STATE GOVERNMENT — APPOINTMENTS

Governor Brad Little Appoints Don Hall to District 25 House Seat A
Governor Brad Little has appointed Don Hall to the District 25 House Seat A, filling the vacancy left by Lance Clow. Hall, the Twin Falls County Commission Chairman and former Twin Falls Mayor, has a long record of community service and public safety. He will serve through November 2026.

COURTS & PUBLIC HEALTH — MEDICAID

Judge Declines to Pause Cuts to Mobile Mental Health Teams
An Idaho judge has denied a request to pause budget cuts to a key Medicaid mental health program, allowing contractor Magellan of Idaho to move forward with eliminating specialized mobile treatment teams. Providers and law enforcement warn the cuts could impact public safety, but the court said there wasn’t enough evidence to halt the plan. A federal judge also denied a similar request earlier this week.

CRIME & JUSTICE — DRUG CASE

Marijuana-Legalization Advocate Dana Beal Accepts Plea Deal
A well-known marijuana legalization advocate, 78-year-old Dana Beal, has accepted a plea deal in Gooding County after his January 2024 arrest. Beal pleaded guilty to felony possession with intent to deliver and possession of more than three ounces of marijuana after troopers found 56 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop near Twin Falls. He faces up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

INFRASTRUCTURE — WATER QUALITY

DEQ Awards Planning Grants to Buhl and Lewiston
The Idaho DEQ has awarded the City of Buhl $65,000 to study and plan upgrades to its wastewater system. Lewiston also received $45,000 for a drinking water planning study. The grants help communities evaluate infrastructure needs and ensure systems meet state and federal standards.

STATE BUDGET — TAX & ECONOMY

Idaho Faces Multi-Year Deficit, Possible Impact from Trump Tax Cuts
Idaho lawmakers are bracing for major budget cuts as the state faces a projected deficit of more than $550 million by 2027 — a number that could grow if Idaho adopts new federal tax cuts signed by President Donald Trump. At a statewide tax conference, leaders differed on causes and solutions, but agreed the state must “do more with less” when legislators return to Boise in January.

ENERGY — NUCLEAR

Sen. Jim Risch Leads Resolution for World Nuclear Energy Day
Idaho Senator Jim Risch is leading a new U.S. Senate resolution to designate December 2nd as World Nuclear Energy Day, highlighting America’s nuclear innovation. The bipartisan resolution supports the nation’s growing nuclear energy future.

SPORTS

4A FOOTBALL — ALL-CONFERENCE

Kimberly Players Sweep Top Honors in the SCI Conference
The 4A Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference has unveiled its final all-conference football honors. Kimberly’s MaCraye Bruning earned Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for nearly 1,800 yards and 26 touchdowns in just six games, while teammate Titus Osterman claimed Defensive Player of the Year with 87 tackles. Kimberly, Buhl, Gooding, Filer, and Wood River were all well-represented across the First and Second Teams, highlighting standout talent across the Magic Valley.

5A FOOTBALL — ALL-CONFERENCE

Twin Falls Sweeps Top Honors After Semifinal Run
The 5A Great Basin All-Conference football teams are out, and Twin Falls swept the top honors after a state semifinal run. Bruins quarterback Ty Hess was named Offensive Player of the Year, Dalton Carter earned Defensive Player of the Year, and Ben Kohring took Coach of the Year. Twin Falls, Minico, Jerome, Canyon Ridge, Burley, and Mountain Home players filled the First and Second Teams, highlighting another strong year for Magic Valley football.

CSI BASEBALL — SIGNING DAY

Four Golden Eagles Sign to Continue Their Careers
CSI Baseball is celebrating four players signing to continue their careers at the next level. Grayson Riding is headed to Oregon State, Degan Rigby will join Utah Tech, and both Caden Fenger and Mack Evans are off to Nicholls State. All four made it official this week as the early signing period wrapped up, marking another strong year of advancement for the Golden Eagles program.

RODEO — NATIONAL FINALS

Two CSI Rodeo Alumni Qualify for NFR in Las Vegas
Two CSI Rodeo alumni are set to compete at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Mason Clements enters ranked 14th in the world in Bareback Riding, while Megan McLeod-Sprague is fifth in Barrel Racing. The NFR runs December 4th through the 14th.

BOISE STATE — CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND

Ahmed Hassanein to Raise Blue Chaos Flag
Former Boise State star and current Detroit Lion Ahmed Hassanein will raise the Blue Chaos Flag before Friday’s Mountain West Championship at Albertsons Stadium. Hassanein, a two-time All-Mountain West pick and the first Egyptian-born player ever drafted into the NFL, helped lead Boise State to a Fiesta Bowl and CFP berth last season.

IDAHO VANDALS — MEN’S BASKETBALL

Idaho Dominates North Dakota in Big Sky–Summit Challenge
Idaho rolled past North Dakota 90–58 in the Big Sky–Summit League Challenge. Seth Joba scored 13 early, and Isaiah Brickner exploded for 23 points in the final nine minutes to finish with a career-high 26. The Vandals dominated the boards and led by as many as 37. They visit South Dakota State on Saturday.

IDAHO VANDALS — FOOTBALL RECRUITING

Highest-Rated Big Sky Recruiting Class in History
Idaho Football kicked off the early signing period with a landmark class—20 new Vandals, the highest-rated recruiting class in Big Sky history and No. 2 in all of FCS, according to 247Sports. Coach Thomas Ford says the group brings elite talent and high character, with several signees holding FBS offers.

IDAHO WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Vandals Fall Late Despite Dos Santos Double-Double
Idaho women’s basketball fell 92–89 to Oral Roberts despite a huge day from Debora Dos Santos, who posted 22 points and 15 rebounds for her first Vandal double-double. Kyra Gardner added 17 points and three blocks, and Idaho dominated the boards 48–37 but couldn’t hold a late lead. The Vandals visit Denver on December 6.

IDAHO STATE BENGALS

ISU Rallies for 68–59 Win at UMKC
Idaho State picked up a 68–59 road win at UMKC, fueled by a huge second half where the Bengals shot 56% and hit seven threes after going 0-for-13 before halftime. Five Bengals scored in double figures, led by Caleb Van De Griend’s 14-point, 10-rebound double-double. ISU hosts Denver on Saturday.

WEATHER

Clouds increase today with a high around 42. Tonight brings a 50% chance of rain and snow with lows near 36. Rain moves in Friday with highs in the upper 40s and gusty west winds, continuing into Friday night. The weekend turns partly sunny with breezy conditions and highs near the upper 40s.

Detailed Forecast

Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 42. South southwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Tonight: A chance of rain and snow before 11pm, then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday: Rain, mainly after 11am. High near 48. West wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Rain, mainly before 11pm. Low around 38. West wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 48. West wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 52.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 56.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.