Author: KIFI

Curtis Jackson

POCATELLO, Idaho — Idaho State University announced Thursday that Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) has made a significant gift to help fund a new state-of-the-art basketball arena and multi-purpose facility on the university’s Pocatello campus, marking one of the most significant private investments in the school’s history.

The project, known as the ICCU Bengal Arena, is expected to cost between $70 million and $80 million and will be funded entirely through private philanthropy, including ICCU’s multi-year gift through the ISU Foundation.

University leaders said the long-anticipated arena will become a centerpiece for Bengal Athletics while also serving as a regional hub for community events, entertainment and major gatherings.

“This is what transformational partnership looks like,” ISU President Robert Wagner said. “ICCU has believed in Idaho State for more than a decade, and once again they have stepped forward now, when our university and our community are ready to dream even bigger.”

Arena to Transform Campus Gateway

The future ICCU Bengal Arena will be built on the north side of the ICCU Dome and is expected to seat approximately 4,500 spectators. Designed as a modern competition and event venue, the arena will feature traditional and premium seating options, concessions, and a practice and competition floor.

University officials envision the facility as more than an athletics venue. In addition to hosting Idaho State basketball and other athletic events, the arena will be capable of accommodating concerts, commencement ceremonies, trade shows, high school state tournaments and other community gatherings.

Leaders say the building will stand as a highly visible landmark along the Interstate 15 corridor, creating a new campus gateway while strengthening connections between Idaho State, ICCU and the communities they serve.

“The arena will provide a modern home for Idaho State Athletics and create a versatile space capable of hosting university programs, community events, concerts, celebrations and other major gatherings,” university officials said in announcing the project.

Rendering shows the ICCU Bengal Arena’s interior. | Courtesy Idaho State University Landmark Investment by ICCU

ICCU President and CEO Brenda Worrell, an Idaho State alumna, said the credit union’s investment reflects its deep roots in Southeast Idaho and its longstanding commitment to the university.

“ICCU believes in Idaho State University, and we are incredibly proud of our partnership and the impact we have been able to make together,” Worrell said. “We have many team members and ICCU members who are alumni of ISU. Our headquarters are here in the Pocatello/Chubbuck area and it’s part of who we are as a credit union to invest in the communities where our members live and work.”

The gift provides a major boost to fundraising efforts and serves as the project’s leadership contribution, which university officials hope will encourage additional donors throughout Idaho and beyond to support the arena.

Addressing Longstanding Needs

The new facility is expected to address capacity and scheduling limitations associated with Reed Gymnasium, the current home venue for Idaho State basketball.

University leaders said space constraints and limited seating at Reed Gym have restricted opportunities for fans and community members to attend games and events. The ICCU Bengal Arena is intended to expand access while enhancing the experience for student-athletes and spectators alike.

“Great things happen when people are willing to lead,” said ISU Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros. “ICCU has done exactly that. They have stepped up in a significant way, and we are incredibly grateful.”

Thiros said the arena represents an investment not only in athletics but also in the broader community.

“Our student-athletes deserve facilities that match their ambition. Our fans deserve a place they can be proud of. And our community deserves a venue that brings people together,” she said. “We are going to build something special in a community we all love.”

Economic and Community Impact

Beyond athletics, university officials believe the arena will create new opportunities to host large-scale events that currently bypass the region because of facility limitations. The venue is also expected to provide additional revenue-generating opportunities for Idaho State athletics and the university.

“This is a big, bold project, and it is going to take Bengals showing up,” Thiros said. “ICCU showed up first. Now it is our turn to rally around this type of leadership and build something that our region will be proud of for decades.”

Officials characterized the arena as a future gathering place for “Bengal Nation” and a regional destination capable of serving both campus and community needs for generations.

Next Steps

University leaders said additional naming opportunities will be available within the arena as fundraising continues. Construction timelines and project milestones have not yet been announced and will depend on planning, design work and future fundraising progress.

Still, Idaho State officials say the project has officially moved from concept to reality.

“The vision is no longer just a vision,” Thiros said. “We are building it.”

More information about the project and donation opportunities is available at isu.edu/iccubengalarena.

