Author: KIFI

Ariel Jensen

Idaho (KIFI) – Environmental groups have concerns about water levels at an area lake, but officials say it needs to be temporarily lowered. Silver Lake at Harriman State Park had its water levels lowered recently as preventative maintenance on a head gate that goes underneath the main spillway. 

Idaho Parks and Recreation officials explained the water level had to be lowered so construction crews could access the area.

The move had environmental groups asking what that means for the fish living there. A concern parks and rec say they share.

“We have the same concern. It’s a beautiful area, a beautiful habitat. And we’ve taken steps along the way to ensure that that resource is protected,” said. We’ve had staff on site throughout the entire process, monitoring and making sure that the fish are protected through this process. And to this point, we’ve observed no major impact to the fish or the waterfowl in the area,” said Ryan Buffington, East Region Manager for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation 

The headgate was no longer functioning, and Parks and Recreation officials say it needed to be addressed.

“Our engineers determined that it was the most effective and safest way to access the area that needed to be replaced. This was preventative maintenance. It was scheduled in advance, and it was crucial to get it done,” said Buffington.

Buffington says managers were in coordination with all the state and federal agencies, required every step of the way. Ensuring the correct processes were followed during repairs.

“We met with the Army Corps of Engineers, and it was determined that this project fell under a permit 33 for temporary construction access and dewatering. Therefore, it didn’t need a special permit,” said Buffington.

Buffington says once water levels dropped, they could see the damage to the headgate was worse than originally believed. That made the repairs more important than ever.  

Click here to follow the original article.

News Release

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

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Thursday and Friday’s garbage, recycling, yard waste, and leaf collections for Pocatello residents will be delayed by one day because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Garbage, recycling, yard waste, and leaves will not be picked up Thursday, November 27; residents with a Thursday pickup are asked to place their autocarts, as well as leaves that have been placed in compostable bags, out for pickup Friday by 7 a.m. Residents with a Friday pickup are asked to place their autocarts and compostable bags out Saturday by 7 a.m. The schedule change will not affect Monday through Wednesday pickups earlier in the week.

The Sanitation Services Department will resume its regular pickup schedule beginning Monday, December 1.

Officials would also like to remind residents that the Bannock County Landfill will be closed on Thanksgiving.

For more information on the programs offered by the Sanitation Services Department, visit pocatello.gov/sanitation. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Megan Lavin

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho is preparing to make severe cuts to adult mental health services starting December 2, sparking widespread fear and even legal action across the state. The cuts stem from state lawmakers’ attempts to cover a budget deficit by slashing funding for several state programs.

The crisis began after the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced a 4% pay rate cut for Medicaid medical providers. Following this announcement, Magellan of Idaho—the private company managing Idaho Medicaid’s mental health benefits—announced plans to cut pay rates for Medicaid mental health services by 4% to 15%.

Community leaders, mental health professionals, and law enforcement are warning of severe consequences. Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse warns, “When you tear those systems down, there are consequences for it.”

‘Literally a Matter Between Life and Death’

The immediate effect of the cuts is a collapse of the existing support structure, putting vulnerable clients at risk and forcing professionals out of their jobs. Beth Duenes, a peer support specialist, is losing her job and fears for her clients. She stresses the life-saving nature of their work.

“We’re the folks who are basically on the front line,” explains Duenes. “I’ve had several clients already that have said if it wasn’t for me coming around, they wouldn’t be here. So it’s literally a matter between life and death.

“Now I’m going to go on unemployment. I’m going to go on food stamps, I’m going to go on Medicaid. Those things I don’t need now because I have a job right now. So they’re taking away many jobs.”

Idaho already ranks 48th in the nation for mental health services. Dr. Thomas Tueller, owner of Tueller Services, estimates the cuts will leave approximately 500 clients with severe mental illnesses on their own, with no safety net.

“Where does that put us as a state?” asks Dr. Tueller. “Here’s the frustrating thing, the state has done a redesign on the behavioral health system. We have the Idaho Behavioral Health Council that has been looking at this stuff. We know the realities. And for them to arbitrarily cut these types of programs that we know are critical to the services in the community, you’re going to lose $10 for every dollar you save,” said Tueller.

Sheriff Warns Cuts Will Overwhelm Jails and Hospitals

Sheriff Hulse, who has also sat on the behavioral health board for years, warns the cuts will only shift the burden, and the cost, onto Idaho’s already strained law enforcement and healthcare systems.

