Author: KIFI

Kevin Richert

By: Kevin Richert

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on April 6, 2026

BOISE, Idaho — Gov. Brad Little has more than a week to act on an anti-teachers’ union bill that raced through the Legislature in three days.

Lawmakers sent the heavily rewritten House Bill 516 to Little’s desk Thursday, the 81st and final day of the 2026 session. Because the Legislature has adjourned for the year, Little has additional time to mull over HB 516.

Post-adjournment, governors have 10 days to act on legislation, Sundays excluded. That means Little has until April 14 to sign or veto HB 516, or allow it to become law without his signature.

Little has not vetoed a single bill this year.

HB 516 was one of the last bills addressed by this year’s Legislature; the House passed it Thursday afternoon. It passed both houses only after an extensive overhaul.

The House originally passed HB 516 as a bill limiting LGBTQ+ instruction in the classroom. The Senate last week stripped HB 516 down to its bill number, replacing the old wording  with language prohibiting taxpayer support of teachers’ unions. This total rewrite is known by the Statehouse metaphor of “radiator capping” — as in, taking a single part from one car, and attaching it to a second vehicle.

As now written, HB 516 forbids school districts from using public payroll systems to collect union dues, increasing teacher salaries to cover union dues, or giving teachers paid time off for union activities. The bill also includes civil penalties — of up to $1,500 for a first offense and $2,500 for a repeat violation.

As Little’s HB 516 deadline nears, he will undoubtedly face heavy lobbying.

The Freedom Foundation, a Washington state-based group that has pushed for Idaho union restrictions for years, is urging Little to sign the amended bill. Supporters also include two conservative groups that are fixtures at the Statehouse — the Idaho Family Policy Center and the Idaho Freedom Foundation, which is unaffiliated with the Washington-based Freedom Foundation.

The state’s largest teachers’ union, the Idaho Education Association, is urging members to call Little to push for a veto. The grassroots group Reclaim Idaho is also rallying its members against HB 516.

Idaho EdNews asked Little’s office for a tally of phone calls for and against HB 516, but received no response Monday.

If Little vetoes HB 516, it wouldn’t be without precedent.

In March, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a similar union bill, also promoted by Washington’s Freedom Foundation.

“I am frustrated with the increasing trend of out-of-state interests foisting out-of-state solutions on Wyoming,” wrote Gordon, who is, like Little, a Republican. “With alarming regularity, these think-tanks-for-hire use our legislative process to enact solutions to problems we do not have.”

Little will likely get the last word on HB 516.

Because the Legislature adjourned for the year — instead of going into a short recess — lawmakers would be unable to reconvene and override a veto. But the rewritten HB 516 fell short of two-thirds support in both the House and the Senate, suggesting a veto would survive a legislative challenge anyway.

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Seth Ratliff

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — After a weekend of back-to-back emergency missions, Teton County Search and Rescue is reminding outdoor enthusiasts of the danger that comes with springtime adventures in the Tetons.

“Saturday was a great reminder of the threats that come with springtime adventures in the Tetons: incidents can happen on skis, snowmobiles, bikes, boats, and rock walls. As such, TCSAR volunteers are ready to respond to it all thanks to their rigorous training and ‘rescue-ready’ equipment,” said TCSAR in a Facebook post. “Please continue to use caution wherever you choose to adventure, be it in avalanche terrain or just beyond the trail.”

The weekend began at 12:20 p.m. Saturday, with an emergency alert to rescue a skier who’d been caught in an avalanche. According to TCSAR, a 27-year-old local woman had been skiing near the White Hump area when she was caught and carried away by a significant slide above a cliff band. Her partners rushed to find her and provided first aid as they waited for emergency teams to arrive.

A TCSAR helicopter and a backup ground team on snowmobiles quickly worked to airlift the woman out of the backcountry and to an awaiting ambulance.

Around 4 hours later, TCSAR received another call for a local 55-year-old man who’d been badly cut during a rockfall while climbing at Hoback Shield south of Jackson. Tip Top Search & Rescue contacted TCSAR for support. The rescue crews were able to safely move the man down to the road, where he was able to drive himself to the hospital for further treatment.

