Month: June 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — As the school year comes to an end and students begin summer break, negotiations between Idaho Falls School District 91 and the Idaho Falls Education Association are continuing.

Contract negotiations are a routine part of school district operations, with teachers unions and district leaders working to reach agreements on issues including salaries and working conditions.

Representatives from the IFEA and District 91 are scheduled to meet again Thursday, June 4, after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on teacher salaries. A third-party mediator will participate in the negotiations to help both parties explore potential solutions and provide an outside perspective.

“The way the system is intended is that there is money that comes in that’s earmarked for teacher salary, and then there is also discretionary funds, and there’s also local funds like our levies,” Jake Snarr, a District 91 teacher and member of the IFEA negotiating team, said. “The system is designed to create competition amongst the school districts. And so that’s where the teachers association comes in. We try to find what’s going to work best in our district, and hopefully that becomes attractive for prospective teachers looking for a job.”

Union leaders say both sides are working toward what they believe is best for students.

Local News 8 reached out to District 91 for comment. District officials declined to comment.

Local News 8 will continue to follow the negotiations and provide updates as they become available.

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KIVI Staff

LATAH COUNTY, Idaho — A federal judge has set a September 2027 trial date in a lawsuit filed by the families of four University of Idaho students killed by Bryan Kohberger, a former graduate student and teaching assistant at Washington State University.

U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson signed the scheduling order June 1. The jury trial is set to begin Sept. 13, 2027, in federal court in Seattle and is expected to last about 20 days.

The lawsuit, filed in January, was brought by the personal representatives of the victims’ estates: Steve Goncalves for Kaylee Goncalves, Karen Laramie for Madison Mogen, Jeffrey Kernodle for Xana Kernodle and Stacy Chapin for Ethan Chapin. The four students were killed in November of 2022 at an off-campus home in Moscow.

The families allege Washington State University knew or should have known about troubling behavior by Kohberger before the killings and failed to take appropriate action. The lawsuit claims the university’s actions, or lack of action, contributed to the deaths.

According to court filings, dozens of faculty members, staff and students witnessed or reported concerns about Kohberger’s behavior. The families say they have identified nearly 90 witnesses who could provide information supporting those claims.

As the case moves forward, both sides will exchange evidence and records related to university policies, threat assessment procedures, hiring practices and the handling of complaints involving Kohberger. The lawsuit also seeks information from the Washington State University Police Department, including records involving safety escorts provided to female students and employees before the killings.

The families have indicated in the court documents that they do not expect to settle the case before trial, with neither side planning to pursue mediation at this stage, though that could change after evidence gathering is complete.

Several deadlines are scheduled before trial. Additional parties may be added to the lawsuit by June 29, 2026. Expert witness reports are due in February 2027, evidence gathering must be completed by April 2027, and requests to resolve the case before trial are due in May 2027.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello is excited to seal its 50-year time capsule at the end of the month and is looking for community members to donate items to City Hall that represent life in 2026.

Rick Cheatum, chairman of the America250 Ad Hoc Committee and the original author of the time capsule idea, said the project has been in the works for a long time. The Legislature appropriated $250,000 to be distributed to local jurisdictions and departments throughout the state to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary this year. Cheatum explained that local governmental entities could apply for grants to fund community projects and events.

“I saw a time capsule opened in Power County a couple of years ago, and the contents kind of captivated me and made me think maybe something like that would be appropriate,” Cheatum said.

Pocatello and the southeast Idaho region have changed significantly in everything from development to jobs and technology over the past 50 years. Cheatum approached Mayor Brian Blad last summer with the idea of creating a time capsule to be opened in 50 years, commemorating life during the country’s 250th anniversary year.

On July 3, the Marshall Public Library will host a celebration of the time capsule at 5 p.m. Mayor Brian Blad will give remarks, and attendees can enjoy refreshments while viewing the final items selected for inclusion.

“We’re asking people to bring what they might have that they think would be interesting and unique that provides a snapshot of the history in Pocatello, where we are today that people 50 years from today might find interesting,” Cheatum said.

There is a collection box at City Hall where community members can drop off items for consideration. Residents are asked to include their name and contact information with any submission in case organizers need to return the item or request additional information.

“We can’t take large, bulky things,” Cheatum explained. “We can take some small memorabilia and statements of things like civic clubs and social organizations and governmental entities to put in there.”

So far, the city has collected newspapers, a magazine about the 125th anniversary of Idaho State University and several other documents. In addition to governmental records and historical documents, the city will accept items that represent everyday life in 2026.

The time capsule will be built by Partner Steel and donated to store the items for the next 50 years. Cheatum said organizers originally planned to bury the capsule but decided instead to house it at the Marshall Public Library.

“We are concerned about potential damage to things contained within the time capsule, if fertilizer or water or something happens to be where it’s buried,” he said. “It was our original idea, but we’re going to store it inside the Marshall Public Library that’s been here since 1909, and I am sure it will be here in another 50 years.”

