Author: KIFI

Danielle Mullenix

High pressure will dominate our forecast for the weekend and the foreseeable future. There is some patchy fog still looming around the horizon for the overnight and early morning hours. With this high-pressure system rebounding in from the West, we’ll also see warmer daytime temperatures this weekend, with highs climbing into the upper 40s and lower 50s.

AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST MONDAY:

WHAT…Poor air quality will continue. This is due to an inversion and stagnant air near the surface, which will continue to trap pollutants.

WHERE…Franklin/Eastern Oneida Region and Lower Snake River Plain.

WHEN…Until noon MST Monday.

IMPACTS…Periods of air stagnation can lead to the buildup of pollutants near the surface.

In Saturday’s forecast, there is a chance of fog in the morning, which should clear as the sun rises. With mostly sunny skies in the afternoon, we’ll see a bit of dry weather across the region. High temperatures in the lower to mid 40’s for the Plain. The probability of precipitation is very low for the more Northern Highland areas.

We can expect partly sunny skies on Sunday, with high temperatures ranging from 45° to 50° across the Snake River Plain. A light north wind blowing in will cause a slight chill. An overall pleasant weekend in the Snake River Plain and mountainous areas.

A shortwave of cooler temperatures will move over the area by Monday, bringing a slight chill to our lows and the possibility of flurries in the highlands. We will see a warming trend on Wednesday, quickly heat the area back up, with highs getting into the 50s by the end of next week.

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David Pace

WlLSON, Wyoming (KIFI) – The effort to complete a pedestrian trail over the Teton Pass continues to gain traction, hitting an important milestone of $1.5 million raised today.

“It’s probably the most dangerous piece of road anywhere in Teton County, Idaho, or Teton County, Wyoming, right now. You’ve got 12,000 cars a day traveling 60 miles an hour,” said mountain biker Tim Young.

The “Save Teton Pass Trail” campaign, led by a hardcore group of volunteers, is looking to finally connect Teton Valley, Idaho and Jackson Hole, Wyoming with a non-motorized path.

The project is shovel ready and if completed, would include a pedestrian skier underpass.

The proposed trail consists of a three- to four-mile stretch between Trail Creek Campground and Coal Creek on Wyoming State Highway 22, crossing technical terrain that requires sturdy, retaining walls.

Map of the Teton Pass Trail project in Wyoming.

“It’s very narrow, and it’s also the only way [for] people traveling by bicycle, the people that are going mountain biking, skiers that are coming back from a trip in the Tetons that are skiing back to their car – everyone has to use that road,” Young said.

The campaign has received more than 400 donations – capped with a $200,000 donation today.

Organizers have extended the deadline to March 1 to raise another $1 to $2 million to complete the project, Young said.

Interested individuals can visit tetonpass.org to learn more or donate.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – The award-winning tree canopy in Idaho Falls has garnered another recognition.

The City of Idaho Falls received the “Legacy of Leaves” honor for 2025 by the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association.

The award follows an Arbor Day celebration last spring where Sunnyside Elementary and Career and Technical Education Center students planted 17 trees at Heritage Park.

“We spend a lot of time and effort on our urban forestry canopy here in Idaho Falls,” the city’s Parks and Recreation Director PJ Holm said. 

Idaho Falls has also been designated a “Tree City, USA” for 33 consecutive years.

“We are a long-time recipient of Tree City, USA, which says that you put a portion of your city’s budget back into tree maintenance and tree canopies,” Holm explained.

The Idaho Falls Riverwalk and local parks boast a wide variety of tree species and flora.

“I love how when I walk through downtown and I walk through the park, I just see so many trees,” said Idaho Falls resident Hunter Demmerly. “I get to see the beautiful river that overlooks the city. It’s a kind of a highlight to my day when I’m on my way to work.”

Fellow Greenbelt stroller Nick Bellegante moved here from the state capital. 

