Author: KIFI

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – To kickoff the historic America250 Fourth of July weekend, the City of Pocatello celebrated Idaho’s birthday and the community by sealing the 50-year time capsule. Unlike other time capsules buried underground, this one will be held on the second floor of the Marshall Public Library for the next 50 years.

A special America250 Committee has spearheaded the project, led by Representative Rick Cheatum. He had the idea for the time capsule after seeing other communities preserve snapshots in time in similar ways. The hope is that local leadership will open the steel box in 50 years and have an accurate idea of what life in Pocatello consisted of in 2026.

By 2076, it’s possible the forms of media preserved in the time capsule will no longer exist. Things like newspapers, physical articles, Idaho State University merchandise and more trinkets from everyday life filled the box. The capsule itself was built and donated by Partner Steel, and with over 100 total donations to City Hall for the project, they were able to fit everything submitted into the safe.

“There’s stuff in there from the City of Pocatello, taxes, everything to really show where we’re at now,” said J.D. Hansen, events coordinator for the America250 board.

He added it was challenging to decide how the items would best be preserved for 50 years, with the committee purchasing special preservation tools to make it possible.

“We had to order special papers to make sure none of the ink or anything like that spreads or omits any gas,” Hansen said. “Everything is personally sealed individually so that we don’t have any bleeding over anything else or the natural gasses to destroy it.”

Rep. Rick Cheatum spoke at the July 3 ceremony about the importance of preserving our community’s history and honoring the birthdays of both Idaho and the U.S. this year. Mayor Mark Dahlquist was also in attendance and read the proclaimation, stating that Pocatello officially participated in America250 with the time capsule project.

The mayor and members of the city council wrote letters to place inside. Dahlquist added he is honored to be mayor of Pocatello during this special celebratory year.

He reminded the community to continue celebrating in the downtown area of Pocatello throughout the weekend, with the First Friday Art Walk, the Farmer’s Market and both the parade and fireworks show at the Portneuf Wellness Complex on the Fourth of July.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – With hundreds of thousands of guests preparing for the biggest Melaleuca Freedom Celebration and Liberty on Parade in history, Idahoans across the state are reflecting on the magnitude of the semiquincentennial anniversary of the United States.

“I’m really looking forward to all the fireworks and see all the different colors of them in the sky,” said Mazen and Wilder Cooper.

When asked her favorite part about America, Aliya Hawker didn’t hesitate.

“Not the gas prices,” she said.

Fybercom employee Alexa Bermudez loves the wildlife and natural beauty found in America’s vast landscapes.

“The national parks are my favorite because I love nature, and I love hiking,” Bermudez said. “I love all the animals and them being able to be in their natural habitat.”

Others appreciate America’s civil liberties.

“The right to vote. I’m very grateful that I have the ability to make that choice of who – whether or not that person gets elected,” said Abby Pexton, a fireworks crew volunteer.

Her friend, fellow fireworks crew member Laura Coles, added, “I love that we have freedom of speech, right to bear arms, freedom to just say your mind and speak your mind and and talk to people. And, a lot of countries, I know they don’t necessarily have that.”

In America, each individual can choose his or her own path with self-determination.

“I can be whatever I like as long as I put the work in,” said Carson Campbell, who grew up in Bonneville County. “Most countries don’t allow that or try to limit you to what you can do.”

Kids reveled in the joys of life in the U.S.A.

“We can be free and play outside,” said Logan Goodman.

“We can go to national parks like Yellowstone,” chimed in his brother Ryan.

“I love that in the United States that we get to run trains,” Max Goodman added.

“Go America!”

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Paul Baker has resigned as CEO of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce, according to an official announcement posted to the organization’s Facebook page.

In the online statement, the Chamber’s Board of Directors confirmed they have accepted Baker’s resignation but noted he will continue to help for a few weeks to facilitate an orderly leadership transition.

“We thank Paul for his years of service to the Chamber and wish him well in his future endeavors,” the board stated.

Social Media Speculation into Soccer Club Investigation

The resignation follows mounting public and online speculation regarding Baker’s ties to the Portneuf Valley Soccer Club. The soccer organization recently announced that the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating potential financial irregularities discovered during an internal forensic audit.

RELATED: Internal forensic audit triggers prosecutor investigation into financial irregularities at Portneuf Valley Soccer Club

In late June, the prosecutor’s office charged Baker’s longtime associate and former Portneuf Valley Soccer Club President, Cristie Stone, with felony grand theft.

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

While several online groups — including the local podcast IFAF — have publicly speculated about Baker’s potential involvement with the soccer club’s finances, authorities have not filed any charges against him. As of publication, Local News 8 has verified there is no legal allegation connecting Baker to the alleged theft.

