Monday 040323

The Idaho House of Representatives and Idaho Senate mostly wrapped up their business for the year Friday and went at recess until Thursday to see if Gov. Brad Little will sign or veto the last of the late-session bills legislators passed.  Friday marked the 82nd day of the legislative session.  Legislators moved closer to adjournment by passing the rewritten Medicaid budget and public schools budgets, as well as passing a property tax reduction package into law by overriding Little’s veto of House Bill 292.

Flags are flying at half-staff today for the funeral of two residents who served the community for many years.  Jerome Mayor Dave Davis requested the flags be lowered for Thomas Borresen who was a Magistrate Judge for 25 years.  Gerald Ostler served on the Jerome City Council from 1986 to 1989 and Mayor from 1990 to 1997.  He was also the County Corner for many years. 

Today marks the first day for the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell in Boise.  She and her husband Chad Daybell is charged with the murder of Lori’s children and Chad’s former wife.  After a hearing Wednesday Judge Steven Boyce has yet to issue an updated ruling that would allow certain witnesses to be in the courtroom during other testimony.

Those who have watercraft will need to stop at the watercraft inspection stations near the boarders as they enter into the gem state.  Officials are looking for the invasive species of Quagga and Zebra Muscles.

A proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution that would have increased the threshold to qualify a ballot initiative or referendum died Thursday after failing to get the necessary two-thirds support in the Idaho House of Representatives.  The senate resolution would have increased the threshold to qualify a ballot initiative or referendum to 6% of the legal voters in each of the state’s 35 legislative districts at the time of the previous general election.

This month's rain and snow continues to stack up. Many mountain locations across southern Idaho are above 100% of the snow water equivalent for this time of year. So, with all this snow and the corresponding water, is there a chance of flooding this year?  Officials say that while colder temperatures are a lot less pleasant than our typical spring-time temps, they will help the snow melt slowly and hopefully avoid significant flooding.

SPORTS

The 19th-ranked Golden Eagles closed out a Scenic West Athletic Conference sweep against Colorado Northwestern Community College at First Federal Softball Field on Saturday, winning 25-0 and 22-0 to finish the four-game series with 97 runs.

In high school baseball from Saturday, Melba shutout the game against Glenns Ferry 24 to 0.  Caldwell for the win over Canyon Ridge 11 to 3. 

In softball games, Kimberly defeated Shelley 17 to 6 and in a double header, Timberline defeated Twin Falls in both games 13 to 7 and 13 to 1.  Canyon Ridge outlasted Caldwell 11 to 8.  Vision Charter took the win in both of their games against Lighthouse Christian 27 to 6 and 18 to 3. 

WEATHER

Monday:  A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a west wind 14 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday Night:  A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Blustery, with a west wind around 24 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tuesday:  A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a west wind 21 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night:  A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy.

Wednesday:  A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 41.

Wednesday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Thursday:  Sunny, with a high near 46.

Thursday Night:  A 20 percent chance of snow showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Friday:  A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

Friday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Saturday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Friday 033123

A bill that would criminalize helping minors obtain an abortion without parental consent won final passage in Idaho’s legislature yesterday and is headed to the desk of Republican Gov. Brad Little.   The measure would be the first of its kind in the U.S. It seeks to restrict travel by creating the crime of abortion trafficking.  Those breaking the law could spend 5 years in prison.

A critical access hospital near Boise will no longer deliver babies after June 1.  Valor Health’s will stop offering labor and delivery care in Emmett.  The Idaho Legislature is on track to defund research into preventing maternal deaths; as state lawmakers have banned nearly all abortions; and as Idaho chooses not extend its postpartum Medicaid coverage.  Bonner General Health in Sandpoint announced March 17 it will no longer provide delivery services.

The weather is making headlines in southern Idaho this morning.  Forcasters say expect winds gusting up to 50 miles an hour till about noon today especially in Eastern Magic Valley.  There’s a winter storm watch with up to 15 inches of new snow expected in the Raft River, Albion Mountains, Sun Valley and Stanley Basin areas through tomorrow night. 

Idaho parents have even more school choice options on top of a long list of education alternatives in the State of Idaho after Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1125 into law this week.  Senate Bill 1125 allows parents to send their child to any public school in Idaho regardless of where they live.

