Month: June 2026

Par Kermani

EASTERN IDAHO (KIFI) — Communities across eastern Idaho are preparing to celebrate Juneteenth with events in Idaho Falls and Pocatello honoring the end of slavery in the United States and highlighting African American history, culture and contributions.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved people they were free — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday became a federal holiday in 2021.

In Idaho Falls, community organizations and local governments will come together for the Third Annual Juneteenth: An Evening at the Colonial on June 19 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Colonial Theater.

The free event will feature musical performances and storytelling exploring the history and significance of Juneteenth and the influence of African American culture on American music throughout the 20th century.

The evening will begin with a Juneteenth proclamation read by Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw, joined by representatives from the City of Ammon and the Bonneville County Commissioners.

“I’m glad our community can come together to celebrate and reflect on Juneteenth,” Burtenshaw said. “It’s an important moment in our nation’s history, and we remain dedicated to freedom and equality for everyone.”

Organizers say the program will include performances guided by Idaho Falls Symphony Executive Director Carrie Athay and a Readers’ Theater presentation by the Freedom Readers youth group.

Meanwhile, the Pocatello Branch of the NAACP will host its fourth local Juneteenth celebration on June 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pocatello Senior Activity Center and neighboring Purce Park.

The family-friendly event will feature ethnic and traditional foods, music, raffles, scholarship announcements and activities for children. Organizers say the celebration will also recognize the history of Juneteenth and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

“Juneteenth is a time to honor the hard-fought victories of the past while moving forward in the ongoing struggle for equality for all, a fight that requires courage, conviction and community effort,” said Pocatello NAACP President Jackie Wood.

Retired Idaho State University administrator Dr. James H. Yizar Jr. will serve as the keynote speaker. The event will also include a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem, by local singer Tiphanie Anirah.

Wood said the celebration is an opportunity to recognize those who fought for freedom while encouraging future generations to continue that work.

“As we come together this year in celebration of this hard-fought holiday, may we remember those who paved the way for victories in justice and join our efforts with theirs as we strive for a better future for the rising generation,” Wood said.

Organizers in both communities say the events are open to the public and are intended to educate, celebrate and bring people together while reflecting on an important chapter of American history.

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Stephanie Lucas

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A Pocatello man was sentenced to state prison and a lifetime ban from the field for multiple felony wildlife violations after a years-long, multi-jurisdictional investigation into an elaborate, illegal guiding scheme.

On June 2, 2026, Seventh District Judge Dane H. Boyce sentenced Joelseph Jenkins of Pocatello on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from an fradulent hunting sweepstakes he advertised on an Oklahoma radio station. Through the operation, Jenkins raked in more than $55,000 by leading hunters to illegally harvest big game across eastern Idaho.

Judge Boyce accepted the terms of Jenkins’ plea agreement, handing down the following concurrent sentences:

State prison: 2 years determinate + 2 years indeterminate for unlawful possession of a firearm

State prison: 2 years determinate + 2 years indeterminate for felony unlawful possession of wildlife (served concurrently)

6 months in Teton County Jail for guiding without a license (served concurrently)

6 months in Teton County Jail for a bear bait violation (served concurrently)

 Lifetime hunting license revocation

Lifetime prohibition of accompanying other hunters in the field

$9,750 in restitution for nine unlawfully taken animals

$1,498.50 in total fines and court costs

Inside the Investigation

Jenkins was originally charged in 2024 with numerous felony and misdemeanor wildlife violations after Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officers uncovered the commercial guiding scheme spanning Power, Caribou, Bannock, Jefferson, and Teton counties.

Investigators found that Jenkins assisted clients in unlawfully taking five black bears and four elk (three bulls and one cow). A mountain of violations was identified during the multi-agency probe, including:

Felony, unlawful possession of a firearm

Multiple felony and misdemeanor counts of possession of unlawfully taken wildlife

Guiding without a license

Placing bear bait unlawfully

Violating forest road closures

Aiding and abetting

molesting big game with a motor vehicle;

Trespassing to hunt or retrieve game

Failure to remove bear bait sites after the season.

Idaho Fish and Game extended its gratitude to the public for remaining vigilant in reporting potential wildlife crimes.

“Public involvement plays a critical role in ensuring Idaho’s fish and wildlife will exist for future generations,” said IDFG Regional Communications Manager James Brower in a press release announcing the sentencing.

IDFG also expressed its gratitude to the Prosecutor’s Offices of Power, Caribou, Bannock, Jefferson, and Teton counties for their extensive work in reviewing the multi-county case and pursuing appropriate charges.

Anyone with information about potential wildlife violations is encouraged to call the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline at 1-800-632-5999, report online at the Idaho Fish and Game website, or contact their local law enforcement agency. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Par Kermani

WENDELL, Idaho (KIFI) — Fire crews are battling a fast-moving wildfire burning northwest of Wendell that has grown to more than 8,600 acres Wednesday afternoon.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the Median Fire was estimated at 8,624 acres as of 3:05 p.m. The fire was reported around 11:55 a.m. approximately four miles northwest of Wendell and quickly spread through grass and brush fueled by strong winds.

The Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District and U.S. Wildland Fire Service Great Basin Unit 2-Twin Falls responded to the fire.

Officials reported the fire had reached approximately 1,000 acres shortly before 2 p.m. before rapidly expanding throughout the afternoon.

Fire officials describe the blaze as wind-driven and say it has crossed State Highway 46 and is moving east.

As of 2 p.m., all lanes of State Highway 46 were closed between East 2800 South and mile marker 105, according to Idaho 511.

Resources assigned to the fire include eight engines, two dozers, six fixed-wing aircraft, overhead personnel and cooperating agencies.

Officials are urging the public to avoid the area and give firefighters room to work.

Smoke from the fire is expected to be visible throughout the region and could impact travel.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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