📰 Magic Valley News Update | Monday

🚔 Crime & Public Safety

Jerome Police made two arrests early Sunday morning. Officers say a 19-year-old driver led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit from Jerome into Gooding County before deputies ended the chase due to dangerous speeds. The suspect was later arrested in Wendell. Hours later, an 18-year-old was taken into custody after allegedly firing multiple rounds into the air near Hickory Sheds on South Lincoln.

In Twin Falls, 31-year-old Michael Williams has been charged following a drive-by shooting on Highland Avenue. Police say three bullets struck a parked vehicle and a nearby home. 🚓

🌫️ Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality

Smoke from wildfires burning in Oregon and southern Idaho will continue creating hazy skies and poor air quality through at least Wednesday. The massive Big Grass Fire near the Idaho-Oregon border has prompted evacuations, while several lightning-caused fires have burned thousands of acres across southern Idaho. Expect the thickest smoke during the morning hours. 😷🔥

⚠️ Chemical Spill in Jerome

A minor chemical spill at a Jerome industrial site Friday prompted a response from the regional HazMat team. The spill was quickly contained, and South Garfield was temporarily closed while cleanup crews safely cleared the area. 🧪🚧

⛽ Gas Prices Continue to Rise

Drivers are feeling more pain at the pump. Idaho’s average gas price has climbed to $4.23 per gallon, up 18 cents in just one week as tensions in the Middle East continue pushing oil prices higher. In Twin Falls, the average sits around $4.17 per gallon. 🚗💸

✈️ Protest at Twin Falls Airport

Dozens gathered Sunday evening in Twin Falls, calling for greater transparency regarding what organizers describe as ICE-related flights departing from the Twin Falls Airport. Protest organizers say they’ve tracked flights since May and believe more than 420 people have been transported. 📢✈️

🏫 Education News

The Filer School District is facing questions over a possible second violation of Idaho’s open meeting law after notice for Friday’s teacher contract negotiations was posted just 12 minutes before the meeting. Despite the controversy, the district and teachers have reached a tentative contract agreement. 📚

Meanwhile, an insurance trust serving more than 100 Idaho school districts and charter schools has exhausted its financial reserves because of high medical claims, meaning member schools could be responsible for covering the shortfall. 💰🏫

⚡ State News

Governor Brad Little joined President Donald Trump at the White House to support a pledge aimed at ensuring new data centers don’t increase electricity costs for existing customers. ⚡🏛️

Plans for Idaho’s first Buc-ee’s in Meridian have hit a roadblock over traffic concerns. The proposed location near I-84 was expected to attract nearly 19,000 vehicles each day, but developers say the popular travel center chain remains interested in eventually coming to the Treasure Valley. 🦫⛽

🏅 Sports

🚴 Spudman Triathlon
Nearly 2,500 athletes competed in Burley’s 40th Annual Spudman Triathlon despite heat and strong winds. Caleb Ho captured the elite men’s title, while Ashley Bullers won the women’s division after two straight runner-up finishes.

🏀 CSI Basketball
The College of Southern Idaho has signed Serbian guard Luka Solomun, a former BC Mega standout and four-time Serbian youth national champion, to its 2026-27 recruiting class.

🏞️ Lucky Peak Reservoir
Beginning August 10, Lucky Peak Reservoir will begin its annual drawdown, with water levels dropping about two feet per day for approximately one week. Boaters should expect limited ramp access.

🏀 University of Idaho
The Vandals finalized their 2026-27 men’s basketball roster with the addition of freshman guard Zubayr “Zuby” Toms, who averaged 27 points per game during tournament play.

🏈 Big Sky Football
Idaho safety Brayden Rice earned preseason All-Big Sky honors on special teams, while Idaho State placed Stryker Rashid, Chedon James, and Bronson Childs on the conference preseason team.