JOLEEN: Hello and welcome back to 'Happening in Boise,' the only podcast brave enough to tell you what's really going on in the City of Trees. I'm Joleen, feeling surprisingly optimistic for the last Tuesday of the year.

MARK: And I'm Mark, running exclusively on leftover Christmas cookies and pure spite. The optimism died somewhere between my third family gathering and realizing we have to do this all over again in a few days for New Year's.

JOLEEN: Oh, come on. It's a time for fresh starts, new beginnings, and resolutions you'll abandon by January 5th. What's not to love? Besides, this is our last show of 2025. We have a responsibility to go out with a bang.

MARK: Or a whimper. I'm fine with a whimper. But you're right, we do have a show to do. We'll be covering the latest tragic decisions from city hall, some questionable winter activities, and Boise's collective amnesia about how to drive in the cold.

JOLEEN: It's going to be great. We want to hear your terrible New Year's stories, your failed resolutions, or just general complaints. Vent your spleen to us. Email us at boise@thehappeningnetwork.com. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment telling us we're your favorite assholes in Boise.

MARK: Please do. It's the only validation we get. Alright, let's kick this off with our top headline, which this week involves a developer threatening to sue the city. Because nothing says 'Happy Holidays' like a good old-fashioned lawsuit.

JOLEEN: A developer is threatening to sue Boise over a proposed land swap and a new Foothills trail. It's a classic Boise drama involving land, money, and public access. The developer wants to do one thing, the city another, and now the lawyers are getting involved. It's the circle of life here.

MARK: It feels like every square inch of the Foothills is in a perpetual state of being litigated. I can't keep track anymore. Is this the trail that's going to ruin the nesting ground for the rare, speckled Californian transplant, or the one that cuts through a sacred patch of cheatgrass?

JOLEEN: This one seems to be a more straightforward 'you're not letting me build my thing, so I'm suing you' kind of deal. The city wants to preserve a trail corridor, and the developer is essentially saying 'not on my land, you don't.' It's a tale as old as time.

MARK: My prediction? The lawyers will get rich, the project will be delayed for three years, and by the time it's resolved, no one will remember what the original fight was even about. They'll just cut a ribbon on some half-assed compromise trail that leads directly into a new subdivision's backyard.

JOLEEN: And the cycle will continue. Speaking of things that should be criminal, let's talk about actual crime. It was a weird week in the Treasure Valley crime blotter.

MARK: It really was. My favorite story is a sad one, but also a bizarre one. A man on parole in Boise, who was a suspect in a double killing up in Spokane, died of a medical event at a gym on Christmas Eve. He was declared brain-dead and his organs were harvested for donation.

JOLEEN: Holy shit. So this guy, Robert Davis, allegedly killed two people, choked a woman unconscious in another attack, and his final act on earth is to... give someone a new liver? That's a moral pretzel I can't even begin to untangle.

MARK: Right? The families of the victims will never see him face justice in court. He just checks out at a Boise gym. And now some unsuspecting person has a murderer's kidney. Do you think you get any of the original owner's personality traits with the organ? Like a sudden urge to be a total dickhead?

JOLEEN: That is a terrifying thought. 'Ever since I got this new kidney, I've had this insatiable craving for cheap beer and committing felonies.' It's a tragic end to a tragic story, and it leaves a lot of questions unanswered for the victims' families, which is the truly shitty part.

MARK: Absolutely. It's a grim reminder that justice isn't always found in a courtroom. Sometimes it's found in the organ donation wing of Saint Alphonsus. In other, less morbid crime news, there was also a tragic case out of Nampa where a 12-day-old infant was found dead, and the parents have been arrested on multiple charges.

JOLEEN: God, that's awful. The cause of death is believed to be suffocation. It's just a heartbreaking story all around. It really puts the holiday stress and family drama into perspective. Some people are dealing with unimaginable loss.

MARK: No kidding. It's a rough world out there. Let's shift gears to something that's only soul-crushing in a metaphorical sense: the school district.

JOLEEN: Alright, well, avoiding the burned topics of lawsuits and security theater, the most recent news is a recap of the year. An article from just today pointed out the superintendent salaries for the 2025-26 school year. Any guesses who's at the top?

MARK: Oh, I'm sure it's a completely reasonable figure that reflects our deep commitment to fiscal responsibility and putting resources directly into the classroom. Let me guess, West Ada's Derek Bub is still the king?

JOLEEN: You got it. He remains the state's highest-paid administrator, pulling in nearly 231,000 dollars a year. Boise's Lisa Roberts is right behind him at about 218,000. It's good to be the king, or queen, of the district.

MARK: For over 200 grand a year, I would expect them to personally drive my kid to school and make sure their lunch is packed. That's a fuck of a lot of money in a state that consistently ranks near the bottom for per-pupil spending.

