WATER & AGRICULTURE

Strong Winter Moisture for Magic Valley Farmers

Great news for Magic Valley farmers as winter moisture is running strong across southern Idaho’s water basins. The Big Wood, Little Wood, Big Lost, and Little Lost basins are all between 143 and 177 percent of median precipitation.

The Snake Basin above Palisades is at 148 percent, and 138 percent above American Falls — pointing to a solid irrigation water supply this spring and summer.

Goose Creek is near normal at 96 percent, while Salmon Falls is slightly above normal as of yesterday.

EDUCATION

Teacher Pay Continues to Rise in Idaho

Idaho teacher pay is up again this year. New state data shows the average salary is now $66,000, up 5 percent from last year.

In Twin Falls, teachers average about $65,500, while Three Creek Elementary comes in just over $72,000.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

New Appointments and Leadership in Twin Falls

Former Twin Falls Mayor Suzanne Hawkins has been sworn in as Twin Falls County Commissioner for District Two. Governor Brad Little appointed her to fill the vacancy left by Don Hall’s move to the Legislature. Hawkins will serve through 2026 and plans to run for the seat.

Twin Falls also has a new mayor. The city council elected Jason Brown during its first meeting of 2026, replacing Ruth Pierce, who returned to the council. Brown also named Craig Hawkins as vice mayor.

COURTS & CRIME

Sentencing in Deadly 2024 Shooting

A Twin Falls man has been sentenced in a deadly 2024 shooting. Dustin Molina received 15 years total — 10 years fixed and 5 indeterminate — for killing Miguel Garza at the Fawnbrook Apartments.

County Clerk Re-Election Bid

Kristina Glascock has announced she’s seeking re-election as Twin Falls County Clerk of the District Court. Glascock has held the position since 2003.

ACCIDENTS

Fatal Crash Discovered Nearly a Day Later

One person is dead after a single-vehicle crash in Gooding County that wasn’t discovered for nearly a day.

The sheriff’s office says 35-year-old Abraham Ignacio Temoxtle of Gooding was found inside a silver BMW that had overturned into a shallow lake east of Tuttle on South 1400 East.

Investigators believe the crash happened Friday or Saturday.

WEATHER IMPACTS

Cold Fronts Bring Rain, Snow, and Falling Snow Levels

Several cold fronts move through this week, bringing valley rain and heavy mountain snow. Snow levels drop near 3,000 feet by Thursday, with up to two inches possible in Twin Falls.

SPORTS

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL — FINAL SCORES

Boys’ Varsity (Non-Conference)
• Camas County defeated Glenns Ferry 57–42
– Glenns Ferry falls to 0-8
– Camas County improves to 1-4

Girls’ Varsity
• At Homedale: Gooding rolled past the Trojans 48–29
– Gooding 7-6, Homedale 2-10

• At Kimberly: Jerome beat the Bulldogs 59–33
– Jerome 8-5, Kimberly 3-10

• At Wendell: Wendell defeated Dietrich 38–30
– Wendell 7-6, Dietrich 5-6

• At Wood River (Conference): Wood River defeated Buhl 40–21
– Wood River 7-2, Buhl 0-13

TONIGHT’S SPORTS SCHEDULE

Bowling

Bowling gets things rolling early with the Baker Tournament at 2:00 PM this afternoon at Snake River Bowl, for both boys and girls teams.

Wrestling

At 5:00 PM, wrestling takes center stage in Burley with the Cassia Duals, featuring Declo, Oakley, and Raft River.

Boys’ Varsity Basketball (7:30 PM Tips)

• Highland (7-2) at Canyon Ridge (6-4)
• Carey at Dietrich (Conference)
• Sugar-Salem (11-0) at Gooding
• Camas County at Hansen
• Jerome at Kimberly
• Burley at Preston

Girls’ Varsity Basketball

• Carey (5-2) at Dietrich at 6:00 PM
• Camas County at Hansen
• 7:30 PM games:
– Richfield at Castleford
– Wendell at Filer
– Glenns Ferry at Murtaugh
– Shoshone at Raft River
– Oakley (8-1) at Valley

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

Courts and Corks at Boise State

Elevate your Boise State game day with Courts and Corks, Saturday January 10th, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM inside the Allen Noble Hall of Fame.

Sip curated wines from Proletariat Wine Company between the Broncos’ women’s game at 1:00 PM and the men’s showdown at 7:00 PM.

Tickets start at $100, are limited, and include a souvenir tumbler plus a chance to win a signed basketball.

WEATHER FORECAST

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. South wind 6–10 mph, becoming west in the afternoon. Gusts up to 20 mph.

Tonight

A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, low around 36. Southwest wind around 9 mph.

Wednesday

Rain likely, mainly before 11 AM. Mostly cloudy, high near 43. West-southwest wind 11–15 mph, gusts up to 24 mph.
Chance of precipitation: 60%.

Wednesday Night

Rain likely before 8 PM, then rain and snow between 8 PM and 2 AM, turning to snow after 2 AM. Mostly cloudy, low around 27.
New snow accumulation less than half an inch possible.