Idaho
Local legislator who led trip to D.C. says Idaho’s water supply is priority for our congressional delegates – East Idaho News
IDAHO FALLS – State Sen. Kevin Cook recently led a trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with Idaho’s congressional delegates about water storage projects.
Cook, who represents District 32 in the Idaho Falls area, was one of seven legislators on the trip last month, along with dozens of groundwater and surface water users across the state.
Since June, Cook has been gathering signatures for a petition showing support for water storage projects. During the 2025 Legislative Session, he and Rep. Rod Furniss, R-Rigby, sponsored a non-binding resolution that was adopted in both chambers. Senate Joint Memorial 101 calls on federal and state agencies to study and develop new water storage projects.
The resolution lists six different potential water storage sites that “could be built safely and economically and … provide significant long-term benefits to the State of Idaho.”
RELATED | Local legislator asking you to sign petition in support of water storage projects in Idaho
Cook accompanied legislators on a trip to the nation’s capital earlier this year to bring it to their attention and get some momentum going. Although they expressed support for his resolution, Cook says they doubted voters would approve of it and told him to “make some more noise” before they did anything about it.
The November trip to Washington was a follow-up to the previous visit. Through his petition, he acquired tens of thousands of signatures and brought a slough of people with him to show Idaho’s Congressmen the results.
Cook tells EastIdahoNews.com the trip “went great” and was a positive experience.
“I don’t know if I could’ve asked for or expected better results,” Cook says. “We thought we’d be lucky to get 10 or 15 minutes with them. They gave us between 30 and 45 minutes. They were very engaged and asked questions.”
Water storage projects have become a key focus of Cook’s platform over the last year. He says water is one of three issues that are critical to Idaho’s future. (He says the other two are artificial intelligence and nuclear power.)
RELATED | Local legislator proposing bill that creates framework for education about future of AI
Despite the productive conversation with federal delegates, Cook says he isn’t expecting quick results and there’s still a lot of work to do before Congress gets involved in funding a water storage project.
“On some of this stuff, they said, ‘Don’t be afraid to break this up into little pieces,’” Cook says. “People east of the Mississippi don’t understand our need for water. They’ve got all the water they can stand and then some. They suggested we try to form a Western States Coalition to (educate people) about it. We thought that was a great idea.”
He’s hoping to see a major water storage project get underway in the next decade. Beyond that, he’s looking into the distant future for many of these proposals to come to fruition.
Cook’s goal is to have 750,000 acre-feet of water storage by 2100.
Josh Foster, the business manager for Vista Valley Ag, which farms more than 5,000 acres in Bonneville County, was among those who accompanied Cook to D.C. He’s also a director for the Burgess Canal and Irrigation Company in Rigby and a member of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation’s water committee.
Foster says Cook’s longterm goal is a lofty one, but he agrees that more water is needed and it needs to be managed better.
“Where we haven’t been building dams for 50 years, there’s got to be a lot of federal changes in order for that to happen,” Foster says. “I’m hopeful that it can happen with state and federal partnership.”
Storing water in eastern Idaho
One of the proposals for a potential water storage project in Cook’s resolution is to rebuild the Teton Dam.
“It’s kind of a lightning rod. You bring up the Teton Dam, and people want to talk,” Cook says.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation originally built the dam in 1976. It collapsed as the reservoir was being filled for the first time, leading to the historic Teton Dam Flood disaster.
After the disaster, the topic of rebuilding the dam was discussed. It’s unclear why it never happened.
Today, Cook says many people are supportive of its reconstruction. Cook brought letters of support to D.C. from county commissioners and mayors throughout the Snake River Plain who support rebuilding the Teton Dam. Cook says Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill and Sugar City Mayor Steve Adams, whose hometowns were in the direct path of the dam, are pushing for it.
“I’ve talked to several engineers that have their fingerprints all over dams in Idaho, and every one of them say we can rebuild it safely,” says Cook. “But we need to do a study. We have 50 years of new technology that can tell us whether or not we should build it.”
Foster says rebuilding the Teton Dam is the most exciting of all the proposals and would have the most impact.
“It passed so much federal regulation to get certified,” says Foster. “We’re closer (to getting a water storage project) with the Teton Dam than anywhere else because we don’t have to start at the ground level with the federal government.”
Foster also notes it would store about 350,000 acre-feet of water — the most capacity of any other project.
“That gets us halfway to our goal right there,” he says.
Cook made a similar point during a presentation with water stakeholders in August. He cited data that shows rebuilding the Teton Dam is also the most cost-effective option, compared to other projects.
RELATED | Local legislator focused on longterm water storage projects to complement recharge efforts and secure Idaho’s future
Another possible project is expanding the Ririe Dam. The dam, which is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, sits along Willow Creek about 15 miles northeast of Idaho Falls and about four miles southeast of Ririe. It was built to mitigate flood waters into Idaho Falls.
Throughout its history, Cook says it’s never been used for irrigation and he wants that to change.
“Every fall, we basically empty it instead of holding back water for irrigation,” says Cook. “We’ve asked (our congressional delegates) to support (using it for that purpose).”
This idea was the focus of a board meeting for the Ririe Reservoir on Thursday morning. Foster attended and said they were in phase two of a study to mitigate additional winter water storage for irrigation purposes.
Foster lives in Ririe near the dam, and he’s intrigued with the idea.
“We’re groundwater pumpers on the Ririe bench. We’ve never even touched that water, other than to go boating,” Foster says. “New water rights would have to be created (because it’s never been used for irrigation).”
While Cook is excited about these local projects, he says he’s focused on the entire state and any water storage project is a win for Idaho.
“We’re looking at the whole state of Idaho,” Cook says. “We’re excited about where we’re going.”
Supporting Idaho’s water future
Since the D.C. trip, Cook says the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has approved a recommendation from the Idaho Water Resource Board to do a study on surface water storage throughout the Snake River Plain.
Over the next two years, Cook says the bureau will study the entire Snake River Plain from the Milner Dam near Burley all the way to Ashton. It will be the largest study the bureau has ever conducted in Idaho and will help identify viable locations for potential water storage projects.
Once the study is complete, it will report its findings to the IWRB to prioritize future projects.
Cook is planning to introduce legislation in the upcoming session to help advance water conservation on the state and federal level. He appreciates the time, support and feedback from Idaho’s congressional delegates.
“Every person on the trip and every politician that we met with has Idaho water as their top priority,” Foster says. “What they uniformly said was, ‘We are in. Direct us on how to help you in D.C. while you guys are back in Idaho.’ That was exciting for all of us to hear.”
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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.
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
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!
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:
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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