MARK: Welcome back to 'Happening in Boise,' the only podcast brave enough to ask the tough questions, like 'Why is it still winter?' and 'Who the fuck approved another roundabout?' I'm Mark.

JOLEEN: And I'm Joleen. On this glorious Monday, February 2nd, 2026, we're here to sift through the absolute chaos of local news so you don't have to. We're talking shootings, strange new sports, and the ongoing, soul-crushing saga of Boise real estate.

MARK: It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it while complaining. Before we get into the muck, a quick reminder: if you enjoy our particular brand of cynical optimism, please like, subscribe, and for the love of god, leave a comment. It feeds our fragile egos.

JOLEEN: And if you see something truly batshit crazy happening in the Treasure Valley, or just want to call Mark an asshole for one of his takes, slide into our inbox at boise@thehappeningnetwork.com. We read everything, mostly for the blackmail material.

MARK: Alright, let's kick things off with our top headline. It seems the state legislature is cooking up some truly innovative ideas. A new bill just passed a committee that would add extra penalties for covering your face while committing a crime.

JOLEEN: So, let me get this straight. You're already breaking the law, but god forbid you do it with a ski mask on? What's next, a fashion citation for mismatched gloves during a burglary? It feels like they're just spitballing at this point.

MARK: Critics are worried it could be selectively enforced, which is a nice way of saying they're gonna slap it on anyone who looks vaguely suspicious. It could add up to a year in prison or a $2500 fine. Seems a little much for, say, streaking with a paper bag over your head.

JOLEEN: Another big story is that Idaho's new ban on using food stamps to buy candy or soda is about to kick in. Because clearly, the biggest problem facing low-income families is the scourge of an occasional Snickers bar. Not, you know, crippling inflation or the cost of housing.

MARK: It's classic political theater. Ignore the massive, systemic problems and instead focus on whether or not someone can buy a Mountain Dew. It makes for a great soundbite and accomplishes absolutely nothing of substance. What a shocker.

JOLEEN: Speaking of things that make you want to drink, let's talk crime. It was a spicy weekend on State Street. Early Sunday morning, around 4:15 AM, someone decided to open fire on a local business. Classy.

MARK: Yeah, shots were fired into a building in the 4300 block. Thankfully, no one was hurt, which is a goddamn miracle. An employee at Satin Dolls later confirmed their building was the one that got shot up. Apparently there were 50 people inside at the time.

JOLEEN: Fifty people? At 4:15 in the morning? I have so many questions, and I don't want the answer to any of them. So what happened? Did they catch the dickhead who did it?

MARK: Almost immediately. Cops spotted a vehicle matching the description, and when they tried to pull it over, it took off at high speed. The chase didn't last long, though. The car crashed near Lander and Glendale.

JOLEEN: Of course it did. The driver, a 19-year-old from Twin Falls named Alexandra Lopez, was arrested. She's facing a whole menu of charges: felony eluding, aiding and abetting, and a misdemeanor DUI. A trifecta of terrible decisions.

MARK: A 19-year-old. What are you even doing out at 4 AM, allegedly drunk, shooting at buildings? When I was 19, my biggest crime was making questionable life choices involving cheap vodka and Taco Bell. This is a significant escalation.

JOLEEN: Police had to bring out a K9 and a drone to make the arrest, so they weren't messing around. They're still investigating, and they're asking any residents or businesses in that area to check their security cameras. So if you've got footage of this brilliant caper, give Ada County Dispatch a call.

MARK: I'm just glad no one was hurt. It's one thing to be a dumbass, it's another to potentially kill someone because you can't handle your liquor or your firearms. Moving on before I get an aneurysm, what's happening in our esteemed school districts?

JOLEEN: Well, since we've already beaten the superintendent sagas to death, I had to dig a little. The most thrilling news I could find is that the districts are... functioning. Shocking, I know. There haven't been any major meltdowns, board-level fistfights, or embezzlement scandals in the last seven days.

MARK: So, it's a slow news week. We could pivot to a general discussion, maybe about how high school sports are getting way too intense, or the absurdity of standardized testing. I've got a ten-minute rant locked and loaded about the SATs.

