Idaho
This Idahoan became the youngest Bitcoin millionaire at 18. Now he wants to give the Gem State better cell phone coverage. – East Idaho News
Erik Finman | Courtesy photo. Finman speaks with EastIdahoNews.com reporter Nate Eaton in the video player above.
IDAHO FALLS — He dropped out of high school when he was 15, became the youngest Bitcoin millionaire, started a venture capital fund and has played a pivotal role in new tech companies.
Now Erik Finman, 25, wants the Gem State to have the best cell phone coverage in America as he launches a new company called Idaho Mobile.
“I want to come back to Idaho, a place I truly, tremendously care about, and not only expand phone and internet service but make it really affordable for everyone,” Finman tells EastIdahoNews.com. “The United States is the richest country in the world, and we shouldn’t be having places that have dead spots in Idaho.”
Hitting big on Bitcoin
Finman was raised in northern Idaho. When he was 12, he and his brother visited the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., where they witnessed people being arrested for dancing on the memorial steps, which is illegal. One of the men in the group was wearing an orange shirt with a bee on the front that looked like a $1 sign.
“I was like, ‘What’s that?’ and he said, ‘It’s Bitcoin, man. It’s going to end Wall Street, bro,’ and then he ran off,” Finman recalls.
When Finman and his brother returned home, they researched Bitcoin. The price was under $10 at the time, and Finman used the $1,000 his grandmother had given him for college to invest in digital currency.
“It was as easy as buying something off Amazon. I thought it would be a big deal, but you’re not 100% sure if it’s really going to happen,” Finman says. “I spent every day just trying to get more and more Bitcoin and playing the markets. Some kids had sports. Some kids had video games. I had Bitcoin.”
Over the next three years, Finman earned a lot of money, and when he was 15, he dropped out of school and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. He recalls his parents being “horrified” that their teenage son was quitting his education and leaving Idaho, but he says he was a “teenager on a mission.”
When he arrived in California, Finman was interviewed by Charlie Rose and appeared on national news programs. He continued to invest, and by the time he was 18, Finman became the youngest person to earn a million dollars off Bitcoin.
“I started a tech company and then sold that tech company. Since then, I’ve kind of been a serial entrepreneur and a little bit of an investor in other cryptocurrencies,” Finman explains.
Launching Idaho Mobile
Finman’s next adventure is bringing him back home in an effort to drastically improve cell phone and internet coverage across the entire state of Idaho.
“Where I grew up in north Idaho, we had just horrible phone internet access. Half the time, we would make a call and it would fail,” Finman says. “I want to fix that problem. Internet is … a place you can search, learn, teach, apply to jobs — you can do anything on the internet. I’ve driven from northern Idaho down to Boise … and there are a million dead spots.”
Rather than building tall towers, Idaho Mobile plans to install “really big backpacks” on existing buildings or poles. Internet and cell phone technology will be contained in the packs that connect with smartphones.
“The backpacks are the about half the size of a picnic table, and they’re pretty thick,” Finman says.
Idaho Mobile is focusing on installing the technology in northern Idaho first (Finman admits he’s biased) with plans to expand to eastern Idaho next. He hopes the entire state is fully covered by the end of the year.
“In the beginning, we’re doing kind of introductory plan of $11.99 a month. That won’t be there forever — just a way to get people on. I think we make 4 cents on that plan but we want to get people interested and get people trusting us.”
The company also wants to take care of customers in unique circumstances who can’t afford a cell phone plan.
“I did robotics growing up, and there was one kid on the team who was a super smart guy, but his parents couldn’t even afford power, much less internet,” Finman recalled. “So he biked to school miles and miles every day. He used one of the school laptops and eventually, I think one of the teachers felt bad for him and bought him a laptop that he would just charge at the school. So if you’re in that kind of position … you can apply for Idaho Mobile for free and I would just totally eat the cost of that out of my own wallet.”
Finman hopes Idaho Mobile makes a difference, and he looks forward to what’s next.
“I think I really like doing big things and tackling hard problems. I guess that’s why I’m doing Idaho Mobile today. … I want to tackle hard things and solve hard problems, even if it’s stressful,” Finman says. “This has been about dreaming and doing great things. I kind of have the mindset that anything was possible, and I think I’ve proved everything was possible.”
You can learn more about Idaho Mobile here.
Watch our entire interview with Finman in the video player above.
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Idaho
Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon
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
Idaho
This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist
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
Idaho
Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho
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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