Biz ‘Bites:’ Little announces virtual summit, retail store to open in Chubbuck

Gov. Little to hold Future of Work virtual summit

The public is invited to attend the Governor’s Summit on the Future of Work for Idaho employers, education and policy leaders 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 12, the governor’s office announced in a recent press release. Those wanting to attend the virtual event are required to register in advance at wdc.idaho.gov/ageofagility/. Little noted it is important for Idaho to be “agile to change and intentionally shaping our future” for the next generation of people. 

AAA reports Idaho gas prices down, crude oil prices rising

The rising prices of crude oil could keep gas prices up well into the fall season, according to AAA, but for car owners who filled up their gas tanks over the past week, they saved 2 cents more than in previous weeks. Hurricanes Ida and Nicholas near the Gulf of Mexico have kept 16% of crude oil production offline — the reasoning behind rising gas prices. The current average price for regular gas in Idaho is about $3.75 per gallon, which is a nickel cheaper than a month prior. 

Second discount retail store to open in eastern Idaho

A Chubbuck store will be opening around Oct. 13 at 4215 Yellowstone Ave. in the old Shopko building next to the Pine Ridge Mall, as reported by East Idaho News. Clayton Cook, Big Deal Outlet’s founder and CEO, said the Chubbuck store will be one of the largest locations, housing more products than most others. The business will offer used, damaged, discontinued or store-returned products and touts resulting cost savings. 

Health and welfare updates education board about COVID-19 surge impact

The State Board of Education was told by Idaho’s deputy state epidemiologist that the COVID-19 Delta variant surges are affecting students at all levels, setting records both in school-aged children, teenagers and young adults, according to a recent press release. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare predicts the surge will peak in mid-November at 21,000 cases per week. Earlier in September, Gov. Brad Little announced that $10 million is being made available to schools to recruit and retain substitute teachers and other classroom support staff.