Author: KIFI

Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Idaho teachers and educators gathered Wednesday for a post-legislative recap of the 2025 Legislature.

The meeting focused on the state’s education funding and help them navigate next year’s budget.  One key item was teacher pay increases, and another was about operational dollars that school districts and charter schools expected, but didn’t get.

As of now, school districts and charter schools are setting up next year’s budgets. 

“This information and really being able to ask us a lot of very pointed questions is important as they set those budgets and negotiate with their teachers what the salary increases will look like for the upcoming school year after the budgets,” said Greg Wilson, Chief of Staff at the State Department of Education. 

The group also discussed the impact of curricular decisions at the local level.

One bill updates the graduation requirements to begin next year for the class of 2028. One of which is digital literacy as a one-credit requirement. 

“One of the key components is basic computer science concepts. Navigating artificial intelligence is an example and coding. Just basic things that are important to understanding how all the technology that we interact with every day works,” said Wilson.

There’s also an online safety component. 

Wilson told Local News 8 they have heard from many parent groups and legislators want to make sure kids are safe online at age-appropriate levels, understand how to navigate online, and how to be safe online.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Former Idaho Senator Carl Crabtree passed away Tuesday, May 6, in Boise, after a recent battle with brain cancer.

As a rancher from Grangeville, Crabtree was actively involved with state and national cattle industry organizations. In 2007, he received the prestigious title of Trailblazer of the Year from Beef Magazine. For nearly 30 years, he served as the University of Idaho extension agent, overseeing 4-H programs in his county.

The 72-year-old represented District 7 for three terms in the Idaho Senate from 2016 to 2022. In 2023, he joined the Idaho Department of Education and served as the department’s director of intergovernmental affairs. His role included work with the Idaho Land Board and members of the state legislature.

Wednesday, Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield issued the following statement honoring her longtime friend and colleague.

“Today, I lost one of my dearest friends and Idaho lost a true champion. Carl Crabtree was more than a colleague—he was a cowboy at heart, a fierce advocate for education and a man whose integrity shaped everything he touched. Carl’s passion for serving Idaho’s students and families never wavered, even in the face of his personal battle with cancer. From his work championing early literacy and dyslexia resources to his tireless efforts supporting educators, Carl’s legacy will live on in the lives he changed.

– Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield

Critchfield describes Crabtree, as a legislator was a strong advocate for Idaho students and K-12 schools. He supported various important initiatives, including early literacy programs and all-day kindergarten. In 2022, he played a key role in passing legislation that provided support for students with dyslexia. House Bill 731 established statewide screenings for dyslexic students and offered specialized training for educators focused on dyslexia. That same year, the Idaho School Boards Association honored Crabtree with its annual “Friend of Education” award.

A proud graduate of the University of Idaho, Crabtree was also an advocate for higher education, writes Critchfield. In 2023, Lewis-Clark State College honored him with the President’s Medallion award for “significantly impacting the college by demonstrating high personal and professional standards, commitment to lifelong learning and the positive difference education makes to individuals, families and communities.”

“Carl was one of the most genuine, hardworking and kind-hearted people I’ve ever known. He was a cowboy through and through—steadfast, loyal and full of grit. While I mourn the passing of my dear friend, I am deeply grateful for the time we shared.”

– Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield

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News Team

UPDATE: The following information comes from a press release from the Madison Fire Department:

ARCHER, Idaho (KIFI) — A mobile home in Archer is now a total loss, after an early morning fire in Madison County.

The Madison County Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 293 W. 9000 S. at 9:01 AM, where firefighters discovered neighbors using garden hoses to help stop the spread.

“We also want to thank the numerous bystanders and neighbors for their quick action prior to the fire department’s arrival. Their actions helped reduce the spread of fire,” said Deputy Chief Miskin.

No one living in the area or responding firefighters were injured in by the blaze according to the Madison Fire Department. However firefighters are calling the single-wide trailer a total loss.

A second nearby trailer sustained some minor damage, according responding firefighters. The damages between the two structures are estimated to be $100,000.

Crews are still on scene performing overhaul, according to Deputy Chief Miskin.

Courtesy: Madison County Sheriff’s Office

The Madison Fire Department dispatched two engines, two water tenders, an ambulance, and two command vehicles. A total of 15 fire personnel were on the scene. Deputies from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho Chaplains also provided assistance.

“This is an unfortunate incident and we are so sorry for the loss that took place today,” said Troyce Miskin, Deputy Chief of Madison Fire Department, “but we’re grateful no one was injured. We are also grateful we were able to save one adjoining structure and minimize damage to another.”

The cause of the fire is unknown and an investigation is ongoing.

ORIGINAL:

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — First responders in Madison County are on the scene of a trailer fire in the Archer area, as of 10:10 AM Wednesday.

The area of 9000 South, between 400 West and 900 East, is currently closed, according to a post on the Madison County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page.

No information has been released at this time regarding the cause of the fire or any potential injuries. This is a developing story. Local News 8 will later update with additional details.

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Seth Ratliff

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KIFI) — Utah’s NHL team is now officially the Utah Mammoth. The team, formerly known as the Utah Hockey Club, made the announcement on X early Wednesday morning.

The internet was made aware of the official team name earlier this month, after the group’s YouTube page leaked the name in an accidental early name change in the page’s user handle.

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Curtis Jackson

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (KIFI)— A Florida man was injured when he was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on Sunday, May 4, 2025.