“I lived in Boise for about a decade, and for a place called the ‘City of Trees,’ I have to say, Idaho Falls has it beat!” Bellegante said. “They’re everywhere! It really gives the town its own personality.”

District 91 students join Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper, unfurling a “Tree City USA” flag last spring at Heritage Park.

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Hadley Bodell

RIRIE, Idaho (KIFI) – Kelly Canyon Ski Resort is facing nearly half the amount of snow than they usually see, and with the addition of the terrain park, skiers are more prone to accidents than ever. Thankfully, the ski patrol at Kelly Canyon is hard at work hours before the mountain opens to keep everyone safe.

Avid skiers and snowboarders recognize the red-coated, swift-skiing athletes on the mountain anywhere-the ski patrol. Before the mountain opens, the ski patrol rides the lifts and sweeps all the runs at the resort, ensuring no hazards are present. They fix the fencing and signs as well as open the top shack. Inside, ski patrol members check the trauma packs for all the essential emergency gear so they are ready to go to the rescue if an accident happens.

Throughout the day, patrollers on shift stay busy even when patients aren’t inside the aid room. “We go on each run looking for, potential guests that are having problems either with their equipment or their injured,” said Dana Miller, Director of the Kelly Canyon Ski Patrol. “If we see anyone injured, then we radio for a toboggan. We go assess that patient, make sure they’re okay or not okay, and get whatever they may need.”

Some of the ski patrol members are paid, others are volunteers. There are over 100 members of the patrol, ranging from 20 years of experience to first-year patrollers. Ski patroller Susan Scheer-Shanklin has been patrolling for almost 10 years, and said she “loves every second of it.”

“I want people to know that we’re not there to catch them doing things wrong,” said Scheer-Shanklin. “We’re there to hopefully keep them safe.”

This season has been particularly strange because of the lack of snow. The opening of the terrain park has also led to almost 90 injuries reported by the ski patrol so far this season at Kelly Canyon.

“We also have a lot of beginning skiers, which leads to a lot of falls,” said Miller. “With the terrain park, we see a lot of upper extremity injuries.”

The patrol is ready to handle these kinds of emergencies because of their extensive training. Miller told me they all went through a four-month Outdoor Emergency Care course in addition to a training for outdoor rescues on the mountain.

Scheer-Shanklin said the comraderie amongst the entire ski patrol feels like family. The group of dedicated, well-trained professionals is always there to help on the mountain.

“They want to help people and they’re not in it for their own personal gain, but just because they want to help,” said Miller. “So when you get those kind of people, that attitude, it makes good patrollers.” 

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Stones Kia has been named among the top 3% of Kia dealerships worldwide. This recognition is a testament to the dealership’s excellence in both operational performance and customer service.

The Idaho Falls-based dealership is one of only 100 dealers globally to receive the honor this year. The selection process, conducted by Kia, evaluates facilities based on high-level grading across sales, service, and parts departments.

“Something we didn’t expect to have in Idaho Falls, Idaho,” said Kyle Stringham, general manager of Stones Kia. “We’re very proud to win the prestigious award this year.”

Dealership success, according to Stringham, stems from a business model fundamentally rooted in consumer feedback and the quality of its staff.

Customer surveys and data collected by organizations such as J.D. Power are used to determine the rankings.

“The biggest thing I want to do is emphasize how proud I am of all my employees,” said Stringham. “I’m just one person. I don’t make this whole dealership run without all of my other employees to put this all together. This would not have been possible.”

Despite the global recognition, Stringham said the dealership remains committed to maintaining a “small-town feel” as the Eastern Idaho community continues to grow.

“We still want that camaraderie,” Stringham said. “We still want to feel like we’re dealing with friends and family and people that we know. And that’s what makes Stone succeed so well, because you come in here and we’re not talking to you like a customer… You’re our neighbor.”

