EDUCATION
JEROME SCHOOLS CLOSED — RANSOMWARE RECOVERY
No school again today in Jerome as the district works to recover from a ransomware attack. All schools remain closed this Tuesday, October 20, while crews finish safety checks and make sure building security systems are fully operational.
The district says it detected the attack Saturday. Outside cybersecurity specialists are helping with recovery, and the district is cooperating with law enforcement. Classes are expected to resume tomorrow, Wednesday, October 21.
Most athletic events and practices will go ahead as scheduled. Coaches will notify families directly about any changes.
Parent-teacher conferences scheduled for this week are canceled. Teachers will send student progress updates by email or SchoolMessenger, and families can request individual conversations or meetings. Watch for further updates from Jerome School District.
GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS & IMMIGRATION
WILDER RAID — ONE YEAR LATER
One year after the October 19, 2025 raid at La Catedral Arena in Wilder, families continue coping with deportation, separation and childhood trauma. Demonstrators marked the anniversary with an October 18 march to the Idaho Capitol, and the ACLU released Wilder Raids, a documentary featuring affected families. The operation detained roughly 400 people, resulted in 105 immigration arrests and brought gambling charges against five people. Three Latino families are pursuing a civil-rights lawsuit alleging unlawful detention and discriminatory enforcement; authorities defend the operation as lawful, and the case remains unresolved.
SECRETARY OF STATE — MCGRANE–KEENAN REMATCH
A rematch for Idaho’s top elections office comes with some common ground. Republican Secretary of State Phil McGrane and Democratic challenger Shawn Keenan both support creating a state-issued voter guide with candidate information mailed directly to Idahoans.
The 2 face off again November 3, after McGrane won their 2022 race with more than 72 percent of the vote.
Keenan, a Coeur d’Alene mortgage broker, says fighting election misinformation is his main priority. He has no election administration experience but says Idaho’s elections are secure and has praised McGrane’s work.
McGrane is seeking a second term, pointing to improvements in voter information and campaign finance transparency. His priorities include updating business registration, revising campaign finance laws and restoring Idaho’s presidential primary.
Keenan says he would face less partisan pressure in the office. McGrane says maintaining relationships across political disagreements helps him get the work done.
The secretary of state oversees elections, campaign finance compliance and business records, and serves on the Idaho Land Board.
JOHN SHIRTS — NEW U.S. ATTORNEY FOR IDAHO
A Weiser lawmaker is now Idaho’s top federal prosecutor. Republican Representative John Shirts was sworn in Sunday as U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho, following Bart Davis’s retirement.
The Justice Department says Attorney General Todd Blanche appointed Shirts, who previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Idaho from 2018 to 2024. His background also includes service as an Air Force attorney and a clerkship with District Judge Jonathan Brody in Rupert.
Shirts will oversee 65 employees, including 33 attorneys, in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Pocatello. He says priorities include prosecuting drug trafficking, violent crime, terrorism and fraud.
One question remains about his legislative seat. The Justice Department announcement did not say whether Shirts has resigned from the Idaho House. He is running unopposed November 3, and the secretary of state’s office says the deadline to remove his name from the ballot has passed.
TRAFFIC & DRIVER SAFETY
BLACKFOOT CRASH — RUPERT TRUCK DRIVER INJURED
A Rupert truck driver suffered minor injuries in an early-morning crash that blocked traffic in both directions on Interstate 15 near Blackfoot.
Idaho State Police say the crash happened around 2:04 yesterday morning near milepost 95 in Bingham County. A 28-year-old Rupert man was driving a red 2002 semi southbound when an unidentified vehicle drifted into his lane and struck the truck.
The semi went through the southbound guardrail, crossed the median and hit a concrete barrier and guardrail along the northbound lanes. The driver was wearing a seat belt and did not require transport to a hospital.
Northbound lanes were blocked for about 4 hours, and southbound lanes for about 6 hours while crews responded and cleared the scene. State Police are investigating.
CALDWELL CRASH — DIRTBIKE RIDER HOSPITALIZED
A juvenile riding a mini-dirtbike was taken to the hospital after a collision with a school bus in Caldwell yesterday afternoon.
Idaho State Police say the crash happened around 4:02 at East Spruce Street and Colorado Avenue. The bus was heading south through the intersection when the dirtbike struck it.
The bus carried 8 juvenile passengers, a 74-year-old male driver and a 61-year-old woman, both from Caldwell. Everyone aboard was wearing a seatbelt.
Troopers say the dirtbike rider was not wearing a helmet and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. The rider’s condition was not released.
