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Quinn's Pond Is Safe for Swimming Again: What Boise's Latest Water Quality Update Means
If you've been waiting to cool off at one of Boise's favorite summer swimming spots, there's good news. Quinn's Pond is officially back open for swimming after follow-up testing showed that E. coli levels have dropped below Idaho's recreational water quality standards. Just a few days earlier, elevated bacteria levels prompted the City of Boise to post warning signs near the pond, advising visitors to stay out of the water. Now, those signs are coming down, and swimmers can o
Brent Hanson
3 days ago3 min read


Heritage Square: Downtown Meridian’s Long-Vacant Union 93 Site Is Finally Getting a New Beginning
For years, one of the most noticeable properties in downtown Meridian has been the unfinished Union 93 development. Sitting at the prominent corner of Main Street and Broadway, the site became a symbol of a project that never quite crossed the finish line. Residents watched construction stall, plans fade into uncertainty, and one of the city's most valuable downtown locations remain largely unused. Now, that’s finally changing. On July 14, developers officially unveiled Herit
Brent Hanson
3 days ago5 min read


Idaho's First El Pollo Loco Is Finally Here. What It Says About the Treasure Valley's Growth
The Treasure Valley just welcomed a restaurant that many people have been waiting years to see. El Pollo Loco officially opened its first-ever Idaho location in Meridian on July 2, marking another milestone in the region's rapid growth. Located at 3471 W. Chinden Blvd., directly across from Costco, the popular fire-grilled chicken chain has already drawn long lines of curious locals and longtime fans eager for their first taste. While the opening of a single restaurant might
Brent Hanson
Jul 74 min read


A $5 Rubber Dolphin Could Win You a Trip to Mexico While Helping Thousands of Treasure Valley Kids
Every summer, the Treasure Valley is filled with community events that bring people together. Some celebrate local culture, others highlight Idaho's outdoor lifestyle, and a few have become traditions that families look forward to year after year. One of the most unique is returning once again. The Great Dolphin Dunk is back for its 26th year, giving Treasure Valley residents the chance to adopt a rubber dolphin for just $5. On race day, thousands of those dolphins will race
Brent Hanson
Jun 225 min read


Idaho Teen Honored as a Hero After Helping Save His Mother's Life
Stories of courage often come from unexpected places. Sometimes they come from firefighters, police officers, or trained rescue teams. Other times, they come from ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations and make the right decision when it matters most. That was the case for 14-year-old Idaho teen Silas Dulebohn, who is now being recognized for his quick thinking and calm response during a terrifying water emergency involving his mother. What could have
Brent Hanson
Jun 165 min read


Boise Just Ranked Among the Top 10 Places in America to Raise a Family. But Is It Getting Harder for Families to Stay?
For years, Boise has been one of the most talked-about cities in America. People have moved here for the outdoor lifestyle, strong sense of community, relatively low crime, and access to everything from hiking trails to family-friendly neighborhoods. Now, Boise has earned another major recognition. According to a recent WalletHub study comparing more than 180 cities across the United States, Boise ranked No. 10 in the nation for raising a family. The rankings looked at factor
Brent Hanson
Jun 25 min read


A $15 Million Gift Is Bringing a Major New Park to the Boise Area. Here’s Why That Matters for the Treasure Valley’s Future
The Treasure Valley keeps growing, and with that growth comes a question that affects almost everyone living here: Can Boise and the surrounding cities keep the lifestyle people moved here for in the first place? That question just got a major development. A $15 million donation from the Alta Harris family is helping create a brand-new Boise-area public park, now known as Alta Harris Park. And while the full design and timeline are still being finalized, one thing is already
Brent Hanson
May 195 min read


Idaho Now Has the Highest Melanoma Rate in America. Here’s Why That Matters More Than People Think
When most people think about Idaho, they picture rivers, foothills, skiing, hiking, camping, and long summer days outside. That outdoor lifestyle is a huge reason so many people love living here or want to move here in the first place. But there’s a side of Idaho living that does not get talked about enough. Idaho now ranks number one in the nation for melanoma rates, according to recent reporting highlighted by KTVB. That statistic catches a lot of people off guard, especial
Brent Hanson
May 136 min read


Brantley Gilbert Kicks Off Western Idaho Fair 2026 Lineup: What It Means for Boise’s Summer Scene
If you’ve spent even one summer in the Treasure Valley, you already know this: fair season isn’t just another event on the calendar. It’s a signal. It means long nights, packed parking lots, live music drifting through warm air, and a city that feels fully alive. And now we’ve got the first official taste of that energy for 2026. Brantley Gilbert has been announced as the first headliner for the 2026 Western Idaho Fair, and if history tells us anything, this is just the begin
Brent Hanson
May 15 min read


Moving to Boise in 2026: What People Get Wrong (And What Actually Matters)
If you’re thinking about moving to Boise, Idaho in 2026, you’re not alone and you’re definitely not the first person to come in with a certain picture in your head. For a lot of people, that picture looks something like this: mountains out your back door, pine trees everywhere, maybe a ski-town vibe year-round. Something like Aspen or Bend. Here’s the reality: Boise isn’t that. And whether that’s a dealbreaker or exactly what you’re looking for depends on how well you underst
Brent Hanson
Apr 246 min read


