BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Boise’s Timbers boys U-16 and U-15 soccer teams are headed to San Diego later this month for a national championship playoff, marking the first time Idaho has sent boys teams at those age levels to the national stage.

The teams are set to compete in the ECNL playoffs beginning June 24. Head coach Gavin Kemp, the club’s ECNL director for boys and girls, called the qualification a milestone for both the program and the state.

“It’s a big deal for us, we’re the first team from Idaho to ever qualify for the national playoffs on the boys’ side, so we’re excited to go down there and represent the state and show people Boise soccer can play,” Kemp said.

The postseason run comes as soccer continues to grow in the Treasure Valley, following the arrival of AC Boise this spring and with the World Cup approaching. Three AC Boise players — Blake Bodily, Keegan Oyler and Joseph Hanson — previously played in the Timbers system during their youth.

Players on the current teams said they understand the challenge ahead as they prepare for what they expect to be their toughest competition yet.

Boise Timbers U-15, U-16 boys have qualified for a national playoff later this month happening in San Diego, California. (Dakota Castets-Didier/CBS2)

“We’re gonna go out there, work hard and try to win, its going to be the toughest competition we’ve ever had… We’re gonna go out and have a good time but try to win… Timbers is a great club if you eventually want to go play college or pro, or whatever you want to do,” said Jake Mosley, a center back and captain.

For many of the U-16 and U-15 players, the club’s focus extends beyond the postseason, with an emphasis on helping athletes pursue collegiate or professional opportunities. This week, the program hosted college scouts and coaches from around the country for a showcase of Boise-area talent.

Boise Timbers U-15, U-16 boys have qualified for a national playoff later this month happening in San Diego, California. (Dakota Castets-Didier/CBS2)

“I think it prepares us really well… We have camps to help us go to college; we have a college side of the club to help us prepare for our futures if we want to go on and keep playing soccer… It’s really beneficial,” said Logal Powell, a right back.

The Boise Timbers ECNL soccer team is asking for the community’s help to raise money for the trip to San Diego later this month, citing significant travel, lodging and tournament expenses. The team is looking to raise $4,000 through a GoFundMe page.

The Boise Timbers U-15 and U-16 are heading to the Nationals, first Idaho teams to do so

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – The sale of Kratom will be banned in Idaho Falls in a new law set to take effect on July 1, after a unanimous vote was passed in the Idaho Falls City Council meeting Thursday evening.

This comes after local health officials and leaders linked the substance to multiple deaths in Bonneville County. Bonneville County Coroner Shante Sanchez released a statement in October of 2025 that her office confirmed six kratom-related deaths over the last 18 months, including four cases where the primary active compound, mitragynine, in kratom was determined to be the sole cause of death.

Those findings prompted city leaders and council members to begin discussions this week about whether kratom should continue to be sold in Idaho Falls. City Council members heard compelling testimony from the county coroner, local law enforcement, medical professionals, and members of the public who argued the product poses a growing public health risk.

The ban was passed unanimously, with all five council members approving the ordinance, following public commentary on the proposal.

Before making the motion to adopt the ordinance, Councilor Michelle Ziel-Dingman acknowledged the limits of the local ban. “I’ve recognized that kratom will continue to be sold online in other cities and counties,” she said. “But this ordinance makes it clear where our community stands on this drug, and if our ordinance saves one life, as Councilor Jim Freeman said, or serves as a tool for educating our community, I believe this ordinance is therefore appropriate.”

Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw announced that the city will begin an awareness campaign to inform the public about the new kratom ban.

“I do sympathize with parents who have no idea that these products are sitting on the shelf,” Burtenshaw said. “That is something that we will address with the Idaho Falls Police and through the mayor’s office and through the school district.”

While Idaho Falls has moved forward as one of the largest cities in Idaho with a local ban, kratom remains legal statewide for now. At the state capitol, lawmakers have been debating whether to ban the substance altogether or to regulate its sale and distribution. Several competing proposals have been considered during the 2026 legislative session.

For Idaho Falls retailers, the city’s action to ban kratom products means it will soon be removed from store shelves inside the city limits, even as statewide debates continue into the future.

To see previous stories linked to Idaho Falls’s kratom-related deaths, visit here.

MURPHY, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Water Resources sent letters to about 3,300 owners of trust water rights, warning of potential curtailment. Those rights were created in 1984 to balance agricultural and hydroelectric water use.

Officials predict Snake River flows near Murphy could drop below the minimum level of 3,900 cubic feet per second within the next month. If that happens, it would mark the first time summer flows have dropped that low since the 1984 agreement was established.

Hear some of the ways farmers have had to cut back on crops due to lack of water:

Idaho drought pushes Idaho farmers into a corner

If flows fall below that threshold, users could face curtailment — meaning they would be forced to stop diverting surface water and reduce groundwater pumping to comply.

The warning is already a reality for some Magic Valley farmers. Alex Joslin’s operation draws water from the Salmon Falls Tract, which has about 10 days of water left before his season will effectively be over.

“We’re running on about 13% of our water, so yeah, it’s a little tight,” Joslin said.

RELATED | Twin Falls faces second water delivery cut amid historic drought conditions

Instead of planting his usual crops, Joslin has planted oats as cover crops just to keep the dirt from blowing away.

“This would’ve been alfalfa. The field behind us, there’s a full swing pivot behind us. That would’ve probably been barley or corn, one or the other, depending on how much water we had to work with,” explained Joslin.

He now has a large swath of his land sitting idle.

“Yeah, I have 1,200 acres in oats this year, so there’s a lot of ground that’s just sitting— doing nothing profitable,” Joslin said.

Joslin said only a prolonged stretch of rain could change the outlook for the season.

“If we had two weeks of rain, just move in— that might not even be enough— maybe we need three,” Joslin concluded.

ALSO READ | Idaho farmers face tough choices to keep permanent crops alive during the statewide drought emergency

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