📰 Wednesday News: What’s Happening Across Idaho & the Magic Valley
🏥 Support Available for Those Affected by Twin Falls In-N-Out Shooting
Support sessions are beginning next week for people affected by the August 1 shooting at the In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls.
The City of Twin Falls is working with NOVA, a national victim assistance organization, to provide trauma support for employees, first responders, nearby businesses and community members.
The first session is scheduled for Monday, October 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the boardroom at 160 Gooding Street West.
Additional sessions are planned for October 13 and 14, October 28 through 30, and November 7. The city says final locations and participation details will be shared as arrangements are completed. ❤️
🏛️ Idaho Corrections Requests $45.3 Million
Idaho is preparing to open nearly 1,000 new prison beds, but corrections officials warn the facilities could sit empty without additional operating money.
The Idaho Department of Correction is asking lawmakers for $45.3 million to furnish three new facilities and hire 205 employees.
The state has already invested nearly $200 million in construction and supporting infrastructure.
The new facilities include a 560-bed women’s prison and a 280-bed men’s unit near Kuna, along with 112 beds in Orofino.
All three facilities are scheduled for completion next year. The governor’s budget recommendation is expected in January, with lawmakers expected to consider the funding request during the 2027 legislative session. 🏗️
💻 Blaine County Pauses Data Center Permits
Blaine County has approved a 182-day emergency moratorium on data center permits while officials develop new regulations.
Planning and zoning staff will use the pause to draft rules and gather public input.
Commissioners say the county has not seen a major surge in applications yet, but they want regulations in place before artificial intelligence-related demand leads to more data center proposals.
Bannock and Kootenai counties have already implemented similar pauses. ⚡💻
🏘️ More Than 6,800 Homes Proposed Near Micron
A massive development could bring more than 6,800 homes to southeast Ada County, across the freeway from Micron’s expanding campus.
CBH Homes is proposing Radiance, a nearly 1,200-acre community featuring single-family homes, apartments, shopping, nearly 300 acres of open space and land reserved for three schools and emergency services.
The development would remain outside Boise city limits, raising questions about how services would be provided and whether the growth would pay for itself.
No formal application has been submitted to Ada County yet. 🏡
🗳️ Idaho Voters Face Question Over Marijuana Legalization
One of the major questions on Idaho’s November ballot involves who should have the authority to legalize marijuana and certain other drugs.
Under HJR 4, a “yes” vote would eliminate the citizen initiative route for legalizing marijuana, including medical cannabis, and other covered drugs. A “no” vote would preserve that option.
Supporters argue the amendment would protect Idaho from special-interest campaigns.
Opponents say it would take an important decision-making power away from Idaho voters.
The amendment requires a simple majority to pass. 🗳️
🏛️ Governor Candidates Talk Policy at Boise Forum
Two candidates challenging Governor Brad Little discussed their plans during a candidate forum in Boise.
Democrat Terri Pickens pledged to restore funding for mental health services, Medicaid expansion and public education.
Independent John Stegner said he would seek to overturn Idaho’s private school tax credit program, including through a legal challenge.
Both candidates support Proposition 1 and oppose proposed constitutional amendments concerning drug legalization and making English Idaho’s official language.
Governor Brad Little did not attend the forum. Organizers said he did not respond to the invitation.
The candidates also criticized state cooperation agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Idaho’s proposed nuclear campus agreement. 🏛️
⚖️ Albertsons Seeks $600 Million From Kroger
The fight over the failed Albertsons-Kroger merger continues.
Boise-based Albertsons is seeking a $600 million breakup fee from Kroger and alleges that a consultant working for Kroger destroyed notes that could potentially support Albertsons’ case.
Albertsons wants a Delaware judge to consider the missing notes as evidence against Kroger.
Kroger denies wrongdoing, saying the consultant routinely shredded notes and that other records document the discussions.
The judge has not ruled on the evidence request, and a trial date has not been set. ⚖️
💰 Rising Insurance Costs Hit Idaho Health Care Workers
Health care providers aren’t immune from rising insurance costs.
KFF Health News reports that Boise doctor Joshua Durham and his wife, pharmacist Ashley, dropped their family health insurance after premiums approached $1,600 a month.
A Boise nurse practitioner’s family premium reportedly more than doubled.
Rising insurance costs, combined with the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, are adding another financial challenge for Idaho families. 🏥💵
🏈🏐⚽ Wednesday Sports
🐾 Burley Boys Advance With 12-0 Win
The Burley Bobcats made a statement in district soccer, shutting out Minico 12-0.
Burley moves on to face top-seeded Wood River in Hailey tomorrow at 4 p.m.
