Author: KIFI

News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Several of Eastern Idaho’s roads could be getting a significant upgrade, and some sooner than expected, thanks to new funds. Thursday, during its regular meeting, the Idaho Transportation Board approved staff recommendations for improvements to key roadways, including projects on Interstate 15 near Blackfoot and U.S. Highway 20 near Idaho Falls.

These projects, designed to tackle congestion and safety concerns, are moving forward thanks to Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds made available by House Bill 25, which was passed by the Idaho legislature earlier this year. The legislation provides an additional $20 million a year to the TECM fund over the next three years and will allow the department to invest an extra $1 billion in the Gem State’s transportation system.

With this new funding, the following projects have been recommended for further design and construction:

U.S. Highway 20 Improvements

US-20 west of Idaho Falls: This project will increase capacity by widening the road to two lanes in each direction, starting at Idaho Falls and moving west as funding allows. Widening will increase safety for freight, recreational, and commuter traffic due to limited passing opportunities and lines of sight. Construction is anticipated to start in 2026, two years earlier than planned. 

US-20 widening from Chester to Ashton: This project is anticipated to expand the existing roadway into a four-lane divided highway. Construction is anticipated to start in 2028. 

I-15 and US-20 Interchange: This project continues to make progress toward relocating I-15 Exit 119 to US-20 and realigning US-20 through Idaho Falls to address safety and congestion concerns. Funding will allow for the purchase of private property for future construction. 

Interstate 15 Upgrades

I-15 and US-26 Interchange (Exit 93): The existing interchange will be replaced to accommodate additional lanes on the interstate and to include longer on- and off-ramps for safer merging. Construction is anticipated to start in 2026, five years earlier than planned. 

I-15 widening from milepost 89 to 93: This project will add capacity by widening the interstate to three lanes in each direction between the US-26 Interchange and the South Blackfoot Interchange. Construction was previously not funded but is now anticipated to start in 2027. 

I-15 and US-91 South Blackfoot Interchange (Exit 89): The existing interchange will be upgraded to accommodate additional lanes on the interstate and include longer on- and off-ramps for safer merging. Construction is anticipated to start in 2028, three years earlier than planned. 

These projects are now included in the draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on these and ITD’s complete list of planned projects for 2026-2032 during the annual public comment period in July. Following this, the draft ITIP will be presented to the board for final approval in September.

“The board’s action today reflects continued investment targeting congestion and capacity in major corridors that were previously funded by TECM bonds as authorized by the Idaho Legislature,” write ITD spokespersons Sky Buffat and Justin Smith. “In East Idaho, TECM funds allowed for the construction at the South St. Anthony Interchange, which was previously unfunded.”

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Gateway Transitional Care Center broke ground on the future site of their new Vent/Trach Unit and Outpatient Therapy Gym on Thursday.

The 14-bed Vent/Trach Unit will be the first of its kind in Southeast Idaho, helping people stay in the Portneuf Valley to receive mechanical breathing assistance after being discharged from the hospital.

“We’ve had to deny referrals of people that live in the area with this need that have had to travel to Utah and to Boise, and that’s been kind of heartbreaking to see,” said Travis Jacobson, Director of Nursing at Gateway Transitional Care Center. “Now, hopefully we’re going to be able to offer that for the community and the patients that need the care.”

The 10,000 square foot Outpatient Therapy Gym will feature state-of-the-art equipment available for physicians to provide rehabilitation services to those recovering from injury or illness.

Construction on the new facilities is scheduled to be completed in late summer 2026. For more information, you can visit the Gateway Transitional Care Center website.

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Seth Ratliff

PHOENIX, AZ (KIFI) — Lori Vallow Daybell has been found guilty of conspiring with her brother, Alex Cox, to attempt the murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux, according to ABC 15 in Arizona. The verdict was delivered by a jury after less than a day of deliberations, putting an end to a brief yet at times dramatic trial.

This marks Vallow Daybell’s third conviction. She was found guilty in May 2023 of the murders of her children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and her husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. In April of this year, she was convicted in Arizona for conspiring to murder her fourth husband, Charles Vallow.

The prosecution concluded its case on Wednesday around noon. Vallow Daybell opted not to testify or present any witnesses in her defense.

Sentencing has been scheduled for July 25.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Drivers are being urged to avoid the intersection of 1st and Woodruff this morning, June 12, 2025, after a dump truck’s raised bed struck and damaged a traffic signal.

The Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD), along with Citizen Watch Volunteers, is actively directing traffic as Idaho Power works on repairs. expected to last into the early afternoon.

IFPD is asking drivers to take alternate routes and avoid the area if possible. They expect the repairs to last at least until early afternoon.

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News Release

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

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello Parks & Recreation Department is excited to welcome Utah Jazz player Oscar Tshiebwe to Pocatello!

Junior Jazz players and the public are invited to a special meet-and-greet Wednesday, June 18, from 9–10 a.m. at Irving Middle School (911 N. Grant Avenue). During this FREE event, attendees will hear Tshiebwe share his journey to the NBA, ask questions about his career, and have a chance to get autographs and photos. The stop will include a short basketball clinic with Tshiebwe and the Junior Jazz Players.

