Local News

Your Daily Briefing – March 11, 2025

twest

📝 LEGISLATION

  • The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee advanced House Bill 345, proposing Medicaid work requirements and tax credits for Medicaid expansion enrollees. Despite opposition, the bill is one step closer to becoming law after passing the House.
  • Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed a new anti-SLAPP law designed to protect free speech and prevent frivolous lawsuits. Starting January 1, 2026, the law allows for quick dismissal of baseless lawsuits and recovery of attorney fees for the winning party.
  • An Idaho Senate resolution to create a committee investigating barriers to expanding the state’s housing supply has passed the Idaho House. The committee will examine how local and state regulations impact housing affordability and availability. It passed with a 51-16 vote and will present its findings to the legislature next year.
  • The Idaho Senate has passed the Medical Ethics Defense Act along party lines to protect health care professionals from being forced to participate in procedures that violate their religious or moral beliefs. Co-sponsored by Sen. Carl Bjerke, the bill ensures providers’ right of conscience.

🚨 LOCAL NEWS

  • Twin Falls County deputies temporarily closed westbound Idaho Route 50 east of Kimberly after a crash Monday morning. A gray SUV failed to yield, colliding with a white car. Both drivers suffered minor injuries and were not hospitalized. Traffic was rerouted, but eastbound lanes remained open.
  • The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is set to treat areas of Caldwell for invasive Japanese beetles. These pests threaten over 300 plants, including key Idaho crops. Property owners in the treatment zone have been notified, and treatment will be free of charge. Japanese beetles were first detected in Canyon County in 2021, marking this the third year of treatments in Caldwell.
  • The Idaho Transportation Department will be performing blasting near the South Jerome interchange today and Thursday in the early afternoon. Flaggers will stop traffic on E Frontage Road N and S Lincoln Avenue for about 30 minutes, but I-84 traffic should remain unaffected.
  • The City of Twin Falls dedicated the new Jim Bieri Regional Fire Training Center on Monday. The facility will enhance firefighter training across the Magic Valley. It’s named after Bieri, who helped expand fire protection to rural areas. The event also raised funds for the Koontz family, displaced by a house fire.
  • Blaine County deputies arrested 32-year-old Melanie Bray of Hailey Friday evening following a domestic altercation. She faces multiple felony charges, including Domestic Violence with Traumatic Injury and Assault on an Officer. Bray remains in custody on a $10,000 bond.

⛽ GAS PRICES

  • Idaho gas prices see slight fluctuations, now averaging $3.18 per gallon—up a penny and a half from last week but still lower than last year. AAA warns higher prices are coming, especially with Spring Break ahead. Utah’s steady supply may delay the surge for now.

🏀 SPORTS

  • With the high school basketball season wrapped up, the area’s top senior athletes have one more chance to shine in the District IV 1A/2A All-Star Game tonight at Shoshone High School. The girls’ game starts at 6:00, followed by the boys. The night will feature multiple state champions, including Oakley’s 2A State Champs Makaye Cranney, Chloe Berlin, and Dakota Wadsworth. Dietrich’s Blue Devils will also showcase their talent with players like Connor Perkins, Brody Torgerson, Angel Alvarado, and Corrd Wells.
  • Boise State women’s basketball fell to top-seeded UNLV 80-70 in the Mountain West quarterfinals. The Broncos led for most of the game but were outscored 30-15 in the final quarter. Tatum Thompson led with 25 points, while Abby Muse added a double-double.
  • CSI men’s basketball finished second in the Scenic West and Region 18 Tournament. Freshmen Khayri Dunn and Amarco Doyle earned Region 18 First Team honors, with Doyle ranking second nationally in three-point percentage.
  • CSI Volleyball has added Maxwell James as an assistant coach. James comes from Michigan Tech, where he coached and played. Head Coach Andria Harshman says his expertise will help take the program to the next level.
  • Jack Payne shined in his return to Boise, scoring 20 points with seven rebounds as Idaho beat Portland State 80-70 in the Big Sky Tournament. Kristian Gonzalez added 24 points. The Vandals face #2 Montana tonight at 8:30 p.m. PST.
  • Idaho women’s basketball fell to Montana 65-54 in the Big Sky Tournament. Hope Hassmann and Olivia Nelson each scored 17, with Nelson reaching 2,000 career points.
  • Idaho State men’s basketball fell to Montana State 80-60 in the Big Sky Tournament. Dylan Darling and Jake O’Neil led the Bengals with 16 points each, ending their season at 15-15.
  • Idaho State women’s basketball dominated Weber State 62-42 in the Big Sky quarterfinals, advancing to face top-seeded Montana State in the semifinals.
  • Over 15,000 rainbow trout will be stocked in Magic Valley waters this month, according to Idaho Fish and Game. A total of 17,100 catchable trout, ranging from 10 to 12 inches, will be placed in various ponds, including Blair Trail Fishing Pond.
  • Looking back on this day in sports history, Eddie Sutton’s journey from Twin Falls to NCAA history stands out. His coaching career, culminating in Hall of Fame induction in 2020, reflects his profound impact on the game.

☀ WEATHER

  • Today: Sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.
  • Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. South wind 5 to 9 mph becoming east southeast after midnight.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Light and variable wind becoming south southeast 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 21 mph.
  • Wednesday Night: 50% chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Gusts up to 28 mph.
  • Thursday: Rain and snow before noon, rain likely after 3pm. High near 45. 80% chance of precipitation.
  • Thursday Night: 20% chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, high near 44.
  • Friday Night: 50% chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, low around 32.
  • Saturday: Chance of snow before 3pm, then rain. High near 45.
  • Saturday Night: Slight chance of rain and snow before midnight, then snow. Low around 32.
  • Sunday: Rain and snow likely. High near 53.
  • Sunday Night: Rain likely. Low around 34.
  • Monday: Rain and snow likely. High near 46.
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