Category Archives: News Releases

Idaho Teens Earn National Volunteer Award

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 26, 2020
Information Contact: Renee Bade, (208) 332-3578 ext. 4061

Idaho teens Lilian Smith of Coeur d’ Alene and Kaleb Chatelain of Ammon were named Idaho’s top two youth volunteers of 2020 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.  The award program, in its 25th year, honors young people in each state for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

Smith and Chatelain will be awarded $1,000 each, an engraved medallion and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for four days of national recognition events.

Smith, 17, a junior at Coeur d’ Alene High School, co-founded a nonprofit that has organized competitive math teams and/or peer mentoring math programs at 12 local schools over the past three years. When Lilian was in fifth grade, she joined a math team and loved it. But “I knew that many kids in my community, especially at schools that serve low-income families, did not have this opportunity,” she said. So three years ago, Lilian outlined a program that could encourage kids to have fun with STEM subjects while improving their math and critical thinking skills.

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Film Addresses Crimes Against Indigenous Women in U.S. and Canada

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 22, 2020
Information Contact: Benjamin Earwicker, (208) 334-2873 ext. 4055

The public is invited to attend a screening of the film Somebody’s Daughter, a documentary about missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada and the United States. It will be shown March 16, 6 p.m., at the Linen Building, 1402 W. Grove St. in Boise.

This film not only tells stories of the indigenous women and their families, but the jurisdictional and socioeconomic barriers they face, as well.

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Idaho Job Corps Seeks Youth with Barriers to Education, Employment

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 4, 2020
Information Contact: Tina Polishchuk, (208) 442-4500

Program expands to colleges in Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene

Idaho Job Corps Center staff are looking for income-eligible candidates to fill 70 openings at the state-run facility in Nampa. Idahoans between the ages of 16–24 who are interested in the program, designed to help low-income youth obtain higher education and on-the-job training, should call the center or take a campus tour offered every Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Sixty-eight students are enrolled and receiving services. Some are earning their high school diploma or a GED. Others are enrolled as college students at College of Western Idaho and working toward careers in high-growth industries such as nurses, pharmacy techs, welders, information technology specialists, carpenters, HVAC technicians, electricians, engineers and more.

“We’re looking for young Idahoans who are facing barriers to education and employment,” said Idaho Department of Labor Director Jani Revier. “Our goal is to remove those barriers, put people on a solid career path, find them technical training and make sure they have a job and an hourly living wage of at least $16 by the time they graduate.”

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December Unemployment Rate Remains Unchanged at 2.9 Percent

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 24, 2020
Information Contact: Karen Jarboe Singletary (208) 332-3570 ext. 3215 or Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201

Idaho Falls MSA led the nation in over-the-year job gains

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 2.9 percent in December for the sixth consecutive month.

An additional 2,329 people made themselves available for work in December, pushing Idaho’s seasonally adjusted labor force up to 889,092. The number of unemployed decreased by 110 to 25,769. Total employment grew by 2,439 to 863,323.

Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people age 16 years or older working or looking for work – moved up slightly to 64.2 percent.

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Capitol Event Commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 16, 2020
Information Contact: Carmen Barney (208) 334-2873, ext. 3682

Boise State University President Marlene Tromp, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker Monday, Jan. 20 as part of the state celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Idaho Human Rights Day in Boise.

The public is invited to attend the ceremonies at the State Capitol Building 2nd floor rotunda from noon to 1 p.m., opening with a performance by the Boise State University trumpeters. The Idaho State Police Honor Guard will follow with the posting of colors.

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Idaho Volunteers Recognized at Brightest Stars Awards Ceremony

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 16, 2020
Information Contact: Renee Bade (208) 332-3578, ext. 4061

Seventy-one outstanding volunteers from throughout Idaho were honored as stars Wednesday by Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, at Idaho’s Brightest Stars ceremony in Boise.

Dawn-Marie Johnson

Dawn-Marie Johnson of Kamiah was recognized in the Individual category.

“Volunteerism is a gift that benefits citizens and addresses needs in communities throughout our state,” said Gov. Brad Little.  “These men and women are not seeking recognition, but it is important to acknowledge these Brightest Star recipients and their generous commitment to giving to others and ensuring a bright future for all citizens.”

Jim Kinnard of Coeur d’Alene was recognized in the Student category.

The volunteers were nominated for their contributions in seven categories – Business, Individual, Nonprofit/Civic Organization, Senior Citizen, Student, Teacher/Professor and Veteran. Awardees were nominated by Idahoans throughout the state and a panel of community reviewers made
the final selection.

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Idaho’s November Unemployment Remains Steady at 2.9 Percent

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 20, 2019
Information Contact: Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201 or Robert Kabel (208) 332-3570 ext. 3886

State rate remains at or under 3 percent for two full years

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 2.9 percent in November for the fifth consecutive month.

An additional 2,221 people made themselves available for work in November, pushing Idaho’s seasonally adjusted labor force up to 886,877. The number of unemployed increased by 146 to 25,880. Total employment grew by 2,075 to 860,997.

Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people age 16 years or older working or looking for work – remained unchanged at 64.1 percent.

Over the year, November’s statewide labor force was up 24,330 (2.8 percent), total employment was up 22,174 (2.6 percent) and there were 2,156 more unemployed individuals. Seasonally-adjusted nonfarm jobs were up 2.7 percent from November 2018, a gain of 19,700 jobs. Professional and business services (7.2 percent) and financial activities (4.9 percent) showed the largest percentage gain while natural resources (-2.9 percent) and information (-2.3 percent) showed the largest percentage losses.

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Idaho Workers See Increase in Fringe Benefits from 2013 to 2019

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 18, 2019
Information Contact: Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201 or Salvador Vazquez (208) 332-3570 ext. 3218

In the six years from 2013 to 2019, Idaho employers offered more benefits to a higher percentage of full-time workers than in previous years, according to results of the 2019 Fringe Benefits Survey conducted by the Idaho Department of Labor.

Periodically, the department conducts surveys of Idaho employers on the benefits they offer to their employees beyond wages and salaries. These include health, dental, retirement and paid leave benefits.

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Idaho’s October Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 2.9 Percent

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 15, 2019
Information Contact: Karen Jarboe Singletary (208) 332-3570 ext. 3215 or Darlene Carnopis (208) 332-3570 ext. 3439

— 23 Months at or Under 3 Percent —

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 2.9 percent in October for the fourth consecutive month.

An additional 2,438 people made themselves available for work in October, pushing Idaho’s seasonally adjusted labor force up to 884,545. The number of unemployed increased by 112 to 25,736. Total employment grew by 2,326 to 858,809.

Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people age 16 years or older working or looking for work – remained unchanged at 64.1 percent.

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U.S. Department of Labor Recognizes Three Idaho Businesses for Supporting Veterans

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 8, 2019
Information Contact: Georgia Smith, (208) 332-3570 ext. 2102

LA Aluminum Casting Company of Hayden, Sunterra Supports Services LLC of Idaho Falls and Intermountain Polygraph Services of Twin Falls each received a 2019 HIRE Vets Medallion Program Demonstration Award. The U.S. Department of Labor program recognizes job creators for their leadership in recruiting, employing and retaining America’s veterans.

The awards were presented Nov. 6 at a ceremony hosted by U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia at the Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

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