The library plans to create a historical display around the time capsule highlighting the history of Pocatello. The key will be stored in a separate location so no one is tempted to open it before the 50-year mark.

When asked who might open the time capsule in 50 years, Cheatum said that decision will be left to future local leaders.

“It’s a decision we have to leave to local government to decide at the time when this comes up,” he said. “I hope they have a similar celebration around the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration and I would hope it’s someone like the mayor of Pocatello or the president of the City Council.”

At the July 3 celebration, local committee member Michael Steele will perform an original song capturing the spirit of Pocatello and the Portneuf Valley. The box will be sealed by that date, so attendees will be able to view photos of the selected items.

The committee has also worked to ensure the contents remain in good condition for decades.

“There’s a problem with paper having an acid content and actually deteriorating and off-gassing things that will cause further deterioration of other documents,” Cheatum said. “So, we’re planning to put everything in a special polyethylene envelope, sealing them up. We’ll oxygen purge the time capsule when it’s sealed so we get as much oxygen out of there as possible so it can’t contaminate the documents and just hope that in 50 years we’ve done a good job.”

Cheatum said preserving local history is important to both him and the committee. He said it is important to accurately represent the community in the time capsule so future generations do not forget it.

“I think the things that we’re preserving as a record of what we were, where we are today and who we are as a people are important.”

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Bannock County has seen an explosion of the noxious weed Dyer’s woad and is offering to help residents fight it on their property with free weed spray.

What is Dyer’s woad?

Simply drive along local highways in Bannock County or look across the rolling hills and you’ll likely see some of the green-and-yellow plants known as Dyer’s woad. Experts say it came to Idaho from Utah and has since spread rapidly.

“It produces a kind of poison to kill off any other native vegetation that’s growing with it,” said Kiel Burmester, Bannock County Public Works Director. “It can take over the area in woodlands, crops, pastures and things like that. It spreads very rapidly.”

He said the seeds are often transported by vehicles and spread across state lines. Dyer’s woad can be found along interstates and highways, as well as on hillsides and private property.

“The first year it won’t produce seeds,” Burmester said. “The second year, it’s taking all of its time to build its root system. And then, the second year it’s also working on its seeds. So the earlier you can get it, the better.”

Burmester said the best time to spray Dyer’s woad is before it begins producing seeds. Treating the plant early can help prevent future growth and reduce its spread.

“Noxious weeds do not understand your property lines,” Burmester added. “It’s all over, and it’s all of our problem here. We need to work together and try to come up with everything we can. This is going to be multi-year and it’s a very hard process to eradicate a weed like this and we need everybody’s help.”

Free weed spray from the county

Burmester said Public Works has partnered with the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, county railroad officials and the State of Idaho to tackle the issue.

He said crews are spraying county-owned property and more than 400 miles of county highways in partnership with the BLM. The county has also applied for grant funding to help private property owners control the weed.

Through the Idaho Department of Agriculture, Bannock County has secured a cost-share program to help residents combat the infestation.

“This year, we received $40,000,” Burmester said. “That can go towards helping private landowners in the Bannock County area, so if you reach out to us you can get some free spray.”

The department is encouraging residents to use the free spray if they find Dyer’s woad on their property. Burmester said even if it is too late to stop some of this year’s growth, treatment can help reduce the weed’s spread next season.

To learn more about other noxious weeds, visit the Bannock County Noxious Weeds Department website at www.bannockcounty.gov/weeds/.

Residents can receive free weed spray from the county by calling 208-236-7407.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The War Bonnet Round Up is looking for local singers to perform the national anthem during this year’s rodeo at Sandy Downs.

Selected performers will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before one night of Idaho’s Oldest Rodeo, which runs July 29 through Aug. 1 at the Bank of Idaho Arena.

With the nation preparing to celebrate its 250th birthday, organizers say they are looking to showcase some of eastern Idaho’s best vocal talent.

“The national anthem holds immense significance at Idaho’s Oldest Rodeo, especially this year, on America’s 250th birthday,” Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Director PJ Holm said. “We aim to showcase the finest vocal talent eastern Idaho has to offer for this patriotic and momentous occasion.”

Singers of all ages are encouraged to apply by submitting a video of themselves performing the national anthem to pholm@idahofalls.gov by July 1.

Those selected will be notified by July 10 and will receive a VIP experience for themselves and a guest on the night they perform.

The War Bonnet Round Up brings Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competitors from across the country to Idaho Falls each year. Approximately 450 professional cowboys and cowgirls are expected to compete in events including bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping and breakaway roping.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting at $22 for Thursday’s performance and $27 for Friday and Saturday. Children’s tickets for ages 3 to 10 are $10 per night. Parking is included with admission.

The rodeo will also kick off with the free Teton Toyota Wild West Family Fest on July 29 at Sandy Downs. The event will feature food, activities and a mini rodeo experience for families.

More information and tickets are available at warbonnetroundup.org.

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