Idaho Public Radio

01/18/2024

A bit of a breather, weather-wise, in the Moscow area for much of today.

Then, a Winter Weather Advisory is posted from 4:00 p.m. PT today through 3:00 p.m. PT on Friday.

01/18/2024

Join us on THURSDAY, Jan. 18 for a concert featuring duality - Vanessa Sielert, saxophone and Catherine Anderson, piano. 7:30 p.m. in Haddock Performance Hall. FREE! The program looks fantastic with Paul Bonneau, Gary Carpenter and more. View the program at https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/class/departments/lhsom/programs/spring-2024/1-18-24-duality-program And if you can't make it in person, watch the livestream at https://www.youtube.com//streams

01/18/2024

Moscow area forecast:

The Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 10:00 p.m. PT Jan. 17.

Heavy snow and areas of blowing and drifting snow are expected, the National Weather Service said. Additional snow accumulations of up to 2 inches.

01/17/2024

: WSU Pullman is suspending operations after 2 p.m. today, January 17, 2024. The early closure is intended to allow all non-essential personnel and students to have additional travel time and to leave campus before the storm worsens. We anticipate resuming normal operations tomorrow. Please see https://hrs.wsu.edu/resources/inclement-weather/ for additional information. Original alert post: https://alert.wsu.edu/2024/01/17/suspended-operations/ 🐾

01/17/2024

[10:40 AM, January 17th] Here's a look at current wind gusts around the Pullman/Moscow/Lewiston area. Gusts up to 45 mph will continue through the evening. Reduced visibilities due to blowing snow will be likely as our second round of snow moves in this afternoon. 🌨️🍃

01/17/2024

“Each year that I come here it is to partner with you to uphold and sustain this rule of law.”

Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan delivered the annual State of the Judiciary address to both chambers of the Idaho Legislature on Wednesday.

Bevan said challenges facing the state's judicial system include compensation for judges, security for personnel in the courts system, and a growing caseload.

Chief Justice Bevan praised the Idaho judiciary as "strong and accomplished."

"Our work with treatment courts, restoring people to being productive members of society, continues to set national standards," Bevan told lawmakers, and said that the judicial branch worked this past year to improve its approach to domestic violence, worked on custody disputes and a myriad of other issues that impact all walks of life in Idaho.

"Working together, our branches can truly improve life for the people of this state," Chief Justice Bevan said.

The Chief Justice first addressed the Idaho Senate and immediately after delivered the same speech to the Idaho House.

(Sophie Spanbauer, photo)

01/17/2024

"This is a historic day in JFAC," the budget committee's co-chair, Rep. Wendy Horman, said to open Tuesday's meeting, "as we contemplate different ways of doing our business that we believe are more transparent and accountable."

JFAC has moved into a new procedure this session, and voted 15-3 on Tuesday to pass a series of maintenance operations budgets in hopes of getting some budget bills to the House and Senate earlier in the session for votes.

"Historically, we make statewide decisions later in session, in about week seven," Horman told the committee. "We're advancing that to week two."

Under the new procedure, JFAC will take up new proposals and new requests later in the session.

"One of our goals is to reduce the redundancy of working through things that we did last year that are essentially the same this year," co-chair Sen. Scott Grow said.

The maintenance budgets passed Tuesday covered about 90 state agencies, and totaled about $5.1 billion. The budgets passed included those for public schools, the Office of the State Board of Education (including colleges and universities, U of I Agricultural Research and Extension, and Idaho Public Television), and Constitutional Officers.

Looking ahead: the University of Idaho is scheduled before JFAC on February 28, as is Lewis Clark State College. U of I based programs such as Forest Utilization Research and the Idaho Geological Survey are scheduled for January 25.

01/17/2024

More than 50 artists from the Palouse region have contributed to “Honest Portrayal," the new exhibition at the Third Street Gallery at Moscow City Hall.

The long and rich history of portraits is explored in the exhibition.

The City of Moscow and the Moscow Arts Commission say the exhibition will be on view at the Third Street Gallery starting on January 18, 2024, and running through April 5, 2024.

The public is invited to the artist reception from 4 – 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 18.

01/17/2024

Idaho news briefs:

* A reminder from the Idaho Transportation Department: "Please give our plows space and stay attentive." Six ITD snowplows have been struck by drivers this winter.

* Idaho Fish and Game says winter wildlife aerial surveys and capture work continues in the Clearwater Region. Winter wildlife work will continue throughout the month of January.

* USDA says winter wheat seedings in the Northwest are down slightly from 2023. Idaho growers seeded 740,000 acres for the 2024 crop, down 1% from 2023. Oregon farmers planted 740,000 acres, unchanged from 2023. Washington growers planted 1.8 million acres, unchanged from 2023.

* Lewis-Clark State College’s spring semester enrollment is on the rise, according to first-day numbers released by the college on Tuesday. Compared to a year ago, LC State’s fulltime enrollment is up 2.2% while its overall headcount has climbed 1.4%.