Rats in Ada County: A Small Problem Turning Into a Big Gap in Idaho’s System
If you’ve heard more people lately say, “Wait… are those rats?” you’re not imagining things. Across Ada County, reports of rats are popping up more often. In neighborhoods, near waterways, around new developments, and even in areas that historically never had to think about it. For a lot of longtime Treasure Valley residents, this feels new. And for people considering moving to Boise or nearby cities, it raises an uncomfortable question: How is this being handled? Right now,
Brent Hanson
Apr 246 min read


New Construction vs. Resale in Boise: What Actually Makes Sense in 2026?
If you’ve been paying attention to the Boise housing market lately, you’ve probably noticed something interesting. Buyers aren’t just asking “Can I afford this?” anymore. They’re asking a much more important question: What kind of life am I actually buying into? Right now, the Treasure Valley is sitting in a unique moment. On one side, builders are rolling out aggressive incentives on brand new homes. On the other, resale homes are staying on the market longer, giving buyers
Brent Hanson
Apr 235 min read


The Boise Real Estate Shift Nobody’s Talking About Yet
It feels like everyone is talking about Boise real estate right now. Prices. Inventory. Interest rates. Whether it is still a good time to buy. But almost nobody is talking about what is about to happen next. And if you are thinking about moving to the Treasure Valley or buying here in the next few years, this is the part that matters most. Because Micron Technology is investing billions of dollars right here in the Boise area. And that kind of investment does not just impact
Brent Hanson
Apr 205 min read


Boise Farmers Market Is Back… But the Bigger Story Is Where It’s Going Next
For a lot of people in the Treasure Valley, the Boise Farmers Market is more than just a place to grab produce on a Saturday morning. It’s a ritual. It’s where you run into people you know, discover local vendors, grab a coffee, and feel connected to something that is uniquely Boise. It has always been part food, part community, and part weekend routine. Now, as the market kicks off its 14th season, there is a bigger story unfolding behind the scenes. And depending on how you
Brent Hanson
Apr 165 min read


Boise, Meridian, or Eagle? What Most People Get Wrong When Moving to the Treasure Valley
If you are thinking about moving to the Boise area in 2026, there is one mistake that comes up again and again. People assume Boise, Meridian, and Eagle are basically the same thing because they are close together on a map. They are not. And that misunderstanding can quietly shape everything about your daily life once you move here, including your commute, your budget, your neighborhood feel, and even whether you feel like you chose the right place at all. This guide breaks d
Brent Hanson
Apr 86 min read


Boise Summers Used to Hit Different: Remembering Wild Waters
There are certain places that don’t just exist in a city. They define an era of it. If you grew up in Boise anytime between the mid-80s and early 2000s, there’s a good chance one of those places was Wild Waters. It wasn’t just a waterpark. It was the summer plan. The fallback plan. The answer to “what are we doing today?” without even needing to think. And if you were there, you already know. Boise summers used to hit different. The Waterpark That Defined a Generation Wild Wa
Brent Hanson
Apr 75 min read


Boise’s Golden Horse Lives On In the Weirdest Way Possible
Boise has a funny way of holding onto its history. Sometimes it preserves it in museums. Sometimes it tears it down for new development. And sometimes, just sometimes, it ends up sitting outside a tattoo shop on the Bench like a roadside attraction you didn’t know you needed in your life. That’s exactly what happened with one of downtown Boise’s most recognizable former restaurant fixtures: the golden horse from the old P.F. Chang’s. What started as a simple restaurant closur
Brent Hanson
Apr 36 min read


Winter Inversions in Idaho Are Hitting Solar Energy Hard
Idaho winters are beautiful, but they come with a hidden challenge: air quality issues caused by winter inversions . Beyond the smoggy skies that residents often notice, these inversions are reducing solar energy output and not by a small amount. In fact, during inversion events, the Treasure Valley loses enough solar-generated electricity to power roughly 14,000 homes . For locals and anyone considering renewable energy in Idaho, this is a reminder that even solar panels ar
Brent Hanson
Feb 133 min read


Capital High Football Makes a Bold Move with New Head Coach
If you’ve followed high school football in the Treasure Valley, you know that Capital High School has a storied history. Once considered one of Idaho’s top programs, the team has faced some challenging seasons in recent years, leaving fans, alumni, and the community eager for a comeback. Now, with the hiring of a new head coach , Capital High is signaling that it’s ready to rebuild, refocus, and return to the winning ways that made it a powerhouse . Here’s a closer look at w
Brent Hanson
Feb 124 min read


Revolution Concert House Could Bring Live Music to Meridian
Meridian is booming. With new restaurants, shops, and housing developments popping up, the city has long been carving out its own identity north of Boise. Now, it looks like Meridian could get its first true mid-size concert venue with the proposed Revolution Concert House near The Village. Here’s what Treasure Valley residents need to know and why this could be a big deal for the city’s entertainment scene. Why Revolution Concert House Matters For years, people living in M
Brent Hanson
Feb 103 min read
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