Author: KIFI

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — There was a lot of horsin’ around going on Wednesday morning as cowboys and cowgirls from Champs Heart took to the arena at Sandy Downs for the cutest rodeo in the west. This is the third year that the Champs Heart Rodeo has kicked off the events for the War Bonnet Round-Up, Idaho’s oldest rodeo.

Champ’s heart is an equine-based ministry offering children with limited abilities, veterans of war, and their families the opportunity to feel safe while connecting with horses. 

Over seventy local kids with special needs saddled up to ride to glory in events like pole bending, get the boot, horseshoes, and rope ring toss. They even crowned royalty.

Event organizer Kaylee Wilson says seeing the impact on these kids’ lives gives you so much more meaning. “It’s amazing to see these kids have their lives changed with what we do out here, what the horses do for them… It makes your day every time it’s it’s amazing,” said Wilson.

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News Team

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — Fire managers in the Teton area have increased the fire danger to “very high” for Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the National Elk Refuge, effective today, July 30. This heightened alert comes as conditions across the Teton Interagency Dispatch area are drying out rapidly, creating an environment where fires can easily ignite and spread quickly, according to a recent press release.

Teton Interagency Fire Managers are urging all visitors to these affected areas to “practice heightened fire safety at all times.” Teton Interagency Fire personnel have already extinguished 75 unattended or abandoned campfires this year alone.

“Abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires, and if your campfire sparks a wildfire, you can be held responsible for the cost of putting it out,” stated the recent press release.

Fire Managers are directing all visitors to the affected areas to “practice heightened fire safety at all times.”

What You Can Do to Prevent Wildfires

With the fire danger elevated, the safest course of action is to avoid building campfires altogether. Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly and use layers for warmth instead of relying on a fire.

If you do choose to have a campfire in a permitted area, fire managers ask you to follow these guidelines:

Never leave a campfire unattended or abandoned.

Have a shovel and water bucket on hand.

Use several gallons of water to fully extinguish your campfire.

Drown, stir, feel, and repeat until the ashes are cold to the touch.

Break up charred logs and cover all remains with dirt.

Other considerations

Do not park on tall grass, as that grass can ignite when in contact with a hot vehicle.

If pulling a trailer, ensure your chains are clear of the groun,d as small sparks could start roadside fires.

If you come across an abandoned campfire and it is within your power, please put it out and contact Teton Interagency Dispatch to report its location.

Stay Informed

For the latest fire updates, essential safety tips, and current fire restrictions, visit TetonFires.com. To report smoke or a fire, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center directly at 307-739-3630. Your diligence can help protect our precious natural resources.

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News Release

The following is a News Release by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department:

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — After consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department captured and relocated an adult female grizzly bear on July 29, 2025. 

The grizzly bear was captured in association with conflict management efforts for cattle depredation on the national forest in Fremont County. In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Targhee National Forest, the grizzly bear was relocated to the Calf Creek drainage approximately one-half mile south of Yellowstone National Park. 

Grizzly bears are relocated in accordance with state and federal law and regulation, and Game and Fish is required to update the public whenever a grizzly bear is relocated.

WHY RELOCATION?

Grizzly bear relocation is a management tool large carnivore biologists use to minimize conflicts between humans and grizzly bears. Bears that are considered a threat to human safety are not relocated. In some cases, a bear may be removed from the population if it cannot be relocated successfully.

Capture is necessary when other deterrents or preventative options are exhausted or unattainable. Once the animal is captured, all circumstances are taken into account when determining if the individual should be relocated. If relocation is warranted, a site is determined by considering the age, sex, and type of conflict the bear was involved in as well as potential human activity nearby.

Grizzly bears are only relocated into the recovery zone or adjacent areas. With any relocation, Game and Fish consults with appropriate agencies to minimize the chance of future conflicts and maximize the relocated grizzly bear’s survival.

HOW THE PUBLIC CAN HELP

Game and Fish continues to stress the importance of the public’s responsibility in bear management and the importance of keeping all attractants such as food, garbage, horse feed, bird seed unavailable to bears. Reducing attractants available to bears reduces human-bear conflicts, and in some cases, relocations.