“We know exactly what happens. We have the data to back that up. We have the history to back that up,” urges Sheriff Hulse. “What ends up happening is those individuals, they’re going to come to our jails that are already experiencing overcrowding in many parts of the state.”

In a news release, the Idaho Association of Community Providers estimated the cuts would not save money but would shift “$150 to $180 million in new costs” to Idaho’s hospitals, counties, EMS systems, and child-welfare programs.

Sheriff Hulse agreed, emphasizing that it costs so much more to be reactive than to be preventative. He estimates that hospitalization for one client cost about $384,000 for a single year.

“You’re going to have issues related to emergency rooms… That’s not just the emergency rooms here in Bonneville County. That’s also places like Memorial in Lemhi County…really overburdened rural hospital structures. Now you have individuals that are in a psychiatric crisis that end up coming into those communities because they’re underserved, because the resources that were keeping them stable are gone,” explains Hulse.

He stressed that local law enforcement will bear the brunt of the problem, but many of these individuals would not face criminalization if they were receiving proper community services.

Dr. Tueller adds that cutting services creates a “revolving door” crisis cycle. “If they go into the jails or they go into the hospital, they’ll oftentimes lose their apartment, they’ll lose their home, then they become homeless.”

Mental Health Clinics Sue to Halt Cuts

In response to the cuts, four Idaho mental health clinics filed a lawsuit against the DHW last week, including;  Access Behavioral Health Services, Tueller Counseling Service, Riverside Recovery and Mental Health Specialists. The lawsuit asks a judge court order to pause Magellan of Idaho’s planned cuts.

“This is critical care — without their medication, these patients pose a serious threat of harm to themselves or others,” attorneys for the clinics wrote in support of their motion for a stay on the planned cut, according to a report by the Idaho Capital Sun.

Petition Gathers 7,500 Signatures

Mental health providers like Duenes and Dr. Tueller are urging citizens to contact their state representatives immediately, and encouraging them to sign a petition opposing the cuts. As of Tuesday, the petition has gathered over 7,500 signatures.

For more information, click HERE.

Local News 8 has reached out to Magellan, the service provider for Medicaid, on November 21, and have not heard back yet.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

Since August 1, 2025, DHW has received reports of at least 26 cases of bacterial infection across Idaho associated with drinking or consuming raw milk. DHW has documented 23 cases of Campylobacter infection, including six children under the age of 12, in addition to 3 cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection.

STEC is a type of E. coli that can cause very serious infections, especially in young children. As cases have broken out throughout Idaho, with multiple people seeking medical care and two requiring hospitalization.

What is Raw Milk?

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized, which involves heating milk to kill disease-causing bacteria. Raw milk can harbor dangerous bacteria, including Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, which can cause symptoms such as vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration.

“People should be aware of possible health risks before consuming raw, unpasteurized dairy products or providing such products to family members, particularly people who might be at higher risk for illness, including young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised,” stated IDHW in a news release.

In Idaho, DHW says raw milk can be sold legally. However, under current state law, raw milk is not required to be tested for dangerous bacteria like Campylobacter, E. coli, or other disease-causing agents before it is sold to the public.

The DHW urges anyone who has recently consumed raw milk and is experiencing symptoms to seek medical care promptly. For additional information or to report an illness, contact your local public health district.

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is investigating a significant and recent surge in illnesses linked to the consumption of raw, unpasteurized milk.

Since August 1, 2025, DHW has received reports of at least 26 cases of bacterial infection across Idaho associated with drinking or consuming raw milk. DHW has documented 23 cases of Campylobacter infection, including six children under the age of 12, in addition to 3 cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection.

STEC is a type of E. coli that can cause very serious infections, especially in young children. As cases have broken out throughout Idaho, with multiple people seeking medical care and two requiring hospitalization.

What is Raw Milk?

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized, which involves heating milk to kill disease-causing bacteria. Raw milk can harbor dangerous bacteria, including Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, which can cause symptoms such as vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration.

“People should be aware of possible health risks before consuming raw, unpasteurized dairy products or providing such products to family members, particularly people who might be at higher risk for illness, including young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised,” stated IDHW in a news release.

In Idaho, DHW says raw milk can be sold legally. However, under current state law, raw milk is not required to be tested for dangerous bacteria like Campylobacter, E. coli, or other disease-causing agents before it is sold to the public.

