Author: KIFI

Hadley Bodell

UPDATE:

MENAN, Idaho (KIFI) — Jefferson County Coroner LaVar Summers has identified the two teenagers killed Saturday when their pickup truck crashed into the Snake River north of Menan.

The victims are 18-year-old Jaydon Putnam of Rigby, the driver, and 15-year-old Nicholas Jayce Olsen of Idaho Falls, the passenger.

According to the Idaho State Police, the crash happened on October 10th on Twin Butte Road near the Menan Bridge. ISP says their Ford F-350 left the roadway, struck an embankment, and plunged upside down into the river.

Summers expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of both victims as the investigation into the crash continues.

ORIGINAL:

MENAN, Idaho (KIFI) – At just after 7 a.m. on the morning of October 10, a Ford F350 left the road just north of Menan and landed upside down in the Snake River. The crash resulted in the death of the 18-year-old driver as well as a juvenile passenger.

The single-vehicle crash was on Twin Butte Rd near the Menan Bridge. Idaho State Police say the Ford F350 was headed southbound when it left the road, hit an embankment, and fell into the river.

Both the driver and passenger died at the scene. The 18-year-old driver is from Rigby and the juvenile passenger is from Idaho Falls.

Idaho State Police said they were assisted by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Dive Team, Rigby Police Department and Central Fire Department.

This crash is currently under investigation by Idaho State Police.

Local News 8 will continue to provide details as they become available.

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News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho farmers and ranchers will face fewer fuel inspections for the remainder of harvest season following an executive order signed by Gov. Brad Little.

The order directs the Idaho State Police and the Idaho Transportation Department to temporarily pause enforcement and inspections related to dyed diesel fuel for 30 days. Dyed diesel is commonly used in agriculture and is subject to different requirements than fuel used in on-road vehicles.

In a statement announcing the order, Governor Little stated the move builds on President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce regulatory burdens on farmers and ranchers.

“Idaho farmers and ranchers work hard to feed our families, our country, and the world. President Trump has made cutting red tape a priority, and Idaho is doing the same. We will continue looking for ways to give our farmers, ranchers, and working men and women on the road more freedom to do what they do best,” Governor Little said.

During the 30-day suspension, state agencies will review Idaho’s current fuel inspection policies, compare them with neighboring states, and present recommendations for long-term administrative changes to the governor.

The executive order applies strictly to state-level inspections and does not exempt drivers or businesses from federal regulations, laws in neighboring states, or vehicle manufacturer warranty requirements.

Editor’s Note: This story was adapted from an original on-air broadcast report with the assistance of AI. All content is thoroughly reviewed and verified for accuracy by the Local News 8 editorial team.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made a $1 million contribution to the opponents of Proposition 1, marking the largest single donation to an anti-Prop 1 campaign in Idaho.

The funds went to the Too Extreme for Idaho Political Action Committee. Local News 8 confirmed the donation and received the following statement from a Church spokesperson outlining the faith’s policy regarding political participation.

“While The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains neutral toward political candidates, it actively addresses ballot initiatives it believes carry significant moral consequences. Accordingly, the Church has joined a coalition of like-minded organizations and individuals in Idaho to dedicate resources toward defeating Proposition 1.” 

Former Superintendent of Public Instruction and former Idaho Republican Party Chair Tom Luna first revealed the donation during an appearance on the Idaho Falls radio station NewsTalk 107.

If passed by voters, Proposition 1 would establish a state constitutional right to reproductive freedom and privacy, effectively repealing Idaho’s current abortion ban. The initiative would permit abortion up to the point of fetal viability and establish a new legal definition for fetal viability within state law.

The major financial contribution follows official statements issued by Church leaders in opposition to the initiative. In a letter read during Sunday worship services across Idaho congregations, the Area Presidency reiterated the faith’s position on abortion.

“As noted in a 2024 statement, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral regarding political parties and candidates and addresses issues it believes have significant moral consequences. We join with other like-minded individuals and organizations in working against this initiative and encourage our members to voice their opposition in a respectful manner consistent with our prophetic direction of always demonstrating Christlike love and civility in political discourse.”

For more information on the faith’s stance on abortion, click HERE.

The contribution comes after an opinion issued by Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, which affirmed that religious and tax-exempt organizations are allowed under state law to donate money to political action committees and ballot initiative campaigns, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun.

While multiple religious organizations, including several groups affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, have contributed to PACs opposing Proposition 1, the $1 million contribution from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints represents the largest single contribution to date.

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David Pace

TETON, Idaho (KIFI) – Friday night’s rivalry football game between Teton and Sugar-Salem won’t be played.

Teton High School’s football team has chosen to forfeit the matchup after a hazing incident that occurred during a team dinner on October 1.

According to Teton Valley News, the team met together for a dinner at a private home when some younger players crossed the line.

The district said no injuries were reported, and team members stepped in and stopped the activity before it could continue.

“As a school and a community we need to show students that the way to grow IS to accept accountability, make repairs, and move forward a better person,” Teton District 401 Superintendent Brian Ashton wrote to Local News 8.

The dinners are organized by parents to help players bond outside of school.

While only a few players were reportedly involved, the team decided to take responsibility for the incident.

Led by their team captains, they “wrote a letter of apology, signed it and invited coaches and admin back in,” Ashton stated.

According to Teton Valley News, the coach said many players didn’t initially understand the seriousness of the situation, but quickly recognized that hazing has no place in their programs.

In a letter to parents, Principal Kristin Weston and Assistant Principals Marshal Givens and Patrick Hogan wrote, “We have work to do, lessons to learn, harm to repair, and relationships to restore, and our kids can do it. We love every one of them and care deeply about their well-being. Coaching them through the right conversations and behaviors will take all of our efforts. While we’re disappointed by what happened, we’re confident that we can learn and grow from these mistakes.”

The school administrators said that the incident should encourage “broader conversations” in the community about how students behave on their own, how does peer pressure and technology influence behavior,  and how do you react when you observe “something that makes you uncomfortable, but feel like you can’t say anything?”

The players chose to forfeit tonight’s game, but by applying the lessons learned they may yet emerge winners.

“WE are Teton in the good times, when we’re celebrating and winning,” the principals wrote, “and WE are Teton in the challenging times, when our kids need our support most.”

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Breaking the stigma, starting the conversation, and making it okay to ask for help. That’s the message behind World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2026.

One in eight people across the globe live with a mental health condition. While over a billion people have a mental illness, there are still many harmful stereotypes that frame mental illness as personal weakness or even dangerous.

“We assume that if we go talk to somebody or if we go talk to a counselor, that means there’s something wrong with us,” Hollie Smith, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor for Harmony Counseling Services, said.

One of the most common mental illnesses is major depressive disorder, or depression. Which involves persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or a loss of interest in activities. Depression isn’t exclusive to any one demographic

“Kids can experience depression. Adults. The geriatric,” Smith said. “I think a lot of people assume that as we grow older, it’s more normal to be depressed, which isn’t true.”

When you experience five or more of the following symptoms nearly every day for at least two weeks, it is recommended you reach out to a provider for screening depression. These are the symptom criteria listed by John Hopkins Medicine:

A persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you normally enjoy Significant changes in sleep or appetite/weight Fatigue or severe loss of energy Feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, or hopelessness Trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions Restlessness, irritability, or slowed movements Recurrent thoughts of death or self-harm

“A depression screening can be an assessment,” Smith explained. “We ask different questions to figure out what are the symptoms you’re experiencing, what frequency they are, how often they’re happening and for how long.”

According to Mental Health America, Idaho ranks among the worst states in the nation for access to mental health care.

But as more mental health clinics open and online counseling becomes more widely available, new options are emerging to help Idahoans get the support they need.

“The best part of counseling is you can tell me all of your stuff,” Smith said. “Give half of it to me. I can help carry it. And then you don’t have to hang out with me afterwards. You can enjoy the people you love without having all of these things on your mind.”

If you are interested in counseling services, there are plenty of resources around the community and online.

And to find more information on World Mental Health Day, here is the link to their official website.

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David Pace

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Gov. Brad Little lifted inspections statewide on dyed diesel fuel for 30 days starting Friday, in an effort to assist farmers and ranchers in Idaho this harvest.

In an executive order titled “The Idaho Agriculture and Transportation Freedom Act,” he instructed Idaho State Police and Idaho Transportation Department to reduce red tape for ag producers by discontinuing state inspections of dyed diesel for this period.

“Idaho farmers and ranchers work hard to feed our families, our country, and the world,” Governor Little said. “President Trump has made cutting red tape a priority, and Idaho is doing the same. We will continue looking for ways to give our farmers, ranchers, and working men and women on the road more freedom to do what they do best.”

The change follows an executive order from President Donald Trump on Monday to “temporarily allow off-road ‘dyed’ diesel for highway use” while deferring federal taxes on the fuel.

