Idaho

Idaho Man Facing Terror Charges Will Remain Jailed

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:44:09 +0000

An Uzbek national facing terrorism-related charges in Idaho will remain jailed pending his trial after waiving his right to a detention hearing.

Lawyers for Fazliddin Kurbanov on Tuesday waived a hearing where a U.S. District Court judge was to have considered whether he should stay in Ada County jail in Boise until his July 2 trial.

Kurbanov is a refugee from Uzbekistan in Central Asia who arrived in Boise in 2009. He was arrested last Thursday.

A New Guidebook Highlights Idaho’s Native Fish

Samantha Wright — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:46:52 +0000

You can pick up a number of different Audubon-style guides if you're a bird watcher. But it’s a different story when it comes to fish. Many Idaho fish haven’t been studied.

Idaho "Spice" Smuggling Operation Stopped

Samantha Wright — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:14:34 +0000

Federal authorities say a "spice" smuggling operation has been taken down in Boise.

A federal grand jury in Boise has indicted five Boise and Meridian residents on a laundry list of charges. They include conspiracy to smuggle goods into the U.S., conspiracy to sell and transport drug paraphernalia, and conspiracy to launder money.

Bottom Rung: Why One Idaho Border Business Chose Washington

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:33:37 +0000

The border between Washington and Idaho is like a petri dish for what the minimum wage does to the economy. That’s where two extremes meet. Idaho has the federal minimum wage: $7.25 an hour. While Washington’s is nearly $2 more.

Hydropower Bills Open Gates Of Bipartisanship In Congress

Jessica Robinson — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:30:42 +0000

An effort to streamline the regulatory process for small hydropower dams is generating a rare moment of bipartisanship in Congress. Two bills sailed through a Senate committee Wednesday. They've already passed the House.

Whatever gridlock exists elsewhere, it didn't show up in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

How Higher Nitrate Levels Could Impact Idaho’s Water

Frankie Barnhill — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:11:18 +0000

The United States Geological Survey recently studied nitrate levels in streams around the country. The study found that nitrate – which can be dangerous in drinking water – can affect water systems for decades.

Although none of these study areas were in Idaho, Michael Lewis says the study is worth a closer look.

Boise's Arts And History Department In Running For $100,000 Harvard Grant

Frankie Barnhill — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:05:13 +0000

The Boise Department of Arts and History recently received some good news. Harvard University’s Ash Center has selected the department as one of the most innovative government entities in the country.

Northwest Fire Season Predicted To Be A Scorcher This Year

Anna King — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:51:44 +0000

Several forest fires are already burning in Western Washington and crews are mopping up a big one in central Oregon. There were also two grass fires that burned near Middleton, Idaho just west of Boise, this past weekend.

Dry winds and above average temperatures predicted this summer and fall, have fire managers preparing for an earlier than usual season.

A high-pressure ridge since winter has dried the Northwest’s timberlands and big sage stands this spring.

May Is Second Amendment Protection Month In Idaho

Frankie Barnhill — Mon, 06 May 2013 23:43:21 +0000

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has designated May as Second Amendment Protection Month.

His signed declaration cites Idaho's gun-friendly ranking with the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Otter's declaration also seeks to "encourage business leaders who are looking for a new operation for their locations to become new corporate citizens in a state that will encourage their continued success."

Idaho Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

Associated Press and BSPR Staff — Mon, 06 May 2013 23:24:39 +0000

Military officials say five Fort Bliss soldiers have died in a roadside bomb blast in southern Afghanistan.

An Army statement Monday identified the dead as Spc. Kevin Cardoza of Mercedes, Texas; 1st Lt. Brandon James Landrum of Lawton, Okla.; Spc. Thomas Paige Murach of Meridian, Idaho; Staff Sgt. Francis Gene Phillips IV of Meridian, N.Y.; and 24-year-old Spc. Brandon Joseph Prescott of Bend, Ore.

They served in the 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division.

