Author: KIFI

Noah Farley

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — Why fire up the lawnmower when a goat can do the job? Some people are calling the four-legged grass eaters in for a more eco-friendly lawn care option.

The little guys from Goat Grazers and Site Services are brought in to eat up overgrowth and invasive weeds.

“They’re really great for fire fuels reduction,” said Goat Grazers and Site Services Owner, Mercedez Kaiser. “They’ll eat down all the weeds that get really dry in the fall. And their stool is a really great fertilizer if the goal is to eventually plant grass.”

Kaiser and her husband fence off the exact area their client wants taken care of, then bring in a few dozen goats to chow down.

“Then any time after that, we leave it up to the owners to see if they want it eaten down any further, or if that’s fine, just leaving a little bit of green still,” Kaiser said.

The goats prefer to eat weeds, and usually leave the grass alone.

“They’ll just eat as many broadleaf weeds or like cheatgrass, any native leaves that are around here, they’ll come in and eat.”

Depending on the area a client wants cleared, it could take the goats three to seven days to finish the job.

Kaiser says their goat grazing business has really taken off, showing a lot of people enjoy bringing in this more eco-friendly lawn care service.

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The 13th annual Field of Honor for our veterans and heroes is happening in Idaho Falls this weekend. It’s being put on by the Exchange Club of Idaho Falls.

The club says they were impressed by the number of volunteers who came to set up flags Friday morning, May 23rd. With 70 volunteers, one thousand flags were planted this morning in Freeman Park in 90 minutes.

The project chairman says it’s important that we honor our local heroes. 

“Well, imagine the country that you live in and the liberties that we all enjoy. How that came to be and the soldiers that sacrificed everything and died for the cause is are worth remembering. And that’s why we do it.” 

The Field of Honor will be open 24-7 until the end of Memorial Day.

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News Team

TETON COUNTY, Wyo (KIFI) — A 16-year-old boy is recovering after crashing his mountain bike on the Parallel Trail along Teton Pass early Friday, according to Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR).

TCSAR received an emergency call around 1 p.m. reporting the incident. In a Facebook post, the organization described the Parallel Trail as a “downhill-specific bike trail with several jumps, some of which have mandatory gaps.”

TCSAR volunteers swiftly responded. Some drove a truck to Old Pass Road, while others went to a brake-check pullout above the trail on Highway 22, according to the post.

Their volunteers reached the injured teen by 1:30 p.m. TCSAR reportedly assessed his injuries, then secured him in a wheeled litter and transported the teen about a half-mile down the Trail to a waiting ambulance, which was coordinated with Jackson Hole Fire/EMS at the Old Pass Road trailhead.

This incident marks Teton County Search and Rescue’s first mountain bike rescue of the summer season, according to the post.

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News Team

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Fire Department is once again upholding a cherished tradition, partnering with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for their annual “Fill the Boot” fundraising campaign this weekend.

Dedicated firefighters will be stationed at the busy intersection of Hitt Road and 17th Street on Friday, May 23rd, and Saturday, May 24th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., collecting donations to support individuals and families battling muscular diseases.

Drivers are urged to slow down, use caution, and be engaged and focused while driving to keep firefighters and motorists safe.

Individuals and local businesses can support this program by dropping cash and change in firefighter boots at the intersection over the weekend or by donating online, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

PHOENIX, Arizona (KIFI) — Lori Vallow Daybell’s motion for a new trial following her conviction for conspiring to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, has been denied.

In her initial filing, Vallow-Daybell had accused a juror and the prosecutor of misconduct and a lack of impartiality of the court in her April murder-conspiracy trial.

In court documents filed yesterday, May 22, 2025, Judge Justin Beresky said he found no evidence of misconduct on behalf of the juror or the prosecutor. His decision also denies any lack of impartiality on behalf of the court. Beresky subsequently denied the motion for a new trial.

Later this month, Lori Vallow Daybell is facing yet another conspiracy to commit murder case out of Gilbert, Arizona, for conspiracy to murder her niece’s former husband, Brandon Boudreaux.

Jury selection is set to begin at the end of May, with testimony

where she’s planning to represent herself again.

Lori Vallow Daybell’s second conspiracy trial is set to start at the end of May with jury selection. Testimony is expected to begin in early June.

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Seth Ratliff

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KIFI) — Friday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins signed waivers restricting what can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, in Indiana and Iowa. The move builds on the approval in Nebraska, earlier this week, and once again could signal that Idaho’s own waiver request will also be granted.

The waivers are part of a broader federal initiative to encourage healthier food choices. Secretary Rollins’ actions follow the approval of the first-ever waiver of this kind in Nebraska on Monday, May 19, just three days after Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare submitted its own required waiver application.

Idaho joined Indiana and Arkansas as early applicants for the waiver, according to the governor’s office.

“President Trump has given our nation a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the health trajectory for our entire country,” said Secretary Rollins. “On my first day as Secretary, I sent a call to states to innovate, and Governors Jim Pillen, Kim Reynolds, Mike Braun, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Laura Kelly, Patrick Morrisey, Jared Polis, Brad Little, Spencer Cox, and Greg Abbott have stepped up and taken action.”

The push for healthier food choices within the SNAP program has garnered considerable federal backing, notably through Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. In March, Secretary Kennedy voiced his belief that taxpayer dollars should not subsidize the purchase of highly processed, sugary foods.

Historically, SNAP recipients have been able to purchase any food item with their benefits, with exclusions limited to alcohol, tobacco, hot foods, and personal care products. This historic action by Secretary Rollins expands the list of excluded products in Indiana and Iowa.

