TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — With the start of the winter sports season beginning, keep note of some important things when attending these sporting events.

One thing to note is an officials’ shortage in Idaho for the 2024-2025 basketball season.

Many referees are new to the sport and getting adjusted to the game and rule book.

The best way to help them ease into the process as fans is simply to not harass them.

If they cannot perform their jobs, no one will be able to officiate the game.

“In every sport; volleyball, soccer, wrestling, baseball, softball, everybody’s short officials,” District IV Basketball Commissioner Randy Winn told KMVT. “Why sit in the stands and run referees off so your kids are not able to play high school sports? ‘This isn’t the NBA or Division I college basketball where people are in line to go officiate these events. We’re begging people to be there so please be good sports.”

Another thing to note is rule changes, two in particular coming to basketball.

“No. 1 if there is a shot clock, there is no five-second closely guarded dribbling violation anymore,” Winn said. “The other one is a flop warning, without contact trying to embellish themselves in creating a foul then that’s a warning.”

Please keep these in mind when attending events this winter.

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Four University of Idaho students were found dead in a home not far from the university campus two years ago on Nov. 13, 2022. Police determined they were victims of homicide, and did not identify and catch a suspect until the end of December in Pennsylvania.

Madison Mogen (21), Kaylee Goncalves (21) and Xana Kernodle (20) lived at the house, and Kernodle’s boyfriend Ethan Chapin (20) was staying at the home that night. Two other women who lived in the home were in the residence that night, but were not killed.

A murder weapon was not found at the home, but the sheath of the knife was found in one of the bedrooms.

Nearly seven weeks later, police announced they had arrested a suspect in the murders, 2,500 miles away in Pennsylvania. Bryan Kohberger was charged by Latah County Prosecutors with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.

Kohberger was indicted by a grand jury in May 2023 and was arraigned later that month. He “stood silent” at that hearing, so the judge entered not guilty pleas on his behalf. His defense team tried to get the indictment dismissed in October, but the judge ruled it will stand.

The Latah County Prosecutor’s Office filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty in June 2023 against Kohberger.

In December 2023, the home where the murders happened was demolished. Before the demolition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation documented the home to build visual and audio exhibits, as well as a physical model of the home.

A memo was filed in July 2024 supporting a change of venue for the trial from Latah County to Ada County. Kohberger’s attorneys wrote he is protected under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Idaho, and his protection to a “fair and impartial jury is infringed without a change of venue.”

That change of venue was granted in September 2023 and the location was decided by the Idaho Supreme Court. It was later announced the trial would be moving to Ada County and Judge John C. Judge would be replaced by Judge Steven Hippler.

It’s been a long road to getting a trial scheduled. Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial and at this time, the trial is scheduled to begin in August 2025 in Ada County. It is expected to run through November.

The trial will start at 8:30 a.m. and end around 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a 45 minute lunch break. Some trial weeks may be shortened, depending on court obligations outside of the trial.

Kohberger’s attorneys are trying to have the death penalty removed from his case. They have attacked the death penalty from multiple angles, arguing it is arbitrary, unconstitutional, violates international law and that waiting on death row for years or decades wondering if you’d get lethal injection or firing squad if the state couldn’t get the right drugs was unfair.

According to the news release, Idaho now ranks 10th in the nation for most expensive gas, with states like Hawaii and California topping the list at $4.57 and $4.52 per gallon, respectively. Despite Idaho’s position in the top 10, the state’s average is 59 cents lower than a year ago, according to the news release.

“Prices have been in our favor most of the year, and they’re getting even better,” AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde said. “Rexburg drivers are saving a shocking 28 cents per gallon from a week ago, nine cents in Idaho Falls, seven cents in Twin Falls, and ten cents in the Treasure Valley. As cooler weather chills driving activity, we hope for even more savings this week.”

Lower crude oil prices and decreased demand are contributing to these declines. According to the news release, the West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil is currently trading near $68 per barrel, down $3 from last week and $9 from last year. Additionally, the Energy Information Administration reports a reduction in gasoline demand by 300,000 barrels per day, while U.S. refineries are operating at 90.5% capacity, helping to stabilize prices.

It’s too early to tell whether last Tuesday’s election results have impacted gas prices in the Gem State.

“I think we’re looking at more of a seasonal effect right now,” Conde said. “A perfect storm of falling demand, productive refineries and cheaper crude oil. At some point, changes in energy policy could cause a reaction in the market, but it’s too early to tell.”