Author: KIFI

Danielle Mullenix

As the cold front moves through our region this weekend, we expect a continuation of the cooler temperatures and the mild conditions we’ve observed over the past few days. There is a slight chance of mountain snow near the Western Wyoming border this Sunday evening due to a large low-pressure system over the northern plains.

Low clouds that are bringing patchy fog in the valleys and plain continue to pose a slight advisory for the early morning hours. A weak trough on Monday evening will bring clouds and light precipitation to the upper Snake River highlands. Once high pressure begins to reenter our area by the end of the upcoming week, we expect to return to a gradually rising temperature trend.

Sunday low cloud coverage is expected to be dominant in the early hours of the day, with sunny skies for a nice Sunday afternoon and early evening. We remain under high pressure, with clear skies and cold air blowing in from the north. Afternoon highs will barely reach around freezing before cooling back into the lower 20s and teens for evening lows. Wind gusts will be mild, with gusts getting up to 20 mph in more highland areas in the early morning hours.

By Monday, we will begin to see a warming trend reenter our region. High temperatures in the Snake River Plain will be getting back up into the low 30s, and widespread lows in the 20s and teens for the evening. These numbers will continue to rise throughout the following days.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Zoo Idaho hosted their annual Poke Fest earlier today where guests enjoyed beer on tap with a special twist.

The beer was provided by Wanderlust, who offered several kinds of high-sugar content beers. A crowd favorite was the peanut butter stout. Zoo Idaho members poke the beer with hot iron rods to enhance the flavor.

Zoo manager Pete Pruett told us the heat from the rod instantly caramelizes the malt in the beer. This gives the foamy top a marshmallow-like taste.

“You can really tell the difference, it changes the flavor,” said Pruett.

The event serves as a fundraiser for Zoo Idaho. Guests look forward to making s’mores around the campfire and enjoying the mugs of beer every year.

“It’s great for the community to get out there and enjoy the zoo, try some great beers,” said Kevin Busick, owner of Wanderlust. “Just to get out here and have a great time.”

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – This morning was the annual Potato Cup: a variety of cross country ski races hosted at the East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center outside of Pocatello. Racers traveled from around the region to participate in the races.

Participants under 18 years old can race in a 3K, while other cross country skiers can sign up for a 5K, 10K or 15K race. The races began over 20 years ago. Race Director Valerie Gill told us she remembers racing as a kid back in 2005. Now, she directs and participates in the Potato Cup every year.

The event serves as a fundraiser for the Pocatello Cross Country Ski Foundation, which is a local non-profit that puts on cross country ski events. They host races and ski potlucks every other Wednesday at the yurt at the nordic center. They also work with the City of Pocatello to keep the trails groomed.

“The Potato Cup is always hard, but always a little nerve wracking,” said Gill. “Some years we have a lot of snow and there’s no nerves, but this year has been a real white knuckler right up until last week. I thought we were going to have to cancel the race as soon as last Monday.”

The organizers were relieved that snow was coming down during the races today and provided enough for the trails. The lap at the nordic center is 5K and features plenty of uphills and downhills to challenge the skiers.

Some years, the Potato Cup draws up to 65 racers. This year, there were between 40-50 competitors. Because of the addition of the children’s 3K race, there is a large age range of skiers.

“I know we had one kid here that just learned how to skate today,” said Gill. “He did his first skating on the race course which I thought was awesome.”

The Potato Cup is a freestyle race, which means they accept both skate and classic skiers. Gill says this is because they want everyone to come and feel welcome. The winners of each race also won various prizes.

For more information about events at the nordic center, visit pokyxc.org.

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Danielle Mullenix

A weak cold front moves through the region this weekend, with dry cold air moving down the Snake River Plain. We’ll see some temperatures in the single digits for morning lows and teens elsewhere, and some negatives in some mountain locations, particularly where it’s clear. Some pockets of snowy weather will pop up this Saturday just toward the south of Eastern Idaho and East of the Jackson, Wyoming area.

