Author: KIFI

News Team

UPDATE:

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office has identified 49-year-old Florrita M. Harker of Idaho Falls as the passenger killed in Sunday’s two-vehicle crash along Highway 20 North of Rexburg.

According to a press release, Deputies were called to milepost 336 along Highway 20 they found two vehicles, a Chevrolet Impala and a Ford Explorer, submerged in a pond on the west side of the highway. All occupants of the vehicles had managed to get out except one female passenger, Harker, who remained trapped inside.

Emergency responders and bystanders worked to rescue the woman and began CPR at the scene, but despite their lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced deceased.

The Idaho State Police and Rexburg Police Department assisted at the scene and continue to support theongoing investigation. MCSO expressed their gratitude to the citizens who stopped to assist and those who called 911 immediately after the crash occurred.

UPDATE: The road was reopened around 10 p.m. Sunday night.

No other details have been given.

MADISON COUNTY (KIFI)-A fatal crash is affecting traffic on Highway 20 on Sunday night.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office, along with multiple other agencies, is currently on the scene of a fatal accident at mile marker 337.

Southbound traffic is currently closed and being diverted.

The highway is expected to remain closed for the next several hours as the crash is investigated.

(The following information is from a Madison County facebook post)

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News Team

UPDATE: The following comes from the American Falls Police Department:

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — On July 7, 2025, at approximately 12:30 PM, the American Falls Police Department responded to a report of gunshots at 745 Fort Hall Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers were informed that two rounds from a pistol had been discharged in the front yard of the residence, reportedly fired by the homeowner, later identified as Billie Palmer, following a verbal altercation with two individuals. No injuries were reported at the time of the incident.

Initial attempts to contact Palmer, who remained inside the residence, were unsuccessful. Additional assistance was requested, and personnel from the Idaho State Police, Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, Pocatello Police Department, Power County Sheriff’s Office, and American Falls Police Department responded to the scene to support containment and negotiations.

Despite repeated attempts, Palmer refused to exit the residence, prompting activation of the Southeast Idaho Special Tactics and Response (S.T.A.R.) Team. For public safety, the 700 block of Fort Hall Avenue was closed, and surrounding homes were evacuated.

At approximately 6:03 PM, a tactical extraction team safely took Palmer into custody. He was immediately transported to Portneuf Medical Center for medical evaluation.

Following the arrest, American Falls Police Detectives executed a search warrant on the residence and recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the incident.

Palmer is currently in custody on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The case remains under active investigation, and additional charges may be considered by the Power County Prosecutor’s Office.

The American Falls Police Department extends sincere thanks to the Idaho State Police, Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Power County Sheriff’s Office, Pocatello Police Department, Power County EMS, American Falls Fire Department, and the S.T.A.R. Team for their swift and professional response.

No further information will be released at this time.

UPDATE:The suspect has safely been taken into custody, according to the American Falls Police Department.

Residents may return home.

Local News 8 will provide updates if more information is released.

AMERICAN FALLS (KIFI)- An armed man has barricaded himself inside an American Falls home.

The American Falls police facebook page talks about an ‘active incident on the 700 block of Fort Hall.’

If you live in the neighborhood, law enforcement is urging residents to stay indoors.

Local News 8 will continue to investigate this story and will provide updates when possible.

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News Team

UPDATE:

BONNEVILLE COUNTY (KIFI)- A field fire is contained on Panorama Hill east of Iona.

According to Sgt. Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, a couple of homes were evacuated, but residents have since returned to their homes.

No structures were burned by the fire.

Crews are currently containing hot spots.

The fire is estimated to be about 10 acres.

ORIGINAL:

Local News 8 will continue to provide updates on this story as more information is released.

Local News 8 has reached out to Bonneville County dispatch for more information.

Officials have not determined a potential cause yet.

Local news 8 will provide updates when we receive more information.

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Curtis Jackson

Watch the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration Fireworks above

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Michael Coats

WASHINGTON D.C. (KIFI) – They’ve practiced in parking lots, performed in gymnasiums, and spent months fundraising. Now, they’ll be coming home after performing on a national stage. Right in the heart of Washington, D.C. Hillcrest High School’s marching band just represented their school this Fourth of July. They were carrying the sound of their hometown to the steps of the Capitol.

Idaho Senator James Risch nominated the Hillcrest band to perform in the National Independence Day Parade. For many of the students who made the trip, it was their first time on a plane, their first time seeing the Capitol, and their first time performing for a national audience.

