🏫 EDUCATION
💻 JEROME SCHOOLS REOPEN AFTER CYBERATTACK
Students in Jerome head back to class today after a weekend cyberattack shut down schools for 2 days. Superintendent Brent Johnson says Friday will still be a non-school day, and students won’t have to make up Monday and Tuesday at the end of the year.
Johnson says internal alerts and reports from teachers first signaled trouble Saturday morning. Hackers gained control of some internet-connected systems and attempted to hold district data for ransom. Those systems include security cameras, door locks, heating and cooling, and internet service.
The district’s technology team worked around the clock with cybersecurity specialists to restore the network and determine what information may have been exposed. Johnson says he believes most student data was not compromised, but the extent of any unauthorized access remains under investigation.
Staff devices are undergoing security checks before reconnecting. The district is also working with law enforcement. Johnson has not disclosed the attackers’ demands or said whether the district would pay a ransom.
🗳️ HANSEN SCHOOL LEVY
Hansen voters will decide November 3 whether to renew school funding that district leaders say supports everyday classroom needs and growing special education programs.
The supplemental levy would provide $290,000 a year for 2 years. Superintendent Shane Hild says the request maintains the existing funding level for the district’s roughly 300 students.
The money would support technology, textbooks, classroom materials, salaries and benefits, extracurricular activities and preschool. The largest allocation—$90,000—would go toward special services. The district’s secondary special education program added a 2nd classroom this year to accommodate students’ needs.
The ballot lists an estimated annual cost of $121.57 per $100,000 of taxable property value, down $3.35 from the expiring levy. Hild says state property tax relief is expected to cover most of the amount, leaving about $3,000 to be collected locally.
The levy needs a simple majority to pass.
🎓 IDAHO LAUNCH APPLICATIONS OPEN
Idaho high school seniors can now apply for up to $8,000 to help pay for their next step after graduation. Applications are open for the 4th year of Idaho’s LAUNCH grants, which support education and career training beyond high school.
The money can help students pursue college or train for careers ranging from mechanics and truck driving to electrical work, plumbing and hairstyling.
The priority application deadline is November 30, with applications closing April 15, 2027. Students can explore qualifying careers, approved training programs and application details at NextSteps dot Idaho dot gov slash launch.
🗳️ ELECTIONS & GOVERNMENT
📮 EARLY VOTING AND FRIDAY DEADLINES
Early voting is now available in all 8 Magic Valley counties: Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls. It will conclude at 5 p.m. October 30. This Friday, October 23, also at 5 p.m., is the deadline to preregister to vote and request an absentee ballot. Idaho allows voters to register during early voting or at the polls November 3.
🏛️ CAPITAL FOR A DAY IN ARCO
Arco residents will get a chance to bring their questions directly to Idaho’s governor and other state leaders this Thursday. Governor Brad Little is bringing his next “Capital for a Day” event to the community October 22.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lost Rivers Community and Senior Center, at 555 South Water Street in Arco.
Joining Little will be Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, State Controller Brandon Woolf and Secretary of State Phil McGrane. Representatives from state agencies overseeing agriculture, education, water resources, health and welfare, and other services will also attend.
Little says he wants to hear from Butte County residents about issues affecting their community. He also highlighted Arco’s identity as “The Atomic City” and its connection to nuclear energy research at Idaho National Laboratory.
⚖️ CRIME & COURTS
⚖️ DEATH PENALTY SOUGHT IN TWINS’ DEATHS
Payette County prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Andrea Shaw, the mother accused of killing her 18-month-old twins, Dallas and Tyson.
The children were found dead at her home on May 1, 2025. Shaw faces 2 counts of first-degree murder and has pleaded not guilty.
In an October 16 filing, prosecutors cited 4 alleged aggravating circumstances, including claims that the killings were especially cruel and showed a disregard for human life.
Prosecutors allege Shaw suffocated the children. Her defense attorney disputes that account, arguing their deaths involved a medical issue. He says the twins became ill after routine vaccinations, although that claim does not establish what caused their deaths.
Shaw’s jury trial is scheduled to begin January 11, 2027, and is expected to last 3 to 4 weeks.
