CRIME & COURTS
GRAND THEFT CALF CASE
A 20-year-old Jerome County man is facing grand theft charges after deputies say dozens of calves were stolen last December. Investigators say Emerson Lopez Ramirez is accused in the theft of 36 calves worth about $1,500 each, while Christopher Valdovinos faces misdemeanor charges tied to transporting livestock without permits.
PASTOR SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE
An Elmore County judge has denied a motion to dismiss the sexual assault case against former Mountain Home pastor Gregory Wayne Jones, who is accused of assaulting a female congregant during healing sessions at Liberty Christian Fellowship Church.
HIGH-SPEED CHASE
A driver is in custody after leading Twin Falls County deputies on a high-speed chase last night. Authorities say the driver was clocked at 100 miles per hour before being stopped east of Twin Falls without incident.
HIGHWAY 30 ROLLOVER
A two-vehicle crash along Highway 30 in Twin Falls left one car overturned last night. The crash happened near 2700 East just before 7 o’clock. No injuries were reported.
HEALTH & PUBLIC POLICY
MEDICAL CANNABIS INITIATIVE
The Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho says it has submitted more than 150-thousand signatures in an effort to put medical cannabis on the November 2026 ballot. County clerks now have 60 days to verify signatures. If approved by voters, the initiative would allow qualifying patients with certain medical conditions to apply for a medical cannabis card beginning in 2027. Humanity continues solving healthcare through petitions and clipboards. Remarkable species.
BURN PERMITS REQUIRED
If you live outside city limits and plan on burning yard debris this weekend, you’ll need a burn permit starting May 10th. Idaho’s annual closed burning season runs through October 20th, and permits are free through the Idaho Department of Lands.
DOG RESCUE EFFORT
The Idaho Humane Society says it’s caring for more than 100 rescued dogs from a single property outside Ada County. The shelter says donations during Idaho Gives will help cover medical care and rehabilitation costs.
COMMUNITY & STATE NEWS
BURLEY THEATRE RESTORATION
The Mount Harrison Heritage Foundation is taking part in Idaho Gives for the first time to help finish the Burley Theatre Restoration Project. Organizers say they still need about 200 to 300-thousand dollars to reopen the historic theater this fall.
SHOSHONE FALLS PEAK FLOWS
Shoshone Falls is putting on quite a show right now as peak spring water flows return to the “Niagara of the West.” The annual surge helps juvenile salmon and steelhead migrate down the Snake and Columbia rivers while also drawing thousands of visitors from across the country. Higher flows should continue through about May 18.
WILDFIRE WISE COMMUNITY DAY
The National Park Service is hosting a Wildfire Wise Community Day tomorrow from 10 to 2 at the Thousand Springs Visitor Center in Hagerman. Visitors can meet firefighters, check out fire equipment, and learn how to reduce wildfire risk as Southern Idaho heads into what’s expected to be an active fire season.
IDAHO TAX BURDEN RANKING
Governor Brad Little says Idaho continues to rank among the top 10 states with the lowest overall tax burden in the nation. A new report shows Idaho ranks 46th nationally for state and local taxes paid.
NEW IDAHO BLUE BOOK
Idaho’s newly redesigned Blue Book is now available to the public. Secretary of State Phil McGrane says the updated edition features a more modern, full-color format highlighting Idaho history, government, and culture. Physical copies are available online for 20 dollars.
SPORTS
BURLEY ADVANCES TO TITLE SHOWDOWN
The Burley Bobcats rolled past Minico 11 to nothing and now head into a showdown with Twin Falls today for the conference championship. First pitch is set for 4 o’clock in Burley.
KIMBERLY CLAIMS DISTRICT TITLE
Kimberly captured the district title in dramatic fashion after splitting a doubleheader with Gooding. The Senators took game one 10 to 1 behind a huge performance from Scotlynn Martin and pitcher Kaylee Silver. But Kimberly answered in the winner-take-all finale, beating Gooding 8 to 4. Madi Trappen led the Bulldogs with three hits, including a pair of doubles, while Gracie Alleman went the distance in the circle for the win.
GOODING STILL ALIVE
Gooding will head to Blackfoot Saturday for a state play-in game with a trip to the 4A state tournament on the line.
DISTRICT TOURNAMENT ACTION
Elsewhere, Malad topped Wendell 10 to 3 in district tournament play yesterday.
5A DISTRICT TENNIS WRAPS UP
The 5A district tennis tournament wrapped up at CSI with several Magic Valley athletes bringing home titles. Mountain Home’s Zach Peterson beat Minico sophomore Ethan Shaw for the boys singles championship, while Payton Blodgett topped Minico’s Tiani Frei in girls singles. Twin Falls dominated doubles play, sweeping both girls doubles and mixed doubles titles. Burley’s Read Cook and Dallin Gerratt captured the boys doubles crown in a three-set thriller. Next up is the 5A state tournament tomorrow and Saturday at the Boise Racquet Club.
BOISE STATE ACADEMICS
Boise State Athletics is celebrating another strong year in the classroom. The Broncos recorded a department-wide Academic Progress Rate of 994, improving on last year’s 992 mark. Thirteen Boise State teams earned perfect single-year APR scores, including men’s and women’s basketball, softball, volleyball, and gymnastics. Seven programs also ranked in the NCAA’s top 10 percent nationally for academic performance.
WEATHER
TODAY
Mostly cloudy early today, then clearing out with sunshine and breezy conditions this afternoon, highs near 77. Winds could gust as high as 34 miles per hour.
TONIGHT
Mostly clear with a low around 47. Winds gusting up to 33 miles per hour.
FRIDAY
Sunny and warmer with highs near 79. Afternoon wind gusts could reach 32 miles per hour.
WEEKEND OUTLOOK
Sunny skies continue through the weekend with temperatures climbing into the upper 80s by Sunday and Monday. Southern Idaho entering “fake summer before second winter” season. The atmosphere enjoys psychological warfare.
