NEWS
KOHBERGER SEEKS TO WITHDRAW GUILTY PLEA
Bryan Kohberger has been appointed a public defender as he tries to withdraw his guilty plea in the murders of four University of Idaho students. Kohberger claims he is innocent and says he was pressured into pleading guilty. He is serving four consecutive life sentences without parole.
LAWMAKERS INVESTIGATE HEALTH INSURANCE PRACTICES
Idaho legislative leaders have created a new working group to investigate health insurance practices across the state. Lawmakers plan to examine claim denials, prior authorization delays, and unpaid claims after concerns intensified over a contract dispute involving an East Idaho hospital and its insurer.
IDAHO U.S. SENATE RACE TAKES SHAPE
Idaho’s U.S. Senate race is taking shape as Republican Senator Jim Risch seeks another term against independent challenger Todd Achilles. The candidates agree healthcare, immigration, and protecting Idaho’s public lands need attention, but they differ sharply on how to tackle those issues.
BLM PLANS TWO IDAHO TIMBER SALES
The BLM will hold two Idaho timber sales on August 10, making about 6.5 million board feet of timber available. The projects near Mountain Home and Kilgore are expected to help reduce wildfire risk while improving the health of nearly 600 acres of public forest.
WILDFIRE TACTICS RAISE SAFETY CONCERNS
As massive wildfires continue across the West, some wildfire veterans are warning that more aggressive federal fire suppression tactics could put firefighters at greater risk during fast-moving and dangerous fire conditions.
WILDFIRE SMOKE IMPACTS IDAHO AGRICULTURE
Meanwhile, wildfire smoke is creating new challenges for Idaho farmers already dealing with drought. Growers say reduced sunlight can slow crop growth, while wineries worry about “smoke taint,” which can hurt grape quality and is not covered by most crop insurance.
RUPERT WATER LINE PROJECT DELAYED
Rupert’s water line replacement project on H Street between 17th Street and Woodland is taking longer than expected. The road remains open, but drivers should expect traffic delays.
CENTENNIAL PARK BOAT RAMP REMAINS CLOSED
Twin Falls County has ended its contract with Pillar Power Productions after a crack was found in the Centennial Park boat launch. The ramp will remain closed until repairs are completed.
TWIN FALLS MAN SENTENCED FOR NON-CONSENSUAL PHOTOS
A Twin Falls man, Brian Corona Chaidez, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after admitting to sending explicit, non-consensual photos of his ex-girlfriend to her employer. He will also serve three years of felony probation.
TWIN FALLS MAN SENTENCED IN RAPE CASE
Dominic Asay, a 22-year-old Twin Falls man, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison, with 15 years fixed, after pleading guilty to raping a 16- or 17-year-old victim. The sentence will run concurrently with another 15-year prison term in a separate rape case.
SPORTS
BURLEY GREEN SOX OPEN REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
The Burley Green Sox begin the Northwest Class A Regional Tournament today in Casper, Wyoming, with six seniors playing the final games of their Burley careers. Head coach Devin Kunz says he trusts the group to simply play its best after four years together.
The Green Sox enter regionals with plenty of momentum after winning the Idaho Legion A state title and averaging more than 14 runs per game at state. Burley opens against Klamath Falls today, faces Utah’s Ridgeline on Friday, and wraps up pool play Saturday, with hopes of reaching Sunday’s semifinals.
MINICO FOOTBALL ENTERS SEASON WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Minico football has high expectations heading into the 2026 season. Head coach Sherm Blaser says, “We’re going to be freaking good,” thanks to an experienced offense led by senior quarterback Logan Wayment and a veteran offensive line that returns all five all-conference linemen.
The Spartans finished 6-and-4 last season and just missed a deeper playoff run. While replacing several key defensive starters will be the biggest challenge, Minico opens the season August 21 at Madison with its sights set on another postseason appearance.
MAKS VOLLEYBALL HOLDS FUNDRAISER FOR COACH AUSTIN JAMES
A local volleyball club is rallying behind one of its own. MAKS Volleyball Club is holding a raffle for a donated pig to help Coach Austin James as he recovers from injuries suffered in the Twin Falls mass shooting.
Club leaders say James has spent the past year mentoring young athletes and giving back to the community. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support James and his family while also helping keep club volleyball affordable for local players.
CSI ADDS BLAKE RAWSON TO FRONTCOURT
The College of Southern Idaho men’s basketball team has added more size to its frontcourt. Head coach Jeff Reinert has signed 6-foot-8, 245-pound power forward Blake Rawson from American Fork, Utah.
Rawson helped lead his high school to four straight state tournament appearances and a Utah 6A state championship, earning multiple all-state honors along the way. After serving a two-year mission in Argentina, he is expected to make an immediate impact as the Golden Eagles defend their Scenic West title and chase another trip to the NJCAA National Tournament.
BOISE STATE OPENS NEW NORTH END ZONE TO FANS
Boise State is giving Bronco Nation a first look at the brand-new North End Zone. A free open house is set for Tuesday, August 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Albertsons Stadium, where fans can tour the new premium seating, concourse, and team tunnel before the home opener.
Everyone attending will receive a free 2026 football schedule poster while supplies last. Boise State also has a limited fantasy football draft experience available August 21 in the Stueckle Sky Center suites.
IDAHO STATE LAUNCHES PREPARE TO ROAR CAMPAIGN
Idaho State Athletics is kicking off its annual Prepare To Roar fundraising campaign on Monday, August 10. The goal is to raise $900,000 from 900 donors by August 21 to support more than 300 Bengal student-athletes.
Donations help fund scholarships, travel, nutrition, academic support, and other resources that help Idaho State athletes succeed on and off the field.
IDAHO SOCCER PICKED SECOND IN BIG SKY POLL
The University of Idaho soccer team is getting plenty of preseason respect. The Vandals have been picked to finish second in the Big Sky Conference Coaches’ Poll, just one first-place vote behind favorite Weber State.
Seniors Sara Rodgers, Izzy Thoma, and Georgia Whitehead were also named to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team. Idaho opens the 2026 season on August 12 with a road match against Washington State in Pullman.
PHIL AND BEKKI MEADOR RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Idaho State Athletics has named longtime supporters Phil and Bekki Meador as recipients of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Bengal Athletics Hall of Fame.
The couple has spent nearly 50 years supporting ISU through fundraising, scholarships, and community leadership. Athletic Director Pauline Thiros says their dedication has helped shape Bengal Athletics and generations of student-athletes.
WEATHER
MAGIC VALLEY FORECAST
Here’s your Magic Valley weather: Today, expect patchy smoke with plenty of sunshine and hot temperatures topping out near 99. Tomorrow stays just as hot with a high around 100 and a little patchy smoke early. This weekend remains sunny and hot, with highs easing from the upper 90s into the mid-90s by early next week.
THURSDAY
Patchy smoke. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Patchy smoke. Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
FRIDAY
Patchy smoke. Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Patchy smoke before 7 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
SATURDAY
Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
SUNDAY
Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
MONDAY
Sunny and hot, with a high near 95.
MONDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
TUESDAY
Sunny and hot, with a high near 95.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
WEDNESDAY
Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 92.
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