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Top 6 on Idaho News 6: The six biggest stories of the past year – are your picks among them?

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Top 6 on Idaho News 6:  The six biggest stories of the past year – are your picks among them?


BOISE, Idaho — Lets face it, every year, lists like this come out: Top 6 stories of the year. Like all news, it is somewhat subjective. But, we feel this list represents the most impactful and most interesting stories in 2024.

In no particular order:

  1. Fatal hangar collapse at Boise Airport.
  2. Chad Daybell’s conviction
  3. Quagga mussels threaten river infrastructure
  4. Thomas Creech survives attempted execution.
  5. Idaho’s strict abortion bans
  6. BSU makes it to the College Football Playoff after winning its second straight conference title

Now, there were other contenders. Murder suspect Brian Kohberger arriving in Boise after a change in venue. Massive summer wildfires. The failure of moderate Republicans to pass “proposition one” that they hoped would transform Idaho politics away from extremism.
You probably have stories you think belong on the list. But hey, that’s what lists like this are all about: stimulating conversation. Because, when all is said and done, it’s all in the past.

The six biggest stories of the year begins with the collapse of a huge Hangar under construction at the Boise Airport on January 31st that killed three people and injured nine others. Strangely, I was driving past the structure that same day and called Jackson jet center to do a story on the new development. Just hours later, the structure collapsed. OSHA cited Big D builders for one willful violation and three serious violations of federal safety regulations. OSHA also cited Inland Crane for one serious violation. A lawsuit filed on behalf of two workers who were killed is ongoing.

In May, an Idaho Jury found Chad Daybell guilty of first degree murder and conspiracy charges in the deaths of his first wife Tammy and two children of his second wife Lori Vallow. Daybell is sentenced to die for his crimes.

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I was in the witness room for perhaps the most bizarre story of the year as the Idaho Department of Correction tried and failed to execute convicted killer Thomas Creech. I watched just feet away as a medical team tried eight separate times to access a suitable vein and could not. The state has since created new procedures to allow them to access larger points of entry, like arteries, to deliver execution drugs. The state has also purchased more of the execution drug needed to complete the death penalty in Creech’s case. A new death warrant has yet to be issued from the state.

Idaho’s near total abortion ban brought forth emotional testimony in court challenges in 2024. Several women testified that the ban is forcing women to carry fetuses with deadly anomalies and preventing doctors from intervening in potentially fatal medical emergencies. The law has caused some reproductive health doctors to leave the state for fear of prosecution. Court challenges to Idaho’s law could have ripple effects across the country depending on the outcomes. The Idaho Supreme Court previously ruled that the Idaho constitution does not provide a right to an abortion and found that Idaho’s laws criminalizing abortion are constitutional.

One of the biggest stories of the year is due to one of the tiniest culprits — quagga mussels. The shellfish were discovered in large numbers in the Snake river near twin falls last year. But efforts to eradicate them with poison failed. Quagga mussels can cause massive damage to hydroelectric infrastructure by clogging pipes and intake valves. They can also rob water of oxygen needed for fish survival. A second attempt to kill the tiny mussels was made in November and its success won’t be known for months.

Lastly, but not least, the success of the Boise State Bronco football team. Not only did they make it to the very first 12 team college playoff with a first round bye, but their star player, Ashton Jeanty was runner up for the Heisman Trophy. The broncos have won three straight Fiesta Bowls and are excited to add a fourth against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Whatever the outcome, the mere presence of BSU in the College Football Playoff has once again put the university and Boise itself on the national map.

Now the question is, what will make the list next year? Kohberger’s murder trial is likely to make the list. But beyond that is anyone’s guess.

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School bus slams into concrete barrier following hit-and-run on the freeway, Idaho police say

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School bus slams into concrete barrier following hit-and-run on the freeway, Idaho police say


HEYBURN, Idaho — Idaho State Police troopers are investigating after a school bus was hit on an interstate, causing it to strike a concrete barrier.

According to a news release from the Idaho State Police, the hit-and-run crash happened Thursday night on eastbound I-84.

About 8:23 p.m., troopers responded to reports of a school bus that had struck the concrete barrier and was blocking the left lane. Witnesses stated that the bus passengers, including students, had exited the bus and were standing on the roadway.

No serious passenger injuries were reported, and all students on the bus were transported by ambulance to a nearby location to reunite with school officials and their parents.

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The driver of the bus reportedly sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local area hospital for evaluation.

