📰 TUESDAY’S TOP STORIES: Frost Alerts, Early Voting & Pomerelle’s First Snow! ❄️

🌄 Tuesday, October 13, brings a chilly start, important election reminders, and a little good news for skiers looking forward to winter. Here’s what’s happening across Southern Idaho and beyond!

🥶 Freezing Temperatures Threaten Magic Valley Plants

Bundle up and protect those plants! A freeze warning is in effect until 9 a.m. for the Eastern Magic Valley and Shoshone Lava Beds, where temperatures could dip to 29 degrees. A frost advisory for Gooding, Jerome, and Twin Falls counties runs through 10 a.m.

🌱 Cover sensitive plants and protect exposed outdoor plumbing as temperatures drop.

🗳️ Early Voting Opens in Three Idaho Counties

Election Day is still weeks away, but some Magic Valley-area voters can start casting ballots today!

Early voting opens October 13 in Twin Falls, Blaine, and Lincoln counties ahead of the November 3 general election. Voters in Cassia, Camas, Gooding, Jerome, and Minidoka counties can begin early voting October 19.

📅 Important dates to remember:

• October 19: Early voting begins in five additional Idaho counties.
• October 23: Deadline to request an absentee ballot.
• October 30: Early voting ends by 5 p.m.

Check with your county clerk for local voting locations, hours, and available options.

🎿 Pomerelle Gets Its First Snow of the Season!

Winter is starting to show up in the mountains! Pomerelle Mountain Resort has received its first snow of the season, giving skiers and snowboarders a reason to get excited.

Crews are finishing maintenance, lift inspections, and equipment preparations as the resort looks toward a potential Thanksgiving weekend opening.

❄️ There’s one important catch: Natural snowfall will be essential to opening the mountain. Season passes remain on sale through the end of October, with a ski swap and the resort’s first “Pray for Snow” event coming up in November.

Keep an eye on Pomerelle’s website for updates as opening day approaches!

💙 Community Support Continues After Twin Falls In-N-Out Shooting

Support sessions continue Tuesday for people affected by the August 1 shooting at the In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls.

The City of Twin Falls is working with NOVA, a national victim assistance organization, to help community members process trauma and connect with resources.

Today's sessions are scheduled for:

• 🕦 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. at 160 Gooding Street West.
• 🕕 6–7:30 p.m. at First Federal Bank, 303 Shoshone Street North.

The sessions are intended to support restaurant employees, first responders, nearby businesses, and other community members.

🚛 Fatal Semi Crash on I-84 East of Boise

Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal crash involving a semi-truck and trailer east of Boise.

Authorities say the vehicle left eastbound Interstate 84 near milepost 62 early Monday morning, traveled along an embankment, and overturned. The 74-year-old driver from Reno, Nevada, was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

The right eastbound lane was blocked for approximately three hours.

⚖️ Bryan Kohberger’s Request for a New Judge Heads to Court

A new court hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time concerning Bryan Kohberger’s request for a different judge.

Kohberger’s attorneys argue that comments made by Judge Steven Hippler during sentencing show bias. They are also seeking to move the case back to Latah County.

Kohberger is serving four consecutive life sentences after pleading guilty to the murders of four University of Idaho students in Moscow in November 2022. Thursday’s hearing concerns the request for a different judge; it will not determine whether his guilty plea can be withdrawn.

The hearing is scheduled to stream on the Fourth Judicial District’s YouTube page.

🔫 Federal Changes to Firearm Registration Enforcement

Federal officials are ending enforcement of certain registration requirements for firearm suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns following a court ruling.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador says the new guidance follows a legal victory involving Idaho and 14 other states.

However, buyers must still complete federal purchase paperwork and background checks, and applicable state and local laws remain in effect. The change is an enforcement policy that could be reversed, not a permanent repeal of the underlying registration provisions.

🏠 Idaho Renters Are Moving Less

The cost of housing may be keeping more Idaho renters in place.

A TurboTenant analysis of Census data found that Idaho’s renter mobility rate fell from approximately 33% in 2014 to 29.1% in 2024. Despite the decline, Idaho ranked third nationally for renter mobility, behind Utah and Colorado.

Rising home prices and the expense of giving up low mortgage rates are making moves more difficult for many households. Nationally, first-time buyers accounted for just 21% of home purchases in 2025, while their median age reached 40.

For renters hoping to become homeowners, affordability remains a major obstacle.

⚽ Wood River Wolverines Win Third Straight District Title!

Congratulations to Wood River boys soccer! 🏆 The Wolverines defeated Twin Falls 4-1 Monday to claim their third consecutive 5A Great Basin Conference district championship and secure another trip to the state tournament in Sandpoint.

Fabian Moreno, Wyatt Gilmour, Favi Hernandez, and Rafa Serrato each scored for Wood River. Jacob Gleckler scored the lone goal for Twin Falls.

Wood River improves to 16-2 and will learn its state tournament opponent Sunday when the bracket is released.

Other results:

• Sun Valley Community School shut out Filer 7-0.
• Wendell defeated Buhl 3-1.

⛳ Magic Valley Golfers Shine at State

Local golfers are making their presence known at the state tournament in northern Idaho!

Canyon Ridge’s Danika Humphries fired a five-under-par 68 to lead the 6A girls after the opening round.

In 5A girls team standings, Twin Falls sits in first place, with Jerome in fourth. Twin Falls’ Katie Thompson leads the individual standings with a 78, while teammate Mae Lickley is tied for second with a 79.

The Twin Falls boys are tied for third, while Minico sits ninth.

🏐 Tuesday’s Volleyball Matchups

There’s more action on the court tonight!

• Filer at Kimberly — 6:30 p.m. Two winning teams meet as Filer brings a 25-10 record against Kimberly’s 26-6 squad.
• Glenns Ferry at Valley — 7:30 p.m. The Vikings host district tournament action.

On Monday, Buhl outlasted Gooding in five sets, while Carey, Castleford, and Lighthouse Christian each recorded 3-0 sweeps.

🌤️ Tuesday Weather: Sunshine Returns This Afternoon

Showers are likely during the morning drive, but sunshine should return this afternoon. Expect a high near 52 degrees, with west winds gusting up to 21 mph.

Tonight will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 30 degrees and widespread frost possible Wednesday morning.

The good news? A warming trend is on the way! Wednesday should reach 58, Thursday 64, and Friday near 70. Highs are expected to climb into the low 70s this weekend. ☀️

Stay warm, stay informed, and keep it tuned to Kat Kountry 106 for the latest Magic Valley news, weather, sports, and more! 🎙️