IDAHO FALLS (KIFI) – The City of Idaho Falls says there is a small but unlikely chance of power outages from Friday night’s massive solar storm.

Instead of rain or snow, the Earth will be hit with the largest burst of electromagnetism since 2005. The storm is expected to last throughout the weekend. While the term “solar storm” sounds scary, officials said it shouldn’t spark any panic.

Solar storms happen all the time, according to the NOAA. That’s why City of Idaho Falls (and Idaho Falls Power) spokesperson Eric Grossarth isn’t fazed.

“Talking with our staff, it’s not something that’s been a real major concern in the past,” he said.

Minor solar systems get absorbed by the Earth’s magnetic field, but larger ones can push through.

“It’d send a high amount of energy, higher than what a power line or a piece of equipment on that power line is designed to handle,” Grossarth explained. “That’s one of those things that you can only prepare for so much.”

Local News 8 asked if any other hazards create a similar effect on the power grid.

“A good example would be in your house, if you had lightning strike your house and a large amount of energy going through those lines,” Grossarth said. “It can trip breakers and things like that.”

Friday night’s solar storm prompted the U.S. government to issue its first severe geomagnetic storm watch in nearly 20 years. On a scale of G1 to G5, G5 being most severe, the storm has been categorized as a G4.

However, Grossarth said a G4 solar storm still isn’t much cause for concern.

“I’ll be honest – I think a bigger threat to power would be squirrels,” he said candidly.

The storm is much more likely to affect radio and GPS signals, Grossarth added. Even if it overloads the grid, he said the city is ready for it.

“It’s just repairing equipment,” Grossarth said. “So if it blows a transformer, pops a switch, it’s just going and replacing or fixing that equipment. It’s just like any other outage.”

Solar storms do have upsides, though. Areas in Idaho without much light pollution should be able to view the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, this weekend.

BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — In celebration of May as Military Caregivers Month in Idaho, the Idaho State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (ISSDAR) chapters, together with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Cities & Counties initiative, announce today they have secured the 50th proclamation from an Idaho city or county, in support of military caregivers. This campaign, which began in February, educates Idahoans, county, and city governments about the challenges and struggles of Idaho’s military caregivers. Further supporting education and outreach, the Idaho DAR organization created a website, hiddenheroesidaho.org, as a resource for all Idahoans to learn more about military caregivers and how non-caregivers can provide critical support. The website also helps Idahoans identify themselves as caregivers, locate local and national resources available to assist them, and connect them with supportive government contacts and a national network of caregivers.

Governor Brad Little, who issued a proclamation declaring May 10, 2024, as Daughters of the American Revolution Day in Idaho, noted, “Idaho’s military caregivers provide critical services for our veterans, often without recognition or support. I am pleased to see that our county and city governments are joining forces with the State of Idaho, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and Idaho’s Daughters of the American Revolution to educate all Idahoans on what it means to be a military caregiver and the resources available to support their selfless work.”

Janice Beller, Idaho State DAR Regent, is proud to bring this message to Idaho’s communities, large and small. “We have been overwhelmed in the number of cities and counties who immediately committed this important initiative,” she said. “The first DAR members were also some of the first military caregivers in America, so our service now honors this cherished legacy.”

“Idaho is setting an example for the nation. They are stepping up to show what it means to support military and veteran caregivers. It is thanks to the work of our Dole Caregiver Fellows, like Linzi Andersen, and strong partnerships with local government that we are able to create such an impact for our community,” said Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

About Daughters of the American Revolution

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890. In Idaho, DAR has almost 900 members in 15 chapters in every corner of the State. The current State Regent, Janice Beller, selected Hidden Heroes as an area of focus and service during her two-year term, 2023-2025.

About Elizabeth Dole Foundation

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s 5.5 million military caregivers — the spouses, parents, family members, and friends — who care for America’s wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans at home. Founded by Dole in 2012, the Foundation adopts a comprehensive approach in its support and advocacy, working with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit and faith communities to recognize military caregivers’ service and promote their well-being. e Foundation’s Hidden Heroes program brings vital attention to the untold stories of military caregivers and provides a network for military caregivers to connect with their peers and access resources. Visit www.ElizabethDoleFoundation.org for more information.

Copyright 2024 KMVT. All rights reserved.

CUSTER COUNTY — Incumbent Rep. Megan Blanksma is running against Faye Thompson for the District 8 Idaho Representative Seat B.

District 8 encompasses Elmore, Valley, Boise, and custer Counties.

Click here to view Blanksma’s campaign website.

Click here to view Thompson’s campaign website.

EastIdahoNews.com sent the same eight questions to each county candidate. Their responses, listed below, were required to be 250 words or less. EastIdahoNews.com is publishing the answers in their entirety and without grammatical or style editing. Blanksma did not respond to the questionnaire.

The primary election is May 21.

1) Tell us about yourself — include information about your family, career, education, volunteer work and any prior experience in public office.

Thompson: Chair of Valley County Republican Central Committee. Husband is aValley County Commissioner. Life member NRA. Secretary/Treasurer Heartland Friends of NRA. Member Idaho 2nd Amendment Alliance. Some might mistake my ambition as misguided due to my inexperience. However, my opponent had her first election once, and her first day in office was inexperienced.

2) Why are you seeking political office? Briefly explain your political platform.

Thompson: To bring balanced representation to the district at a whole. We do not have that now. I am looking for less spending and less reliance on federal money. To defund programs within Health and Welfare that taxpayers should not have to be paying for.

3) What are the greatest challenges facing people and communities in your district? What is your plan to meet those challenges?

Thompson: Roads and housing have been a strong topic for several years now. The high cost of living and inflation with high interest rates makes it impossible for the average working family to afford a home of their own. This can only be met with volume of units and less taxes, fees, and regulations. This has to begin at the top. New administration that believes in less government regulation and self sufficiency. Idaho first, America first.

4) How will you best represent the views of your constituents – even those with differing political views? How will you communicate directly with constituents?

Thompson: Getting to know the different cultures in the district makes a big difference in being able to communicate and support the different views. Communication is paramount with constituents. Even if you can’t help, they deserve an answer.

5) What parts of the state budget could use more funding? Where are places in the budget that cuts could be made?

Thompson: H&W is the largest draw on our taxes. cutting programs that are unnecessary for the taxpayer to be responsible for and restricting who gets what and how much. Schools receive the next largest piece of the pie. We keep throwing money at schools and teacher’s unions without accountability. And as such, literacy etc has not improved.

6) Are you currently working on any legislation or have ideas for bills that you feel are vital to the future of Idaho? Please provide details.

Thompson: Nothing specific at this time but as I have stated above, Work must be done to tighten the belt of the state budgets and so bills will come.

7) Have you seen any mistakes made by the Idaho Legislature in recent years? How would you work to correct these errors?

Thompson: The Launch program has become nothing more than a drain on taxpayers that is most like Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness. The Needle Exchange project turned out to be an illegal paraphernalia and drug distribution project that has fortunately been repealed in this year’s session. This project was a bad bill from the beginning and should never have come to fruition

8) What is the most important issue facing Idahoans? What is a legislator’s role in meeting or addressing that issue?

Thompson: It is the Legislature’s job to make law, protect the health and safety of its citizens. We have become a border state. Buses are bringing illegals into our state and leaving empty. We must make Idaho uncomfortable for them to make it a destination. There are many that are here legally, but most are not. The crisis at the borders must be dealt with asap.