The bus sustained “significant front and undercarriage damage after striking several jersey barriers,” troopers said. The crash involved a hit-and-run, and a second driver was later identified and cited in connection with the incident.

Traffic in the area was temporarily diverted while emergency responders investigated and removed the bus.

“(Idaho State Police) reminds all drivers to remain at the scene of a crash and report the incident as required by law. Leaving the scene increases risk to others and may result in criminal charges,” says the release.



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Iran war drives up fertilizer, diesel costs for Idaho farmers

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Iran war drives up fertilizer, diesel costs for Idaho farmers


TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —The war with Iran is driving up the cost of diesel and fertilizer for Idaho farmers at a critical time in the growing season.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global supply chains, with Saudi Arabia alone accounting for nearly 20 percent of global phosphate trade. According to Xiaoli Etienne, professor at the University of Idaho, nitrogen has taken the biggest hit.

“We have seen as much as 40% increase at the farm gate level for producers. And so for southern Idaho, the number might be a little different, but I suspect it’s very similar magnitude,” Etienne said.

The price increase is affecting farmers’ operating costs. Over 30 percent of operating costs are used to purchase fertilizer, Etienne said.

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“You think about your operating costs, over 30% is used to purchase fertilizer. And we see 30 to 40% increase in the fertilizer prices. And combined, that’s a very big impact on the farmers,” she said.

The war with Iran is not the only factor affecting prices. China halted exports of fertilizer to secure their domestic planting season and stopped exporting phosphate as of a couple months ago, Etienne said.

While the U.S. doesn’t directly import phosphate from China, the reduced Chinese supply affects the global market, which ultimately impacts prices in the U.S.

Diesel is another commodity hit by the war that farmers are already feeling at the pump.

“For diesel, that’s a different story. This will probably have a more immediate impact for the producers,” Etienne said.

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While farmers can battle fertilizer prices by planting different crops or reducing applications, diesel is different. There’s no substitute.

“They will need to reallocate, right? To make up this added cost, the higher expenses for the diesel. And I think, even a very small percentage change in prices, and let alone there’s a dollar or more than a dollar increase in diesel prices. This war, it’s a very tough situation for the farmers this year,” Etienne said.

Etienne said while 80 percent of farmers secured their fertilizer supply before the war started, a ceasefire won’t immediately solve the issue.

“Even with a ceasefire, or even if the war stops, the production time for fertilizer has already been lost. And that’s a very long supply chain. The impact will show up, still show up. It’s not going to go away,” she said.

Despite the current hardships for farmers, Etienne is optimistic.

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“Farmers are resilient. We have seen over and over again farmers are able to overcome all those shocks they’re putting on them,” she said.



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Prepare to evacuate: Crews working on containing the Snake Fire north of Rigby – East Idaho News

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Prepare to evacuate: Crews working on containing the Snake Fire north of Rigby – East Idaho News


Crews from eastern Idaho are working to contain the Snake Fire that’s burning just north of Rigby. | Courtesy Mike Miller

RIGBY — Over 50 firefighters from various agencies across eastern Idaho are working to contain a fire near the bank of the Snake River that spread to 10 acres.

According to WatchDuty, a wildfire mapping application, the fire began at around 3:45 p.m. near East 550 North and North 4200 East. The fire is listed at being at 10 acres.

Fire officials are requesting residents south of West 6800 South, 7800 South, and 8200 South and west of 400 West on those roads to prepare to evacuate if needed. These are homes west of Big Juds and along the river. Deputies are going home to home. Obey all orders and avoid the area due to the fast moving fire. Please check warn.pbs.org for the most up to date information on the fire, and evacuation notices.

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If an evacuation is ordered, local officials will be setting up a relief area at the Red Brick Lyman Church at 1952 West 6000 South.

EastIdahoNews.com reached out to Central Fire Chief Nic White who is at the fire. He said the blaze is closer to the Snake River and that the cause of the fire was started from a controlled burn that got out of control.

He said at the moment Central Fire, Robert Fire Department, Idaho Falls Fire Department, North Fremont Fire District, Swan Valley Fire District, Bureau of Land Management and Bonneville County Fire District 1 are assisting in the fire.

The fire, which started on the south side of Snake River, did jump the river, but crews are now working on both sides to contain the blaze.

In another post from MCSO, Madison County marine deputies are assisting firefighters from Jefferson and Madison County with transportation via boat to the site of the fire.

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EastIdahoNews.com will update the story once more information becomes available.

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