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Guest Columnist Brian Almon: When to Take the Points

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Observer Staff
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(Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)

February 11, 2026 (Cover Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)

When to Take the Points
Play the game on the field before you, not the one in your head

By: Brian Almon

Brian Almon

I haven’t watched much professional sports lately—it really is a black hole for time and energy. But I kept an eye out as the Seattle Seahawks, a team I’ve rooted for since childhood, made their way through the NFL playoffs.

I often use football analogies in politics, and the past few games provided ample examples. Near the end of the NFC Championship Game, with the LA Rams trailing the Seahawks 31–27, coach Sean McVay chose to go for it on 4th down and 4 at the Seattle 6-yard line. McVay was hoping to take the lead rather than kick a field goal and give the ball back while down by one with less than five minutes to go.

However, the Seahawks defended a pass attempt, and the Rams turned the ball over on downs. LA was able to stop Seattle and get the ball back with 25 seconds left on the clock, but that was not enough time to march down the field and score a touchdown. Had the Rams elected to take the field goal, they might have been in that same position down one rather than four, which changes the calculus completely. In that situation, they may have been able to get into range and stop the clock in time to kick a game-winning field goal.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald played a much more conservative game in Super Bowl LX last weekend. Kicker Jason Myers was a perfect five for five in field goal attempts, as Seattle was content to take three points whenever it could. Punter Michael Dickson was active as well, with seven punts—three of them pinning the New England Patriots inside their own six-yard line.

There are times for aggression and times for playing conservatively. Seattle led 9–0 at halftime and 12–0 at the end of the third quarter, but despite the score, the game really wasn’t close. The Seahawks defense was completely dominating the New England offensive line, and the coach made the sensible decision to bank as many points as possible while consistently forcing the Patriots into terrible field position.

What does that mean for politics? It means take the points whenever they’re available and then come back for more. It means play the game that develops, not the one you imagined in your head.

I’ve noticed a storm brewing on the fringes of the internet regarding geoengineering and weather modification. A small but loud group, convinced the government is deliberately poisoning us by spraying chemicals into the sky, wants to ban the practice—whatever it might entail. This week, Sen. Tammy Nichols introduced a fairly narrow bill requiring transparency in cloud-seeding projects. That set off quite a tempest, with online activists accusing Nichols of selling out because her bill doesn’t ban everything all at once.

Without wading into the weather-modification debate itself, this seems like a case where kicking the field goal is the reasonable course of action. Sen. Nichols’ bill seeks to bring transparency and data to the practice of cloud seeding—data that will be necessary for any future debate about whether to continue allowing it. Until we have that data, all the outrage in the world won’t get any legislation past the finish line.

People often worry that taking the points now means forgoing chances for future action. That’s a legitimate fear. Consider the dueling E-Verify bills we’ve seen this year. The Senate version, sponsored by Sen. Mark Harris, looks very much like a veneer crafted to maintain the status quo and allow industries that have come to depend on illegal labor to claim the problem is solved. On the other hand, Rep. Jordan Redman’s bill appears much stronger, requiring all employers to use E-Verify to ensure their employees have the legal right to work in our country.

Passing the Senate bill, in this case, would be like kicking a field goal on second-and-goal. It would be a premature compromise when we have a chance for something much better.

One more example of why it often makes sense to take the points when you can and then come back for more: In Idaho, minors under age 17 are required to take a certified driver’s education course, whether through a public school or a private provider. Several lawmakers have worked for years to change the law to allow parents to teach their own children how to drive, after which the child could take the same test required for a driver’s license.

  • In 2020, then-Rep. Christy Zito had a bill drafted to repeal driver’s ed requirements, but it failed to receive a hearing.
  • In 2021, Rep. Brandon Mitchell sponsored a similar bill near the end of the session, which languished in the amending order.
  • In 2022, Rep. Ron Mendive took up the issue, sponsoring a bill to allow parents to teach their own children how to drive. It passed the House overwhelmingly but failed to receive a hearing in the Senate.
  • In 2023, Mendive sponsored another bill, which passed both chambers but was vetoed by Gov. Brad Little. Despite a veto-proof majority in the House, 22 members declined to override the governor on this issue.
  • In 2024, Mendive came back again, this time with a narrowly-tailored bill to allow parents in rural areas lacking access to driver’s ed programs to teach their own children how to drive. This bill passed the Legislature and was signed into law.
  • In 2025, Mendive carried a bill that made virtual learning a valid option for completing the in-class portion of driver’s ed coursework.

