Wednesday 031523

Once again the weather is making headlines in the Magic Valley.  Forecasters say to expect wins of possibly 65 miles an hour till about 6 tonight.  There is a flood advisory for parts of Lincoln and Minidoka counties.  Upwards to 16 inches of new snow could fall in the Boise and West Central Mountains and the Avalanche warning remains in place for parts of the Sawtooth Stanley Basin, Sun Valley and the Wood River Foothills. 

All area school districts were given the thumbs up by voters yesterday on their requests for levies and bonds.  Most past with at least a 60 percent favorable margin.

The job numbers are out and the latest indicates that Pocatello saw the greatest increase with non-farm job gains were 7-point 3 percent.  Twin Falls with 1-point 6.  In Idaho, the unemployment rate is down to 2.7%.  Non-farm jobs increased by 4,600 to 842,000.

A Rupert meat processing company has had its USDA accreditation suspended.  It stems from an incident where there were inhumane practices with swine slaughter at Jensen Meats last year.

The Shoshone Falls after Dark light show is returning for the 3rd year.  It will happen over two weekends April 27th through the 30th and May 4th through the 7th.  Each show lasts about 20 minutes.

In Idaho lawmakers are pushing legislation forward that would prevent discrimination against those who choose not to be vaccinated for COVID.  The bill passed the senate on a party line vote. 

The Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee finished setting the fiscal year 2024 state budget yesterday and signed off on a 16.4% increase in state funding for K-12 public schools.  Altogether, JFAC approved a $378.6 million increase for public schools. Thats a $145 million increase for teacher raises.

Attorneys hired to represent the Idaho Legislature in a federal case over Idaho’s abortion ban have appealed their right to intervene in the case.  The lawsuit, filed by the feds against Idaho, argues the state’s near-total ban on abortions violates the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.

SPORTS

From the local baseball diamonds yesterday for high school games, Kimberly defeated Filer 13 to 0.  It was Mountain View 7 Twin Falls 2.  For Softball games, Kimberly downed Filer 6 to 9 and Buhl said no to Wood River 8 to 7. 

The Boys from Declo picked up high honors in the Golf match at Clear Lakes.  The Girls from Kimberly took the high score as well.  Gooding, Declo, Kimberly, Carey, Buhl, Wendell, Castleford and Oakley all participated.

The Lighthouse Christian, Buhl, Sun Valley Community School, Valley, Filer and Carey at Canyon Springs golf game at Canyon Springs was Cancelled.

On today’s schedule, first for baseball, Wendell travels to Cole Valley Christian.  The Gooding at Declo game has been canceled as well as the Thunder Ridge at Jerome Game.  For Softball, Wendell travels to Cole Valley and the Gooding At Declo game has been Canceled.  One Golf game is set.  Kimberly will participate in the Homedale Invite at the Riverbend Golf Course. 

The Jerome at Gooding tennis match is scheduled. The Pocatello at Minico match is canceled.

WEATHER

Wednesday:  A slight chance of rain and snow showers before noon. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 42. Windy, with a west wind around 30 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Blustery, with a west northwest wind 16 to 26 mph becoming south southwest 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.

 

Thursday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Light and variable wind becoming east southeast 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 22. East northeast wind 11 to 14 mph.

 

Friday:  Sunny, with a high near 46.

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

 

Saturday:  Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

Saturday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

 

Sunday:  A slight chance of snow before noon, then a chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night:  A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

 

Monday:  A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night:  A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

 

Tuesday:  A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 50%.