Lawmaker funds challengers, finals canceled, new direct flight — what you may have missed
The Idaho Statesman’s recent headlines have covered a wide range of news from politics to an education disruption to restaurant openings and bowl predictions. Below is a quick digest if you need to catch up.
- An Idaho state lawmaker spent thousands on election ads against fellow Republican legislators. Rep. Jordan Redman of Coeur d’Alene donated $350,000 to a political action committee that spent more than $60,000 opposing seven sitting GOP lawmakers in the May 19 primary. Incumbents expressed frustration that a colleague was funding their challengers.
- Boise State University canceled all final exams scheduled for Friday after a cyberattack disrupted Canvas, the learning management system used by educational institutions worldwide.
- Canadian band Bombargo, whose song “Mr. No Good” Taylor Swift featured on her first “Songs Taylor Loves” Spotify playlist in 2018, will headline one of the first concerts at Bluebird Social. The concert at the new outdoor social club along the Boise River Greenbelt is June 12.
- First Watch plans to open a third Idaho location at 6192 N. Linder Road in Meridian in mid- to late June. The new restaurant takes over the former Biscuit & Hogs space, which closed amid legal disagreements.
- Alaska Airlines will launch nonstop service between Boise and Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, California, starting Nov. 1 and running almost daily through mid-April 2027. The winter seasonal route revives a flight previously offered by Avelo Airlines and brings Alaska’s Boise nonstop count to 18.
- CBS Sports released early 2026 bowl predictions and projected Boise State to play in the New Mexico Bowl against Florida International. The outlet also predicts UNLV will be the sole Group of Six representative in the College Football Playoff.
- A fourth Idaho In-N-Out Burger is “opening soon” in Twin Falls at 1965 North Blue Lakes Blvd., according to the chain’s website. The California-based chain opened its first Idaho location in Meridian in December 2023.
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.