BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho residents may vote in person during elections in August and November despite the continuing spread of the coronavirus, officials said.

Chief Deputy Secretary of State Chad Houck said Idaho plans to operate standard elections rather than exclusively using absentee ballots, The Idaho Statesman reports.

Health experts anticipate influx of older virus patients

Crime rings across the globe are exploiting the COVID-19 crisis by attempting to commit large scale fraud against multiple state unemployment insurance programs and Idaho is not exempt.

These crime rings possess substantial databases of stolen personally identifiable information which is used to submit a large volume of applications for unemployment benefits. Scammers use the names and addresses of Idaho residents, but then have payments sent to bank accounts in other states or have bank cards mailed to different addresses.

Idaho (AP) _ Gov. Brad Little and lawmakers have announced a plan allowing cities and counties to tap into $200 million of federal coronavirus relief money to pay police and other public safety workers as long as property taxes are also reduced.

Boise, Idaho – State and local public health experts created a new guidance document to assist with decisions about gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Interim Guidance for Safe Gatherings and Public Events in Idaho document is available at https://rebound.idaho.gov/business-specific-protocols-for-opening/.

(StatePoint) The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of aspects of daily life, including regular visits to the dentist.

Now that some states are reopening, many dental practices are beginning to see patients for non-emergency appointments. To help protect patients and staff alike, the American Dental Association (ADA) has developed science-based guidance for dentists on extra steps they can take, in addition to the infection control procedures they’ve always followed. With this guidance in mind, here’s what you can expect at your next appointment.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ In new plans that offer a national reimagining of how to fight wildfires amid the risk of the coronavirus spreading through crews, it's not clear how officials will get the testing and equipment needed to keep firefighters safe in what's expected to be a difficult fire season.

COVID-19: how to disinfect your home

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced plans today for more than 30,000 Idaho small businesses to receive Idaho Rebound cash grants, a $300 million investment in Idaho’s small business employers.

“No other state in the country is putting up a larger amount from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to help small businesses with cash support,” Governor Little said. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. My Economic Rebound Advisory Committee, which I created last week, recommended this step to ensure a path back to prosperity and restore the trajectory we had 70 days ago.”

WASHINGTON – Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Jovita Carranza and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin issued the following statement today on the resumption of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP):

“We are pleased that President Trump has signed into law the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which provides critical additional funding for American workers and small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We want to thank Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy for working with us on a bipartisan basis to ensure that the Paycheck Protection Program is funded so that small businesses can keep hardworking Americans on the payroll.

How to Wear Cloth Face Coverings

Each Tuesday now through May, Idaho Governor Brad Little, health officials and AARP Idaho will host statewide telephone town halls to provide updated information and answer questions regarding the coronavirus situation in Idaho. Lupe Wissel, AARP Idaho state director, will moderate the call.

Stores Offer Curbside Pickup and Individual Shopping by Appointment Hoffman Estates, Ill. (April 7, 2020)

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has announced a new toll-free number to call with questions about COVID-19 or the Statewide Stay-Home Order. The number, 1-888-330-3010, will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The number will be in service March 30.

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen, and Idaho State Epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn will answer questions about COVID-19 in Idaho LIVE on Idaho Public Television Thursday, March 26, 2020, at 8 p.m. MT, airing on Idaho Public Television and online.

Governor Brad Little will host a press conference Friday, March 27, 2020, at 12 p.m. MT in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the state budget and resources for businesses and the suddenly unemployed due to COVID-19.

Updated March 25, 2020

Idaho Gov. Brad Little and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare issued a statewide Stay-Home Order on Wednesday, March 25, for all Idahoans.

Inspector General Warns Public About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam

Boise, Idaho – Following Governor Brad Little’s request, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Friday it is now offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Idaho small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Idaho State Board of Education today directed all public school districts and charter schools to immediately implement a “soft closure” of all classroom facilities through Monday, April 20, 2020.

The Board ordered the soft closure when it approved the COVID-19 School Operation Guidance developed by Governor Brad Little’s K-12 Emergency Council convened in recent days in response to the pandemic.

The Elmore County Board of Commissioners has determined that due to the COVID-19 Virus, it is in the public interest of Elmore County residents for the County Courthouse and County Offices to be closed to the general public, with a few exceptions, until further notice. County offices will be open and operating with a reduced staff, but will not open to the public, except by scheduled appointment on a case by case basis. Following is a list of closures specific to each department:

Savory Lane BBQ is giving out free meals to K-12 students through at least March 30th. The food truck has had an outpouring of support from the community to help make this happen and are proud to help feed local students during the unexpected closures of the school. Children must be present.

