Author: KIFI

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – One of the most impactful U.S. energy initiatives in decades, a federal proposal to construct a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, received an application from Idaho on March 31.

“Nuclear power presents an opportunity for Idaho families to continue receiving affordable, clean energy far into the future, and I support the growth of Idaho’s nuclear industry,” Governor Little said. “I hope the Department of Energy will recognize Idaho’s historic nuclear leadership and its strong candidacy for this initiative.”

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke and state Senator Dave Lent, (R)-Idaho Falls, and a Trump administration official have spent the last two days touring Idaho National Laboratory, meeting with venture-capitalist investors and hearing from experts about the laboratory’s capabilities.

“I feel strongly this is our game to win,” Lent said. “If we can stand up a strong response back and willingness to step up, this is really a chance for us again to lead – be the national leader in nuclear for the next 50 to 60 years.”

You can watch our full interview on the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus with state Senator Dave Lent below.

Lent is one of two Idaho legislators serving on the newly-created Idaho Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force.

The 20-person task force is led by Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke and Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner.

The Department of Energy solicited Requests For Information (RFIs) for the Nuclear Innovation Campus in January.

“Securing this designation would bolster Idaho’s economy, expand access to reliable baseload power, and position the state at the forefront of next-generation nuclear technologies,” according to a release from the Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources.

The state faces competition from Utah, Texas, and other states vying for the same designation, Lent said.

The DOE’s original proposal asks for states interested in hosting “integrated, full‑cycle nuclear ecosystems that could colocate and support the entire nuclear value chain while exploring durable pathways for managing used nuclear materials in a safe, secure, and fiscally responsible manner.”

“These campuses must support functions such as fuel fabrication, enrichment, reprocessing used nuclear fuel, and disposition of waste, and could additionally support functions such as advanced reactor deployment, power generation, advanced manufacturing, and co‑located data centers,” the request continues.

The Idaho National Laboratory already features much of the infrastructure and programs required to implement a national Nuclear Innovation Campus, Lent explained.

“At the INL, we already do most of this stuff already and have for many years and have developed many of the technologies that are used throughout the world,” he said.

Currently, Idaho National Laboratory employs 9,000 to 10,000 individuals, he said, in addition to the secondary work its activities generate throughout the region and state.

“There’s a potential there to come close to doubling that workforce – if some of this work were to come through as it’s being described by the Department of Energy,” Lent said.

Eastern Idaho is uniquely situated to launch the next renaissance in advanced nuclear technology.

“Idaho is prepared to continue our tradition of nuclear excellence and build on the foundation that has already made our state great,” Little said.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

The memorial and plaque dedication honoring William “Bill” F. Bacon on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., has been moved to the Racehorse Room at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel to better accommodate attendees. All other details will remain the same.

ORIGINAL:

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) — The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes will gather this Friday to pay tribute to the life and enduring impact of William “Bill” F. Bacon, a longtime Tribal Judge and General Counsel described as a “tireless advocate” for Indigenous rights.

Judge Bacon passed away on March 26 following a tragic car accident along I-15 near Pocatello. In the weeks since, Tribal leadership and community members have continued to reflect on a career defined by “dedicated service, steady leadership, and meaningful contributions to the Tribes and the community.”

RELATED: “Tireless advocate” for Shoshone-Bannock Tribes identified as victim in fatal I-15 semi-truck crash

Memorial Service Details

Tribal leadership has organized a formal memorial and plaque dedication ceremony to ensure Bacon’s contributions are permanently recognized. According to a Shosone-Bannock Tribes Facebook post, the open-house-style event will be held indoors at the Tribal Business Center Council Chambers on Friday, April 17, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

“The memorial will bring together Tribal leadership, family, friends, and community members to reflect on his life and lasting impact,” states the post.

The program will include an opening prayer, reflections, recognition of Bacon’s family, an honor song, and the plaque dedication. Light refreshments will follow the ceremony.

Because seating within the Council Chambers is limited the event will be held in an open house format, and attendees are welcome to come and go throughout the program. For more information, click HERE.

