Heather Ellsworth

Phew, what an excellent busy week. Got the basics set up at our new place in medford. Figuring our chickens, pool maintenance, irrigation (people here dont blow out their irrigation?!), meeting neighbors. Finally hit the home bakery 2 doors down today, AMAZING sourdough! Tomorrow back to Boise.

Middle-income households are losing an average of $1,670 in 2026 due to several key policies under the second Trump administration. That includes tax changes and increased inflation fueled by tariffs, the Iran war, and the loss of immigrant workers.

The report shows that average annual childcare costs for two young children have risen $6,600 over the past decade. Since January 2025, gas prices have risen by 33% — an average increase of $1.02 per gallon nationally.

#BirdOfTheDay theme #Grounded Grouse

"The model Bowen had used in the last years of her life, GPT-4o, was pulled off the consumer app Feb. 13, 2026, the day after the medical examiner believed Bowen died." Ostensibly, today's models are safer/more restricted, but pity for those who got hooked on chat when it was designed to suck up

Today, the Trump administration is expected to announce rollbacks on methane and gas regulations, giving oil and gas execs “exactly what they’ve long wanted.”

Another image of Sunday's Northern Nutcracker aka Spotted Nutcracker. I like the latter name better. Short legs, short tail, big head, a big honkin' beak and a voice that sounds like diesel engine with no oil in it! 😂 #BirdingHungary #nutcrackers

‘How do we make it successful:’ Micron details housing, transit programs as $50 billion Boise expansion set to ramp up. boisedev.com/2026/10/27/h...

"Eisenhauer’s and Bodnar’s campaigns hired Ballot Access Marketing, which in turn subcontracted signature gathering to Sun Belt Strategies, a firm run by Harlan. In May, Cascade Co election officials noticed similar handwriting on multiple petition entries and signatures that didn’t match records."

Authorities in Cascade County have issued a warrant for Nathan Ross Harlan for allegedly forging signatures on petitions to get two independent candidates on the fall ballot.

"Do you like my coloring?" asked the lovely fox sparrow, standing tall while perched in a tree #BirdOfTheDay #Branched #sparrow #birds #naturephotography

Lauren Redfield, speaking at the AI week rally. “Some of you worry about AI becoming conscious, but it’s not necessary to become conscious to cause great harm. The problem is not consciousness. The problem is power.”

A medieval fantasy film written and directed by an Idaho Falls resident is preparing to make its big-screen debut in Idaho Falls, featuring local actors and crew members.

Barclay's Willow (Salix barclayi) rimmed with rime #nativeplants

Vote YES on Prop 1 to overturn Idaho’s abortion ban. Idaho has lost more than a third of its OBGYNs since the ban took effect. Patients are being airlifted out of state to receive life-saving care. Right-wing politicians refuse to act, but the answer has never been complicated: Reverse the ban.

Pupdate: bushwhacked up to the top of a clear cut with Ozzy to check out the Tamarack. Ozzy got some larch leaves on his coat. #goldenseason #tamarack #westernlarch #selkirks

Lula has been reelected president, Brazilian media has now called. An extraordinary comeback for the left-wing politician who trailed by 2 points in round 1 but managed to hold off Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president's son.

Things are falling apart pretty rapidly in small modular reactor world. They haven't even had their bubble yet and it's already bursting. Stocks plummeting, no reactors under construction, investigations for securities fraud. Great "renaissance" so far. beyondnuclearinternational.org/2026/10/25/p...

Something I wish more people would realize.

Rayne has the patience of a saint #CorgiCrew #RayneyBeans #WaldoCheese

Today’s view from my little corner of Montana.

Good morning BS #IdahoEscape

What are things looking like on the per capita greenhouse gas emissions front? Russian and the US are in a league of their own! (One slither of hope for the US a -1.2% 10-year average change) The EU is still above the global average but their 10-year average change is best in class at -2.9%

Bear River Produces New Idaho Catch-and-Release State Record Brown Trout – The Outdoor Wire https://www.flakefood.com/927861/bear-river-produces-new-idaho-catch-and-release-state-record-brown-trout-the-outdoor-wire/ This summer’s hot streak of record fish continues to churn out some impressive …

The Justice Department's last-second letters about noncitizen voting contain people with no history of voting whatsoever, and they're moving so fast they sloppily sent one county the wrong list of names.

The peaceful sunset before embarking on my first of four polar bear tours over the next month.

Seeing sea otters up close at Morro Bay with @sallyfisherprice.bsky.social was amazing! They were so close to shore. About fifteen of them. I may have to post a few vids on this thread.

I should’ve gotten it in white, then I could’ve pretended that it was an Elizabethan Halloween costume. This is what happens, girl, when you lick your front paw raw. Actually she doesn’t seem bothered at all by the donut. 

#FlyFishingFriday Ridley Creek State Park, PA Trying not to miss the fall colors before it gets too cold. I should make it out there this weekend 😊 #FlyFishing #Fishing #Nature #Creek #Hiking #Walking #autumn #Photography

JUST POSTED: A Russian energy giant has secretly moved to acquire a position in a massive Alaska gas project. Its part of talks between Witkoff/Kushner & Putin. But CEO of US company resigns after learning of Russian money in the project. A wowzer of a story. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/23/u...

“Abuse and threats of violence should always be taken seriously,” the Meridian Police Department said in a statement.

Blep

Linh Luu and Kevin Le pocketed more than $51,000 helping traffic the wildlife parts between the U.S. and Vietnam over several years, federal prosecutors said. https://mrf.lu/2vJLf

Southern Alberta

wait a democrat is polling +3 in montana’s congressional race and he is a smokejumper that looks like this? why has no one told the thirsty masses?

NWS Boise: Temperatures will approach freezing across the Treasure and western Magic Valleys on Saturday morning. Patchy frost is possible. Emmett, Payette, and Boise have yet to hit their first freeze this fall, and are already past due. Source: https://x.com/NWSBoise/status/2113730508651937857

Arrested this miscreant for trespassing and destroying property. (Getting stuck in my owl net and chewing holes in it.)

Happy Friday 🍜🍽️ #food