🌱 Polar Plunge + New Idaho Laws + Deadly Crash

Hello all. It's me, John Braese, your host of the Boise Daily — here to tell you everything that's fit to print about what's happening in the community. Including updates on:

• 2023 marks a new choice for Idahoans looking for health insurance, but will only be able to visit with St. Luke's affiliated medical professionals.
• All for a good cause, many Boise residents welcomed 2023 with a jump into the icy waters of Lucky Peak.
• Catch up on the new laws in Idaho for 2023.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy, a snow shower. High: 33 Low: 28.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. 2023 marks a series of new laws in Idaho. KTVB-TV's staff report consumers now have an easier time canceling subscriptions, driver's licenses can now have a "USA" citizenship designation, counties can now lease jails for five years and your top elected officials are seeing a raise in their paychecks. (KTVB)
2. If a new career is in your plans for 2023, Boise Patch is here to help. This week's newest job openings include customer service positions, shipping clerk and account managers. (Boise Patch)
3. A new health insurance plan is available in Idaho with the new year and it carries a familiar name. The Idaho Capital Sun's Audrey Dutton explains the new St. Luke’s Health Plan. Similar to many HMOs, people with the St. Luke’s insurance card will only be able to get health care services from facilities and health care providers that belong to the St. Luke’s network. (idahocapitalsun)
4. A Parma man is dead after a fatal crash early Monday morning on Highway 20. CBS2 news staff report the 38-year old driver of a 2004 Dodge pickup was passing slower traffic in the opposite lane of travel and merged back into the eastbound lane when he left the roadway. The vehicle rolled and came to rest off the right shoulder of the roadway. A juvenile passenger in the pickup was transported to a local hospital. (idahonews)
5. While you slept in for the holiday, some of your neighbors were at Lucky Peak taking a swim in the less than thirty-degree temperatures. KIDO-AM's Kevin Miller joined the participants in the 20th anniversary of the Polar Plunge. This year honored the event's founders, Larry Gebert and Gary Arbaugh. (kidotalkradio)

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Today in Boise:

• The Garden City Library hosts Preschool STEAM for the little ones in the house Tuesday morning. (10:00 AM)
• The Boise Public Library hosts Music and Movement Tuesday morning. (10:30 AM)
• The Household Hazardous Waste Collection site for Tuesday is Fire Station 10. (Noon)
• The Rediscovered Bookshop hosts Storytime at the Dawson Taylor Coffee Roastery. (2:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Studio Boise Photo Center: "Happy New Year! With the New Year brings along a lot of new things for the studio… Our team has been hard at work and we can’t wait to show you what we’ve been up to…. PC: @ksavphoto Model: @baileyshim" (Studio Boise Photo Center via Instagram)
• Zoo Boise: "What’s your New Year’s resolution? To visit the zoo more? Perfect, because we’re open! Come spend some quality time at Zoo Boise, where you’ll observe wild animals and learn how to protect them!" (Zoo Boise via Facebook)
• Radio Boise: "On this New Year edition of Writer to Writer on Stray Theatre: the hosts of Writer to Writer themselves talk about the craft, their own work, teaching, life experience, and the effect three years of guests have had on their thinking." (Radio Boise via Instagram)
• Boise Philharmonic: "Why not start 2023 with a FREE CONCERT?! Celebrate music with us at the Nampa Public Library. This free community concert on Jan. 12 will feature four Boise Phil chamber ensembles as well as family-friendly activities." (Boise Philharmonic via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Veterans Park: "LOST DOG? - Anyone missing a larger cream colored dog in Highlands/Crane Creek golf course area? Perhaps a lab mix. We weren’t able to get close. It’s after sunset, and the pup is quite elusive." (Nextdoor)

That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— 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