Breaking News
Body Discovered in Gooding County Leads to Teen Arrests
According to the Gooding County Prosecutor’s Office, two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, were arrested in Jerome as suspects in a murder investigation. The case began with the discovery of a body in a shallow grave in a rural area of Gooding County on September 21. The victim was identified as 18-year-old Dax Richins. Investigations are ongoing.
State Board of Education Restricts DEI Programs
During a meeting attended remotely by Idaho’s college and university presidents, the State Board of Education approved a controversial policy to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The resolution bans student success centers based on DEI ideology and prohibits universities from establishing central offices, policies, or initiatives rooted in DEI.
Environmental Study on Snake River Dams to be Updated
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation will update an environmental study on managing federal dams along the Columbia and Snake rivers. The supplemental study will assess new data, identifying breaching the lower Snake River Dams as a significant opportunity to restore salmon and steelhead populations in the basin.
Rupert Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking
Jose Luis Arteaga, 39, of Rupert, was sentenced to 13.5 years in federal prison for drug trafficking. This marks his third federal conviction. Arteaga was found with 368 grams of methamphetamine, a firearm, and smaller amounts of cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl during a Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force search in August 2023.
Four-Day School Weeks Widespread in Idaho
With 76 of Idaho’s 115 school districts adopting four-day weeks, this education model has become prevalent. Education leaders are monitoring its political viability as legislative sessions approach, with some suggesting it may be politically untouchable.
Sports News
Idaho Vandals Name New Football Head Coach
Thomas Ford has been named the new head coach for the Idaho Vandals football team. The announcement by Idaho Director of Athletics Terry Gawlik awaits approval by the Idaho State Board of Education and university HR procedures.
Basketball Updates
- Boise State Women’s Basketball: Defeated Furman 74-65 in the Husky Classic. Next, they face North Dakota State today at 1 p.m.
- Idaho Men’s Basketball: Lost 66-74 to UC Davis. Next game is against Pacific in Stockton, Calif., on Saturday at 1 p.m.
- Idaho Women’s Basketball: Fell to UC Davis 65-58 at home, ending a seven-game win streak. They face Cal State Northridge on Saturday at 2 p.m.
- Idaho State Bengals: Lost 70-56 to Utah Valley. Their Big Sky Conference opener includes games against Northern Arizona on January 2 and Northern Colorado on January 4.
- College of Southern Idaho Men’s Basketball: Secured a 92-70 win over Central Arizona. Their next game is December 30 against Blue Mountain Community College.
- College of Southern Idaho Women’s Basketball: Dominated Southwestern CC 104-27. They return to action on January 2.
High School Basketball
- Boys Scores:
- Canyon Ridge 59, Minico 48
- Jerome 53, Buhl 31
- Oakley 42, Murtaugh 31
- Columbia 70, Twin Falls 66
- Hagerman 61, Glenns Ferry 56
- Shoshone 64, Lighthouse Christian 32
- Girls Scores:
- Declo defeated Wendell
- Filer 38, Wood River 27
- Kimberly 56, Buhl 23
- Butte County 58, Raft River 47
- Today’s Games:
- Girls: Gooding vs. Weiser, Kimberly vs. Parma (Parma Holiday Tournament), Castleford vs. Hansen, Thunder Ridge vs. Canyon Ridge, Richfield vs. Dietrich, Jerome vs. Highland of Pocatello, Minico vs. Idaho Falls.
- Boys: Camas County vs. Carey, Kimberly vs. Snake River, Declo vs. Wendell, Gooding vs. La Grande (Parma Holiday Tournament).
Boise State Stadium Upgrades
Boise State’s “North End Zone Project” received financing approval from the Idaho Department of Education. The project includes premium seating for 1,600 people and structural upgrades, increasing Albertsons Stadium’s capacity to approximately 35,500.
Weather Forecast
Today: Sunny, high near 46°F, east wind 5-9 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, low around 24°F, east wind 9 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, high near 48°F, east wind 7-9 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, low around 26°F, east wind 7 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, high near 49°F, east wind 9 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, low around 31°F.
Sunday: Partly sunny, high near 46°F.
Sunday Night: Rain likely, low around 35°F. 70% chance of precipitation.
Monday: 40% chance of rain, high near 47°F.
Monday Night: 30% chance of rain, low around 32°F.
Tuesday: Rain likely, high near 48°F. 60% chance of precipitation.
Tuesday Night: Rain likely, low around 30°F.
Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, high near 42°F.
