LOCAL AND STATE NEWS
🚨 GOODING COUNTY — FATAL ROLLOVER
A fatal crash in Gooding County is under investigation by Idaho State Police.
Troopers say the crash happened Sunday afternoon, October 25th, at around 4:32, on 1800 East near South 2251.
According to investigators, a 21-year-old woman was driving a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan southbound with a 20-year-old female passenger. Both women were from Gooding.
Police say the driver lost control, the vehicle left the roadway and rolled.
The driver was taken by ground ambulance to a local hospital. Sadly, the passenger died at the scene.
Idaho State Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
🚒 BLAINE COUNTY — COMMERCIAL VEHICLE FIRE
The Bellevue Fire Department responded to a commercial vehicle fire early Saturday morning in Blaine County.
Fire crews quickly extinguished the blaze, according to the department.
Blaine County Fire and Rescue, the Hailey Fire Department, and the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Officials are asking the public to stay clear of the scene until the vehicle is removed, which is expected to happen this morning.
⚖️ JEROME COUNTY — CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SENTENCE AND ICE DETAINER
A man sentenced in Jerome County on child pornography charges could eventually face deportation after completing treatment through the Idaho Department of Correction.
36-year-old Hector Martinez-Cabrera was sentenced Wednesday by District Judge Rosemary Emory to 10 years in prison, but the judge retained jurisdiction, giving him an opportunity to complete a treatment program and potentially avoid serving the full sentence.
Jerome County Prosecutor Sam Beus says Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on Martinez-Cabrera, meaning federal authorities could take custody of him for possible deportation if he’s released on probation.
The case began after investigators received a cybertip and discovered child sexual abuse material in a cloud account linked to an electronic device.
Martinez-Cabrera originally faced 15 felony counts but pleaded guilty to 2 under a plea agreement. He’s already spent 540 days in jail.
Judge Emory emphasized the seriousness of the crimes, saying possession of child exploitation material involves real victims and that sentences must also serve as a deterrent.
⚖️ JEROME–MINIDOKA — STOLEN TRUCK PURSUIT SENTENCE
A police pursuit that ended in a cornfield near the Jerome-Minidoka county line has landed a Texas man in prison.
34-year-old Ashby Winchester Skeen was sentenced to 5 to 14 years for grand theft and 5 years fixed for eluding police after stealing a box truck from Caldwell in July.
Authorities tracked the truck using GPS, but Skeen led officers on a pursuit along Interstate 84. After police spiked the truck’s tires, he crashed through fences and irrigation lines near the Jerome-Minidoka county line before ending up in a cornfield.
Skeen managed to avoid capture for several hours until a nearby resident reported he had stopped at their home asking for water.
The sentences will run concurrently. Skeen was also ordered to pay about $1,200 in property damage, with additional restitution for damage to the truck still to be determined.
🩺 IDAHO — FIRST FLU DEATH OF THE SEASON
Idaho health officials are urging residents to take the flu seriously after the state’s first reported influenza-related death of the 2026-27 season.
Officials say the person was an Owyhee County resident over the age of 65.
Idaho Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Kathryn Turner says flu activity is increasing in Idaho and across the country, with western states currently seeing the highest levels of activity nationwide.
State health officials also report that flu-related emergency department and urgent care visits have been higher over the past two weeks than during the same period last year.
Idaho has averaged about 60 reported flu-related deaths each year over the past five seasons, with most deaths involving people over 50.
Health officials say getting an annual flu vaccine can help reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This season’s vaccines are designed to protect against three influenza viruses expected to circulate.
Officials also recommend washing your hands regularly, covering coughs, and staying home when you’re sick.
People at higher risk for serious complications include adults 65 and older, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions.
Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, a runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue.
While many people recover within a few days, the flu can sometimes lead to serious complications, hospitalization, or death.
🤝 TWIN FALLS — CANYON PARK WEST SUPPORT SESSIONS
Help is coming for people still coping with the August 1 shooting at Canyon Park West. The City of Twin Falls is coordinating community support sessions with NOVA, a national organization that helps people recover after traumatic events.
The sessions will offer emotional support, explain common reactions to trauma and connect people with resources for continued recovery. The effort includes support for In-N-Out employees, first responders, nearby businesses and community members.
