STATE & LOCAL NEWS
LAWMAKERS SEEK REVIEW OF SCHOOL BOARD COMMENTS
Four Twin Falls state lawmakers have asked the Idaho Attorney General to review comments made by Twin Falls School District board chair Eric Smallwood at a staff meeting earlier this month. Smallwood encouraged employees to vote in the May primary and support pro-education candidates. Lawmakers say those comments may violate state law restricting political advocacy by public officials.
BUDGET CLASH AT THE STATEHOUSE
Tension surfaced yesterday between lawmakers and Governor Brad Little’s budget team as the new budget committee chair accused the governor’s budget proposal of not truly balancing. Co-chair Josh Tanner says the plan relies on one-time fixes and leaves reserves too low. The governor’s office disputes that characterization.
JEROME COUNTY SENTENCING
A Jerome County judge has sentenced a local man to up to 20 years in prison for raping a minor. Forty-nine-year-old Shane Shockey received a five-year fixed sentence, with the remainder indeterminate.
AIRLINE MERGER AFFECTS BOISE AIRPORT
Two airlines serving the Boise Airport are planning to merge, with a new focus on vacation travel. Allegiant Travel is buying Sun Country in a one-point-five-billion-dollar deal. The merger would combine Allegiant’s western routes with Sun Country’s Minneapolis hub and international destinations. The companies say the goal is expanding nonstop service to popular vacation spots.
SUPREME COURT HEARS IDAHO TRANS ATHLETE CASE
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday on whether Idaho and West Virginia can enforce bans on transgender athletes competing in women’s and girls’ sports. The court’s conservative majority signaled it may allow the laws to stand. A ruling later this year could have nationwide implications for transgender rights and school athletics.
TEACHER DISCIPLINE CASES
A Richfield teacher, Wesley Naylor, will have his license suspended for five years after pleading guilty to disturbing the peace for shoving a student. Another teacher, Carmen Buttcane, is facing a misdemeanor battery charge in a separate case.
JURY DUTY SCAM WARNING
Idaho courts are warning residents about jury duty scams. Officials say courts never email or text warrants, fines, or payment requests. Anyone unsure about a message is urged to contact their local courthouse directly.
TWIN FALLS POLICE TIME CAPSULE
Twin Falls Police are adding more than just new walls during renovations — they’ve placed a time capsule inside the building. It includes a letter from the chief, the department’s 2024 annual report, a police patch, and a challenge coin, preserving a snapshot of today’s department for the future.
FIRE DEPARTMENT CONSOLIDATION TALKS
Several fire departments in the Wood River Valley are exploring a possible consolidation into a single agency. Ketchum, Blaine County South, Hailey, and Smiley Creek are all part of the discussion. Fire officials say consolidation could improve response times, standardize operations, and reduce administrative costs.
SPORTS
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL RECAP
The Burley Bobcats girls picked up a big rivalry win last night, beating Minico 65-47. The game was close early, with Jocelyn Lloyd scoring for Burley and Kenlei Wageman using her height inside for Minico. Burley pulled away in the second quarter, as Lloyd knocked down four three-pointers in the first half to build a big halftime lead they never gave up. Burley moves to 8-5 and will host Mountain Home on Thursday.
In Richfield, it was all Tigers. Richfield rolled past Camas County 49-9 after opening the game on a 26-nothing run. With Camas County dressing only six players, Richfield’s depth showed as they improved to 6-8.
Other girls scores:
- Sugar-Salem beat Oakley 65-45
- Kimberly topped Gooding 63-44
- Glenns Ferry rolled past Shoshone 59-22
- Wendell beat Wood River 40-30
- Madison over Canyon Ridge 68-15
- Carey beat Hansen 51-32
- Filer beat Buhl 54-29
- Mountain Home edged Twin Falls 58-51
BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SCORES
- Carey beat Hansen 53-40
- Castleford held off Dietrich 59-54
- Richfield beat Camas County 46-43
TONIGHT’S HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS
A full slate of Magic Valley conference games tips off at 7:30 tonight:
- Jerome at Burley
- Rigby at Canyon Ridge
- Buhl at Kimberly
- Mountain Home at Minico
- Glenns Ferry at Murtaugh
- Raft River at Oakley
- Shoshone at Valley
- Twin Falls at Wood River
On the girls side, one varsity matchup:
- Declo at West Side, tipping at 7:00
CSI PLAYER OF THE WEEK
College of Southern Idaho’s Nathan Ahner is the Scenic West Player of the Week after leading the Golden Eagles to two road wins. CSI remains unbeaten in conference play and hosts number-one Snow Thursday and USU Eastern Saturday.
BOISE STATE MEN FALL IN OT
In an overtime thriller last night, Boise State fell at UNLV 89-85. Drew Fielder led the Broncos with 23 points, Andrew Meadow added 21, and Fielder hit a late three to force overtime. Boise State returns home Friday night to host Colorado State at Extra Mile Arena.
BOISE STATE WOMEN AT HOME
Boise State women’s basketball is home tonight hosting Wyoming at 6:30 at Extra Mile Arena. The Broncos are unbeaten at home again this season and lead the Mountain West in three-point shooting.
IDAHO STATE & IDAHO MEN
Idaho State men’s basketball is back at Reed Gym this week, hosting rival Idaho Thursday night at 7, then Eastern Washington Saturday at 4. The Bengals enter the home stand ranked just ahead of both teams in the NCAA NET.
The Idaho Vandals head to Pocatello tonight to face Idaho State in the Battle for the King Spud. Tip-off is at 7 Mountain at Reed Gym, with both teams near the top of the Big Sky standings.
WEATHER – MAGIC VALLEY
Sunny and quiet conditions continue across the Magic Valley. Highs stay in the low- to mid-40s through the weekend, warming near 48 by Tuesday. Clear nights with lows in the 20s. Light winds and lots of sunshine ahead.
Today: Sunny, high near 44. Light and variable wind.
Tonight:
Mostly clear, low around 26. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, high near 42. Light and variable wind. Mostly clear, low around 26.
Friday: Sunny, high near 42. East wind 3–6 mph. Mostly clear, low around 22.
Saturday: Sunny, high near 45. Mostly clear, low around 24.
Sunday: Sunny, high near 44. Mostly clear, low around 24.
M.L. King Day: Sunny, high near 43. Mostly clear, low around 25.
Tuesday:
Mostly sunny, high near 48.
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