🗳️ ELECTIONS
🗳️ IDAHO SENATE — CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING AND ELECTION DAY
With Election Day just one day away, millions of dollars are pouring into Idaho’s U.S. Senate race, and one challenger is setting fundraising records.
Independent candidate Todd Achilles has raised more than 1.8 million dollars in his campaign against incumbent Republican Senator Jim Risch, surpassing the fundraising totals of several previous Senate challengers.
But Risch continues to hold the financial advantage.
According to the latest federal campaign finance reports, Risch has collected approximately 4.1 million dollars since the beginning of 2025, with nearly 1.4 million coming from political action committees and party organizations.
Achilles has received about 1.2 million dollars from individual donors, with most contributions originating in Idaho.
Risch has also significantly outspent Achilles on Facebook and Instagram advertising, spending more than 193-thousand dollars compared to about 19-thousand for Achilles.
Risch faces Achilles, Libertarian Matt Loesby and fellow independent Natalie Fleming in tomorrow’s general election.
Polls across Idaho will be open from 8 in the morning until 8 tomorrow night.
⚖️ COURTS AND PUBLIC SAFETY
⚖️ IDAHO ABORTION LAW — APPEALS COURT RULING
Idaho’s near-total abortion ban remains in place following a closely watched federal appeals court ruling Friday.
In a 2-to-1 decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a lower court order that would have protected Boise physician Dr. Stacy Seyb from prosecution for performing abortions when a pregnancy poses serious risks to a woman’s health or mental health.
Idaho law generally prohibits abortions except to prevent the mother’s death or in qualifying cases of rape or incest.
The appeals court majority said the state’s restrictions are likely to withstand the constitutional challenge, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe versus Wade.
But dissenting Judge Marsha Berzon warned the ruling could leave some pregnant women facing serious and permanent health complications.
Seyb says he’ll continue advocating for patients’ medical rights, while the Idaho Family Policy Center welcomed the decision.
The ruling is not final. The legal challenge will continue through the courts.
⚖️ VALLOW DAYBELL — IDAHO SUPREME COURT APPEAL
A high-profile Idaho murder case is back before the state’s highest court today, as Lori Vallow Daybell fights to overturn her convictions and secure a new trial.
The Idaho Supreme Court will hear arguments this morning in Boise, beginning at 11:15.
Daybell was convicted in 2023 of murdering her two children, J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiring to kill her husband’s former wife, Tammy Daybell.
She’s currently serving multiple life sentences.
Her attorneys are challenging the convictions on five grounds, including claims that she was denied her constitutional right to choose her attorney, was excluded from important court hearings, and was denied a speedy trial.
State prosecutors maintain the original trial was conducted properly and the convictions should stand.
Both sides will present arguments and answer questions from the justices.
A decision isn’t expected today. Instead, the Idaho Supreme Court is expected to issue a written ruling in the coming months, determining whether Daybell’s convictions stand or further court proceedings are necessary.
🏚️ TWIN FALLS — ABANDONED CLINIC DEMOLITION
A long-abandoned clinic in downtown Twin Falls could finally be headed for demolition, but city officials say there’s still a major legal hurdle standing in the way.
The building, located next to St. Edward’s Catholic School, was declared a public nuisance in January of last year. In June, a judge ordered the property owner, Galena, to tear it down. But so far, the company hasn’t responded.
And demolition won’t come cheap. The estimated cost is about four million dollars, largely because of asbestos and lead contamination.
The Twin Falls City Council has now agreed to begin negotiations with a contractor to handle the hazardous materials.
City Manager Travis Rothweiler says the city wants to be ready to move forward, but it doesn’t own the property and must first establish legal authority to demolish it.
An assessment of the hazardous materials could be completed by spring of 2027.
Meanwhile, officials at neighboring St. Edward’s Catholic School say the deteriorating building remains a safety concern, with people repeatedly breaking through boarded-up entrances.
🏫 EDUCATION
💻 JEROME SCHOOLS — RANSOMWARE ATTACK INVESTIGATION
A cyberattack that shut down Jerome schools for two days last month is now being described as the work of a sophisticated international criminal organization.
