Bathroom ban ruling, gym closure, tax debate — what you may have missed

From a court ruling on Idaho’s transgender bathroom law to a finalist named for Boise State’s presidency, several major stories shaped the news in Idaho this week. Here’s a roundup of top stories from the Idaho Statesman.

• A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking Idaho’s bathroom ban from fully taking effect, finding the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the law was unconstitutionally vague. The law, which was set to take effect July 1, would have made it a misdemeanor — and a felony on a second offense — to use a restroom that doesn’t align with one’s sex assigned at birth.
• Asana Climbing Gym in Garden City will close on Nov. 29 after more than a decade, with owner Jamey Sproull citing the property manager’s decision not to offer a new long-term lease. Sproull spent two years trying to find a new location but cited niche zoning requirements and high lease rates as obstacles.
• David Hahn, dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Arizona, was named the finalist to become Boise State University’s next president. The announcement comes about a year after former President Marlene Tromp left for the University of Vermont and kicks off a 10-day public review period.
• Ada County commissioners are considering raising property taxes to balance the budget, with the median Meridian homeowner potentially seeing a $30 increase under the maximum allowable hike. County officials pointed to state budget cuts and a $276,000 drop in liquor revenue as factors squeezing finances.
• The Gas Lantern Drinking Company in downtown Boise closed after nearly a decade following a final night on May 30. It was the second whiskey-focused bar to go dark downtown within a month, following the early May closure of Whiskey Bar.

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.

This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.