In girls soccer, Jerome eliminated Burley 1-0 and will face Twin Falls tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. at the Sunway Soccer Complex.
Canyon Ridge also advanced with a 4-0 victory over Minico and will take on Wood River tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
🏐 Minico Wins Five-Set Thriller
Minico needed all five sets but came away with a 3-2 conference volleyball victory over Twin Falls.
The Spartans improved to 15-11, while the Bruins dropped to 21-9.
Wood River swept Burley 3-0, Filer swept Gooding 3-0, and Bishop Kelly swept Mountain Home 3-0.
Burley travels to Jerome tomorrow.
🏐 Big Volleyball Matchups Ahead
Two of the area’s top volleyball teams meet Thursday night when 18-2 Valley travels to 10-2 Hagerman at 7 p.m.
Carey also travels to Castleford at 7 p.m., with both teams entering the match at 10-3.
Raft River visits Sun Valley Community School at 6 p.m., followed by Malad at Declo at 6:30.
Other 7 p.m. matches include Camas County at Dietrich, Richfield at Hansen, Grace Lutheran at Lighthouse Christian, Shoshone at Murtaugh and Glenns Ferry at Oakley. 🏐
🏆 High School Football Poll
Hagerman remains at number one in the latest 2A Idaho high school football media poll, but Raft River is just two voting points behind.
The Pirates received six first-place votes, while Hagerman received three.
Oakley remains fifth in 2A.
Declo moved up to number two in 3A following its bye week. Carey remains number two in 1A at 6-0.
Buhl, Castleford, Twin Falls and Burley also received votes.
🦅 CSI Golden Eagles Collect Conference Honors
CSI freshman Emma Pannell has been named the Scenic West Volleyball Player of the Week after helping the Golden Eagles win two conference matches.
Pannell totaled 21 kills, five aces and 10 digs during the weekend.
CSI’s 11th-ranked volleyball team hosts number 14 Snow College for two matches beginning Friday. 🏐🦅
CSI men’s soccer also swept the conference’s weekly awards.
Rodrigo Julian Olmos earned Player of the Week honors after scoring twice in a 5-0 victory over Truckee Meadows.
Goalkeeper Pedro Moco Caridi earned Goalkeeper of the Week honors after recording a shutout in his first collegiate start.
🏌️ Boise State Golfer Wins First Collegiate Title
Boise State golfer Reese Knox picked up his first collegiate victory at the Oregon State Invitational.
Knox finished 9-under-par at 204, climbing from fourth place in the final round to win by one stroke.
Boise State finished second as a team, five shots behind Oregon.
⚽ Boise State Soccer Riding Eight-Game Winning Streak
Boise State soccer standout Mia Lane earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honors after scoring two goals in wins over San Diego State and Gonzaga.
The Broncos are now 2-0 in conference play and carry an eight-match winning streak into Thursday night’s game at Fresno State.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Mountain Time.
🏈 Idaho Looks to Keep Momentum Rolling
The Idaho Vandals are heading to Weber State Saturday after pulling off one of the biggest wins in program history.
Idaho defeated defending national champion Montana State, snapping the Bobcats’ 19-game winning streak and giving the Vandals their first victory over a number-one-ranked team.
Now Idaho travels to Ogden to face a Weber State team that’s 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big Sky.
The Vandals haven’t won at Weber State since 1993.
🏈 Idaho State Gets Ready for Homecoming
Idaho State hosts Cal Poly Saturday at 4 p.m. for Homecoming.
The Bengals are looking to rebound after their eight-game winning streak ended with a 38-31 loss to Northern Arizona.
Quarterback Jordan Cooke threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns in that game.
Idaho State enters the week ranked 16th in the Stats Perform poll and 17th in the coaches’ poll.
🌤️ Magic Valley Weather
The Magic Valley is enjoying another taste of summer before a significant weekend cooldown.
☀️ Wednesday: Sunny and warm, with a high near 83°.
🌙 Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 51°.
☀️ Thursday: Sunny with a high near 82°.
🔥 Friday: More sunshine and a high near 85°.
🌦️ Saturday: Partly sunny with a 20% chance of showers after noon. High near 69°.
🌧️ Saturday night: A 40% chance of showers, with a low around 41°.
🌦️ Sunday: A 40% chance of showers and a much cooler high near 57°.
🌧️ Monday: A 30% chance of showers, with a high around 58°.
🌤️ Tuesday: Mostly sunny with a high near 61°.
So enjoy those warm temperatures while they last — 85° Friday gives way to the upper 50s by Sunday! 🍂🌧️
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