Author: KIFI

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A local security guard is on leave following a verbal altercation with a woman that was caught on camera and has quickly gone viral online.

@alyssa.bratcher

Happy 4th of July to us, where this mall security officer, “Hansen,” lit his own fuse and became more explosive than fireworks! 🧨 Grand Teton Mall encounter at the entrance. My girlfriend and I decided to take some lighthearted and funny photos, but apparently, this man didn’t seem to like it. He told us we were going to get “banned” when we were simply minding our own business and proceeded to curse and yell at us just for asking why we couldn’t take pictures at the mall. I’m not sure if it was an act of homophobia or simply just rage for no good reason. Unacceptable lash-out behavior for someone who shouldn’t have this position for a job. His backup arrived and said his officer was in the wrong, and we did file a report. A minute and 15 seconds into this video is where he crosses the line, luckily we got it on video. I wanted to share and make this public for anyone who may have encountered him – he is unsafe and dangerous; hopefully, you won’t. Stay safe, everybody! Let’s make this known, and share too. #grandtetonmall #idahofalls #security #KnowYourRights

♬ original sound – Alyssa Bratcher

The incident took place at the Grand Teton Mall, where a woman and her girlfriend claim they were confronted by security for taking “lighthearted and funny photos.”

The confrontation gained widespread attention after shopper Alyssa Bratcher posted a video of the incident to TikTok, referring to the security officer involved as “Hansen.”

In the footage, “Hansen” can be heard shouting at the women, and at the end of the clip, he appears to attempt to force his way past and grab Bratcher’s phone.

The video was posted with the caption, in part, “…My girlfriend and I decided to take some lighthearted and funny photos, but apparently, this man didn’t seem to like it. He told us we were going to get ‘banned’ when we were simply minding our own business and proceeded to curse and yell at us just for asking why we couldn’t take pictures at the mall.”

Bratcher questioned the guard’s motives, adding, “I’m not sure if it was an act of homophobia or simply just rage for no good reason.” According to Bratcher, additional security personnel eventually arrived and stated the officer was in the wrong.

The video has struck a chord online, with the TikTok video currently generating 544.5K views.

Security Experts Weigh In

Grand Teton Mall’s security is run by Professional Security Consultants. Local News 8 reached out to Bratcher and Professional Security Consultants for comment, but has not received a response.

However, the behavior displayed in the video has drawn criticism from local security professionals. Cesilio Silveira, of Gem State Security in Idaho Falls, reviewed the footage with Local News 8 and noted it was not handled professionally.

“The biggest thing is when you watch it, you could tell it was handled, not professionally,” Silveira said.

However, Silveira also cautioned the public against rushing to final judgments based solely on a short internet clip, noting that the viral video only captures a snippet of the total interaction. According to industry research, social media algorithms systematically push high-emotion, conflict-driven content to the top of users’ feeds—a phenomenon often referred to as the “algorithm of outrage.”

“The biggest issue is we’ve only seen one side of the video, and they’re taking the correct steps on that with the investigation, reviewing the entire incident, because there’s always more to this story,” Silveira added. “I hope the appropriate steps are taken by the company, the mall, and law enforcement if they need to see fit with that option.”

Official Response and Next Steps

The Grand Teton Mall is privately owned by retail real estate company GGP. In a statement to Local News 8, Claudia Ilagan, Public Relations Manager for GGP, confirmed immediate action was taken.

“We are aware of the incident involving a third-party security officer and a shopper at Grand Teton Mall and are taking the matter very seriously. The officer was removed from duty and a review of the incident is now underway by the security company. Regardless, his behavior does not reflect the standards we expect of those entrusted with maintaining a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for our guests. We appreciate the patience and support of our shoppers, tenants, and community as we complete this process.” – Claudia Ilagan

The Idaho Falls Police Department confirmed to Local News 8 that, as of publication, the Bratcher has not filed an official police report.

