📰 Wednesday News Roundup — October 14, 2026

🏫 Gooding School Levy Goes Before Voters November 3

Gooding voters are being asked to renew a school levy — but this time, local taxpayers would foot the bill directly. The two-year, $903,000 supplemental levy goes before voters on November 3, carrying a proposed tax rate of $93 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value.

The district has relied on a supplemental levy since 2011. For the past two years, state property tax relief dollars covered the cost — but Superintendent David Carson says those dollars are running out, and without that offset, the expense shifts back to property owners.

Carson says the money would maintain current operations: paying teachers and staff, funding school security, classroom supplies, technology, building maintenance, and transportation. But not everyone is sold. Gooding Senior Center Manager Kathy Molt worries that going from no levy payment to a new added expense could be difficult for seniors living on fixed incomes.

The measure needs a simple majority to pass. Carson notes that putting it on the November ballot gives the district another shot in May if it fails — before the current levy expires.

🗳️ Idaho Election Officials: Skipping a Race Won't Spoil Your Ballot

With the November 3 general election approaching, Idaho officials are getting the word out: leaving a race blank won't invalidate your other selections. Secretary of State Phil McGrane's office says voters can skip any contest or question and their remaining votes will still count.

A few more reminders from McGrane's office: write-in votes only count for candidates who filed the required paperwork — independent gubernatorial candidate Jacob Burnett is the only write-in candidate who filed this year. The state gun advisory question offers six choices with no write-in option.

Voting absentee? Sign your own return envelope, and make sure you haven't accidentally swapped envelopes with your spouse — election workers verify signatures against voter records. And if your registration isn't showing up at Vote Idaho dot gov, try entering your name exactly as you registered it and remove any extra spaces. McGrane says tighter search requirements have caused lookup headaches; voters who moved, changed names, or haven't voted in four years should update their registration.

On those online lists of Proposition 1 petition signers circulating on social media: officials say petition signatures are public records, but the posted lists include unverified entries. Duplicates count only once — and McGrane says the abortion-rights initiative had enough valid signatures to qualify regardless.

⛽ Gas Prices Ease — But Don't Get Comfortable

Gas prices are inching lower across Idaho, but drivers may not want to count on that relief lasting. AAA reports the statewide average for regular at $4.87 a gallon this morning, down 7 cents from a week ago. Here in Twin Falls, the average sits at $4.94.

The broader picture is less rosy: Idaho's average is still 9 cents higher than a month ago and $1.42 above this time last year. The national average is $4.34, keeping Idaho in 7th place for the country's priciest gas. California tops the list at $6.28 a gallon; Georgia is cheapest at $3.79.

AAA Idaho spokesman Matthew Conde points to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East creating uncertainty in oil markets. U.S. crude is trading near $94 a barrel, up from about $89 a week ago — an increase that could stall recent declines at the pump.

Around the state: Coeur d'Alene averages $4.52, Lewiston $4.55, Franklin $4.82, Idaho Falls and Pocatello $4.88 each, Boise $4.93, Rexburg $4.97. Clark County has the state's highest average at $5.32 a gallon.

👷 Micron Boom Leaves Small Businesses Scrambling for Workers

Micron's expansion is opening doors for skilled workers in the Boise area — but some smaller businesses say they're struggling to compete. Cloverdale Plumbing owner Justin Wardle says he's lost two employees to Micron-tied jobs, with union pay offers nearly double his company's starting baseline at the time. Cloverdale has raised prices twice this year trying to stay competitive.

Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 296 business manager Mark Hosick says workers are chasing more than pay: training, health coverage, pensions, and long-term job security. He pushes back on the idea that higher union wages automatically mean higher prices for customers.

Wardle says he doesn't blame employees for pursuing better opportunities. His company is reviewing benefits, looking for efficiency gains, and even considering an in-house training facility. Both men agree the worker competition stretches well beyond plumbing — into electrical, heating, and air conditioning trades.

🚜 Tough Season for Sugar Beets as Harvest Rolls On

Sugar beet harvest is picking up across Idaho even as potato harvest winds down — but one Rupert grower says a brutal growing season means a smaller crop. Duane Grant of Grant 4-D Farms expects yields to fall about 10%. An April cold snap forced him to replant 90% of his beets — the worst frost damage he's seen in 45 years of farming.

Summer wildfire smoke slowed growth further, and water shortages forced the farm to cut its barley crop early so irrigation could go to potatoes and sugar beets instead. Harvest should wrap up in early November.

Sugar beets rank as Idaho's fifth-largest agricultural commodity, generating $508 million in farm revenue in 2024. More than 400 Idaho farmers typically grow around 170,000 acres for grower-owned Amalgamated Sugar.

Looking beyond this year, Grant warns that low prices and foreign competition threaten growers' livelihoods. The industry is lobbying Congress for stronger protections against subsidized imports.