Editor’s Note: This story was researched, composed and edited with the assistance of AI. All content is thoroughly reviewed and verified for accuracy by the Local News 8 editorial team.

The future ICCU Bengal Arena will also host concerts and other local events. | Courtesy Idaho State University

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Seth Ratliff

SWAN VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — A local motorcyclist was hospitalized Wednesday evening after colliding with a bear along Highway 31 north of Swan Valley.

According to Idaho State Police, the crash happened around 5:37 p.m. near milepost 7. A 55-year-old Jackson man was traveling northbound on a 2016 Harley-Davidson when he struck a bear in the roadway.

The rider, who was not wearing a helmet, was airlifted to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. His current condition has not been released.

Northbound lanes were blocked for about four hours while emergency crews cleared the scene and investigated.

The crash remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.

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Megan Lavin

(IDAHO FALLS, ID) – Even after four major surgeries, including one that left him paralyzed in his arms, Michael Farnsworth decided it was time to get back on his bike.

Michael’s motto is: “You never can give up on life, because life keeps going. You just got to keep going.”

STRUCK A NERVE

Michael went through four major surgeries – two on his back and two on his neck.

And after one of those neck surgeries, he lost the use of his arms.

“I had to learn to use my upper arms again.”

It meant relearning things most of us take for granted.

“He couldn’t do anything. You know, I had to help bathe him. I had to help feed him, his wife, Kelcie Farnsworth, remembers. “He fought and fought and fought and did all of his therapy sessions.”

She recalls that he did more than the required therapy. When she’d come home on her lunch breaks, he would want to go for walks and work whenever he could.

Michael remembers those four years as “…pretty difficult.”

After all of that hard work, he eventually regained the use of his arms.

A LOSS

But then, another tragedy.

“Last year, I lost my mom. So that gave me, you know, a wake-up call, you know, saying life is short.”

A LOVE REMEMBERED

That loss inspired Michael to dust off his 1987 bicycle – a bicycle his wife had wondered why he’d kept all these years.

Michael had always loved riding his bike, but felt he had let other priorities take precedence. His wife had even wanted him to get rid of it at one point.

When she saw him getting it down from the garage, she even texted his siblings, claiming Michael was having a “mid-life crisis.”

Not only did Michael work on restoring it – trying to keep as many original parts and pieces – he started training on it seriously and decided to enter the CHAFE race in Sandpoint, Idaho.

THE CHAFE

When asked why they named it the CHAFE, Michael responded:

“Well, I found that out after… It’s pretty painful.”

There were four length options – 25, 40, 80 and 150 miles.

Michael decided to skip right to the 150.

Kelcie was in shock.

“But then he dropped the bomb that he was going to do a race, but not only was he going to do a race, he was going to do 150 miles.”

Michael said she even told him:

“You got to be crazy.”

And Kelcie had legitimate concerns.

Since his surgery, Michael can no longer turn his neck.

“He has no range of motion in his neck,” Kelcie explains. “He can’t move it. And so, how is he going to be able to see if there’s cars next to him?”

Michael found some special glasses that help him look behind him, but Kelcie was still a ball of nerves on the day of the race – using a tracker to monitor where he was on the trail.

TAKING HIS MOM WITH HIM

But Michael had a reason for choosing the longest ride.

“The reason why I picked the 150 was because of my mom.”

Years ago, he promised her they’d take a long trip together. This was his way of keeping that promise.

With tears in his eyes, Michael stated:

“Even though she’s not with me, she’s with me in spirit.”

Wearing a bracelet in her memory, Michael pedaled for 13 hours while his 16 family members anxiously waited at the finish line.

Along the way, he made a point to stop at a bridge and pause, knowing that his mother would have loved the view.

Michael explains:

“When I made it across that finish line, that felt like I was on top of the world. I did something for me and I also did something for her.”

Kelcie also looks back on the moment fondly and proudly.

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Everybody was crying to see him cross that line. Just to see him finish something where he’s gone through so much and to see him complete it with his family all there – like, it was epic. I’m super proud of him.”

A finish line – and a promise kept.

PEDALING FORWARD

And Michael isn’t done yet.

He’s already training for next year, with his mom still along for the ride.