Chamber Addresses Rumors, No Evidence of Misappropriation

The Chamber’s press release appears to directly address the ongoing rumors, reassuring members that its own finances remain secure.

“To date, the Board has not found any evidence that Chamber funds have been misappropriated,” the statement read.

Moving forward, the Chamber emphasized that business will continue as usual while they search for new leadership and review their own financial books.

“The Board remains committed to the Chamber’s mission of serving its members and supporting a strong business community. Chamber operations will continue uninterrupted as we move forward with a leadership transition and an independent audit,” the release concluded. “We appreciate the continued support of our members, partners, and the community, and we will provide additional information as appropriate.”

Local News 8 has reached out to Paul Baker for comment and will update this article if we receive a response.

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Stephanie Lucas

McCAMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — A Bannock County Sheriff’s deputy and a neighbor rescued a trapped homeowner from a burning mobile home Thursday night near McCammon.

According to the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, the homeowner called emergency dispatch reporting his mobile home near Highway 91 and Dixon Road was on fire and that he and his dogs were trapped in a rear bedroom.

A deputy arrived within minutes and, with the help of a nearby resident, reached the homeowner and pulled him from the burning home.

The homeowner was later airlifted to a hospital for treatment. Officials believe the man’s dogs were able to escape the fire on their own.

The mobile home was destroyed in the blaze.

Neither the deputy nor the neighbor was injured during the rescue.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Sheriff’s officials also thanked the neighbor who assisted in the rescue, along with responders from the Inkom Fire Department, McCammon Fire Department and Bannock County Search and Rescue.

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Seth Ratliff

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — A juvenile girl was hospitalized Thursday evening after an off-highway vehicle accident in the Mill Creek camping area of Island Park.

According to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews were called to the scene around 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 2nd. The girl was airlifted via life-flight helicopter to a local hospital. Her current condition remains unknown, and the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Sheriff’s deputies noted that the incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of outdoor safety.

“The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind all recreationists to always use protective gear and watch your surroundings,” the department stated in a press release.

Free OHV Safety Classes Available

In light of several OHV accidents in recent months, in late May the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office announced they would be offering free OHV Safety Classes throughout the summer until August 19th.

All ages are welcome. The classes will take place at the Fremont County Search and Rescue Building, 331 W 1 S in St Anthony. For more information, click HERE.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Fourth of July plans are seeing increased costs for both cookouts and travel this year, with inflation affecting family budgets.

Smart Substitutions at the Grill

The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates the average cost of a 10-person cookout in the West at $73.82, or about $7.38 per person, reflecting the highest price seen in a decade. Jesse Smith of Fred Meyer in Idaho Falls suggests substitutions could be the key to stretching your dollar.

“Let’s say you don’t want to do ribeye right. Ribeye is a little bit spendy…But if you don’t want to part ways that much, maybe stick with just hamburgers!” Smith said. He added that hamburgers can be just as delicious and are often easier for children to eat outdoors.

To keep costs down, Smith recommends Fourth of July shoppers look for discounts, coupons, digital deals, and store-brand items.

Record Travel Despite High Pump Prices

Meanwhile, travel plans also face increased costs due to high gas prices. Despite the costs involved, AAA projects that 72 million Americans — including over 400,000 Idahoans — will travel for the Fourth of July weekend, setting a new record for holiday travel.

“It’s going to be very busy no matter how you go,” said AAA spokesperson Matthew Conde.

Conde explained that while the current average price of gas sits at $4.06 a gallon, travelers are comparing it to the record highs of recent years.

“Just four years ago, it was $5.25 a gallon. That’s the highest we’ve ever paid,” says Conde. ” And so you can imagine that now, looking at $4.06… Our pain thresholds kind of move with the inflation.”

According to AAA, vacationers are now prioritizing the journey over minor holiday extras.

“People are a lot less fickle based on what the pump prices are doing; they still go. And if that means one fewer firework or one less, you know, Rocket Pop, they’re going to go ahead and spend the money on the gas. That’s the lifeblood of the trip. The rest will take care of itself.”

AAA recommends several strategies to make every gallon count, for example, lightening your vehicle’s load. Every 100 pounds of extra cargo can cause a 25% decrease in fuel efficiency on the interstate. For more information, click HERE.

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Danielle Mullenix

YELLOWSTONE, WY (KIFI) – With free admission for U.S. residents from July 3 through July 5, Yellowstone expects especially heavy crowds this weekend at entrance stations, popular attractions, road construction zones, and wildlife viewing areas. If you’re planning to celebrate Independence Day in Yellowstone National Park, officials are encouraging visitors to plan ahead as one of the park’s busiest weekends of the year gets underway.

Leave the fireworks at home

Fireworks are prohibited throughout Yellowstone and all national parks. National Park Service officials say even a single spark can ignite a large wildfire, especially during the busy summer season and ongoing drought conditions.

