Friday 031023

Today’s weather is making headlines with 7 weather alerts issued by the national weather service.  A winter storm warning extends through parts of Northern Magic Valley with 14 inches of snow and 50 mile an hour winds are expected.  There is an avalanche warning in the Wood River area.  Castleford schools are closed because of plumbing issues.

The water outlook is looking better as the area approaches the growing season.  Locally the reservoirs are about half or 3-quarters full.

The body of former Idaho Governor Phil Batt will be honorably transferred from the Capitol in Boise to the Cathedral of the Rockies for a memorial service this morning.  The 29^th Governor of Idaho died on March 4^th.

The House State Affairs Committee yesterday held a resolution that would have asked voters to amend the Idaho Constitution and make it harder to get an initiative or referendum on the ballot.  The resolution comes after a similar piece of legislation in 2021 that was struck down as unconstitutional by the Idaho Supreme Court.

Legislative budget-writers approved a spending plan for higher education and basically followed Gov. Brad Little’s playbook.  JFAC approved providing $353.9 million to the four-year schools.

The Republican-controlled Idaho Senate voted last night to eliminate student IDs as an acceptable form of identification to vote in Idaho elections.  If passed into law it would mean students would need to use their driver’s license, passport or their concealed weapons ID.

Those who don't make enough money to file an income tax return can still get a refund on some of the sales tax they paid on groceries.  Anyone who has lived in Idaho for a full year qualifies for the grocery credit refund.

City officials in Ketchum said Boise-based Albertsons is eyeing a store in Ketchum, which would serve the greater Sun Valley area.  Albertsons owns a piece of property at 1000 Warm Springs Rd.

For many Americans, Spring Break marks the unofficial start of the travel season, and according to new research by AAA, it’s going to be a busy one.  AAA booking data shows a 30% increase in international travel.

SPORTS

The ladies from the College of Southern Idaho Eagles basketball team took the win last night over Snow College 57 to 45.  Now, the Golden Eagle ladies are one win away from their third straight Region 18 Championship.  Tonight they will be looking for their 11^th all-time Region 18 title.  The #4 ranked CSI team will play Salt Lake Community College. Tipoff will be at 6 p.m. at CSI Gym.

For High School Baseball, Canyon Ridge will travel to Emmett, Buhl heads  to Parma for a double header.  The Thunder Ridge at Minico double header has been canceled as well as the Mountain Home and Columbia Double Header. 

For softball, Canyon Ridge travels to Emmett; the Wendell Lighthouse Christian at Legacy fields in Filer has been canceled as well as the Mountain Home Columbia double header.  The Tennis match with Mountain Home has been canceled along with the track meet with Twin Falls, Canyon Ridge, Hansen and Lighthouse Christian at Canyon Ridge and the Burley Track Meet is also canceled. 

WEATHER

Friday:  A chance of rain, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 11am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. High near 43. East northeast wind around 18 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind 6 to 16 mph becoming south in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

 

Saturday:  Sunny, with a high near 39. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. East wind 8 to 13 mph.

 

Sunday:  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.

Sunday Night:  A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

 

Monday:  A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.

Monday Night:  Showers likely, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

 

Tuesday:  Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday Night:  Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

 

Wednesday:  A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night:  A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

 

Thursday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.