Author: KIFI

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Pocatello Marathon is just around the corner in the Gate City, with participants picking up their swag bags and T-shirts this afternoon at the ICCU Fieldhouse. This year’s race marks the first under new race director Mary Stenquist, who took over the role from her father and is excited to continue the legacy of the marathon.

For a quarter-century, the Pocatello Marathon has brought runners from all over the U.S. and internationally. The 2026 race currently has over 800 runners signed-up, but Stenquist says the number continues to grow as they accept same-day sign-ups.

“We have multiple different events, we have the full marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, we also have a kids’ one mile and a .2,” said Mary Stenquist, Race Director. “It’s been fun to see it change and grow over the years.”

With multiple different race lengths, the event both draws out and accomodates for all levels of runners. Some participants are running their first race ever, with others hoping to qualify at the race for the Boston Marathon.

“I love being able to show people our awesome community. We have people from over 40 states and three different countries represented this year,” said Stenquist. “It’s cool to see the variety of different people and be able to share our little slice of Pocatello heaven that we have here.”

Stenquist said runners enjoy the scenic views along the route of the Pocatello Marathon as the first half of the marathon is along a narrow canyon road. The full marathon course begins at Camelback Mountain and follows Buckskin Road.

All the races finish at Ross Park where vendors, volunteers and supporters will be waiting to welcome the finishers. The racers are hoping to beat the heat with an early start on Saturday morning, with the full marathon beginning at 6:15 a.m. and the half-marathon at 8 a.m.

“Our slogan has always been ‘small town with big race flair,” said Stenquist. “We try to incorporate some nice swag items for runners and bring in all the vendors, we’d like to just make it really awesome for our runners.”

The event comes together each year thanks to sponsors like title sponsor Bingham Healthcare and a fleet of local volunteers from various organizations and Idaho State University. Stenquist said the team is incredibly thankful for the local businesses that chip in for fundraising to make the event memorable and professional each year.

There are multiple aid stations along the course for runners that will be manned by dozens of volunteers. At the finish line, booths like the ISU Physical Therapy program will offer services to runners.

“We’re offering post-race massages tomorrow,” said Alex Lacroix, PT student at ISU. “So after you’re done with any length of race, you can come check-in right by the finish line. We’ll try to get that fluid moving so hopefully the lactic acid doesn’t build up and we’ll get the blood flowing again.”

Some runners, like Marijke Johnson, are locals from Pocatello running the marathon in their hometown.

“I’ve been a runner my whole life so I thought it would be a really cool opportunity to run a marathon in my hometown and do something that I love,” Johnson said.

Johnson said she’s been training for about six months and has woken up early all summer to beat the heat on her runs. “I’m excited to have it done and have all my hard work pay off,” she said.

The hill past Century High School brings some nerves for participants, who anxiously call it a “brutal” part of the course. However, the runners walking in to grab their shirts today were all smiles and anticipation for the big day tomorrow.

“I think a marathon sounds intimidating, but I genuinely believe that anyone can do a marathon,” said Johnson. “I think if you put in the work and the time and effort, you can do hard things. You might be slow, but a marathon is a marathon.”

For more information about the various races and a spectator guide, visit pocatellomarathon.com.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — There was a chill in the air this morning, which means the holidays will be here before we know it.

Two people who are already thinking about the holidays stopped by Local News 8 Live at Noon to tell us why this year’s Festival of Trees will be such a special one.

McKayla Matlack, the CEO of Development Workshop Inc., and Tim Sopalski, the foundation director, arrived in festive attire with a decked-out Christmas tree to remind us that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Trees.

They also announced this year’s theme: Nostalgia.

The theme is an invitation to look back at the last 60 years of the Festival of Trees, from past themes to the family traditions and memories that have made the event special to generations of Idaho Falls families.

Organizers are asking people to share their favorite Festival of Trees memories on social media, including photos of trees they’ve brought home from the event.

