AGP Executive Report

Election Money: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated $1 million to the PAC opposing Idaho’s Proposition 1, which would protect abortion rights. Early voting is expected to open Tuesday ahead of the Nov. 3 election, when Idaho voters will also decide measures on legislative authority over drug legalization and making English the state’s official language. State Finances: Idaho’s General Fund revenue topped forecasts by $90.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, led by strong income-tax withholding. Farm Policy: Gov. Brad Little suspended state inspections of dyed diesel for 30 days during harvest, giving agencies time to review enforcement rules. The order does not waive federal or other states’ laws. Jobs and Costs: Idaho employment is projected to grow 1.3% annually through 2034—more than four times the national forecast—while 2027 health insurance rates are set to rise 12%.

Harvest Relief: Gov. Brad Little suspended Idaho inspections of dyed diesel fuel for 30 days while state agencies review enforcement rules, aiming to ease burdens on farmers and ranchers during harvest. State Economy: General Fund revenue topped forecasts by $90.3 million, or 6.8%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, with income-tax withholding up 20% from a year earlier. Idaho employment is projected to grow 1.3% annually through 2034—more than four times the national rate. Water Rights: A Blackfoot-area farm family is suing Idaho after a state order halted its groundwater pumping and, the family says, destroyed crops on its 1,000-acre farm. The lawsuit challenges the state’s response to falling aquifer levels and demands from senior water users. Treasure Valley Growth: A regional market report points to rising wages, Micron’s expansion and housing demand as drivers of continued economic strength, with Canyon County home prices about 25% below Ada County’s.

Health Costs: Idaho health insurance premiums are set to rise 12% in 2027 for individual and small-group plans, adding pressure on household budgets despite the state’s reinsurance program. Election Stakes: Voters will decide whether HJR 4 gives the Legislature sole power over drug legalization, removing that subject from the citizen initiative process. The attorney general’s race is also fueling debate over whether the office has become too political. Agriculture: Idaho again led the nation in per-capita farm revenue, with 2025 output equaling about $5,887 per resident—but officials cautioned that figure doesn’t mean farmers had an easy year, amid pressure from prices and lower yields. Boise Housing: HUD awarded Boise $9 million to build supportive housing for people leaving homelessness. Business: Simplot named longtime company leader Erik Brandenburg president of its global food division, effective Nov. 1.

Health-Care Costs: Idaho’s Department of Insurance is requiring health insurers to report premiums, enrollment, expenses and claims from 2022–25, aiming to shed light on what drives costs. Governor’s Race: Gov. Brad Little won a school-choice super PAC endorsement, while challengers Terri Pickens and John Stegner criticized him at a Boise forum he skipped. Boise Housing: The city received $9 million to build 50 supportive-housing units for people leaving homelessness. Water Research: Scientists are undertaking the broadest Treasure Valley well-water measurements in 25 years, as Idaho faces growing water concerns. Prison Policy: Overcrowding is keeping some Idaho women incarcerated even after they’re granted parole. Economic Development: Nampa hired Steve Jenkins as its new economic development director.

Housing: Boise received $9 million for a 50-unit supportive housing project for people leaving homelessness. Federal Leadership: U.S. Attorney for Idaho Bart Davis will retire Oct. 17, ending a career that included 19 years in the Idaho Senate and two terms as the state’s top federal prosecutor. Campaign 2026: Independent Senate candidate Todd Achilles says he would caucus with neither party if elected, and has pledged to hold regular town halls across Idaho. In a Boise forum, gubernatorial challengers Terri Pickens and John Stegner criticized policies signed by Gov. Brad Little, who did not attend. Water Research: Scientists are preparing the broadest Treasure Valley well-water measurements in 25 years, a timely effort as the region faces pressure on its water supply. Industry: Blackfoot manufacturer Premier Technology will open its new 36,000-square-foot facility to the public Oct. 23, showcasing equipment that will let it machine large components in-house.

