Author: KIFI

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – It’s Pocatello’s turn to enjoy Chipotle Mexican Grill since the Idaho Falls location opened earlier this month. Today, Chipotle announced the Pocatello store will open on Tuesday, June 30.

This location will also feature the “Chipotlane” for quick drive-thru pickup orders. The location is on Alameda road near the Winco and Fred Meyer at 299 E Alameda Rd, Pocatello, ID 83201. It will open every day from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chipotle Mexican Grill on Alameda in Pocatello, Idaho, June 25

Chipotle also announced that both the Idaho Falls and Pocatello locations are hiring employees. Each store will need approximately 30 jobs. For more information about applications and full-time benefits, click HERE.

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Jeff Roper

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Montana (KIFI) — For decades, West Yellowstone’s historic theatre building has been home to a cherished summer tradition. Now, after an extensive renovation, the curtain is rising once more. Performers at the newly formed Westgate Theatre are set to take the stage and step into West Yellowstone’s long tradition of live entertainment while creating new experiences for future generations.

Honoring a 100-Year-Old Legacy

The road to reopening has been a massive undertaking, building upon a rich history that dates back more than a century. The 100-year-old building has been a staple of family entertainment since 1961, when Lynn Benson, alongside partners from Ricks College and family, transformed a rundown West Yellowstone drugstore into a small theatre.

Originally built on a “shoestring budget” of just about $600 apiece from the original partners, the theatre faced tough times early on. In the weeks of renovation, Lynn’s grandson, Kyle Benson, previously shared that the first ten years were incredibly rough, noting that his grandmother would regularly ask if each season would be their last. Lynn’s response was always, “Let’s try it one more time.”

That perseverance paid off. Over the decades, the venue grew into a landmark destination treasured by residents and the thousands of tourists who pass through West Yellowstone annually. Before the current grand reopening, crews gutted the 100-year-old building down to the bare studs for a hefty facelift—even unearthing historical remnants of the theatre’s past hidden within the walls during construction.

A Labor of Love

Inside the theatre, the sounds of construction have finally given way to opening week prep as crews put the final touches on the facility.

“These are the seats in the boxes that these guys are so gung-ho on installing,” said Westgate Theatre Production Director Jeff Carter, pointing to the newly upgraded seating areas designed to give audiences a whole new view.

For the Carter family, who work to develop the productions inside the historic theatre, the project is about much more than just modernizing a building. It is about reviving a community cornerstone.

“This location means a lot to a lot of people, and we wanted to honor and elevate what that meant,” explains Westgate Theatre stage manager Cam Carter.

Standing on the brand-new Lynn Benson Stage, creative director Lisa Carter emphasized that the renovation preserves West Yellowstone’s deep historical roots while creating something for future generations to enjoy.

“West Yellowstone has had a long history of theatre and live performance,” said Lisa. “In the early part of the twentieth century, Las Vegas performers would come to West Yellowstone in the summer when it was too hot to perform in Las Vegas.”

“It’s really wonderful to have it back”

Even before opening night, local residents and longtime visitors expressed their excitement over the return of live performances to the area.

“I think it’s fantastic,” one visitor remarked. “It’s always fun to come into town and see the show, and they’re doing such a great job. We love it.”

“It’s always been part of the community, and we missed it when it was gone,” a local resident added. “It’s just really wonderful to have it back.”

More than just a summer job

The revival has also struck a chord with the cast members, many of whom traveled from across the country. For them, the Westgate is more than just a summer job, it’s a rare and special place to work.

“They’re keeping live theatre alive in this town, which I think is a really beautiful thing,” said cast member Liberty Miller. “For the Bensons and the Carters to rebuild this theatre, make it safe, and bring it back the way it should be—it’s a beautiful thing, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”

Another member of the company, Madison Stensrud, echoed that sentiment, noting the significance of the venue’s history.

“It’s so cool to be part of the legacy of this town and this theatre, and to continue that legacy of the arts in this community. It’s really important,” said Stensrud.

Bringing the historic theatre back to life required a true team effort and transforming the renovation into a labor of love.

“Lynn Benson said, ‘If you want to have a happy life, make beautiful memories.’ That’s what we’re trying to create here—beautiful memories for us, for our cast, and especially for our audience,” said Lisa.

The Westgate Theatre is currently open with performances of “Annie Get Your Gun,” held Monday through Saturday nights at 7 p.m. For more information about the theatre, click HERE.

Editor’s Note: This story was adapted from an original on-air broadcast report with the assistance of AI. All content is thoroughly reviewed and verified for accuracy by the Local News 8 editorial team.

