📰 Tuesday News: What’s Happening Across Idaho & the Magic Valley

 🌅 Here’s your Tuesday look at what’s happening across Southern Idaho and around the state.

⛽ A Little Relief at the Gas Pump

There’s finally a little good news for Idaho drivers. 🚗💨

AAA says Idaho’s average gas price has dropped 4 cents this week to $4.95 a gallon.

Here in Twin Falls, the average is about $5.05 a gallon. Idaho still has some of the highest gas prices in the country, ranking seventh nationally. 💸

Every four cents helps when you’re filling up—but at these prices, we’ll take every penny we can get!

💧 Idaho’s New Water Year Is Underway

Idaho has officially entered a new water year, and what happened over the past year could have an impact on water supplies going forward. 💦

Boise finished the previous water year with above-average precipitation, but warmer temperatures meant more of that precipitation fell as rain rather than snow.

The amount of water remaining in reservoirs, soil and groundwater will help determine Idaho’s water supplies as we head toward winter. ❄️

🏢 Idaho Ranks Second for Small Business Growth

Idaho continues to be a strong state for small businesses. 📈

According to the Idaho Daily, Idaho ranked second nationally for small business growth, adding nearly 1,600 businesses.

The statewide growth rate was about 3.5%, with Pocatello leading the way in Idaho. 👏

⚖️ Twin Falls Grand Jury Indicts Man

A Twin Falls grand jury has indicted Justin James on charges including aggravated battery, domestic battery, attempted strangulation, rape and kidnapping.

According to court documents, the charges involve two alleged incidents involving the same woman.

Authorities allege James attempted to run the woman over outside a bar in May. He's also accused of assaulting her at a home in Kimberly, where investigators say he restrained, sexually assaulted and threatened her with a handgun.

His district court arraignment is scheduled for October 19.

The allegations are charges, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

🗳️ Proposition 1 Campaign Raises Millions

Idaho's Proposition 1 campaign continues to generate significant fundraising on both sides. 💰

Through September 29, the main PAC supporting the measure had raised approximately $4.9 million, compared with about $2.5 million for the main opposition PAC.

The measure would repeal Idaho's abortion bans and establish protections for reproductive healthcare, including contraception and IVF.

📅 Election Dates to Remember

Idaho voters are already preparing for the November 3 election.

📬 Absentee ballot requests are due by 5 p.m. October 23.

🗳️ Early voting can begin October 13, depending on your county, and runs through October 30.

Voters can also register at the polls on Election Day.

For registration information and local voting details, check VoteIdaho.gov.

🚔 Caldwell Expanding Police Camera Network

Caldwell is expanding its police camera network after the city council approved a $6.7 million, 10-year contract with Axon.

The agreement increases license plate readers from 45 to 65 and also upgrades drones, body cameras and Tasers.

Police say the technology has helped solve 185 crimes.

However, the expansion has raised privacy concerns. Councilmember Diana Register voted against the contract, while Mayor Eric Phillips also opposed the expansion. The council did not hold a public comment period on the agreement.

⚖️ Hearing Set in Michael Vaughan Case

A judge is scheduled to hear a request from attorneys for Stacey Wondra to limit public comments in the case involving 5-year-old Michael “Monkey” Vaughan.

The defense argues that comments from the child's family and investigators could potentially influence jurors.

Wondra has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, kidnapping and destruction of evidence in connection with Michael's 2021 disappearance from Fruitland.

Michael's body has never been found.

A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. The judge is also expected to consider whether an apology letter Wondra wrote to the family can be used at trial. Her trial is scheduled to begin March 29.

🧠 Idaho Mental Health Providers Honored

Two Idaho mental health providers are being recognized for their work helping restore services for people with severe mental illness. ❤️

Laura Scuri of Boise and Ric Boyce of Chubbuck helped push lawmakers to temporarily restore funding for mobile treatment and peer support programs.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Idaho will present them with the Kathie Garrett Impact Award Friday in Boise. 👏

🏙️ Twin Falls Wants Your Opinion

The City of Twin Falls is looking for feedback from residents about city services and quality of life.

