Your Daily Briefing – 28 de Marzo 2025

Legal & Government

A federal judge has temporarily blocked Idaho’s new immigration law just hours after it was signed. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the state, arguing that House Bill 83—modeled after a Texas law—targets unauthorized immigrants and grants broad powers to law enforcement.
Idaho will become the 41st state with a media shield law, which protects journalists’ confidential sources. Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 158 on Thursday. The law will take effect on July 1.
Governor Brad Little has signed a bill that loosens child care regulations in an effort to address the state’s ongoing child care shortage. House Bill 243 lowers staffing requirements and prevents cities and counties from imposing stricter local rules—drawing criticism from child advocates who warn the changes could put children at risk.

Infrastructure & Environment

The Idaho House of Representatives has passed a $30 million funding package for water infrastructure projects. The money will support aquifer recovery and a long-term water rights settlement following last year’s curtailment crisis, which impacted thousands of water users across the state.
The City of Twin Falls will begin activating its pressurized irrigation system on April 15. Crews will charge the systems over a two-week period, with all neighborhoods expected to be online by May 1.
U.S. Highway 95 between New Meadows and Council will fully close on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. to allow for landslide repairs. The closure is expected to last into late April or possibly May. Due to snow, no local detours will be available. Passenger cars will be allowed through until Sunday night, while commercial trucks must continue using the Idaho Highway 55 detour.

Crime & Public Safety

A man from Twin Falls is facing several drug-related charges after a police search conducted on Wednesday. Officers discovered methamphetamine, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, and drug paraphernalia inside Jason Hotchkiss’s residence. Although he initially denied having any illegal substances in the house, officers found multiple items scattered throughout the property.
Prosecutors in the University of Idaho murder case are requesting permission to use a college paper written by suspect Bryan Kohberger as evidence. They argue the paper shows his knowledge of crime scenes and criminal behavior, according to a new court filing.
The Caldwell Police Department is investigating after a body was discovered on Thursday in a canal near Lake Avenue and Dearborn Avenue. The county coroner is currently working to determine the cause of death.

Sports

In Class 5A baseball action, Burley High School defeated Jerome by a score of 15–5 in just five innings. The Bobcats came alive with a five-run second inning and never looked back. Mack Haynes recorded three hits and four runs, while Ike Redder added four runs batted in. Jake Redder earned the win on the pitching mound.
In Class 3A baseball, Wendell secured its first win of the season with a dramatic 8–7 victory over Challis-Mackay in eight innings. Adrian Nava scored the game-winning run on a passed ball. Julian Ponce hit a home run and also pitched a scoreless eighth inning to secure the win for the Trojans.
Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin closed out the FIS Ski World Cup Finals in Sun Valley with her 101st career win. After suffering a tough injury in November, Shiffrin capped off her comeback season in front of a cheering home crowd, including young girls dressed in “101 Dalmatian” outfits. Her teammate Paula Moltzan praised her strength and resilience.
Boise State University’s softball team launched five home runs in a 14–9 victory over the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) on Thursday. Mykenzie Hanna hit two homers, bringing her career total to 46. Freshman Makenzie Butt blasted her Mountain West Conference-leading 14th home run of the season. Leah McAnally drove in five runs, including a home run in the seventh inning.
Professional soccer is coming to the Treasure Valley! Boise Pro Soccer officially broke ground on Thursday at Expo Idaho, where the former Les Bois Park racetrack will be transformed into a stadium for men’s and women’s United Soccer League (USL) teams. The 30-year lease and development project will also include community soccer fields and is expected to give a major boost to local sports and the economy.

Weather

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57 degrees. West wind between 8 and 10 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 20 miles per hour.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38 degrees. Southwest wind between 3 and 7 miles per hour.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50 degrees. West wind between 7 and 16 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 28 miles per hour.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33 degrees. Southwest wind between 9 and 17 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 29 miles per hour.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55 degrees. South-southwest wind between 5 and 8 miles per hour.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40 degrees.

Monday: Showers likely, mainly after noon. High near 55 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between one-tenth and one-quarter of an inch are possible.

Monday Night: Rain showers likely before 3:00 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Tuesday: A chance of snow showers before 3:00 p.m., followed by a chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 47 degrees. Breezy conditions expected. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 9:00 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers between 9:00 p.m. and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Wednesday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Thursday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent.