MARK: Welcome to Happening in Pocatello for Monday, October 19, 2026. I'm Mark.

JOLEEN: And I'm Joleen. Today we're tracking the Idaho Supreme Court's arrival in town, the heartbreak of the Battle for the Train Bell, and a weather forecast that goes from seventy degrees to snow in about five minutes.

MARK: Let's get into it. Apparently, the Idaho Supreme Court is tired of the scenery in Boise, so they're hauling the whole operation over to the Gate City this Wednesday.

JOLEEN: It's not just a vacation, Mark. They're actually hearing cases starting at 8:45 AM. It's a pretty big deal for local legal nerds and anyone who wants to see the highest court in the state actually work for a living outside the Treasure Valley.

MARK: I'm sure the lawyers are thrilled about the commute. They're doing three cases, I believe. It's one of those things where the city rolls out the red carpet, but let's be honest, they're probably just here for the breakfast at ButterBurr's before they have to listen to people argue about municipal codes.

JOLEEN: Well, maybe they can use some of that half-million-dollar grant ISU just landed. Did you see that? Nearly five hundred thousand dollars in federal funds to help pregnant and postpartum Idahoans get access to fruits and vegetables.

MARK: yeah Half a million for produce? That's a lot of fucking kale, Joleen. I mean, don't get me wrong, healthy babies are great, but five hundred grand buys enough spinach to turn the entire Portneuf River green. Who's managing the logistics on that? Is there a Bengal-branded vegetable truck?

JOLEEN: Oh, stop it. It's a serious issue. Food insecurity for new moms is no joke, and if ISU can bridge that gap, I'm all for it. It's part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' push, and it's nice to see that money landing here instead of just disappearing into some black hole in D.C.

MARK: I just hope they don't spend half of it on 'administrative costs' and 'consulting.' Just buy the damn apples and give 'em out. Speaking of things that actually ended well, that missing man, Dalance Leavitt, was found safe over the weekend. That could've been a really shitty situation.

JOLEEN: It was terrifying. He's only twenty and has autism, and when he went missing in that orange jacket, everyone was on edge. But the Pocatello Police confirmed he's been reunited with his family.

MARK: oh wow

JOLEEN: It's a relief, especially with the nights getting colder. I can't imagine the panic his parents went through.

MARK: And hey, the cops can actually answer the phone again. The non-emergency line was down for a bit, which is just classic Pocatello tech luck. It's fixed now, though, as of Friday afternoon. So if your neighbor's dog is shitting on your lawn, you can officially resume your civic duty of complaining about it.

JOLEEN: You are such an asshole sometimes. People rely on those non-emergency lines for things that actually matter. But yeah, it's good the infrastructure isn't totally crumbling. Though, looking at the road construction, you might think otherwise.

MARK: Don't even start with me on the roads. Did you see the announcement about the Street Services Department? They're switching to winter work hours starting November 2nd. 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM. I don't know who decided that working in the pitch black and frozen tundra of a Pocatello dawn is 'efficient,' but I'm sure the crews are loving it.

JOLEEN: It's about getting the work done before the afternoon commute hits and the temperature drops even further. Plus, it gives them a head start on snow removal if we get hit early. Which, according to the forecast we'll talk about later, might be sooner than anyone wants.

MARK: And of course, the Hiline and Pearl intersection is still a clusterfuck. That south side closure is just the gift that keeps on giving. I swear, I've seen the same pile of dirt there for three months. It's like a local landmark now. We should name it.

JOLEEN: It's part of the 'Signalization Improvement Project,' Mark. It's supposed to make things better. Eventually. But I get it, trying to get to Costco right now is like navigating a war zone. You have to really want that bulk-sized jar of mayonnaise to brave those detours.

MARK: I'd rather starve. Or just go to ButterBurr's. Since we're talking about local institutions, they're still holding it down as the 'best diner' in town. I saw another write-up about them. It's funny how a place can basically never change for decades and everyone is just fine with it.

JOLEEN: Why would you change perfection? The biscuits and gravy at ButterBurr's are legendary. It's that old-school Gate City vibe where the waitresses actually call you 'honey' and the coffee is bottomless. In a world of over-hyped brunch spots with fifteen-dollar avocado toast, ButterBurr's is the hero we need.

MARK: It's consistent. I'll give them that. You know exactly what you're getting, which is usually a heart attack on a plate and a pleasant conversation with a guy wearing a camouflage ISU hat. Speaking of ISU, we need to talk about the 'Battle for the Train Bell.' Or as I like to call it, 'The One That Got Away.'

JOLEEN: Ugh, don't remind me. That game against Weber State on Saturday was a gut-punch. Our Bengals were ranked twenty-first in the nation, they're playing in Ogden for homecoming, and they lose 27 to 20 on a touchdown with seventy seconds left. It was their third straight one-score loss. That's just cruel.

MARK: It's the Harsin and Cooke show, and while they both threw touchdowns, they also both threw interceptions. Trehsyn Fesili had that incredible 50-yard pick-six to start the game, and for a while, it looked like we were actually going to steal that bell and bring it back to Pocatello. But Spencer Ferguson for Weber just went off in the fourth quarter.