And there are plenty of ways to get involved. Volunteers are already needed, with committees working on everything from decorating trees and building crafts to baking goods. If the holiday season gets too busy, organizers say now is a great time to volunteer and help before the holiday rush begins.

There are also sponsorship opportunities for businesses and organizations interested in supporting the event.

To find out more about the Festival of Trees or learn how to volunteer or sponsor the event, visit their Facebook page.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Divers with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office recovered the body of Teng Go on Friday, nearly a week after the Arizona man fell into the Snake River.

Go’s body was found around 10:30 a.m. about 46 feet underwater, just upstream from the Broadway Bridge.

This comes after officials reduced water flow from the Palisades Dam earlier this week to slow downstream currents near the downtown Broadway Bridge, where search operations are concentrated, in an effort to support dive teams.

“Divers and rescue personnel have been searching the area since last Sunday, taking advantage of lower water flow and improved conditions,” stated Sgt. Bryan Lovell in a news release.

Go, who fell into the river Sunday, Aug. 30, is the second visitor to drown along that stretch of the Greenbelt this summer. On June 4, John Green of Louisiana drowned after losing his footing on riverbank rocks while taking photos nearby.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office says search crews remain on the water Friday in an attempt to locate Green’s body.

“Mr. Go’s body was turned over to the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Bonneville County Coroner who will continue their part of the investigation,” Lovell said. “Our thoughts are with the families of Mr. Go and Mr. Green.”

LINCOLN, Idaho (KIFI) — Authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting after Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from an armed, suicidal man early Friday morning.

Just before 6 am dispatch received a call from a home on Badger Creek Rd. from a man indicating he was armed and intended to kill himself, according to a press release from BCSO.

Deputies arrived on the scene and were in the process of evacuating the home when the man emerged holding a gun. “Shots were fired at that time, and the subject was injured,” states the press release.

Deputies immediately administered life-saving measures until Idaho Falls Ambulance personnel arrived. Despite these efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. No deputies were injured.

The East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force was activated to conduct an independent investigation, with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office acting as the lead agency. The Idaho State Police, the Idaho Falls Police Department, and several regional law enforcement agencies are assisting them.

BCSO says there is no ongoing threat to the public, and the investigation remains active.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – As Labor Day weekend approaches, many families load their cars with mementos to make the most of their last summer adventure. However, this year, many families are rummaging for spare change under their seats just to fill up their gas tanks on the way to enjoy that fleeting taste of summer freedom.

Gas prices in Idaho are expected to reach a historical high this Labor Day weekend, with the average price of a regular gallon around $4.62, according to Idaho AAA. That is eight cents more than a week ago, 32 cents more than a month ago, and a staggering $1.11 more than a year ago. Raising more alarm, Idaho now ranks seventh in the nation for the most expensive gasoline, according to AAA.

GasBuddy is also projecting the national average to reach $4.14 per gallon — the highest price ever recorded for the holiday in nominal terms. The projection is 87 cents higher than last Labor Day, and would surpass the previous Labor Day record of $3.83 set in 2012.

For families already budgeting around food, lodging and other holiday expenses, the added cost at the pump can make a weekend getaway considerably more expensive. AAA Idaho Public Affairs Director Matthew Conde says the higher prices are creating another set of challenges for household finances.

“Some folks are doing serious budget gymnastics to make ends meet,” Conde said. “Hopefully, there are calmer days and lower prices on the way this fall.”

Why the continual rise in gas prices?

The increase comes as global energy markets remain unsettled.

AAA says continued turmoil in the Middle East is contributing to higher crude oil prices, which is putting upward pressure on gasoline prices. The national average is currently $4.08 per gallon—about two cents lower than a week ago and a month ago, but still 90 cents higher than it was one year ago.

GasBuddy has also pointed to geopolitical disruptions affecting the global supply of crude oil and refined fuel. The ongoing conflict involving Iran has threatened traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while attacks on Russian refineries have reduced refining capacity and tightened supplies of gasoline and diesel worldwide.