Local News 8 will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

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Par Kermani

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — With temperatures expected to reach the upper 90s and climb above 100 degrees in the coming weeks, the City of Pocatello is opening three cooling shelter locations to help residents stay safe during extreme heat.

The cooling shelters will open Friday, July 10, and remain available for 45 days. City officials say they will evaluate weather forecasts at the end of that period to determine whether the program should be extended.

The shelters will be located at City Hall, the Marshall Public Library and Pocatello Animal Services.

City Hall, located at 911 N. 7th Avenue, will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors will have access to bottled water, charging outlets and indoor space to escape the heat. The City Council Chambers will also be available when not in use for meetings.

The Marshall Public Library, located at 113 S. Garfield Avenue, will serve as a cooling shelter during its regular operating hours. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The library is closed Sundays.

Pocatello Animal Services, located at 3100 Avenue of the Chiefs, will also be available during normal business hours. Officials say residents may bring their pets with them while using the cooling station, providing an option for those who do not want to leave animals behind. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Sundays.

City officials are encouraging residents to take advantage of the cooling shelters when needed and to check on neighbors, family members and friends who may be more vulnerable to extreme temperatures, including older adults, young children and people without access to air conditioning.

“As temperatures rise, we want to make sure everyone has a safe, comfortable place to cool off,” Mayor Mark Dahlquist said. “We encourage everyone to take advantage of these cooling shelters if needed and to help spread the word so those who could benefit know these locations are available.”

More information is available through the City of Pocatello.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Singing, dancing, and a whole lot of screaming are helping build a supportive community at the Idaho Falls Public Library.

Music and Movement is a relatively new program at the library. It invites parents and children ages 0 to 5 to learn through singing and dancing.

“It is a high energy class that where we will sing and dance and usually do some work with a musical instrument, like the shaky eggs or rhythm sticks,” Sarah Carr, the instructor and creator of the program, said. “It’s meant for the 0 to 5 crowd. It is basically developing just some core skills of rhythm and rhyming.”

Although advertised mainly for children, Carr says it’s a great way for parents to build a community.

“I love the community that I see the moms and dads building up there. They look out for each other’s kids,” Carr said. “You wouldn’t be able to tell that I notice because I’m singing the whole time. But I see when a kid falls down and another mom helps them. They’re building a community.”

When Carr first moved to Idaho Falls 9 years ago, she struggled to find her community. Many people who are new to the area, especially new parents, may be struggling to find a support system.

“When I moved here, my husband had a lot of connections, but I felt like a bit of an outsider. And so that was definitely hard. It took a little while to feel like this is home,” Carr reflected. “I didn’t take advantage of programs like this and I should have. Because it can be so isolating when you’re new in town. And if you have a kid, sometimes it’s even more isolating because you’re not sure you know what to do.”

Carr has made it her mission to not only teach kids with singing and dancing, but to help other lonely parents find their community.

“I definitely was lonely when I moved here but it’s been nine years. So now it’s home but it took a while,” Carr said. “I am really excited for a parent who’s lonely to come and find an outlet for their kid and hopefully it can make their day a little bit brighter.”

More information about this and other events can be found at Idaho Falls Public Library Calendar.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Police Department is accepting applications for its next class of police officers, with testing scheduled later this month.

The department’s next hiring test is set for July 25 at the Idaho Falls Police Complex. Anyone interested in a career in law enforcement is encouraged to apply. To help prospective applicants prepare, the department will host a practice test and information meeting on Saturday, July 11, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the police complex.

“Being a police officer gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives every day,” Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson said. “Being a police officer in Idaho Falls means you get an exciting and rewarding career while serving an incredible community.”

According to the department, new officers start at $28 per hour and receive a pay increase after completing training. Additional pay opportunities are available through shift differentials, overtime, advanced certifications, career path programs and language incentives. Benefits include paid time off, paid holidays, retirement through PERSI, wellness programs, education assistance and medical, dental and vision insurance.