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Seth Ratliff

More than half a century after the dust settled on the final Apollo moonwalk, humanity is back in the lunar neighborhood. Monday, April 6th, marks Day 6 of the historic Artemis II mission, as the Orion spacecraft prepares for a flyby that will take humanity further into space than ever before.

According to NASA, the last time a crewed vessel ventured this deep into the void was Apollo 17 in 1972. Today, that record is set to fall.

Local News 8 is streaming NASA’s broadcast of the Artemis II lunar flyby from cameras mounted on Orion’s solar arrays. The lunar flyby will start around 1:00 p.m. EDT, reaching peak distance by 7:07 p.m EDT. Watch below as humanity ventures further into space than ever before:

According to NASA, the Orion spacecraft will come within 4,000 to 6,000 miles of the moon’s surface as it uses lunar gravity to slingshot back toward Earth. During this maneuver, the mission is expected to shatter the long-standing distance record set by Apollo 13. In April 1970, that crew reached a distance of 248,655 miles from Earth during their emergency return; today, NASA says Artemis II is projected to reach a staggering peak distance of 252,706 miles.

NASA has outlined the key moments of the lunar flyby:

Monday, April 6

1:30 p.m. Science Briefing: Mission Control in Houston briefs the crew on lunar science objectives.

1:56 p.m. Record Breaking: Orion officially surpasses the Apollo 13 distance record.

2:45 p.m. Eyes on the Moon: Lunar observations and photography begin.

6:44 p.m. Radio Silence: Communication is lost as Orion passes behind the far side of the moon.

7:02 p.m. Hello Neighbor: Orion reaches its closest approach to the Moon at 4,070 miles above the surface.

7:07 p.m. Maximum Distance: The crew reaches the mission’s furthest point from Earth.

7:25 p.m. Earthrise: Home comes back into view; communications are re-established.

8:35 p.m. Solar Eclipse: The sun passes behind the moon from the crew’s perspective.

9:20 p.m. That’s All Folks: Lunar observations conclude. 

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News Team

UPDATE:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The Fort Hall Police Department, in coordination with the FBI, is searching for 28-year-old Sean Tindore. Authorities consider the Pocatello man a threat to the community following a violent assault on the Fort Hall Reservation, where Tindore allegedly hacked off a man’s hand with a machete.

According to reports from Sho-Ban News, the attack occurred on April 4, 2026, around 6:51 a.m. Witnesses told police that Tindore assaulted them with a machete before going to Clinton Ricker’s bedroom and attacking him, cutting off his hand.

Tindore ran from the scene before law enforcement arrived. Ricker was rushed to a local hospital; his current medical status has not been released.

The Fort Hall Police Department is actively searching for Tindore. A tribal warrant has been issued for Tindore for Aggravated Assault, and Fort Hall Criminal Investigators are working alongside the FBI. According to Sho-Ban News, documentation is being prepared for the United States Attorney’s Office to pursue additional federal charges.

A cash reward is available for any information that leads to his arrest and/or conviction. For more information, click HERE.

If you have seen Sean Tindore or have information regarding his current whereabouts, contact the Fort Hall Police Department at (208)238-4000, their local law enforcement agency, or 911.

ORIGINAL:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The Fort Hall Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a wanted Pocatello man who is considered a threat to the community.

Authorities have identified the man as 28-year-old Sean Tindore. While police have not yet released the specific charges or the nature of the investigation, they have issued a stern warning stating Tindore is considered armed and dangerous.

Members of the public are advised not to approach Tindore. If you see him, contact law enforcement immediately. A cash reward is available for any information that leads to his arrest and/or conviction. For more information, click HERE.

If you have seen Sean Tindore or have information regarding his current whereabouts, contact the Fort Hall Police Department at (208)238-4000, their local law enforcement agency, or 911.

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Seth Ratliff

SALT LAKE, Utah (KIFI) — A man is behind bars in Salt Lake today after allegedly exposing himself to downtown crowds before the Saturday morning session of the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Salt Lake police say just before 10 a.m. on April 4, 36-year-old Mitchell Dean Anderson went fully nude on the grounds of Temple Square. A SLCPD officer on a rooftop spotted him, and LDS Church security quickly covered him with a blanket.