Sessions are scheduled for October 28 and 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and again from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The October 28 evening session will be at the Canyon Ridge High School auditorium. All other sessions will be in the boardroom at 160 Gooding Street West.
Additional sessions are planned at that boardroom October 30 and November 7, both from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The city says it will share final location and participation details as arrangements are completed.
NOVA is also coordinating with local schools to help staff support students. Longer-term plans include follow-up check-ins, guidance on memorials and anniversary observances, and future training for local crisis responders.
⚡ TWIN FALLS — SMALL MODULAR NUCLEAR REACTOR FORUM
Businesses and municipalities are exploring the use of small modular nuclear reactors, while experts believe Idaho could become one of the first states to deploy this technology. Growing electricity demand from heavy industry and data centers is accelerating interest.
The Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium will present a documentary and host an expert panel tomorrow, Tuesday, October 27, at CSI’s Fine Arts Center in Twin Falls. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event will examine the opportunities, risks and potential economic effects for the Magic Valley.
🦌 IDAHO FISH AND GAME — ELECTRONIC TAGGING AND CWD RULES
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking for public input on proposed rule changes involving electronic tagging for hunters and efforts to manage chronic wasting disease.
Kenzie Baratti, regional communications manager with Fish and Game, says one proposal would expand electronic tagging to several bird species, including sage grouse, turkey, sandhill crane and swan, as well as upland game permits.
The department already offers electronic tagging for salmon and steelhead, allowing anglers to notch their tags on a phone and send harvest information directly to Fish and Game.
Baratti says expanding the option could make tagging more convenient for hunters, especially when paper tags get wet, fade or become lost in the field. Paper tags would still be available.
The second proposal focuses on chronic wasting disease, or C-W-D, which affects deer and other members of the deer family.
The changes would give the department more flexibility to manage C-W-D zones down to individual game management units. Under the proposal, whole carcasses could not be transported between units within a C-W-D management zone. Deer harvested in an affected zone would also need to undergo proper testing before being moved outside the area.
Baratti says C-W-D has been detected in Idaho’s Clearwater and Panhandle regions, but no cases have been found in the Magic Valley.
Fish and Game officials say public feedback will help determine whether the proposals need revisions before they’re presented to the commission.
Comments must be submitted by October 28. Residents can review the proposals and submit comments through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s website.
🏆 MONDAY SPORTS
🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL — REGULAR-SEASON FINALES
A shutout in the battle of the top 2 teams, a 1-point finish in Declo, and double overtime in Glenns Ferry highlighted the final week of the high school football regular season.
No. 1 Hagerman shut out No. 2 Raft River 42 to 0. Will Mavencamp threw for 236 yards and 3 touchdowns, adding 97 rushing yards and 2 more scores. Jace Leavitt caught 5 passes for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Adam Nelson recorded 3 sacks. Both teams finished 8 and 1.
No. 2 Declo slipped past Buhl 7 to 6, while Murtaugh beat Glenns Ferry 30 to 24 in double overtime. Valley edged Hansen 38 to 34, and Dietrich defeated Cascade 18 to 8.
No. 4 Twin Falls topped Minico 28 to 14. Burley beat Mountain Home 56 to 22, and Canyon Ridge defeated Jerome 22 to 6.
Wood River rolled past Filer 47 to 7, while Kimberly shut out Gooding 42 to 0. Castleford outscored Richfield 51 to 42.
No. 2 Carey blanked Lighthouse Christian 64 to 0, and No. 5 Oakley shut out Shoshone 54 to 0.
⚽ HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER — STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Double-overtime heartbreak for Twin Falls, while Wendell, Wood River and Kimberly brought home consolation titles as the state soccer tournaments wrapped up.
In the 5A girls championship, No. 1 Twin Falls fell to No. 6 Pocatello 2 to 1 in double overtime. Josie Carpenter scored the Bruins’ lone goal as Twin Falls finished second at state. No. 3 Wood River edged Vallivue 1 to 0 to win the consolation championship.
In 4A girls action, No. 3 Kimberly beat McCall-Donnelly 1 to 0 for the consolation title. Hannah Fisher scored the deciding goal, assisted by Cassidy Johnson.
On the boys side, No. 7 Wendell defeated Fruitland 3 to 1 to claim the 4A consolation championship. Edgar Tena, Jafry Bush and Alexander Hurtado each scored for the Trojans. No. 4 Sun Valley lost its third-place match 2 to 1 in overtime.
