Your Daily Briefing – May 13, 2025

🏠 Refugees in Twin Falls

Two white South African families, designated as refugees by President Trump, are headed to Twin Falls. The Afrikaners are part of a larger humanitarian resettlement effort coordinated by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and the Idaho Office for Refugees. Trump’s decision comes as his administration has largely frozen admissions for other nationalities. The Afrikaners claim persecution by their government, but South African President Cyril Ramaphosa responded:

“A refugee is someone who has to leave their country out of fear of political persecution, religious persecution, or economic persecution. And they don’t fit that bill.”

Chandra Upreti of the Twin Falls refugee program told the Spokesman-Review:

“Twin Falls is a welcoming community and we have opened our doors and our hearts to people from all over the world for the last 45 years.”

The new arrivals will receive the same services as other refugees. Last year, Twin Falls welcomed 242 refugees.

🕵️ Crime & Courts

Challis Homicide: A missing persons case in Challis has become a homicide investigation. Custer County deputies report 47-year-old Patrick Shelton vanished while cutting firewood. His truck was found Saturday, a suspect is in custody, but Shelton’s remains have not been located.
Twin Falls Sexual Exploitation Case: 21-year-old Dominic Asay of Twin Falls faces rape and child exploitation charges after allegedly recording and sharing videos of sexual encounters with underage girls. He is held on a $150,000 bond.
Death Penalty Bill: Idaho lawmakers passed a bill allowing the death penalty in extreme child lewd conduct cases, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against such laws. Critics argue the state lacks sufficient resources and qualified attorneys for the legal demands of capital cases.

🚗 Memorial Day Travel

AAA forecasts a record-breaking 45.1 million Americans traveling over Memorial Day, including 274,000 Idahoans. Expect heavy traffic and airport delays.

❄️ Idaho Snowpack

The latest Idaho SNOTEL snow report shows strong snowpack levels:

Big Wood Basin: 92% of median
Big Lost Basin: 90%
Henrys Fork/Teton Basins: 95%
Snake River Basins: 97%
The data indicates robust precipitation for the year so far.

🏫 Education & Local Government

The Buhl School District seeks voter approval on May 20 for a $650,000 levy to fund staffing, transportation, and supplies. Without it, cuts will go beyond the already planned reduction of three teaching positions. The estimated taxpayer cost: 24 cents per $100,000 of property value.

🚓 Local Incidents

Twin Falls Crash: A minivan ran a red light at Addison and Locust, striking an SUV. The minivan driver was cited. One person sustained minor injuries, and lanes were blocked for nearly an hour.
Rupert Fountain Vandalism: Vandals added soap to the town square fountain in Rupert, damaging a pressure line and flooding the pump vault. Police are investigating and requesting public tips.

🏌️ Sports

4A State Golf Tournament – Clear Lake Country Club:

Kimberly Bulldogs lead both boys and girls team standings.
Boys: Wyatt Williams (-4), Korben Kowitz, Carson Lott (Top 10), Filer’s Dallan Nielson (+8).
Girls: Filer’s Tanli LeMoyne (-2), Kimberly’s Shelby Heider (2nd) and Ellyce Simmons (4th).

3A State Golf Tournament – River’s Edge Golf Course:

Declo Hornets hold a narrow lead.
Boys: Axel Silcock (-1), Wendell’s Erickson, Garrard, Borges (+13).
Girls: Hagerman’s Kricket Wise (+17), Valley’s Allie Delgado, Madi Harris, Declo’s Ava Cameron.

College of Southern Idaho Softball:

Headed to the NJCAA Division I Nationals.
Season record: 40-14.
Seven players earned All-Region 18 honors; Emerson Fuller (14-1, 2.67 ERA), Adi Hansen (.411, 36 steals).

CSI Baseball:

Four players named to Scenic West Athletic Conference second team: Jack Barker (.456 average), Mack Evans (.297, 8 HRs), Tayson Howard (.344, 26 SB), Degan Rigby (36 Ks, 2 saves).

Boise State vs. Notre Dame Football:

First-ever matchup: October 4 at 1:30 p.m. MT on NBC.
Both teams made the expanded College Football Playoff last season.
Boise State: 76.8% all-time winning percentage (nation’s best).
Notre Dame: 72.5% all-time winning percentage (5th nationally).

🌧️ Weather

Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms possible, high near 59°F. Winds 8-18 mph, gusts to 30 mph.
Tonight: More showers, low around 42°F. Winds 15-18 mph, gusts to 32 mph.

Extended Forecast:

Wednesday: 50% chance of showers, high near 61°F. Gusts to 37 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, high near 63°F.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, high near 65°F.
Saturday-Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, highs near 69°F (Saturday), 61°F (Sunday).
Monday: 30% chance of showers, high near 65°F.