Author: KIFI

Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Meridian Police is searching for a suspect who crashed a stolen ambulance from a local hospital late Wednesday night before crashing it into a building currently leased by the Department of Homeland Security. Police have now learned the suspect attempted to set the vehicle on fire after the crash.

In an afternoon press conference, Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea revealed new details, stating that the suspect poured accelerant both inside and outside the ambulance after crashing it into the North Portico building. Investigators believe the suspect intended to ignite the vehicle but fled when interrupted by responding officers.

Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea, Press Conference Screenshot

“This was absolutely an act of violence,” Chief Basterrechea said. “If the suspect had not been interrupted, there is no doubt that this building would have been burned, putting the lives of first responders and others at risk.”

Incident Background

The incident began around 11:10 p.m. on Wednesday when an unknown individual stole an unoccupied Canyon County Paramedics ambulance from the St. Luke’s West facility. Chief Basterrechea says the suspect then drove the vehicle through the parking lot to retrieve gas cans that had been staged in nearby vegetation before driving directly into the building housing the DHS offices.

While the suspect successfully doused the scene with accelerants, they were scared off by responding agencies before they could ignite the fuel.

Chief Basterrechea emphasized the seriousness of the criminal act, refferencing the online rhetoric surrounding the Department of Homeland Security leasing office space at this location.

“Comments on social media such as ‘Property damage isn’t violence’ are absolutely false,” said Basterrechea. “The theft and destruction of an emergency vehicle not only created risk to responding personnel, but it also temporarily removed a critical medical resource from the community.”

The Meridian Police Department is currently leading a multi-agency investigation alongside the FBI, DHS, and Idaho State Police. While authorities believe there is no ongoing threat to the public, the suspect remains at large. Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Meridian Police Department at 208-888-6678.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide additional details following the press conference.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho Transportation Department:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho — The Idaho Transportation Department is moving forward with plans to replace the damaged Riverton Road Bridge in Blackfoot, which was damaged in October when a semi crashed into one of the support pillars. The Idaho Transportation Board passed a resolution today allocating $10 million to fund the project.

ITD evaluated multiple repair options, including full replacement. While many factors were considered, plans to widen Interstate 15 between Exits 89 and 93 in the future played a role in the decision.

“Though widening of the freeway between Exits 89 and 93 is not funded for construction at this time, we know that’s what will be needed in the future,” District Engineer Todd Hubbard said. “We have to fix the damage, and if we’re going to invest in the bridge right now, we need to be forward-thinking and ensure it’s compatible with future plans.”  

Work will begin this spring with the demolition of the old bridge. The new bridge is expected to be completed this fall.

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Ariel Jensen

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — This morning, Feb. 19, around a dozen tractors made their way to Rigby High School, all driven by students. It’s the 8th annual Partnership with Producers Tractor Drive. This is an FFA student-organized event to advocate for production agriculture in our urbanizing community.

Keylee Harris, a junior at Rigby High School and vice president of the strengthening ag committee at the Rigby FFA, helped organize the event. She says it’s important that our community knows about the importance of agriculture. 

“So I think this is beneficial for me, as I’m a farmer, to let other people know what we do. But also it’s important to know, like, to grow our future generations to ensure production agriculture stays going,” said Harris.

After the tractor drive, students got to have breakfast with fellow farmers. They plan to do this again next year. 

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Seth Ratliff

CUSTER COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A 75-year-old Custer County man will spend up to two decades in prison after being caught in the act of viewing child pornography. On February 10th, 2026, William Don Lindburg was sentenced following a multi-agency investigation led by the Idaho Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit.

Investigation Background

The investigation into Lindburg began in March 2025 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent a “CyberTip” to local law enforcement, flagging a piece of child sex abuse material later linked to Lindburg’s IP address.

In late May, law enforcement obtained search warrants for Lindburg’s home, vehicles, and digital devices. According to court documents, investigators found Lindburg actively viewing the material on his computer at the moment they entered. Lindburg reportedly admitted to officers that they would find “thousands of images” on his devices.

The search confirmed a massive collection of files, many depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as two years old.

Sentencing Details

Initially charged with 10 counts of Possession of Child Sexually Exploitative Material, Lindburg later agreed to plead guilty on two counts in November 2025.

