📰 NEWS
🌫️ AIR QUALITY ADVISORY
An air quality advisory is in effect across much of the Magic Valley due to wildfire smoke. Air quality is currently unhealthy and is expected to remain that way through tomorrow. Open burning is prohibited in affected counties, including Twin Falls, Jerome, Blaine, Cassia and Minidoka.
🔥 BLAINE COUNTY ROADSIDE FIRE
Blaine County firefighters quickly contained a roadside grass fire near Highway 75 and Countryside Boulevard yesterday afternoon. Officials say a spark from a mowing crew started the fire.
🚧 TARTAR FIRE PUBLIC LAND CLOSURE
The Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed public lands around the Tartar Fire, burning in the Hells Canyon area near the Idaho-Oregon border, through August 17th for firefighter safety and recovery work.
🎒 WILDFIRE EVACUATION PREPAREDNESS
After several fires in recent weeks, the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office is urging everyone in the county to stay prepared to evacuate this summer. Sheriff Morgan Ballis says dry conditions, heat and wind continue to raise wildfire risk. Residents are encouraged to sign up for county emergency alerts and keep at least three days of food, medicine, clothing and other supplies ready to go.
📷 LICENSE PLATE READER CHANGES
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks is proposing changes to the city’s license plate reader program following privacy concerns. The department has shut off nationwide access to its camera data and plans to change contract language involving how images can be used. Police also withdrew an $88,400 request to expand the system. No decision was made last night, with the city’s budget vote scheduled for August 24th.
⚖️ KOHBERGER SEEKS TO WITHDRAW GUILTY PLEA
Convicted University of Idaho murderer Bryan Kohberger is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming he is innocent and was coerced by his attorneys. Kohberger admitted to killing four students in Moscow and is serving four consecutive life sentences without parole. Prosecutors have 30 days to respond.
🚔 ISP SEEKS INFORMATION IN COLD CASE
Idaho State Police are asking for the public’s help in a cold case investigation involving Jose Buenaventura Aguilera. He was recently arrested and indicted in connection with the 2016 sexual assault of a 15-year-old in Caldwell. Investigators believe there may be additional victims or witnesses and are asking anyone with information to contact Idaho State Police.
🧠 CRISIS CO-RESPONSE TEAM
Blaine County law enforcement has launched a new crisis co-response team, pairing an officer with a behavioral health clinician. The goal is to connect people in crisis with help while reducing unnecessary jail bookings and emergency room visits.
🏫 FORMER BOISE STATE QUARTERBACK LEADS CHARTER SCHOOL
Former Boise State quarterback Tony Hilde has been named executive director of the Idaho Technical Career Academy, a tuition-free virtual public charter school. Hilde joined the school in 2025 and has helped expand its career and technical education programs, adding veterinary technology and cybersecurity while rebranding its digital arts program. Before joining the academy, Hilde worked in business and education. Bronco fans may also remember him as quarterback of Boise State’s 1994 team that reached the Division One-AA national championship game.
🐟 HOT RIVERS THREATEN SALMON AND STEELHEAD
Hot temperatures across Idaho are also heating up rivers, creating dangerous conditions for salmon and steelhead. The Clearwater River near Orofino recently reached nearly 80 degrees, while the Snake River climbed above 74. Fish can begin showing heat stress when water temperatures rise above 68 degrees. In response, the Army Corps of Engineers is releasing cold water from Dworshak Reservoir, helping keep temperatures near Lower Granite Dam around 68 degrees or cooler and giving migrating salmon and steelhead some relief from the summer heat.
🏆 SPORTS
⚾ BURLEY GREEN SOX WIN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Burley Green Sox are back-to-back Single-A state champions! After a dramatic walk-off win Sunday, Burley shut out the Lewis Clark Cubs 7-nothing in the title game. Jake Redder was dominant on the mound, striking out nine in a complete-game shutout, while Ike Redder drove in four runs. The Green Sox scored 74 runs over five tournament games while allowing just 18. Burley now heads to Casper, Wyoming, for the regional tournament beginning August 7th.
⚾ TWIN FALLS AA COWBOYS ELIMINATED
The Twin Falls AA Cowboys’ season came to a heartbreaking end Sunday, falling 6-5 to Coeur d’Alene in an elimination game at the state tournament. Twin Falls carried a one-run lead into the seventh inning, but the Lums rallied for two runs. The Cowboys loaded the bases with one out in the bottom half but couldn’t bring the tying run home. The loss also ends the Cowboys careers for several graduating seniors. Coach Tim Stadelmeir says this group played hard, played together and represented Twin Falls well.
🏀 CSI ADDS FOURTH BASKETBALL RECRUIT
The College of Southern Idaho men’s basketball team has added its fourth recruit for the 2026-27 season. Six-foot-five combo guard Charles Duncan comes to Twin Falls from Minnesota Prep, where he competed in the Grind Session, averaging nearly 16 points, five-and-a-half rebounds and almost three assists per game. Duncan says Golden Eagle fans can expect energy, scoring and a player willing to do whatever it takes to win. He’ll join head coach Jeff Reinert and CSI this upcoming season.
🏈 SEVEN BRONCOS NAMED TO EAST-WEST BOWL LIST
Seven Boise State football players have been named to the 2026 East-West Bowl 1000, recognizing some of the nation’s top NFL Draft-eligible players. The list includes quarterback Maddux Madsen, Jayden Virgin-Morgan, Roger Carreon, Daylon Metoyer, Jaden Mickey, Matt Wagner and JeRico Washington Junior. Boise State’s seven selections are the most among Pac-12 programs. The East-West Bowl will be played February 4th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
🌤️ WEATHER
🌫️ TUESDAY
Widespread smoke starts us off today, mainly before 8 this morning. After that, expect sunshine and hot temperatures with a high near 95. South wind around 6 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
🌙 TUESDAY NIGHT
Patchy smoke is expected after midnight. Skies will remain mostly clear, with a low around 64. Light and variable wind will become south southwest at 5 to 7 mph after midnight.
☀️ WEDNESDAY
Areas of smoke are possible before 7 in the morning. After that, expect sunny and hot conditions, with a high near 95. Southwest wind around 7 mph will become northwest in the afternoon.
🌙 WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Skies will be mostly clear, with a low around 64. North northwest wind around 6 mph will become south southeast in the evening.
🔥 THURSDAY
Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
🌙 THURSDAY NIGHT
Clear, with a low around 65.
🔥 FRIDAY
Sunny and hot, with a high near 100.
🌙 FRIDAY NIGHT
Clear, with a low around 65.
🔥 SATURDAY
Sunny and hot, with a high near 102.
🌙 SATURDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
☀️ SUNDAY
Sunny and hot, with a high near 91.
🌙 SUNDAY NIGHT
Clear, with a low around 61.
☀️ MONDAY
Sunny, with a high near 89.
- Your Daily Briefing – 07/28/2026 - July 28, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – 07/27/2029 - July 27, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – July 24, 2026 - July 24, 2026
