Information provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of February 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
- Axis Spine Center opened a new facility within the Northwest Specialty Hospital Network in Post Falls. The new facility provides a wide range of spine and pain management services, including diagnostics, rehabilitation services and surgical interventions. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- A joint venture between Americas Gold and Silver and United States Antimony will build and operate a new antimony processing plant at the Galena Mine near Wallace. The partnership will create a fully domestic and complete supply chain for antimony, which is a critical mineral used in special alloys, semiconductors, batteries and other products. Construction will be completed within 18 months of budget approval. 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
- During January 2026, north central Idaho averaged 40 initial weekly unemployment insurance (UI) claims (a 27% decrease from the 55 in January 2025) and 330 weekly continuing claims (a decrease of 5% from the 349 in January 2025). Source: Idaho Department of Labor UI Claims
- Rayonier and PotlatchDeltic Corporation merged operations at the end of January 2026 and are now known as Rayonier. The combined land resources REIT entity is expected to save $40 million in annual cost savings. Rayonier manages 4.2 million acres of U.S. timberland (624,000 in Idaho’s panhandle), six sawmills (one in St. Maries), an industrial-grade plywood mill (in St. Maries), real estate developments and a rural land sales program. Source: Rayonier
- Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories has started site preparation for its new $50 million, 250,000 square foot electronic device manufacturing facility in Moscow. When completed in late 2027, the new facility is likely to create approximately 1,000 local jobs. Source: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
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
- Saint Alphonsus Health System, owned by Trinity Health, announced an estimated $450 million expansion impacting both Meridian and Nampa facilities. Source: Idaho Press
- McCall’s Idaho Sled Dog Challenge has been discontinued after three consecutive years of canceling the largest legs of the race, the 100-mile and the 300-mile races. Source: The Star-News
- The city of Meridian broke ground on a new community center estimated to cost approximately $21.4 million. Source: Idaho Statesman
- National lawmakers approved the appropriation of $6.4 million toward constructing a second elementary school at the Mountain Home Air Force Base. Source: Mountain Home News
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
- Mountain Rides has expanded its airport service beginning in the middle of February. The service will operate seven days a week from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
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
- Idaho State University is reducing its workforce by 45 positions of which 16 or 17 are already vacant. This is part of an initiative to reduce spending by $8 million. Other areas of change include structural changes, revenue growth and diversification. The College of Education is being absorbed into the new College of Humanities, Education and Social Science. In the College of Science and Engineering; biochemistry, microbiology and anatomy and physiology have all merged into the new Department of Biomedical Sciences. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Faculty reduction: 12 of 634
- Staff reduction: 21 of 1,102
- Administration reduction: 11 of 75
- LA Semiconductor hired Macquarie Group to facilitate the sale of its Pocatello manufacturing facility. Macquarie is marketing the plant as a “ready-to-run,” low risk, onshore and Department of State International Traffic in Arms Regulations registered factory. (This is an important certification for military contracts.) LA Semiconductor has owned the foundry since 2021 when it purchased from Onsemi. If no sale is made by April, 350 employees will be laid off. Source: East Idaho News
- The Portneuf Urgent Care on Bullock Street in Pocatello opened. The clinic provides walk in care like most clinics, but will be fully integrated into the Portneuf Medical Center’s services. This means that, should more care be needed, it will be easier to get in touch with a Portneuf Medical Group specialist. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The bridge on Center Street in Grace is being replaced. The primary road for the community will be closed as construction to improve safety and traffic flow commences. Source: The News-Examiner
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
- Idaho Falls Regional Airport received $12 million in federal funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act for phase one of terminal expansion. The airport is planning to expand outbound baggage operations, additional ticket queueing, counter space for additional air service, a second-level space for future passenger hold areas and expansion of the security screening checkpoint. Source: KIFI
- Yellowstone National Park hosted an estimated 4,763,164 recreation visits in 2025. This is the second-most on record, 1% more than last year, but 2% fewer than the park’s 2021 record. Source: Buckrail
- The new Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center North Idaho Falls emergency room opened — the region’s first free-standing ER. Source: KIFI
- County commissioners voted 3-2 to close the Five County Detention and Youth Rehabilitation Center (5C) in St. Anthony. This closure laid off 21 staff members. Source: East Idaho News
- Battelle Energy Alliance, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contractor at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), reduced its staff by an estimated 27 employees in February due to internal restructuring. Around 120 total employee layoffs are projected through the federal fiscal year (ending September 2026) at the site. More than 6,400 engineers, researchers and support staff work at INL. Another DOE contractor, Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC) which manages nuclear waste cleanup operations at INL, confirmed last month fewer than 50 employees were impacted by a voluntary separation program. The IEC employs around 1,600 people. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
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.