Wildfire Managers Prepare For An Active Season In Idaho

Frankie Barnhill — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:11:49 +0000

Firefighters continue to battle a large blaze in southern California that started last week. At its most dangerous, the wildfire threatened about 4,000 homes and has moved quickly in the dry and windy conditions.

In Idaho, the National Interagency Fire Center predicts a slightly milder – but still above average – fire season.

Earthquakes Felt In Southeast Idaho, Yellowstone

Associated Press — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:31:45 +0000

A series of small earthquakes sent jolts across a corner of southeast Idaho Sunday night. The U.S. Geological Survey says two smaller earthquakes were also recorded inside the boundary of Yellowstone National Park in recent days.

Temblors of 4.2 and 3.6 magnitude were recorded in the Lava Hot Springs area. Authorities say the jolts generated calls from concerned residents, but so far there is no damage or injuries attributed to the temblors.
Both quakes are considered mild and not strong enough to cause severe damage.

Boise Hotel Transforms Into An Art Haven For One Night

Sadie Babits — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:46:12 +0000

More than 60 artists will take part in Modern Art tonight in downtown Boise. This year artists, who do everything from fine art to performance, will take over more than 30 rooms at the Modern Hotel.

Amy O’Brien is one of the curators for this event. She has some advice for people who’ve never been to Modern Art before. “I would say be prepared to be completely entertained and expect the unexpected.”

How Will Gun Control In Other States Affect Idaho's Bottom Line?

Frankie Barnhill — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

It’s been five months since the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., sparked a national gun debate. In Colorado, the state legislature there pushed through a ban on high-capacity magazines – the kind that were used to kill 12 people at a movie theater in Aurora, Co. last summer.

Once A Coffee Desert, Idaho Coffee Scene Has Come A Long Way

Scott Graf — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:54:25 +0000

NPR has been bringing you stories about coffee this week.

We’ve learned about coffee habits in Scandinavia, how growers in Central America are going green, and how coffee consumption has changed world history. Now, we learn a little bit about coffee here in Idaho.

Officials Urge Caution Around Road Construction Sites

Samantha Wright — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Spring is a time when road construction projects kick off in earnest. The Idaho Transportation Department is asking Idaho drivers to slow down and use caution around highway construction zones.

This is National Work Zone Awareness Week, a time set aside to draw attention to safety around construction zones.

Nationwide in 2010, 576 people died in work zone crashes.

Wolf Count: Numbers Up in Oregon, Washington; Down In Idaho

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:10:47 +0000

There are fewer wolves overall in the West, but Oregon and Washington's wolf populations continue to grow. That's according to the federal government's annual gray wolf tally, released Friday. The count has also revealed the initial effect of a controversial wolf hunting season in Idaho.

In the 2011-12 season, Idaho hunters and trappers killed nearly 400 wolves. Yet the population count decreased by just 63 animals, or 11 percent. David Allen heads the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He says when you take into account new pups, the once-endangered wolves are now stable.

Wildlife Managers Updating Idaho's Elk Plan, Seek Input Online

Scott Graf — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:45:00 +0000

Idaho Fish and Game is rewriting its plan to manage the state's elk population. That plan was last updated in 1997. Tonight, the agency will host an online chat to hear from state residents.

Toby Boudreau is the deer and elk program coordinator for the department. He says after 16 years, an updated plan is long overdue.

Some Northwest Cities Explore How To Keep Airport Control Towers Open

Tom Banse — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:55:41 +0000

Some Northwest cities and counties are exploring whether to use local or private money to keep their airport control towers open. By mid-June, the federal government plans to close the control towers at 13 small to medium sized airports across the region.

EPA Now Requires Idaho Dredge Mining Permit

Aaron Kunz — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:29:47 +0000

Anyone who wants to mine gold in Idaho streams with a suction dredge will need to get a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency.

For years, people have flocked to a stretch of the Salmon River north of Riggins to mine for gold. Many of them have used a suction dredge to extract the precious metal from the gravel and silt on the river bottom. Until now, the EPA didn’t require these modern day prospectors to get permission if they used small-scale dredges.