NEWS — IDAHO HEADLINES

🧳 IMMIGRATION & WORKFORCE

Senators Push for More H-2B Visas
Idaho Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo have joined a bipartisan group urging federal officials to release more seasonal H-2B worker visas. The senators say many businesses can’t find enough workers to stay open. More than 3,500 H-2B positions are certified in Idaho, with over 4,000 requested statewide.

🚒 PUBLIC CORRUPTION

Former Gooding Fire Chief Sentenced
Former Gooding Fire Chief Brandon Covey was sentenced yesterday to three years’ probation after pleading guilty to misusing more than $5,000 in public funds. Covey must also serve 30 days in jail on a “holiday schedule,” starting with six days over Thanksgiving 2025 and 11 days over Christmas. He’ll pay court costs, a $1,000 fine, and over $2,300 in restitution.

🎓 HIGHER EDUCATION

Community Colleges Respond to Budget Cuts
Idaho’s community colleges are adjusting to Gov. Brad Little’s 3% budget holdback. CSI avoided layoffs by leaving positions vacant, but the College of Eastern Idaho says it may cap enrollment for the first time as cuts strain staffing and services.

⚖️ COURTS & CRIME

Judges Limit Media Access in Murder Case
Judges in Cassia and Minidoka counties will allow murder suspect Benjamin Naylor to appear in street clothes during this week’s hearings, while restricting media from showing any images of him in jail attire or restraints to protect his presumption of innocence.

🚗 HOLIDAY TRAVEL

AAA: Busiest Thanksgiving Ever
AAA says Thanksgiving travel is expected to be the busiest ever, with 81.8 million Americans hitting the road or flying — including 478,000 Idahoans. That’s 1.6 million more travelers than last year.

🗳️ ELECTIONS

Ballot Discrepancy in Elmore County
The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office is investigating a ballot discrepancy in Elmore County after officials discovered 300 ballots from the November 2025 consolidated election were not tallied. Secretary Phil McGrane says an election team is being sent to review the issue, with the ballots now secured by the sheriff’s office.

🏛️ STATE POLITICS

Search Begins for Rep. Lance Clow’s Replacement
A replacement process is underway for Twin Falls’ Rep. Lance Clow, who steps down Nov. 30. The District 25 Republican Central Committee meets today at 6 p.m. to choose three nominees for Governor Brad Little.

🚧 HIGHWAYS & CULTURE WAR

Push to Rename Highway 16 for Charlie Kirk
A conservative Christian group in Idaho is pushing to rename State Highway 16 the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.” The Idaho Family Policy Center is gathering signatures, saying it would honor Kirk’s legacy after he was killed at a Utah event in September.

🏀 SPORTS — MAGIC VALLEY & IDAHO

🏀 HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Comeback Thriller at Canyon Ridge
High school girls’ basketball kept rolling across the Magic Valley, and what a finish at Canyon Ridge! The Riverhawks were down 12 in the third, fought all the way back, and with 30 seconds left, Kaylee Smith knocked down a clutch three to lift Canyon Ridge past Vallivue 38–35 for their first win of the season.

Other scores from around the valley: Declo beat Buhl 54–18… Oakley rolled past Hagerman 59–21… Castleford topped Shoshone 30–23… Snake River beat Filer 51–39… Preston over Minico 54–25… Raft River handled Rockland 49–36… and Jerome took down Kimberly 50–33.

Tonight at 7:30
• Declo at Filer
• Gooding at Wendell

🏈 COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Idaho vs. Idaho State — Potato State Trophy
Idaho wraps up the 2025 season tomorrow as the Vandals host Idaho State at the Kibbie Dome. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. It’s Senior Day for 13 Vandals, including Jahman McNeil, Donovan Parham, and Zakhari Spears. Idaho leads the rivalry 33–13 and has won 11 straight in Moscow.

Boise State Football Sells Out Again
Boise State football has officially sold out Saturday’s game against Colorado State. BSU has now sold out every home game for two straight seasons — a 14-game streak, their longest since 2009. Capacity is reduced due to North End Zone construction, but the Broncos still sold over 21,000 season tickets. Kickoff 5 p.m. Saturday.

🏀 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Boise State Men Beat Wichita State
Boise State men’s basketball made it four straight wins, edging Wichita State 62–59 at Extra Mile Arena. BSU never trailed in the second half and held the Shockers to 37% shooting. Next up: USC on Monday in the Southwest Maui Invitational.

Boise State Women Fall at Colorado
Boise State women’s basketball fell 83–53 at Colorado. The Broncos started cold and never recovered, trailing 49–23 at halftime. Natalie Pasco led the team with 14 points; Dani Bayes and Tatum Thompson each added eight. Boise State hosts Seattle U Friday at 6:30 p.m.

🏈 YOUTH SPORTS

Junior High All-State Football Nominations Open
Nominations are open for the 23rd annual Junior High All-State Football Game, June 17–20 at Idaho State University. The event partners with Exact Sports to help young athletes get on college coaches’ radar early. Executive Director Cam Andersen says selections are based on coach input and film. The showcase has already produced six future NFL players, including Taysom Hill and Colston Loveland.

⚖️ SUPREME COURT

SCOTUS Sets Date for Idaho Transgender Athletics Case
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Idaho’s transgender athletics case on Jan. 13. Idaho was the first state to ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports, but the law has been blocked since 2020. The case moves forward even though plaintiff Lindsay Hecox asked to drop it, and the ruling could influence similar laws in 26 states.

☀️ WEATHER — SOUTHERN IDAHO

Patchy fog clears mid-morning, then turning mostly sunny today with a high near 49. Mostly cloudy tonight, low 34. Thursday brings a slight chance of showers and a high around 50. Partly sunny Friday near 48, then clear and colder Friday night at 29. Weekend: mostly sunny with highs 50-52.

Detailed Forecast

Today: Patchy fog 8–11 a.m., then mostly sunny, high 49.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, low 34.
Thursday: 20% chance of showers, partly sunny, high 50.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, low 36.
Friday: Partly sunny, high 48.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, low 29.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, high 50.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, low 28.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, high 52.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, low 31.
Monday: Mostly sunny, high 52.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, low 28.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high 44.

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Benjamin Reed