News

Your Daily Briefing – 07/16/2025

Terry "Tdub" West

📚 Education & Funding

  • 💸 Idaho schools are bracing for a $33.3 million loss as the Trump administration freezes over $6 billion in federal education grants. State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield has urged districts to “press pause” on some programs while awaiting a swift review to avoid classroom disruption.
  • 👮 Four Magic Valley school districts — Cassia, Gooding, Hagerman, and Kimberly — will receive three-year grants to fund school resource officers.

🔥 Fires & Wildfire Response

  • 💰 Idaho has spent nearly $9.2 million battling wildfires so far this season. Officials warn that fire danger will remain above normal through September. No statewide fire restrictions are currently in place.
  • 🔥 A 10- to 12-acre fire near 2600 East 3300 North in Twin Falls was reported around 4 p.m. yesterday. Crews from the Salmon Tract Rural Fire Department say it threatened structures but is now fully contained.

⚖ Courts & Legal Battles

  • ⚖ Ammon Bundy’s bankruptcy case is now in the hands of a federal judge. Bundy is seeking to discharge a $52 million defamation judgment awarded to St. Luke’s Health System. A ruling is expected in the coming weeks.
  • 🚫 A federal judge extended the block on Idaho’s new law restricting unauthorized immigrants from receiving HIV treatment. The ACLU argues it violates federal protections. A decision on a longer-term injunction is due within two weeks.

🚨 Crime & Sentencing

  • 👨‍⚖️ Former CSI student body president Dylan Ray was sentenced to up to 25 years in prison for distributing child sexual abuse material. He’ll be eligible for parole after 10 years and must register as a sex offender.
  • 🔫 Talon Herrera of Kimberly pleaded guilty in a Twin Falls District Court shooting at the Old Towne Lodge last November. He faces up to 30 years in prison. Sentencing is set for September 15.

💊 Opioid Crisis

  • 💵 Idaho is set to receive up to $2.6 million more in opioid settlements, part of a $720 million national deal. Attorney General Raúl Labrador says nearly $60 million has been secured so far for Idaho’s opioid response.

🧑‍🚒 Heroism & Recovery

  • ❤️‍🩹 Firefighter Dave Tysdal has been moved from the ICU to rehab after surviving a deadly ambush in Coeur d’Alene. He’s credited with saving other firefighters by warning them after being shot.

⚾ Sports: American Legion Baseball

  • ⚾ Twin Falls Cowboys AA split a doubleheader with defending state champs Pocatello Runnin’ Rebels at Skip Walker Field.
    • Game 1: Pocatello edged Twin Falls 3-2. Bryce Mahlke and Maddox Stadelmeir each drove in a run.
    • Game 2: Twin Falls bounced back for a 7-6 win. Hoyt Murray drove in four runs, Jordan Bingham added two hits and an RBI. Mahlke and Conner Lee had two hits each.
    • Stadelmeir pitched 1⅓ scoreless innings in relief.
    • The Cowboys are now 18-13 and will host the Idaho Falls Bandits AA this Thursday for a 5 p.m. doubleheader.

🦃 Wildlife & Conservation

  • 🦃 Spotted a wild turkey? The Idaho Department of Fish and Game wants your help! Their Turkey Tracker program runs through August—prime brooding season. Report sightings via app or website to support future wildlife management.

🤠 Rodeo Spotlight

  • 🐎 Five Magic Valley athletes competed Monday at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Wyoming.
    • Albion’s Samantha Mai placed 5th in barrel racing.
    • Rupert’s Brinlee Yore took 3rd in goat tying.
    • Chloe Berlin and Mackenzie Posey also competed yesterday.

🐚 Environment & Quagga Mussels

  • ⚠ A new study warns that Idaho’s plan to kill invasive quagga mussels in the Snake River may have harmed native species. Copper-based chemicals used in treatment reportedly killed up to 94% of animal life at some sites and impacted habitats nearly 40 miles downstream.

☀ Weather Forecast

  • 🌤 Today: Sunny, high near 89°F. Breezy west-northwest winds with gusts up to 21 mph.
  • 🌙 Tonight: Clear with patchy smoke after midnight. Low around 60°F.
  • 🔥 Thursday: Sunny and hot, high near 96°F. Patchy smoke continues.
  • 🌙 Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, low around 65°F.
  • 🌞 Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, high near 95°F.
  • 🌙 Friday Night: Mostly clear, low around 63°F.
  • 🌞 Saturday: Sunny and hot, high near 93°F.
  • 🌙 Saturday Night: Mostly clear, low around 62°F.
  • 🌞 Sunday: Sunny and hot, high near 91°F.
  • 🌙 Sunday Night: Mostly clear, low around 60°F.
  • 🌞 Monday: Sunny and hot, high near 92°F.
  • 🌙 Monday Night: Mostly clear, low around 61°F.
  • 🌞 Tuesday: Sunny and hot, high near 92°F.
Terry "Tdub" West
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