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University of Idaho Parma research center celebrates 100 — a…

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University of Idaho Parma research center celebrates 100 — a…


If a pathogen is found (such as blight in onions or potatoes), the center has to go through a variety of reporting layers to contain what could be an outbreak, as far as the Idaho State Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wood said.

Despite the integral role the the center has played in advancing the agricultural sector from its inception, its future wasn’t always certain. At the height of the Great Recession in 2009, Leslie Edgar, the endowed dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, said the center was at one point slated for closure.

Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke underscored that, given the return the center brings to Idaho’s agricultural industry, it should “never (be) on the chopping block again.” With investment in the center continuing today, Bedke said the center remains the envy of the state and the cutting edge research conducted in the area remains integral to the success of agriculture in Idaho both at home and abroad.

The return on investment for the state can be seen through the nematology program, which plays a key role in diagnosing parasites in the region that bring issues in potatoes, sugar beets, onion, mint and other crops. According to the university, for every dollar spent on the nematodes program in “development, transfer and maintenance,” it brings a return of $52.17 to the state’s agriculture industry.

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As an example of the international ramifications the station’s work has for Idaho, Bedke recalled a trade mission he led in Asia last year. That trip included introductions to Idaho hops and a reinforcement of existing crop trades like white peaches, which are particularly popular in Taiwan, Bedke noted. While UI’s research contributions help push crops outward, its prominence also brings added attention to the state as a leader in the field.

“Everybody’s looking over the fence into Idaho, because we have very efficient farmers here, very efficient farming techniques, and they want to replicate that,” Bedke said. “Idaho stands for quality out there, and I think that all of that quality stuff starts in places like these extensions.”

Emphasis on the cutting edge in the field — including efficiency and broad improvements to crop yields — are of particular concern for producers as the margins within the industry have tightened for an extended period. During a December agricultural summit hosted by Gov. Brad Little, agriculture leaders noted farm expenses have exceeded the prices received for most crops grown over the last five years.

Given these conditions, “it’s even more important that we’re able to help producers understand what challenges may be facing their crop systems and how they can adjust to them,” Edgar said.

McCandless covers Idaho politics for the Lewiston Tribune, Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Idaho Press of Nampa and Coeur d’Alene Press. He may be contacted at rmccandless@idahopress.com.

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An Idaho mother who said her toddler twins died after vaccinations has been charged with murder

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An Idaho mother who said her toddler twins died after vaccinations has been charged with murder


An Idaho woman who said her toddler twins died last year after being vaccinated faces murder charges connected to their deaths, authorities said.

A grand jury indicted Andrea Shaw, who is accused of suffocating her 18-month-old twins in May 2025, on two counts of first-degree murder on June 29, according to court records and a news release from the Payette Police Department.

While appearing last year on an internet show produced by Children’s Health Defense — an anti-vaccine group founded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — Shaw said her twins died after getting vaccinated. Kennedy has not been affiliated with the group since December 2024, when he formally resigned as chairman to join President Donald Trump’s administration.

Shaw, 23, was arrested by Boise police officers Tuesday and arraigned Thursday. She is being held on a $2 million bond and could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted or if she pleads guilty to first-degree murder. Her next court appearance is July 14.

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An attorney representing Shaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Payette Police Department and the Payette County prosecutor declined to comment Monday.

During her May 2025 appearance on the Children’s Health Defense show, Shaw said she found her twins dead in their room days after they got vaccinated for the flu and other diseases.

“They had got their shots at the same time by two nurses at the same time,” Shaw said. “And they got sick.”

Medical experts point out that the childhood vaccines at issue — hepatitis A, influenza and DTaP — are safe and effective for kids and recommended by various medical groups.

Shaw is also a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit brought by Children’s Health Defense and others against the American Academy of Pediatrics. The lawsuit, which was filed in January in federal court in Washington, accuses the American Academy of Pediatrics of racketeering for its “central role in an enterprise that has defrauded American families about the safety of the childhood vaccine schedule for several decades.” In the lawsuit, Shaw is described as a mother “whose children died following routine vaccinations administered according to AAP guidelines.”

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The American Academy of Pediatrics has asked the court to dismiss the suit, asserting in an April court filing that it is the “latest missive in a campaign targeting” the academy and its “use of science-backed evidence in vaccine policy.”

In January, pediatricians and other experts became alarmed when U.S. health officials made broad changes to childhood vaccine guidance, dropping several universal recommendations. Kennedy, who helped lead the anti-vaccine movement for years, said the changes better align the U.S. with peer nations “while strengthening transparency and informed consent.”

In March, a federal judge blocked the changes and said Kennedy likely violated federal procedures in revamping a key vaccine advisory committee. But the judge’s order is not the final word; the blocks are temporary, pending either a trial or a decision for summary judgment.



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ATV Crash in Pine Takes Life of Gooding Man

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ATV Crash in Pine Takes Life of Gooding Man


A Gooding man is dead after an ATV crash in Elmore County.  Idaho State Police say it happened near Pine on Friday night and not long after 10:00.  There were three people riding the vehicle, and all were wearing their straps.  Somehow, the ATV went off the road at the intersection of Bombs Away Lane and Lester Creek Road.  The vehicle left the shoulder and smacked into a tree.  The 47-year-old driver died on the spot.  The two passengers were airlifted to hospitals.  Troopers say the crash remains under investigation.

The intersection was closed for four hours as evidence was collected and the area was cleared of debris.  Pine is a popular spot for Independence Day celebrations and camping.

State Police had an all-hands-on-deck response.  Elmore County Deputies, Mountain Home EMS, Mountain Home Rescue, Pine EMS, and Pine Rescue assisted troopers.

Idaho State Police Save Horned Owl

Idaho State Police saved an adorable owl on I-84 in Nampa just a few weeks ago!

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Residents displaced after Boise home found fully engulfed in flames, fire officials say

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Residents displaced after Boise home found fully engulfed in flames, fire officials say


SOUTHEAST BOISE, Idaho — Boise Fire Department officials say that residents have been displaced after crews responded to reports of a structure fire in the 4000 block of S. Northbridge Way in Boise on Sunday morning.

Crews arrived at the scene shortly after 1 a.m. on July 5 and found the home fully engulfed in flames, BFD said.

Engine 15, Engine 3, Engine 7, Engine 8, Truck 7, Ladder 5, Battalion 1, Battalion 3 and Ada County Paramedics responded to the scene.

Fortunately, everyone in the home had safely evacuated, BFD said.

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Firefighters then worked to quickly attack the fire and control the blaze. Crews remained on scene for several hours, ensuring the fire had not extended into the walls of the residence and that all remaining hot spots were fully extinguished.

BFD said that the Burnout Fund was called to assist the residents displaced.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Send tips to neighborhood reporter Brady Caskey

Have a story idea from South Boise, West Boise or Kuna? Share it with Brady below —

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