Author: KIFI

Kaelyn Blessinger

McCAMMON, Idaho (KIFI) – Across the nation, thousands of babies are entered into the “Baby of the Year” competition. The contest offers these babies a chance to earn a cash prize while raising donations for other kids in need through Baby2Baby.

They are halfway through voting, but there are still many in the running, with the winner to be announced in December.

One mother is using this competition to celebrate her little miracle and advocate for many women’s struggles.

Sammy Smith is his mother’s rainbow baby and who she calls her little miracle.

“He’s a miracle in more ways than one,” Keelie Smith said. “Honestly, when I was 20, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Almost died. It was really crazy. I had a germ cell tumor that was roughly the size of a softball when they found it.”

When the tumor was removed, her uterus and one of her ovaries had survived, meaning she could have children. After this experience, she realized she did want children, but she had no idea the struggle that awaited.

“It took two years and six miscarriages before I could get Sammy,” Smith said. “So it was terrible. But we made it through.”

According to the Cleveland Clinic, one in ten pregnancies will end in miscarriage. Most miscarriages happen because of random genetic problems that stop the embryo from developing normally. Instead of being able to see the causation, many are quick to look at themselves for the fault.

In a survey by St. Thomas’ Hospital, they found that 82% of families blame themselves when a baby is lost. This leads to extreme feelings of guilt, shame, and alienation due to the stigma around miscarriages.

“That’s the thing about miscarriage is nobody really talks about how normal it actually is and that you can do this,” Smith said. “I think in society women feel responsible for things like that which they’re not, you know. And so it’s hard not to blame yourself or to feel bad about yourself when that stuff starts to happen.”

Keelie feels comfortable to discuss her struggles and experiences because not many would do that for her. She feels miscarriage should be normalized.

“Honestly, not that I am somebody who wants that, per se. But the opportunity to share experiences and to talk openly is is amazing. It feels a little bizarre. I mean, he is a miracle, and I am so proud to have him. So I’m happy to share him with the world.”

Even if Sammy doesn’t win Baby of the Year, he will always be a champion in his mother’s heart.

Here are more Miscarriage resources from the Cleveland Clinic.

And here is a link to the Baby of the Year competition if you are interested in learning more.

Click here to follow the original article.

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The debate over Proposition One is intensifying in Idaho – including in the medical community. 

Groups of Idaho doctors issued competing letters this week over the measure.

Proposition One would “establish a right to make reproductive health care decisions, including abortion up to fetal viability and in medical emergencies.”

Much of the current debate centers around how late an abortion would be permitted.

Those promoting Proposition One define fetal viability as “the point in a pregnancy when the fetus has a significant likelihood of sustained survival outside of the uterus without extraordinary medical measures, as determined by a physician’s good faith medical judgment, based on the facts known at the time, and determined on a case-by-case basis.”

Based on that definition, fetal viability would be determined by the discretion of a doctor providing or referring for the procedure.

59 doctors urging a ‘No Vote’ on Proposition One describe this as “extreme and medically dangerous.”

“Currently, people think of and the law considers fetal viability between 21 and 24 weeks, and this redefines it to say that it’s only going to be if the baby can survive without any extraordinary measures like NICU care or anything,” said Idaho physician Dr. Shane Macaulay, who opposes Prop One. “But that means it moves abortions, allows them all the way up into the eighth month. And that’s now we’re talking about painful late-term abortions, which is far beyond what it most Idahoans would support.”

However, 300 other physicians signed a ‘Yes on Prop One’ letter stating that:

“Proposition One permits abortion only up to viability. Past viability, abortion remains banned, with an exception only for rare, medically necessary emergencies – cases determined by a doctor’s judgment, not a politician’s guess. Medical intervention to preserve a mother’s health later in pregnancy typically results in early delivery: not something considered an abortion by most people, but treated as an abortion under Idaho’s current ban.”

