Idaho Public Radio

01/07/2025

The University of Idaho has submitted an amended version of the Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership grant to the United States Department of Agriculture.

The grant, awarded in 2024, was terminated in April due to revised federal guidelines; USDA said U of I could resubmit.

The grant was the largest in U of I history, at about $59 million. It was intended to provide payment directly to Idaho producers for developing sustainable agricultural practices.

01/07/2025

Update:

A ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new four-lane section of U.S. Highway 95 from Thorn Creek to Moscow, originally scheduled for Monday, was cancelled due to the ongoing emergency in Coeur d'Alene requiring law enforcement resources.

01/07/2025

🚧 Heads up, travelers! Rainbow Bridge update:

June 30 – July 2 (Monday - Wednesday): 24-hour lane restrictions. 11-foot width restriction in place.

July 3-6 (Thursday - Sunday): All lanes will be open across the bridge during the day and night for the holiday weekend. Lane restrictions will resume on Monday morning.

01/07/2025

Idaho news briefs:

• Police on Monday named 20 year old Wess Roley as the suspect in the attack on firefighters at Canfield Mountain. He was found dead by su***de at the scene late on Sunday, according to Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris. Police believe Roley set a brush fire to bring firefighters to the scene.

• Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County fire and rescue officials have identified Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison as the firefighters killed in Sunday’s shooting at Canfield Mountain. CDAFD Engineer David Tysdal was taken to the hospital after being shot, and is in the ICU.

• Idaho U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch led a moment of silence in the United States Senate Monday to remember Idaho's fallen firefighters.

• In State of Idaho v. Bryan C. Kohberger, the defendant has agreed to plead guilty to murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022 in a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, according to several media reports on Monday, and will serve four consecutive life sentences. A hearing will be held Wednesday.

30/06/2025

30/06/2025

The Nettleton Gulch Fire near Canfield Mountain at Coeur d’Alene is currently about 26 acres.

The Idaho Department of Lands says crews were able to establish hand lines on two-thirds of the west flank on Sunday night. The fire is burning in timber.

There are no evacuations and no structures at risk, IDL said.

The cause of the Nettleton Gulch fire remains under investigation. Law enforcement believes it was set to lure firefighters to the scene. Two firefighters were killed Sunday.

All wildfires under IDL protection are investigated.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place and remains in effect over the Canfield Mountain area.

30/06/2025

The Old Greer Fire is now 25% contained and remains approximately 78 acres, across the river from Greer.

Crews are continuing to work on containment and mop up hot spots today to stay ahead of the warmer weather.

Old Greer Grade remains closed. No evacuations are in place.

30/06/2025

We are devastated by the tragic loss of two brave firefighters from Kootenai County Fire & Rescue and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, and the critical injury of a third. Our hearts go out to their families, colleagues, and the entire firefighting community.

Thank you to those offering help and services. We are grateful for the outstanding support from the community at this time.

30/06/2025

Idaho Governor Brad Little has ordered U.S. flags and State of Idaho flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor the firefighters killed at Canfield Mountain.

"The entire State of Idaho grieves the profound loss of the firefighters killed in the shocking ambush in North Idaho,” Little said. “All our public safety officers, especially our firefighters, bravely confront danger on a daily basis but we have never seen a heinous act of violence like this on our firefighters before. This is not Idaho. This indescribable loss is felt deeply by all those in the firefighting community and beyond.”

Flags will be lowered immediately until the day following the firefighters' memorial service.

PHOTO: Idaho National Guard, Moscow, June 30, 2025.

(Updated)

30/06/2025

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said Sunday night the gunman in the Canfield Mountain shooting started a fire to ambush firefighters.

Police believe the gunman acted alone. The gunman was found deceased.

Two firefighters were killed in the anbush, police said, and a third was out of surgery.

The Idaho Department of Lands said Sunday night the Nettleton Gulch Fire near Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene is about 15-20 acres, with numerous snags and steep terrain. IDL crews were unable to access the fire until the area was deemed safe, at around 7:30 p.m.