AGP Executive Report

AI Lawsuit: Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled parents about its safety and exposed children to harmful interactions. The claims have not been decided in court. Housing Pressure: A Boise renter says a nearly 10% increase at her affordable apartment—$100 a month—has forced her to cut back on food and worry about losing her home. Health Coverage: Your Health Idaho enrollment is open through Dec. 15; an estimated 180,000 Idahoans lack insurance, and some may qualify for financial help. Nuclear Research: Idaho State University will build a microreactor to train nuclear engineers, adding to its existing research reactor and the state’s workforce pipeline. Schools: State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield says rewriting Idaho’s K-12 funding formula could take at least three years, with a framework expected in January. Business Costs: Idaho workers’ compensation rates will fall an average 0.1% in 2027, extending a long run of mostly declining costs for employers. Ballot Fight: The LDS Church and Catholic Diocese donated $1.3 million to oppose Idaho’s abortion-rights initiative as campaigns head toward November’s vote.

OpenAI Lawsuit: Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled parents about safety and exposed children to harmful interactions. Idaho is among several states seeking court-ordered changes and accountability. Consumer Alert: Labrador also warned that utility scams have affected nearly 400 Idaho Power accounts, including fraudulent service requests and payment activity. Election 2026: The LDS Church donated $1 million to oppose Idaho’s abortion-rights ballot initiative, as voters weigh Proposition 1 and other measures ahead of November’s election. Boise State Finances: The university confirmed an athletic deficit of up to $18 million tied to its Pac-12 move and revenue sharing; the State Board approved deficit spending. Jobs and Research: Idaho expects employment growth to outpace the national average through 2034. Boise State also received $2.7 million to establish a center for extreme-environment microelectronics, while Idaho National Laboratory is developing software to help farmers save fuel and fertilizer.

AI Lawsuit: Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled users about safety and put children at risk. The suit seeks to enforce state consumer-protection law; OpenAI says it has safeguards and is working to strengthen them. Wildfire Costs: More than 80% of wildfires on state-protected land this year were human-caused, Idaho officials told lawmakers. By the end of September, fires had cost the state more than $47 million. Election Fight: Early voting has begun in some Idaho counties, with Proposition 1 drawing major campaign spending. The LDS Church donated $1 million to oppose the measure, and the Catholic Diocese also contributed to the opposition. Jobs and Budgets: Idaho projects employment growth of 1.3% a year through 2034, well above the national forecast. Boise State, meanwhile, won approval to spend $18 million beyond its athletics budget, largely for payments to student-athletes.

Idaho’s Job Market: Employers are finding it harder to fill openings as workers gain more options. The state’s vacancy yield fell to a record low near the end of 2024, the labor report says. Small-Business Support: A new North Central Idaho program offers eligible businesses and nonprofits $2,000 to $20,000 for property improvements. Separate federal drought loans are available to qualifying businesses in Bear Lake and Franklin counties. Wildfire Costs: More than 80% of fires on Idaho Department of Lands-protected land this year were human-caused. By September’s end, the state’s wildfire costs topped $47 million. Energy Research: The Energy Department selected a company to test a nuclear battery at Idaho National Laboratory’s DOME facility in 2027. Prop 1 Campaign: Political committees for and against Idaho’s abortion-rights measure raised more than $2.5 million in the past two weeks, as early voting begins in some counties.

Voting: Early voting has begun in parts of Idaho, but start dates vary by county: Bannock and Nez Perce counties are accepting ballots, while Kootenai County starts Oct. 19. The state’s abortion ballot campaigns have raised nearly $10 million combined; the LDS Church and Catholic Diocese have given $1.3 million to oppose Proposition 1. North Idaho: Northern Lakes Fire District voters will decide whether to raise property-tax rates to fund staffing and rising costs. The district says rejection could mean laying off 21 firefighters, despite response times falling to 7–8 minutes as staffing grew. Wildfires: More than 80% of fires handled by the Idaho Department of Lands this year were human-caused. Through September, the state had spent more than $47 million on fires. Economy and Agriculture: Idaho’s labor department projects 1.3% job growth over the next decade, though a Boise State economist cautions the forecast relies on limited data and the state depends heavily on a few large employers. Sugar beet growers also face a tough season, with one farmer expecting yields down 10% after frost, smoke and water shortages. Boise Business: Al’s Sporting Goods will close its Boise store Saturday, ending a four-year run in the Treasure Valley.

