AGP Executive Report

Oregon Trail Heritage: Stricker Home Site in South Central Idaho drew 100+ people for a family scavenger hunt with live music, food trucks and guided tours celebrating the Oregon Trail roots and America’s 250th. Rodeo to Nationals: Idaho High School Rodeo Association Finals wrapped with multiple local qualifiers headed to Lincoln, Nebraska, including standouts in barrel racing, cutting, roping and reined cow horse. Boise Arts & Culture: Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel (CABI) in Boise spotlighted the oldest continuously used synagogue building west of the Mississippi, with its 1896 Moorish Revival architecture. Idaho Falls Music Festival: The third annual Community Heritage Music Festival brought drumming, fiddles, dancers and groups like the Aztec Dancers and taiko drummers to the Greenbelt area. Sports Spotlight (Boise): The 2026 U.S. Paralympic Swimming Nationals kicked off at Idaho Central Aquatic Center, featuring record-breaking performances by Piper Sadowski and three-win day from Koehn Boyd. Outdoor Fun: Schweitzer’s summer season is set to open with expanded biking and a music-and-events lineup.

Idaho Arts & Entertainment Picks: Boise Sports & Community Pride: The 2026 U.S. Paralympic Swimming Nationals kick off at Idaho Central Aquatic Center in Boise, with Piper Sadowski breaking her own American record twice and Koehn Boyd grabbing three wins on day one. Local Arts & History: Bellevue College permanently rededicates its “Never Again is Now” mural after years of controversy and censorship, marking a long road toward public acknowledgment and healing. Idaho Events Calendar (Treasure Valley): Idaho Falls hosts “Juneteenth: An Evening at the Colonial” on June 19 with music and storytelling, plus a Heritage Music Festival on June 13 at the Riverwalk Bandstand. Outdoor & Summer Fun: Schweitzer opens for the summer season this weekend with expanded mountain biking and a packed music-and-events calendar. Pop Culture in East Idaho: Retro X returns to Idaho Falls for its fourth year, bringing vendors, cosplay, panels, and celebrity guests. Sports on the Screen: The Batman Part 2 production begins, with director Matt Reeves sharing the first shot ahead of the Oct. 1, 2027 release.

Pop Culture & Community: Retro-X returns to Idaho Falls for its fourth year with celebrity guests, cosplay, panels, and Star Wars fun—plus proceeds benefiting the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission and Community Food Pantry. Literary Buzz: “Yesteryear,” Caro Claire Burke’s debut novel, is drawing attention for its tradwife-era premise and a sudden 1855 reality check. Local Hot Springs: Banbury Hot Springs in Southern Idaho is back open with limited pool capacity and camping expected later this month after major repairs. Idaho Arts & Heritage: Eastern Idaho’s Community Heritage Music Festival brings global performances and community booths to the Riverwalk Bandstand. Pride Events: Canyon County Pride returns to Nampa for its third annual celebration, with added safety measures. Sports Spotlight: Idaho State Athletics announces its 2026 Hall of Fame class, while Preston’s Kasen Bryce is celebrated for his high-flying basketball and track rise. Food & Dining: Camas Restaurant reopens at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel with a fresh menu and standout desserts. Kids’ Programming: The Children’s Museum of the Magic Valley hosts a free play takeover Saturday at Second South Market.

Idaho Falls Pride: “Many Roots, One Rainbow” is the theme for Idaho Falls Pride, with a drag show June 26, Pride Parade June 27, and a free festival expected to draw 2,000–3,000 people plus live music, vendors, and family activities. Retro-X Pop Culture Expo: Retro-X returns for its fourth year in Idaho Falls this Friday and Saturday at the Elks Lodge, with cosplay, Star Wars displays, and celebrity guests; a portion of ticket sales benefits local food and rescue efforts. Magic Valley Kids’ STEAM: The Children’s Museum of the Magic Valley hosts its fourth annual play takeover Saturday at Second South Market, featuring hands-on mobile exhibits and free family fun with a push toward a future permanent location. Eagle Saloon Event Permit: Eagle City Council approved amplified sound for Old State Saloon’s “Trad Fam Fest” on June 27, featuring live music, a kids’ fun zone, and outdoor games. Music Tour News: Deathcore band Whitechapel announced a 20th anniversary headlining tour running November–December. Sports Hall of Fame: Idaho State Athletics announced its 2026 Sports Hall of Fame class, with an Oct. 24 induction ceremony. Outdoor Family Fun: Idaho Fish and Game’s Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 13, with license-free fishing statewide while all other rules still apply.

