Author: KIFI

Seth Ratliff

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A lengthy career in Idaho politics is coming to an early close. Long-time Twin Falls Republican lawmaker Lance Clow announced Thursday that he will resign from the Idaho House of Representatives at the end of November, citing health issues that have limited his ability to serve.

“This decision comes with the full support of my family and deep appreciation for the citizens of Twin Falls,” Clow wrote in a news release. “You have honored me with your trust and encouragement throughout my career. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I hope I have lived up to your expectations-and perhaps even exceeded them…”

The 78-year-old politician has been a staple in Twin Falls politics for 32 years. His service includes time as a city council member, Mayor, and, most recently, a state representative. Clow was first elected to the legislature in 2012, where he chaired both the education and business committees.

Touching on his early resignation, Clow emphasized he wants to avoid serving in a “diminished or ‘lame duck’” capacity. Instead, he plans to focus on family and personal goals while his health still allows.

His departure creates an immediate vacancy in Legislative District 25. The district committee will now be tasked with nominating three candidates for Governor Brad Little’s consideration. The appointed successor will serve the remainder of Clow’s term, offering an advantage to potentially stand for election in 2026. The process for filling the seat is expected to begin immediately, with no word as of yet on who might fill his seat.

Representative Clow’s full letter announcing his resignation has been included below:

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Confessed killer Bryan Kohberger has been ordered to pay more than $3,000 in additional restitution to the families of two University of Idaho victims. Kohberger is currently serving consecutive life sentences for the murders.

Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole this past summer after pleading guilty to the November 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students in Moscow, Idaho: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

On Thursday, the third anniversary of the killings, District Judge Steven Hippler issued a ruling requiring Kohberger to pay approximately $1,420 to Kaylee Goncalves’s family and over $1,500 to Madison Mogen’s mother, covering the cost of urns for their daughters.

Kohberger’s public defender, Elisa Massoth, argued that he could not afford the additional restitution. However, Judge Hippler disagreed, pointing out that Kohberger has received more than $28,000 in donations while in custody and can also earn prison wages.

“Given his limited needs in prison and his youth, it is foreseeable that through employment and donations, Defendant may receive sufficient amounts over his life to at least come close to meeting his financial restitution obligations,” Hippler wrote.

RELATED: Kohberger attorneys fight victim funeral costs; Judge questions ‘no income’ claim

The court concluded that his age, low living costs while incarcerated, and the possibility of future donations make it reasonable for him to pay the amount over time.

With this new ruling, Kohberger now owes more than $300,000 in fines, civil judgments, and restitution to his victims’ families.

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Local News 8’s Megan Lavin went live and took skating lessons with Natalie Catalano, an ensemble skater who plays Luisa from Encanto. (You know, she’s the strong one.)

This two hour spectacular is only in town this weekend, with shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with both evening and afternoon performances.

Your favorite characters like Elsa, Anna, and Olaf will be there too, along with aerial stunts, fire, and even a firework or two.

You can find tickets online at Ticketmaster.com or at the Mountain America Center’s ticket booth.

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Phillip Willis

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — On this day in 1851, the Denny party landed on Alki Point.

A few men in the Pacific Northwest had sent for their families, urging them to “come at once” to what they described as a perfect place to start a new life — so the families packed up, with big dreams of building a new community, and boarded the Schooner Exact.

But on the day they arrived at Alki Point, those dreams hit their first obstacle… the weather.

It rained, and rained, and rained.

The women were less than impressed already, but were completely horrified when they saw the cabin their husbands had been building. It wasn’t even finished yet! Ugh.

Their first winter was so cold, damp, and miserable that in the spring, they packed up, and moved about a dozen miles northeast as the crow flies, across Elliot Bay to a more sheltered spot.

The Duwamish and Suquamish peoples were led by Chief Si’ahl, pronounced “Seattle” (yes, like the city). They helped the Denny party survive those early days, and the settlement that would eventually turn into the iconic city from the hit movie “Sleepless in Seattle” got it’s name in honor of that Chief.

Today, you can find the Alki Point Memorial, which marks the spot where the Denny Party made landfall.

Sources for this story:

HistoryLink

SeattlePi.com

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Federal Government shutdown is over, but part of the reason for the fight remains—subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. Americans are now being faced with some tough choices about medical insurance.

Lance Kolbet, President of University Financial Group and an insurance expert, joined Local News 8 in the studio, to shed light about the finer details of these health insurance tax credits.