The West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil was trading near $85 per barrel as of Aug. 31. While that is roughly the same price as a month ago, crude oil prices had fallen to about $75 per barrel in early August. The current price is also about $20 per barrel higher than it was a year ago.

As of Aug. 31, AAA reported the following average prices for a gallon of regular gasoline:

Among the cities listed by AAA, Twin Falls had the highest average price at $4.59 per gallon, while Franklin had the lowest at $4.38.

Prices going down anytime soon?

There may be some relief ahead.

GasBuddy expects gasoline prices to begin falling after Labor Day as summer driving demand fades and much of the country transitions to less expensive winter gasoline around mid-September. However, the company also cautions that continued geopolitical instability could delay that seasonal decline.

For Idaho drivers heading out this holiday weekend, AAA recommends checking fuel prices before filling up and shopping around for the best deal.

Local News 8 is also tracking prices at stations throughout eastern Idaho. Visit our Gas Prices page to find the cheapest places to fill up near you before hitting the road.

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – After a bond for a new police station failed to pass, Rexburg leaders are looking for other ways to provide the Police Department with the upgrades it needs.

On Wednesday night, city officials met to discuss 3 plans and determine which options would work best.

Officials say they are leaning towards option 3.

“We feel like is a good option and it’s not necessarily a done deal yet,” Rexburg City Mayor, Jerry Merrill said. “It’s really what the city council instructed our city staff to do from here on out is to just kind of vet this option and make sure it really is the best option for us, that is, to take our current city hall and remodel it, make it more secure and turn it into a police station.”

The current city hall building is far larger than the Police Station, which would offer more space for the officers.

“If our police station was still small, we would probably would just go ahead and make those repairs and keep them there,” Mayor Merrill said. “But we’re a growing city, which means our police force is growing. And even now they’re kind of on top of each other over there. And, and they just need more space for things like to do training.”

City officials and members of the Rexburg Police believe this would be a good option to give them the much-needed space.

Currently, they say the Rexburg Police Station is too small for the staff and there are leaks in the basement, where their evidence room is.

“The current City Hall is a very solid building and the offices have been remodeled and done very nicely,” Mayor Merrill explained. “It’s kind of like the current police station would be a one star hotel. This would be a four star hotel. We can’t really afford a five star hotel. But this can be a very nice and very secure police station”

A decision has not yet been reached, as they await City Council’s deliberations.

LAVA HOT SPRINGS, Idaho (KIFI) – The long-awaited hottest pool at Lava Hot Springs is open following a grand opening ribbon cutting on Thursday afternoon. Lava Hot Springs Executive Director Tyson Koester and Commissioner Jeff Hough cut the ribbon on the new and improved pool, built to serve the community for generations.

Dozens showed up to the hot springs for the grand opening on September 3, admiring not only the new pool, but the state-of-the-art landscaping project adjacent to the pool. The “Sunken Garden” was a surprise to the public, who didn’t know it was part of the construction. Visitors can walk the paths near the hot pools and admire views of the hot springs and waterfall from above.

Koester said while the construction of this project has been visible to visitors for the last 10 months, the idea began in 2023. The original pool was built in the 1970s and with time, suffered major structural problems.

“We wanted to preserve as much nature as we possibly can, and I feel like we did,” Koester said. “This wall got a little bit of criticsm, but it was really needed. There’s a lot of weight that sits above with Highway 30 right here, so it was a danger area. It was really important to the safety and longevity of the project.”

Several engineering and building companies came together to make the vision for the newly improved pool a reality. Prior to the construction, the steps to the old pool were crumbling, walls were tipping in, and Koester says the technology wasn’t built for longevity.

The new pool boasts a solid foundations and two helical spheres every two feet, a baseline down to bedrock. There are also loungers and two ramps for wheelchair accessibility along with a set of new stairs.

It didn’t come easily or quickly– the team faced dewatering 2.6 million gallons of water in the area during construction.

