Author: KIFI

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Following an arrest of a suspected drug dealer that was taken into custody last week in connection with a Sugar City student’s overdose earlier this year, Local News 8 learned about how schools across eastern Idaho are working to prevent drug use among students both on and off campus.

RELATED: Madison County Deputies arrest suspect in connection to juvenile overdose

Sargent Daniel Sperry has worked as a resource officer for Bonneville High School since 2013. He’s seen the ups and downs that students face every day.

“We start off with prevention. So we’re we work with the kids. In elementary age, for instance, our DARE program, we teach them decision-making skills, how to make healthy choices, and we talk about choosing good friends and how to avoid dangerous situations,” Sperry said.

Education Over Punishment

According to Sperry, the most common issues schools encounter involve nicotine, marijuana, and alcohol. Rather than focusing only on punishment, schools are increasingly turning to education and intervention programs to help students make better choices.

“When a student is caught with, let’s say, nicotine for the first time, instead of just writing a citation or giving them a fine for it, we’ll provide cessation classes,” Sperry said. “We’ve worked closely with East Idaho Public Health to provide cessation classes to that student to help them stop so that they don’t go further on into the next step of other drugs or other poor choices.”

District 93 schools and several local charter schools have also added preventative tools on campus, including vape detectors installed in secondary school restrooms.

“All of the secondary schools here in District 93 and a lot of the charter schools in the area have vape detectors in the restrooms,” Sperry said, “we also bring in drug K-9s on occasion as well.”

Schools also work with law enforcement K-9 units to conduct periodic searches on school property. One of those dogs, Duke, is trained to detect drugs ranging from THC to heroin.

“Schools will even randomly ask us to schedule the canines to come into the school,” Sperry said. “We’ll do searches of parts of the school, lockers, classrooms, and parking lots.”

A Network of Support

Sperry says schools also partner with juvenile probation officers and the Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office to connect students with additional resources outside the classroom.

“We all come together and discuss the incoming cases and discuss the individual needs of that student,” Sperry said. “That way, we can get the resources for that student to get them on a good trajectory.”

Sperry says one of his favorite lessons teaches students the importance of building a support system. In the activity, students write their name in the center of a piece of paper and surround it with circles filled with the names of trusted adults they can turn to if they feel pressured, unsafe or need help. He says the goal is for students to continue adding names as they grow older, creating a larger network of support over time. Sperry says the exercise reminds students that even during difficult moments, they are never truly alone and always have people they can rely on.

“I also encourage them to, as they grow up, to live their life in a way where they’re on somebody else’s trust network,” Sperry said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, mental health challenges, or a crisis, help is available. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The clock is ticking for thousands of southeast Idaho residents who could lose in-network access to Portneuf Medical Center and its affiliates by June 15, as contract negotiations between Portneuf Health and Regence BlueShield of Idaho remain at a standstill.

If a new agreement is not reached, patients with Regence insurance will face significantly higher out-of-pocket costs for non-emergency services, forcing many to either pay premium rates to keep their doctors or find other care options.

Portneuf: “Disruptive Practices” Blamed for Delay

Portneuf Health issued a press update on Monday, May 18, stating its commitment to securing a fair agreement that ensures continuous in-network access for Regence members. Portneuf has proposed a modest increase as part of a longer-term agreement, aiming to provide stability for patients and employers.

However, the healthcare provider indicated that key issues remain unresolved, including Regence’s “disruptive practices” that lead to delayed and unpaid claims. In addition, the hospital says Regence’s parent company — Cambia Health — owes Portneuf more than $30 million in unpaid claims.

Katie Damron Quayle, Director of Marketing for Portneuf Health, detailed the ongoing issues in the press release. “In addition to delayed and unpaid claims, Regence continues disruptive practices including denials, down-coding and repeated claim reprocessing that interfere with timely patient care and create unnecessary administrative burdens that increase costs,” Quayle said.

Quayle added that these practices directly threaten Portneuf’s ability to sustain local access to care. The hospital also notes that Regence currently reimburses Portneuf substantially less than other major insurers in the market and less than it pays other Idaho health systems.