And in the 5A boys third-place match, No. 2 Wood River fell to Idaho Falls 2 to 0.
🏐 HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL — STATE TOURNAMENT OPENERS
9 area teams, 5 classifications, and a shot at a state championship. Idaho’s state volleyball tournaments open Thursday, with Kimberly entering as a No. 1 seed.
In 5A at Post Falls High School, No. 7 Wood River faces No. 2 Pocatello at 1, followed by No. 4 Twin Falls against No. 5 Hillcrest at 5.
The 4A tournament is at Lake City High School. No. 4 Filer meets No. 5 Preston at 5, and top-seeded Kimberly takes on No. 8 Sugar-Salem at 7.
In 3A at Lewiston High School, No. 8 Buhl challenges No. 1 Ambrose at 7.
3 area teams head to Madison High School for the 2A tournament. No. 2 Valley plays No. 7 Tri-Valley at 1. No. 6 Hagerman faces No. 3 Troy at 3, and No. 5 Murtaugh meets No. 4 Potlatch at 5.
And in 1A at Thunder Ridge High School, No. 8 Carey takes on top-seeded Rockland at 7. All start times are in the afternoon or evening.
⚽ CSI SOCCER — WOMEN WIN, MEN’S SEASON ENDS
A statement win for the CSI women, but a season-ending loss for the men in a pair of 1-to-0 soccer matches at Snow College Saturday.
The 20th-ranked Golden Eagle women knocked off No. 15 Snow in Ephraim, Utah, building momentum for their first conference tournament appearance. Bailee Collings scored in the 46th minute off an assist from Halle Hall. Avery Charlesworth made 3 saves for her second consecutive shutout, helping CSI overcome a 15-to-7 disadvantage in shots.
The Golden Eagles finished the regular season 10 and 4 and appear headed for a rematch with Snow in the Scenic West Conference tournament, beginning Thursday, October 29.
For the CSI men, Saturday was a win-and-you’re-in opportunity. Instead, Snow scored in the 80th minute to claim a 1-to-0 victory and end the Golden Eagles’ season. CSI went without a shot in the first half and finished with 5, including the team’s only shot on goal from Juan Porto Pascual. Goalkeeper Lasse Brier made 4 saves.
The Golden Eagles finished fifth in the Scenic West, closing their third season with a record of 6 wins, 5 losses and 2 ties.
🏐 CSI VOLLEYBALL — GOLDEN EAGLES SWEEP NORTH IDAHO
A weekend sweep of an in-state rival has CSI volleyball rolling into the final week of the regular season. The 11th-ranked Golden Eagles beat North Idaho in 4 sets Saturday in Twin Falls, winning 26-24, 22-25, 25-16 and 25-22. It was CSI’s 3rd straight victory and its 2nd 4-set win over the Cardinals in as many days.
Emma Pannell powered the offense with 21 kills and added 20 digs. Vivian Goto, Isadora Bueno and Laura Grasel each contributed 11 kills.
Emerson Heatwole led the defense with 21 digs and added 9 assists, while Dalayni Brindley handed out a match-high 32 assists. Bueno also had 7 blocks, with Nana Lobzhanidze adding 5.
CSI improves to 19-6 overall and 8-2 in conference play. The Golden Eagles close the regular season with 2 matches at Colorado Northwestern, starting Friday at 6 p.m.
🏀 CSI MEN’S BASKETBALL — SEASON OPENER FRIDAY
CSI men’s basketball is bringing size, experience and national championship ambitions into a new season. The Golden Eagles open at home Friday against Central Wyoming College at 7 p.m., coming off a 34-3 season and a national runner-up finish.
CSI enters the season ranked No. 4 in the NJCAA preseason poll. Coach Jeff Reinert returns 6 core players, with team captain Kobe Kesler providing leadership alongside D.J. Fizer Jr., Kyah Farris-White and Emil Hirvonen.
Among the newcomers is 6-foot-10 Cutter Beus, who joins the Golden Eagles after returning from a mission. Reinert expects Beus to attract major recruiting attention. Carlo Mulford adds another option in the backcourt.
