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MAGIC VALLEY NEWS HEADLINES
News, Weather, Sports Update brought to you by Delta Dental of Idaho.
Information: deltadentalid.com/choosewater.
Evacuations are underway near Rockland after the Heglar Fire jumped the mountain. Anyone between Houtz Canyon and Sheep Canyon, including campers, is being told to leave immediately and avoid the area. Idaho officials report the fire has now burned approximately 700 acres.
Fire danger remains extreme across much of Idaho as the state enters some of its driest weeks of the year. Fire danger ratings are based on temperature, wind, humidity and vegetation moisture, helping firefighters determine how easily fires could start, spread and how difficult they may be to contain.
Idaho regulators are continuing to review concerns over billing practices at Post Falls ER and Hospital. Blue Cross of Idaho says the out-of-network facility is using a federal arbitration process to receive payments several times higher than typical rates, potentially driving up insurance premiums.
The hospital disputes that characterization and says it is working toward agreements with insurers.
There’s some good news for Idaho students. New ISAT results show 54 percent proficiency in English, 43 percent in math, and nearly 43 percent in science.
English and math scores improved over the previous year, although both remained about half a percentage point below state targets.
Idaho’s financial outlook is looking stronger. State budget officials now project the new fiscal year’s revenues will come in $291 million higher than lawmakers originally predicted.
July collections also came in $13 million above the revised forecast.
Idaho law enforcement agencies are stepping up impaired-driving patrols through September 7th as part of the Labor Day enforcement campaign.
The push comes during Idaho’s “100 Deadliest Days,” with 73 people killed on Idaho roads so far this summer. Officials are reminding drivers to plan ahead, designate a sober driver and never get behind the wheel impaired. 🚗
Twin Falls drivers, heads up! The eastbound lane of Filer Avenue between Madison and Monroe streets will close Tuesday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
City crews will be replacing two water service lines, and a detour will be posted. 🚧
There’s a new look for 3A high school football in the Magic Valley!
Buhl drops from 4A to join Declo and Wendell in the newly reformed Canyon Conference, eliminating those long conference road trips to eastern Idaho.
Buhl and Declo enter as early favorites after both reached the state playoffs last season. The Indians are looking to stay physical behind Raidyn Pugsley and Kannon Gambrel, while Declo will rely on a strong running game and veteran defense. Wendell hopes its rebuilding 2025 season leads to a more competitive campaign this fall.
The first Idaho high school football media poll of the season is out, and several Southern Idaho teams are getting some love!
🏈 Kimberly opens at number three in 4A.
🏈 Buhl is number three in 3A.
🏈 Hagerman starts second in 2A, while Raft River is fourth.
🏈 Carey comes in at number two in 1A.
Minico, Twin Falls, Declo, Oakley and Hansen also received votes in their respective classifications.
Fair and rodeo season is in full swing across the Magic Valley! 🎡🐴
The Cassia County Fair and Rodeo continues in Burley, with rodeo action getting underway at 8 tonight.
On Saturday, Cassia County Rodeo Queen Emilee Pratt will relinquish her crown to 16-year-old Harli Ramon of Paul, who competes in barrel racing and pole bending. 🤠
A Meridian endurance athlete has conquered what’s known as the “Mount Everest of open-water swimming.”
Chrissy Turpin completed a solo swim across the English Channel on August 7th, covering more than 30 miles from England to France in 15 hours and five minutes! 🌊
She battled cold water, strong currents and waves before reaching Wissant, France. Meridian officials believe she is the first Idahoan ever to complete the crossing. 💪
Fans heading to an Idaho Steelheads game, concert or other event at Idaho Central Arena will notice some new rules.
👜 The arena is now a clear-bag facility.
📏 Bags are limited to 12-by-12-by-6 inches.
🍼 Diaper and medical bags are allowed but will be inspected.
💳 The entire arena is now cashless, including concessions, merchandise and the Steelheads’ Tacklebox store.
CSI Baseball has added two coaches for the 2027 season.
Kelton Caldwell joins the Golden Eagles following coaching stops around the country, while Idaho native Bruer Webster comes to Twin Falls after a standout college playing career. ⚾
Boise State women’s soccer takes its program-record 16-match unbeaten streak to Texas today.
The Broncos face SMU at 4 p.m. Mountain Time before taking on Texas Tech Sunday. Boise State is 2-and-0 and has scored seven goals through its first two matches. 🐴⚽
Idaho State basketball has released its 2026-27 schedules!
The Bengal women will play 12 home games at Reed Gym and open the regular season November 3rd at BYU. The men will play a 20-game Big Sky schedule with 10 home games.
Both teams wrap up the regular season March 1st against rival Idaho. 🏀
Meanwhile, both Idaho Vandal teams will play 20 Big Sky games, facing every opponent home and away. The Battle for King Spud against Idaho State is scheduled for January 25th and March 1st! 🥔🏀
The Caldwell Night Rodeo continues through Saturday, attracting professional competitors from around the country.
More than 400 volunteers help make the event happen, while this year’s purse has grown to $42,000 per event. Organizers estimate the rodeo generates between $12 million and $14 million for the local economy. 🤠🐎
🥵 Thursday: Sunny and hot with a high near 98.
🌙 Tonight: Partly cloudy with a low around 66.
🔥 Friday: Partly sunny and hot with a high near 100. A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms arrives mainly after midnight.
⛈️ Saturday: A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms with a high near 93.
🌦️ Sunday: Cooler, with a high near 87 and a 30 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
⛈️ Storm chances continue into Monday, with highs in the upper 80s, before temperatures climb back into the low 90s Tuesday and Wednesday.
Stay cool, stay hydrated—and if you see lightning, maybe don’t be the tallest thing standing in an open field! ⚡😅