The two sides also disagree on whether Proposition One would eliminate Idaho’s parental consent laws. The ‘Yes on Prop One’ side states that “no physician or health care professional in this state provides healthcare to a minor without a parent or guardian’s permission and that will stay the same.” The ‘No on Prop One’ side saying the measure would create a right to privacy that would supersede existing state law requiring parental notification consent before a minor receives an abortion.

Finally, opponents say that Proposition One would change existing Idaho law requiring “physicians” to perform an abortion. Supporters of Proposition One say that a “health care provider” should be able to perform the procedure.

You can read the full text of Idaho’s current Defense of Life Act here.

You can read the full Proposition One text here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Curtis Jackson

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — An 86-year-old Pocatello man was injured Tuesday after a raccoon attacked him while he was retrieving his mail, according to Idaho Fish and Game.

The ordeal happened Sept. 22 when neighbors reported a raccoon roaming a Pocatello cul-de-sac during the day and “acting strangely. They said the animal appeared lethargic and didn’t respond when neighbors tried to scare it away. Fish and Game did not say which neighborhood the encounter took place in.

According to Fish and Game, the man left his home to collect his mail and noticed neighbors interacting with the raccoon. He initially thought the animal may have been injured. The raccoon then reportedly moved quickly toward him, grabbing, biting and scratching his legs and forearm.

A bystander who came to assist the man was also scratched during the encounter.

Both individuals sought medical treatment for their injuries.

Fish and Game officers later euthanized the raccoon and submitted it to Southeastern Idaho Public Health for testing. Officials say the animal tested negative for rabies, although additional testing remains pending.

The incident comes just months after Fish and Game received multiple reports of raccoons displaying unusual behavior in southeast Idaho. In June, several raccoons were reported as appearing sick, lethargic or injured while lingering in plain sight during daylight hours, behavior that wildlife officials say is not typical for the species.

A raccoon tested during that investigation was negative for rabies but was found positive for canine distemper, a disease commonly found in raccoons, skunks, and members of the canine family.

While canine distemper cannot be transmitted to humans, it can spread to dogs.

Fish and Game officials emphasized that not all raccoons carry disease and that conflicts between people and raccoons are relatively uncommon. However, residents are encouraged to keep a safe distance from raccoons and other wildlife.

Anyone bitten or scratched by a raccoon should seek medical or veterinary care and report the incident to Fish and Game and their local public health district.

Wildlife officials also recommend keeping pets away from raccoon carcasses and taking steps to reduce attractants around homes. Suggestions include securing garbage containers, cleaning up spilled birdseed, bringing pet food indoors at night and ensuring pet doors remain closed when raccoons are most active.

Residents who observe a raccoon exhibiting unusual or concerning behavior can contact Idaho Fish and Game for guidance. Officials noted that each situation is evaluated individually and that not every reported raccoon will be captured or removed.

Click here to follow the original article.

Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Getting between Idaho Falls and Ammon is about to get a whole lot easier.

The City of Idaho Falls has announced that Greater Idaho Falls Transit (GIFT), an on-demand public transportation service, is expanding into the City of Ammon, a move local leaders say will improve access to jobs, shopping, medical care and other essential destinations for thousands of residents.

To celebrate the expansion, Idaho Falls and Ammon officials will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Ammon City Hall on Oct. 1 at 4:30 p.m.

“For the past five years, the number one request we’ve heard from our riders has been clear: bring GIFT service to Ammon,” said GIFT Transportation Coordinator Kade Marquez. “We are excited to finally deliver on that request.”

Marquez credited Ammon city leaders for helping make the expansion possible through collaboration and persistence.

The service extension means riders can now travel to many Ammon neighborhoods, medical facilities and major retailers that were previously outside the system’s service area. Popular destinations now accessible through GIFT include Walmart, Target, Albertsons, Broulim’s and other shopping centers.

Ammon Mayor Brian Powell said the addition will provide residents with more transportation choices for everyday needs.

“Expanding GIFT service into Ammon gives our residents more options to get where they need to go, whether that’s work, shopping, medical appointments, or visiting family,” Powell said. “This is a great example of what we can accomplish when neighboring communities work together.”

Since launching in 2022, GIFT has become an important resource for many community members, especially those who may not have access to their own transportation. City officials say about 30% of GIFT riders are senior citizens, while the service provides roughly 10,000 rides each year to veterans and people with disabilities.

Idaho Falls City Council member Michelle Ziel-Dingman said the partnership reflects the long-term vision for public transportation in the region.

“From the beginning, our vision for GIFT has been bigger than simply providing transportation within the boundaries of Idaho Falls,” she said. “We’ve wanted to build a system that can better connect our entire community.”

She added that expanding into Ammon is a key step toward creating a more connected regional transportation network and demonstrates how cooperation between neighboring communities can benefit residents across eastern Idaho.

Those interested in using the service can schedule rides through the GIFT mobile app, visit the program’s website, or call 208-999-GIFT for more information.

As GIFT continues to grow, city leaders hope the expansion into Ammon will make transportation more accessible and create greater independence for residents throughout the region.

Click here to follow the original article.

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Idaho State University took part by hosting the “Connecting Communities to Save Lives” Conference at the Pond Student Union Building. Experts from around the country came to speak to attendees about a variety of suicide prevention strategies and local mental health resources were available at various booths in the ballroom.

Idaho is ranked 48th in the nation for mental health resources and comes in with one of the highest suicide rates. Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, psychologist and speaker at the conference, says the western mountain states consistently have higher suicide rates, connected to rural community lonliness and firearm access.

Map of suicide rate per 100,000, map by CDC

Spencer-Thomas said the point of conferences like “Connecting Communities to Save Lives” are to help people understand the role they play in preventing suicide. She said everyone has a role and connecting with fellow community members who have been affected by suicide can help people feel less alone.

“It’s very inspiring and rewarding to see people pull together and use the resources that they have to make a difference,” Spencer-Thomas said. “One of the best resources we have is being present with one another and listening to one another and thinking creatively about what we can do with the resources we have.”

The conference doesn’t only focus on individual help, rather gives strategies for schools, workplaces, rural communities and other entities about how they can best manage with fewer mental health resources available. Having the event at Idaho State University provides an opportunity for the leaders and speakers to acknowledge the student population, unique to hosting conferences on a university campus.

“There’s a lot of stress and a lot going on in college and there’s a bit more freedom,” Spencer-Thomas said. “A little more permission to talk openly and honestly about what’s going on with mental health, so people can really gain their voice here.”

She added master’s students along with undergraduates in mental health, social work and psychology programs attended the event as well as future business leaders and educators. When attendees come from a variety of programs and backgrounds, it represents the role everyone can play in the fight against suicide.

Spencer-Thomas said there has been significant damage already done in the space of suicide prevention, including isolation and restraint. Here, at events filled with togetherness, hope and conversation, she hopes to pave the new path forward in mental health.

“My message is that we can help. We can help people find pathways back into recovery, together,” Spencer-Thomas said. “If we leave it all to the mental health providers, we’re not going to get in front of this, it’s too downstream. There’s not enough mental health providers.”

One of the biggest misconceptions about suicide prevention is the only people who can help are licensed and qualified professionals. With that narrative and the frightening stigma around suicide, Spencer-Thomas said general people believe helping is outside their realm of qualifications.

“I hear all the time people say they’re not qualified, and I say, ‘are you qualified to listen?'” Spencer-Thomas said. “That’s a lot of it. Specialists aren’t the only ones who play a role. When people know they’re worthy, and loveable, and you just sit with them, that’s how they know they’re not alone.”

She said people don’t even need to talk anyone out of their pain. Being present is what matters most.

“That’s why we’re here. Because together, this group of people in this room, they’ll make a huge difference in this community.”

-Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas

Throughout Suicide Prevention Month, organizations can do things to be involved. Even if it means slipping a bit in the script for a workplace meeting to create awareness, or as Spencer-Thomas puts it, “putting it in our toolbox to have during crisis,” there are simple ways to ensure everyone plays their role in the mental health awareness battle.

Checking in on one another, offering to help with childcare, carrying groceries, completing paperwork in the workplace and offering support during hard times for friends and loved ones are several examples from today’s event about getting involved.

“There’s a sense of this is what communities do when we’re working well together, when we come together for our losses, link arms and make change,” Spencer-Thomas said. “We cheer people on when they’re in recovery and it’s just a really cool thing.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is open 24/7, 365 days a year. Call 988 for help.

Click here to follow the original article.

Fox13

Originally Published: 25 SEP 26 13:43 ET

By Caroleina Hassett

Click here for updates on this story

    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KSTU) — It’s been a rough year for farmers in Utah.

“We’ve all seen the pressures of rising fuel prices, and just every single thing costs a little bit more,” said Caroline Scheidell with the Utah Department of Agriculture. “Add in that, an unprecedented drought, wildfire issues, recent hailstorms.”

With many farmers losing their crops to these conditions, Scheidell said it takes a huge toll financially.

“It really takes everything going right to stay profitable. We’re noticing a lot of farmers really struggling this year, and it’s something we’re really concerned about,” she said.

However, one solution could help farmers get more money into their pockets: agritourism.

“Anything that could travel visitors to a farm…. this is the season for corn mazes and pumpkin patches, Scheidell said.

But if certain crops were lost, companies like Airbnb are encouraging farmers to use the property itself as a way to make money. In collaboration with American Farmland Trust, Airbnb is funding a new “Farm to Stay” grant program where for-profit farms can apply and get up to $10,000 if they qualify.

“We can look specifically at Utah, where in 2025 the typical farm stay host earned approximately $8,900, and so that’s a really great opportunity for again folks to have that additional cushion where they can then use that extra income in other ways that make sense for them,” said Ashley Brucker with American Farmland Trust.

“I think farm stays are one of the most interesting things that producers could do to draw people onto their farms,” Scheidell said, “I think it’s such a great way to support visitors, both in-state and to draw out-of-state and international guests.”

While some farms are no stranger to Airbnb, the hope is that the grant program gets farmers back on their feet financially.

“I don’t know of a single farmer out there who isn’t so proud to share the work that they do,” Brucker said, “this really provides this great opportunity for our farmers and ranchers to share their passion, their livelihood, their stewardship with others.”

Other qualifications for the grant include farms that have been in operation for at least a year, they must be a production farm and show at least $1,000 in profit over the past year.

UDAF and the Utah Office of Tourism are eager to continue to support agritourism development. A virtual meeting to gain input from anyone involved in agriculture will be held Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. to help guide future priorities.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Click here to follow the original article.

Curtis Jackson

CUSTER COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – An overdue hunter who had been missing in Custer County has been found.

According to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, Kelly King was located Thursday afternoon after search crews spent days looking for him.

Authorities said Air Idaho Rescue spotted King’s Polaris UTV around 12:20 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. The vehicle was found off a trail on a sagebrush-covered hillside.

Courtesy: Custer County Sheriff’s Office

When ground crews reached the area, they found King’s body inside the UTV.

Officials have not released a cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.

Click here to follow the original article.

KIVI Staff

By: Riley Shoemaker

Originally Posted 4:52 PM, Sep 23, 2026

SOUTH BOISE, Idaho (KIVI) — A massive data center proposed on federal public land south of Boise could span roughly 3,700 acres and include a 4-million-square-foot facility, according to preliminary details confirmed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Rhea Data, a subsidiary of Nevada-based Arevia Power, has submitted the proposal to BLM for a multi-building data center with 600 megawatts of data-processing capacity.

BLM emphasized that the proposal remains in its early stages and that details are preliminary and subject to change.

The project would be built on a landscape that is largely undeveloped public land.

Lisa Young, director of the Idaho chapter of the Sierra Club, said her organization opposes the proposal and has concerns about how a development of this scale could affect the land and surrounding resources.

“Obviously just on the landscape itself, we can look around here and just see how, you know, this huge, beautiful piece of our public lands that currently is so open and peaceful would be really disturbed,” Young said.

The potential environmental impacts of the project have not yet been determined. BLM would conduct an environmental review as part of the process and provide opportunities for the public to weigh in.

Young said she believes both the potential impacts and benefits of projects proposed on public lands should be carefully considered.

“No matter what projects we’re looking at on public lands or elsewhere in our state, we should always be really … looking carefully at those types of projects,” Young said. “What does this mean for the local environment, other resources that are needed, what the impact is going to be, and then … what the benefits are going to be, and weigh those out really carefully.”

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean also weighed in on the proposal, saying in a statement that “public lands should stay in public hands.” McLean called for a statewide framework to address the impacts of large data centers before projects of this scale are considered.

Rhea Data had not responded to Idaho News 6’s request for comment as of publication.

BLM anticipates issuing a Notice of Intent around the end of the year. That would begin another stage of the federal review process and provide opportunities for public input.

The proposal remains early in the process and would have to undergo environmental review and public input before any final decisions are made.

Click here to follow the original article.

Abi Martin

TETON COUNTY, Wyoming – A boil water advisory is now in effect for the Town of Jackson and all water systems that use Town of Jackson water. That boil water is prompting the Teton County School District to cancel school for all schools in the district for September 25.

Officials are advising residents and businesses to not drink tap water unless it is boiled first.

According to the Town of Jackson, water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least three minutes and allowed to cool before use. Bottled water can also be used as an alternative.

The advisory applies to drinking water as well as water used for cooking, making ice and other activities involving consumption.

The boil water advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Updates will be posted by the Town of Jackson as more information becomes available.

District officials said the closure is necessary because the situation affects schools in several ways, including transportation and food service. Jackson-area schools also provide meals to schools outside of Jackson.

School district leadership plans to meet tomorrow and provide another update if the boil water advisory remains in effect beyond Friday and the weekend.

For public health questions, residents can contact the Teton County Health Department Environmental Health Office at 307-732-8490.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dylan Carder

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)- American Falls High School senior Nicolas Tirado is hosting Lighting New Beginnings, a 24-hour cancer awareness walk starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept 25 at the William Thomas Middle School track in American Falls. The public event, which runs through 6:30 p.m. Saturday night is organized as part of the Oscar Tirado Molina Legacy Project.

The initiative honors Tirado’s father who died in June, 2024, after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer. In addition to bringing community members together to walk in solidarity, the event seeks to collect donations to establish a college scholarship for first-generation students.

The scholarship initiative stems directly from Tirado’s family experience. His father left school after middle school to begin working and his mother did not complete a college degree, making Tirado and his sister first-generation students.

“And the purpose of it is also to raise funds for a scholarship I’m trying to create for first-generation students because my dad never got the chance to go to high school,” Tirado said.

The event offers free entry and includes food vendors, live music performances and a track walking challenge to tally the community’s total miles walked for cancer awareness. Quiet hours for reflection and remembrance are scheduled between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., centered around a lantern ceremony where participants can write personalized messages to honor lost loved ones or support those currently fighting cancer.

“I feel like 24 hours, I feel like it’s just us giving a day to raising awareness for the many months that people go through these kinds of things and that have to go through the challenges of cancer and everything,” Tirado said.

Organizing the project required widespread community support across American Falls, Pocatello and neighboring areas. Tirado originally expected to handle the senior project on his own before realizing the necessity of family and community backing as the event expanded.

“I think what I learned most is that at first I thought I could take this on by myself and that I wouldn’t really need my family’s help,” Tirado said. “It was a huge project and like, it became bigger at every step we took.”

Beyond fundraising, the walk aims to provide emotional solidarity to cancer patients, caregivers, survivors and grieving families. “There’s always going to be people who know what you’re going through and understand the feeling of either grief, anxiety, pain, happiness,” Tirado said.

Lighting New Beginnings takes place at the William Thomas Middle School track at 355 Bannock Ave. in American Falls, starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday and concluding at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Tirado plans to continue holding the walk as an annual event in future years.

Click here to follow the original article.