NEWS

JEROME POLICE MAKE TWO ARRESTS

Jerome Police made two arrests early yesterday morning. Police say a 19-year-old driver led officers on a high-speed pursuit from Jerome into Gooding County, where deputies also attempted to stop the vehicle before ending the chase because of excessive speeds. The driver was later arrested in Wendell.

Hours later, an 18-year-old was arrested after allegedly firing multiple rounds into the air near the Hickory sheds on South Lincoln.

TWIN FALLS DRIVE-BY SHOOTING

Twin Falls Police have charged 31-year-old Michael Williams following a drive-by shooting on Highland Avenue. Police say three rounds struck a parked vehicle and a nearby home.

PROTESTERS QUESTION ICE-RELATED FLIGHTS

Dozens gathered in Twin Falls last night, calling for more transparency surrounding what protesters describe as ICE-related flights leaving the Twin Falls Airport. Organizers say they have tracked flights since May and believe more than 420 people have been transported.

MINOR CHEMICAL SPILL IN JEROME

A minor chemical spill was reported Friday at a local industrial site in Jerome. The regional HazMat team contained the spill. As a precaution, South Garfield temporarily closed while crews cleaned up the area.

WILDFIRE SMOKE AND POOR AIR QUALITY

Smoke from wildfires in Oregon and southern Idaho will bring hazy skies and poor air quality through at least Wednesday. The massive Big Grass Fire near the Idaho-Oregon border has prompted evacuations, while several lightning-caused fires have burned thousands of acres in southern Idaho. Smoke will be especially dense during the morning hours.

IDAHO GAS PRICES CLIMB

Gas prices are climbing across Idaho as rising tensions in the Middle East push oil prices higher. The Idaho average is now $4.23 a gallon, up 18 cents in just one week. Twin Falls drivers are paying about $4.17 a gallon.

FILER SCHOOL DISTRICT FACES OPEN MEETING QUESTIONS

The Filer School District is facing questions over a possible second violation of Idaho’s open meeting law. A notice for Friday’s teacher contract negotiations was posted just 12 minutes before the meeting.

Superintendent Kelli Schroeder previously acknowledged an unintentional violation involving June negotiations. The district and teachers have now reached a tentative agreement.

SCHOOL INSURANCE TRUST EXHAUSTS RESERVES

An insurance trust serving more than 100 Idaho school districts and charter schools has exhausted its reserves due to high medical claims. Member schools could now be responsible for covering the shortfall.

LITTLE SUPPORTS DATA CENTER ELECTRICITY PLEDGE

Governor Brad Little joined President Donald Trump at the White House, supporting a pledge aimed at preventing new data centers from driving up electricity costs for existing customers.

BUC-EE’S MERIDIAN PLANS STALL

Plans for Idaho’s first Buc-ee’s in Meridian have stalled over traffic concerns. The proposed site near Interstate 84 was expected to draw about 19,000 vehicles a day.

However, a Boise-area developer says Buc-ee’s is still interested in eventually opening in the Treasure Valley.

LUCKY PEAK RESERVOIR DRAWDOWN

Lucky Peak Reservoir will begin its annual seasonal drawdown on August 10. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says water levels will gradually drop about two feet per day for roughly one week, eventually reaching the reservoir’s winter level of about 2,945 feet.

Visitors should expect lower water levels to affect boat ramp access and other recreation. The drawdown rate could change depending on irrigation demand and weather, but Boise River flows are not expected to increase.

SPORTS

40TH ANNUAL SPUDMAN TRIATHLON

The 40th annual Spudman Triathlon brought about 2,500 competitors to Burley Saturday, battling heat and strong winds along the Snake River.

Caleb Ho won the elite men’s division, finishing in under two hours after placing fourth last year. Ashley Bullers captured the women’s title after back-to-back runner-up finishes. Both praised the Burley crowd and said they hope to return for next year’s Spudman.

CSI ADDS SERBIAN GUARD

CSI men’s basketball has added Serbian guard Luka Solomun to its 2026-27 recruiting class. The six-foot-two guard developed with BC Mega, the former club of NBA star Nikola Jokic, and has represented Serbia internationally.

Solomun is a four-time Serbian youth national champion and becomes the third recruit announced by Golden Eagles head coach Jeff Reinert.

IDAHO FINALIZES BASKETBALL ROSTER

Idaho men’s basketball has finalized its 2026-27 roster with the signing of freshman guard Zubayr “Zuby” Toms. The Las Vegas native averaged 27 points per game during a tournament with Mode Prep and impressed as both a scorer and playmaker.

Head coach Alex Pribble says Toms is ready to make an immediate impact for the defending Big Sky champions. The signing brings Idaho’s roster to 16 players.

IDAHO SAFETY EARNS PRESEASON HONOR

Idaho senior safety Brayden Rice has been named to the 2026 Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team for his work on special teams. The Lewiston native recorded 23 tackles last season and earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors.

Rice is the Vandals’ only returning all-conference player from 2025. Idaho reports for fall camp tomorrow, with the first practice set for Wednesday morning.

THREE IDAHO STATE PLAYERS HONORED

Idaho State football landed three players on the 2026 Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team. Offensive lineman Stryker Rashid, wide receiver Chedon James and defensive lineman Bronson Childs earned the honors.

Rashid helped anchor an offensive line that allowed just three sacks last season, while Childs ranked among the conference leaders in tackles for loss and fumble recoveries.

WEATHER

SMOKE CONTINUES BEFORE WEEKEND HEAT

Widespread smoke sticks around today, with skies gradually turning sunny and a high near 92. Tonight stays smoky with a low around 63.

Tomorrow, expect more smoke through much of the day, sunshine and a high near 95. The haze continues Wednesday before temperatures climb to near 99 Thursday and Friday, and around 101 Saturday.

MONDAY

Widespread smoke. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny and hot, with a high near 92. Southwest wind from 5 to 10 mph, becoming northwest in the afternoon.

MONDAY NIGHT

Widespread smoke, mainly after 10 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North-northwest wind from 6 to 10 mph, becoming south-southwest after midnight.

TUESDAY

Widespread smoke, mainly before 3 p.m. Sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Light and variable wind becoming northwest from 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

TUESDAY NIGHT

Areas of smoke before 9 p.m., then patchy smoke after 4 a.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northwest wind from 6 to 9 mph, becoming south-southwest after midnight.