Local News
Who should decide whether marijuana can be legalized in Idaho—lawmakers alone, or voters, too? That’s the question behind HJR 4 on November’s ballot. The proposed constitutional amendment would give the Legislature sole authority to legalize marijuana, including medical cannabis, and other covered drugs. A yes vote would eliminate the citizen initiative route for those decisions. A no vote would preserve it. Supporters, including Senator Scott Grow, say the measure would protect Idaho from special-interest campaigns. Opponents say voters would surrender their own decision-making power. The amendment needs a simple majority to pass.
2 candidates challenging Idaho Governor Brad Little say they would reverse several of his policies if elected November 3rd. Democrat Terri Pickens and independent John Stegner spoke at a candidate forum in Boise last night. Little did not attend. The League of Women Voters of Idaho says he did not respond to its invitation. Pickens pledged a budget restoring funding for mental health services, Medicaid expansion and public education. Stegner said he would seek to overturn Idaho’s private school tax credit program, including through a legal challenge. Both support Proposition 1, the abortion-rights initiative, and oppose proposed constitutional amendments addressing drug legalization and making English Idaho’s official language. They also criticized state cooperation agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Idaho’s proposed nuclear campus agreement. Pickens said she would withdraw from the nuclear agreement, while Stegner raised concerns about accepting radioactive waste from outside Idaho.
Idaho is building nearly 1,000 new prison beds—but corrections officials say the buildings could sit empty without money to open them. The Idaho Department of Correction is requesting $45.3 million to furnish 3 facilities and hire 205 employees. Director Bree Derrick says the state has already invested nearly $200 million in construction and supporting infrastructure. Idaho has about 8,200 prison beds but is responsible for nearly 10,000 people in custody. Many are held in county jails, and about 950 men are housed at a private prison in Arizona. The new facilities include a 560-bed women’s prison and a 280-bed men’s unit near Kuna, plus 112 beds in Orofino. All are scheduled for completion next year. The governor’s budget recommendation is expected in January, with lawmakers considering the funding during the 2027 session.
Blaine County is putting data center permits on hold while it writes new rules for the facilities. Commissioners approved an emergency moratorium lasting 182 days, giving planning and zoning staff time to draft regulations and gather public input. Commissioner Lindsay Mollineaux says the county hasn’t seen a surge in applications, but wants to prepare as artificial intelligence drives demand for data centers. Bannock and Kootenai counties already have similar pauses in place. Mollineaux says the goal is to update county rules before projects can move forward under existing standards.
More than 6,800 homes could be coming to southeast Ada County, across the freeway from Micron’s expanding campus. CBH Homes is proposing Radiance, a nearly 1,200-acre development with single-family homes, apartments, shopping and nearly 300 acres of open space. Plans also reserve land for 3 schools and emergency services. The community would remain outside Boise city limits, raising questions about how services would be provided. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean says the region needs housing, but officials must determine whether growth can pay for itself. The developer has not yet submitted an official application to Ada County, and approval would be required before construction could move forward.
Boise-based Albertsons is still fighting Kroger over their failed merger, and now shredded notes are at the center of the dispute. Albertsons is seeking a $600 million breakup fee. It alleges a Kroger consultant destroyed notes that could support its case, and wants a Delaware judge to count that missing evidence against Kroger. Kroger denies wrongdoing, saying the consultant routinely shredded his notes and that other records cover the same discussions. The judge has not ruled on the request. A trial date has not been set.
Some Idaho health care providers are finding their own insurance too expensive to keep. KFF Health News reports Boise doctor Joshua Durham and his wife, pharmacist Ashley, dropped family coverage after premiums approached $1,600 a month. A Boise nurse practitioner’s family premium more than doubled. Rising insurance costs and the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies are adding to the squeeze.
Support sessions begin next week for people affected by the August 1 shooting at In-N-Out in Twin Falls. The city is working with NOVA, a national victim assistance organization, to help employees, first responders, nearby businesses and community members understand reactions to trauma and connect with ongoing support. The first session is Monday, October 12, from 11:30 to 1 in the boardroom at 160 Gooding Street West. Additional sessions continue October 13 and 14, October 28 through 30, and November 7. The city will share final locations and participation details as arrangements are completed.
