Idaho
Idaho National Guard trades in tanks for modern war vehicles
The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team became the first unit in the National Guard to transition from its armor unit to the new infantry squad vehicle.
It’s a transition spearheaded by the Army and new technology to get rid of the Abrams tank, Bradleys, and Paladins in favor of an off-road vehicle that can carry troops and equipment while also being light enough to be dropped out of a plane.
WATCH | See some incredible footage of the Abrams tank in action—
Idaho National Guard trades in tanks for modern war vehicles
“The idea behind this is to be quick and fast up to a line of departure where they would get out, and then the infantry would get to their objective,” explained Col. Jason Gracida.
The 116th has been a heavy armor unit since 1949. Col. Gracida became an armor officer in 2002 and deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom as one of the only tank companies in Iraq.
“I like to hold that near and dear to my heart,” said Gracida. “Knowing armor my whole career as an officer, it is kind of sad to see the tanks go, but I think this is helping us adapt to a faster, lighter, and more modernized military.”
The Idaho National Guard welcomed the public to the Warhawk Air Museum on Saturday as a farewell to the tanks and up-armored vehicles, and they got to check out the new infantry squad vehicle.
“This is a great experience my son has been in the Idaho National Guard, and we drove over from Idaho Falls,” said Don Dahl. “A few years ago, my son had the opportunity to be on deployment in this tank serving his country, so to actually come and see the vehicle that he was in during deployment was an opportunity for us.”
It’s the end of an era, as the tank used to be one of the deadliest weapons on the battlefield, but that battlefield has changed over the years with the addition of technology, drones, and long-range missiles.
It’s a tough transition for me to see, as I used to be a tanker from 2010 to 2013, and being inside the Abrams when it fires the main gun is an experience like no other, something Col. Gracida knows as well.
“The first time I ever fired that 120 cannon, there is nothing like it,” said Col. Gracida. “The firepower and the ability to reach out and touch your enemy at 3,500 meters. I always tell everybody it is the best job in the world.”
The 116th will keep its cavalry lineage that dates back to 1920. The 116th has fought in every major American conflict since, but now it will be a light infantry unit known as a mobile brigade combat team.
Send tips to Nampa neighborhood reporter Keith Burrell
Have a story idea from Nampa? Share it with Keith below —
SALMON — State officials are celebrating the grand opening of Idaho’s newest state park.
Twin Peaks Ranch State Park at 199 Twin Peaks Ranch Road between Challis and Salmon, opened in May. The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation recently acquired the 670-acre site from a private landowner and hosted a ribbon-cutting and open house on Saturday.
The park offers a variety of amenities, including 25 full-service cabins, a lodge and a restaurant. It also has a disc golf course, a rodeo arena and an equestrian center.
“We’ll be able to stage horseback tours out of that area,” Ryan Buffington, the department’s East Region manager who serves as the park’s spokesman,” told EastIdahoNews.com in May. “We’re working with the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to designate an off-highway vehicle trailhead as well.”
RELATED | Small mining community near Challis rose and fell in 30 years, and now it’s one of Idaho’s ghost towns
Two campgrounds are in development on the property for future use — one accommodating off-highway vehicles and the other catering to people on horseback.
Community members, local leaders and visitors across the state attended Saturday’s open house. Muzzie Braun from Challis-based band Braun Brothers Reunion was there, as was Salmon Back Country Horsemen Association. Multiple food vendors were there as well, including Water’s Edge Food Truck, and Taco Wagon Food Truck.
In a June 18 news release, Idaho Parks and Recreation Director Susan Buxton said she’s excited to celebrate the opening of Idaho’s 30th state park, and the 28th one under the department’s management.
“Opening Twin Peaks Ranch State Park marks a historic milestone for Idaho Parks and Recreation,” Buxton said. “This park serves as a gateway to endless outdoor recreation opportunities while creating a premier destination for visitors seeking adventure, relaxation and unforgettable experiences.”
Twin Peaks Ranch is the first newly acquired standalone state park in nearly 30 years. Thousand Springs in Gooding County, which is a natural discharge point for the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, wasn’t recognized as an official state park until 2005. The designation merged four natural landmarks — Malad Gorge, Niagara Springs, Billingsley Creek and Ritter Island — into one unified site.
RELATED | Curtailment order targets 924 groundwater rights across eastern Idaho
Heyburn State Park, created in 1908, is Idaho’s oldest state park, according to the University of Idaho. The donation of the Harriman family’s 11,000-acre ranch to the State of Idaho in 1963 — what is now Harriman State Park — led to the creation of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.
RELATED | Disputed Idaho bill signed into law despite strong opposition in eastern Idaho
Buffington says the Moore family sold the Twin Peaks Ranch property to the State of Idaho in October. They bought it in 2018. It began operating as a guest ranch in the 1990s, but had been a dude ranch for 40 years before that.
