IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho Bureau of Laboratories Director Christopher Ball has said concerning coronavirus variants are likely spreading across the state, despite efforts to vaccinate residents.

The governor has announced that anyone age 45+ is now eligible to receive a COVID vaccination. We have appointments available today! Starting April 5, all Idahoans age 16 and older may receive the vaccine. We are vaccinating only age 18 and over.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ The Idaho Legislature voted Friday to shut down for several weeks due to an outbreak of COVID-19.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ The top member in the Idaho House on Wednesday said he's concerned the Legislature might have to shut down if House members continue getting sick with COVID-19.

Republican House Speaker Scott Bedke said he's asked House members to take precautions so that the Legislature can remain in session and wrap up business by March 26.

Idaho bill appears to eliminate coronavirus as an emergency

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Two Idaho Democratic House staffers tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday, including one who had contact with House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel earlier in the day.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ A girls' basketball tournament triggered legislation introduced Friday targeting gathering-size limits due to the coronavirus pandemic.

BOISE ID (AP) _ Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Thursday ordered the state's seven public health districts and providers to regularly report the number of coronavirus vaccine doses they have received and administered to increase transparency.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho Governor Brad Little on Friday ripped state lawmakers for jeopardizing efforts to fight the coronavirus and called on residents to contact their senators and representatives.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Limited coronavirus vaccine availability, confusion over just which Idaho residents should be vaccinated first and rumors of line-jumpers are all complicating the state's vaccine rollout.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ An 87-year-old south-central Idaho man has filed a federal lawsuit against Republican Gov. Brad Little and the state's health department seeking to force the state to put people 65 and over at the front of the line for the coronavirus vaccination.

The first trucks carrying a COVID-19 vaccine for widespread use in the United States were set to pull out of a Michigan manufacturing plant Sunday, with the shots that are critical to stopping the nation's coronavirus outbreak destined to reach states a day later.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Soldiers triaging patients in parking lots in a capital city is normally the stuff of science fiction.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho has reached an alarming milestone, with health officials reporting that more than 100,000 residents have been infected with the coronavirus.

Boise, Idaho (AP) _ The mayor of Idaho's largest city says local police will begin enforcing mask orders starting next week in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho has reported five consecutive days of more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases per day, including a record 1,403 new cases on Saturday as the pandemic's surge sweeps the state and the nation.

122 Million Ballots Processed and Delivered Amid Historic Political and Election Mail Volume; Extraordinary Measures Underway to Deliver Ballots Currently in Mail System

Associated Press

Governor Little will host a press conference regarding Idaho Rebounds on Sep 18, 2020 @ 12 p.m. Mountain Time.

The conference will be streamed to the public online at https://www.idahoptv.org/shows/idahoinsession/governor/.

Idaho State Capitol – On Tuesday Aug 25th, the Idaho House of Representatives approved House Concurrent Resolution 1 in the Special Legislative Session that began Monday Aug 24th. If approved by the Idaho Senate, the resolution would end Governor Little’s emergency declaration related to COVID-19.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Wednesday called the part-time Legislature back into a special session due to the coronavirus pandemic.

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) _ More than 180 inmates at an Idaho county jail have tested positive for the coronavirus since July.

Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little's Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee approved an additional $40 million today to increase and improve COVID-19 testing in Idaho and an additional $10 million to equip schools with supplies needed to open safely.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Many Idaho parents who want their children to attend school online during the coronavirus pandemic can get computer equipment and even lunches provided by their school district. But they will need to supply plenty of one commodity on their own: time.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ An initial surge of coronavirus infections after young adults ignored social distancing and didn't wear face coverings when the state started reopening is now playing out among older generations who subsequently became infected and are being hospitalized.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Healthcare leaders pleaded for a statewide mask mandate on Tuesday, saying it's the best way to slow a rapid increase in coronavirus cases.

The officials from the five largest medical care providers in southwestern Idaho also urged residents to push local and state leaders for mandates. Gov. Brad Little has so far been unswayed, though he has encouraged residents to wear masks.

The upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic has affected so much in our daily lives, particularly so for our children and grandchildren. Over 300,000 young Idahoans are educated in our public schools, a time-honored learning process that was severely disrupted last spring, perhaps as never before.

In my view, our teachers, administrators, local school boards and parents did an outstanding job of moving the entire system from in-person instruction to distance learning options in a short period of time. Now the time has come to bring our students and teachers back into the classroom.

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.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ Oregon adopted a controversial rule on Tuesday that indefinitely extends coronavirus mask and social distancing requirements in all businesses in the state.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Lawmakers amended a bill that would ban the state, public health departments and even school districts from requiring masks to add a penalty on Friday.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration will officially open the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal tomorrow, April 8, 2021 at 12 p.m. EDT for operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theatres, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers and talent representatives to apply for critical economic relief, as those eligible entities are some of the first that had to shutter their doors a year ago in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Two Idaho lawmakers have dropped their lawsuit against the Republican-led state Legislature and legislative leadership that alleged lax coronavirus protocols at the Statehouse.

Public health officials say an Idaho man has been infected with a variant of coronavirus first detected in South Africa.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Wall Street is rallying toward record highs again Thursday on expectations that the Democratic sweep of Washington means more stimulus is likely on the way for the economy.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Coronavirus vaccinations for 130,000 frontline health care workers and long-term care residents should be finished by the end of January, Idaho Gov. Brad Little said Tuesday.

Coronavirus deaths are rising again in the US, as feared

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho health care experts say coronavirus is increasing as kids are returning to school _ but most of the new infections aren't happening in school buildings.

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The nation's top military leaders were under self-quarantine Tuesday after a senior Coast Guard official tested positive for the coronavirus, the Pentagon said. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, and the vice chairman, Gen. John Hyten, were among those affected, U.S. officials said.

Central District Health (CDH) has established new metrics for determining weekly school operation categories in Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley Counties. The new system will keep Red, Yellow and Green color categories and recommended level of operations, but will entirely replace the previous category definitions with average case rates calculated for each county. CDH will use a two-week average of daily COVID-19 cases calculated per 100,000 people in a given county. The new system is aimed at simplifying the way categories for schools are determined within CDH’s four-county jurisdiction.

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today Idaho will remain in Stage 4 of the Idaho Rebounds plan for another two weeks while emphasizing the need for Idahoans to get flu shots to protect themselves and their families and lighten the burden on Idaho’s healthcare system.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ An Idaho hospital on Tuesday reported the state's first case of a pediatric inflammatory illness associated with the new coronavirus.

As Idahoans identify the many impacts of COVID-19, the need increases for behavioral health support, food security, housing, and other services. The Division of Behavioral Health in the Department of Health and Welfare and in conjunction with the Idaho Office of Emergency Management is pleased to announce that the COVID Help Now Line offers statewide support for anyone facing challenges associated with this global pandemic.

At their regular weekly meeting held on Tuesday, August 11, Central District Health’s (CDH) Board of Health voted to pass a new order mandating the wearing of face coverings in public places for all of Valley County. Under the new order, “Every person is required to wear a face covering that completely covers the person’s nose and mouth when the person is in a public place or on the property of a public or private, or charter school, or technical school, or college or university, and others are present and physical distancing of six feet cannot be maintained.”

(Boise, ID) – Idaho Division of Veterans Services (IDVS) regrets to inform you that the Idaho State Veterans Home – Boise (ISVH-Boise) has experienced its first COVID-19 related death.

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Federal Reserve expressed concern Wednesday that the persistent viral outbreak will act as a drag on the economy and hiring in the coming months and said it plans to keep its benchmark short-term interest rate pegged near zero to help provide support.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Organizations that advocate for schools, counties, county sheriffs and businesses said Tuesday they want lawmakers called back into session to create a liability shield for protection against COVID-19-related lawsuits.

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) _ Prosecutors from more than half of Idaho's counties questioned whether Gov. Brad Little's plan to use $200 million in federal aid for property tax relief is legal under the federal coronavirus aid package.

If you are sick and have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspected to have COVID-19 because you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.

Symptoms of COVID-19

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.