“We were shooting for opening Memorial Day,” Koester said. “But early on, we got behind 40 days right out of the gate trying to de-water. We needed more pumps, demolition took longer because we kept hitting old structure. Ultimately, I’m happy with where we ended up.”

The construction at Lava Hot Springs isn’t done yet. Koester said a new project is set to begin fairly immediately now that the hot pool is complete.

“There will be a cold plunge at the west end of the complex, seats about 10 to 12 people,” he explained. “That’s the number one thing we’ve been asked for, but that construction project will have a lot less impact on the facility moving forward.”

All the hot pools will stay open as normal throughout the building of the cold plunge. Koester said he expects traffic in the hot springs to increase as people arrive to see and enjoy the new pool.

“This pool is a lot of people’s favorite pool, and they’ve missed it,” he said. “I just encourage them to come check it out and enjoy the sacred waters.”

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes arrived early Thursday morning to bless the water in the newest pool at Lava Hot Springs. It is 100 percent natural, with no pumps running and fueled by Mother Nature. Koester said they’re proud to be back harnessing the natural resources of the area and turning it into a tourist destination.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The charges against Lindsey Clancy in the deaths of her three children have drawn intense national attention to maternal mental health and postpartum psychosis.

While prosecutors argue Clancy is fully accountable and capable of understanding her actions, the case has sparked broader conversations about maternal mental health conditions and their warning signs.

We talked with an Idaho-certified perinatal mental health therapist about what new moms — and their families — need to know, including when to seek help.

Postpartum depression and anxiety are much more common than postpartum psychosis — and they can be treated.

Brianna Nuttall, an Idaho licensed clinical social worker and perinatal mental health certified therapist, says it’s important to know the difference.

“We treat postpartum psychosis differently than the rest of the perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.”

Postpartum psychosis is rare — affecting about one to two out of every 1,000 births — but it is a medical emergency.

Nuttall says some of the warning signs include severe confusion, going days without sleep, fixed beliefs that aren’t true or hearing voices.

“A mother in psychosis genuinely believes that false reality. And so, because symptoms can ebb and flow, a mom can lose touch with reality. Getting to an emergency room or calling 911 immediately is what’s important for postpartum psychosis.”

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, or PMADs, are among the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Nuttall says one in five new mothers will experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder.

Those include postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. For women experiencing those conditions, the struggle and symptoms can look different from postpartum psychosis.

Nuttall says these conditions can show up two weeks to two months after giving birth and can look like extreme irritability, rage, brain fog — or an inability to sleep, even when the baby is sleeping.

She also wants moms to know that scary, intrusive thoughts can happen with postpartum anxiety and OCD.

“I want to normalize the fact that moms suffer from scary, intrusive thoughts, unwanted images coming to their mind of harm to their baby. I want to say having these thoughts doesn’t mean that you’re a bad mom, and especially if you are feeling distressed by them. There is interventions that we can do to help you with that.”

Nuttall also wants moms to watch for one big warning sign.

“The biggest red flag … is if you are unable to sleep even when your baby’s sleeping. That’s an indication that your nervous system is stuck in overdrive. And we need to help you with getting that, because lack of sleep is going to exacerbate all of these problems.”

Nuttall reassures moms that having scary or intrusive thoughts does not make them bad mothers.

“Having these thoughts doesn’t mean that you’re a bad mom. This is a classic, classic symptom of postpartum anxiety and OCD that you do not need to feel ashamed about. And the sooner you can talk about it, the sooner you can receive some relief.”

And if you’re not sure where to start, you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is free, confidential and available 24/7.

You can call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA — that’s 1-833-852-6262.

Another resource is Postpartum Support International, which offers a helpline, support groups and a directory to help connect families with perinatal mental health professionals.

“You are not alone. You are not to blame,” says Nuttall. “And with the right support, you will get better. This doesn’t need to be what motherhood means to you. And research has shown that if you get the support that you need, relief is on the horizon.”

