Author: KIFI

Danielle Mullenix

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park has earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the organization’s latest round of international reviews.

The AZA announced Tuesday that 30 facilities earned accreditation during its fall 2026 accreditation process. Three other facilities were denied.

For the Idaho Falls Zoo, the accreditation recognizes the facility for meeting AZA standards in areas including animal care, veterinary services, staff training, safety, education, and conservation.

The accreditation process includes a detailed application and a rigorous multi-day, on-site inspection by an independent team of zoo and aquarium professionals.

Inspectors review nearly every part of a facility’s operations, including animal care, veterinary programs, staff training, educational programs, conservation efforts, financial stability, safety, and guest services.

The process doesn’t end with the inspection. AZA’s Accreditation Commission reviews reports from the inspection team and the facility, then holds a formal hearing with zoo leaders before making a final decision.

AZA-accredited facilities must go through the accreditation process every five years to maintain their status. Three facilities were denied accreditation during this round: Baylor University Bear Habitat in Texas, the Indianapolis Zoological Society, and Wildlife Safari in Oregon.

The Idaho Falls Zoo is located at Tautphaus Park and is home to a variety of animals from around the world.

With the latest accreditation decisions, Idaho Falls is now one of the 255 AZA-accredited facilities in 12 countries.

Celebrate with the Zoo

Idaho Falls residents still have a few chances to visit the zoo before the regular season ends for the year.

The zoo’s regular season wrapped up September 27, but the gates will reopen for two special October weekends — October 2-4 and October 9-11, weather permitting.

The zoo will be open Friday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last admission at 4:30 p.m.

So if you’ve been waiting for one more fall visit, there are just six more regular admission days on the calendar before the zoo closes for the season. Boo at the Zoo will also be returning later this fall.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Since 2024, Idaho State University’s Esports has grown from three to five varsity teams and competed and placed on the national stage, all while practicing in the basement of the Student Union Building in a confined, dark space. Today, the Esports program held a grand opening for their new Esports Arena, a well-deserved upgrade for the committed athletes.

The new arena is located next to the Chick-Fil-A on the first floor of the Student Union Building. It features over 30 computer setups and a TV station with an Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5 available. New to the upgraded space, students at ISU can come to “Open Play” hours, where non-Esports athletes can try the state-of-the-art gaming systems beginning in 2027.

Direct Communications Esports Arena at ISU, Sept. 29

The new space is thanks to a generous grant of $520,000 from Direct Communications, a longtime partner with ISU who also provided the enhancements to Direct Communications Field at Miller Ranch Stadium for the Lady Bengals Softball team in 2025.

“It’s amazing for them to have this brand new space because these athletes are really good at their games, they’re dedicated,” said broadcasting coordinator Daniel Sheldon. “Now we get to provide them access to a team environment and watching them blossom under that as they gain new friends and learn new skills has been phenomenal.”

The inagural teams in 2024 played Overwatch, Rocket League and Valorant. Today’s program includes teams in Super Smash Bros and Call of Duty. The new space reflects the variety of games and athletes in Esports at ISU, as well as their need for more computers.

Visitors and students file into the new Esports arena for the grand opening, Sept. 29

The athletes are already feeling the difference in shifting to their new space, where it’s easier to collaborate and practice as a team.

“The brand new computers are really good, we have better monitors now and better headphones,” said Elliott Fleener, ISU Esports Athlete. “Pretty much everything is better compared to what we used to have and it’s so much more space.”

The captain of the Super Smash Bros Ultimate Esports Team, Abir Atar, said the elite nature of the arena has led to better connection and play between his team.

“We used to really only be able to have two guys practicing at one time, maybe four if they were separated, but now we have all of us right here,” Atar said. “We can go back and review the footage of what happened two minutes ago, it’s provided a noticeable improvement it’s awesome.”

Another exciting aspect of the new arena is the broadcasting ability out of the facility. With live announcers Scooter McLane and Triston Van Wyk giving play-by-play and commentary, Sheldon says ISU is now competing with some of the biggest Esports broadcasts in the country.

“It’s not an exaggeration to say [we have] one of the best broadcasts for Esports within the northwest at the very least, we’re now just below if not neck and neck with Boise State who has been doing this for years,” Sheldon said. “The fact we’re even competing on that level is incredible and I think we’re going to elevate every product we’ll have with this space.”

