Good morning, Lewiston.

Steve Kaufman and his two brothers run Kaufman Farms in Lewiston, where the family has farmed for over a century.

Rising production costs this year have forced them to cut expenses by doing repairs and using fertilizer more efficiently — USDA data shows Idaho farm expenses have risen at twice the rate — which means the family is planning carefully for the future.

Whitman Elementary in Lewiston was honored as a Model Professional Learning Community at Work® by Solution Tree — joining about 600 schools and districts — for its three-year commitment to improve student learning and foster teacher collaboration.

The Idaho Transportation Department is working on summer projects including a bridge repair in Pierce and seal coating along US-12 near Kooskia.

It will pave 22 miles from Lewiston Hill to Moscow next year and is asking for public input on plans for Highway 95 and the Moscow-to-Troy route.

A study from the University of Idaho found that Idaho’s water system needs $1 billion in upgrades because old pipes, fast growth, and tougher environmental rules have strained the system.

Lewiston voters are preparing to decide on a new water bond after a similar plan was rejected earlier this year, and funds are harder to secure as a key federal grant program is set to be eliminated — which may lead to higher costs.

Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston will acquire Catalyst Medical Group to build a stronger health care system—Lewiston Orthopedics and Valley Medical Center will also join as the process finishes later this year.