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Daily Briefing

☀️Daily Briefing - Saturday, April 11, 2026

Good morning. Here's what's happening.

🏃Training

🏃Today's Plan

Today (Saturday): 20-min easy run · optional 5-min abs · 8-min stretch Saturday long run - you're rested from yesterday. Keep it easy pace, just extend the time.

Best window: Evening - 63°F, sunny, wind 5 mph

Sun: 10-min easy run · 10-min abs · 5-min stretch - keep the easy base going Mon: rest · rest · stretch if you feel like it - full rest - you've earned it

📊This Week

This week: 5 runs · 8.9 mi · 76 min Zone check: 29% easy - ⚠️ below target. Your easy days are still too fast, RT. Slow down to 9:30+/mi on easy days.

Recent runs:

  • Sun 04-05 · 3.1 mi · 25 min · 7:52/mi (Z3)
  • Mon 04-06 · 1.5 mi · 14 min · 9:27/mi (easy)
  • Tue 04-07 · 2.1 mi · 19 min · 9:05/mi (easy)
  • Wed 04-08 · 1.1 mi · 9 min · 8:17/mi (Z3)
  • Thu 04-09 · 1.1 mi · 9 min · 8:16/mi (Z3)

✓ 8 family walk(s) this week - keep it up, those matter too.

☘️Notre Dame Sports

🏈Football

The "revenge tour" narrative is taking shape in South Bend. Notre Dame is at the midpoint of its 14-practice spring schedule, and the energy around the program is fueled by how last season ended - the Irish won 10 consecutive games after an early-season loss to Miami, only to be leapfrogged by the Hurricanes for the final College Football Playoff at-large spot. Notre Dame declined a bowl invitation and has been channeling that frustration ever since. Cornerback Leonard Moore has been vocal about the chip on the team's shoulder heading into 2026.

On the roster front, the defensive line has been completely overhauled. Notre Dame added seven transfers this offseason, five on the defensive side, with three new bodies on the D-line alone - headlined by Keon Keeley at defensive end. The offensive side got a boost too, with kicker Spencer Porath committing after transferring from Purdue, where he went 15-of-17 on field goals and hit all 24 extra-point attempts last season.

The Blue-Gold Game is set for Saturday, April 25 at 2 p.m. ET in Notre Dame Stadium.

Upcoming:

  • April 25 - Blue-Gold Game, 2 p.m. ET, Notre Dame Stadium
  • Sept. 6 - vs. Wisconsin at Lambeau Field (Shamrock Series)
  • Sept. 12 - vs. Rice (home)

🏀Women's Basketball

The offseason is in full swing after a strong 25-11 season that included Notre Dame's first Elite Eight appearance since 2019. The run ended against UConn, but the program is clearly back on an upward trajectory under Niele Ivey, now entering her seventh season.

The biggest news: Hannah Hidalgo is returning for a fourth year. The junior guard averaged 25.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and a staggering 5.6 steals per game, earning the Wooden Award All-America nod on April 1, ACC Player of the Year, and National Defensive Player of the Year. Guard Cassandre Prosper, meanwhile, is foregoing her final year of eligibility and entering the WNBA Draft.

Notre Dame is also loading up for the future with five incoming freshmen - Jacy Abii, Jenica Lewis, Amari Byles, Bella Ragone, and Isabella Sangha - all ranked in the SportsCenter NEXT Top 100 for the Class of 2026. And on the transfer front, keep an eye on Audi Crooks, the most coveted portal target in women's basketball this cycle. She now follows the ND WBB account, Niele Ivey, and Hannah Hidalgo on Instagram. Nothing official, but the smoke is thick.

Last Result: Lost to UConn in the Elite Eight

🥍Lacrosse

Men's: Today is the game of the year. No. 1 North Carolina travels to No. 2 Notre Dame at Arlotta Stadium - 5 p.m. ET on ACC Network. The Irish enter on a five-game winning streak in the series and have taken six of the last seven matchups dating back to 2019, including a 12-6 win in Chapel Hill last season. Notre Dame knocked off previously top-ranked Richmond 12-8 on April 4 at "Lacrosse Day in Chicago" in front of over 5,000 fans. All five ACC teams are ranked in the latest USILA Coaches poll, and this one could determine regular-season supremacy and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Circle it.