ISLAND PARK, ID (KIFI) — For generations, the Playmill Theatre has been a beloved place for families to find sanctuary in the summertime. Now, as the curtain rises on its new theater in Island Park, the most important traditions are coming with it.

Some places become more than buildings, and some traditions become more than the dates we mark on a calendar. They become part of the way a family remembers a summer, the place where a child first discovers a passion, or the familiar face that appears year after year until a stranger becomes an old friend. For more than six decades, the Playmill Theatre has held that place in the lives of generations of families who came to the Mountain West looking for an evening of entertainment and found, perhaps without realizing it at first, something that lasted far longer than the curtain call.

Now, the Playmill is stepping into its next act. Its new home in Island Park is nearly five times larger than the original. The stage is bigger. The possibilities are stronger.

But the story it carries with it is the same one that began in 1964.

ANY DREAM WILL DO: A HUMBLE BEGINNING TO WESTERN TRADITION

The vision began on June 20, 1964, in West Yellowstone, Montana, when a group of BYU theater students discovered an abandoned pharmacy left behind after the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake. They saw potential for creating a stage in this space. Though their initial production was modest, especially compared to the productions that would come later, the idea behind it was significant: live theater could thrive anywhere, even in a region better known for its mountains, rivers, and its entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Now, more than 60 years later, the Playmill still tells stories to almost 80,000 visitors per summer, although the building where those first audiences gathered no longer carries the weight of its future.

For families who have returned to the theater over the decades, however, the Playmill’s history is not measured simply in years.

It can be found in a collection of old programs tucked away in a cabin drawer.

Kyndal Baker still has one from 1981, a small pamphlet of papers that connects her family to a tradition that began years before she was born. Her grandparents had been attending the Playmill since around 1969, while other families remember going back even farther. Erin Madsen’s parents believe they may have been among the audience when the theater opened in 1964, while Jim and his family have been making the trip for roughly 35 years.

That is how the Playmill grew: not only by putting on shows, but by becoming something families sauntered to.

Children who once watched from booster seats eventually came back with children of their own. Vacations were planned around performances, and familiar faces appeared in the audience year after year. The scenery changed, the performers rotated, and the years passed, but there was comfort in returning to a place where, for a few hours, life seemed willing to slow down.

David Walker, one of the theater’s longtime and renowned performers, has spent more than 25 years connected to the Playmill. For him, the theater became the place where he learned his craft, grew as a performer, and formed relationships that outlasted individual seasons.

He does not describe it simply as a workplace.

He calls it home.

That sense of belonging is part of what has kept audiences coming back. Annie Dalling says she returns because of the magic she finds both on the stage and behind it. Lynn Arbon has watched the tradition continue for decades and describes the people associated with the theater as an extended family. For the Madsen family, the Playmill represents a tradition worth passing from one generation to another — a place where wholesome entertainment can become part of a family’s shared history.

And for Walker, there is something particularly meaningful about performing for an audience that returns.

The actors may be different, but the relationship between the stage and the people sitting in front of it remains.

A FAMILY LEGACY

Behind that relationship is another story, one that is itself part of the Playmill’s history.

Roger and Heidi Merrill’s lives became intertwined with the theater long before they became its owners. Roger attended the Playmill as a child and began performing on its stage in 1985. Heidi performed there in 1986. They met that summer, began dating, married the following year, and eventually built their lives and family around the same place where their story had begun.

In 2005, they officially took over the Playmill.

For the Merrills, keeping the theater alive was never simply a business decision. It became a commitment that shaped their family, their careers, and much of their lives. Heidi acknowledges there were times when they considered walking away, but each time they returned to the same conviction — that what they were doing mattered, and that the Playmill was supposed to continue past them.

TIME CATCHES UP

However, sentiment alone could not solve the problem of a tired facility.