🚔 SARAH WONDRA RETURNING TO COUNTY CUSTODY
Sarah Wondra is expected to return to Payette County custody next week to face charges that have not yet been made public.
Idaho’s Commission of Pardons and Parole says Wondra will leave state prison October 27 on a detainer requested by the county prosecutor. That means she’ll remain in custody.
Wondra has been serving concurrent sentences for aggravated assault and destroying or hiding evidence in an unrelated case. A separate charge accusing her of failing to report a death in connection with Michael Vaughan’s disappearance was dismissed in April 2023.
Her former husband, Stacey Wondra, is awaiting trial on charges of kidnapping and killing the 5-year-old. Michael disappeared near his Fruitland home in July 2021.
Investigators searched the Wondras’ property in 2022 but found no remains. Fruitland police say the investigation remains active, and they continue to receive and follow up on tips.
👩⚖️ TWIN FALLS COUNTY MAGISTRATE INTERVIEWS
2 candidates are moving forward in the search for Twin Falls County’s next magistrate judge—and the public can listen in on their interviews.
Tyler J. Rands and Amanda B. Wright, both of Twin Falls, will interview October 30 for the vacancy created by Judge Thomas D. Kershaw Junior’s retirement on January 11. The 5th Judicial District Magistrates Commission will interview Rands from 9 to 9:45 that morning, followed by Wright from 9:55 to 10:40.
Both interviews are open to the public at the Twin Falls County Court Facility, 427 Shoshone Street North. The commission will meet privately afterward to deliberate.
⚡ ENERGY & BUSINESS
⚛️ UTILITIES DISCUSS NUCLEAR POWER
Nuclear power could help meet Idaho’s electricity needs, but utilities say high costs and years of permitting remain major hurdles.
Representatives from Idaho Power, Rocky Mountain Power and Avista met with state utility regulators yesterday at a public forum outside Boise. They described nuclear energy as a reliable, clean power source that could diversify their electricity supplies.
But construction costs remain uncertain, and permitting can take 10 years or longer. Utility officials say those challenges make it difficult to meet the state’s requirement to pursue the lowest-cost, lowest-risk options for customers.
Rocky Mountain Power has announced a 40-year agreement to buy electricity from a TerraPower nuclear project in Kemmerer, Wyoming, at the site of a retiring coal plant.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission had no specific nuclear proposal before it yesterday and took no action. Commissioners said the forum was an opportunity to listen.
🛒 ALBERTSONS SEEKS BILLIONS FROM KROGER
The merger fell apart. Now Albertsons wants Kroger to pay more than $8 billion.
The Idaho-based grocer’s case opened Monday in Delaware, with trial scheduled for 2 weeks. Albertsons claims Kroger refused to sell enough stores to secure regulatory approval for their $24.6 billion deal.
Kroger denies breaking the agreement and blames regulatory opposition. Courts blocked the merger in December 2024 over competition concerns. Albertsons is seeking lost shareholder value, a $600 million breakup fee and tax-related damages.
A judge will decide the case, but a ruling could take months.
🌍 SOUTHERN IDAHO FOOD INDUSTRY IN PARIS
Southern Idaho is taking its food industry to Paris—with hopes of bringing new investment back home.
Business and government leaders are attending the SIAL Paris international food and beverage trade show, which runs through tomorrow, October 21. The Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization organized the trip to connect the region with European investors and open new export opportunities for Idaho food producers.
The delegation is also pursuing partnerships in food manufacturing and agricultural technology. Organizers expect about 8,000 exhibitors and 295,000 industry professionals at the show, giving Southern Idaho leaders a chance to meet potential buyers, distributors and business partners from around the world.
🏈 WEDNESDAY SPORTS
🏐 HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL — STATE BERTHS SECURED
State tournament tickets are in hand for Kimberly, Buhl and Murtaugh after a big Tuesday night of high school volleyball.
Kimberly beat Filer in 4 sets to claim its 2nd straight 4A district championship. Filer’s Keyana Montreal finished with 9 kills, while Brekk Bowman added 8.