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Par Kermani

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KIFI) — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order Thursday declaring a new state of emergency aimed at reducing wildfire risk during the upcoming July fireworks season.

The order temporarily expands the authority of the state forester, allowing fireworks to be prohibited within city and town boundaries when fire conditions are considered extremely hazardous. Previously, the state forester could only impose broader fireworks restrictions on state and unincorporated lands.

“Nothing about this decision was easy,” said Gov. Spencer J. Cox in a statement. “Utahns love celebrating the Fourth of July with family, friends and fireworks. I do too. But this year is different. We are seeing fire behavior that even our most experienced firefighters say they’ve never witnessed before. This is a temporary measure for an extraordinary year. It protects lives and homes while allowing local leaders, working alongside their fire officials, to identify areas where fireworks can be used safely.”

A Ring camera captured the moment flames engulfed the area surrounding a cabin in Beaver, Utah, as wildfires burned nearby. Video: CNN

According to the executive order, 94% of Utah remains in severe or extreme drought. So far this year, 354 wildfires have burned 141,743 acres, with human activity responsible for at least 75% of those fires.

The order immediately suspends a portion of state law that prevented the state forester from restricting fireworks within municipal boundaries during a state of emergency. State officials said the change is intended to give the forester the authority to take every measure necessary to help prevent wildfire disasters during the Independence Day holiday.

According to the executive order “Using the full scope of her authority under Utah Code § 65A-8-212, with Subsection 5 of that provisionsuspended, the state forester shall issue an order or orders closing extremelyhazardous areas in the state to the discharge of fireworks”

Under the order, municipalities may still designate specific areas where fireworks will be allowed after coordinating with the state forester. Licensed public fireworks displays permitted by local governments are exempt from the restrictions.

The expanded authority will apply to the Independence Day fireworks period from July 2 through July 5. State officials will reevaluate fire conditions afterward to determine whether similar restrictions are needed for Utah’s Pioneer Day fireworks period, July 22 through July 25.

The executive order took effect immediately and will remain in effect for 30 days unless extended by the Utah Legislature.

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Par Kermani

PRESTON, Idaho (KIFI) — A special fundraiser featuring Author Glenn Beck supporting two local nonprofits preserving history and expanding educational opportunities.

The fundraising event will benefit two local projects: the restoration of the historic Oneida Stake Academy, preserving an important piece of southeastern Idaho’s history, and the construction of a new addition to the Larsen-Sant Public Library, expanding educational opportunities for future generations.

The event will take place Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and will raise money for the restoration of the historic Oneida Stake Academy and the construction of a new addition to the Larsen-Sant Public Library.

During the event, Beck will share stories from American history while showcasing rare historical artifacts and discussing the people and events that helped shape the nation.

courtesy of https://www.oneidastakeacademy.org/

Tickets are still available and can be purchased through the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation’s website

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Seth Ratliff

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — All drug-related charges against Olympic gold medalist Bode Miller have been officially dismissed in Fremont County, Idaho.

In a statement, Miller’s defense attorney, Jeromy W. Stafford, confirmed he had consulted with Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake, who agreed to drop the case. Additional court documents filed on June 25th by Blake confirm the exchange, motioning to dismiss the charges.

“There is no evidence [Bode] possessed any illegal drugs,” Stafford stated. “Nothing was found on his person, and the passenger claimed ownership of all drugs found, so they are being dismissed factually.”

In a statement to Local News 8, Blake said, “Although the deputy had sufficient probable cause to arrest Mr. Miller at the beginning of June, we recently received information which resulted in our office determining it is in the interest of justice to dismiss Mr. Miller’s misdemeanor charges.  I will not be discussing the specifics of this recent information due to it being related to another active case.”

The incident stems from a traffic stop on June 6, when Miller was pulled over on an Idaho highway. Addressing the allegations publicly via Instagram, Miller explained that he was traveling through the area with a friend and was entirely unaware of any contraband in the vehicle.

“I was pulled over for accelerating while passing another vehicle on a highway in Idaho,” Miller wrote, adding that his friend had a “small amount of cannabis and a cannabis pipe in his possession.”

Miller emphasized that they fully cooperated with law enforcement during the stop and expressed confidence that the misdemeanor charges would be dropped once the facts were reviewed.

Motion to Dismiss (1) (1)Download

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A police investigation is underway after the body of a local man was discovered on Thursday afternoon near the intersection of W Custer St. and N. Main in Pocatello, in what authorities say appears to be a possible drug overdose.

Lt. Lacey of the Pocatello Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a call at around 10 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive individual across from the Swire Coca-Cola plant. Upon arrival, police located an adult male who was already deceased.