🚨 Former Youth Center Employee Faces 32 Felony Charges

A former Lincoln County Youth Center employee is facing 32 felony charges after investigators say she wrote herself checks totaling more than $37,000 over two years. Court records obtained by Idaho News 6 identify the former employee as Huffman, who worked at the center until August. Charging documents allege some checks went beyond payroll payments.

The center provides after-school programs and low-cost child care to dozens of families. Founder and Lincoln County Commissioner Rebecca Wood reported the alleged thefts in late September. Huffman was arrested October 9 and assigned a public defender at Tuesday's arraignment. Her preliminary hearing is set for October 20.

🔥 People Caused 80% of State-Handled Wildfires; Costs Top $47M

People caused more than 80% of the wildfires Idaho Department of Lands crews responded to this year — and lawmakers want to know whether tougher penalties could help prevent them. Director Dustin Miller told a legislative committee Tuesday that causes include escaped debris burns, equipment sparks, discarded cigarettes, and campfires that weren't fully put out.

Through September, fires burned about 10,000 acres under the department's protection — not counting federal lands like national forests. State firefighting costs topped $47 million, with an estimated $19.8 million potentially reimbursable by partner agencies.

Miller says the state investigates every fire and seeks repayment when negligence is involved, but recovering the money can take years and settlements often fall short. The damage goes beyond dollars: property, public safety, and state timberlands that help fund schools.

A roughly $32 million funding boost from lawmakers kept the state's wildfire suppression fund in the black this season. The department is now estimating what it'll need next year.

🚔 Kimberly Police Seek Truck After Intersection Crash

Kimberly-Hansen police are looking for a truck and its driver after damage at a Kimberly intersection. Police say the truck appears to have cut a corner at 3600 North and 3400 East on October 5, striking a stop sign, a telecommunications box, and an irrigation culvert. Anyone who recognizes the truck or has information is asked to call 208-423-4153, extension 18, and ask for Chief Bunderson.

⚖️ Idaho Supreme Court Hits the Road; Kohberger Hearing Canceled

Idaho's highest court is taking its work on the road this week, with hearings open to the public in eastern Idaho. The Idaho Supreme Court hears three cases starting at 8:45 this morning at the Bonneville County Courthouse in Idaho Falls, then two more tomorrow at 8:45 at the Bannock County Courthouse in Pocatello. The court is based in Boise but required to hear cases around the state. Attendees should leave food, drinks, and backpacks outside the courtroom and silence electronic devices; cameras need advance permission.

In other court news, a hearing scheduled for tomorrow for Bryan Kohberger has been canceled. Kohberger, convicted of killing four University of Idaho students, claims his lawyers misled him about his plea agreement and withheld evidence. He's seeking a new judge and a retrial. The October 15 hearing has been vacated, along with another previously scheduled for June. The case remains active.

🏔️ Injured Hunter Rescued Near Galena Summit

An injured hunter is safely out of the backcountry after a Monday evening rescue near Galena Summit. Blaine County fire crews carried the hunter out after he suffered a lower-leg injury; he was taken to St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center. The extent of his injuries hasn't been released.

Officials credit the hunter's preparation: he was dressed for winter weather, had a way to call for help, and had told someone where he planned to hunt. Crews from Ketchum, Smiley Creek, and Sun Valley assisted. Rescuers remind anyone heading into the backcountry to dress for winter conditions, carry reliable communication, and share plans before leaving.

🏆 Wednesday Sports

⛳ Twin Falls Girls Go Back-to-Back!

Twin Falls owns the state golf spotlight! The Bruin girls captured their second straight 5A championship Tuesday, finishing at 661 — a whopping 53 strokes ahead of runner-up Century. Katie Thompson brought home the individual title at 157, two strokes ahead of teammate Mae Lickley, with Kolette Jenkins adding a fourth-place finish.

Jerome's girls placed fifth as a team, led by Capreece Beilke in a tie for 14th. In 6A, Canyon Ridge's Danika Humphries finished fourth at 153 after a scorecard tiebreaker — she had tied for third over the two rounds.

On the boys' side, Twin Falls took fourth in 5A and Minico ninth, with Mountain Home 10th. James Dunn led the Bruins in a tie for 20th.

⚽ Kimberly Girls Repeat as District Champs

Kimberly's girls are district champions for the second straight year, blanking Wendell 4-0 behind a first-half hat trick from Johnson and another goal from Renetta Welch. The Bulldogs head to state in Twin Falls after finishing fourth last year; they'll learn their opening opponent Sunday.

Wendell made its first-ever district championship appearance after upsetting Sun Valley Community School 3-2 on Monday, and the Trojans can still reach state through Saturday's play-in round.

In boys soccer, Community School edged Wendell 1-0 for the 4A District 4 crown. Rasmus Lahdesmaki's goal avenged last year's title-game loss and punched the Cutthroats' state ticket; Wendell heads to a Saturday play-in. Canyon Ridge fell to Highland 1-0 and now needs an at-large berth, with play-ins Saturday.

