets. Programming decisions are based on community feedback and ticket data. Bruner said the theater is not elitist, it is for everyone, which is why the team uses tools to help bridge the gap between the stage and audience. Shakespeare productions are adapted through editorial decisions — adjusting language, society references, design and casting for the modern age.



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Businesses in Colorado’s Idaho Springs say warm weather is impacting sales

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Businesses in Colorado’s Idaho Springs say warm weather is impacting sales


This time of year, Interstate 70 through Colorado’s mountains is usually slick, snowy, and packed with travelers heading to ski resorts. But on Christmas Eve, the road to the high country was sunny, dry, and noticeably quieter.

In downtown Idaho Springs, the mild December weather has meant fewer visitors stopping to eat, shop, and walk around town, and businesses are feeling it.

“It’s a lot more fun when it’s snowy,” one resident said. “People keep saying the weather is amazing, and I’m like, ‘no… I’m ready for snow,’” said resident Katie Baker.

Katie Baker laments the lack of snow from a nearly empty Idaho Springs street, where businesses say the unseasonably warm weather is harming their business.

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CBS


At Westbound Bar & Grill, bar manager Carrie Doyle said Christmas week is typically one of their biggest of the year. Instead, the restaurant sat nearly empty.

“Usually we have skiers and snowboarders coming through, meeting family here before heading up the hill,” Doyle said. “If you don’t have people, you don’t have income.”

A few doors down, Tibetan Sisters Art owner Paulden Hester said business has been slow, especially after last week’s power outage.

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“Overall, business is down,” Hester said. “Hopefully that will change.”

snapshot-26.jpg

Tibetan Sisters Art in Idaho Springs, Colorado, sits nearly empty on an unseasonably warm Christmas Eve afternoon on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025.

CBS


At the Majestic Art Gallery, artist Mimsi Milton remembered last Christmas, when 125 customers packed the shop. This year, she said, “it’s very slow.”

CBS Colorado First Alert meteorologists say warm and dry stretches in December aren’t unusual when high pressure sits over the region, but this year, strong downslope winds amplified the warmth even more.

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Mountain snow is expected to return this weekend, something Idaho Springs businesses are counting on.



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