Idaho Arts & Community: Pocatello lost “the Idaho Lorax” (Carta Reale Sierra), an educator and public activist whose legacy is being honored with an open-memory gathering at Lookout Point and calls to plant trees and keep pushing for a cleaner environment. Local Sports Spotlight: The All-Idaho Baseball Team was announced, with Twin Falls’ Maddox Stadelmeir and Hoyt Murray leading 5A honors and eastern Idaho’s 4A first-team standouts including Marsh Valley’s Tate Whitworth, Teton’s Luke Nelson, and South Fremont’s Jordan Hammond. Rodeo & Tradition: Hailey is renaming its rodeo arena to honor Ted Uhrig, a key founder behind the event that began in 1948. Arts & Culture: Gilpin Arts’ 79th juried show filled Washington Hall with work from artists nationwide, pairing art sales with a community potluck. Idaho Pride: Idaho Falls Pride announces a June 26-28 run of events under “Many Roots, One Rainbow,” including a 18+ drag show and a free family-friendly parade and festival. Entertainment & Media: BYU-Idaho’s “The Spot” tackles heartbreak through student-submitted stories in a new episode.

Idaho Pride & community events: Idaho Falls Pride is gearing up for June 26-28 with the theme “Many Roots, One Rainbow,” including an 18+ drag show (June 26), a free family-friendly parade (June 27), and a festival with live music and activities at the Greenbelt Bandshell. Summer arts & entertainment calendar: The region’s Summer Guide spotlights what to see and do, from Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s 2026 musical lineup (including Frozen) to ongoing music, screen, and outdoor picks. Sports watch: The Kelly Cup playoffs are underway, with full schedules and streaming details for ECHL fans. Music in the spotlight: Spokane’s new summer festival “Blessing in Disguise” is set for July 11, aiming to bring major national acts to ONE Spokane Stadium, with Allen Stone headlining. Local safety & digital life: Idaho’s school resource officer, David Gomez, shares practical online safety tips for parents and kids. Practical fun: Idaho Free Fishing Day lands Saturday, with statewide events and a free-license day for anglers.

College Sports: College of Southern Idaho will send 9 cowboys and cowgirls to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, with multiple athletes returning for another shot. Western Traditions: Eagle Rodeo is celebrating 25 years with a bigger youth program, themed nights, and a volunteer-run mission to keep Western culture alive. Idaho Community Events: Nampa’s America 250 fireworks are set for July 1 at the God and Country Festival at Ford Idaho Center, with music, food, speakers, and a 10:15 p.m. finale. Arts & Community: Twin Falls’ Art and Soul of the Magic Valley is back for year 16, running June 5-27 with 220+ entries and $50,000 in prizes—vote via participating businesses. Local Sports Honors: CSI’s Golden Eagles earned multiple NJCAA All-American nods in softball and baseball. Streaming & Pop Culture: Netflix’s June lineup leans into summer with World Cup coverage plus classics like “Bee Movie” and “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 22. Film Buzz: Nicholas Galitzine is set to play supermodel Hoyt Richards in a new Gus Van Sant biopic.

Idaho Outdoors & Community: Free Fishing Day hits June 13, with Idaho Fish and Game urging anglers to dust off gear and use its Fishing Planner—no license required for ages 14+ that day. Treasure Valley Music: Country star Bailey Zimmerman drew a sellout crowd at the Ford Idaho Center, kicking off the summer concert season with plenty of social buzz. Local Festivals: Plains Day in Plains brought a packed downtown schedule, including a 5K win by Simeon Costner (15) and a big turnout for vendors, food trucks, and laser tag. North Idaho Newsroom: Ben Enggas joined the Gazette Record as a new reporter, planning to dig into St. Maries’ history, culture, and people. Arts & Pride: A Pride Month roundup spotlights queer movies to watch, from neon-soaked dramas to cult classics. Sports & Youth: Idaho-area commitments and honors keep rolling in, including Lakeside athletes heading to college basketball and local recognition for youth sports. Culture Calendar: The Central Idaho Rock & Mineral Club meets June 17 for a film on Craters of the Moon and a chance to identify rocks.