Size should be a strength. CSI has 6 players standing 6-foot-8 or taller, including local player Mason Hill and center Guygustone Kasenga. Kesler says rebounding is a priority, and the Golden Eagles want that size to translate into control of the boards.
Players say preseason appearances in Dallas and Denver helped improve their execution, defense and communication. Reinert expects a challenging conference schedule, with North Idaho, Salt Lake and Snow among the competition.
There’s also a championship rematch ahead. CSI faces Howard on December 17 in Las Vegas, getting another shot at the team that beat the Golden Eagles for last season’s national title. First, though, the focus is Friday’s opener in Twin Falls.
🏈 BOISE STATE — BRONCOS RETURN TO AP TOP 20
Boise State is finding its groove at just the right time, and the Broncos are back in the AP Top 20.
The Broncos put together a dominant fourth quarter Saturday, scoring 21 unanswered points to pull away from Washington State for a 31-10 win in Pullman. The victory moves Boise State to 6-and-1 overall and 3-and-0 in conference play, while extending the team’s winning streak to six games.
And the difference-maker? Dylan Riley took over in the fourth quarter.
Riley finished with 128 yards on the ground and two touchdowns on just 13 carries. He ripped off a 33-yard scoring run after Boen Phelps came up with an interception, then delivered the knockout punch with a 72-yard touchdown run with just over six minutes remaining. Riley piled up 106 rushing yards in the fourth quarter alone.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen threw for 149 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Cam Bates on a six-yard scoring strike to break a 10-10 tie early in the fourth. Madsen also ran for 34 yards and, most impressively, finished the game with 14 touchdown passes and zero interceptions on the season.
Defensively, Boise State held the Cougars to just 53 rushing yards and recorded four sacks. Phelps had the key interception, while Lopez Sanusi added two sacks.
Now for the national rankings: Boise State moves up one spot to No. 20 in the AP Top 25, while holding steady at No. 22 in the Coaches Poll. The Broncos are the only Group of Six program represented in either poll.
And there’s another milestone to celebrate. Boise State is bowl-eligible for the 29th consecutive season, the second-longest active streak in the country behind Georgia.
Head coach Spencer Danielson also picked up his 30th career victory.
Next up, the Broncos return home to Albertsons Stadium to host Texas State on Saturday, October 31. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Mountain Time, with national coverage on The CW.
Boise State is rolling, the defense is making plays, and Dylan Riley is giving opposing defenses plenty to worry about. The question now is whether the Broncos can keep this momentum going into the next one.
🏈 IDAHO STATE FOOTBALL — BENGALS SNAP LOSING STREAK
Idaho State put an emphatic end to its 3-game losing streak Saturday—rolling past Portland State 38–8 in Pocatello. Jordan Cooke threw for 334 yards and a touchdown and ran for 2 more scores as the Bengals improved to 5–3 overall and 2–3 in the Big Sky.
Idaho State built a 24–0 halftime lead, holding the Vikings to just 57 yards before the break. Tytan Mason rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown, while Tommy Poe and Julian Mason each topped 100 yards receiving.
And when Portland State threatened to climb back into it late in the 3rd quarter, Nathan Reynolds chased down a receiver, punched the ball loose and recovered it himself. The Bengals allowed just 1 third-down conversion in 12 tries and finished with a season-high 4 rushing touchdowns.
Next up, Idaho State heads to St. George to face Utah Tech Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is at 1.
🏐 IDAHO STATE VOLLEYBALL — BENGALS FALL TO MONTANA STATE
Idaho State’s volleyball team couldn’t finish the comeback Saturday night—and now the Bengals and Montana State are even in the Big Sky standings. Idaho State fell in 4 sets in Bozeman, leaving both teams at 7–3 in conference play.
After dropping the opening sets 25–16 and 25–22, the Bengals fought back to take the 3rd, 25–19. But Montana State took control in the 4th, hitting .500 and closing out the match 25–14.
Mia Walsh led Idaho State with 8 kills and added 10 digs. Jaydin Watts finished with 6 blocks, while Nora Waddoups contributed 18 assists and 6 kills.
Montana State’s Joelie Spelts delivered 17 kills with just 1 attacking error. The Bobcats finished with a 59–37 advantage in kills, dropping Idaho State to 15–7 overall.
