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Monday, November 2, 2026 | Kat Kountry 106
It's a busy Monday across Southern Idaho! From a potential $4 million demolition project in Twin Falls and a major cyberattack on Jerome schools to millions of dollars in Idaho tax refunds, a new leader at WinCo, and a dramatic weekend of high school and college sports, we've got plenty to catch you up on!
Here’s a look at what's happening across the Magic Valley and beyond. 👇
A long-abandoned building next to St. Edward's Catholic School in Twin Falls could finally be headed toward demolition, but there's still a major legal hurdle standing in the way.
The former clinic was declared a public nuisance in January 2025, and a judge ordered its owner, Galena, to tear it down last June. So far, the company has not responded.
Demolition is expected to cost approximately $4 million, largely because of asbestos and lead contamination.
The Twin Falls City Council has agreed to begin negotiations with a contractor to handle the hazardous materials. However, the city must first establish the legal authority to demolish a property it doesn't own.
An assessment of the hazardous materials could be completed by spring 2027.
Meanwhile, officials at neighboring St. Edward's Catholic School say the deteriorating building remains a safety concern, with people repeatedly breaking through boarded-up entrances.
A cyberattack that shut down Jerome schools for two days last month is now being described as the work of a sophisticated international criminal organization.
Superintendent Brent Johnson says the October 17th ransomware attack was similar to a physical break-in, with criminals moving quickly to steal information and damage computer systems.
The attack forced the district to shut down internet access, security cameras, electronic door locks, phones, and heating and cooling systems. The disruption created safety concerns that kept students home for two days.
The hackers demanded a ransom far beyond what the district could afford or its insurance would cover. Following federal guidance, the district decided not to pay.
There is some good news: student devices were not affected. However, investigators are still determining whether information was stolen from some of the district's approximately 500 staff devices.
Federal cybersecurity experts are assisting with the investigation.
Classes have returned to normal, but district officials are reviewing security systems to help prevent another attack.
Idaho's near-total abortion ban remains in place following a closely watched federal appeals court ruling.
In a 2-to-1 decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a lower court order that would have protected Boise physician Dr. Stacy Seyb from prosecution for performing abortions when a pregnancy poses serious risks to a woman's health or mental health.
Idaho law generally prohibits abortions except to prevent the mother's death or in qualifying cases of rape or incest.
The appeals court majority said the restrictions are likely to withstand the constitutional challenge, while a dissenting judge warned the ruling could leave some pregnant women facing serious and permanent health complications.
The physician says he will continue advocating for patients' medical rights, while the Idaho Family Policy Center welcomed the decision.
The ruling is not final, and the legal challenge will continue through the courts.
With Election Day tomorrow, millions of dollars are pouring into Idaho's U.S. Senate race.
Independent challenger Todd Achilles has raised more than $1.8 million in his campaign against Republican incumbent Senator Jim Risch.
However, Risch continues to hold a significant financial advantage, reporting approximately $4.1 million in fundraising since the beginning of 2025.
Achilles has received about $1.2 million from individual donors, with most contributions coming from Idaho.
Risch has also spent considerably more on Facebook and Instagram advertising.
The race also includes Libertarian Matt Loesby and independent Natalie Fleming.
Idaho polling places will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Here's some potentially welcome news for Idaho household budgets!
Governor Brad Little says Idaho's grocery tax credit program has returned nearly $255 million to taxpayers for 2025, making it the largest amount in the program's history.
That's approximately $49 million more than the previous year.
The Idaho State Tax Commission has processed more than 813,000 claims, with additional refunds still being handled.
The increase follows legislation signed by Governor Little in 2025 that expanded the grocery tax credit to provide additional relief to Idaho families.
With food prices continuing to put pressure on household budgets, the governor says the expanded credit is designed to help families and seniors keep more money in their pockets.
Boise-based WinCo Foods is preparing for a leadership change, and its next CEO is someone who worked his way up through the company.
Nathan Tucker has been named just the fourth CEO in WinCo's history.
Tucker currently serves as the company's chief merchandising officer. He will become president on January 1st, working alongside retiring CEO Grant Haag before officially taking over the top job on May 1st.
Tucker joined WinCo in 2013 as an assistant store manager and steadily worked his way through the ranks.
The employee-owned grocery chain operates 147 stores across 10 states under the WinCo and Waremart names.
A major legal battle involving Boise-based Albertsons is now in the hands of a Delaware judge.
Albertsons is seeking as much as $9.3 billion from Kroger following the collapse of their proposed merger.
That includes a $600 million termination fee Albertsons says it is owed after federal regulators blocked the deal in December 2024.
Albertsons argues Kroger failed to do enough to secure regulatory approval, while Kroger maintains it made extensive efforts to complete the merger.
The trial has concluded, but the judge has requested additional information about negotiations with regulators and proposed grocery store sales.
Attorneys have approximately seven weeks to prepare additional arguments, meaning the legal fight could continue for some time.
The high-profile Lori Vallow Daybell murder case returns to Idaho's highest court today.
The Idaho Supreme Court is hearing arguments in Boise as Daybell attempts to overturn her murder convictions and obtain a new trial.
Daybell was convicted in 2023 of murdering her two children, J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiring to kill her husband's former wife, Tammy Daybell.
She is currently serving multiple life sentences.
Her attorneys are challenging the convictions on five grounds, including claims involving her right to choose an attorney, exclusion from court hearings, and her right to a speedy trial.
Prosecutors maintain the original trial was conducted properly.
A decision is not expected today. The court could issue a written ruling in the coming months.
Boise State University's new president is outlining an ambitious vision for the school's future.
David Hahn, formally installed as the university's eighth president Thursday, has identified five major priorities: student success, workforce preparation, research, fundraising, and athletics.