Rep. Mendive introduced yet another bill this week that would allow any parent to choose to teach their children how to drive. If passed, it would fulfill the original idea of giving parents more options while still maintaining the test that all minors must pass before receiving a full driver’s license.

This shows the value of perseverance in the political process. Proponents of allowing parents to teach their own children to drive have kicked a couple of field goals and, at times, punted to gain good field position. Now they stand at the goal line, ready to score a touchdown. They did not give up after the first bill failed to receive a print hearing, nor after the governor vetoed the 2023 bill. Accepting a compromise in 2024 did not stop them from returning again.

Good legislators and citizen activists must play the game as it presents itself. Once in a great while it might make sense to go for it on fourth down, but often the better course is to take the points and prepare to fight another day. Don’t be like the Rams coach, watching the Super Bowl from his couch because he got too aggressive at the wrong time.

Conservative legislative victories are possible if we play the game well—and that means playing patiently and smartly. I’ve spent the last six years watching what works and what doesn’t, trying to learn the game so I can help you play it wisely as well. Because this isn’t a game—it’s the future of our state, an inheritance for our posterity.

Editor’s note:  This article originally appeared in the Gem State Chronicle.  I encourage our readers to visit their website and consider subscribing.  Find this and other informative articles at the Gem State Chronicle here: About – Gem State Chronicle

Guest Column – ID GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon: Flags and Bathrooms, Oh My!

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Observer Staff
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February 12, 2026

Flags and Bathrooms, Oh My!

By: Dorothy Moon, IDGOP Chairwoman

Dorothy Moon, Chairwoman of the Idaho Republican Party

Nearly two decades ago, I stood with millions of American taxpayers in demanding an end to bailouts, crony capitalism, and endless government spending. The Tea Party movement was a wake-up call to the political class that the working people of America were fed up.

How simple it seems looking back. If you had told me that in 2026 we would be debating city mayors flying rainbow pride flags and passing legislation to protect women’s bathrooms, I would not have believed it.

Yet here we are. As absurd as it may seem, this is a necessary fight to protect children, families, and our culture.

Last year, the Legislature passed a bill defining which flags may be flown on government buildings. Some may think this is a waste of time—that there are bigger fish to fry—but it was necessary to curtail cities such as Boise that were using their official status to promote divisive ideologies like the LGBTQ+ agenda and BLM.

The Boise mayor and a majority of the city council chose not to follow the law and instead found what appeared to be a loophole by voting to designate the pride flag as an “official flag” of the city.

Now our Republican lawmakers are back, spending their valuable and limited time closing that loophole to ensure that everyone is truly welcome in our great cities—not just those who subscribe to a particular socio-political viewpoint.

That bill passed the House State Affairs Committee on a party-line vote. Republicans were united in affirming that government offices should fly only those flags that represent all of us: the American flag, the Idaho flag, and flags representing our military, state universities, and Native American tribes.

Many of the same individuals who testified against the flag bill returned this week to oppose legislation requiring men to use the men’s restroom. Can you imagine anything more absurd? A small number of men derive perverse pleasure from dressing as women, using women’s restrooms, and expect the rest of society to accept it without question. As a woman (an adult human female) I find that not only ridiculous, but downright offensive.

It’s unfortunate that legislation is necessary to address this issue. But it is necessary, and our Republican lawmakers are once again taking action. That bill also passed committee this week and appears to have strong support.

I suspect I am not alone in feeling weary of this culture war. Personally, I would rather be talking about cutting taxes every day than debating divisive flags and restroom policies. But these are the battles of our time. Ronald Reagan said every generation must fight for liberty. I guess it’s up to this generation to fight for sanity as well.

Kuna Beef Packer Recalls Ground Beef Products That May be Contaminated With E. Coli

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Observer Staff
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(USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Press Release, February 11, 2026)

Washington, D.C.–CS Beef Packers, LLC, a Kuna, Idaho establishment, is recalling approximately 22,912 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O145, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The raw ground beef items were produced on January 14, 2026. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

