AGP Executive Report

Idaho Air Show Aftermath: Two U.S. Navy Growler jets collided mid-air at Mountain Home’s “Gunfighter Skies,” but all four crew members ejected safely; one pilot was treated for injuries and a brush fire and base lockdown followed. Local Voices: A man who rushed to the parachuting crew says the airmen stayed focused on everyone else’s safety. O.J. Trial Echo: Former LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman—convicted of lying during the Simpson case—died at 74 in North Idaho, leaving behind a legacy still tied to the trial’s racial controversy. Politics Ahead of Tuesday: Idaho’s primary results are already in, and national attention is on whether Trump’s endorsements keep crushing challengers. Sports/Business/Everyday Life: Diesel costs are squeezing school transportation budgets, while the Pac-12 and Mountain West moved toward settling their poaching/exit-fee lawsuits.

Idaho Election Prep: With Idaho’s statewide primary nearly here, Ada and Canyon county officials say lines should be light, but voters must bring the right photo ID (or a signed affidavit) and confirm registration at voteidaho.gov. Mountain Home Air Show: The biggest Idaho headline is the midair collision of two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers at Gunfighter Skies—four crew members ejected safely, the rest of the show was canceled, and the crash is under investigation. USDA & University of Idaho: USDA restored a $59M, five-year grant to U of I to help about 200 growers test regenerative practices and new marketing, including direct payments for participating producers. North Idaho Growth & Power: New estimates show the Treasure Valley added about 150,000 residents since 2020, while local utilities and contractors are responding to shifting demand and solar interest. Public Health Watch: A salmonella outbreak tied to backyard chicks and ducklings sickened dozens in Michigan and spread across multiple states.

Midair Crash: Two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show near Mountain Home Air Force Base. All four crew members ejected safely and were evaluated by medical teams; the base locked down and the rest of the show was canceled while an investigation continues. Power & Safety: In the Treasure Valley, Idaho Power restored outages for thousands after suspected weather and a separate traffic-related outage near Melba, with crews still working to bring remaining customers back online. Local Crime: Boise Police say a 21-year-old suspect, Sophie Rains, turned herself in after an early Sunday shooting near Boise State University left a man with two gunshot wounds. Politics: The Idaho GOP is pressing candidates to publicly back the party platform ahead of the May 19 primary, highlighting internal splits over issues like abortion exceptions. Sports: Spokane Velocity jumped to third in Group 1 after a 1-0 win over Las Vegas Lights.

AI in the kitchen: Culinary students say they’re using AI for faster prep and inventory—just not trusting it near the food itself, with accuracy worries still top of mind. Idaho gas watch: Diesel prices stayed volatile, with Washington County hitting a low of $5.29 (week ending May 9) while Latah County’s low was $5.59. Trans rights push: Trans Feminist Collective launched a new platform on IDAHOBIT, framing gender justice as central to democracy. Northern Lights: A geomagnetic storm could push auroras as far south as Idaho and beyond this weekend, though likely as faint glow. Middle-class reality check: A new state-by-state analysis shows “middle class” income thresholds swing wildly—tens of thousands—depending on where you live. Local spotlight: Mountain Home’s Gunfighter Skies air show returned after years away, drawing big crowds and a kid-focused STEM expo.

NCAA Spotlight: Makenzie Butt’s first-pitch power swing helped Tennessee beat Virginia 7-5 in the regional, sending the Lady Vols to Saturday’s final. Idaho Politics: A former Boise County deputy faces three felony charges with $500,000 bail after a judge set a no-contact order. Local Safety: Idaho Falls marked National Peace Officer Memorial Day, reading the names of 80 fallen officers and seven K-9s. Health Watch: Idaho coroners are pushing for more training in infant death investigations, calling them among the hardest cases they handle. Sports (Boise): AC Boise rallied to beat Monterey Bay 4-3 at home, staying unbeaten. Community & Culture: Thousands packed Mountain Home for the Gunfighter Skies air show. Public Health (Idaho): Hantavirus worries are rising in the Treasure Valley as rodent reports increase, though officials say risk remains low.

Idaho Memorial Service: Idaho is set to honor former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne with a Saturday, May 16 service moving from the Capitol to the Cathedral of the Rockies, followed by internment at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. School Safety: Eagle police say no arrests or citations followed an incident where a school bus driver was prevented from letting students off after a parent reportedly arrived with a pocketknife. Insurance Watch: The Idaho Department of Insurance has launched a new data call to track homeowners and dwelling-fire coverage and wildfire impacts across the state. Energy Prices: Diesel hit $5.47 in Lemhi County for the week ending May 9, while midgrade prices in Adams County bottomed at $5.19. Tech & Community: KRCL is opening its doors for a new Salt Lake community radio space, and an AI data-center proposal in Pocatello drew heated public input. Sports: Oregon opened the NCAA softball Eugene Regional by beating Idaho State 5-1.

