Idaho
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
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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Idaho
Charges dropped against BYU-Idaho student accused of kidnapping baby at Costco – East Idaho News
Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal describes a new video from Costco over the incident involving an alleged kidnapping prior to Thanksgiving. | Daniel V. Ramirez, EastIdahoNews.com
IDAHO FALLS — Weeks after a BYU-Idaho student was accused of kidnapping a baby from Costco, the Bonneville County Prosecutor announced Thursday afternoon that charges will be dismissed.
During a news conference, Prosecutor Randy Neal showed three videos from inside Costco during the alleged incident on Nov. 24, which led to Michael Raine, 24, being charged with felony second-degree kidnapping.
According to court documents, Raine was looking at books inside the store and a cart with a baby was nearby.
RELATED | BYU-Idaho student accused of kidnapping 4-week-old baby in Costco
The document states that Raine “looked around” and then grabbed the cart and walked away.
The issue for officials was what occurred once Raine rounded the corner with the cart and the baby.
Neal said the new video shows Raine walking away with the cart, and the baby’s mother finding him almost immediately. The prosecutor explained that when pursuing cases, a prosecutor reviews the evidence and determines whether, beyond a reasonable doubt, the action was a crime.
“For a prosecutor, the analysis is whether there is a rational basis for someone to conclude, beyond a reasonable doubt, that they are to a moral certainty, that this is a crime? I don’t think that we can say that,” Neal said.
Neal said the surveillance videos from Costco show that Raine had no intention of running away with that cart.
WATCH COSTCO SURVEILLANCE VIDEO HERE:
The other aspect is that Raine didn’t leave the store after the incident, which, according to the documents, indicates the student had purchased items and eaten at the food court.
Looking at the reasons for Raine’s arrest, Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson said at the time, there was only one single video, and based on what was seen, Raine’s actions were found to be suspicious.
Another factor that influenced Raine’s arrest was his trip to the United States Marine Corps Recruiting station in Boise on Nov. 25.
“The detectives were consulting with the prosecutors and made the proper decision at that time in the interest of public safety, based on probable cause, to make that arrest,” Johnson said. “That just doesn’t end the case. There’s a requirement to keep on going.”
Johnson and Neal discussed how detectives met with the mother of the baby and went over the events in a cognitive interview. Neal said this type of interview is a narrative recount of the events by the victim, without any questions being asked.
“Often, the mind will just start filling in pieces in order to make it make sense to them,” Neal said.
Detectives worked on recreating the incident at Costco with the mother, but Neal said some of the mother’s version of events were inaccurate in terms of the cart placement and other minor details.
Neal said Natalie Millett was told charges have been dropped.
In a statement to the media, Millett said the event has caused the emotional pain that words can’t describe and will impact her for life.
“I believe it was miraculous that I ran in the right direction and recovered my baby swiftly, but the outcome could have been so different had I not listened to my intuition and impressions that day,” Millett said.
After being informed that the charges against Raine would be dismissed, Millett stated that she does feel at peace because she has done everything in her power.
One of the major talking points of the conference and in Millett’s statement is the reaction and comments from social media that have attacked her and made egregious remarks about people involved.
“To sit in your basement and write poison is just really disgusting. It’s just inappropriate,” Neal said.
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Idaho
Drivers urged to exercise caution amid potential flooding in North Idaho
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is warning drivers in North Idaho to be vigilant as rising water levels from recent rainfall and runoff may lead to roadway flooding and washouts.
ITD crews are actively monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond as conditions change. Drivers are advised to exercise extra caution, particularly in lowland areas, where conditions can shift rapidly. ITD strongly recommends against driving through standing water, as it can be difficult to gauge its depth or identify hidden hazards. Water intake can also cause significant damage to vehicles. For updates on detours and road closures, drivers are encouraged to visit Idaho 511.
Idaho
Notre Dame pulls away from Idaho, wins 80-65 despite missing leading scorer Markus Burton
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Jalen Haralson scored 20 points, Carson Towt had 19 points and 15 rebounds and Notre Dame pulled away late to beat Idaho 80-65 despite playing without leading scorer Markus Burton on Wednesday night.
Burton, who leads the Fighting Irish at 18.5 ppg, was to have had surgery Wednesday on his left ankle after suffering an injury in Notre Dame’s previous game, an 87-85 overtime win over TCU. He is expected to be out “for the foreseeable future,” according to the school.
Haralson was 8-of-16 shooting and Towt was 9 of 12 in collecting his third double-double this season. Cole Certa had a trio of 3-pointers and 15 points and Braeden Shrewsberry made four 3s and scored 14. The Irish (8-3) shot 52% and made 9 of 14 from the arc in winning their third straight game and improving to 6-0 at home.
Biko Johnson made three 3s and scored 19 points and Jackson Rasmussen added 16 points though the pair combined for only eight second-half points for Idaho (6-4). Brody Rowbury added 11 points. The Vandals shot 40% and made 10 of 24 3-pointers.
Tied 33-all at halftime, Notre Dame never trailed in the second half, going up 61-51 with nine minutes to go after Certa scored the first seven points in an 11-2 run. The Vandals got back within four with six minutes left on a Johnson 3-pointer but that was their final field goal. Shrewsberry and Certa hit 3-pointers in a game-ending 12-1 run.
Up next
Idaho is home against Evergreen State on Sunday.
Notre Dame is home against Evansville on Sunday.
___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
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