Month: March 2026

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A crash involving a truck and a sewage tanker sent an 81-year-old man to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon, March 25th.

Troopers say the crash occurred around 3:31 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 26 and 45th East, just north of Iona.

According to ISP, an 81‑year‑old man from Idaho Falls was driving a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 northbound on North 45th East when he failed to yield at the intersection. His pickup collided with a 2015 Western Star sewer truck traveling westbound on U.S. 26.

The sewer truck was driven by a 27‑year‑old man from Idaho Falls and a 22‑year‑old male passenger from Iona.

The driver of the Dodge Ram was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital. The driver and passenger of the sewer truck were taken for medical treatment by a private party. The extent of their injuries has not been released.

ISP says neither driver was wearing a seatbelt, while the passenger in the sewer truck was properly restrained.

The crash caused traffic disruptions in the area. Westbound lanes of U.S. 26 remain blocked while crews work to clear the scene. The left eastbound lane was blocked for approximately two hours but has since reopened.

For updates or more information, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The application window for the inaugural year of Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit has closed, and the final numbers exceeded expectations. A total of 6,069 families applied for the program, representing 13,568 participating students.

Republican lawmakers passed the $50 million tax-credit voucher program during last year’s legislative session. The program allows families to receive up to $5,000 per child to help cover qualified educational expenses such as private school tuition, tutoring, etc.

Heidie Nesset, the vice president of implementation at the Yes. Every Kid. Foundation, noted that the high number of applications reflects Idaho families’ significant interest in alternative educational options.

“Idaho families showed up in a big way, and we couldn’t be happier that so many are choosing unique paths to best support their child’s learning,” Nesset said. She added that the foundation believes every child deserves individualized options and that the organization expects the program to grow in future years.

Pushback Amid Statewide Funding Crisis

The legislation, known as HB 93, faced unanimous opposition from Idaho Democrats in the legislature. Opponents argued that the law creates a publicly subsidized funding stream for private education that operates with fewer standards and less accountability than the state’s public school system.

The tax-credit voucher program has come under additional fire due to a sizeable deficit that resulted in significant state budget cuts. Democratic leaders have questioned the priority of the program at a time when Idaho public schools and families are facing rising costs.

During a failed legal challenge to the law, Senate Democratic Leader Melissa Wintrow stated that the state should focus on existing obligations to public classrooms before funding private educational expenses. She specifically highlighted the need to address the funding gap for students who require extra support.

“It is unconscionable for Republican leaders to defend tens of millions of dollars in tax giveaways instead of fully meeting the state’s existing obligations, including closing the special education funding gap,” Wintrow said.

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, led efforts to repeal the $50 million credit in response to the budget shortfall. In an interview with the Idaho Capital Sun, Rubel expressed frustration that Democratic proposals to address the deficit—including tapping into rainy day funds, delaying previous tax cuts, or repealing the private school choice tax credit—were not allowed to be introduced by Republican leadership.

Supporters of the legislation argue that it affirms Idaho parents’ freedom to choose the educational path that best fits their children’s needs.

Families will receive notification regarding their application status by April 15.

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Dylan Carder

IDAHO FALL, Idaho (KIFI) – “It was bit of a gut punch,” says Charlie Lansche, Board Chair of the Friends of Harriman State Park. They say they remain fully committed to protecting the park and its public purpose after Senate Bill 1300 passed the Idaho House of Representatives by a 41-29-0 vote on Tuesday. It is now on its way to Governor Brad Little’s desk. The Idaho Senate approved the bill on March 2nd by a 21-14 vote.

The bill would require the directors of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Fish and Game, and the Idaho Transportation Department to be appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation. Currently, the Parks and Recreation Department Director is appointed by a bipartisan committee based on qualifications and experience.

An attorney representing Thomas Dixon, the grandson of E. Roland and Gladys Harriman, sent a letter to state Representatives. The letter stated that the bill would break an agreement the state of Idaho made with the family when the property was donated on December 4, 1961.

The letter states that land known as Railroad Ranch was donated to the state to become Harriman State Park with some conditions. One of which states that “personnel shall be chosen on the basis of merit alone.” The Harriman Family, according to the letter, believes SB 1300 would violate those conditions.

Friends of Harriman State Park say that if the agreement is breached, it puts the park at risk. The land could be given back to the family, removing the 11,000 acres from the state park system. A statement from Averell Harriman Fisk, grandson of Averell Harriman, the park “must be protected from political whims.”

The sponsor of the bill disagrees with that assessment. Senator Doug Okuniewicz, R-Hayden, says the Governor will still appoint directors based on merit. Under the present system, the directors are appointed by a board or a commission. Those members are appointed by the governor.

Okuniewicz believes there is “zero risk” of this bill violating the agreement with the Harriman family.

“The bill is perfectly in line with the agreement and can coexist with it quite easily.” The Senator says having political appointees would improve relationships between the Legislature and the agencies.

Representative Douglas Pickett, R-27, spoke to the full House just prior to Tuesday’s vote, saying, “The language of the agreement concerns itself with the selection criteria, but not with who has the authority to make that selection and under what process that selection shall be made. And it is the consensus of a broad range of attorneys that this bill, its passage, will not affect that agreement.”

Others in the House say this bill becoming law could trigger a legal battle.

“The Harriman Family will take whatever legal steps are necessary to see that the original agreement between the state of Idaho and the Harriman family is honored.” Representative Jerald Raymond (R) District 31 added, “what’s that going to cost the citizens of the state?”

“It shows distrust in the process.” Lansche feels like this could discourage future land donations to the state. “I think it tarnishes Idaho’s reputation, integrity. A lot of people will think twice if you’ve got a lot of land out there and want to donate it.”

If signed into law by Governor Little, the next move would be up to the Harriman family and what legal action they may choose. As for your next trip to Harriman State park?

“Nothing is going to change immediately, in the near future.” However, Lansche warns, “but long term, a lot could change and a lot could be lost.”

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