“Idaho farmers and ranchers are facing high costs across the board, and expensive diesel is adding to the pressure during harvest,” Senate President Pro Tem Kelly Anthon said. ”This order provides some immediate relief while giving the state time to review these requirements and find a practical approach that supports our producers without adding unnecessary costs or red tape.” 

In the interim, the state will review its policies regarding dyed fuel enforcement, weigh how other states ensure compliance, and “recommend efficient, effective and practical inspection practices,” according to Little’s news release.

When purchasing dyed fuel, farmers are not required to pay federal and state highway taxes. It normally can only be used by off-road farm vehicles and not on highways.

The relief arrives as diesel approaches record prices. In Idaho, AAA reported Friday it sells for $6.415 a gallon. 

According to the Tax Foundation, Idaho’s gas tax is 33 cents a gallon.

“Our farmers and ranchers work long hours to put food on our tables and strengthen Idaho’s economy,” said House Speaker Mike Moyle. “They deserve a government that supports them. Suspending these inspections while the state reviews its policies is a practical approach that puts common sense first and gives Idaho producers one less thing to worry about during harvest.”’

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News Release

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho State University will host its annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration on Monday, Oct. 12, bringing together Tribal communities, students, educators, university partners and members of the public for a day of cultural celebration, learning and relationship building.

The 2026 event will center on the theme, “Beyond the Land Acknowledgment: Indigenous Knowledge. Sovereignty in Action,” encouraging participants to move beyond recognition of Indigenous lands and deepen their understanding of Tribal sovereignty, Indigenous knowledge systems and the university’s relationships with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and other Tribal communities.

The celebration is free and open to the public, with activities taking place primarily in the Pond Student Union. Registration is required at isu.edu/ipd.

“Indigenous Peoples’ Day creates an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous people, but it is equally important that it creates opportunities for learning and relationship building,” said Echo Marshall, ISU Director of Tribal Relations. “We especially encourage our non-Native students, colleagues, educators and community partners to attend. Strong relationships with Tribal communities begin with showing up, listening and learning.”

The day will begin at 8 a.m. with a tipi raising on the lawn of the ISU Administration Building, led by Agai Dika/Lemhi Valley Shoshone Elder Rose Ann Abrahamson. University students will have the opportunity to participate in the tipi raising alongside Tribal community members as part of an expanded emphasis on hands-on learning and student engagement.

Activities will then shift to the Pond Student Union, where attendees can visit Indigenous arts and crafts vendors, explore student research posters and connect with community member.

The formal program begins at 10 a.m. Shoshone-Bannock Tribal member and ISU alumnus Tyson Shay will serve as emcee. Opening ceremonies will feature the Spring Creek Singers, the Fort Hall Veterans Association, local royalty and student dancers, along with welcome remarks from Tribal leaders and Idaho State University President Robert Wagner.

An Indigenous brunch and networking gathering starts at 10:30 a.m., highlighting Indigenous foods and perspectives while providing opportunities for conversation and connection. Native American flute player and composer Hovia Edwards, who is Okanagan-Similkameen, Shoshone and Navajo, will also perform.

The event’s keynote address begins at 11 a.m., delivered by Gaylen V. Edmo, a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and Assistant General Counsel for the Tribes’ Office of Tribal Attorneys. Organizers said Edmo’s presentation will examine Tribal sovereignty and explore how Indigenous knowledge and traditional lifeways continue to inform contemporary governance and the government-to-government relationship between the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and Idaho State University.

More than 150 years after the signing of the Tribes’ treaty, the lifeways, knowledge and sovereign authority of the Shoshone and Bannock peoples continue to be practiced and carried forward. The program encourages participants to understand sovereignty not only as a historical or legal concept, but as something actively expressed through governance, culture, education and community.

At 12:15 p.m., students and alumni will compete in an Oratorical and Storytelling Competition featuring original work inspired by this year’s theme, with cash prizes awarded to participants.

At 1:30 p.m., Native students and community members will share culture through a Student Dance Exhibition, educating attendees about Native American dance traditions, regalia and cultural expression.

From 2 to 5 p.m., guests can visit the Idaho Museum of Natural History with free admission. Throughout the day, the Eli M. Oboler Library will also feature Indigenous-focused displays and resources that complement the celebration and provide additional opportunities for learning.

The celebration will conclude with a Contemporary Indigenous Fashion Show at 6 p.m., showcasing Indigenous identity, creativity and storytelling through fashion. The student-led event will include casual, athletic, formal, outdoor and regalia-inspired looks and will conclude with a performance by Aztec dancers.