The original Playmill building was never designed to become the theater it eventually was. Before audiences filled its seats, the building had served other purposes, including a drugstore, a bingo parlor, and a post office dating back to the 1930s. Over time, its walls accumulated evidence of generations who had passed through: signatures, ticket stubs, and the small marks left behind by performers who understood they were becoming part of something older than themselves.

Varied imperfections were part of the theater’s charm, but they also reminded people of its limitations.

Eventually, the building could no longer carry the ambitions of the people trying to preserve what made the Playmill special.

“If Playmill was to progress and remain positive for cast and audience, we had to do something different; we had to do something more,” Roger Merrill said.

NOSTALGIA BECOMES A COMPASS

The decision that followed required the kind of courage that is often difficult to recognize when what’s changing is something people love.

The Merrills chose not to preserve the old building exactly as it was. Instead, they chose to preserve what the building had come to mean. Nostalgia was not to become a cage but a compass.

Construction began on a new theater in Island Park, Idaho, a building nearly five times larger than the original. There would be more seats, more space, and more opportunity, but the purpose was not simply to build a bigger theater. It was to create a home capable of carrying the Playmill into the next generations.

“We were literally outgrowing the space,” Roger said. “We wanted to accommodate our dreams and our goals. And so that’s why we decided to move.”

Heidi describes the decision in simple terms that reach beyond construction and expansion.

“We dedicated our lives to this place so that it could go on without us,” she said.

That may be the most important part of the Playmill’s next act.

FAITH AND FOUNDATION PREPARING THE STRUCTURE

A theater is made of wood, steel, concrete, and lights, but a tradition is made of people. The new building may have a larger stage and more room for an audience, yet the memories that made the Playmill important did not remain behind in West Yellowstone. They travel with the people who carried them.

They are in the family that still keeps an old program from 1981.

They are in the parents who remember bringing their children and the children who now bring theirs.

They are in the actors who return because they still love the unique connection with Playmill audiences.

And they are in the people who spent decades believing that a small theater in the mountains could matter.

The Playmill’s next act, then, is not really about leaving its past behind.

It is about making room for it.

NEW WAYS TO DREAM: THE NEXT ACT

The new theater in Island Park represents a future large enough to hold the stories still waiting to be told, while the traditions that brought audiences through the doors for more than 60 years remain at its center. The stage is larger now, but the reason people gather around it has not changed.

There will still be children leaning forward in their seats, families laughing together and performers waiting in the wings for their cue. There will still be people who arrive as strangers and leave knowing one another’s names. There will still be the expectation that, for an evening, the outside world can wait.

And perhaps that is why the Playmill has endured.

Not because the building stayed the same, but because the feeling did.

From the small wooden stage that opened in West Yellowstone in 1964 to the new theater rising in Island Park more than six decades later, the Playmill’s greatest performance has never belonged entirely to the people onstage. It belongs to the generations who kept coming back, the performers who gave pieces of themselves to the work, and the families who decided this place was worth making part of their story.

The building has changed.

The stage has grown.

And the story continues.

After 60 years, the curtain is rising once again, and the Playmill begins its next act.

What’s Next Onstage: 

As the inaugural summer season wraps up this Labor Day weekend, the Playmill Theatre is excited to announce the opening of its first fall production, “The Foreigner.” This marks an ambitious step towards becoming a year-round theatre destination. Tickets are now available for this fan-favorite show, as well as for “A Very Playmill Christmas,” an original play created specifically for Playmill audiences. This holiday production will offer more opportunities for families to create lasting traditions. To purchase tickets for the remaining shows of the 2026 season and to learn more about the Playmill’s 2027 season, visit their website here. 

In addition to the new theatre complex, the Playmill will also expand its offerings with a brand-new restaurant, Steakhouse 64, and a unique antique and gift shop, Mill Creek Mercantile. Click here to read the previous article about these newest additions. 

Thank you to Film Garage 208, Josh Sales Films, Sam Merrill, and Travis Gugleman for their additional footage and photos for this story.