01/17/2024

Afternoon forecast package shows total snow amounts are largely the same. Snow will start late this evening/tonight folks! Get your final storm preparations done. Commutes will be very snowy tomorrow.

01/16/2024

Idaho received additional grant funds in the past year to enroll another 33,000 acres in the Forest Legacy Program.

“Citizens who enjoy recreation in the forests, working families and Idaho communities benefit from the Forest Legacy Program because it keeps working forests working,” Idaho State Forester Craig Foss told the Idaho Land Board Tuesday. “Under this voluntary program private landowners can apply to sell the development rights to their timberland at a fair market value but retain ownership of the land.”

Idaho has more than 103,000 acres of timberland enrolled in its Forest Legacy Program, mostly in the state’s northern counties.

“Forest Legacy lets private landowners continue to manage their land, pay taxes on it, and retain the revenue it generates,” Foss said. “Most importantly, enrolled acreage remains as productive timberland forever, which means the land will continue to produce the trees and fiber that helps employee thousands and fuel Idaho’s $2.5 billion forest products industry.”

To be eligible, properties must be privately owned, over five acres, 75% forested, and within a priority landscape area as defined by the Idaho Forest Action Plan. Funding is awarded through a competitive, nationwide process.

01/16/2024

Average gas prices in Idaho are now below the national average.

Prices in Idaho dropped another seven cents on average this week.

AAA Idaho says the average price for a gallon of regular in Idaho is $3.04, which is seven cents less than a week ago, 32 cents less than a month ago, and 33 cents less than a year ago.

The pump prices in Moscow run higher than the statewide average.

The national average currently sits at $3.07 per gallon, a penny less than a week ago, the same price as a month ago, and 24 cents cheaper than a year ago.

Idaho ranks 20th in the country for most expensive fuel, improving by three spots in the rankings in just the past few days, AAA said.

01/16/2024

01/16/2024

The University of Idaho Outdoor Program is presenting the 19th Annual Backcountry Film Festival on Jan. 17 in support of the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center and the Wallowa Avalanche Center.

Info: https://www.kenworthy.org/events-calendar/backcountry-film-festival-2/

01/16/2024

Idaho legislative news briefs:

• The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee did not meet Monday. JFAC goes into FY ‘25 maintenancence budget setting on Tuesday.

• The Idaho Human Rights Day/Martin Luther King Jr. Day event was held at the Idaho State Capitol on Monday. The event included remarks from Gov. Brad Little and a performance by Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo Idaho! (Sophie Spanbauer, reporting and photo)

• Idaho State University College of Pharmacy students hosted Pharmacy Day at the Idaho State Capitol on Jan. 15. The free services included cholesterol screening and health information. (Sophie Spanbauer, reporting and photo)

01/16/2024

It’s now a Winter Storm Warning for an area including the Palouse from 10:00 p.m. PT Tuesday to 4:00 a.m. PT Thursday.

Heavy snow expected, the National Weather Service said. Snow accumulations between 6 to 12 inches in the valleys and 12 to 18 inches in the mountains.

01/15/2024

The Idaho House State Affairs Committee on Monday morning sent HB 384, the bill on harmful materials in libraries, to the House floor with a ‘do pass’ recommendation.

"There's no book banning, and there's no book burning," Rep. Jaron Crane (R-Nampa), the bill's sponsor, told the committee. "We're simply codifying a relocation policy."

"The Children's School and Library Protection Act' would require public schools and community libraries to take reasonable steps in restricting children's access to obscene or harmful material.

Under this legislation, a parent or guardian of a minor child who accesses such material in violation of the policy could bring a civil action.

Heather Stout offered remote testimony against the bill from her ranch just north of Genesee.

"Parents determine what their own children can and cannot read, not other parents, not library staff, and certainly not the Idaho Legislature," Stout said.

Nina Beesley of Kootenai County testified remotely in favor of the bill.

"I want to remind this committee that we are talking about the sexual exploitation of minors," Beesley said.

HB 384 passed the committee on a vote of 11-2.

The bill goes to the House. It must pass there, and in the Senate, and be signed by Governor Little, to become law.

You can see the full bill here: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2024/legislation/H0384/

(Sophie Spanbauer, photos)

01/15/2024

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Eastern Washington and North Idaho Tuesday afternoon through Thursday morning.

01/15/2024

The Idaho Supreme Court is proposing stable technology funding for local courts, preserving access to justice through remote court proceedings and other tools after years of declining revenue meant to support technology.

The proposal is contained in the Court's annual report to the public and lawmakers: https://annualreport.isc.idaho.gov/

The Idaho Supreme Court is requesting five new full-time, permanent positions: two in its Finance Division, two in its Human Resources Division, and one in the office of the Administrative Director of Courts, to keep up with increasing court programs and services.

The report also includes information on Idaho’s treatment courts, family court services, local trial court financing and the overall structure of the court system.

