EDUCATION & OVERSIGHT

A new legislative watchdog report says the Idaho Home Learning Academy shifted more than $20 million in state-funded salary money to private vendors, who then distributed nearly $13 million in supplemental payments to families — some spent on items like private school classes and paddleboards. The report urges new safeguards as lawmakers signal tighter oversight of virtual schools.

CHILD-CUSTODY REFORM PUSH

Idaho lawmakers are eyeing major child-custody reforms, with some looking to Utah and Pennsylvania for a model. Sen. Carl Bjerke says Idaho should consider adopting parts of Kayden’s Law — which requires supervised visits when there’s a history of abuse and boosts judge training. The state’s custody task force will review potential legislation ahead of the 2026 session.

FILER ROAD REBUILD COMING 2026

The Filer Highway District is gearing up for major road reconstruction in 2026, rebuilding key stretches along 2100 East and 1600 East to better handle heavy truck traffic. A bridge replacement on 2200 East is also planned. Expect closures and detours, and the district will hold a public meeting Dec. 15 at Filer Intermediate School from 5 to 7 p.m.

EV CHARGING PLAN BACK ON TRACK

Idaho’s electric vehicle charging plan is back on track after the federal government restored NEVI funding last month. The state will now receive the final portion of its $29 million allocation to finish planning 40 possible highway charging sites. ITD says it will review whether to keep the 50-mile spacing rule as EV use grows across Idaho.

BOWMONT SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly shooting in the Bowmont community south of Nampa. Deputies found a man fatally shot in a home yesterday morning. The suspected shooter was taken into custody and is cooperating. A second person was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The victim’s name has not yet been released.

COSTCO CART KIDNAPPING CHARGE

A BYU–Idaho student is charged with felony second-degree kidnapping after a mother reported he took her Costco cart with her newborn inside. Idaho Falls Police say video shows 24-year-old Michael Raine pushing the cart away before the mother retrieved her baby. Raine claims it was a mistake. He’s out on bond and due in court Dec. 10.

SPORTS

Twin Falls Rivalry

A fun rivalry night in Twin Falls as the Bruins took down Canyon Ridge 47–40. Twin Falls came out flying — a 15–3 first quarter — and they held that cushion most of the way. Bethany Tanner was dialed in from deep, knocking down a pair of threes early, and the Bruins’ defense really set the tone. Canyon Ridge made a strong second-half push — Bella Ceballos led them with nine, and Ava and Ella Stokes kept the Riverhawks in it — but the comeback just never quite got there.

Girls’ Scoreboard

Around the girls’ scoreboard: Mackay rolls past Dietrich 58–31… Gooding cruises 61–29 over Buhl… Sugar-Salem tops Kimberly 69–47… Glenns Ferry beats Shoshone 47–30… Raft River handles Hagerman 55–32… and Valley edges Murtaugh 46–43.

Boys’ Scoreboard

On the boys’ side: Rimrock squeaks by Camas County 55–52… Burley gets a nice win over Century 65–60 and adds another one, 67–62… Wendell beats Melba 53–44… Preston gets Twin Falls 44–38… Idaho Falls knocks off Minico 57–48… and American Falls takes down Kimberly 67–34.

Tonight’s High School Slate

It’s a busy night on the high school hardwood across the Magic Valley! We start at 6:30, where Lighthouse Christian heads up to the mountains to take on the Sun Valley Community School in conference play. At 7:00, Dietrich looks to bounce back at home as they host Mackay in a non-conference matchup. Then rolling into the 7:30 block, there’s a full slate: Valley travels to Raft River in a conference showdown… Shoshone visits Glenns Ferry… Murtaugh hits the road to Hagerman… and Mountain Home comes over to take on a confident Gooding squad fresh off a win. Also at 7:30, Buhl heads to Jerome for a solid non-conference battle.

Girls’ Feature Matchup

On the girls’ side tonight — just one game, but a good one: Pocatello takes on the Twin Falls Bruins at 7:30 in a non-conference test inside the Snake Pit.

All-State Soccer Honors

Idaho’s high school soccer all-state teams are out, and the Magic Valley shined. Wood River’s Reidar Slotten is 5A Boys Player of the Year, with coach Greg Gvozdas earning Coach of the Year. The Wolverines landed five first-teamers, while Twin Falls’ Max Serrano also made the 5A list. Wendell placed three on the 4A boys first team, and on the girl’s side, Sun Valley’s Wells Dolson and three Kimberly Bulldogs earned 4A first-team honors.

Boise State Awards

Boise State landed eight players on the All–Mountain West teams. First-team picks include linemen Kage Casey and Mason Randolph, plus safety Ty Benefield and corner A’Marion McCoy. Four more Broncos made the second team, including running back Dylan Riley. Boise State hosts UNLV in the Mountain West Championship Friday night at Albertsons Stadium.

CSI Hoops

CSI’s Cooper Kesler is the Scenic West Player of the Week after dropping 26 and 15 points in a weekend sweep. The 9–0, eighth-ranked Golden Eagles now host the Wright Physical Therapy Shootout against Eastern Arizona and No. 16 Odessa College.

Vandal Women

The Idaho Vandal women, riding a six-game win streak and ranking top-20 nationally in scoring, host Oral Roberts for Education Day at 11 a.m. More than 1,500 students are expected as the 7–1 Vandals tip off the Big Sky–Summit Challenge.

WEATHER — MAGIC VALLEY FORECAST

Cloudy this morning with gradual clearing and a high near 36. Tonight drops to 23 under mostly clear skies. Tomorrow brings increasing clouds with a high around 41, and by Thursday night rain or snow moves in. Expect on-and-off rain Friday into the weekend, with highs climbing into the upper 40s and even low 50s by early next week.

Today: Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 36. West southwest wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 23. South southwest wind around 6 mph.

Thursday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 41. West wind 6 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind 8 to 10 mph, gusts up to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday: A 50% chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, high near 45.
Friday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, low around 38. Chance 70%.

Saturday: Rain likely before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, high near 48. Chance 60%.
Saturday Night: A 30% chance of rain, mainly before 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, low around 34.

Sunday: A 20% chance of rain. Partly sunny, high near 50.
Sunday Night: A 20% chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, low around 36.

Monday: Mostly sunny, high near 52.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, low around 34.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, high near 54.