MAGIC VALLEY NEWS
STATE LOSS
Former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne has passed away at 74 after battling cancer. He served as governor, U.S. senator, and Secretary of the Interior. Flags across Idaho are now at half-staff as leaders remember his decades of service.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A major opportunity for the Magic Valley—Janicki Industries is considering Twin Falls or Jerome for a new manufacturing plant. The project could bring over 800 million dollars in investment and more than 1,000 jobs. A final decision is expected by the end of May.
COST OF LIVING
Idaho continues to rank among the most affordable states—coming in third in the nation. A new study shows a slight drop in income spent on living costs, but housing remains the biggest expense, with families paying thousands more each year than in 2019.
SCHOOL FUNDING
Idaho school districts are asking voters for over 183 million dollars this May. In Cassia, a 5.9-million-dollar, two-year levy would fund curriculum, activities, and school safety. The impact—about 73 dollars per 100 thousand in property value.
STATE GOVERNMENT
Governor Brad Little is bringing “Capital for a Day” to Filer Thursday. Events run 10 to noon at TruLeap Technologies and again from 1:15 to 3 at Filer High School, giving locals a chance to meet state leaders and share concerns.
BALLOT INITIATIVE
A group pushing an abortion rights ballot initiative in Idaho says it’s met signature goals in enough districts to qualify for November. More than 100,000 signatures have been submitted, with final verification expected soon ahead of the April 30 deadline.
CRASH INVESTIGATION
Idaho State Police are investigating a crash involving a Lewiston officer early yesterday at D and 5th Street. Both drivers had minor injuries. Troopers are asking anyone who saw the Escalade before the crash to call ISP with information.
CONSERVATION
Melody and Charlie Lenkner are preserving a piece of the Magic Valley—donating 330 acres near Twin Falls to create the Cottonwood Canyon Nature Preserve. The land will stay undeveloped and open to the public, protecting wildlife and open space for years to come.
SPORTS
SOFTBALL DOMINANCE
Big weekend on the diamond—Burley dominated Minico in a doubleheader, winning 19 to 1 and 14 to 8, and kept it rolling Monday against Wood River.
Other scores—Genesee beat Glenns Ferry 9 to 5, Prairie crushed Glenns Ferry 17 to 1, Declo beat Soda Springs 18 to 1, Gooding handled Kimberly 12 to 1, and Wendell defeated Malad 11 to 2.
Jerome swept Mountain Home 16 to 1 and 16 to 4. Gooding beat Teton 12 to 6. Wood River topped Canyon Ridge 4 to 1 and 12 to 2. Filer beat North Fremont 17 to 11, and Malad crushed Declo 16 to 1.
BASEBALL ROUNDUP
Burley swept Minico 10 to 1 and 4 to 1—ending Minico’s season. Burley now heads to Twin Falls May 1st for the district championship.
Twin Falls beat Jerome 10 to 0 and 17 to 7. Marsh Valley shut out Kimberly 5 to 0. Declo beat Soda Springs 15 to 3. Malad defeated Wendell 12 to 3. Thunder Ridge edged Canyon Ridge 6 to 4, and Malad topped Declo again 11 to 1.
TODAY’S MATCHUPS
Softball doubleheaders today across the valley starting at 3:00:
- Jerome at Canyon Ridge (3:00 and 5:00)
- Twin Falls at Minico (3:00 and 5:00)
- Burley at Wood River (3:00 and 5:00)
District baseball continues with Buhl at Filer, Gooding at Kimberly, and Wendell vs Lighthouse Christian.
CSI BASEBALL
College of Southern Idaho edged Salt Lake 4 to 3 Saturday to clinch the Scenic West title. Jackson Gardner delivered on the mound, Kaleb Doty earned the save, and Tayson Howard and Crew Secrist led offensively. The Golden Eagles, now 41 and 12, host Colorado Northwestern Thursday at 4 at Skip Walker Field.
TRACK SUCCESS
CSI distance runners added seven more national qualifiers at the Aggie Invite. Indianna Lundell won the steeplechase with a personal best. Next stop—the BYU Robinson Invite Wednesday and Thursday.
BOISE STATE
Boise State rallied late to beat San Diego State 5 to 2, scoring three in the seventh. Jorja Crider had the go-ahead hit. The Broncos host San Jose State April 30th through May 2nd.
SPRING FOOTBALL
Boise State’s spring game saw the Blue team beat the Orange 33 to 25. Maddux Madsen threw two touchdowns, including a 62-yard flea flicker, and a late pick-six sealed it.
NFL DRAFT
Skyline grad Kenyon Sadiq went 16th overall to the Jets. Boise State’s Kage Casey was picked by the Broncos, and former Bronco QB Taylen Green, now at Arkansas, went to the Browns in the sixth round.
IDAHO STATE
Idaho State softball clinched the Big Sky regular season title, beating Montana 8 to 2. Sydney Groves hit a three-run homer, and Marley Goluskin threw back-to-back complete games. The Bengals now host the conference tournament in Pocatello.
WEATHER
TODAY
Sunny but breezy, with a high near 59. West winds 8 to 16 mph, gusting up to 31 mph.
TONIGHT
Mostly clear and chilly, with a low around 35. Winds shifting southwest after midnight, gusting up to 31 mph.
TUESDAY
Sunny, high near 62. Winds 7 to 13 mph, gusts up to 24 mph.
MIDWEEK WARMUP
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high 67
- Thursday: Sunny, high 71
- Friday: Sunny, high 75
WEEKEND OUTLOOK
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high near 79
- Sunday: 20% chance of showers, high near 78
- Your Daily Briefing – 04/27/2026 - April 27, 2026
- 2 police officers shot at Chicago hospital: Officials - April 25, 2026
- Almost 50 million Americans on alert for severe weather outbreak in Plains, Midwest - April 25, 2026