The man was already deceased upon the officers’ arrival. Lt. Lacey emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public, as investigators have already ruled out homicide. Authorities have explicitly stated that this was not a shooting situation, and the exact cause of death remains under investigation. According to a police press release, a preliminary investigation suggests the death appears consistent with a possible overdose.

The Bannock County Coroner’s Office was called to the scene to assist in the investigation. The identity of the man has not been released at this time.

During the initial response, police set up a privacy tent across the street from the plant. By 12:45 p.m., police had begun to clear the scene. Officers have since dismantled the tent and removed the body from the scene.

W Custer St. was previously blocked off between N Main and Harrison, but the area is now clearing out.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

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Par Kermani

BRIDGER-TETON, Wyo. (KIFI) — The U.S. Forest Service has closed roads, trails and a large section of backcountry in the Bridger-Teton National Forest because of the Kinky Creek Fire.

The emergency closure took effect at 6 p.m. Tuesday and will remain in place through July 15 unless it is lifted sooner.

Forest officials say the closure is necessary to protect public safety as firefighters continue battling the wildfire.

The closure includes portions of the Clear Creek, Clear Creek Lake, Dry Fork Clear Creek, Lunch Lake Connector, Gros Ventre River, Bear Basin and Dry Fork/Gros Ventre River Connector trails.

Several forest roads are also closed, including portions of Kinky Creek Road near Darwin Ranch and Tepee Creek Road.

According to the Forest Service, the closure area stretches across the backcountry near Clear Creek, Brewster Lake, Lunch Lake, Doubletop Peak, Darwin Peak, Sunday Peak and Bacon Ridge.

Officials say numerous hazards associated with an uncontrolled wildfire make it unsafe for the public to enter the area.

Federal, state and local emergency responders are exempt from the closure while performing official duties.

Anyone who violates the closure order could face a Class B misdemeanor, fines of up to $5,000 for individuals or $10,000 for organizations, and up to six months in jail.

The closure order supersedes any previous restrictions in the area.

Additional information, including a map of the closure, is available through the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Energy leaders, government officials and members of the nuclear industry gathered at the Mountain America Center Thursday to celebrate what they called a new “Golden Era of Nuclear Power” following a major milestone at Idaho National Laboratory.

The event featured a keynote address from U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who highlighted the growing momentum behind the nation’s next generation of nuclear energy.

Earlier in the day, Wright toured Idaho National Laboratory, where he met with companies developing advanced reactors, visited the DOME test bed and saw the Radiant reactor under construction.

The visit followed a milestone at the laboratory, where Wright and INL officials celebrated the completion of a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration for Antares Nuclear’s advanced reactor design, the Mark-0.

“It is fitting that on the eve of our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are witnessing a historic moment for American energy,” Wright said in a statement. “For the first time in more than four decades, a new privately developed non-light-water reactor has reached criticality in the United States.”

Criticality is the point at which a nuclear reactor can sustain a controlled nuclear chain reaction, marking a major step toward future electricity production.

Officials said the demonstration validates the reactor’s design and lays the foundation for future commercial reactors that could begin producing electricity as early as 2027 following additional testing and licensing.

The Mark-0 is the first advanced reactor expected to reach criticality under the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program, which aims to accelerate the testing and deployment of next-generation nuclear technology.

As the 53rd reactor built at Idaho National Laboratory since 1951, the Mark-0 joins a long history of research reactors that have helped shape the nation’s commercial nuclear industry. Department of Energy officials say the technology could eventually power military installations, data centers, remote communities and future space missions.

During Thursday’s celebration, officials highlighted the Department of Energy’s goal of having new microreactors operating, or “critical,” by America’s 250th anniversary.

Wright told the crowd the work taking place at Idaho National Laboratory will play a key role in the country’s energy future.

“This we will look back in history and remember this pivot, not just in America’s nuclear energy, but in America’s energy,” Wright said. “Energy is life. Energy is national security. Energy is economic security. We cannot understate what’s going on here today. And you are making it happen.”

Following the event, Wright told Local News 8 that advanced nuclear technology will be essential to meeting the nation’s growing demand for electricity.

He said microreactors are designed to provide reliable, around-the-clock power for data centers, industrial facilities and communities while using relatively little land and material.

“It takes a small amount of land and a small amount of material to make a lot of energy,” Wright said. “And that energy is 24 over seven. It doesn’t matter what the wind is or the sun is shining, it’s there all the time. We can build it in scale. We can add not just a little energy, we can add a massive amount of energy.”

Wright said expanding nuclear power will strengthen the nation’s energy security while helping meet future electricity demands.

This event has now ended. You can watch the recording of the event below:

Officials say the demonstration validates the reactor’s design and establishes the foundation for future commercial reactors that could begin producing electricity as early as 2027 after additional testing and licensing.

