IDAHO NEWS HEADLINES
STATE SUPREME COURT / EDUCATION
The Idaho Supreme Court has upheld the state’s private education tax credit, ruling it does not violate the constitution’s requirement to fund public schools. Justices unanimously rejected a legal challenge brought by education groups. The Parental Choice Tax Credit, passed last year, allows families to claim up to five thousand dollars.
FATAL CRASH UPDATE / JEROME COUNTY
Idaho State Police confirm the driver of a black Ford Escape has died from injuries suffered in the February fourth crash on US-93 at Golf Course Road in Jerome County. The collision occurred just after nine a.m.
POLICE CHASE / DRUG TRAFFICKING
Idaho State Police arrested a driver following a chase Tuesday afternoon on I-15 in Bingham County. Troopers deployed spike strips before the suspect fled on foot and was taken into custody using a Taser. Police say narcotics were thrown from the vehicle. The driver now faces multiple felony charges, including trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine.
STATE BUDGET / HIGHER EDUCATION
Idaho lawmakers are weighing one to two percent budget cuts, with higher education expected to take the largest hit. While K-through-12 schools, Medicaid, prisons, and Idaho State Police are protected, colleges and universities could see significant reductions that may result in tuition increases.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
After more than thirty years of service on the Idaho Human Rights Commission, Estella Zamora was terminated after Governor Brad Little withdrew her reappointment. The move followed political backlash over her social media posts criticizing ICE.
LOCAL CONTROL / CIVIL RIGHTS
Idaho House Republicans have advanced legislation that would block cities from enforcing local anti-discrimination ordinances. If approved by the Senate and signed by Governor Brad Little, the bill would override municipal protections statewide.
LEGISLATION UPDATE
A controversial proposal to reduce cosmetology licensing hours is effectively dead. Representative Brent Crane says House Bill 547 will not advance without major revisions.
STATE FACILITIES / BOISE
Renovations at the Idaho Transportation Department’s former Boise headquarters remain months away. Director Scott Stokes says hazardous material removal is expected to begin soon.
SUPER BOWL DUI ENFORCEMENT
With the Super Bowl approaching, the Treasure Valley DUI Task Force is increasing patrols through Sunday. Law enforcement reminds drivers to plan ahead, use a designated driver, and drive sober.
SPORTS – HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE
BOYS BASKETBALL / GREAT BASIN
Twin Falls clinched the Great Basin title on senior night, rolling past Burley 78–46. The Bruins led 36–26 at halftime, then poured in 42 second-half points to finish 8–0 in conference play. Burley returns home Tuesday to host Wood River.
Other boys scores: Camas County edged Carey 49–48, Dietrich beat Richfield 53–47, Hansen topped Castleford 65–62, and Mountain Home outlasted Jerome 52–51 in overtime.
GIRLS DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS
Raft River beat Valley 54–49 and Oakley rolled Hagerman 62–15 in 2A semifinals. Aberdeen defeated Declo 47–39 in a 3A semifinal. Glenns Ferry beat Shoshone 51–14, Wendell edged Soda Springs 41–40, and Highland knocked out Canyon Ridge 59–29 to stay alive for state.
MAGIC VALLEY SCHEDULE – BOYS
Tonight at 7:30, Buhl heads to Gooding in conference action. Buhl is 6–12, Gooding 10–6.
Also at 7:30, Kimberly visits Wendell in non-conference play. Kimberly is 5–13, while Wendell is rolling at 16–1.
Tomorrow at 3:30, Carey travels to Valley. Carey is 13–6, Valley 12–4.
Tomorrow at 6:00, Camas County visits Mackay. Camas County is 6–9, Mackay 16–3.
Saturday night at 7:30, Declo travels to West Jefferson. Declo is 10–8, West Jefferson 15–3.
MAGIC VALLEY SCHEDULE – GIRLS
Today at 6:00 in Carey, Richfield faces Carey. Richfield is 11–10, Carey 15–3.
At 6:00 in Twin Falls, Minico takes on Twin Falls. Minico is 2–19, Twin Falls 7–14.
Tonight at 7:30 in Carey, Hansen meets Dietrich. Hansen is 9–8, Dietrich 11–8.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
The Boise State Broncos dropped their season opener 3–0 at Loyola Marymount. All three runs came in the fifth inning, with Boise State managing just two hits. The Broncos head to the Easton Classic at Cal State Fullerton this weekend.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
The Idaho Vandals women’s team took sole possession of first place in the Big Sky with a 73–70 overtime win over Montana State. Idaho hosts Montana Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Idaho Vandals men fell 73–66 at Montana State. Kolton Mitchell led Idaho with 21 points.
Idaho State dropped its sixth straight, losing 79–73 to Northern Arizona at Reed Gym. Connor Hollenbeck scored 23 for the Bengals.
SKIJORING COMES TO NAMPA
A winter sport is coming to the Ford Idaho Center this weekend despite warm temperatures. The Pro-Skijor Tour brings skijoring to the Treasure Valley for the first time, using man-made snow and a split sand-and-snow course. General admission tickets are still available.
WEATHER – TREASURE VALLEY
TODAY
Increasing clouds, high near 59. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
TONIGHT
Mostly cloudy, low around 35. South southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
SATURDAY
Mostly cloudy becoming sunny, high near 60. South southwest wind 5 to 7 mph shifting west northwest.
Saturday night, partly cloudy, low near 33.
SUNDAY
Partly sunny, high near 62. Rain likely after 11 p.m. Low around 39. Chance of rain 60%.
MONDAY
Forty percent chance of rain before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, high near 46.
Monday night, mostly cloudy, low around 28.
TUESDAY
Mostly cloudy, high near 44. Slight chance of rain and snow overnight, low near 30.
WEDNESDAY
Twenty percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, high near 45. Low near 30.
THURSDAY
Mostly sunny, high near 46.
