Your Daily Briefing – 11/26/2025

🔫 DOUBLE HOMICIDE ARREST — NEW PLYMOUTH

Idaho State Police have arrested 35-year-old Joshua Kirkman for the 2022 shooting deaths of Eric Ortega and Megan Amaya in New Plymouth. Detectives say a recovered pistol matched the murder weapon, and surveillance tied Kirkman to the home. ISP says more suspects may still face charges.

🩺 STATE EYES BUYING MEDICAL SCHOOL

A new consultant report says Idaho should consider buying the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, calling it a “historic opportunity” to boost the state’s doctor pipeline. The long-term proposal could deliver physicians faster than building a new medical school, but the potential price tag remains unknown.

✍️ ABORTION BALLOT INITIATIVE

A campaign to end Idaho’s strict abortion ban says it has gathered more than 50,000 of the nearly 71,000 signatures needed to qualify a 2026 ballot initiative.

💰 BUDGET WARNING: MASSIVE DEFICIT POSSIBLE

Idaho budget officials warn the state may need to find $600 million to $1 billion to balance the fiscal year 2027 budget. Revenue shortfalls and possible tax-code changes tied to President Donald Trump’s new federal bill could widen the deficit. Lawmakers say Idaho must pass a balanced budget, which may mean deeper cuts or tapping into the state’s $1.7 billion in reserves.

🚨 FATAL I-84 CRASH NEAR BOISE

Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal crash on westbound I-84 near Robinson Road near Boise. A GMC Sierra rear-ended a box truck, sending three people to the hospital. One juvenile passenger in the GMC died at the scene. Westbound lanes were blocked for about three hours.

🧪 SURGE IN HIV & AIDS CASES

Health officials are raising alarms as HIV and AIDS cases have sharply increased across South Central Idaho this year. SCPHD reports 15 HIV cases and nine AIDS cases so far in 2025. Free HIV testing will be offered Dec. 4 in Twin Falls and Dec. 9 in Jerome to support early detection.

🛣️ NIGHTLY I-84 CLOSURES — LINCOLN AVE. BRIDGE

Nightly closures on I-84 begin Sunday as crews demolish the old Lincoln Avenue bridge at Exit 168. Closures run 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for several weeks, with detours using the ramps.

🥛 RAW MILK SICKNESSES UNDER INVESTIGATION

Idaho health officials are investigating more than two dozen illnesses linked to raw milk since August. Raw milk isn’t pasteurized and can carry harmful bacteria.

🏀 SPORTS

🏆 HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS

Raft River stayed perfect last night with a commanding 65–30 win over previously unbeaten Glenns Ferry. Other scores: Gooding 63–30 over Dietrich, Melba 50–19 over Buhl, Oakley 60–13 over Shoshone, and Richfield 40–35 over Rimrock.

📣 VARSITY BASKETBALL SPOTLIGHT: WENDELL & CAREY

As we continue spotlighting Varsity Basketball across the Magic Valley, this morning we turn to the Wendell Trojans and the Carey Panthers.
• Wendell boys: scrappy, high-energy, downhill guards, relentless defense.
• Wendell girls: strong season start, better rebounding, sharper perimeter work—young but improving.
• Carey boys: top 1A contender, fast tempo, confident shooters, deep rotation.
• Carey girls: quick guards, sharp ball movement, more competitive every week.

🏅 1A SAWTOOTH AWARDS — CAREY DOMINATES

The 1A Sawtooth Conference has released its end-of-year awards, and state champion Carey dominated the honors.
• MVP: Stockton Sears — top-10 nationally in rushing, five TDs in title game
• Defensive POY: Will Parke
• Coach of the Year: John Saili
• Offensive POY: Chase Norman (Dietrich)
Full first and second teams include standout athletes from Carey, Dietrich, Hansen, Shoshone, Richfield, and more.

🏀 BOISE STATE — MAUI INVITATIONAL

Boise State couldn’t keep pace at the Maui Invitational, falling 81–70 to NC State. The Broncos shot just 33% from the field, despite a huge night from Dylan Andrews, who poured in 26 points and hit five threes. Boise State briefly grabbed the lead in both halves, but a late scoring drought let the Wolfpack pull away. The Broncos close out the tournament tomorrow.

🦅 CSI GOLDEN EAGLES — MEN & WOMEN ROLL

The College of Southern Idaho basketball programs dominated the weekend.
• Women: Won the Battle for the Boot, beating Monroe College and No. 9 Shelton State. Samara Morrow named Scenic West Player of the Week.
• Men: Improved to 7–0 behind Player of the Week Jalen Lyn (23 PPG, 6.5 RPG).
Both teams host games Friday and Saturday in the ICCU Invitational.

🏈 IDAHO FOOTBALL — STAFF CHANGES

Idaho Head Coach Thomas Ford Jr. says assistants Matt Linehan, Lance Dunbar, and Tevita Finau will not return for the 2026 season. Ford thanked all three for their service, saying the changes are in the best interest of the program’s future. A national search for replacements is underway.

🌤️ WEATHER

Partly sunny today with a high near 50. Tonight drops to 28 under partly cloudy skies. Thanksgiving looks beautiful—sunny and near 58. Friday turns breezy with highs in the low 50s. Cooler this weekend, with highs around 40 and a slight chance of rain or snow Saturday night.

Today: Partly sunny, high near 50.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, low 28.
Thanksgiving: Sunny, high 58.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, low 31.
Friday: Mostly sunny, high 51, breezy.
Saturday: Partly sunny, high 40.
Saturday Night: Slight chance rain/snow, low 20.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, high 38.
Monday: Mostly sunny, high 40.
Tuesday: 20% chance of rain, high 43.

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Benjamin Reed