🏐 Volleyball Semifinals on Deck

District volleyball semifinals go tomorrow: Burley visits top-seeded Twin Falls and Minico heads to Wood River, both at 6 p.m., with spots in the 5A district title match at stake. Burley swept Canyon Ridge on Tuesday to advance, while Minico swept Jerome.

In 2A, top-seeded Valley swept Glenns Ferry, Murtaugh swept Raft River, and Hagerman swept Oakley — Ava Chizum powered the Pirates with 18 kills and 11 digs. Tomorrow's 2A semifinals start at 7:30: Valley hosts Community School and Hagerman hosts Murtaugh, with consolation matches at 5:30.

The 1A tournament opens today with all three matches at Castleford High School. In 4A, Filer hosts Gooding tomorrow at 6; in 3A, Declo meets Wendell Saturday at 10 a.m. at Buhl High School.

🏈 Football Rankings: Twin Falls Cracks the Top 5

Twin Falls debuts at No. 5 in the 5A media poll after thumping Burley 38-18 to improve to 4-3. Bishop Kelly remains No. 1, followed by Hillcrest, Columbia, and Sandpoint.

In 2A, Hagerman holds No. 1 at 6-1, just three voting points ahead of unbeaten Raft River — and the two meet in the regular-season finale. Oakley sits fifth. Declo remains No. 2 in 3A behind unanimous No. 1 West Side; Carey slips to fourth in 1A after a two-point loss to Council. Homedale leads 4A; Coeur d'Alene tops 6A.

🎓 CSI: Honors Pile Up, Showdown Looms

Conference honors are piling up at the College of Southern Idaho — and a first-place volleyball showdown is next. Vivian Goto earned Scenic West Player of the Week after a career-best weekend: 37 kills and 20 digs across two wins over 14th-ranked Snow College, including a career-high 25 kills Saturday. CSI meets Salt Lake Friday at 6 and Saturday at noon, with the teams tied atop the standings.

In women's soccer, Avery Charlesworth (Goalkeeper of the Week) and Alivia Marshall (Player of the Week) earned honors after back-to-back 1-0 shutouts of USU-Eastern and Salt Lake. The Golden Eagles, now with three wins over ranked opponents, chase the program's first-ever postseason berth with four straight road games starting tomorrow at North Idaho.

CSI rodeo's men finished second at Utah Valley and keep the regional lead heading into winter break with 3,980 points. The women posted a season-best 170 points — all scored by Bailee Webster — to finish fourth.

🐴 Boise State: New Revenue Chief, Coach Honored

Boise State has a new leader for growing ticket sales and donor relationships: Austin Tyrrell, named associate athletic director of revenue generation and membership development. He'll oversee ticket operations, premium seating, parking, and Bronco Athletic Association membership after five years with Learfield Amplify, including stops at Alabama, St. Thomas, and Vanderbilt.

Meanwhile, head coach Spencer Danielson is one of 18 coaches on the Dodd Trophy midseason watch list — the only Pac-12 selection. The 5-1 Broncos ride a five-game winning streak into the second half, ranked No. 23 in the AP poll. Danielson goes for career win No. 30 on October 24 against Washington State.

🏈 Rivalry Trophies on the Line Saturday

The Train Bell is up for grabs as 21st-ranked Idaho State visits Weber State at 1 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+. The Bengals seek their third straight win in the rivalry — something they haven't done since 1962-64. ISU is 4-2 after a heartbreaking 25-24 loss to Cal Poly; Weber State is 4-3 and averages nearly 38 points a game. Turnovers could decide it: ISU is plus-10 in margin, Weber minus-8.

The Little Brown Stein is also on the line as Idaho visits Montana for the 92nd meeting. The Vandals lead the series 57-32-2, and the last three matchups were all decided by 11 points or fewer. Idaho's Joshua Wood leads the Big Sky in passing; Montana counters with rushing leader Eli Gillman. Saturday's game airs on Scripps Sports.

In volleyball, Idaho State fell to Weber State in four sets Tuesday night and hosts Northern Colorado tomorrow. Idaho hosts Portland State tomorrow and Northern Arizona Saturday — both at 7 p.m. — with Saturday doubling as the Spike Out Cancer match; fans are encouraged to wear pink.

Idaho State women's soccer visits Montana tomorrow at 3 and Portland State Sunday at 2, still seeking a first Big Sky win.

🌤️ Weather
A frosty start to your Wednesday, then sunshine and a high of 61 with winds gusting to 21 mph. Mostly clear tonight, down to 38 with patchy frost by morning. Thursday brings early frost and patchy fog, then sunshine and 66. The warming trend continues — low 70s and sunshine Friday through the weekend! ☀️

That's the full longform version. Want me to save it as a file, or adjust anything?