Business: Boise-based Albertsons is launching a broad turnaround review and withdrew its full-year financial outlook after quarterly net income fell to $51.5 million from $168.5 million a year earlier. Manufacturing: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories plans a $150 million expansion in Post Falls, adding to Idaho’s industrial investment. Ballot Measure: Idaho’s abortion-rights campaigns have raised nearly $10 million combined; the LDS Church and Catholic Diocese contributed $1.3 million to oppose Proposition 1. State Finances: Idaho’s general fund revenue beat projections by $90 million in the first quarter. Housing: Treasure Valley home sales rose 4.9% year over year in September, with 1,431 homes sold and a median price of $514,000.

Business Growth: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories is investing $150 million in a 230,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Post Falls, with new jobs expected as the company expands production. Housing: A new Idaho law bars cities from regulating short-term rentals, ending Sandpoint’s cap and raising concerns that more homes could become vacation rentals. Kootenai County’s median single-family home price reached $569,000 in September, up 4.3% year over year. Election 2026: Early voting can begin today, with four statewide measures on the Nov. 3 ballot. The LDS Church and Boise Catholic Diocese have donated a combined $1.3 million to oppose Proposition 1; the two campaigns have raised $9.7 million. Farm Economy: Idaho farmers face higher borrowing costs after the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate by a quarter point, adding pressure amid high expenses and low commodity prices. State Finances: Idaho general fund revenue exceeded projections by $90 million in the first quarter.

Ballot Measures: Idaho voters will decide whether to add English as the official language to the state constitution and cast an advisory vote for a state firearm; a public forum is also examining the ballot-initiative process. Prop 1 Campaign: The LDS Church donated $1 million to oppose Idaho’s abortion-rights measure, adding major funding ahead of the November vote. State Economy: General Fund revenue exceeded projections by $90 million in the first quarter, and a new outlook says Idaho jobs could grow more than four times faster than the national average. Harvest Policy: Gov. Brad Little paused dyed-diesel inspections for 30 days and ordered reduced red tape for farmers and ranchers during harvest. Scam Warning: Idahoans age 60 and older reported $37.4 million in scam losses in 2025—about double the prior year—and state and FBI officials are holding Idaho Falls town halls on fraud prevention.

Election Measures: Idaho voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to enshrine English as the state’s official language. The proposed amendment’s effect on existing exceptions for other languages remains unclear. Voters will also answer a nonbinding question on which of six historic firearms should represent the state. Idaho Research: Idaho National Laboratory has received a key cooling-system component for its MARVEL small reactor, moving it closer to a first criticality test expected in December. State Finances: Idaho’s general fund revenues topped forecasts by $90.3 million in the first quarter of the fiscal year, a 6.8% increase over projections. Gov. Brad Little called the growth encouraging while urging continued spending discipline. Prop 1 Campaign: The LDS Church donated $1 million to a political action committee opposing Idaho’s abortion-rights ballot initiative, saying the measure raises significant moral concerns.

State Finances: Idaho’s General Fund revenue beat forecasts by $90.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, including a $39 million surplus in September. Gov. Brad Little called the growth encouraging and urged continued spending discipline. Prop 1 Campaign: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave $1 million to a PAC opposing Idaho’s November abortion-rights initiative. Prop 1 would repeal state abortion laws and establish reproductive-health protections. Fraud Sentence: A Coeur d’Alene woman received 33 months in federal prison for stealing more than $1 million from her Spokane Valley employer, where she managed payroll and accounts payable. She must repay $1.04 million and serve three years of supervised release.

Prop 1 Campaign: The LDS Church donated $1 million to the PAC opposing Idaho’s November reproductive-rights initiative, the largest single contribution reported against the measure. State Finances: Idaho’s General Fund revenue topped forecasts by $90.3 million, or 6.8%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, with strong income-tax withholding contributing to the surplus. Harvest Rules: Gov. Brad Little suspended dyed-diesel inspections for 30 days during harvest, following a federal order easing restrictions. Rural Funding: Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined Oregon colleagues in proposing a three-year extension of Secure Rural Schools funding, which supports rural schools, roads and public services. Boise Housing: The city received a $9 million federal grant to house people transitioning out of homelessness.