Idaho Arts & Entertainment Spotlight: Starbelly Sacred Arts Festival: The Treasure Valley’s Starbelly School of Dance is reviving the spirit of Goddess Fest with a new Starbelly Sacred Arts Festival kicking off June 13-14 at Expo Idaho in Garden City, blending dance, spirituality, and community performances. Local Music: Lizzie Rose Music Room: Jason Ricci brings his award-winning jazz/funk/blues harmonica and vocals to the Lizzie Rose Music Room Friday, June 12 (doors 7 p.m., show 7:30). Pop Culture & Film: Gus Van Sant’s next project: Nicholas Galitzine is set to play male supermodel Hoyt Richards in a new Gus Van Sant movie, with plot details still under wraps. Gaming: Helldivers shakeup: Jason Momoa has exited Sony’s live-action Helldivers adaptation, though the film remains on track with a November 2027 release as casting searches continue. Sports-to-Entertainment: Boise State on a cover: Boise State is featured again on the EA Sports College Football 27 cover, keeping the Broncos in the gaming spotlight.

Idaho Arts & Entertainment: Interpol announced its first album in four years, This Mirror Weighs a Ton, due Aug. 28, plus a North American tour running Aug.–Oct. Idaho Pop Culture: Jason Momoa has exited Sony/PlayStation’s Helldivers movie adaptation, leaving the 2027 release date intact while the studio searches for a new lead. Local Music & Community: A Libby children’s choir won first place at a national music competition in Coeur d’Alene. Idaho Sports Spotlight: Bonneville’s Carter Bowen earned East Idaho Sports baseball Player of the Year after a standout senior season. Idaho Outdoors & Travel: Boise is pitching itself as an “Outdoor USA” destination for groups, leaning on easy access to nature and trails. Idaho Tech/Science with a creative angle: A privately developed nuclear reactor at Idaho National Lab reached “critical” for the first time, a step toward future deep-space power.

Idaho Arts & Entertainment Spotlight: Boise’s new Bluebird Social opened along the Greenbelt with free live music, food trucks, and a packed summer events calendar—an easy new hangout for families and neighbors. Pop Culture & Film: Jason Momoa has exited Sony’s Helldivers movie, leaving the studio hunting for a replacement star ahead of its 2027 release. TV & Live Performance: A Pullman couple, Tracy Skaer and Brad Byers, is set to debut on America’s Got Talent with a high-danger sword-swallowing act. Sports (Women’s Hockey): Elite Olympian Hilary Knight is headed to the PWHL’s Detroit expansion team via a sign-and-trade involving Las Vegas. Community & Outdoors: Boise’s “Outdoor USA” pitch gets a boost as Visit Boise spotlights how the city’s nature access makes it ideal for group adventures. Local Sports Notes: Mead girls basketball coach Quantae Anderson stepped down; KC Ahrens takes over.

Idaho Arts & Entertainment Spotlight: Boise’s dog trail-running scene is getting international shine—Zen Pet Care Services won the 2025 Global Recognition Award and the Pet Innovation Award for Dog Walking Service of the Year, thanks to GPS-tracked off-leash hikes and personalized fitness plans. Local Culture & Community: Gem State Comic Con kept growing in 2026, breaking its admissions record with 54,124 sales over three days and pulling in more out-of-state fans, vendors, and celebrity guests. Music & Performance: Stephen Wilson Jr. dropped “Preacher’s Kid,” a rock-leaning, Americana-tinged single about faith and small-town life, and he’s lining up festival dates in the UK/Ireland plus more U.S. shows. Idaho Sports on the Arts Wire: Post Falls Music Academy is sending 23 students and three instructors to perform at Carnegie Hall this summer, capping its 15th anniversary season with a hometown preview before the NYC recital. Big National Watch: The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on gun laws and transgender athlete bans, with Idaho’s case in the mix.

