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Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Kat Kountry 106
🌄 From a cybersecurity incident keeping Jerome schools closed to the end of another challenging irrigation season, there is plenty happening across the Magic Valley and beyond. Plus, Idaho gas prices are finally moving lower, local volleyball teams are fighting for state tournament spots, and several major football championships are on the line Friday.
Here’s your Tuesday roundup of local news, sports, weather, and more. 👇
Jerome School District schools remain closed Tuesday as officials continue working to recover from a ransomware attack detected Saturday.
The district is conducting security checks and working with outside cybersecurity specialists to restore systems and ensure building security equipment is fully operational. Classes are expected to resume Wednesday, October 21.
Parent-teacher conferences scheduled for this week have been canceled. Teachers will provide student progress updates through email or SchoolMessenger, and families can request individual conversations or meetings.
Most athletic events and practices are expected to continue as scheduled. Coaches will contact families directly if anything changes.
District officials are continuing to work with law enforcement as recovery efforts move forward. Families should watch for additional updates from Jerome School District. 💻
The irrigation season has officially ended for nearly 5,000 Twin Falls Canal Company shareholders, bringing a challenging year for area agriculture to a close.
Crews have shut the headgates at Milner Dam as the canal company transitions to winter recharge. Recharge is expected to begin after a 24-hour pause, while draining the entire canal system will take approximately three days.
The company reduced water deliveries to shareholders by one-third this season. Limited winter snowpack and a dry summer contributed to lower yields across multiple crops, forcing some farmers to make difficult decisions about which crops to save.
The canal company kept water flowing an extra week to help growers establish winter wheat and barley.
Now, farmers are preparing for the possibility of another difficult water year. Canal officials are hoping forecasts calling for limited snowfall turn out to be wrong, as snowpack will be an important factor in next year's water supply.
For Southern Idaho's agricultural communities, the end of irrigation season is a reminder of just how much local farming depends on winter moisture and spring runoff. 🌾💧
A 28-year-old Rupert truck driver suffered minor injuries after a collision involving his semi near Blackfoot early Monday morning.
Idaho State Police say the crash happened around 2:04 a.m. near milepost 95 in Bingham County. The 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 struck a concrete barrier and guardrail along the northbound lanes.
The truck driver was wearing a seat belt and did not require transportation to a hospital.
The crash caused significant traffic disruptions. Northbound lanes were blocked for approximately four hours, while southbound lanes remained closed for about six hours as emergency crews responded and cleared the scene.
Idaho State Police are continuing to investigate. 🚔
A juvenile riding a mini-dirtbike was taken to a hospital after colliding with a school bus in Caldwell Monday afternoon.
Idaho State Police say the crash occurred around 4:02 p.m. at the intersection of East Spruce Street and Colorado Avenue. The school bus was traveling south through the intersection when the dirtbike struck it.
The bus carried eight juvenile passengers, a 74-year-old male driver, and a 61-year-old woman. Both adults were from Caldwell. Everyone aboard the bus was wearing a seat belt.
Troopers say the dirtbike rider was not wearing a helmet and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. The rider's condition has not been released.
The intersection was blocked for approximately 55 minutes. The crash remains under investigation.
The incident comes as Idaho observes National Teen Driver Safety Week, with officials encouraging young drivers and their families to make safe decisions on the road. 🪖
National Teen Driver Safety Week is underway, and the Idaho Transportation Department is reminding young drivers that a few simple decisions can make a major difference.
Officials say teenage drivers are more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash as older drivers.
This year's awareness campaign includes the story of Burley native Kennedy Bingham, who lost her leg in a crash as a teenager. Her family says they wish conversations about seat belts had been more common at home, and her father has acknowledged wishing they had set a better example.
Driving instructor Chris Harrell recommends putting phones away before getting behind the wheel, including placing them somewhere out of reach.
The awareness campaign runs through October 24. Transportation officials are encouraging all drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, never drive impaired, and buckle up on every trip.
Parents can help by modeling safe driving habits and having regular conversations with their teens about the responsibilities that come with getting behind the wheel. 📵
Idaho drivers are getting a little relief at the pump, although a rise in crude oil prices could threaten those savings.
According to AAA's Monday report, regular gasoline averages $4.80 per gallon statewide and in Twin Falls. That's down nine cents from a week ago and five cents from a month ago.
