🔥 BURLEY FIRE TRAGEDY
Early Friday morning, a devastating fire swept through a mobile home park in Burley, described by firefighters as “incredibly hot and fast.” Two homes were completely destroyed, and another was severely damaged. Tragically, Jorge Miguel Méndez Díaz, originally from Nueva Palestina, Chiapas, lost his life in the blaze. The Méndez family is seeking support to cover the expenses of returning Jorge Miguel to his hometown.
🚨 WILDER FEDERAL RAID
Following a federal raid at La Catedral Arena racetrack in Wilder, Idaho, dozens of families were left searching for detained loved ones. A 17-year-old from Jerome said her father and 14-year-old brother were arrested during the FBI’s illegal-gambling investigation. ICE detained 105 people labeled as “undocumented,” though immigration lawyer Nikki Ramirez-Smith said some had legal residency. The father, a diabetic with heart problems, was moved between jails without medicine. His 3-year-old daughter kept asking for him until he was finally released with an ankle monitor after a week of confusion, fear, and separation that devastated the family.
⚖️ CRIME & COURTS
• Skyler Meade, accused of killing two north Idaho men after escaping custody in 2024, was arraigned Friday in Nez Perce County. He stayed silent as the judge entered not-guilty pleas on his behalf. Trial is set for March 6, with a status conference November 6.
• Benjamin Naylor, the suspect in July’s Mini-Cassia quadruple murder, has been ruled mentally competent to stand trial in Cassia County. A hearing Wednesday will decide if he can face charges in Minidoka County.
• A second Richfield teacher, 50-year-old Carmen Buttcane, faces misdemeanor battery charges after allegedly striking a student who refused to hand over a rubber band.
🚗 TRAFFIC & PUBLIC SAFETY
• Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash early Saturday in Elmore County. A juvenile from Mountain Home died after his pickup overturned on NW Outback Road. A juvenile passenger was airlifted to a local hospital.
• Jerome County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious fire at the Amber Inn Motel in Eden. Fire crews contained the blaze to one room; no injuries reported. Arson has not been ruled out.
• Twin Falls is launching a new snow-removal permit program allowing HOAs and groups to plow residential roads. The $75 permits require insurance and city approval before work begins.
• Pipeline Plastics will celebrate the grand opening of its new Rupert plant tomorrow — a multimillion-dollar facility creating 50+ jobs and producing advanced HDPE pipe for water and energy projects.
• A woman was killed by a northbound freight train Friday night near Parr Road Crossing in Bonner County. ISP is investigating.
🏫 EDUCATION & ECONOMY
Most Idaho school districts now start teachers at the new state minimum salary of just over $50,000. A few districts and charters pay more — Blaine County leads with nearly $59,000 starting and over $100,000 for veterans. This year’s 5 percent raise largely went toward meeting the new minimum.
🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL – REGULAR SEASON FINALE
In 5A: Twin Falls rolled Minico 54-20; Mountain Home beat Burley 20-7; Columbia defeated Canyon Ridge 41-13; Jerome handled Wood River 46-14.
In 4A: Buhl edged Filer 18-12; Kimberly lit up Gooding 67-20.
In 3A: American Falls beat Declo 43-14.
In 2A: Oakley outlasted Garden Valley 44-40; Raft River downed Hagerman 42-20; Murtaugh beat Glenns Ferry 28-8; Valley upset Carey 36-28.
In 1A: West Jefferson JV beat Richfield 34-22; Shoshone beat Dietrich 46-20; Hansen blanked Castleford 54-0. No byes this week — it’s win-or-go-home as the postseason begins.
⚽ STATE CHAMPIONS – WOOD RIVER SOCCER
The Wood River Wolverines are Idaho 5A State Champions, defeating Vallivue 5-0 Saturday — their fourth title in program history. Senior Mateo De La Torre scored the opening goal and secured revenge after last year’s loss. Twin Falls took third with a 2-1 win over Sandpoint.
🏃 COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO ATHLETICS
• Cross Country: CSI swept the Scenic West Championships. Women won with all runners in the top ten (led by Sage Lyon in third). Men won behind individual champ Raivio Manzer. Both head to Nationals Nov. 8 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
• Volleyball: No. 20 CSI edged Snow College in five sets; four Eagles hit double digits as they improved to 17-8, closing next week at North Idaho.
• Soccer: CSI men fell 3-0 to USU Eastern (8-8-1 overall). Women drew 1-1 behind Hailee Pool’s goal and Kirstine Kent’s three saves, finishing 6-5-4 and just missing the playoffs.
• Basketball: CSI added Robert Rodriguez to the men’s coaching staff, bringing international experience from the Chinese Basketball Association and NBA G League.
🏈 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
• Boise State clinched bowl eligibility for the 28th straight season with a 24-3 win over Nevada. Five turnovers led to 24 unanswered points. Jeremiah Earby had two interceptions; Sire Gaines, Maddux Madsen, and Dylan Riley each scored TDs. Next up: Fresno State, Saturday 1:30 in Boise.
• Idaho State fell 31-18 to No. 20 Northern Arizona on Homecoming in Pocatello. Dason Brooks rushed for 108 yards and a TD; Jordan Cooke threw for 256 yards and a score. Despite outgaining NAU 393-371, the Bengals dropped their third straight.
• Idaho Vandals dominated Portland State 45-6 in Moscow. QB Joshua Wood threw for 259 yards and four TDs; Elisha Cummings led in rushing and receiving with a 13-yard TD run. Idaho improves to 3-5 and heads to Northern Arizona next week.
🌤 WEATHER – MAGIC VALLEY FORECAST
A chilly day across the Magic Valley — partly sunny early, turning clear with highs near 44 and gusty west winds up to 25 mph. Tonight drops to the mid-20s with light south winds. Tuesday warms into the low-50s under bright sunshine. Mostly sunny and milder through the week with highs in the upper 50s by the weekend.
Detailed Outlook:
- Today: Partly sunny, high 44°F, west winds 10–16 mph (gusts 26).
- Tonight: Mostly clear, low 24°F, light southerly winds.
- Tuesday: Sunny, high 51°F, east winds 5–9 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, low 27°F.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high 56°F.
- Wednesday Night: Clear, low 29°F.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, high 52°F.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, high 55°F.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high 61°F.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, high 59°F.
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/27/2025 - October 27, 2025
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/24/2025 - October 24, 2025
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/23/2025 - October 23, 2025