Women's: The Irish have been on a tear, winning five straight and averaging 18.6 goals per game while allowing just 5.0 during the streak. Notre Dame ranks in the top 10 nationally in both scoring offense (14.8 gpg) and scoring defense (7.4 goals allowed). Today the team travels to No. 3 Syracuse for a noon ET start at JMA Wireless Dome. Syracuse leads the all-time series 24-8 and has won five straight in the matchup, so this is a real test. The regular season wraps up with Louisville at home on April 16.

Upcoming:

  • TODAY - #1 UNC at #2 Notre Dame (M), 5 p.m. ET, ACCN, Arlotta Stadium
  • TODAY - Notre Dame at #3 Syracuse (W), 12 p.m. ET, JMA Wireless Dome
  • April 16 - Louisville at Notre Dame (W), home regular-season finale

Last Result (M): W 12-8 vs. #1 Richmond (April 4)

📋Around the Program

  • Baseball: Fell 8-4 to No. 13 Virginia on Friday night at Frank Eck Stadium. The Irish had been riding high after sweeping 20th-ranked Clemson two weeks ago, but have struggled since.
  • Men's Basketball: Forward Ryder Frost (freshman) is expected to enter the transfer portal.

🔴Utah Utes

🏈Football

Utah is in the home stretch of spring camp under first-year head coach Morgan Scalley, with less than two weeks remaining before the spring game. Scalley has been pleased with the progress, particularly on defense. The Utes' pass defense was among the nation's best last season (177.8 passing yards allowed per game), and the cornerback room got even deeper this offseason with USF transfer James Chenault and Lamar transfer Nick Brown joining the group. Defensive coordinator Sharrieff Shah went looking for those specific additions in the portal.

On offense, the quarterback situation is stable - both Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin are staying with the program for 2026, giving Scalley two experienced options to work with. Scalley has publicly stressed the need for team-wide improvement in the two-minute drill during spring practice.

The program is also connecting with fans: Utah Football's "22 For U" Fan Day is set for April 18 from 4:30-6 p.m. inside Spence Eccles Field House. The entire team will be available for autographs, there's a Kids Zone for those under 12, and Scalley will do a live interview.

Upcoming:

  • April 18 - 22 For U Fan Day, 4:30-6 p.m., Spence Eccles Field House
  • Spring Game date TBD

🤸Gymnastics

The 2026 season is over for the Red Rocks as a team, but it ended with a fight. Utah earned a 197.500 in the Corvallis Regional Semifinal on April 3, advancing to the Regional Final, but ultimately fell just short of qualifying for the NCAA Championship as a team.

The silver lining: three individuals will represent Utah at Nationals on April 16 - Avery Neff (all-around), Ana Padurariu (beam), and Ella Zirbes (floor). It's a strong showing that speaks to the individual talent in the program.

And in a vote of confidence for the program's direction, the university extended head coach Carly Dockendorf's contract through 2031. Athletic Director Mark Harlan praised her for developing student-athletes and establishing a strong culture in her first three years leading the Red Rocks.

Upcoming: April 16 - NCAA Individual Championships (Neff, Padurariu, Zirbes) Last Result: Regional Final elimination (April 5, Corvallis)

🌰Ohio State Buckeyes

🏈Football

Ohio State's spring practice is underway with the Spring Game set for next Saturday, April 18 at Ohio Stadium. The big storyline is the roster overhaul - 51 new faces came through the transfer portal in January. On defense, the line got a major boost with James Smith and Qua Russaw, both Alabama transfers, expected to anchor the front. Devin Sanchez has set his sights on winning the Jim Thorpe Award, and Jaylen McClain is working to become the vocal leader of the secondary.

On the down side, returning starting offensive tackles Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels will miss the rest of spring after undergoing minor procedures. That's a concern for an O-line that needs reps together, but both should be back for fall camp.

