Information provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of May and includes professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.
Northern Idaho
North central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South central Idaho
Southeastern Idaho
Eastern Idaho
NORTHERN IDAHO
Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties
Regional news
Kootenai County
- North Idaho College’s (NIC) trustees voted unanimously to bring forward a $58.9 million budget for fiscal year 2026 which includes the college’s first tuition increase since 2019. The budget proposal includes a tuition increase of $5.50 per credit for in-district students and $6 per credit for all other students. The budget proposal would shrink NIC’s budget deficit from $5.2 million in fiscal year 2025 to $1.2 million in the upcoming fiscal year. Even with the proposed tuition increase, NIC’s tuition rates would remain tied with the College of Southern Idaho, which is the lowest in the state. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- School levies in Post Falls and Lakeland School District passed with 62% and 66% support, respectively. Post Falls passed a $5.9 million per year supplemental levy which will support extracurriculars, school safety measures, staff salaries andother items. Lakeland passed a $7.5 million per year supplemental levy. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- The Post Falls City Council approved a $11.7 million project to design and build a new public works operations center. The new facility will eventually house the city’s streets, water operations and utility divisions. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
Samuel.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2353
NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO
Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties
Regional news
- Rite Aid filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early May and might potentially close or sell all locations within the next few months while working to transfer customer prescriptions to other local pharmacies. Rite Aid currently operates eight locations within Idaho, including north central locations in both Lewiston and Moscow. Source: Rite Aid
Nez Perce County
- Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC) and Idaho State University (ISU) signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly offer a five-year program for completion of both a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Master of Science in Athletic Training. Students will study exercise science for three years at LCSC and will then transfer to ISU for the final two years. Source: Big Country News
- Job fairs were hosted by both Hobby Lobby and Courtyard by Marriott in preparation for their brand-new locations opening summer of 2025 in Lewiston. Source: Hobby Lobby, Courtyard by Marriott
Idaho County
- The Hope Center in Grangeville is transitioning to become the Reliance Center of North Central Idaho. The partnership with Lewiston’s Reliance Center will expand services in women’s reproductive health care, pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, sexually transmitted infection testing and school outreach programs. The grand opening of the Grangeville location is scheduled for October 2025. Source: Big Country News Connection
Latah County
- Construction of the brand-new Home Depot store in Moscow is complete and the store will open the last week of May. Source: Home Depot
Clearwater County
- Orofino City Council approved the Airport Master Plan and it will be sent to the Federal Aviation Administration for approval. Key projects within the next five years include extension of the runway safety area and to build the remaining section of the parallel taxiway. Source: Clearwater Tribune
Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2256
SOUTHWESTERN IDAHO
Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley and Washington counties
Regional news
Ada County
- A celebration was held in honor of the Italian consulate office opening in Boise. Source: Idaho Press
Gem County
- The Emmett School District announced the launch of an online school option for its students. It offers three learning formats coined fully online instruction, hybrid learning and home-based education support. Source: KTVB News
Canyon County
- Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) received a grant award of $337,000 from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to establish a training and mentorship program between NNU faculty and local high school science teachers. The impact will cover four years and will liaison eight faculty members in disciplines such as biology, chemistry and engineering with nine high school science teachers. Source: Idaho Business Review
- A new family medicine residency program is starting this summer at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Nampa. Source: Idaho Business Review
Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2172
SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO
Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties
Regional news
Cassia County
- The Bank of Commerce had its grand opening in Burley. Source: Magic Valley Times News
Gooding County
- The Gooding Pro Rodeo is adding some new upgrades before its 100-year anniversary this year. One hundred and twenty-five new seats will be added, in addition to installing jumbotrons for better viewing. Source: KMVT
Twin Falls County
- St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center is working with the College of Southern Idaho to create a part-time registered nursing program. It would take a student an additional year to complete, but their work can be done in the evenings and their clinical on the weekends. This program will help those with current work schedules or child care issues to be able to work towards a new path in a way that works for them. Source: KMVT
- St. Luke’s Health System opened a retail pharmacy in Twin Falls, which can be used whether you are a St. Luke’s patient or not. Source: Magic Valley Times News
- Sierra, an outdoor and activewear product retailer, has opened in Twin Falls. Source: Magic Valley Times News
Seth.Harrington@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2364
SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO
Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida and Power counties
Regional news
Bannock County
- Idaho State University’s College of Business received a $3,000,000 endowment from an anonymous donor. The college plans to invest in things like scholarships, class activities and renovations. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Phil Meador Subaru issued a $16,500 grant to the Bannock Humane Society. This comes at a time known as “kitten season” to the organization where expenses are up as the inflow of new kittens and the cost of fixing them increase. The grant will also help pay for other general medical expenses and food. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Lava Elementary in Lava Hot Springs closed due to low enrollment. Staff and teachers have moved forward with a plan to turn the elementary into a charter school. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bear Lake County
- Bear Lake Middle School in the city of Montpelier was recognized as an Idaho STEM Designated School. It was listed as one of 12 schools statewide and was the only public middle school to receive the accreditation. Source: The News Examiner
Bingham County
- The Shoshone Bannock Community Health Center broke ground on its new clinic. The clinic will replace the current clinic and will include an in-house pharmacy, exam rooms, labs and physical therapy. Source: KPVI News
Brandon.Duong@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 236-6715
EASTERN IDAHO
Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton counties
Regional news
- The governors of Idaho, Wyoming and Utah signed a memoranda of understanding for their states to coordinate nuclear infrastructure and accelerate nuclear development. Source: Idaho Capital Sun
- The Idaho Falls Football Club hosted the largest soccer tournament in the state with 250 teams from Idaho, Utah, Montana and Wyoming. The tournament took place across nine locations around Idaho Falls. Approximately 10,000 people attended which created an estimate of over $1 million in economic impact. Source: Bonneville Youth Soccer League
- Idaho National Laboratory and Boise State University have partnered to develop 3D-printable magnetostrictive ink. The agreement will enhance advanced manufacturing research focusing on materials for extreme environments and nuclear energy. Source: Idaho Business Review
- Idaho and the U.S. Department of Energy have agreed to a 1995 nuclear waste settlement agreement waiver allowing shipment of spent nuclear fuel into Idaho for conducting research at Idaho National Laboratory. Source: Idaho National Laboratory
- The College of Eastern Idaho received Idaho’s highest institution ranking under The Carnegie Foundation’s new Institutional Classification for Student Access and Earnings by providing strong pathways for access, education and career outcomes. Source: College of Eastern Idaho
- March visitation for this year at Yellowstone National Park exceeded 33,000 people and had a 1% increase compared to March 2024. During the fiscal year ending in March 2025, over 4.74 million people visited the park, which equaled 5% more visitors, compared to 2024. Source: National Park Service
Ryan.Whitesides@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of a Workforce Information grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.