Author: KIFI

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO/WYOMING (KIFI) — An Idaho semi-truck driver is facing DUI charges after an early morning crash in central Wyoming that severely injured his female passenger. The truck, which was hauling potatoes, reportedly crossed the median of I-80 near Elk Mountain and crashed into the Medicine Bow River.

The driver, identified as Matthew Berggren, 40, of Idaho, was arrested by the Wyoming Highway Patrol for DUI. Following an initial hearing, Berggren was released on bond.

According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the crash happened along milepost 228 of I-80, just outside of Elk Mountain. The preliminary investigation suggests the eastbound semi-truck veered off the road, crossed the median, and plunged into the river, spilling hundreds of Idaho potatoes into the river and ditch beneath the roadway.

The female passenger in the truck sustained injuries in the crash and was airlifted to a medical facility in Colorado. No further details on her condition have been released.

The truck and trailer were later recovered from the Medicine Bow River. The EPA also assessed and cleared the scene following the truck’s removal.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol took the opportunity to issue a safety reminder: “Let’s make sure we all get to our destinations safely, make smart decisions before getting behind the wheel. Don’t Risk It, Drive Sober!”

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Ahead of local elections on November 4th, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane is encouraging all Idaho residents to finalize their plans to vote. With important deadlines fast approaching, he’s reminding residents they have until 5 PM tomorrow to pre-register to vote and request an absentee ballot.

Secretary McGrane stresses that pre-registering is the simplest path to a smooth Election Day experience. “Pre-registering at VoteIdaho.gov is quick and straightforward, and it’s the best way to ensure you’re prepared,” he noted in a press release. “For those voting absentee, this Friday is especially important, as it’s also the deadline to request your ballot.”

For those who miss tomorrow’s pre-registration deadline, you can still register and vote in person both at early voting locations and on election day.

To register, voters must bring an accepted form of photo ID and proof of residence. For most residents, a current Idaho driver’s license will be enough. Voters can check VoteIdaho.gov for specific early voting sites in their county.

The Secretary of State also reminds Idahoans that local taxing districts have varied election schedules and boundaries, meaning not every resident will have a contest on their ballot. Before heading out to the polls, McGrane urges voters to visit VoteIdaho.gov to check their sample ballot.

“VoteIdaho.gov is your trusted resource to get the information you need and to make your voice heard in your community,” said Secretary McGrane.

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Seth Ratliff

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI) — A large cow moose that took an unexpected detour into a Chubbuck neighborhood was safely captured and relocated Wednesday morning thanks to a joint effort by Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) and City of Chubbuck Animal Control.

Wednesday morning, the massive animal wandered into the backyard of a home on Whitaker Road, in a suburban area of Chubbuck. Fish and Game staff were able to successfully tranquilize the moose at the home. Once sedated, the cow was carefully loaded and transported to a more suitable, remote habitat, far from homes and traffic.

Idaho Fish and Game staff Erik Bartholomew (standing over tranquilized moose) and Houston Kimes (foreground) were two of the responders helping to relocate a moose from a Chubbuck neighborhood on Oct. 22.

This incident highlights the potential danger when large wildlife strays into populated areas. IDFG warns that despite their seemingly awkward appearance, moose are powerful, quick, and known to charge people or pets, particularly when they feel threatened.

“If you encounter a moose on the trail or in your neighborhood, remember to give them plenty of space—never approach moose, and keep your pets from doing the same,” advises IDFG.

This is the second such relocation in southeast Idaho in less than two weeks, following an incident where another moose was removed from a Blackfoot neighborhood on October 10.

Regional Wildlife Manager Zach Lockyer of the Southeast Region Fish and Game explained the decision-making process: “Sometimes when moose find their way into developed areas, we can wait it out and see if the animal moves back to where it came from, away from people. However, when moose are in the heart of neighborhoods or commercial areas near busy roads, it is sometimes necessary to relocate the animal in the interest of both public and wildlife safety.”

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News Release

The following is a news release from Idaho Fish and Game:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Idaho Fish and Game has issued a salvage order for irrigation canals within the Upper Snake and Southeast Regions, effective Oct. 31, 2025, through Nov. 30, 2025.

Local canals in the Upper Snake and Southeast Regions will be shut off as irrigation season ends for the year, and it is expected that many fish will be stranded as canals go dry.  Rather than letting them go to waste, Idaho Fish and Game has issued a salvage order effective Oct. 31 – Nov. 30, 2025, and encourages the public to salvage and utilize these fish during this timeline.