Boise Community Spotlight: Zen Pet Care Services, Boise’s dog trail-running company, just racked up major pet-industry honors—winning the 2025 Global Recognition Award and the Pet Innovation Award for Dog Walking Service of the Year, thanks to GPS-tracked trail runs and custom fitness plans for dogs of all ages. Local Sports & Talent: Filer High quarterback Tristan Rea committed to the College of Idaho after a standout season, and East Idaho Sports named Century’s Ethan Hansen and Soda Springs’ Cole Garbett top track athletes. Idaho Arts & Events: Twin Falls kicked off Market on Main with dozens of vendors and live music, while Coeur d’Alene’s Pride in the Park marked its 10th year with hugs, drag, and community booths. Community & Culture: Rupert hosted the fifth annual Fights on Fremont boxing event, bringing 60 amateur fighters and 31 bouts to the home crowd. Civic Watch: Caldwell recall organizers say they’re canceling the effort after failing to reach signature goals. National Court Watch (Idaho impact): The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule soon on major cases including Idaho’s transgender athletes ban.

Idaho Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule soon on “culture wars” cases, including Idaho’s ban on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports, alongside gun-rights disputes—decisions that could ripple into school athletics statewide. Local Pride & Community: Coeur d’Alene’s Pride in the Park marked its 10th year with hugs, music, vendors, and church booths welcoming LGBTQIA+ neighbors, while Twin Falls held its annual Pride festival with drag, musicians, and community vendors. Sports & School Spirit: Boise State is exploring upgrades to Albertsons Stadium as a monster truck event drew 20,000, and Idaho’s college scene continues to lean into film and performance with Screen on the Green returning this summer. Arts & Entertainment Calendar: Twin Falls’ Market on Main kicked off for the season with live music and dozens of vendors, and Rupert hosted Fights on Fremont, a growing amateur boxing showcase drawing athletes from across the region. Tech & AI in the Region: Microsoft data shows Vermont near the bottom for AI tool use, with higher adoption in places like Chittenden County—an angle on how tech habits vary by community.

Community Pride: Coeur d’Alene’s 10th annual Pride in the Park brought drag, music, vendors, and a “Free Mom Hugs” moment that turned City Park into a feel-good gathering. Downtown Markets: Twin Falls kicked off Market on Main for the summer, filling Main Street with 46 vendors, live music, and local business buzz every Saturday through Aug. 8. Outdoor Movies: Moscow’s University of Idaho Screen on the Green returns with free Thursday night screenings from June 18 to Sept. 3, including “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Grease,” “The Iron Giant,” and “Project Hail Mary.” Local Arts & Community Events: Baker City’s Barley Brown’s marks 28 years with two days of music June 12–13, and Southern Idaho Pride’s Pride festival drew crowds with “paint the town” rainbow-themed fun. Sports & School Spirit: Idaho-area fans also get a college sports boost with UI’s summer film series and regional athletics updates, plus a reminder that propane grill safety matters as summer cookouts ramp up.

Idaho Home Safety Reminder: A new Idaho-focused warning urges homeowners to lock cars in public lots, keep garage codes private, and use alarms/cameras as deterrents after reminders that break-ins can happen fast. New Idaho Crime Thriller Release: Gary Helzer’s Where Losers Live, Heroes Die drops as a suspenseful novel about three military veterans pulled into organized crime and high-stakes conflict in the Bahamas. Local Arts & Community: Twin Falls’ 16th annual Art and Soul of the Magic Valley kicks off with art across 65 venues and online voting, while Kuna unveils an America 250 mural at the VFW building. Music & Festivals: Baker City celebrates 28 years of Barley Brown’s with two days of music, and the Dirty Turkeys bring high-energy punk to Dolores. Sports Spotlight: The Idaho Bowl returns for a third year, bringing Magic Valley middle school football talent to Boise. Court Watch (Idaho): A federal judge weighs how Idaho’s transgender bathroom ban will be enforced as attorneys argue it could endanger trans people.