“Sometimes I talk to her in the mornings, and, you know, I tell her I miss her. And, you know, even though she’s not with me, she’s actually more with me than when she lived in Arizona and I lived in Idaho, because now she’s with me every single day of my life in spirit.”

Michael would also like to recognize that he had help besides his family.

He would like to thank Dave’s Bike Shop and Coleman Moore from Peake Performance for their help with his bike and nutrition.

After everything he’s been through, Michael says the lesson is to keep moving.

Keep going and don’t give up on life.

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Danielle Mullenix

If you’re looking to make outdoor plans for the rest of the week, today is your best window for nice conditions; we are preparing for a mix of sloppy weather in the days ahead.

Thursday will be dry, with temperatures remaining above average; winds are slowly increasing as Hurricane Rachel moves toward the California coast. This hurricane will cause a major pattern shift toward deep low pressure over much of the Pacific Northwest this weekend, meaning much cooler and wetter weather. Mountain snow is also possible in the Central Mountains and Eastern Highlands.

Clear skies are expected as we wake up this Thursday morning, with a slight chill in the air and an average low around 40 degrees. Sunshine is expected this afternoon, with a high near 78 across the Snake River Plain. Calm winds will blow from the southwest at 5-7 mph in the afternoon. Humidity will feel relatively low this afternoon. Temperatures this evening will dip into the lower 40s with continued clear skies.

Friday morning and early afternoon will remain fairly mild, but as Hurricane Rachel begins to race toward the California coast, we will feel a pickup in breezes from the Southwest. As the weekend approaches, that hurricane system will weaken into a tropical storm pattern that pushes inland and eventually reaches our region as a deep low-pressure system. By Saturday afternoon, most of Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming can expect sloppy weather. Expect lots of rain across the Snake River Plain and Magic Valley area. Pushing north, the low pressure will create sloppy, wintry mixes of snow for the Eastern Highlands and Central Mountains. This will be the coolest point of our 2026 fall season so far.

Sunday will continue to bring showers and thunderstorms across the region, and this pattern will continue into the start of next week. Uncertainty remains about how far west the moisture from Hurricane Rachel will reach, so the highest precipitation amounts may shift back and forth until the weekend.

Colder temperatures on Monday could mean snowflakes fall at lower elevations, but they likely won’t stick. The most likely cooler-weather condition we could feel on Monday and into the top of the week will be widespread frost/freeze in the early morning hours.

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David Pace

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – A quarter century after the creation of Brigham Young University-Idaho, the state’s largest university by enrollment is celebrating the major milestone in style.

“25 years ago, Ricks College was an amazing junior college serving just over 12,000 students, granting associates degrees,” Brigham Young University-Idaho President Alvin F. Meredith III told Local News 8 in an exclusive interview. “Now we are a four year university serving over 33,000 students each year.”

The transformation began on June 21, 2000, when President Gordon B. Hinckley, prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced that the biggest private two-year college in America would take a major leap forward.

“We’re pleased to announce that Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, will change from its present two-year junior college status to a four year institution,” President Hinckley announced. “The new four-year school will be known as Brigham Young University-Idaho.”

“It was a prophetic announcement, and it took the vision of a prophet to understand what this campus could become,” Meredith said.

In August 2001, BYU-Idaho became a reality.

“We have not arrived at our ultimate destination, but we are certainly making rapid progress,” said BYU-Idaho’s 14th President, Elder David A. Bednar.

25 years later, the transformation continues.

“Ricks College was an amazing was an amazing school, … but President Hinckley had an amazing vision of what this campus could become and how it could serve more and more students,” Meredith added.

Students from all 50 states and 90 nations come to experience the unique faith-centered and academic education at BYU-Idaho.

“It’s really amazing being at BYU-Idaho where you get so many spiritual opportunities, to learn and grow with other people and you actually make friends for life,” said Emily Jena, a computer science student from South Africa.

One freshmen agreed whole-heartedly.

“I would definitely recommend coming to BYU-Idaho. It was my dream school. and I’m so happy that I’m here,” said Jenna Blackmon, a natural sciences student from Iowa. “It’s just such a welcoming environment.”