However, Idaho drivers are still paying $1.36 more per gallon than they were a year ago. Idaho remains the seventh-most-expensive state in the nation for gasoline.
The national average stands at $4.29 per gallon, down six cents over the past week.
Here's how prices compare around Idaho:
The concern is the recent increase in crude oil prices. West Texas Intermediate crude has been trading near $102 per barrel, up approximately $9 in a week.
AAA Idaho spokesman Matthew Conde says higher oil prices can affect gasoline, jet fuel, and delivery costs. Continued conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are adding uncertainty to the outlook.
AAA recommends combining errands to save fuel and booking year-end holiday flights as soon as possible. ✈️
Boise-based grocery giant Albertsons is reviewing its business operations after reporting a substantial drop in quarterly profits.
The company reported $51.5 million in net income for its second quarter, down from $168.5 million during the same period a year earlier. Revenue slipped slightly to $18.89 billion, while comparable-store sales declined 0.8%.
CEO Susan Morris says the company needs to simplify operations, speed up decision-making, and reduce costs. Some of those savings could be directed toward providing better value for customers.
Albertsons expects to outline its turnaround strategy during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
The review follows an earlier decision to consolidate 11 regional offices into four divisions. Analysts have suggested the company could consider selling store brands, regional operations, or real estate, but Albertsons has not announced any such plans.
The grocery chain is also seeking $8 billion in damages from Kroger over their failed merger.
Newly appointed Executive Chair Meg Whitman has pointed to pharmacy services and online shopping as business strengths, while acknowledging the need for significant improvement.
The review could have implications for one of Idaho's best-known businesses, although the company has not yet announced specific changes resulting from the process. 🛒
For people looking for seasonal employment in Southern Idaho, a new national survey highlights how important holiday jobs can be to household finances.
Seasonal workers surveyed say they need an average of $8,585 this holiday season to cover expenses. That's 38% more than the amount they said they needed last year.
The survey was conducted by Talker Research among 1,000 American seasonal workers for the banking app Current.
It found that 73% of respondents rely on seasonal income to pay bills, up from 60% a year earlier.
Researchers caution that the increase represents what workers say they need to earn, not a 38% increase in wages.
The survey also highlights the personal cost of seasonal work. Nearly three out of four respondents said working during the holiday season means missing celebrations.
Although the findings are national rather than specific to Idaho, they underscore the financial pressure facing people who depend on temporary jobs to make ends meet during the holidays. 💵
Idaho has received a $329,000 federal grant intended to help small businesses reach customers in international markets.
The funding comes through the State Trade Expansion Program, known as STEP. The program is administered by the Idaho Department of Commerce with support from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Eligible businesses can use the assistance for projects such as improving websites to support international sales and participating in overseas trade shows.
The grant supports projects taking place through September 29, 2027.
State officials say the goal is to help more small companies begin exporting their products and services while giving existing exporters opportunities to reach new customers.
Southern Idaho business owners interested in expanding beyond the domestic market can find additional information through the Idaho Department of Commerce at commerce.idaho.gov. 🌐
The November 3 election will feature a rematch between Republican Secretary of State Phil McGrane and Democratic challenger Shawn Keenan.
Despite their political differences, both candidates support creating a state-issued voter guide containing candidate information and mailing it directly to Idaho voters.
Keenan, a Coeur d'Alene mortgage broker, says fighting election misinformation is his main priority. Although he has no election administration experience, he has described Idaho's elections as secure and praised McGrane's work.
McGrane is seeking a second term and points 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 believes he would face less partisan pressure in the office. McGrane argues that maintaining relationships across political disagreements helps him accomplish the job.
The secretary of state's responsibilities include overseeing elections, enforcing campaign finance compliance, maintaining business records, and serving on the Idaho Land Board.
McGrane won the candidates' 2022 contest with more than 72% of the vote. 🗳️
Republican Representative John Shirts of Weiser has been sworn in as U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho, following the retirement of Bart Davis.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Attorney General Todd Blanche appointed Shirts to the position.
Shirts previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Idaho from 2018 through 2024. His background also includes service as an Air Force attorney and a clerkship with District Judge Jonathan Brody in Rupert.
He will oversee 65 employees, including 33 attorneys, working in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, and Pocatello.
