Connect with us

Idaho

Gov. Little touts legislative victories, highlights water and education – East Idaho News

Published

on

Gov. Little touts legislative victories, highlights water and education – East Idaho News


Gov. Brad Little addressing media about the past legislative seasons and what the state is doing for its residents | Daniel V. Ramirez, EastIdahoNews.com

IDAHO FALLS — After announcing his Keeping Promises plan earlier this year, Gov. Brad Little touted what he said was a successful legislative season in meeting his agenda to promote education, farmers and families at a news conference Thursday at the Upper Snake Regional Office in Idaho Falls.

Little’s statements revolved around water and education.

RELATED | Gov. Little makes a stop in eastern Idaho to highlight 2025 priorities

Advertisement

Education

“Education has been my top priority since day one, strong public school support for families and communities,” Little said. “It’s both our constitutional and our moral obligation to the next generation that we increase funding, and more importantly, have better outcomes in our public schools.”

Little said rural schools would see a boost in funding, from $25.5 million to $50.5 million as part of House Bill 338.

RELATED | Rural school facilities funding bill heads to House

Other investments made this year included an increase in teacher pay by $85 million, and improvements in literacy statewide, with $78 million being paid annually.

Regarding concerns over who the state will oversee private education, Little answered that the state will monitor it.

Advertisement

“We negotiated with sponsors to have more people at the tax commission to make sure that those monies were spent effectively,” Little said.

RELATED | Private education tax credit heads to governor

Little said the state will monitor students whose parents put them in private school to ensure they receive a quality education, as the state did with charter schools.

He also addressed cuts within the federal government, such as President Trump’s plan to close the Department of Education.

He said state officials have to wait and see how that plays out.

Advertisement

If the department does close, Little said the state will need to monitor tests, like the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and see where Idaho can get funding to ensure Idaho students are meeting their educational goals.

Water

Just a little over a year ago, eastern Idaho experienced water curtailments that nearly shut down the state’s agriculture industry.

RELATED | Gov. Little celebrates ‘Idaho Water Day’ in Idaho Falls, recognizing historic, new water agreement

Little said during his discussion that since then, new mitigation plans have been made and funding has been invested in recharge projects along the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.

“After a tough year of negotiations, we owed it to our farmers and communities to follow through on commitments to ensure the updated mitigation plan is successful,” Little said.

Advertisement

He said the state’s reservoirs are full to support this year’s growing season.

RELATED | How does this year’s surface water supply look for eastern Idaho?

Looking at other states that are experiencing water shortages, Little said he’s grateful that farmers and other stakeholders are on the same page to manage the state’s resources.

Overall, Little said many of his promises were passed this legislative season to promote education and other polices vital to Idaho’s future.

“We will continue to make Idaho the best run state in the country, promote policies that support public schools, farmers and families,” Little said.

Advertisement

=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>





Source link

Idaho

Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work

Published

on

Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work


The Idaho Transportation Department has quite a few large projects happening around the state. One of those is the replacement of the I84 interchange to Burley and Heyburn. The work began in 2024, and a new step in the progress begins this week.

There will be a number of bridge and ramp closures that will affect traffic on Interstate 84 this week while crews work. The closures will also impact access and traffic on State Highway 24, Centennial Drive, Highway 30, and State Highway 25 in the area.

Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work

The Idaho Transportation Department shared an update and the details of the closures today on social media. Drivers should be cautious and pay attention to signs regarding traffic changes during the closures, which are expected to last through Friday, May 15th.

Beginning on Monday evening, at 6 PM, crews closed Interstate 84 at exit 211 to work on the new bridge. Traffic in the area should use exit 211 to bypass the closure. Work should be finished by 7 AM on Tuesday, but it could still affect the morning drive for some travelers.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: 5 Injured in Southern Idaho Head-on Collision

On Tuesday, the Exit 211 on and off ramps will close intermittently while crews repave SH24. Centennial Drive will also close at some point during this work. The ramps will alternate closures for 6 to 8 hours, and work is expected to continue through Friday. The social media post shares suggestions on alternate routes for drivers during the closures.

Lane reductions are expected to last through June on State Highway 24. Details on the project can be found on the ITD website.

36 of the Worst Idaho License Plate Rejections From 2025

We have to admit that we don’t understand all of these, but the ones that we do really make us question why someone would want these on their car. This isn’t even all of them – we were sent 28 pages with 25 to 30 submissions on each page of rejected personalized plates from 2025.

Gallery Credit: Credit N8 Bird

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Idaho

Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon

Published

on

Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon


There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.

Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.

Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.

Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.

Advertisement

Idaho Costcos

Where to find Costcos in Idaho.

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!

Advertisement

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!

Look at those chicken tenders:

 

 

 

Advertisement

Costco Foodcourt’s New Item

It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts

Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?

Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM

 

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Idaho

This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist

Published

on

This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist


You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people.  The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams.  Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.”  One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school.  His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus.  Some of our early leaders were devout Christians.  Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service.  They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.

They Mock Good People of Other Faiths

I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention.  Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke.  She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!”  Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people?  Or would God prefer a gentler approach?  For instance, you could pray for conversions.

Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?

Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument.  “We’re all going to be judged,” she said.  What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black

A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates.  A group of liberal women demonstrated outside.  I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational.  They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event.  If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered.  Let me add a caveat.  Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple.  I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people.  Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.

Advertisement

Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists.  Do we need to draw them some pictures?

Brad Little Through The Years

Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending