Your Daily Briefing – 01/27/2026

STATE GOVERNMENT & POLICY

Budget Cuts on the Table

Idaho lawmakers are considering deeper state agency budget cuts that could reach five percent over the next two years. Legislative leaders say the reductions would help balance the budget and save more than one hundred forty-seven million dollars, while K-through-12 schools would be exempt.

Prison Costs Climb

Idaho prison costs are rising sharply as overcrowding sends more inmates to county jails and out of state. Officials say the governor’s budget nearly forced mass furloughs before the Department of Corrections was ultimately exempted.

Medicaid Funding Debate

Idaho officials warn proposed Medicaid cuts could actually cost the state more by reducing federal matching funds. Lawmakers continue debating which services could be cut as budget negotiations continue.

Unauthorized Flag Bill

A new bill in the Idaho House would fine cities for flying unauthorized flags, after Boise designated the Pride flag as an official city flag. The bill now heads to a public hearing.

Cosmetology Licensing Changes

Two bills in the Idaho House would reduce required cosmetology training hours and allow earlier licensing exams. Supporters say the move would help workforce growth, while critics warn it could lower professional standards.

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY

SUV Stolen With Child Inside

Chubbuck police arrested thirty-seven-year-old Rikki Johnson after she allegedly stole an SUV with a one-year-old child inside. The vehicle was found abandoned minutes later, and the child was unharmed.

Road Rage Murder Case

A Nampa man accused in a deadly road rage shooting appeared in court yesterday. Twenty-three-year-old Jacob Streat faces a second-degree murder charge, with bond set at two million dollars.

Child Sexual Abuse Cases Rising

A new report from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office shows child sexual abuse cases rose more than sixteen percent in fiscal year twenty-twenty-five, with 889 incidents reported statewide. Twin Falls County accounted for 135 cases, and the Magic Valley made up about twenty percent of all filings.

REGIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS

Missing Utah Children Found

Four Utah children who disappeared with their mother in November have been found in Croatia, according to family members. The children are now in a state-run orphanage as relatives work to regain custody. The mother is charged with custodial interference.

TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION

Semi Crash in Jerome County

A semi crash blocked the I-84 westbound on- and off-ramps at Highway 25 in Jerome County yesterday afternoon. The truck rolled into a ditch near Exit 201, damaging guardrails and power lines.

Jerome Traffic Delays Ahead

Drivers in Jerome should expect delays on U.S. 93 and Highway 25 tomorrow and Thursday as crews finish installing a new traffic signal. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction, with delays of up to twenty minutes.

GAS PRICES

Prices Tick Up Slightly

Idaho drivers are seeing a small increase at the pump this week. AAA reports the state average is up two cents to two dollars and seventy-eight cents a gallon. That is still nine cents cheaper than a month ago and twenty-seven cents less than a year ago. The national average stands at two dollars and eighty-eight cents.

SPORTS

Girls Basketball Scores

The Murtaugh Red Devils picked up their sixth win of the season last night, rolling past Shoshone forty-three to twelve. Murtaugh jumped out to a ten-nothing lead and never looked back. They wrap up the regular season tomorrow against Glenns Ferry, while Shoshone hosts Raft River.

Other girls scores:

Glenns Ferry beat Castleford fifty-seven to thirty-four
Oakley topped Raft River forty-nine to forty-five in overtime
Valley edged Hagerman sixty-four to sixty-one

Boys Basketball Scores

Gooding beat Wood River sixty-one to thirty-six
Dietrich knocked off Hansen seventy-three to sixty-two

Magic Valley Basketball Tonight

Boys Games

Sun Valley Community School at Raft River, 6:30
Buhl at American Falls, 7:30
Camas County at Castleford, 7:30
Filer at Kimberly, 7:30
Glenns Ferry at Oakley, 7:30
Hagerman at Valley, 7:30

Girls Games

Camas County vs Castleford at 6, Castleford wins by forfeit
Canyon Ridge at Burley, 7:30
Hansen at Dietrich, 7:30
Wood River at Gooding, 7:30
Mountain Home at Jerome, 7:30
Carey at Richfield, 7:30
Minico at Twin Falls, 7:30
Buhl at Wendell, 7:30

Boise State Basketball

Boise State looks for its fourth straight win tonight as the Broncos head to San Jose State. Tip-off is set for eight o’clock Mountain Time. Boise has won fifteen of the last sixteen meetings and remains one of the Mountain West’s top defensive teams. The Broncos are also strong on the road and remain undefeated when leading at halftime.

WEATHER – MAGIC VALLEY

Today

Increasing clouds, with a high near 45. Calm wind becoming east-northeast around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. East wind around 6 mph.

Wednesday

A slight chance of snow before 2pm, then a slight chance of rain. Cloudy early, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 42. West-southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.