MAGIC VALLEY NEWS HEADLINES
FRIENDLY FIRE LAWSUIT
A Boise police officer cleared in the 2024 Saint Alphonsus prison escape shooting is now facing a lawsuit from an Idaho correctional officer hit by friendly fire. The suit claims Officer Wayne Anderson used excessive force when he mistakenly shot Corporal Christopher Wilske during the chaotic hospital ambush and escape involving inmate Skylar Meade.
PRIMARY ELECTION DEADLINES
Idaho voters have until 5 p.m. Friday to pre-register or request an absentee ballot online ahead of the May 19th primary election. Miss the deadline? You can still register and vote in person during early voting or on Election Day. Early voting is already underway in many Idaho counties.
ROARING SPRINGS CASE
Forty-year-old Bo Gene Crisp has pleaded guilty in the sexual assault case involving minors at Roaring Springs Waterpark. Prosecutors say the number of victims could exceed a dozen. Crisp is scheduled to be sentenced in July.
SCHOOL LEVIES ON THE BALLOT
Idaho school districts are asking voters to decide on more than 183 million dollars in levies and bonds this May. In Shoshone, voters are considering a 600-thousand-dollar two-year levy costing about 74 dollars per 100-thousand of taxable value. Wendell voters will decide on a 1.2-million-dollar levy with an estimated impact of just over 81 dollars per 100-thousand.
ROCK CREEK MASTER PLAN
The City of Twin Falls unveiled its new Rock Creek Watershed Master Plan last night, outlining projects aimed at improving water quality in Rock Creek and the Snake River. Officials say the plan focuses on stormwater runoff, riverbank erosion, and agricultural impacts.
GROUNDWATER INVESTMENT
State water officials have approved an 8-million-dollar investment to help address groundwater declines near Mountain Home. The project aims to bring surface water into the area and reduce pressure on the struggling aquifer in Elmore County.
WILDFIRE EVACUATION SYSTEM
Idaho is launching a new statewide wildfire evacuation system called “Ready, Set, Go” ahead of fire season. Officials say the standardized alerts will help residents better understand when to prepare and when to evacuate during fast-moving wildfires.
OPIOID SETTLEMENT INPUT
The Idaho Behavioral Health Council is asking for public input on how to spend Idaho’s opioid settlement funds. Officials say the money could support treatment, recovery services, and programs for families impacted by opioid addiction. Ideas can be submitted through June 5, with lawmakers making the final decision on funding use.
POLICE CONFERENCE RETURNS TO SUN VALLEY
For the first time since 2019, the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association brought its annual conference back to Sun Valley, welcoming leaders from 42 law enforcement agencies across Idaho. This year’s conference focused on officer wellness, mental health, leadership training, and strengthening relationships between departments statewide.
CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY RACE
Incumbent Idaho Congressman Russ Fulcher will face two challengers in the Republican primary for Idaho’s First Congressional District. Political newcomers Andy Briner and Joseph Morrison are both challenging Fulcher ahead of the May primary election. Key issues in the race include public land management, immigration, election security, and federal spending.
SPORTS
DISTRICT SOFTBALL SHAKEUPS
Here’s your Magic Valley softball update! In district tournament action, Twin Falls upset top-seeded Burley 5 to 1. Minico stayed alive with an 8 to 7 win over Jerome. Wendell rolled past West Side 9 to 1, then knocked out Declo 13 to 8 after Malad beat the Hornets 11 to 6. Gooding also advanced with a 9 to 4 win over Buhl.
MORE DISTRICT ACTION TODAY
More district softball today — Wendell takes on Malad at 3 in Malad. At 4 o’clock, Gooding faces powerhouse Kimberly in Kimberly. Then at 4:30, Minico heads to Burley for another elimination showdown with the Bobcats.
DISTRICT GOLF RESULTS
The Filer girls and Kimberly boys captured team titles Tuesday at the 4A District Four Golf Tournament in Filer, and both teams are sending full rosters to state next week. Kimberly’s Wyatt Williams won the boys district title in a playoff over teammates Korben Kowitz and Carson Lott after all three shot even par 72s. Filer’s Tanli LeMoyne claimed the girls individual crown with a 76, followed by teammate Lucy Haddock at 78. The Filer boys also qualified for state with a second-place finish. The 4A State Tournament tees off next week at Eagle Hills Golf Club in Eagle.
CSI WOMEN HEADED D-1
Big news for the College of Southern Idaho women’s basketball program! After an Elite Eight run at the NJCAA Division One National Tournament, five Golden Eagles are heading to NCAA Division One schools. Savannah Stoker and Maci Hess both signed with Utah Tech University, Ashley Garner is headed to University of Alabama Birmingham, Samara Morrow signed with Abilene Christian University, and Lea Nadolny is moving on to University of Louisiana Monroe. CSI finished the season 29 and 5, winning both the Scenic West Athletic Conference and Region 18 titles.
CSI PLAYER OF THE WEEK
College of Southern Idaho softball standout Rilyne Keck is the Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Week after leading the Golden Eagles to a four-game sweep of USU Eastern. Keck hit .583 with three doubles, a homer, and 13 RBI. CSI wraps up the regular season hosting North Idaho College Thursday and Friday before Region 18 Tournament play begins next week.
VANDALS HEAD TO SPOKANE
The Idaho Vandals track and field team heads to Spokane today for the Whitworth Last Chance Meet, the final road meet before the Big Sky Championships next week in Portland. Idaho will feature strong depth in the men’s 800 meters and throws events, while the women’s squad brings nationally ranked shot put talent into another big competition as the outdoor season winds down.
BEAR ATTACK IN YELLOWSTONE
Two hikers were injured by one or more bears Monday on the Mystic Falls Trail near Old Faithful. Park officials say the incident is under investigation and marks the first bear-related injury reported in Yellowstone this year. Yellowstone continuing its annual campaign reminding tourists that the wildlife brochure is not fictional literature.
WEATHER
Here’s your Southern Idaho weather update! Plenty of sunshine sticks around today with highs in the low 70s and just a few breezy afternoon wind gusts. Clouds drift in overnight with lows near 49. Thursday heats up nicely with highs pushing near 78, though gusty afternoon winds return with some gusts topping 30 miles an hour.
Then the payoff arrives. 
We roll into a gorgeous spring weekend with mostly sunny skies and temperatures climbing steadily into the 80s by Sunday and Monday. Patio weather, barbecue weather, “I should probably wash the truck” weather. Southern Idaho finally remembering it’s not February forever.
Friday: Sunny and warm near 80. Saturday: Sunny, breezy, high around 75. Sunday: Sunny and beautiful, high near 84. Monday: Full sunshine with highs pushing 88.
Tuesday: Staying warm and sunny near 85.