Local/Idaho sports
Declo is moving up, and Hagerman and Raft River are locked in a tight race atop the latest Idaho high school football media poll heading into week 7. Hagerman holds at number 1 in 2A, just 2 voting points ahead of unbeaten Raft River. The Pirates received 6 first-place votes, while the Trojans picked up 3. Oakley stays at number 5. In 3A, Declo climbs to number 2 after a bye week. The 5-and-1 Hornets’ only loss was by 7 points to top-ranked West Side. Buhl also received votes. Carey remains number 2 in 1A at 6-and-0, behind unanimous number 1 Kendrick. Castleford picked up 1 vote, finishing just outside the top 5. In 5A, Twin Falls and Burley are receiving votes after both opened Great Basin Conference play with 2 straight wins. Bishop Kelly remains number 1. Elsewhere, Homedale leads 4A, and Coeur d’Alene replaces Rigby atop 6A, with just 3 weeks remaining in the regular season.
Burley’s boys are moving on after a big opening win in district soccer. The Bobcats shut out Minico 12-0 yesterday, ending the Spartans’ season. Fourth-seeded Burley now heads to Hailey to face top-seeded Wood River tomorrow at 4.
In girls district action, Jerome edged Burley 1-0, eliminating the Bobcats. The Tigers face top-seeded Twin Falls tomorrow at 4:30 at the Sunway Soccer Complex. Canyon Ridge also advanced with a 4-0 shutout of Minico. The Riverhawks will take on second-seeded Wood River tomorrow at 6:30 in Hailey. Elsewhere, Mountain Home’s boys fell to Caldwell 2-1, while the Mountain Home girls lost to Vallivue 6-0.
Kimberly’s unbeaten girls put their 15-0 record on the line today at Sun Valley Community School. The Cutthroats come in at 12-3. That’s part of a full afternoon of high school soccer, with the boys playing at 4 and the girls following at 5:45. Declo travels to Bliss, Filer visits Gooding, Kimberly heads to Community School, and Buhl plays at Wendell. On the boys’ side, Community School enters at 12-2, while Wendell brings a 10-2-3 record into its matchup with the 8-7 Buhl Indians.
Minico went the distance last night, beating Twin Falls 3-2 in conference volleyball. The Spartans improved to 15-and-11, while the Bruins dropped to 21-and-9. Wood River swept Burley 3-0, winning 25-17, 25-10 and 25-17. The Bobcats head to Jerome tomorrow. Filer also earned a sweep, beating Gooding 3-0 to improve to 25-and-10. And Mountain Home fell to Bishop Kelly in straight sets, 3-0.
Two of the area’s top volleyball teams meet tomorrow night, as 18-2 Valley visits 10-2 Hagerman at 7. Also at 7, Carey travels to Castleford with both teams sitting at 10-3. The schedule starts at 6 with Raft River visiting Sun Valley Community School, followed by Malad at Declo at 6:30. The rest of the 7 o’clock lineup has Camas County at Dietrich, Richfield at Hansen, Grace Lutheran at Lighthouse Christian, Shoshone at Murtaugh, and Glenns Ferry at Oakley.
Most homecoming activities at Boise’s Timberline High School are being postponed over concerns about threats of violence. The homecoming dance remains scheduled. Principal Chad Wright announced the decision yesterday, citing heightened emotions and a need to pause. The move follows allegations that a student group chat included threats of sexual violence and death against a female student. Idaho News 6 says it has not independently verified the screenshots or who wrote the messages. Boise police say the reported threats and online harassment appear directed at 1 victim, and investigators know who was reportedly involved.
3 CSI freshmen are picking up conference honors after a big weekend for the Golden Eagles. In volleyball, Emma Pannell is the Scenic West Player of the Week after helping CSI win 2 conference matches in Reno. The Rexburg native totaled 21 kills, 5 aces and 10 digs, including 9 kills with an .818 hitting percentage Saturday. The 11th-ranked Golden Eagles host number 14 Snow College for 2 matches beginning Friday.
CSI men’s soccer swept the weekly player and goalkeeper awards following Saturday’s 5-0 win over Truckee Meadows. Rodrigo Julian Olmos scored in the 5th and 13th minutes, earning Player of the Week honors and taking the team lead with 4 goals this season. Pedro Moco Caridi earned Goalie of the Week after recording 2 saves and a shutout in his first collegiate start. That’s CSI’s second straight goalkeeper award, following Lasse Brier’s recognition last week. The Golden Eagles are 4-2-and-2 and close out their home schedule against USU-Eastern tomorrow and 3rd-ranked Salt Lake Saturday.
