Your Daily Briefing – 12/16/2024

Local News

Traffic Stop Leads to Bomb Squad Deployment in Twin Falls

There were tense moments early yesterday morning after a Twin Falls Police officer conducted a traffic stop near Heyburn and Blue Lakes Boulevard around 2 a.m. Authorities discovered a dangerous device in the vehicle, prompting the bomb squad to respond. Details about the device have not been released, but the investigation has been handed over to the Idaho State Police. One person remains in custody as of this morning.

Idaho Unemployment Tax Rate to Drop in 2025

The base unemployment insurance tax rate for Idaho employers will decrease by 20% in 2025, saving businesses approximately $22 million. The new base tax rate of 0.788% is the second-lowest recorded since 1980, according to state officials.

Idaho Attorney General Appeals Gender-Affirming Care Lawsuit to Supreme Court

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has formally requested that the U.S. Supreme Court review a lawsuit challenging the state’s law prohibiting public funds from being used for gender-affirming medication and surgeries. The case centers on whether the refusal to cover sex-reassignment surgeries violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Child Labor Violations Lead to Over $300,000 in Fines for Stella’s Ice Cream

The U.S. Department of Labor has fined Nampa-based Stella’s Ice Cream $321,015 for child labor violations. The Boise-area ice cream chain reportedly employed minors to operate industrial mixers, drive delivery vans, and work late-night hours in violation of federal labor laws. The infractions occurred at stores in Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, and Nampa.

Bird Flu Causes Mass Die-Off of Snow Geese in Idaho

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game reported a large-scale die-off of birds in southwestern Idaho due to avian flu. Thousands of snow geese died near the Snake River, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak in the region.

Christmas Tree Sales Surge in Idaho

With the holiday season underway, Idahoans are flocking to local tree vendors and national forests to find their perfect Christmas tree. The Sawtooth National Forest has issued more than 4,800 permits for tree cutting this year, reflecting a 25% increase compared to 2023. The permits allow families to cut their own tree and create lasting holiday memories.

Fatal Crash Involving Snowplow Under Investigation

Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal crash along U.S. 26 near Palisades on Saturday afternoon. A Jeep crossed the center line and collided with a snowplow just after 2 p.m. The driver of the Jeep was pronounced dead at the scene, while the passenger was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Sports

Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty Finishes Second in Heisman Voting

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty secured second place in the Heisman Trophy voting after a record-breaking 2024 season. This marks the highest Heisman finish in Boise State history, surpassing Kellen Moore’s fourth-place finish in 2010. Colorado’s Travis Hunter was crowned the Heisman winner, receiving 552 first-place votes and 2,231 total points. Jeanty earned 2,017 points, including 309 first-place votes. The Broncos will face either SMU or Penn State in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

Boise State Basketball Wins in Overtime Thriller

In a tightly contested matchup with seven ties and four lead changes, Boise State defeated Saint Mary’s 67-65 in overtime on Saturday night at the Mountain America Center. The Broncos return to action Tuesday at 7 p.m. MT to host Texas Southern at ExtraMile Arena.

CSI Women’s Basketball Falls to Arizona Western

The fourth-ranked College of Southern Idaho women’s basketball team fell to Arizona Western, 67-58, on Sunday. The Golden Eagles, now 10-2, will finish their tournament with games against Central Arizona on Tuesday and Southwestern California on Wednesday.

Vandals Dominate Utah State in Women’s Basketball

Four Idaho Vandals scored in double figures as the team defeated Utah State 71-56 on Sunday afternoon in Moscow. This marks the final home game of the non-conference season, with UC Davis up next on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Nearly 1,000 local elementary students will attend as part of the second annual kids’ game.

High School Basketball Scores

Boys – Friday:
- Columbia 63, Canyon Ridge 46
- Mountain View 62, Minico 52
- Homedale 65, Gooding 44
- Declo 41, Nampa Christian 30
- Potlatch 77, Hagerman 48
- Rockland 61, Raft River 38
- Snake River 59, Filer 55
- Vallivue 84, Wood River 36
Boys – Saturday:
- Caldwell 67, Wood River 39
- Lapwai 57, Hagerman 44
- Minico 45, Bishop Kelly 42
- Snake River 72, Buhl 23
- Wendell 46, Liberty Charter 27
- Declo 53, North Fremont 33
- Dietrich 64, Garden Valley 63
- McCall-Donnelly 51, Canyon Ridge 48
Girls – Friday:
- Oakley 37, Prairie 26
- American Falls 53, Buhl 26
- Declo 48, Aberdeen 41
- Filer 46, Snake River 43
- Valley 62, Glenns Ferry 31
- Madison 49, Canyon Ridge 21
- Raft River 59, Murtaugh 41
Girls – Saturday:
- Aberdeen 33, Wendell 31
- Oakley 56, New Plymouth 33
- Jerome 62, Skyview 22
- American Falls 55, Filer 46
- Kimberly 51, Snake River 25
- South Fremont 47, Twin Falls 39
- Caldwell 32, Wood River 27
- Soda Springs 61, Declo 40
- Gooding 40, Richfield 8

Upcoming Games

Girls:
- Hansen at Richfield
- Castleford at Carey
- Oakley at Declo
Boys:
- Sun Valley Community School at Glenns Ferry
- Castleford at Carey

Weather Forecast

Monday

Day: A chance of snow before 11 a.m., then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, high near 40°F. East wind 5-7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Night: Rain likely. Steady temperature around 38°F. East wind around 5 mph, becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday

Day: A 30% chance of rain before 11 a.m. Partly sunny, high near 44°F. West-northwest wind 8-10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.
Night: Mostly cloudy, low around 29°F. Light wind becoming south around 5 mph.