Here are the resources he shared with us that you can use for health insurance information:

Idaho Health Insurance Market Place

Idaho Department of Insurance

And if you need help finding a broker:

National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — The Wall of Warmth has helped many people get through the winter, and this year will be the last for the founder to lead the project. Valorie Blanchard started the project 9 years ago and says the program will continue after she’s gone. 

After this year, the project will be turned over to the Hall Foundation, Good to Go, Convenience stores, and Just for Kids. Blanchard says these organizations joined her cause four years ago, and she is proud they will be taking over. 

“When I told them that I would be stepping down, I was really worried about who would take it over. And because it’s a big endeavor,” said Blanchard. “They went back to their employees and said, ‘No,’ we will be taking it over. So it was such a blessing for me to know that it’s going to be taken care of. They will do a fantastic job, and they will be working hard to continue this on and keep it going.”

The Wall of Warmth started on Monday, November 13th, and they have 62 stands across Eastern Idaho, from St. Anthony to Pocatello, and including Driggs, Tetonia, and Victor.

The wall of warmth is open for two weeks and will be closed on November 21st. 

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Community Food Basket is seeing an outpouring of community support after they posted a challenge called “Show Up and Share IF.”

The Community Food Basket launched the two-week challenge on Monday morning, aiming to raise $10,000 to cover emergency costs. By Tuesday morning, the community had already met and surpassed the target.

The massive outpouring of community support came at a very important time. Local food banks were hit hard when government workers were furloughed and the shutdown stalled SNAP benefits. Amid widespread food insecurity, the Community Food Basket served twice as many families every day compared to their usual numbers.

“We’re incredibly grateful,” said Director Ariel Jackson. “We know this community is amazing. They have been the whole time we’ve been here for 45 years. But, man, when they put their minds together and decide that they’re going to accomplish something, they do it. And we are grateful.”

Though the initial goal was met, the “Show Up and Share IF” challenge is still ongoing to help prepare for future needs. The Community Food Basket has doubled its goal to now raise $20,000, with the new funds intended to help it sustain operations through the high-demand summer months. For more information or to donate, click HERE.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Regional Airport:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) is expected to surpass its all-time passenger record this month, marking another major milestone for the region’s growing air service. The previous record of 316,044 enplaned passengers, set in 2022, will be broken when the 316,045th passenger boards a flight sometime this week.

While the airport had initially planned to celebrate this achievement, IDA leadership has chosen to forgo a public celebration in light of the recent federal government shutdown and the resulting reductions in flights nationwide. The situation has also made it difficult to determine exactly when the record-setting passenger will board a flight.

“This is a remarkable milestone for our airport and for the tremendous community support that brought us to this point. More importantly, we are deeply grateful to our federal partners at TSA who continue to show up for work despite not having received a paycheck in a month,” said Ian Turner, Airport Director of the Idaho Falls Regional Airport. “Given this unfortunate challenge, it didn’t feel right to celebrate at this time.”

Instead, the airport will provide lunch to the dedicated federal employees who continue to work without pay to ensure the safety and security of travelers at IDA.

An ongoing food drive to support these employees will also continue until they receive their next paycheck, which is expected soon. A donation table is located outside the Airport Administration Office for those wishing to contribute non-perishable food items or other essentials.

“Our TSA officers show up every day under difficult circumstances,” Turner added. “We want to do what we can to support them until this situation is fully resolved.”

IDA continues to experience strong growth and anticipates exceeding 360,000 passenger enplanements by the end of 2025, far surpassing previous records. This growth is being driven by increased flight frequencies to Denver, Seattle, and Salt Lake City, as well as larger aircraft and new destinations. The airport recently launched service to Chicago and expects additional service expansions to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, in May 2026 — likely positioning IDA for another record-breaking year.

For more information about the food drive or to learn how you can help, please visit the Idaho Falls Regional Airport on social media or contact the Administration Office at (208) 612-8221.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the College of Eastern Idaho:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) Foundation celebrated campus and community excellence at its annual Celebration of Giving event on Thursday, November 6, held at theWestbank Convention Center. The evening recognized the achievements of faculty, staff, and community partners who have made outstanding contributions to CEI and its students.

The 2025 award recipients are:

Outstanding Staff of the Year – Jessica Taylor, Custodial Lead

Outstanding Faculty of the Year –Dr. Ben Burrows, General Education Instructor

Outstanding Adjunct Faculty of the Year – David Oliver, Cybersecurity

Constituent of the Year – Frontier Credit Union

“These awards represent our campus and community’s best,” said Dave Facer, Executive Director of the CEI Foundation. “We cannot say thank you enough to the recipients for the long-term, positive impact they have on so many people at CEI.”

