🏛️ EDUCATION | Statewide School Start Date Proposal

A proposal requiring Idaho public schools to start after Labor Day was introduced in the House Education Committee. The bill would set a uniform statewide start date on the Tuesday following Labor Day. Supporters say it brings consistency, while critics note school calendars have traditionally been a local decision.

🏳️‍🌈 STATEHOUSE | LGBTQ+ Bills & Bathroom Lawsuits

Local officials and activists gathered at the Idaho Capitol yesterday opposing several anti-LGBTQ-plus bills. Meanwhile, the Idaho House passed House Bill 607, allowing lawsuits over bathroom access policies. Supporters call it a safety measure, while critics warn it could create legal challenges for businesses and local governments.

⛽ GAS PRICES | Still Under Three Bucks

Valentine’s Day may be over, but Idaho drivers are still feeling a little love at the pump. AAA says gas is averaging 2.94 a gallon statewide — still under three bucks, but prices are starting to inch back up.

🏘️ HOUSING | Short-Term Rental Limits

The Idaho House has passed House Bill 583 on a 54 to 16 vote, limiting how cities like McCall can regulate short-term rentals. Supporters say it protects private property rights, while opponents argue it weakens local control in resort communities. The bill now moves to the Idaho Senate.

👧 FOSTER YOUTH | Protecting Survivor Benefits

An Idaho House committee has advanced House Bill 558, which would protect Social Security and veterans’ survivor benefits for foster youth. The bill would stop the state from using those funds to cover foster care costs and instead preserve the money for the child’s future needs.

🚨 LAW ENFORCEMENT | ICE Arrest in Hailey

ICE agents arrested a man in Hailey last week for violating probation tied to a felony DUI. Deputies were not involved, but ICE notified the sheriff’s office ahead of time. The man was taken to a detention facility outside the county.

🏗️ SCHOOL FACILITIES | Funding Flexibility

Idaho school districts could soon have more flexibility in how they use state facility funds. House Bill 636 would allow leftover dollars to help secure loans and lease-purchase agreements for new construction. Supporters say it gives districts more tools as bond measures continue to fail statewide.

🔎 CRIME | ATM Break-In Attempt

The Gooding County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man accused of breaking into Wilson’s Club in Hagerman and trying to pry open an ATM Saturday morning. Deputies say the suspect is a white male around six feet tall.

🏀 SPORTS

🏆 BOYS DISTRICT TOURNAMENT RESULTS

In Boys high school district tournament action last night — Hagerman beats Sun Valley Community School 82 to 59 at Murtaugh. Valley tops Oakley 60 to 28 at Raft River. Castleford rolls past ISDB 66 to 24. Murtaugh handles Glenns Ferry 59 to 24. And Raft River defeats Shoshone 73 to 42.

📍 TONIGHT IN DIETRICH

More boys high school district tournament action tonight in Dietrich — Hansen, 7 and 13, takes on Richfield, 9 and 11, at 6 o’clock. Then at 7:30, Castleford, 6 and 14, faces host Dietrich, 8 and 13.

🏀 GIRLS STATE BOUND

Every Magic Valley girls high school basketball team started the season chasing a trip to state — and now several are headed there. Oakley punched its fifth straight ticket and looks strong in 2A. Kimberly won the 4A district title and heads to state for the third year in a row. Filer is back for the sixth time in seven seasons. Jerome knocked off Mountain Home to return to 5A state. And Carey sealed its 1A berth with a clutch, last-second bucket. State tournament action tips off Thursday.

🥇 OLYMPICS | Small School, Big Stage

For a school with just over 400 students, Sun Valley Community School is making huge Olympic noise. Five alumni are headed to the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina — including Chase Josey, Sammy Smith, John Steel Hagenbuch, Ryder Sarchett and Paralympic guide Peter Wolter. The school even hosted a watch party last week as the Wood River Valley rallies behind its hometown Olympians.

🎿 SKI REPORT | Magic Mountain Closed

Magic Mountain Ski Resort is still closed as warm temps and a lack of snow delay the season. Owner Gary Miller says rain and 50-degree weather wiped out early hopes of opening. The resort needs about a foot of snow to get going — and they’re continuing upgrades while they wait on Mother Nature.

🌦️ WEATHER

We’ve got a slight chance of snow showers this morning, then mostly cloudy with a high near 44 and breezy. More scattered rain and snow tonight with lows in the upper 20s. Off-and-on snow chances stick around through Friday, then we warm up — near 50 by Sunday and mid-50s Monday.

📅 TODAY

A 30 percent chance of snow showers before 11am. Increasing clouds, with a high near 44. West southwest wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

🌙 TONIGHT

A chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. South southwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

🌨️ TOMORROW

A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

🌌 TOMORROW NIGHT

Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. Southwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

❄️ THURSDAY

A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

🌙 THURSDAY NIGHT

A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

🌨️ FRIDAY

A 20 percent chance of snow before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.

🌙 FRIDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy, with a low around 20.

☀️ SATURDAY

Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

🌙 SATURDAY NIGHT

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

☀️ SUNDAY

Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

🌙 SUNDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

🌦️ MONDAY

A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Benjamin Reed