Esports Announcers Scooter McLane and Triston Van Wyk live at the grand opening of the new Esports Arena, Sept. 29

The Direct Communications Esports Arena is another attraction the university has to bring more interested students to the Pocatello campus.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to get more students interested and engaged and show them how cool, fun and exciting Esports can be,” Sheldon said.

He added live games are Monday-Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. and visitors are welcome to use the chairs in the new space to watch the games and listen to the announcers in real time. Looking towards the Spring semester, Sheldon said the program would love to allow students of all disciplines inside the arena to try the systems.

“We’re going to continue expanding access from there. The goal is to have people come in and use our computers during open play hours,” he said. For now, the computers and high-tech gaming systems remain a priveledge for the Esports athletes, as they head into a busy season of games and tournament preparation.

Head Coach Charles Johnston said the team is committed to defending their back-to-back Big Sky Championship trophy in Rocket League. In the first two years of the Esports program at ISU, the Rocket League team pulled off a first-place win. In the spring, the Overwatch and Super Smash Bros teams both placed 3rd in the Big Sky Championship Tournament.

“We want to be a nationally recognized program,” Johnston said. “For competition, we want people to see our team name and fear that.”

Johnston added the most improvement is yet to come, as the teams adjust and expand in their new environment.

“Unfortunately, Esports sometimes means a team is at a disadvantage if they worse equipment, so this brand new equipment makes us more competitive,” Johnston said. “Now we have an advantage with the best internet thanks to Direct Communications not to mention the best quality computers.”

The head coach added the athletes are feeling more motivated to grow in their games since they get to walk into the beautiful new arena everyday. The space has “excelerated our ability to do our best and continue working hard.”

Johnston encourages people to come watch the Esports teams in action in person at the new arena, squashing the stigma around video game sports being inferior to other sports. One match in the new arena and spectators are treated to fierce competition, exciting plays and a group of dedicated athletes working together towards a common goal: win.

To stream Idaho State University Esports Games, visit twitch.tv/idahostateesports. For more information, visit Idaho State Esports on Instagram or their website isu.edu/esports.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The annual “Treats with the Police” celebration kicked off tonight and continues throughout the week.

It was kids vs. the cops in an intense round of baseball Tuesday night at Reinhart Park.

The Idaho Falls Police are hosting four “Treats with the Police” evenings this week at parks across the city.

“This is part of our neighborhood beat events. The city is divided up into four zones with four beats for police officers,” Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson said. “So these are the officers that work this area. The idea is it’s just to have a natural interaction. … This is just the officers out here and playing T-ball with the kids.”

Kids of all ages reveled in the action – running the bases and occasionally scoring a home run in a blend of t-ball and baseball with the police officers in the outfield.”

“It was a fun experience to play baseball with them, go into a cop car, see how it works inside, and see how it works with a microphone,” said baseball extraordinaire Ryland.

They also climbed into police cars, testing sirens and flashing lights, while licking frozen Creamsicles with their parents.

“I liked learning about the police and how they help us build our community stronger,” said Chorus. “It was really fun to play baseball and have ice cream with the police officers.”

“Treats with the Police” continues Wednesday from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Rollandet Park for people who live between Yellowstone and Holmes Avenue.

Thursday, it’s at Community Park on 25th Street from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM for people residing between Holmes and Woodruff.

And Friday, “Treats with the Police” will be at Mel Erickson Park near EIRMC from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, for anyone who lives east of Woodruff in city boundaries.

The program is part of Idaho Falls Police Department’s community policing initiative – building relationships with neighbors in each of the city’s beats to prevent crime and help solve cases faster when they occur.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Potato harvesting season is in full swing, with many farms hunting for this Idaho treasure. For some, the harvest may feel like a chore, but for many families, it has become a tradition.

“It’s pretty much the same crew every year,” Marc Thiel, Thiel Brother’s Land & Livestock, said. “My mother’s been cooking lunch for us for 60 years, so we joke that’s the only reason they all come back, is for my mom’s lunches.”

Friends, family, and neighbors all come out to lend a hand on the Thiel’s farm as well as grab a bite to eat. Once they are all harvested, these potatoes will soon be on their way to the East Coast.

