🏛️ STATEHOUSE & POLITICS
🚨 Capitol Protest Over ICE Shooting
Hundreds of Idahoans rallied at the State Capitol yesterday in a protest organized by Idaho 50501, calling out ICE’s presence and federal immigration actions following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis. Protest leaders said the demonstration opposed what they described as brutality and unconstitutional actions by federal authorities, while others online voiced support for ICE and federal enforcement.
🗳️ Voter Records Dispute With DOJ
Idaho’s Secretary of State is negotiating with the U.S. Justice Department over a demand for the state’s full, unredacted voter registration list. Idaho has so far provided only a redacted version, citing privacy and legal concerns. The Justice Department says it needs the data to ensure election integrity and has warned it could sue Idaho if the records are not released.
⚖️ Birth Certificate Law Back in Effect
A federal judge has lifted a long-standing block on Idaho’s law restricting gender changes on birth certificates. The decision allows the state to enforce the policy after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling narrowed the use of nationwide injunctions.
🎙️ Governor’s State of the State
Governor Brad Little will deliver his 2026 State of the State and Budget Address this afternoon at 1 p.m. in the Idaho House chambers at the Statehouse in Boise. The address will air live on Idaho Public Television statewide.
🏛️ Legislative Shake-Up
Governor Little has appointed Erin Bingham to the House seat vacated by longtime lawmaker Wendy Horman, who resigned to take a federal job in Washington, D.C., after years helping shape Idaho’s state budget. Representative Josh Tanner of Eagle has been named her replacement as co-chair of the Legislature’s powerful budget committee.
🚒 LOCAL INCIDENTS & SAFETY
🔥 House Fire in Wendell
Firefighters from Wendell and Gooding responded to a house fire Saturday night on North Pocatello Street in Wendell. No injuries were reported, but a bedroom was destroyed and two residents were displaced.
🏔️ Avalanche Safety Training
Dozens gathered at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area this weekend for avalanche safety training. Instructors focused on terrain awareness and rescue skills. Another field training day is scheduled for January 24.
💼 ECONOMY & JOBS
📈 Twin Falls Leads Job Growth
Twin Falls continues to outpace much of Idaho in job growth. The Twin Falls area saw employment rise six-tenths of a percent in November, the strongest increase statewide. Idaho’s unemployment rate remains low at 3.7 percent, well below the national rate of about 4.6 percent. Economists say signs of a cooling national labor market could lead to interest-rate cuts later this spring.
🏀 SPORTS — MAGIC VALLEY
⛹️ High School Basketball Roundup
It was a busy weekend of high school basketball across the Magic Valley with plenty of movement in the standings. On the boys’ side, Blackfoot had a strong weekend against Burley, winning Friday night 72–65 and following it up with an 80–50 win Saturday. Burley will look to regroup when they host Jerome on Wednesday. Elsewhere, Sun Valley Community School beat Oakley, Filer handled Mountain Home, Gooding rolled past Homedale, Hansen beat Dietrich, Marsh Valley outscored Buhl, Raft River cruised past Shoshone, and Murtaugh picked up a close win over Valley. Saturday action also saw Castleford edge Riverstone, Cole Valley Christian beat Kimberly, Idaho Falls get by Minico, Preston knock off Twin Falls, Century roll Jerome, Malad edge Declo, Mackay beat Richfield, and Wendell hold off West Side in a close finish.
🏀 Girls Basketball
On the girls’ side, Preston beat Burley, with Burley now heading to Minico on Tuesday. Carey beat Leadore, Castleford topped Shoshone, and Highland rolled Canyon Ridge. Twin Falls picked up a win over Minico, Mountain Home beat Jerome, West Side got past Wendell, and Wood River edged Gooding. Saturday games included wins by Firth over Declo, Filer over American Falls, Grace over Murtaugh, Kimberly over Snake River, and Raft River over Aberdeen.
📅 Games to Watch Tonight
Two boys varsity matchups highlight tonight’s slate. Mountain Home is on the road at Canyon Ridge for a 7:30 tip, with Mountain Home coming in at 1-and-9 and Canyon Ridge sitting at 6-and-6. Wendell puts its 10-and-1 record on the line at Filer, with that game also tipping off at 7:30.
🤼 Wrestling
The Buhl Indians won their home invitational over the weekend, taking first place as a team at the 52nd annual Buhl Wrestling Invitational. Buhl had ten wrestlers place in the top five and claimed four individual titles, beating 21 schools from across Idaho.
🎓 College Hoops
The 11th-ranked CSI men beat Salt Lake 86–78 Saturday to remain unbeaten in conference play, led by 18 points from Jalen Lyn. The CSI women also rolled, beating 20th-ranked Salt Lake 64–46 behind 20 points and seven steals from Savannah Stoker. Both teams are now 17-and-1 and will host Snow College this week. Boise State men fell to Utah State, while the Boise State women pulled off a big comeback win over Colorado State. The Idaho men rallied from 21 down to beat Montana State, while Idaho State men extended their winning streak to ten straight.
☀️ WEATHER — MAGIC VALLEY
🌤️ Quiet, Sunny Pattern Continues
Sunny and quiet weather is expected all week in the Magic Valley. Today’s high will be near 43 with light winds, followed by mostly clear skies tonight and a low around 25. Sunshine continues through the weekend with highs in the mid-40s, warming to about 46 by Saturday, and overnight lows holding in the low-to-mid 20s.
- Your Daily Briefing – 01/12/2025 - January 12, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – January 9, 2026 - January 9, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – January 8, 2025 - January 8, 2026
