Idaho Fish and Game issues salvage order for Mackay Reservoir

KIFI on August 28, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from Idaho Fish and Game:

MACKAY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has issued a fish salvage order for Mackay Reservoir, effective August 30 through October 31, 2025.

The Big Lost River Irrigation District is in the process of draining Mackay Reservoir to complete essential dam maintenance and prepare for future infrastructure upgrades. As water levels decline, many fish in the reservoir will be lost. The temporary salvage order is intended to maximize public use of the fishery before that occurs.

During the salvage order:

Anglers may harvest fish without bag or possession limits.

A valid Idaho fishing license is still required.

All methods of take are allowed except the use of firearms, explosives, chemicals, or electric current.

This order applies only to the flatwater portion of Mackay Reservoir. It does not apply to:

The Big Lost River downstream of Mackay Dam.

Any inflowing waters, including those crossing the dry portions of the reservoir bed.

For updates or more information, please visit idfg.idaho.gov or contact the Upper Snake Regional Office at (208) 525-7

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Juárez Food Bank looking for binational donations

KVIA on August 28, 2025

Heriberto Perez Lara

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The Juárez Food Bank has been operating south of the city for several years now, under Mexico’s Food Bank network and funded by several private groups, along with local and Chihuahua state government departments.

The Food Bank is located south of the city on Av. Miguel de la Madrid 8715, 32696.

According to Marco Tórrez, the Food Bank’s director, they are currently distributing around 24,000 ‘despensas,’ or food boxes, per month to 12,000 families across the city; the bank’s goal is to reach 15,000 families per month.

To be able to help those 15,000 families in need each month until the end of 2026, Director Tórrez says the Food Bank needs around 40 million Mexican pesos, or about $2.1 million.

The Juárez Food Bank has created a GlobalGiving account for anyone who wants or is willing to donate to their cause and help continue feeding low-income families in Juárez.

More updates in later newscasts.

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MSHP gives water safety tips ahead of Labor Day weekend

News-Press NOW on August 28, 2025

Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Labor Day weekend is approaching, and many families will be visiting their local rivers and lakes for some recreational activities.

Although the weekend before Labor Day is a time for families to have fun, it is also important to stay safe on the water this weekend.

Having the proper equipment on your water vessel is imperative for keeping yourself and others safe.

The number one thing to always have on the water is life jackets.

Sgt. Shane Hux, the public information education officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said life jackets are vital.

“Make sure you have enough lifejackets for everybody on board of your vessel. And make sure those kiddos wear them at all times, even when they’re on the vessel,” said Sgt. Hux.

Boat driving etiquette is also very important, not just for you, but also for others. 

According to Hux, there were four boating crashes statewide during the 2024 Labor Day weekend, resulting in two fatalities. 

If you need help on the water or notice anything illegal, *55 on your cell phone will get you in contact with your nearest troop headquarters. 

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Judge extends restraining order on Idaho murder scene images following families’ lawsuit

KIFI on August 28, 2025

News Team

UPDATE:

MOSCOW, Idaho (KIFI) — Latah County Judge Megan Marshall has extended a temporary restraining order that blocks the release of images, audio, and video from the bedrooms of the four University of Idaho murder victims. The decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by the families of two of the victims, Madison Mogen and Ethan Chapin. The families seek to permanently block the release of these materials.

The families appeared in court on Thursday to request a permanent injunction to prevent the public release of specific crime scene materials. The mother of Madison Mogen filed a legal motion to block the release of police body camera footage and other images that show her daughter’s body or personal belongings. The family of Ethan Chapin has filed a declaration in support of Mogen’s mother.

The families’ attorney, Leander James, stated that graphic images from inside the home were shared with a media outlet and then spread widely online. James argues that releasing these images constitutes an “unwarranted invasion into personal privacy” for both the deceased and their immediate family.

The legal action follows the Moscow Police Department’s recent release of some body camera footage from the crime’s aftermath. While all images of the victims’ bedrooms were blacked out, the families are concerned about the potential for unredacted footage to be released. City officials maintain they were simply following Idaho’s public records law and that they blurred the photos before their initial release.

The extended restraining order will remain in place as Judge Marshall takes the case under advisement.

