Author: KIFI

David Barrington

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) — Friends of the Children–Eastern Idaho celebrated the grand opening of its new clubhouse at Fort Hall Elementary School on Thursday, marking an expansion of the professional mentoring program that first launched in American Falls.

The program aims to disrupt cycles of hardship by enrolling children ages 4 to 6 who are facing early adversity. Each child is paired with a paid, professional mentor who guides them from early childhood all the way through high school graduation, in an effort to keep local youth out of the juvenile justice system and on track to graduate.

Executive Director Gina Judd says those children often show strong potential and benefit most from long-term support.

“Typically their children have a lot of potential and a lot of promise, but they’ve also been facing a lot of hardship at that early age,” said Judd. “And they would be the ones who benefit the most from a long-term, supportive, professional mentor.”

Located directly inside Fort Hall Elementary School, the new clubhouse gives mentors a dedicated space to meet with students regularly. For more information, click HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

ABC4

By: Amelia Hobson

Originally Posted: Oct 1, 2026 / 09:07 PM MDT

YELLOWSTONE, WYO. (ABC4) — A photo and videographer is speaking after one of her videos of a Bison at Yellowstone National Park spinning in circles went viral. She says she has never seen a bison act this way before.

Tammy Neufeld says she spends days at a time filming the natural landscape and wildlife throughout Yellowstone and Western Wyoming. Recently, she came across something bizarre- a bison spinning in the river.

“Another friend had seen this bison like a week before. He’d been doing this for a couple weeks,” she said. “And, so, I just went there last week and saw him and saw him several days in a row, exhibiting the same behavior, standing in the river, spinning in circles.”

When she found the bison, who she has named Spinny, she saw that he appears to be injured on his right eye, which she says could be why he is spinning.

Neufeld says she wasn’t quite sure what to expect or to make of Spinny. As a wildlife photographer, she regularly sees Bison with injuries, but none quite like him.What was found among 20k pieces of trash removed from Yellowstone hydrothermal areas

“They’re massive animals and they can move and they’re fast and they can fight to the death. So I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to be looking at,” Neufeld said. “But then when you get there, it’s very poignant because he seems very lost and he seems afraid. His tail was shaking and agitated. So, you really feel sorry for him.

Neufeld also questions whether or not Spinny has a concussion, since he appears so disoriented. It appears that many others have questions as well, with thousands of people commenting on the videos of Spinney and asking for updates.

However, Neufeld says she has not seen Spinney the Bison for several days, and that he may have died or moved somewhere safer. She believes that the Park Rangers are aware about him, but that there isn’t much they can do.

“They just generally try not to interfere and let nature be nature. So, I don’t know if they’ve been on the cusp of doing something about it, but now he’s gone. So that might have taken care of that issue for them,” she said.How to make ABC4 your preferred news source on Google

ABC4.com has also reached out to the park to see if this behavior is normal or could be related to an injury, and to know how they handle injured wildlife. We are waiting to hear back.

While the concerned fans of Spinney may be disappointed, Neufeld says this is a reminder of the truth behind nature.

“It’s not always just coming here and everything’s marvelous. This is real life and nature is harsh and then things happen. So I try to share pretty much everything I see with my viewers,” she said. “In this case, they got very attached to the story of Spidney and then wanted to know, have updates of him every day.”

She continued, “I’ve seen a lot of bison with goring wounds in their sides and stomachs and they get up and walk it off. And I’ve seen a lot of bison that have died from, from a fight. And so, it’s a, it’s a whole rainbow of things that can happen.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Danielle Mullenix

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – If the cold never bothered you anyway, lace up your skates!

The Joe Marmo/Wayne Lehto Ice Arena will open for its 2026-27 season Saturday, Oct. 3, and the City of Idaho Falls is celebrating with free ice skating lessons.

Skaters ages 4 and older can take part in a free, 30-minute lesson on opening day.

Three sessions will be offered between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., with 50 spots available during each session.

Preregistration is required, and skates will be provided.

Skaters will be grouped based on age and ability before each lesson, giving beginners and more experienced skaters a chance to learn the basics in a welcoming environment.

The city is also accepting registration for its Learn to Skate program, which offers instruction for different ages and skill levels. Adult skating lessons are also available for those looking to learn the basics or improve their skills.