Harvest Rules: Gov. Brad Little suspended dyed-diesel inspections for 30 days during harvest, easing a compliance burden for Idaho farmers and ranchers. State Finances: Idaho’s General Fund revenue came in $90 million above forecast in the first quarter, extending a run of stronger-than-expected collections. Ballot Fight: The LDS Church donated $1 million to a PAC opposing Idaho’s Proposition 1, adding major funding to the November campaign. Health Costs: Idaho’s 2027 health insurance rates are set to rise 12%, putting added pressure on households shopping for coverage. Boise Housing: The city received $9 million in federal funding for a 50-unit project for people exiting homelessness. Rural Support: Idaho’s Jim Risch joined lawmakers from Oregon in introducing a bill to extend Secure Rural Schools funding, which helps pay for schools, roads and public services in rural communities.

Election Money: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated $1 million to the PAC opposing Idaho’s Proposition 1, which would protect abortion rights. Early voting is expected to open Tuesday ahead of the Nov. 3 election, when Idaho voters will also decide measures on legislative authority over drug legalization and making English the state’s official language. State Finances: Idaho’s General Fund revenue topped forecasts by $90.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, led by strong income-tax withholding. Farm Policy: Gov. Brad Little suspended state inspections of dyed diesel for 30 days during harvest, giving agencies time to review enforcement rules. The order does not waive federal or other states’ laws. Jobs and Costs: Idaho employment is projected to grow 1.3% annually through 2034—more than four times the national forecast—while 2027 health insurance rates are set to rise 12%.

Harvest Relief: Gov. Brad Little suspended Idaho inspections of dyed diesel fuel for 30 days while state agencies review enforcement rules, aiming to ease burdens on farmers and ranchers during harvest. State Economy: General Fund revenue topped forecasts by $90.3 million, or 6.8%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, with income-tax withholding up 20% from a year earlier. Idaho employment is projected to grow 1.3% annually through 2034—more than four times the national rate. Water Rights: A Blackfoot-area farm family is suing Idaho after a state order halted its groundwater pumping and, the family says, destroyed crops on its 1,000-acre farm. The lawsuit challenges the state’s response to falling aquifer levels and demands from senior water users. Treasure Valley Growth: A regional market report points to rising wages, Micron’s expansion and housing demand as drivers of continued economic strength, with Canyon County home prices about 25% below Ada County’s.

Health Costs: Idaho health insurance premiums are set to rise 12% in 2027 for individual and small-group plans, adding pressure on household budgets despite the state’s reinsurance program. Election Stakes: Voters will decide whether HJR 4 gives the Legislature sole power over drug legalization, removing that subject from the citizen initiative process. The attorney general’s race is also fueling debate over whether the office has become too political. Agriculture: Idaho again led the nation in per-capita farm revenue, with 2025 output equaling about $5,887 per resident—but officials cautioned that figure doesn’t mean farmers had an easy year, amid pressure from prices and lower yields. Boise Housing: HUD awarded Boise $9 million to build supportive housing for people leaving homelessness. Business: Simplot named longtime company leader Erik Brandenburg president of its global food division, effective Nov. 1.

Health-Care Costs: Idaho’s Department of Insurance is requiring health insurers to report premiums, enrollment, expenses and claims from 2022–25, aiming to shed light on what drives costs. Governor’s Race: Gov. Brad Little won a school-choice super PAC endorsement, while challengers Terri Pickens and John Stegner criticized him at a Boise forum he skipped. Boise Housing: The city received $9 million to build 50 supportive-housing units for people leaving homelessness. Water Research: Scientists are undertaking the broadest Treasure Valley well-water measurements in 25 years, as Idaho faces growing water concerns. Prison Policy: Overcrowding is keeping some Idaho women incarcerated even after they’re granted parole. Economic Development: Nampa hired Steve Jenkins as its new economic development director.