JOLEEN: Let's not. Instead, let's just appreciate the quiet. Let's imagine all the teachers quietly teaching, students quietly learning, and administrators quietly administrating. It's a beautiful, fragile peace, Mark. Let's not ruin it by talking about the funding cliff or curriculum wars.

MARK: Fine. A moment of silence for the absence of educational drama. It probably won't last long. Let's talk about something that's never quiet: road construction. What fresh hell is the Ada County Highway District unleashing upon us this week?

JOLEEN: Well, the big news isn't a new closure, but an anniversary. It's been a full year since the Eckert Road Bridge was abruptly shut down to avoid a 'catastrophic event,' which is code for 'this old piece of shit might fall into the river.'

MARK: Ah yes, I remember that. They did some emergency repairs with steel plates and concrete, and now they're finally getting around to a full rebuild. The 70-year-old wooden supports were decaying faster than expected. You and me both, bridge.

JOLEEN: The plan is to start construction this October. It's a $21 million project that will also replace the three-way intersection at Eckert and Boise Avenue with a single-lane roundabout. Because, as we all know, Boise is tragically short on roundabouts.

MARK: You've got to be fucking kidding me. Another one? Do the people at ACHD get a bonus for every circle they force us to drive in? The whole point of a car is to go forward, not to endlessly orbit a concrete planter.

JOLEEN: The project will also add a center lane and a multi-use path to connect the greenbelt. The whole thing has a tentative timeline of two years, with a completion date in the fall of 2028. So get ready for two years of detours around Barber Park.

MARK: 2028. Fantastic. They're coordinating to minimize impact during float season, which is nice of them. It's just amazing how we're always in a state of perpetual construction. It's like the city's official hobby.

JOLEEN: From the eternal pain of construction to the eternal pain of the housing market. What's the latest in Boise real estate? Are we still paying a million dollars for a two-bedroom shack with a leaky roof?

MARK: Pretty much. The latest numbers from January are in. According to one report, the average home price in Boise is sitting around $485,000, which is up just under one percent from last year. So, it's not the insane rocket ship it used to be, but it's not getting cheaper.

JOLEEN: Other data from the end of 2025 puts the Ada County median price a bit higher, around $513,000 to $525,000. It's basically flat year-over-year, which I guess is the new 'good news.' It only costs half a million dollars for a mediocre house in the suburbs. What a time to be alive.

MARK: Homes are also sitting on the market longer, around 40 to 60 days, which is up from last year. So the frenzy is over. Buyers have a little more time to make a decision before the house is snapped up by a cash buyer from California.

JOLEEN: But the big story this week is a massive new development. The city council just finalized the annexation of 381 acres in Southwest Ada County for something called Murio Farms. They're planning to build 3,500 homes out there.

MARK: Jesus. 3,500 homes. That's 1,800 single-family houses and 1,700 apartments, plus commercial space and a school. The project is going to be built out over the next 20 years. Can you imagine the traffic?

JOLEEN: You don't have to imagine it. The Ada County Highway District has already flagged 'significant traffic congestion' as a major issue. City staff even warned it could cost Boise millions over the decades and that it might not be financially feasible for the city.

MARK: So, city planners are saying 'this is a bad idea,' and the council just went 'cool, let's do it anyway'? I'm shocked. Absolutely shocked.

JOLEEN: They attached a bunch of conditions, like making the developer pay millions in fees and build a fire station. But yeah, get ready for even more suburban sprawl. Now, let's talk about something a little more palatable. Where are we eating this week?

MARK: Since we've covered every taco and steak joint in a five-mile radius, I wanted to find something new. It turns out a place called Zullee Mediterranean Grill, which has a popular spot at The Village, is expanding. They're opening a second Meridian location in the Orchard Park development on Chinden.

JOLEEN: Oh, I've heard good things about that place. It's the one that used to be called Kabob House, right? They've got locations in Washington and one in Nampa too. People seem to love their gyros and falafel.

MARK: Exactly. The new spot is slated to open this fall. It's a good sign when a local favorite is doing well enough to expand. Their gyro Greek fries sound particularly dangerous. It's seasoned fries topped with gyro meat, feta, and tzatziki sauce. I think I need that in my life.

