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‘I would like to be less 50th:’ Task force continues work on physician shortage

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‘I would like to be less 50th:’ Task force continues work on physician shortage


West Virginia — like Idaho, a rural, mountainous state — has 4,914 doctors, ranking 24th in physicians per capita.

Idaho has 3,504 doctors, ranking 50th in the nation.

Idaho could take some ideas from West Virginia, as it looks to attract new doctors into its state. But it might come down to what Idaho can afford for scholarships and loan forgiveness, as it competes with other states with lavish mineral, oil and gas resources.

“I think we’re going to have to be a little bit more creative,” State Board of Education Executive Director Jennifer White said Monday, as a state working group held its third meeting to address Idaho’s physician shortage.

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Formed by the 2025 Legislature, the working group will report to lawmakers and Gov. Brad Little before the start of the 2026 session — with a new blueprint for partnering with medical schools in the region. A new law calls for the state to add another 30 publicly funded medical school seats over the next three years, while some lawmakers have suggested severing or cutting back Idaho’s 50-year partnership with the University of Washington’s WWAMI program, which now takes 40 Idaho students per year.

That’s where Idaho has put its medical education-related tax dollars. WWAMI — named for its member states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho — will receive $7.5 million this year. A smaller partnership with the University of Utah will receive $3.1 million.

Other small states have tried other approaches, according to State Board research presented Monday.

A combined admissions program offers undergraduate admission to the University of New Mexico and conditional admission to the university’s medical school — an incentive geared to students committed to stay in the state to practice medicine.

West Virginia offers targets loan forgiveness for graduates who commit to working in underserved areas. The state has ample space in its public medical schools for in-state students and keeps tuition affordable, White said. West Virginia also sponsors high school and college programs that are designed to encourage students to consider a career in medicine.

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The mutlipronged approach impressed Dr. Ted Epperly, a working group member who is the State Board’s graduate medical education coordinator. And while loan incentives have become the vehicle of choice in many states — and Idaho has a Rural Physician Incentive Program, partially state-funded, which offers up to $100,000 over four years — he said scholarships would also help medical school students on the front end.

“I think we’re ready for some scholarships in Idaho,” he said.

Two powerful forces contribute to the state’s physician shortage, and its No. 50 ranking for doctors per capita. The state’s doctors are aging. And the state is growing rapidly — leaving doctors to serve an ever-larger pool of patients.

It means Idaho might need to add 1,500 doctors just to get to the middle of the pack in doctors per capita, said Tracy Farnsworth, president of the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, a for-profit medical school in Meridian.

Dr. Rayme Geidl, a working group member and the University of Idaho’s interim regional WWAMI dean, offered a more modest goal.

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“I would like to be less 50th,” she said.



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Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon

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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.

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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!

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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:

 

 

 

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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

 

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This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist

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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.

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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





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Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho

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Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho


KUNA — A sister-duo is filling baskets with blankets, snacks and handwritten notes to spread some extra love to moms spending Mother’s Day in the hospital with their newborns.

The effort is led by “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” a nonprofit co-founded by sisters Tiffany and Alyssa Higbee. The organization was born from Alyssa’s own experience spending months in the NICU with her firstborn.

Alyssa’s son was initially in the NICU for about two weeks, then was put back in for about 3.5 months. During that time, several holidays passed, making it especially hard as a first-time mom.

“There was people in companies who would bring us stuff and try and cheer up your day, and it really helped, and so when my son was about 6 months old, we decided that it would be best to try and help moms in the NICU somehow,” Alyssa Higbee said.

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That inspiration led the sisters to create Mother’s Day gift baskets filled with items to bring comfort and encouragement to moms facing the same journey.

WATCH: Learn more about “Helping Hands for NICU Moms”

Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho

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The sisters have a 12-year age gap. Tiffany was fresh out of high school when they started the nonprofit in 2023, which meant she had more time to dedicate to the project. Alyssa noted that because of the age gap, they didn’t get to spend a lot of time together growing up, so the project has brought them closer.

“Hopefully, this can bring some hope that you can get out of it … that NICU period, that scary initial phase, it does get easier,” Alyssa Higbee said.

ALSO READ | Fragile beginnings to bright futures: NICU ‘Wall of Hope’ inspires families with stories of strength

Alyssa’s son, who was born in the NICU at St. Luke’s in Twin Falls, is now 3-years-old and healthy. Tiffany said watching her nephew go through the NICU was hard, but seeing him now — jumping, tackling her, and doing everything a little boy does — makes the work even more meaningful.

“It’s cool to see the difference because I know that some kids don’t make it to where he is when they’re in the NICU, and it’s just cool to see that he did,” Tiffany Higbee said.

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This year’s baskets are packed with items donated by nearly 25 local companies — up from just 5 donors in the first year. The baskets include soaps from Wild Highland Soaps, claw clips, bibs, hair bows, chapsticks, socks, lotions, hand sanitizers, coloring books, colored pencils, snacks, minky blankets, and stuffed puppies from Scheels.

Gift cards and coupons are also included from Dutch Bros, Flying M Coffee, a pizza company, Wendy’s (free meal coupons for breakfast and lunch), Albertsons, and a $10 coupon to a baby store.

Tiffany started collecting donations for this year’s baskets as early as November of last year, spending a few hours every week for the past 6 to 8 months to prepare — reaching out to companies, picking up donations, and organizing everything.

The assembly process includes last-minute tasks like ironing vinyl onto bags, opening boxes, and putting together gift card envelopes before the full baskets are assembled and delivered.

“We start putting the bags together, making sure we have everything in there, and then we deliver them on Mother’s Day,” Alyssa Higbee said.

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The baskets are delivered before noon on Mother’s Day to avoid missing moms who may be discharged after doctors do their rounds. Currently, the organization delivers to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in downtown Boise.

Tiffany said delivering the baskets is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.

“I love seeing the moms sometimes we get to watch them come out with their baskets, and they’ll be going through it, and they look really excited and happy,” Tiffany Higbee said.

“Seeing how happy they are or knowing how I cheered them up a little bit for their Mother’s Day because it’s a big holiday, it’s their first with that baby at least,” Tiffany Higbee said.

The first year, the project was funded mostly out of their own pockets. Three years later, as an official nonprofit, they said they no longer have to rely heavily on their own funds thanks to their new partnerships.

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The organization accepts both monetary donations via Venmo and their website, as well as in-kind donations of physical items like soaps, claw clips, and other basket items — year-round.

The organization’s future goal is to expand to all the different NICUs in the area, and potentially the PICUs (Pediatric Intensive Care Units) as well, since that was also part of Alyssa’s experience.

To learn how you can donate or get involved with “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” you can visit their website by clicking here.

Send tips to neighborhood reporter Brady Caskey

Have a story idea from South Boise, West Boise or Kuna? Share it with Brady below —

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