CALL THE KAT KOUNTRY 106 REQUEST LINE! (208) 436-KATT
CALL THE KAT KOUNTRY 106 REQUEST LINE! (208) 436-KATT
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2026 | KAT KOUNTRY 106
It's Friday, and we've got a lot happening across Southern Idaho! From a heartbreaking loss in the local firefighting community to record-breaking voter turnout, major legal developments, and an important water advisory for Hagerman residents, here's what you need to know as you head into the weekend.
A Southern Idaho community is mourning the loss of a young firefighter who died in a tragic firetruck crash earlier this week.
Authorities have identified the firefighter as 24-year-old Joseph Wyatt Gates of the Raft River Fire District. Gates was one of two volunteer firefighters inside a fire district truck that went off East Yale Road in Cassia County around 9 Monday night.
Both firefighters suffered serious injuries and were airlifted to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello. Gates later died from his injuries. The condition of the second firefighter has not been released.
Bannock County Coroner Torey Danner praised Gates for his courage, dedication, and commitment to serving his community. The Cassia County Sheriff's Office continues investigating the crash.
Our thoughts are with the Gates family, his fellow firefighters, and everyone in the Raft River community. ❤️
Some Hagerman residents will need to prepare for a temporary water shutdown Monday, November 9th.
Construction crews will shut off water to portions of northeastern Hagerman from approximately 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Affected areas include neighborhoods near Highway 30, Cemetery Road, Valley Road, Hagerman Cemetery, and the Billingsley Creek Campground area.
But there's an important additional precaution: Once water service returns, affected residents will be under a boil-water notice for up to two days.
Water used for drinking, cooking, and food preparation must be boiled before use.
City officials encourage residents in the affected area to stock up on drinking water ahead of Monday's shutdown and watch for updates on when the boil-water notice is lifted.
Idaho voters turned out in record numbers for Tuesday's election, but for some, casting a ballot meant waiting well into Wednesday morning!
Nearly 732,000 Idahoans cast ballots, setting a new midterm election turnout record.
In Canyon County, the final voter didn't finish casting their ballot until 12:20 Wednesday morning. Some voters waited more than four hours as high turnout, lengthy ballots, and limited polling space created significant delays.
Preliminary figures put statewide turnout at approximately 69 percent, although that number could change as election officials process thousands of Election Day registrations.
Secretary of State Phil McGrane says officials are reviewing what happened in Canyon County and whether additional polling locations may be needed in future elections.
Final election results are scheduled to become official November 24th.
Idaho voters also made decisions on two proposed constitutional amendments.
Voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that would have given the Idaho Legislature exclusive authority to legalize psychoactive substances, including marijuana.
More than 470,000 voters opposed the measure, compared to nearly 240,000 who supported it.
Meanwhile, voters approved making English the official language of Idaho's Constitution, with more than 63 percent voting in favor.
The amendment establishes English as the language for official government proceedings, documents, and public school instruction, with exceptions required by federal law.
Twin Falls School District officials say they don't expect the change to affect their English-Spanish dual immersion program. Foreign language instruction is not prohibited under the amendment.
The Pocatello City Council has unanimously approved funding for a proposed $4.5 million settlement with the family of Victor Perez, the 17-year-old who was fatally shot by police last year.
Perez was a nonverbal autistic teenager with cerebral palsy. Officers encountered him holding a knife while responding to a reported disturbance in April 2025. The shooting happened within seconds of their arrival.
The officers were later cleared of criminal wrongdoing.
Under the proposed settlement, Perez's grandfather, mother, and sister would receive compensation, with the money coming from city reserves and insurance.
Council members also raised concerns about transparency and the city's handling of the case.
Mayor Mark Dahlquist says the funding has been authorized, but the settlement has not been completely finalized. Additional details are expected next week.
Boise-based grocery giant Albertsons has been ordered to pay $900 million in a major opioid lawsuit in Washington state.
A King County Superior Court judge ruled that Albertsons pharmacies repeatedly failed to prevent prescription opioid misuse, contributing to Washington's opioid crisis.
According to the state's Attorney General's Office, Albertsons pharmacies dispensed more than 641 million opioid pills between 2006 and 2022.
Investigators also say the company filled prescriptions flagged for potential misuse more than 6.5 million times without properly documenting efforts to verify their legitimacy.
