📰 WEDNESDAY NEWS: What You Need to Know Across Southern Idaho 🌅

🌞 Here’s a look at some of the biggest stories making news across the Magic Valley and Idaho, along with tonight’s high school sports schedule and your Wednesday weather forecast.

🗳️ SCHOOL LEVIES & NOVEMBER BALLOT ISSUES

Several Magic Valley school districts are asking voters to approve funding measures this November. 🏫💰

Two-year levy requests include:

📍 Twin Falls: $14.4 million
📍 Jerome: $3.5 million
📍 Buhl: $2.5 million
📍 Gooding: $1.8 million
📍 Hansen: $580,000

Camas County is seeking $450,000 over two years for staffing and supplies, plus another $150,000 for music. Valley School District is seeking $1.5 million over five years for building repairs.

Idaho's official voter pamphlet is also arriving in mailboxes ahead of the November election. 📬 The pamphlet includes information about ballot questions, registration and voting options. It does not include candidate information. An online, Spanish-language and audio version is also available through Vote Idaho.

⚖️ PROPOSITION ONE DRAWING ATTENTION

Idaho doctors are weighing in on Proposition One.

More than 300 doctors signed a letter supporting the reproductive-health initiative, while 59 signed a separate letter opposing it. The measure would protect abortion access before fetal viability, with exceptions for medical emergencies afterward. Voters will decide the measure November 3.

The ballot measure is just one of several issues Idaho voters will consider this fall. 🗳️

🚨 PFAS FOUND IN AIRPORT WATER SAMPLE

A water sample from a well at Magic Valley Regional Airport found PFAS chemicals above federal limits. ✈️💧

Officials emphasize that the result applies to the airport's well — not Twin Falls city water.

People using airport water may consider bottled water or a certified PFAS filter.

🚑 MINIDOKA EMS EARNS PEDIATRIC-READY DESIGNATION

There’s some good news on the emergency-response front. ❤️🚑

Emergency Response Ambulance-Minidoka has become Idaho's first EMS agency designated as pediatric ready.

The designation means crews have specific training and procedures for assessing, treating and transporting children during emergencies.

The program covers all four ambulances and 28 EMTs.

🏫 SCHOOLS CONSIDERING ARMED STAFF PROGRAM

Homedale and Marsing school districts are exploring a program that would allow trained staff members to carry firearms on campus.

The proposal is modeled after Kimberly's program. Volunteers would go through screening and firearms training, with district leaders saying the goal would be to delay a threat until law enforcement arrives.

Final school board approval is still required.

🏠 BOISE RENTS CONTINUE TO CLIMB

Boise renters are paying more this fall. 💵🏠

According to the September report cited in the news brief, the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment has reached $1,680 a month, nearly 16% higher than last year.

A one-bedroom apartment is running about $1,450, and Boise ranks 33rd among the nation's most expensive rental markets.

🛍️ GOT EXTRA PLASTIC BAGS? TWIN FALLS CAN USE THEM!

Here's an easy way to put those leftover grocery bags to work. 🐕🛍️

Twin Falls Parks and Recreation is collecting clean, undamaged plastic grocery bags to use at dog-waste stations around the city.

Drop them off at marked bins in the City Hall first-floor lobby or the Parks and Recreation office.

Your extra bags can help keep local trails clean. 🐶🌳

🏈 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: OAKLEY CRACKS THE TOP FIVE!

The Oakley Hornets are now ranked fifth in the 2A Idaho high school football media poll. 🏈🔥

Hagerman remains number one, with Raft River at number two.

Carey is second in 1A, Declo is third in 3A, and Buhl is receiving votes after handing Wood River its first loss.

⚽ SOCCER RESULTS

Canyon Ridge celebrated senior night with a 4-0 shutout over Madison.

Jonas Saka, Adrian Antonio and Wasumba Bolemo scored the first three goals for the Riverhawks.

Other results included:

⚽ Wood River 4, Burley 3
⚽ Mountain Home 0, Capital 0
⚽ Wood River girls 7, Burley 0
⚽ Twin Falls girls 9, Minico 0
⚽ Jerome girls 5, Canyon Ridge 2

🏐 VOLLEYBALL: A NIGHT OF SWEEPS

It was a big night for sweeps on the volleyball court.

🏐 Minico swept Burley
🏐 Twin Falls swept Jerome
🏐 Wood River swept Canyon Ridge

Mountain Home picked up a set against Caldwell, but the Cougars eventually won 3-1.

🤠 CSI RODEO WINS AGAIN

The College of Southern Idaho men's rodeo team is celebrating two straight team victories after winning in Logan, Utah.

🤠 Ruger Smith won the all-around title.

The CSI women finished fifth.

Both teams will compete in Price, Utah, this weekend at the USU-Eastern Rodeo.

CSI athletes also picked up Scenic West honors.

⚽ Juan Porto Pascual was named Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week after his late goal helped CSI earn a 1-1 draw with nationally ranked Snow College.

🏐 Kimberly's Emerson Heatwole earned Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season after recording 30 digs against USU-Eastern.

🏈 BIG COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKEND AHEAD

There are some major games coming up for Idaho teams.

🔵🟠 BOISE STATE HOMECOMING

Boise State hosts Utah State Saturday at 5:30 p.m. for homecoming and its Pac-12 opener.

The Broncos will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the undefeated 2006 team, with players, coaches and staff from that Fiesta Bowl championship squad returning to Boise.

Fans are being asked to stripe the stands blue and orange. 🔵🟠

🐯 IDAHO STATE HOSTS RANKED NORTHERN ARIZONA

Idaho State puts its unbeaten record on the line Saturday at 6 p.m. against 19th-ranked Northern Arizona at the ICCU Dome.

The Bengals are 4-0 for the first time since 1995 and have won eight straight dating back to last season.

The game will be available on ESPN+. 📺

🟨 VANDALS HOST TOP-RANKED MONTANA STATE

The Idaho Vandals return from their bye week Friday night with a major challenge against top-ranked Montana State at the Kibbie Dome.

Kickoff is on ESPN, and it's also Idaho's annual Ag Appreciation game. 🌾🏈

☀️ WEDNESDAY WEATHER

Grab a jacket this morning, but it looks like a beautiful fall day is ahead! 🍂🧥

🌞 Wednesday: Sunny with a high near 71°

🌙 Wednesday night: Mostly clear and chilly, with a low near 34°

☀️ Thursday: Sunny, high around 67°

🌤️ Friday: Sunny, high near 69°

🍁 Weekend: More sunshine with temperatures climbing back into the low 70s.

Sunday could reach around 73°.

So, Southern Idaho, it's shaping up to be a classic fall stretch — cool mornings, sunny afternoons and plenty of sunshine heading into the weekend. 🍂☀️

Stay informed, stay safe, and have a great Wednesday! ❤️🇺🇸