For more information on grizzly bear management and reducing the potential for conflicts, visit the Bear Wise Wyoming webpage.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Salvation Army Pocatello Corps will set up collection bins at Fred Meyer for donations of school supplies benefitting local families in need; the donation drive will run through August.

Salvation Army ministry leader Bryan Makowski said they are accepting any new or gently used donations of common school supplies, including pens, pencils, notebooks, and corded headphones. The donated supplies will be made available to students in grades K-12 before the start of the new school year.

“Our main goal that the Salvation Army does is we want to let people know that we love them, we care about them, and one of the best ways that we can do that is we can help them with these practical things,” said Makowski. “We see a need, we fill it.”

The donation bins will be installed starting August 1 at Fred Meyer in Pocatello. The bins will be emptied regularly and divided into back-to-school kits for students in need.

For more information, visit the Pocatello Salvation Army website.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Idaho hunters who successfully drew tags for controlled hunts in the Southeast Region have until Friday, August 1, to buy their tags before applications open for the second drawing.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game said tags for controlled hunts of deer, elk, pronghorn, swan, fall black bear, and fall turkey left unclaimed after August 1 will be forfeited and sent to the second drawing pool, which will accept applications starting August 5.

“This is just trying to connect people to the opportunities that are out there,” said Jennifer Jackson, communications manager for Idaho Fish and Game’s Southeast Region. “We don’t want to let those tags go to waste; we want them to be in the hands of hunters that love and appreciate hunting, and love the outdoors, and want to spend time hunting in Idaho, and having these tag sales is one way to do that.”

Results of the second controlled hunt tag drawing will be available August 26. Tags for sandhill crane and sage grouse hunts will also go on sale August 1.

For more information on hunting tag drawings and purchase deadlines, visit the Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game website.

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Ariel Jensen

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — After a year of intense work, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is celebrating the full completion of repairs to the Big Fill Slide on the Teton Pass. The critical roadway, Wyoming Highway 22 (Idaho 33), suffered a significant failure after a landslide swept away a section of the roadway at milepost 12.8, the weekend of June 8, 2024.

It was a much different scene today as the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Ames Construction, and government officials from across the state held a ribbon-cutting celebration near the Teton Pass to celebrate the final touches on the Big Fill Slide’s restoration.

“I would attribute why we were able to get it done as fast as we can is the old Wyoming way, said WYDOT Director Darin Westby. “We build relationships for decades. So when things happen, we’re able to call upon anybody and everybody that can lend assistance to make it happen, whether it’s U.S. Forest Service, park service contractors, local communities and governments, and be able to pull it all together to make sure it works.”

The event commemorated successful repairs to the Snake River Bridge.

While the pass did have a detour built in two and a half weeks to go around the missing spot of Highway 22 after last year’s collapse, it is no longer necessary, as the main road is paved and the guardrails are up, ready to carry people in and out of Jackson once more. 

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News Release

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

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) is proud to announce the launch of a new Associate of Arts (AA) in Education degree program beginning fall 2025. The program is designed to prepare students for transfer into four-year teacher education programs and help meet the region’s growing need for qualified educators.

“The State of Idaho — and eastern Idaho in particular — has a growing demand for high-quality teachers,” said Jacob Haeberle, Dean of General Education. “College of Eastern Idaho has recognized that demand and is excited to meet our region’s education needs with this important, new degree.”

The Education AA is a 60–62 credit, four-semester transfer degree that aligns with Idaho’s state teacher education programs. It equips students with the foundational knowledge and field experience needed to pursue a bachelor’s degree and teaching certification.

Students can choose between elementary or secondary education pathways, and will benefit from: 

Small class sizes and a low student-to-teacher ratio 

Affordable tuition

Dedicated, experienced education faculty 

Field experience and educational technology training

The curriculum includes writing, math, psychology, human development, cultural awareness, and hands-on education electives such as early childhood environments and literacy development. Students also complete classroom field experiences and coursework in educational technology to prepare for the realities of 21st-century teaching.

