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🌅 We're wrapping up the workweek with a busy day of local news, major developments across Idaho, high school football playoff action, and a look ahead to winter weather. Here's what's happening across Southern Idaho and beyond!
Having trouble getting into Outlook or sending emails? You're certainly not alone! 📧
A massive Microsoft outage is disrupting services around the world, affecting businesses, schools, and offices across Southern Idaho.
The problems began Thursday, leaving users struggling to send and receive emails and access their accounts. Microsoft says the disruption is also affecting Teams, SharePoint, Copilot, and several other Microsoft 365 services.
The company says overwhelmed servers stopped processing connections, creating widespread disruptions. Engineers are working to restore service, and some systems are gradually coming back online.
Microsoft says there's currently no evidence of a cyberattack, but there is still no timetable for a complete recovery.
For businesses and offices from Twin Falls and Jerome to Burley and Rupert, the outage could mean delayed messages, scheduling problems, and interruptions to everyday operations.
📱 If that important email isn't going through, it might be time to pick up the phone!
A man was taken to the hospital after being struck by a vehicle Thursday afternoon in Twin Falls.
Police say the crash happened outside Wills Toyota on Shoshone Street, with officers receiving the call shortly before 3 o'clock.
Twin Falls Police Lieutenant Steven Gassert says the pedestrian suffered injuries, but they are not believed to be life-threatening.
Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the collision.
🚔 The crash remains under investigation.
Health insurance premiums are going up in Idaho, but some Magic Valley residents could actually end up paying less! 💰
Open enrollment is underway through Your Health Idaho, the state's health insurance marketplace, and residents have until December 15th to sign up.
Although insurance premiums are increasing an average of 12 percent next year, federal tax credits could help offset those higher costs.
Your Health Idaho Executive Director Pat Kelly says a single person living in the Magic Valley who earns $36,000 a year could actually see their monthly premium drop by approximately $30.
However, those savings aren't guaranteed. They depend on several factors, including household income, family size, where you live, and the insurance plan you choose.
Your Health Idaho offers online tools to compare plans, estimate tax credits, and connect with local insurance agents who can help at no charge.
📅 Coverage begins January 1st, and the enrollment deadline is December 15th.
Find out more or explore your options at YourHealthIdaho.org.
A legal battle over Idaho's medical freedom law is heading to a federal appeals court.
A Boise daycare and three parents are challenging a September ruling that dismissed their lawsuit against Idaho's Medical Freedom Act.
The law, passed last year, prohibits businesses, schools, and government agencies from requiring vaccinations or certain other medical treatments.
The daycare argues the law is written too broadly and could interfere with basic health precautions, including the ability to send sick children home.
However, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador maintains the law is clear, and a federal judge previously agreed, dismissing the lawsuit.
Governor Brad Little's office has also said the law does not prevent daycares or schools from sending home children with contagious illnesses.
The case is now before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where arguments from both sides are pending.
New details are emerging in the disappearance of five-year-old Michael "Monkey" Vaughan, who vanished from his Fruitland neighborhood more than five years ago.
Recently released court documents reveal that Sarah Wondra allegedly told a jailer in 2022 that she had seen a body inside a bag, although she reportedly didn't know whose body it was.
Investigators also uncovered messages sent just 12 days after Michael disappeared in July 2021. In those messages, Wondra reportedly told her then-husband she wanted to move away from their neighborhood and leave their home. The documents don't explain why.
Wondra was arrested Tuesday and is now facing first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, and concealment of evidence charges. Her bond has been set at $1 million.
Her former husband, Stacey Wondra, is also charged in the case. He has pleaded not guilty, with a trial scheduled for 2027.
Despite an extensive search of the couple's Fruitland property, Michael's remains have never been found.
A former Idaho State University pharmacy student has scored a major legal victory after a jury found she was retaliated against for reporting racial discrimination.
A Bannock County judge has ordered the university to reinstate Chanica Sintima and pay a total judgment of more than $728,000.
