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Guest Columnist Brian Parsons: Sentiment Is Driven, Not Polled

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November 12, 2026

Sentiment Is Driven, Not Polled

By: Brian Parsons

For most of my adult life, Alabama football was the gold standard of collegiate sports.  Being a University of Georgia alumnus, it pained me to watch my Georgia Bulldogs take a backseat to my redneck cousins to the West.  After the era of the San Francisco 49ers and the West Coast offense, Alabama football wasn’t sexy.  It was no-holds-barred, punch-you-in-the-mouth football.  While West Coast football teams emphasized torching you for gobs of points, Alabama was content beating you into submission for four quarters. A demoralization campaign.  I am only so fortunate that Coach Kirby Smart, another Georgia Alumnus, sat at the right hand of Nick Saban to acquire and develop the culture of brutality he has brought to Georgia.

At a time when college football is rapidly changing and, in my opinion, turning into something less than savory, pollsters rely on the eye test to seat teams in the playoff picture.  Historically, teams moved up and down the polls based largely on the win/loss column, and this has at times led to lesser teams landing in the playoff hunt.  Now that we’re up to 12 teams and soon to be 24 teams in the college football playoff picture, the demand for perfection has lessened.  Quality wins can be as important as quality losses, and are less about scoring as quickly and often as possible.  Discipline, physicality, and consistency are rewarded in the rankings, not just polls based on wins and losses. Sentiment is driven and not polled.

If we are to believe last week’s midterm election results, Democrats found an extra 20 million votes in their shellacking of Republicans, and their explanation follows this logic. This week, CNN’s Van Jones let the cat out of the bag that a super secret campaign to drive sentiment around “affordability” was unleashed on the public which turned out the extra 20 million voters. After 2020, my bullshit meter tends to go off anytime someone mentions a super secret plan to win national elections.  This harkens to the 2021 TIME magazine article on the super secret plan to save democracy, which was really just cover for all of the shenanigans to stuff the ballot box in the name of the COVID pandemic.  I suspect there is a bit of that going on as well, but the important part of this admission isn’t really the plausibility of turning out an extra 20 million voters; it’s the believable sentiment that everyone is unhappy and everything is historically terrible.  Sentiment is driven and not polled. How does this relate to our statewide and local election results in Idaho?

My wife and I invested significant time and effort into fighting Idaho’s Proposition 1, the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act.  Our initial concerns were largely driven by a desire to address the public’s concerns with Idaho’s Defense of Life Act, but after a thorough review of Idaho’s maternity landscape, a different picture began to emerge.  Not only does Idaho rank in the top ten nationally for maternity care, but its numbers actually improved under the DOLA legal framework.  A 3-year average of pregnancy-related deaths before and after Dobbs showed a 60% drop in maternal mortality in Idaho. Critics would be mistaken to dismiss this as all of Idaho’s maternity care going outside of Idaho, because Idaho’s result mirrors the national landscape.  According to the CDC, in March of 2026, the United States reached its lowest maternal mortality ratio on record since the new surveillance system began in 2018, and even under the old system going back to 2007.  It appears that Dobbs putting maternity care under a microscope has created the best outcomes. Everyone does their best work when the boss is watching.

The opposition campaign on Prop 1 became a race to inform the public before they could be misinformed.  If you listened to your television, the sky has been falling, and women are dropping dead in the streets from the pregnancy pandemic. These claims were simply unsupported by the facts, and the opposition could be confident in voting their conscience.  As with all things, sentiment had to be driven, and not polled.

In Idaho, electoral success fell strictly down Proposition 1 lines.  While Proposition 1 failed statewide by a 56:44 margin, those districts where Proposition 1 received a thumbs up also elected Democrats.  In Idaho, vote tallies aren’t kept at the legislative district level, so I asked AI to count the votes by voter precinct and then tally them according to the legislative districts that comprise them.  The result?  A 100% correlation.  If a legislative district supported Proposition 1, it elected Democrats to the legislature.

It would be easy to dismiss this as the vote following the Democratic vote, but Democrats flipped six Republican legislative seats.  Here in Pocatello, they flipped 2 Republican seats by turning 22 precincts that went for Donald Trump in 2024 to Yes on Proposition 1.  This reflects poorly on local Republicans for failing to adequately oppose Prop 1.  How many people do you know who asked about the many ‘Yes on Proposition 1’ signs that were littered throughout Pocatello, and who asked where the opposition signs were? I heard it frequently.  Republicans cannot fear taking moral stands in the future. Sentiment is driven and not polled.