The celebration will conclude with a Contemporary Indigenous Fashion Show at 6 p.m., showcasing Indigenous identity, creativity and storytelling through fashion. The student-led event will include Indigenous-inspired casual, athletic, formal, outdoor and regalia-inspired looks and will conclude with a performance by Aztec dancers.

Indigenous arts and crafts vendors, educational displays and student research exhibits will be featured, and food trucks will be available from noon until 8 p.m.

Idaho State University’s Pocatello campus is located within the original boundaries of the Fort Hall Reservation and on the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Shoshone and Bannock peoples.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to strengthening reciprocal and meaningful relationships with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes while creating opportunities for the broader campus and community to learn about Tribal sovereignty, Indigenous knowledge and contemporary Indigenous experiences.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is intended for everyone. Tribal community members, Native and non-Native students, ISU faculty and staff, educators, local schools, community organizations, government partners, families and members of the public are encouraged to participate.

For non-Native participants in particular, the event offers an opportunity to listen and learn directly from Indigenous voices, build relationships and better understand how to support respectful partnerships with Tribal nations and Indigenous communities.

2026 Indigenous Peoples’ Day Schedule

8 a.m. — Tipi Raising, ISU Administration Building Lawn9:30 a.m. — Registration, Indigenous Arts and Crafts Vendors and Student Research Posters10 a.m. — Welcome Remarks and Opening10:30 a.m. — Indigenous Brunch, Networking and Native Flute Music11 a.m. — Keynote Address: Gaylen V. Edmo, JD12:15 p.m. — Student & Alumni Oratorical and Storytelling Competition1:30 p.m. — Student Dance Exhibition2–5 p.m. — Free Admission to the Idaho Museum of Natural History6 p.m. — Contemporary Indigenous Fashion Show and Aztec Dance PerformanceNoon–8 p.m. — Food Trucks

The 2026 Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For registration, the complete schedule and additional event information, visit isu.edu/ipd.

Miss Native ISU, Danella Rose Perry-Murphy, waves to the crowd at the Fall Address. | Courtesy Idaho State University

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Skyline High School is one of the top 40 finalists to be selected for T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition. The school was selected from nearly 2,500 schools nationwide.

The school will receive a $25,000 prize and will compete against 9 other schools in the West Division. Communities can now vote online to help advance the school to the final round and a chance to win $1 million dollars towards a home field upgrade.

“Being named in the top 40 is an incredible honor for Skyline,” Josh Newell, Principal, Skyline High School, said in a news release. “It is a reflection of the players, coaches, families, alumni, and the entire community who continue to show up and believe in these kids.   We are proud to represent Skyline and Idaho Falls, and we are grateful to everyone who has helped make this possible and will continue to support us in our efforts to reach the next level of the sweepstakes.”

T-Mobile will present the $25,000 check to the school during the Skyline Grizzlies-Hillcrest Knights football game on October 16.

Skyline has won the lower $5,000 prize for the past 3 years. This is their first time to reach the West Division challenge.

18 Idaho schools won T-Mobile’s $5K Friday sweepstakes, totaling $90,000 to support school and community improvements. Lakeland High School in Rathdrum was also selected as a finalist in the West Division.

The winnings could help with upgrades to the practice field, locker and weight room spaces, the release said.

What’s Next & How the Community Can Help    

Fans can vote once per day from Oct. 8–25 at FridayNight5GLights.com or through the T-Life app to help Skyline High become a Division Champion.      Supporters can help rally votes by sharing the school’s story on social media, tagging the school and @TMobile, and using #FN5GL and #Entry.      One school from each division — West, Midwest, South and East — will advance to the final round.      Division Champions will be announced Oct. 29 and will receive $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym upgrade valued at $90,000 and “The Big Deal” Student Leadership Award valued at $5,000.      Final voting runs Oct. 29–Nov. 8, with the grand prize winner announced Nov. 12.      The grand prize winner will receive a $1 million dollar home field upgrade and an epic tailgate celebration.    

List of Idaho High School $5K Fridays recipients:

Boise Area:

Cambridge Middle/High School (Cambridge) 

Pocatello-Idaho Falls Area:

Aberdeen High School (Aberdeen) Butte County High School (Arco) Malad High School (Malad City) Ririe High School (Ririe) Skyline High School (Idaho Falls)

Spokane Area:

Kendrick High School (Kendrick) Lakeland High School (Rathdrum) Orofino Junior Senior High School (Orofino) Post Falls High School (Post Falls) Potlatch High School (Potlatch) St. Maries High School (St. Maries) Timberlake High School (Spirit Lake)

Twin Falls Area:

Castleford High School (Castleford) Glenns Ferry High School (Glenns Ferry) Hansen High School (Hansen) Click here to follow the original article.