The degree is structured for easy transfer to four-year institutions across Idaho and beyond, ensuring students are ready to enter upper-division teacher education programs upon completion. Students interested in the program can apply now for fall 2025. For more information, visit cei.edu/program/associate-arts-aa-education or contact CEI Student Affairs at 208.524.3000.

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News Team

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Ammon is inviting you to a weekend of high-flying fun as the annual Ammon Days celebration returns to McCowin Park from August 1st to 3rd. The free event kicks off with 22 hot air balloons lifting off from McCowin Park North Field at 6:00 AM.

Friday evening continues with “Ammon Has Talent” from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, followed by Glow Night from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM. During Glow Night, the tethered hot air balloons light up the sky during an evening swim, accompanied by music, food, and vendors. You can even get up close and chat with the pilots.

The hot air balloons will also take flight on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 6:00 AM, weather permitting, according to the city.

Saturday, August 2nd, is packed with activities, featuring nearly 170 vendors, giveaways, and prizes. Kids and adults alike will be able to enjoy a car show, bounce houses, giant slip and slides, a zip line, mechanical bull rides, archery, kids’ games, and face painting.

To make getting to McCowin Park easy, the city has organized free shuttle buses that will run between Hillcrest High School and McCowin Park on Friday evening and all day Saturday, with pickups every 10-15 minutes.

For a complete schedule of events, vendor lists, hot air balloon information, shuttle details, and more, click HERE.

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News Release

The following is a press release from the Teton Literacy Center

TETON, Wyo. (KIFI) — A new, comprehensive online resource hub—Roadmap to College & Beyond—has officially launched to support Teton County students and families in navigating life after high school.

Created by Teton Literacy Center in partnership with valuable community partners and the amazing Ellbogen Foundation, whose financial support made this project possible, the site serves as a one-stop hub for college and career readiness resources—whether planning for college, exploring trades, or entering the workforce, the platform offers clear, accessible guidance for every step of the journey.

Designed with local input and built around the needs of both students and parents, the website is a place for academic support, career exploration, college application tools, financial aid resources, and much more. With grade-specific checklists, college planning timelines, and a dedicated parents’ corner, the Roadmap to College & Beyond helps users confidently prepare for post-high school success—starting as early as 9th grade.

“This site empowers students to make informed decisions about their futures—whether that includes college, trades, employment, or service,” said Carisa Barnett, Executive Director of TLC. “We wanted to make a resource that speaks to the diverse goals of our community’s youth and gives families the tools to support them.”

Key features of the site include:

Grade-by-Grade Guidance: Practical steps and checklists for each high school year

Career Exploration: Insights into vocational programs, apprenticeships, and workforce opportunities

College Preparation: Tools for researching colleges, preparing for the SAT/PSAT, and crafting strong applications and essays

Financial Aid & Scholarships: A deep dive into funding options, including local financial literacy workshops

Parent Resources: Articles, seasonal guides, and terminology breakdowns to help parents support their children

Support for All Pathways: From gap years to undocumented student resources, the site acknowledges that every journey is unique

Local Organizations & Resources: Highlighting local resources and opportunities unique to our Wyoming Community

In addition to college readiness, the platform also links to general community services, including mental health support, food assistance, and housing help—ensuring students and families have the foundational resources they need to thrive.

The Roadmap to College & Beyond was developed in partnership with educators, community organizations, and families throughout Teton County to reflect the unique opportunities and challenges of the region.

“Every student deserves a path forward—and someone to walk alongside them,” said Barnett. “This platform is about illustrating the many options to achieve success and giving our students the confidence and resources to pursue it.”

To begin your roadmap, click HERE.

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News Team

PATTERSON, Idaho (KIFI) — Fire Crews spent the night battling a fast-moving wildfire in Pahsimeroi Valley. The Mill Fire has already burned an estimated 600 acres, five miles southeast of Patterson on the Lemhi Range.

Firefighters from the Salmon-Challis National Forest and BLM are on the ground, with help from air tankers and helicopters. The lightning-caused fire started yesterday afternoon.

No evacuations have been ordered yet, but structures are threatened.

Keep track of updates, HERE.

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