AGP Executive Report

Vandals’ Upset: Idaho beat No. 7 Montana 42-35 in Missoula, reclaiming the Little Brown Stein after scoring touchdowns on six of nine drives. Boise State: The Broncos remain No. 21 in the AP Top 25 and lead the Pac-12 power rankings at 5-1. Idaho State: Weber State scored late to win 27-20, sending the Bengals to a third straight loss after their 4-0 start. Election 2026: Two retired Idaho National Laboratory employees, Republican incumbent Dave Lent and Democrat Jan Brown, are competing for the District 33 Senate seat ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Road Safety: Idaho traffic crashes held steady in 2025, but fatalities rose 6%.

Vandals’ Statement Win: Idaho stunned No. 7 Montana 42-35 in Missoula, reclaiming the Little Brown Stein behind Joshua Wood’s four touchdowns and a late defensive stop. Yotes Roll On: No. 1 College of Idaho stayed unbeaten with a 52-7 rout of Montana Western, piling up 553 yards. Election Season: Hundreds rallied at the Idaho Capitol ahead of early voting, while Bannock County reported a busy first week of ballots. Voters will also decide measures on abortion, English as the state’s official language and Idaho’s official firearm. AI Lawsuit: Attorney General Raúl Labrador sued OpenAI, alleging the company misled Idaho parents about ChatGPT’s safety for children.

Election Season: Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane hosted the state’s first Free Speech Summit, with officials discussing campaign finance, donor privacy and how to disagree across political lines. Early voting in Ada County starts Monday, as voters prepare to decide statewide measures, including Proposition 1, which would change Idaho’s abortion laws. Education and Safety: Megan Lambert, a teacher killed in Thursday’s Bend school shooting, graduated from Boise State in 2023. Three students also died in the attack. Prep Football: Bishop Kelly clinched its fifth straight 5A SIC title with a 65-0 win over Skyview, improving to 8-0. Crash: A 73-year-old driver was airlifted to a hospital after his pickup and horse trailer collided with a semi on State Highway 46 in Gooding County; the road was closed for about five hours.

Election Watch: Bannock County’s early voting is off to a strong start: 2,185 people voted in the first four days, compared with 5,122 across the entire 2022 early-voting period. Idaho voters also face statewide measures including Prop. 1, which would allow abortion until fetal viability, and a proposed constitutional change reserving authority over drug legalization to the Legislature. Pocatello Debate: A local critic says tax breaks for data centers could leave households paying more for power and public services, renewing questions about the projects’ costs and benefits. On the Field: Idaho Falls stayed in the playoff race with a 21-14 road win over Century, while Ridgeline improved to 10-0 as Noah Fiefia scored seven rushing touchdowns. Boise Connection: A teacher killed in the Bend school shooting was a Boise State graduate; police say she fought the gunman, helping protect students. Boise Arts: The first Bluebird Days festival brought national and local acts to the Boise River for a two-day debut.

Idaho Outdoors: Benjamin Smith set a new catch-and-release state record for a brown trout on the Bear River. A new documentary about famed Grizzly 399 turns to the people whose lives were shaped by the bear, killed by a vehicle in 2024. AI Lawsuit: Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador joined other states suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT put children at risk and misled users. Medical Freedom: A federal court upheld Idaho’s 2025 law protecting access to services regardless of private medical decisions, rejecting a challenge from a Boise-area daycare and three parents. Nuclear Research: Idaho State University plans to build a reactor for training and research, as nuclear energy development gains momentum in the region. Ballot Fight: Idaho’s abortion-rights Proposition 1 campaign has drawn millions in contributions, including $1.3 million from the LDS Church and Catholic Diocese to oppose it.

Immigration Enforcement: ICE agents detained several people in Teton Valley over the past week, including three during a traffic stop Friday. Families say some were moved from Rigby, but their current locations are unknown. AI Lawsuit: Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT was deceptively marketed as safe for children and exposed young users to harm. Vandals-Grizzlies Rivalry: Idaho visits No. 7 Montana for the 91st Battle for the Little Brown Stein. The Vandals are 1-5, while Montana has won nine of the last 10 meetings. Snake River Concerns: A new report says the river’s health declines through southern Idaho, while rising walleye numbers could threaten salmon and steelhead. Abortion Measure: Idaho’s November campaign has drawn nearly $10 million, with the LDS Church and Catholic Diocese contributing $1.3 million to oppose Proposition 1.

