Tuesday 011122

Idaho Gov. Brad Little has proposed an 11% budget increase for public schools, a record $300 million boost over last year’s budget amount that was dedicated to schools.  The governor in his State of the State address also promoted a $350 million one-time income tax rebate and an ongoing income tax cut expected to reduce taxes for people and businesses by $251 million in its first year. Idaho has a $1.9 billion budget surplus that lawmakers will divide up when they set the state’s budget over the next several months.

There has been another structure fire in Twin Falls.  Late Sunday night, fire crews battled a fire at the Putters Mini-Golf.  When they arrived they found the roof engulfed in flames.  The fire started in the attic of the building but cause has yet to be announced.

With crude oil closing in on 80-dollars a barrel, filling your gas tank expensive despite the rising gasoline supplies and falling demand.  Triple A said this morning the average price for regular in Idaho is $3-55 a gallon.  That’s two cents less than a week ago and 9 cents less than a month ago.  National average is $3-30 and in Twin Falls the price is $3-62.

A Nampa man has been charged with first degree murder following a shooting death in Star Idaho on Christmas.  Dakota Travis Honeycutt was first charged with assisting in a suicide.  Honeycutt told detectives his he watched his roommate complete the suicide, and then leave him in a park without telling anyone what happened.

A 55 year old Burley man has died after a car crashed into the back of the tractor he was driving.  Tyson Cole was driving a Massey Ferguson tractor on 50 east road when a pickup ran into the rear of his tractor.

A math teacher whose embrace is credited with halting a school shooting in eastern Idaho last year was recognized by the governor during his Monday State of the State address.  The shooting happened May 6 at Rigby Middle School when a sixth-grade girl opened fire, wounding two classmates and a custodian.  Krista Gneiting directed her classroom to safety before approaching the shooter, gently taking the gun out of her hand.

SPORTS

Nine Broncos saw action in NFL regular-season finale games, highlighted by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson.  Vander Esch recorded six tackles and an interception. The linebacker intercepted Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew in the fourth quarter, marking his first interception since his rookie season in 2018. Wilson hauled in five receptions for a career-high 119 yards, his third-career 100-yard game and second of the season. He also garnered multiple touchdowns in a single game for the first time this season.

As socal media threats directed toward schools increase, both the Jerome and Twin Falls school districts are taking action to inform parents on how to keep children safe.  The districts have come together and are offering a free parent education night that is open to all parents across the Magic Valley. The event will focus on social media safety for students. The Twin Falls education night will be tonight at the O’Leary Middle School auditorium. Jerome High School will host their event tomorrow. Both will start at 7 p.m.

WEATHER

Today:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

 

Wednesday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. East wind 6 to 9 mph.

 

Thursday:  Partly sunny, with a high near 36. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Thursday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

 

Friday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.

Friday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 17.

 

Saturday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.

Saturday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.

 

Sunday:  Partly sunny, with a high near 30.

Sunday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 16.

 

M.L.King Day:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.