MARK: Welcome to Happening in Pocatello, the only podcast that loves this city almost as much as we love complaining about the wind that makes it feel like a giant sandblaster. I'm Mark, and I'm currently wondering if my lawn is in my backyard or if it's migrated to American Falls by now.

JOLEEN: And I'm Joleen, upbeat enough to believe I won't get hit by a flying tumbleweed today, but cynical enough to know that the city probably won't fix the crater in my street even if I do. We've got a hell of a lot to get through today, from the weather trying to kill us to some actual news that doesn't involve a moose, for once.

MARK: Before we dive into the chaos, remember you can reach out to us at pocatello@thehappeningnetwork.com if you've got a grievance or just want to tell us how much we suck. Do the thing, you know, like, subscribe, and comment so the algorithm knows we exist in this corner of Idaho.

JOLEEN: Seriously, just click the button, you lazy assholes. Anyway, let's talk about the fact that today, Tuesday, June 16th, is basically 'hold onto your hat' day. We've got a Red Flag Warning and a Wind Advisory because the NWS thinks we need more excitement. Highs are hitting 89, but with 36 mile-per-hour gusts, it's just hot air and dirt in your teeth.

MARK: Yeah, patchy blowing dust after 5 p.m. is the Pocatello perfume I didn't ask for. It's going to stay breezy tonight with a low of 57. Wednesday and Thursday look a bit more civilized with highs around 83 and sunny skies, so maybe you can actually walk to your car without getting blinded by the desert.

JOLEEN: And then Juneteenth hits on Friday with a high of 92. It's going to be a scorcher. Saturday might bring some rain and thunderstorms with a high of 83, which is just mother nature's way of making sure your weekend plans at the park are sufficiently dampened. Sunday and Monday go back to being sunny and in the mid-80s.

MARK: Speaking of things that are annoying, the Pocatello Police are looking into a nasty injury accident near Barton Road and 4th Avenue. It's almost like people forget how to drive when there's a straight stretch of road. If you saw something, maybe tell the cops instead of just posting a blurry photo on Facebook.

JOLEEN: And in the 'white-collar crime is still crime' department, an Idaho woman just got sentenced for her part in a business email fraud scheme. I'm always amazed people still fall for these, but I guess 'Nigerian Prince' has evolved into 'Your HR Department needs your password.' Dickheads really are everywhere.

MARK: In School District 25 news, they're looking to fill that Zone 3 trustee vacancy. If you think you can handle people screaming about library books and bus routes, now's your chance to be the local hero or the local villain, depending on who you talk to.

JOLEEN: I'd rather eat a handful of the blowing dust we're expecting tonight than deal with school board politics. But hey, someone's gotta do it. Moving on to something more fun, the Gift of Life Walk and Run just happened here in Pocatello to honor organ donors. It's actually a pretty cool event, even if it reminds me how fragile we all are.

MARK: I'm just glad people are doing something active that isn't just running away from the law. We also had the Whimsy Market and the Mind, Body, and Spirit Expo over the weekend at the Red Lion. It's nice to see people getting their chakras aligned or whatever the hell they do there. I prefer my spirit aligned with a beer at Off the Rails.

JOLEEN: Well, you're in luck, because Off the Rails is expanding. More room for you to sit and be sarcastic. And the Portneuf Valley Farmers Market is hosting 'We Love ISU' Day this weekend. It's great to see the town supporting the Bengals, even if their last season was a bit of a rollercoaster.

MARK: Speaking of sports, the Highland baseball team really showed up this year, riding that district title to nine all-conference honors. They ended the season 19 and 13. It wasn't the state finish they wanted, but it's the best showing for the Rams in 25 years. That's actually impressive for a bunch of kids from Poky.

JOLEEN: Don't get too soft on us, Mark. The Pocatello Thunder girls' basketball team also deserves a shout-out for that state title run earlier this year. Abby Lusk and Madysen Torngren were absolutely killing it. It's nice to see some winners in this town who aren't just winning the 'most likely to be arrested' award.

MARK: If you're looking for a place to eat that isn't a chain, you should check out The Bridge. It's tucked away and has some of the best food in town that hasn't been mentioned on every single 'best of' list for the last decade. Their steak is actually cooked the way you ask for it, which is a miracle in this zip code.

JOLEEN: It's better than the cardboard they serve at some of the places on Yellowstone. Let's talk real estate for a second. The median list price is still hovering around $360,000. It's basically a buyer's market, which is great if you have money, and a bitch if you're trying to pay rent that isn't half your paycheck.

MARK: It's wild that a house in Pocatello costs that much now. I remember when you could buy a city block for a pack of gum and a firm handshake. Now you're lucky if you can find a shed with a working toilet for under two hundred grand.

JOLEEN: And if you do find that house, good luck getting to it. Downtown construction is still a shitshow. It's disrupting traffic and making local business owners want to pull their hair out. Just what we needed, more orange cones to decorate the city.

MARK: The cones are the official state flower of Idaho, Joleen. You've lived here long enough to know that. If you're heading out this weekend, maybe check out the Father's Day events. Zoo Idaho is usually a safe bet, unless the cougar kitten decides to start a revolution.

JOLEEN: I'd bet on the kitten. Anyway, that's the mess we call home for today. Don't forget to email us at pocatello@thehappeningnetwork.com. Tell us your secrets, or just tell us where the best tacos are.

MARK: Stay safe in the dust, Pocatello. Don't let the wind carry you off to Wyoming. We'll be back next time to tell you why the city council is still arguing about things that don't matter. See ya.