Author: KIFI

Danielle Mullenix

UPDATE:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Hundreds of attendees gathered in the lounge of the Idaho Falls Holiday Inn and & Suites on Wednesday afternoon to hear the first official address of newly appointed Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw. Burtenshaw gave her first outline of what goals, obstacles, and accomplishments lay ahead of her appointment as mayor following the 12-year term of Rebecca Casper.

“No doubt about it, I am excited to do the work,” Mayor Burtenshaw told the assembled crowd.

Among her numerous goals for the incumbent term, Mayor Burtenshaw highlighted improved public safety, building a strong community for the next generation, and improved communication between the City and residents.

Local News 8 has included Mayor Burtenshaw’s full address below.

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw is set to deliver her first State of the City address later today, Wednesday, Jan. 21.

The event is being hosted by the Greater Idaho Falls Association of REALTORS® and will serve as a platform for the Mayor to discuss economic development, infrastructure, and community priorities for the coming year.

Mayor Burtenshaw will begin her remarks at 12 PM. Local News 8 will provide a live stream of Mayor Burtenshaw’s speech above.

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CNN Newsource

By Chris Boyette, CNN

(CNN) — “I’m not just that girl that was kidnapped. That happened to me, but I’m so much more,” Elizabeth Smart told CNN’s Anderson Cooper in 2013.

A new Netflix documentary premiering January 21 has renewed interest in one of the most closely followed kidnapping cases in American history. Smart was 14 when she was kidnapped from her Salt Lake City home in 2002 and rescued nine months later.

Now 38, she has spent more than two decades turning her trauma into action, becoming an outspoken activist for child safety and survivors of sexual abuse.

“Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart” revisits her heartbreaking experience through interviews with Smart, family members and others, featuring never-before-seen material, according to the filmmakers.

In the two decades since her rescue, Smart has built a life centered on family and advocacy. She married Matthew Gilmour, a native of Scotland, in Hawaii in 2012. The couple met while doing missionary work in France and have three children: Chloe, James and Olivia.

Through the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which she founded in 2011, Smart advocates for victim support and abuse prevention. The organization offers empowerment programs like Smart Defense and Smart Talks to educate and support survivors of sexual assault and abduction. She has testified before Congress and played a key role in promoting legislation, including the AMBER Alert and Adam Walsh Act.

Smart launched the Smart Defense initiative after she said she was assaulted on a flight to Utah, expanding her mission to include practical self-defense education. She has authored two books: “My Story” in 2013 and “Where There’s Hope: Healing, Moving Forward and Never Giving Up” in 2018.

Not everyone in her family wanted to revisit the painful past for the documentary. “Some members of my family want to leave things in the past. And personally, that’s OK with me. I want to respect their wishes,” Smart told Netflix. But for her, sharing the story serves a purpose. “As time passed, I began speaking publicly about what happened, I just felt like it needs to serve a purpose. It needs to bring some good in the world,” she says in the documentary.

“I have good days, I have bad days, but I’ve developed a better relationship with myself,” she says in the documentary. “My inner voice has changed from ‘you should have done this,’ or ‘you could have done that,’ to ‘you’ll make it through this. You could finish this. You’re strong. Keep going. You can survive anything that comes your way.’”

The abduction that gripped the nation

On the night of June 5, 2002, Brian David Mitchell dragged 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her bedroom in her family’s Salt Lake City home. Her 9-year-old sister, Mary Katherine Smart, pretended to be asleep as Mitchell threatened her older sister with a knife.

Mitchell brought Elizabeth to a mountainside camp where his wife, Wanda Barzee, was waiting. The sexual abuse began that day and continued throughout her nine months in captivity, Smart said. “I realized that I had something that was worth surviving for,” Smart told documentary makers of her resolve to survive and return to her family.

Authorities launched a nationwide manhunt with thousands of volunteers joining the search. The breakthrough came when Mary Katherine suddenly remembered whose voice she had heard that night — a drifter known as “Immanuel” who had once worked at their home. Police released a sketch that appeared on “America’s Most Wanted.”