The Idaho Senate passed the fiscal year 2024 Medicaid budget by a single vote yesterday as they prepare to wrap up this year’s session. The fiscal year 2024 Medicaid budget includes funding for five programs, including expanded Medicaid coverage for qualifying Idahoans.

One woman died from police gunfire yesterday morning in Bonneville County.  At about 3:30 am, a Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputy checked on a vehicle parked at the Gem State Park.  Police determined the woman inside the car had a warrant.  Shots were fired and the woman died later at a nearby hospital. 

SPORTS

This Saturday, the US Alpine National Championships kicks off at Sun Valley Resort.  Each year, the competition brings together the nation's top male and female athletes, along with a handful of international athletes to renowned ski venues, such as Sun Valley. The Championship is the final competition for ski racers vying for a spot on the U.S. Alpine Ski Team.  The events this year include slalom, giant slalom, and super-G.

A former Soda Springs High School girls basketball coach who is facing 20 rape charges has been arrested near the Idaho-Utah border.  52 year old wade Lee Schvaneveldt, was arrested by Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputies Tuesday afternoon and booked into the Cache County jail in Utah.

For High School baseball yesterday, all of the Baseball and Softball games were canceled.  For today’s schedule, first for baseball, Burley travels to Twin Falls, Wendell goes to Declo.  There’s a double header where Jerome travels to Minico.  Another couple of double headers include Mountain Home at Canyon Ridge in Twin Falls and Kimberly travels to Century.  On the Softball schedule, Jerome goes to Minico, Lighthouse Christian to Glenns Ferry for a Double Header.  Two more double header games include Twin Falls to Burley and Wood River traveling to Middleton. 

Some track meets are set. Raft River and Hansen will be part of the Neal Wyatt invite in Oakley.  Canyon Ridge participates in the Ridgevue meet.  Twin Falls, Burley, Wood River and Jerome will be part of the Minico Quad.  Glenns Ferry, Shoshone and Lighthouse Christian will participate in the Valley Relays.  Murtaugh will be part of the Reservoir Classic in Aberdeen.  Wendell, Declo, Buhl, Kimberly, Gooding, Filer, Camas, Bliss, Snake River, Providence, Richfield, Firth and Bliss will be part of the Clover Creek Dental Track and Field Invitational in Gooding at the ISDB School at noon. 

WEATHER

Today:  A slight chance of rain and snow showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. West wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. West southwest wind 7 to 11 mph becoming east southeast after midnight.

Saturday:  A chance of snow before noon, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. East wind 6 to 14 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday Night:  A chance of rain before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday:  A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. West southwest wind 7 to 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday Night:  A 50 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday:  A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

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

Tuesday:  A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39.

Tuesday Night:  A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

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

Wednesday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Thursday:  Sunny, with a high near 44.

Thursday 033023

The Senate finished off a rare veto override yesterday, and a far-reaching property tax overhaul is now on the books.  The Senate upheld House Bill 292 which promises $355 million in immediate property tax relief, but has huge implications for public schools. The law earmarks $100 million that schools must spend on property tax relief, perhaps by paying down existing bonds or levies. But the law also eliminates the standalone March election.

Idaho lawmakers are considering making it illegal for an adult to help a minor procure an abortion without parental consent.  To sidestep violating a constitutional right to travel between states, the state law would make illegal only the portion of a trip to an out-of-state abortion provider that takes place in Idaho.  People convicted of breaking the law would face two to five years in prison.  The law would be the first of it’s kind in the U.S.

Lori Vallow, the woman charged with murdering her two children and her husband's ex-wife, appeared in Ada County Court yesterday where her defense argued to exclude most family members from watching portions of her trial on April 3.  Judge Steven Boyce issued an order to exclude witnesses from sitting in on others' testimony in order to prevent issues down the road of potential testimony changes.

New court documents in the case of Bryan Kohberger the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students show Latah County prosecutors are sharing new evidence regarding an officer involved with the case.  Prosecutors told the court the information is related to a "confidential internal affairs investigation" involving the officer and is "potential Brady/Giglio material." The documents have been sealed from public view.

A 53 year old Jerome man is facing felony charges of attempted strangulation and domestic Battery in the presence of a child.  Herman Bennett was arrested at a residence on Pheasant Way. 

Area dog owners are being reminded to keep their pets on a leash.  The warning comes after increasing reports of coyote and fox activity around Twin Falls and other areas of Magic Valley.

