08/20/2026
MAGIC VALLEY NEWS HEADLINES
News, Weather, Sports Update brought to you by Delta Dental of Idaho.
Information: deltadentalid.com/choosewater.
🔥 Evacuations underway as the Heglar Fire grows near Rockland.
⚠️ Extreme fire danger continues across much of Idaho.
🏥 Idaho regulators review Post Falls ER billing concerns.
🎓 Idaho students post gains on statewide ISAT testing.
💰 Idaho projects stronger state revenues.
🚔 Extra impaired-driving patrols hit Idaho roads.
🚧 Filer Avenue closure planned Tuesday in Twin Falls.
🏈 Southern Idaho teams land in the first high school football poll.
🤠 Fair and rodeo season rolls on across Southern Idaho.
🏊 Meridian athlete completes a solo English Channel swim.
🌤️ Near 98 today; near 100 tomorrow with storms possible late.
NEWS FOR THURSDAY 8/20/26
🔥 WILDFIRE — HEGLAR FIRE EVACUATIONS
Evacuations are underway near Rockland after the Heglar Fire jumped the mountain. Anyone between Houtz Canyon and Sheep Canyon, including campers, is being told to leave immediately and avoid the area. Idaho officials report the fire has now burned about 700 acres.
🔥 WILDFIRE — EXTREME FIRE DANGER
Fire danger remains extreme across much of Idaho as the state enters some of its driest weeks of the year. Officials say ratings are based on temperature, wind, humidity and vegetation moisture. The information helps firefighters determine how easily fires could start, spread and how difficult they may be to contain.
🏥 HEALTH CARE — POST FALLS ER BILLING
Idaho regulators are still reviewing concerns over billing practices at Post Falls ER and Hospital. Blue Cross of Idaho says the out-of-network facility is using a federal arbitration process to receive payments several times higher than typical rates, potentially increasing insurance premiums. The hospital disputes that characterization and says it’s working toward agreements with insurers.
🎓 EDUCATION — IDAHO ISAT SCORES
Idaho students made gains on statewide testing last school year. New ISAT results show 54 percent were proficient in English, 43 percent in math and nearly 43 percent in science. English and math scores improved, but both fell about half a percentage point short of state targets.
💰 STATE BUDGET — REVENUE FORECAST
Idaho budget officials are projecting stronger state revenues. The new fiscal-year forecast is $291 million higher than lawmakers predicted, while July collections came in $13 million above the revised forecast.
🚔 PUBLIC SAFETY — IMPAIRED DRIVING PATROLS
Idaho law enforcement will increase impaired-driving patrols statewide through September 7th. The Labor Day campaign comes during Idaho’s “100 Deadliest Days,” with 73 people killed on state roads so far this summer. Officials are urging drivers to plan ahead, designate a sober driver and never drive impaired.
🚧 TWIN FALLS — FILER AVENUE CLOSURE
Drivers in Twin Falls should expect a closure Tuesday on Filer Avenue. The eastbound lane between Madison and Monroe streets will close from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. while city crews replace two water service lines. A detour will be posted.
🏈 SPORTS
🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL — NEW 3A CANYON CONFERENCE
There’s a new look to 3A high school football in the Magic Valley. Buhl drops from 4A to join Declo and Wendell in the reformed Canyon Conference, eliminating those long conference trips to eastern Idaho. Buhl and Declo enter as the early favorites after both reached the state playoffs last season. The Indians are looking to remain physical behind Raidyn Pugsley and Kannon Gambrel, while Declo will lean on a strong running game and veteran defense. Wendell, meanwhile, hopes a rebuilding 2025 season pays off with a more competitive team this fall.
🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL — MEDIA POLL
The first Idaho high school football media poll of the season is out, with several Southern Idaho teams earning recognition. Kimberly opens ranked third in the 4A classification, while Buhl is third in 3A. In 2A, Hagerman starts the season ranked second and Raft River is fourth. Carey comes in at number two in 1A. Minico, Twin Falls, Declo, Oakley and Hansen also received votes in their classifications.
🤠 CASSIA COUNTY FAIR — RODEO AND ROYALTY
Fair and rodeo season is in full swing across the Magic Valley. The Cassia County Fair and Rodeo continues in Burley, with rodeo action starting at 8 tonight. Saturday, Cassia County Rodeo Queen Emilee Pratt will relinquish her crown to 16-year-old Harli Ramon of Paul. Ramon competes in barrel racing and pole bending.
🏊 OPEN-WATER SWIMMING — MERIDIAN ATHLETE CROSSES ENGLISH CHANNEL
A Meridian endurance athlete has conquered what’s known as the “Mount Everest of open-water swimming.” Chrissy Turpin completed a solo swim across the English Channel August 7, traveling more than 30 miles from England to France in 15 hours and five minutes. Turpin battled cold water, strong currents and waves before reaching Wissant, France. Meridian officials believe she’s the first Idahoan to complete the crossing.
🏒 IDAHO STEELHEADS — NEW ARENA POLICIES
Fans heading to an Idaho Steelheads game, concert, or other event at Idaho Central Arena will see some new rules. The arena is now a clear-bag facility, with bags limited to 12-by-12-by-6 inches. Diaper and medical bags are allowed but will be inspected. The arena is also completely cashless, including concessions, merchandise stands and the Steelheads’ Tacklebox team store.
⚾ CSI BASEBALL — NEW COACHES
CSI Baseball has added two coaches for the 2027 season. Kelton Caldwell joins the Golden Eagles after coaching stops around the country, while Idaho native Bruer Webster comes to Twin Falls after a standout college playing career.
⚽ BOISE STATE SOCCER — TEXAS ROAD TRIP
Boise State women’s soccer takes its program-record 16-match unbeaten streak to Texas today. The Broncos face SMU at 4 p.m. Mountain Time before taking on Texas Tech Sunday. Boise State is 2-and-0 and has scored seven goals through its first two matches.
🏀 IDAHO STATE BASKETBALL — 2026-27 SCHEDULES
Idaho State basketball has released its 2026-27 schedules. The Bengal women will play 12 home dates at Reed Gym and open the regular season November 3rd at BYU. The men will play a 20-game Big Sky schedule, with 10 games at home. Both teams wrap up their regular seasons March 1st against rival Idaho.
🏀 IDAHO BASKETBALL — BIG SKY SCHEDULES
Idaho basketball has its Big Sky schedules for the upcoming season. Both the Vandal men and defending conference champion women will play 20 league games, facing every opponent home and away. The Battle for King Spud against Idaho State is set for January 25th and March 1st, with both teams chasing another trip to Starch Madness in Boise.
🤠 RODEO — CALDWELL NIGHT RODEO
The Caldwell Night Rodeo continues through Saturday, drawing professional competitors from across the country. Organizers say more than 400 volunteers help make the event possible. This year’s purse has grown to $42,000 per event, while the rodeo generates an estimated $12 to $14 million for the local economy.
🌤️ WEATHER
🌡️ MAGIC VALLEY FORECAST
Your Magic Valley forecast: Sunny and hot today with a high near 98. Tonight, partly cloudy with a low around 66. Tomorrow, we’ll climb near 100, with thunderstorms possible late tomorrow night. Storm chances continue Saturday with a high near 93, then cooler Sunday with a high near 87.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind becoming south southwest 5 to 7 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind 8 to 16 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 93.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 91.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 90.