“My dad always really took pride in knowing that this shed is known for packing good quality potatoes,” Marc said. “They send them to a lot of those real high end restaurants in New York City.”

However, sharing this Idaho gem has been more of a struggle this year. From rising Diesel costs and low potato prices are putting more pressure on farmers. The American Farm Bureau estimates potato farmers nationwide could face more than $700 million dollars in losses this year.

As the number one producer of potatoes in the U.S., contributing nearly 33% of the nation’s potatoes, Idaho is feeling that pressure.

“It’s stressful,” Marc said. “A year like this where it was hot and dry, short of water, you got a lot invested in them. But it’s always worth it at the end. Especially when you got a nice crop.”

Potato farming dates back to the 1830’s in Idaho and has been a centuries long staple for multiple families across the state. Even with increasing prices, many wish not to part with this tradition. The Thiel family has been farming their land for 114 years and every harvest is proof of a long family legacy.

“I really enjoy growing potatoes,” Marc said. “It’s real satisfying. At the end of the year if you’ve got a good crop. There’s just nothing like seeing those things boil out of the ground. And it’s enjoyable. We’ve always had potatoes forever. I’ve always had them.”

Multiple families across the region are still harvesting potatoes or have already completed their harvest. Many rural school districts have let students out for Harvest Week.

Many of these schools are already back in session but Madison School District, Shelley Joint School District, Firth School District, West Jefferson School District, and Snake River School District are still on their Harvest Break.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A Bonneville County grand jury has indicted four residents in separate cases involving the sexual abuse of minors under the age of 16, Prosecutor Randy Neal announced Tuesday.

Case 1: Cesar Giovanni Espinoza-Patino

Cesar Giovanni Espinoza-Patino faces three counts of rape of a victim under 16 years old. He is being held on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment before 7th District Judge Michael J. Whyte on Oct. 13.

Case 2: Haileigh Jo McOmber and Joshua Larry Nelson

In a joint indictment, co-defendants Haileigh Jo McOmber and Joshua Larry Nelson were charged with three counts of soliciting a minor under 16 to participate in a sexual act, two felony counts of injury to a child, one misdemeanor count of encouraging or causing a juvenile to come within the purview of the court, and one count of giving alcohol to a minor.

McOmber is held on a $60,000 bond, while Nelson is held on a $150,000 bond. Both are scheduled to appear for arraignment before 7th District Judge Jason D. Walker on Oct. 13.

Case 3: Rocky Joseph Piccolo

In the final case, Rocky Joseph Piccolo was indicted on 16 felony counts, including;

Three counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16 Two counts of promoting, publishing, or producing child sexually exploitative material Two counts of willful possession or access to child sexually exploitative material Two counts of video voyeurism Seven counts of visual representations of sexual abuse of a minor

Piccolo is held on a $200,000 bond and is set to appear for arraignment before 7th District Judge Brendon C. Taylor on Oct. 13.

The Grand Jury Process

Indictments in all three cases remain sealed. Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal noted to Local News 8 that grand jury proceedings are often used to protect victims, witnesses, and the constitutional rights of the accused.

“Historically, the grand jury’s purpose combines screening of probable cause with investigative authority that predates the Constitution,” explains Neal. “…The grand jury’s secrecy is a key feature designed to protect its deliberations, prevent witness tampering, encourage candid testimony, shield innocent persons, and secure effective investigations.”

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Maile Sipraseuth

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) – The dump truck driver charged in the fatal Teton Pass crash had pleaded not guilty to two counts of homicide by vehicle.

22-year-old Laiton George McMinn of Ririe was driving a dump truck and crashed into other vehicles. When police questioned him, he claimed his “brakes failed.” Two people died, and five were injured as a result of the crash.

RELATED: Ririe man charged with vehicular homicide following fatal Teton Pass crash

According to court documents, a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper determined the crash was caused by “driver error” and was not the result of any mechanical issues.

McMinn is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing on Oct. 8, 2026.

His pretrial conference is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2027, followed by a jury trial set for Jan. 28, 2027.

Homicide by vehicle is a high misdemeanor in Wyoming, punishable by up to one year in jail, a two-thousand-dollar fine, or both.