Oscar Tshiebwe, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, moved to the U.S. to pursue basketball, later signing with the Indiana Mad Ants and joining the Salt Lake City Stars for the 2024–25 season.

Delta Air Lines is donating two free Jazz tickets to youth and Junior Jazz players attending the event. Game dates and ticket information to-be-determined. The first 50 youth and Junior Jazz players to RSVP will also receive a free t-shirt. To RSVP, follow the link bit.ly/JrJazzSummerTrip25.

For more information on Junior Jazz Basketball or other team sports programs, visit teamsports.pocatello.gov. For all other Parks & Recreation offerings, visit pocatello.gov/pr.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI)– Public information officers are often the link between first responders and the public.

In eastern Idaho, current and future PIOs gathered at the Madison County Fire Department to learn some new skills.

This is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) course taught by local experts in the field. 

This year, Local News 8’s Ariel Jensen was asked to help with the training. 

“So a lot of today’s[06/11/2025] training is based on scenarios and simulations, which is a very effective instruction method. So, having a real reporter just kind of amps up the whole experience, and it’s important to get in front of a camera to feel some comfort there because it can be really intimidating, said Rebecca Squires, Emergency Manager, Jefferson County.

Organizers of the class say it’s important for them to get this training so they can best communicate with the public. 

“This class is mostly geared towards emergency communication, so we try to build trust with the public and credibility with the public so that when an emergency happens, like a disaster or something with law enforcement, that we can get a message out quickly and effectively so that people can be safe,” said Squires.

When an emergency or a disaster happens, it is important that the public has the right information at the right time.

This can save lives, property, business, and animals.

“Information is one of the most critical pieces of an effective disaster response,” said Squires.

It’s a three-day course with 24 hours of instruction.

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News Team

UPDATE:

BINGHAM COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The missing 10-year-old has been located and is safe, according to the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office. In a post on Facebook, BCSO thanked the public for their help.

ORIGINAL:

BINGHAM COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office is urgently asking for the public’s assistance in locating 10-year-old Eli Barker, who has been reported missing. Eli has been diagnosed with autism and is non-verbal.

Eli was last seen at an unspecified location within Bingham County, wearing a purple shirt, gray shorts, red and black glasses, and carrying a dragon toy

Law enforcement is asking anyone who may have seen Eli or has information regarding his whereabouts. If you have seen Eli Barker or have any information, call Bingham County Dispatch at 208-785-1234. For more information, click HERE.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Idaho State University recently added two new ‘lactation pods’ to their Pocatello campus to give breastfeeding mothers a private space to feed their children.

The pods are located in the lobbies of the Physical Science Complex and Garrison Hall and feature lockable doors, outlets for breast pumps, and space for strollers; with the new additions, there are six total designated parent spaces on Idaho State’s Pocatello campus.

Jerrica Kenison, a management assistant at ISU, spearheaded the ‘Lactation Space Planning Initiative’ with fellow university employees in 2024 to bring more spaces for students and staff to care for their children on campus without having to sacrifice their studies or work.

“It’s important to have a culture of access and support and to be there for the whole person,” said Kenison. “…Everybody should know that they’re supported and that they belong, and we see a lot more success with students that have resources like this.”

Kenison said her group’s five-year plan includes adding a lactation pod to the ISU Meridian campus and permanent parent rooms in Reed Gym, the Eames Complex, and the Stephens Performing Arts Center in Pocatello.

For their work bringing the lactation pods to ISU, Kenison and her team received the ‘2025 Exemplary Professional Leadership Award’ from the Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition–they will accept the award at a ceremony in Boise on June 23.

For more information, you can visit the Idaho State University website.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– ALS of Nevada is hosting their ‘Walk for ALS’ in Pocatello to raise awareness and collect donations for research into the deadly disease on Saturday.

ALS of Nevada hosted its last Walk for ALS in the Gate City in 2019. Event director, and Pocatello native, Jen Robinson said the walk is a way for people to contribute to furthering a cure for ALS and gives people a chance to show their solidarity for those suffering from the illness.

“Whether you’re walking in support or honor, volunteer or sponsoring, it’s just great to come out and support the community and the people that are affected in our community,” said Robinson.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal, incurable neurological disorder that causes the degeneration of nerves and muscles.

The Walk for ALS will be Saturday, June 14, at 10:30 a.m. at the Portneuf Wellness Complex. The event is free to attend, but ALS of Nevada will be collecting donations through their registration website.

For more information and to register for the Walk for ALS, you can find ALS of Nevada on Facebook.

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News Team

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — 5th W in Rexburg will close to traffic starting Wednesday, June 11, as crews begin a significant road and sidewalk improvement project. The closure will extend from S Yellowstone Highway south to 7th S. While the street will be closed on Wednesday, work is scheduled to commence on Thursday.

For updates and more information on projects across the City of Rexburg, click HERE.

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