Author: KIFI

Michael Coats

CENTRAL IDAHO — Early Tuesday, June 3, seismic activity continued northwest of Stanley as several quakes struck northwest of the town, the latest in an ongoing series observed in the area since Saturday.

Shortly after 1:30 AM, a 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck, representing the largest quake in the area since the seismic activity began.

The early morning activity was followed by two more quakes, measuring 3.5 and 3.9, just before 6 AM. The activity persisted, with a 3.9 magnitude tremor around 7:06 AM, and a smaller 2.5 magnitude quake at approximately 7:58 AM.

UPDATE:

CENTRAL IDAHO (KIFI) – Two separate magnitude 3.6 quakes struck within three minutes of each other Monday evening, the latest and largest so far in a series of quakes near Stanley.

The latest sizeable quakes struck around 8:23 PM and 8:26 PM. The epicenters were roughly 9 to 10 miles northwest of the town of Stanley.

There have been at least 20 quakes over a magnitude of 2.0 since Saturday. Most earthquakes under a magnitude 3.0 are rarely felt by people.

This area is no stranger to earthquake swarms or larger quakes.

The last major earthquake to hit was a magnitude 6.5, on March 31, 2020.

If you felt the latest sizeable quake, you can report your experience to the USGS at https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000qhjl/dyfi/intensity

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A Madison County man is now in custody, facing charges of possessing and distributing child pornography. Rexburg Police Detectives arrested Jackson Johansson on Monday, following an investigation that began with a tip from the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

The tip alleged that a Kik messaging account was being used to share and trade explicit materials of children. According to the Rexburg Police Department, detectives obtained search warrants and successfully identified Johansson despite his attempts to conceal his identity online.

Johansson has been booked into the Madison County Jail.

Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Several key offices located within the Bonneville County Annex in Idaho Falls will temporarily close later this month due to scheduled parking lot maintenance. The closures will take place from Wednesday, June 18th, through Friday, June 20th.

The impacted offices include:

Bonneville County Motor Vehicle Office

Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Divisions:

Driver’s License Office

Concealed Weapon Permit Office

Sex Offender Registry Office

While other offices within the annex building, such as the D7 Treatment Center and Bonneville County Adult Probation, are not slated for full closure, they may experience partial closures or limited operations during the maintenance period. People are being advised to call ahead if they plan to visit these departments.

Normal operations for all affected offices are scheduled to resume on Monday, June 23rd.

The information above comes from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — With summer in the air, many people are excited to get outside and have fun in the water. But area law enforcement is reminding people about the dangers and laws behind diving off bridges.

The warning comes after an 18-year-old man from Pocatello drowned after jumping into the Bear River from the Last Chance Flume north of Grace, on May 31, 2025.

In several eastern Idaho counties, for example, Bonneville County, the activity of bridge jumping is illegal. However, the laws surrounding bridge jumping differ from county to county, but all law enforcement agencies emphasize the importance of staying safe.

“The reason those (laws) are in place is because it’s just not always safe right there to do that,” Sgt. Bryan Lovell of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office told Local News 8. “You don’t know what is down below, how deep that water really is. You don’t know what kind of outcroppings are sticking out.”

Meanwhile, it’s not necessarily illegal to jump off bridges into rivers in Fremont and Jefferson County; however, it is against the law to trespass on privately owned and closed-off bridges.

Local law enforcement officers tell us that water can be very unpredictable. The flows and currents of the rivers can change every year due to snow melt after winter, and the currents are much stronger under the water’s surface.

They say there might be hidden dangers, like sticks, garbage, or rocks, just below the surface you can’t see until you’ve already jumped.

Every police department we spoke with recommends people use life jackets and swim in areas designated for recreation. 

“If you’re just planning for safety and, you know, thinking ahead and being real careful, then you’re probably going to have a good time and you won’t have to be rescued,” said Lovell.

Lovell says the main thing is to put your safety and the safety of others first.

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Seth Ratliff

YELLOWSTONE, Montana (KIFI) — A newly installed camera at Biscut Basin’s Black Diamond Pool captured a rare event: a small hydrothermal eruption from the pool over the weekend.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the eruption is the first that has been captured on video since the hydrothermal explosion on July 23, 2024, which dramatically changed the Biscuit Basin area, although monitoring data and eyewitnesses have indicated that sporadic eruptions have happened several times since the initial explosion last year.

View the complete video of the eruption on the USGS Facebook page, HERE.

The new webcam was established at Biscut Basin only a few weeks before track activity at the Black Diamond Pool. The camera is designed to capture static images every 15 minutes, which are then posted to the USGS website. This consistent imagery allowed scientists to identify and confirm the recent eruption.

Biscuit Basin remains closed this season, according to park officials, due to the damage caused on July 23, 2024, as well as hazards posed by potential future hazardous hydrothermal events.  To view the area through the USGS’s webcam, click HERE.

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News Release

The following is a press release from the Idaho Transportation Department:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department will move Interstate 15 traffic Tuesday and Wednesday nights to accommodate girder placement at 2.5 Mile Road Bridge.

Traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction and shifted onto the same side of the interstate. Work will be conducted between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night with a speed limit of 55 miles per hour through the work zone.

Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area. With crews working day and night on the project to make I-15 three lanes from Northgate to Fort Hall it is especially important that drivers be alert and travel safely.

I-15 serves as a major transportation corridor through eastern Idaho. These improvements will increase capacity and improve safety to serve the region’s growing transportation needs for years to come. 

Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of project detours. Project details are available on ITD’s projects website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i15northgatetoblackfoot.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The search is on for the next artistic leader of the Idaho Falls Symphony. Monday, the symphony announced the formation of its Music Director Search Committee, which will spend the next two seasons fielding candidates across the nation to become the new music director.

“This search is not just about finding a conductor—it’s about identifying a visionary partner who will inspire our musicians, engage our audience, and strengthen our role in the cultural life of eastern Idaho, said Executive Director Carrie Athay. “We are thrilled to begin this journey with such a dedicated and well-rounded committee.”

Led by Jake Durtschi and following the best practices set by the League of American Orchestras, the symphony says the committee reflects a careful balance of musical, organizational, and community viewpoints. Members were chosen for their leadership skills, insights, and commitment to the Symphony’s long-term artistic vitality.

“This is an exciting chapter in the Symphony’s future,” said Jake Durtschi, Committee Chair. “We are committed to a transparent process that honors the rich legacy of the Idaho Falls Symphony while embracing new artistic leadership.”

During the search, the committee will finalize candidate criteria, conduct a national search, and invite guest conductors to lead performances for the 2026–2027 season.

Feedback from audiences, musicians, and board members will play a critical role in the final selection process, according to symphony directors.

The final appointment is expected to be made in May 2027.

2025–2027 Music Director Search Committee:

Committee Chair

Jake Durtschi

Board Representatives

Rick Aman

Todd Combs

Kevin Young

Musician Representatives

Adam Ballif

Kristin Bull

Annalee Kelly

Lisa McNiven

Kevin Meyer

Emma Rubinstein

Community Representatives

Betsy Hunsicker

Michelle Mallard

Administrative, Non-Voting Advisor

Carrie Athay, Executive Director

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Bannock County Assessor’s Office announced they have seen a record number of homeowners apply for the Property Tax Reduction (PTR) program this year.

The PTR, formerly known as ‘Circuit Breaker’, program can reduce property taxes by up to $1,500 for people with disabilities, seniors, and some veterans; applicants must have an annual income of $37,810 or less.

Bannock County Assessor Anita Hymas said this year’s 1,498 applicants surpassed the previous record year in 2023, when 1,397 people applied for the PTR program.

Assessor Hymas said she and her team have been holding more public outreach events, such as open houses in every Bannock County town, as well as PTR help over the phone and online, to increase awareness of property tax reduction options available.

“I’ve always felt that it’s important to bring us to them if possible, and that is one program we can do that with,” said Hymas.

Hymas also said that with last month’s increase in Pocatello property values, homeowners should make sure they have an exemption listed on their statement before property taxes come due in the fall. If an exemption is not listed, homeowners are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Assessor’s Office.

For more information on property taxes, homeowners’ exemptions, and the PTR program, you can visit the Bannock County Assessor’s Office website.

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Sam Ross

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI)– The American Red Cross is now working out of their new Blood Donation Center location in the Pine Ridge Shopping Center.

The Red Cross relocated ahead of demolitions scheduled in the ongoing project to turn the Pine Ridge Mall into an open-air retail space.

Regional Red Cross account manager Traci Lund said their new location is a major upgrade and includes new prescreening rooms, more temperature-controlled storage spaces, and a larger area for collections and blood drives; the Red Cross’ new space also has a entrance accessible from the parking lot, an improvement over their old location which was only accessible through the mall.

“We actually have a storefront,” said Lund. “I think people forget because we were tucked back in the mall, and now we’re just right out here–we have our big name out there, and I love that.”

Lund said she hopes the new location will draw more donors to give blood in the face of constant blood shortages in the Pocatello area.

The Red Cross also continually hosts blood drives around the Portneuf Valley. To find a blood drive nearby, or to schedule an appointment to give blood at the Red Cross’ brand new facility, you can visit the American Red Cross website.

The new Blood Donation Center is located at the Pine Ridge Shopping Center at 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101. The entrance is around the corner from Planet Fitness, across from the AMC CLASSIC Pine Ridge 11 movie theater in Chubbuck.

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Curtis Jackson

PHOENIX (KIFI) – Jury selection has been delayed again for Lori Vallow Daybell’s second Arizona conspiracy murder trial because she is sick.

Lori Vallow Daybell appeared in court Monday in a wheelchair. She explained to the judge she was sick with a headache, nausea, and chills, according to Fox 10 reporter Justin Lim. Judge Justin Beresky said he will delay jury selection to Wednesday, June 4, at 10 a.m.

Vallow Daybell also left the court early on Friday after she told the judge she was sick.

Vallow Daybell is on trial for a murder conspiracy charge of trying to kill her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux.

Police say Vallow Daybell’s brother shot at Boudreaux outside his home in Gilbert in October 2019. Boudreaux was not hit but the bullet shattered his car’s window.

Vallow Daybell was convicted in May of conspiring to kill her former husband. She is also convicted of killing her children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, in Idaho.

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