Washington officials say the money will help fund addiction treatment and prevention programs.
Albertsons strongly disagrees with the ruling and says it is considering an appeal.
The Idaho Supreme Court has ordered the partial release of body-camera footage from Ada County Deputy Tobin Bolter, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in April 2024.
Under the court's decision, portions of the footage leading up to the shooting can be released to the public.
However, video showing Bolter's final moments and the efforts of first responders to save his life will remain private.
Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford says his office fought for more than two years to protect Bolter's family from having to relive the tragedy.
While disappointed that some footage will become public, Clifford says the sheriff's office will comply with the ruling.
BYU-Idaho is reporting a significant increase in students postponing their enrollment to serve church missions.
The Rexburg university says approximately 1,000 more students deferred enrollment this fall compared to last year.
The increase follows the decision by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to lower the minimum missionary age for women from 19 to 18.
Despite the additional deferments, campus enrollment declined just 1.4 percent, with more than 24,000 students enrolled this semester.
When online students through BYU-Pathway Worldwide are included, total enrollment in BYU-Idaho courses reaches more than 48,000.
The road to an Idaho high school football state championship continues today, with eight Magic Valley teams still in contention!
Seven area teams take the field today, with another playing Saturday.
Here's the schedule for our area teams:
Eight teams, eight quarterfinal matchups, and a trip to the state semifinals on the line! Good luck to all our local teams! 🏆
The College of Southern Idaho volleyball team came up just short of a conference championship, falling to third-ranked Salt Lake in four tightly contested sets.
The ninth-ranked Golden Eagles won the opening set before Salt Lake rallied to take the next three. Each of those final three sets was decided by just two points.
Vivian Goto led CSI with 14 kills, while Emerson Heatwole recorded a match-high 22 digs.
Now CSI heads to Yuma, Arizona, Monday for a must-win district playoff against Arizona Western. The winner earns an automatic berth in the NJCAA National Tournament beginning November 18th.
The 20th-ranked Boise State Broncos are riding a seven-game winning streak and looking to make it eight tomorrow!
Boise State travels to Colorado State for a 4 p.m. Saturday kickoff.
The Broncos are coming off a thrilling 46-45 victory over Texas State. Freshman receiver Rasean Jones caught three touchdowns, while running back Dylan Riley continues to lead the nation with 1,049 rushing yards.
Boise State also debuted at number 25 in the first College Football Playoff rankings.
The Boise State women's soccer team has captured a share of its third consecutive Pac-12 regular-season championship!
The Broncos defeated Washington State 1-0, with Cindy Conner scoring the game-winning goal in the 77th minute.
Goalkeeper Ava de Leest recorded six saves and her 11th shutout of the season.
Boise State now heads to the conference tournament as the number two seed, facing San Diego State in Wednesday's semifinals.
One of the biggest upsets of the college volleyball season happened in Pocatello!
Idaho State knocked off top-ranked Utah Tech in four sets, ending the Trailblazers' 16-match winning streak.
Freshman Mia Walsh led the Bengals with 21 kills and 10 digs.
Idaho State improves to 16-9 overall and hosts Southern Utah Saturday at noon.
The Idaho Vandals women's basketball team faces a big early-season challenge tonight, traveling to Spokane to take on Gonzaga.
Both teams enter the matchup 1-0 after winning their season openers.
Idaho opened with a 24-point victory over Saint Martin's, led by Ella Uriarte with 12 points.
It's the 37th all-time meeting between the programs and their first matchup since 2018.
It's looking like a fantastic weekend across Southern Idaho, with sunshine and temperatures gradually climbing!
Friday
54°
Saturday
58°
Sunday
60°
Monday
61°
Veterans Day
62°
Forecast daytime highs for the Magic Valley.
Friday brings plenty of sunshine with a high near 54 and light winds. Tonight, expect partly cloudy skies and a low around 34.
Saturday looks even better with sunshine and a high near 58. Sunday climbs to around 60, and Monday reaches 61.
Looking ahead to Veterans Day, Wednesday should be sunny with a high near 62!
It's shaping up to be a beautiful stretch of November weather across the Magic Valley. Get outside and enjoy it! 🌞
That's your Friday update! Stay informed, support our local teams, and have a safe and wonderful weekend!
📻 Stay connected with Kat Kountry 106 for the latest Southern Idaho news, sports, weather, and community updates. ❤️