ORIGINAL:

MOSCOW, Idaho (KIFI) — Families of two victims in the Moscow student murders are fighting to prevent the release of graphic images from the crime scene. The two families are appearing in court today to ask a Latah County judge to permanently block the release of certain images from the crime scene, according to Fox News.

The mother of Madison Mogen has filed a legal motion to block the release of police body camera footage and other images that would show her daughter’s body and personal belongings. The family of Ethan Chapin has filed a declaration in support of Mogen’s mother.

The move comes after Moscow Police released some documents, photos, and body camera footage from the aftermath of the attack earlier this month. However, all images of the victims’ bedrooms were blacked out.

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Idaho Man pleads guilty to 2020 shooting at Missionary Training Center in Provo

KIFI on August 28, 2025

News Team

The following comes from ABC affiliate ABC4 by Abigail Jones:

PROVO, Utah — An Idaho man pleaded guilty yesterday to a shooting at the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC) back in 2020.

Dallin William Litster, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder (a second-degree felony) and five counts of felony discharge of a firearm (third-degree felonies) in Fourth District Court.

Litster was identified as a suspect in January of this year and charged with 9 counts of felony discharge of a firearm, one count of aggravated assault, one count of attempted murder, and one count of criminal mischief. He was extradited from Idaho to Utah on those charges.

According to a press release from Provo Police, early in the morning of August 3, 2020, there were reports of gunshots at the Provo MTC guard booth, which as occupied by a security guard at the time. Bullets shattered the glass window and entered the booth, striking the desk and the computer but missing the guard. The guard did sustain some injuries from the glass shattering, however.

Provo Police responded to the scene, and detectives worked with BYU investigators to find evidence, review camera footage, and interview the guard. Through interviews and video evidence, detectives determined that a man in a light-colored SUV drove into the area, parked near the booth, got out of the vehicle, and began shooting into the booth with a handgun.

They also determined that if the guard had not reacted quickly and moved to shelter from the gunfire, he probably would have been shot.

Investigators were not able to identify a suspect or the vehicle involved, and it took until 2024 for a suspect to be identified.

In May 2024, a deputy from Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office in Idaho contacted Provo Police to tell them that after they had arrested Litster for a different crime, he admitted to “shooting at the MTC” in Provo.

Litster said that the booth was empty when he shot it and that it was “just vandalism.” Several roommates of his also told police that Litster had “issues” with missionaries and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Provo detectives determined that Litster was enrolled at UVU in Orem for the fall semester of 2020 and he had rented a room in Provo at that time. He also had access to a vehicle matching the description of the one used in the crime and a handgun. Litster also left the state within a few weeks of the shooting to return to Idaho.

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Firebirds announce changes for a ‘fan-centric’ game day experience

KESQ on August 28, 2025

Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Firebirds are reflecting on their first three seasons, and making changes geared toward a better fan experience ahead of the 2025-2026 season.

The Senior Vice President of Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firebirds, John Page, said officials heard concerns from fans about the high cost of attending games. One area they recognized the need for change was parking prices, and now they’ve developed a solution.

Fans who purchase parking in advance on the ParkWhiz app can access parking in the general Main Lot for $20, with increasing rates on the day of the game.

It’s not just parking prices decreasing, the Firebirds are offering low-cost food and beverage items with The Oasis during happy hour. This will include $5 draft beer, $10 wine and a variety of menu items, like combo meal offerings, under $10. Officials said there will be additional “pocket-friendly” food and beverage items at other concession locations throughout the arena.

For families in the Valley, hoping to attend games during the week, puck drop will now be earlier at 6:30 p.m. for games Monday through Thursday. Happy hour events during those days will also start early, at 5:30 p.m., at The Oasis.

These are just some of the offerings The Coachella Valley Firebirds are changing to improve what officials call the “fan-centric” game day experience.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from the Senior Vice President of Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firebirds on these changes for fans.

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Woman convicted of forgery in Bingham County

KIFI on August 28, 2025

News Team

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A local woman is facing up to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of Forgery. Bingham County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Fred Wheeler announced today that April Eschief has been convicted following a one-day jury trial.

