🏛️ STATE BUDGET & GOVERNMENT
Facing a tight budget, Governor Brad Little is not recommending pay raises for Idaho’s 25-thousand state employees this year — even as their health insurance costs are set to rise. State workers are expected to see about a seven-percent increase in out-of-pocket health and dental costs, while lawmakers say raises may be “off the table.”
Idaho school districts set aside a record seven-hundred-sixteen million dollars in savings last year — about twenty-three percent of their general fund budgets. That’s unchanged from the year before, even as other state agencies face cuts. Governor Brad Little’s budget shields K-12 from reductions for now.
To help balance Idaho’s budget, Governor Brad Little is proposing new Medicaid cuts — including possibly ending adult dental coverage and some services for people with disabilities. The governor says the ideas would save about 22-million dollars, but legislative leaders are skeptical, warning the cuts could shift costs and harm vulnerable Idahoans.
🎓 EDUCATION & TAX POLICY
Eligible families can begin applying today for Idaho’s new Parental Choice Tax Credit. The program offers up to five-thousand dollars per student — or seventy-five hundred for students with disabilities — to help cover approved education costs.
⚖️ CRIME & COURTS
A public defender who pleaded guilty to her second DUI within ten years was sentenced yesterday to a mostly suspended jail term with community service. Judge Bryan Murray told Michelle Agee she was “at a fork in the road” and warned any future DUI could be charged as a felony.
The pilot who crashed a small plane near the Boise Airport last November has now been arrested for allegedly flying under the influence. Boise Police say 61-year-old Michael Verzwyvelt of Twin Falls struck a light pole before crash-landing near Orchard and Victory. He and a passenger were injured.
🌄 COMMUNITY & DEVELOPMENT
A new north-side viewing area at Shoshone Falls is one step closer thanks to a 250-thousand-dollar donation from Chobani. The funding will help build a new overlook in Jerome County.
⚓ MILITARY & HONORS
The engine room of the new U.S. Navy submarine USS Idaho will be named for former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne. Senator Jim Risch announced the honor yesterday, recognizing Kempthorne’s long-time support of the ship and the military.
🏀 SPORTS — HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL RESULTS
Burley took care of Jerome last night, 61 to 45, and now the Bobcats turn right around and host Minico on Friday.
The big story though was in Kimberly, where the Bulldogs boys picked up their third win of the season in upset fashion, beating Buhl 53-47. That game was tied at 12 after one, but Kimberly really separated itself in the second quarter behind Porter Lloyd, who was knocking down shots from all over the floor. Buhl made a push late and got it within three in the fourth, but just couldn’t find the bucket to tie it, and Kimberly iced it at the free throw line.
Elsewhere around the Magic Valley, Canyon Ridge beat Rigby 59-43, Hagerman rolled Lighthouse Christian 59-10, Minico topped Mountain Home 62-37, Murtaugh beat Glenns Ferry 57-28, Valley handled Shoshone 51-16, and Wood River knocked off Twin Falls 51-26.
On the girl’s side, West Side picked up a 59-51 win over Declo.
🏀 SPORTS — TONIGHT’S HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE
It’s a busy night on the hardwood across the Magic Valley and beyond tonight.
On the boys’ side, all tipping at 7:30 tonight: Castleford is on the road at Carey in a conference matchup, Camas County travels to Dietrich, unbeaten Sugar-Salem hosts Filer in a non-conference showdown, and Declo heads to West Side for a conference game.
On the girls’ side, things get going earlier. At 6:00 tonight, Castleford visits Carey in conference play, and Camas County is at Dietrich.
Then at 7:30 tonight, it’s a full slate: Kimberly is at Buhl, Mountain Home visits Burley, Oakley heads to Glenns Ferry, Shoshone is at Hagerman, Twin Falls travels to Jerome, Wood River plays at Minico in a non-conference game, Valley goes to Raft River, Hansen is at Richfield, and Canyon Ridge is on the road at Rigby.
🦅 COLLEGE SPORTS
The College of Southern Idaho men face their biggest test of the season tonight, hosting top-ranked Snow College. CSI is 17-1, while Snow comes in a perfect 18-0 and ranked number one in the nation. The Golden Eagles could be without starting center Charlie Dimmock, but tip-off is set for 7 p.m., with the women’s game first at 5.
The Battle for King Spud tips off tonight at six in Moscow as the Idaho Vandals women host Idaho State in ICCU Arena. It’s a blackout game — fans are encouraged to wear black. Idaho brings the Big Sky’s top offense into the rivalry matchup, while Idaho State counters with the league’s best defense.
Boise State women rolled past Wyoming 77 to 40 last night for their third straight win. The Broncos got a season-high 37 points from the bench, with Dani Bayes scoring 15 and Tatum Thompson adding her fifth double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Former Boise State head coach Chris Petersen has been named to the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. He becomes just the second Bronco honored, joining Randy Trautman. Petersen went 92 and 12 in eight seasons at Boise State with two Fiesta Bowl wins and later led Washington to multiple conference titles and a College Football Playoff appearance.
☀️ WEATHER — MAGIC VALLEY FORECAST
Sunny and quiet today with a high near 44 and light west winds this afternoon. Tonight, partly cloudy, low around 24. Friday stays sunny and cool with a high near 42. The weekend looks great — sunny both Saturday and Sunday with highs in the mid-40s and clear, cold nights in the low-20s.
Today: Sunny, with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 42. East northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23. Light and variable wind.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 44.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 44.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.
M.L. King Day: Sunny, with a high near 43.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 47.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.
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