Looking forward, the dealership plans to remain active in community events and maintain a service-first approach that extends beyond the Kia brand. Stringham, who started his career in detailing before working through every department in the industry, noted that his technicians are trained to assist travelers and locals regardless of the make or model of their vehicle.

“If we continue to treat people like that, we’ll always have a great business for people to come to,” Stringham said.

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Seth Ratliff

DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) — A Teton County home was heavily damaged after a nearby garage burst into flames Friday morning. Fortunately, all the people inside and another nearby home were spared thanks to the quick efforts of a neighbor and local firefighters.

Around 2:20 AM, a neighbor spotted a structure fire near the intersection of E Johnson Ave. and 5th St. in Driggs and quickly called 911. Teton County Fire and Rescue crews rushed to the scene, arriving within 4 minutes to find the 2-car garage fully engulfed in flames.

The fire had spread to a nearby home, but fortunately, the three residents and two dogs had gotten out safely. Firefighters say the blaze had spread through the eaves of the attic, causing heavy damage to the home.

Another home, around 20 feet away, escaped with limited damage thanks to the firefighters’ work to contain the blaze. Crews were on the scene for around 4 hours as they completely extinguished the fire and checked for hot spots. TCFR credited the neighbor’s quick actions for alerting and allowing them to prevent further damage.

Fortunately, TCFR says there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire Sparks Warning Over Staffing Shortages and Safety

In a post on Facebook, fire crews highlighted the incident as a reminder of the importance of having working and maintained smoke detectors in your home.

“Smoke detectors increase your chance of survival by 50%. This is extremely important during nighttime hours when occupants are asleep,” states the post.

TCFR also emphasized the challenge of tackling a fire of this size with limited personnel. The National Fire Protection Association’s standard for staffing recommends a minimum of 16 firefighters. Emergency responders in Driggs are operating with only 7.

“Due to limited funding, our staff continues to perform to the best of their ability with the available, limited resources,” concludes TCFR.

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CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 30 JAN 26 16:12 ET

By Emily Ashcraft, KSL

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSL) — The city of Moab said it feels “profound sympathy” for Gabby Petito’s family but its officers are not responsible for her death “some 400 miles away, and weeks after the couple left Moab.”

The city spoke out on Thursday as attorneys prepare for oral arguments in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Petito’s family, which was dismissed in November 2024.

The Utah Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments in an appeal of that dismissal for March 4.

Police responded to a domestic violence call related to 22-year-old Petito and her fiancé Brian Laundrie on Aug. 12, 2021. The two were visiting Moab and other national parks during a road trip. This was just over a month before Laundrie arrived home alone, and Petito’s parents and many around the United States began searching for her.

Petito’s body was found in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest. Laundrie went missing following the discovery, and his body was later found at a nature preserve in Florida near a notebook where he admitted to killing her.

The family filed a lawsuit against Moab, arguing that the police department was grossly negligent in its investigation, claiming it sympathized with Laundrie and did not follow the proper response for a domestic violence situation.

Moab’s statement said the city “stands behind” its police department and will continue to defend that the lawsuit should be dismissed throughout the appeal. It said Moab is a city of about 5,000 people that gets millions of tourists each year, and Petito and Laundrie were just two of those tourists.

“When Moab’s officers interacted with Ms. Petito, they did so with kindness, respect and empathy. The officers also separated Ms. Petito from Mr. Laundrie for the night. The following day, the couple voluntarily reunited and left Moab — like millions of other tourists before and since,” the statement said.

Parker & McConkie, the law firm representing Petito’s parents, said they “remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice for Gabby.”

Attorney Judson Burton said in the statement that the briefing underscores the case’s significance in Utah law, citing multiple local governments that have weighed in.

“We are confident that at oral argument, the justices will recognize that Utah’s Constitution protects every citizen’s right to hold even government entities accountable for the wrongful death of a loved one,” he said.

The statement included a quote from Petito’s family: “While we miss Gabby every day, the continued love and support we feel gives us strength. We look forward to this next important step, but regardless of the outcome, will remain determined to seek justice for her and to advocate for other victims and their families.”

