📰 MAGIC VALLEY & IDAHO NEWS UPDATE

🏛️ Idaho Looking at More Foster Care Protections

Idaho lawmakers are considering additional protections for children living in foster care and residential treatment facilities. A state review found 13 of 19 recommended improvements have been completed, including unannounced inspections and a new Youth Bill of Rights. 👧🧒

Lawmakers say the remaining recommendations — including stronger investigations into allegations of abuse — will be a focus when the Legislature returns in January.

⛽ Idaho Gas Prices Climb Again

Gas prices are heading higher in Idaho. AAA says the statewide average is now $4.35 a gallon, up five cents from last week and 34 cents from a month ago. 😬⛽

Idaho now has the seventh-highest average gas price in the nation, while the national average has fallen to just above $4 a gallon.

🚔 Buhl Councilman Facing Charges After Fight

A Buhl city councilman is facing charges following a fight last week behind TJ’s Lounge.

Police say 41-year-old Cortlin Runyan was arrested after allegedly stomping on another man’s head during the fight. Runyan reportedly claimed self-defense.

Police also allege he was in possession of a controlled substance when he was booked into the Twin Falls County Jail. ⚖️

📹 Jerome Won’t Fund Flock Cameras in 2027

Jerome will not fund Flock Safety license plate cameras next year after the City Council removed $14,000 from the city’s 2027 budget.

Police Chief Duane Rubink says the camera network has helped investigators solve cases faster, but privacy and data concerns remain. The department could ask the council to reconsider the cameras next year. 👮‍♂️📷

🚑 Rural Health Program Could Expand Across Idaho

Idaho could use federal rural health funding to expand community paramedicine statewide. 🚑

The program helps patients manage chronic conditions while potentially avoiding unnecessary emergency-room visits.

A Magic Valley program already serves Twin Falls, Jerome and Gooding counties, and state leaders hope to bring the model to more rural communities.

🤠🇺🇸 Jerome County Fair Underway

The Jerome County Fair is in full swing with rodeo action, carnival rides, food and plenty of family fun!

This year’s theme is “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights,” celebrating America’s 250th birthday. 🇺🇸🎆

Tonight is Patriot Night at the rodeo, featuring a military flag presentation and a planned flyover by four F-15s. ✈️

The fair continues through Saturday!

🔫 Officials Urge Caution After Twin Falls Shooting

Three armed citizens who confronted the shooter during the August 1st Twin Falls mass shooting are being hailed as heroes, including 35-year-old Jordan Salinas.

However, firearms experts are warning that the new “Idaho Shoots Back” motto should not encourage untrained people to confront an active shooter.

Experts emphasize that escaping is the safest option whenever possible, with confronting a shooter considered a last resort. 🚨

🌫️ Wildfire Smoke Affecting Southwest Idaho

Wildfire smoke continues to impact parts of southwest Idaho.

Mountain Home is seeing some of the heaviest smoke, while Boise and Nampa are experiencing unhealthy air quality. 🌫️

Officials warn that smoke could settle into low-lying areas overnight and during the morning hours.

🏠 Housing Authorities Split on Federal Work Requirements

Only one Idaho public housing authority has joined a federal effort considering work requirements for housing assistance.

Pocatello’s housing authority joined the HUD coalition in May, while other housing authorities remain skeptical.

Officials in Twin Falls, Jerome and Buhl say many of their clients are elderly, disabled or already working.

🎒 Idaho Foodbank Launches Back-to-School Campaign

The Idaho Foodbank is launching its Back-to-School Month Campaign, aimed at helping students who may not have enough food at home. ❤️🥫

About 18% of Idaho children experience food insecurity.

Last year, the Foodbank provided more than 80,000 weekend food backpacks and helped more than 23,000 households through school pantries.

🐶⚠️ Warning About Toxic Algae

The Idaho Humane Society is warning people to watch for toxic blue-green algae in Idaho lakes and reservoirs.

The algae can make people sick and can be deadly to dogs. 🐕🚫

Five Idaho waters currently have health advisories, including Brownlee, Hells Canyon and Horsethief reservoirs.

🏈 SPORTS

🏆 Magic Valley Receiver Ready for Another Big Season

Kimberly senior Joe Barrett is one of Idaho’s top receivers to watch heading into the new high school football season.

Barrett caught 66 passes for more than 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and has committed to Air Force. ✈️🏈

Other standout receivers include Capital’s Elliot Schrack, Fruitland’s Joel Philpot and Wallace’s Hank Larson, who recorded more than 1,300 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns last season.

🐯 Idaho State Gets First Live Scrimmage

Idaho State football held its first live scrimmage of fall camp under the lights inside the ICCU Dome.

Head coach Cody Hawkins says the Bengals are moving beyond the early-camp rust and focusing on fine-tuning for the season.

Quarterbacks Isaiah Si’esu’e and Kepa Niumeitolu had strong showings, while Wyatt Horton broke loose for an 80-yard touchdown run. 🔥

Idaho State opens the season August 29th at home against VMI.

🎾 Vandals Excel in the Classroom

The University of Idaho men’s and women’s tennis teams have earned ITA All-Academic Team honors. 🎓🎾

The men’s team posted a program-record 3.82 GPA during the spring semester, while the women finished with a 3.65 GPA.

Twelve Idaho players also earned individual ITA Scholar-Athlete honors.

🐾 Kimberly Bulldogs Looking for Another Championship Run

The Kimberly Bulldogs enter 2026 with unfinished business after falling to Homedale in last year’s 4A state championship game.

Head coach Joe Dille returns plenty of experience, including Air Force commit Joe Barrett, senior center Brandon Elizondo and running back Monroe Whitten.

Kimberly has won its conference three straight years, but faces a challenging early schedule.

📅 Circle September 11th: Homedale comes to Kimberly for a championship rematch!

🏐 CSI Volleyball Building Around Youth

The CSI women’s volleyball team is preparing for the upcoming season with a young roster.

The Golden Eagles defeated Montana Western in five games during a preseason scrimmage Monday.

Head coach Andria Harshman has just five returning players, with 11 freshmen joining the roster.

CSI scrimmages the College of Idaho Friday before opening the regular season August 20th in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

🌤️ MAGIC VALLEY WEATHER

🔥 Hot & Smoky Today — Cooler Weather Ahead

Patchy wildfire smoke sticks around today with mostly sunny skies and a high near 94°. 🌫️☀️

Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a low around 65°.

Wednesday stays warm near 90°, but a significant cooldown arrives Thursday and Friday, with highs around 80° and chances for showers and thunderstorms. ⛈️

Tuesday: 🌫️ Mostly sunny and hot, patchy smoke. High near 94°.

Tuesday Night: 🌙 Patchy smoke and mostly cloudy. Low around 65°.

Wednesday: 🌫️ Mostly cloudy with patchy smoke. High near 90°.

Wednesday Night: 🌙 Mostly cloudy. Low around 64°.

Thursday: ⛈️ Slight chance of showers and afternoon thunderstorms. High near 81°.

Thursday Night: 🌧️ Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low around 57°.

Friday: ⛈️ Showers likely with a possible thunderstorm after noon. High near 80°. 60% chance of precipitation.

Friday Night: 🌧️ Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low around 56°.

Saturday: ☀️ Mostly sunny with a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms. High near 84°.

Saturday Night: 🌙 Partly cloudy. Low around 57°.

Sunday: ☀️ Mostly sunny. High near 88°.

Sunday Night: 🌙 Partly cloudy. Low around 60°.