On March 12, 2003, Smart was found alive, walking down a street with Mitchell and Barzee in Sandy, Utah, just five miles from her home.

In the years since her rescue, the people at the center of the case have moved forward in different ways.

Mary Katherine Smart

Mary Katherine’s memory proved to be the key to solving the case, though it took months to surface. “I was 9 years old when Elizabeth was taken. I missed not having my sister. She was my best friend,” she says in the documentary.

Four months after the abduction, while flipping through the Guinness World Records, the name suddenly popped into her head. “I knew immediately that’s who was in my bedroom … That’s the man who kidnapped Elizabeth,” she recalls.

Now living a private life, Mary Katherine is a special education teacher who recently earned her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis. She’s working toward becoming a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In a rare 2023 news appearance, she said, “I love working with kids. I love behavior.”

She married John Paul O’Brien in Salt Lake City in 2020, according to a wedding registry website cited by TV Insider.

The abduction remains something she continues to process. “I’m still trying to find my own process of moving forward. Time is a big thing. As time moves on, things get better, and you learn how to cope,” she said while offering advice to families of the University of Idaho students killed in 2022.

Ed and Lois Smart

Throughout their daughter’s nine-month disappearance, Ed and Lois Smart were a constant force, making regular media appearances to keep the search in the headlines. “If you can hear me, Elizabeth is the sweetest girl. She’s an angel,” Ed Smart told reporters in June 2002. “Please let her go.”

After Elizabeth’s rescue, the couple co-authored “Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Legacy of Faith,” released in October 2003. Both became advocates for child safety and survivor support.

Ed served as executive director of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and president of the Surviving Parents Coalition. He currently serves as a director at Youth Futures Utah, a nonprofit providing shelter and support for unhoused youth, and continues making media appearances to support families of abducted children.

Lois Smart worked alongside Ed to advocate for the passage of the National AMBER Alert system. She now works as a public speaker using her platform “to inspire and educate others,” according to her All American Speakers bio. She was among the few family members who declined to participate in the Netflix documentary.

In 2019, Ed Smart announced he is gay, saying it took most of his life to accept his sexual orientation. “I tried to suppress that; it’s not me, not who I am. I tried to put that out,” he told CNN. Ed and Lois divorced in 2019, according to records obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune.

The kidnappers

Elizabeth Smart’s testimony proved crucial to bringing her captors to justice. She testified vividly about her nine months in captivity during Mitchell’s trial in 2009 and 2010, describing the ordeal as “my nine months in hell.”

“I didn’t want to face him, but at the same time, if he was released, he would definitely go after another young girl,” Smart said. “So, when the verdict finally came in as guilty, I mean, it was, it was just like, it is about time. Thank goodness it’s done, and I can leave it in the past.”

Mitchell was found guilty in December 2010 of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity. On May 25, 2011, he was sentenced to life in prison, where he remains today.

Barzee pleaded guilty to kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor and agreed to cooperate against Mitchell. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2010 but was released on September 19, 2018, after her time in federal custody was counted toward her state sentence.

Smart expressed disappointment at Barzee’s release. “It is incomprehensible how someone who has not cooperated with her mental health evaluations or risk assessments and someone who did not show up to her own parole hearing can be released into our community,” she said in a statement.

Barzee was arrested in Salt Lake City last May after visiting two public parks, which she is barred from as a registered sex offender.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Museum of Idaho:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Starting January 31, the Museum of Idaho invites visitors to step far deeper into prehistory with the opening of Life Before Dinosaurs: Meet the Permian Monsters, a fascinating traveling exhibition that explores a largely forgotten chapter of life on Earth.

Long before dinosaurs appeared, the Permian world was ruled by a strange and formidable cast of creatures. Saber-toothed, mammal-like predators stalked the land. Sharks with spiral teeth cruised ancient seas. Giant insects dominated the skies. This exhibition journeys back 290 million years to meet these early “monsters” and uncover how they lived, hunted, and ultimately vanished.

