Idaho
BYU–I graduation: Elder Teixeira lessons from the Great Salt Lake
To the nearly 4,000 BYU–Idaho graduates about to start a new chapter of their lives, Elder José A. Teixeira offered a message of hope and encouragement.
“Heavenly Father knows each of you and has a purpose for you,” the General Authority Seventy testified during winter 2026 commencement on Friday, April 10. “Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, hope is always available, even when the sky appears to be gray. As you remain faithful and stay in the Lord’s field, the Lord will bring light into your life in ways you cannot yet imagine.”
While addressing graduates and their loved ones gathered in the BYU–I Center for the afternoon ceremony in Rexburg, Idaho, Elder Teixeira spoke about his decision to enroll in a digital photography program offered online through a university on the East Coast.
For one of the assignments, Elder Teixeira needed to choose a location, plan a photo shoot and capture images worthy of a portfolio — on a tight schedule.
“Eventually, I selected a location along the Great Salt Lake where a small island sits in the distance,” Elder Teixeira recalled. “Under the right conditions, the water’s surface in this location can reflect the sky like a mirror, and if everything worked perfectly, the scene could be beautiful.”
As he left the office the day of the shoot, however, the sky was gray and featureless. No color or clouds.
Before driving to the spot, and again after he set up his equipment, Elder Teixeira considered packing up and going home.
But as the sun descended, something unexpected happened. The water became still. Subtle blue tones appeared, then delicate pastel colors. “For a brief moment, it looked as if heaven and earth had become one,” Elder Teixeira recalled, and he captured it on camera.
That experience taught him something he has never forgotten, he said. “Some of life’s most important, beautiful moments appear only to those who stay a little longer.” Or, in other words, “Faith often requires us to remain in place even when the sky still looks gray.”
He then shared three lessons.
Lesson 1: ‘Do not leave the field too early’
“Dear graduates, the years ahead will bring moments when conditions are not ideal. Plans may not unfold exactly as expected. Progress may feel slow to you,” said Elder Teixeira.
Preparation does not guarantee success but it places individuals on the path. “If I had not prepared the equipment, if I had not driven to the lake, if I had not remained until the last moment, that photograph would never have existed.”
Lesson 2: ‘Goals place us on the path’
Elder Teixeira’s goal that evening was to complete a class assignment, but something greater emerged, he said.
“Sometimes the goals we set in life do not produce exactly the results we expected. But they do something equally important. They place us on the right path.”
Graduates’ education will work much the same way, he noted. “The degree you receive today will open doors you cannot yet see. Some of the most meaningful chapters of your life will unfold in places you never originally planned to go and with experiences you never dreamed of.”
Lesson 3: ‘Live a life that can reflect heaven’
For a brief moment that evening, the surface of the lake reflected the sky so perfectly that the horizon almost disappeared. That image reminds him, said Elder Teixeira, that “each of us has the opportunity to live in a way that reflects heaven. … When we follow Jesus Christ, our lives begin to reflect something higher than ourselves.”
Elder Teixeira reminded graduates that there will be days when the sky appears gray, moments when progress seems slow. “But remember the lesson from the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
“Stay in the field. Don’t give up. Trust that your preparation matters. And most importantly, live a life that can reflect heaven,” he said.
BYU–Idaho President Alvin F. Meredith III and Michael J. Christensen, a senior director in the office of the Church commissioner of education, also spoke during commencement.
In his remarks, President Meredith told graduates, “As you commence this next phase of your life, we wish you success in all that you pursue. But our greatest hope is that you leave here as devoted, lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ — true peacemakers, as President [Dallin H.] Oaks has invited us to become.”
The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on April 18.
Winning Powerball numbers from April 18 drawing
24-25-39-46-61, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 5
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 18 drawing
Day: 9-5-1
Night: 0-2-4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 18 drawing
Day: 4-6-0-4
Night: 9-9-8-2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from April 18 drawing
18-21-22-32-42, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Idaho Cash numbers from April 18 drawing
08-19-22-31-44
Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 18 drawing
17-19-47-48-55, Bonus: 04
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.
Idaho
League of Women Voters of Idaho partners to host candidate forums ahead of 2026 primary elections
The rotunda as seen on March 16, 2026, at the Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
Ahead of the 2026 primary elections, the League of Women Voters of Idaho is teaming up with several local groups to hold candidate forums and voter education events in the hopes of boosting voter turnout.
The groups invited all candidates for public office in Ada and Canyon County’s commissions, and in legislative district 11, which is in Canyon County.
The groups that are hosting include Mormon Women for Ethical Government, the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, the American Association of University Women’s Boise branch and the College of Idaho’s Masters of Applied Public Policy Program.
Here’s when and where the forums are:
- Ada County Commissioner District 2: 7-8:30 p.m. April 24 at Meridian City Hall, located at 33 E. Broadway Ave. in Meridian.
- Ada County Commissioner District 1: 7-8:30 p.m. April 28 at Valley View Elementary School, located at 3555 N Milwaukee St. in Boise.
- Legislative District 11: 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 30 at Caldwell City Hall, located at 205 S. 6th Ave. in Caldwell.
- Canyon County Commissioner: 6-8 p.m. May 7 at Caldwell City Hall, 205 S. 6th Ave. in Caldwell.
Learn more about candidates at the League of Women Voters’ online voter guide, VOTE411.ORG.
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Idaho
Check out Idaho’s newest license plate — with a patriotic flair (and no potatoes) – East Idaho News
BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Idaho drivers wanting to celebrate America’s anniversary this year now have a unique way to do that. The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles has released an America 250 license plate to mark the occasion.
The new license plate includes an American flag on a blue background with the words “America 250” and the dates “1776 – 2026.”
The plate requires an extra fee that will go toward supporting the Idaho Heritage Trust, according to an Idaho Transportation Department news release. The specific fee wasn’t listed.
“This plate gives Idahoans a chance to mark a historic milestone and show their pride on the road,” said Lisa McClellan, DMV administrator, in a statement. “We’re proud to offer a design that honors our country’s past while supporting Idaho’s efforts to preserve its own history.”
Idaho’s favorite license plate
The new license plate may give Idaho’s favorite a run for its money.
The Idaho Transportation Department recently held a “Battle of the Plates” vote to find out which license plate Idahoans loved best.
The Forests Forever plate was crowned the champion on April 7. Funds generated from this plate go toward Idaho replanting and reforestation projects, as well as environmental education programs for Idaho students and teachers.
“One of Idaho’s newest plates, Forests Forever made a strong run and came out on top, highlighting just how much Idahoans value our forests and natural resources,” the transportation department said in a social media post.
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