According to court documents, on January 4, 2025, Eschief gave a false $20 bill at McDonald’s as payment for her order. Fast Food staff reportedly detected the false bill and contacted law enforcement.

After an investigation and review of the surveillance video at McDonald’s, Officers identified and arrested Eschief and submitted the matter to the Bingham County Prosecutor’s Office for felony charges.

Her sentencing is scheduled for October 20, 2025, at 3:30 pm.

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Closing arguments held in Yuma child abuse case

KYMA on August 28, 2025

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Closing arguments were heard Wednesday evening in the trial of 48-year-old Randall Medders.

Medders is facing five counts of child molestation, five counts of child abuse, and ten counts of aggravated assault with sexual motivation.

In court, both the prosecution and the defense made their closing arguments to the jury.

The prosecuting attorney, Marissa Zhu, explained how the alleged abuse affected the victim.

“She didn’t want to sleep in her bedroom anymore, because of all the furniture, her bed, her door, the painted sky on her wall, all reminded her of the abuse,” says Zhu.

 Meanwhile, the defense attorney, Richard Parks, argued it could be a misunderstanding.

“She can have convinced herself that this is exactly what happened and Randall did all this to abuse her…the state presented no evidence that he actually had such motivation,” said Parks.

Zhu later explained why the victim spoke up about the abuse later on.

“Delay is common for children of sexual abuse, the timing of disclosure doesn’t tell us about whether the allegation is credible,” she says.

The defense has one final message for the jury.

“If you have made up your mind, guilty, not guilty, you have no duty to change that,” Parks said.

The trial is now in the hands of the jury, as they started deliberating Wednesday afternoon.

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Missouri ends local and state sales tax on essential hygiene products

News-Press NOW on August 28, 2025

Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Starting Thursday, Missouri residents will no longer pay sales tax on essential hygiene items like period products, diapers and incontinence supplies, following the enactment of a new state law signed by Governor Mike Kehoe in July.

“I think this is going to be great for Missouri families. If you have a baby or toddler, diapers can be expensive. This is going to let them keep more in their pocketbook,” said Trish Vincent, the director of the Missouri Department of Revenue.

The change reclassified these products from “luxury” items to necessities. This change cuts the tax rate from 4.225% on luxury goods to the 1.225% tax rate on necessities. 

“I think that it’s good they did away with the taxes because it’s not a luxury item for women to have to go through their menstrual period every month,” said Allen Gregory Jennings, citizen of St. Joseph, “That’s no luxury, that’s painful, and babies need diapers because they need to be changed.”

Missouri now joins 22 other states in exempting these basic health products from sales tax.

Governor Kehoe said in a July press release, “…We are protecting the people who make Missouri work- families, job creators, and small business owners- by cutting taxes, rolling back overreach, and eliminating costly mandates.”

“It’s a good thing for individuals with kids and without,” said St. Joseph resident Chris Robertson. “I wish it was that way when I had my kids and they were that age.”

The Missouri Department of Revenue’s website provides a full list of what items are exempt under the new law.

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Crews gain ground on Willow Creek Fire; Community meeting set for tomorrow

KIFI on August 28, 2025

Seth Ratliff

SMOOT, Wyo. (KIFI) — Fire managers will host a community meeting tomorrow, August 29, at the Afton Civic Center, located at 150 Washington Street. The meeting, which starts at 7 p.m., will provide updates on the ongoing efforts to fight the Willow Creek Fire. To watch the meeting online, click HERE.

The wildfire, which started last Friday, has now grown to 4,000 acres. In a release this morning, Bridger-Teton National Forest rangers confirmed that the fire is now 17% contained.

Crews have made progress on the east side of the fire, where they are building control lines and clearing vegetation to secure the perimeter, according to the release. Firefighters also set up a large, collapsible water reservoir, known as a “pumpkin”, to use with a sprinkler system if needed.

Firefighters are taking advantage of today’s rain and favorable weather to begin work on the fire’s west side. However, fire managers expect fire activity to increase as the rain and thunderstorms move out of the area in the coming days.

Evacuation zones remain at a ‘SET’ status, meaning residents should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. The affected areas are from milepost 75 south to Salt Pass and west of Highway 89, from Reeves-Schwab Lane south to Gomm’s Pond.

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