Information provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of January 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
- Amid the warmest winter on record, snowpack across northern Idaho is far below normal, creating what a hydrologist at the Idaho Department of Water Resources have called a “snow drought.” Precipitation levels have been normal, but high temperatures have led to more rain than snow, allowing high runoff. The low snowpack makes it likely that northern Idaho will continue to see drought conditions for the fourth consecutive year. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee
- Heritage Health is breaking ground on Phase 2 of their Center for Healthy Living. When the new phase is completed, it will consolidate a variety of services in a single facility, including medical, dental, pediatric and behavioral health services. The Phase 2 facility will cost $4 million and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- An 85,000 square foot, $5 million indoor pickleball facility is under construction in Post Falls. Slated for opening in June, The Flying Pickle is the first northern Idaho franchise for the Meridian-based company. The facility will include 24 indoor courts. 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
- For December 2025, north central Idaho averaged 69 initial weekly unemployment insurance (UI) claims (an increase of 27% from December 2024) and 243 weekly continuing claims (an increase of 13% from December 2024). For the entirety of 2025, average weekly initial claims decreased 5% compared to 2024 while continuing claims increased by 16%. While average initial UI claims remain at fairly low levels, claimants likely filed UI for more weeks on average in 2025 than in 2024. Historically, 35-40% of total annual initial claims within north central Idaho occur during January-March (first quarter) and 60-70% occur within the first and fourth quarters. Source: Idaho Department of Labor UI Claims
- In the last six months of 2025, the number of single-family homes sold in north central Idaho increased 9% compared to the same period in 2024. Latah and Nez Perce counties accounted for over 70% of all regional homes sold in the period and the number of home sales increased by 11%. Nez Perce and Latah combined have 13% more active listings on the market than this time last year. The rural counties of Clearwater, Idaho and Lewis counties together had 5% more homes sold in 2025 while having 18% fewer active listings than at the end of 2024. Source: Lewis-Clark Association of Realtors
- Union Gospel Mission held the grand opening of the new LC Valley clean-and-sober homeless shelter in Lewiston at the end of January 2026. It will begin receiving guests Feb. 2. Source: Union Gospel Mission
- The University of Idaho was awarded a $1.3 million grant from the Department of Defense to focus on using machine learning models for early detection of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military service families. Research will focus on how smart wearable devices can detect physical signals of PTSD and how deployment-related stress affects behavior. The project grant will fund three graduate students and two postdoctoral researchers. Source: University of Idaho
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
- Clearwater Analytics, headquartered in downtown Boise, has been acquired by a private investment group for $8.4 billion. It will move from a publicly traded company domain upon approval by its shareholders who stand to gain a premium of 47% over its November trading price. Source: Idaho News 6
- The Village at Meridian is expanding, adding 100,000 square feet of space for retail and restaurants on 20 acres within six buildings. About one-third of the tenants are expected to be doing business by the 2026 holiday season. Signed leases place occupancy at 90% thus far, including retail such as Alo Yoga, Vuori, Kendra Scott and Flower Child. Two of the buildings are expected to house stand-alone restaurants to be finished later, likely in 2027. Source: Idaho Statesman
- Blue Cross of Idaho announced it will lay off 89 staff across various departments at their Meridian headquarters. Some of the employees laid off will be eligible for six months of severance. According to the company, they are implementing restructuring and efficiency measures. Source: CBS2 News
- West Valley Humane Society lost its contract with Canyon County and the cities of Nampa and Caldwell after requesting a significant increase in its contract. It requested an appeal stating the new service provider, Copper Quill Haven, is not ready with a plan of operation. Copper Quill Haven is run by a veterinary doctor and her husband who own three Idaho hospitals in Nampa, Idaho Falls and Moscow. The appeal was rejected. West Valley handled 7,000 animals annually. Source: Idaho Press
- Costco submitted an official application to build a warehouse store with a fuel station in Eagle. There are currently three other Costco warehouses in the Treasure Valley. Source: Idaho News 6
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
- The College of Southern Idaho held an opening ceremony for its new Transportation Technology Center. The 28,000 square-foot facility will house the college’s heavy equipment, diesel technology and agricultural technology programs. The building will also collaborate with the Twin Falls School District, offering opportunities to high school students. Source: KMVT
- Pomerelle Mountain Resort opened its ski slopes Dec. 21 after a lengthy wait for snow. Source: KMVT
- Soldier Mountain opened Jan. 10, as the lack of snowfall has delayed ski resorts across the state. Source: KMVT
- Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, has opened at their new location in Twin Falls. Source: KMVT
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
- Pocatello hit a record high of 57 degrees Fahrenheit on Christmas. Meteorologist, Andrew McKaughan, highlighted the unusual weather with several days this winter at an elevated 15-20 degrees higher than average. Previously, meteorologists expected a La Nina for the winter of 2025 and 2026 which would have resulted in a colder winter and more snowfall. Meteorologist, Dan Valle, says that while there has been rain which is good from an aquifer standpoint, the lack of snow is bad from a reservoir standpoint. Source: KPVI News, East Idaho News
- Bingham Memorial Hospital and Portneuf Medical Center have partnered with Virchow Medical Inc. to pilot a new program to better analyze biopsies, reducing the need for repeated cell collection. Source: East Idaho News
- The Mountain View Event Center expansion is expected to open mid-February. The extra 20,000 square feet of the ICCU Field House will be used to host indoor sports like baseball and soccer. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The Center Street Underpass Project resumed under Cannon Builders. The project aims to improve safety and aesthetics. Source: East Idaho News
- The Crossroads Restaurant, a steakhouse, opened in Soda Springs in the place of the recently closed Caribou Jacks Hardware. Source: Idaho State Journal
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
- Based in Idaho Falls, the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium’s Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Corridor Tech Hub application has advanced to the next proposal stage for $73 million in federal funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The funding would support five projects focused on accelerating advanced nuclear reactor deployment, modernizing fuel management, growing the nuclear workforce, reinvigorating the nuclear supply chain and scaling nuclear innovation. The projects could generate $190 million in economic impact and create over 900 high-paying jobs in the region. Final grant decisions are expected in spring 2026. Source: Post Register
- The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) in Idaho Falls enrolled a record-breaking 625 students in apprenticeship programs for 2026. This is three consecutive years of enrollment increases. With a surge in demand for skilled trades, CEI programs like electrical, plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning have filled a workforce need in growth industries. Source: East Idaho News
- Child nutrition programs in 20 schools from nine school districts in the eastern Idaho region received $420,000 in total grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Source: Idaho Department of Education
- January precipitation, as reported by Idaho SNOTEL, has snow water equivalent in the Lost, Wood, Henry’s Fork-Teton, Salmon and Snake (above Palisades) basins ranging from 87% – 131% of normal. Henry’s Fork-Teton basin registered the lowest, while Little Wood had the highest. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
- The active inventory of homes for sale in eastern Idaho has increased by 13% over the year. Regional home prices have also increased by 6% since this time last year as the quantity of homes under contract has remained fairly level. Homes for sale regionwide are also staying on the market 26 more days on average than they did last year at this time. Source: Realtor.com Inventory Core Metrics
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 SFY26 as part of a Workforce Information grant (41%) and state/nonfederal funds (59%) totaling $860,595.
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.