Jerome School Superintendent Brent Johnson says the October 17th ransomware attack was much like a physical break-in, with criminals moving quickly to steal information and damage systems.
The attack forced the district to shut down internet access, security cameras, electronic door locks, phones and heating and cooling systems, creating safety concerns that kept students home for two days.
Johnson says the hackers demanded a ransom far beyond what the district could afford or its insurance would cover. Following federal guidance, the district did not pay.
The good news? Student devices were not affected. However, investigators are still determining whether information was stolen from some of the district’s roughly 500 staff devices.
Federal cybersecurity experts are assisting with the investigation.
Classes have since returned to normal, but Johnson says the attack highlights a growing threat facing schools nationwide, especially as artificial intelligence makes cybercriminals increasingly sophisticated.
The district continues reviewing its security systems to prevent another attack.
🎓 BOISE STATE — PRESIDENT OUTLINES UNIVERSITY PRIORITIES
Boise State University’s new president is laying out an ambitious vision for the school’s future, and it includes a major fundraising goal and stronger connections with Idaho businesses.
David Hahn was formally installed as Boise State’s eighth president Thursday, outlining five priorities: student success, workforce preparation, research, fundraising and athletics.
Hahn, who took office in July, announced plans to expand the university’s fundraising goal to 700-million dollars. Boise State’s Unbridled campaign has already raised 565-million.
He also wants stronger partnerships with Idaho employers, particularly in healthcare and technology, creating more internships and hands-on opportunities for students.
Another major goal? Elevating Boise State to the nation’s highest research classification, potentially bringing additional research funding to Idaho.
And despite financial challenges facing college athletics, Hahn says Boise State remains committed to building one of the nation’s premier sports programs.
But above everything else, Hahn says student success comes first, emphasizing that the university’s mission extends well beyond campus to communities and businesses across the Gem State.
🛒 GROCERY COSTS AND BUSINESS
💵 IDAHO — GROCERY TAX CREDIT REFUNDS
With grocery prices continuing to put pressure on family budgets, Idaho is returning a record amount of money to taxpayers through its grocery tax credit program.
Governor Brad Little announced the state has refunded more than 254-million dollars through the 2025 grocery tax credit, the largest amount in Idaho history.
That’s nearly 49-million dollars more than last year, and the total is still growing.
So far, the Idaho State Tax Commission has processed more than 813-thousand claims, with additional refunds still being processed.
The increase follows legislation signed by Governor Little in 2025 that expanded the grocery tax credit, providing additional relief to Idaho families.
Little says rising food costs are especially difficult for families and seniors, and the expanded credit is designed to help Idahoans keep more money in their pockets.
The governor’s office says Idaho has now delivered more than 6-billion dollars in tax relief since Little took office.
🛒 WINCO — NATHAN TUCKER NAMED NEXT CEO
One of Idaho’s largest grocery chains is getting a new leader, and he’s someone who’s worked his way up through the company.
Boise-based WinCo Foods has announced that Nathan Tucker will become just the fourth CEO in the company’s history.
Tucker currently serves as WinCo’s Chief Merchandising Officer. He’ll take over as company president January first, working alongside retiring CEO Grant Haag before officially taking the top job May first.
Haag announced his retirement earlier this fall after nearly eight years leading the company.
Tucker joined WinCo back in 2013 as an assistant store manager and steadily worked his way through the ranks. He’s also a Boise State University graduate with a master’s degree in business administration.
WinCo is employee-owned and operates 147 stores across ten states under the WinCo and Waremart names.
And it’s a major player in the grocery industry, generating nearly 11-billion dollars in sales in 2024.
Company officials say Tucker’s experience at nearly every level of the business makes him well prepared to lead WinCo into its next chapter.
⚖️ ALBERTSONS–KROGER — MERGER LAWSUIT TRIAL CONCLUDES
A multibillion-dollar legal battle involving one of Idaho’s largest homegrown companies is now in the hands of a Delaware judge, and the outcome could have major financial implications for Boise-based Albertsons.
The grocery giant’s ten-day trial against Kroger wrapped up Friday, with Albertsons seeking as much as 9-point-3 billion dollars following the collapse of their proposed merger.
That includes a 600-million-dollar termination fee Albertsons says it’s owed after federal regulators blocked the deal in December of 2024.
