Good morning, Post Falls.

Ninety local veterans departed from Spokane International Airport Tuesday morning on the Inland Northwest Honor Flight—they flew to Washington D.C. to visit memorials honoring their service and returned Wednesday at 8 p.m. for a community welcome.

Visalia, a local Make-A-Wish Idaho recipient, will travel to Disney World in January through the efforts of Tommy LaRiviere and his company in Rathdrum—her mother Erin said the community support made the wish extra special.

Starbucks stores in North Idaho—including seven in Coeur d’Alene and two in Post Falls—remain open while over 400 stores have closed across the U.S. and Canada under a restructuring plan announced Sept.

25 that will close about 1% of locations and affect 900 non-retail jobs.

A local vigil was held today in Post Falls to demand increased help for domestic abuse victims — community advocates urged local officials to expand support services.

Several Post Falls High School football players were suspended and removed from the team after a media day photo showed two players aiming airsoft guns at a Coeur d’Alene athlete—police reviewed the case and found no criminal threat.

Parents and students protested the board’s decision while school officials plan follow-up actions as the teams will face each other on Oct. 17.

Officials say PFAS contamination in Deep Creek remains a concern and tests are underway to determine the source—local agencies will share more details as the investigation continues.

Residents are advised to stay informed about any public health updates.

Farragut State Park announced seasonal closures that affect several campgrounds.

Snowberry, Whitetail, and Gilmore campgrounds plus Willow cabins are closed while Waldron remains open until water is turned off on Oct 13—day use, hiking trails, and dog leash rules still apply.

Federal agencies in our region are still adjusting to the government shutdown that began Wednesday as the U.S. Forest Service closed local offices including the Coeur d’Alene River, Sandpoint, and Bonners Ferry Districts — nearly 13,000 federal workers were furloughed.

Critical services like the Albeni Falls Dam operation and VA centers remain operational while officials assess further impacts.

A new task force was formed—targeting public safety concerns—to assess risks and plan measures that will keep the community safe.

Officials said the group will work with local law enforcement to coordinate future actions.

A Georgetown University report found that between 2022 and 2024 the number of uninsured children in Idaho rose from 28,000 to 40,000—most losing Medicaid for not responding to state requests.

Idaho Voices for Children warned that with premium tax credits set to expire later this year, many families may soon face greater challenges accessing health care.

Climbing Basics Classes Registration

10 a.m. to noon — Coeur Climbing Company — $130 per session — Youths aged 7 to 14 can learn essential climbing skills and safety in a fun and engaging setting.