SPORTS

From the local high school baseball games played yesterday, in a double header Cole Valley Christian defeated Filer 17 to 0 and 12 to 3.  Capital took the win over Canyon Ridge 5 to 4.  North Star downed Glenns Ferry 12 to 5.

In Softball games, Filer defeated Cole Valley Christian in a double header taking the win in both games.  15 to 4 and 22 to 21.  Capital defeated Canyon Ridge 20 to 4 and Gooding shut out Wendell 12 to 0.  It was Glenns Ferry 16 Lighthouse 1. 

On today’s schedule, Buhl travels to Kimberly, Jerome to Minico, and there is a double header when Lighthouse Christian travels to Filer.  On the softball schedule, Marsh Valley travels to Kimberly and Soda Springs to Declo. 

A group of skiers and snowboarders were involved in an avalanche south of Albion, near Pomerelle.  The Sawtooth Avalanche Center says three snowboarders and one skier were climbing a slope when they got completely buried in the avalanche on Monday.  Sadly, another snowmobiler was killed after being caught in an avalanche.  It happened last Wednesday in the Boise National Forest near the Trinity Lakes area. A group of four was out riding when one of the riders got caught in an avalanche and was buried in several feet of snow. His partners were able to locate him but were unable to revive the man.  This latest tragedy comes after a snowmobiler died a couple of weeks ago while riding in Stanley. Another rider died in Elmore County last week. Tyler Beyer, 30, is considered missing after setting out on his snowmobile in Boise County on March 12. Beyer hasn't been seen since.

WEATHER

Thursday:  Snow before noon, then rain and snow. High near 40. Breezy, with a west wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday Night:  A 30 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.

Friday:  Partly sunny, with a high near 46. West wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Friday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind 7 to 11 mph becoming south southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Saturday:  A chance of snow before noon, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday Night:  Rain likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday:  Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night:  A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Monday:  A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 39.

Monday Night:  A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

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

Tuesday Night:  A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Wednesday:  A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

Wednesday 032923

A bill heading to Idaho Gov. Brad Little is necessary to keep Idaho’s psychiatric hospitals and behavioral health centers in operation.  But one sentence written into the legislation could have far-reaching consequences.  It includes a new restriction on who can receive free naloxone kits capable of reversing the fatal effects of an opioid overdose.  The bill says that those kits shall be available only to first responders in the state of Idaho.

The Idaho House of Representatives voted yesterday to override Gov. Brad Little’s veto of a property tax bill, setting up a late-session showdown between the two chambers of the Idaho Legislature and Little. During its morning floor session, the Idaho House also voted to reject the Senate’s new property tax counterproposal.  It all started on Monday, when Little vetoed House Bill 292 after saying he opposed a section of the bill that removed the March election date that school districts use for bond on levy elections.  Yesterday the Idaho House responded by voting to override Little’s veto.

Idaho gas prices have gone down another four cents over the past week. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular in the Gem State is $3.58, nine cents less than a month ago.  Meanwhile, the national average sits at $3.44 per gallon.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little will have the final say on whether to criminalize gender-affirming care for transgender youth now that both legislative chambers approved an amended version of House Bill 71.  It now heads to Little’s desk where he can sign it into law, let it become law without his signature or veto it.

A resolution asking state officials to explore available legal options to stop the construction of hundreds of wind turbines on Idaho’s public lands is ready to be adopted after passing through the Senate.  An application is pending before the BLM to approve the placement of approximately 400 wind turbines in Jerome, Lincoln, and Minidoka Counties that would consume over 200,000 acres.

SPORTS

Taking a look at some High School baseball games played yesterday, Declo took the win over Filer 10 to 9.  Minico told Burley no 17 to 0.   Twin Falls shut out the game against Wood River 12 to 0.  Wendell said no to American Falls 22 to 5.  In a double header Kimberly took the win over Gooding in both games 13 to 0 and 15 to 1. 

In softball games, Declo said no to Filer 13 to 2.  It was Wendell 17 American Falls 7.  Jerome took the win over Capital 5 to 4.  Pocatello said no to Burley with a score of 8 to 3 in the first game of a double header.  In the second game it was Pocatello for the win 7 to 2.  In another double header Kimberly took the win in both over Minico 13 to 3 and 20 to 4.

On todays baseball schedule, Canyon Ridge travels to Capital, North Star to Glenns Ferry, Cole Valley Christian travels to Filer for a Double Header and Wood River travels to Twin Falls to play Lighthouse Christian for a double header at Legacy Fields. 