We remain on the edge of the massive winter storm that covers the bulk of the Eastern United States this weekend. As a result, we’re only seeing portions of that extensive low-pressure system in our area, with dry, cold air pushing south. For the remainder of this Saturday, the Snake River Plain will see mostly sunny skies with just a slight chance of mountain snow.

A small pocket of snow hovers over the lower Snake River Plain area, creating a light dusting in portions of Pocatello. Highs reach only about 25°, and winds will lighten and shift to the southwest by afternoon. Cloud cover returns Saturday night, bringing a low near 10°. Overall, Saturday’s temperatures are expected to be the coldest.

On Sunday, we can anticipate plenty of sunshine and a slight increase in temperatures, reaching around 28°, accompanied by a gentle west wind. The warming trend will persist into Monday, with partly sunny conditions and a high of approximately 32°. Although the temperatures won’t be especially warm, the start of the week will feel warmer and brighter.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Hundreds enjoyed a Valentine’s Day themed night at the annual Chocolate Lover’s Affair at the Stephen’s Performing Arts Center at ISU, where guests enjoy a variety of sweet treats provided by local bakeries in support of the Pocatello Rotary Club.

The event is a favorite amongst the Pocatello community. Guests enjoy sampling the vendors’ baked goods, which range from handcrafted chocolates, to cheesecakes, caramel apples, hot chocolate, banana breads and even crepes.

Camille’s Crepes, a beloved food truck and crepe business in the community, made red velvet crepes on site tonight so that guests could watch the cooks in action. One vendor, CreeAnna’s LLC, told us they’ve been to the Chocolate Lover’s Affair before and felt the effects.

“Especially around the holidays, I’ve had customers come in and tell me they’ve found us from the Chocolate Lover’s Affair,” said Tiphanie, owner of CreeAnna’s LLC. “It makes me feel good and I love it because it makes it feel like this is worth it.”

Live jazz music was performed throughout the evening by students of Idaho State University. There was also a silent auction for guests to bid on items like a free trip for two, paintings, handmade crafts, a photography session and more.

The event serves as a fundraiser for the Pocatello Rotary Club, and wouldn’t be possible without the sponsors of the event like title sponsor Cole Cheverolet. They’ve been sponsoring the Chocolate Lover’s Affair for the past five years.

“It’s a great organization, the Rotary Club of Pocatello,” said Ryan Cole, General Manager of Cole Cheverolet. “They do a lot for our community and I’m really excited and happy I can help in any way. The best part about this entire event is just experiencing the people come in, eat the chocolates, see all the different vendors that this town has to offer and really kind of open their eyes to what we have here in Pocatello.”

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David Pace

DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) – A wintery “Snowscapes” wonderland will be on full display in downtown Driggs Saturday.

“What better thing to do during cold weather than make snow sculptures?” said Ralph Mossman, one of the original founders of the snow festival, now in its 14th year.

More than 10 huge snow sculptures tower above guests, the compilation of hundreds of hours of work by local artisans and teams hailing from as far away as Michigan and Wisconsin. 

After five days of painstakingly creating intricate, white masterpieces, the completed works will be on public display Saturday during a “Final Frost” festival and celebration.

“We wanted to do a fish – and especially a beta fish – because they’re so beautiful, and they have lovely, flowing fins,” said Jane Lineville, a local snow sculptor on a team from Teton Valley.

“They’ve been sculpting all week,” said Fallon Ryan, Downtown Driggs Association’s development and business engagement manager. “We’ve got five out of ten teams from out of state.”

Tourists are coming from out-of-state to enjoy the festivities.

“Saw these amazing artists setting up all these crazy ice sculptures, and the detail and just the precision that they have to do it is unreal,” said Raul Sanchez, of Jackson, Wyoming, who stopped by Snowscapes after skiing at Grand Targhee.

This year Driggs is hosting the Idaho Snow Sculpting Championship, continuing the competition that was long held in McCall, Idaho.

“Every year it’s gotten bigger and better,” Mossman said. “So whoever wins here gets to go to the Nationals in Wisconsin.”

Families and people of all ages are invited to Saturday’s “The Final Frost” celebration at Driggs Plaza on 60 South Main Street.