Guest Columnist Brian Lenney–Access for a Purpose: What Parents Can Do About Kids and the Internet

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November 11, 2026

Access for a Purpose: What Parents Can Do About Kids and the Internet
What families can do at home, and how to judge any law or product that promises to protect children.

By: Brian Lenney

I’ve spent over 30 years in tech, including as Chief Technologist for a $10B/yr IT company and as an NSA contractor. Since becoming a dad, I’ve focused on helping families. Today I run Family IT Guy, where I teach parents how to protect their kids online.

What children face online

Most apps, games and websites are built for adults. Parents are left trying to remove the features and content a child shouldn’t have.

When a child goes online, other people and companies can reach them. They can contact the child, influence what the child does and collect information about them. The two biggest dangers that come from this are addictive algorithms, and strangers who can message children directly, including through the chat in many games.

Addictive algorithms come from apps and games designed to keep people using them as long as possible, and the more these apps learn about a child, the better they get at it. An endless stream of videos and posts makes it harder for a child to stop. The algorithm also chooses what they see, and seeing the same things repeatedly shapes what starts to seem normal to them.

Children’s mental health is part of what is at stake. From 2007 to 2019, the suicide rate among U.S. children ages 10 to 14 nearly tripled. That rise coincided with smartphones bringing addictive social media feeds into children’s backpacks, pockets and bedrooms. Suicide was the second-leading cause of death for that age group in 2024.

Strangers are the other danger. An adult who wants to exploit a child can use friendly attention, gifts and a sense of belonging to gain the child’s trust, then ask the child to keep secrets or isolate them from the people they trust. Knowing how that works helps a family recognize danger before a conversation turns into an obvious threat. More than 21 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation reached the CyberTipline in 2025, the national reporting system run by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

What works

Four things protect children online: parents who lead by example, the parental controls built into children’s devices, education for parents and children, and a community of other families making the same choices. Every family can use all four. Finding a community can take effort, but a family that looks for one can find it, even if it’s online.

Lead by example

Apps are built to hold adults’ attention too, and our kids watch how we handle that. Putting a phone away during a conversation shows that the person in front of you deserves attention. Keeping phones, tablets and computers in the shared rooms of the house, and out of bedrooms and bathrooms, protects children’s sleep and their safety: many of the harms to children online happen late at night, in bedrooms and bathrooms. Children learn that habit by watching the whole family keep it. Being open with our children about our own internet use, what we want to change about it and when we don’t manage it shows them that self-control takes practice for adults too.

Use the parental controls built into the device

Many parents assume children need internet access. Often they don’t, and many don’t need a phone of their own either. A 9-year-old who walks to a friend’s house might need a way to call home if plans change, and the friend’s family likely has a phone they can use. Until recently, children grew up without phones of their own. So the first question is what problem a device would solve for your child, and whether solving it needs the internet at all. If a device is needed, one that only calls and texts approved contacts may be enough.

When a child does need more, the parental controls built into almost every phone, tablet, computer and game console let a family turn on only what the child needs. A child might need to finish schoolwork or play with friends, and each purpose deserves its own decision. A family might allow only the websites a school assignment requires, or let a child play a game with its chat turned off. That is what I mean by access for a purpose: a child gets what a task requires, and more as their needs and judgment grow.

When choosing an app or game, it helps to look beyond its settings: what the child will see, how it is built to keep them using it, and what it takes time away from, such as sleep, exercise and time with family and friends. Some controls have workarounds or gaps, so they work best alongside leading by example, education and community.

Learn, then teach

Parents can learn how the apps, games and devices in their home work, and what each one exposes a child to. Children develop judgment by practicing it. They can learn to question what they see online, notice when someone is trying to influence them, decide what to share and recognize when they need help. Parents can work through unfamiliar situations with them and explain the reasoning behind a decision.

A child needs people they can go to when something online becomes confusing, uncomfortable or frightening, including after they’ve made a mistake. Tell them before anything happens: “If anything online makes you uncomfortable, or if you make a mistake, you should tell me. You will not be in trouble.”

Don’t do it alone

When other families make the same choices, no child has to be the only one at school without unrestricted internet access or social media. Families in the same class can agree together to delay smartphones. The Wait Until 8th pledge is one way to do it: parents promise not to give their child a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade, and the pledge takes effect once 10 families from the same grade and school have signed. Shared activities and communities where children belong also give them places to build confidence and friendships offline. Parents benefit from those connections too.

Protection has to preserve privacy and freedom

Privacy protects a child’s future. Much of what a child does online is recorded, and those records can still exist when the child is an adult. A child’s privacy belongs to them, and parents protect it from companies, strangers and the government while the child learns to make informed decisions. So choosing a product includes asking what information it collects, who receives it and how much control the family keeps.