Family Support: Idaho received nearly $5 million in federal funding for voluntary home-visiting programs, about $595,000 more than last year, to support parents and young children. Nampa Economy: Steve Jenkins, who previously led economic development in Caldwell and worked at Idaho Power, took over as Nampa’s economic development director. Treasure Valley Water: State and federal hydrologists are measuring water levels in about 600 wells—triple the usual number—to better understand the region’s aquifer. It’s the broadest survey in 25 years. Election Stakes: Idaho voters will decide whether to give the Legislature sole authority over drug legalization, ending citizens’ ability to use ballot initiatives on the issue. The measure is part of a broader debate over voter power and November’s ballot. Idaho Business in Court: Boise-based Micron is suing Chinese chipmaker YMTC and a former engineer, alleging they used Micron trade secrets to develop memory chips. Separately, Albertsons accuses Kroger of failing to preserve a consultant’s notes in their dispute over the failed merger.

Boise Housing Boost: The City of Boise won $9 million in federal funding for The Fulton, a 50-unit permanent supportive housing project for people exiting homelessness, with construction not yet scheduled. Idaho Water Woes: At CEI, Rep. Britt Raybould and East Idaho farmers warned that low snowpack and a warmer El Niño outlook could mean tougher water years ahead, pushing new planning for water users. Election Prep in Franklin County: Commissioners approved a $369,617 election equipment purchase for on-demand ballot printing and overvote warnings, while delaying a federal watershed agreement by two weeks. Statehouse Watch: Idaho governor candidates Terri Pickens and John Stegner clashed with voters on immigration, nuclear waste, and Prop 1 abortion changes, while Gov. Brad Little skipped the forum. AG on Nuclear Plans: Idaho AG Raúl Labrador discussed nuclear energy and the proposed Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus at an East Idaho chamber event. Public Safety & Health: Twin Falls is setting up community support sessions for people affected by the In-N-Out shooting, and Idaho’s NRCS named Garrett Fish as state conservationist.

Community Support After Violence: Twin Falls is coordinating NOVA crisis sessions for people affected by the Aug. 1 In-N-Out shooting, with meetings set for Oct. 12-14, Oct. 28-30 and Nov. 7, including help for employees, first responders, nearby businesses, and schools. Idaho Health Costs: The Idaho Department of Insurance finalized 2027 premium rates, projecting average increases of about 12% for individual and small-group plans, with open enrollment for Jan. 1 coverage running Oct. 15-Dec. 15. Local Business & Banking Moves: Capra Bank announced Jeff Huhn as president for its Boise expansion, and Simplot named Erik Brandenburg president of its Global Food division effective Nov. 1. Entrepreneurship Spotlight: Boise Entrepreneur Week crowned Sonura Care, a neonatal care beanie startup, with a $50,000 grand prize. Energy & Tech Watch: Micron says customer commitments total $32B and expects tighter memory/storage supply in 2027-28, while Idaho’s role in new fab timelines remains a key part of the buildout. Election Money: Two Idaho PACs have raised about $7.5M so far for the abortion initiative (Prop 1), with spending at about $1.3M.

Idaho Politics & Elections: Supporters and opponents of Idaho’s abortion rights initiative, Prop 1, have raised millions, with campaign finance reports showing backers outpacing opponents so far as the Nov. 3 vote nears. Local Governance: Kootenai County voters will decide in November whether the county should keep managing Citylink North buses or whether cities should share control, with the advisory question tied to liability and responsibility rather than funding. Campaign Finance: Idaho Republicans hold a fundraising lead in statewide races, with Gov. Brad Little reporting more than $2.3 million raised in 2026 while challengers lag behind. Energy & Cost of Living: Idaho gas prices dipped slightly, with AAA putting the average at $4.95 a gallon—still high, but down four cents from last week. Environment & Public Lands: The U.S. Forest Service and Idaho Department of Lands expanded a partnership with new Good Neighbor Authority agreements, adding $12.4 million to speed forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction across Idaho. Mining & Jobs: Elk Range Mining says its maiden drill hole at the Friday gold project hit multiple depths of visible gold beyond the historical hole’s endpoint, with lab assays expected in late October or early November. Health & Community: The Silver Valley Snack Pak Program in Kellogg is working to fill weekend gaps for about 220 students, aiming to keep kids from going hungry when school meals stop.

