News, Sports and Weather – 11/22/2024

Police near Burley spent much of the early morning hours today investigating a three-vehicle crash. It happened at the intersection of I-84 and Yale Road, east of Burley just after 11 last night. A truck was westbound on the freeway when the driver exited and collided with the guardrail. The vehicle overturned stopping in the eastbound lane. Another semi swerved to miss wreckage parts and came to rest in the median. Then a third truck was westbound when that truck ran over the guardrail. There were two reported injuries. The road remains blocked at this hour.

The Idaho Family Policy Center is preparing to introduce a bill that would require public schools to read the Bible. The bill would mandate that public school students hear about 20 verses of the King James Bible each school day, culminating in a “cover-to-cover” reading over a decade. Bible verses would be recited “without instruction or comment” under the proposed law.

Pete Hegseth, president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of Defense, has close ties to an Idaho-based Christian nationalist church that aims to turn America into a theocracy. Hegseth is a member of a Tennessee congregation affiliated with Christ Church, a controversial congregation in Moscow that has become a leader in the movement to get more Christianity in the public sphere.

A 29-year-old Idaho man was sent to federal prison on drug trafficking. Bart Thomas Martin was sentenced to 12 years. He was charged with drug trafficking, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and obstruction of justice. Court records say Martin operated a drug trafficking operation where he received large quantities of drugs in the mail and further distributed those drugs in Idaho. Martin later made a phone call to someone to remove evidence from his apartment.

Idaho finds itself in a unique position: while legislators have engaged in heated debates about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs on public college campuses, the term itself remains undefined in the state code. In 2023, the state’s higher education budget, which passed despite significant opposition, included a provision banning state funds from being used for DEI-related activities in Idaho colleges and universities.

SPORTS

Filer High School has fired head football coach Justin Brandsma for “lack of leadership” after four seasons, pending the school board’s decision. The decision to fire Brandsma as coach came from a standard postseason evaluation where the administration can either recommend the coach for rehire or let the contract expire. Students made fliers in support of Brandsma and spread them throughout school hallways.

Last night, in High School football state playoffs, Carey claimed the 1A state championship. Carey outscored Dietrich 32-6 in the second half to win 44-30. There’s one more High School state tournament action with Declo and Westside. Game time is 5:30 today at the mini dome in Pocatello.

In girls high school basketball games yesterday, Twin Falls Christian academy defeated Hansen 31 to 30. Kimberly defeated Twin Falls 48 to 38. Buhl said no to Canyon Ridge 47 to 41. Mountain Home defeated Centennial 52 to 39. Shoshone overpowered Richfield 30 to 20. Burley squeaked past Preston 51 to 50. Bonneville said no to Minico 54 to 38. Weiser topped Gooding 51 to 21 and it was Butte County 76 Valley 71. Glenns Ferry said no to Rimrock 45 to 27.

Today’s girls’ basketball schedule finds Hagerman traveling to Watersprings. Greenleaf Friends travel to Twin Falls. Valley to Castleford. Wilder to Glenns Ferry. Nampa Christian will take on Gooding. Bishop Kelly heads to Jerome. Tomorrow Pocatello travels to Minico. Shelly heads to play Jerome. Filer heads to Snake River. Oakley goes to Ambrose. Declo to Marsing. Rimrock to Richfield.

The Idaho State Bengals led nearly start to finish Thursday evening in Reed Gym as the Bengals defeated the Westminster Griffins 64-43 for the 2nd win of the season. The Bengals hit the road to take on TCU on Sunday at 3:00 PM.

Idaho is on a four-game win streak with playoff seeding and state pride on the line against an Idaho State team who has won five games for the first time since 2018. The series dates back to 1916 when U of I headed to south to play Idaho Technical College in Pocatello and easily won 32-0. The Vandals lead the all-time series 32-13, including the last three. For the first time, the winner of the game will collect the Potato State Trophy. Game time is 4 pm tomorrow.

Boise State pulled out a thrilling 59-57 victory over San Francisco, Thursday. The win gives the Broncos their ninth 5-0 start to a season in program history and the fifth under head coach Gordy Presnell. Boise State’s next contest will be against Weber State on Sunday in Extra Mile Arena. The Broncos will tip off at 2 p.m.

WEATHER
Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. East southeast wind around 7 mph.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of rain after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 39. East wind around 7 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.

Saturday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. West southwest wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. West southwest wind 6 to 8 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. West northwest wind around 6 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24.

Monday: A slight chance of snow before 11am, then a chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Monday Night: A chance of rain before 11pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday: A chance of rain and snow before 11am, then a chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 38.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37.