Local News

Your Daily Briefing – 09/04/2025

📊 ECONOMY & GOVERNMENT

  • 💵 Idaho wages are on the rise — average hourly pay jumped 5.1% to $28.10 over the past year, according to the Department of Labor. Statewide employment also grew by 2.7%, adding over 22,000 jobs.
  • 🏙 Twin Falls leaders delivered the State of the City Address, noting nearly 10% growth since 2020 with a population of 57,000. Officials highlighted traffic studies for a possible third bridge, park expansions, and the use of grant money to stretch city dollars, including funding new affordable housing.
  • 📚 The state’s latest ISAT scores show proficiency rates holding steady—53% in English, 42% in math, and 42% in science. But at-risk students, including those with disabilities, low-income, and homeless, continue to lag behind statewide averages.

🚨 CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY

  • ⚖ Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador says no charges will be filed against the four officers involved in the April shooting of 17-year-old Victor Perez in Pocatello. Investigators determined the officers were justified in using deadly force after Perez advanced on them with a knife.
  • 🚗 Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal crash on Highway 81 north of Malta. A 30-year-old Burley man died after his Toyota Tacoma left the road and rolled last night.
  • 🪦 An unusual discovery in Silver City — renovation crews at the old Odd Fellows Lodge found a hidden cabinet containing a coffin with human skeletal remains. The Owyhee County Coroner says fraternal groups sometimes used real skeletons in ceremonies. Officials are working with experts to determine the identity of the remains.

🐎 COMMUNITY & HUMAN INTEREST

  • 💔 Tragedy in the rodeo community — 13-year-old Amelia Palmer, the 2024-25 Treasure Valley Rodeo Mini Queen, died in a plane crash Monday in Wyoming. Her parents remain hospitalized in critical condition, while her younger brother survived with minor injuries. Rodeo groups across Idaho are remembering Amelia for her smile, spirit, and dedication to the sport.

⚽🏐 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

  • ⚽ Soccer:
    • Jerome got payback against Twin Falls, shutting out the Bruins 3-0. The Tigers now sit at 2-1-1, while Twin Falls slides to 0-4. Looking ahead, Jerome takes on Mountain Home Monday night at 7:30, and Twin Falls meets Burley at 4:30.
    • Elsewhere in boys’ soccer: Wood River blanked Burley 4-0, and Mountain Home rolled past Minico 7-1.
    • Girls’ soccer: Wood River shut out Burley 4-0, Mountain Home topped Minico 3-1, and Twin Falls handled Jerome 4-1.
  • 🏐 Volleyball:
    • The Minico Spartans bounced back after falling 3-0 to Kimberly, then knocked off the No. 19-ranked team in the state. Led by seniors Claire Zampedri, Kenlei Wageman, and Lux Harper, with Haylee Dayton’s diving save highlight, Minico rallied to a fifth-set 15-11 win to improve to 3-4.
    • Filer topped American Falls 3-1, and Declo edged out Firth in a five-set battle, 3-2.
  • 🏈 Football:
    • Wendell High School has announced it will no longer field a varsity football team after this Friday’s game against Marsing. Athletic Director Nate Kerbs says the decision was made for the safety and development of players, with the Trojans focusing on JV football. The Idaho High School Activities Association says upcoming varsity games will likely be ruled “no-fault forfeits.”

🏈🏟 COLLEGE SPORTS

  • 🟦 Boise State returns to The Blue tomorrow night for its first home game of the season, hosting Eastern Washington at Albertsons Stadium. Kickoff 7 p.m. on FS1. Broncos ride a 12-game home win streak, with a 141-16 home record since 2000. Head Coach Spencer Danielson enters year two after leading BSU to the College Football Playoff, extending 27 straight winning seasons and bowl appearances.
  • ⚽ Idaho women’s soccer wraps up its homestand tonight, hosting UTEP at 7 p.m. in the Kibbie Dome. The Vandals are 2-2-2 after a narrow 1-0 loss to South Dakota, allowing just one goal in their last two matches. Idaho returns four key starters and looks to build momentum before heading back on the road.
  • 🐅 Idaho State heads to Albuquerque to face New Mexico. Head Coach Cody Hawkins says the Bengals are ready to bounce back after last week’s loss to Southern Utah. Both quarterbacks Davis Harsin and Jackson Sharman will see action. Running back Carson Sudbury likely starts, with a committee behind him. Hawkins says the key to an FBS upset: limit New Mexico’s run game, create turnovers, and hit explosive plays.

🌤 WEATHER

  • Today: Patchy smoke after 4pm. Partly sunny, high near 87. Winds WNW 6–9 mph.
  • Tonight: Patchy smoke, partly cloudy, low around 60. Winds SE after midnight.
  • Friday: Sunny with patchy smoke, high near 87.
  • Saturday: Slight chance (20%) of storms after noon, high near 84.
  • Sunday: Chance of showers/storms (30%), high near 82.
  • Monday–Wednesday: Cooler highs near 71–80, with scattered showers and storms possible into midweek.
Terry "Tdub" West
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