Thousands of people were gathered at Temple Square that morning to hear church leadership speak. According to police, many adults and children saw Anderson naked.

Anderson was arrested for lewdness involving a child, a Class-A misdemeanor. He’s now booked in the Salt Lake County jail with bail set at $1000.

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KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 06 APR 26 13:36 ET

By Barclay Idsal

Click here for updates on this story

    BOISE, Idaho (KIVI) — Talk about rolling out the retirement red carpet!

A hardworking Domino’s pizza delivery driver on the cusp of retiring will soon become the beneficiary of a GoFundMe that’s raised over $75,000 in donations. The stunning fundraising effort comes after the driver went the extra mile to fulfill a delivery as ordered.

It all happened on a recent Friday night when a Treasure Valley customer ordered dinner and a Diet Coke from a nearby Domino’s. After placing the order, the delivery driver, Dan, notified the customer that their Domino’s location was out of Diet Coke. Dan let the customer know about the inconvenience and offered to get them something else.

The customer tried calling the store back, but by that time, Dan had already left. At that point, the customer figured they’d take “whatever substitution came with the order.”

However, when Dan arrived, he had pizza and a Diet Coke in tow.

Turns out, Dan took it upon himself to stop at a store along the way and fulfill the drink request— on a busy Friday evening, no less.

“We were honestly blown away. That level of care and kindness is rare these days,” reported the customer on the GoFundMe page. “We wanted to tip him more, but didn’t have cash on hand. We told him we’d call the store to leave a glowing review and come back with a cash tip.”

During their conversation, Dan revealed that he was just a few weeks away from retirement after delivering for Domino’s for nearly 14 years.

After the customer’s TikTok post about the delivery went viral, TikTok suggested putting together a GoFundMe to help boost Dan’s retirement savings.

“Let’s help him step into retirement feeling appreciated, supported, and celebrated,” concludes the GoFundMe page.

The GoFundMe is scheduled to remain active until April 30, which is Dan’s final day of work.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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News Team

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KIFI) — President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a press conference at 1:00 p.m. EDT (11 a.m. MDT) today to provide an urgent update on the ongoing conflict with Iran. The President’s address follows a weekend marked by the successful rescue of an American airman stranded inside Iran and the rejection of another temporary ceasefire proposal by Tehran.

Watch the live stream of the President’s address below:

Last night, President Donald Trump warned that US forces would bomb key Iranian infrastructure if Tehran fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Shortly after the White House announced today’s press conference, the President took to Truth Social to issue a profanity-laced ultimatum. The President threatened to target Iranian power plants and bridges if the Strait remains closed past 8:00 p.m. ET Tuesday.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” states the post. “There will be nothing like it!!!” the president wrote. “Open the F*****’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH!”

According to reports by CBS, Mr. Trump said at the White House Easter egg roll that “we are obliterating their country.” However, the report also signals that a deal could be within reach as the President is allegedly considering a Pakistani proposal for a 45-day ceasefire to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, among other ideas.

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Bailee Shaw

UPDATE:

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating 32-year-old Jacob Bellus, the primary suspect in a “targeted shooting” that led to a shelter-in-place order and high-speed chase late Sunday night.

The investigation began at around 9:30 p.m. when deputies responded to reports of gunfire near 3100 North and 3500 East. The initial caller had told dispatch they’d heard multiple gunshots and a vehicle speeding away from the area.

Deputies arrived on the scene to discover a home at 3127 N 3500 E had been hit multiple times, and a parked vehicle had been rammed. Fortunately, police say no one was injured.

Shortly afterwards, deputies spotted Bellus’s vehicle—a cream-colored 1990 GMC Jimmy. When officers attempted to stop him, Bellus sped away northbound on Orchard Drive.

After a brief chase, Bellus abandoned his GMC near the intersection of Beno Street and Highland Avenue and ran on foot into the area of a nearby stockyard.

Investigators issued a shelter-in-place order at 10:24 p.m. while the TFCSO, Twin Falls Police, and Idaho State Police (ISP) used drones to search the area. The order was lifted at 3:18 a.m. after investigators determined the incident was targeted and did not pose an immediate threat to the area.

Police are still actively searching for Jacob Bellus. He should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see Jacob Bellus, do not approach him. Call 911 immediately or contact the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office.

