IDAHO NEWS

TAXES & STATE LAW

Idaho taxpayers can now file their 2025 state income tax returns following new tax changes signed by Brad Little that align the state code with President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Early filers before March 10 could see refunds by the end of May.

LICENSE PLATES

Brad Little has signed a new law removing registration stickers from Idaho license plates. Lawmakers say officers can verify registration electronically, saving the state about 300-thousand dollars. The change takes effect in July.

FEDERAL COURT CASE

A Boise woman accused of crashing a stolen ambulance into the Portico North building will remain in jail until trial. A federal judge ruled Sarah George should stay in custody, citing concerns she could pose a danger to the community. Her trial is scheduled for April 20.

ICE ARREST CONTROVERSY

Immigration officials say the recent arrest of a man near a Boise daycare was targeted and tied to a prior 2024 theft conviction. ICE says the man was detained about 200 yards from the preschool, though the daycare owner disputes where the arrest happened.

JEROME HOUSE FIRE

Firefighters in Jerome quickly knocked down a basement fire early Tuesday morning near 300 East Avenue E. Six people — including an infant — safely escaped the home. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

EDUCATION

Cassia County School District has hired a new superintendent. Scott Root will take over July first, returning to Idaho after years leading schools both in the U.S. and internationally.

DEADLY SCOOTER CRASH

Meridian Police are investigating a deadly scooter crash near Settler’s Park. Fifty-six-year-old Jairo Blanco Villamizar of Meridian died after being struck by vehicles on Ustick Road Saturday night.

HOUSING

Home affordability remains a challenge in Twin Falls. New data from Redfin shows buyers need to earn about 86-thousand dollars a year to afford a typical home — well above the city’s median household income of about 74 thousand.

CHILD EXPLOITATION CASE

A Twin Falls man has pleaded guilty to a felony child exploitation charge. Twenty-one-year-old Owden Godfrey admitted to using a minor for sexually exploitative material after communicating with a 14-year-old girl online.

SPORTS

IDAHO STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS

Opening day of the Idaho state high school boys basketball tournaments tipping off across the state today with opening-round games at multiple sites.

Noon games:
Burley takes on Lewiston at Rocky Mountain.
Filer faces Teton in Eagle.
Rigby meets Owyhee at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.
Grace battles Kendrick at Vallivue.
Dietrich plays Rockland in Caldwell.
Parma goes up against St. Maries in Meridian.

Two-o’clock games:
Gooding against Bonners Ferry in Eagle.
Vallivue facing Columbia at Rocky Mountain.
Highland of Pocatello taking on Kuna at the Ford Idaho Center.
Valley meeting North Star Charter at Vallivue.
Firth battling Ririe in Meridian.
Carey taking on Timberline of Weippe in Caldwell.

Five-o’clock games:
Twin Falls squares off with Bishop Kelly at Rocky Mountain.
Murtaugh meets Prairie at Vallivue.
Timberline of Boise faces Lake City at the Ford Idaho Center.
New Plymouth plays Orofino in Meridian.
Marsh Valley takes on Snake River in Eagle.
Greenleaf Friends battles Garden Valley in Caldwell.

Seven-o’clock games:
Wendell taking on Soda Springs in Meridian.
Preston facing Bonneville at Rocky Mountain.
Rimrock against Lakeside at Vallivue.
Homedale meeting Cole Valley Christian in Eagle.
Coeur du Christ playing Watersprings in Caldwell.

The final game of the night tips off at 7:30 in Nampa, with Capital facing Centennial at the Ford Idaho Center.

CSI BASEBALL

The College of Southern Idaho baseball team rolled past Utah State Club yesterday, winning 13-3 and 16-5. Trey Purser blasted a home run with four RBI, and the Golden Eagles improve to 20-and-5. CSI hosts Treasure Valley next week.

BOISE STATE WOMEN

Boise State women’s basketball fell to UNLV 76-47 last night. The Broncos finish the regular season 23-and-8 and head into the Mountain West Tournament as the five seed, opening against San Jose State March 7.

BOISE STATE TRACK & FIELD

Eight Boise State track and field athletes earned All-Mountain West honors after the indoor championships. Kaiya Robertson won the 800 meters, and Raekwon Weatherspoon captured the long jump title with one of the best marks in school history.

BOISE STATE SOFTBALL

Boise State softball finally comes home this week, hosting the Blue Collar Classic in Boise. The Broncos open today against Cal Baptist after starting the season with their first 21 games on the road.

IDAHO STATE MEN

Idaho State men’s basketball opens the Big Sky Tournament Saturday in Boise. The ninth-seeded Bengals take on Northern Arizona at 5:30 inside Idaho Central Arena, with the winner advancing to face top-seeded Portland State.

IDAHO STATE SOFTBALL

Idaho State softball is finally home, hosting the Orange and Black Classic in Pocatello this week. The Bengals open the tournament today against Southern Utah at Miller Ranch Stadium.

WEATHER — MAGIC VALLEY

TODAY

Cloudy and breezy with a chance of snow early, mixing with rain through the afternoon. High near 44°F with gusty west winds up to 40 mph.

A chance of snow before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of rain after 2pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny. Chance of precipitation 50% with little or no snow accumulation expected.

TONIGHT

A slight chance of rain mixing with snow after 8pm, then gradually ending. Partly cloudy with a low around 28°F. Blustery with west winds 14 to 23 mph, gusts up to 34 mph. Chance of precipitation 20%.