Author: KIFI

Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Health officials in Idaho are urging caution as the CDC continues to confirm increasing Measles cases across the United States. Over the weekend, neighboring Utah was added to the list as public health officials announced the state’s first confirmed measles case, the latest in over a thousand cases in 36 states.

The CDC identified that 95% of these cases were from people who may have been unvaccinated. The Gem State has been listed in the top 10 States with the highest rates of children who have not received a measles vaccine or whose vaccination records are not up to date. 

“I know it’s been steadily declining throughout the past year. And so the main data that we have is for vaccinated school kids. It does show that about 20% are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. So that decline has just been occurring. You know, after COVID, we’ve seen those declines in all vaccines,” said Esmeralda Quintero, Nurse Manager for Eastern Idaho Public Health.

Quintero encourages everyone to check their vaccination records. If they don’t know how to do that, give Eastern Idaho Public Health a call to get answers on protecting against measles. For more information, click HERE.

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News Release

The following is a press release from the City of Pocatello:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — As the 4th of July holiday approaches, the Pocatello Fire Department reminds all residents to celebrate safely and responsibly. Following the recent wildfire on West Clark Street, fire danger in our area is undeniable.

We encourage everyone to enjoy the spirit of the 4th of July responsibly. Only “Safe and Sane” fireworks like sparklers, fountains, and poppers are allowed within city limits and only in designated areas. You can check out the City of Pocatello website for a map outlining where fireworks are allowed and where they are prohibited due to increased fire danger.

Click the link to see map: pocatello.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2750/2024-Pocatello-Chubbuck-Firework-Zones-Map-PDF

The recent fire on West Clark Street serves as a stark reminder of how quickly and easily a spark can ignite a devastating wildfire in our dry conditions. This incident underscores the importance of adhering to all fire safety guidelines and local regulations.

The use of illegal aerial fireworks includes rockets, Roman candles, mortars, and any that leave the ground, is strictly prohibited in Pocatello due to their high fire risk. Aerial fireworks can easily ignite dry vegetation, rooftops, or other flammable materials and are a leading cause of wildfires and structure fires during the 4th of July holiday.

We urge all residents to adhere to the following safety tips:

Use only Safe and Sane fireworks in permitted areas

Keep water or a hose nearby

Light fireworks away from homes and dry grass

Always supervise children

Soak used fireworks before disposal

Let’s keep this Independence Day fun and fire-free. Thank you for doing your part to keep Pocatello safe.

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Linda Larsen

SWAN VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — A Semi-truck rollover is blocking traffic along milepost 390 of Highway 26, near the Palisades Reservoir. The accident happened around 1:59 PM on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, and is expected to cause delays for several hours.

The driver of the semi-truck escaped without injuries. However, one eastbound lane is currently closed as crews work to remove the overturned vehicle.

The driver escaped without injuries; However, a single lane of traffic heading eastbound is closed and expected to remain blocked for several hours as the semi is removed.

According to Swan Valley Fire Chief Travis Crystal, the truck was hauling produce, so there is no risk of hazardous material spills. While the exact cause of the single-vehicle rollover crash is still under investigation, Crystal suspects that speed may have been a contributing factor.

The accident remains under investigation. Watch for alerts on traffic delays and construction at https://511.idaho.gov/#:Alerts.

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News Release

The following is a press release from the Idaho Transportation Department:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Beginning tomorrow, the Idaho Transportation Department will chip seal the System Interchange in Pocatello. Once this work is complete, the roadway will be restriped to indicate the final lane configurations.

Chip sealing covers temporary lane markings used throughout various phases of construction and maximizes the taxpayers’ investment by extending the lifespan of the pavement. A sticky slurry is sprayed on the pavement, then rock chips are applied on top for a long-lasting seal. This treatment protects pavement from sun, oxidation, weather, water, oil and gas, and increases traction for safety.

Tabs will be placed on the new chip seal to indicate lanes for the short time before striping work can occur.

The previous connection between I-86 and I-15 was originally built in the 1960s. Now nearing completion, the System Interchange is a $112 million redesign to improve safety and replace aging infrastructure that began construction in 2022.

Motorists should carefully follow signs and slow down to posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area. With crews working day and night at the System Interchange, it is especially important that drivers be alert and travel safely.

Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of related detours. Project details are available on ITD’s website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/i-86i-15-system-interchange.

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News Team

TETON COUNTY, Wyo. (KIFI) — A man is recovering after getting hurt in Phillips Canyon. On Sunday, June 22, the 35-year-old man was trail running alone when he went down with a knee injury.

A volunteer team with Teton County Search and Rescue found him 2 miles up from the trailhead on Fish Creek Road.

Volunteers used a wheeled litter and brought him down the trail to a waiting ambulance. This is the third time Teton County Search and Rescue has had to use the wheeled litter in the past week. For more information, click HERE.

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Chris Nestman

MONTEVIEW, Idaho (KIFI) – “It’s been emotional, very emotional. I’ve cried a lot,” said Elizabeth Roundy, the mother of Rachelle and Allen Fischer, the victims of Monday’s (June 23, 2025) Amber Alert.

The suspects are likely family members of Roundy who are still a part of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or FLDS church.

“I used to be a part of the FLDS church,” said Roundy. “But I had been sent away to repent. When I decided to come back and get my children, who had been left in the church with other people, then they [the FLDS church] automatically banned me as an apostate.”

Elizabeth Roundy, mother of missing teens.

Rachelle Fischer

Allen Fischer

Roundy says when someone is labeled as an apostate, the FLDS church tells its members to cease any contact with that person. For Roundy, this meant they tried to keep her kids away from her, even after a court order gave her sole custody.

