STATE POLITICS
Immigration Enforcement Bill Passes Idaho House
The Idaho House has passed a bill requiring local law enforcement agencies to enter agreements with federal immigration authorities through the ICE 287(g) program. Lawmakers approved the measure 41 to 27 Friday. Supporters say it strengthens immigration enforcement, while opponents argue it could create costly mandates for local police and sheriff’s offices.
Attorney General Lawsuit Bill Stalled
Opposition from local government leaders has stalled a bill that would allow the Idaho Attorney General to sue local governments or officials suspected of violating state law. House Speaker Mike Moyle asked a committee to hold the bill after concerns it could freeze state funding and impose fines up to fifty-thousand dollars.
Idaho House Approves Agency Budget Cuts
The Idaho House has approved a bill cutting about 4 percent from most state agency budgets this year. The plan reduces state spending by nearly 193 million dollars. Lawmakers say the cuts address revenue uncertainty. The bill now heads to Governor Brad Little for final consideration.
Medicaid Budget Moves Forward Without Proposed Cuts
Idaho lawmakers on the state budget committee voted to set the Medicaid budget without making the $22 million in cuts proposed by Governor Brad Little. The committee instead approved about $493 million in enhancements, setting next year’s Medicaid budget at roughly $5.5 billion. The proposal now heads to the full Legislature.
Democrats Hold Gala in Boise
Democrats from across the country gathered in Boise for the Idaho Democratic Party’s annual Frank and Bethine Church Gala. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin spoke at the fundraiser, which drew record attendance. Protesters supporting the Trump administration also gathered outside the Boise Centre during the event.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Fatal Crash Northwest of Buhl
Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal rollover crash northwest of Buhl. A pickup left the road and rolled, killing the 39-year-old driver and one juvenile passenger. Two other juveniles were injured. Alcohol and speed are suspected factors.
Deadly Crash on Arrowrock Road
Idaho State Police are investigating a deadly crash on Arrowrock Road in Boise County. A truck carrying a family from Star rolled into the water, killing a 38-year-old man and a juvenile. Two others suffered minor injuries.
SPORTS
Wendell Falls Short in 3A Championship
It was a big weekend of Idaho high school basketball at the state tournaments, and a strong run for several Magic Valley teams.
The Wendell Trojans came up just short of a state title Saturday, falling to St. Maries 50 to 43 in the 3A championship game at the Ford Idaho Center. Wendell led after the first quarter, but St. Maries pulled ahead in the second and extended that lead in the third. The Trojans made a late push with 17 points in the fourth but couldn’t quite close the gap. Jonathan Swainston led Wendell with 16 points.
Twin Falls Wins 5A Consolation Trophy
In 5A, the Twin Falls Bruins bounced back from a first-round loss to Bishop Kelly to bring home the consolation trophy. Twin Falls knocked off Vallivue 59 to 54 in the consolation final, holding one of the state’s top offenses well below its scoring average. Trey Billings scored 19, while Ethan Hubsmith added 19 and hit four three-pointers.
Burley Eliminated in Tough Tournament Draw
Burley’s season came to an end after a tough tournament draw. The Bobcats fell to Lewiston in the opener and later ran into a red-hot Vallivue team that set a 5A state tournament record with 94 points.
Canyon Ridge Wrestler Caps Perfect Season
Canyon Ridge wrestler Sean Hall wrapped up his senior season as a two-time Idaho state champion, finishing the year undefeated at 50-and-0. Hall even moved up a weight class late in the season to challenge tougher competition.
CSI Men Win Region 18 Championship
The third-ranked College of Southern Idaho men’s basketball team knocked off top-ranked Snow College 64 to 60 to win the Region 18 Championship Saturday. Cooper Kesler led the Golden Eagles with 21 points and was named tournament MVP. CSI, now 30 and 2, advances to the District Championship this Friday.
CSI Softball Drops Doubleheader
The 24th-ranked College of Southern Idaho softball team dropped a doubleheader to 18th-ranked Salt Lake Saturday, losing 10-2 and 9-3. CSI is now 10 and 8 overall and heads to Snow College next week for another conference matchup.
CSI Track Earns All-Americans
The College of Southern Idaho track teams brought home two All-Americans from the NJCAA Indoor National Championships. Mia Beightol and Isabella Beilke each placed sixth in their events, while several Golden Eagles posted all-time top-10 program marks.
Boise State Women Advance in MW Tournament
The Boise State women edged New Mexico 62 to 61 in the Mountain West Tournament quarterfinals. Tatum Thompson hit the game-winning jumper with six seconds left. The Broncos advance to the semifinals tonight against Air Force.
Boise State Softball Wins Blue-Collar Classic
Boise State softball wrapped up the Blue-Collar Classic with a 9-1 run-rule win over Weber State Sunday. Marissa Gonzalez hit two home runs and drove in three as the Broncos head to Nevada this weekend to open Mountain West play.
Idaho Vandals Upset Montana State
The Idaho Vandals upset second-seeded Montana State 78-74 in the Big Sky Tournament. Biko Johnson led Idaho with 19 points as the Vandals advance to the conference semifinals tomorrow night.
Idaho State Season Ends in Quarterfinals
Idaho State’s season ended in the Big Sky Tournament quarterfinals with an 85-78 loss to top-seeded Portland State. Gus Etchison led the Bengals with 20 points as ISU finished the year 13 and 20.
Idaho State Softball Finishes Perfect Weekend
Idaho State softball wrapped up a perfect weekend, shutting out Maine 11-0 to finish the Orange and Black Classic 5-and-0. The Bengals are now 15-and-10 and head to Utah State for a midweek matchup.
Idaho Women Extend Winning Streak
The Idaho women beat Weber State 66 to 52 in the Big Sky Tournament. Hope Hassmann and Kyra Gardner each scored 14 as the Vandals advanced to the semifinals and extended their school-record winning streak to 16 games.
WEATHER
Sunny and breezy today with a high near 54°F. Partly cloudy tonight with a low around 32°F.
Windy conditions return Tuesday with a high near 43°F and gusts over 30 mph. Warmer temperatures arrive midweek with partly sunny skies Wednesday near 56°F, followed by highs in the mid-60s Thursday and Friday.
There’s a slight chance of rain heading into the weekend.
Today
Sunny, with a high near 54°F. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 10 to 20 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 32°F. West southwest wind 11 to 16 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43°F. Breezy, with a west wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27°F. West northwest wind 13 to 18 mph becoming south southwest 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 56°F. South wind 6 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41°F.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 64°F. Breezy.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42°F. Breezy.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 66°F.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44°F.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65°F. Breezy.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44°F. Breezy.
Sunday
A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60°F. Breezy.