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Par Kermani

POCATELLO, IDAHO (KIFI) — When someone in Bannock County dials 911, the first person they talk to isn’t a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic. It’s a dispatcher like April Neal, who has spent nearly a decade on the other end of the line.

Neal, a 911 dispatcher for the Pocatello Police Department, says one of the biggest misconceptions about her job is that dispatchers are “just secretaries.”

“A lot of people think that we’re just secretaries, but we multitask constantly,” Neal said. “We are taking calls. We are dispatching out medical for the entire county of Bannock County, and we also dispatch police for the city of Pocatello. We are constantly doing something and entering paperwork into the NCIC database.”

Neal has been a dispatcher for 10 years. She works 12-hour day shifts, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., helping manage everything from life‑threatening emergencies to parking problems and utility questions.

“We deal with everything under the sun,” Neal said.

On a typical weekday, Neal estimates she and her fellow dispatchers handle around 100 calls each.

Not every call is a true emergency. Some are transfers to records or detectives. Others are for city services, like paying a utility bill. But all of them must be answered and routed correctly, while genuine emergencies are entered into the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and prioritized in real time.

The center is staffed with a minimum of three dispatchers per shift — one for police, one for 911/medical, and one for the non-emergency line. That’s the minimum, Neal says, not necessarily the ideal.

“We definitely need more dispatchers,” she said. “If a big incident occurs, then it’s really difficult when there are only two call takers on the floor. The more dispatchers, the easier the incident can complete itself.”

During fire season, dispatchers often receive a flood of calls about the same incident.

“We’ll answer the phone, ‘911, are you calling about the West Bench fire?’” she said. “If they don’t have any new information and nobody is hurt, we tell them we have help on the way and move to the next call so we can get to someone who might be in dire straits.”

Neal says dispatchers are frequently exposed to callers’ worst moments, and that can take a toll.

She keeps the details of the most traumatic calls private out of concern for victims and their families, but says some still stay with her.

To cope, Neal focuses on separating work from home.

“One of the things I do is I go home, and I go for a walk if it’s been an extremely stressful day,” Neal said. “I have other outside activities that I do, I still pitch softballs, or I officiate volleyball. It’s separate from what I do day in and day out, to help realize that there are good people, there are good things out in the world.”

Becoming a dispatcher in Pocatello is not a simple process. Neal says training takes about 27 weeks, depending on how quickly a trainee progresses.

“Roughly, it can you can go quicker or longer, just depends on how you are accelerating with the program.” Neal said, “So we are trained with the computer system, with paperwork, and then we’re trained in call taking EMD, which is emergency medical dispatch, which we are the only Police Department in Idaho that is certified. And then we’re trained in the police. Police is the hardest discipline, because, obviously, officers are officer safety is the biggest issue, and making sure that they’re safe and knowing where their locations are and making sure we check on them constantly and do whatever quests they they need us to do to complete the investigation.

“We have to ask certain questions, and it depends on what the chief complaint is,” Neal said. “We ask those specific questions to make sure we get the correct amount of units to the person in trouble.”

Often, Neal never meets the people whose lives she may have helped save, but she hears about outcomes through officers and paramedics.

“I do hear feedback … that we saved them or they were able to be transported to the hospital where they received the help they needed and survived their injuries,” she said. “That’s what keeps me coming back to the job. I love helping people.”

From Neal’s perspective, the most important thing people can know before they dial 911 is their location.

“That is the first and foremost question that a dispatcher will ask you,” Neal said. “Just answer the questions that the dispatcher asks you directly. We are getting help there. It’s not delaying.”

Neal says she tries to treat every caller as if she were speaking to a friend or a family member.

“That gives me the drive to come to my job every single day,” she said. “I just want to make sure that I get help to the public the best that I can, and to make sure all my officers go home.”

As communities across the nation mark National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Neal wants people to remember the unseen voices who answer the phone when someone dials 911.

“Dispatchers, any emergency telecommunication officers, they are the first responders, and they do not get enough credit,” Neal said. “If anybody’s looking for a career and likes to help serve their community, help people, then a 911 dispatcher is a good career for someone to apply for.”