The intersection was blocked for about 55 minutes. The crash remains under investigation.
TEEN DRIVER SAFETY — SEATBELTS & DISTRACTIONS
Buckle up and put the phone away—that’s the message for Idaho teens and their parents during National Teen Driver Safety Week.
Idaho Transportation Department spokesperson Britt Rosenthal says teenage drivers are more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash as older drivers.
The department is sharing the story of Burley native Kennedy Bingham, who lost her leg in a crash as a teenager. Her family says they wish seatbelt conversations had been more common at home, and her father says he wishes they had set a better example.
Driving instructor Chris Harrell says phones should be put away before getting behind the wheel—even placed out of reach.
The awareness effort runs through October 24. ITD is reminding all drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, drive sober and buckle up.
AGRICULTURE & WATER
IRRIGATION SEASON ENDS — WINTER RECHARGE BEGINS
Irrigation season is over for nearly 5,000 Twin Falls Canal Company shareholders, following a dry year that forced some farmers to sacrifice one crop to save another.
Crews shut the headgates at Milner Dam, beginning the transition to winter recharge. Dam tender Jayden Lovell says recharge will begin after a 24-hour pause, while draining the entire canal system takes about 3 days.
General Manager Jay Barlogi says the company reduced water deliveries to shareholders by a third this season. Limited winter snow and a dry summer contributed to lower yields across multiple crops.
The company kept irrigation water flowing an extra week to help farmers get winter wheat and barley established. Barlogi says growers are preparing for the possibility of another difficult water year, although he hopes forecasts calling for limited snow prove wrong.
ECONOMY, BUSINESS & HOUSEHOLD COSTS
GAS PRICES — IDAHO PRICES EASE AS OIL RISES
Gas prices are easing across Idaho—but another jump in oil prices could put the brakes on those savings.
AAA says regular gas averages $4.80 a gallon statewide today, matching the average in Twin Falls. That’s down 9 cents from last week and 5 cents from last month, but still $1.36 higher than a year ago.
Idaho remains the 7th most expensive state to fill up. The national average is $4.29 a gallon, down 6 cents over the past week.
The concern now is crude oil. The West Texas Intermediate benchmark is trading near $102 a barrel—up about $9 in just a week. AAA Idaho spokesman Matthew Conde says that could increase costs for gasoline, jet fuel and deliveries.
AAA says continued conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine leave the outlook uncertain, even as drivers get some relief at the pump.
Around the region, regular averages $4.79 in Idaho Falls, $4.83 in Pocatello and $4.84 in Boise.
AAA recommends combining errands to save fuel and booking year-end holiday flights as soon as possible.
ALBERTSONS — PROFITS FALL, BUSINESS REVIEW LAUNCHED
Boise-based Albertsons is launching a sweeping business review after quarterly profits fell sharply. The grocery chain reported $51.5 million in net income for its second quarter, down from $168.5 million a year earlier. Revenue slipped slightly to $18.89 billion, while sales at comparable stores fell 0.8%.
CEO Susan Morris says the company needs to simplify operations, speed up decisions and reduce costs, with some savings going toward better value for customers. Albertsons expects to outline its turnaround plan by its fourth-quarter earnings call.
The review follows a July announcement consolidating 11 regional offices into 4 divisions. Some analysts say selling store brands, regional operations or real estate could be considered, but the company has not announced those moves.
Albertsons is also seeking $8 billion in damages from Kroger over their failed merger. Newly appointed Executive Chair Meg Whitman says pharmacy and online shopping remain strengths, but the business needs dramatic improvement.
SEASONAL WORK — HOLIDAY INCOME NEEDS INCREASE
For Southern Idaho residents looking for a holiday job, a new national survey highlights how much those extra paychecks can matter. Seasonal workers surveyed say they need to earn an average of $8,585 this holiday season to cover expenses—38% more than last year.
Talker Research surveyed 1,000 American seasonal workers for banking app Current. It found 73% rely on that income to pay bills, up from 60% a year ago. The increase reflects what workers say they need to bring home—not a 38% increase in wages.
Those holiday paychecks also come with a trade-off. Nearly 3 out of 4 respondents say seasonal work means missing holiday celebrations. The findings are national, but highlight the financial pressures facing people counting on temporary work during the holiday season.
SMALL BUSINESS — EXPORT ASSISTANCE GRANT
Southern Idaho small businesses looking for customers beyond the U.S. have another source of help. Idaho has received a $329,000 federal grant to help small companies expand into international markets.