Exhibit images courtesy of Gondwana Studios

The Permian world came to an abrupt and devastating end in what scientists call the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, often referred to as “The Great Dying.” Roughly 90 percent of all species on Earth were wiped out in a geologic instant, likely triggered by extreme global warming caused by massive volcanic eruptions. This catastrophic event cleared the way for the rise of dinosaurs and reshaped the future of life on the planet.

Life Before Dinosaurs: Meet the Permian Monsters brings this dramatic story to life through a powerful blend of science and art. Visitors will encounter fossil casts, full-size reconstructed models, and immersive environments that recreate Permian seas and landscapes. The exhibition also features striking new paleo-art by award-winning artist Julius Csotonyi, offering a vivid window into a world rarely seen.

Hands-on elements make the experience fun and engaging for all ages, including interactive dig pits and interpretive displays that explain not just what these creatures were, but why their disappearance changed the trajectory of life on Earth forever.

The exhibition is produced by Gondwana Studios and includes a variety of resin cast fossil skeletons, scientifically accurate life-size 3-D models, animatronic creatures, large-scale murals, and more.

Museum members will receive the first look during a special Member Preview on Thursday, January 29, from 2 to 6 p.m. Memberships can be joined or renewed now to enjoy unlimited access and exclusive benefits at museumofidaho.org/membership.

Life Before Dinosaurs: Meet the Permian Monsters opens January 31 at the Museum of Idaho. For hours, ticket information, and membership details, visit museumofidaho.org.

Exhibit dates: January 31 – September 6

To schedule a school field trip, click HERE.

For more information, visit museumofidaho.org/beforedinos

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Angelina Quilimaco became completely blind as an infant and can only sense slight shadows. That reality makes everyday tasks more complicated — especially something like crossing a busy road.

For Quilimaco, crossing Highway 91 wasn’t just intimidating; it was dangerous.

Asking for Safer Crossings

Quilimaco often needed to cross the highway near her home. Her friend April Mills, who works with the Commission for the Blind, encouraged her to reach out to the city and ask for help.

Mills recommended requesting HAWK signals — adaptive crosswalk signals that use audio cues to let pedestrians know when it’s safe to cross, helping people navigate intersections more safely.

Two Years of Work Pay Off

After two years of patience and persistence, the signals are now up and running, thanks in part to Scott Murphy, Blackfoot’s Street and Sanitation Superintendent.

“It’s nice to do something to help people. I mean, other than potholes and regular maintenance, it’s nice to get a positive thing going,” says Murphy.

Gratitude for a Hometown Helper

Quilimaco was excited to finally meet the man who helped make her request a reality.

“It means the world to me. I was going to make them cookies, but I ran out of time, and so I just made them all thank you cards,” she said.

A Moment Years in the Making

Mills, who has worked with Quilimaco for more than a decade, says this moment reflects years of determination.

“It’s been a long need, but Angelina just had the courage to be vulnerable and ask for help. And then she had the tenacity to follow through,” Mills said.

Benefits for the Entire Community

According to Mills, this particular crossing is also heavily used by students walking to school. That means the improvements will benefit people of all ages for years to come — not just those who are blind, but also older adults, children, and anyone navigating the busy roadway.

Encouraging Others to Speak Up

When asked what advice she would give to others hoping to create positive change, Quilimaco keeps it simple.

“I would tell them keep pushing until it happened, because it will. If you advocate for yourself enough and you speak out and say what you need.”

One Request, Lasting Impact

Quilimaco’s request didn’t stop at just one intersection. As Blackfoot began installing HAWK signals, the Idaho Transportation Department decided they’d also add two more — turning one voice into four safer crossings.

Those signals are now active at Meridian and Bergner, as well as Parkway and Bergner — proof that when someone speaks up, the impact can reach far beyond a single crosswalk.

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David Pace

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Idaho’s new Parental Choice Tax Credits goes before the Idaho Supreme Court on Friday.

The credits provide reimbursement for up to $5,000 per child each year for educational expenses or $7,500 per child with special needs.

The new $50 million program passed the Legislature in February 2025, and was signed by Gov. Brad Little in the face of significant resistance.