BLM Upgrades Recreation in North Idaho: The Bureau of Land Management finished ahead of schedule at Mineral Ridge, Beauty Bay, Blackwell Island, Mica Bay, Killarney Lake, and Huckleberry Campground—adding ADA picnic tables, fire rings, and grills, plus fresh asphalt striping where needed. Boating Rules Tighten on Snake River: Twin Falls County says all watercraft must stop at inspection and wash stations after groups were spotted bypassing them—aimed at stopping quagga mussels and other invasives. Public Safety Alerts: Spokane Valley police are asking for help finding two runaway 12-year-old girls last seen on bicycles near Rathdrum. Local Justice Update: A redacted Rathdrum police report sheds limited detail on an alleged domestic battery investigation involving former mayor Mike Hill, who resigned after it became public. Crash Near Filer: Idaho State Police report a fatal motorcycle crash on U.S. 30 east of Filer; the pickup driver was taken into custody. Community Resilience: Mountain Home students are rallying to support their music teacher after a fire destroyed her family home.

Idaho Capitol Tribute: Former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne is set to lie in state at the Idaho State Capitol starting Friday, with a 19-cannon salute and public viewing through 7 p.m. before Saturday’s public funeral and interment at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. Courthouse Fight in North Idaho: A Post Falls woman has filed a federal lawsuit claiming she was forcibly removed from a Coeur d’Alene town hall in 2025, naming the Kootenai County sheriff and others. Water Crunch: IDWR ordered curtailment for junior groundwater users in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer unless they’re covered by an approved mitigation plan. Air Travel Upgrade: The FAA is pushing $835.8 million to replace aging air traffic control towers, including a new tower planned for Pocatello. Local Business & Community: The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel unveiled a remodeled Camas Restaurant, and Pioneer Federal Credit Union is rolling out earned wage access in its app.

Mining Watch: Resolution Minerals has started its 2026 drilling push at the Golden Gate prospect in Idaho, with an MP1500 rig targeting up to 13,700 meters across as many as 45 holes to expand gold and tungsten zones—following strong early metallurgy results. Local Roads & Safety: Garden City is studying changes to Marigold Street to reduce confusion and improve bike and pedestrian access near the Greenbelt and stadium area. Public Health & Pets: Copper Quill Haven is partnering with Operation Community Cats to open a low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic in Nampa, aiming for July services. Politics: A North Idaho Republican primary for a state Senate seat is heating up, with a challenger accusing the incumbent of not responding to voters. Outdoors: The U.S. Forest Service approved an Idaho group’s request to use banned chainsaws to clear trails in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, drawing conservation backlash. Weather: Frost is expected Saturday night into Sunday across the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area—cover sensitive plants.

Northern Lights Watch: NOAA says Thursday night could bring auroras to parts of up to nine states, including the northern tip of Idaho, with a Kp index of 5 and no geomagnetic storm warnings. Bear Lake County Politics: Two candidates—incumbent Amy Bishop and challenger Richard Spencer—are running for Bear Lake County clerk ahead of the May 19 primary. Water Security: Idaho’s Water Resource Board has committed $8 million to a Mountain Home Plateau program aimed at stabilizing an overdrawn aquifer by shifting toward surface water. Health Gap: A new survey finds many Idahoans are skipping routine eye care, even though comprehensive exams can flag bigger health issues. Home Repair Stress: A national survey reports 74% of homeowners worry about affording repairs, with plumbing and radon among the biggest stressors. Idaho Outdoors & Travel: SylvanSport is expanding into Idaho via a new Yozzy Overland partnership, betting on the state’s overland culture. Crash Update: A dust-storm chain reaction near Soda Springs injured three people and shut down Highway 34 for hours.

Medicare Shockwave: A nationwide six-month freeze on new Medicare enrollments for hospice and home health agencies is hitting Idaho providers, who say it could squeeze rural access even as officials cite fraud concerns. Health Watch: Treasure Valley rodent sightings are rising, but local officials stress hantavirus risk is still low—while global attention stays on a rare Andes strain outbreak tied to a cruise ship. Tech & Courts: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s reported $2B+ stake in companies doing business with OpenAI is back in the spotlight as Musk’s lawsuit and state AG scrutiny continue. Local Weather & Safety: Windstorms and fires keep popping up—downed trees and power poles in Twin Falls, plus a wildfire sparked by a semi crash on I-84 near Glenns Ferry. Civic Life: Idaho State Board of Education approved a $425 resident tuition increase for ISU, and Juror Appreciation Week spotlights the people behind the justice system.

