• Buc-ee’s, a Texas-based travel center, met with city officials in Meridian, Idaho to discuss a potential store opening in June.
• Buc-ee’s has not submitted an application to build a travel center in Meridian, Idaho, as of July 18.

Buc-ee’s has explored the possibility of expanding to Idaho in a move that would give the Texas-based travel center its westernmost location.

City officials in Meridian, Idaho met with Buc-ee’s representatives on June 12 to discuss the potential of opening a travel center in the city, Meridian Economic Development Administrator Curtis Calder told USA TODAY. However, Buc-ee’s has not submitted an application for the project.

Though plans for an Idaho Buc-ee’s are still hypothetical, Buc-ee’s fans online are already eager for the travel center to hit their state. In a heartfelt TikTok video posted on July 9, a woman is told Buc-ee’s may expand to Idaho in which she covers her mouth in disbelief.

Buc-ee’s did not wish to comment when contacted by USA TODAY on Friday, July 18.

What’s so great about Buc-ee’s? Fans love the food, gas pumps, mascot, sparkling bathrooms

Buc-ee’s continues to expand national footprint

Buc-ee’s, a travel center known for its long-line of gas pumps, large restrooms and beaver-themed merchandise, was established in Texas by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III in 1982, per the Buc-ee’s website. Over the past 40-plus years, Aplin has lead the opening of more than 50 locations, which started in Texas and then began to branch throughout the South, Midwest and now are creeping to the West.

An expansion into Idaho would mark the chain’s westernmost location, which is currently positioned in Berthoud, Colorado.

Shoppers recently celebrated the grand opening of Virginia’s first Buc-ee’s location, which opened its doors in Mount Crawford on June 30. That location opened just one day before another new store in in Brunswick, on Georgia’s southeast coast.

Other states with Buc-ee’s locations include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

WASHINGTON (Idaho Capital Sun) — In the wake of the June 29 deadly attack on North Idaho firefighters, Idaho U.S. senators introduced a bill to increase penalties for crimes against first responders. 

Idaho Republican Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo as well as Missouri Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt introduced the Graham Hoffman Act, which would make it a federal crime to assault first responders, according to a press release. 

Under the act, a knowing assault of a first responder while they are performing official duties that causes serious bodily harm, death or attempts to do so, would be punishable by up to 10 years in prison, fined or both. If the attack results in death or the includes a kidnapping or attempted kidnapping, the penalty could be up to a life sentence. 

“Last month’s evil attack on first responders in North Idaho is a stark reminder of the dangers our brave men and women in uniform face every day,” Risch said in the release. “The Graham Hoffman Act is commonsense legislation to properly punish those who assault the men and women who keep our communities safe.”

Risch said he and his wife, Vicki, “continue to pray for the victims of the North Idaho ambush, their loved ones, and all affected by this reprehensible act.”

The attack in Coeur d’Alene killed Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and severely injured engineer Dave Tysdal, who also works for the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department. 

The suspect, Wess Roley, was found dead nearby. Officials believe he started a brush fire and then opened fire on the firefighters, the Sun reported. 

“Their loss impels us to strengthen the law and deter further violence to ensure justice is fully meted on any individual who attacks our law enforcement or first responders,” Crapo said in the release.

RELATED | Two firefighters killed in ‘ambush-style’ shooting east of Coeur d’Alene

RELATED | The man accused of killing 2 Idaho firefighters had once aspired to be one

Proposed law named after Kansas City paramedic

The act was named after Graham Hoffman, a Kansas City firefighter paramedic who was stabbed and killed while transporting a patient in April, the Kansas City Star reported. 

“This tragic loss underscores the urgent need to protect our first responders, who put their lives on the line to serve our communities,” Schmitt said in the release. “This legislation, in honor of Graham, ensures that anyone who assaults or kills a first responder faces the full force of federal law.” 

Risch and Crapo are joined by U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.).

Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com.