  • Cardboard cases containing eight 10-lb. chubs of “BEEF, COARSE GROUND, 73 L” with case code 18601, “Use/Freeze By: 02/04/26” and time stamps between 07:03 and 08:32 printed on two stickers placed on the outside of the case. The date and time stamps are also printed directly onto the clear packaging of the chub.
  • Cardboard cases containing four 10-lb. chubs of “FIRE RIVER FARMS CLASSIC BEEF FINE GROUND 73L” with case code 19583, “Use/Freeze By: 02/04/26” and time stamps between 07:03 and 08:32 printed on two stickers placed on the outside of the case. The date and time stamps are also printed directly onto the clear packaging of the chub.
  • Cardboard cases containing four 10-lb. chubs of “FIRE RIVER FARMS CLASSIC BEEF FINE GROUND 81L” with case code 19563, “Use/Freeze By: 02/04/26” and time stamps between 07:03 and 08:32 printed on two stickers placed on the outside of the case. The date and time stamps are also printed directly onto the clear packaging of the chub.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 630” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the outside of the case and printed directly onto the clear packaging of the chub. These items were shipped to distributors in California, Idaho, and Oregon for further distribution to foodservice locations.

The problem was discovered during FSIS testing at a downstream customer, and the sampling results showed the presence of E. coli O145.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

E. coli O145, like the more common E. coli O157:H7, is a serovar of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). People can become ill from STECs 2–8 days (average of 3–4 days) after exposure to the organism.

Most people infected with STEC O145 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing of a stool sample. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment; antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended. Most people recover within a week, but, rarely, some develop a more severe infection. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, is uncommon with STEC O145 infection. HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old, older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS is concerned that some products may be in foodservice freezers. Foodservice locations are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.

Media with questions regarding the recall can contact Trevor Caviness, President of Caviness Beef Packers, at 806-372-5781 ext 4308 or Trevor@cavinessbeef.com. Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Roger Cooper, Operations Manager of CS Beef Packers, LLC, at 208-810-7510 ext 7531 or roger.cooper@csbeef.com.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

Pocatello: American Legion Steak Dinner is TONIGHT, February 13, 5-7PM

By
Karyn Simmons
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February 13, 2026

The American Legion’s monthly steak night, held on the 2nd Friday of each month, will be held tonight, February 13, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building, 300 N. Johnson Avenue in Pocatello.

For $20 per person ($12 per person for the medium meal) you can enjoy a hand-cut ribeye steak cooked over a charcoal fire, baked potato, assorted vegetables, baked beans, and their famous apple crisp with ice cream.

All proceeds help support programs sponsored by Pocatello’s American Legion Post 4.

 

Gov. Little Signs EO Reinstating Idaho Governor’s Trophy, Renewing Football Rivalry between BSU and U. of Idaho

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Observer Staff
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(Governor’s Office Press Release, February 12, 2026)

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little was joined by University of Idaho President Scott Green and Boise State Interim President Jeremiah Shinn to sign Executive Order 2026-02, the Recommissioning of the Idaho Governor’s Trophy, marking the return of this historic rivalry, set to resume in 2031.

“With the return of this great football rivalry between University of Idaho and Boise State University, today, we celebrate not just a game, but a tradition that unites our state, honors our history, and showcases the very best of Idaho.

Over time, conference realignment and shifting schedules have put many historic rivalries across the country on pause, including this one. Today I am excited to be reinstating this great tradition and recommissioning the Idaho Governor’s Trophy,” Governor Little said.

The historic game was announced by both Universities jointly on Thursday morning and will take place at Albertsons Stadium on Sept. 6, 2031.

“To host the Vandals in Boise and on The Blue, which is one of the most iconic places in the state of Idaho, is a great opportunity for not only both schools, but the entire state,” said Jeramiah Dickey, Boise State Director of Athletics. “I’m grateful to the Idaho athletics administration for working together on renewing the series and keeping the resources and support around this game within the state. It will also be great to showcase both universities and the longtime matchup on a national level when this game on the ‘Front Porch of Idaho’ becomes the talk of college football.”

“We are excited to renew our rivalry with Boise State and get back on the football field in 2031,” Terry Gawlik, Idaho’s Director of Athletics, said of the renewed rivalry. “We know how much this game means for both fan bases and the entire Gem State. I am grateful for the work of our staff, led by Tim Mooney, and the cooperation of Bronco Athletics. Thank you to Jeremiah Dickey for working together on this and to President Scott Green and Interim President Jeremiah Shinn at Boise State for helping us finalize this agreement.”

The matchup will be the 41st installment of the in-state showdown, and the first since Nov. 12, 2010. Boise State boasts a 22-17-1 all-time record against the Vandals, including a current 12-game winning streak.