She also had a message for her colleagues across Idaho and the country.

“I just want to say thank you to all the 911 dispatchers out there,” Neal said. “The police department and every agency couldn’t do what they do without serving the public the way that dispatchers do. They’re amazing.”

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Seth Ratliff

MINIDOKA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A late morning semi-truck crash in Heyburn snarled I-84 traffic near Heyburn on Tuesday.

According to the Idaho State Police, the crash took place at 11:59 a.m. near mile marker 211. A 33-year-old man was driving eastbound in a 1995 Freightliner when he hit a concrete barrier blocking the eastbound lane of travel.

Fortunately, police say the driver was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured. Construction crews made an emergency lane on the right shoulder to move traffic through the area.

As of 5 p.m., ISP says the lanes are still blocked.

ISP were assisted at the scene by the Idaho Department of Transportation, the Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, and the Heyburn Fire Department. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – The Reproductive Freedom & Privacy Act is 1,000 signatures away from being added to the ballots this November.

The initiative, spearheaded by the coalition Idahoans United for Women & Families, seeks to restore reproductive healthcare access by introducing specific protections into the state constitution.

What the Act Proposes

If passed, the initiative would create a legal right in Idaho for individuals to make their own reproductive health decisions, including abortion, without excessive government interference.

According to Idahoans United for Women & Families, the right to abortion access means one could obtain an abortion before fetal viability (the stage when a fetus could survive outside the womb). There would also be some post-viability exceptions to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.

Privacy protections would keep information about these decisions on reproductive care between patients and their healthcare providers.

“They can plan their lives, their health, their future, their finances. Without government at the table. And that is a quite essential Idaho value,” Melanie Folwell, the executive director of Idahoans United for Women and Families, stated, “When it comes to the hard decisions, those belong to you, not the government. You call the shots in your family, not the government.”

“Idaho is a Pro-Life State”: The Opposition

The initiative faces stiff resistance from conservative advocacy groups who argue the measure againts Idaho’s values as a traditionally “pro-life” state. Critics argue the Act would dismantle existing Idaho laws that strictly limit abortion.

“The radical ballot initiative would turn back all of the pro-life victories that Idaho has achieved in recent years that provide so many protections for babies and for mothers,” Blaine Conzatti, president of Idaho Family Policy Center, stated. “Idaho is a pro-life state.”

The Final Push

With the deadline looming, Idahoans United will host signing blitz events across the state tomorrow, April 15. The events will target key districts where additional signatures are needed.

If the final 1000 signatures come through, ultimately, the fate of the Act rests with the voters. A copy of the language of the initiative has been included below.

RFPADownload

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Following the second-warmest winter in Idaho’s recorded history, Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) Director Mathew Weaver has issued an emergency drought declaration for all 44 counties. Governor Brad Little approved the order on Monday, April 13, effective immediately.

Courtesy: IDWR

The declaration comes on the heels of an almost “non-existent” winter. According to IDWR, as of April 1, nearly 100 measurement sites across the Snake River Basin reported record-low Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) values. The state also had a record-low snowpack, peaking at only 68% of normal snowpack in March, 25% of which has already melted.

Courtesy: IDWR

RELATED: Long-term drought concerns after latest snowpack update

Under Idaho law, water rights are very rigid, dictating exactly where and how water can be used. This emergency declaration “unlocks” those rules, authorizing IDWR to consider applications for temporary changes in existing water rights for the remainder of the year.

This allows farmers to:

Shift the point of diversion (where water is pulled from).

Change the place of use (moving water to higher-priority crops).

Modify the purpose of use.

IDWR says the declaration provides a “powerful tool for agricultural water users to cope with drought.”

Beyond added emergency flexibility, the declaration may also help Idaho farmers qualify for emergency federal drought assistance. The Governor’s signature acts as a formal “proof of disaster,” a prerequisite for farmers to qualify.

Water users interested in filing for a temporary change must follow IDWR guidelines. For more information, click HERE.

20260413-OrderDeclaringDroughtEmergency-StatewideDeclarationDownload

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KIVI Staff

By: Don Nelson

Originally Posted: 5:39 PM, Apr 13, 2026

BOISE, Idaho — The 2026 legislative session has come to an end, with Idaho lawmakers returning to their homes across the state.