Albertsons, which is headquartered in Boise and has deep roots in Idaho, argues Kroger didn’t do enough to secure regulatory approval. Kroger maintains it made extensive efforts to complete the deal.
During testimony, Kroger’s former CEO said he believed the merger was doomed from the beginning.
Now, the judge wants more information about negotiations with regulators and proposed grocery store sales.
Attorneys have about seven weeks to prepare additional arguments, meaning the Boise-based company’s legal fight is far from over, with billions of dollars potentially at stake.
📦 AMAZON — DRONE DELIVERY LAUNCHES IN NAMPA
The future of package delivery has officially taken flight in Idaho, and some Treasure Valley residents aren’t quite sure what to think!
Amazon has launched its new drone delivery service in Nampa, making it the first city in Idaho where customers can have packages delivered by air in as little as 30 minutes.
The blue-and-white drones carry small packages directly to homes within a 170-square-mile service area surrounding Amazon’s Nampa facility.
And the reaction from neighbors? Well, it’s mixed.
Some residents say they’re excited to see the technology in action, while others are concerned about safety, reliability and whether flying delivery vehicles are really necessary.
Amazon already operates similar services in cities including Phoenix, Chicago, Detroit and Dallas.
And Nampa may be just the beginning. The company has identified Boise as one of its next expansion locations.
For now, Idaho shoppers in the Nampa area are getting their first taste of a future where their next Amazon delivery could arrive from the sky instead of a delivery truck.
🌲 PUBLIC LANDS
🌲 IDAHO COUNTY — ROADLESS AREA MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL
A major change could be coming to how millions of acres of Idaho’s public lands are managed, and county leaders say it’s about wildfire prevention, logging and public access.
Idaho County commissioners are pushing to loosen federal restrictions on about 1-point-7 million acres of protected roadless areas.
Commissioner Skip Brandt told state lawmakers the current rules limit timber harvesting, road construction and motorized access, making it harder to fight wildfires and reach remote recreational areas.
The county wants the U.S. Forest Service to reclassify those lands under less restrictive management rules.
But the Forest Service says Idaho’s roadless areas protect some of the last intact forest ecosystems in the lower 48 states.
Governor Brad Little and U.S. Senator Jim Risch have encouraged commissioners to work with the state’s Roadless Rule Implementation Commission and provide evidence supporting the changes.
Brandt hopes to submit a formal petition within the next couple of weeks.
For now, no changes have been approved, and the legislative committee took no action on the proposal.
🤝 COMMUNITY
🎗️ TWIN FALLS — RALLY FOR JILL FUNDRAISER
A longtime Twin Falls community leader who has spent years helping others is now getting some help of her own.
Slice Pickleball is hosting a special fundraiser this Saturday for Jill Skeem, who is battling breast cancer.
Skeem has been a familiar face throughout the Magic Valley for decades, serving 24 years on the Rotary Club board, organizing community fundraisers and helping grow pickleball in Twin Falls as a past president of the local association.
Now, friends and fellow pickleball players are rallying around her with the “Rally for Jill” tournament and silent auction.
The event gets underway Saturday morning at 9 at Slice Pickleball, located at 1751 Elizabeth Boulevard in Twin Falls.
Registration is 35 dollars per player, with a signup deadline of Friday at 6:30 p.m.
All proceeds will go directly to Skeem to help with her recovery.
To register, make a donation or contribute a silent auction basket, call Slice Pickleball at 208-408-0701.
🏆 MONDAY SPORTS — FOOTBALL
🏈 MAGIC VALLEY FOOTBALL — STATE PLAYOFF RESULTS
Magic Valley high school football teams are making their mark in the state playoffs, with some big wins, tough losses, and plenty of postseason excitement across Southern Idaho this weekend!
Twin Falls survived a defensive battle, shutting out Bonneville 6-0. Kimberly picked up a convincing 35-13 win over Gooding, while Oakley rolled past Idaho City 38-6.
Raft River kept its championship hopes alive with a 50-37 victory over Grace, and Castleford knocked off Hansen 20-6.
But not everyone had the same success. Buhl came up just short against Ririe, falling 22-20. Wood River saw its season end with a 34-19 loss to Emmett, while Minico fell to Sandpoint 49-32.