The two teams played yearly from 1971-2010. The programs were both members of the Big Sky Conference from 1971-95 and continued the series for 15 consecutive seasons when the Broncos joined the FBS ranks in 1996.

The game against the Vandals marks Boise State’s second scheduled contest in 2031. The Broncos will host Memphis on Sept. 13, 2031.

The matchup will mark the second consecutive season that Boise State will play against an in-state opponent. The Broncos are set to host Idaho State on Sept. 7, 2030.

This is Idaho’s first game on the 2031 schedule. The Vandals have played an in-state team every year since 2018 and play Idaho State on an annual basis for the iconic Potato State Trophy.

Senator Risch: Answering Your Questions

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Observer Staff
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(From the Desk of Senator James E. Risch, February 12, 2026)

Last week, I asked thousands of Idahoans to send me their questions about my work for the Gem State in the U.S. Senate.

Today, I want to answer some of the most common questions I received.

Q: What is your position on the SAVE Act?

I am an original cosponsor of the SAVE Act and will continue working to make it law. We already have to show identification for many daily tasks, registering to vote and casting a ballot should be no different.

Q: Is there a way to lower costs for families on a national level?

The Biden administration’s reckless spending and overregulation fueled 40-year high inflation and pushed our national debt to a record $38 trillion. Republicans have already taken steps to reverse this and lower costs for Idahoans by:

  • Delivering historic tax cuts for working families;
  • Rolling back costly regulations;
  • Expanding American energy production; and
  • Cutting more than $1.7 trillion in wasteful, inflationary spending through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and rescission package.

More is needed, that’s why I have introduced several bills to force federal agencies to justify every dollar they request, cut red tape, unleash U.S. energy, and pass a balanced budget.

Q: Will the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act get a vote?  

I am an original cosponsor of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. Once it passes the Senate Judiciary Committee, it will go to the full Senate. I look forward to voting for this legislation so Idahoans with concealed carry permits can exercise their rights in states with similar laws.

Thank you to every Idaho who sent in a question. It’s an honor to serve you and make Idaho’s voice heard in the U.S. Senate.

For the latest press releases and constituent services visit risch.senate.gov.

To receive email updates on what I’m working on as your Senator, click here.

To connect with me on Twitter, visit my Twitter page.

To connect with me on Facebook, visit my Facebook page.

Guest Columnist Senator Tammy Nichols: Could Our Constitution Hang by a Thread?

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Observer Staff
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February 11, 2026

Could Our Constitution Hang by a Thread?

By: ID Senator Tammy Nichols

ID Senator Tammy Nichols (Photo Credit: Tammy Nichols)

Idaho House Republicans recently passed–by a razor thin margin–a resolution applying for Congress to organize a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution.

Now the proposal heads to the Senate. The stated justification: America and the dollar are racing toward a disastrous fiscal cliff; only a convention called by Congress to amend the US Constitution with a “Balanced Budget Amendment” can save us.

This logic is deeply flawed and deeply concerning.

Let’s work backwards from the promised outcome. Balancing the budget sounds prudent, even virtuous. But drafts of the Balanced Budget Amendment include a gaping escape clause:

Congress may suspend this requirement during a “national emergency.” The problem? The United States has been in a continuous state of national emergency since November 14, 1979 when President Carter declared one during the Iran Hostage Crisis. That emergency with its successors has never ended. This fact alone should end the discussion.

Experience reinforces skepticism. Forty-nine of the fifty states have balanced budget requirements in their constitutions or their statutes. Yet some of the most fiscally dysfunctional states have the strictest balanced budget language, while some of the most fiscally sound states have relatively weak requirements. While balanced budget language is a good thing, it is no silver bullet. Constitutional language does not compel fiscal discipline; character and leadership do.

But assume, for the sake of argument, that the convention to propose amendments went perfectly. No conflict. No special interest groups. A convention full of pro-Constitution legal minds peacefully meet and successfully drafts clean, elegant language that everyone agrees on. What then actually changes?

We are told that mandating fiscal balance will fix our problem. But how? Will Congress print more money, if so, with what consequences? Will Congress raise taxes? Slash defense? Cut welfare or education? Over what time frame? And who decides whether Congress has complied, and how is compliance enforced? Promoters cannot answer these questions because the amendment doesn’t answer them. Whatever this amendment would really mean for America, without any concrete plan or meaningful enforcement mechanism, and with its gaping emergency loophole, it becomes an enormously expensive virtue signaling sinkhole.