Idaho Prison Update: Idaho women remain stuck behind bars even after parole, as overcrowding blocks access to required counseling and substance-use classes that parole commissioners demand. Legal Fight Over 9/11 Funds: Idaho AG Brenna Bird joined a multi-state brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to let 9/11 victims and families access frozen Taliban funds, arguing Congress intended blocked assets to satisfy judgments. Idaho Higher Ed & Rural Access: Lewis-Clark State College partnered with the Harry L. Bettis Foundation to create need-based scholarships for rural Idaho students, covering 100% of demonstrated FAFSA need. Boise State Sports Note: Tyson Degenhart, a Boise State alum, signed with the Toronto Raptors after his college run. Business & Consumer Watch: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of Gatorade sold in Idaho and many other states due to undeclared dyes. Policy & Politics: A national look at how political debates are disappearing, with Idaho cited as a state where debates are increasingly rare. Local Economy: WalletHub data flags parts of the Pacific Northwest—including Idaho metros—as places where housing costs have outpaced wage growth the most.

Idaho Politics & Courts: A former Boise police officer turned CEO is accused of helping conceal Russian ownership and software development at Oxygen Forensics to win U.S. government contracts, with prosecutors alleging the company’s digital forensics tech was built in Russia and that the cover-up continued after sanctions. Idaho Health Care: Idaho abortion rights advocates are shifting their pitch toward doctors, arguing the state’s ban has driven down obstetrics providers, leaving many counties without an OB-GYN and worsening access, wait times, and costs. Local Economy & Housing: Boise is buying a former bar property on State Street for a future affordable housing project, adding to the city’s push to expand options. Science & Space: NASA picked a Planetary Science Institute-led team to probe a possible lunar cave system, aiming to see if underground pits could someday protect astronauts from radiation and extreme temperatures. Tech & Business: Micron reported record results tied to AI memory demand, while analysts debate whether the stock’s “cheap” valuation can hold if profits normalize. Sports (Idaho): Boise State rolled over Utah State 31-10, while Idaho volleyball fell to Montana in conference play.

Idaho Abortion Debate: Abortion rights activists in Idaho are shifting their pitch toward doctors, arguing Prop 1’s ban has driven down obstetrics care—Idaho lost 94 of 268 OB-GYNs after the law took effect, leaving many counties without a practicing specialist. Nuclear Policy Watch: A guest commentary on Idaho National Laboratory’s Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus pushes back on “nuclear dumping ground” claims, saying used fuel research aims to reuse energy and reduce long-term hazard. Local Politics: Boise Democrat Rep. Steve Berch leads Idaho legislative fundraising in 2026, reporting $212,580 raised as of Tuesday, citing door-knocking and town halls. Idaho Science: University of Idaho researchers described a dark, nickel-sized spider—Hexura vandal—found near Kooskia, suggesting it may mark a rare, isolated mountain habitat. Business & Community: Farm Bureau Insurance Company of Idaho completed its acquisition of Mountain West Farm Bureau, expanding a regional insurer across Idaho and neighboring states. National/Global Notes: NASA selected a team to probe lunar underground caves for astronaut-safe escape routes; FDA warned of a Gatorade recall affecting 37 states, including Idaho.