Senior Reporter Don Nelson spoke with Republican Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle and Democrat Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow to hear their assessments of lawmakers’ efforts over the last couple of months.

Their assessments paint very different pictures.

Nelson asked Moyle and Wintrow to describe the work of the 2026 session in one sentence. Moyle answered, “Yeah, most of it got done, the overwhelmingly majority of it.”

However, Wintrow disagreed, saying that she would give the session a grade of “F plus”.

Much of the legislature’s focus in 2026 centered on budget cuts to state agencies and their impacts.

The House Speaker said this year’s session helped to establish tax relief for Idahoans and budget efficiency.

RELATED | Idaho enacts major spending cuts as governor signs $193M budget reduction bill

“The budgets are basically as flat as they can be,” Moyle said, “We did take care of prisons and all the places that we were short of money, so no it worked out good.”

Wintrow was not impressed with the Speaker’s assessment and responded, “The Speaker talked about how we filled holes, well, the Legislature created the holes, and I don’t think they’re plugged very well, they’re leaking already.”

Senator Wintrow points to the 11 million dollars cut from Fish and Game’s budget.

Wintrow criticizes the decision, calling it “ludicrous”, particularly after Governor Brad Little signed a bill establishing hunting as the official state sport.

RELATED | Idaho becomes the first US state to make hunting its official state sport, thanks to a 9-year-old girl

“Might be the official sport, but we’re not going to let the sportsmen have their money so they can actually go out, and hunt and fish,” Wintrow said.

Speaker Moyle said tough decisions had to be made.

“We trimmed back for those things where there was money that needed to be trimmed back to keep things in line,” Moyle said.

Wintrow was quick to point out that her constituents are tired of the Republican majority trying to legislate morality.

“They’re fed up, you know, shaking their fists at the bathroom and toilet seat, they want real results.”

RELATED | ‘It shouldn’t be a crime’: Transgender Idahoan speaks out after ‘Bathroom Bill’ becomes law

Idaho News 6 will continue to follow the new laws and their impacts on local neighborhoods.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The head of Idaho’s highest court has announced his retirement, signaling the end of a legal career that spanned four decades and reshaped the state’s judicial landscape.

Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan will officially step down on October 30, capping off nearly 23 years within the judicial branch. In a letter to Governor Brad Little, Bevan described his service as “one of the great honors” of his professional life.

A Twin Falls native and Brigham Young University graduate, Bevan spent 16 years in private practice before serving as the Twin Falls County prosecutor. He transitioned to the bench in 2003, following an appointment as a district judge. While in this role, he presided over two treatment courts and served for eight years as the administrative district judge, overseeing the operations of courts across south-central Idaho.

Bevan was appointed to the Idaho Supreme Court in 2017 and was elevated to Chief Justice by his peers four years later.

Leading Through Transformation

According to the Idaho Judicial Branch, Bevan’s tenure has been marked by continued improvements in court technology, prioritizing judicial security in response to rising modern threats, and navigating the court system through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Chief Justice Bevan will leave a legacy defined by his deep, abiding commitment to the rule of law and his innate sense of fairness,” said Justice Robyn Brody, vice chief of the Court. “He has dedicated his career to serving our community with integrity, ensuring that every person is treated with respect and dignity in the courtroom.”

What Happens Next?

Under state law, Governor Little will appoint a justice to succeed Chief Justice Bevan from a list of applicants provided by the Idaho Judicial Council. The new justice will serve the remainder of Bevan’s term, which ends in January 2031.

While the appointee will hold the seat for several years, the position will eventually be put to a nonpartisan public vote during the May 2030 election cycle. The justices of the Supreme Court will choose the next chief justice from among themselves as provided for by Idaho’s Constitution.

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News Release

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

POCATELLO, Idaho — The City of Pocatello will begin construction on the Portneuf River Bridge on West Benton Street mid-April.

The City of Pocatello was awarded funding through the Leading Idaho Local Bridge (LILB) Grant, administered by the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council, to replace the Portneuf River Bridge on West Benton Street.

