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The Gem State Brief
Curated by Locus Lectorum
✍️ By Our Members
"A Qatari Air Force Base in Idaho?" — The full context behind Hegseth's announcement last week of a “Qatari Air Force Facility” in Mountain Home (GSB Staff)
FBI says hold your horses on illegal race gambling
Wilder | October 19 | KTVB
The FBI, working with ISP, has raided La Catedral Arena operated by Ivan Tellez of Wilder. Ivan faces charges of illegal and unlicensed gambling on horse racing at the Arena.
Meridian and Star City Councils begin with Hindu prayer given in Sanskrit
Meridian City Hall | October 22 | CBS 2 News (X)
This is the first time they have ever started with a Hindu prayer, whereas city councils typically begin their sessions with a Christian prayer. This change puts India on display as the second largest source of immigrants to Idaho, second only to China (barring neighboring countries).
September collections down nearly $80 million as tax revenue continues to lag behind projections
State Capitol | October 10 | Idaho Legislature
For the second time in three months Idaho had a substantial shortfall in tax collections. September's revenues were $498 million, nearly $80 million less than last year and more than $70 million below projections. Corporate income tax was the primary driver, coming in $50 million less than last year.
This story is the latest in a series, view the full thread here → 🧵
Protestors gather in Caldwell following raid in Wilder
Canyon County Courthouse | October 21 | Idaho News
Approximately 100 people from the LatinX group PODER gathered to protest the raid in Wilder on Sunday. A US DHS spokesman credited ICE for the raid, however local Idaho officials claim the raid was led by the FBI's Violent Crime division, not ICE.
ICAC makes another arrest
Nampa | October 21 | Gem State Chronicle
The Idaho Crimes Against Children Task Force made an arrest this week of a man charged with producing material of the sexual exploitation of a child. The task force has been in operation for the past two years in response to the increase in tip volume at the Attorney Generals office.
This story is the latest in a series, view the full thread here → 🧵
State Board of Education extends search for BSU President
Boise | October 16 | Idaho Education News
Saying that the process deserves more time, the search committee told the State Board that they did not yet have a list of 5 finalists for the Board to consider. Some members say the law's requirement for a public 5 finalist list has delayed the process, but it seems likely that there will not be a new permanent president during the 2025-2026 school year.
This story is the latest in a series, view the full thread here → 🧵
McCall development on hold after sewer rejection
McCall | October 15 | KTVB
The Pine Creek Ranch development--a plan to build more than 600 homes in southeast McCall--was denied permission to connect to the Payette Sewer District. Board members raised concerns that taxpayers should not have to subsidize the cost of a private development. Following the decision, the developer, Craig Groves, stated that the district has not cooperated with the city and its housing action plan.
Highlights & Insights
📖 Recommended Read
"Third Congressional District will transform Idaho's political map" - Steven Taggart reviews the likely options for Idaho's new 3rd congressional seat that the state will receive as a result of the 2030 census.
🏛️ Apologetics FactA small pottery fragment containing a cuneiform inscription was discovered this week during excavation of the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. The fragment, dated to the 7th or 8th century BC, provides evidence of official correspondence between the Assyrian Empire and Israel. As with countless other archeological discoveries, this corroborates the Biblical timeline. | 🗣️ Quote"Death, be not proud, though some have called thee; Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow; Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me... One short sleep past, we wake eternally; And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die." — John Donne |
🏅 Person: Cornelia “Corrie” ten Boom (1892 - 1983)Corrie ten Boom, a native of the Netherlands, found herself in the heart of World War II following the German occupation of her homeland. Driven by her Christian faith, she joined the resistance and became instrumental in saving hundreds of Jews from persecution before her arrest in 1944. She endured nearly a year in captivity, moving from Scheveningen prison to both Herzogenbusch and Ravensbruck concentration camps. Ten Boom survived the internment and dedicated the remainder of her life to helping concentration camp survivors and sharing her inspiring story of faith, hardship and profound forgiveness in hopes of drawing others to Christ. | 📕 Book: The Emperor of All Maladies A biography of cancer and the medical treatments associated with it, this book blends together the experiences of the author as an oncologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital with the history of cancer, beginning with the first identification of the disease in ancient Egypt. While modern medicine still cannot fully understand or treat cancer, this book creates a fascinating narrative of the journey taken by many physicians over thousands of years in our understanding of what causes cancer, and how it can be treated. |
Non-AI Generation Disclaimer: All elements of the Gem State Brief (headlines, summaries, highlights, insights, original articles/videos, etc.) are produced exclusively by members of the Locus Lectorum book club (learn about each member here), not AI. This is news by humans for humans.