Buhl went the distance against Declo, winning in 5 sets to capture the 3A district title. The Indians are headed to state for the first time since 2022.
Murtaugh also earned a state berth, finishing 2nd in the 2A district tournament with a 4-set victory.
Twin Falls and Wood River split their 2 matches. Across both contests, the Bruins’ Sienna Billings piled up 31 kills, and Ivie Bohrn delivered 71 assists.
And Castleford edged Lighthouse Christian in 5 sets.
⚽ HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER — STATE TOURNAMENTS BEGIN
The chase for a state soccer championship begins tomorrow, with Twin Falls, Wood River, Jerome, Kimberly, Wendell and Sun Valley all in the hunt.
In 5A girls play, top-seeded Twin Falls opens against No. 8 Vallivue at the Field of Dreams complex in Sandpoint. The Falcons were last year’s state runners-up. No. 3 Wood River takes on No. 6 Pocatello.
On the boys side, defending 5A champion Wood River enters as the No. 2 seed and faces No. 7 Columbia. The Wildcats advanced with a 7–0 win over Lakeland in a state play-in game. No. 4 Jerome meets No. 5 Idaho Falls. The 5A boys tournament is also in Sandpoint.
Closer to home, Twin Falls High School hosts 4A girls tournament action, with No. 3 Kimberly opening against No. 6 Teton. The championship match will be played at Burley High School.
Burley also hosts the entire 4A boys tournament. No. 7 Wendell challenges No. 2 Sugar-Salem, while No. 4 Sun Valley faces No. 5 Fruitland. Fruitland earned its spot with a penalty-shootout victory over South Fremont.
🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL — FINAL REGULAR-SEASON POLL
A showdown at the top of 2A headlines the final week of high school football’s regular season. Hagerman holds the No. 1 spot in the Idaho media poll, just 2 voting points ahead of unbeaten Raft River. The Pirates received 6 first-place votes, while the Trojans picked up 4. Their matchup this weekend will determine which team takes the No. 1 seed into the 2A playoffs. Oakley remains No. 5.
Twin Falls made the only move among the Magic Valley’s 6 ranked teams, climbing 1 spot to No. 4 in 5A following Sandpoint’s loss. The Bruins enter the week at 5–3.
Declo stays No. 2 in 3A at 7–1, with Buhl also receiving a vote. Carey holds at No. 4 in 1A, also at 7–1.
In 4A, Kimberly and Wood River each received 1 vote, leaving both outside the top 5. There’s 1 more media poll before the playoffs begin October 30.
🏐 CSI VOLLEYBALL — HEATWOLE EARNS CONFERENCE HONOR
A Kimberly native is earning conference recognition after helping CSI volleyball bounce back against one of the nation’s best. Sophomore Emerson Heatwole is the Scenic West Defensive Player of the Week for the 3rd time this season.
Heatwole collected 35 digs across 7 sets against No. 2 Salt Lake, including a match-high 25 in Saturday’s victory. That win gave the Golden Eagles a weekend split and kept them tied atop the Scenic West standings.
Coach Andria Parker credited Heatwole’s leadership and determination with helping the team regroup after Friday’s loss. CSI now has 6 wins over nationally ranked opponents this season.
The 11th-ranked Golden Eagles are 17–6 overall and 6–2 in conference play heading into their final home matches of the regular season this weekend. Heatwole and CSI’s 4 other sophomores will be honored Saturday for Sophomore Day.
🏐 IDAHO VOLLEYBALL — ROAD TEST AND HOMECOMING
Idaho volleyball faces the Big Sky’s hottest team tomorrow before returning home for homecoming weekend. The Vandals visit Utah Tech, with first serve at 6 p.m. Mountain Time.
The Trailblazers are 15–3 overall and unbeaten in 8 conference matches. They’ve won 12 straight, giving Idaho a tough road test after the Vandals picked up their 2nd conference victory during their latest homestand.
Saturday, Idaho hosts Southern Utah at Memorial Gym in Moscow, starting at 8 p.m. Mountain Time. The Thunderbirds enter the week at 1–17 overall and 0–8 in conference play, looking to snap a 9-match losing streak.