The same questions apply when the government proposes to protect children. When the government gathers records of a family’s interests, relationships and online activity, that is surveillance, and people may censor themselves when they know they are being watched. When the government decides what people may see or say online, that is censorship.

Age-verification laws are an example of both. They aim to keep children away from pornography and other harmful sites and apps, and I share that goal. But to work, such a law first has to find out who is a child, so everyone who uses those sites and apps, adults included, has to prove their age, often with an ID, a face scan or a guess based on their behavior. That creates records, held by the app stores, websites or companies that do the checking, linking people to what they use online. The government can demand those records with a court order, and hackers can steal them. Rules about who else may see those records are written into law, and a later law can change those rules. The law also defines what counts as harmful to children, and a future legislature can add to that list.

A proposed protection should therefore be judged by what it does to a family’s freedom as well as the harm it promises to prevent. Families need limits on government surveillance and censorship written into constitutions, where a future legislature can’t remove them with an ordinary vote, and a way to enforce those limits in court.

Whoever holds the authority over a decision about a child should be accountable when that decision goes wrong. If the government decides for families which apps their children may use and says it is keeping kids safe, and then a child gets hurt, the government isn’t held accountable. The parents are. Decisions about a child’s technology belong with the parents, who are accountable for the results.

Applied to a child online, that gives families, companies, the government and schools each a clear role. A family can stop using an app, so whether a child uses it, addictive design included, is the family’s decision, and a company’s duty is to be honest about what its product does and what it collects. A stranger who exploits a child commits a crime, and prosecuting it is the government’s job. A school sits between an app and the government: a family can leave a school only by changing schools, homeschooling or moving, so a school that requires a device or online service should be able to explain why the child needs it, what it exposes the child to and what happens to the child’s information.

Where to start

If you want a first step for each of the four, here are some:

  • Show your child how much time you spend online. Tell them why you’re careful about what your family is exposed to online, and how hard it is to use the internet less. It helps them grow up knowing that it takes ongoing practice, and that they aren’t the only ones who find it hard.
  • Ask whether your child needs a device at all, and if so, whether it needs the internet. Then set up the parental controls so they have what they need and no more.
  • Talk one app through with your child: what they use it for, what else it exposes them to, such as addictive algorithms, messages from people they don’t know or spending money, and what they’d need to learn before they’re ready for more freedom online. Remind them they can come to you.
  • Find two or three families in your child’s class who want the same things, or start a Wait Until 8th pledge at your school.

As your child becomes more capable, their opportunities and their responsibility can grow as they do.

If you’re a lawmaker or an advocate, ask four questions of any proposal to protect children. What problem is it meant to solve? Does it actually address that problem? What does it cost families in privacy and freedom? And who answers for it if it fails?

As parents, we want our children to grow into adults who can think for themselves and direct their own lives, with their privacy and freedom intact.

There’s more on all of this, with practical guides, on my Start here page. I’ve written down the principles behind it in my Declaration of Principles.

Cheers,
Brian

Gov. Little Proclaims November 13-15 College GameDay Weekend in Idaho

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Observer Staff
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(Photo Credit: Karyn Simmons)

(Governor’s Office Press Release, November 13, 2026)

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little today proclaimed November 13-15, 2026, as College GameDay Weekend in Idaho, celebrating ESPN’s return to Boise State University for its nationally televised College GameDay broadcast for the first time since 2010.

ESPN’s College GameDay, one of the most recognized programs in college football, will broadcast live from 7-10 a.m. at DeChevrieux Field on Boise State’s campus Saturday, November 14, bringing national attention to the university, the Treasure Valley, and the entire State of Idaho.

“College GameDay coming back to Boise is a big deal for Idaho. It puts our state, Boise State University, and that iconic blue turf in front of millions of people across the country. Idahoans are proud of our Broncos, proud of our state, and proud to show the rest of the country what makes Idaho special. I encourage everyone to get out, wear their blue and orange, and cheer on the Broncos this weekend!” Governor Little said.

The return is especially meaningful as Boise State prepares to face Oregon State University, renewing the same matchup that brought College GameDay to Boise in 2010. The broadcast will showcase the passion of Bronco fans and the national appeal of Boise State football.

“Boise State has built a tremendous tradition of excellence in academics, athletics, and service. Events like this demonstrate the university’s impact well beyond its campus. We look forward to welcoming ESPN and the nation to Idaho,” Governor Little said.

Governor Little encourages Idahoans to celebrate College GameDay Weekend and support the Boise State Broncos as they take on the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday, November 14, at 4 p.m. at Albertsons Stadium.

Go Broncos!

