💧 WATER | MAGIC VALLEY WATER SHORTAGES
Magic Valley farmers are facing water shortages after low winter snowfall left reservoirs well below normal. State hydrologists say the main Snake River reservoir system has just 24 percent of its water content remaining. Some canal companies have already shut down, and officials warn agricultural shortages could continue into next year.
🎓 EDUCATION | CSI OPENS JEROME CENTER
The College of Southern Idaho has officially opened its new Leroy Craig Jerome Center. The facility will house more than 10 career and technical education programs and serve hundreds of students. CSI says programs including food processing, automation and health sciences are designed around Southern Idaho workforce needs. Classes are expected to begin in January.
🎒 EDUCATION | FREE PRESCHOOL IN LINCOLN COUNTY
The Lincoln County Early Learning Center is now offering free preschool with enrollment open year-round. Programs are available for children ages 2 through 5, including kindergarten readiness. Free transportation and lunches are also provided, with no income restrictions. Grant funding will keep the preschool program free for five years.
🔥 WILDFIRES | BIGFOOT AND BIG GRASS FIRES
The Bigfoot Fire northwest of Grand View was reported contained yesterday after burning about 1,200 acres. Meanwhile, the massive Big Grass Fire has now burned more than 578,000 acres along the Oregon-Idaho border and is 72 percent contained. More than a thousand personnel remain assigned, with evacuation orders still in place.
🚜 WILDFIRES | TRANSMISSION CREWS ASSIST FIREFIGHTERS
Crews building Idaho Power’s Boardman-to-Hagerman transmission line shifted equipment and personnel to help fight wildfires along the Oregon-Idaho border. Officials estimate the effort helped protect between 10,000 and 15,000 acres.
🎡 EVENTS | WESTERN IDAHO FAIR
The Western Idaho Fair kicks off Friday, continuing a tradition that dates back nearly 130 years. The first fair opened in Boise in 1897 with livestock, agriculture and manufacturing exhibits. Today, more than 250,000 people attend annually. Bigger changes are coming in 2027, when the fair moves one week earlier and expands to a three-weekend format.
🐎 EVENTS | CASSIA COUNTY FAIR AND RODEO
The Cassia County Fair and Rodeo is underway, in Burley. This year’s rodeo features a new event, Indian Relay Races, where riders race multiple horses around the track, switching horses each lap.
🏈 SPORTS
🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL | CANYON RIDGE
High school football season is here, and today we continue our look at local teams. Canyon Ridge enters 2026 with an underdog mentality after going 3-and-6 last season. Head coach Juan Alvarado says the Riverhawks are emphasizing the run game, with one major goal: winning the first playoff game in program history. Canyon Ridge opens August 28th against Centennial.
🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL | CASTLEFORD
Castleford enters the 2026 football season with new leadership after going 2-and-6 last year. New head coach Jaime Allen says the Wolves are building a team-first culture focused on discipline and being competitive. Senior quarterback Riggin Keetch hopes that leads to a postseason run. Castleford kicks off the season August 28th against Mackay.
🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL | TWIN FALLS
Twin Falls is looking to build on a 5A Great Basin Conference title and state semifinal appearance last season. Head coach Ben Kohring says the ultimate goal is bringing home the blue trophy. The Bruins will have new faces, including at quarterback, but return several key players. Twin Falls opens the season Friday on the road against Sandpoint.
🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL | VALLEY
Valley enters the 2026 football season under new leadership after going 6-and-4 and reaching the playoffs last year. Valley alum Jim Rife takes over as head coach and says the Vikings will bring a hard-nosed approach every week. Senior leaders have their sights set on another playoff run. Valley opens August 28th against Butte County.
🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL | RAFT RIVER
Raft River enters the 2026 football season as the defending Snake River Conference champions after going 6-and-3 last year. Head coach Chad Evans says the ultimate goal is a blue trophy. The Trojans return their entire offensive and defensive line, along with both running backs. Raft River opens August 28th on the road against Idaho City.
⚽ COLLEGE SOCCER | BOISE STATE
Boise State soccer improved to 2-and-0 with a 4-1 win over Weber State last night. Four different Broncos scored, including freshman Campbell Wilson, who scored for the second straight match. Boise State has now gone unbeaten in a program-record 16 straight matches. The Broncos face SMU Thursday in Dallas.
⚽ COLLEGE SOCCER | IDAHO
Idaho soccer is off to its first 2-and-0 start since 2021 after shutting out CSUN 1-0 Saturday. Payton Oelkers scored the game’s only goal, while the Vandal defense recorded its second straight shutout. Idaho has outscored opponents 4-0 this season. The Vandals face Western Michigan Tuesday in Hawaii.
⛳ GOLF | STEELMAN WINS BOISE OPEN
Ross Steelman is the 2026 Albertsons Boise Open champion. The 25-year-old finished at 27-under, three strokes ahead of the field, after shooting a final-round 64 Sunday at Hillcrest Country Club. Steelman already secured his PGA TOUR card for next season and called the Boise Open one of his favorite tournaments of the year.
🤠 RODEO | CALDWELL NIGHT RODEO
The Caldwell Night Rodeo returns today for its 102nd year. Five nights of professional rodeo action run through Saturday at D&B Supply Arena, with more than 50,000 fans expected. Barrel racing begins this morning, followed by the Buckaroo Breakfast and junior and professional rodeo action. Tonight is First Responders Night.
🌤️ WEATHER
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms today, with partly sunny skies and a high near 90. Tonight, a few storms are possible before midnight, with a low around 63. Tomorrow will be partly sunny with a high near 89. Sunshine returns Wednesday, with highs climbing into the upper 90s by Friday.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 89. South southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 90.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Thursday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
- Local News for Monday 8/17/26 - August 17, 2026
- The Ultimate Growing Backpack - August 11, 2026
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