Instead of fireworks, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the park’s natural attractions, including geysers, waterfalls, wildlife, and scenic landscapes.

Practice campfire safety

Campfires are only allowed in designated fire rings within campgrounds and some backcountry campsites. Before leaving a campfire, park officials recommend following the “Soak, Stir, Feel, Repeat” method to make sure the fire is completely extinguished and cold to the touch.

The park’s current fire danger level is moderate, though officials say conditions can change quickly. Anyone who sees smoke or fire should notify a park ranger or call 911.

Expect delays and drive carefully

Traffic is expected to be heavy throughout the holiday weekend. Visitors should allow extra travel time, obey posted speed limits, and never stop in the roadway to view wildlife. Instead, use designated pullouts and make sure all four tires are completely to the right of the white line when parking.

Officials also remind drivers never to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. DUI enforcement will be implemented by law enforcement around the region for the holiday weekend.

Give wildlife plenty of space

Don’t pet the fluffy cows.

Yellowstone’s wildlife is one of its biggest attractions, but it can also be dangerous. Visitors must stay at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves, and cougars, and 25 yards from all other wildlife, including bison and elk.

If an animal approaches, visitors should slowly back away to maintain a safe distance.

Stay on boardwalks

Park officials also remind visitors to remain on designated boardwalks and trails in thermal areas. Leaving boardwalks can result in serious injury or death from thin ground and scalding hot springs.

Plan before you go

Because campgrounds and lodging often fill months in advance, visitors should confirm reservations before arriving. Should park lodging be full, visitors can find

Officials also recommend checking current road conditions, weather forecasts, and operating hours before entering the park. Summer weather in Yellowstone can change rapidly, with warm sunshine giving way to rain—or even snow—within hours.

Visitors should bring plenty of water, rain gear, warm clothing, and extra layers.

For the latest road conditions, lodging information, and park updates, visitors can check Yellowstone National Park’s official website before traveling.

Park officials say patience and preparation will help visitors enjoy a safe holiday while protecting one of America’s most iconic national parks.

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Stephanie Lucas

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – As the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, the global spotlight from the World Cup is bringing a fresh perspective to the American experiment.

Local News 8 had a chance to catch up with Congressman Russ Fulcher from Idaho’s 1st Congressional District, who says the influx of international tourists is serving as a reminder of what Americans often take for granted — from wide-open spaces to ranch dressing.

Fulcher says the global attention coincides perfectly with the nation’s historic birthday.

“It’s refreshing. I think it’s one of those reminders for us. It’s a wake-up call that, look, we have it very well here. This is the greatest nation in the world, the greatest nation in the history of the world. And we need to appreciate it. In the last 250 years, more prosperity has been created in the United States of America than every other nation in the history of the world combined.”

America’s historic milestone isn’t the only birthday on the radar.

Fulcher also marked Idaho’s 136th Statehood Day, happening July 3. Congressman Fulcher says he may be biased in believing Idaho is the greatest state in the country, citing Idaho’s abundant natural resources and quality of life.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The proposed AI data center for unused land in Pocatello isn’t a resolved case. After the conditional use permit was denied on May 19, Lex Developments filed an appeal. The City Council is set to hear the appeal on July 16 at 6 p.m.

The pushback against the data center has stemmed from issues like water usage, power availability, taxes, noise pollution, and more. As of July 1, a new Idaho law is in effect – House Bill 895— which is intended is to place restrictions on AI data centers’ water usage rights, to ensure Idaho’s limited water resources are continually available for other industries like agriculture.

The bill’s purpose statement says in part, “The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that the cooling function of data centers built in the future is either designed for the non-consumptive use of water, or uses water for such purposes from a municipal water district, or water and sewer district system.”

During the public hearing on the data center on May 14, Gus Shultz from Lex Developments claimed the company had already addressed these issues with local entities.

“I believe it does [qualify for a CUP]. The city can service it. Water can service it. We’ve talked to water, sewer, we’ve talked to power,” Shultz said. “We have all these things in place to service it already.”

However, the hearing examiner wasn’t convinced. In her denial on May 19, she stated the company hadn’t provided sufficient documentation and analysis that a data center of this size and caliber wouldn’t disturb the health and safety of the community. Her findings state in part, “the application does not adequately address that the project would not be detrimental to the public interests, health, safety, or welfare of the city. The applicant should conduct studies/impact analysis for power, water, and wastewater capacity, air quality analysis prior to submitting another application.”

Hearing examiner Kathleen Lewis added that additional studies should include information like wastewater discharge quantities, pretreatment systems if needed, potential chemical discharges from the center and exact water demand. When asked specific questions by the hearing examiner on May 14 regarding water and power usage, Shultz was unable to provide exact data.