Public Skate Session Prices       General Rate City Rate Adult Admission & Skate Rental $11.75 $10.75 Child/Senior Admission & Skate Rental $10.25 $9.50 Adult Admission $8.00 $7.00 Child/Senior Admission $6.50 $5.75 Group Rate $9.00 (15-person minimum, Includes Rentals) $8.00 Additional Rentals Item Rate Skate Rental $3.75 Skate Aid Rental $2.00 Helmet $1.00 Skate Sharpening Freestyle Skate Session Pricing          General Rate     City Rate Adult Freestyle $9.50 $8.25 Child/Senior Freestyle $7.50 $6.50 Home School and Preschool Skate Session Pricing Session General Rate City Rate Home School Skate Session $8.00 (includes Rentals) $7.00 Preschool Skate Session (0-6 yrs with parent) $3.50 $3.00

The ice arena is located at 390 Rogers St. in Tautphaus Park.

For registration and more information, visit the Idaho Falls Ice Arena website.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Two people were injured at their home in an early Friday morning bear attack in Lemhi County.

The Lemhi County Sheriff’s office and Idaho Fish and Game say, around 3:30 a.m. on October 2nd, two residents of the Sunset Heights subdivision near Salmon were attacked by a juvenile black bear.

IDFG says, “Both individuals sustained injuries and one was transported by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls to be treated for his injuries. Idaho Fish and Game was notified by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office and mobilized the IDFG Wildlife Human Attack Response Team to secure the scene.”

The Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the pair was injured during the attack. As of Friday, authorities have not released the victims’ names, the extent of their injuries.

IDFG says, “The black bears, believed to be a sow with two juveniles, were no longer on site and so a professional hounds-man was brought in to track them. The sow has been killed and IDFG officers remain onsite for the foreseeable future to locate and euthanize the juveniles.”

Deputies are advising residents that officers and tracking teams will be crossing property lines and fences during the operation and urge all residents to keep pets secured indoors. A CodeRED alert has been issued for households in the surrounding area.

Urgent Safety Guidelines for Lemhi County

In a secondary post, LCSO strongly urged residents in the Sunset Heights and surrounding Salmon areas to secure their properties and eliminate anything that could attract a bear immediately:

Secure Food and Trash

Lock up garbage: Keep trash cans inside a secure garage or shed, and only put them out on the morning of pickup. Clean outdoor grills: Scrub your barbecue grill and empty grease traps after every single use. Remove bird feeders: Take down bird feeders during active bear seasons, as seeds and nectar are high-calorie attractants. Eliminate outdoor pet food: Never leave pet food, stock feed, or water bowls outside your home. Manage fruit trees: Pick ripe fruit immediately and do not let rotting fruit pile up on the ground.

Block Entry Points

Secure crawl spaces: Board up openings beneath your porch, deck, or house using thick plywood with no gaps that a bear can use for leverage. Keep windows and doors shut: Avoid cooking with ground-floor windows or doors open, and store scented products like sunscreen, bug spray, and toothpaste inside. Keep car doors locked so bears do not smell food inside vehicles. Use deterrent mats: Place commercial electric mats or DIY “unwelcome mats” (boards with evenly spaced protruding screws or nails) under vulnerable windows and near entry doors to make the ground uncomfortable.

If you see a bear or signs of bear activity, do not approach the animals. Immediately report any bear activity to 911 or contact the Lemhi County non-emergency dispatch line at 208-756-8980.

Click here to follow the original article.

Curtis Jackson

INKOM, Idaho (KIFI) — A Maryland woman was hospitalized after a hitch hit them while driving on I-15 Thursday afternoon.

Idaho State Police said the crash happened on the southbound lane at milepost 56 at 3:58 p.m.

Police said the 37-year-old woman was driving a Ram Cargo van when a receiver hitch came through the windshield and hit her. Police didn’t say where the receiver hitch came from.

The driver was taken to a local hospital. Her condition is unknown.

The crash is still under investigation.

Click here to follow the original article.

David Pace

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) – The iconic Greater Idaho Falls Transit (GIFT) vans are now running in Ammon.

In the last four years, GIFT has offered 410,000 rides to seniors, airport travelers, veterans, people with disabilities, students on their way to sports practice or anyone else who would like a lift.

“I wasn’t able to drive a vehicle because of my poor vision. I’m so happy to have GIFT coming to Ammon because I have medical appointments that I’ve had a difficult time getting to,” said Sondra Olson.

GIFT’s expanded service area covers 8 additional square miles, home to 14,000 Ammon residents.

“Starting today, portions of Ammon and all of Idaho Falls will receive door-to-door service that we have been doing for the last four years,” said GIFT Transportation Coordinator Kade Marquez.

Riders will now be able to shop at Ammon shopping centers – including Walmart, Target, Broulim’s and Albertsons, visit the doctor or be dropped off and picked up from numerous neighborhoods in the city.

At a ribbon-cutting Thursday, officials highlighted the service’s benefits to those who need a ride.

