Your Daily Briefing – 03/23/2026

📰 MAGIC VALLEY NEWS HEADLINES

🏫 KIMBERLY SCHOOL FUNDING VOTE
Kimberly School District is asking voters to approve a levy and a $57.8 million bond in May. If passed, taxes on a $450,000 home would run about $100 a month, or $1,200 a year. The funding would go toward new facilities, buses, and major upgrades across the district.

🌾 IDAHO AG DRIVES RECORD ECONOMIC IMPACT
Idaho agriculture is booming, bringing in a record $44.5 billion and supporting one in nine jobs statewide, according to a new University of Idaho study. It now makes up more than 17 percent of the state’s economy.

🚛 SEMI DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER I-84 PURSUIT
Idaho State Police arrested a semi driver after a hit-and-run and pursuit on I-84 early Saturday. The driver refused to stop until troopers used spike strips near Wendell, where he was taken into custody.

⚖️ PROBATION IN DEADLY JEROME CRASH CASE
A semi driver involved in a deadly 2024 crash on I-84 near Jerome has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to vehicular manslaughter. The victim, 33-year-old Samantha Smith, died when her stalled vehicle was struck.

🌿 KRATOM REGULATION BILL ADVANCES
A new bill at the Idaho Statehouse would regulate kratom sales for the first time, limiting it to natural products and adults 21 and older. The proposal also cracks down on synthetic and contaminated products, with fines up to $2,500 for violations. If passed, it would take effect July 1.

🧑‍⚖️ PUBLIC DEFENDER BUDGET CUT SIGNED
Governor Brad Little has signed a new state budget that includes a $2.2 million cut to Idaho’s public defender system. Critics warn the reduction could strain staffing and impact access to legal representation.

✈️ AIRPORT ICE FEARS GROW AMONG TRAVELERS
An Idaho immigration attorney says fear is rising among travelers after President Donald Trump suggested deploying ICE agents to airports during the federal funding dispute. Some travelers, even those with legal status, are now hesitant to fly, as concerns grow over increased enforcement at airports.

🌡️ SPRING HEAT SHATTERS RECORDS
Early spring heat shattered records across Idaho Friday, with Boise hitting 83 and Twin Falls 80. Several cities set all-time March highs as temperatures soared well above normal.

♿ PAID CARE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN BILL STALLS
A bill to pay parents caring for disabled children is stalled at the Idaho Statehouse. The bill would allow up to 25 hours of paid caregiving each week, but lawmakers say the $30 million cost is the main hurdle.

🛻 DEPUTIES WARN OF MUD TRAPS AT RESERVOIR
A pickup got stuck in the mud at Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir over the weekend. Deputies had to call a tow truck, and they’re warning drivers that shorelines may look dry, but soft mud underneath can trap your vehicle.

🏈 SPORTS

⚾ BURLEY POWERS THROUGH BIG WEEKEND
In baseball, Burley had a huge weekend at the Buck’s Bags Tournament, beating Columbia twice 9 to 8, including an extra-innings win, then crushing Century 16 to 9 and Caldwell 28 to 2.

⚾ FILER DOMINATES, MINICO STRUGGLES
Filer dominated American Falls 9 to 3 and 26 to nothing. Minico fell to Timberlake 16 to 2, Thunder Ridge 7 to nothing, and Lewiston 10 to 1.

⚾ JEROME BOUNCES BACK, TWIN FALLS SPLITS
Jerome dropped games to Capital 10 to 0 and Skyview 10 to 3 but bounced back to beat Timberline 5 to 2. Twin Falls split, falling to Lewiston 5 to 3 but beating Timberline 12 to 4 and Willamette 2 to 1.

⚾ LOCAL RESULTS ROUNDUP
Wendell fell to Buhl 15 to 5, and Declo lost to Lighthouse Christian 11 to 8. Tonight, Canyon Ridge is at Boise.

🥎 KIMBERLY STAYS HOT IN SOFTBALL
Over the weekend in softball, Kimberly stayed hot with big wins over Boise 15 to nothing, Sugar-Salem 11 to 6, and Timberline 16 to 10, but fell to Nampa 10 to 9.

🥎 GOODING, FILER, AND WENDELL POST STRONG SHOWINGS
Gooding went 3 and 1, beating Meridian 16 to 4 and Rocky Mountain 8 to 5 but falling to Skyline 12 to 11 and Vallivue 6 to 5. Filer picked up wins over Marsing 14 to 4 and 8 to 6, plus Mountain View JV 13 to 8, but dropped one to Middleton JV. Wendell dominated, beating Marsh Valley, Salmon, Ririe, and Firth all by double digits.

🥎 JEROME, TWIN FALLS, MOUNTAIN HOME UPDATE
Jerome split, including an 18 to 9 win over Moscow and a 10 to 8 win over New Plymouth. Twin Falls picked up a big 19 to 3 win over Teton, while Mountain Home struggled, still looking for their first win.

🦅 CSI BASEBALL WINS 27TH STRAIGHT
The CSI Golden Eagles are on fire, winning their 27th straight and beating USU Eastern 10 to 5 to complete the sweep. After trailing early, CSI exploded for six runs in the sixth. Ryder Cutlip led the way with a homer and three RBI. CSI now sits at 28 and 5, and 4 and 0 in conference play.

🥎 BOISE STATE SOFTBALL MISSES SWEEP
Boise State softball missed the sweep Sunday, falling to Fresno State 7 to 1 at Dona Larsen Park. The Broncos were held to just two hits, with Marissa Gonzalez providing the lone run on her sixth homer of the season. Boise State now heads to Colorado State for a three-game series this weekend.

🥎 IDAHO STATE ROLLS INTO BIG SKY PLAY
Idaho State softball wrapped up a dominant week with a 9 to 1 run-rule win over Seattle U, completing the sweep and finishing non-conference play at 23 and 13. The Bengals scored early and often, with big hits from Alyssa Yee and Camryn McDonald, and now head into Big Sky play on a five-game win streak.

🏀 VANDALS WOMEN CLOSE HISTORIC SEASON
The Idaho Vandals women saw a historic season come to an end, falling to Oklahoma 89 to 59 in the NCAA Tournament. Kyra Gardner led Idaho with 19 points. Despite the loss, the Vandals set program records with 29 wins, 17 conference victories, and an 18-game win streak, capping one of the best seasons in school history.

🎿 SKI SEASON WINDS DOWN
Ski season is wrapping up across southern Idaho. Bogus Basin celebrated closing day yesterday with costumes, competitions, and live music, despite a shorter season due to warm temperatures and low snow. Meanwhile, Sun Valley is staying open through April 5. The resort also announced major lift upgrades starting this spring to improve future seasons.

🌬 WEATHER

⛅ TODAY
Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

🌙 TONIGHT
Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming south after midnight.

☀️ TUESDAY
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 6 to 11 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

🌃 TUESDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Southwest wind 9 to 15 mph.

☀️ WEDNESDAY
Sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 7 to 14 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.

🌙 WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

🌬 THURSDAY
Sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

🌙 THURSDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

⛅ FRIDAY
Partly sunny, with a high near 64.

🌥 FRIDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

⛅ SATURDAY
Partly sunny, with a high near 74.

🌥 SATURDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.

☀️ SUNDAY
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.