Canals from the Upper Snake Region included in the salvage order are:

Anderson, Burgess, Butte and Market Lake, Chester, Clark and Edwards, Consolidated Farmers, Crosscut, Danskin, Dry Bed, Eagle Rock, East LaBelle, Egin, Fall River, Farmer’s Friend, Harrison, Idaho, Independent, Island, Marysville, Osgood, Palisades, Parks and Lewisville, Porter, Reid, Rexburg Irrigation, Rigby, Rudy, Salem Union, St. Anthony, St. Anthony Union, Teton Island Feeder, Teton Irrigation, West LaBelle, Wilford, and Woodville canals.

In the Southeast Region, the salvage order includes the canals and laterals of:

Aberdeen Springfield, Blackfoot, Cedar Point, Corbett Slough, Great Western, Highline, Lavaside, Low Line, New Lavaside and People, Peoples, Reservation, and Snake River Valley canals.

During the salvage order period for the previously mentioned canals:

All bag, possession, and size limits are suspended.

A valid Idaho fishing license is still required.

Fish may be taken by any method except firearms, explosives, chemicals, or electrical current.

Sturgeon may NOT be retained, must be immediately released alive, and must be reported to the Upper Snake Regional Office by calling (208) 525-7290.

No live fish may be transported from the place of capture.

Anglers are reminded that some segments of these canals are on private property and permission must be obtained from the landowner prior to fishing in those areas.

For more information about this salvage order, contact the Southeast Region Fish and Game office in Pocatello at 208-232-4703 or the Upper Snake Region Fish and Game office at 208-525-7290.

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — The Rexburg Police Department is asking the community for help in identifying a person of interest believed to be responsible for a month-long spree of vandalism and graffiti in the downtown area.

Since September 14th, the unidentified individual has “tagged” an estimated 35 local businesses, causing property damage and frustration for owners.

The Rexburg PD has released multiple surveillance images showing the suspect. Though the individual’s face is often obscured by a face mask and sunglasses, the photos appear to show a white male wearing Nike high-top sneakers, dark clothing, including various hoodies, and sunglasses.

Police are urging anyone with information that could help identify the person of interest to contact Officer Hansen or Detective Wheeler at the Rexburg Police Department (208) 359-3000.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — College of Eastern Idaho’s Dr. Jill Kirkham is getting statewide recognition for her work in the classroom.

Earlier this week, Dr. Kirkham received the Innovative Educator Award in the Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing category at the 2025 Idaho General Education Summit. This is the second year in a row that a CEI instructor has earned the award.

“We are so excited to be able to celebrate Dr. Kirkham’s contributions to CEI, especially her innovation that inspires her students to think deeply, at the state level,” said Dr. Dana Cotton, Chair for the Associate of Arts Degree.

Dr. Kirkham teaches Social Science and Humanities at CEI and is known for making learning hands-on and accessible — even writing her own course materials so students don’t have to pay extra. CEI leaders say her creative teaching style continues to inspire students and other educators across Idaho.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls community is mourning the passing of longtime civic leader Carrie Getty Scheid, who died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. Scheid, widely known for dedicating over three decades to the region, leaves behind an immense legacy across the arts, philanthropy, and animal welfare. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Scheid.

Earlier this year, Scheid was honored with a Mayor’s Choice Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the city of Idaho Falls.

“For more than 30 years, Carrie has helped shape Idaho Falls into the vibrant, compassionate, and creative community we know and love today,” said Mayor Casper. “From the arts and animal welfare to civic engagement and philanthropy, her impact is immeasurable. It’s a true privilege to celebrate her legacy.”

As the former executive director of the Idaho Falls Arts Council, Scheid was a driving force behind the revitalization of downtown Idaho Falls. Scheid played a key role in the $4.5 million restoration of the Colonial Theater and was instrumental in developing the Willard Arts Center.

Beyond her contributions to the Arts, Scheid also helped launch Idaho Gives, one of the state’s most successful nonprofit fundraising initiatives, co-founded the Snake River Animal Shelter, and served on several nonprofit boards throughout the region.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

SHELLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — As of 11:40 AM, power has been restored after multiple outages were reported in the Shelley area. For updates, click HERE.

ORIGINAL:

SHELLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — More than a thousand Rocky Mountain Power customers south of Idaho Falls are currently without electricity due to multiple outages reported in the Shelley area.