JOLEEN: My arteries just clenched, but my soul is intrigued. That's a solid choice. Also, in other food news, Tango's Empanadas is opening a third location near Boise State on Broadway Avenue. That's going to be a death sentence for student bank accounts.

MARK: A taste of Argentina right next to campus. That's brilliant. Alright, from delicious food to the crushing disappointment of local sports. How did our teams do this weekend?

JOLEEN: Let's start with the Idaho Steelheads. They were on the road in Tulsa and had a hell of a weekend. They swept the Oilers in a three-game series. They won 2-1 in overtime on Friday, absolutely destroyed them 6-1 on Saturday, and then won again 3-2 in overtime on Sunday.

MARK: A clean sweep on the road? Not bad at all. Brendan Hoffmann was the hero, scoring the overtime winner in both the Friday and Sunday games. That's got to feel good.

JOLEEN: Damn right it does. Their record is now a very respectable 28-11-3. They're coming back home this week for a three-game series against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. That's a real team name, by the way. Games are Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night at the Idaho Central Arena.

MARK: The Swamp Rabbits. Amazing. I'm not even going to look up their logo, I'm just going to imagine a rabbit in waders holding a hockey stick. What about Boise State basketball?

JOLEEN: Not as great. The men's team had a tough one on Saturday. They lost on the road to Utah State, 80 to 61. It wasn't particularly close. They've got a chance to bounce back at home tomorrow night, though. They play Nevada at ExtraMile Arena.

MARK: Well, you can't win 'em all. At least the hockey team is giving us something to cheer about. So, what's on tap for the upcoming weekend for those of us looking to leave the house? Any weird festivals or tribute bands we should know about?

JOLEEN: You know it. First up, for the truly adventurous, is something called SkiJor Boise. It's happening Friday and Saturday at the Ford Idaho Center. It's apparently a sport where a horse pulls a person on skis through a course at high speed.

MARK: Wait, what? A horse pulls a skier? That sounds like the most Idaho thing I've ever heard. It's like someone got drunk and combined the rodeo with a ski race. I'm both terrified and deeply intrigued.

JOLEEN: It's their Boise debut, so you can be one of the first to witness this beautiful chaos. Qualifiers are Friday, finals are Saturday. If that's too much adrenaline for you, the Boise Philharmonic is doing 'The Music of Queen' on Saturday night at the Morrison Center.

MARK: So you've got a choice between a horse dragging a man through the snow and a full orchestra playing 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. That's some serious range. What else?

JOLEEN: The Idaho Steelheads have home games against those Swamp Rabbits on Friday and Saturday night. If you're feeling a bit more country, Hannah Juanita & The Hardliners are playing at the Riverside Hotel on Friday. And for the theater crowd, 'Intimate Apparel' is running at the Boise Contemporary Theater all weekend.

MARK: And I'm sure there's some kind of improv or open mic night for people who enjoy public humiliation. A little something for everyone. Alright, let's wrap this up with the least reliable part of any news broadcast: the weather.

JOLEEN: It's actually not too terrible this week, which is suspicious. Today and tomorrow, we're looking at partly sunny skies with highs creeping into the upper 40s. Overnight lows will be in the chilly mid-20s.

MARK: Upper 40s? Is that... is that spring I smell? Or is it just another trick?

JOLEEN: It's a trap. Wednesday and Thursday will be sunny, with highs pushing into the low 50s. But don't get too comfortable. By Friday, the clouds roll back in, and there's a slight chance of rain showers. Highs will be back in the mid-40s for the weekend.

MARK: A slight chance of rain. So, just enough to get your hopes up for a real weather event, only to have it be a depressing, gray drizzle for ten minutes. Classic Boise.

JOLEEN: The extended forecast shows a chance of a rain and snow mix next Monday, so the misery isn't over yet. Basically, enjoy the two days of sunshine mid-week, because it's all we're gonna get.

MARK: And that's our show. We've laughed, we've cried, we've contemplated the absurdity of a horse pulling a skier. Thanks for tuning in to 'Happening in Boise'.

JOLEEN: Don't forget to like, subscribe, and send your angry, grammatically incorrect emails to boise@thehappeningnetwork.com. We'll be back next week with more stories about our strange and occasionally wonderful city. Stay safe out there, you magnificent bastards.