And in a high-scoring showdown, Deary outlasted Richfield 72-50.
The playoff field is getting smaller, and the stakes are getting bigger as Magic Valley teams battle for a shot at a state championship!
🏈 MAGIC VALLEY FOOTBALL — STATE QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE
The road to a state football championship runs right through the Magic Valley this weekend, with 8 area teams still in the hunt and some huge quarterfinal matchups on the schedule!
In 5A, Twin Falls heads to Hillcrest Friday night at 7, looking for a little payback. The Bruins lost to the Knights by just 1 point back in September, and now they’ll get another shot with their season on the line.
In 4A, last year’s state runner-up Kimberly Bulldogs travel to Weiser for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday.
In 3A, district champion Declo gets home-field advantage against Logos. That game is the only Saturday matchup, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
In 2A, the Hagerman Pirates begin their playoff run at home against Kamiah Friday night at 7. Castleford hits the road to face Rockland at 2 p.m., while Oakley makes the long trip north to take on Wallace at 5:30.
And Raft River gets another crack at Butte County Friday at 6. The Trojans won their first meeting 34-28 during the regular season.
In 1A, defending state champion Carey hosts Salmon River Friday afternoon at 3. The Panthers beat the Savages 30-22 back in October and will be looking to do it again.
It’s a big weekend for Magic Valley football, with a trip to the state semifinals on the line and 8 local teams hoping to keep their championship dreams alive!
🏈 BOISE STATE FOOTBALL — BRONCOS EDGE TEXAS STATE
Well, if you stayed up late watching Boise State Saturday night, you certainly got your money’s worth! The Broncos survived an absolute thriller on The Blue, and they’re moving up in the national rankings!
Boise State held off Texas State 46-45 in a wild comeback victory, extending its winning streak to 7 games and improving to 7-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 in Pac-12 play.
And what a roller coaster! The Broncos led 28-3 at halftime before Texas State rattled off 36 unanswered points to take a 39-28 lead in the 4th quarter.
Then things got even more interesting. Starting quarterback Maddux Madsen left with an injury, and backup Max Cutforth stepped in and delivered, throwing 3 touchdown passes in the final quarter to help Boise State pull out the win.
Freshman receiver Rasean Jones had a career night with 9 catches for 117 yards and 3 touchdowns. Akeem Wright added 8 receptions for 116 yards, including the game-winning touchdown.
And Dylan Riley rushed for 86 yards, pushing his season total to 1,049 and becoming just the 10th Bronco to rush for more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.
The win was also a historic one for Boise State, marking the program’s 300th victory at the FBS level.
And there was another special moment Saturday night as former Broncos quarterback and current New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore returned to Boise for the unveiling of his statue.
In the latest national polls, Boise State holds steady at #20 in the AP Top 25 and moves up to #21 in the Coaches Poll.
The Broncos are now the only unbeaten team in Pac-12 conference play.
Up next, Boise State heads to Colorado State this Saturday, November 7, with kickoff at 4 p.m. on USA Sports.
🏈 IDAHO STATE FOOTBALL — DEFENSIVE SCORES LIFT BENGALS
How about this for a comeback? The Idaho State Bengals were down early, outgained by nearly 170 yards, and never forced a single punt. But somehow, they found a way to win!
Idaho State pulled off a dramatic 34-27 victory over Utah Tech Saturday afternoon, thanks to 2 defensive touchdowns in the 4th quarter.
The Bengals trailed 14-0 after the 1st quarter and were down 27-20 with less than 11 minutes remaining.
That’s when Zion To’oto’o changed everything, forcing a fumble, scooping it up and racing 32 yards for the tying touchdown.
Then, with just 55 seconds left, Trehsyn Fesili intercepted a pass and returned it 43 yards for the game-winning score.
Idaho State’s defense forced 4 turnovers, turning those takeaways into 24 points, while the Bengals didn’t commit a single turnover themselves.
Quarterback Jordan Cooke finished with 178 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, both to Tommy Poe, who caught 7 passes for 96 yards.
Kicker Mason Lindberg connected on field goals of 47 and 27 yards, while Nathan Reynolds and Ryder Holt led the defense with 8 tackles apiece.
