🌱 State Legal Fees + Abortion Ruling + Helpful Boise Firefighters

Good morning, neighbors! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Boise Daily. Here's what you need to know about what's happening in the community today.

Local media are jumping on the dangers of the Boise Greenbelt. The Boise Daily wants to hear your opinion of our paved pathway through the city. Should Boise ban certain modes of transportation on the Greenbelt? Better enforcement? Should the pathways be widened or should we just hope to see better courtesy among users on their own? Let us know by emailing your ideas to john.braese@patch.com.

Welcome to the Sunday edition of the Boise Daily. The State of Idaho is responsible for paying some legal fees after losing a lawsuit regarding birth certificates. Abortions will become illegal Aug. 25 and some Boise firefighters have been helping out around the nation. Boise police will no longer need a college degree and a new internet provider has plans for the capital city.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 96 Low: 65.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. Idaho taxpayers will pay $321,224.50 in legal fees after a federal judge ruled against the state stemming from a lawsuit regarding birth certificate changes. The East Idaho News carries a story by Idaho Reports' Ruth Brown outlining 2020's House Bill 509, a law preventing transgender people from changing the sex on their birth certificate. A federal judge ruled against the state implementing the law and ordered Idaho to pay legal fees to the plaintiffs. The amount adds to the more than $3 million paid out by taxpayers through the Legislature’s Constitutional Defense Fund after losing court cases. (eastidahonews)
2. An abortion will be a felony effective Aug. 25 after the Idaho Supreme Court issued an opinion on two lawsuits filed by Planned Parenthood. KTVB-TV forwards a story written by Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press explaining the court refusing to issue a stay on Idaho's "trigger" law, making the law effective Aug. 25. Under the law, relatives of a fetus aborted after six weeks gestation are able to sue for minimum damages of $20,000 and abortions, at any stage of gestation, are considered felonies except for three narrow exceptions. A separate hearing, filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and to be heard in federal court, is scheduled for Aug. 22. This case also involves placing a hold on the Aug. 25 effective date. (KTVB.com)
3. Everyone needs a little help at one time or another. As wildfires around Boise have not been as severe as in the past, the Boise Fire Department dispatched 12 members to wildfires in California, Arizona, Utah and other areas of Idaho to deploy in two-week-long shifts. KIVI-TV's Nicole Camarda writes the department is part of a national plan placing resources where needed and providing local firefighters the opportunity to train in different types of terrain. (Idaho News 6 Boise Twin Falls)
4. Job hopefuls looking to be a Boise Police Officer will no longer be required to have 60 college credits. Boise Patch reports our local law enforcement agency has decided to "create a new plan which removes the college credit requirement for new hires and instead creates a pathway for personal development and higher education." The department will now require at least three years of full-time employment or other relevant life experience to replace the college credits. After hiring, the agency will work with the hire to obtain the college credits in a span of five years. (Boise Patch)
5. There are many irritating things in life, some important when looking at the grand scheme, most really not. For someone who works daily on the computer, a major irritant is the continuous spinning icon while waiting for a download. KIDO-AM's Chris writes Idaho has the fifth slowest internet in the country, a true statement when looking at local blogs or chat rooms or even overhearing conservations at a neighborhood barbecue. Google has announced Google Fiber will soon be in the Gem State with a download speed of 1 gigabit per second and no contract. The article also offers a comparison with current internet providers in Boise. (kidotalkradio)

Today in Boise:

• The Discovery Center of Idaho continues the exhibit, "Sue: The T. Rex Experience" Sunday with the chance to see the best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered. (10 am)
• For those 18 years of age and above, the Catalyst Arts Collaborative will hold the first class of the SoulCollage Art method Sunday. No experience is necessary and all materials and instruction will be provided. (1 pm)
• The Ste. Chapelle Winery & Tasting Room continues the summer concert series this Sunday featuring the Ashley Rose Band. (1 pm)
• The Catalyst Arts Collaborative also holds a weekly Sunday class on visual journaling each Sunday. The class is open to those ages 12 and up. (2 pm)

From my notebook:

• Boise State University: "Follow a structured plan at your own pace to discover your why. @BroncoGapYear is designed to support students during college or before college with a strong focus on discovering passions and interests during a productive pause." (Boise State University via Instagram)
• Boise Police Department: "After 29 years of law enforcement service, Cpt. Matt Bryngelson retires from BPD today. The ceremony was filled with stories and memories in front of a room of family, friends, and current and retired officers." (Boise Police Department via Facebook)
• Boise Fire Department: "This week for #FirefighterFriday we are featuring Captain Ashley Rosenbaum! She is currently assigned to Engine 9 on C-Shift. Captain Rosenbaum has been in the fire service for 17 years, 15 of which for the City of Boise." (Boise Fire Department via Facebook)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "A storm spotter reported ping pong ball size hail (1.5") in Oxbow, Oregon today. Photo credit to Brent Morrissey. Large hail, gusts to 60 mph, and torrential rainfall have all been observed today in our strongest storms." (US National Weather Service Boise Idaho via Facebook)
• Boise State Public Radio: "The more than 350 health care professionals in the state who signed the letter believe Idaho’s abortion bans could affect medical care in the state." (Boise State Public Radio via Facebook)
• Idaho Botanical Garden: "With all of the exciting Bug Day exhibits this year, there is plenty to be buzzing about! If you're already buzzing, you'll love the Honeybee Exhibit. Beekeeper Rena Alexander will be on site with an observation hive." (Idaho Botanical Garden via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another 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