This project will replace the existing steel girder bridge with a new single-span concrete girder structure designed to improve safety and increase long-term reliability. The new bridge will be supported by a deep foundation system using driven piles.

In addition to the bridge replacement, work will include reconstruction of roadway and pedestrian approaches, as well as the relocation of select utilities. All construction will be completed in accordance with the 2023 Idaho Standard Specifications for Highway Construction.

The LILB Grant fully funds the project, requiring no local match from the City of Pocatello.

The LILB Program is funded by the Idaho Legislature through Senate Bill 1359 and supports the repair or replacement of bridges greater than 20 feet in length that are in poor condition or have load restrictions, in accordance with Federal Highway Administration guidance.

Please be advised that a temporary road closure will be necessary to facilitate the completion of the bridge replacement. We encourage all travelers to exercise caution and consider utilizing alternate routes in the area.

Construction is anticipated to be finished by the end of September, weather and other unforeseen conditions permitting.

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) — Communities across the Gem State are celebrating the annual Week of the Young Child, a nationwide initiative focused on early childhood education, family engagement, and supporting young learners.

In Eastern Idaho, at least 13 cities are recognizing the week with official proclamations, highlighting a growing effort among local leaders and educators to prioritize early learning and child development. The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, in partnership with educational organizations throughout Eastern Idaho, is providing weeklong festivities that any child can participate in at no cost.

Local events bringing learning to life!

Families in Eastern Idaho have several opportunities this week to join in on the celebration.

At the Rigby City Library, a full schedule of activities is underway. Families can attend the Scavenger hunt this afternoon, storytimes for babies and toddlers, participate in hands-on learning experiences, and wrap up the week with a family game and LEGO day. Participants may also have a chance to win family passes to the East Idaho Aquarium.

Rigby City Library’s calendar of events for the Week of the Young Child

Meanwhile, in Idaho Falls, the Idaho Falls Public Library is hosting a special guest that many children will recognize—Blippi! The popular children’s character will lead a storytime session on Wednesday morning at 10:30, combining entertainment with early learning. Families who attend can also enter for a chance to win tickets to the live “Be Like Blippi” tour happening later this month at the Mountain America Center.

Blippi’s appearance is happening at the Idaho Falls Public Library on 4/15

In addition to the above events, 13 cities across Eastern Idaho will issue mayoral proclamations recognizing April 12-18 as the Week of the Young Child.

Cities Across Eastern Idaho Recognizing the National Week of the Young Child:

Ammon

Chubbuck

Driggs

Malad

McCammon

Pocatello

Preston

Rigby

Salmon

Shoshone

Soda Springs

St. Anthony

Teton

A statewide effort to support young learners

Beyond local events, the Week of the Young Child is part of a broader statewide effort led by the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children to raise awareness about the needs of children from birth through age 8.

The organization works to promote high-quality early childhood experiences, emphasizing that early education plays a critical role in long-term success.

Each day of the week highlights a different way children learn and grow:

Music Monday encourages movement and early literacy through song

Tasty Tuesday connects cooking with math and science skills

Work Together Wednesday focuses on teamwork and problem-solving

Artsy Thursday promotes creativity through hands-on art

Family Friday celebrates the role of families as a child’s first teachers

This week also shines a light on challenges many families face. As part of the celebration, Idaho AEYC is hosting initiatives, such as a diaper drive benefiting the Idaho Diaper Bank.

According to organizers, nearly half of Idaho’s babies live in families experiencing financial hardship, and diapers—costing up to $100 per month per child—are not covered by assistance programs like WIC or SNAP.

Advocates say efforts like the diaper drive help meet immediate needs while also raising awareness about gaps in resources for families with young children.

Organizers say the goal of the Week of the Young Child goes beyond fun events—it’s about ensuring families have access to tools and support systems that help children succeed.

From early literacy programs to childcare resources and community partnerships, the week serves as a reminder that investing in young children strengthens communities statewide.

Families can find a full list of participating cities, events, and free resources on the Idaho AEYC website.

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