JOLEEN: It's the age-old debate, isn't it? You need to pay competitive salaries to attract top talent to run a massive, complex organization. But on the other hand, when teachers are buying their own damn school supplies, it feels a little... off.

MARK: A little off? It's a glaring indictment of our priorities. We've got money for a quarter-million-dollar salary but we can't afford to keep art programs fully funded? It's bullshit. But hey, I'm sure they're working very hard on... administrative things.

JOLEEN: Very important administrative things, I'm sure. I wonder if that salary includes a food budget, because we should talk about where to eat. This week, we're going to talk about a place that's getting a lot of buzz: Fiesta Chicken.

MARK: Fiesta Chicken. It sounds like a party I was not invited to. I've seen their spot on Ustick, and I heard they opened another one in an old Wendy's on Orchard. Taking over a fast-food graveyard is a bold move. I respect the hustle.

JOLEEN: It's more than a hustle; it's a conquest. This place is great. It's not fancy, but it's exactly what it needs to be. They do chicken combos, street tacos, enchiladas... it's a solid menu of Mexican staples done right. The chicken is the star, obviously. It's juicy, well-seasoned, and has that perfect char.

MARK: Okay, color me intrigued. I'm a simple man. I see well-cooked chicken, I eat well-cooked chicken. How are the tacos? Are we talking authentic little street tacos or those giant, soupy messes you get at chain restaurants?

JOLEEN: They are proper street tacos. Small corn tortillas, your choice of meat, onions, and cilantro. Simple, perfect. You can actually taste the meat instead of a pound of sour cream and shredded iceberg lettuce. It's a revelation.

MARK: Thank god. The over-application of bland toppings is a scourge on modern society. So, what's the verdict? Worth braving Orchard traffic for?

JOLEEN: Absolutely. It's fast, it's delicious, and it's not going to destroy your wallet. It's the kind of place you hit up for lunch and then think about for the rest of the day. A solid recommend. From delicious chicken to... sports. Mark, what's happening now that football is over and we're all dead inside?

MARK: Well, we can turn our collective disappointment to the basketball court. Boise State men's basketball is in the thick of their season. They actually have a game tonight, Tuesday, December 30th, right here in Boise against New Mexico.

JOLEEN: Tonight? Well, this will be out by the time the game is over. Let's look at their last game then. How'd they do? Please don't tell me they pulled a classic Boise State and choked.

MARK: Shockingly, no. Their last game was back on December 20th, and they lost on the road to Nevada, 81 to 66. So they're coming into this New Mexico game needing to bounce back from that loss.

JOLEEN: Ah, a classic 'bounce back' game. The most dangerous of all games. It's a coin toss between them coming out fired up and winning by 20, or completely shitting the bed and losing by 30. There is no in-between.

MARK: That is the Boise State way. Meanwhile, on the ice, the Idaho Steelheads are back at it after the holiday break. They had an away game on Friday the 27th against the Utah Grizzlies, their arch-rivals.

JOLEEN: The Grizzlies, our mortal enemies. How did that go? Did we smite them?

MARK: I couldn't find a final score for that game since it just happened, but they have a big homestand coming up. They play the Rapid City Rush this coming Friday and Saturday, January 2nd and 3rd, at Idaho Central Arena. So you've got a chance to see some live-action hockey.

JOLEEN: Nice! A little hockey violence is a great way to kick off the new year. It helps release all that pent-up rage from having to interact with your extended family. Way healthier than just screaming into a pillow.

MARK: Or at the endless sea of orange cones. Let's talk road construction. I know last week was a bit of a holiday reprieve, but I have a sinking feeling the jackhammers are just resting up for a big new year's assault.

JOLEEN: Your feeling is correct. The Ada County Highway District never truly sleeps. The big one to watch for is on 8th Street. Starting January 7th, they're beginning major construction between State Street and Franklin. So if you work downtown, your commute is about to get a whole lot more... intimate.

MARK: Oh, for fuck's sake. They just finished messing with 8th Street a couple of years ago, didn't they? Are they just bored? Do they draw straws at the ACHD office to decide which major artery to sever next? 'And the winner is... Broadway! Again!'

JOLEEN: This one is going to limit access to a bunch of office buildings, including the PERSI building. So if you're a state employee trying to figure out your retirement, good luck getting there. You'll have to navigate a labyrinth of detours and angry drivers.

MARK: It's a metaphor for the retirement process itself: a confusing and frustrating journey with no clear end in sight. Also, that Boise Avenue Bridge project that was supposed to start last summer has been delayed again. Now it's looking like spring of 2026.

JOLEEN: Delayed? A government construction project being delayed? I am shocked. Shocked! Well, not that shocked. I'm just glad I don't have to deal with that particular headache for another year.

MARK: It just means we get to live with the anxiety of its impending doom for longer. It's like a Game of Thrones winter, but with more reflective vests. From one source of crushing anxiety to another: the real estate market.

