News

Your Daily Briefing – July 11, 2025

Terry "Tdub" West

🕵️‍♂️ CRIME & COURTS

  • Quadruple Homicide Charges: Benjamin Roy Naylor of Burley is charged with four counts of first-degree murder after four bodies were found Tuesday in Cassia and Minidoka counties. Two of the victims have been identified as Kelly and Donna Jenks.
  • University of Idaho Case: The judge overseeing the University of Idaho murder case will hear arguments on July 17 about lifting the gag order now that Bryan Kohberger has pleaded guilty. Media groups argue the order is no longer needed.

🏫 EDUCATION & POLITICS

  • NEA Shirt Controversy: Idaho teachers drew national attention at the NEA convention for wearing “Everyone is Welcome Here” shirts. The slogan is now at the center of a political firestorm. The Idaho Attorney General says it’s a banned political message, but Boise schools are supporting teachers who display it.
  • Federal Education Fund Freeze: A $33 million freeze on federal education funds has hit Idaho schools, delaying programs such as after-school learning and English language support. Superintendent Debbie Critchfield released $2.8 million in emergency funds, but districts like Boise and Nampa are preparing for budget cuts.
  • Youth Center Saved: The Lincoln County Youth Center avoided closure after the Department of Education provided emergency funding. The rural program serves 130 kids and will now operate through December despite the grant freeze.
  • Free School Meals Expanded: Twin Falls School District is expanding its free meal program to 13 schools for the 2025–2026 year. All enrolled students will receive free breakfast and lunch without needing to apply, thanks to Community Eligibility Provision funding.

🚧 TRANSPORTATION & LOCAL POLICY

  • Molasses Spill on I-84: A Nampa man crashed his semi hauling molasses near milepost 173 on I-84 Wednesday night, spilling diesel and molasses across 200 feet of roadway. Westbound lanes were blocked for six hours.
  • Burley I-84 Closures: The eastbound on-ramp to I-84 at Exit 211 from Highway 24 will close tonight at 6 p.m. for repaving. A detour to Exit 216 will be in place. Westbound ramps in Burley remain closed through July 24.
  • Neighborhood Ad Signs: Twin Falls may soon allow temporary commercial signs in residential areas. The city is updating its sign code to align with a 2015 Supreme Court ruling on free speech and signage regulations.

⚾ SPORTS

  • Twin Falls AA Victory: Twin Falls AA defeated Greenberry Athletics 18U, 9-3, at the Northwest Diamond Series in Portland. Slade Fisher went 3-for-3 with 2 RBIs. The Cowboys (15-10) face Okotoks Dawgs Red tonight at 7 p.m.
  • District C Tournament Highlights:
    • Filer: Crushed Hub City 19-3 behind Ace Beyer’s 4-for-4, 4-RBI performance. Advanced but lost to Idaho Falls 14-2. Will face Pocatello today at 2:30 p.m.
    • Hub City: Meets Gooding at noon.
    • Kimberly: Remains undefeated (16-0), beating Gooding 17-6. Faces Twin Falls in a semifinal at 5 p.m.
    • Twin Falls: Beat Burley 15-3. Burley plays the Hub City/Gooding winner at 5 p.m.
    • Minico: Jayden Quiroz and Ben Gillette pitched a no-hitter in a 10-0 win over Pocatello. Minico hosts Idaho Falls tonight at 7:30 p.m.

🎉 EVENTS

  • Oakley Pioneer Days: Begins today with two nights of Bump-N-Rub car races at 7 p.m. at the rodeo grounds. Next week’s events include a teen swim, volleyball, youth rodeo, Dutch-oven cooking, live music, a street dance, parade, and rodeo—culminating July 19.
  • Wake in the Snake: The 28th annual event kicks off tomorrow at the Burley Marina at 9 a.m. Featuring 55 wakeboarders, kids’ games, raffles, food, and live music. Free admission and family-friendly fun.

🌤 WEATHER

  • Today: Sunny, high near 89°F. West-northwest wind 8–11 mph with gusts up to 21 mph.
  • Tonight: Clear, low around 60°F. Winds shift southwest after midnight, gusting up to 21 mph.
  • Saturday: Sunny and hot, high near 92°F. Gusts up to 22 mph.
  • Saturday Night: Clear, low around 62°F. Gusts up to 23 mph.
  • Sunday: Sunny and very hot, high near 95°F. Breezy in the afternoon.
  • Sunday Night: Mostly clear, low around 67°F.
  • Monday: Sunny and hot, high near 95°F.
  • Monday Night: Clear, low around 63°F.
  • Tuesday: Sunny and hot, high near 90°F.
  • Tuesday Night: Clear, low around 57°F.
  • Wednesday: Sunny and hot, high near 90°F.
  • Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, low around 57°F.
  • Thursday: Sunny and hot, high near 95°F.
Terry "Tdub" West
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