And here’s what makes this win even more remarkable. Utah Tech outgained Idaho State 424-255 and controlled the ball for nearly 38 minutes, but the Bengals made the big plays when they mattered most.
Idaho State improves to 6-3 overall and 3-3 in Big Sky Conference play.
🏈 IDAHO FOOTBALL — VANDALS DEFEAT PORTLAND STATE
The Idaho Vandals are putting together quite a run, and Saturday they made it 3 wins in a row with a convincing victory over Portland State!
Idaho rolled past the Vikings 38-14 on Halloween, improving to 4-5 overall and 4-2 in Big Sky Conference play.
Quarterback Joshua Wood had another big afternoon, throwing for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns. It was his 6th game this season with more than 300 yards passing.
And how about Ryan Jezioro? He had a career day, hauling in 5 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown.
Damonte Bias added 50 rushing yards and scored twice, once on the ground and once through the air. Kenny Golston chipped in a career-high 55 rushing yards.
But the real story might have been Idaho’s defense. The Vandals held Portland State to just 13 yards rushing all afternoon.
Hysan Dalton and Cruz Hepburn led the defense with 7 tackles apiece, while Mitch Jaskowiak and Mason Krahn each recorded a sack.
The Vandals have now won 4 of their last 5 games and improve to 16-2 all-time against Portland State.
Up next, Idaho returns home to the Kibbie Dome this Saturday to host Eastern Washington. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Mountain time.
🏆 MONDAY SPORTS — VOLLEYBALL AND CROSS COUNTRY
🏐 STATE VOLLEYBALL — KIMBERLY WINS TITLE; VALLEY FINISHES SECOND
The Magic Valley has another state champion! The Kimberly Bulldogs are back on top of Idaho high school volleyball, while the Valley Vikings are bringing home a state runner-up trophy!
The #1-ranked Kimberly Bulldogs capped off a remarkable season Saturday at Lake City High School, sweeping #2 Bear Lake 25-18, 25-21 and 25-21 to claim the 4A state championship!
It’s Kimberly’s 2nd state title in program history and its first since 2022. The Bulldogs finish the season 33-6, with all 6 losses coming against larger 6A schools.
Taya Plew and Kynlee Klingler led the Bulldogs with 16 kills apiece, while Avery Beard and Presley Giles each dished out 22 assists. Brooklyn Verwey and Giles helped anchor the defense.
It was an emotional finish for a Kimberly team that will graduate 6 seniors.
Meanwhile, in 2A, the Valley Vikings battled their way to a state runner-up finish!
Valley opened Saturday with a 4-set win over Hagerman, 19-25, 25-18, 25-22 and 25-21.
Hagerman’s Ava Chizum finished with 13 kills and 22 digs, while Addison Bingham and Kennedy Lemmon added 7 kills each. Addi Chizum recorded 34 assists and 18 digs.
The Vikings then survived a 5-set thriller against Troy, winning 25-22, 24-26, 26-24, 18-25 and 15-12 to reach the championship match.
But top-seeded Butte County proved too much in the final, sweeping Valley 25-13, 25-14 and 25-19 to capture the 2A title.
A championship for Kimberly, a runner-up finish for Valley, and a strong showing for Magic Valley volleyball on the state’s biggest stage!
🏐 CSI VOLLEYBALL — GOLDEN EAGLES ENTER POSTSEASON
The CSI Golden Eagles are heading into the volleyball postseason with plenty of momentum, and they’re bringing a 5-match winning streak along for the ride!
The nation’s 11th-ranked Golden Eagles wrapped up the regular season Saturday afternoon with a convincing 3-set sweep of Colorado Northwestern in Rangely, Colorado, winning 25-20, 25-19 and 25-10.
CSI was firing on all cylinders offensively, hitting .313 for the match and an impressive .455 in the 3rd set without committing a single attack error.
Vivian Goto led the charge with 15 kills, while Amanda Uren added a season-high 9.
Dalayni Brindley finished with 21 assists and 12 digs, while Mary Irwin added 15 assists. Emerson Heatwole and Julia Santana each chipped in 10 digs.
