COURTS & STATE POLICY 
A lawsuit over Idaho’s new parental choice tax credits goes before the Idaho Supreme Court today. The program offers up to five thousand dollars per child, with a ruling expected later this session.
State health officials are warning that proposed Medicaid cuts could end up costing Idaho more in the long run. Governor Brad Little’s plan includes 22 million dollars in cuts, despite a projected budget surplus, as lawmakers now weigh potential impacts on services statewide.
Starting February fifteenth, Idaho Health and Welfare says SNAP benefits can no longer be used for candy or soda. The new rule is intended to encourage healthier food choices for families across the state.
An Idaho House committee has advanced a bill expanding Good Samaritan protections to people who help during mental health or suicide crises. House Bill 491 now heads to the full House for a vote.
LEGISLATURE & GOVERNMENT WATCH 
An Idaho House committee narrowly rejected a proposal to eliminate the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, stopping the bill before a public hearing. Representative Heather Scott argued the commission was government bloat identified through the interim DOGE task force and said nonprofits could replace its work. Commission leaders countered that its programs predate DEI initiatives and help boost student outcomes. The commission receives $288,500 in state funding. A tied committee vote blocked the bill, though Scott may reintroduce the proposal later during the current legislative session.
PUBLIC SAFETY & POLICE 
Twin Falls Police say a reported weapon threat on a Blaze Bus yesterday afternoon was unfounded. Officers stopped the bus, found no threat, and cleared the incident as a false report.
Boise Police say they are unable to determine what caused windows to shatter during the New Year’s Eve Potato Drop fireworks. The shattered glass fell onto downtown streets and seriously injured a five-year-old girl. Investigators found no criminal activity and have closed the case.
AGRICULTURE & RURAL FUNDING 
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for its 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant. Two million dollars are available to support fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops. An informational webinar is scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m., and applications are due March 8.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY 
The Homedale Senior Center board removed its president and vice president yesterday, but the transition became tense when the former officers refused to hand over keys. Board members say they are now seeking legal action to regain control of the facility.
SPORTS — HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Boys Basketball Scores:
Burley edged Wood River 74 to 69.
Filer won on the road at Buhl, 77 to 71.
Camas County beat Hansen 75 to 64.
Rockland rolled past Dietrich, 58 to 26.
Highland topped Canyon Ridge 67 to 43.
Twin Falls beat Mountain Home, 55 to 33.
Girls Basketball Scores:
Hansen won by forfeit over Camas County.
Valley beat Glenns Ferry 48 to 37.
Kimberly knocked off Gooding, 73 to 50.
Raft River edged Murtaugh, 42 to 39.
Oakley rolled Hagerman, 64 to 19.
Richfield beat Castleford 49 to 36.
Soda Springs topped Declo, 55 to 26.
MAGIC VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS — THIS WEEKEND 
Tonight, January 23rd — Boys:
6:30 p.m. Shoshone at Sun Valley Community School
7:00 p.m. Wendell at Aberdeen
7:30 p.m. Dietrich at Carey, Malad at Declo, Valley at Glenns Ferry, Hagerman at Raft River, Castleford at Richfield
Friday Afternoon — Boys:
2:30 p.m. Murtaugh at Hansen, Butte County at Oakley
3:00 p.m. Marsh Valley at Buhl, Filer at Skyline
Saturday 7:30 p.m. Blackfoot at Burley, Kimberly at Mountain Home
Tonight — Girls:
6:00 p.m. Dietrich at Carey, Hansen at Twin Falls Christian
7:30 p.m. Wood River at Buhl, Sugar-Salem at Jerome, Raft River at Murtaugh, Richfield at Shoshone, Burley vs Twin Falls
Friday Afternoon — Girls:
2:00 p.m. Canyon Ridge at Filer, Skyview at Mountain Home, Grace at Raft River
2:30 p.m. Sugar-Salem at Kimberly, Wendell at Shoshone
Saturday 6:30 p.m. Vallivue at Wood River
Saturday 7:30 p.m. Declo at Malad
COLLEGE SPORTS
The fifth-ranked CSI men rolled Colorado Northwestern 109 to 54, with seven players scoring in double figures. Cooper Kesler led with 21 points, Kobe added 17, and Nathan Ahner finished with 20.
The 11th-ranked CSI women cruised past CNCC 80 to 37 behind Maci Hess’s 20 points. Both CSI teams host Salt Lake tomorrow.
Boise State men host Air Force tomorrow at 2 p.m., aiming for their third straight win and eighth home victory this season.
The Idaho Vandal men beat Sacramento State 86 to 76 in front of nearly 2,500 fans. Biko Johnson scored 20 points, and Jack Payne posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Idaho improves to 12 and 7 and hosts Portland State Saturday at 2 p.m.
Idaho State women knocked off Big Sky leader Montana State 79 to 60 in Pocatello. The Bengals shot 58 percent and held the Bobcats to 32 percent.
Idaho State men fell on the road at Montana State 74 to 62. Gus Etchison scored a career-high 20 points, and Caleb Van De Griend recorded his sixth double-double.
Idaho women beat Sacramento State 62 to 55 on the road. Hope Hassmann led with 11 points as the Vandals won their third straight. Idaho is now 14 and 5 and plays at Portland State tomorrow.
OLYMPIC WATCH 
U.S. Ski and Snowboard has nominated 97 athletes for the 2026 Winter Olympics, including Boise native and Wood River Valley resident Samantha “Sammy” Smith. She will compete in cross-country skiing in her first Olympic Games. Other Idaho nominees include Breezy Johnson, Ryder Sarchett, and Chase Josey.
WEATHER 
Clouds stick around today with a high near 28 and light northwest winds. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with lows around 19.
Saturday starts cloudy, then gradually clears in the afternoon with a high near 29. Sunshine returns Sunday with highs near 30. Temperatures warm into the mid to upper 30s by midweek.
Detailed Forecast:
Today: Cloudy, high near 28. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, low around 19. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Cloudy, then clearing, high near 29.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, low around 19.
Sunday: Sunny, high near 30.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, low around 21.
Monday: Partly sunny, high near 35.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high near 36.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, high near 37.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 37.