Family-Friendly Weekend Events: November 13-14, 2026

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Observer Staff
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November 13, 2026

POCATELLO, Idaho — Families throughout southeastern Idaho have plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the community this weekend, November 13–14. Activities include a Pocatello’s Annual Veterans Day Parade, the Veterans Powwow at Fort Hall, holiday markets, a ski swap, skating, live performances, and opportunities to support local charitable organizations.

Friday, November 13

5:00–10:00 PM — Pocatello Ski Swap

Pond Student Union, Idaho State University, Pocatello.

Get ready for winter at the annual Pocatello Ski Swap. Shoppers can browse new and used skis, snowboards, boots, clothing, and other winter sports equipment offered by individuals and businesses.

The sale continues Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Admission to browse is free.

Event information

5:00 PM — C-A-L Ranch Ladies Night

C-A-L Ranch, 4215 Yellowstone Avenue, Chubbuck.

The store’s annual Ladies Night shopping event features special discounts, giveaways, local vendors, and refreshments. An opportunity for an evening of shopping and holiday gift hunting.

Community event listing

5:00 PM — Tilden’s Healthcare Appreciation Night

Tilden Co., 100 West Bridge Street, Blackfoot.

Healthcare workers are invited to a special shopping event featuring exclusive sales, doorbuster deals, and giveaways.

Event information

6:00 PM — Light the World Giving Machine Launch and Tree Lighting

ICCU Headquarters, 4400 Central Way, Chubbuck.

Celebrate the beginning of the holiday giving season with a community tree lighting, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be provided.

Admission is free.

Event information

7:00–11:00 PM — Harry Potter Theme Night at Deleta Skating

Deleta Skating, 520 Yellowstone Avenue, Pocatello.

Fans of Harry Potter can enjoy a magical evening of roller skating featuring themed games, trivia, a costume contest, and complimentary butterbeer. Costumes are encouraged.

Admission charged.

Event information

7:30 PM — Idaho State-Civic Symphony: Resilience

Stephens Performing Arts Center, Idaho State University, Pocatello.

The Idaho State-Civic Symphony presents an evening of orchestral music featuring works by Beethoven and Grażyna Bacewicz, along with a premiere performance of a Native American flute concerto featuring Hovia Edwards.

Tickets required.

ISU event information

7:30–9:30 PM — The Play That Goes Wrong

Bistline Theatre, Stephens Performing Arts Center, Idaho State University, Pocatello.

Enjoy a comedy about a theater production in which nearly everything that can go wrong does. The award-winning play features physical comedy, unexpected mishaps, and plenty of laughs.

The production is rated PG.

Tickets required.

Event information

Saturday, November 14

8:00 AM–4:30 PM — Wilderness First Aid Course

City of Pocatello Outdoor Recreation Shop, Pocatello.

This outdoor safety course is designed for participants ages 16 and older. Students learn how to assess and respond to injuries and medical emergencies in wilderness settings. Successful participants receive a two-year SOLO certification.

Registration and course fees may apply.

City of Pocatello information

9:00 AM–6:00 PM — Pocatello Ski Swap

Pond Student Union, Idaho State University, Pocatello.

The second and final day of the annual winter sports equipment sale. Browse skis, snowboards, boots, clothing, and other gear before the snow season gets underway.

Official ISU event information

11:00 AM–Noon — Pocatello Veterans Day Parade

Historic Pocatello, beginning on South 1st Street.

The community is invited to honor America’s military veterans at the annual Pocatello Veterans Day Parade. The celebration features veteran-themed floats, representatives of all six military branches, and local veterans organizations.

The parade begins on South 1st Street, proceeds east along East Center Street, turns south on South 10th Avenue, and returns west along East Lewis Street, ending at South 7th Avenue.

Admission is free.

Official Bannock County event announcement

11:00 AM–3:00 PM — Crafters Market at Station Square

Station Square, 200 South Main Street, Pocatello.

Browse handmade crafts, gifts, artwork, and other locally produced items at this downtown indoor market. An opportunity to shop small and support area artisans.

Visit Pocatello event calendar

Noon and 7:00 PM — Annual Veterans Powwow

Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel, Fort Hall.

The Shoshone-Bannock community will honor military veterans during its annual Veterans Powwow. The celebration features traditional dancing, drumming, and an opportunity for the community to come together in recognition of veterans and their service.

The host drum is War Scout, with Grand Entry scheduled for noon and 7:00 PM. The event is advertised as a contest powwow.

Admission is free, and the community is welcome.

Shoshone-Bannock Tribes News and Events

Noon — Stuff the Stocking Fundraiser for Cops & Kids

Walmart, 4240 Yellowstone Avenue, Chubbuck.

