MAGIC VALLEY & IDAHO NEWS HEADLINES
HIGHWAY 93 SHUTDOWN — JEROME COUNTY
U.S. Highway 93 was completely blocked for several hours last night following an injury crash involving a semitruck and a car in Jerome County. At least one person was hurt. The crash happened at 500 North and Highway 93.
VEHICLE CRASHES INTO BUSINESS — TWIN FALLS
Twin Falls Police say an adult man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle crashed into a business Friday afternoon on North College Road. No one else was hurt.
SIX-VEHICLE CRASH — BLUE LAKES BLVD
Twin Falls Police closed southbound Blue Lakes Boulevard for about an hour Saturday after a six-vehicle crash at Pole Line Road. No serious injuries were reported, and one driver was cited for reckless driving.
U-HAUL EXPLOSION — LEWISTON
The Nez Perce County Coroner has identified 61-year-old Douglas Petersen of Meridian as the man killed in a U-Haul explosion Saturday morning in Lewiston. Investigators say a propane leak likely caused the blast.
SHOOTING INVESTIGATION — POCATELLO
Pocatello Police are investigating a shooting after a man was found with two gunshot wounds early yesterday near 2nd and Center Streets. He was taken to a local hospital, and the investigation is ongoing.
STATE BUDGET DEFICIT — IDAHO
Updated information shows Idaho’s state budget will end the fiscal year with a $40 million deficit, according to a new legislative report. Lawmakers say they’ll take action during the 2026 session, possibly through spending cuts or tapping reserve funds to balance the budget.
DISTRICT 25 SWEARING-IN — DON HALL
Don Hall was sworn in Friday as state representative for District 25, in a ceremony honoring retiring lawmaker Lance Clow on his birthday. Three Republicans have been nominated to replace Hall on the Twin Falls County Commission, with Governor Brad Little expected to choose soon.
PRIMARY SEASON HEATS UP — MAGIC VALLEY
Southern Idaho could see some of the state’s most competitive Republican primary battles this spring, with multiple Magic Valley lawmakers facing challengers. Issues like school choice and outside PAC money are expected to dominate the May 19 primary election ballot.
HEALTH CARE ECONOMIC IMPACT — IDAHO
A new report shows doctors and health care services generate more than $10 billion a year for Idaho’s economy, as lawmakers prepare to debate medical education funding and the state’s ongoing doctor shortage.
SPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Twin Falls made it two wins over Kimberly this season, beating the Bulldogs 60–52 on Friday. Sophomore Brooklyn VerWey led Kimberly with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Taya Plew added 13 points. Twin Falls snapped a three-game skid and moved to 3–4, while Kimberly fell to 2–7.
More girls scores: Burley 69, Kimberly 52 at the Hillcrest TitleOne Classic. Gooding dropped a tight one to Cole Valley Christian, 53–51. Cascade beat Hagerman 43–40 in overtime. Aberdeen topped Declo 60–54. Wendell rolled past Aberdeen 53–23. At the TitleOne Tip-Off Classic, Sandpoint beat Twin Falls 43–34.
In boys’ varsity basketball, Minico went 0-for-2 at the Capital Classic, falling to Kelso 62–53 and Borah 64–50. Gooding earned a road win at Homedale 49–24. Wood River beat Payette 57–33 before falling to Caldwell 64–53.
At the Small School Showcase, Wendell stayed unbeaten, rolling Riverstone 86–29. Shoshone edged Cascade 45–42. Vision Charter topped Lighthouse Christian 77–24. Victory Charter beat Hansen 74–57.
Tonight’s boys schedule includes Glenns Ferry on the road at Sun Valley Community School at 6:30. At 7:30, Burley visits Canyon Ridge, Oakley travels to Dietrich, and Hansen heads to Rimrock.
In girls’ varsity action tonight, Filer is at Gooding for a conference matchup, tipping off at 7:30.
COLLEGE SPORTS
The 14th-ranked College of Southern Idaho men’s basketball team improved to 12–1 with a 74–50 win over Central Arizona at the Yavapai Tournament. CSI shot nearly 50 percent and will face Eastern Arizona next.
Boise State closed out nonconference play with a 68–67 win over Saint Mary’s Sunday in Idaho Falls. Drew Fielder led the Broncos with 22 points, as Boise State improved to 8–3 and now turns its focus to Mountain West play at Nevada.
Turnovers proved costly for Boise State in a 38–10 loss to Washington in the LA Bowl. The Broncos threw five interceptions, while Washington scored three second-quarter touchdowns to pull away. Boise State finishes the season 9–5.
Tatum Thompson scored 23 points as Boise State women’s basketball beat Southern Utah 81–66 Saturday at ExtraMile Arena. Natalie Pasco added 21, and the Broncos improved to 9–2, opening Mountain West play Wednesday at New Mexico.
The Idaho Vandals rolled to a 109–55 win over Evergreen State, posting their largest victory under Coach Alex Pribble. Jackson Rasmussen led with 20 points, as six Vandals scored in double figures. Idaho is now 7–4 and heads to Cal Poly next.
The Idaho Vandals women fell 80–73 at Utah State Saturday despite a career-high 18 points from Ana Pinheiro. Idaho drops to 8–4 and returns home December 20 to host Western Oregon.
Idaho State women’s basketball forced 22 turnovers and rolled to a 62–49 road win at Cal Poly. The Bengals never trailed, got 25 bench points, and improved to 6–4 on the season.
WEATHER
WEATHER OUTLOOK
Increasing clouds today with a high near 53, and a mild night around 39. A slight chance of rain Tuesday morning, then more showers late Tuesday night. Rain and strong winds Wednesday, with gusts over 40 miles an hour, and off-and-on rain continuing through the weekend.
TODAY
Increasing clouds, with a high near 53. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
TONIGHT
Increasing clouds, with a low around 39. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.
TUESDAY
A 20 percent chance of rain before 11am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind becoming west northwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Rain likely, mainly after 11pm. Increasing clouds, with a low around 43. South southwest wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
WEDNESDAY
Rain. High near 54. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west southwest 23 to 28 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
A slight chance of rain and snow before 2am, then a slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
THURSDAY
Snow likely before 8am, then rain and snow likely between 8am and 11am, then rain after 11am. High near 48. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
THURSDAY NIGHT
A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
FRIDAY
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Rain likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
SATURDAY
A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
SATURDAY NIGHT
A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.
SUNDAY
A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50.
