Local News

House Fire in Buhl

Fire crews in Buhl are responding to a house fire on 13th Avenue North. Initial reports indicate flames are visible from the roof.

Lori Vallow Daybell Found Competent for Additional Charges

Lori Vallow Daybell, convicted of conspiring to kill her two youngest children and another woman, has been found competent to stand trial for additional charges. Two court-appointed doctors in Arizona deemed her fit to face the charges. Daybell was in a relationship with Chad Daybell, a writer of doomsday-themed fiction rooted in Mormon teachings.

Idaho Legislature Holds Organizational Session

The Idaho Legislature held its organizational session yesterday at the State Capitol in Boise. Party leaders were sworn in, and legislators were selected for committee chair positions. House Speaker Mike Moyle of Star and Senate President Pro Tem Kelly Anthon of Burley took leadership roles.

Idaho Supreme Court Ruling on University of Phoenix Bid

The Idaho Supreme Court has overturned an Ada County District Court ruling, further complicating the University of Idaho’s $685 million bid to acquire the University of Phoenix. The decision sends the 18-month-long legal battle back to the District Court, as the State Board of Education’s closed-door discussions were deemed not permissible under Idaho law.

Federal Court Blocks Idaho Abortion Referral Prosecutions

A federal appeals court panel has upheld an injunction preventing Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador from prosecuting medical professionals who refer patients to out-of-state abortion providers. The preliminary injunction was upheld by three federal judges.

Food Insecurity in Idaho on the Rise

A December report from Hunger Free America reveals an 86% increase in the number of Idahoans struggling with food insecurity from 2021 to 2024. The report covers data from August and September 2024.

Holiday Events This Weekend

Tonight: Lights Parade in downtown Twin Falls begins at 6 PM. The parade will travel down Main Street from Dierkes Street to Jerome Street.
Tomorrow: Christmas in Jerome starts at 3 PM at the park on Main Street. A light parade will circle the park beginning at 6 PM.

Sports

Boise State Hosts UNLV in Mountain West Championship

Boise State will compete for its second consecutive Mountain West title against UNLV tonight in the 2024 Old Trapper Mountain West Football Championship. The game will take place at Albertsons Stadium and will be broadcast nationally on FOX, with a College Football Playoff spot on the line.

Idaho State Men’s Basketball

In the Big Sky vs. Summit League Challenge, Idaho State lost to the South Dakota Coyotes, 94-80, in Vermillion, South Dakota. Despite a close second half, Idaho State could not overcome South Dakota’s lead. The Bengals are now 3-5 for the season, while South Dakota improves to 7-3.
Idaho State will play their second game of the challenge tomorrow at 6 PM in Reed Gym, hosting the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. The Bengals are 0-3 all-time against Oral Roberts.

High School Basketball Results

Boys: Bishop Kelly defeated Kimberly 56-47.
Girls: Oakley beat Glenns Ferry 58-28, Raft River defeated Valley 54-50, and Burley triumphed over Canyon Ridge 58-31.

High School Basketball Schedule Tonight

Boys:

Butte County vs. Wood River in Carey (Carey Holiday Tournament).
Twin Falls at Green Canyon (Utah).
Snake River at Buhl.
Canyon Ridge at Burley.
Nampa Christian at Declo.
Sugar Salem at Filer.
Raft River at Glenns Ferry.
Shoshone at Hagerman.
Richfield at Lighthouse Christian.
Marsing hosting Wendell.
Sun Valley Community School at Murtaugh.
Jerome at Nampa.
Valley at Oakley.

Girls:

Glenns Ferry at Adrian, Oregon.
Jerry Callen Memorial Tournament in Jerome with Mountain Home, Vision Charter, Nampa, Timberline, Capital, Raft River, Murtaugh, and Mackay.
Homedale at Gooding.
Marsing at Wendell.

Weather

Today:

Patchy fog before 11 AM. Otherwise, sunny with a high near 47°F. Calm winds.

Tonight:

Partly cloudy with a low around 23°F. Calm winds becoming southeast around 5 mph after midnight.

Saturday:

Mostly sunny with a high near 47°F. East winds at 5-8 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30% chance of snow after 11 PM. Mostly cloudy with a low around 30°F. Winds becoming west at 5-13 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. Little to no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday:

A 20% chance of snow before 11 AM. Mostly sunny with a high near 43°F. West-southwest winds at 11-17 mph, gusting up to 32 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy with a low around 25°F.