The victory gives CSI a share of the regular-season conference championship with Salt Lake, although the Bruins win the tiebreaker and will host the conference tournament.
The Golden Eagles finish the regular season 21-6 overall and 10-2 in conference play.
Now it’s on to the postseason! CSI enters the conference tournament as the #2 seed and will face USU-Eastern in the opening round Wednesday, November 4, in Salt Lake.
🏃 STATE CROSS COUNTRY — MAGIC VALLEY RESULTS
The Twin Falls girls cross country team placed second in 5A at the state meet in Pocatello, and Raelee Richardson won her third consecutive state title.
Student athletes from several schools competed on the course in hopes of placing at state.
5A
Richardson finished first with a time of 18:35.
Jerome placed two runners in the top 10. Brielle Driscoll finished sixth, and Rylie Williams finished eighth.
On the boys side, Burley’s Caleb Kendell finished 17th with a time of 16:43.
4A
Filer’s Laura Farmer set a personal best and placed 14th with a time of 20:12. Teammate Jillian Price finished 38th.
Kimberly also placed one runner in the top 20. Cecilia Myers finished 16th.
On the boys side, Gooding’s Max Kelsey placed 11th with a time of 16:55. Kyson Wyatt of the Bulldogs finished 16th with a time of 17:06.
3A
Declo placed three runners in the top 20. Brelyn Ewell finished ninth with a time of 20:17.
Buhl’s Brook Cummings finished 39th with a time of 25:56.
In the boys race, Sun Valley Community School took gold and silver with John Harris and Jasper Lakefish. Harris finished with a time of 15:59 and Lakefish finished at 16:29. Declo placed one runner in the top 10.
2A/1A
The Magic Valley produced three runners in the top 10 in the girls race. Oakley’s Mia Bowne finished fourth, Murtaugh’s Emma England finished ninth and Raft River’s Alyza Heaton finished 10th.
On the boys side, Oakley’s Carter Ricks placed 11th with a time of 18:09. Camas County’s Colton Fontenot finished 25th.
🏆 MONDAY SPORTS — COLLEGE BASKETBALL
🦅 CSI MEN — GOLDEN EAGLES DEFEAT CENTRAL WYOMING
How about those CSI Golden Eagles? The men’s basketball team is wasting no time making some noise this season, and Saturday night, the nation’s 4th-ranked team put on quite a show for the home crowd in Twin Falls!
CSI rolled past Central Wyoming 105-56 on the final night of the ICCU Invitational at the CSI Gymnasium, improving to 2-0 on the season.
The Golden Eagles led by 19 at halftime before exploding for 61 points in the second half, shooting an impressive 64% from the floor.
And for the 2nd straight night, Cutter Beus led the way, pouring in a game-high 29 points, including 23 in the second half. Beus also knocked down 5 of 7 shots from beyond the 3-point line.
Carter Davis added 13 points, while Diego Mulford and Carlo Mulford each finished with 11. Kyah Farris-White chipped in 10 points and a team-high 8 rebounds.
Carlo Mulford and Kobe Kesler each dished out 6 assists, while Berrett Wilson and Luka Solomun added 4 apiece.
CSI committed just 6 turnovers and converted 9 Central Wyoming turnovers into 20 points.
The Golden Eagles return to action Thursday, November 12, when they host Western Nebraska Community College at noon to open the annual Battle for the Boot tournament in Twin Falls.
🦅 CSI WOMEN — GOLDEN EAGLES IMPROVE TO 2-0
The CSI women are keeping pace with the men, and the nation’s 6th-ranked Golden Eagles are showing why they’re one of the top basketball teams in the country!
CSI rolled past Central Wyoming 74-47 Saturday night at the ICCU Invitational in Twin Falls, improving to 2-0 on the young season.
After a close 1st quarter, the Golden Eagles took control, outscoring the Rustlers 55-29 over the final 3 quarters.
And it wasn’t just the starters getting the job done. CSI’s bench came up big, contributing 40 of the team’s 74 points.
Cassie Brooks led the way with 13 points off the bench, while Sibylle Bobeche added 9 in her 1st start. Ella Chesta-Carty and Emma Whitaker each chipped in 8 points.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles forced 19 Central Wyoming turnovers and turned those into 19 points. CSI also dominated inside, scoring 32 points in the paint while shooting 38% from the field and 33% from 3-point range.