In order to help clarify any confusion I want to take a moment to explain to the citizens of Elmore County what we are doing at the Driver License Office.

We have only closed the doors in order to control the number of people that come in and are waiting for service in our waiting area.

Beginning March 20, only patrons with valid DoD identification that indicates commissary privileges (Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, retirees, disabled veterans with corresponding identification, dependents) will be allowed entrance to the commissary.

No guests will be permitted, and IDs will be checked upon entry.

ATTENTION: Starting today, March 18, the commissary will require 100% ID Check and revoke the Visitor Policy. This is to help reduce the number of people in the store and help with social distancing. Also, Thursday, March 19, the commissary will eliminate “early bird” shopping hours to allow more time for cleaning and restocking. They will reopen at 10 a.m.

We apologize for this inconvenience, and thank you for your patience as we continue to take care of our Gunfighters and families.

The Mountain Home Elks Lodge will be closed until further notice. They will reevaluate for a 1 May reopen. They do have a Facebook page they will continue to update. Bingo, Thursday Night Steak Night and all scheduled functions are cancelled until further notice.

The Elmore County Commissioners, in conjunction with Elmore County Emergency Management, have been working closely with all emergency responders, Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Home Police Department, Mountain Home Fire Dept. and Elmore County EMS, to ensure that not only the First Responder needs are met but they as First Responders are able to meet the needs of the Citizens of Elmore County. We have had continuing discussions on new needs as they arise.

Good morning,

There will be no school on Tuesday, March 17th. Over the next two days, March 17th and 18th, schools will be open for parents and students to come in and retrieve their items from school. They will also be issued their Chromebooks when they come in. School is canceled completely until March 30th. Over the next two weeks additional information will continue to be sent to parents through email, social media, text, and phone calls. We are anticipating an extended closure of schools, possibly until the end of the school year. The next two weeks will continue to allow us to build our remote learning programs. These programs may look very different from kindergarten through high school. For many grades it is likely that much of what is done will be online, for others it may be information that is emailed to students and parents on a regular basis, for others it may be occasionally picking up packets of work. This is a work in progress. I know this is not ideal, but it is where we are at. We are also working on a plan to have lunches for students to pick up during the closure. You will receive additional information on the academic plan and school lunch plan in the next several days and weeks.

Masks to be required throughout Oregon starting Wednesday July 1st

It’s always the right time to commit to healthy habits, behaviors and steps to improve your physical and mental health. With the COVID-19 pandemic creating so much uncertainty and upending so many routines, experts say that focusing on the things within your control is particularly important.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ So many Idaho workers lost jobs so quickly this year due to the coronavirus pandemic that an unemployment extended benefits program will go into effect that was last used during the Great Recession in 2009, the state Department of Labor said Wednesday.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Hundreds of thousands of dollars in coronavirus relief payments have been sent to people behind bars across the United States, and now the IRS is asking state officials to help claw back the cash that the federal tax agency says was mistakenly sent.

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) _ The 2020 Idaho primary drew the state's highest voter turnout in decades in an election conducted entirely though mail-in voting for the first time.

STATE OF IDAHO

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Multiple student-athletes at Boise State University have tested positive for COVID-19 after some teams started returning to the Idaho campus for workouts, the university said Monday.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ More than 60% of Idaho's coronavirus-related deaths are among residents of long-term care facilities like nursing homes, according to numbers released by the state on Friday.

A message from Col. Richard Goodman regarding Friday's planned flyover salute to healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential personnel:

Idaho rolls out new COVID-19 testing strategy to protect lives, preserve healthcare capacity, rebound economy

Boise, Idaho – The White House is highlighting Idaho as a leader among states for our plans to safely and responsibly reopen the economy and for how we are allocating federal relief funds.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Before the surge of coronavirus-related joblessness hit Idaho, the state estimated it had enough money to cover nearly 16 months' worth of unemployment benefits.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ A plan to reopen Idaho during the coronavirus pandemic hinges on understanding what the state and individuals have to do to defeat the illness, the co-chair of Gov. Brad Little's COVID-19 Testing Task Force said.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho residents have been successful at reducing infections and deaths because of the coronavirus, and it's time to start restoring normal activity, Gov. Brad Little said Thursday.