Power usage and an increase in taxes were another major concern of Pocatello residents. Idaho Power was asked to comment during the public hearing, ensuring people that taxpayers wouldn’t be affected by a new data center; rather, the applicant would front all costs.

“The applicant would be completely responsible for all costs incurred in the system for upgrades to substation, transmission, generation, all of that,” said Matthew Stucki, customer relations manager with Idaho Power. “They would be responsible for those upgrades and they would not impact the ratepayers.”

Several people spoke out in the hearing, arguing for the AI data center to be approved for the old Hoku plant land. They only expressed concerns about regulating this large business, claiming that issues occur when local governments don’t take charge of their city codes and ensure company compliance.

Mayor Dahlquist agreed, stating that updating the current city codes with planning and land use is essential to being prepared for the future of technology in Pocatello.

“[we need to] take a look at our zoning codes, take a look at our land use codes, and make sure if a data center were to ever come in, that we have some strict codes in there and how we want it to be,” Mayor Dahlquist said. “Like a closed-loop water system or power issues and things like that need to be addressed.”

The mayor added the issue isn’t over yet, and the city won’t idly sit by and wait for another company like Lex Developments to propose a data center. Rather, by updating the city code, they won’t be caught off guard.

For now, the city said it’s premature to speculate what an AI data center could mean for water usage in Pocatello or if the city could sustainably service such a large development. If the conditional use permit is approved by the City Council later this month, Lex Developments will submit its proposed plans and move forward.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Lex Developments and their involved attorneys are refraining from comments at this time, but will continue their appeal process with the city. This is a developing story, and Local News 8 will update this information as more details become available following the appellate hearing on July 16.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Less than 48 hours after the third U.S. reactor achieved criticality this year, the founders of Deployable Energy offered an in-depth look at the technology driving America’s microreactor revolution.

The new Unity reactor core is small enough to fit inside the bed of an F-150 truck, yet generates enough electricity to power 700 homes for five years.

“The Unity Nuclear Battery is a one megawatt microreactor,” said Deployable Energy CEO Bobby Gallacher. “It’s a five percent Low-Enriched Uranium fueled reactor that’s light, water-moderated and helium-cooled.”

The advanced reactor’s design is transformational for its size and scalability.

“It fits within a 20-foot container that can be rapidly deployed on site,” Gallacher said. “That gives us near universal site ability to be able to meet the challenges required for energy in the future.”

Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 reactor and Valar Atomics’ Ward 250 reactor were the first two advanced reactors to reach criticality in June through the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program.

“We created a system that has a self-sustaining, nuclear reaction,” said Deployable Energy Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Sanjay Mukhi. “This is what is needed for providing power to energy needs.”

The achievement allowed the company to “close out” President Donald Trump’s May 2025 executive order to successfully fire up three advanced reactors by America’s 250th anniversary.

“This is an exciting time for the nuclear industry,” Mukhi said. “Having three reactors go critical by the 4th of July – this order that President Trump set last year was a very bold move, and it really inspired the industry to move forward on pace, on time and deliver for the American people.”

While the executive order was issued fourteen months ago, Deployable Energyobtained its strategic partnership projects contract with the U.S. Department of Energy in January 2026.

“We started month nine and came in third,” said Gallagher, an Australian-born, technological entrepreneur. “Just imagine if we started month one.”

Deployable Energy manufactured the reactor core in April in Houston, placed it in the back of a pickup truck and drove it to Idaho National Laboratory.

“This is something that’s fantastic, and it’s never been done before – being able to miniaturize a nuclear reactor to that size and put it in the back of a car and drive it up to where it needed to go,” Mukhi explained. “Keep in mind, this was an unfueled system, and we were driving up just the reactor core, but this shows you how portable a system can be.”

The company is laser-focused on bringing down the cost of nuclear energy for consumers.

“In terms of costs, we’re talking about $0.15 to $0.20 a kilowatt hour for the first units to be delivered,” Gallagher said. “We believe by mid-2030, we’ll be under $0.05 a kilowatt hour. At those prices, that would be transformational to U.S. energy and the pathway to ensuring that we have not just the energy that we need now, but 10x more energy that we need in the future.”

Deployable Energy’s dozen engineers, researchers and scientists were supported by a team of 100 staff at Idaho National Laboratory in achieving criticality.

“INL has been a fantastic partner, along with the Department of Energy, to make a moment like this happen.”

The race to bring more advanced reactors online continues, with additional projects expected to achieve criticality in the near future.

“Now we look forward to the next step of bringing power to the grid with these advanced reactors,” Gallagher said.

Deployable Energy CEO and Co-Founder Bobby Gallagher demonstrates the Unity microreactor’s technology to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

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