One of his biggest goals is expanding the university's fundraising target to $700 million. Boise State's Unbridled campaign has already raised $565 million.
Hahn also wants stronger partnerships with Idaho employers, particularly in healthcare and technology, creating more internships and hands-on opportunities for students.
Another goal is elevating Boise State to the nation's highest research classification, potentially bringing additional research funding to Idaho.
A major change could eventually come to how millions of acres of Idaho public land are managed.
Idaho County commissioners are asking federal officials to loosen restrictions on approximately 1.7 million acres of protected roadless areas.
County leaders say current restrictions make timber harvesting, road construction, wildfire response, and motorized public access more difficult.
They want the U.S. Forest Service to reclassify the land under less restrictive management rules.
However, the Forest Service says Idaho's roadless areas protect some of the last intact forest ecosystems in the lower 48 states.
For now, no changes have been approved.
The future of package delivery has officially taken flight in Idaho!
Amazon has launched its drone delivery service in Nampa, making it the first Idaho city where customers can receive certain packages by air in as little as 30 minutes.
The blue-and-white drones carry small packages directly to homes within a 170-square-mile service area surrounding Amazon's Nampa facility.
Reactions from residents are mixed. Some are excited about the technology, while others have concerns about safety, reliability, and whether flying delivery vehicles are really necessary.
And Nampa may just be the beginning. Amazon has identified Boise as one of its next potential expansion locations.
The Kimberly Bulldogs are back on top of Idaho high school volleyball!
The top-ranked Bulldogs swept Bear Lake in straight sets Saturday to capture the 4A state championship, winning 25-18, 25-21, and 25-21.
It's the second state title in program history and the first since 2022.
Kimberly finishes an outstanding season with a 33-6 record.
Taya Plew and Kynlee Klingler led the Bulldogs with 16 kills apiece.
Meanwhile, the Valley Vikings are bringing home a state runner-up trophy in 2A.
Valley battled through a five-set thriller against Troy to reach the championship match before falling to top-seeded Butte County.
It was a terrific weekend for Magic Valley volleyball!
The road to an Idaho state football championship continues, and eight area teams remain in the hunt!
Here's how local teams performed over the weekend:
There were also some tough losses. Buhl fell to Ririe 22-20, Wood River lost to Emmett, Minico fell to Sandpoint, and Richfield lost a high-scoring battle against Deary.
The quarterfinal round is coming up Friday and Saturday, with local teams fighting for a spot in the state semifinals.
Twin Falls runner Raelee Richardson continues to make history!
Richardson captured her third consecutive 5A girls state cross country championship in Pocatello, finishing with a time of 18:35.
The Twin Falls girls team finished second overall.
Other Magic Valley highlights included:
On the boys side, Sun Valley Community School's John Harris won the 3A championship, with teammate Jasper Lakefish finishing second.
The fourth-ranked CSI men's basketball team is wasting no time making noise this season!
The Golden Eagles crushed Central Wyoming 105-56 Saturday night at the ICCU Invitational in Twin Falls.
CSI led by 19 at halftime before exploding for 61 second-half points.
Cutter Beus led all scorers with 29 points, including five three-pointers.
The Golden Eagles improve to 2-0 and will return to action November 12th when they host Western Nebraska Community College in the Battle for the Boot tournament.
The CSI women are also off to a terrific start. The sixth-ranked Golden Eagles defeated Central Wyoming 74-47, improving to 2-0.
Cassie Brooks led CSI with 13 points.
If you stayed up late watching Boise State Saturday night, you certainly got your money's worth!
The Broncos survived an incredible comeback against Texas State, pulling out a 46-45 victory.
Boise State led 28-3 at halftime before Texas State scored 36 unanswered points to take a 39-28 lead in the fourth quarter.
Then backup quarterback Max Cutforth stepped in after Maddux Madsen left with an injury and threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes.
Freshman receiver Rasean Jones caught three touchdowns, while Akeem Wright hauled in the game-winning score.
The victory was Boise State's 300th at the FBS level.
The Broncos remain ranked 20th in the AP poll and 21st in the Coaches Poll.
Here's a great hometown hockey story!
Luke Mylymok and John Driscoll grew up playing youth hockey with the Junior Steelheads. Now, both are back in Boise playing professional hockey for the Idaho Steelheads.
Mylymok, 24, is entering his second professional season, while 25-year-old Driscoll is making his professional debut.
For both players, it's a chance to wear the same jersey they dreamed about as kids and inspire the next generation of Idaho hockey players.
The Magic Valley community is coming together to support longtime community volunteer Jill Skeem, who is battling breast cancer.
Slice Pickleball will host the special Rally for Jill tournament and silent auction this Saturday at 9 a.m.
Skeem has spent decades giving back to the community, including 24 years on the Rotary Club board and helping grow pickleball in Twin Falls.
Registration is $35 per player, with a deadline of Friday at 6:30 p.m.
All proceeds will go directly to Skeem to help with her recovery.
The event takes place at Slice Pickleball, 1751 Elizabeth Boulevard in Twin Falls.
For registration, donations, or silent auction contributions, call 208-408-0701.
We're starting the week with sunshine across the Magic Valley!
Monday: Sunny skies with a high near 50. West winds could gust up to 22 mph. Tonight, clouds increase with temperatures dropping to around 31.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a high near 52. Overnight lows around 36.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a high near 52 and a low around 33.
Thursday: Mostly sunny with a high near 55.
Friday: Plenty of sunshine with temperatures reaching around 55.
Saturday: Sunny skies and a high near 54.
Sunday: More sunshine, with temperatures warming up to around 60!
Looks like a pretty nice stretch of November weather ahead for Southern Idaho! ☀️
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