Sintima was removed from ISU's pharmacy program in 2024 after raising concerns about unfair treatment during a hospital rotation.
A jury awarded her $160,000 in April, with the remaining amount covering attorney fees and court costs.
The judge also ordered the university to change her failing grade to an incomplete, giving her an opportunity to retake the course and complete her pharmacy degree.
Sintima says becoming a pharmacist has been her dream since fifth grade, and the ruling gives her another chance to make that dream a reality.
ISU says it is reviewing the judge's decision and considering its options.
A frightening incident near a Southern Idaho elementary school sent students into lockdown Wednesday morning after gunfire struck school property.
Authorities say shots were fired shortly before 8 o'clock near Fort Hall Elementary School while 88 children were inside eating breakfast.
Tribal prosecutors say Adan Diaz allegedly fired four to five shots at another man during an argument at a home directly behind the school.
One bullet reportedly struck playground equipment, while another hit a school building.
The gunfire prompted an immediate lockdown as students remained inside the gym.
Blackfoot School District Superintendent Brian Kress emphasized that this was not a school shooting, but rather an incident that happened nearby.
Diaz now faces 93 misdemeanor charges in Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Court, including 88 counts of endangering a minor.
The FBI is also investigating what it describes as a possible drug deal gone wrong.
No federal charges have been filed, and investigators have not confirmed whether the other man was injured.
It's a huge weekend for high school football across the Magic Valley, with five local teams fighting for a chance to play for a state championship!
And tonight, two of those teams will face each other.
Hagerman hosts Oakley in a 2A semifinal matchup at 7 o'clock. The Pirates edged the Hornets 36-30 back in September, setting up an exciting rematch.
Both teams know what's at stake, and tonight's winner moves one step closer to a state title.
Raft River also hits the road tonight, taking on Prairie in Lewiston at 5 Mountain Time.
Declo faces Melba at 8:15 tonight inside Pocatello's ICCU Dome.
Then tomorrow, Carey takes on Rockland at 3:45, also at the ICCU Dome.
🏈 Five teams. One big weekend. And the road to a state championship is getting serious!
Boise State is back in the national spotlight, and Saturday's matchup could bring the Pac-12 championship game to The Blue!
The 24th-ranked Broncos host Oregon State tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock.
A Boise State victory would clinch home-field advantage for the conference championship game.
And there's even more excitement surrounding the matchup. ESPN's College GameDay is returning to campus for the first time since 2010!
The broadcast will take place from DeChevrieux Field tomorrow morning from 7 until 10.
The Broncos enter the game riding an eight-game winning streak after crushing Colorado State 64-38.
Running back Dylan Riley leads the nation with 1,241 rushing yards and recently put together 300 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
Boise State enters the matchup 8-1 overall and a perfect 5-0 in Pac-12 play.
Kickoff is Saturday at 4 o'clock at Albertsons Stadium.
The fourth-ranked College of Southern Idaho men's basketball team made quite a statement Thursday!
The Golden Eagles rolled past Western Nebraska 89-56 in the opening round of the Battle for the Boot in Twin Falls.
And it was the CSI bench that really stole the show, contributing an impressive 50 points!
Carter Davis led the reserves with 15 points and six rebounds, while DJ Fizer Junior added 14 points in his first game of the season.
CSI also dominated inside, outscoring Western Nebraska 48-16 in the paint and winning the rebounding battle 54-27.
The victory moves the Golden Eagles into the winners' bracket, where they'll face Casper College tonight at 7 o'clock in Twin Falls.
It was a tough night for the University of Idaho volleyball team as Montana swept the Vandals in three straight sets.
The Grizzlies delivered an impressive 16 service aces, the most Idaho has surrendered in a match since at least 2013.
Kiana Greer led the Vandals with 10 kills, but Idaho couldn't overcome Montana's serving advantage.
The Vandals will wrap up their home schedule tomorrow night against Montana State for Senior Night.
