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Happy Thursday, Meridian! Remember yesterday, when we cheerfully told you the smoke was clearing out? Turns out the smoke didn't read the newsletter — it's drifted right back in, just as the heat eases off its worst. In today's issue: West Ada's superintendent shares a personal health update, the air-quality advisory gets a second wind, and Meridian PD spends an afternoon handing out ice cream instead of tickets. Let's get into it.

🧠 Trivia: Meridian is now Idaho's second-biggest city. Which next-door neighbor did it leapfrog to grab that title? (Answer at the bottom.)

Seven fresh Meridian outings between Friday and next Thursday. Boots, bubbles, bargains and a little trivia. 🎉

🌤️ Thursday, July 23 — Meridian

Overnight low ~66°F · Hazy sun, then clouds · stray afternoon storm possible

Yesterday's 101 backs off a notch, but "cooler" is doing some heavy lifting here — we're still knocking on the mid-90s. Look for hazy morning sun giving way to more clouds, a light west-northwest breeze, and a stray shower or thunderstorm that could bubble up in the afternoon. Friday holds in the mid-90s and mostly cloudy before a small dip heading into the weekend. One heads-up: with wildfire smoke sliding back in, the state's air-quality advisory runs through Friday afternoon (more on that below), so sensitive groups should take it easy outside. Full forecast at the National Weather Service.

Dr. Derek Bub — who leads West Ada, Idaho's largest district and the one that runs Meridian's schools — told families Monday that he's been diagnosed with cancer. The district says it was caught early, doctors expect a full recovery, and Bub plans to keep working while he undergoes treatment. "My family and I are still processing the news, but I am approaching this the same way I approach every challenge — with determination and optimism," he said, adding he's still fired up to kick off the new school year. Day-to-day operations won't change, though he noted medical appointments may occasionally pull him away. Read more →

We may have spoken too soon. Just as the valley started to clear, wildfire haze drifted back over Meridian, and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issued an air-quality advisory for Ada and neighboring counties that's set to run through Friday afternoon. Translation: the air is bouncing into the "unhealthy" range at times. Sensitive groups — kids, older folks, and anyone with asthma or heart trouble — should keep outdoor exertion short, and everyone can help by holding off on backyard burning. Worth a quick check of current conditions before that evening run. Read more →

In the most wholesome stop of the summer, Meridian Police posted up Monday afternoon for "Cones with Cops," handing out free Sunset Soft Serve (courtesy of So Good) and hanging out with neighbors from 3 to 5 p.m. No citations, no lecture — just officers, families and a whole lot of melting vanilla in the July heat. It's a small thing, but a cop handing your kid an ice cream cone is exactly the sort of hyper-local moment that makes a Monday better. Keep an eye on MPD's page for the next one. Read more →

Brought to you by Meridian Local Scoop. When it's 96° and hazy, this good boy has the right idea: shades on, pool claimed, zero notes. Want your business lounging in this spot in front of the whole town? The open slot's up top. 🐾

Trivia answer: Nampa. Meridian spent decades as the smaller sibling down the road, but years of runaway growth pushed it past Nampa to become Idaho's second-most-populous city — now home to more than 130,000 people and trailing only Boise. Not bad for a spot that was mostly farmland a generation ago.

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