“And that’s part of what’s been going on with my children,” said Roundy. “Their father’s been trying to get them away from me because I left the FLDS church, and he believes I’m an apostate.”

Roundy told Local News 8 that ever since she won sole custody in court, she’s seen people from the FLDS church drive by her home in Monteview. “Sometimes more than once a week,” she said. “I think they’ve been planning this for a while.”

Recent revelations within the FLDS church may explain why members worked so hard to get Roundy’s children back. The same revelations also have law enforcement and other entities worried.

“There are some revelations out… that talk about [children] becoming translated beings,” said Tonia Tewell, the executive director for the non-profit Holding out HELP. “But it says they [the children] must die first and then they’ll be risen like Jesus Christ in two-and-a-half, three days.”

“It’s a five year revelation, and we’re three years into it,” said Tewell. “And so I think she [Roundy] is worried that her kids lives may be taken at the end of the day.”

Holding out HELP is an organization that helps former FLDS members who have left the church integrate into normal society.

“The FLDS culture is a very insular culture and so many decisions are made for you,” said Tewell. “So we we put a roof over their heads, food and clothing, education and job skills, and even the whole basic life skills to get them on their feet.”

Tewell said she’s seen other people who have left the FLDS church fight similar battles. “They will come after you,” said Tewell. “I think a lot of it is parents losing the rights to access and see their kids.”

For Elizabeth Roundy, this nightmare can’t end soon enough. She’s hoping above all hope that she will see her kids again and thanks police for how much they’ve done so far.

Authorities have issued an amber alert for the missing children. The suspected vehicle is a gray Hyundai with Utah license plate: 4BYT6. Anyone who spots them or the suspected vehicle is asked to contact the Jefferson CSO at 208-745-9210.

The children were last seen wearing traditional FLDS attire. Rachael was in a dark green prairie dress with braided hair, and Allen was wearing a light blue shirt with blue jeans and black slip-on shoes, similar to Crocs. Roundy believes her children were traveling en route to her sister’s home in Mendon, Utah, approximately 10 miles outside of Logan.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Idaho State Police are investigating a serious crash involving a pedestrian on Interstate 15, just south of Idaho Falls.

It happened Monday, June 23, 2025, around 6:40 pm at milepost 115.

Troopers say a 26-year-old Menan man was driving northbound in a Volkswagen Tiguan when he hit a 58-year-old man from Washington who was in the lane of travel for unknown reasons.

The pedestrianwas rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. Driver of the car was not injured.

The interstate was blocked for about an hour while crews investigated.

ISP is asking if you saw a pedestrian in the area of I-15 and Sunnyside Road around 6:40 p.m. to call them at 208-528-3408.

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Curtis Jackson

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – Detectives with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office said the car thought to be involved in taking two children from the Monteview area was not in Idaho at the time when they believed the children had gone missing.

Detectives released a news release Tuesday morning saying they “have been unable to find concrete evidence regarding a vehicle Rachelle and Allen Fischer may have left in.”

Detectives believe the children went missing between 6 and 8 p.m.on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

“At this time, we are unsure if they have left the immediate area or are still close by,” the news release said.

An Amber Alert was issued Monday for the missing children. It’s feared that the children were abducted by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS).

In the Amber Alert, the suspected vehicle was reported as a gray Hyundai with Utah license plate 4BYT6.

The children were last seen wearing traditional FLDS attire. Rachael, 15, was in a dark green prairie dress with braided hair, and Allen, 13, was wearing a light blue shirt with blue jeans and black slip-on shoes, similar to Crocs.

The teen’s mother, Elizabeth Roundy, spoke with Local News 8 Monday evening. She believes members of the FLDS church abducted the children. You can read the story here.

Anyone who may have seen the children is asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 208-745-9210, option 7, or call 911 for your local law enforcement.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Pocatello Water Department will start replacing a stretch of water main line on South Arthur Ave. between West Whitman St. and West Terry St. in Historic Downtown Pocatello on Wednesday, June 25.

The project will cause street closures and parking restrictions through the area, and residents are asked to park away from the construction zones. Local access will be available through the construction when possible and will be restored at the end of each working day.

The water main replacement could cause temporary disruptions to water service; the Pocatello Water Department is encouraging residents in the construction areas to keep a supply of drinking water available.

The project is expected to wrap up in late August, weather permitting. For more information, you can visit the City of Pocatello website.

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News Team

CASSIA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho State Police is investigating a police pursuit that ended in a fatal crash early Tuesday morning, June 24, killing one man. The incident began after Idaho State Police (ISP) troopers were called to assist Cassia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies at the Sublett Campground off U.S. Highway 84, responding to reports of shots fired.

ISP troopers and CCSO deputies coordinated to locate a suspect driving a 2005 Volvo XC90. When a deputy found the Volvo parked on the roadside, the man sped away. The deputy then initiated a traffic stop, but as the deputy approached the vehicle, the suspect fled once again.

Troopers pursued the Volvo, but lost sight of the vehicle due to its high speed and dusty conditions. Minutes later, troopers discovered the Volvo had crashed and rolled.

The driver was located nearby. Troopers immediately began life-saving measures, continuing until medics arrived. Despite their efforts, the suspect died at the scene.

Investigators recovered a loaded rifle and a shotgun from the Volvo, along with additional ammunition. However, no corresponding firearm was found for the additional ammunition.

The Cassia County Coroner’s Office has taken custody of the deceased. The individual’s identity and the official cause and manner of death will be released pending further investigation by the coroner.

ISP is overseeing the agency’s involvement and investigation into the pursuit. CCSO has secured and impounded the firearms recovered from the vehicle. The Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the fatal crash itself.

No further information will be released at this time, according to the ISP.

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