Portneuf’s negotiations are being led by its Tennessee-based parent company, Ardent Health.

Regence: Hospital Demanding “Unreasonable” Rate Increases

On the other side of the negotiations, Ryan Pharis, Vice President of Contracting for Regence BlueShield of Idaho, stated that the insurer is actively working towards an agreement.

Ryan Pharis, Vice President of Contracting for Regence, said the insurer is actively working toward a resolution but claims Ardent Health’s financial demands are unrealistic.

“We’re meeting regularly on a weekly basis with the teams over there to try to get a deal done,” Pharis said in an interview with Local News 8 earlier this month. “We are really working to provide access to affordable care for the people of Pocatello. [But] when Ardent Health is asking for rate increases twice the cost of inflation, despite its financials showing that they’re making double-digit margins, that makes it really tough.”

What’s Next for Patients?

While Portneuf remains hopeful an agreement can still be reached, the healthcare provider has encouraged Regence members to visit portneuf.org/network-update for information about coverage options, continuity of care resources, and additional updates.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello Hearing Examiner has denied the Conditional Use Permit application to build a proposed AI Data Center on the former Hoku polysilicon plant site.

According to an official Facebook post, the application by Lex Developments, an Arizona-based company that purchased the property, “does not meet the standards for approval under Chapter 17.02.130 D of the Pocatello Municipal Code.”

This decision follows a tense public hearing at City Hall in Pocatello, which saw more than 300 residents gather to voice their opinions on the project. The majority were in opposition to the proposed data center, expressing concerns that the data center would pull water from state agriculture and Pocatello’s resources.

RELATED: Tensions Rise at Public Hearing for Pocatello AI Data Center Proposal

Lex Development, however, has claimed the project would work on a “closed loop system,” using around 80-95% less water than traditional data centers.

Why the Permit Was Denied

According to official meeting minutes, the Hearing Examiner ruled that the developer failed to prove the project would not negatively impact the community. Specifically, the application did not “adequately address that the project would not be detrimental to the public interests, health, safety, or welfare of the city.”

Furthermore, the Hearing Examiner stated that Lex Developments must conduct comprehensive impact analyses before submitting any future applications.

“These studies should include at a minimum: wastewater discharge quantities; identification of pretreatment systems if needed; potential chemical discharge; water demand calculations; long term electrical infrastructure requirements and environmental impacts related to emissions, water utilization and wastewater discharge.”

Under the City code, all parties now have 14 days to file an appeal. For more information, click HERE.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide additional information throughout the evening.

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Jeff Roper

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Montana (KIFI) — Good family entertainment is officially back for the summer! After months of intensive construction, the legendary Westgate Theatre is finally ready to reopen its doors, proving that everything old can indeed be new again.

Located at 29 Madison Avenue in West Yellowstone, Montana, the theater is scheduled for its grand reopening on June 4th.

For owner Kyle Benson, his brothers, and their families, the project is more than just a business venture—it’s the continuation of a longstanding family tradition.

A Major Facelift for a 100-Year-Old Icon

The 100-year-old building has been a staple of family entertainment since 1961, when Kyle’s grandfather, Lynn Benson, alongside partners from Ricks College and family, transformed a rundown West Yellowstone drugstore into a small theater.

Over the decades, it grew to become a landmark destination, treasured not only by residents but also by the more than 12,000 tourists who pass through West Yellowstone annually.

Today, the entire family is getting in on the act to bring it back to life. Kyle says it’s been a major renovation.

“We’ve gutted it down to bare studs. It’s going to get a hefty facelift,” said Kyle.

Built on a Shoestring Budget

While show business might seem glamorous from the outside, the Benson family knows theater’s survival was hard-earned.

“The first ten years were pretty rough,” Benson recalled. “In fact, my grandma would ask my grandfather regularly, ‘Is this going to be our last year? Is this going to continue on?’ And his answer was always, ‘Let’s try it one more time.'”

Kyle says the theater was built on a “shoestring budget,” with Lynn and his partners pitching in around “600 bucks apiece.”

“Granted, it was in the 60s. So I mean, that was some real money back then,” explains Kyle.

Unearthing a Time Capsule

Renovating the century-old building has felt like opening a time capsule for the Benson family. As they took the building down to the studs, they uncovered remnants of the theater’s previous life. One piece that stood out was a handwritten note dated about 1958.

“We think it’s from the pharmacy that was in here before,” said Kyle. “When they moved in, the pharmacy had walked out the door…they walked away, they left a bunch of drugs and bottles and all sorts of stuff. So that was one of the first things they [Lynn and company] had to do was to clean out the remnants from the pharmacy.”

With its rich history preserved and a completely modernized interior, Kyle says tickets are now on sale for this new season in West Yellowstone. For more information, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The air traffic control tower at the Pocatello Regional Airport is officially getting a massive, state-of-the-art upgrade.

Friday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the department is investing over $750 million to replace eight aging air traffic control towers and Terminal Radar Approach Controls across the country with brand-new facilities. The Pocatello Regional Airport was selected alongside just seven other national locations, including cities like Sacramento and San Jose, California, based on the safety and efficiency needs of the nation’s airspace system.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), many of the country’s current air traffic facilities are decades old and suffering from failing infrastructure. In a press release, Duffy took aim at the past administration, saying the investment highlights administration is “laser-focused” on ushering in a Golden Age of Transportation.

“Under the last administration’s watch, these facilities were neglected and left to deteriorate rapidly. We need a system and supporting infrastructure that is built for the future to attract top talent for our air traffic control workforce,” said Duffy.

According to the release, the new towers will feature modern equipment as part of a broader Brand-New Air Traffic Control System being built by the current administration.

“Our controllers are the best in the world, and they deserve to work in the best, most modern facilities,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “These investments will replace aging infrastructure with modern, state-of-the-art towers and equipment that strengthens safety, improves reliability, and supports the future of the National Airspace System.”

In addition, the FAA is also rolling out a separate $85.8 million grant program to upgrade 41 Federal Contract Towers (FCTs) across 24 states.

Projects include:

Acadiana Regional Airport receiving $915,000 for facility improvements

Marana Regional Airport receiving $800,000 to support the design of a new sponsor-owned FCT

Missoula County Airport Authority receiving $1 million to modernize key infrastructure

Wiley Post Airport receiving $10 million to construct a new sponsor-owned FCT

For more information, click HERE.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — If you’ve got questions about road work coming this summer, local leaders want to give you answers all in one place. The City of Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, and the City of Ammon are joining forces to host a regional Street Summit tonight, Monday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Bonneville County Commissioner’s Hearing Room.

The public meeting will take place in the Bonneville County Commissioner’s Hearing Room. The summit aims to prep drivers for the upcoming 2026 summer road construction season, offering a look at how local projects will affect summer traffic.

According to regional leadership, the summit is part of a growing collaborative effort between the three agencies, aiming to improve coordination, communication, and provide a “clearer understanding of roadway improvements, traffic impacts, and infrastructure projects planned throughout the 2026 construction season.”

“Road construction and infrastructure improvements impact every community in our region, and those impacts do not stop at jurisdictional boundaries,” said City of Idaho Falls Public Information Officer Kimberly Felker in a recent news release.

After a short presentation from each participating agency highlighting major transportation and infrastructure projects, attendees will have opportunities to ask questions.

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed and recorded. To watch online, click HERE.

In addition, residents can access interactive construction maps for all three agencies through their websites or through the links below:

Idaho Falls Construction

Bonneville County Construction

City of Ammon Construction

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News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Drivers on I-15 will notice a major traffic shift this week as the Idaho Transportation Department enters the next phase of its ongoing interstate expansion project. Starting tonight, May 18th, crews will begin moving northbound traffic into new lanes between the Northgate (Exit 73) and Fort Hall (Exit 80) interchanges.

Once the shift is done, Northbound drivers will have three open lanes of travel instead of being squeezed down to one. However, motorists should prepare for temporary ramp closures and minor delays:

The northbound on-ramp at the Northgate Interchange (Exit 73) will close between 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. 