On the softball schedule, Canyon Ridge goes to Capital, Gooding to Wendell, Cole Valley Christian plays in Filer for a double header and Shelly goes to Minico for a double header.  Glenns Ferry travels to play Lighthouse Christian at Legacy Fields in Filer at 4. 

WEATHER

Wednesday:  Rain and snow, becoming all rain after noon. High near 44. East northeast wind 12 to 17 mph becoming west southwest 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday Night:  A chance of rain and snow before midnight, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West southwest wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday:  A chance of snow before noon, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday Night:  A slight chance of rain and snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Breezy, with a west wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday:  Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Breezy.

Friday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Saturday:  A chance of rain and snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night:  A chance of rain showers before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday:  Snow showers likely before noon, then rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night:  Rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday:  A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Breezy.

Monday Night:  A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Breezy.

Tuesday:  A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Tuesday 032823

Twin Falls sheriff deputies arrested a 23 year old man after discovering he had over one million dollars’ worth of drugs in his car.  On Sunday authorities stopped Jorge Morales Martinez of Chihuahua Mexico on Pole line Road near Parkview drive.  He faces trafficking charges involving Heroin, Meth and Fentanyl. 

Jerome’s former mayor Gerald Ostler passed away Friday.  The 88 year old also was the counties Coroner for a time. 

A Forest Service employee has been missing for two weeks after setting out on his snowmobile in Boise County.  Tyler Beyer left his Lowman home on Sunday, March 12, by snowmobile. On Monday, the Lowman Ranger District reported that Beyer didn't show up for work.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little vetoed a major property tax bill yesterday, calling on the Idaho Legislature to get the property tax issue right.  The Idaho Senate had already advanced a counter proposal that will be sent to the Idaho House of Representatives today.  Little opposed a section of the bill that would eliminate the March election date local school districts.

The Idaho Senate yesterday voted to pass a bill criminalizing gender-affirming healthcare for minors, one month after the state House passed similar legislation.   Doctors prescribing hormones or blockers could be charged with a felony and face prison time.

25 year old Dylan Wormsbaker of Twin Falls has passed away after spending a week in the hospital, following a motorcycle crash.  The incident happened at the intersection of Martin Street and Shoup Avenue West in Twin Falls.

Low-income renters in Idaho have less affordable housing options than in previous years, according the Idaho Asset Building Network.  The group says Idaho has 38 affordable rental homes for every 100 households with extremely low incomes a decrease from 2022 when there were 42.

Traffic on I-84 just outside of Jerome was slowed yesterday morning after an axle caught fire on a semi truck trailer.  Westbound traffic was diverted while crews worked to douse the flames. 

SPORTS

Soldier Mountain is giving ski and snowboarding enthusiasts two extra Saturdays this season to take advantage of the slopes.  Those days are April 1st and 8th, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The Mountain has more than 70 inches of snow at mid-mountain and 80 at the top.

Due to mandatory avalanche warnings on Howell Canyon Road, Pomerelle will be closed today.

In a facebook post, the managers of Pomerelle said the avalanche danger is NOT at Pomerelle. They plan to reopen tomorrow.

Minico High School is in search of a new boy’s basketball coach.  After four years, Brady Trenkle will step back from coaching and will focus on his role as Athletic Director. The Spartans made two state tournament appearances under Trenkle, and won the Great Basin title this past season. Minico won the consolation bracket at state in 2019.

The college of Southern Idaho Womens Basketball Season is over after the eagles lost their game in the final four Sunday.  Northwest Florida State took the win 69 to 56.  CSI finished their season with 31 wins and 3 losses.  This season was just the second time in program history the Golden Eagles made it to the semifinal round of the National Tournament.

From High School baseball yesterday there is one game to report.  Glenns Ferry defeated Idaho City 14 to 1.  In softball Glenns Ferry took the win over Idaho City 25 to 2. 

On today’s Schedule, first for Baseball, Filer travels to Declo. Burley goes to Minico.  Wood River heads to Twin Falls, American Falls travels to Wendell and there is a double Header scheduled as Gooding travels to Kimberly. 

On the softball schedule, Filer plays Declo, American Falls meets up in Wendell for a double header and Capital travels to Jerome for a double Header.  Other double headers include Pocatello traveling to Burley and Minico going to Kimberly. 

