Your Daily Briefing – 10/29/2025

🔥 BURLEY TRAILER FIRE TRAGEDY

Investigators now say a deadly trailer fire on Friday started from a natural gas furnace. The blaze at the Overlook Trailer Village in Burley took the life of 25-year-old Jorge Manuel Mendez-Diaz. Sixteen residents lost their homes.

🚧 I-84 DETOUR TO HEYBURN

The Idaho Transportation Department says eastbound I-84 traffic to Heyburn will detour at Exit 216 starting today while the Exit 211 ramp is closed for construction. The detour lasts through November 4th.

🚔 TWIN FALLS LEWD CONDUCT CHARGES

A Twin Falls man, 46-year-old Matthew Brander, faces five counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16. Police say the alleged acts happened between 2016 and 2018.

🔥 JEROME COUNTY ARSON ARREST

A Jerome County man is facing multiple felony charges after deputies say he started fires at a motel and in a remote area near Devil’s Corral. Sixty-two-year-old Joseph Agnew was charged with arson, property damage, and drug possession. Investigators say he set fire to a motel room and his car before being caught hiding in sagebrush.

🗳️ EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY

Early voting is underway across Idaho. At Twin Falls County West, voters are casting ballots while College of Southern Idaho students train as poll workers. Early voting runs through Friday, October 31st.

🏛️ LOCAL BALLOTS & LEVIES

Southern Idaho voters have some big choices November 4th.
In Twin Falls, City Council Seats 1 and 5 are up for election.
In Filer, voters will decide on a new mayor and two school levies — $300,000 for facilities and $650,000 per year for two years.
Burley, Minidoka, Valley, and Three Creek districts also have local school levies on the ballot.

🥫 FOOD BANK SHORTAGES

Food banks across southern Idaho are feeling the pinch after the USDA canceled more than 370,000 pounds of meat, dairy, and produce orders meant for the state. Deliveries to Idaho programs were among millions nationwide cut this spring, straining supplies for low-income families.

🚱 BELLEVUE BOIL WATER ADVISORY

The City of Bellevue has issued a boil water advisory after a waterline break yesterday. Crews are testing the system this morning.

🐎 ILLEGAL GAMBLING CASE UPDATE

Four of five people charged in an illegal horse-race gambling ring pleaded not guilty Monday. All face up to five years in prison if convicted. Meanwhile, attendance in the Wilder School District dropped nearly 20% after the raid. District leaders have asked the state to excuse the low-attendance day.

🏈 SPORTS

📊 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RANKINGS

In this week’s Idaho high school football media poll:
Bishop Kelly remains No. 1 in Class 5A with a 9–0 record, and Twin Falls continues to receive statewide votes after a strong finish.
In Class 4A, the Kimberly Bulldogs hold steady at No. 4 (6–3), and American Falls picked up votes.
Declo rounds out the top five in Class 3A (5–4), while Aberdeen sits at No. 4.
In 2A, the Raft River Trojans earned recognition after finishing above .500.
And in 1A, Carey stays dominant at No. 1 (8–1), with Hansen tied for fifth at 7–1.

🏟️ THE BLUE GETS A MAKEOVER

Boise State Athletics announced an anonymous $1.5 million gift to fund a brand-new blue turf at Albertsons Stadium ahead of the 2026 season — the sixth version since 1986. It’s part of BSU’s $500 million “Unbridled” campaign.

🥛 BRONCOS vs. FRESNO STATE

Boise State looks to bring the Milk Can back home Saturday when they face rival Fresno State on the Blue. The Broncos are on a three-game win streak, while the Bulldogs have dropped two straight. Boise State’s defense forced four turnovers in last week’s 24–3 win over Nevada. The Broncos are favored by 17 points but will be without leading receiver Chris Marshall, who is suspended this week.

🏈 BIG SKY 2026 FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

The Big Sky Conference has released the 2026 schedules for Idaho and Idaho State.
The Vandals will host six home games at the Kibbie Dome, including matchups with Montana State, Eastern Washington, and UC Davis, plus a road opener at Utah.
The Idaho State Bengals will have seven home games for the first time since 1990, kicking off August 29 against VMI and wrapping up November 21 versus Idaho in Pocatello.

🌤️ WEATHER

Mostly sunny today in the Magic Valley with a high near 56°F. Clear tonight with a low around 30°F. Thursday will be sunny but slightly cooler, highs near 52°F. Expect mostly cloudy skies Thursday night.

Friday will be sunny again with highs around 55°F, cooling to the upper 30s overnight. The weekend warms up — 65°F and sunny on Saturday, then around 61°F Sunday. Early next week stays mild with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s and partly sunny skies through Tuesday.