According to a news release, the man was injured in the Lake Village area at approximately 3:15 p.m. when he got too close to the animal. The 47-year-old man was from Cape Coral, Florida.

This is the first incident of a person injured by a bison this year. In 2024, two people were injured, and one in 2023.

Sunday’s incident is still under investigation and hasn’t released any more details about the

Wildlife in Yellowstone are wild and can be dangerous

Wild animals can be aggressive if people don’t respect their space. It is your responsibility to stay more than 25 yards (23 meters) away from all large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes – and at least 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears and wolves. If wildlife approaches you, move away to always maintain these safe viewing distances.

Bison will defend their space when threatened and have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.

Learn more about our safety tips while visiting Yellowstone, including how to behave around wildlife. The safety of these animals – and humans – depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules.

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Phillip Willis

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A Star Card will be needed in order to fly commercially or to access federal buildings by May 7. Forms of identification that are not REAL-ID compliant will not be accepted at security check points.

“The Star Card is Idaho’s form of the real ID, or the updated driver’s license and identification cards that brings our state into compliance with the Real ID Act,” says Sergeant Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

If someone arrives at an airport or federal building without a Star Card or another acceptable document, they may be delayed and undergo additional examination. This can cause delays, but can still go through security through a longer process.

“Passengers will not be turned away at airports,” says Steve Lorincz, TSA’s acting Deputy Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations.

The Star Card is intended to make it more difficult for bad actors to falsify their identities.

“Believe it or not, people do come to try and get an ID that have a different name or that of somebody they know… to get a false identification and use that for criminal purposes,” says Sergeant Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

For a comprehensive step-by-step guide to getting a star card, you can use the Idaho Transportation Department’s Add the Star tool to make sure all of you have all the necessary documents.

Other acceptable documents are: 

State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License

U.S. passport

U.S. passport card

DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents

Permanent resident card

Border crossing card

An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).

HSPD-12 PIV card

Foreign government-issued passport

Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card

Transportation worker identification credential

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

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Curtis Jackson

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (KIFI) — A grizzly bear was found dead in Grand Teton National Park on Tuesday.

Park Rangers found its remains along Highway 26 east of the Buffalo Fork River. They said the bear was probably hit by a vehicle and made it about 125 yards from the road to a patch of willows. The said it appears the bear may have been deceased for several days.

The bear was identified as Grizzly Bear 1058, a five-year-old male bear, and was a cub of Grizzly Bear 399. Grizzly Bear 399 was a famous bear that roamed the park and the Jackson Hole vicinity. Grizzly Bear 399 passed away last year after being hit by a car.

“GB1058 was one of four offspring that emerged with GB399 in May 2020,” a park news release said. “GB1058 had occasionally been observed in the park since he was weaned in 2022, but no confirmed sightings of him this spring had been reported.”

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Fall River Electric is announcing a planned power outage for Madison County, as crews trim and remove trees near powerlines in the Salem area.

The outage is set to begin at 9 AM on Wednesday, May 7th, and last until Noon. The news comes from a post on the Fall River Electric Facebook page. For more information, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Some Idaho Falls Power customers may experience brief power outages in the coming weeks as crews work to upgrade infrastructure.

Over the next 6 weeks, crews will be upgrading power poles and overhead lines in the Falls subdivision to improve long-term service reliability, according to a post on the Idaho Falls Power Facebook page.

Work is scheduled to take place weekdays from 8 AM-4:30 PM.

According to the post, people living near the subdivision can expect occasional brief outages, temporary access restrictions, and construction noise during work hours.

“Please stay clear of work areas for everyone’s safety. We appreciate your patience as we improve your power service,” said Idaho Falls Power in the post.

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Seth Ratliff

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho State Police has determined the driver at fault in last Thursday’s deadly crash on U.S. Highway 20 near Henry’s Lake.

The collision involved a Dodge Ram pickup and a Mercedes passenger van, both of which caught fire after the crash.

“Based on current evidence, investigating troopers have determined that the Dodge Ram pickup crossed the center line and struck the eastbound Mercedes passenger van,” writes ISP. “This finding will be documented in the official Idaho Vehicle Crash Report (IVCR).”

The reason the pickup crossed the center line is still under investigation. ISP reports that crash reconstruction is ongoing, and troopers are working to determine all factors contributing to the crash.

Thursday’s crash took the lives of seven people, including the driver of the Dodge Ram, as well as six passengers of a tour group by Ctour Holiday.

Tuesday morning, May 6, Ctour Holiday sent Local News 8 the following statement responding to the crash.

“CTour Holiday is saddened by the loss of life and injuries suffered in this terrible accident. CTour Holiday is continuing to work with the families as well as the investigating authorities regarding this accident.”-

Ctour Holiday LLC

ISP troopers are actively collaborating with Ctour Holiday LLC, as well as with the home countries of both the surviving and deceased tourists, as the investigation into the crash continues.

National Transportation Safety Board to lead independent investigation

In addition to ISP, the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an independent investigation. This is due to the commercial vehicle’s involvement and the magnitude of the crash.

According to ISP, National Transportation Safety Board Personnel have visited the scene and are reviewing evidence. While information is being shared between the two agencies, ISP says each will conduct its investigation separately.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those lost in this tragedy,” said ISP Sgt. Blake Higley. “We are incredibly grateful to the passersby who stopped to help and to the first responders whose quick actions and teamwork aided those in critical need. This was a challenging and emotional scene for everyone involved.”

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