The university adopted a unique student-centered Learning Model – encouraging students to prepare through homework and readings, teach fellow students what they’ve learned in class, and “internalize their studies through review, reflection and application.”

“I personally love the sense of belonging at BYU-Idaho. I feel like just my experience here has been very lovely,” said Enoch Olayemi, a computer science senior from Nigeria. “Like every instructor that I have, every friend that I make just genuinely cares about me.”

Jordyn Bennion from Carrie, Idaho, echoed his assessment.

“I love the connection on campus. Everyone’s very friendly and they’re very kind to everybody,” the pre-nursing student said. “I feel like it definitely helps boost your morale.”

Programs and innovation pioneered at BYU-Idaho are transforming education across the globe.

“The BYU pathway program was born out of this campus. That program alone serves more than 100,000 students worldwide,” Meredith said.

The school will honor a previous president and current apostle Elder David A. Bednar and his wife Susan Bednar at a special devotional Thursday night and at Spirit Week festivities Friday, for leading the university to success a quarter century ago.

The school plans continue to expand ‘the Spirit of Ricks’ far into the future.

“Our vision is to continue on the steady upward course, as President Henry B. Eyring would say, that this university has been placed on,” Meredith said. “We are resolutely focused on our mission, which is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the church and their communities. I think we are uniquely positioned to help prepare our students to be a force for good in the workplace.”

Brigham Young University-Idaho’s 18th President Alvin F. Meredith III discusses the school’s progress and future trajectory on Wednesday.

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News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — United States Attorney for Idaho Bart Davis has announced his retirement, saying his last day will be Oct. 17.

“I am unable to overstate the privilege it has been to work with the dedicated and remarkable women and men of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Davis said in his retirement announcement. “These great lawyers and support staff faithfully enforce the law, work to keep Idaho and our country safe, support our law enforcement partners, and protect the civil rights of others. I am proud of the work they do every day.”

Davis was nominated by President Donald Trump on March 31, 2025, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 7. He also served as U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho from September 2017 to February 2021 during Trump’s first term.

As U.S. attorney, Davis served as the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in Idaho. Under his leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho filed 298 criminal cases, charging 337 defendants, in the past year, including about 103 drug trafficking cases, 89 violent crime cases, 69 immigration cases, and 22 fraud cases.

Notably, those cases include the trial conviction and 30-year sentence of Juan Carlos Delfin for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; a trial conviction and five-year prison sentence in a case involving identity theft, wire fraud, and theft of government funds; and the 210-month sentence of Shone Jem Bache for sexual abuse of a child.

“I continue to be grateful to Sen. Michael D. Crapo and Sen. James E. Risch for their continued confidence and trust. And I am particularly grateful to President Donald J. Trump for the opportunity to return as Idaho’s U.S. attorney,” Davis said.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – This weekend is promising colder temperatures and the incoming winter season, leading many mechanics to say it’s time to winterize your vehicle.

AAA has an acronym they recommend for car preparation called BET.

Check the Battery Check the Engine Check your Tires

According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, well over 70,000 people have moved to Idaho from other states each year. Many are from states further south, such as Texas and California. Meaning many cars may not be ready for the winter.

Not checking any of these things could expose problems we didn’t notice in the warmer weather.

“The one thing about winter weather is that it doesn’t create problems. It just brings out problems that were already there,” Jake Oswald, the Manager for Oswald’s Repair and Service, said. “The worst-case scenario would be your coolant freezing. That can, in fact, crack your engine block because obviously it freezes and expands.”

Taking preventative care for your battery, fluid levels, and tires may be the key to preventing larger expenses down the road. Such as tires beginning to deflate due to the cold air. Having something like a portable tire inflator or just stopping by your local gas station to keep your tires road-safe.

These winter changes to your car extend beyond your tires.

“There’s an old saying that Noah built the ark before the flood,” Matthew Conde, the AAA Public and Government Affairs Director, said. “The main thing is, you don’t want to be in the middle of a really bad winter storm, and then all of a sudden you’re trying to catch up to the things that you should have been doing.”

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Cars lined up around the block at Portneuf Medical Center on Wednesday morning to receive a free breakfast and goodie bag and drive through a line of pink balloons to raise awareness for breast cancer.

