TOP STORIES | IDAHO
PRISON COSTS COULD RISE UNDER BUDGET CUTS
If new budget cuts approved by the Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee move forward, state officials warn Idaho could actually spend more on prisons. Cuts to the Commission of Pardons and Parole may delay hearings, keeping more people incarcerated longer.
HEALTH & WELFARE WARNING
Idaho Health and Welfare leaders warn proposed state budget cuts could disrupt suicide prevention, foster care, and children’s mental health services, saying trimming those programs now could lead to higher costs.
DEMOCRATS URGE USE OF RESERVE FUNDS
Idaho Democrats made a public plea yesterday to use state reserve funds and avoid additional across-the-board budget cuts, warning the proposed reductions could cause long-term damage to state services.
KINDERGARTEN READINESS RANKING
A new national report shows just 59 percent of Idaho kids ages three to five are kindergarten ready — ranking the state 46th in the nation. Experts encourage parents to read daily and take advantage of local early learning resources.
GRADUATION RATES HOLD STEADY
Idaho’s graduation rate held steady at 82.3 percent in 2025. Closer to home, Dietrich, Castleford, and Murtaugh High Schools were among 15 schools statewide with a perfect 100 percent graduation rate.
WATER MONITORING CUTS
New statewide budget cuts could mean less water monitoring in Idaho. The Department of Environmental Quality says a five percent reduction will force it to scale back testing for water quality and harmful algal blooms. Director Jess Byrne says the cuts strain legally required monitoring that protects public health.
GROUND BEEF RECALL
An Idaho company is recalling more than 22 thousand pounds of ground beef over possible E. coli contamination. Kuna-based CS Beef Packers says the products were shipped to distributors in Idaho, Oregon, and California. No illnesses are reported.
ABORTION BAN LAWSUIT MOVES FORWARD
A federal judge has denied Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s request to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state’s near-total abortion ban. The case, brought by a Boise doctor seeking protections for medically necessary abortions, will now move forward to trial.
ANTHRAX CONFIRMED IN CASSIA COUNTY
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has confirmed anthrax in a beef herd in Cassia County. No human cases have been reported, and officials say none of the infected cattle entered the food supply.
SPORTS
GIRLS DISTRICT TOURNAMENT ACTION
In girls district tournament action, #1 Mountain Home knocks out #3 Burley, 69 to 60 — that ends Burley’s season.
The Raft River Trojans are still dancing. They held off a late Valley rally for a 56-48 win last night. The Trojans built an early 11-point lead, saw Valley pull within one in the fourth, but clutch free throws sealed it. Raft River now heads to a state play-in game Saturday against Prairie. Makenna Durfee and Kaylee Knudsen both hit double figures for the Trojans, while Alora Godfrey led Valley.
BOYS SCORES
On the boys side last night — Gooding topped Kimberly 66-57, and Wendell stays red hot, rolling past Declo 80-64.
WEEKEND HARDWOOD SCHEDULE
It’s a busy weekend on the hardwood.
Tonight, for the boys, Wood River, 5 and 15, is at Jerome, 2 and 16. Also tipping at 7:30, Twin Falls, 14 and 6, travels to Minico, 9 and 11. And Burley, sitting at 10 and 10, heads to Mountain Home to face the 4 and 16 Tigers.
Then tomorrow at 5:00 p.m., it’s girls district tournament action at Canyon Ridge — Hansen, 11 and 9, takes on Dietrich, 12 and 9.
SKIJORING IN BELLEVUE
The Wood River Extreme Skijoring Association hosts its annual event this weekend in Bellevue. Warmer temps meant hauling in around 80 loads of snow to build the track. Competition starts at 11 a.m. tomorrow and a portion of proceeds will benefit local youth and winter programs, including the Wood River High School rodeo team.
GOVERNOR’S TROPHY RETURNS
Governor Brad Little has signed an executive order reinstating the Idaho Governor’s Trophy, renewing the football rivalry between Boise State and the University of Idaho. The historic matchup returns September 6th, 2031 at Albertsons Stadium — the first meeting since 2010 and the 41st installment of the in-state showdown.
CSI MEN EDGE COLORADO NORTHWESTERN
The sixth-ranked College of Southern Idaho men rallied late to edge Colorado Northwestern 78-76 in conference play. Ace Reiser hit a clutch three and key free throws in the final minute, while Cooper Kesler poured in 26 points. CSI improves to 24-and-2.
CSI WOMEN DOMINATE
The 10th-ranked CSI women dominated, rolling past Colorado Northwestern 102-38. Ashley Garner led the way with 17 points and 10 boards as the Golden Eagles forced 31 turnovers. Both teams travel to Salt Lake tomorrow.
CSI SOFTBALL FALLS
The 25th-ranked CSI softball team dropped two to second-ranked Florida Southwestern, 8-0 and 9-3 yesterday. The Golden Eagles look to bounce back today against St. Johns River, Indian River State, and Miami Dade.
VANDALS WIN BIG IN OGDEN
Big night for the Idaho women in Ogden — the Vandals beat Weber State 80-67. Hope Hassmann scored a career-high 25 points and passed the 1,000-point mark as Idaho won its ninth straight, improving to 20-and-5. They head to Idaho State Saturday for the Battle for King Spud.
On the men’s side, Idaho fell to Weber State 83-72. Isaiah Brickner led the Vandals with 18 points. The men also host Idaho State Saturday in Moscow.
BOISE STATE HOSTS UNLV
Boise State is back home tonight hosting UNLV at 8 p.m. at ExtraMile Arena. The Broncos have topped 80 points in six of their last seven games and are undefeated when leading at halftime this season.
IDAHO STATE SPLITS
Idaho State men dropped their eighth straight, falling 88-75 to Eastern Washington. Connor Hollenbeck led the Bengals with 16.
The Idaho State women had a better night, beating Eastern Washington 77-65 behind 21 points from Tasia Jordan. Both teams face rival Idaho tomorrow in the Battle for King Spud.
WEATHER
TODAY
Patchy fog early today, then mostly cloudy turning sunny with a high near 46. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
TONIGHT
Partly cloudy, low around 30. Light and variable wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the evening.
SATURDAY
Increasing clouds, with a high near 54. East southeast wind around 7 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southeast wind around 7 mph.
SUNDAY
Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Light and variable wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY
Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
Monday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
TUESDAY INTO MIDWEEK
Tuesday: Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of rain and snow before 11pm, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42.
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