MAGIC VALLEY NEWS
I-84 Widening Opens More Lanes
Driving between Twin Falls and Jerome just got easier. The Idaho Transportation Department has opened three lanes in both directions on I-84 between exits 173 and 168 as part of the corridor widening project. Crews completed the work ahead of schedule. Drivers should still expect occasional overnight ramp closures this week while finishing work continues.
Medicaid Disability Payments Could Be Cut
The Idaho House could soon vote on a bill cutting nearly $22 million from Medicaid disability provider payments. House Bill 863 advanced out of committee yesterday and is part of a broader push to reduce Medicaid spending in the state budget.
State Budget Cuts Advance
The Idaho Senate has passed the first of several new state budgets that include five-percent cuts for many state agencies next year. Lawmakers say the reductions are meant to help balance the budget amid revenue uncertainty.
Idaho Resolution Targets Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
The Idaho House has passed a resolution asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The measure now heads to the Idaho Senate for consideration.
Bill Revises Parental Consent Rules
Idaho lawmakers have introduced a bill to revise the state’s parental consent law for minors’ medical care. The proposal would clarify first aid rules and allow services such as sexual-assault exams and help through the 988 crisis hotline without parental consent.
Wind Advisory for the Magic Valley
A Wind Advisory is in effect Thursday afternoon for Twin Falls, Jerome, Gooding, and Camas counties, with gusts up to 50 miles per hour.
A High Wind Watch is also posted for parts of southern Idaho where gusts could reach 60 miles per hour or more.
New Dorm Could Sit Empty
A new dorm at the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind could sit empty when it opens in 2027. Lawmakers rejected funding for staff, meaning the 18-bed facility may not be able to house students, despite a waiting list.
Amber Alert Suspect Arrested
A man wanted by Jerome Police for kidnapping has been arrested in Colorado. Deputies located Francisco Vargas Pegueros at a gas station Monday night after an Amber Alert was issued for a missing 15-year-old girl.
State Warns of Scam Text Messages
The Idaho Transportation Department is warning residents about scam text messages claiming you owe a traffic fine or have overdue vehicle registration. Officials say if the link isn’t a dot-gov address, it’s likely a scam.
SPORTS
Sawtooth Conference Girls’ Basketball Honors
The 1A Sawtooth Conference has announced its all-conference girls’ basketball honors.
- Camas County senior point guard Clancy Rablin was named MVP.
- Carey’s Stockton Sears earned Offensive Player of the Year.
- Dietrich’s Morgan Denning was named Defensive Player of the Year.
- Carey’s Danny Simpson was named Coach of the Year after leading the Panthers to a fourth-place finish this season.
Carey Panthers Highlight All-Conference Awards
The Carey Panthers headline another set of 1A Sawtooth honors this year.
- Junior guard Andie Simpson was named Conference MVP after leading Carey in scoring.
- Head coach Merrilee Sears earned Coach of the Year honors following the Panthers’ consolation title at state.
- Dietrich’s Ada Bingham was named Offensive Player of the Year.
- Teammate Sienna Norman picked up Defensive Player of the Year.
Boise State Opens Mountain West Tournament
Boise State opens the Mountain West Men’s Basketball Tournament tonight in Las Vegas, taking on San Jose State.
The Broncos enter on a five-game winning streak, with tip-off scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Mountain Time at the Thomas & Mack Center. Boise State has dominated the series, going 44-and-4 all-time against the Spartans.
Drew Fielder Earns All-Conference Honors
Boise State forward Drew Fielder has been named to the All-Mountain West Second Team.
It’s the first all-conference honor of his career, after averaging nearly 15 points and six rebounds per game while shooting 55 percent from the floor this season.
Dylan Andrews and Javan Buchanan also received honorable mention.
Idaho Vandals Reach Big Sky Championship
The Idaho Vandals are heading to the Big Sky Championship game after an 81-68 win over Eastern Washington.
Kolton Mitchell led Idaho with 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. The Vandals have now won four straight games and will play Montana tonight at 9:30 p.m. Mountain Time for their first conference tournament title since the early 1990s.
Idaho Women Also Headed to Big Sky Title Game
The Idaho Vandals women’s team is heading to the Big Sky Championship after a 59-51 semifinal win over Sacramento State.
- Hope Hassmann led Idaho with 15 points.
- Debora Dos Santos added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The win is Idaho’s 17th straight and ties the school record with 28 wins this season. The Vandals play for the Big Sky title today on ESPNU.
Idaho State Softball Extends Win Streak
Idaho State softball rolled to a 13-2 run-rule victory over Utah State Tuesday.
- Kennedy Dudley drove in four runs.
- Sydney Groves added a two-run homer.
- Pitcher Riley Wickum tossed a complete game.
The Bengals improve to 16-10 and extend their winning streak to six games.
Idaho State Women Fall in Big Sky Tournament
Idaho State’s run in the Big Sky Women’s Basketball Tournament ended with a 62-53 loss to Sacramento State in the quarterfinals.
Tasia Jordan led the Bengals with 21 points, while Kacey Spink added 11 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Idaho State outrebounded the Hornets but struggled from three-point range in the loss.
WEATHER – MAGIC VALLEY
Today: Mostly sunny with a high near 54. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph, becoming west in the afternoon. Gusts up to 25 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy with a low around 42. West-northwest wind 9 to 16 mph, shifting south-southwest in the evening. Gusts up to 25 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny with a high near 64. Breezy southwest wind 15 to 22 mph, gusts up to 38 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with a low around 41. West-northwest wind 8 to 15 mph, becoming south-southwest after midnight. Gusts up to 36 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny with a high near 67.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with a low around 44.
Saturday: 50% chance of rain, mostly cloudy with a high near 60. Breezy.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with a low around 32. Breezy.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a high near 55.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a low around 41.
Monday: Partly sunny with a high near 68.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy with a low around 46.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny with a high near 77.