But there is a deeper contradiction that is even more troubling. The entire effort is predicated on a declared loss of faith in Congress. We are told Congress has failed us. Congress is corrupt, irresponsible, and incapable of averting our plunge over the fiscal cliff, so the states must act.

And how do the states act? By authorizing CONGRESS to call a convention to propose amendments to force Congress to do something that Congress will have to figure out and do in the end?!!!

That is not threatening Congress, that is handing Congress more power, including the opportunity to reshape the Constitutional limits of their own power!

Supporters make confident promises about the convention: one state/one vote; delegates appointed and controlled by state legislatures; only a single subject of amendment; ratification by state legislatures. But none of these assurances appear in Article V. The Constitution is clear: Congress–the people we mistrust so much will make all of the most critical decisions, including how delegates are chosen, how representation is apportioned, and how proposed amendments are ratified. If states object after the fact, it will be too late! Under Article V, the states’ only guaranteed power is to apply. That is hardly a position of control.

Speaking of these types of convention questions, Rex E. Lee, former president of BYU Law school, summarized reality bluntly: “The only safe statement that could be made…is that no one knows. Anyone who purports to express a definitive view on these subjects is either deluded or deluding.”

Somehow, his proposition continues to be compared to a final miracle cure, a last resort. One legislator likened it to using defibrillator paddles on a patient in cardiac arrest. But this analogy flatlines. The dollar is not the heart of America, our Constitution is!

A more accurate comparison is this: A patient in liver failure shows up in the ER, only to have a panicked doctor initiate open-heart surgery because “doing something” feels better than doing nothing. The patient is now worse off, facing new risks and challenges, and no closer to recovery.

Most alarming of all, authorizing Congress to call a convention could easily exacerbate and accelerate the very financial instability it purports to resolve. Countries like Chile have recently provided undeniable examples of how investors flee and currencies collapse as a result of calling a constitutional convention. Markets depend on predictability for stability. Nothing could hurt the dollar more than injecting massive political uncertainty into an already polarized environment. Our own historical experience is clear: America’s financial stability followed the political stability provided by our Constitution–it did not precede it.

Will authorizing Congress to call a convention to reopen our nation’s foundational document in an already polarized political environment usher in unity, restraint, and calm? Will it really be a cure for financial calamity? I doubt it. And I suspect many Americans do too.

In Liberty,

Senator Tammy Nichols
District 10

 

In Liberty,

Senator Tammy Nichols
District 10

Guest Columnist Idaho Senator Christy Zito – Hard Truths About Idaho’s Budget: Time to Return to Fiscal Sanity and Constitutional Principles

By
Observer Staff
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February 11, 2026

Hard Truths About Idaho’s Budget:
Time to Return to Fiscal Sanity and Constitutional Principles

By:  Idaho Senator Christy Zito

ID Senator Christy Zito (photo credit: Christy Zito)

Five weeks into the 2026 legislative session, the focus remains on the budget—and the hard reality that we’ve been spending borrowed federal dollars we don’t have. As a member of the Gang of Eight, here’s why structural reform is essential now more than ever.

In our homes, we know we must budget below our income to build a cushion for tough times. The same principle should apply to how we handle taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.

Since 2021, Congress and the president have funneled billions into state budgets through pass-through funds, grants, and other appropriations. You get the idea.

The most egregious part? This isn’t “real” money. We the People are $38,000,000,000,000 (38 trillion) in national debt. That’s money future generations will pay back—with interest.

Now, with the Big Beautiful Bill, times are changing. Many COVID-era handouts are ending. For five years, federally funded programs have propped up spending levels that Idaho taxpayers simply cannot sustain on their own.

It grieves my heart to hear how lives are being affected. I have dear friends who will feel the results of this shift firsthand—and it’s painful to witness.

A year ago, we—the Gang of Eight—made a budget pledge to our constituents and all Idaho citizens. We committed to voting on budgets in a way that would have saved the state close to ONE BILLION DOLLARS, while leaving every bureaucratic agency whole. That approach would have prepared Idaho for the cuts and economic changes we’re facing today.

This year, the Gang of Eight has renewed a similar pledge. We face hard economic times, driven in part by a broader shift in societal values and a fading understanding of basic constitutional principles.

Let’s go back to the Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

The “pursuit of Happiness” is not a guarantee that the government has a duty to create our happiness or provide everything we think will make us happy.

No.

