El Niño for Idaho, family sentenced, icon’s future — what you may have missed
The Idaho Statesman published a range of top stories Wednesday and Thursday covering weather, criminal sentencing, city government and new business development. Here’s a quick rundown of what readers are following.
- Forecasters predict a “very strong” El Niño for the 2026 November-to-January season, with a good chance of the pattern ranking among the largest since 1950.
- A Nampa family has been sentenced for the 2022 fatal shooting of 20-year-old Isaac Bernal at a house party. Manuel Santana received up to 22 years in prison with 15 years fixed, Olivia Hernandez Olivo got 15 years with possible parole after one year, and her son Victoriano received one year of unsupervised probation after testifying in his stepfather’s case.
- Former Caldwell spokesperson Char Jackson has filed a tort claim alleging her resignation last month was the result of gender-based harassment, defamation and retaliation by city administration. If she sues, it would be the fifth lawsuit against Caldwell in less than two years, with the city’s insurer already having paid more than $2 million in settlements.
- Spud Daddy, a fast-casual baked potato restaurant, opens Friday at 404 S. 8th St. in downtown Boise’s BoDo district. Owner Thomas Watson said it will be “the most Idaho restaurant that exists,” featuring 40-count russets from Sun Valley Potatoes — and Idaho ice cream potatoes through a partnership with Westside Drive In.
- The Ada County Sheriff’s Office will no longer pursue copyright claims against the operator of “Boise Busted”, a website that shares mugshots online. Explore and Develop LLC had filed a tort claim alleging $233,549.80 in lost advertising revenue after the agency sent takedown notices to Meta.
- The iconic red-and-white water tower next to the former Boise Factory Outlets mall will remain standing but get a permanent makeover. Veolia Water Idaho plans to repaint it sand yellow and remove the “Boise Factory Outlets” label as a $33 million Kenworth truck dealership complex replaces the demolished mall by late 2027.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.