In their brief, they said Moab’s claim that there is no judicial redress in this case despite the city’s negligence was not the view of those who settled Utah, “many of whom lost children and family to religious and political violence sanctioned by government actors.”

It claims that the wrongful death clause in the Utah Constitution means no one, “not even a municipality like Moab,” is immune when causing death through negligence.

It said a 1996 Utah case, Tiede v. State, that the government has relied on to claim it is immune deals with sovereign immunity rather than municipal liability and does not apply, but if the court finds it does, it should overturn that ruling.

The attorneys representing the Moab Police Department said the pioneer influence of Utah’s founding did not drive the wrongful death law and that the influence would not explain the outcome for the case requested by Petito’s parents.

According to their brief, no case from Utah or the Territory of Deseret (the name of the region before it was established as a state) allowed people to assert claims against a government entity for an improper police investigation.

The attorneys said although the killing of Petito is “heartbreaking,” consequences of a lawsuit in Utah for a crime that occurred more than a month later and hundreds of miles away “would be widespread and counterproductive.”

It said a change of the law would also cause “immediate and uninsured budgetary impacts.”

Hunter Jackson’s parents join in Brooke and Jeromey Jackson, the parents of Hunter Jackson, a 3-year-old boy who was killed in a crash in Eagle Mountain along with his friend Odin Ratliff while playing in a horse corral, filed an amicus brief in support of the Petito family in the case. It said the outcome could impact a case they currently have going in the 3rd District Court.

They said they “stand behind” Gabby Petito’s parents in the legal debate, while grieving their son.

They claim in their lawsuit that the government built a road “dangerously close to neighboring property” and that it “let a repeat felon with a history of drug-fueled driving stay on the streets despite repeated parole violations.”

In their brief in the Petito case, they argued that sovereign immunity sprang from lawsuits against Southern states during the Civil War and does not have intellectual or moral basis.

“The doctrine does not express the sovereignty of the people. It expresses the arrogance of government that refuses to take responsibility for its wrongs and to provide redress,” their brief says.

Kent Cody Barlow was found guilty of the murder of Jackson and his friend in a 4th District Court trial last year and sentenced to prison. A separate wrongful death suit filed by Odin Ratliff’s parents against the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole and Wasatch Behavioral Health was dismissed previously and is also under appeal and will be heard by the Supreme Court.

The state of Utah also filed an amicus brief in support of Moab and “defending the constitutionality of the Utah Governmental Immunity Act.”

It argued that applying the act to this wrongful death lawsuit is not unconstitutional, as Petito’s parents claim, citing that when the Utah Constitution was adopted, “it was well settled” that a municipality was not accountable for its officers’ actions.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

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KIVI Staff

Originally published: 4:57 PM, Jan 29, 2026

By: Don Nelson

BOISE, Idaho (KIVI) — Utah’s legislators are about to do something that has caught the attention of Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle (R), and he’s none too happy about it.

“This is Idaho. We play fair in the sandbox with Utah for years. We’ve always considered [Utahns] good partners, and to do this is bull manure in my humble opinion, but we’ll see,” said Speaker Moyle.

Speaker Moyle is reacting to a proposal in the Utah State Legislature that would cut the amount of tax Utah residents pay to fill up their vehicles by 50%. Instead, refineries would make up the difference, paying added taxes after decades of state-sponsored tax breaks and development.

RELATED | Utah unveils name and logo for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games

That change in tax dynamics could raise costs for Idaho drivers, something Moyle strongly opposes. “I think it’s important that Idahoans know that Utah is about to stick you with a 25-cent increase in your fuel [price], and it’s not right.”

Moyle and Idaho lawmakers drafted what’s known as House Joint Memorial, which is like a resolution or an official statement, directed to the Utah Legislature.

