Your Daily Briefing – 12/24/2025

IDAHO NEWS HEADLINES

Fatal Crash Under Investigation
Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash Tuesday evening on Highway 46 between Gooding and Wendell. Troopers say a pickup crossed the center line, triggering a sideswipe and then a head-on collision. A 25-year-old woman from Gooding was killed, and two juveniles and another woman were taken to the hospital. Highway 46 was closed for about three hours.

New Twin Falls County Commissioner Appointed
Governor Brad Little has appointed Suzanne Hawkins as the new Twin Falls County Commissioner. Hawkins previously served on the Twin Falls City Council and as Mayor, and replaces Don Hall, who was appointed to the Idaho Legislature. Hawkins will serve until the next county election in 2026.

Abortion Access Initiative Advances
A citizen-led effort is underway to put abortion access back on the ballot in Idaho in 2026. Organizers with Idahoans United for Women and Families say they’ve already collected more than 50-thousand signatures toward the roughly 71-thousand needed. If approved, the measure would restore some reproductive health protections — though lawmakers could later repeal it.

Not Guilty Pleas in Jerome Murder Case
Two women have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the 2024 death of 81-year-old Merlin Leavitt of Jerome. Samantha Herrin and Jessica Bohr are accused of beating Leavitt during an incident at a home near the Jerome County Fairgrounds. He later died from complications of blunt-force trauma. Herrin remains in jail, while Bohr is out on bond.

Attempted Kidnapping Case
A man from Twin Falls is facing felony charges after police say he tried to kidnap an 11-year-old girl in Vancouver, Washington. Police say 31-year-old Jerson Hartman grabbed the girl’s wrist and phone, but she fought back, screamed for help, kicked him in the groin, and got away. Hartman was arrested nearby.

Education Funding Cut Raises Alarm
Two rural Idaho school districts are scrambling after the U.S. Department of Education moved to end Idaho’s community schools grant three years early — cutting off about 30-million dollars in remaining funding. The cut threatens services for 25-thousand students and 60 staff positions statewide, including programs in American Falls. Idaho leaders are urging the federal government to reverse the decision before the December 31st deadline.

Highway 21 Reopens
State Highway 21 has reopened between Grandjean and Banner Summit after crews cleared a major rockfall. The road had been closed for several days while crews removed debris and scaled loose rock above the roadway.

Background Check Fees Increasing
Idaho State Police say fingerprint-based background check fees will increase January first. State checks go from 20 to 25 dollars.

SPORTS

8-Man Football Honors
The Idaho high school football season wrapped up about a month ago — but it’s still a great time to tip the cap to some of the Magic Valley’s best in 8-man football.

Player of the Year
Carey senior Stockton Sears was named the 1A Player of the Year — and for good reason. Sears rushed for more than 2,300 yards and 34 touchdowns, including five scores in the state championship game. He also added 130 tackles and three interceptions on defense.

Coach of the Year
Carey head coach John Saili was honored as the 1A Coach of the Year after leading the Panthers to their ninth state title in school history — and their second in a row.

All-State Honors
Carey was well represented on the all-state team, including Gabe Saili, the Magic Valley’s only player named first-team on both offense and defense.

Special Recognition
A special shout-out to Dietrich’s Chase Norman, the only Magic Valley player named all-state at three different positions — defensive back, kicker, and punter.

Vandals Fall at Bakersfield
The Idaho Vandals closed out the non-conference season with a tough loss in Bakersfield, falling to Cal State Bakersfield 64–63 in a defensive battle. Idaho drops to 8–5 on the year, despite a game-high 20 points and 8 rebounds from Brody Rowbury. The Vandals now break for the holiday and open Big Sky play January 3rd at home against Eastern Washington.

Broncos in the NFL
Boise State will be represented by ten former Broncos across the NFL this holiday week. Action starts Christmas morning with Jeremy McNichols and John Bates in Washington, continues Christmas night with JL Skinner and the Broncos in Kansas City, and includes Scott Matlock and the Chargers on Saturday. Sunday features Ezra Cleveland, DeMarcus Lawrence, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Kellen Moore’s Saints, Ashton Jeanty, and Khalil Shakir.

WEATHER

Today
Rain likely after 11 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 60. East wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tonight
Rain. Low around 42. East-southeast wind 7 to 11 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%, with new amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible.

Christmas Day
A 50 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. South-southeast wind 7 to 13 mph.

Thursday Night
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday
Rain likely before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. South wind becoming west in the afternoon, gusting up to 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night
A slight chance of rain before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow. Partly cloudy, low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 20%.