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office and partner law enforcement agencies will collect donations to support the Cops & Kids Christmas program.

The program provides children in need with a holiday experience that includes breakfast, photographs with Santa, and a Christmas shopping trip accompanied by local law enforcement officers.

Donations may be made in person or through other methods listed by organizers.

Event information

12:00 PM -4:00 PM — Bannock Humane Society Adoption Days

Bannock Humane Society, 850 Barton Road, Pocatello.

The Humane Society invites community members to meet the kitties that are available for adoption.

Event information

12:00 PM -5:00 PM — ISU Tiny Tigers

ISU Alumni Building, 465 Memorial Drive, Pocatello

This is a free community event focused on fun activities, helpful resources, and exciting giveaways for the whole family.  Highlights include nutrition demonstrations, hearing screenings, family wellness activities, Kindergarten readiness resources, and community vendors.  The first 100 attendees will receive their very own Tiny Tiger.

Event information

12:30 PM-3:00 PM — Community Resource Fair

The Salvation Army, 400 N 14th Avenue, Pocatello.

4:30 PM — Community Autism Training

Pocatello City Hall, 911 North 7th Avenue, Pocatello.

This community training session provides information about autism, communication and sensory needs, and practical strategies for safer interactions with emergency responders.

Topics include what information to share when calling 911, preparing for emergencies, and reducing misunderstandings in stressful situations.

The program is open to individuals with autism, family members, caregivers, advocates, and community members.

Registration is not required.

Event information

7:30–9:30 PM — The Play That Goes Wrong

Bistline Theatre, Stephens Performing Arts Center, Idaho State University, Pocatello.

Another performance of the PG-rated comedy about a theater company whose production turns into a series of hilarious disasters.

Tickets required.

ISU event information

Additional Weekend Activities

Friday and Saturday — Rake-A-Difference

Pocatello and Chubbuck neighborhoods.

Volunteers will help rake leaves and clean yards as part of the Pocatello Free Clinic’s annual Rake-A-Difference fundraiser. The project supports the clinic’s mission of providing healthcare services to people in need.

Volunteer registration closed October 25, but residents may contact organizers for information about supporting the fundraiser or future opportunities.

Event information

Friday through Sunday — Light the World Giving Machine

ICCU Headquarters, 4400 Central Way, Chubbuck.

The holiday Giving Machine offers families an opportunity to support charitable organizations by purchasing specific items for people in need. The machine is scheduled to be available daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM through December 19.

Giving Machine Southeast Idaho

Before You Go: Observer News Group gathers events from regional calendars, community announcements, and publicly available social media listings.  Event schedules, admission prices, and activities are subject to change. Readers are encouraged to verify details with event organizers before attending. Some activities may require tickets, registration, or advance reservations.

Have an event to share? We welcome announcements about family-friendly events throughout southeast Idaho.

“Democrats Will Help Us”: Caravans March North as Dems Vow to Reopen the Border

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Observer Staff
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(White House Press Release, November 12, 2026)

Days after the midterms, caravans of illegal aliens are already marching north to the U.S. — and they’re counting on Democrats to let them in. Why wouldn’t they? Congressional Democrats are vowing to abolish ICE, dismantle DHS, stop deportations, and hand out amnesty while border-state Democrats cut off cooperation on immigration enforcement. It’s the same open borders agenda that unleashed the worst border crisis in American history, but President Donald J. Trump isn’t letting Democrats bring it back.

The caravan, in its own words:

  • “There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, a way for us to get in… We believe the Democrats will help us,” said a Nicaraguan migrant who had already been deported once from the United States.
  • “We know that the Democrats are not going to let a point as big as the Latino vote be lost and I think they are going to give us the opportunity to reach to our new homes,” said a migrant traveling with the caravan.
  • “We hear that […] now that Congress has changed, the border has to be open. We have faith in God that [Democrats] will help us,” said a migrant heading for the border.
  • “From what we’ve seen in the news, yes, that is [Democrats’] intention,” said a Guatemalan migrant traveling north.

Since the election, Democrats have reinforced those expectations:

Border-state Democrats are already tearing down enforcement:

President Trump shut the border down — and it’s staying shut:

  • President Donald J. Trump (11/12/26): “Here we go again! With the perceived loss by the Republicans in the Midterms – I WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT- the INVASION of our Country is taking place again. Huge CARAVANS are forming and beginning their illegal march through Mexico… But they will not be accepted! MEXICO MUST STOP THEM, NOW, and if they do not do so, the Tariffs on Mexico will be IMMEDIATELY DOUBLED… There will be no leniency!”
  • White House Border Czar Tom Homan (11/11/26): “Congress may be more blue, Texas may be more blue, but the White House is red, bright red… These caravans [can] come to the border all they want. They’re not going to be released into the United States… We’re not giving one inch on this border.”
  • DHS General Counsel James Percival (11/12/26): “If they do reach the southern border, they’re going to find a Border Patrol that is extremely ready. The President is still the President. The midterms don’t change that — and we are very prepared to deal with this.”

