The College of Idaho is hosting a free candidate forum that is open to the public on May 15.

With one week before the primary election, the event will include two panel discussions with legislative candidates running for office in Districts 9 and 11. District 9 includes Payette, Washington counties and a part of Canyon County, and District 11 includes Caldwell and other parts of Canyon County. 

One congressional candidate, Kaylee Peterson, will also be a part of the panel discussions. Peterson is a Democrat running for U.S. House Idaho District 1, which is held by U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho.

Candidates will respond to questions about their positions on a variety of issues, including  public school facilities, abortion, library policies, Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee budgeting process, among other topics, according to a press release from the college. Mckay Cunningham, the college’s on-campus experiential learning director, will monitor the event. 

When: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 15
Where: College of Idaho’s Langroise Recital Hall in Caldwell

The first panel will include District 9 and 11 candidates including: 

• Idaho Senate candidate Toni Ferro, D-Caldwell 
• Idaho House candidate Anthony Porto, D-Caldwell
• Idaho House candidate, Rep. Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell
• Idaho House candidate John Shirts, R-Weiser

The second panel will include: 

• Idaho Senate candidate Rachel Buck, D-New Plymouth
• Idaho Senate candidate Brandon Shippy, R-New Plymouth
• Idaho Senate candidate Scott Syme, R-Wilder
• U.S. House Democratic candidate Kaylee Peterson 

Food and drinks will be provided after the event.

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.

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