While there is evidence of early settlements on the property in the 1890s, Buffington says its definitive history begins in the 1950s. E. DuPont bought it, built five cabins and ran it as a dude ranch. It was sold to another private holding in the 1970s, and more amenities were added.
Buffington says multiple Moore family members were involved in the ranch when they bought it eight years ago. Many of them backed out over time, and managing it became “too challenging.” That’s what led the family to list it for sale.
The State of Idaho saw the listing and bought it from them. Buffington says they were thrilled with the idea of it becoming public property that everyone could enjoy.
“Twin Peaks Ranch State Park represents a significant investment in Idaho’s public lands and local communities. The project reflects IDPR’s mission to improve quality of life through outdoor recreation and resource stewardship while expanding public access to some of Idaho’s most scenic and unspoiled landscapes,” the news release says. “The park is expected to deliver lasting benefits to recreation, conservation, tourism, and community well-being for generations to come.”
Department officials say Twin Peaks Ranch State Park is ideal for corporate retreats, weddings, family reunions and other events. To make a reservation or learn more, call 208-894-2290 or visit the website.
=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”>
IDAHO FALLS (IdahoEdNews.org) — High school students in east Idaho are earning college credit with national recognition.
The College of Eastern Idaho’s Early College Program has achieved accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships. The alliance is the nation’s only accrediting organization for programs that let high school students earn college credit.
The accreditation helps ensure the credits reflect traditional college courses for students. CEI partners with local school districts to ensure the program meets nationally recognized standards for the curriculum and student support.
The program served about 2,800 students in the 2025-26 school year. CEI was one of 10 institutions to receive initial accreditation in that time frame.
The program has grown about 20% annually over the past three years. The increase comes in part from additional partnerships with local schools and a higher demand for dual-enrollment courses.
CEI completed a comprehensive self-study and peer-review process, meeting all of the NACEP’s national standards.
The NACEP review team highlighted CEI’s strong instructional support and student advising department.
“We are proud to recognize programs that invest in this rigorous process and demonstrate their dedication to high standards in concurrent enrollment,” NACEP Director of Accreditation Andrea Roma said in a press release.
NACEP accreditation is valid for five years.
Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on June 26, 2026.
=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”>
What began as a handful of calls from Treasure Valley residents has grown into a rat problem that is exposing gaps in Idaho law and leaving homeowners to handle infestations largely on their own for at least another year.
Rats have been reported in the Treasure Valley since 2022, when Eagle residents started spotting Norway rats and roof rats in yards, under decks and near canals. Residents have also shared videos showing the rodents in their neighborhoods.
As the reports mounted, it became clear that no agency in Idaho is legally responsible for dealing with rats. The issue traces back to an 1868 legal doctrine known as Dillon’s Rule, which limits Idaho cities and counties to powers specifically granted by the state. Because rats are not mentioned in state law, local governments have no authority to act and no funding to do so.
During this legislative session, state lawmakers tried to change that. Senate Bill 1271 would have directed the Idaho Department of Agriculture to map infestations and coordinate a response across the Treasure Valley. The bill passed the Senate but later died in the House, with opponents arguing it was a local problem, not a state one.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says rats can spread diseases such as Plague and Salmonella through droppings, urine and bites.
With the Legislature out of session until next year, Sen. Nichols and Rep. John Gannon are pushing for action without waiting for a change in state law. This week, they sent a letter to local officials across the Treasure Valley urging cities, counties, irrigation districts and parks agencies to each designate a point person to help coordinate a response now.
The letter describes the situation as a public health, safety and property concern and warns that a coordinated effort now would be far less costly than a crisis later.
In the meantime, residents are being urged to seal vents, secure trash and call an exterminator if they see signs of rats. Nichols has said she fears that when lawmakers return next January, the problem will be harder and more expensive to solve.
-
Hawaii3 minutes agoVolcano Watch: A hui hou to a giant of volcanology – West Hawaii Today
-
Idaho6 minutes agoIdaho celebrates grand opening of first new state park in over 2 decades – East Idaho News
-
Illinois11 minutes agoSouthern Illinois Airport Authority celebrates 76 years with ‘Big Bang Birthday Bash’
-
Indiana18 minutes agoSparks make dubious WNBA history in defensive collapse against Indiana
-
Iowa21 minutes agoWhat Phil Steele Got Right – And Wrong – About Iowa Football Preseason All-Big Ten Picks
-
Kansas21 minutes agoKansas City's four World Cup home teams are all headed to the knockout stage
-
Kentucky33 minutes agoKentucky State Police accepting applications for Cadet Class 108; application deadline Oct. 15
-
Louisiana35 minutes agoLetlow, Davis advance in Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race