The NFL pipeline continues: five Buckeyes - Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Carnell Tate, and Kayden McDonald - will attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh as projected first-round picks, tying a program record. Running back Ja'Kobi Jackson, a Florida transfer, is looking to finish his seven-year college career strong in Columbus.

Recruiting took a hit this week - five-star OT Mark Matthews from St. Thomas Aquinas (FL), a top 2027 target, dropped Ohio State from his final four.

Upcoming:

  • April 18 - Spring Game, Ohio Stadium

📋Around the Program

  • Basketball: Justin Pippen (Cal/Michigan transfer, son of Scottie Pippen) committed to the Buckeyes - he averaged 14.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.9 steals last season. Guard Taison Chatman is entering the portal after three years.
  • Women's Lacrosse: No. 25 Ohio State fell 18-9 to No. 21 Penn State at home on April 5.

🏔️Treasure Valley

🍽️Food & Drink

April is Idaho Craft Beer Month, so #PintsUpIdaho is the move. Beyond that, the Boise restaurant scene continues its 2026 expansion wave. Notable openings to watch: El Gaucho is taking over the former Western Proper space downtown (flaming swords of steak, tableside dishes), Skosh Wine Bar is prepping to open in the West End on 27th Street, and Boise Thai Noodle House is expanding with a second location at 908 W. Main (the old Alia's Coffeehouse spot). The Spring Food Truck Rally at Jordan's is happening today with food trucks, a beer garden, and live music.

🎉Events & Things to Do

  • Today, April 11: GemState 208 Market kicks off its 2026 season, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Farm Estates Park in Kuna - small businesses, local vendors, community vibes
  • Today, April 11: Spring Food Truck Rally at Jordan's - food trucks, beer garden, live band
  • Today, April 11: FREE Activities and Camps Fair at TRICA (North End/Hyde Park), 2-5 p.m. - explore programs, kids do games and crafts, chance to win $150 camp credit
  • Tomorrow, April 12: Discovery Center Paddle Boats opening day celebration at Julia Davis Park - local artists, food trucks
  • Ongoing: Boise French Film Festival - six films over three weeks on Boise State campus
  • Saturdays: Nampa Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (runs through November)

⚡Energy & Industry

Idaho Power customers are paying more as of January 1, with rates up an average of 7.48% following the PUC general rate case. The rate increase debate has intensified around data center load growth - as tech companies (especially AI-driven) seek to build in Idaho, the question of who pays for infrastructure expansion is front and center. Worth watching how the PUC navigates this as demand forecasts grow.

Governor Little continues pushing energy infrastructure. Idaho signed an MOU with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council to fast-track permitting under the FAST-41 process, aligning state and federal environmental review timelines for energy, mining, and infrastructure projects. The state also submitted its response to the DOE's RFI on hosting Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses - a sign Idaho is positioning itself as a nuclear energy leader.

Avista is proposing a ~7.7% rate increase for Idaho customers. The PUC extended the comment deadline, and a wildfire mitigation plan from Avista is also open for public comment through April 16.

💼Professional & Networking

  • April 14 - ULI Idaho event, Boise Train Depot, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
  • April 16 - ULI Idaho event, Holland & Hart, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
  • May 1 - ASHRAE Idaho Chapter Meeting, Boise Centre on the Grove, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • May 5-6 - NEEA Efficiency Exchange Conference (EFX26), Boise Centre, with pre-conference events on May 4. This is a big one - the Northwest's flagship energy efficiency event, right here in Boise.

📰Local Headlines

  • The University of Idaho Energy Symposium focused on energy permitting earlier this year, with growing attention on how fast-tracked federal processes will affect Idaho's energy landscape.
  • Avista was named the 2026 recipient of the Valley Chamber Business Awards' Community Stewardship Award.