In its first day of expanded operations on October 1, the on-demand public transit service placed 30 rides and received 100 to 150 phone calls for services to Ammon.

Leaders from Idaho Falls and Ammon have been collaborating for three years to achieve this expansion.

“This has been a long time coming for the city of Ammon,” Ammon Mayor Brian Powell said. “We’ve had a lot of residents request rides for GIFT, and a lot of businesses that were unable to help our residents because they couldn’t travel into Ammon, and so this expansion has been just great for them.”

Ammon will pay approximately $6,000 a month to cover cost-of-service for GIFT, dollars that are matched by federal funds, Marquez said.

It’s a service that serves some of the most vulnerable in the community – including individuals in wheelchairs or people heading

“I’m looking forward for the Ammon City Council to have members of the public come in and tell you just how grateful they are for GIFT,” Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw said.

You can download the GIFT app here.

Prices are $2 per ride for senior citizens, $4 for on-demand, $6 for scheduled pickups and $10 a ride in evening hours. For more information or to learn how to order a ride, visit the GIFT website or call 208-999-GIFT.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dylan Carder

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City Council approved the Bengal Community Partnership Agreement between the City of Pocatello and Idaho State University at Thursday night’s city council meeting.

The agreement establishes a joint cabinet to foster strategic alignment, shared communication and long-term coordination between municipal leadership and university officials.

It serves as a formal statement of shared commitment, cooperation and goodwill between the city and the university. It does not create legally binding obligations, financial commitments or regulatory authority, requiring specific initiatives to pass through standard decision-making processes for both entities.

Under the framework, the Bengal Community Partnership Cabinet will be co-chaired by the president of Idaho State University and the city mayor. In addition to the co-chairs, each organization will appoint four representatives, who may include elected officials, senior administrators, staff, students or community stakeholders.

The cabinet will ordinarily convene at least quarterly, with provisions to schedule extra meetings or hold joint sessions with neighboring regional partners as needed. Primary responsibilities include maintaining regular communication, identifying shared priorities, encouraging collaborative solutions to community challenges and aligning university initiatives with broader local goals.

To execute specific projects, the cabinet has authority to establish standing or project-specific working groups. Identified areas for potential collaboration include public safety and emergency coordination, transportation, housing, economic development, arts and tourism, strategic growth and community events. Each year, the cabinet will select a limited number of priority initiatives and establish metrics to measure performance and impact.

The agreement emphasizes joint stewardship between higher education and municipal leadership. Administrative support for the cabinet will be coordinated jointly by university and municipal staff. The agreement is designed to auto-renew annually, though both entities retain the ability to consider changes and make amendments at any time to facilitate implementation.

The full text of the agreement can be found below.

isu pocatello agreementDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

UPDATED Monday, October 5, 2026:

INKOM, Idaho (KIFI) – On Monday, the Bannock County Coroner’s office identified the 19-year-old Downey man who was killed in a crash on I-15 last week. They said Ethan Anderson died after his pickup rear-ended a semi-truck on October 1, 2026.

According to Lt. Todd Orr of the Idaho State Police, the crash happened in the southbound lanes near milepost 60. The accident happened around 5:40 p.m. Both vehicles came to rest in the right lane, he said.

The lane was closed for approximately 4 hours as they investigated.

Investigators said the 19-year-old was not wearing his seatbelt.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The Museum of Idaho will open its new Galileo Galilei exhibit this Saturday. It will showcase much of Galileo’s life and scientific experiments and offer an interactive experience for visitors.

“Galileo was this incredible scientist who lived in the 15 and 1600s, who contributed more than maybe anybody else in our history to the advancement of scientific knowledge,” Jeff Carr, the Executive Director for the Museum of Idaho, said.

Galileo contributed so much to our current knowledge of physics, mathematics, the arts, astronomy, and geometry. He made many of his discoveries through experiments, which the museum has recreated so visitors can experience them firsthand.

“As you’re sitting there, you start thinking, ‘why did that happen? Like, wait, this happened differently than the first time I tried it. Like, what’s going on?’ And realizing that the exact same thing Galileo was thinking,” said Chloe Doucette, the Museum of Idaho’s Managing Director.

Almost every item in the exhibit is interactive, giving all visitors a true hands-on learning experience.

“Actually being able to see and understand as a ball rolls down a ramp or as a pendulum swings, that it is key to kind of building your foundation of what physics is and how science works,” Doucette said. “And so getting hands-on with experiments like this makes a big difference in understanding these larger, bigger topics about astronomy and about physics.”

The exhibit opens this Saturday, October 3rd, and goes through January 10th, 2027.

Click here to follow the original article.