In the case, the Idaho Education Association, Moscow School District #281 and other groups cite Article IX of the Idaho Constitution. They argue that the tax credits are unconstitutional because “the Legislature has acted outside the bounds of its authority by subsidizing private schools within the state of Idaho.”

“The state constitution, it talks about for the betterment of the electorate that we have to have free, uniform, thorough, common, public schools, right?” said Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen, R-Idaho Falls, who is a plaintiff in the case. “…This really is what this cases hinges upon is the intent of the framers of our state Constitution. Was it their desire to not send public tax dollars to private schools?”

But the Mountain States Policy Center, which advocated for the tax credits, says state programs, such as Idaho Launch, already send state funds to private and religious institutions in the state.

“I think one of the most dangerous parts of this case is the arguments that the petitioners are using vis à vis the state’s tax system and what the tax system allows for and what it doesn’t allow for,” said Chris Cargill, Mountain States Policy Center President & CEO. “They’re basically saying that because parents have the ability to use these dollars in ways that they don’t like that somehow that means that the program itself is unconstitutional.”

The Mountain States Policy Center reports that 64 percent of Idahoans support the tax credits, according to multiple of its polls.

However, during the last session, the Governor’s office reported receiving nearly 37,500 calls and email messages about the measure, with 86 percent of those expressing disapproval.

A decision from Idaho’s highest court is expected by the end of the Legislative session.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO (KIFI) — Idaho drivers are enjoying a rare break at the pump this January, with gas prices sitting below the national average and about 25 cents cheaper than this time last year.

Nationally, the average price of gasoline is about 30 cents lower than a year ago. While Idaho typically ranks in the top 10 for the most expensive fuel in the nation, it is currently ranked 23rd.

“January is going to be your cheapest price,” said Matthew Conde, public and government affairs director for AAA Idaho. “We’re enjoying the savings, where it is unusual that we’re cheaper than the national average.”

The savings may not last long. Crude oil, which makes up about half the cost of a gallon of gas, remains the key factor to watch during geopolitical uncertainty.

“One of the big things you have to keep your eye on is crude oil,” Conde said, pointing to tensions involving Iran and Venezuela. “If the market becomes nervous, then the prices tend to go up for oil. And if that happens, then it’ll take those gas prices with it.”

Even if prices rise into spring and summer, starting from a lower “bar” in January could mean drivers still pay less than they did last year.

According to Conde, that could help fuel more road trips following record-breaking holiday travel last year, when about 90% of trips were by car. For those making “save more” a New Year’s resolution, experts say now is the time to maximize discounts.

“I recommend taking full advantage of those fuel rewards points,” Conde said. “The credit card companies and grocery stores want your business. I have a close friend who buys gift cards at the grocery store to accomplish two things: she uses them for restaurants she was going to visit anyway, but she also gets grocery credit for those purchases. It’s a double dip that can max out fuel rewards, saving an additional 30 to 50 cents per gallon.”

As for where to find the cheapest gas, the answer depends on the market. Some large retailers sell fuel at or near cost to draw shoppers inside, but prices can vary widely by location.

“Most people have their favorite spot,” Conde said, noting that drivers are unlikely to travel 15 miles out of their way just to save a few cents per gallon.

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News Release

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

POCATELLO, Idaho — Starting today, January 20, the City of Pocatello is inviting community members to provide feedback on proposed landscape redesign options for city entryways and roadways throughout the city.

The City’s Planning & Development Services Department, in consultation with The Land Group, is seeking input on designs intended to improve the appearance of key corridors while reducing water use and wildfire risk through waterwise and firewise landscaping practices. The public comment period will remain open through January 30.

“This feedback will help guide future beautification efforts for our city’s roadways and entryways,” said Jim Anglesey, Pocatello’s Long-Range Senior Planner. “The goal is to enhance the City’s appearance while selecting landscaping better suited to our semi-arid environment. These designs will be used as funding becomes available to support landscape and irrigation improvements at various locations across the city.”

