Idaho
University of Idaho murders: House to be demolished despite mixed feelings from families
The off-campus house where four University of Idaho students were killed will be demolished on Thursday, despite mixed feelings from victims’ families.
In the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022, roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle’s boyfriend Ethan Chapin, were stabbed to death inside the girls’ home in Moscow, Idaho. Two other roommates survived.
The suspect, Bryan Kohberger, who was a criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University at the time of the murders, was arrested weeks later. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting a trial date.
The University of Idaho announced on Dec. 14 that demolition of the house would begin on the morning of Dec. 28. Demolition could take several days, the university said.
University officials said they decided to tear down the house during winter break to try “to decrease further impact on the students who live in that area.”
Kaylee Goncalves’ family is firmly against knocking down the house at this time, saying doing so would “destroy one of the most critical pieces of evidence in the case” before a trial date is even set.
“It is obvious from the two recent visits to the house, by both the Prosecution and the Defense, that there is still evidentiary value in having the King Road house still standing. There may be additional discovery by either party that prompts one side or the other to go back to the scene of the crime,” the Goncalves family said in a statement this month. “Jurors are notoriously unpredictable and they tend to make decisions on a variety of facts and circumstances. It would be foolish of us to try and foresee what they will want or need to make a just verdict in this case.”
“It’s like screaming into a void,” the family said. “Nobody is listening.”
But Ethan Chapin’s parents said they’re supportive of the demolition. Ethan was a triplet and his brother and sister are both current University of Idaho students.
The Chapins said the demolition is “for the good of the University, its students (including our own kids), and the community of Moscow.”
University President Scott Green said, “While we appreciate the emotional connection some family members of the victims may have to this house, it is time for its removal and to allow the collective healing of our community to continue.”
The university added, “After the trial was delayed earlier this fall, both prosecution and defense asked for access to the house and have both gone into the house in the last two months. Neither has asked for the house to be retained.”
Idaho
Passengers evacuated after “suspicious device” was found at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport – Local News 8
The following is a media release from the City of Idaho Falls.
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (City of Idaho Falls) – Around 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, a security incident occurred at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport resulting in the response of the Idaho Falls Police and Fire Departments.
Passengers were immediately evacuated to a safe terminal area while an investigation occurred.
During the security screening process, a suspicious device was discovered in the luggage. Upon concluding the investigation, it was determined the suspicious item was not dangerous. The airport has no further information to provide at this time.
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Idaho
Suspicious device found at Idaho Falls airport was not dangerous, officials say – East Idaho News
IDAHO FALLS – A suspicious device discovered in someone’s luggage at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport Saturday afternoon resulted in an evacuation.
The Idaho Falls Police and Fire Departments responded around 3:50 p.m., according to city spokesman Eric Grossarth. The item in question was not specified.
Authorities detained passengers in a safe area of the terminal during the investigation. Witnesses say it lasted around 30 minutes and the road leading to the airport was closed during that time.
Ultimately, police determined the device was not dangerous.
Roads have re-opened and authorities have cleared the scene.
EastIdahoNews.com will provide updates as we receive them.
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Idaho
Idaho Legislature’s budget committee accepts report recommending raises for state employees – East Idaho News
BOISE (Idaho Capital Sun) – The Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee closed out the first week of the 2025 legislative session Friday by accepting a report recommending raises of $1.55 per hour for all state employees.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, is a powerful legislative committee that meets daily and sets the budgets for every state agency and department.
A day earlier, on Thursday, the Idaho Legislature’s Change in Employee Compensation Committee voted 7-3 to recommend the $1.55 per hour raises.
On Friday, JFAC voted to accept the report with the recommendation from the Change in Employee Compensation Committee, but it did not vote on whether to approve the raises.
An actual JFAC vote on the raises is expected on Wednesday or Thursday.
JFAC also accepted a report Friday from the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee that projected $6.4 billion in state revenue will be available for next year’s budget. The $6.4 billion projection is slightly under Gov. Brad Little’s $6.41 billion revenue projection.
“We recommend caution in making appropriations above the committee’s revenue projection,” Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, told JFAC on Friday. “The committee recognizes economic uncertainty related to the impact of the Federal Reserve Bank addressing inflation and the recent presidential election.”
The action is expected to pick up considerably next week for JFAC. JFAC’s long-term schedule lists statewide maintenance budget decisions on the schedule for Wednesday, which could include decisions on state revenues and the proposed $1.55 raises for state employees.
On Friday, JFAC members are expected to set the maintenance budgets for all state agencies. JFAC leaders describe maintenance budgets as bare bones versions of last year’s budgets, with all the one-time money and projects removed. The maintenance budgets are simply meant to keep the lights on for state agencies. Under budget changes approved last year, new spending requests and replacement items are called budget enhancements, which are considered and voted on separately from the maintenance budgets.
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