Your Daily Briefing – 03/24/2026

📰 MAGIC VALLEY NEWS HEADLINES

🏛 Medicaid Work Requirement Bill Advances
The Idaho House has passed a bill requiring Medicaid expansion recipients to prove they’re working to keep benefits. Supporters say it reinforces accountability, while critics warn tens of thousands could lose coverage. The bill now heads to the Senate.

⛽ Gas Prices Surge Across Idaho
Drivers are feeling the hit as gas prices jump to an average of $4.11 per gallon statewide, up 41 cents from last week, according to AAA.

👶 Infant Welfare Check Bill Moves Forward
A proposal to speed up welfare checks for at-risk infants is advancing. Lawmakers say it’s aimed at preventing tragedies like a recent newborn death in Nampa.

💉 Medicaid Disability Cuts Head to Governor
The Idaho Senate has approved nearly $22 million in cuts to Medicaid disability services. The governor now has five days to decide. Supporters say providers can absorb the cuts, opponents say vulnerable populations will suffer.

🗳 Voter Pamphlet Funded, Budget Cut
Lawmakers approved funding for a statewide voter pamphlet but also cut the Secretary of State’s budget by 2 percent as part of broader reductions.

🚻 Bathroom Restriction Bill Advances
House Bill 752, which would criminalize entering bathrooms designated for the opposite sex, is heading to the full Senate.

🚑 Ambulance Levy Goes to Blaine County Voters
Voters will decide on a two-year ambulance levy expected to raise about $1 million annually, costing roughly $17 per $100,000 in property value.

⚖️ Heyburn Woman Faces Libel Charges
Angela Nicley is charged after allegedly making false online accusations that a Burley man was killing animals. Authorities say the claims were unfounded.

🚔 Road Rage Case Upgraded to Murder
23-year-old Jacob Streat now faces first-degree murder charges in a Meridian road rage shooting that killed 27-year-old Israel Trejo.

🚨 Child Exploitation Charges in Rupert
Luis Hurtado, 33, faces two counts of distributing child exploitation material. Bond is set at $250,000.

🏃 Escaped Inmate Captured After Pursuit
Jeramie Rodriguez is back in custody after escaping the Butte County Jail, stealing a car, and being caught near Hamer.

🏈 SPORTS

🏀 CSI Advances at National Tournament
The College of Southern Idaho men defeat New Mexico Junior College 73–66. Ace Reiser drops 28 points, Jalen Lyn adds 23. Golden Eagles play again tomorrow at 1:30 PM MT.

⚾ Canyon Ridge Dominates Boise
Riverhawks shut out Boise 10–0, improving to 3–2 on the season with a strong road win.

📅 Today’s Baseball Schedule
Minico travels to Idaho Falls for a doubleheader at 3:00 and 5:00. Gooding hosts Teton at 4:00. Burley faces Elko at home with first pitch at 4:30.

🥎 Boise State’s McNamara Earns Honors
Loula-Rae McNamara named Mountain West Pitcher and Freshman of the Week after a dominant 2–0 performance with two saves.

🥎 Idaho State Sweeps Big Sky Awards
Camryn McDonald and Marley Goluskin earn Player and Pitcher of the Week honors after leading the Bengals to a 5–2 stretch.

🎰 Idaho Joins Multi-State Betting Fight
Attorney General Raúl Labrador joins a 39-state coalition opposing federal control over sports betting regulations.