🏈 IDAHO FOOTBALL — LAST-SECOND HOMECOMING VICTORY
How do you top a Homecoming game like that? Idaho gets it done in the final seconds, and the Kibbie Dome erupts!
The Vandals are celebrating a dramatic 31-28 victory over Southern Utah, thanks to junior kicker Owen Forsman, who drilled a career-long 53-yard field goal as time expired Saturday in front of a season-high 10,369 fans in Moscow.
And what a finish it was.
Idaho appeared to have control late in the fourth quarter, leading by 10 after quarterback Joshua Wood connected with tight end Gus Donnerberg for his first career touchdown. But Southern Utah battled back, and after a costly Idaho turnover, the Thunderbirds tied the game at 28 with a fourth-down touchdown pass with just over a minute remaining.
That left the Vandals with 75 yards to cover in just 42 seconds.
Wood delivered under pressure, finding Donnerberg up the middle before a pass-interference penalty on a deep ball to Ryan Jezioro moved Idaho into scoring range. With fewer than 10 seconds on the clock, Wood connected with Zack Card near the right sideline to set up Forsman.
From 53 yards out, Forsman was money. The ball sailed through, and the Vandals walked off with a Homecoming victory for the ages.
Wood finished 15-of-25 for 151 yards and two touchdown passes. Damonte Bias led the ground game with 89 yards on 11 carries, including a career-long 37-yard run. Hayden Kincheloe added 46 yards and a touchdown, while Markel Taylor and Donnerberg each caught their first career touchdown passes.
Defensively, the Vandals came up with a huge performance against one of the top running backs in the FCS. Southern Utah’s Floyd Chalk, who entered the game among the nation’s rushing leaders, was held to just 58 yards on the ground — his first game of the season under 100 yards. Mason Krahn recorded a team-high 1.5 sacks, and Aaron Kinsey grabbed an interception on the opening play of the game.
Nolan McWilliams also gave Idaho a spark on special teams, setting a career high with a 37-yard punt return.
The victory gives Idaho back-to-back wins and its third victory in the last four games, moving the Vandals to 3-and-5 overall and 3-and-2 in Big Sky play.
Next up, Idaho hits the road for Portland, Oregon, to take on Portland State on Saturday, October 31. Kickoff coverage will be available on ESPN+ and the Vandal Radio Network.
A career-long kick, a last-second finish, and a Homecoming crowd that got its money’s worth. The Vandals found a way to get it done when it mattered most!
⚽ IDAHO WOMEN’S SOCCER — UNBEATEN HOME SEASON
The Vandals gave their seniors a send-off to remember—and finished unbeaten at home. Idaho women’s soccer blanked Southern Utah 4-0 Sunday in Moscow, closing its home schedule at 5-0-3.
Makenna Stuart scored twice in the opening 15 minutes, and Hallie Prinos-Grumbach delivered 3 assists, including one on Mia Boltz’s first-half goal.
Then, with just 5 seconds left, senior Calli Chiarelli scored off an assist from fellow senior Tori Peters.
Goalkeeper Paula Flores made 4 saves for her 9th solo shutout of the season, while Idaho outshot Southern Utah 21-9.
The Vandals head to Portland State Thursday for a 7 PM match.
🌦️ WEATHER
🌅 AM DRIVE
Patchy frost early this morning, then increasing clouds with a high of 66. A 30 percent chance of showers late today and this evening, with gusts around 20 miles an hour. Clearing tonight, low 35. Cooler Tuesday with mostly cloudy skies and 56. Sunshine returns Wednesday, near 59.
🌤️ AFTERNOON DRIVE
Watch for patchy frost early this morning. Clouds increase today, with a high of 66 and a 30 percent chance of late-day showers. Winds could gust to 21 miles an hour. Clearing tonight, low 35. Mostly cloudy and cooler Tuesday, high 56. Wednesday brings sunshine and 59.
🌙 EVENING/OVERNIGHT
A 30 percent chance of showers early this evening, then skies gradually clear overnight. Low 35, with southwest winds gusting to 23 miles an hour. Tuesday turns mostly cloudy, with a high of 56. Partly cloudy Tuesday night, low 31. Sunshine returns Wednesday, with a high near 59.
📅 EXTENDED FORECAST
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 56.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/26/2026 - October 26, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/23/2026 - October 23, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/22/2026 - October 22, 2026