Idaho Agriculture: A new look at the state’s farms and ranches says Idaho still anchors the economy—nearly 23,000 farms across 11.5 million acres, with agriculture supporting about 137,900 jobs and $8.2 billion a year in wages, plus top national production in potatoes and more. Local Business & Insurance: Farm Bureau Insurance Company of Idaho has completed its acquisition of Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance, expanding coverage across Idaho, Washington, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. Idaho Courts & Public Safety: Idaho’s attorney general filed suit against an alleged scammer selling fraudulent spotted lanternfly permits and training under the “Spotted Lanternfly Commission” name. Boise Community & Housing: Boise is buying a former State Street bar property for a future affordable housing project. Idaho Politics & Voting: Idaho voters face $307 million in school funding requests, adding pressure to the November ballot landscape. Idaho Sports: Boise State opens Pac-12 play against Utah State, with local coverage highlighting the matchup and what fans need to know. National Watch: A failed Tennessee execution involving Christa Pike is reigniting debate over how capital punishment works—and how often it goes wrong.

Idaho Politics & Schools: Idaho voters face $307 million in school funding requests ahead of the midterms, as districts push for more property-tax support for repairs, curriculum and staffing. Local Government: Canyon County and Caldwell are still negotiating over a women’s jail site, with rising costs and a potential move tied to urban renewal rules and other planning shifts. Idaho Sports: In a Friday-night stunner at the Kibbie Dome, Idaho upset No. 1 Montana State in the final seconds, spoiling the Bobcats’ long winning streak. College Football (Boise State): Week 5 has Boise State opening Pac-12 play vs. Utah State, with Boise heavily favored and the game set for 7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Health & Safety: Doctors warn families about energy drinks and kids after reports tied to caffeine-related heart risks. Wildfire Tech: Federal agencies are expanding drones and AI for wildfire mapping and response, including work underway in the Northern Rockies.

Idaho Mining & Jobs: Idaho Strategic Resources says it’s expanding near-mine drilling at the Golden Chest Mine, adding a third rig to speed up 2027 planning and reporting more high-grade gold hits in the Jumbo, Paymaster, Bush and Idaho veins. Canyon County Corrections: Canyon County and Caldwell are still negotiating over a women’s jail plan after rising costs, a new proposed site, and prolonged talks tied to land and development constraints. Pocatello Growth & Partnerships: Pocatello City Council approved ISU’s “Bengal Community Partnership” and also cleared the first phase of the Northgate Ridge development, paving the way for 110 homes. Local Construction Update: Pocatello is closing part of Hiline Road for signal and safety upgrades at Pearl Street/El Rancho, funded by a $2M state grant, with work expected to finish by late October. Idaho Higher Ed Leadership: The State Board of Education has named a nine-member search committee to find a new University of Idaho president after C. Scott Green’s retirement. Boise State Sports: Boise State opens Pac-12 play hosting Utah State, with the matchup framed as a familiar rivalry in a newly reshaped conference. National Policy Debate: A new Idaho-focused op-ed argues “Medicare for all” would require massive tax increases, citing reimbursement gaps between Medicare and private insurance.

Idaho Politics & Elections: Idaho GOP incumbents are holding a fundraising edge over Democrats across statewide races, with Gov. Brad Little leading the pack as voters head toward the Nov. 3 ballot. Ballot Measures: A new look at November ballot questions highlights elections/redistricting, taxes, and transgender policy as top themes, while Idaho’s Proposition 4 debate centers on whether the Legislature should get exclusive control over future drug-related voter initiatives. Housing & Local Economy: Boise is buying a former bar property on State Street for an affordable housing project, and Idaho’s Opportunity Zone 2.0 push cleared a key federal step with 25 new tracts certified for investment starting in 2027. Business & Jobs: Idaho ranked No. 2 for small business growth, adding 1,595 new small businesses, while Micron’s latest outlook keeps AI memory demand front and center for the Boise-area economy. Community & Safety: A Post Falls waterfront hotel, Templin’s on the River, is set to close in late October, and Boise Fire received a $2.3 million staffing grant to expand service at three stations.