The Vandals head back on the road next week, visiting Northern Arizona on Thursday, October 29.
⚽ BOISE STATE SOCCER — WILSON ADDS ANOTHER AWARD
Campbell Wilson keeps delivering late-game heroics—and collecting awards for Boise State soccer. The freshman earned her 6th Pac-12 Newcomer of the Week honor Tuesday, following her decisive penalty kick in Friday’s 2–1 win over Oregon State.
With just over 30 seconds remaining, Wilson converted the first penalty kick of her college career to give the Broncos the victory.
She now has 7 conference weekly awards this season, a Boise State record, and sits just 1 shy of Raimee Sherle’s career mark of 8.
Wilson leads the Broncos with 11 goals and 7 assists. Her 29 points rank 2nd in program history for a freshman.
Boise State visits Colorado State tomorrow, with kickoff at 6 p.m. Mountain Time. The match streams live on the Pac-12 YouTube channel.
🏈 IDAHO FOOTBALL — VANDALS HOST SOUTHERN UTAH
Idaho brings momentum into homecoming after knocking off 2 top-10 teams in 3 weeks. The Vandals host Southern Utah Saturday at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome in Moscow. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. Mountain Time, with coverage on SWX.
Idaho’s wins over Montana State and Montana mark its first season sweep of those rivals since 1989. The Vandals are also unbeaten in 4 meetings with Southern Utah.
But the Thunderbirds arrive with back-to-back wins, including a victory over nationally ranked UC Davis. Running back Floyd Chalk leads the Big Sky with 1,035 rushing yards, helping Southern Utah average more than 269 yards on the ground per game.
Idaho counters with quarterback Joshua Wood, who leads the conference with 291 passing yards per game and has added 8 rushing touchdowns.
Southern Utah enters Saturday at 3–4 overall and 2–2 in Big Sky play.
🏈 IDAHO STATE FOOTBALL — BENGALS HOST PORTLAND STATE
Idaho State is looking to turn another close loss into a home-field bounce-back Saturday. The Bengals host Portland State at the ICCU Dome in Pocatello, with kickoff at 4 p.m. Mountain Time on ESPN+.
ISU fell 27–20 at Weber State after allowing the winning touchdown with just 1 minute, 10 seconds remaining. The Bengals’ 3 losses this season have come by a combined 15 points.
Saturday’s matchup could give Idaho State’s passing attack an opportunity. The Bengals average 286 passing yards per game, while Portland State allows nearly 320—the most in the Big Sky. The Vikings arrive at 2–5 overall and 2–2 in conference play.
Meanwhile, Bengals freshman Trehsyn Fesili has landed on the Jerry Rice Award watch list after returning an interception 50 yards for a touchdown last week. Kicker Mason Lindberg is on the Fred Mitchell Award watch list and leads the Big Sky in field goals per game.
🌤️ WEATHER
🌅 MORNING DRIVE
Sunshine today with a high of 75. Mostly clear tonight, low 47. Tomorrow, a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, high 73. Rain tomorrow night, then breezy and cooler Friday with showers and a high of just 51. Sunshine returns this weekend, with highs of 54 Saturday and 60 Sunday.
☀️ AFTERNOON DRIVE
Sunny this afternoon, with a high of 75. Mostly clear tonight, dropping to 47. Tomorrow brings a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 73. Rain tomorrow night, then breezy and much cooler Friday, with showers and a high of 51. Sunshine returns this weekend, with highs in the 50s to near 60.
🌙 EVENING/OVERNIGHT
Mostly clear tonight, with a low of 47. Tomorrow, partly sunny with a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, high 73. Rain becomes likely tomorrow night, low 42. Friday turns breezy and cooler, with showers and a high of just 51. Sunshine returns this weekend: 54 Saturday and 60 Sunday.
📅 EXTENDED FORECAST
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. East wind 8 to 14 mph.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 42. South southeast wind 7 to 16 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers. High near 51. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/21/2026 - October 21, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/20/2026 - October 20, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/19/2026 - October 19, 2026