The power loss was called in around 10:40 AM and is impacting approximately 1,081 residents between Shelley and Mitchell. The cause of the outage has not been released at this time.

Rocky Mountain Power says its crews have arrived on the scene to assess and repair the damage. They anticipate power will be restored by 3:00 PM this afternoon. For updates, click HERE.

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, Idaho (KIFI) — In a tradition spanning more than a decade, the award-winning original production Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera is returning to Idaho Falls on October 27th for its annual Halloween performance at the Colonial Theatre.

The cast will feature Sheldon Bladh as Florence, Mike Dunn as Friedrich, Chase McKnight as Old Bones, and add a new performer and BYU student, Aspen Palmer, as Constance. In addition to playing Old Bones, Chase McKnight also continues to co-direct with Liz Whittaker. 

Longtime fans of Deep Love know that the production is closer to a rock concert than a musical performance, with audience members encouraged to clap, sing along, dance, and cheer. Audience members also attend in their best funeral attire, ranging from simple black clothing to full skeleton makeup. As a gothic ghost story told through rock and roll, the show has become a Halloween tradition for hundreds of fans. 

Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera is a show without dialogue—a modern take on the opera—where the characters tell the story entirely through the veil of a rock & roll concert. In the tradition of The Who’s Tommy and Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, Deep Love tells the story of a widowed Constance and the tragedy that threatens when her former love arises from the dead to demand her loyalty. Will she and her new beau, Friedrich, survive the jealousy of their former loves, the violent Florence, and the vengeful Old Bones? Or will they fall prey to the darkness that haunts them?

Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera is the collaboration of BYU-Idaho alumni Ryan Hayes and Garrett Sherwood. From the first performance in 2010 in Rexburg, Idaho, the audience for Deep Love has grown from the two-dozen attendees in a living room, to thousands of devoted fans across the country.

In 2015, Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera was selected as a featured production in the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), following which it was invited to be workshopped at the Johnny Mercer Writers’ Colony at the Goodspeed Theatre.

This is also the first time the show is being produced under their newly formed 501c3 organization, officially named Fairest of Friends (after one of the songs in the show). This means that any donations or sponsorships are now fully tax-deductible (for more information, click here).

Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera has been called “a polished show with pop ambitions” by The New York Times; “A credible sounding rock amalgam of the likes of Queen, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith” by Theater Scene; “Fabulously ghoulish!” by Backstage.com; and “[a] unique blend of musical styles, engaging story, and a captivating, immersive production” by SLC Weekly. 

Audience members who love rock music and gothic tales, as well as those looking for a fun event to attend this Halloween season, must purchase tickets before this show returns to its crypt. To access online ticket sales before the event, click here.

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News Team

EDITORS’ NOTE: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that several City Council candidates chose not to attend a candidate forum. We have learned that these candidates were participating in a separate forum at The Celt, hosted by KID Newsradio.

We value accuracy and are grateful to the community members and candidates who brought this information to our attention.

UPDATED — October 23, 2025, 10:40 AM

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Candidates vying for seats on the Idaho Falls City Council split their focus Tuesday night, attending multiple public forums in an effort to connect with voters ahead of the November election.

In a forum hosted by Stand Up for Idaho, the sole City Council candidate in attendance, Jared Dominick, spoke candidly about Idaho Falls’ development trends.

“I’m just talking city only,” Dominick said. “You know what’s going on outside the city is different, but it is not an explosive population growth in Idaho Falls. But what is really growing is the explosion of apartment buildings.”

He attributed the surge to the city’s comprehensive plan, known as “Imagine IF,” which is being implemented by the current city council and mayor.

Candidates Convene at The Celt Pub

Meanwhile, 10 City Council hopefuls, including Mosy Moran, Teresa Dominick, Brandon Lee, etc., focused their efforts on a separate forum. This event was hosted by KID Newsradio and took place at the Celt Pub.

“Events like this highlight the growing enthusiasm for open, community-based dialogue in our city,” candidate for City Council Seat 2 Mosy Moran said in a message to Local News 8.

In a statement to Doug Toomer of Stand Up for Idaho, Lee explained why he chose to attend the other forum, stating, “I attended the [Stand Up for Idaho] mayoral forum and just felt that that type of environment was not what a local, nonpartisan event should be like.”

Local News 8 is reaching out to the candidates who participated in the Celt forum and will update this article with details of their discussions and platforms as soon as that information becomes available.

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