Iowa’s approved waiver specifically excludes any food item eligible for sales tax, which includes sweetened beverages, snacks, and candy. Indiana’s waiver mirrors Idaho’s proposed exclusions outlined in House Bill 109 and will prohibit the purchase of soft drinks and candy. The similarity between Indiana’s approved waiver and Idaho’s proposed restrictions could significantly increase the likelihood of federal approval for the Gem State’s request.

“I look forward to signing even more waivers in the days ahead as we continue to restore the health of America,” said Secretary Rollins.

The restrictions will take effect January 1, 2026.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The annual Idaho Field of Heroes Memorial has returned to the Portneuf Valley for its 21st year; the memorial was officially dedicated with a community ceremony on Friday.

The Idaho Field of Heroes Memorial is a tradition started by Bannock County to honor the military members who have died in the war on terrorism since September 11, 2001. Volunteers spend over 3,000 hours building and installing 7,064 markers in the Century High School soccer fields bearing the names of men and women who lost their lives in military service.

“We need to recognize those who allow us to live the way we do,” said Kale Bergeson, a Field of Heroes volunteer and US Marine Corps veteran. “…There’s 7,064 crosses out here. If you envision 7,064 people standing there, it’s very overwhelming. It’s something that needs to be experienced, however you can do it.”

97 markers are set aside at the memorial representing those service members from Idaho who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Bannock County is also hosting events honoring members of the armed forces over Memorial Day weekend. For a full list of events, you can visit the Idaho Field of Heroes Memorial website.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is asking Memorial Day Weekend travelers to be especially cautious driving through the Pocatello area of Interstate 15, where three major construction projects are taking place.

This summer, ITD is working on widening a stretch of I-15 from Northgate Pocatello to Fort Hall, finishing construction on the I-15/I-86 ‘Flying Y’ Interchange, and replacing bridges through the Inkom corridor.

Through road construction areas, traffic can be reduced to one lane in both directions and include variable speed zones; and ITD is asking people to take extra precautions to avoid accidents while traveling this weekend.

“We really ask people to please slow down, particularly in the work zones,” said Justin Smith, public information officer of ITD District 5. “Be patient with one another, give each other some room on the road, and watch out for people that are stopped. Watch out for our construction crews, just look out for other people.”

Memorial Day Weekend marks the start of the ‘100 Deadliest Days of Summer’, a period when highways around the state see a rise in fatal vehicle accidents.

For more information on ITD project areas, you can visit the Idaho Transportation Dept. website. For information on the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, visit the Idaho State Police website.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Memorial Day Weekend is upon us, and AAA Idaho expects 45 million Americans traveling for the holiday weekend.

“That’s a new record for Memorial Day weekend,” said AAA Idaho Spokesperson, Matthew Conde. “Another million people on the roads over what we had just a year ago.”

Conde recommends drivers head out on the roads as early in the day as they can. He says the afternoons from 3 to 7 p.m. will be the busiest and most hectic times for drivers.

Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the start of the 100 Deadliest Days, which run through Labor Day. That’s why Governor Brad Little has proclaimed May 25-31 as “Safe Driver Week.”

“Distracted driving, impaired driving, drowsy driving, aggressive driving, and failure to wear a seat belt are contributing factors in many traffic deaths,” the proclamation says. “Education and awareness efforts lead to positive driving outcomes…and all Idaho families deserve to have their friends and loved ones safely reach their destinations.”

AAA Idaho created the the Safe Driver Week campaign. More information on the campaign’s daily emphases can be found here.

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News Release

The following is a press release from the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Kerry Hammon as its new Executive Director, effective June 1, 2025. Hammon will succeed Bryan Chaffin, who will depart at the end of May 2025.

“We are incredibly fortunate to welcome Kerry to our team,” states Chip Langerak, IFDDC Board President. “She brings a wealth of expertise, energy, and a profound passion for our organization. Kerry’s talents and experience will be invaluable, and we couldn’t be more excited about the positive impact she will make on our vibrant downtown,” adds Langerak.

Hammon, a lifelong resident of Southeast Idaho, brings a deep understanding of the community to her new role. She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree from the College of Eastern Idaho and a Bachelor of Business and Information Systems Management from the University of Phoenix.

Her early career began as a certified medical assistant before she transitioned to the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce as an events coordinator. In this role, she planned and executed significant community gatherings, including the Independence Day Parade, Taste of Idaho, and the Liberty Festival on the Falls (now known as Riverfest). These experiences ignited her passion for community relations, networking, and communications.

In 2013, Hammon became one of the first full-time public information officers for the City of Idaho Falls, where she was responsible for disseminating information to the public. Over her decade-long career with the city, she served as a spokesperson for the city’s eleven departments. For the latter half of her tenure, Hammon primarily focused her efforts on the Idaho Falls Public Works Department, assisting with public outreach for snow removal, construction, and the new water tower. Hammon was also a member of the Idaho Falls Fire Department’s administrative staff, where she developed a strong interest in emergency management.

Hammon holds numerous certifications in emergency management and communication. Her expertise led to deployments as a Public Information Officer (PIO) on local and national incidents, assisting with emergency communications. She was the first PIO in Idaho to be credentialed by the Center for Public Safety Excellence, a nonprofit dedicated to continuous improvement within high-performing fire departments and emergency service professions.

Hammon joined IFDDC in January 2025 as the part-time operations manager. In addition to her new role, she co-owns Oakenstone Properties with her husband, Jim Hammon. Professionally, she is deeply passionate about effective communication, building strong relationships, volunteering, and fostering a thriving environment for her hometown. Her greatest joy comes from spending quality time with friends and family.

“Having grown up in Southeast Idaho, I truly understand the heart of this community,” says Hammon. “I’m thrilled to bring that perspective, along with my dedication to making and cultivating meaningful connections, to Idaho Falls Downtown Development. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and collaborate with our stakeholders to achieve great things for our vibrant downtown.”

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