NEWS

POLITICS

Dorothy Moon says she’s running for a third term as chair of the Idaho Republican Party, saying party unity will be key heading into the 2026 election cycle. Moon has led the Idaho GOP since 2022 and says her leadership helped boost volunteer engagement and support conservative policies statewide.

An Idaho Senate candidate has filed a complaint against Secretary of State Phil McGrane over campaign mailers endorsing opponents ahead of the May primary. The complaint is now under investigation by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

A major aerospace manufacturer that considered Twin Falls and Jerome for expansion is instead building an $800 million campus in Montana. Janicki Industries says the Magic Valley remains on its radar for possible future growth opportunities.

The Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization is celebrating 25 years and a leadership change. Longtime executive director Jan Rogers is retiring, with Jason Barnes set to take over June 15 as SIEDO continues driving growth across Magic Valley.

ENERGY

Idaho Power says it’s planning two new natural gas plants near Twin Falls and Elmore County to keep up with Idaho’s booming growth and rising energy demand. The projects could add enough power for about 800 megawatts by 2030.

EDUCATION

School districts across Idaho are freezing or barely increasing teacher pay for next year, including Jerome, Kimberly and Minidoka schools. Most districts say flat state funding left little room for raises, though teachers can still move up on the career ladder.

COURTS

A federal judge has set a September 13th, 2027 jury trial in the lawsuit against Washington State University filed by family members of four murdered University of Idaho students. The court also laid out key deadlines for discovery, expert testimony and possible settlement talks over the next year.

CRASH

A woman from Buhl was killed in a crash north of Jerome late Monday night after Idaho State Police say her pickup failed to yield at Highway 93 and East 700 North. Another driver from Shoshone was taken to a local hospital.

SPORTS

BASEBALL

The American Legion baseball season is underway, and the Twin Falls Cowboys opened with a statement Monday night, sweeping the Minico Storm in AA action.

Twin Falls rolled to 13-0 and 11-3 wins behind a huge day from Conner Lee, who blasted a home run in both games and drove in nine runs in the doubleheader. Maddox Stadelmeir also went deep as the Cowboys piled up 27 hits and nine extra-base hits on the night.

Kamden Richter and Lee combined for a one-hitter in game one, while Hoyt Murray, Treyson Walker, and Jordan Bingham helped shut down Minico in game two.

The Cowboys head to Idaho Falls next, while Minico hosts Trappers A Blue from Utah on Thursday.

SOFTBALL

Wendell’s Breanna Comstock has been named Southeast Idaho Conference Player of the Year after hitting .600 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI, while also going undefeated in the circle with 223 strikeouts.

Soda Springs standout Aiyana Davis earned Offensive Player of the Year, and West Side’s Halle Taylor took home Defensive Player of the Year honors.

First Team selections included athletes from Wendell, Declo, Malad, Soda Springs and West Side.

OFFICIATING

A new basketball officiating camp is coming to Twin Falls this month as former Declo Assistant coach Blake Hollingsworth works to tackle the national referee shortage.

The Sawtooth Basketball Officials Academy runs June 12th and 13th at Canyon Ridge and Twin Falls High Schools, giving new and experienced officials hands-on training and live game experience.

FOOTBALL

Summer is in full swing, and Big Sky Conference football is getting closer every single day.

The Big Sky Conference has announced attendees for the 2026 Football Kickoff Weekend in Spokane later this month.

Representing the Idaho Vandals will be head coach Thomas Ford, quarterback Joshua Wood, and linebacker Cruz Hepburn — two major returning leaders for the 2026 season.

The weekend also features the annual Big Sky Hall of Fame Gala, where Idaho legends Dennis Erickson and Jackie Ross Mattox will be inducted into the conference Hall of Fame.

WEATHER

Mostly sunny and warm today with increasing clouds and a high near 88. Winds stay light early, then turn west this afternoon, gusting up to 22 miles per hour.

Tonight, clouds clear out late with a low near 55 and gusts up to 28.

Thursday is sunny, breezy, and cooler, high near 78.

Friday warms back up near 89, with sunshine carrying into the weekend.

WEDNESDAY

Increasing clouds, with a high near 88. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT