🌱 Larger Idaho + Half-Day Kindergarten + FitOne Sign Up Discount

Hello, friends. John Braese here with your fresh copy of the Boise Daily, full of all the local news you need to know right now. Let's do it...

Welcome to the Memorial Day edition of the Boise Daily. This weather is not cooperating with those who went to the hills or for those trying to hold outside events for the holiday.

We start today's edition with a group looking to expand the Idaho border scaling back their plans after a few counties in Oregon voted not to be interested. Boise did not grow like our neighboring cities did and only one Boise school will be offering half-day kindergarten next fall. The sign up for Boise's FitOne race is discounted for one day only and city government will become much larger if our local mayor's request is granted.

First, today's weather:

Brief morning showers; cloudy. High: 50 Low: 45.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. After the results of the recent election, organizers of the group wanting to move a large portion of Oregon to become part of Idaho have proposed a less ambitious map. Big Country News reports after two counties in southwestern Oregon voted down becoming part of Idaho, organizers have drawn a new map of the new Idaho with just eastern Oregon counties joining the Gem State. If approved, the new state would almost tie Montana in land size. (bigcountrynewsconnection)
2. If you drive Fairview Ave., you may not believe this, but Boise grew by less than one percent from 2020 to 2021 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. KTVB-TV's Jeremy Stiles reports three Idaho cities, Meridian, Nampa and Caldwell, lead the state in population growth and all three are among the 15 fastest-growing cities in the nation with populations of 50,000 or more in 2020. (KTVB)
3. Only one elementary school in Boise will offer the option of half-day, tuition-free kindergarten next year. IdahoEdNews reporter Kevin Richert writes the Boise School District chose Liberty Elementary School in Southeast Boise as the lone school to offer half-day kindergarten after the state legislature increased funding. The West Ada district is still yet to to decide where to offer the half-day option. In addition to only one school in Boise offering the half-day option, the little ones will not have bus service to and from school and no lunch will be provided. (idahoednews)
4. If Boise runners sign up for the upcoming St. Luke's FitOne race on June 1, the first day of registration, all races are only $20. LITE-FM's Michelle Heart, one of the sponsors of the race, writes all distances will be discounted for the first day of sign up to only $20 and children 12 and under are free with an adult registration. In addition to the discount, Axiom will donate $1 to St. Luke's Children for every person signing up June 1. (liteonline)
5. Boise's mayor wants a much larger city government, including 45 new positions. BoiseDev senior reporter Margaret Carmel reports Mayor Lauren McLean pitched her new budget to Boise City Council members without a specific dollar figure attached. The bulk of the new employees would be at the Boise Airport with new staff also added to Boise's Human Resources department. Also included is a 5.9% cost of living raise for city employees. (boisedev)

Today in Boise:

- The Boise Daily let you know about this a few days ago, but this is worth repeating. As they have for many years, a Civil War group will be at Morris Hill Cemetery for a flag-raising ceremony and gun salute to honor Memorial Day. (11:45 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "Beautiful shelf clouds this evening with the storms. Send us your photos if you captured it! Here is what the shelf cloud looked like from our office at the Boise Airport. #idwx #orwx" (Facebook)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "Widespread precipitation has fallen across the area since yesterday. Here's a couple maps of rainfall amounts in the last 24 hours. More on the way today through Monday." (Facebook)
• Boise Weekly: "Calling all family heirlooms, keepsakes, whatchits and whoozles “Antiques Roadshow” essentially launched the appraisal genre in reality TV, meaning shows like “Pawn Stars” and “American Pickers” owe much of their success to it." (Instagram)
• Boise Contemporary Theater: "Hey you! Yeah, YOU. Are you at least OUTSIDE scrolling your feed right now? Go! Hurry before it rains. Boise Contemporary Theater wants to help you relax this summer with its new Play in the Park series." (Instagram)
• Zoo Boise: "Zoo Boise will be open from 10AM - 5PM, with last admission at 4PM on Memorial day." (Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!

— John Braese

About me: Welcome to the Boise edition of patch.com. I am the community editor in this exciting endeavor for the Boise area. I was born and grew up in Boise, attending Bishop Kelly High School before graduating from Borah High School more than a few years ago. I have seen Boise grow substantially in the last few years, but still maintain my hometown appeal. I want to hear about what is important to you and the stories you wish to see on patch.com. Feel free to reach out to me via email at john.braese@patch.com or drop me a phone call or text at 208 954-9585.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Boise Daily? Contact me at john.braese@patch.com