In addition to honoring awardees, the CEI Foundation announced that it has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships and campus grants for the 2025–2026 academic year, thanks to the generosity of donors throughout eastern Idaho.

Each year, the Celebration of Giving event reflects the Foundation’s mission to support students through scholarships, grants, and strategic initiatives that enhance the CEI experience. CEI and the Foundation extend their gratitude to all donors, alumni, and community partners who continue to invest in student success.

To learn more about the CEI Foundation or to contribute to student support, click HERE.

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News Team

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KIFI) — In preparation for the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is kicking off its partnership with America250, the nonpartisan congressional commission preparing the momentous occasion, by launching a massive nationwide service effort.

To symbolize the milestone, the Utah-based faith announced in a news release Thursday that it has designated a fleet of 250 semitrucks to deliver food donations to 250 food banks across all 50 states.

A Historic Food Delivery

The first fleet of semitrucks was sent out on November 13, 2025. Each truck will carry approximately 40,000 pounds of food supplies, totaling an estimated 10 million pounds of aid donated by the Church. These provisions—including canned fruits, vegetables, and meats, as well as pasta, flour, and dried milk—were largely produced by Church operations or funded through member donations.

The colossal food donation comes amid heightened national food insecurity. The Church’s response is particularly timely, following the recent longest-ever government shutdown, which significantly strained national food bank resources as federal workers and SNAP recipients wrestled with financial uncertainty.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the faith’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Church’s governing body, emphasized the mission behind the immense effort.

“As we mark this historic milestone, we hope to foster a spirit of unity, peacemaking and goodwill,” Elder Gong said. “The anniversary is an opportunity for all to come together, serve together, and express gratitude for the freedoms that have allowed all faiths — including ours — to flourish.”

The Honorable Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, honks the horn of a semitruck at the Bishops’ Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City on Thursday, November 13, 2025. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sending the first of 250 semitrucks, specifically designated to the America250 celebration, delivering food donations to 250 food banks across all 50 states. Courtesy: LDS Church Newsroom

Rosie Rios, Chair of America250 and former U.S. Treasurer, joined Commissioners Cathy Gillespie and Lynn Forney Young in Salt Lake City for the announcement. Chair Rios highlighted unity as the core message.

“This is truly a historic moment for all of us,” Chair Rios said. “What we just saw in our tour of the [Bishops’ Central Storehouse] reminds us all why we do what we do. Although technically, yes, we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I think this is really, for me, a moment of unity, not just independence. It’s unity here in what the Church is doing, what the Church has always done, and what the Church continues to do.”

Service and Collaboration

The 250 truckloads of food are an extension of the Church’s ongoing global humanitarian work, specifically dedicated to the America250 celebration. The trucks feature prominent JustServe.org and America250 logos, signifying the collaboration and encouraging nationwide service throughout 2026.

Commissioner Gillespie underscored the importance of faith-based organizations in service efforts.

“Today’s announcement is about more than just food donations. It is about inspiring a spirit of service that defines who we are as Americans,” she stated, adding that “More than 30% of all volunteer hours in the United States are generated by faith-based organizations.”

The initial five truckloads are scheduled to arrive next week, November 18-19, in cities across the U.S., including Eugene, Oregon; Lonoke, Arkansas; Columbia, Missouri; Texas City, Texas; and Grand Blanc, Michigan. According to the release, the donation to Grand Blanc is specifically intended to thank the community for its generous support following a recent tragedy at a local Latter-day Saint chapel.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sending the first of 250 semitrucks, specifically designated to the America250 celebration, delivering food donations to 250 food banks across all 50 states. These trucks are at the Bishops’ Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Courtesy: LDS Church Newsroom

The first five semitruck loads will be sent to cities across the U.S., including Eugene, Oregon, Lonoke, Arkansas, Columbia, Missouri, Texas City, Texas, and Grand Blanc, Michigan in in gratitude for the generous support given to members of the Church by the people of Grand Blanc following the tragedy at a Latter-day Saint chapel. The trucks are set to arrive next week, from November 18th to 19th.

A National Call to Volunteer

The service collaboration extends beyond food. JustServe, the Church’s community service platform, is partnering with America250’s America Gives initiative to help make 2026 a record-setting year of volunteer service.

The faith is inviting Church members and all Americans to participate in community service projects listed on a special America250 landing page on JustServe.org, connecting volunteers with local organizations across the nation.

Finally, the LDS genealogy service, FamilySearch, will join the celebration in 2026 by highlighting personal family stories that have contributed to shaping the nation, inspiring others to preserve their own histories for future generations, according to the release.

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