The Boise School District is implementing its extreme cold procedures as temperatures in the Treasure Valley drop to single digits and are expected to reach close to zero degrees. While the district historically does not close schools due to extreme cold, it allows parents to decide if their children should stay home. Indoor recess and activities are mandated when temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The district emphasizes the safety of students and staff as its top priority.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has resigned from his seat on the Central District Health board, which oversees public health policies in four Southwest Idaho counties. His resignation will be effective after the board meeting on Friday. Labrador, who opposed mask mandates and criticized CDC guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, was elected attorney general in November, making it difficult to commit time to the health board. Ada County commissioners will appoint his replacement, aiming for a candidate who understands the role and mission of the health district. Labrador's term would have expired in 2025.

The Idaho Capitol had a quiet day with workplace and active-shooter trainings, but legislative activity is set to increase with the introduction of an income tax proposal by Rep. Steven Harris. Governor Brad Little supports tax cuts for high earners and corporations, arguing it helps families amid inflation. The article contrasts Idaho's approach with Washington's tax system, which lacks income tax but has high regressive taxes. Idaho Republicans previously passed a bill favoring the wealthy, and Democrats criticize this pattern. Upcoming legislative committee agendas and the governor's budget proposals, including hiring more social workers and funding for wildfire fighting, are also mentioned.

Mikayla Ririe, mother of 4-year-old Walter who has Angelman syndrome and epilepsy, has been banned from St. Luke's Children's Hospital in Idaho due to alleged poor behavior and missed appointments. This has left her struggling to find local specialized care for Walter, as St. Luke's is the only hospital with pediatric neurologists in the Treasure Valley. Idaho faces a shortage of pediatricians and specialists, and Ririe has had to resort to Telehealth services from Seattle Children's Hospital, which is 500 miles away. The situation has caused her significant stress, especially as she anticipates Walter's next seizure without a local specialist. Ririe has filed a complaint with the Board of Medicine against Dr. Lindsey Foy for inadequate care and legal violations.

The Idaho Legislature is reconvening to address a series of bills related to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, in response to President Biden's federal vaccine requirements. The session will also address an ethics recommendation to censure Rep. Priscilla Giddings for her actions related to a sexual assault case. The House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem have expressed their positions, while the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry criticized the legislative actions. Senate Democrats have questioned the necessity and cost of the session.

Idaho Representative Priscilla Giddings was censured and removed from the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee following a 49-19 vote by the Idaho House. The action was taken due to her sharing an article that identified a 19-year-old legislative intern who accused former Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger of rape. The Ethics and House Policy Committee had unanimously recommended censure after an ethics complaint alleged Giddings defamed the accuser and misrepresented her actions while under oath. The censure aims to uphold a standard of conduct and protect the privacy and dignity of individuals bringing forward sexual assault allegations.

Idaho has experienced a decrease in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and test positivity rates, but the state is not yet ready to deactivate crisis standards of care due to ongoing high patient volumes. Hospitals like St. Luke’s and Saint Alphonsus are working through backlogs of delayed surgeries and procedures. Staffing remains a critical factor, with FEMA and state-sent additional staff currently supporting the strained healthcare system. Officials are cautiously optimistic about exiting crisis standards, with a decision process involving input from hospitals and a committee recommendation. Public health officials continue to urge vaccinations and chronic condition management to prevent hospitalizations.