⚡Energy & Compliance

📋Building Performance Standards

The BPS landscape continues to expand - more than 40 U.S. cities are expected to have standards in place by end of 2026. Key deadlines approaching:

  • New York City (Local Law 97): Enforcement expanding in 2026 for buildings over 25,000 sq ft. Penalties run $268/metric ton CO2. A 200,000 sq ft commercial building exceeding its cap by 400 metric tons faces $107,200 in annual fines, recurring until compliant.
  • Washington (Clean Buildings Act): June 1 reporting deadline for buildings over 220,000 sq ft. These buildings must now meet minimum EUI performance targets.
  • Colorado: June 1 reporting deadline, though the interim performance requirement is waived this cycle.
  • California: 2025 Title 24 standards took effect January 1, 2026 - expanded heat pump mandates, enhanced battery storage, strengthened IAQ standards. AB 802 benchmarking covers buildings over 50,000 sq ft with penalties up to $2,000/day.

🔌Utilities & Programs

In the Pacific Northwest, Oregon's BPS program (from HB 3409) is picking up steam. The Oregon Department of Energy selected 50 recipients for ~$834,000 in Early Compliance Action incentives and was awarded $12 million in federal funding for BPS incentives. Compliance deadlines begin in 2028, with penalties starting at $40,000/year for non-compliant buildings over 20,000 sq ft.

NEEA is running an interesting dual-fuel water heating field demonstration under its Advanced Commercial Water Heating program. They're also coordinating the Hot Water Innovation Prize with ACEEE to develop smaller heat pump water heaters - up to two winners get $175,000 each, announced late 2026 or early 2027.

🎓Industry Events

  • May 1 - ASHRAE Idaho Chapter Meeting, Boise Centre on the Grove
  • May 5-6 - NEEA Efficiency Exchange Conference (EFX26), Boise Centre (pre-conference May 4)
  • June 5 - ASHRAE Idaho Tech Conference, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

🤖AI Brief

🔧Tools & Models

A massive week for model releases. The headliner: Anthropic launched Claude Mythos Preview on April 7 - described as the first widely recognized ten-trillion-parameter model, specifically engineered for high-stakes environments in cybersecurity, research, and complex coding. Anthropic simultaneously launched Project Glasswing, an effort to use Mythos to help secure critical software worldwide. The release was notable enough to prompt Treasury Secretary Bessent and Fed Chair Powell to summon bank CEOs over cyber risk implications.

Google shipped Gemini 3.1 Ultra - 2-million token context window, native cross-modal reasoning across text, image, audio, and video without transcription. Also launched Gemma 4, an Apache 2.0 open-weight model family.

OpenAI unveiled GPT-5.4 with a 1-million-token context window and autonomous multi-step workflow execution. Scored 75% on OSWorld-V (desktop productivity tasks), slightly above the human baseline of 72.4%.

Meta debuted Muse Spark, a smaller model as capable as its older midsize Llama 4 variant for an order of magnitude less compute. Rolling out across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses.

Microsoft shipped Agent Framework 1.0 with full MCP and A2A support. Atlassian launched Remix in open beta for Confluence - turns data into charts and graphics using AI.

📈Business & Market

  • OpenAI has surpassed $25B in annualized revenue and is eyeing a public listing, potentially late 2026.
  • Anthropic is approaching $19B in annualized revenue and signed a multiyear deal with CoreWeave for data center capacity.
  • Perplexity hit $450M ARR in March after a 50% single-month jump, with 100M+ monthly users.
  • Yahoo re-entered search with Scout, an AI-powered answer engine built on Anthropic technology.

💡Worth Knowing

  • Claude Cowork is now generally available on macOS and Windows in the Claude Desktop app, with expanded analytics and role-based access controls. If you haven't tried it, it's worth a look for collaborative workflows.
  • Google integrated NotebookLM directly into Gemini's interface - you can now upload PDFs, docs, URLs, and YouTube videos through a side panel to build searchable research notebooks without leaving the chatbot.
  • AMD released PACE (Platform Aware Compute Engine) on April 8 - an optimization framework for LLM inference on 5th Gen EPYC CPUs targeting throughput and latency improvements. Relevant if you're running local models.

🔗Worth Reading

Generated on April 11, 2026

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