Update Regarding Pocatello AMBER Alert: Juvenile Located Safe

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Observer Staff
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(Pocatello Police Department, November 12, 2026)

We have received inquiries from community members asking whether the juvenile who was the subject of the recent AMBER Alert is still missing. We want to confirm that she has been located safe and reunited with her family.

During the investigation, information was obtained indicating that the juvenile may have been abducted, prompting the issuance of an AMBER Alert. Following the alert, additional information was developed that determined she had not been abducted, and investigators were able to establish her location. She was subsequently located and safely reunited with her family.

We sincerely appreciate the community’s assistance, concern, and willingness to share information. Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word and supported efforts to bring this matter to a safe resolution.

The investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Mayor’s Newsletter: American Falls

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Observer Staff
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(American Falls Mayor’s Newsletter, November 12, 2026)

First off, I owe everyone an apology for not getting a monthly update out for the past few months. Between my personal business, family commitments, and everything else going on, I just haven’t had the chance to sit down and put one together like I had hoped. I know how important it is to keep everyone informed about what’s happening in our city, and I appreciate your patience. One thing is for sure, even though the updates have been quiet, things around American Falls certainly haven’t been!

Starting with our water infrastructure project, I’m happy to report that we’re still running ahead of schedule! Crews have been busy replacing waterlines throughout town, and I’m really pleased with the progress they’ve made so far. This is a major undertaking for our community, and I know just about everyone has been affected by it in one way or another.

With the colder weather and shorter days, construction has slowed down a little, which we expected. The plan is to keep crews working at a slower pace throughout the winter for as long as weather and ground conditions allow.

I know the construction has been frustrating at times. Between torn-up streets, limited parking, and the occasional hassle of getting in and out of driveways, it hasn’t always been convenient. I appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through it. These are improvements our city has needed for a long time, and they’re going to benefit American Falls for many years to come.

As far as the city’s finances go, we finished fiscal year 2026 in the black overall. That’s good news, especially considering some of the challenges we faced throughout the year. Not every department finished in the positive, but as a whole, the city ended the year in a good position.

Our street department has had a particularly challenging couple of years. State funding for streets has been reduced for two years now, and I can’t stress enough how important that funding is for small communities like ours. We don’t have the same tax base or financial resources as larger cities, but we still have miles of streets to maintain and repair. When that funding gets reduced, it makes an already difficult job even harder.

We’ve had to shift some money around to help cover those shortfalls, but that’s not a long-term solution. We’re aggressively pursuing grant opportunities and other funding sources to help get our streets into better shape. Between the water infrastructure project and the fiber projects happening around town, some of our streets have really taken a beating. I know their condition is a concern for residents, and it’s a concern of mine as well. Finding ways to make meaningful improvements to our streets is going to remain a priority.

Our water and wastewater departments faced some unexpected expenses this past year as well. Major repairs at the wastewater treatment plant, waterline breaks, and other necessary repairs contributed to both departments finishing fiscal year 2026 a little in the red. Thankfully, we were able to use money from our capital improvement funds to help cover some of those costs. Unexpected expenses are never ideal, but they’re also a reminder of why it’s important to plan ahead and have funds available when things go wrong.

There was plenty of good news throughout our departments, too. Our golf department finished the year on a really high note after a great season. Things are starting to slow down with the colder weather, but they’re already looking ahead and making plans for next year. Our golf course employees put in a lot of hard work throughout the season, and I appreciate everything they do.

Public safety has been another busy area for the city. Our police department has experienced unusually high call volumes over the past two years, and from what we’re seeing, those numbers aren’t likely to come down anytime soon. That puts a lot of pressure on our officers and administrative staff, but they continue to do an outstanding job. I truly believe we have some of the best people working in that department. A lot of what they deal with never gets seen by the public, but their work makes a real difference in our community, and I’m grateful for what they do every day.

Our fire department also had an extremely busy fiscal year 2026. The high number of calls brought additional expenses, which resulted in the department finishing the year in the red. Fortunately, things have slowed down a little over the past month or two, giving them a much-needed break after a demanding year. The time and dedication our fire department gives to protecting this community doesn’t go unnoticed, and I’m thankful we have people willing to answer the call when they’re needed.

