🔥 Wildfires & Fire Policy
- Idaho may raise the annual fire protection surcharge on forested residential lots from $40 to $100. The Department of Lands says this increase is necessary to support wildfire response programs as more development moves into fire-prone areas. Lawmakers may take up the proposal in the 2026 legislative session.
- The BLM is battling the Tindall Fire near Mountain Home Air Force Base, which has scorched over 1,500 acres. Officials say the fire is human-caused and expect full containment by 8 p.m. tonight.
- In the Payette National Forest, fire crews are tackling three wildfires, including:
- Big Bear Fire: 2,500 acres near the Salmon River. Crews are protecting two lodges.
- Rush Fire: 747 acres.
- Skunk Fire: 60% contained.
⛽ Gas Prices
- Idaho gas prices have stabilized after weeks of increases. AAA reports the average is $3.48/gallon, just a penny more than last week. That’s 19 cents higher than a month ago, but still 12 cents lower than this time last year.
🚓 Crime & Law Enforcement
- Vandals caused thousands of dollars in damage to the brand-new restrooms at Lincoln Park in Rupert on Monday. Rupert Police urge anyone with information to call 208-434-2330. Tips can remain anonymous.
- Idaho law enforcement will increase speeding patrols from July 20–26 as part of a regional enforcement campaign. ITD reports 126 speeding-related fatalities so far this year, up from 113 this time last year.
🚌 Education & Transportation
- After 55 years with a private company, the Jerome School District is launching its own school bus service. Transportation Director Tim Hicks says the new fleet is tech-enhanced, allowing real-time tracking for parents, and promises increased safety and cost savings.
- The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) released its draft 2026–2032 investment plan, which outlines $58 billion in transportation projects statewide. Public comment is open through July 31.
- A load of hay spilled across I-86 near American Falls after a semi braked hard to avoid a reckless driver. Eastbound lanes were blocked for 90 minutes. ISP reminds drivers to give trucks extra space, especially in construction zones.
⚖️ Crime & Courts
- The victims of last week’s quadruple homicide in the Mini-Cassia area have been identified:
- Kelly and Donna Jenks of Burley
- Angelica Medina of Rupert
- Dennis Mix of Heyburn
🏈🎯 Sports
📣 Boise State Football
- Boise State has once again been picked to win the Mountain West, earning 35 of 39 first-place votes in the preseason poll. It’s the 18th straight year they’ve been tabbed favorites. They open the season August 28 at South Florida.
🐂 National High School Finals Rodeo
- It’s Rodeo Week in Rock Springs, Wyoming, and Magic Valley athletes are in the hunt:
- Wes ZeBarth and Layne Little: tied for 18th in boys cutting
- Brinlee Yore: ranks 16th in goat tying
- Sam Mai: sits 17th in barrel racing
🏟️ Mountain West Expansion Update
- The Mountain West Conference is pausing expansion. Commissioner Gloria Nevarez says they’ll wait until after media rights talks wrap up.
- Grand Canyon joins this year
- Hawaii and UTEP will become full members in 2026
- Meanwhile, five schools, including Boise State and Utah State, are set to leave for the Pac-12, triggering a legal dispute.
⚾ American Legion A District C Tournament
- Idaho Falls Tigers beat Twin Falls Hawks 10–8 in extra innings.
- Christian Waitley had three hits
- Dre Mora drove in four runs
- Hawks play the Idaho Falls Titans at 10 a.m.
- Filer Cats topped the Titans 4–2.
- Brett Paxton threw a one-hitter with 13 strikeouts
- Filer faces the Tigers at 3:30 p.m.
- Buhl Tribe crushed Rigby 14–4 in five innings.
- Remington Higley homered and struck out seven
- Buhl plays the Idaho Falls Bees at 3:30
- Minico Storm blanked the Idaho Falls Grizzlies Low A 13–0.
- Guzman, Rutschke, and Mitchell combined for a one-hitter
- Minico faces Blackfoot at 6 p.m.
- Burley Green Sox shut out Pocatello 10–0.
- Jacoby Roe led with 3 RBIs
- Burley plays the Grizzlies High A at 6
- The Rebels face the Razorbacks at 12:30
☀️🔥 Weather
Today: Sunny with areas of smoke. Highs 94 to 99°F. South wind up to 10 mph in the morning, shifting to northwest in the afternoon with gusts up to 25 mph.
Tonight: Increasing clouds. Areas of smoke. Lows 62 to 67°F. West winds 10–15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, shifting to southeast after midnight.
Friday: Areas of smoke in the morning. Mostly sunny. Highs 91 to 97°F. Southwest winds 10–15 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear. Lows 60 to 65°F. West winds 10–15 mph with gusts to 25 mph, shifting southeast overnight.
Saturday: Sunny. Highs 90 to 95°F.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Lows 58 to 63°F.
Sunday: Sunny. Highs 88 to 93°F.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows 58 to 63°F.
Monday: Sunny. Highs 89 to 94°F.
Monday Night & Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Lows 58 to 63°F, highs 87 to 92°F.
Tuesday Night & Wednesday: Mostly clear. Lows 57 to 62°F, highs 88 to 93°F.
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