The hiring process begins with a written exam and physical fitness test on July 25. The physical fitness portion includes a 300-meter sprint, vertical jump, push-ups, sit-ups and a 1.5-mile run.

Candidates can register through PublicSafetyTesting.com and must also submit an employment application through the City of Idaho Falls website. Applicants who pass the testing phase will move on to background investigations, oral interviews, and medical and psychological evaluations. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 21 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and hold a valid driver’s license.

Department officials say the July 25 testing session is expected to be the final entry-level police officer testing opportunity of 2026.

The Idaho Falls Police Department is also hiring emergency communications officers and lateral police officers. More information is available through the City of Idaho Falls employment website.

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Danielle Mullenix

ISLAND PARK, ID (KIFI) – Continuing the spirit of America’s 250th birthday festivities, residents of Island Park gathered near Mesa Falls this afternoon to witness the historic dedication of a new obelisk monument for the long and winding city.

Island Park has unveiled a new monument: an obelisk with engravings on all four sides depicting the city’s history, from Native American accounts to modern-day travel along “America’s Longest Main Street.”

The Island Park Historical Society unveiled the monument, an engraved obelisk standing beautifully against the south side of Sawtell Peak, at the historic Mesa Falls Highway 20 turnoff across from Harriman State Park during a ceremony that kicked off an afternoon of America 250 celebrations.

The monument is thoughtfully designed to introduce visitors to the history of Island Park and what is known as “America’s Longest Main Street”, preserving the stories that have shaped the small but mighty community for generations.

“This should stand as a historical overview, providing the public with an introduction to the history of ‘America’s Longest Main Street’,” said Island Park Historical Society Archivist Allison Orme Giacoletto. “It’s our identity. Our history is our identity, who we are. It should provide a background kind of context for how we got here, why we’re here, and why it is the way it is.”

Island Park Historical Society President Mel Bingham said he hopes the monument serves as a lasting reminder of both the area’s heritage and the freedoms celebrated during America’s semiquincentennial.

“I hope that even this obelisk and the work we do today may help us all think of the freedoms that we have and the opportunities and the beauty of this area,” Bingham said.

The monument dedication was the first part of a full day of activities commemorating America 250, Idaho’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Following the ceremony, visitors gathered at Harriman State Park’s Ranch View Shelter for historical exhibits along the Railroad Ranch, community fellowship with patriotism reflected through each pair of sunglasses on the sunny Island Park day, and a free ice cream social sponsored by the Island Park Historical Society.

Guests also had the opportunity to join a nationwide reading of the Declaration of Independence near the new monument at 4 p.m., led locally by Jim Smith.

Island Park Historical Society organizers said the day’s events were designed to celebrate not only America’s 250 years of history but also Island Park’s unique role in the country’s heritage, encouraging residents and visitors alike to reflect on the community’s past while preserving it for future generations.

To learn more about the history of Island Park, visit the Historical Society of Island Park’s Facebook page here.

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News Team

PROVO, Utah (KIFI) — The high-profile preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, 23, is scheduled to resume in a Utah courtroom today, where a judge will ultimately determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial for the murder of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

Wednesday’s hearing has now ended. Watch the recording in the video player above.

Tuesday marked the second day of the multi-day proceedings, which saw prosecutors introduce critical new surveillance footage from the Utah Valley University campus, recorded the day of the shooting.

According to prosecutors, the video tracks Robinson’s movements across campus, including footage of him walking with a distinct limp in a parking garage stairwell. Investigators also highlighted an encounter hours after the shooting, around 12:30 a.m., when Robinson’s vehicle allegedly made brief contact with a police officer working campus security while attempting to turn onto a restricted road.

The courtroom was filled with emotional family members and high-profile figures. According to CNN, Kirk’s parents and widow were in attendance but left the courtroom when the defense began describing a video of the shooting. Robinson’s family was also present, as well as Donald Trump Jr., a close friend of the late activist.