Shirts says his priorities include prosecuting drug trafficking, violent crime, terrorism, and fraud.
One question remains about his position in the Idaho Legislature. The Justice Department announcement did not specify whether Shirts has resigned from the Idaho House. He is running unopposed in the November 3 election, and the secretary of state's office says the deadline to remove his name from the ballot has passed.
Meta is adding two computing structures at its Kuna data center, continuing construction just weeks after celebrating the campus's grand opening in early September.
The company broke ground on the campus in 2022. The new additions are described as rapid-deployment structures, consisting of aluminum frames covered with weather-resistant fabric.
Meta's director of global development, Brad Davis, told BoiseDev the structures will help the company respond to unexpected demand for computing capacity.
Each structure takes approximately eight months to set up, and both are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Davis says the additions will contribute a small percentage to the campus's overall capacity, although the company has not provided an exact figure.
The continued construction highlights the ongoing development of Idaho's data center industry. 💻
Looking for a night out without breaking the bank? A recent comparison suggests Idaho is more affordable than many states when it comes to social outings.
According to Idaho Business Review, a study by Manhattan Mental Health Counseling ranked Idaho 38th among the lower 48 states in social outing costs, with the most expensive states listed at the top.
New York landed at the expensive end of the ranking, while South Dakota was identified as the most affordable.
Idaho's profile includes relatively affordable meals and moderate take-home pay.
The ranking is a statewide comparison, however, and does not separately measure the cost of a night out in Twin Falls, Burley, or Jerome.
So while the numbers offer a broad perspective on affordability, your actual bill for dinner and entertainment in the Magic Valley will still depend on where you go and what you choose to do. 🍔
Local volleyball teams are entering a crucial stretch of district tournament action, with several programs already securing championship titles and state tournament opportunities.
Valley claimed the 2A district championship with a four-set victory over Hagerman. The Vikings advance to the state quarterfinals October 29 at Madison High School.
Carey repeated as the 1A district champion, outlasting Castleford in five sets. Emily Dahlstrom delivered 17 kills and five blocks, while Shelby May collected 25 digs. Andie Simpson added 23 digs and three aces.
Twin Falls defeated Minico in four sets to secure a spot in the 5A state tournament.
Siena Billings led the Bruins with 17 kills, Lucy Moffitt added 15, and Ivie Bohrn recorded 47 assists. Kaitlyn Hudson anchored the defense with 27 digs.
Twin Falls visits Wood River Tuesday night, needing two victories over the Wolverines to claim the district championship. Minico will wait to see whether it receives an at-large opportunity to play for a state berth.
Declo swept Wendell to stay alive in the 3A tournament. The Hornets travel to Buhl Tuesday, needing two wins over the Indians to claim the district title and advance to state.
Murtaugh defeated Shoshone in five sets, while Sun Valley Community School edged Oakley in five. Those winners meet at Hagerman Tuesday, with the victor facing the Pirates for a state play-in berth.
Lighthouse Christian defeated Dietrich in four sets. Reece Franklin contributed eight aces, 11 kills, 13 assists, and 20 digs. Holland Haringsma added five aces and 18 digs, while Claira Cook recorded four blocks.
Lighthouse Christian visits Castleford Tuesday as both teams look to improve their rankings for a possible at-large state play-in opportunity.
Filer also visits Kimberly Tuesday evening. The Wildcats enter with a 27-12 record, while the Bulldogs are 28-6. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Kimberly High School.
It's a big week for Magic Valley volleyball, with district championships and state tournament dreams hanging in the balance. 🏐🔥
The final week of the regular season brings major stakes for several Magic Valley football programs, with conference crowns, playoff byes, and home playoff games on the line.
Twin Falls and Minico meet Friday with the Great Basin Conference championship at stake.
The Bruins are coming off a big win over Jerome, with Ethan Hubsmith throwing six touchdown passes. Minico defeated Mountain Home 67-25 and has scored 214 points over its last three games.
Burley remains part of the conference picture after beating Minico earlier this season. A Spartan victory Friday could create a three-way tie involving the Bobcats, bringing MaxPreps rankings into play. Twin Falls and Minico currently hold a considerable advantage in that tiebreaker.
Buhl and Declo will meet Friday for the Canyon Conference championship after both teams delivered shutout victories.
