Author: KIFI

Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — School is in session for some, while others are getting ready to head back.  That means school buses will be on the road as well. The Madison School District is reminding drivers is asking drivers to pay attention to their surroundings as they are moving around 3,200 kids every school day.

“We just want the general public to be aware that the school buses are going to be out on the roads delivering our students, and our goal is to get them there as safely as we can. And we want to make sure that they’re watching out for the buses so that students aren’t getting hit or injured,” said Brandon Caldwell, Transportation Director for Mandison School District 321.

One of the biggest issues they are seeing is that people are ignoring a very important sign.

“They run the stop signs. I’ve had that happen several times,” said Les Hill, Driver/Safety supervisor and Trainer.

In 2024, in the Madison school district alone, they had over 100 stop arm violations with cars illegally passing our school buses. 

“They’re not only endangering themselves and the public around them, but I’ve got a bus full of kids that I’m responsible for,” said Hill.

Local news 8 did a ride-along on a school bus; we made over 10 stops to see how drivers respond. Local news 8 caught two drivers breaking this rule, and we’re told this was actually a good day for them.

If you run the bus’s stop sign and you think you got away with it, think again. 

“Currently, we have about a quarter of our fleet outfitted with stop arm cameras. We currently have 12 brand new buses that we’ve received in the last year, and all of those are outfitted with forward-looking dash cameras out the windshield and stop arm cameras as well on the sides of the bus,” said Caldwell.

The same rules used at stop lights apply to school buses. Yellow means slow down, and red means stop.

As of last year, Idaho increased the fine to $300 for the first offense, but you can’t put a price on a child’s life.

The three main trouble spots they see in Rexbug are Pioneer Road, where they see on average 6 to 8 stop arm violations a day, Highway 33 going out west of town, and then 12th West between Main Street and University. 

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News Release

The following is a news release from Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott’s office:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Caleb Sickinger, 45, of Rigby, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for receiving child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.  

According to court records, in November 2023, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents in Alabama arrested an individual on charges of coercion and enticement and possession of child pornography. In a post-arrest interview, the individual told FBI agents that he had received images of child pornography from a “woman” in Idaho. His communications with the “woman” revealed her name and included images of her. FBI agents in Idaho received this information and began an investigation. Agents identified the “woman” and also identified the child depicted in the child pornography. Agents obtained and executed a search warrant at the woman’s residence in Rigby, Idaho. However, none of the electronic devices recovered or email addresses used by the woman matched the evidence from the investigation.

Agents eventually learned that the woman had not been involved in the crime. Caleb Sickinger, who was a police officer at the time, ultimately admitted to falsely assuming the woman’s identity—without her knowledge—by utilizing images from her social media account. Sickinger also admitted to obtaining images of the child from social media and having the images digitally altered to appear as child pornography. Sickinger then distributed those altered images to the individual in Alabama. 

Chief U.S. District David C. Nye also ordered Sickinger be placed on supervised release for the remainder of his life following his prison sentence. Sickinger will be required to register as a sex offender. Sickinger pleaded guilty to the charge on April 8, 2025.

“This defendant victimized a child and her mother in committing this horrible crime,” Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott said. “I commend the cooperative efforts of the federal, state, and local law enforcement agents who identified him as the perpetrator and held him appropriately accountable.”

“Every image and video created and shared perpetuates the abuse of a child who will carry that trauma for the rest of their lives,” said Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed of the Salt Lake City FBI. “The FBI is unwavering and united with our partners in the fight to protect our children from predators who seek to exploit and harm them.”

“I want to thank my ICAC investigators, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our local and federal law enforcement partners for their efforts in securing today’s outcome,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Idahoans are safer today because of their hard work and dedication to protecting our state.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Pocatello, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho Falls Police Department, and the Idaho ICAC Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Paskett prosecuted this case.

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Seth Randal

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Teachers lined the sidewalks outside of the Idaho Falls school district office this afternoon to bring attention to the ongoing negotiations over teacher pay. At least 75 teachers and supporters gathered outside the district’s regular school board meeting.

Several were carrying signs, with others wearing shirts saying “use your teacher voice.”

The move comes a week after the Idaho Falls Education Association (IFEA) voted to reject a proposed salary and benefits agreement. Lengthy negotiations between the IFEA and the Idaho Falls School Board have dominated the weeks ahead of the new school year.

The lengthy negotiations between the association and the Idaho Falls School Board have dominated the weeks ahead of the new school year. Many teachers say they feel like they are not being valued and supported.