Our parks and recreation department also finished the fiscal year in a great position. Between maintaining our parks and our ball fields and providing opportunities for families throughout the community, they do a lot that sometimes gets overlooked. I’m grateful for the work they put in and the positive impact they have on American Falls.

Looking back on the year, I’m proud of our city employees across the board. Every department has its own challenges, and some years are tougher than others, but we have a lot of good people working behind the scenes to keep this city running. They don’t always get the recognition they deserve, and I hope they know how much their work is appreciated.

I also want to say that The City is aware of the lawsuit recently filed against us. The allegations contained in the complaint are being disputed, and the City intends to address those allegations through the appropriate judicial process. Because this matter is pending litigation, I have to refrain from commenting on the specific allegations or the underlying facts. The City remains committed to serving its residents and protecting the interests of the community and its taxpayers.

As we head into the winter months and continue through fiscal year 2027, there’s still plenty of work ahead of us. My focus will remain on improving our infrastructure, managing our finances responsibly, and making sure we’re providing the best services we can with the resources available.

One area I’m going to put a stronger emphasis on moving forward is cleaning up our town. That includes addressing abandoned vehicles, properties with excessive junk or debris, both residential yards and commercial properties that aren’t being properly maintained. I take a lot of pride in American Falls, and I know many of our residents and business owners do too. This isn’t about expecting everyone’s property to look perfect. It’s about taking care of what we have, addressing ongoing problem areas, and making sure our community is a place we’re all proud to call home. It’s going to take cooperation between the city, property owners, and residents, but I believe we can make some real progress.

I appreciate everyone’s patience, support, and understanding. I know we don’t always get everything right, and there are always things we can do better. But I care deeply about this community, and I’m committed to doing what’s best for American Falls.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your mayor. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together!

Idaho Secretary of State: A Veterans Day Reflection on What We Inherit

By
Observer Staff
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(Idaho Secretary of State, November 11, 2026)

I have been through countless Election Days. None began like this one.

Several weeks ago, the Kilroy Coffee Klatch, a group of Idaho veterans, asked me to speak on the morning of Election Day, and I hesitated. Election Day is unpredictable, and I never know what challenges might crop up as hundreds of thousands of Idahoans head to the polls. By the time I arrived at the Warhawk Air Museum last Tuesday, I’d already spent much of the morning putting out fires. Part of me wondered whether I should be there at all.

Yet, as I stood before more than 400 veterans, the stress of the morning fell away. This was exactly where I needed to be.

I spend a lot of time and energy encouraging Idahoans to vote. I talk about close elections and how every vote counts. I talk about the decisions that shape our communities and the legacy of our nation’s founders in the year of America’s 250th anniversary.

Standing in that room, surrounded by men and women who had served our country across generations and branches of the military, I felt the weight of what we have inherited. America has been through periods of intense disagreement and struggle before. The people in that room had served through many of them. Whatever the challenges of their time, they had taken responsibility for protecting a country that would outlast them.

Later that day, my three kids came with me to my polling place, so I could cast my own ballot. My oldest asked if she could follow me to the voting booth. She wanted to know who I was voting for, what the issues were, and why I’d made those choices. It was a small moment in a very long day, but it made me pause.

From the veterans who packed that room to my daughter asking questions at the voting booth, I found myself thinking about how much we receive from people who came before us, and how much those who follow will depend on what we do now.

Voting is about making our voices heard. It’s about choosing the direction of our communities and our state. But it’s also about sharing what has been passed down to us and recognizing our responsibility to maintain and to pass along.

I’m grateful I said yes to that Election Day invitation.

To all our veterans, Thank You for Your Service. You have helped protect a country that each of us has a responsibility to care for and pass along.

Phil McGrane

ABOUT SECRETARY PHIL McGRANE

Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022.McGrane holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.

Mountain America Credit Union, ISU Bengals Raise $13K To Provide New Coats and Shoes for Idaho Kids

By
Observer Staff
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(MACU Newsroom, November 10, 2026)

Mountain America Credit Union recently donated $13,000 to Operation Warm through its partnership with Idaho State University (ISU) football, turning every Bengals first down this season into support for local children. Representatives from Mountain America presented the donation on the field during the November 7 game. The funds will provide new coats and shoes to children throughout Idaho.

“Hundreds of Idaho kids will be able to enjoy new coats and shoes that fit thanks to every first down the ISU Bengals picked up this season,” said Rob Brough, chief marketing officer at Mountain America Credit Union. “Every time the team moves the chains, it means another child gets a little warmer. That’s a scoreboard we love watching.”

How long has Mountain America been supporting Operation Warm? Since 2019, Mountain America has helped Operation Warm outfit kids across the credit union’s footprint. With this season’s donation, the credit union’s total contributions have reached nearly $190,000.

“A new coat or a pair of shoes tells a child that someone is looking out for them,” said Grace Sica, executive director of Operation Warm. “Thanks to Mountain America Credit Union and Idaho State University, the Bengals’ success on the field is making a real difference for Idaho families. Go Bengals!”

Where can I learn more? For more information about Operation Warm, visit operationwarm.org.

Guest Columnist Rep. Heather Scott: What Can I Do Here in Idaho?

By
Observer Staff
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November 10, 2026

What Can I Do Here in Idaho?

By: Idaho Representative Heather Scott

Three days after the November 3rd election I received an email from a woman I had met earlier this summer. The questions in her email prompted me to write this newsletter today.

Here is what she wrote:

Who’s our leader now? Where do we go from here? What can I do here in Idaho to keep us a free state and prepare for federal overreach?

There will be no shortage of analysis, opinions, and arguments about the November 3rd election and what it means for our country. Many hours will be spent looking backward trying to explain what really happened, honest or other.

But her question reminded me of something important. While we may not be able to control everything happening at the national level, we are not powerless. And I believe that Idaho is one of the most important places in America right now.

We still have something here that much of America has lost or allowed to be weakened: strong local communities, independent people, families who know their neighbors, small businesses, churches, volunteers, and citizens who are still willing to step up when something needs to be done. We need to recognize the value of that and work to protect and strengthen it.

And that brings me back to her question: What can we do right here in Idaho to help keep Idaho free?

I picked up the phone and called this woman. During our conversation, I told her about a handout I created over 6 years ago that is still relevant today: 101 Things You Can Do. I created this list because I have always believed that too many people underestimate the power they still have. When things aren’t going well, it is easy to focus on what everyone else should be doing. We wait for Washington to fix things. We wait for the Governor, the Legislature, the next election, or the next great leader to come along and save the day. Showing up once a year doesn’t keep our Republic.

Two days after our conversation, just 5 days after the election, I received this email from the same woman:

I love this!!! Not because she had completed some enormous political task, but because she understood the point. She didn’t wait for permission. She didn’t wait for someone else to organize her. She didn’t sit around complaining about everything that was wrong in the country. She simply started where she was and began doing something.

That is exactly what I believe we need more of right now. Freedom isn’t preserved by people sitting on the sidelines waiting for someone else to do the work.

My 101 Things You Can Do handout was created around a simple idea: the people still have enormous power when they are willing to use it. The list shares ways citizens can get involved locally, understand their rights, know their elected officials, attend meetings, support local businesses, build relationships, mentor young people, volunteer, and learn how government actually works.

I believe one of the most important things we can do right now is build networks within our own communities. Get to know your neighbors. Find people who care about the same things you care about. Get together regularly. Talk about what is happening. Share information and ideas. Help one another. Learn together.

You don’t have to agree on every issue to build a strong community. In fact, you probably won’t. But when people develop relationships and learn to work together, they are no longer isolated when a problem arises. When it is time to stand up, speak out, help a neighbor, challenge a bad policy, or protect something important, there is strength in knowing you are not standing alone.

We have become far too disconnected from one another and, in many ways, too dependent on institutions and government to solve every problem. But government cannot replace community. A politician cannot replace a strong family. A government program cannot replace a good neighbor. And one elected official, even one who is fighting as hard as possible, cannot accomplish what thousands of engaged citizens can accomplish when they decide to take responsibility for their own communities.

So, to those of you who are discouraged today, my message is simple: don’t give up. Go local.

Take a break from the national noise and look around your own community. Who is making decisions that affect your family? What is happening in your local schools? What is your county doing? Who represents you in your taxing districts? What businesses are you supporting? Do you know your neighbors? And perhaps most importantly, what can you bring together?

Take the 101 Things You Can Do Challenge. Don’t just read the list, choose something and do it. Pick one thing, and then another. Better yet, gather some friends and make it something you do together. Meet once a month and choose something from the list to accomplish as a group.

We cannot control everything happening in Washington, D.C., but we have far more influence than most people realize over what happens in our own communities. If Idaho is going to remain the unique place we all love, it will not happen because we elected one perfect person or won one perfect election. It will happen because Idahoans refuse to become spectators.

It will happen because ordinary people take responsibility. It will happen because we build strong communities and strong networks of people who are willing to stand together. And it will happen because we remember that we are not powerless.

Please don’t sit back and wait for someone else to save Idaho. Idaho is ours to protect.

And there is no better time than now to get started.

In Liberty,

Rep. Heather Scott

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The Pocatello Chubbuck Observer seeks to be a fair and objective portal, where readers can find the local, regional and national news, recent facts and entertainment.
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