Judge Simpson sentenced to a total unified sentence of twenty years in prison with four years fixed and sixteen years indeterminate. In accordance with Idaho law, Lindburg will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Following the sentencing, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador praised the collaboration between Deputy Attorneys General Monn, Gourley, and Young, as well as the local and specialized investigators on the case.

“Protecting Idaho families is the driving mission of this office in everything we do,” said Labrador. “Their dedication ensures that those who are caught exploiting children in Idaho are prosecuted and put behind bars.”

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A local family is safe this morning after a kitchen fire broke out in their duplex on Wednesday night, Feb. 18. While the blaze caused significant smoke damage, the quick response of the Idaho Falls Fire Department prevented the flames from spreading to the rest of the home.

In the wake of the fire, IFFD is reminding residents to use caution when cooking, keep flammable materials away from heat sources, and ensure working smoke alarms are installed on every level of the home.

The Fire

Just before 8 PM, IFFD crews were called to a structure fire on Reynard Lane. Upon arrival at the two-story duplex, firefighters found the family had already safely evacuated.

The fire originated in a gas oven and began to climb up the wall behind the appliance. Intermountain Gas arrived on the scene to shut off the gas service while firefighters moved quickly to contain the blaze, successfully stopping the spread before it spread beyond a small area around the stove.

While the fire itself was confined to the kitchen area, the smoke, which spread throughout the home, caused an estimated $20,000 in damage to the main floor.

IFFD says there were no injuries to occupants or firefighters.

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Sean Dolan

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on February 19, 2026

By: Sean Dolan

BOISE, Idaho — A Republican lawmaker is criticizing Idaho’s top budget writers after they claimed on television that 26 states are in a recession — a figure they could not immediately source as legislators debate spending cuts and whether to tap the state’s rainy day fund.

The co-chairs of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee made their stance clear in a roundtable discussion last week on Idaho Reports, but one data point they shared didn’t sit well with a representative from Shelley.

Co-chairs Sen. Scott Grow and Rep. Josh Tanner, both R-Eagle, said the Idaho economy is strong and growing. But other states are in recessions and Idaho is not immune. They say they want to cut the budget now in order to align ongoing expenses with ongoing revenues, and stay away from using budget stabilization funds that are set aside for a rainy day. They want to save that fund for when, or if, Idaho faces a recession.

“We are not in a recession,” Grow said on Idaho Reports. “Idaho is one of the top economies in the nation. There’s 26 states that are in a recession. We will have a recession, we just don’t know when. So we’re reluctant to use money that’s set aside for reserves for the rainy day when it’s not raining.”

Tanner said in the segment that there are a lot of uncertainties and he wants to put cuts in place now to improve the budget picture.

“I think going after a stabilization fund when you’re actually not in a recession is probably the most irresponsible thing you can actually do because we are going to go into recession at some point in time,” Tanner said. “Idaho is not immune from a recession.”

Sen. Scott Grow, left, and Rep. Josh Tanner, both R-Eagle, listen to testimony at a JFAC meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (Sean Dolan/EdNews)

Rep. Ben Fuhriman, R-Shelley, told EdNews he was appalled when he heard Grow say 26 states are in a recession. He issued a press release earlier this week disputing the co-chairs’ claims. 

In a Tuesday interview, Fuhriman said the two co-chairs are trying to push a narrative in order to justify deep cuts that are unnecessary and non-surgical. Fuhriman is in favor of using the rainy day fund to stabilize the state budget. 

“I truly believe it’s irresponsible for the two leaders of the budget committee to go on television and tell the state and the world that half — over half — of the country is in recession without any kind of justification at all,” Fuhriman said. “It’s fear mongering, and it’s just irresponsible.”

EdNews called Grow and Tanner in a joint interview Tuesday to ask for a source for the claim that 26 states are in a recession.

“The site that I went to said 26 states were considered in a recession,” Tanner said.

Tanner said he saw the figure on a national website but couldn’t immediately provide a link.

“I’d have to go back to try to find which ones that — there were multiple that when I originally was looking as we were starting the session and going through this,” Tanner said.