First serve is at 7 o'clock Mountain Time.
The Boise State women's basketball team faces a major test tonight as unbeaten Utah visits ExtraMile Arena.
The Broncos are putting their impressive 25-game nonconference home winning streak on the line.
Utah enters the matchup 3-0, while Boise State has scored at least 80 points in each of its first three games.
CJ Latta leads the Pac-12, connecting on more than 71 percent of her three-point attempts.
Tipoff is tonight at 6:30.
The Broncos return home Sunday to host Utah Tech at 1 o'clock.
The University of Idaho women's soccer team is just one victory away from playing for a Big Sky Conference championship!
The fourth-seeded Vandals face top-seeded Weber State today at 1:30 Mountain Time in Missoula.
Idaho advanced after a dramatic victory over Utah Tech on Wednesday.
The Vandals jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Utah Tech battled back to force overtime. After a 2-2 tie, Idaho won the penalty-kick shootout 4-2.
Today's winner advances to Sunday's Big Sky championship game, with an automatic NCAA Tournament berth on the line.
The Idaho State Bengals men's basketball team is still looking for its first victory of the season.
The Bengals are 0-3 heading into tomorrow night's matchup against Seattle U.
MaCarhy Morris leads Idaho State with 18 points per game, while Kenyon DeMuynck has been a defensive force, averaging four blocks per game.
Tipoff is tomorrow night at 8 Mountain Time on ESPN Plus.
The Idaho State volleyball team pulled out an exciting five-set victory over Portland State Thursday night!
The Bengals dropped the opening set, won the next two, then watched Portland State battle back to force a deciding fifth set.
Idaho State finished strong, taking the final set 15-10.
Freshman Mia Walsh led the way with 17 kills and a career-high 23 digs.
The Bengals improve to 18-9 overall and 7-5 in Big Sky Conference play.
Next up, Idaho State travels to Flagstaff to face Northern Arizona tomorrow morning at 11.
Winter is getting closer, and ski resorts across Idaho are starting to make their plans!
Here's a look at the current target opening dates:
Bogus Basin is also adding two new advanced runs, Lucky Friday and Utopia.
Closer to home, Magic Mountain near Kimberly is especially looking forward to getting back into operation after remaining closed all of last season because of disappointing snow conditions.
Of course, all these opening dates depend on Mother Nature cooperating!
Here's some good news for Idaho anglers!
Idaho Fish and Game plans to stock more than 60,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout in lakes, ponds, and rivers across the state this month.
That includes 900 trout scheduled for Filer Kids Pond and Filer Pond right here in the Magic Valley.
The fish typically measure between 10 and 12 inches, making them a great option for a family fishing trip.
And here's an important reminder: Children under 14 don't need an Idaho fishing license.
Filer Kids Pond is reserved for children 12 and younger.
🎣 For stocking locations, fishing regulations, and license information, visit IDFG.Idaho.gov.
We're wrapping up the workweek with increasing clouds and a high near 63 degrees today.
🌬️ Winds could gust up to 28 miles per hour, and rain is expected to move in late tonight, with overnight lows around 40.
Saturday brings a few early showers before skies gradually clear. It'll be breezy and cooler, with a high near 50.
☀️ Sunday looks much nicer, with sunshine and a high near 58.
Looking ahead to next week, cooler and unsettled weather returns.
Monday brings mostly cloudy skies and a slight chance of showers, with a high near 51.
Rain chances increase Monday night and Tuesday, with highs dropping into the 40s.
And by Tuesday night, temperatures could dip below freezing, bringing a chance of rain and snow showers.
Wednesday and Thursday will remain cool, with additional chances for rain and snow.
🍂 Bottom line: Enjoy today's milder temperatures, because a colder, windier pattern is moving into the Magic Valley for the weekend and next week!
Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend, Magic Valley! ❤️ Stay informed, stay safe, and keep it tuned to Kat Kountry 106 for the latest local news, sports, weather, and everything happening across Southern Idaho!