Your Daily Briefing – 01/29/2026

TAXES & STATE GOVERNMENT

2025 Tax Filing Opens
People can now file their 2025 federal and Idaho tax returns. The Idaho Tax Commission is offering Direct File, a free e-file option for eligible residents, along with Free File for most people earning under eighty-nine thousand dollars a year.

LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Bill
A bill introduced yesterday would block Idaho cities from enforcing local LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinances. Supporters say it provides consistency for businesses, while critics call it an attack on local control and civil rights.

Voter ID Proposal Returns
Idaho Senator Brian Lenney has reintroduced legislation to end the use of voter affidavits in place of photo ID at polling places, calling the current option a loophole in state election law.

“Son of Sam” Style Bill
Idaho Senator Tammy Nichols has introduced a bill that would prevent convicted killers from profiting from books, movies, or interviews. Any proceeds would instead be directed toward restitution and victims’ families.

Honoring Fallen Firefighters
Idaho lawmakers are advancing a resolution honoring fallen firefighters John Morrison and Frank Harwood, and injured firefighter David Tysdal, following last summer’s sniper ambush in Coeur d’Alene.

Fish & Game Public Input Bill
A new bill would require the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to allow a 30-day public comment period before setting hunting and fishing seasons. Sponsor Senator Dan Foreman says the change would give sportsmen more time to review proposals.

LOCAL & REGIONAL NEWS

Twin Falls Ends Mandatory Recycling
Twin Falls plans to end its mandatory residential recycling program after 20 years, citing low participation and rising costs. City leaders say recycling options in the new contract were nearly double the price.

Boise Airport Sets Another Record
More than five million people traveled through the Boise Airport last year, marking the fourth consecutive passenger record. Officials say traffic is up nearly five percent from 2024.

Life Sentences in Manhunt Case
Skylar Meade and co-conspirator Nicholas Umphenour, who escaped during a hospital shootout and triggered a deadly statewide manhunt, were later captured in Twin Falls. Both accepted plea deals to avoid the death penalty. Meade has now been sentenced to two consecutive fixed life sentences for first-degree murder.

Jerome Murder Trial Delayed Again
The murder trial of Kevin Kuintzle, accused of killing Jerome resident William Eakin, has been delayed once more after Kuintzle was taken into federal custody on gun and drug charges. A new status hearing is scheduled for April.

Traffic Change Coming
Starting February second, the intersection of Blue Lakes Boulevard South and Highway 74 will become an all-way stop. Twin Falls County deputies say the change is intended to reduce crashes and improve safety.

ROADS & WEATHER IMPACTS

Snow Causes Major Travel Disruptions
Snowy conditions caused significant travel issues yesterday morning. A semi crash near Hammett shut down westbound I-84 for several hours around 9:10 a.m. near milepost 111. Multiple semis also blocked Highway 46 before roads were eventually cleared.

SPORTS

High School Basketball – Magic Valley

Boys Basketball (Finals)
Burley rolled past Mountain Home, 83–45. Nash Gillette led the Bobcats with 22 points, Cove Thompson added 18. Burley is back in action tomorrow at Jerome.
Twin Falls beat Minico 56–37.
Jerome topped Wood River 70–60.
Carey handled Richfield 53–38.
Madison knocked off Canyon Ridge 65–51.

Girls Basketball (Finals)
Declo made a strong second-half push but fell 41–37 to Aberdeen. Declo trailed by ten at halftime, rallied behind Jaylee Salmon and Kaylee Rios, and outscored the Tigers after the break, but couldn’t get the go-ahead basket late.
Dietrich beat Castleford 45–30.
Murtaugh topped Glenns Ferry 43–33.
Oakley rolled past Valley 51–21.
Raft River defeated Shoshone 42–12.

Tonight’s High School Games

Boys – 7:30 PM
Richfield at Camas County
West Side at Declo
Glenns Ferry at Hagerman
Wendell at Malad
Murtaugh at Oakley
Dietrich vs. Raft River (non-conference)
Sun Valley Community School at Valley

Girls
Oakley at Grace (7:00 PM)
Minico at Burley (7:30 PM)
Carey at Hansen
Wood River at Kimberly
Twin Falls at Mountain Home
Canyon Ridge at Preston

College Sports

College of Southern Idaho Baseball
CSI fell to Paradise Valley 3–1 on the road, giving up two runs in the sixth inning. Trey Purser scored CSI’s only run and finished one-for-two with a walk. Kyson Giles, Kolby Landon, Logan Mabey, and Cayman Kap each threw scoreless innings. The Golden Eagles, now 1–5, face Scottsdale today at 2 p.m.

Idaho Vandals Basketball
The Idaho women, 15–5 and winners of four straight, play at Northern Colorado today at 11 a.m. Idaho leads the conference in scoring at nearly 80 points per game and is led by Kyra Gardner and Hope Hassmann.
The Vandal men open their road trip tonight in Greeley at 6 p.m. as part of Coaches vs. Cancer Week.

WEATHER – MAGIC VALLEY

Today
Patchy fog before 11 a.m. Mostly sunny mid-morning, then becoming cloudy. High near 44. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.