This same on-ramp will close again between 7 p.m. on Monday, May 18 and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19.

Intermittent traffic shifts and northbound on-ramp closures will be taking place at the Fort Hall Interchange (Exit 80) on Monday, May 18. Exit 80 ramp closures are expected to last up to 30 minutes at a time.

The work is part of a massive, multi-year effort to improve safety and increase driver capacity along I-15. ITD anticipates the construction will wrap up in 2027, ultimately expanding I-15 to three lanes in each direction between Northgate and Fort Hall.

For project updates, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

SUGAR CITY, Idaho (KIFI) — A suspected drug dealer believed to be responsible for a Sugar City student’s drug overdose earlier this year was arrested last week. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office shared news of the arrest in a Facebook post on Monday morning, May 18th.

The arrest brings an end to a multi-month investigation that began in January, when School Resource Officers (SROs) in Sugar City were told that a juvenile had been hospitalized following a drug overdose. According to MCSO, the overdose took place outside of school hours.

Following the incident, SROs partnered with detectives from the sheriff’s office to investigate the source of the drugs and find the individual responsible for distributing them.

“The deputies assigned to our schools take their responsibility to protect students very seriously, both on campus and within the community,” the Madison County Sheriff’s Office stated in the post. “Their commitment to the safety and well-being of our youth extends far beyond the school day.”

Monday morning, May 18th, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook that its SROs had arrested the suspected drug dealer last week.

Investigators have not yet released the name of the suspect or the specific charges they face. Local News 8 is actively working to confirm further details surrounding the arrest and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

An arrest or formal charge is merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– 1 in 7 children in the United States has their mental health issues overlooked. The main reason their mental needs are not noticed is because children do not communicate like we do. Instead they use tools, such as toys, games, and art.

“Many children experienced, like, abuse, neglect, divorce, bullying, violence. Those are some of the things that give kids instability, community trauma,” Dr. Tamara Pettingill, the clinical social worker & director of Pettingill Counseling. “Kids are under a lot more stress nowadays, I think, than they were before. And so it’s important to address that. And sometimes they do get overlooked”

If you notice your child may be having mental health issues, that does not make you a bad parent and you should not fear judgement.

“You’re not a failure,” Dr. Pettingill said. “Parents are doing the best that they can. And we’ve got a lot of, things that we have to take care of, along with not just one child, but more children. And then usually parents are working, trying to make a living. And so no, parents are not failures. They’re doing the best that they can with the, skills that they have.”

Research by the National Institute of Mental Health has found that play therapy helps children communicate their emotions. Play therapy involves playing, whether with toys, games, art, etc.

“The therapy gives children basically self-esteem, self-worth, similar to, you know, work through their feelings,” Dr. Pettingill stated. “They validate and give tools for healing.”

Mental health professionals encourage parents, guardians, and grandparents, to pay close attention to their child’s emotional well-being. Taking care of emotional problems now could prevent many problems in their adult future.

Resources:

National Institute of Mental Health : Children and Mental Health

Mayo Clinic : Know the signs of mental health in children

National Alliance on Mental Health : The Warning Signs

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Maile Sipraseuth

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KIFI)– A mid-air collision during the second day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show forced a lockdown at Mountain Home Air Force Base on Sunday, May 17.

The Mountain Home Air Force Base Gunfighters confirmed the lockdown in a Facebook post following the incident. According to Boise CBS affiliate KBOI, the collision involved two EA-18G Growlers around two miles from the base. All airmen involved successfully ejected and parachuted to safety; no major injuries have been reported.

The Mountain Home Police Department announced on Facebook that the remainder of the air show has been canceled. Police are asking the public to avoid the area and refrain from traveling toward the base at this time.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

A History of Incidents

This weekend’s event marked the highly anticipated return of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show after an eight-year hiatus, following a 2018 incident where a veteran hang glider pilot died after crashing onto the runway. Before that, during the 2003 show, a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds jet crashed. Fortunately the pilot successfully ejected before impact.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide more updates as new information is made available.

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