Tuesday 032123

A complicated property tax overhaul is headed to Gov. Brad Little’s desk.  After an hour’s debate, the Senate overwhelmingly passed House Bill 292 which promises up to $355 million in immediate property tax cuts.  The bill promises to provide about $100 million to schools. It would also eliminate the March school election date. Last week, school districts asked for $1 billion in ballot measures; about $275 million of the proposals passed.

Mountain Rides will start up their shuttle service between the Wood River valley and Twin Falls next month.  The company discontinued service in January.  Now they will be using a van instead of a bus and will run only when a ride is booked. 

Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1129 into law today, adding another $125 million to improve broadband infrastructure throughout the state as part of his “Idaho First” plan. Another $100 million is nearing legislative approval, for a total of $225 million in new funding for broadband expansion in Idaho.

Idaho drivers continue to see savings at the pump as economic fears drive down the cost of crude oil.  Today, the average price for a gallon of regular in the Gem State is $3.62, which is five cents less than a week ago, seven cents less than a month ago, and 74 cents less than a year ago.

A complicated property tax overhaul is headed to Gov. Brad Little’s desk.  After an hour’s debate, the Senate overwhelmingly passed House Bill 292 which promises up to $355 million in immediate property tax cuts.  The bill promises to provide about $100 million to schools. It would also eliminate the March school election date. Last week, school districts asked for $1 billion in ballot measures; about $275 million of the proposals passed.

Idaho is poised to allow firing squads to execute condemned inmates when the state can’t get lethal-injection drugs, under a bill the Legislature passed Monday with a veto-proof majority.  Firing squads will be used only if the state cannot obtain the drugs needed for lethal injections.

The Ada County Coroner has identified the man involved in a suspicious incident on Interstate 84 this past weekend.  25-year-old Victor Lindsey of Twin Falls died at the scene after allegedly exiting a moving vehicle.  A 23-year-old Twin Falls woman was the driver.  The incident occurred Sunday morning on eastbound I-84 in Boise.

SPORTS

Tonight the college of southern Idaho will take on a team that can match history with the eagles.  They will play Vincennes college of Indiana.  The 5:30 game will be the Eagles first game since March 2 where they lost to Snow College in the Region 18 tournament.  Yesterday, 15th-seeded Vincennes College rolled to a 70-57 win over No. 18 Trinity Valley Community College of Texas in the opening round of the 24-team tourney in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Only a handful of high school baseball games on schedule for today.  For Baseball, Wendell travels to Firth for a double header while Columbia visits Mountain Home.  For Softball, Mountain Home travels to Columbia for a double header.

WEATHER

Tuesday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Southwest wind 6 to 15 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night:  A chance of rain before midnight, then rain and snow. Low around 31. Blustery, with an east northeast wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

 

Wednesday:  Rain and snow showers likely before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 44. East wind 9 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday Night:  A 20 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. West southwest wind 11 to 14 mph.

 

Thursday:  A 50 percent chance of rain after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

Thursday Night:  Rain likely before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

 

Friday:  A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy.

Friday Night:  A 20 percent chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Breezy.

 

Saturday:  A 30 percent chance of snow showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 37.

Saturday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

 

Sunday:  A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

Sunday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 21.

 

Monday:  A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.