TOP STORIES | IDAHO & MAGIC VALLEY
SNAP RESTRICTIONS & LOCAL SHELTERS
New SNAP restrictions could impact local shelters. Valley House says many guests rely on benefits, and increased demand may strain its donation-based food pantry — though officials say clients haven’t raised concerns yet.
BUHL BARN FIRE QUICKLY CONTAINED
Buhl firefighters stopped a small fire from turning into a major blaze yesterday evening. Embers from a weed burn ignited part of a nearby barn, but crews quickly put it out.
IMMIGRATION BILLS & WORKFORCE WARNING
Idaho agriculture and business leaders warn proposed immigration enforcement bills at the Statehouse could destabilize the state’s workforce. Industry groups say mandatory E-Verify and other measures could cost billions in economic output, arguing immigration reform should be handled at the federal level.
ST. LUKE’S & DHS LEASE CONCERNS
Community members gathered in Meridian over concerns about St. Luke’s leasing office space to the Department of Homeland Security. Organizers say it’s about trust and the message it sends. St. Luke’s says the lease is for administrative use only and not an ICE processing facility.
WINTER WEATHER RETURNS
Here comes the snow. A cold front moves in tonight bringing accumulating mountain snow and the chance for light snow down to the valley floors by tomorrow. After that system passes, more rounds of snow and rain are expected through late week — with significant totals likely in the mountains.
WEEKEND SHOOTING ARRESTS
Boise Police made two arrests in separate weekend shootings. An 18-year-old Nampa man faces felony charges after a shooting left one person hospitalized. And a 27-year-old man was arrested after firing shots into condos on Carlsbad Way.
CHOBANI’S “WALL OF HEALTHY EATING”
Chobani employees in Twin Falls now have free access to fresh, healthy food on-site. The new “Wall of Healthy Eating” is stocked 24/7 with fruits, veggies, and salads.
SPORTS | MAGIC VALLEY & BEYOND
GIRLS STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS (FEB. 19–21)
Magic Valley teams are headed to the Girls State Basketball Tournaments February 19th through the 21st.
Class 1A – Owyhee High School
- Three-seed Carey Panthers face six-seed Nezperce at 5 p.m. Thursday.
- Dietrich takes on two-seed Mackay.
Class 2A – Columbia High School
- Oakley, the two-seed, opens against seven-seed Liberty Charter at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Class 4A – Skyview High School
- Kimberly battles top-seed Sugar Salem at noon.
- Filer meets two-seed Bear Lake in the evening session.
Class 5A – Mountain View High School
- Jerome faces Pocatello in the 4–5 matchup at 2 p.m. Thursday.
DISTRICT ACTION & SCORES
From district action:
- Prairie topped Raft River 59 to 40 at the 1A State Tournament.
- Dietrich beat Hansen 63 to 35 at Canyon Ridge.
Boys basketball district games tonight:
- ISDB at Castleford at 7.
- Hagerman vs. Sun Valley Community School at 6 in Murtaugh.
- Oakley vs. Valley at 6 at Raft River.
- Glenns Ferry meets Murtaugh at 7:30, also in Murtaugh.
- Shoshone battles Raft River at 7:30.
From conference play Friday:
- Jerome rolled past Wood River 66 to 32.
- Twin Falls beat Minico 61 to 33.
- Burley topped Mountain Home 79 to 49.
With that win, Burley locks in the number two seed for districts and will host Saturday, January 21st at 7 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.
OLYMPIC DEBUT
Ketchum’s Ryder Sarchett made his Olympic debut in the men’s giant slalom at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, finishing 25th overall. He posted the 21st-fastest second run and was the second American finisher — with fans packed into Sun Valley Community School at 2 a.m. to cheer him on.
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO
The CSI men rallied from five down at halftime to beat Salt Lake 83-61. Jalen Lyn led with 26 points, Ben Thornbrue added 21.
The 10th-ranked CSI women cruised 67-39, powered by Savannah Stoker’s 30 points.
Both teams head to North Idaho next Saturday.
The CSI men’s and women’s distance teams shined at the Mountain State Games, adding nine national qualifiers. Raivio Manzer and Gradyden DeVries qualified for the men, while seven women hit marks — as the Golden Eagles gear up for nationals March 6th and 7th in Topeka.
The 25th-ranked CSI softball team beat #11 Chipola 6-4 and Spoon River 7-0 behind strong pitching from Sophia Bristow and Ella Farrell.
CSI baseball rolled past California Miramar 12-2 and 12-1.
The Golden Eagles are back home hosting Big Bend next.
BIG SKY & MOUNTAIN WEST
The Idaho Vandals crushed Idaho State 99-69 to win the King Spud rivalry, their first trophy since 1969. Jackson Rasmussen led with 21, and Brody Rowbury topped 1,000 career points as Idaho improved to 14-12 on the season.
Idaho State softball split Saturday, falling 10-1 to fourth-ranked Oklahoma but bouncing back with an 11-7 win over New Mexico State. The Bengals are now 5-4 and wrap up the weekend with a rematch against UTEP.
Boise State women edged Wyoming 56-54 in Laramie for their first road win there since 2018. Libby Hutton led with 20 points as the Broncos improved to 20-6 and host Air Force next.
WEATHER | MAGIC VALLEY FORECAST
We’ll see increasing clouds today with a high near 58 and gusty south winds. Rain moves in tonight, mixing with snow after 2 a.m., low around 32. Then we turn colder — scattered snow showers tomorrow through midweek, highs in the 30s and 40s with light accumulation possible.
WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY
Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 58. South wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight: Rain before 2 a.m., then rain and snow. Low around 32. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tomorrow: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. West southwest wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tomorrow Night: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Wednesday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Southeast wind 6 to 11 mph becoming west 13 to 18 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.