Robinson surrendered to police the day after the shooting. While he has not yet entered a formal plea, he faces multiple severe charges, including aggravated murder. Prosecutors have already signaled their intent to seek the death penalty if the case goes to trial.

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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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Aalo Atomics has ambitious goals, aiming to become the leading source of nuclear power for AI data centers.

“We’re exclusively focused initially on how to mass produce nuclear reactors and provide power to AI data centers,” said Aalo Atomics President and Chief Technology Officer Yasir Arafat. “Once we can build many of these and can bring the cost curve down per unit, then it’s going to open up other markets like industrial applications, desalination, or powering small towns or communities.”

The Aalo-X Critical Test Reactor reached criticality twenty minutes after midnight on the Fourth of July. As the fourth U.S. nuclear reactor to sustain a controlled nuclear chain reaction since June, it advances a remarkable track record of success for nuclear energy.

It’s the third reactor to go critical at Idaho National Laboratory in one month, exceeding President Donald Trump’s goal for three reactors to reach the milestone by the nation’s 250th birthday.

Aalo Atomics’ future reactors would supply power to data centers without burdening the grid.

“In the next five years alone, we would need to add at least 100 GW for just AI data centers along in this country,” Arafat said. “That is a tremendous amount of energy.”

Aalo is planning to build a second reactor, the Aalo Pod, and a data center next door. Ground has already been broken for the additional reactor’s construction, and Aalo anticipates it will be generating 10 megawatts of electricity by July 4th next year.

“We want to take that electricity and connect to a co-located, co-build AI data center – just to see how a co-located data center and nuclear can live together,” Arafat said. “How do we deal with some of the harmonics that can exist from data center usage back to a spinning turbine nuclear reactor?”

The company built its entire reactor and facility in less than eight months.

“This reactor was designed at full scale to our 30 Megawatt thermal, 10 Megawatt electric full-powered system, so that whatever we learn from the Critical Test Reactor is directly applicable to our commercial system,” he said.

The new reactor is located adjacent to the Materials and Fuels Complex at Idaho National Laboratory.

Aalo has major plans to scale the technology and expand its manufacturing in the future.

“So right now, we have a 40,000-square-foot facility,” Arafat explained. “Over the next three years, we want to expand that to 1,000,000-ft² of manufacturing capability in this country. Honestly, this would be the largest commercially-run and operated manufacturing facility for nuclear ever in this country.”

Aalo Atomics is at the heart of the U.S. Nuclear Renaissance – pairing advanced nuclear reactors with America’s expanding thirst for electricity.

“We want to make nuclear ubiquitous – meaning be able to apply anywhere, any location where there’s a need for reliable 24/7 clean energy,” Arafat said.

Aalo Atomics President & Chief Technology Officer Yasir Arafat stands in front of the Aalo-X Critical Test Reactor three days after it achieved criticality on the Fourth of July.

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Maile Sipraseuth

DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) – With summer in full swing, school might be the last thing on the minds of parents and students. However, local school districts are already looking ahead to August, facing a tough hiring market as they do so.

The Teton Valley School District is currently preparing for the upcoming school year by recruiting teachers, bus drivers, custodians, and other vital support staff. But in this region, filling those roles is easier said than done.

Teton Valley School District’s Superintendent Brian Ashton says hiring s has become increasingly difficult, particularly for classified staff (bus drivers, custodial staff, etc.), because of funding limitations, the region’s high cost of housing and competition from higher-paying jobs in nearby Jackson Hole.

“It comes down to one simple thing: the state does not fund what it takes to actually run a school district,” Ashton said. “It funds a good portion of our teachers, but much less [for support staff]. I think only about 30% of our classified staff is paid for through the state.”

To bridge the gap, many current employees are pulling double duty.

“We have some custodians that also drive bus. We have paraprofessionals that also drive bus, and do both,” Ashton said, “So it is a challenge.”