In our past discussions, district officials have emphasized their dedication to fostering a positive environment for both teachers and students. As the new school year approaches, the board and teachers’ union are expected to resume negotiations to secure a sustainable agreement.

For more details on the ongoing negotiations, click HERE. 

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News Team

UPDATE:

MADISON COUNTY, Montana (KIFI) — State Highway 87 has reopened this morning near the Idaho/Montana border as crews continue to fight the Horn Fire. The fire, which was started by a lightning strike on Wednesday afternoon, has burned an estimated 2,000 acres, according to the Montana DNRC.

Crews worked through the night, taking advantage of easing winds to slow the rapid spread of the fire. Despite this progress, the Madison County, Montana, Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning of possible evacuations for residents on both sides of the highway.

ORIGINAL:

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Crews in Madison County, Montana, are actively combating the Horn Fire, a 30-acre brush fire burning along the Idaho/Montana border. According to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Highway 87 is closed in all directions. Montana authorities are directing travelers to use alternate routes.

“Do not stop along the highway, and please do not use or operate any drones in the area. Any personal drones will require air suppression helicopters to leave the area and will hamper firefighting activity,” said the Madison County, Montana, Sheriff’s Office on Facebook.

The fire began around 2:24 PM, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, and is reportedly visible from the Henry’s Lake area of Island Park. Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputies are directing residents near Island Park and the surrounding area not to report the fire to 911, as emergency services are already aware and are being overwhelmed.

For updates on the Hwy 87 closure, visit https://511.idaho.gov/#:Alerts. This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide more updates as new details become available.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating a rash of recent thefts reportedly targeting storage units, vehicles, and small buildings.

Deputies have received multiple reports from the Idaho Falls, Ammon, and Swan Valley areas. Thieves have allegedly made off with valuable items, including a 1980s Honda CR60 motorcycle from a storage unit, as well as tools and fishing gear from unlocked vehicles and small buildings, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

1980s Honda CR60 motorcycle, Courtesy Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office

Authorities are urging residents to lock and secure all vehicles and buildings, including sheds, homes, and storage units.

While deputies are continuing to follow up on leads and suspect information, anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office or submit an anonymous tip to East Idaho Crime Stoppers at www.IFcrime.org. The Sheriff’s Office is also asking the public to report suspicious activity as soon as possible to Bonneville County dispatch at 208-529-1200. 

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News Release

The following is a news release from Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office:

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Attorney General Raúl Labrador launched Operation Robocall Roundup, a multistate effort by the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force to crack down on robocalls across the country. Attorney General Labrador and a bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general are sending warning letters to 37 voice providers demanding that they act now to stop illegal robocalls being routed through their networks.  

“Idahoans are sick of scammers targeting their families through illegal robocalls,” said Attorney General Labrador. “We’re putting these telecommunications providers on notice that they must follow federal rules immediately.”

These providers haven’t complied with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules about responding to government traceback requests, haven’t registered in the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Databases, or haven’t filed a plan that describes how they will reduce illegal robocalls on their network. By disregarding these simple rules, these companies are allowing robocallers onto their phone networks and then passing their calls on to other downstream providers until they reach the phones of Idahoans.

The task force is also sending the letters to 99 downstream providers that accept call traffic from the 37 companies, so that they know they’re doing business with bad actors that are not willing to follow the rules that apply to everyone equally. 

The FCC is also taking a close look at several of these companies. It announced yesterday that it will be removing seven of these providers from the Robocall Mitigation Database, which means that other providers will no longer be allowed to accept and route any calls from their networks.   

The voice service providers receiving warning letters are: 

Advantage Investors LLC 

Alpha Stream 

Ananya Traders LLC 

Ariyan Khan 

BBT Voice Private Limited 

Belthrough 

BPO VoIP 

Collection 3 LLC 

Communications and Telephone Systems Co. 

Dial Vista Corp. 

DigitalOcean, LLC 

Dtel Network LLC 

End Zone Financial Services 

EON Telecom Inc. 

Family Communication Inc. 

Fiber Flux VOIP 

First Tele Communications Inc. 

Flow VOIP LLC 

Globe Tech Solutions 

Higher Response Marketing, Inc. 

HK KwaiFong Group Limited 

Infinity SIP LLC 

Lexico Telecom LTD / Lextel LTD 

Mexico IP Phones LLC 

Nexusphere VOIP LLC 

Pleedex LLC 

Quantum Link VOIP LLC 

Ringnition 

SK Teleco LLC 

SkyPulse VOIP 

Stacy Newsome LNCC LCC 

Telnextrix LLC 

Terra Voip 

TheVisionConnect 

Tiera Enterprises LLC 

Voip Torque 

 Whisl Telecom, LLC / Telconus / Telcon US / Telcon Voice 

In 2022, 51 attorneys general joined forces to create the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force, which is led by North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The Task Force investigates and takes legal action against companies responsible for significant volumes of illegal and fraudulent robocall traffic routed into and across the United States. 