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today a new public-private task force to create a COVID-19 testing strategy for the State of Idaho moving forward.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ With students completing school work remotely during the coronavirus pandemic, officials say more youths are filling their days by doing farm labor and other agricultural jobs.

BOISE, Idaho – Idaho’s congressional delegation today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue calling for special attention to Idaho’s agricultural industry, which is experiencing great economic disruption due to COVID-19.

Some frequently asked questions on the Stay-at-Home and Social Distancing order that might be helpful from the state

Pick up a copy of this week's Mountain Home News April 15, 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The United States' top infectious disease expert said Sunday that the economy in parts of the country could have a ``rolling reentry'' as early as next month, provided health authorities can quickly identify and isolate people who will inevitably be infected with the coronavirus.

Impacts from COVID-19 (coronavirus) continue to spread throughout our communities and around the world. As we grapple with this new reality, Your Health Idaho remains committed to serving Idahoans by providing a path to health insurance coverage when the need is greatest.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Another 31,000 Idaho residents filed for unemployment benefits last week as the state economy shed thousands of jobs for the third consecutive week, officials said Thursday.

REGISTRATIONS TEMPORARILY HALTED FOR CONVERSION TO A NEW, IMPROVED SYSTEM

Stay-at-home order legal, Idaho attorney general says

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - A reporter for a Boise television station who covered the Idaho Legislature and attended recent news conferences held by Gov. Brad Little said he has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Joe Parris of KTVB-TV said Wednesday he was tested on March 24 and was told Tuesday he had the virus.

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today the suspension of an additional 18 regulations to more quickly, efficiently, and safely respond to Idaho's coronavirus emergency, adding to the 125 regulations he suspended in March.

The Governor's latest action ensures citizens have greater access to telehealth and medical professionals can more easily obtain necessary licenses to quickly engage in the response effort.

NEW YORK (AP) — Elmo, Rooster and Cookie Monster are doing their part to help keep kids safe as the coronavirus pandemic grinds on.

The beloved Sesame Street Muppets are featured in some of four new animated public service spots reminding young fans to take care while doing such things as washing hands and sneezing.

In an official notification, members of the Shoshone Paiute Tribe were informed that due to the increasing risks associated with the spread of the Coronavirus the Tribal Business Council has placed a moratorium on all recreational fishing, camping and hunting within the boundaries of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation to better safeguard the local community.

DETROIT (AP) — President Donald Trump issued an order Friday that seeks to force General Motors to produce ventilators for coronavirus patients under the Defense Production Act.

Trump said negotiations with General Motors had been productive, “but our fight against the virus is too urgent to allow the give-and-take of the contracting process to continue to run its normal course.”

Governor Little rolls out latest actions to further prepare Idaho for coronavirus, ease burdens on citizens

Governor Little will host a statewide AARP telephone town hall today March 24th to provide information and answer questions regarding coronavirus in Idaho. The hour long conversation begins at 12 p.m. MST. Anyone can participate. Participants can join by dialing toll-free 866-767-0637 or register in advance by visiting https://vekeo.com/aarpidaho/. The conversation will also be streaming at www.facebook.com/aarpidaho.

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little issued the following statement after limited community spread was detected in Blaine County this afternoon.

BLAINE COUNTY — Idaho now has one confirmed case of community spread of the novel coronavirus, officials announced Thursday.

The case is not a new case — it was announced Wednesday in a press release — but it has been determined the Blaine County man in his 40s, who had COVID-19, had not traveled out of the state recently, nor did he have any known contact with anyone who has the virus.

This story originally appeared on BoiseDev.com.

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said during a news conference Thursday that she would order the shutdown of bars and restaurants, but still allow takeout and delivery.

I’ve been talking to many Idahoans about the 2019 novel coronavirus. Everyone has an opinion, and most people are doing their best to stay healthy and prevent others from getting sick.

The situation with coronavirus is changing hourly, and history will remember our reaction to it. I want history to remember that Idahoans were there for each other during this very challenging and uncertain time.

President Donald Trump speaks during press briefing with the Coronavirus Task Force, at the White House, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Washington.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Managing dual health and economic crises, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will invoke emergency powers that allow the government to marshal the private sector in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

To reduce large gatherings of people, the Idaho Transportation Department’s Division of Motor Vehicle is instituting a 90-day extension on some credentials. The public is also encouraged to use the DMV’s online services rather than go to the county sheriffs’ and assessors’ offices for essential services.