The money comes through the State Trade Expansion Program, known as STEP, administered by the Idaho Department of Commerce with funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Businesses can use the support for projects such as upgrading websites for international sales and participating in overseas trade shows.
The grant covers projects taking place through September 29, 2027. State officials say the goal is to help more small businesses start exporting and help existing exporters reach new markets. Business owners can find details at commerce dot Idaho dot gov.
META — KUNA DATA CENTER EXPANSION
Meta’s new data center in Kuna is already expanding—just weeks after its grand opening. The company is adding 2 structures designed to bring more computing capacity online quickly.
Meta broke ground on the campus in 2022 and celebrated its opening in early September. But construction continues on what the company calls “rapid deployment structures”—aluminum frames covered with weather-resistant fabric.
Meta’s director of global development, Brad Davis, tells BoiseDev the buildings help the company respond to unexpected demand. Each takes about 8 months to set up, and both Kuna structures are expected to be finished by the end of the year.
Davis says they’ll add a small percentage to the campus’s overall capacity, but he declined to provide an exact figure.
COST OF GOING OUT — IDAHO AFFORDABILITY RANKING
A night out in Idaho appears to be easier on the wallet than in much of the country. Idaho Business Review reports the state ranks 38th in a comparison of social outing costs across the lower 48 states—with the most expensive states at the top.
The study, from Manhattan Mental Health Counseling, puts New York at the expensive end and South Dakota at the most affordable. Idaho’s profile includes relatively affordable meals and moderate take-home pay.
For Southern Idaho listeners, it’s a statewide comparison—not a separate measure of what a night out costs in Twin Falls, Burley or Jerome.
TUESDAY SPORTS
WENDELL — THURSDAY SCHOOL CLOSURE FOR STATE SOCCER
Wendell is giving students and staff Thursday off to cheer on the Trojans at state! Superintendent Ryan Bowman says district schools will be closed October 22 so students, families and staff can attend the boys state soccer tournament in Burley. Wendell plays at 9 a.m. Thursday at Burley High School. Bowman congratulated the players on their season and encouraged the community to come support the team.
DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL — VALLEY & CAREY CLAIM TITLES
District titles for Valley and Carey, and a state tournament ticket for Twin Falls! A big Monday night of volleyball has more Magic Valley teams moving on, with plenty still at stake tonight.
Twin Falls beat Minico in 4 sets to secure a spot at the 5A state tournament. Siena Billings led the Bruins with 17 kills, Lucy Moffitt added 15, and Ivie Bohrn handed out 47 assists. Kaitlyn Hudson anchored the defense with 27 digs. Twin Falls heads to Wood River tonight and must beat the Wolverines twice to win the district championship. Minico now waits to see whether it earns an at-large state play-in opportunity.
In 3A, Declo swept Wendell to stay alive. The Hornets visit Buhl tonight, needing 2 wins over the Indians to claim the district title and advance to state.
Valley is the 2A district champion after beating Hagerman in 4 sets. The Vikings head to the state quarterfinals October 29 at Madison High School. Murtaugh outlasted Shoshone in 5 sets, while Sun Valley Community School edged Oakley in 5. Murtaugh and Community School meet tonight at Hagerman, with the winner facing the Pirates for the runner-up spot and a state play-in berth.
Carey repeated as the 1A district champion, holding off Castleford in 5 sets. Emily Dahlstrom delivered 17 kills and 5 blocks, Shelby May collected 25 digs, and Andie Simpson added 23 digs and 3 aces.
Lighthouse Christian beat Dietrich in 4 sets behind Reece Franklin’s 8 aces, 11 kills, 13 assists and 20 digs. Holland Haringsma added 5 aces and 18 digs, while Claira Cook had 4 blocks. Lighthouse visits Castleford tonight, with both teams looking to strengthen their rankings for an at-large state play-in bid.
TONIGHT’S VOLLEYBALL — FILER AT KIMBERLY
District tournament volleyball takes center stage tonight as Filer heads to Kimberly. The Wildcats bring a 27-12 record into the matchup, while the Bulldogs stand at 28-6. First serve is set for 6:30 Tuesday evening at Kimberly High School.
FRIDAY FOOTBALL — CONFERENCE TITLES & PLAYOFF BYES
Conference titles and playoff byes are on the line Friday as 6 Magic Valley football teams head into the final week of the regular season.
In 5A, Twin Falls and Minico are headed for a showdown with the Great Basin championship at stake. Ethan Hubsmith threw 6 touchdown passes as the Bruins rolled past Jerome, while Minico beat Mountain Home 67-25. The Spartans have scored 214 points over their last 3 games.