Danielle Mullenix

A change in the weather might stir up your weekend plans, as Hurricane Rachel prepares to make landfall in California this afternoon. While Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming remain far from hurricane-like conditions, we will certainly begin to feel heavy rain and wintry mixes blowing in from the Southwest over the next few days.

We will begin Friday morning in a peaceful state of conditions: dry air, chilly fall morning temperatures, and clear skies overhead. Breezes will slowly pick up into the afternoon from the Southwest, creating potential near-critical fire conditions in parts of Southern Idaho later.

We will start Friday morning with little cloud cover and temperatures coolly collected around the lower 40s. With sunrise around 7:30 am, temperatures will still run above average for the afternoon, with highs pushing toward 80 degrees. Expect breezes to pick up gradually throughout the day as a deep low-pressure system moves up from the south (we could see breezes pick up to around 35mph potentially this late afternoon). Some sprinkles of moisture and rain could occur later in the afternoon, but it will remain calm across the region overall, with breezes shifting as the day progresses. If you need to run any outdoor errands, this Friday morning and afternoon are the time to do so.

The big weather driver behind this weekend’s sloppy weather, however, won’t make its presence fully known until later this evening and overnight. Hurricane Rachel’s current path weakens its system into a deep low-pressure route through Eastern Idaho, Southwestern Montana, and Western Wyoming this weekend. This means cooler temperatures across the region, heavy rainfall and gusty winds, and high snow potential in the mountains.

Bands of rain showers, embedded with thunderstorms, will push from the south up towards the Montana divide, transitioning into snowfall in the elevated mountain regions. Expect snowfall and a wintry mix in the Central Mountains and portions of the Eastern Highlands, continuing into early next week. Light amounts are still expected, but highest peaks and ridgelines may indeed accumulate several inches of wet snow across the Central Mountains, around Island Park, and along the Montana border.

The much cooler, wetter weather from Hurricane Rachel will carry into the top of next week’s forecast, as remnants of rainfall move north through Eastern Idaho up to the Montana divide. We are expecting to stay on the warm side of this storm until Monday. In fact, the precipitation won’t slow down until the middle to end of next week.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The election season is raising questions about whether the Idaho attorney general’s office has become too politicized.

Attorney General Raúl Labrador was in Idaho Falls Thursday for a luncheon with the Mountain States Policy Center.

During his trip, Labrador stopped by Local News 8 to discuss the highlights of his term, including his office’s efforts to clear a backlog of cases for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

See our full interview above.

“Within one year, I reduced the entire backlog of cyber tips. Today, instead of taking months and months to review the cyber tips, we look at every cyber tip within 24 hours,” Labrador said. “That’s why we have been able to quadruple the number of prosecutions and convictions.”

In the race for Idaho attorney general, Democratic challenger Lori Hickman argues the position should be kept free from party politics.

Hickman has drawn support from across the aisle, earning endorsements from two former Republican attorneys general in Idaho.

She says her goal is to return the office to a tradition of nonpartisan leadership.

“For many years, Idaho has had several attorneys general. From Jim Jones to Larry Echo Hawk to Lawrence Wasden for 20 years – two Republicans and a Democrat who just followed the rule of law and applied the law as written and reached across both sides of the aisle,” Hickman said earlier this campaign season. “It didn’t matter who came to their office for representation. Politics did not come into play. That is what I want to restore the office to.”

However, as Idaho’s incumbent attorney general, Labrador says the role itself is not political, just the election process.

“I think when you are elected by the people, obviously it’s such an honor to be chosen by them to do it. But you also have to make sure that you’re listening to the people and you’re doing the things that they want you to do,” Labrador said. “Because if you end up, you know, thinking you’re too important or you’re thinking that you don’t really have to follow what your constituents want you to do, they can very easily get rid of you.”

While Hickman has picked up some notable endorsements, Labrador maintains a commanding lead in campaign fundraising.

According to a report by the Idaho Capital Sun, Labrador has raised close to $700,000, compared to Hickman’s close to $200,000.

To learn more about the four cases the State of Idaho has brought to the U.S. Supreme Court during Labrador’s term, the Fairness in Women’s Sports lawsuit, and his views on the 1995 Settlement agreement as Idaho applies for the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, see our interview above.

For more coverage and information on our state candidates, visit our voter guide on LocalNews8.com.

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