In April of this year, Attorney General Labrador notified nine voice service providers that they may be violating state and federal laws by continuing to route allegedly unlawful robocalls across their networks.

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News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Pocatello’s Riverside Golf Course will soon welcome a new clubhouse, thanks to a 20-year agreement with Connections Credit Union. The new facility is designed to be a community hub, promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

“This is an advantageous opportunity for the City of Pocatello, Connections Credit Union, and golfers in Southeast Idaho,” said Parks & Recreation Director Anne Butler.

The current clubhouse was originally built as a barn 80 years ago. While city leadership says the existing clubhouse has served the community well, it has far exceeded its intended lifespan. The new clubhouse will be a significant upgrade, featuring approximately 3,300 square feet on the main floor, a full basement for golf carts, patio seating, and a modern golf simulator.

Design work is already underway, with the city awarding the project to Construction Services, Inc. The new clubhouse is scheduled to open in 2026, with the demolition of the old building to follow.

“We’re proud to partner with the City on a project that will enhance Riverside Golf Course and benefit the community for years to come,” said Jamie Simmons, CEO of Connections Credit Union. “Riverside Golf Course is an important part of Pocatello’s recreational offerings, and this new clubhouse will create an even better experience for golfers and visitors alike.”

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Pocatello has announced ongoing work on upgrade projects for parks, trails, and the Portneuf River, with many projects scheduled to start over the next two years.

Several of the updated projects include improvements to the Portneuf River to provide better access for swimmers and floaters.

The city is currently working with the Army Corps of Engineers on a Bureau of Reclamation-funded effort to move levees currently located near Centennial/Rainey Park and create better flood prevention, habitat restoration, and river access. The project is slated to begin in 2026.

An additional river access point will also be installed at the Greenway Trailhead, south of the Simplot Don Plant, with construction scheduled to begin in fall 2025.

Other city projects with updated 2025 construction timelines include:

The addition of another stretch of Greenway trail between Monte Vista Dr. and Pocatello Creek Road along I-15.

The installation of three restroom facilities at Optimist/Tydeman Park, Lower Ross Park, and the Upper City Creek parking lot.

A Forest Service-funded wildfire fuels reduction program to remove juniper trees from plots of city land in fire-prone areas.

For more information on the City of Pocatello community improvement project timelines, you can visit the city website.

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Jeff Roper

ARCHER, Idaho (KIFI) — It’s a warning for all of us on social media. An eastern Idaho rancher says scammers stole his identity — and it cost his friends and customers.

Hagen Erickson owns Diamond E Quarter Horses, and while he was out of cell service, scammers were busy stealing his online identity — and using it to target those closest to him.

“So far, I think there’s probably been about $5000, if not a little more money, that’s been sent to this person that hacked my account,” said Erickson. “Years of networking down the drain.”

Watch the full story on how it happened, and what local law enforcement and the FBI are doing to fight back above.

New statistics from the FTC report rip-offs among Idahoans aged 60-69 have lost nearly $2,867,705 to fraud this year so far. The most prevalent scam categories affecting seniors in the state are business impostors, government impostors, and online shopping. Law enforcement agencies say the internet is the perfect disguise for these cyber criminals, with little to no recourse for the victims.

Here is how you can better protect your online accounts:

Use multi-factor authentication on every account — especially social media.

Change your passwords often and make it long, at least 12 characters.

Never use the same password in multiple places.

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Kailey Galaviz

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – America’s young singles are seemingly starting to shift expectations when it comes to dating and finances.

Many singles are more comfortable having that conversation and allowing financial decisions to impact how they choose to date. That is according to ‘Banking on Love,’ a survey through Chime in partnership with former Bachelorette star and Financial Expert Jason Tartick.

“I found some interesting information from the survey that about 50% of millennials and Gen Z actually find it attractive when someone is willing and open to talk about their income,” Tartick says, “Only 23% of boomers agree with that.”

While different generations may not have the same point of view on financial etiquette, Tartick says the best thing people can do, whether single or married, is to remain transparent with each other.

Tartick offers more advice in the interview above. Click play to watch the full interview.

To follow Tartick for more advice, pick up his book ‘Talk Money to Me‘ or watch his ‘Trading Secrets Podcast.‘

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