Author: KIFI

Ariel Jensen

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Idahoans in Pocatello have the opportunity to meet and discuss current issues with their local representative during a special Table-to-Table Legislative luncheon today, Dec. 16.

Tickets are currently on sale for $33 for individuals and $55 for a pair. During the event, legislators will move around the room “table to table,” with a set amount of time allocated at each table for brief discussions with attendees. When the timer goes off, they will move on to the next table.

The event is designed to ensure every attendee has dedicated time to voice concerns and ask questions.

The luncheon will take place at the Purpose Center / Purpose Tea at 224 N. Main St, Pocatello, ID 8320,4, United States.

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News Release

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

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Traffic will be temporarily detoured Friday, Dec. 19, beginning around 6:30 p.m. through approximately 9:30 p.m., as the City of Idaho Falls welcomes the public to the UTV Holiday Light Parade and the Stones Kia Firework Show.

The parade kicks off at 7 p.m. starting at Freeman Park and will follow a new scenic route designed to help reduce traffic impacts. This year, the route will travel along the east side of the Idaho Falls Riverwalk to the Pancheri Bridge before returning along the west side of the Riverwalk to Freeman Park. Leaving Pancheri Drive open this year is expected to ease overall traffic congestion. Residents can view the map that shows the updated route and suggested viewing areas here.

To ensure the safety of participants and spectators, several intersections and roadways will be temporarily impacted as the parade progresses. Closure times will vary, and traffic impacts are expected to occur between approximately 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. as the route is prepared, the parade moves through the area, and roads are reopened.

The following locations will be impacted:

Broadway Street westbound closed at Memorial Drive

Broadway Street eastbound closed at River Parkway

U.S. 20 eastbound lane adjustments over John’s Hole Bridge

U.S. 20 eastbound off ramp and westbound on ramp at Fremont Avenue/Riverside Drive closed during the event

A small number of homes near Freeman Park may experience limited access while the parade passes. Residents will still be able to access their homes but are asked to wait for breaks in the parade for entry or exit. Letters have been sent to residents that may be affected by the parade.

Pancheri Drive will remain open to vehicle traffic during the parade. However, UTVs will travel along the sidewalk adjacent to Pancheri Drive as part of the route. Drivers traveling near the parade route should expect increased traffic and pedestrian activity and are asked to slow down, remain alert, follow posted signage, and avoid the area if they are not attending the parade or visiting a local business.

The city appreciates the public’s cooperation and patience during the event and looks forward to welcoming the community to the UTV Holiday Light Parade and the Stones Kia Firework Show.

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News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The U.S. Navy has a powerful new addition. Its newest fast-attack submarine, the future USS Idaho, is officially in Navy hands.

The sub was delivered yesterday, Dec. 15, by General Dynamics Electric Boat. It’s the second Virginia-class submarine delivered this year and marks the official handoff from the shipbuilder to the U.S. Navy.

The submarine and its crew will now undergo testing and sea trials before entering active service this spring.

Navy leaders say USS Idaho reflects the hard work of shipbuilders, partners, and sailors coming together to deliver one of the most advanced submarines in the world.

Built by Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class sub.

When it joins the fleet, it will operate quietly, gather intelligence, and carry out missions worldwide. This is the fifth Navy ship named for the state of Idaho, continuing a legacy that spans more than 150 years.

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Curtis Jackson

UPDATE:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — According to the Idaho Missing Persons Clearing House, Paul Eldridge Jr. has been found safe.

Pocatello Police say Eldridge was checked out by family members from the Gateway Transitional Building and was not returned as expected. After staff reported him missing, Paul’s family received the alert and returned him to the facility at approximately 10:30 a.m.

Once officers verified that Paul Eldridge was safe at the facility, the alert was canceled. In a Facebook post, Pocatello Police thanked the public for their assistance and phone calls.

ORIGINAL:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Pocatello Police have issued a endangered missing person alert for Paul Eldridge, Jr.

The 61 year old man was last seen at the Gateway Transitional Care Center on 527 Memorial Drive in Pocatello around 6:20 p.m. on Monday.

Eldridge is described as an indigenous male, 5 foot 4 inches tall, 170 pounds with grey hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie and blue jeans.

An safety alert said he left the care facility and didn’t return and is need of important medication.

If you have seen Eldridge, call the Pocatello Police at 208-234-6100.

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David Pace

CHALLIS, Idaho (KIFI) – Millions of dollars are headed to rural Idaho counties after the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Reauthorization Act passed Congress.

Local News 8 spoke with local county officials to learn how the program impacts rural communities across Idaho.

The Secure Rural Schools program provides vital funding for rural counties with significant swathes of public land that cannot be taxed. It was created in 2000, after declining timber harvest revenues created major funding gaps for counties with large tracts of national forest.

“I can’t understate the significance of this to rural counties in Idaho. Custer County is 97 percent public lands, and we just don’t have the opportunity to expand,” said Custer County Commissioner William Naillon. “The income gathered from programs like these is absolutely essential in keeping our county running.”

Custer County is home to beautiful stretches of forest in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The county relies heavily on the Secure Rural Schools program to fund its schools, roads and infrastructure.

“What SRS equates to for the Lost River Highway District and the Custer County Road and Bridge is about a half $1 million each for them, and then another close to a half $1 million for School Districts 181 and 182,” Naillon continued. “So it’s about $1.5 million here in Custer County.”

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) led the push to reauthorize the program, which expired in 2023.

