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Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | Kat Kountry 106
Election results are rolling in across Idaho, several Magic Valley school funding measures are getting close attention, and Boise State is back in the national College Football Playoff conversation! Plus, eight area high school football teams are preparing for another weekend of playoff action. Here's what's happening across Southern Idaho and beyond!
Election night brought some major decisions across Idaho, with several local races and school funding measures drawing plenty of attention.
In the race for Twin Falls County Commissioner, Republican Scott Tverdy is leading independent Kirk Tubbs.
Meanwhile, District 26, which includes Jerome, Blaine, and Lincoln counties, is seeing Democrats leading all three legislative races. Anita Janis is ahead of Representative Mike Pohanka, while Kevin Marsh and incumbent Senator Ron Taylor are also leading.
School funding measures across the Magic Valley are producing a variety of results:
Results remain unofficial, with some votes still outstanding.
Governor Brad Little has won a third term, while U.S. Senator Jim Risch, Congressman Mike Simpson, and Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke also secured reelection.
Voters rejected Proposition One, which would have expanded abortion access, along with a constitutional amendment that would have given lawmakers exclusive authority over legalizing marijuana and other drugs.
However, voters approved making English Idaho's official constitutional language.
And one of the more unusual ballot questions involved choosing Idaho's official state gun!
The Winchester Model 1873 is leading that advisory vote with approximately 32% support. However, lawmakers would still need to approve legislation before any firearm could officially receive that designation.
A major transportation project in Nampa is getting a nearly $43 million boost from the federal government!
It's the largest transportation grant in the city's history and will help fund a nearly $54 million railroad overpass at Robinson Road and Greenhurst Road.
The project will allow drivers to travel over the railroad tracks rather than waiting for trains to pass.
Nampa Mayor Darl Bruner says the improvements will eliminate a dangerous crossing frequently blocked by trains while reducing traffic congestion and improving emergency response times.
The city and Nampa Highway District will cover the remaining 20% of the project's cost.
There is one catch for drivers: construction isn't expected to begin until early 2030, and the project could take approximately three years to complete.
Idaho continues to attract young families, and new figures show household incomes increased again in 2025.
According to the Idaho Department of Labor, Idaho remains the seventh-youngest state in the nation, with one of the highest percentages of households raising children.
Governor Brad Little says the numbers support his goal of making Idaho a place where young families can put down roots and build their futures.
However, affordability, infrastructure, and creating opportunities for the next generation remain important challenges.
The road to a state championship continues this weekend, and eight Magic Valley high school football teams are still in the hunt!
Here's a look at the upcoming playoff matchups:
Friday, November 6
Saturday, November 7
- Class 3A: Declo hosts Logos at 1 p.m.
Good luck to all our Magic Valley teams as they continue their championship journeys! 🏆
The high school volleyball season may be over, but 32 of the Magic Valley's best seniors got one more opportunity to compete Tuesday night!
Twin Falls High School hosted the District Four Volleyball All-Star Game, bringing together players from 19 area high schools.
The athletes were divided into four teams for a round-robin tournament, and it was the Blue Team, coached by Valley's Katie Clark, that finished undefeated at 3-0!
The Blue Team defeated Red 25-18, Yellow 25-21, and Green 25-20.
The Green Team, coached by Filer's Lexie Foster, finished second at 2-1. Yellow finished 1-2, while Red went 0-3.
The event gave seniors who spent years competing against one another a chance to share the court, represent their schools, and celebrate their final season of high school volleyball together. 👏
Two Buhl High School wrestling standouts are giving back to their community and hoping to inspire the next generation of female wrestlers!
Seniors Roxy Sheen and Ali Svancara are hosting the first-ever Buhl Girls Youth Wrestling Camp this Saturday, November 7.
The camp is part of their senior projects, and both athletes bring some impressive accomplishments to the mat.
Sheen is a three-time state champion and Fargo All-American, while Svancara is a three-time state placer and two-time Fargo All-American.
The camp is open to girls in kindergarten through eighth grade, with registration costing $25 per participant.
Even better, every dollar raised will go directly toward supporting the Buhl High School girls wrestling program.
Families can register online using the QR code on the event flyer or sign up on the day of the camp.
It's a great opportunity for young athletes to learn from two of Southern Idaho's accomplished wrestlers! 💪
The Boise State Broncos are back in the national spotlight!
The Broncos debuted at No. 25 in Tuesday night's first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, making Boise State the only Group of Six program included in the rankings.
The Broncos are 7-1 overall, undefeated at 4-0 in Pac-12 play, and riding a seven-game winning streak.
They've also scored at least 30 points in every game during that streak, something the program hasn't accomplished since 2014.
Running back Dylan Riley continues to lead the nation in rushing with 1,049 yards.
If the season ended today, Boise State would be projected to receive the No. 12 seed in the College Football Playoff as the highest-ranked Group of Six champion.
That would mean a potential first-round matchup against fifth-seeded Alabama, with the winner advancing to face fourth-seeded Indiana.
The Broncos are hoping to make another appearance in the 12-team playoff after reaching the field in 2024.
Up next, Boise State travels to Colorado State this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. Mountain Time. 🏟️
A former Kimberly Bulldog continues to make her mark on the volleyball court at the College of Southern Idaho!
Sophomore Emerson Heatwole has been named the Scenic West Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the fourth time this season.