Buhl overwhelmed Wendell 68-0, piling up more than 500 yards of offense. Declo blanked Malad 14-0.
The winner earns a first-round bye and a home quarterfinal game. The loser will open the playoffs at home a week earlier.
In the 2A Snake River Conference, Hagerman travels to Malta to face unbeaten Raft River for the championship.
Hagerman shut out Shoshone 60-0, while the Trojans defeated Valley 58-12.
Raft River won the matchup and conference title last season. This year's winner advances directly to the quarterfinals, while the loser is positioned to host a first-round playoff game.
With conference titles and postseason advantages on the line, Friday promises to be a major night for local football fans. 🏈
Wendell students and staff will have Thursday, October 22, off as the community heads to Burley to support the Trojans at the state boys soccer tournament.
Superintendent Ryan Bowman announced the closure so students, families, and staff can attend the match at Burley High School.
Wendell's game is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday.
Bowman congratulated the team on its season and encouraged the community to come out and support the players as they compete at the state level. ⚽
Boise State's women's golf team battled illness and low energy but still turned in one of the strongest tournament scores in program history.
The Broncos finished seventh at the Jim West Challenge in San Marcos, Texas, with a six-over-par total of 870. That score ranks ninth in Boise State history.
Leia Chung led the team, tying for fifth at four under par. Her 12 career top-10 finishes rank second in program history.
Jillian Hui tied for 15th at one under par, recording her best tournament score of the season. Callia Ward also matched her career-low round with a two-under-par 70.
Coach Kailin Downs praised the team for persevering through illness.
Boise State will wrap up its fall season October 25-27 at the Clash at Boulder Creek in Nevada. ⛳
Idaho State University will honor its 2026 Bengal Sports Hall of Fame class Saturday, October 24, on the Pocatello campus before the Bengals host Portland State at the ICCU Dome.
This year's inductees include softball standout Hailey Breakwell, the 2014 Big Sky Player of the Year, and tennis star Mike Castrilli, who earned three 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 seven All-Americans and more than 60 conference champions.
Volleyball standout Tressa Lyman Page also joins the Hall of Fame after earning Big Sky MVP honors in 2014 and three first-team all-conference selections.
Phil and Bekki Meador will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for nearly five decades of support for Idaho State and its student-athletes.
Registration for Saturday's ceremony is available through the Idaho State University Foundation. 🏅
University of Idaho associate head basketball coach Brandon Laird has been named to Silver Waves Media's list of the 100 Most Impactful Mid-Major Assistants.
It's the third time Laird has earned the recognition during his fourth year on head coach Alex Pribble's staff.
Laird helped the Vandals win the Big Sky Tournament championship with four victories in five days, sending Idaho to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1990.
The Vandals also recorded their first 20-win season in nearly a decade, including road victories over Washington State and South Dakota State.
Laird has received praise for developing game plans tailored to opponents' strengths and weaknesses.
The national recognition adds another highlight to an Idaho basketball program coming off a historic season. 🏀
Southern Idaho residents can expect pleasant conditions Tuesday, but a significant weather change is on the way later this week.
☀️ Tuesday: Morning clouds give way to sunshine, with a high near 74 degrees and light east winds.
🌙 Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low near 47 and a slight chance of showers late.
🌞 Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with temperatures again reaching around 74 degrees. A 20% chance of showers arrives after midnight, with overnight temperatures near 48.
⛈️ Thursday: Partly sunny with a high near 70. There's a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Rain becomes more likely Thursday night, with a 90% chance of precipitation and possible rainfall totals between a quarter and half an inch.
🌧️ Friday: Showers are likely, mainly before noon, followed by breezy and much cooler conditions. The high is expected to reach only around 50 degrees.
🥶 Friday night: Skies clear, with temperatures dropping to around 32 degrees.
🌞 Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 53 and an overnight low around 34.
☀️ Sunday: Sunny and milder, with a high near 60 and a low around 35 Sunday night.
🌤️ Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Enjoy today's sunshine while it lasts, and keep an eye on Thursday's forecast as rain and possible thunderstorms move into the region. Friday's sharp temperature drop will be a reminder that fall is settling in across Southern Idaho.
📻 Stay connected with Kat Kountry 106 for the latest Southern Idaho news, Magic Valley sports, weather updates, and the stories that matter to our communities.
Have a great Tuesday, Southern Idaho! 🇺🇸