There is one Golf Meet with Declo, Hagerman, Oakley, Wendell, Gooding and Filer traveling to play at the Rivers Edge. 

WEATHER

Today:  A 20 percent chance of snow before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. East northeast wind 13 to 18 mph.

Tonight:  A slight chance of rain and snow before midnight, then a slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Breezy, with an east northeast wind 17 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday:  Rain and snow, becoming all rain after noon. High near 45. East northeast wind 8 to 13 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday Night:  A chance of rain before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday:  A chance of snow before noon, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday Night:  A 30 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Breezy.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Breezy.

Friday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Saturday:  A chance of rain and snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night:  Rain showers likely before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday:  A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night:  A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday:  A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 41.

Monday 032723

Two people died after a head on crash yesterday afternoon just before 5 in Bingham County.  Police say the accident occurred on I-15 and closed all southbound lanes for about three hours. 

Gov. Brad Little signed a bill allowing execution by firing squad, making Idaho the latest state to turn to older methods of capital punishment amid a nationwide shortage of lethal-injection drugs.  The Legislature passed the measure March 20 with a veto-proof majority. Under it, firing squads will be used only if the state cannot obtain the drugs needed for lethal injections.

A new bill designed to provide for a “tightly regulated system” of medical cannabis was introduced Friday morning in the Idaho House of Representatives.   Under the new Idaho Medical Cannabis Act, patients with a significant medical condition would be eligible for a medical cannabis card that would be valid for up to one year before renewal.

Republican legislative leaders missed their nonbinding target to wrap up Idaho’s 2023 legislative session on Friday.  Despite the late date, the Idaho Legislature has not yet passed most of the 2024 fiscal year state budget. The state’s largest budgets the K-12 public schools budgets and the Medicaid budget that has now been rewritten twice have not been taken up yet.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little will have the final say in whether Idaho’s presidential primary election is moved to late May. If passed into law, the bill would move Idaho’s presidential primary election back on the calendar from its current date on the second Tuesday in March until the third Tuesday in May.

Starting today, St. Luke’s Magic Valley and Wood River medical centers will require the use of guest badges.  Those arriving for lab testing, diagnostic imaging, other outpatient procedures and all visitors will need to obtain a guest badge upon entry.

Idaho’s unemployment rate fell slightly for the month of February, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.  Unemployment fell one tenth of a percent for an overall total of 2.6%.

The drought in Idaho could be over soon. Last month, most of Twin Falls and Cassia counties were listed as being in a severe drought, despite snowpack being well above normal. That has now been changed to moderate.

SPORTS

Saturday The College of Southern Idaho women’s basketball team faced off against No. 5 seed Blinn College. CSI capitalized with 36 bench points and shot 46.7% from the field to win 79-64 at the Rip Center in Lubbock, Texas.  CSI’s win over Blinn extends their winning streak to 19 games as they move one step closer to capturing their first national title.

On to High school baseball from Saturday, where Twin Falls, Burley, Jerome, Minico and Mountain participated in the Bucks Bag, tournament in Boise.    It was Meridian 11, Minico 1.  Mountain Home 10, Nampa 5, Borah 8, Twin Falls 6.  Burley 14, Nampa Christian 5 and it was Fruitland 9, Jerome 3

In softball action, Jerome, Gooding, Twin Falls, Burley and Canyon Ridge participated in the WTP Tourney, Caldwell.  It was LaGrande 17, Twin Falls 1 Then, Mountain View 12, Twin Falls 5.   Boise 18, Canyon Ridge 3.   Owyhee 21, Canyon Ridge 3.  In the second game, Owyhee 12, Burley 3. Then  Emmett 11, Burley 5.  In another double header it was  Gooding 9, Borah 7 in the first game then  Kuna 18, Gooding 2.  Then Kuna 10, Jerome 1.  Then Nampa 13, Jerome 3.

WEATHER

Today:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. West southwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Tonight:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. East wind 11 to 17 mph.

Tuesday:  A 20 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 47. Breezy, with an east wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tuesday Night:  A chance of rain and snow before midnight, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Breezy, with an east northeast wind 17 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday:  Rain and snow likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. East wind 11 to 16 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday Night:  A chance of rain before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday:  A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday Night:  A chance of rain and snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday:  Partly sunny, with a high near 48.

Friday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Saturday:  A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night:  Rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday:  A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.