Good morning, Boise.

Valley Regional Transit will offer free bus rides on Route 7 until 1 a.m. tonight for New Year's Eve celebrations; riders can use the Park + Ride at Boise Towne Square Mall to skip downtown parking.

Idaho Parks and Recreation is hosting First Day Hikes on Jan.

1, 2026 at Lucky Peak and Eagle Island State Parks, where community members can join guided walks, self-guided trails & warm treats as they celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

A review of the top 10 Idaho stories from 2025 shows which local features, including culture + community events, captured the most reader interest.

The list highlights topics that shaped discussion throughout the year.

The Idaho Lottery confirmed two winning $1 million raffle tickets were sold in Jefferson and Kootenai counties — additional prizes of $100,000 in Payette and $50,000 in Bannock.

Winners have 180 days to claim their prizes.

Idaho's ski resorts have postponed New Year's events as officials wait for more snowfall.

Hydrologist David Hoekema said a few good atmospheric rivers may help boost the snowpack to fill Lucky Peak reservoir and secure summer water supplies.

Idaho Fish and Game announced that a white-tailed buck harvested in Unit 15 south of Grangeville tested positive for chronic wasting disease, its first detection in the area, and the agency will review its management strategy.

The Ada County Highway District and City of Boise are launching the North End Neighborhood Slow Zone Pilot program, which will lower speed limits to 20 mph on select streets over the next three months to improve local safety.

ACHD will share educational materials and gather public feedback.

Idaho will receive nearly $1b over the next five years to boost rural health care, with $185.97M allocated annually to upgrade technology + workforce programs and modernize facilities.

Gov. Little and state health officials planned the investment after gathering input from over 500 community responses.

An Idaho-based company recalled 3,000 pounds of Forward Farms grass-fed beef due to possible E. coli O26, so customers should check labels + return any product with a use or freeze-by date of Jan.

13.

The Bonneville County Coroner warned that kratom use—especially when mixed with alcohol—has been linked to overdose deaths, accounting for about 18% of recent local fatalities.

Officials advise those using kratom to seek professional help for pain management and addiction.

Mountain West Food Group in Heyburn is recalling nearly 3,000 pounds of raw ground beef after tests found E. coli O26 — the vacuum sealed packages have a Use or Freeze By date of Jan.

13. Consumers should not eat the product and must return or discard it.

Boise Underground Media Third Anniversary Celebration

7-11 p.m. — Shrine Social Club — Enjoy local live music — Celebrate three years of Boise Underground Media with 'The Mall Goth Moths' electrifying sounds.

Trivia Night at Hap Hap Lounge

6-8 p.m. — Hap Hap Lounge — Free entry — Test your knowledge with some fun trivia every Tuesday night.

The Mystics Live Performance

7-9:30 p.m. — The Riverside Hotel — Ticketed event — Experience classic rock hits from the ’60s to today with Boise's longest-running band.

The Stone Popes Concert

8-11:45 p.m. — The Duck Club — $13.32 — Experience the blend of emo and post-hardcore with The Stone Popes live in Boise.

Kpop and Jpop Random Dance Party

1:30–4:00 p.m. — Boise Towne Square — Free entry — Enjoy the energy of Kpop and Jpop dances with performances and exciting prizes.

Winter Peekaboo Penguin Family Day

1-3 p.m. — Painting with a Twist — All ages welcome — Explore creativity with guided painting and family-friendly snacks in a fun, screen-free environment.

Open House at Boise Natural Health Clinic

Join the physicians at BNHC for an Open House! Stop by to meet our doctors and learn about what naturopathic medicine can do for you and receive a discount on your first visit.

Tater Patch Album Release Party

7:30-11 p.m. — Shrine Social Club — $19.98 — Celebrate with Boise's own Tater Patch as they release their new album.

Blood Drive

12-6 p.m. — West Boise YMCA and Boise City Aquatic Center — Donation encouraged — Participate in life-saving efforts by giving blood.

Weekly Trivia Night

6-8 p.m. — Hap Hap Lounge — Free entry — Test your knowledge with trivia at this popular Boise venue.