That Memorial declares Idaho’s opposition and says in part that “the [Idaho] Legislature opposes the neighboring state of Utah imposing an export tax on transportation fuels and urges Utah to reconsider such tax.”

Scripps News reporter Ben Winslow covers the Utah Legislature for Idaho News 6’s sister station, Fox 13 Utah. Winslow spoke with the bill’s sponsor, Republican Representative Cal Roberts, at the Utah Capitol building on Thursday

Roberts claimed that statements from Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle are simply political theater and rhetoric.

“Here’s what I’d say: We are trying to fight to make sure that Utah families get a fair deal at the pump. That’s what this is about. We represent Utahans. We don’t represent Idaho,” said Roberts. “And I find it interesting that they’re responding to a bill that doesn’t exist yet. They call it an export tax. I don’t know what they’re, they can call it what they want. It’s not an export tax. It’s a refinery tax, and it’s making sure that our residents get a fair deal at the pump.”

Speaker Moyle replied by saying, “The Speaker in Utah would like to raise the fuel tax by about 25 cents at the refinery. Well, a good portion of the fuel that comes to Idaho comes from refineries in Salt Lake from a pipeline, and that pipeline comes up to Pocatello, Burley, and Boise.”

Moyle says the oil companies would likely pass any increase in fuel tax on to consumers in Idaho. The speaker added that Idaho can’t stop Utah lawmakers but says this potential border war is far from over.

Besides taking legal action, Moyle says maybe Utah lawmakers should be more concerned about their Great Salt Lake drying up.

“One of the things I would like to see us do, we have a lot of water that goes to the Great Salt Lake; let’s keep it in Idaho,” said Speaker Moyle. “We’ve got a drought going on anyway. When you open these cans of worms where you’re going to try to force us to pay your fuel tax, we’re going to look at ways to make you pay up, also, right?”

ALSO READ | House Speaker Mike Moyle claims he’s not worried about the 2026 budget despite shortfall

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Two portable storage facilities are charred tonight after a local metal shop caught fire Friday afternoon, but a quick response from local firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to nearby structures.

Idaho Falls dispatchers received reports just after 12:30 PM of 15-foot flames shooting from the metal shop on 114 W 33rd N.

Firefighters arrived to find two connex-style containers and a semi-trailer in flames. Crews were able to quickly suppress the flames, preventing the fire from jumping to adjacent buildings.

Multiple engines and ladder trucks rushed to the scene, where the firefighters found a semi-trailer and two connex-style containers engulfed in flames. Crews quickly knocked down the flames before they could spread to other structures.

One of the structures reportedly contained a boiler; however, it is unconfirmed whether that equipment was related to the ignition. A fire investigator and a water tender were called to the scene to assist with the aftermath. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Idaho Falls:

IDAHO FALLS — The City of Idaho Falls has been ranked the No. 2 Best-Performing Small City in the nation in the 2026 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Report.

Released annually, the Best-Performing Cities Index objectively measures economic performance, ranking cities nationwide based on 13 metrics across labor market conditions, high-tech impact, and access to economic opportunities.

Idaho Falls has maintained strong momentum across these areas and has ranked among the top five Best-Performing Small Cities every year since 2021, highlighting the city’s sustained economic strength and resilience.

“This recognition highlights the consistent efforts of our community, businesses, and workforce to create an environment where opportunity and innovation can thrive,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw. “Idaho Falls continues to be a city where people and businesses succeed. It truly is a great place to live, raise a family and grow a business.”

According to the Milken Institute report, Idaho Falls ranks third nationally in five-year job growth and eighth in five-year wage growth, with wages increasing by 7.3% in 2024, well above the small-city average. The report also notes strong performance in housing affordability and broadband connectivity, with Idaho Falls in the top quartile nationally for access to affordable housing and 13th for broadband access. Overall, the findings show the city continues to demonstrate equitable growth, ranking among the top cities nationally for income equality and community resilience.

The full 2026 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Report is available on the Milken Institute’s website.

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