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Extreme skijoring brings two different cultures together in the Wood River Valley

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Extreme skijoring brings two different cultures together in the Wood River Valley


HAILEY, Idaho — Cowboys and cowgirls are a staple of western culture, but so is skiing in the rocky mountains and those two disciplines come together for a unique event called skijoring.

Extreme skijoring features a rider on horseback dragging an alpine skier behind them on a rope at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.

“It’s just fast skis and fast horses,” said McKinley Keener, a skier who raced with his girlfriend Caroline on her horse Tarzan. “We actually met last year, she was just watching and I was competing. We ended up meeting and getting together and this year we are racing.”

This duo had a good run going, but McKinley crashed near the finish line in the open division. After having the best time on Saturday they are hoping to win a buckle in the couples division.

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Caroline and McKinley on course

The Wood River Valley Extreme Skijoring Association puts this event on each year and they feature multiple divisions. This year, they had a record 135 teams who were all competing for a combined purse of $10,000.

Teams have to be fast, but they also must correctly navigate the gates and capture as many rings as possible. Even the rider on the horse has to grab a ring.

A rider snags the ring

“Yeah the ring for me is the scariest part,” said Vanessa Heilson who traveled from Swan Valley with her horse Black Shawn. “Yeah, he loves it.”

Skijoring gives the equine community a chance to get their horses out and run in the middle of winter. The skier relies on horsepower for speed, but the rider only does well if the skier can hold onto the rope. It’s an unlikely pairing that comes together magically— if executed well.

Skijoring also drew a pretty large crowd on Sunday

“It is unmatched, you see these amazing horses and they are having the times of their lives getting to run flat out as fast as they can go,” said Keener. “They love it and that makes us skiers love it even more.”

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“It’s probably the best sport they’ve come up [with],” said Heilson. “Ski bums and cowboys getting together to make a sport.”





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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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