The “current ones” are saying 22 states are in a recession, he said.

“So it changed from 26 to 22 since the start of the session,” Grow added.

Rep. Ben Fuhriman, R-Shelley, on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at the Statehouse. (Sean Dolan/EdNews)

EdNews found late-2025 reports citing Moody’s economist Mark Zandi, who posted that 22-23 states were “in or at high risk of recession,” based on his assessment of state-level data. 

Fuhriman, a financial planner, said he searched for a source for Grow’s claim that 26 states are in a recession.

Fuhriman thinks the co-chairs might have misunderstood a recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The bank releases a monthly “state coincident index,” which uses an algorithm to reveal a state’s economic growth. If the number increases, the state’s economy is growing. The most recent report, released Jan. 30, shows the index increased in 41 states over the past three months and decreased in nine states. It also shows an overall increase for the U.S. economy.

Tanner told EdNews that he did not use that report for his claim that 26 states are in a recession.

“There aren’t 26 states that are in a recession,” Fuhriman said. “In fact, there aren’t any states that are in recession right now.”

The National Bureau of Economic Research, which officially determines U.S. recessions, has not declared one since the short COVID-era downturn in 2020. According to its website, expansions are periods between a trough and a peak and recessions are periods between a peak and a trough.

Fuhriman is concerned that Grow and Tanner are speaking as though a recession in Idaho is inevitable, while also saying the state shouldn’t use stabilization funds because Idaho is not in a recession. Budget cuts could create a self-fulfilling prophecy, he said.

In addition to broad cuts to statewide agencies, the Legislature is considering:

$20 million in cuts to the Idaho Launch grant program

$10 million in cuts to the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance

$23 million in proposed cuts to virtual schools, such as Idaho Home Learning Academy

Cuts to higher education and to career and technical education programs. 

“If you keep these cuts up … you’re going to cause a recession,” Fuhriman said.

When EdNews relayed that message to Grow, he laughed.

“Well, I hope that our economy is certainly stronger than having to depend on the state of Idaho spending to prop up the economy,” Grow said. “No, when the economy is still growing and we’re doing well, we don’t want to use one-time money to fill an ongoing problem.”

Using stabilization funds could risk the state’s AAA credit rating, Tanner said, adding the proposed budget cuts are “very small dollar amounts.”

“A lot of people that are in both the House and the Senate that are not on JFAC,” he said. “They don’t understand all of what’s going on. They just hear things and they will blame it on the Legislature.”

Fuhriman thinks the Legislature should do it “the Idaho way” and go line by line to cut out waste, then fill the gaps with emergency funds.

“We’re in a cluster of emergencies,” Fuhriman said. “The transmission broke, the roof is leaking, the fridge broke, and we have to fix all those things at once. And that’s exactly why you have an emergency fund.”

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Curtis Jackson

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – Rexburg Police have closed University Boulevard between 5th West and 7th South due to drifting snow.

They posted in a social media post that plows are working to get the road open and officers are detouring traffic.

It’s unknown when the road will reopen.

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Par Kermani

Idaho Falls, Idaho (KIFI) — For a state trooper, the difference between a routine traffic stop and a life-altering tragedy is often a matter of “inches and seconds”.

As roadway fatalities and accidents continue to plague highways, law enforcement officials are speaking out about the primary culprit behind many of these incidents: distracted and inattentive driving.

“I think everything applies back to that — distracted, inattentive,” Sgt. Blake Higley said during a recent patrol. “Most of the accidents I’m seeing are where someone is just trying to get somewhere and not being respectful or courteous”.

Since the enactment of hands-free driving laws in 2020, troopers report seeing a “wild amount” of texting and driving. The temptation to respond to a message or glance at a phone for just a few seconds creates a dangerous environment for every family on the road.

“You’ve got to think about the people you’re interacting with,” Higley explained. “Every car is someone’s family. I treat everyone the way I’d want my family treated.”

The patrol’s focus extends beyond just speed violations. Troopers are trained to look for unsafe lane changes, expired registrations, and the common habit of “autopilot” driving, where a driver loses focus on their surroundings. These momentary lapses in judgment can lead to tragedy.

