Your Daily Briefing – 01/20/2026

IDAHO LEGISLATURE & STATE GOVERNMENT

Early Bills Filed
Nearly 20 bills were filed in the first week of Idaho’s legislative session, including proposals on harsher solicitation penalties, reckless driving in school zones, masked crimes, drones over prisons, and new protections for e-bike riders.

Revenue Forecast Update
Idaho’s budget committee unanimously adopted a more optimistic revenue forecast than Governor Brad Little proposed — about $5.7 billion this year and $5.8 billion next year. Lawmakers say strong January tax collections now point to a projected $106 million surplus instead of a deficit.

Child Care Program Audits
Idaho’s Health and Welfare director says the state has found little fraud in child-care programs after more than 1,000 audits, even as GOP lawmakers push to pause new federal funding. The agency plans unannounced inspections and stronger safeguards.

Medicaid Budget Debate
A Democrat on Idaho’s budget committee is pushing for more public input as lawmakers consider $22 million in proposed Medicaid cuts. JFAC doesn’t hold public hearings, but a Medicaid budget review is set for January 22.

Workforce & Education
New data shows Idaho’s LAUNCH program is boosting college and workforce training and keeping more grads in Idaho. Governor Brad Little says LAUNCH is expanding opportunity and strengthening the workforce.

Education Honor
Gooding Elementary Principal Brandee Sabala has been named Idaho’s 2026 Distinguished Principal of the Year. She’ll be honored at a district assembly on February 23 and later travel to Washington, D.C., as a nominee for a national award.

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY

High-Speed Pursuit
Idaho State Police chased a speeding SUV for 71 miles on I-84 yesterday. The pursuit began near Mountain Home, with the driver topping 100 miles per hour and dodging spike strips. It ended in Payette County after a successful spike forced a crash into the median. A 29-year-old Salem, Oregon man was arrested.

Twin Falls Investigation
Twin Falls Police set up a perimeter Sunday night around Borah Avenue west of Harrison Park while investigating an incident. Officers cleared the scene later that night, saying there is no threat to the public.

Jerome Crash
One person was hospitalized after a head-on crash yesterday morning in Jerome. The collision happened around 7:40 a.m. at the intersection of South 200 West and West Road.

SPORTS

Boys’ Basketball – Results
In boys’ varsity basketball last night, Castleford beat Hansen 67 to 43 in conference play. In a non-conference matchup at Shoshone, the Indians topped Richfield 53 to 30.

Boys’ Basketball – Tonight
It’s a busy night on the hardwood across the Magic Valley. On the boys’ side tonight at 7:30, American Falls is at Buhl in a non-conference matchup, Twin Falls heads to Burley for a conference game, Carey travels to Camas County, Mountain Home visits Jerome, and Wood River is on the road at Minico.

Girls’ Basketball – Tonight
The girls’ schedule tips at 6 with Carey playing at Camas County, then a full slate of 7:30 starts — Hansen is at Castleford, winless Buhl heads to Gooding, Filer plays at Kimberly, Murtaugh travels to Oakley, Dietrich visits Richfield, and Shoshone is at Valley. Plenty of conference action tonight, so check back for final scores.

Hoops for a Cause
A Kimberly senior is using basketball to fight cancer. Bulldogs post player Ashlyn Hammond will collect donations for St. Luke’s Cancer Clinic at tonight’s game against rival Filer. Fans who donate at least three dollars will get an incentive next week, and before tipoff, Kimberly players will present white roses to audience members touched by cancer.

Boise State at Wyoming
The Boise State Broncos men are looking for their second straight win tonight at Wyoming Cowboys in Laramie — tipoff 6:30. The Broncos have won six straight against the Cowboys, lead the league with four 200-point scorers, and bring one of the Mountain West’s stingiest defenses into the matchup.

WEATHER

Extended Forecast
Mostly cloudy today with some sunshine developing and a high near 31. Lows tonight around 19. Through the rest of the week, expect mostly cloudy skies with patchy morning and overnight fog at times, highs in the mid to upper 20s, and lows around 20. By Sunday and Monday, highs climb back to the mid-30s.

Detailed Forecast
Today: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 31. Calm wind becoming west northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 19. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Wednesday: Areas of fog before 2pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. Light and variable wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Light and variable wind.

Thursday: Patchy fog before 11am, then areas of fog after 2pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 25.
Thursday Night: Areas of fog after 11pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.

Friday: Areas of fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 29.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 34.