As housing becomes increasingly unaffordable in Teton Valley, Ashton says nearly 10-15% of the district’s employees now commute from Rexburg or Idaho Falls.

The district also competes with employers in Jackson Hole, just an hour away, where the tourism-driven economy often offers higher wages.

“The wages are not as high as we would like them to be. And relative to the economy here, the hourly wage is pretty high because we are so close to Jackson in a tourist economy. So even though it’s significantly better, than in some of the other counties, it’s still lower than what they can do if they work hourly somewhere else,” Ashton said.

While recruiting teachers can also be challenging in a rural district, Ashton said alternative certification programs have helped fill classroom vacancies by allowing professionals from other career fields to become licensed teachers.

“We definitely have teachers who enter the profession through alternative certification,” Ashton said. “Without it, we would be in a bad spot.”

Ashton says that the ability to maintain staffing levels is dependent on voter support for this November’s supplemental levy.

“We will need their support in November to make sure that the supplemental levy goes through so that we can continue the level of service that we’ve been able to offer,” Ashton said.

Those interested in applying for a position at Teton Valley School District can apply HERE.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Former Portneuf Valley Soccer Club President Cristie Stone appeared in court for the first time on July 7 since the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office filed criminal charges on June 16.

The charges stem from an internal audit of the soccer club’s financial statements, which court documents allege uncovered a string of suspicious transactions traced to Stone and her ICCU account.

RELATED: Former Portneuf Valley Soccer Club President charged with Felony Grand Theft

Stone is accused of embezzling almost $220,000 from the soccer club account, which was linked to her personal credit card with Idaho Central Credit Union. According to the incident report, when the soccer club board pressed Stone about the transactions, she claimed not to have noticed the two accounts were linked.

During the arraignment this afternoon, Stone’s defense attorney Richard Block waived the reading of the criminal complaint. Judge Eric Hunn stated the charge for felony grand theft is punishable by 1-14 years in prison and/or a $5000 fine.

Judge Hunn then set Stone’s preliminary hearing date for Tuesday, July 21, at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Cousins. Stone is not currently in custody as she awaits her hearing date.

Stone has not entered a plea, and her counsel declined to comment at this time.

This is an ongoing investigation and case; Local News 8 will provide additional details as the case develops.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — To celebrate Independence Day and commemorate America 250, The Community Food Basket and City of Idaho Falls set an ambitious goal to raise $25,000 in 25 hours. While the final tally fell short of the initial target, organizers and volunteers are calling the event a major victory for local families.

Donors across the region stepped up to contribute a total of $13,458.53. Every dollar raised will go directly to providing food for those in need over the summer.

“People are hungry all year long,” Ariel Jackson, the Executive Director for the Community Food Basket, said. “And summers are tough. There’s not a lot of food drives happening. There’s a lot of people traveling, and kids are home eating breakfast and lunch, and people’s food bills tend to triple. And so we really needed to bring a truck of food in at this time of year so that we can get make sure those kids are fed, make sure our seniors are fed in their homes, and that families can have dinner together.”

When schools close for the summer, families lose access to free or reduced-price school meal programs, causing household grocery expenses to skyrocket. To combat this, the Community Food Basket is leveraging the fundraiser’s proceeds to purchase a truckload of food so they can provide for a community in need.

The impact of these community donations will stretch far. Jackson says that every dollar that comes in can turn into $4.80 worth of food.

“This was our second sort of drive that we’ve done around 24 hours,” Jackson said. “This community always amazes us. When it seems like something is impossible, we ask, and people band together and really support what we do here, which is making sure bellies are full.”

For those who missed the 25-hour window, the Community Food Basket is still accepting donations and non-perishable food items throughout the summer. For more information, click HERE.

The next big food drive they have coming up is in October, where they will try to fill their warehouse with 100,000 pounds of food for the Holiday season.

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