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Rise and shine, Boise!
Before we get into today’s email… I’m excited to share that we quietly launched BaseLocal Business last week, and 400+ businesses have already signed up 🥹 If you own or manage a local business and want to see what the platform’s all about, you can sign up for free in less than five minutes (if you haven’t already).
We launched the platform to make it easier for the community to connect with local businesses in a meaningful way that benefits everyone… and so far it’s going great.
So I just wanted to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you for being here and helping us make this newsletter better every day.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Random draw hunts explained: Spring black bear controlled hunt applications are open through Feb. 15. Applicants need a 2026 Idaho hunting license and bear ID test. Remaining tags go on sale by April 1 — see how and when to apply.
Milestone for species conservation: Zoo Boise welcomed a rare 11-month-old wolverine, Laura, from ZooMontana recently. She’s settling into a renovated habitat, and $1 from each admission supports conservation of animals in the wild — read the full story.
Contested solar plan advances: Ada County commissioners approved a conditional use application for a 150 megawatt solar and battery project on 1,700 acres near Kuna by developer Desri, adding conditions after community concerns — read the full story.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Experts tackle water challenges: The Idaho Water Users Association’s 89th convention starts today at the Riverside Hotel in Boise, running Jan. 19 to 22. Topics include water management, data centers, and invasive mussels with a golden mussel update, plus irrigation outlooks and supply challenges with speakers from INL, Kuna, CSU, and Idaho Power. Read the full story.
Lashes that stay put: Errands, workouts, and long workdays are no match for custom sets from Butterfly Kisses Eyelash Extensions. Classic, hybrid, or volume, they tailor your look so you wake up camera-ready and skip midday mascara panic, with lashes that feel light, last, and fit your day.
Upgrade your hat game: Whether you’re a flat-brim loyalist or a classic crease convert, Indian Creek Hat Company handcrafts custom hats in Boise, one at a time, built from raw hat bodies with traditional methods and a careful, personalized fit. Your closet and your selfies will be glad you did.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎨 Art Sale @ Books on the Vine | Tuesday (1/20) at 10:00 AM – Pop into the art studio’s sale for a treasure hunt of resin, pour art, vases, wine glasses, coasters, small furniture, jewelry, and more. Books are 50 cents a pop, and spend $10 with consignment vendors to grab a free blind date book, because treats.
🌱 Green Space Garden Mixer @ St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Boise | Tuesday (1/20) at 5:00 PM – Treasure Valley’s garden folks are gathering at St. Stephen’s for a relaxed mixer, fewer zucchini war stories, more useful connections. Expect a quick 2025 recap, a look at 2026 with the Passport in hand, and a circle up on shared goals, challenges, and opportunities.
🌷 Idaho Horticulture Expo 2026 @ Boise Center on The Grove | Wednesday (1/21) at 8:00 AM – Head to Boise Centre for the Idaho Horticulture Expo, where landscapers, growers, and backyard tinkerers trade tips, ogle gear, and admit we talk to our plants. Grab a booth, sponsor, or pitch a talk, and keep an eye out for a very hairy guest.
💃 Dirty Dancing in Concert @ The Morrison Center for the Performing Arts | Wednesday (1/21) at 7:30 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to carry a watermelon, here it is. Dirty Dancing in Concert hits the Morrison Center with film and live music, parking included, no cash, and tiny purses, please. Swoon loudly, no one puts Baby in a corner.
🚤 Boise Boat Show @ Expo Idaho | Thursday (1/22) – If you spend more weekends at Lucky Peak than your living room, swing by the Boise Boat Show, formerly the Treasure Valley Boat Show. Fishing rigs, wake boats, and all the shiny toys, plus local know-how to help you finally retire that grumpy old outboard.
💍 Basic Wire Wrapping Class @ Wackadoo Wonders Studio | Friday (1/23) at 6:30 PM – Trade doomscrolling for copper wire therapy at Wackadoo Wonders, a beginner-friendly class where even knot-challenged folks can wrap like pros. Materials are provided, teens 15+ can tag along, and it lands every fourth Friday at 6:30 pm. Bring your readers, leave feeling crafty.
❄ Banff 2026: Icefall @ The Egyptian Theatre | Friday (1/23) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats big-mountain thrills without the frostbite. Boise Nordic Foundation brings Banff 2026: Icefall, all the crampons, cold, and cliff hangs delivered from a comfy seat. Grab the three-day pass to catch all three films, and call it cardio for the soul.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Boise report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 36°F – Low: 24°F – Precip: 0%
Areas of fog before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 36. South wind around 2 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. North northeast wind around 2 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 37°F – Low: 24°F – Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. North wind around 3 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. North northeast wind around 3 mph.
This house is wild
Reimagined with style, this 1975 South Boise residence sits on a full acre with no HOA. The 4 bed, 2.5 bath plan has a flexible fourth bedroom with a custom built-in desk and its own half bath. Custom cabinetry, hardwood floors, and custom closets frame a gourmet kitchen with a large island, granite, and double ovens.
Outdoor living brings an in-ground pool, an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and hot tub. Practical upgrades include an RV pad with power, a newer roof, paid-for solar, and newer water heater. A massive shop offers a full kitchen, bath, HVAC, and oversized drive-through garage doors.
Take a peek inside →
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Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
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