Law enforcement officials hope that by sharing the reality of the roadway, they can encourage drivers to slow down and stay conscious every time they get behind the wheel.

“Sometimes it’s a matter of inches or seconds between a minor accident and someone not coming home,” Higley warned

The goal for the state patrol remains simple: ensuring that every driver reaches their final destination safely.

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Megan Lavin

Image courtesy of the City of Idaho Falls.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls skyline looks a lot different now that the old water tower is officially gone.

But what does the new water tower actually do for the Idaho Falls community? Anchor Megan Lavin gives us an exclusive inside look.

Locals React

For many, the previous water tower was more than just a structure. There was a strong emotional attachment to the longtime landmark.

When the city announced it was coming down, the news sparked strong reactions across the community.

A quick search of “water tower” in any of the Life in Idaho Falls Facebook pages shows just how much conversation it generated.

Many people don’t care for the look or design of the new water tower compared to the old one. Others say they’re not exactly sure what it does — other than change the view. We interviewed several Idaho Falls residents. Here’s what they had to say:

“I don’t even know.”

“Have no idea.”

“I think it’s pretty sad.”

Thirsty for Knowledge

We climbed all 160 steps of the spiraling interior staircase to get directly underneath where the water sits.

We even looked out the window painters use to access the exterior of the tower.

The octagonal hatch is how workers access the final portion at the top — an area we were not permitted to enter. Standing beneath 8.3 million pounds of water is a staggering feeling.

The new water tower holds 1 million gallons of water — twice the capacity of the old tower, that’s approximately 333 Wes Deist Aquatic Centers.

How It Works

Water Superintendent David Richards says the new structure is a major upgrade for the city.

“This is leaps and bounds ahead as far as technology goes,” Richards said.

Despite the improved technology, the concept is fairly simple.

“So we have two separate pipes — one that brings water into the tower and one that brings water out,” Richards explained.

“Elevation and gravity supply water pressure into our system. And that water pressure helps protect our system.”

That pressure plays an important role.

“It helps keep contaminants out of the water system because if there’s a break or a leak, the water flows out of the pipes rather than allowing anything to flow back in,” Richards said. “It also stores water for emergency needs such as firefighting. And in the event of a catastrophic emergency, we have water stored and aren’t reliant on power to pump it.”

Richards said the project was a long time coming and necessary for several reasons — not just the lead paint on the old tower.

“2008 was when we first found out the old tower was an issue,” Richards said. “The foundation needed to be replaced. The piping inside the tower needed to be replaced. When we started adding up the costs associated with those repairs — and considering that when it was built, earthquake loading wasn’t part of the design — one thing led to another. Its useful life had been met. It needed to be replaced.”

Richards said the interior staircase is also a major improvement. In the past, workers had to climb the outside of the tower in the elements when maintenance was needed — including changing a light bulb about twice a year.

With population growth in mind, Richards said the tower will meet demand.

“This, combined with our other well sites, will provide water to meet all of our needs,” he said.

Why Downtown?

Some have questioned why the new tower was built downtown near the old site instead of farther away in the foothills.

“We opted to build it here near the river because the aquifer isn’t very deep,” Richards explained. “The existing well used for the old tower is still in service. It’s located near Idaho Falls Power’s administration building just across the street. Instead of pumping to the old tower, it now pumps to this new tower. That’s why we wanted to build it as close as possible to the existing well site.”

Is the Water Safe to Drink?

“This water has a multitude of uses,” Richards said. “First and foremost, culinary uses indoors — cooking, showering, and all the typical household needs.”

Other Benefits

“Gravity is always available,” Richards said. “We have generators at our other well sites to supply water if the power goes out, but it takes time for those generators to start up. This tower is integral in keeping water pressure available until those generators are running.”

The new tower is also designed to withstand earthquakes.

“All of our structures are designed for earthquake loading,” Richards said. “If an earthquake were to happen in the area, this structure will support itself and will not come down. The walls are close to about a foot thick.”

City officials say the earthquake-resistant design, expanded water storage, and updated technology should help support the community’s water needs for decades to come.

The project cost approximately $9 million. Richards said the city began gradually raising water rates in 2015 to help cover the cost.

They anticipate the new tower should last approximately 100 years.

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