Month: May 2026

Stephanie Lucas

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — From a distance, you might assume it’s a giant potato—this is Idaho, after all. But upon closer inspection, the massive object parked on Broadway Monday wasn’t a spud, but a 26-foot-long peanut on wheels

The iconic Planters Nutmobile paid a visit to the Albertsons parking lot in Idaho Falls on Monday, drawing a crowd of curious locals and snack enthusiasts alike.

The Nutmobile isn’t just a rolling advertisement; it’s a mobile classroom and a full-time job for a select group of recent college graduates. These “Peanutters” sign on for a year-long cross-country tour, handing out samples and sharing the history of the uniquely American snack.

The full-time drivers of the giant legume are recent college grads who sign on to take the nut mobile on a cross-country tour, promoting Planters products along the way by giving out free samples and educating the public on the history of the uniquely American snack. 

“It’s something people aren’t expecting to see in their hometown,” said driver Adleigh Mayes. “In Idaho Falls, people see it and think it’s awesome. It’s a lot more special than just seeing a picture online.”

For more information on the Nutmobile’s next stop or to sign up as a driver, click HERE.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — On July 17, 2024, Fred King was riding his motorcycle down Broadway when his life changed in an instant. An oncoming car struck King, destroying his bike and severing his leg. If it weren’t for Jake Allred, who had taken the Stop the Bleed classes, King may not be standing here today.

Allred was driving by when he witnessed the aftermath of the collision. While several bystanders rushed to help, Allred arrived with a specific set of skills. Years earlier, after witnessing another accident, he decided to enroll in Stop the Bleed, a national program that trains civilians to handle life-threatening trauma.

It turns out, the instructor who originally taught Allred how to save a life was Fred King’s own niece. That afternoon on Broadway, the lesson came full circle as Allred applied those skills to save his instructor’s uncle.

Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death following a traumatic injury. While others tried to help King with makeshift tourniquets, Allred had exactly what was needed.

“They had a couple of makeshift tourniquets on Fred, but I had a professional one,” Allred recalled. “I was able to, without thinking, prep the tourniquet correctly. And help it get on…that’s because of the stop the bleeding classes that I’ve taken before.”

A tourniquet is a strap-like device that can go on arms and legs to prevent bleeding from wounds. Classes like Stop the Bleed teach their students how to use these properly.

Nearly two years after the accident that nearly took his life, Fred King is back on his motorcycle.

“I got a few that tell me, you got to give up riding them Harley’s. But should I have to?” Fred said. “You know, look what happened here. And I don’t think I can say is riding is part of my life, and I’m fortunate enough and, that big rider up in the sky said I’m going to give you another chance at this.”

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A Saturday evening house fire that sent one resident to the hospital is now being investigated as a potential arson, according to the Madison Fire Department. The investigation comes as firefighters urge residents to remain vigilant about fire-related activities as local resources are being stretched thin by an unusually demanding spring season.

The fire broke out around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th, at a home along Rosewood Dr. in Rexburg, according to the Madison County Fire Department.

At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th, the Madison County Fire Department responded to an early evening structure fire at a home at 164 Rosewood Dr., in Rexburg. As they arrived on the scene, the fire crews found smoke pouring from the eaves of the home and heavy smoke inside.

The department says its crews immediately made their way inside the home to begin an offensive fire attack and found fire in four separate locations, both upstairs and downstairs. Responding in force, the department called three engines to the scene, where a team of 16 battled the blaze as officers from the Rexburg Police Department assisted.

While no firefighters were injured, one resident was transported to Madison Memorial Hospital. Their current condition has not been disclosed. Officials estimate the fire caused roughly $400,000 in damage.

In the wake of the fire, Madison Fire Department Battalion Chief David Ivey is urging the public to be “especially mindful.”

“This spring, Madison Fire Department has been especially busy, so we ask the public to beespecially mindful about fire-related activities, whether that’s controlled burns or recreationalfires,” said David Ivey, Battalion Chief of C Shift at Madison Fire Department.

The department stresses that fires of this magnitude require all on-duty personnel to respond; the department must then rely heavily on off-duty staff to cover additional emergency calls in the area. In light of the increased fire activity, the Madison Fire Department is actively seeking local community members to join its ranks.

“Madison Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind the community that we arealways looking for local community members to become certified and join our fire department,” stated the department in a news release.

For more information, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A local man will spend more than a decade in federal prison after being convicted of trafficking methamphetamine, LSD, and Psilocybin mushrooms in eastern Idaho. U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced Monday that Kacey Franklin James has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison.

The sentence stems from the findings of a 2023 Idaho State Police investigation. In October 2023, the investigators executed a search warrant on James’ Pocatello home, where they found a cache of illegal substances, including;

2.5 pounds of methamphetamine

1.23 pounds of MDMA

7.53 grams of LSD

Psilocybin mushrooms and various other illicit substances

Along with the drugs, officers also recovered 14 firearms, including one reportedly stolen and two short barreled shotguns that were not properly registered to James.

In January, a jury found James guilty of three counts of Possession with Intent to distribute, two counts of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, and one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense.

Monday, May 11, U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced James to 192 months in federal prison, ordered him to pay a $500 fine, and imposed a five-year term of supervised release following his prison sentence.

In a news release, U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the Idaho State Police, along with the assistance of the BADGES Task Force, which led to the charges.

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