Idaho

Meridian State of the City: Transportation and public safety challenges take center stage

Published

7 months ago

June 5, 2025

Meridian State of the City: Transportation and public safety challenges take center stage

MERIDIAN, Idaho — Meridian Mayor Robert Simison took to the stage Wednesday to address his community in the annual State of the City. He outlined his vision for Idaho’s second-largest city, emphasizing investment in public safety, transportation, and economic development amid the rapid growth in Meridian Neighborhoods.

“We have been taking steps to address these issues where possible, with my direction of reducing or holding our spending flat on discretionary expenses over the last several years. Yet expenses continue to grow, and the revenues aren’t able to keep up,” said Mayor Simison.

96th annual Meridian Dairy Days returns to Storey Park

Transportation remains a top concern, as the Linder Road Overpass project breaks ground, Eagle Road is expecting slower speeds in the fall, and ITD continues progress on Highway 16.

With over 4,500 new residents in 2024, Simison is looking to strengthen public safety departments. He proposed a levy for the November ballot to fund police recruitment, firefighter positions, and new in-house prosecution services.

“If we are going to attract the best talent from the start and retain the people who we have made huge investments in the Meridian Police Department, we need to increase the wages to our sworn officers,” said Mayor Simison.

The public safety levy needs to be approved by Meridian’s City Council before voters can see it on their ballot in November. Mayor Simison says the community will have the chance to weigh in on the levy’s details in the coming months.

On the economic front, Meridian reports adding over 1,800 jobs last year, with average wages rising nearly 5%. Simison also outlined a bold vision to make the city Idaho’s healthcare education hub, citing investments from Grand Canyon University and Idaho State University.

Closing his speech, Simison stressed the importance of investing in youth, businesses, and infrastructure to ensure Meridian’s continued success.

“As we look to the future, we will see the need for more transportation projects, rising costs, and shrinking revenue. We will also see growing healthcare needs, public safety challenges, legislative changes, and more. When that happens, I will say “Challenge Accepted,” said Mayor Simison.

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Idaho

Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 4 on Dec. 21, 2025

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Looking to win big? The Idaho Lottery offers several games if you think it’s your lucky day.

Lottery players in Idaho can chose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Lucky For Life, 5 Star Draw, Idaho Cash, Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. See more big winners here. And if you do end up cashing a jackpot, here’s what experts say to do first.

Here’s a look at Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 8-4-8

Night: 7-0-2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 7-3-0-4

Night: 7-5-5-8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

11-24-27-38-46, Lucky Ball: 15

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Idaho Cash numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

10-23-33-38-44

Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Idaho Lottery drawings held ?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Pick 4: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Lucky For Life: 8:35 p.m. MT Monday and Thursday.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Idaho

What the arrival of NIL funding does for Idaho State University sports – East Idaho News

Published

21 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

What the arrival of NIL funding does for Idaho State University sports – East Idaho News

POCATELLO — Sophomore guard Dylan Darling was Idaho State men’s basketball’s top performer last season, earning the Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player award while leading the Bengals to a fourth-place finish in the conference.

After averaging 19.8 points per game for the year, Darling departed Pocatello for greener pastures. He accepted a $1 million payday to transfer to St. John’s University and join the Red Storm.

The ISU Athletics Department has announced the creation of the Student-Athlete Success Fund, with the intent to “attract, recruit, retain and develop outstanding student-athletes across all sports while responding to the rapidly evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.”

While the fund’s $10,000 goal will not compete with schools like Oregon, Texas or Ohio State — or even St. John’s — it could allow ISU to keep pace with its direct competitors.

The University of Montana launched “The Griz NIL Exchange” in 2023, while Montana State University has the “Bobcat Collective.” Even University of Idaho has “The Idaho NIL Store” which allows Vandal fans to buy merchandise and gear with money going to the athletes.

As the Bengals emerge as challengers for conference superiority across several sports, it was an important time for the university to take this step forward.

on the football field, three ISU offensive linemen were named FCS All-Americans this season, including First-Teamer Stryker Rashid. Running back Dason Brooks, safety Rylan Leathers, punter Gabe Russo and kicker Trajan Sinatra join Rishid as Bengal All-Conference First- or Second-Teamers with at least one year of eligibility remaining.

Leathers and Sinatra have already made public their intentions to enter the transfer portal — and they will both receive an offer with NIL money attached, joining Darling in those greener pastures.

To retain players like Rashid, Brooks, and the softball, volleyball, basketball, etc., athletes who have ushered in ISU’s recent run of success, the NIL — name, image and likeness — fund was necessary.

I, for one, applaud ISU and its leadership for making this move, though some remain steadfast against the idea of college athletes receiving money. We live in an era where college athletes are rightfully entitled to some of the monetary gain they bring to these million- and billion-dollar businesses. And while payments will be minimal in comparison with other programs, Bengals deserve a piece of the pie as well.

Donations can be made to the ISU Student-Athlete Success Fund — here.