The Golden Eagles are back home this Friday for the CSI Invitational, where they’ll take on Dawson Community College out of Montana.
🐴 BOISE STATE WOMEN — SEASON OPENER AGAINST BUSHNELL
It’s a new season, a new conference, and a new chapter for Boise State women’s basketball as the Broncos tip things off today in front of the home crowd!
Boise State opens the 2026-27 season against Bushnell this morning at 11 at ExtraMile Arena, marking the beginning of the Broncos’ first season in the Pac-12.
And the Broncos have been tough to beat at home, winning 22 consecutive nonconference games in Boise.
Head coach Gordy Presnell enters his 40th season as a college head coach with 794 Division 1 victories. His Broncos are 18-3 in season openers under his leadership, including 4 straight wins.
Boise State is coming off a 25-9 season but has some rebuilding to do after graduating 5 seniors, including 4 starters.
Libby Hutton returns as the team’s leading career scorer with 451 points, while transfer CJ Latta brings 374 career points. Both were named to the Pac-12 Preseason Impact List.
Today’s opponent, Bushnell, finished last season 7-21, with Maddie Gerhart returning after averaging 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
It’s the first meeting between the 2 programs, with tipoff at 11 this morning. The game will also stream live on Pac-12 YouTube.
The Broncos will also make 2 national television appearances on The CW this season, January 10 at San Diego State and February 28 at Washington State.
🏆 IDAHO WOMEN — VANDALS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP DEFENSE
The Idaho Vandals women’s basketball team is ready to defend its championship title, and a new season tips off today in Moscow!
Coming off the winningest season in program history, the Vandals open their 2026-27 campaign this morning at 11 against Saint Martin’s at ICCU Arena. It’s the program’s annual Education Game.
Idaho captured both the Big Sky regular-season and conference tournament championships last season, earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Now in his third season, head coach Arthur Moreira returns six players from that championship squad, including Big Sky Tournament MVP Hope Hassmann, who averaged more than 14 points per game last season.
The Vandals also welcome eight newcomers and enter the season ranked second in both Big Sky preseason polls, behind Montana State.
Idaho and Saint Martin’s have split their two previous meetings, with the Vandals winning their last matchup 63 to 44.
Following today’s opener, Idaho travels to Spokane Friday to face Gonzaga at 6 p.m.
🏆 MONDAY SPORTS — WOMEN’S SOCCER
⚽ BOISE STATE — BRONCOS SECURE PAC-12 TOURNAMENT SPOT
How about those Boise State Broncos? The women’s soccer team is heading to the Pac-12 Championship, and they punched their ticket in impressive fashion with a 4-0 shutout of Texas State!
The Broncos took control in the 2nd half, scoring all 4 goals in just 21 minutes to improve to 13-2-2 overall and 5-1-1 in conference play.
Sophie Schmautz got things started in the 67th minute, followed by goals from Madie Donovan, Campbell Wilson and Asia Lawyer.
And the Boise State defense was just as impressive. Goalkeeper Ava de Leest finished with 4 saves, recording her 10th shutout of the season and the 16th of her career.
Wilson’s goal was her 12th of the season, moving her into 5th place on Boise State’s single-season scoring list. She also picked up her 8th assist of the year, the 2nd-most in program history.
The Broncos have now scored 39 goals this season, the 4th-highest total in school history.
And there’s still plenty on the line! Boise State can clinch a share of the Pac-12 regular-season championship with a win over Washington State this Thursday night.
That match kicks off at 7 in Boise.
The Broncos have already secured a spot in the 4-team Pac-12 Championship tournament, scheduled for November 11 through 15 in Logan, Utah.
⚽ IDAHO STATE — BENGALS FALL TO NORTHERN COLORADO
The Idaho State women’s soccer team is running out of room for error as the Bengals try to hang on to a spot in the Big Sky Conference tournament.
Idaho State came up short Sunday afternoon in Pocatello, losing to Northern Colorado 1-0.
The Bengals had some good opportunities early. Saydree Cooke and Daphne Egelhoff both hit the crossbar in the 1st half, but neither could get the ball into the net.
