5+ hour, 45+ min ago (1244+ words) Originally published Nov. 26 on IdahoCapitalSun.com.Over the past two decades, Idaho's rural populations have been aging and struggling with housing affordability, but have also seen declining crime and some increases in educational attainment. The Idaho Department of Labor on Nov. 21 released the full 2025 Profile of Rural Idaho, a comprehensive report examining population growth, migration, industry shifts, and other characteristics of Idaho's rural counties. The report shows that, while the Gem State has retained the same ratio of rural-to-urban counties over the years, the demographics, economics, crime and opportunities have all changed dramatically. Thirty-five of Idaho's 44 counties are considered rural " defined in the report as a county that does not have a city with at least 20,000 residents. However, amid booming population increases to the state over the past several years, just 28% of Idaho's residents lived in rural counties in 2023, down…...

3+ day, 5+ hour ago (476+ words) The fatal collision Tuesday on Interstate 84 that killed 7-year-old Graham Summers, of Meridian, has Idaho State Police seeking more information from the public to help with its investigation. The Idaho State Police sent a news release Friday that states ISP is "seeking witnesses and video of fatal I-84 crash." "The Idaho State Police is seeking information about the fatal crash that occurred on Nov. 25, 2025, at approximately 3:06 p.m., on westbound I-84 near milepost 39 when a 2007 GMC Sierra rear-ended a 2013 Ford F450 Box Truck," the release states. "One juvenile in the GMC died at the scene, and three other occupants were transported to a local hospital." The release states "anyone who witnessed the crash, has information about it, or has video of the incident is asked to contact ISP dispatch at 208-846-7500." Both the driver of the Ford, a 21-year-old Nampa man, and his adult male passenger…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (790+ words) Idaho Power is seeking to implement a customer rate increase that would increase revenues by $110 million. BOISE " Just over a dozen Idaho Power customers testified before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission office Thursday, and they overwhelmingly opposed proposed rate hikes from Idaho Power that would see residential customers face a higher percentage increase than most other customer categories. Idaho Power has previously said the size of this year's rate adjustment is intended to respond to "unprecedented levels of capital investment," citing needs for expanded energy storage, grid investments and improved wildfire resilience, among other costs. Prior to this week's hearing, IPUC had received hundreds of comments opposed to the rate changes, though many were submitted prior to a settlement agreement being reached in October that represents a pared down version of the company's proposal from earlier this year. That previous…...