A first career title for Boise State golfer Reese Knox, and a conference honor for soccer standout Mia Lane. Knox won the Oregon State Invitational yesterday, finishing at 9-under-par, 204. The junior climbed from 4th place in the final round to win by 1 stroke, following a career-best 65 in round 2. Boise State finished 2nd as a team, 5 shots behind Oregon. Chase Gorder tied for 11th, and Dylan Rodgers tied for 19th. The Broncos wrap up their fall schedule October 26th through the 28th in Hawaii.
In women’s soccer, Lane is the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week after scoring 2 goals apiece in wins over San Diego State and Gonzaga. Those victories gave Boise State a 2-and-0 start in conference play. The Broncos take an 8-match winning streak to Fresno State tomorrow night. Kickoff is at 8 Mountain time, streaming on the Pac-12’s YouTube page.
Idaho State women’s soccer is back home for 2 matches at Davis Field in Pocatello. The Bengals host Southern Utah tomorrow night at 7, then face Utah Tech Sunday afternoon at 1.
Idaho State comes in at 2-6-and-3, with goalkeeper Aliya Garrett recording 3 shutouts this season. She’ll face a Southern Utah attack that has scored 25 goals in 11 matches. The Thunderbirds are 4-6-and-1, while Utah Tech enters the week at 6-4-and-1. Idaho State looks to bounce back on Homecoming Saturday when Cal Poly visits the ICCU Dome in Pocatello. Kickoff is at 4 Mountain time on ESPN+.
The Bengals’ 8-game winning streak ended with a 38-31 loss to Northern Arizona last weekend. Idaho State enters this week ranked 16th in the Stats Perform poll and 17th in the coaches’ poll. Quarterback Jordan Cooke threw for 385 yards and 3 touchdowns in that loss. He leads a Bengal passing attack that ranks 5th nationally, averaging nearly 314 yards a game. Cal Poly comes in at 3-and-3, with 5 of its 6 games decided by 8 points or fewer. Running back Jaden Green leads the FCS in all-purpose yards, while quarterback Anthony Grigsby Junior leads the Big Sky with 15 touchdown passes. Idaho State has won 3 straight against the Mustangs and 7 of its last 10 Homecoming games.
After knocking off the number 1 team in the country, Idaho takes its momentum on the road Saturday against Weber State in Ogden. The Vandals earned their first win of the season by beating defending national champion Montana State, snapping the Bobcats’ 19-game winning streak. It was Idaho’s first victory over a top-ranked team. Now comes a Weber State squad that’s 3-and-3 overall and 2-and-1 in the Big Sky after a double-overtime win over Cal Poly. The Wildcats are scoring—and allowing—more than 37 points a game. Freshman quarterback Nate Dahle has thrown 14 touchdown passes and 8 interceptions. Idaho is averaging 416 yards against FCS opponents, while its defense held Lamar and Montana State to a combined 13 second-half points. The Vandals won the last meeting with Weber State, 31-24 in 2024, but haven’t won in Ogden since 1993.
WEDNESDAY WEATHER
(AM DRIVE) Sunshine and warm temperatures across the Magic Valley today, with a high of 83 and light winds. Mostly clear tonight, down to 51. Sunny again tomorrow, reaching 82, then 85 Friday. Big changes this weekend: a chance of showers, with highs cooling to 69 Saturday and just 57 Sunday.
(PM DRIVE) A sunny, warm afternoon across the Magic Valley, with a high of 83. Mostly clear tonight, dropping to 51. Sunshine sticks around tomorrow, with a high of 82, then 85 Friday. Cooler weather arrives this weekend, along with shower chances. Highs fall to 69 Saturday and just 57 Sunday.
(EVENING/OVERNIGHT) Mostly clear across the Magic Valley tonight, with a low of 51 and light winds. Sunshine returns tomorrow, warming us to 82. Friday stays sunny, with a high of 85. Then a big cooldown for the weekend: shower chances return, with highs of 69 Saturday and just 57 Sunday.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north in the morning.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 49. West wind around 6 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Columbus Day: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
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