Northern Colorado finally broke through in the 55th minute when Ava Marshall scored on a counterattack, and that turned out to be the difference.
Idaho State goalkeeper Aliya Garrett finished with 6 saves, keeping the Bengals within reach. Idaho State managed 9 shots on the afternoon, with 2 on goal.
Now here’s where things get interesting. The Bengals are sitting in 6th place in the Big Sky standings, and that’s the final qualifying spot for the conference tournament. They’re just 1 point ahead of Southern Utah.
Idaho State wraps up the regular season on the road against Weber State in Ogden, with plenty riding on that final match.
⚽ IDAHO — VANDALS COMPLETE TWO-WIN ROAD TRIP
The Idaho Vandals women’s soccer team is coming home with two more wins after wrapping up a successful road trip!
Idaho defeated Montana 2 to 1 yesterday, battling rainy conditions to pick up its second straight victory.
Tori Peters put the Vandals on the scoreboard with a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area, sending the ball into the top corner of the net. Miranda Goldner added another goal to help secure the win.
The victory follows Thursday’s 2-nothing shutout of Portland State, improving Idaho’s overall record to 9 wins, 3 losses and 5 ties.
The Vandals now return home to face Eastern Washington Thursday at noon in Big Sky Conference action.
🏆 MONDAY SPORTS — HOCKEY
🏒 IDAHO STEELHEADS — HOMETOWN PLAYERS RETURN TO BOISE
How’s this for a hometown hockey story? 2 players who grew up watching the Idaho Steelheads are now wearing the very same jerseys they dreamed of playing in as kids!
The Steelheads are celebrating their 29th season in Boise, and for Luke Mylymok and John Driscoll, it’s a homecoming years in the making.
Both played youth hockey with the Junior Steelheads before leaving Idaho to pursue their dreams. Now, Mylymok, who’s 24, and Driscoll, who’s 25, are back in Boise playing professional hockey for their hometown team.
And hockey runs in the Mylymok family. Luke’s father, Jeremy, played for the Steelheads from 2000 to 2006, helped the team win its 1st Kelly Cup championship, and had his #8 jersey retired in 2008.
Luke is entering his 2nd professional season, while Driscoll is making his pro debut.
They’re also part of a growing list of former Junior Steelheads making their mark in hockey. Luke’s older brother Connor played for Idaho before moving to the American Hockey League. CJ Walker also returned to play for the Steelheads and now coaches youth hockey, while former Junior Steelhead Tyus Sparks was drafted by the NHL’s Washington Capitals this summer.
For Mylymok and Driscoll, it’s more than just playing professional hockey. It’s a chance to inspire the next generation of young Idaho players, just like the Steelheads inspired them growing up.
The Steelheads’ regular season continues through April.
🌤️ WEATHER — MAGIC VALLEY
🌅 MORNING DRIVE
Sunshine kicks off today across the Magic Valley, with a high near 50 and west winds gusting to 22 miles an hour. Clouds increase tonight, with a low of 31. Tomorrow brings mostly cloudy skies and a high of 52. Then look for plenty of sunshine through the rest of the week, with highs in the 50s, warming to near 60 by Sunday!
🌇 AFTERNOON DRIVE
We’re enjoying sunshine across the Magic Valley this afternoon, with highs near 50 and west winds gusting up to 22 miles an hour. Clouds increase tonight, with temperatures dropping to around 31. Tomorrow brings mostly cloudy skies and a high near 52. Looking ahead, plenty of sunshine through the rest of the week, with highs in the 50s, warming to near 60 by Sunday!
🌙 EVENING/OVERNIGHT
Clouds will be on the increase across the Magic Valley overnight, with temperatures dropping to around 31 degrees. Tomorrow brings mostly cloudy skies, a high near 52, and winds gusting up to 22 miles an hour. Looking ahead, sunshine returns Wednesday, with highs in the 50s through Saturday. And by Sunday, we’re warming up to near 60 degrees!
📅 EXTENDED FORECAST
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. East northeast wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 36. East northeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming west southwest in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
- Your Daily Briefing – 11/02/2026 - November 2, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/30/2026 - October 30, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/29/2026 - October 29, 2026
