MAGIC VALLEY NEWS
HELICOPTER CRASH
A helicopter pilot escaped with only minor injuries after a crash yesterday afternoon at Magic Valley Regional Airport in Twin Falls. Emergency crews responded around 1:48 p.m. to the west end of the tarmac, where the pilot was able to walk away from the crash and declined medical transport. The incident remains under investigation by the NTSB.
ELMORE COUNTY FIRE
The Pasadena Valley Fire in Elmore County has burned more than 1,700 acres and is expected to be under control by this evening, according to the Bureau of Land Management. Officials say strong winds helped spread the fire after it started Wednesday near a semi-truck crash along Interstate 84 east of Glenns Ferry. No evacuations or structure threats were reported, though Idaho Power says 26 power poles were destroyed.
PRIMARY ELECTION
Today is the deadline for early voting ahead of Idaho’s May 19 primary election. Early and in-person absentee voting ends at 5 p.m., while polls statewide open Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Election information is available at Idaho Secretary of State’s Office VoteIdaho.gov.
STATE REVENUES
Idaho state revenues came in nearly 57 million dollars above projections in April, putting the state on pace to finish the fiscal year with a projected budget surplus of about 26 million dollars. Governor Brad Little says the numbers reflect Idaho’s strong economy and the state’s focus on balanced budgeting and controlled spending.
CHILD CUSTODY CASES
A recent ruling from the Idaho Supreme Court says a 2025 state law could delay some child custody and adoption cases by limiting access to public defense attorneys for low-income parents. Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan warned the gap could lead to serious delays — and in some cases prevent adoptions from moving forward.
VETERANS SUPPORT
Idaho Senator Jim Risch is pushing statewide efforts to better support veterans, including legislation to increase federal burial benefits, giving more Idaho families access to in-state burial services.
AMERICA250
Idaho’s America250 organizers have launched a statewide “quarter drive” to help fund a tour of Idaho’s replica Liberty Bell through all 44 counties after restoration work is completed. Julie Ellsworth says families and children can donate quarters at participating Idaho banks ahead of next year’s America 250 celebrations.
SPORTS
IDAHO STATE SOFTBALL
In Idaho State softball, several Magic Valley teams are making noise heading into today’s action.
In 2A, Glenns Ferry Pilots is one win away from a state championship after sweeping three games yesterday, including a 3-2 win over Potlatch behind a complete game from Charlee Stewart. The Pilots play for the title this afternoon at 2:30.
In 3A, Wendell Trojans knocked off Orofino 7-2 as Audra Bunn blasted a homer and Breanna Comstock struck out 13. Wendell faces top-seeded Nampa Christian this morning.
Over in 4A, Gooding Senators rolled past Sugar-Salem 12-1, while Kimberly Bulldogs dominated Marsh Valley 15-0 behind five RBIs from Addison Cann. Both teams are back in action Friday at 11:15.
And in 5A, Burley Bobcats suffered a tough 8-7 walk-off loss to Vallivue despite 12 hits, while Twin Falls Bruins fell to Middleton 7-3. Burley now faces Lakeland this morning in a loser-out matchup.
SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
State softball tournament action continues today with several Magic Valley teams back on the field in must-watch matchups.
At 9 o’clock this morning in Post Falls, Burley Bobcats faces Lakeland Hawks in a loser-out game, while Twin Falls Bruins takes on Pocatello Thunder in another elimination matchup.
In 4A action at Filer, Gooding Senators battles Cole Valley Christian Chargers at 11:15, and unbeaten Kimberly Bulldogs squares off with Preston Indians.
Over in 3A, Wendell Trojans takes on undefeated Nampa Christian Trojans at 11:15 at Lakeland High School.
And in 2A, Glenns Ferry Pilots remains one win away from a state championship game appearance after an impressive Thursday run.
IDAHO STATE BASEBALL
Idaho state baseball tournament action continues today after a full slate of opening round games last night.
In 4A, Twin Falls Bruins dropped a heartbreaker to Sandpoint Bulldogs 5-4 Thursday evening and now faces Bonneville Bees this afternoon at 1 o’clock in an elimination game at Melaleuca Field in Idaho Falls. Later today, Skyview Hawks meets Sandpoint Bulldogs at 4 p.m. in the semifinals.
At Skip Walker Field in Twin Falls, Marsh Valley Eagles fell to Homedale Trojans 3-0 and now takes on Cole Valley Christian Chargers at 1 p.m. in loser-out action. The evening semifinal there features Homedale Trojans against Fruitland Grizzlies at 4 o’clock.
Other scheduled games today include Middleton Vikings versus Eagle Mustangs at 1 p.m. in Garden City, while Mountain View Mavericks faces Owyhee Storm in the 5A semifinal at 4.
In Caldwell, Salmon Savages meets Melba Mustangs at 1 p.m., followed by Orofino Maniacs against Malad Dragons at 4 o’clock.
CSI SOFTBALL
The College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles softball are headed to the NJCAA National Tournament after beating Salt Lake C.C. 9-8 Thursday. Maile Ha’o powered CSI with a grand slam and a three-run homer, while Ella Farrell shut the door in relief to secure the Region 18 title. Nationals begin May 25th in Alabama.
CSI TRACK AND FIELD
The College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles women’s track and field opened the NJCAA National Championships with two All-American performances Thursday. Edith Neslen placed eighth in the 10,000 meters, while the 4-by-800 relay team of Aubrie Barzee, Ava Daniel, Alyssa Bradshaw, and Audrey Lemon also finished eighth nationally.
On the men’s side, College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles men’s track and field got a seventh-place finish from Raivio Manzer in the 10,000 meters to earn All-American honors. CSI athletes continue competition Friday and Saturday at nationals.
IDAHO VANDALS TRACK AND FIELD
Idaho Vandals women’s track and field athlete Hanna Tait captured the Big Sky heptathlon championship yesterday, winning by more than 200 points after a record-setting long jump performance. Tait becomes the first Vandal since 2010 to win both the indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon titles in the same season.
WEATHER
BREEZY AND SUNNY TODAY
Sunny and breezy today with a high near 69 — expect northwest winds gusting close to 30 miles an hour. Clouds roll in tonight with a low around 44. Saturday starts cloudy, then clears out with breezy conditions and a high near 63. Sunday brings a slight chance of afternoon showers and cooler temps near 55, before sunshine and warmer weather return next week with highs climbing back into the upper 70s by Thursday.
TODAY
Sunny, with a high near 69. West northwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
TONIGHT
Increasing clouds, with a low around 44. West northwest wind 5 to 14 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
SATURDAY
Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 63. Breezy, with a west-northwest wind 14 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Breezy, with a west wind 19 to 24 mph decreasing to 11 to 16 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph.
SUNDAY
A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
SUNDAY NIGHT
A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
MONDAY
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
MONDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
TUESDAY
Sunny, with a high near 67.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
WEDNESDAY
Sunny, with a high near 74.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
THURSDAY
Sunny, with a high near 78.
- Your Daily Briefing – 05/15/2026 - May 15, 2026
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