Randomly selected households will receive a community survey by mail. An online version will later be available to all residents.

The city says the responses will help guide future priorities and budget decisions.

Keep an eye on TFID.org for more information. 📝

⚽ MAGIC VALLEY SPORTS

🐾 Kimberly Girls Soccer Still Perfect

The Kimberly girls soccer team is having an incredible season.

The Bulldogs crushed Buhl 14-0 on senior night to improve to a perfect 15-0, with one regular-season game remaining.

Next up: Sun Valley Community School for the 4A High Desert Conference championship. 🏆⚽

⚽ District Soccer Tournament Begins

The road to state begins Tuesday in the 5A District 4 boys soccer tournament.

Burley hosts Minico at 6 p.m. in an elimination game. The winner moves on to face top-seeded Wood River Thursday.

On the girls side, Canyon Ridge takes on Minico, while Jerome faces Burley at 6 p.m.

Twin Falls and Wood River received first-round byes.

The district championship games are scheduled for October 12, with state tournament berths on the line. 🏆

🏐 Volleyball Action Tonight

There’s plenty of high school volleyball on the schedule.

🏐 Twin Falls hosts Minico at 6 p.m.

🏐 Gooding visits Filer at 6:30.

🏐 Buhl travels to Kimberly at 6:30.

🏐 Mountain Home visits Bishop Kelly at 6:30.

🏐 Wood River travels to Burley at 7.

🏐 Jerome visits Canyon Ridge at 7:30.

It's getting down to the business end of the season, with district tournaments and postseason spots on the line.

🤼 CSI Rodeo Keeps Rolling

The College of Southern Idaho men's rodeo team has won three straight.

The Golden Eagles scored 930 points at Utah State Eastern and now carry a 365-point lead into the final rodeo of the fall season this weekend at Utah Valley University.

CSI also claimed four of the top five spots in the men's all-around competition, led by Ruger Smith, who won with 300 points. 🤠

🏌️ Idaho State Women Win First Golf Tournament Since 2000

The Idaho State women's golf team ended a long championship drought.

The Bengals erased a three-stroke deficit to share the Bradley Coyote Creek Invitational title in Illinois.

It's the program's first tournament championship since 2000. 🏆

Andrea Chin tied for fourth, Sarah Chen tied for sixth and Kaylie Parola tied for ninth.

The Bengals wrap up their fall season next week in New Mexico. ⛳

🏈 Idaho Pulls Off Huge Upset

The Idaho Vandals are getting national attention after one of the biggest wins in program history.

Idaho stunned top-ranked Montana State 35-34, becoming the first Idaho team to defeat a No. 1-ranked opponent and ending Montana State's 19-game winning streak.

The finish was unbelievable.

Joshua Wood threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Jezioro on the final play, then ran in the winning two-point conversion. 🤯🏈

The win earned Idaho national team-of-the-week honors from both Stats Perform and the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Wood was also named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week.

🌤️ MAGIC VALLEY WEATHER

Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts! ☀️

Tuesday: Sunny with a high near 83°. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 52°.

Wednesday: Sunny with a high near 82°, followed by a clear night with temperatures dropping to around 50°.

Thursday: Sunny with a high near 82°.

Friday: More sunshine, with a high around 85°.

Then comes the big change. 🌧️🍂

Saturday: Temperatures drop to around 69°, with a chance of showers Saturday night.

Sunday: Much cooler, with a high near 58° and a chance of showers.

By Sunday night, temperatures could fall into the mid-30s.

So enjoy those 80-degree afternoons while you can—the Magic Valley is about to get a serious reminder that fall is here! 🍁🥶

📻 That's Your Tuesday Update!

From gas prices and Idaho politics to Magic Valley sports, local news and a big weekend weather change, there's plenty happening across Southern Idaho.

Stay with Kat Kountry 106 for more local news, weather, sports and everything happening around the Magic Valley! 🎶🤠❤️