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Curtis Jackson

UPDATE Wed., Sept. 30, 2026: The boil advisory for the Taylor Mountain Water System has been lifted, according to Falls Water Company. They said recent testing confirms the water is safe, and residents can use the tap water for normal use.

ORIGINAL STORY

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Falls Water has issued a boil advisory for the Taylor Mountain Water System because of a water line break late Monday night.

The water company had to shut off the water in order to repair the line causing the pressure to fall below 20 psi. As a precaution, the company issued a boil advisory until water samples show no contaminants. Sample results will take 24 to 48 hours to complete.

The water break has been fixed and pressure has been restored and testing is being done to make sure water is safe.

The following map shows the affected area.

PN-loss of pressure TMW09292026Download

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Seth Ratliff

JACKSON, WYOMING (KIFI) — Traffic has reopened along Teton Pass following a single-vehicle crash early Tuesday morning that brought drivers to a standstill and sent one person to the hospital.

According to Deputy Chief Brian Coe of Jackson Hole Fire/EMS, the crash happened around 7:47 a.m. near mile marker 11 on the Wyoming side of the pass. At this time, Coe says it appears the crash was caused by a medical emergency, but the incident is under further investigation.

The driver of the vehicle was airlifted to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. The driver’s current condition has not been released.

While the crash initially blocked both lanes, WYO 22 reopened around 8:50 a.m. Coe says traffic has begun to flow again, but is significantly backed up.

Ongoing Calls for Safety Improvements

The crash comes amid calls for increased safety improvements and restrictions along the Teton Pass following a rash of fatal summer accidents. The Wyoming Department of Transportation recently began installing updated warning signs along Highway 22—including summit brake checks and parking restrictions near the gravel escape ramp. Warnings are also being updated to address “all vehicles” rather than just commercial truckers.

RELATED: New safety signs on Teton Pass as community pushes for safer travel

Starting Oct. 1, WYDOT will launch its Safe Pass education program. Drivers of RVs, vehicles towing trailers, and vehicles over 10,000 lbs will be required to complete self-certification on mountain driving safety prior to travel.

Advocacy groups like Make Teton Pass Safer are pushing for early warning signs in surrounding towns like Tetonia, Swan Valley, and Jackson to divert heavy vehicles toward Snake River Canyon before they reach the pass.

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Danielle Mullenix

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – Landscaping is underway at the Teton River Idaho Temple in Rexburg, marking another visible step forward as construction continues on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple.

Picture Courtesy of @hanskoepsell / Facebook

With trees being planted about two weeks ago, visitors can see the tops of these green saplings faintly poking above the temple construction fences by N Second E. On Sept. 21, crews placed sod around the newly planted trees in front of the temple.

The landscaping is adding greenery to the site as workers continue finishing the building and surrounding grounds.

The temple’s exterior has continued to take shape throughout 2026. The central spire was installed on June 30, while white stone cladding has progressively covered much of the building’s exterior. Work on the parking areas has advanced alongside the exterior construction, with asphalt paving earlier this summer underway.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the Teton River Idaho Temple in October 2021. Groundbreaking and site dedication took place on June 1, 2024.

The three-story temple is planned to cover approximately 100,000 square feet on a 16.6-acre site in Rexburg, near the intersection of North 2nd East and East Moody Road.

Open House and Site Dedication still undetermined

As of Sept. 29, the temple’s open house and dedication dates have not been announced. Once completed, it will serve as Rexburg’s second operating temple, alongside the existing Rexburg Idaho Temple.

The new temple is expected to serve members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Upper Snake River Valley, including the area’s growing population and students at Brigham Young University–Idaho.

Picture Courtesy of @hanskoepsell / Facebook

For now, landscaping and ongoing construction are continuing to transform the property as the project moves toward completion.

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Abi Martin

Bonneville County, Idaho (KIFI) – Two people were taken to the hospital following a car crash that happened east of Idaho Falls on Monday night.

Idaho State police says the crash happened around 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of US Highway 26 and North 45th East.

Police say a 28-year-old woman from Ammon was driving a 2005 Toyota Prius south on North 45th East when she collided with a 2023 Nissan Rogue traveling east on U.S. 26.

The Nissan was driven by a 63-year-old woman from Boise.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts and were transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital.

The intersection was blocked for about an hour and a half following the crash.

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