AI Lawsuit: Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has sued OpenAI, joining seven other states that allege ChatGPT misled parents about its safety and exposed children to harmful advice. OpenAI says it has safeguards and will keep improving them. Election 2026: Idaho voters will decide in November whether to make English the state’s official language. Voting-rights groups say state laws passed in 2023 make it harder to register, while the LDS Church has donated $1 million to oppose an abortion-rights ballot initiative. Forest Service: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s plan to move the agency’s headquarters to Utah, citing limits on reorganizing without congressional approval. The plan could have forced Idaho employees to relocate or leave their jobs. Jobs and Industry: Idaho is projected to add jobs faster than the nation through 2034. In eastern Idaho, a Chubbuck physical therapy clinic has won a statewide honor for the second time.

AI Lawsuit: Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has joined seven other states in suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled families about safety and exposed young users to risks including self-harm and violence. The states seek stronger safeguards and damages; the allegations have not been proven. Wildlife: Drought and scarce natural food have driven black bears into East Idaho neighborhoods, where they’ve raided garbage, chickens and homes. One encounter in Salmon left two residents injured; wildlife officials warn next spring could bring more trouble. Election 2026: Idaho voters will decide whether to make English the state’s official language, while the LDS Church has contributed $1 million to oppose Proposition 1, which would expand abortion access. Jobs: Idaho is projected to see annual employment growth above the national average through 2034, even as employers face persistent labor shortages. On the field: Boise State heads into its bye week 5-1 and 2-0 in Pac-12 play, with national attention on its playoff prospects; Idaho, meanwhile, faces No. 7 Montana after a loss to Weber State.

Election Stakes: Idaho voters will decide whether to enshrine English as the state’s official language in the constitution. Proposition 1’s abortion-rights campaign is drawing major spending: PACs on both sides raised more than $2.5 million in two weeks, while the LDS Church and Catholic Diocese have given $1.3 million to oppose it. Energy: The Department of Energy selected a company to test a nuclear battery at Idaho National Laboratory in 2027, building on a reactor milestone reached in 150 days. Land Use: Fremont County upheld approval of a 32-lot subdivision near Henrys Lake despite earlier concerns about farmland, wetlands and wildlife; a new coalition plans to challenge the decision in court. Schools: Boise’s Timberline High School district has opened a Title IX investigation as police continue probing threats against students. Water: New NASA findings on weaknesses in Western river models raise questions for water planning, an issue with growing importance for Idaho.

Local Growth: Eagle City Council voted 3-1 to advance a proposed 42-home gated development near Eagle Island State Park. Residents raised concerns about density, wetlands and flood risk; developers say the revised plan improves flood control and utility capacity. Voting Rights: Idaho’s voter ID rules are drawing scrutiny for removing student IDs as an accepted form of identification. A youth-voting group says just 10% of the state’s 18-year-olds were registered by September, compared with 79% of residents 45 and older. Abortion Ballot Fight: The LDS Church and Catholic Diocese have donated $1.3 million to oppose Idaho’s abortion-rights measure, as campaigns spend heavily ahead of November’s vote. Agriculture: Idaho sugar beet growers expect yields to fall about 10% after spring frost damaged crops, summer smoke reduced sunlight and water shortages forced cutbacks. Wildlife: The Ninth Circuit heard arguments over whether federal wolf protections should expand or be restored in parts of Idaho and the West.

Voting Opens: Early voting began Tuesday in Teton County and runs through Oct. 30. Idaho voters face statewide and local races on Nov. 3, along with ballot measures on abortion access and other issues. Prop 1 Fight: The LDS Church gave $1 million to the campaign opposing Proposition 1, as the rival campaigns have raised nearly $10 million combined. Fatal Crashes: Two men died when a small plane headed from British Columbia to Grangeville crashed in remote Washington; a truck driver also died after a rollover on I-84 east of Boise. School Safety: Boise schools are reviewing how they handled a threat at Timberline High School; the football team is set to play Friday.