For more information, click HERE.

ORIGINAL:

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office is on the hunt for an armed suspect after reports of shots fired led to a brief car chase near a local sugar factory late Sunday night.

While the suspect remains at large, police lifted a localized shelter-in-place order on Monday morning after determining the incident was isolated, and the individual does not pose a threat to the general public.

The incident took place late Sunday night, sometime before 11:30 p.m., as deputies responded to reports of shots fired outside Twin Falls city limits. According to a Facebook post by Twin Falls police, as they arrived on the scene, the officers found a vehicle linked to the incident. The unidentified driver immediately sped away, leading to a brief chase ending as the vehicle crashed into a nearby stockyard.

The driver ran away on foot into the stockyard area. Police described the suspect as armed and dangerous, issuing the shelter-in-place order as police searched the area. After a search of the area, authorities lifted the shelter-in-place order Monday morning.

No injuries or arrest details have been released in connection with the initial shooting or the following crash. The Sheriff’s Office has not yet released a description of the suspect or the vehicle involved.

Local News 8 is closely monitoring this developing news story and will provide updates as more information becomes available. 

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – April marks National Donate Life Month, a time dedicated to honoring organ, eye, and tissue donors, celebrating lives saved, and encouraging others to register as donors.

Located outside the Main Entrance at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) in Idaho Falls

In Idaho Falls, the Yes Idaho Donate Life Coalition partnered with Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) to raise awareness and inspire community members to consider giving the gift of life.

As part of the month’s events, a Donate Life flag-raising ceremony was held on Friday, April 3rd at EIRMC. The ceremony honored donors and recipients and recognized the life-saving impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

A highlight of the event was a powerful story shared by a donor family from Indiana. They spoke about their daughter, Jordyn Wilson, an 18-year-old BYU-Idaho student who passed away in December 2021, just days before her wedding.

Through organ donation, Jordyn saved the lives of three fathers, offering hope and healing in the midst of profound loss. Her family has since traveled to share her story and encourage others to register as donors.

During their visit, Jordyn’s parents also expressed gratitude for the care they received at EIRMC. They reflected on the compassion shown by hospital staff, including an ICU nurse they remembered as “Nurse Bruce,” whose kindness left a lasting impression. The family said returning to Idaho Falls gave them a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with caregivers and thank those who helped honor Jordyn’s legacy.

According to national data, more than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. One donor can save up to eight lives and improve the lives of more than 75 others through tissue donation.

Local leaders also showed their support during the event. Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw was on hand to read a proclamation officially recognizing April as Donate Life Month in Idaho Falls.

“There are so many families that benefit from the donation of organs, it’s not just a single person – it affects multiple people,” Burtenshaw said. “I think that being able to know that is a respectful procedure and it’s done in love is such a moment of tenderness.”

Organizers say community awareness plays a critical role in increasing donor registration. In Idaho last year, 55% of people renewing or obtaining a driver’s license chose to register as organ donors. That generosity led to 73 organ donors, saving approximately 292 lives.

“Donations have come a long way in the last few decades,” Leslie Anderson, hospital services specialist at Donor Connect, said. “And it’s just getting better and better.”

In addition, 351 cornea donors helped restore vision to about 702 people, while 191 tissue donors improved the lives of more than 14,000 individuals through skin, tendon, and bone donations.

“A lot of transplant folks, no matter what the organ is, are living long lives,” Alex McDonald, the development coordinator of Envision Sight, said. “Talk to your families, say yes on your license, and if something should ever happen to you, know your life’s going to live on – your legacy is going to live on through others.”

Local organ donor-recipient Tina Watson attended the event and expressed her gratitude to her donors, who saved her life over 27 years ago.

“I’m so grateful for my donor and the sacrifice that her family made to give that gift of life to me,” Watson said. “There are no words that I could ever express that could fully explain the gratitude I feel. Organ donation is the second most selfless gift that anyone can give. It changes people’s lives.”

Registering as a donor can be done online at yesidaho.org or through the DMV when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license. You can also visit Donor Connect’s website here to find a regional branch located near you.

Organizers encourage Idahoans to take time during National Donate Life Month to honor donors, support donor families, and consider giving the gift of life.

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