US applications for jobless benefits highest since October 2021
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits last week rose to its highest level since October 2021, but the labor market remains one of the healthiest parts of the U.S. economy. The Labor Department reported Thursday that U.S. applications for jobless claims were 261,000 for the week ending June 3, an increase of 28,000 from the previous week's 233,000. Weekly jobless claims are [...]
Cloud seeding catching on amid Rocky Mountain drought
Garrett Cammans and his brothers sometimes don't talk about their toughest moments on the job in the cloud seeding business, like the time when one of them got stuck in deep mountain snow and had to hike out alone in the dark.
Southwest passengers face delays after nationwide grounding
Southwest Airlines planes were briefly grounded nationwide Tuesday for what the airline called an intermittent technology issue, leading to more than 1,800 delayed flights just four months after the carrier suffered a much bigger meltdown over the Christmas travel rush.
Hundreds rally against proposed large Idaho wind farm
Several hundred people rallied against plans for a large-scale wind energy project in southern Idaho, hoping to convince federal agencies to reject the proposal by Magic Valley Energy.
Judge blocks rules intended to protect nation’s waterways
A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a federal rule in 24 states that is intended to protect thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways throughout the nation.
Stiff EPA emission limits to boost US electric vehicle sales
The Biden administration is proposing strict new automobile pollution limits that would require up to two-thirds of new vehicles sold in the U.S. to be electric by 2032, a nearly tenfold increase over current electric vehicle sales.
NOTHING TO FEAR – YET: AI technology is still evolving; legal issues loom
Fear of AI technology is not new: "2001: A Space Odyssey, "Ex Machina," "The Terminator" are among the many fictional dramatizations of the doomsday dangers of AI. But is "artificial intelligence" something to be scared of? Experts say the idea has been around and evolving for decades and is something to monitor, not to fear. “What’s unique about ChatGPT is it's a culmination of a lo[...]
Can real estate be a hedge against inflation? It depends
[caption id="attachment_291122" align="alignnone" width="600"] Buying and investing in real estate can be considered a hedge against inflation, but this asset class solution isn’t necessarily guaranteed. Image from Unsplash.[/caption] Experts have conflicting ideas whether real estate is a solid hedge against inflation. The topic can be puzzling, leaving many wondering how to keep up with ris[...]
IBR panel: Worker shortage is a challenge to ‘keeping it local’
[caption id="attachment_291005" align="alignleft" width="300"] Breakfast Series event at The Grove Hotel. Photo by Chloe Baul.[/caption] BOISE -- At Idaho Business Review’s ongoing Breakfast Series event Thursday, a panel of experts said the state faces a number of challenges, including a worker shortage, in order to keep business local in Idaho. The event, attended by more than 85 people [...]
Eagle City Council approves Avimor annexation
[caption id="attachment_290852" align="alignleft" width="300"] Eagle City Hall.[/caption] EAGLE -- A proposal annex Avimor, the planned development community, into the City of Eagle was approved by Eagle's City Council last week. The vote was 3-1. Before moving to a vote before the city council, the application was rejected by the Eagle Planning & Zoning Commission, due to two conflictin[...]
IBR Honors Treasure Valley’s ‘Top Companies’
[caption id="attachment_290794" align="alignleft" width="300"] Scott Schlange, Idaho market president for KeyBank, the presenting sponsor, is greeted on stage by IBR Publisher Cindy Suffa at Thursday’s Top Companies event. (Photo by Pete Grady.)[/caption] MERIDIAN -- Employers from more than a dozen businesses across the Treasure Valley gathered Thursday to celebrate their company as a place [...]
Idaho tourism continues growth despite economy
[caption id="attachment_290693" align="alignnone" width="600"] Boise skyline, Unsplash.[/caption] Tourism in Idaho continues to grow at a record pace, and local tourism officials say inflation is not likely to slow things down any time soon. Thousands of out-of-state travelers are drawn to Idaho’s outdoor recreation attractions, food and drink destinations, as well as the annual Treefort Musi[...]