JOLEEN: Weber State won the bell for the first time since they brought the trophy back in 2024. It hurts because we really had them on the ropes. The defense held Weber to zero third-down conversions in the first half! We were leading 20 to 19 going into the fourth. To lose it like that at the end... it's just peak Bengal football drama.

MARK: And now we're 4 and 3 overall, but only 1 and 3 in the Big Sky. If we want any chance of a post-season, we have to start closing these games out. Portland State comes to the ICCU Dome this Saturday, and if we don't beat the Vikings, this season is going to go south faster than a tourist in a snowstorm.

JOLEEN: At least the soccer team knows how to beat Portland State. Did you see the women's score? They went to Hillsboro yesterday and took them down 1 to 0. Saydree Cooke scored in the first three minutes! It was the fastest goal Portland State has conceded in years.

MARK: The women's soccer team is actually providing the spark right now. They held that lead for eighty-seven fucking minutes. That's grit. And volleyball beat Northern Colorado last Thursday in a five-set thriller at Reed Gym. So, the athletic department isn't totally in the doldrums.

JOLEEN: High school football was a mixed bag too. Pocatello High held off Blackfoot 41 to 34. Caden Butterfield had three touchdown catches. That kid is a monster on the field. But Highland... man, they lost a tough one to Rigby, 21 to 18. That drops the Rams to 3 and 5. It's been a weird year for them.

MARK: Rigby is just a powerhouse right now. They're 7 and 1. Highland had a great opening kickoff return from Easton Almond, but they just couldn't capitalize enough. It's tough to see the Rams struggling, but that's the 6A High Country Conference for you. No easy wins.

JOLEEN: Well, maybe they can clear their heads at the Shaver Pharmacy 'Business After Hours' this Thursday. It's a free networking event from five to seven. I'm sure there will be plenty of talk about the football scores and the real estate market.

MARK: Oh, the real estate market. The latest stats are a fucking nightmare if you're trying to sell. We're still looking at a twelve-year low for home sales in the area. Prices are staying high, but nobody's buying. It's like a standoff where everyone's waiting for the other person to blink.

JOLEEN: Median prices are still hovering around three hundred and fifty thousand, which is insane for Pocatello when you think about where it was five years ago. But with interest rates where they are, people are just staying put. Why move from a three-percent mortgage to a seven-percent one?

MARK: Exactly. So we've got this weird stagnant pool of inventory. It's a buyer's market in terms of time on the market, but a seller's market in terms of price. Basically, it's a shitty market for everyone. But hey, at least we have 'Healthy Living 101' classes at the Chamber of Commerce. This Tuesday is 'Motion is Lotion.' I'm not making that up.

JOLEEN: It's a mobility class, Mark! For seniors and people who don't want their joints to fuse together. Don't be a dick. People in this town actually care about their health. And if you're feeling more creative, there's a 'Paint and Sip' at Wanderlust on Tuesday night too.

MARK: I'll stick to the 'sip' part, thanks. Let's talk about this weather forecast, because it's a goddamn roller coaster. Today and tomorrow? Beautiful. Highs near sixty-nine, sunny, south wind. It's basically fake summer.

JOLEEN: Wednesday is even better, seventy degrees! But then Thursday happens. We've got a forty-percent chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon, and by Thursday night, it's a hundred-percent chance of rain. The temperature just falls off a cliff.

MARK: Friday's high is forty-eight. Forty-eight! That's a twenty-two-degree drop in twenty-four hours. And Friday night is when it gets spicy. Low of thirty-two, and the NWS is saying there's a 'slight chance of rain and snow' before Saturday morning.

JOLEEN: Snow. In October. I know it's Idaho, but I'm never ready for it. Saturday only gets up to forty-eight again, and Saturday night is another freezing low of thirty-two. So if you haven't blown out your sprinklers yet, you might want to stop being a procrastinator and get on that before your pipes explode.

MARK: Or just let them explode and contribute to the local construction economy. That's the Pocatello way. Speaking of the weekend, despite the cold, the Portneuf Valley Farmers Market is still going on Saturday morning. And those 'Haunted History Walking Tours' are running Friday and Saturday nights starting at 5:00 PM.

JOLEEN: The Haunted History tours are always a blast. They're in their eighteenth year now. It's the perfect way to freeze your ass off while listening to stories about the spirits in Old Town. And honestly, with the weather forecast, it might actually feel genuinely spooky with some sleet hitting your face.

MARK: Nothing says 'paranormal' like hypothermia. If you're looking for something indoors, Wanderlust has live music on Saturday night too. Just... maybe wear a parka. This week is basically the weather equivalent of a bipolar disorder.

JOLEEN: It's the Gate City charm, Mark. If you don't like it, wait five minutes. Or just wait until Friday and cry into your hot cocoa. Either way, it's a big week. Supreme Court, big games, and the first taste of winter.

MARK: Well, we'll be here to witness the wreckage. That's it for us today. Make sure you follow or subscribe to Happening in Pocatello on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode.

JOLEEN: yeah And if you've got a story, a tip, or just want to tell Mark he's being too cynical, email us at pocatello@thehappeningnetwork.com. We'll be back next Monday to see if anyone survived the snow.

MARK: See you then. Hopefully from inside a very warm building.