Your Daily Briefing – 05/12/2026

📰 🔥 TAX CREDIT FUNDS STILL AVAILABLE
Idaho’s new Parental Choice Tax Credit program still has more than seven million dollars left unclaimed after its first application window. The state received just over six-thousand applications, and fewer than half came from lower-income families the program was designed to prioritize. Another application window is expected to open later this year.

🚗 💥 I-84 TRAILER CRASH
A crash involving a utility trailer briefly slowed traffic yesterday morning on westbound Interstate 84 near milepost 156. The roadway has since reopened, and authorities have not released details of injuries.

🚧 🛣 HEYBURN EXIT CLOSURES
Beginning last night, crews closed Exit 211 on Interstate 84 near Heyburn as work continues on a new bridge project. Drivers are being asked to use alternate ramps during intermittent closures through May 15 as crews repave portions of State Highway 24. The ITD says the major interchange upgrade project began in 2024 and is expected to wrap up later this year.

🗳 💰 CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING
Boise Democrat Steve Berch has raised more campaign money than any Idaho legislative candidate so far in 2026, bringing in more than 168-thousand dollars ahead of the November election. Rupert Republican Senator Kelly Anthon also made the state’s top ten fundraising list with just over 75-thousand dollars raised this year.

🚙 🇺🇸 MEMORIAL DAY TRAVEL
AAA says a record number of Americans are expected to travel for Memorial Day weekend this year, including nearly 268-thousand Idahoans heading at least 50 miles from home.

🏫 👩‍🏫 TWIN FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Twin Falls School District says it will avoid layoffs after initially preparing for possible staff cuts earlier this spring. Superintendent Brady Dickinson told trustees yesterday the district can reduce 18 positions through retirements and normal staff departures instead of a reduction in force. District enrollment has dropped by more than 600 students over the past four years. More reductions may still be needed next year.

⚖️ 🚔 CHILD EXPLOITATION SENTENCES
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador says five men convicted in child exploitation cases have been sentenced to prison through investigations by the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. Sentences ranged from 10 years to 70 years, and all five will be required to register as sex offenders under Idaho law.

🚧 🚘 BUHL ROAD CLOSURE
Drivers in Buhl should expect delays this week as Burley Avenue remains closed through Friday for road reconstruction work. Local and emergency access will still be allowed during the closure.

🏈 SPORTS

⛳ 🏆 STATE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Kimberly’s Korben Kowitz is on top at the 4A state golf tournament after firing a 4-under 68 Monday at Eagle Hills Golf Course, giving him a five-shot lead heading into round two. Kimberly teammates Wyatt Williams and Carson Lott sit second and third, while the Bulldogs also lead the boys team race. On the girl’s side, Filer’s Tanli LeMoyne and Kimberly’s Ellyce Simmons are tied for first after both shot 75s. Kimberly leads the girls team standings, with Filer close behind. At the 3A state tournament, Sun Valley Community School’s Dave Houck paced area golfers in fifth place after round one, while Hagerman’s Krickit Wise sits sixth in the girls’ standings.

⚾ 🥎 STATE BASEBALL REGIONALS
Reaching the Idaho high school baseball state tournament has never been tougher, and for six Magic Valley teams, the season came to an end in the new State Regional round this weekend. Twin Falls was the only local team to punch its ticket to state, while Burley, Kimberly, Filer, Wendell, Declo, and Lighthouse Christian all battled through tough regional brackets before being eliminated. Filer came within one win of its first state appearance since 2016, Kimberly returned to regional play under first-year coach Jeremy Walker, and Wendell’s Deegan Prince wrapped up a huge postseason weekend with eight hits and eight RBIs. Despite the losses, several area programs showed major progress and look poised for strong runs again next season. Humans do love inventing new playoff formats just to increase heartbreak density.

🦅 ⚾ CSI BASEBALL HONORS
The College of Southern Idaho baseball team keeps adding hardware after winning the Scenic West Athletic Conference regular season title. Sophomore Crew Secrist was named Region 18 Player of the Year after hitting .441 with 23 doubles, five home runs, and 63 RBIs, while head coach Boomer Walker earned Coach of the Year honors after leading the Golden Eagles to a 43-and-14 season and his 700th career win. Four CSI players landed on the Region 18 First Team, four more earned Second Team honors, and the Golden Eagles wrapped up the year as Region 18 Tournament runner-up.

🏃 🎽 CSI TRACK AND FIELD
The College of Southern Idaho men’s and women’s distance track teams are headed to the NJCAA Division One National Championships this week in Hobbs, New Mexico. The Golden Eagles will send five men and 13 women to compete Thursday through Saturday, with athletes entered in events including the 800, 1500, 5K, 10K, steeplechase, and the 4-by-800 relay.

🌤 WEATHER

☀️ Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 94. Light and variable wind becoming east 9 to 14 mph in the morning.

🌙 Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight.

💨 Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 46 mph.

🌙 Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 21 to 26 mph decreasing to 13 to 18 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 47 mph.

☀️ Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 71.

🌙 Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 44.

☀️ Friday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

🌙 Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

🌤 Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Breezy.

🌙 Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Breezy.

☀️ Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 63.

🌙 Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

☀️ Monday: Sunny, with a high near 72.