Burley remains part of the conference picture after beating Minico earlier this season. A Spartan win Friday could create a 3-way tie, bringing MaxPreps rankings into play. Twin Falls and Minico currently hold a considerable advantage over the Bobcats in that tiebreaker.
In 3A, Buhl and Declo meet for the Canyon Conference championship. Both are coming off shutouts. Buhl piled up more than 500 yards of offense in a 68-0 win over Wendell, while Declo blanked Malad 14-0. Friday’s winner gets a first-round bye and a home quarterfinal. The loser opens the playoffs at home a week earlier.
And in 2A, Hagerman heads to Malta to face unbeaten Raft River for the Snake River Conference title. The Pirates shut out Shoshone 60-0, while the Trojans beat Valley 58-12. Raft River won this matchup and the conference crown last season. This year’s winner advances straight to the quarterfinals, while the loser is positioned to host a first-round playoff game.
BOISE STATE GOLF — STRONG FINISH DESPITE ILLNESS
Boise State women’s golf battled through illness and still delivered one of the best tournament scores in program history. The Broncos finished 7th at the Jim West Challenge in San Marcos, Texas, shooting 6-over-par 870—the 9th-best team total in school history.
Leia Chung led Boise State, tying for 5th at 4 under. Her 12 career top-10 finishes rank 2nd in program history. Jillian Hui tied for 15th at 1 under, posting her best tournament score of the season. Callia Ward also matched her career-low round with a 2-under 70.
Coach Kailin Downs praised the team for pushing through illness and low energy. Boise State wraps up its fall season October 25 through 27 at the Clash at Boulder Creek in Nevada.
IDAHO BASKETBALL — BRANDON LAIRD RECOGNIZED
An Idaho basketball coach is earning national recognition after helping the Vandals end a decades-long NCAA Tournament drought. Associate head coach Brandon Laird was named Monday to Silver Waves Media’s list of the 100 Most Impactful Mid-Major Assistants.
It’s the 3rd selection for Laird, who is in his 4th year on head coach Alex Pribble’s staff. He helped Idaho capture the Big Sky Tournament championship with 4 wins in 5 days, sending the Vandals to March Madness for the first time since 1990.
Idaho also posted its first 20-win season in nearly a decade, including road victories over Washington State and South Dakota State. Laird has drawn praise for preparing game plans tailored to each opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
IDAHO STATE — SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS
Some of Idaho State’s biggest names are headed into the Bengal Sports Hall of Fame. ISU will honor its 2026 class Saturday, October 24, on the Pocatello campus before the Bengals host Portland State at the ICCU Dome.
The class includes softball standout Hailey Breakwell, the 2014 Big Sky Player of the Year, and tennis star Mike Castrilli, who earned 3 consecutive conference MVP awards.
Chelsea Pickering Hooker helped lead Bengal women’s basketball to the 2012 conference championship and NCAA Tournament. Longtime cross country and track coach Brian Janssen coached 7 All-Americans and more than 60 conference champions.
Volleyball standout Tressa Lyman Page also joins the Hall after earning Big Sky MVP honors in 2014 and 3 first-team all-conference selections.
Phil and Bekki Meador will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for nearly 5 decades of support for Idaho State and its student-athletes. Registration for Saturday’s ceremony is available through the Idaho State University Foundation.
WEATHER
MORNING DRIVE
Morning clouds give way to sunshine today, with a high near 74 and light east winds. Tonight, partly cloudy, dropping to 47, with a slight shower chance late. Another 74 tomorrow, before rain and possible thunderstorms Thursday. Friday turns breezy and much cooler, with a high near 50. Sunshine returns for the weekend.
AFTERNOON DRIVE
Sunshine this afternoon, with a high near 74 and light east winds. Tonight, partly cloudy with a low of 47 and a slight shower chance late. Mostly sunny tomorrow, back to 74. Rain and possible thunderstorms arrive Thursday, followed by a breezy, much cooler Friday with a high near 50. Sunshine returns this weekend.
EVENING / OVERNIGHT
Partly cloudy tonight, with a low near 47 and a slight chance of showers toward daybreak. Wednesday brings mostly sunny skies and a high of 74. Changes arrive Thursday, with afternoon showers and possible thunderstorms. Rain continues Thursday night into Friday, when temperatures tumble to around 50. Sunshine returns for the weekend.
EXTENDED FORECAST
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind around 8 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. East wind 6 to 8 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 42. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/20/2026 - October 20, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/19/2026 - October 20, 2026
- Your Daily Briefing – 10/16/2026 - October 16, 2026