Food Safety: Broccoli seeds sold online are being recalled after tests linked them to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 32 people, including Idaho residents; three were hospitalized. Prop 1: The LDS Church and Boise Catholic Diocese gave a combined $1.3 million to oppose Idaho’s abortion-access measure, as campaign donations overall top $9.7 million. Public Safety: Five people, including four children, were found dead in a Richmond, Utah, home near the Idaho border; carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected. Boise Projects: ACHD has closed Eckert Bridge for a replacement expected to take about two years, while Boise State opened a new construction-management building to help meet industry demand. Idaho State: The university foundation pledged $1 million for a plaza around Swanson Arch, and ICCU is backing a new basketball and community-event arena. On the Ballot: Idaho voters will weigh an advisory question on choosing an official state gun, alongside four statewide measures. College Football: Boise State climbed into the Coaches Poll after beating Fresno State; Idaho, coming off a loss to Weber State, heads to Missoula to face Montana. University of Idaho: Professor Rebecca Scofield says a TikTok tarot reader’s false murder accusations left her fearing for her family’s safety.

Public Safety: Five people, including four children, died in a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a home in Richmond, Utah, near the Idaho border. University of Idaho: Historian Rebecca Scofield says false TikTok accusations linking her to the student murders left her fearing for her children’s safety and facing threats. Public Lands: The Ninth Circuit sided with the U.S. Forest Service in a challenge to an Idaho Panhandle logging project, finding the project reduces road mileage in a protected recovery zone; the case returns to the lower court. State Government: Idaho revenues came in $90 million above projections in the first quarter, while the state controller’s race pits a former state evaluator against the Republican incumbent. College Football: Boise State beat Fresno State 38-31 to reclaim the Milk Can and enter the Coaches Poll for the first time this season; Idaho fell 38-27 at Weber State.

Plane Crash: Two people died after search crews found the wreckage of a small plane near Tonasket, Washington. The aircraft was traveling from Penticton, B.C., to Grangeville, Idaho. East Idaho Weather: The region’s high country saw its first measurable snow, with more possible and freezing conditions forecast in lower elevations. Drivers are urged to use caution on mountain passes. Boise State Football: The Broncos beat Fresno State 38-31 to reclaim the Milk Can, hold at No. 23 in the AP poll and enter the Coaches Poll at No. 24. INL Research: Idaho National Laboratory’s MARVEL small reactor moved closer to a first criticality test after engineers received a key part of its cooling system; testing is expected to begin in December. Idaho Ballot: Voters will weigh in on six choices for a state firearm in a nonbinding advisory question. Abortion Measure: The LDS Church has put $1 million into the campaign against Idaho’s Proposition 1, as religious groups take sides on the ballot measure.

Boise State: The Broncos beat Fresno State 38-31 to reclaim the Milk Can, ending a three-game losing streak to their rival. Boise State is 5-1 and 2-0 in Pac-12 play, and landed at No. 24 in the Coaches Poll. State Finances: Idaho’s general fund revenue topped forecasts by $90.3 million in the first quarter, though Gov. Brad Little urged continued spending restraint. Abortion Measure: The LDS Church donated $1 million to a campaign opposing Idaho’s Proposition 1, which would protect abortion rights. Schools: East Idaho districts plan to ask voters to approve more than $65 million in bonds this November. Farm Costs: Gov. Little suspended dyed-diesel inspections for 30 days during harvest season, easing a compliance burden for farmers.

Boise State Basketball: The Broncos beat Idaho 82-72 in an exhibition, with Julian Bowie leading the way with 21 points after missing most of last season following his father’s death. Boise State Football: The Broncos led Fresno State 35-20 early in the fourth quarter, with Dylan Riley rushing for 100 yards in the first half as Boise State chased the Milk Can. Idaho Politics: The LDS Church donated $1 million to a PAC opposing Proposition 1, the abortion-rights initiative on Idaho’s November ballot. Idaho State Football: Cal Poly scored with 40 seconds left to upset the No. 16 Bengals 25-24 in their homecoming game, despite Mason Lindberg making all five of his field-goal attempts. Vandals: Idaho fell 38-27 at Weber State, dropping to 1-5 despite 383 passing yards and four touchdowns from Joshua Wood. Schools: East Idaho districts are seeking more than $65 million in supplemental levies this November; no local bonds are on the ballot. Prep Soccer: Hillcrest girls won their third straight district title and remain unbeaten at 17-0-1 as they head to state.