The “Brake for Breakfast” event is in its 27th year, aiming to encourage women aged 40 and older to schedule routine mammograms. Early detection of breast cancer could be the life-saving difference in someone’s cancer journey. Patients and survivors were among the volunteers for the event.

The bags included breakfast items, a pamphlet with information about breast cancer screening and the team at Portneuf Health, and a spatula to fit this year’s theme, “Flip Awareness into Action.”

Whether a patient has a history of cancer in their family or not, regular mammogram screenings are essential procedures for early detection. Doctors recommend starting yearly screenings at age 40, unless there is a direct familial relation to cancer, in which case they recommend starting 10 years before the family member’s diagnosis.

“We can find things on mammograms way sooner than you would notice it yourself,” said Abby Wilcox, a mammography technologist. “It’s important to get it checked and not put it off and wait.”

If the cancer is caught in an earlier stage, the prognosis is better and it limits chemotherapy or radiation treatments, as well as potential surgeries.

“It’s just a little bit of discomfort, 10-15 minutes once a year, for that little of peace of mind,” said Maria Salas, mammography technologist. “It’s worth it.”

Ann Wilcox, one of the volunteers at this year’s Brake for Breakfast, is a breast cancer survivor. She said she knew she had a lump, but waited several months until her annual mammogram to get it checked.

“I had my mammogram in September, and got surgery in December,” Wilcox said. “Once that healed, I did a month of radiation. It changes things, but I kind of try not to think about it.”

Wilcox said while the journey was challenging and something to forget, it has made her more grateful for the everyday things. She encourages everyone to get their yearly screenings because the technicians can find things you won’t see on your own.

“I recognize the importance of knowing what to expect and what to look for and how that minimized and affected my case personally,” Wilcox said. “I’m just trying to help other people see that not only in breast cancer or cancer in general, but all other diseases.”

In March, Lisa Robinson, a single mother in Pocatello, was diagnosed with breast cancer with invasive ductal carcenoma. Since then, Robinson has received chemotherapy treatment at Portneuf Medical Center, and will celebrate her final round next week.

Robinson also stated early detection was key for her journey. She had zero symptoms and found her cancer at a yearly mammogram appointment. Robinson stated she didn’t know that one in eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, and that she feels lucky to have caught hers early.

“When it’s in those really early stages, there is a 99% chance of recovery,” Robinson said. “The nurses have been so fantastic, they get to know you on a personal basis when you come in for treatment, and I love that.”

Robinson said she never expected to be someone who would advocate for breast cancer awareness, proudly wearing pink and preaching yearly mammograms.

“I think it’s great to get the word out to people, even my friends, I always tell them, don’t skip this,” she said. “Because this has probably been the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, and I don’t want to see anyone go through a chronic disease.”

How to schedule a mammogram

Women who would like to schedule a mammogram with Portneuf Health can call 208-239-1500 or visit Portneuf.org/mammo.

Portneuf Health also has the traveling 3-D Mammography Bus to go to remote and rural locations for ease of screening appointments. To schedule the bus to come to your workplace location, you can call 208-251-8756.

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Maile Sipraseuth

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI)– Students at Alpine Academy in Chubbuck got to learn leadership, STEM and team building skills during their 5th annual Leadership Day.

“I think that they like that they’re at a school where we want them to develop skills of working together and being strong,” Fitness and Health Instructor Marcy Jordan said.

For eighth grader Arizona Funke, the event is something students look forward to each year.

“I love, like, just we get to do it every year and improve each time,” Funke said, “And just with our friends to compare everything. Keep a good pace.”

Part of that challenge led students outside to a custom obsticle course run by Grit League.

“They love to have fun. And they want to be pushed and challenged. And they want a little bit of freedom to do it,” Todd Hatch with Grit League said.

Jordan said the course gives students an opportunity to build more than physical strength.

“It’s really awesome because they get the opportunity to work with each other,” Jordan said, “We do a lot of team-building stuff, but specifically on this obstacle course, it’s kind of like challenging themselves.”

For the students, that combination of fun and competition is part of what makes the experience memorable.

“I like to do it with my friends so we can kind of just take it off and keep a good pace together,” Funke said.

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