The Declaration provides that we have the opportunity to pursue our own happiness—free from the heavy hand of government overreach. Yet we’ve grown into a society that increasingly sees government as the answer to every problem, where someone “owes” us something.

This mindset has fueled unsustainable spending. It’s time to reset: live within our means, honor the consent of the governed, and protect taxpayers from endless debt.

As your senator, I remain committed to fiscal responsibility, limited government, and the principles that made Idaho—and America—strong. The road ahead won’t be easy, but it’s the right one.

What are your thoughts? Have federal funds masked deeper issues in our state budget? Share in the comments below—I read them all.

If you value straightforward talk on Idaho’s future, consider subscribing for free updates on legislative priorities and conservative principles in action.

Thank you for reading.

God bless,
Senator Christy Zito
District 8

IDFG Invites Comments on Spring/Summer Chinook Fishing Season Proposals

By
Observer Staff
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(Idaho Fish and Game Press Release, February 11, 2026)

Idaho Fish and Game will be setting new seasons for upcoming spring and summer Chinook fisheries and is now gathering public input on season proposals from Feb. 11 to Feb. 22.

Members of the public can view and weigh in with online comments Feb. 11-22. After reviewing anglers’ feedback and agency goals along with angler comments, season proposals will be presented to the commission at the meeting in Boise on March 25.

Fisheries managers typically propose seasons based run forecasts and then adjust accordingly when they get a better understanding of the actual run sizes based on fish counts at the Columbia and Snake river dams.

Upcoming Public Meetings

The public comment period will include four regional public meetings during the third week in February. The meetings are free to attend and (best of all) complimentary pizza and beverages will be provided.

  • RIGGINS — Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m. MST
    City of Riggins Community Center – 2nd Floor, 121 Lodge St.
  • LEWISTON — Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. PST
    Idaho Fish and Game Clearwater Regional Office, 3316 16th St.
  • NAMPA — Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. MST
    Idaho Fish and Game Southwest Regional Office, 15950 N Gate Blvd.
  • AHSAHKA — Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. PST
    Clearwater Fish Hatchery, 118 Ahsahka Rd.

Fish and Game fisheries biologists will be discussing insights from the previous years’ Chinook salmon season, what this year’s salmon return is projected to look like, and strategies we could use to manage this year’s Chinook fisheries. As always, input from anglers is important to help ensure the Chinook salmon fisheries are managed in a manner that is most satisfying to all who participate in these amazing opportunities.

Pizza will be provided, and presentations will begin shortly after. The meeting will continue until all angler comments are collected and/or addressed. In the past, these meetings have lasted roughly two hours.

For more information, please visit the Fish and Game Chinook webpage.

Idaho Second Amendment Alliance Announces Launch of “Honor Idaho”

By
Observer Staff
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0

(Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, February 11, 2026)

We have launched Honor Idaho, a grassroots group most red states wish they had.

For 13 years, the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance has stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with gun owners and built the most effective grassroots gun rights organization in the state.

Today, I’m excited to share news that strengthens that fight even more.

First and foremost:
The ISAA isn’t going anywhere.

Our mission to defend the Second Amendment remains unchanged, and ISAA funds will continue to be used exclusively to stop gun control and push pro-gun measures in Idaho.

What is changing is the size of the battlefield.

Idaho is now a top target for the radical left.

Well‑funded groups are already operating here, pushing abortion‑at‑any‑time, election changes, and other dangerous initiatives. Until now, there hasn’t been a grassroots organization built to confront them head‑on.

That’s why we launched Honor Idaho.

Honor Idaho will expand our proven grassroots model to fight on multiple fronts, while the ISAA becomes Honor Idaho’s flagship project, laser‑focused on gun rights. This new structure brings in additional talent, frees up my time to do even more for gun owners, and gives conservatives the statewide mobilization tool we’ve needed for years.

One of our first major fights will be exposing and defeating the radical left’s “abortion at any time” initiative, an extreme proposal that would put Idaho on par with California and New York.

For over a decade, you’ve helped restore major portions of Idaho’s gun rights, march thousands to the Capitol, and hold lawmakers accountable. None of this would have been possible without you. And with Honor Idaho, we’re taking that same winning model and expanding it to protect the Idaho way of life on every front.

Thank you for standing with me these last 13 years with the ISAA. I’m looking forward to the battles ahead, and to winning them together.

Be sure to check out the Honor Idaho content here:

Website
Facebook
X
YouTube

For Idaho,

Greg Pruett
President
Honor Idaho/Idaho Second Amendment Alliance

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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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