You can vote on your favorite snow sculpture for People’s and Kid’s Choice awards from 10 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

You can also watch a quick sculpt competition at 3 P.M. and the final awards ceremony starts at 5 P.M.

Free cookies and warm drinks will be available. Local food trucks will also lunch and dinner.

A local rock band, the Rock Skis, will provide music beginning at 4:30 P.M., and the festival concludes at 7 P.M.

Visitors can view the sculptures all weekend, but don’t wait too long. The sculptures could begin melting away as soon as Wednesday.

“This is an ephemeral art installation. So they have worked so hard to create beautiful masterpieces that will disappear They will melt – so there is a beautiful poetry to that,” said “Lisa Simmons, Downtown Driggs Association Executive Director. “So come soon, come tomorrow, come this weekend. Hopefully they’ll be up next weekend. We’re never sure how long they’ll stay up.”

Magnificent snow sculptures grace Driggs Plaza this week in Driggs, Idaho.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — If you have driven past College of Eastern Idaho lately, it would be hard to miss the construction of the brand new Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech building that is nearing completion. 

“We are very excited that both Frontier Credit Union and Battelle Energy Alliance came together to name this building, and it’s going to house some of our most high-tech programs here on campus,” says CEI President Lori Barber.

The Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech Building now dominates the campus skyline. Introduced last August, Barber says the facility is designed to address a growing demand for skilled workers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields throughout eastern Idaho.

College officials will be given the keys to the building in July, which allows teachers time for a summer move-in before students begin using the classrooms and spaces at the start of the fall 2026 semester.

The facility will serve as the primary home for several of the college’s most advanced technical programs. Its halls will house the cybersecurity, mechatronics, and energy systems engineering transfer programs, alongside specialized spaces for surgical technology.

Beyond its laboratory capabilities, the building is intended to solve space problems for the campus. 

“So we have a really big campus, but it has historically been a commuter campus,” said President Lori Barber. “So we don’t have a lot of spaces for students to gather, study, and collaborate. And so this building is going to be full of those spaces.”

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Just because there’s no snow on the road doesn’t mean that plow operators aren’t on the roadways. Normally, this time of year, Local News 8 warns drivers to be vigilant on icy roads, as snowplow crashes are pretty common.

This year, the Idaho transportation department is taking advantage of the lack of snow. They are working on things like asphalt repair, guardrail repair, and tree removal. ITD is still asking drivers to look out for crews on the roadways.

“So this winter, as you’re driving, I guess just be more cautious of those traffic control devices in places that you might not typically expect to see them for January and February, but at least that means we are getting caught up and making sure that the road is as good as it can be all year long,” said Sky Buffat Public Information Officer for the Idaho Transportation Department.

Just because it has been a mild winter, Buffat says they are prepared for weather changes and will adjust their crew schedule accordingly. 

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Stephanie Lucas

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Supreme Court heard oral arguments today to determine whether Parental Choice Tax Credits, a program that provides public funds to families for non-public education expenses, are constitutional.

Lawyers representing the Idaho Education Association (IEA) and the Moscow School District argue that it drains resources from Idaho’s public school system. On the other side, supporters say the bill simply returns tax dollars to families choosing to use options outside of the system.

In today’s hearing, lawyers for the Idaho Education Association and the Moscow School District asked the Supreme Court to block the credit.

“The clear meaning we believe under the dictates of the constitution is that any time public moneys are being funneled to private enterprise, even if it is an impermissible funding,” argued Marvin M. Smith, attorney for the plaintiff.

The defense maintains that Article One, Section 9 of the Idaho Constitution does not impose a limit on the legislature.

“All the text requires is that the legislature establish and maintain a thorough system of public schools. And nobody here today disputes that it’s done that,” said Deputy Solicitor General Michael Zarian.”That should be the end of the analysis.”

Program Details and Impact

The program, established by House Bill 93, was signed into law by Governor Brad Little on February 27, 2025. According to HB 93’s statement of purpose, the program allows parents and guardians to receive up to 5-thousand dollars per student for “non-public school related expenses and up to 75-hundred for students with disabilities. 

Since taking effect, over 46-hundred families have applied for the tax credit

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