BUSINESS & LEGAL

MERGER MELTDOWN

Boise-based Albertsons and Kroger have lost their federal court fight to merge — and now must pay attorneys’ fees to the states that sued to block the deal. A judge ruled the states prevailed under the Clayton Act. The merger has since been called off, and the companies are now battling each other in a separate lawsuit.

PAYDAY LOAN CRACKDOWN?

A Nampa lawmaker wants to cap payday loan interest rates in Idaho. Representative Bruce Skaug is proposing a bill limiting short-term lenders to 30% interest, saying current rates can climb to 200 or even 300 percent. Some lawmakers worry a cap could limit access to emergency cash — but Skaug calls the loans “debt traps” for working Idahoans.

GAS WATCH

Idaho gas prices are holding steady at 2.97 a gallon, but AAA says rising tensions in Iran could push prices back above three dollars soon if global oil supplies are disrupted.

STATE GOVERNMENT

BUDGET CUTS ADVANCE

The Idaho Senate approved 4% across-the-board budget cuts totaling nearly 193 million dollars to balance the state budget. The narrow vote now sends the measure to the House for consideration.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION REJECTED

An Idaho Senate committee voted 5 to 4 to reject a proposal calling for a constitutional convention to pursue a federal balanced budget amendment, citing concerns about potential risks to the Constitution.

CAREGIVER PROGRAM RETURNS?

Idaho lawmakers are considering bringing back a program that paid parents and spouses to care for family members with disabilities. The proposed bill would cap enrollment at one thousand people. Supporters say it’s critical for families facing a caregiver shortage, especially in a tight budget year.

PUBLIC SAFETY

CANYON RESCUE

First responders rescued a man who fell about 50 feet into the Snake River Canyon near Federation Road last night. A bystander called 911, and crews pulled him to safety. He was treated for minor injuries.

DISTRICT COURT PLEA

A Twin Falls man entered an Alford plea to child sexual abuse in District Court. Richard Greene pleaded guilty to one count, with sentencing set for April 2 and a possible sentence of up to 40 years.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

ENERGY RULES IN JEROME COUNTY

Jerome County commissioners are drafting stricter energy rules after the Lava Ridge project. Leaders say the goal is to protect the aquifer, agriculture, and property values, with public meetings coming soon.

SPORTS

GREAT BASIN HONORS

The 5A Great Basin Conference has announced its all-conference girls basketball teams, and Burley sophomore Ady Olmos and Mountain Home junior Lexi Longhurst share Player of the Year honors. The league was loaded with young talent this year, with four sophomores earning top recognition. Jerome, Burley, Twin Falls, Minico, and Mountain Home all well represented across the first and second teams.

DECLO DOMINATES

The Declo Hornets dance team is celebrating back-to-back 4A state championships after dominating at the IHSAA state cheer and dance competition. Declo took first in military, pom, and hip-hop, plus third in dance, clinching the overall title. The Hornets now set their sights on a three-peat in 2027.

SPEED SEASON

Starting May 8th, the 2026 World Jet Boat Race brings teams from around the globe to the Payette and Salmon Rivers, with boats ripping through canyon stretches at speeds over 150 miles an hour.
Then June 26th through 28th, the 51st Idaho Boat Regatta hits the Snake River in Burley, featuring some of the fastest flat-bottom sprint boats in the Northwest.

CSI HOSTS REGION 18

The College of Southern Idaho men’s and women’s basketball teams are hosting the NJCAA Region 18 tournaments — the men this weekend, the women next week. It’s the first time in three years both are at home. Athletic Director Daequon Montreal says it saves travel costs and keeps players in class — plus brings that packed-house energy back to the Golden Eagles’ Nest.

BRONCOS SENIOR NIGHT

Boise State men’s basketball welcomes San Diego State to ExtraMile Arena tonight for Senior Night. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. The Broncos are 11-and-4 at home and bring a three-game winning streak into the regular season finale.

VANDALS SURGE

Big night for the Idaho Vandals. The men snapped Eastern Washington’s streak with an 85-81 win in Cheney, finishing 9-and-9 in Big Sky play. Jackson Rasmussen led the way with 14 points as six Vandals hit double figures.

On the women’s side, Idaho rolled past Eastern 75-64 to clinch the outright Big Sky regular season title. Hope Hassmann poured in 25 as the Vandals head to Boise on a 15-game win streak.

BENGALS HEAD TO TOURNEY

Idaho State closed out the regular season with an 83-65 loss at Sacramento State. The Bengals finish 12-and-19 overall, 5-and-13 in Big Sky play. Louis Bond led the way with 15 points off the bench. ISU now heads to the Big Sky Tournament as the 9-seed, facing Northern Arizona Saturday.

WEATHER OUTLOOK

TODAY

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 56. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.

TONIGHT

Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. East wind around 6 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.

WEDNESDAY

A 20 percent chance of rain after 11am. Increasing clouds, with a high near 60. East southeast wind 7 to 13 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Rain, mainly before 11pm. Low around 33. West wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

THURSDAY

A chance of rain and snow before 2pm, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.