“Our courts offer citizens a fair and peaceful way to resolve their disputes,” Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan wrote in a letter to lawmakers introducing the report. “Despite the pressures of our current times, Idaho’s courts remain a bulwark sustaining the rule of law and ensuring it applies equally to all.”

01/14/2024

Idaho Governor Brad Little delivered the 2024 State of the State and Budget Address on Jan. 8.

Sophie Spanbauer reports.

https://idahopublicradio.wordpress.com/2024/01/14/little-delivers-2024-state-of-the-state-address/

01/14/2024

There is increased potential for widespread snow Tuesday night through Thursday. Current probabilities suggest that areas across the Cascades, northeast Washington, and the Idaho Panhandle will experience significant snowfall during this period.

01/14/2024

Avista said Sunday morning that customers can resume normal energy use.

The utility had issued requests Friday and Saturday asking customers to conserve energy due to a mechanical issue with one of its natural gas suppliers' equipment and the cold weather.

“We would like to express our sincere appreciation to our customers for taking additional measures to conserve energy,” said Heather Rosentrater, Avista president and chief operating officer. “We are deeply grateful for our customers' understanding, cooperation, and efforts to conserve energy during this period.”

01/14/2024

Avista has renewed its request to its customers to continue conserving energy for the next 12 hours.

The new request came Saturday night.

Avista says its natural gas supplier, TC Energy, has successfully repaired the mechanical problems with its natural gas compressor stations. That and the very cold temperatures were the leading factors in the utility making the original conservation request on Friday.

Avista and other regional utilities are requesting continued conservation of natural gas and electric use due to the ongoing low temperatures and to help the stabilization of the energy system.

01/14/2024

The ‘Idaho Freedom to Read-In’ event was held at the Idaho State Capitol on Saturday.

Organizers said the event was aimed at legislation they say is threatening the “right to choose what you and your family read.”

Bills have been proposed In both the Idaho House and Senate that supporters say are meant to keep harmful materials away from children.

Saturday’s event was a collaboration between the Idaho Library Association, Meridian Library Alliance, North Central Idaho Alliance, Community Library Network Alliance, and Rediscovered Bookshop.

(Sophie Spanbauer, photos)

01/14/2024

Keeping an eye on the potential for widespread snow from Tuesday night through Thursday. This image highlights the chance of 4 inches or more within the 48-hour window from 4 PM Tuesday to 4 PM Thursday. It's important to note that these numbers are subject to change as the event approaches. Current probabilities suggest that areas across the Cascades, northeast Washington, and the Idaho Panhandle might experience significant snowfall during this period, with a probability of over 60% for 4 inches or more. Stay updated with latest forecast at weather.gov/Spokane.

01/13/2024

Avista is asking customers to conserve natural gas for the next 24 hours due to a mechanical issue occurring with a transmission natural gas provider.

“Our gas transmission suppliers are working diligently to resolve this issue,” Heather Rosentrater, Avista President and Chief Operating Officer, said. “We recognize the hardship this request presents our customers given the extreme cold temperatures.”

The utility says the issue is affecting its ability to supply natural gas to homes and businesses throughout its service territory.

Avista says itts local gas system is safe and was not damaged by the third party’s equipment issue.

01/13/2024

The City of Moscow, the University of Idaho, and Latah County have partnered with the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse and the American Red Cross to offer an overnight warming shelter during this cold snap.

The Unitarian Universalist Church has opened its doors at 420 East Second Street and will be open nightly from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. as of Friday, January 12, until 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17.

01/13/2024

Moscow area forecast:

Wind Chill Warning.

Mostly clear overnight, with a low around -15. Wind chill values as low as -35. East wind 6 to 9 mph. Saturday looks to be sunny and cold, with a high near 4. Wind chill values as low as -32. East wind 10 to 13 mph.

01/12/2024

It’s something that hasn’t happened in nearly a year, AAA Idaho says— on Friday, Idaho’s average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is the same as the national average, at $3.07 per gallon.

Idaho’s average price is about seven cents less than a week ago, 35 cents less than a month ago, and 31 cents less than a year ago.

The U.S. average is just two cents cheaper than a week ago, six cents cheaper than a month ago, and 20 cents cheaper than a year ago, AAA said.

Pump prices in Moscow tend to run above the statewide average.

01/12/2024

Idaho legislative news briefs:

• Probation and parole policies and an overview of the state’s criminal justice system were among the topics Friday as lawmakers on House and Senate Judiciary Committees held a joint meeting at the Lincoln Auditorium.

• “In the coming weeks, the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) will present budgets for its eight divisions, which provide services to more than 451,000 Idahoans with the purpose of helping those less fortunate, protecting our children and challenged adults, and promoting resiliency. We’re grateful to policy makers for recognizing and supporting those efforts.”— DHW Interim Director Dean Cameron, in his Friday Blog.

• PHOTO: On Friday, Senate Pro Tem Chuck Winder spoke to the Senate State Affairs Committee on his gubernatorial reappointment to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board. (Sophie Spanbauer, reporting and photo)