Politics & Government
After 88 days in session, Idaho lawmakers moved closer to wrapping up the 2025 Legislature. Both chambers adjourned Thursday night and plan to return Friday to finish passing key agency budgets, including natural resources and transportation, as part of a 6.7% budget increase for next year.
Idaho lawmakers fast-tracked a bill to make ivermectin available over-the-counter. Supporters say it’ll improve safe access, but the FDA warns it’s not approved for treating COVID-19. Critics note the bill passed without input from medical professionals.
Community & Local Projects
Big changes are coming to the Burley City Library! A $760,000 expansion breaks ground Monday, adding a teen room, community and conference spaces, and even telehealth rooms. Funded by grants and donations, the project will wrap up in 2026.
Pressurized irrigation in Twin Falls starts April 15. The city urges residents to prep sprinklers now to avoid waste as crews activate systems over two weeks.
Twin Falls Public Works is investigating a large soap discharge that caused excessive foaming in the city’s wastewater system last Sunday. The source is likely a commercial business. If you have information, call 208-736-2275.
Transportation & Roadwork
A major road closure hits Heyburn this weekend. Highway 24 under I-84 at exit 211 will be closed from Friday at 6 p.m. through Monday at 6 a.m. Crews are removing the old bridge as part of a $90 million project set to finish in 2026. Speed limits have been reduced to 65 miles per hour on I-84.
Crime & Law Enforcement
Idaho State Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash from Thursday afternoon at Ririe Highway and 49th North. Troopers are asking for witnesses or dash cam footage. If you have info, call ISP dispatch at 208-528-3408.
Former U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit has joined the prosecution team in the Bryan Kohberger case. Kohberger is charged with killing four University of Idaho students in 2022. The murder trial is scheduled to begin in August.
Meridian Police are investigating vandalism at the Tesla dealership where 16 Cybertrucks and the building were defaced with red spray paint overnight. Damage is estimated at $114,000.
Business
Scentsy is cutting 116 jobs in Meridian, about 11% of its workforce, as it adjusts to post-pandemic market changes.
Sports
Baseball:
Thursday night prep baseball brought the heat across southern Idaho.
In 5A action, Mountain Home swept Jerome in a doubleheader. Game one? A no-hitter shutout. Game two? A 15-hit slugfest led to a 14–7 win. Jerome’s Andrew Wilson went 3-for-3 with a double, and Noah Ramsey knocked in three RBIs in the loss.
Burley edged Minico 7–6 in extra innings thanks to a walk-off walk from Casen Cooper. Cooper and Jacoby Roe both had two hits, while Jackson Funk added a triple and two RBIs. Ike Redder earned the win for the Bobcats in relief.
In 4A, Filer dominated American Falls 16–0. Bridger Phillips had a monster night at the plate with five hits and four RBIs. Filer scored 11 runs in the fifth to seal the mercy-rule victory.
And in 3A, Firth crushed Wendell 21–3. The Trojans were held to just three hits in a game they’ll want to quickly forget.
Softball:
It was a tough night on the diamond for local softball squads.
In 5A play, Century swept Minico in a doubleheader, winning both games 11–1. The Spartans managed just one hit in game one—a triple by Nye Salinas. Game two brought more offense, with five Minico hits, including a triple from Libby Matthews, but Century’s bats stayed hot with 14 hits.
Burley fell to Vallivue 16–5. Aaliyah Olmos had a perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-3 and even stealing home. Mahri Robbins added a double, and Kate Hege knocked in two RBIs, but it wasn’t enough to stop the visiting Falcons.
In 4A, Filer and Sugar-Salem put on a show. Game one of their doubleheader was a slugfest, with Sugar-Salem edging Filer 15–14. Filer’s Ava Smith went off—4-for-5 with a home run, a double, and five RBIs. Heidi Winegar added a homer, and Madilyne Dyer smashed an inside-the-park three-run shot. Game two was cut short in the third inning due to darkness, with Sugar-Salem leading 10–5.
Hockey:
In Hockey, the Idaho Falls Spud Kings battled back from early deficits to win their playoff series against Pueblo. A 2-1 victory in Game 5, led by goals from Max Von Klinggraeft and DJ MacLeish, sends them to the Mountain Division finals against Ogden starting Monday.
Weather
Sunny skies take over the weekend! Friday’s high hits 53 with light winds. Clear and chilly overnight, dipping to 31. Warming up through Sunday—highs in the 50s and 60s with lots of sun. A slight chance of showers Monday, then mostly sunny and mild through Thursday, reaching a warm 74.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. West southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Calm wind becoming south southwest 5 to 7 mph after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