The achievement comes about six months after Wright visited Idaho National Laboratory, where he outlined the Trump administration’s goal of quadrupling U.S. nuclear power generation and highlighted INL’s role in helping lead the nation’s nuclear expansion.

The Mark-0 reactor is the first advanced reactor expected to reach criticality under the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program, which aims to accelerate the testing and deployment of next-generation nuclear technology.

As the 53rd reactor built at Idaho National Laboratory since 1951, the Mark-0 joins a long history of research reactors that have helped shape the nation’s commercial nuclear industry.

DOE officials say the reactor demonstration will help inform future commercial reactor designs, with potential applications ranging from military installations to remote communities and even future space missions.

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Danielle Mullenix

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Expect Thursday’s forecast to be similar to Wednesday, with isolated to scattered thunderstorms with little to no rain expected through Friday. Gusty winds will also be felt this week, with overall winds increasing, especially Friday through the weekend. Those conditions, along with low humidity in the Eastern highlands, will create an elevated fire weather danger. A Red Flag Warning is in effect as a result, lasting until Friday, June 26th at 12:00 am. Temperatures will begin to cool down for the weekend, with wet weather taking shape to finish out the week.

The chance of thunderstorms this afternoon will increase to 40 percent in the mountainous region, mostly before 4 pm. Wind gusts could reach 22 mph, with the daytime high around 83. Similar winds for Thursday night with mostly cloudy skies and an overnight low near 55.

Storms could pop up along the Snake River Plain and Magic Valley. Gusts could reach over 25 mph, with some areas in the south and east potentially seeing gusts peak at 55-60 mph.

Thursday evening will see a slight increase in the chance of showers and thunderstorms popping up in the Eastern Highlands, mainly after 4 pm. The highs will climb into the upper 80s by late afternoon, then cool into the upper 40s and 50s overnight. Winds might be slightly breezier as the weekend storm system approaches by Thursday evening.

A Red Flag Warning will be in effect from 9 am to midnight on Thursday for parts of Bonneville, Bingham, Caribou, Bear Lake, Franklin, Oneida, Bannock, and Power counties.

…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THURSDAY TO MIDNIGHT MDTTHURSDAY NIGHT FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE413…

The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a Red FlagWarning for scattered thunderstorms, which is in effect from 9 AMThursday to midnight MDT Thursday night.

* AFFECTED AREA…Fire Weather Zone 413 Caribou Range/Caribou NF.

* IMPACTS…Critical fire weather conditions are expected.Lightning may generate new fire starts. Any new fire starts orexisting fires may spread rapidly

* THUNDERSTORMS…25 to 35 percent coverage.

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David Pace

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – Rexburg’s Whoopee Days Rodeo is coming back better than ever this week for America’s 250th celebration!

Bucking broncos, bulls and cowboys will take the stage at Madison County Fairgrounds Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

Three hundred cowboys and cowgirls will test their mettle against ferocious bulls, galluping steeds, and more at the rodeo.

“We have a little bit of everything. We got the mutton mutton bustin’ obviously,” said Madison County Fair Board Chairman Chris Johnson. “We run all rough stock events, including saddle bronc or stock saddle. We have the the cash cow, which is always a crowd favorite – opportunity to win some money. We have giveaways every single night. Of course, we got bull riding.”

Thousands of spectators will pack the grandstands this week.

Thursday is Family Night, presented by The Bank of Commerce.

On Friday, cancer survivors will be honored in Madisonhealth’s Pink Out Cancer Awareness Night. Rodeo viewers are invited to arrive decked out in their favorite pink outfits.

Saturday features Patriotic Night, sponsored by Patriot Gear, with an incredible firework show as the finale.

“It’s a sold-out event every night. Get your tickets early if you’re coming out,” Johnson said. “We’ve got full purse every single night.”

An incredible array of 27 food trucks will be dishing up your rodeo favorites and new flavors all night long.

“It is a very, very exciting event – the highlight of the year for many members of the community. As a vendor, I’m super excited and stoked to be here with my family,” said Bocado’s Arepas Food Truck Owner Mayerling Linton. “We serve a Venezuelan dish. It’s called arepas.”

“There’ll be no shortage of food, no shortage of drinks,” Johnson added.

The fairgrounds are lined with 250 U.S. flags in an impressive patriotic display for America’s birthday.

Gates open at 5 PM, with mutton bustin’ at 6:15 PM, and the full rodeo kicking off at 7:00 PM.

Tickets can be purchased in advance and at the door.

“How about you just bring your hat and your cowboy boots, and come to the rodeo!” said Linton with a smile.

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