Heatwole recorded 22 digs and eight assists as the Golden Eagles swept Colorado Northwestern in back-to-back matches.
Those victories also helped CSI claim a share of the regular-season conference championship with Salt Lake.
The Kimberly native has collected 405 digs this season, averaging more than four digs per set. She also recently surpassed 500 career digs!
Now the Golden Eagles turn their attention to the postseason.
CSI opens the Region 18 Tournament tonight against Utah State Eastern, with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. in Salt Lake City.
The fourth-ranked CSI men's basketball team is off to a winning start, and freshman Cutter Beus is already making headlines!
The Melba native has been named the Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Week after helping lead the Golden Eagles to two victories over the weekend.
Beus scored a team-high 18 points in Friday's 65-61 win over Eastern Wyoming, with 16 of those points coming in the second half.
Then Saturday, he took things to another level, pouring in a game-high 29 points in a 105-56 victory over Central Wyoming.
He also collected 14 rebounds and three steals across the two games.
The Golden Eagles return home November 12 for the Battle for the Boot in Twin Falls, taking on Western Nebraska at noon.
The CSI women's basketball team is off to a 2-0 start, and sophomore Emma Whitaker is already earning conference recognition!
Whitaker has been named the Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Week after helping the Golden Eagles collect two victories at the ICCU Invitational.
She opened the season with an impressive double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, including nine offensive boards.
She also recorded four steals and knocked down two clutch free throws in the closing seconds to help CSI secure a two-point victory.
Whitaker followed that performance with eight points and seven rebounds Saturday, shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from the field.
Fans will have a chance to see the Lady Golden Eagles at home this weekend as CSI hosts the CSI Invitational.
Come out and support your Lady Golden Eagles! 🦅
A new chapter in Boise State basketball officially begins tonight!
The Broncos open their first season in the Pac-12 Conference against West Coast Baptist at ExtraMile Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Boise State is coming off an impressive exhibition season, averaging more than 98 points per game across three victories.
That included a 104-37 win over Bismarck State last Thursday, with all 12 Broncos who played getting on the scoreboard.
Head coach Leon Rice enters the season with eight new faces on the roster, including former Summit League Tournament MVP Damari Wheeler-Thomas and SWAC Defensive Player of the Year Jerquarius Stanback.
The Broncos are coming off their fifth consecutive 20-win season and will look to make another strong run in their new conference home.
The Idaho State Bengals gave BYU a battle in their season opener Tuesday night, but a tough second half proved costly.
Idaho State led for nearly 15 minutes and trailed by just one point at halftime, 25-24, before BYU pulled away for a 67-50 victory in Provo.
The Bengals actually led by as many as six points in the first half and briefly regained the lead early in the third quarter.
However, turnovers became a major difference, with BYU converting 20 Idaho State turnovers into 28 points.
Montana transfer Maggie Hutka led the Bengals with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Idaho State will look to bounce back Friday night when the Bengals return home to face Westminster at Reed Gym in Pocatello. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Idaho State women's soccer team has a big game ahead Thursday, with a spot in the Big Sky Conference Tournament on the line!
The Bengals travel to Ogden, Utah, to face conference-leading Weber State in their regular-season finale.
Idaho State enters the matchup 4-8-5 overall and 2-3-3 in conference play, currently sitting sixth in the Big Sky standings.
A victory would secure the Bengals a spot in the conference tournament.
But Weber State won't make it easy. The Wildcats are 10-6-2 overall, lead the Big Sky at 6-1-1, and have won three straight games.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday in Ogden, with the match streaming on ESPN+.
The Idaho Vandals are heating up at just the right time!
This Saturday, Idaho hosts Eastern Washington in the annual Battle for the Che-Scow Cup at the Kibbie Dome.
The Vandals enter the matchup 4-5 overall but have won three straight and four of their last five games.
They've also knocked off some impressive competition, including nationally ranked Montana and defending national champion Montana State.
In fact, Idaho swept both Montana schools this season for the first time since 1989!
Quarterback Joshua Wood has played a major role in the turnaround, averaging more than 276 passing yards per game while adding nine rushing touchdowns.
Eastern Washington comes into the matchup at 2-7.
Idaho leads the all-time series 20-10 and is looking for its first four-game winning streak since 2024.
Saturday's game will also be a blackout, with Vandal fans encouraged to wear black!
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Mountain Time, with coverage on ESPN+ and SWX.
Talk about saving your best for last!
Idaho Vandals senior midfielder Tori Peters has been named the Big Sky Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the first two goals of her collegiate career in back-to-back games!
Peters scored her first career goal in Idaho's 2-0 shutout of Portland State.
Then against Montana, she found the back of the net again, scoring the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over the Grizzlies.
After going her entire college career without scoring a goal, Peters has now found the net twice in two games.
The Vandals will look to carry that momentum into the postseason as they wrap up the regular season Thursday afternoon against Eastern Washington in Cheney.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Mountain Time.
We're starting Wednesday with plenty of clouds across the Magic Valley, but expect gradual clearing by late morning.
Today's high will reach around 53 degrees, with clouds returning tonight and temperatures dropping to approximately 34 degrees.
Thursday will bring more morning clouds before sunshine breaks through, with another high near 53.
But the really good news? A beautiful stretch of weather is shaping up for the weekend! ☀️
After a cloudy start to the week, Southern Idaho is looking at plenty of sunshine and temperatures climbing into the lower 60s just in time for the weekend!
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