The DHW urges anyone who has recently consumed raw milk and is experiencing symptoms to seek medical care promptly. For additional information or to report an illness, contact your local public health district.

Click here to follow the original article.

Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — While turkey has been the traditional centerpiece of Thanksgiving feasts, nearly 12% of Americans are making the switch to Ham, according to the National Turkey Federation.

With ham becoming more popular, Local News 8 is taking a look at how to prepare the popular substitute. Jesse Smith from Fred Meyer’s and his butcher showed us how to flame craft a ham with sugar right in our own back porch.

Gluten-free, MSG-free, and allergen-free, it would make a great Thanksgiving centerpiece to either complement the turkey–or just forgo it altogether.

Click here to follow the original article.

News Release

The following is a news release from Idaho State University:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A landmark partnership between the Idaho Museum of Natural History at Idaho State University and the University of Idaho is strengthening statewide collaboration between Idaho’s public universities and bringing natural history exhibits and educational programming to northern Idaho through the creation of a North Idaho Affiliate of the museum.

As Idaho’s designated state museum of natural history, the IMNH at Idaho State University serves as the official steward of Idaho’s natural heritage. This partnership reflects ISU’s leadership in preserving and sharing that heritage statewide.

Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, this collaboration establishes a fiscally responsible, long-term commitment to protect, share and expand access to Idaho’s natural history collections using existing state resources. The affiliate will be housed within University of Idaho’s Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences and serve as a regional hub for community access, student learning and Idaho-based research. 

“This is the birth of a new museum for north Idaho,” said Leif Tapanila, Director of the Idaho Museum of Natural History. “Our museum began at ISU in a similar way back in 1934, with the university committing to protect its natural history objects. We’re excited to partner with U of I to create new educational opportunities based out of Moscow.”

Displays are planned throughout the Mines and McClure buildings on the UI campus, with long-term goals to activate the spaces between them. The first exhibit, located in the basement foyer of McClure Hall, is already open to the public, with more to come in the months ahead.

The roots of the affiliation began with a conversation about responsible stewardship of Idaho’s public collections, many of which have grown over decades at UI but lacked formal protection. With leadership from the chair of the Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences, Alistair Smith, and support from university leadership, including Ginger E. Carney, dean of the College of Science, the idea of creating a regional affiliate began to take shape.

“This partnership enables us to not only preserve our collections for Idaho’s citizens for generations to come, it also reflects good stewardship of state assets and helps the University of Idaho enhance its Land Grant mission,” said Smith.

A ribbon cutting event is being considered for March. “This partnership allows us to protect and showcase our collections while creating new opportunities for outreach, research and student learning,” said Smith. “It’s a win for the College of Science and for Idaho’s citizens who will benefit from greater access to their state’s natural heritage.”

The affiliation will highlight UI’s Earth Sciences Collection, including the Smiley Paleobotany Collection—one of the most significant fossil leaf collections in North America—along with the Williams Geological Teaching Collection and the Gunter Mineralogy Collection. Together, these resources form one of the most comprehensive natural history holdings in the region.

“We’re excited about the potential of this museum to broaden research and education in the earth and life sciences,” Carney said. “This collaboration reflects the shared public  mission we share with Idaho State University—to serve all Idahoans through discovery, learning and outreach.”

For the Idaho Museum of Natural History, this agreement is part of a broader initiative to reach communities across the state through partnerships and mobile education. Since August, the museum’s Mobile Museum has delivered more than 50 programs, reaching 6,300 people, including 2,500 K–12 students across northern Idaho. Statewide, the museum has engaged over 18,000 participants this year through classroom visits, community programs and hands-on exhibits.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danielle Mullenix

Eastern Idaho (KIFI) – The DSPs Doing Good Organization, part of the DSP, will provide free Thanksgiving meals to aid direct support professionals on November 25th-26th during the holiday season.

This initiative aims to alleviate holiday stress for those professionals and is part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to assist both DSPs and the individuals they serve—adults with developmental, aging, and/or intellectual disabilities—here in Eastern Idaho.

The DSP’s Doing Good organization is in the process of supplying and operating temporary food pantries in Idaho Falls, Meridian, and Twin Falls.

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides in-person support for adults with disabilities in a wide range of daily activities. DSPs work around the clock—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Their responsibilities include offering emotional support, physical assistance, and help with personal care tasks.