“The SRS program is vital to maintaining schools, roads and emergency response services in rural, forested counties. We have a responsibility to these communities who house large swaths of untaxable federal land,” Crapo said in a recent statement.  “The passage of this legislation will provide retroactive pay to counties that faced deep cuts since the program’s expiration at the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 and restore funding levels for FY 2026.  I continue to press for a long-term solution to provide Idaho’s county governments with more certainty.”

The last year Secure Rural Schools was authorized, in 2023, the program paid out $22.8 million to 34 Idaho counties.

Final funding will be set by a “formula that includes federal land acreage, economic activity, timber harvest levels, and other factors that vary from county to county each year,” according to Crapo’s office.

The Secure Rural School Reauthorization Act also significantly impacts Fremont, Clark, Lemhi and Teton counties in eastern Idaho.

“We put it toward special projects, so if we got a grant to rebuild a bridge or stretch of road, we use that as our match to help fund those projects,” said Fremont County Clerk Abbie Mace, who retired Friday after an exemplary career.

“We don’t plan on it until they [Congress] actually send the money to us, and then we open our budget. It’s never guaranteed,” she said.

Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness | Courtesy James Sippel, University of Montana

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Powerball Jackpot has soared to $1.10 billion, making it the second largest of the year.

This is the 12th jackpot to cross one billion dollars in the past five years.

Though no one took home the Powerball jackpot, some didn’t leave empty-handed.

Across the country, 5 ticket holders won a million dollars, and 2 people won two million.

The next drawing is set for this evening, Monday, December 15th.

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Seth Ratliff

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KIFI) — The high-profile embezzlement case against a former commander of the Idaho American Legion accused of embezzling over a million dollars from the non-profit is heading to trial. Charles Thomas Abrahamson, a former commander of the Idaho American Legion, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boise on charges of wire fraud and tax fraud, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced Monday.

The indictment alleges that Abrahamson used his position within the organization to steal more than $1,454,025 over seven years. Abramson was employed by the Idaho American Legion from approximately 2017 to April 2024. During that time, he served in various leadership capacities, including adjutant and commander, which gave him direct access to and control over the nonprofit’s financial accounts.

Starting around 2018 and continuing until his suspension in April 2024, Abrahamson is accused of knowingly devising a scheme to defraud the American Legion and another individual. Abrahamson allegedly made unauthorized transfers directly to his personal financial accounts, paying off his personal credit cards, charging unauthorized expenses, and making ATM withdrawals from the organization’s accounts, all for his personal use and gain.

His alleged criminal conduct came to light around April 2024. According to reports by the Idaho Statesman, Abrahamson was suspended from his position at the Idaho American Legion that month, and two days later, the Idaho State Police executed a search warrant on his home, recovering a variety of American Legion property.

Beyond the embezzlement, Abrahamson is also charged with three counts of tax fraud for filing false federal tax returns for the years 2020, 2022, and 2023, which falsified his total income.

The indictment includes a forfeiture allegation, seeking to recover at least $1,454,025 in property traceable to the wire fraud charges.

If convicted, Abrahamson faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud charges and up to three years for each count of tax fraud. He also faces an order of restitution for the losses incurred by the victims of the scheme.

In his release, U.S. Attorney Davis commended the excellent investigative work of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, which led to the charges. A federal district court judge will ultimately determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Pocatello:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello will reflect on Fiscal Year 2025 during the annual State of the City address at the City Council meeting December 18.

Mayor Brian Blad will introduce the State of the City address, which is scheduled as the final agenda item of the evening. The presentation will highlight accomplishments and progress made by City departments throughout the past fiscal year. Mayor Blad will conclude the address with remarks focused on priorities and expectations for the year ahead.

The City Council meeting December 18 is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 911 North 7th Avenue.

Following the presentation, the State of the City will be made available on the City of Pocatello’s website at pocatello.gov.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Heads up, Idaho Falls! The globally recognized Light the World Giving Machines have arrived in Idaho Falls, offering a unique opportunity to give back to the community this holiday season. The ‘reverse vending machines’ are officially launching today, Monday, December 15th, at noon at the Grand Teton Mall.

The Grand Opening event will be emceed by Local News 8’s First Alert Forecaster, Jeff Roper, and feature a live performance by singer Jay Osmond.

How the “Giving Machines” work

The Giving Machines allow visitors to donate essential items—from meals and clothing to school supplies and livestock—directly to local and global charities. The machines are sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which covers all operational costs, ensuring 100% of every donation goes straight to the charities.

This year, the Giving Machines will remain at the Grand Teton Mall from Dec. 15 – Jan. 1st, and will benefit the following local non-profits and charities:

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center

Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership (EICAP)

The Village

Community Food Basket–Idaho Falls

FISH (Friends in Service Here)

Idaho Falls Rescue Mission

The launch event will include remarks from Elder Kirt L. Hodges of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and storyteller Glen Rawson, alongside representatives from all six benefiting charities.

Local News 8 will be providing live coverage from the Grand Opening event! Join us live at Local News 8 at noon.

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Curtis Jackson

PAUL, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho State Police are investigating a crash involving two school buses on State Highway 25 in Minidoka County. 17 students were on the buses at the time of the crash.

ISP said four of the students were taken to local hospitals. One of the students was flown to a hospital in Utah. One of the bus drivers was extricated from the bus, and the other bus driver was also taken to the hospital.

The crash happened just before 7:15 a.m. Monday near milepost 43 west of Paul.

The crash forced the highway to be closed for a few hours as police investigated and cleaned up the scene.

ISP reported that all students have been reunited with their parents.

School buses collide west of Paul in Minidoka County, Idaho on Dec. 15, 2025.

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