The annual parade takes place every Independence Day, on Constitution Ave along the National Mall.

The students were also taken on a tour of the city for several days, seeing monuments, museums and even laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.

Screenshot

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News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Three severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued within minutes of each other in the last hour, as of 4:30 PM July 4, 2025.

One in Cassia County is moving NE towards I-84 with quarter-sized hail. Second in western Power County moving NE towards American Falls and along I-86 with quarter-sized hail. Third in eastern Power County moving towards Bannock County and the greater Pocatello area, also having quarter-sized hail and strong wind gusts.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The family and friends of Jaiden James Snyder, the man who tragically took his own life in Tuesday’s police incident along Curlew Drive, are hosting a car meet and fundraiser in his honor to raise awareness about mental health.

The event, organized by the Highground Empire truck club, will be held on July 9, 2025, at 7 PM near the parking lot of 2404 South 25th East in Idaho Falls.

If you or a loved one is struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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Seth Ratliff

BURLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — First responders are on the scene of a vehicle fire on I-84 heading eastbound near Burley. The incident began around 12:43 PM. Video from witnesses on the scene shows a pillar of dark black smoke rising from what appears to be the wreckage of an overturned semi-truck.

According to Idaho 511, all eastbound lanes of I-84 are blocked from State Highway 25 (SH-25) to I-86.

The cause of the crash and the condition of the driver have not yet been released. The Idaho State Transportation Department is urging all travelers in the area to seek alternate routes until further notice.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho – Idaho State Police is investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash that occurred on Friday, July 4, 2025, at approximately 11:43 AM, on US20 near milepost 380.8, south of Island Park.

 A 40-year-old, from Shelley, was travelling westbound in a 2026 Freightliner semi-truck pulling a semi-trailer.

A 42-year-old male and passengers from Idaho Falls, were travelling eastbound in a 2011 Toyota Sienna Minivan.

The Freightliner went off the westbound shoulder, then back on to the roadway from overcorrection, then crossed the median and into the eastbound lanes of travel impacting the Toyota. The Toyota overturned and blocked the eastbound lanes of travel.

The driver of the Freightliner was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital.

The occupants of the Toyota, including four additional adults and three juveniles were transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital.

All occupants were wearing their seatbelts.

One juvenile passenger from the Toyota succumbed to their injuries.

All lanes of US20 were blocked for approximately 5 hours.

Idaho State Police was assisted by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Island Park Fire Department, Island Park Ambulance, Ashton Ambulance, and Hebgen Lake Paramedics from West Yellowstone, Montana. 

This incident remains under investigation by Idaho State Police.

UPDATE:

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — Traffic is now moving intermittently along U.S. Highway 20 near Island Park following a fatal crash that occurred earlier today, according to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office reported at 3:50 PM that significant delays are still expected due to the volume of vehicles in the area.

The West Yellowstone Police Department confirmed the incident as a fatal accident via a Facebook post. While official details about the crash itself remain limited, eyewitnesses at the scene have reported seeing ambulances departing the area.

The incident took place sometime before 11:55 AM today, Friday, July 4, near milepost 380.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 is actively working to gather more details and will provide updates as new information becomes available.

ORIGINAL:

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho State Police Troopers are on the scene of a fatal crash on U.S. 20 near Island Park. The accident occurred sometime before 11:55 AM, Friday, July 4, near milepost 380.

Traffic has been blocked in both directions – Eastbound and Westbound. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is asking travelers heading in that direction to take an alternate route.

Local News 8 has a team headed to the crash site and will update this developing story as more details become available. Keep track of accidents and traffic updates at 511.idaho.gov.

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Seth Ratliff

CHALLIS, Idaho (KIFI) — Custer County Emergency Management has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the Wapiti burn area, effective until 9:00 PM MDT on Friday, July 4th. Residents in and around the burn scar should be particularly vigilant, as the most severe weather is anticipated between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM MDT today.

“Stay aware and be very cautious of your surroundings. Watch out for flash flooding and debris flowing,” warned Custer County Emergency Management in a recent Facebook post.

The Wapiti fire, which burned from July 24 to September of 2024, consumed thousands of acres in the area near Stanley and throughout surrounding Custer County. According to the National Weather Service, burn scars are highly susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows due to the loss of vegetation, which normally helps to absorb rainfall and stabilize the soil. Even moderate rainfall can trigger dangerous conditions.

For more information or to contact the Custer County Office of Emergency Management, please click HERE.

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