Community members can view proposed locations and design concepts and submit feedback online at: pocatello.seamlessdocs.com/f/PDSlandscapeconcepts

This project supports multiple goals identified in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. More information about Comprehensive Plan 2040 is available at: pocatello.gov/DocumentCenter/View/318/Comprehensive-Plan-2040-PDF

The project was made possible through a Western State Fire Manager’s Grant administered by the Idaho Department of Lands. The grant-funded effort focuses on reducing fuels along roadways and interstates by redesigning adjacent landscaping to better align with local environmental conditions. The proposed designs will be implemented as funding becomes available to support landscape and irrigation improvements at various locations throughout the city.

For more information about the project, please contact Jim Anglesey at 208-234-6514 or janglesey@pocatello.gov.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Nicholas Umphenour, the man accused of engaging in a deadly hospital ambush to free a white supremacist inmate, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty.

Court documents filed on January 13, 2026, reveal that Umphenour, 30, will enter an Alford plea for the killings of 83-year-old James Mauney and 72-year-old Gerald “Don” Henderson. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution has enough evidence to secure a conviction.

Under the terms of the deal with Nez Perce and Clearwater county prosecutors, Umphenour will waive his right to a preliminary hearing and a jury trial. In exchange, the state will not seek the death penalty, and Umphenour serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

This move comes only weeks after his co-conspirator, Skylar Meade, entered a similar plea. While a hearing for Umphenour has not yet been set, Meade is scheduled for sentencing at the Nez Perce County Courthouse on January 27, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

Background

The charges stem from Meade’s violent breakout on March 20, 2024, at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. While being held by the Idaho Department of Corrections on another conviction, Meade broke out of custody during a visit to the Boise area hospital. During the escape, Uphernour shot two IDOC guards who were monitoring Meade at the time.

While on the run, Idaho State Police say the pair stole 83-year-old James Mauney’s Chrysler Pacifica. Mauney’s body was discovered near Leland.

Investigators later found Gerald “Don” Henderson dead at his remote home outside Orofino. Umphenour had briefly lived with Henderson over a decade before, according to reports by KTVB. Police recovered Mauney’s dogs and Meade’s discarded shackles at Henderson’s home, eventually leading to the duo’s capture following a multi-state manhunt.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) –  The city of Rexburg is excited to welcome a new attraction to town. They are introducing a new ice skating rink for hockey, figure skating, and recreational skating.  

“We are always, you know, just wanting more things to do in the wintertime. And so this is one more event. And like this winter, it’s been tough to get out and do cross-country skiing or skating because of the weather,” said Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill. “And this being an indoor facility, it’s all climate-controlled. And so you go in there, and the ice is beautiful and perfect, and people are having a great time.”

A private individual built the ice rink on city land at Riverside Park. He had an agreement with Rexburg that they could operate the facility for up to 25 years or donate it. That person chose to donate it in less than 2 years to the city.  

“I can just tell you, I’ve been here 20 years and saving for these types of capital facilities, especially for recreation, is almost impossible,” said Matt Nielson, CFO for the city of Rexburg. “To be quite frank, it’s an amazing donation to think that somebody privately built this facility and donated it to the Rexburg. You know, really, to the residents of Rexburg to be able to continue to use it for many years to come.”

The mayor says a grand opening is planned for sometime in February. 

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Due to an unseasonal and total lack of snow, the City of Rexburg’s Winterfest 2026 has put on permanent ice. The Rexburg Parks and Recreation Department confirmed the cancellation on Facebook.

City leadership had initially put celebration on ice, postponing the event until January 24, in hopes of a late-season storm, but with no significant snowfall in the forecast, the city chose to call off the festivities entirely.

Winterfest typically serves as a highlight of the Rexburg winter season, usually held in January or February, featuring traditions like the Cupid Cup cross-country ski race and a polar plunge.

“Without winter conditions, Winterfest won’t take place this year, but we already have some big plans in mind for our 2027 event,” the city stated in their Facebook post. “Thanks for understanding, and we’ll see you next year… when winter will hopefully decide to show up.”

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