Month: May 2026

David Pace

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – Six candidates squared off on housing, immigration, infrastructure and private school tax credits at a Rexburg Chamber forum Tuesday at the Romance Theater in Rexburg.

The primary election is quickly approaching in two weeks on May 19.

In a close race for Madison County Commissioner, three-year incumbent Dustin Parkinson and challenger Madison School District #321 Trustee JC Weber addressed housing and economic development.

Dustin Parkinson: “We’ve been able to reduce, just a couple of things, almost $1 million in expenditures in my tenure. So it’s very important to me to not put any more burden on the taxpayers and make housing affordable – that’s a big part of it.”

JC Weber: “Potentially, having 0.5 acre lots there available in rural residential and building those out from the city core, as we look at making smaller lots potentially in the county. That could obviously lower some of that tax burden that would be from the property tax.”

Dustin Parkinson and JC Weber vigorously discuss how to draw more businesses to Madison County.

Meanwhile, in the race for the Legislature, District 34 incumbents explained their biggest priorities last year, while their challengers responded with the session’s biggest failures.

Britt Raybould (District 34 Seat B): “I want Idaho’s public lands to remain public and accessible to all Idahoans. That court iInterpretation of under Idaho’s Supreme Court left the door open to where the state landlord, which manages those lands would potentially be in a position of being forced to sell Idaho’s public lands. I don’t think that’s right. And so the constitutional amendment that I brought for that required a two thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. That’s a high bar, and it would have come to you on the ballot.”

Larry Golden (District 34 Seat B): “One of the things that frustrated me was when it came to illegal immigration – specifically House Bill 704 of the work. Those I would have voted different.ly on. Though as I said, and come from a family of immigrants. It’s like my family came in legally. I would expect those that come here be willing to follow the rules, to come here to do things right, the right way. They shouldn’t get advanced because they’re working on a farm.”

Doug Ricks (District 34 Senate): “So, you know, the federal government passed the big, beautiful bill in the middle of last year, and it had a lot of big tax cuts.You have no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, car interest deductions, an additional $6,000 deduction for, deduction. for seniors who are 65 and older. I was proud that I was able to get that [conformity bill] passed.”

Ethan Sanford (District 34 Senate): “I am not opposed to tax reductions and on cuts themselves. I just believe that the enacted these taxes without without consideration of, you know, the state government, whether the state government, whether it’s a big one or a limited one. And I do support limited, limited governments, but without considering, you know, how to replace those revenues and just making cuts. I think the Legislature did fail on that. If elected, I would work to reverse that.”

Legislative District 34 candidates present their opening statements at the Romance Theater.

Click here to follow the original article.

Curtis Jackson

UPDATED:

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — The missing 12-year-old boy who became the subject of an Amber Alert Tuesday night has been located.

In a Facebook update, the Rexburg Police announced late Tuesday that 12-year-old Samuel, who was reported missing in the Millhollow community, was located with help from the public.

In the update, police thanked the community for their response

“We want to extend our deep gratitude to our great community,” states the post. “We received countless tips, volunteers came out to search on their own, businesses reviewed surveillance footage, and all the information we received helped us track him down.”

ORIGINAL:

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – Rexburg Police are searching for a 12-year-old boy, named Samuel, who was reported missing in the Millhollow community. Samuel was last seen around 6:30 p.m.

He was wearing a dark blue sweatshirt with an orange octopus, black pants with white stitching, and possibly a Mario backpack.

Madison County Sheriff deputies and fire department personnel are assisting in the search.

If you have seen Samuel or know of his whereabouts, you’re asked to contact police through dispatch at 208-372-5001.

Click here to follow the original article.

David Pace

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – Madisonhealth is offering a new air medical helicopter service to expand emergency critical care access and cut down response times.

The helicopter’s arrival was celebrated at an openhouse Tuesday in Rexburg.

The aircraft is accompanied by a new medical base at the facility and is owned by Intermountain Health. 

It can carry three or four individuals, including the pilot, emergency care personnel and the patient.

The crew can respond within minutes and transport the injured individual to Madisonhealth’s Level IV trauma center.

“Once the emergency workers get there, and they see that it is a life threatening or a very, complicated critical situation, then that’s when they would call for air transport, and then they can get there quickly and airlift them to wherever facility will be best to treat those individuals,” said Madisonhealth Executive Director for Business Development Doug McBride.

In addition, to Madisonhealth’s new chopper, Portneuf Medical Center will also host an open house for its new Airbus H130 medical helicopter Thursday at 11 a.m. in Pocatello.

A new helicopter is available to serve patrons at Madisonhealth.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — This weekend is Mother’s Day, whether you’re a seasoned Mom or a new Mama, this Sunday is all about you! As we celebrate all mothers, a local midwife is drawing attention to the many struggles that often go unseen in the early days of motherhood.

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a serious, long-lasting mood disorder that happens after giving birth. It is caused by a combination of rapid hormonal shifts, physical exhaustion, and emotional stress after childbirth. The sudden, severe drop in estrogen and progesterone, along with changed thyroid levels, can trigger Postpartum Depression.

“It’s very important that we erase the stigma of postpartum issues because it’s so common and it’s not anybody’s fault that it’s happening,” Valerie Morris, a local midwife and nurse practitioner at Rosemark Women’s Specialists, said. “One of the leading causes of maternal death in America is related to the mental health of the mom.”

Morris stresses that PPD is not caused by anything a mother does or does not do. Meaning, it is not a Mom’s fault for going through any of the various struggles of Postpartum and new motherhood.

“What would you say to someone if they said it’s the mother’s fault?” reporter Kaelyn Blessinger asked Morris.

“I would say that they are misinformed, and they need to revamp their understanding. It’s a very complex issue,” Morris stated, “There’s hormonal involvement. There are social and economic factors. There’s their birth experience. There’s so many things that can contribute to them having these feelings. So it’s not their fault; Those people who think it’s their fault need to reframe their paradigm.”

Some of the symptoms of PPD can be characterized by:

Intense sadness

Insomnia

Anxiety

Exhaustion and Fatigue

Irritability

Detachment from the baby

Fear that one is not a good mother

And so much more

PPD can develop at any time in the first year after giving birth, though it is most commonly developed within the first three weeks.

“It’s not something if anybody knows anything about mental health that you can just shake off or snap out of,” Morris said. “It’s very complex.”

If you think you may be experiencing PPD, be sure to reach out to your practitioner. No matter what, surround yourself with loving, supportive people.

Click here to follow the original article.