The DSPs Doing Good Organization was created to provide in-person training and resources made by people with direct support professional experience.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, November 25-26, services will be available from 9 AM to 5 PM. For those who require a different time, they are encouraged to reach out for assistance.

Three convenient locations are available: Idaho Falls at 548 Lomax St., Meridian at 1850 N. Lakes Place, and Twin Falls at 141 Shoshone St. N.

For more information about the DSPs Doing Good organization, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Pocatello Police Department is asking the public to remain calm and not be alarmed by a large law enforcement and emergency services presence at Hawthorne Middle School today, Tuesday, November 25, 2025. PPD says it will be using the building for a training exercise while students are away for the Thanksgiving holiday, and there is absolutely no threat to the public.

The PPD, School Resource Officers, and Pocatello Emergency Services are utilizing the empty school building while students are away to conduct an Active Shooter Training. In an email to the public, the department states, “Please be aware that an increased police presence will be in the area as part of this planned exercise.”

The training is set to last from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO Falls, Idaho (KIFI)– As families gather around the table each Thanksgiving, kitchens across the country become the site of a surprising holiday hazard: cooking fires. In 2023 alone, Thanksgiving Day saw more than 1,400 home cooking fires—almost 388 percent higher than a typical day.

Local News 8 stopped by the Idaho Falls Fire Station to speak with Fire Marshal Jim Newton about kitchen fire safety.

Starting off with the star of Thanksgiving dinner: deep fried turkey. While delicious, it can be extremely dangerous if you’re not careful.

“So when you’re cooking the turkey, a lot of common mistakes with deep frying a turkey is that they don’t allow the turkey to thaw out all the way. So it’s partially frozen or fully frozen. That introduces water, hot oil, and then that can cause the oil to overflow, which cause it can cause a fire. also not turning the flame off. So if you’re going to deep fry a turkey before you drop the turkey in, turn the flame off, drop the turkey, and then you can light the flame back up again. So if oil does overload, it doesn’t hit that open flame and catch fire,” Newton said, “If you’re going to deep fried turkey, make sure it’s ten feet away from any structure or any kind of, combustible source.”

Studies show that Thanksgiving day has significantly higher home cooking fires than an average day.

“Statistically speaking, it is three times more likely that a cooking fire will happen during Thanksgiving holidays,” Newton said.

According to NFPA, Thanksgiving Day saw an estimated 1,446 home cooking fires in 2023, roughly 388 percent higher than the average day.

Newton emphasized that it matters where the deep frying takes place.

“Don’t cook it on a wood deck, don’t cook it inside on carpet. You know, make sure that you’re outside and you have proper extinguishing materials, such as a fire extinguisher. Don’t use water on oil. Same goes for in the kitchen as for outside, just don’t use water on oil,” Newton said.

If you want a safer alternative to deep fried turkey, Newton suggested to singing an infrared fryer with propane, smoked turkey, having it professionally prepared or using the oven.

The Idaho Falls Fire Department sent out a press release with tips on how to stay safe in the kitchen during the holidays:

Never leave cooking unattended. Stay in the kitchen, set a timer, and minimize distractions. A single pan of oil can reach 700°F in minutes and ignite.

Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove. Turn pot handles inward to prevent spills and burns.

Handle grease fires safely. Never use water. Turn off the heat and slide a lid over the pan or use baking soda to smother small fires.

Keep your kitchen clean. Grease buildup on stovetops, ovens, and range hoods is highly flammable. Wipe surfaces after cooking and deep-clean monthly.

Be prepared with alarms and an extinguisher. Test smoke alarms monthly. Keep a Class K or A/B/C fire extinguisher accessible and remember PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

Maintain a clear cooking area and avoid electrical overloads. Keep towels, paper, and bags away from burners. Don’t overload outlets or use multiple high-wattage appliances on the same circuit.

Plan and practice your escape route. Every home should have two exits per room and a designated outdoor meeting spot. Practice twice a year, including at night.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Pocatello police department is celebrating another successful year of “Give the Cops a Bird.” The community turned out strong for the 7th annual Thanksgiving holiday food drive.

This year, donations added up to $4165, 71 turkeys, and 96 pounds of food — all going to the Idaho foodbank to help those in need.

In a post on Facebook, Pocatello Police officers said they couldn’t have done this without the support of the amazing community.

“Your generosity, energy, and kindness make this event what it has become today,” stated the post. “We are truly grateful to each and every one of you who donated and made a difference this holiday season.”

Click here to follow the original article.