Wildfire readiness ramps up: Idaho Power is warning of a “very dry summer” after a mild winter and is preparing for possible outages tied to high heat, low humidity, and high winds—hosting public sessions starting May 13 on wildfire mitigation and de-energizing risk areas. Local land-use fight: In Pinon Hills, residents are still pushing back against a newly approved Maverik fueling station, citing safety concerns near an elementary school and traffic impacts. Community spotlight: Boise’s Tuuti is named a Top 10 Best Place to Work in Idaho in both statewide and southwest regions for micro employers, based on employee feedback. Public safety and justice: Kootenai County says a fugitive wanted for 2017 sexual assaults has been arrested in the Philippines and brought back to face charges. Education and opportunity: Ten students from Ammon Honors Academy are headed to Washington, D.C., for National History Day. Workplace pressure: Journalists in the Inland Northwest are weighing a strike against McClatchy over wages, layoff protections, and AI guardrails.

Yellowstone Bear Watch: After a May 4 attack that sent two hikers to Idaho Falls for treatment, Yellowstone officials say grizzly activity has been “early” since winter conditions stayed mild—raising alarms for a busy summer as spring hikers push into areas that are usually closed. Courts & Crime: A federal judge sentenced a Moscow man to 17½ years for uploading child sexual abuse material online. Business & Tech: Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra is set to join President Trump’s China trip, spotlighting Boise’s chip giant on the global stage. Local Schools & Access: Payette voters face a $1.95M levy to modernize a historic dome and fix accessibility gaps. Idaho Outdoors: USGS and NASA are mapping Western minerals from high-altitude aircraft, including Idaho. Sports: LC State baseball opened the NAIA tournament with a 7-3 win over Keiser, while LSU Shreveport’s season teeters after an 8-2 loss. Weather & Safety: Record heat and fire-weather concerns are building across the region.

Wildfire watch and new limits: The BLM issued Idaho’s annual fire prevention order (May 10–Oct. 20), banning fireworks and other ignition sources on BLM-managed lands, while Oregon and Washington restrictions kick in May 14. Abortion drug fight: AG Jackley backed a Supreme Court push to keep a stay on an FDA rule that allows mifepristone by mail, joining a 23-state coalition. Energy resilience: Avista says Spokane’s first community microgrid is now operating at the MLK Family Outreach Center, using solar, batteries, and natural gas backup to keep services running during long outages. Idaho politics and culture: A Boise medical practice says the state’s criminal trans bathroom ban is forcing it to close as the family prepares to leave Idaho. Local public safety: Twin Falls identified the man killed in a police shooting as 29-year-old Colston Copeland. Business and growth: Micron announced sampling of 256GB DDR5 server memory modules aimed at boosting AI data-center efficiency.

NFL Roster Watch: Broncos rookie OL Kage Casey is already training for more than one job—after starting 41 games at left tackle for Boise State, he’s learning to snap and expects to play wherever needed as Denver works him at guard and tackle. Idaho Politics & Voting: Ada County’s early voting is off to a strong start, with 5,000+ ballots cast in the first week, and early voting runs through May 15. Public Safety: A Moscow man, Devin Terrance Pickler, was sentenced to 210 months for possessing child pornography. Community Health: The Tri-Cities is cracking down on unpermitted roadside food vendors, shutting down seven so far in 2026. Local Growth: Encompass Health announced plans for a 50-bed inpatient rehab hospital in Post Falls, targeting an opening in 2028. Weather: Extreme heat and high winds are expected to hit eastern Oregon and southern Idaho this week. Also Noted: Idaho Humane Society will stop accepting free-roaming rabbits for its trap-neuter-release program starting Tuesday.

Idaho Public Health: CDC testing cuts are leaving Idaho more exposed, after the agency paused key diagnostic work tied to past rabies and other outbreaks—raising pressure on local systems already stretched thin. Wildlife & Safety: Yellowstone investigators say a grizzly mother with cubs likely caused a serious attack near Old Faithful, while parks report the “brain-eating” amoeba at Yellowstone and Grand Teton—prompting warnings to avoid thermal waters. Energy & Cost of Living: Boise gas jumped 8.8 cents to about $4.47 a gallon, part of a wider national volatility tied to global oil uncertainty. Local Government: Idaho Falls is asking residents what to build in a new park near the College of Eastern Idaho. Business & Growth: Boise ranks No. 72 for starting a business in a national WalletHub list, and Idaho’s startup activity is outpacing new business applications. Sports: NCAA softball regionals are set for May 11–13, with bracket and upset talk heating up.