JOLEEN: Ah yes, everyone's favorite topic. The latest data, looking back at November, shows things are holding pretty steady. The average sold price in Ada County is up 2.4% for the year. So much for that crash everyone was waiting for.

MARK: It's the crash that never comes. People have been predicting the Boise housing bubble to pop for, what, a decade now? It's like waiting for Godot, but with more Zillow alerts. The market just laughs and adds another 50 grand to the price of a three-bedroom rancher on the Bench.

JOLEEN: The numbers are interesting, though. Inventory is low, just under a two-month supply, which means sellers are still in a good spot. But homes are sitting on the market for an average of 37 days. So buyers have a little more room to breathe and negotiate.

MARK: Thirty-seven days? A couple of years ago, houses were on the market for 37 minutes before a cash buyer from out of state snatched it up for 100k over asking. This is practically a buyer's paradise by comparison. You might even have time for an inspection!

JOLEEN: Don't get crazy. But analysts looking ahead to 2026 are saying not to expect big changes. One predicts that with interest rates trending down and Idaho's job growth, we'll see stability, not a crash. The 'softening' of the market might be as good as it gets for buyers.

MARK: So what you're saying is my dream of buying a dilapidated shack for under half a million dollars is still just a dream. Fantastic. At least there are events to distract us from our financial misery.

JOLEEN: There certainly are! Obviously, the big event this week is New Year's Eve, which is tomorrow. And in Boise, that means one thing: the Idaho Potato Drop. They hoist a giant, glowing potato into the sky and then lower it to ring in the new year. It's the most Idaho thing imaginable.

MARK: It is profoundly stupid, and I love it with my entire being. Where else can you watch a massive carbohydrate descend from the heavens amidst fireworks? The event starts around 6 p.m. at Cecil D. Andrus Park with live music and other festivities.

JOLEEN: And for the truly adventurous, or insane, they're doing the Rail Jam, where snowboarders and skiers do tricks on a setup right there in the park. Because watching a giant potato isn't enough of a spectacle on its own.

MARK: After you've recovered from your potato-induced hangover, what's on tap for the weekend? The first weekend of 2026. Feels weird to say.

JOLEEN: It's a big weekend for niche hobbies. On Saturday and Sunday, January 3rd and 4th, you've got the Treasure Valley Indoor Flea Market, the Great Idaho Gun Show, and the Great Train Show. So you can buy an antique vase, a firearm, and a model locomotive all in the same weekend.

MARK: That is the most Idaho weekend imaginable. You've got all the major food groups covered: nostalgia, paranoia, and obsessive tinkering. For a slightly less... specific crowd, the Idaho Steelheads are playing at home on Friday and Saturday night.

JOLEEN: And if you want some live music, a band called Faded Leroy & Friends is playing on Saturday night. There's a lot to do if you can manage to crawl out of bed. Which brings us to the weather. What's the forecast for our collective New Year's recovery?

MARK: The forecast is... moist. And not in a good way. We've got an Air Stagnation Advisory in effect until Saturday morning, so enjoy breathing that thick, chunky air. Today, Tuesday, will be sunny with a high in the low 40s, but it's all downhill from there.

JOLEEN: Oh goodie, the Boise inversion is back. That lovely period where the air quality is worse than a smoker's lounge and the sky is a permanent shade of dishwater gray. My favorite time of year.

MARK: Wednesday, New Year's Eve, will be partly sunny and 43. But then New Year's Day arrives with a 70% chance of rain and a high of 44. Nothing says 'Happy New Year' like a cold, miserable rain.

JOLEEN: That's Mother Nature's way of telling you to stay on the couch and watch football all day. I can respect that. What's the rest of the week look like?

MARK: Rainy and surprisingly warm. There's a chance of rain pretty much every day through the weekend. Highs will be in the low 50s on Friday and Saturday before dropping back into the 40s next week. The lows will be in the upper 30s and low 40s.

JOLEEN: So no snow. Just that depressing, bone-chilling winter rain that makes everything look even more dead than it already is. Fantastic. I'm filled with so much hope for 2026.

MARK: Don't worry, it's Boise. Give it a week and we'll have a blizzard followed by a 60-degree day. The weather here has the emotional stability of a toddler. And on that cheerful note, I think that's a wrap for us.

JOLEEN: That's all the Boise news we could stomach for this week, and for this year. Thanks for sticking with us through 2025. We appreciate every single one of you who tunes in to hear us complain.

MARK: We do. It means a lot. Remember to send your stories, complaints, and poorly thought-out New Year's resolutions to boise@thehappeningnetwork.com. And please, for the love of god, like, subscribe, and comment. It's the only way our corporate overlords know we exist.

JOLEEN: Have a safe and moderately enjoyable New Year's Eve. Try not to do anything we wouldn't do.

MARK: Which, let's be honest, leaves the door wide open for a lot of questionable behavior. Be safe out there. We'll talk to you next year.