Author: KIFI

Dylan Carder

ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (KIFI) — Fremont County is currently experiencing a widespread Mormon cricket infestation, a situation local officials attribute to recent mild winter temperatures. This marks the first time in many years the county has faced such an extensive cricket problem.

Bryce Fowler, Fremont County Weed Control Specialist, confirmed this is the first infestation of this scale the county has seen in a long time. He noted that these crickets are native to Idaho and their increased numbers are due to a lack of cold winters. To combat the issue, the state Department of Agriculture has deployed more than 25,000 pounds of bait in Fremont County to protect local crops.

Fowler described the crickets as “more of a nuisance than anything else,” though some residents have reported losing gardens. He explained that Mormon crickets are known to be cannibalistic. “These crickets eat each other. So any time that you kill them, you’re creating a big food bank for them and they’ll just keep piling in and piling in,” Fowler said.

The mild winters have allowed cricket eggs to survive. “We need the Idaho winters to freeze and to kill the larva or the eggs that they lay in the soil,” Fowler said. He added that this would prevent a large problem the following year. Fowler also noted that if the county experiences another mild winter, “we’re going to have another big outbreak.”

Mormon crickets are constantly on the move, capable of traveling one to three miles daily in favorable terrain. Current hotspots for cricket activity include Ashton Hill and Harriman State Park. “They’re still there. This heat is slowing them down,” Fowler said, explaining that their most active temperature range is between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

For homeowners, specific barrier products can be sprayed to slow crickets down from entering property, but these are not permanent solutions. Fowler advises homeowners to contact a local pest control specialist. However, homeowners cannot use herbicides or bait products meant for farmers and ranchers, as these can harm pets or neighbors. Fremont County currently lacks a residential pest control program.

The state offers assistance through specialists, including an individual overseeing the statewide Mormon cricket program. “The state is willing to help where they can,” Fowler stated.

The long-term outlook for managing the cricket population in Fremont County largely depends on upcoming winter conditions. A harsh Idaho winter is considered the most effective natural control.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Every three years, Pocatello and Idaho State University host the Idaho International Choir Festival, bringing elite singers from around the world to eastern Idaho to connect the community through diverse music. The opening ceremony was held Wednesday morning at Pebble Creek Ski Area, featuring performances from each of the participating choirs, remarks from dignitaries and exploration of the beautiful mountain scenery.

“The outstanding aspect of this is that there are multiple groups, multiple cultures to participate in activities for a whole week of sharing music, food, socializing, games,” said Scott Anderson, former artistic director of the IICF and current conductor of the ISU Alumni Chamber Choir and Idaho High School Honor Choir. “It’s just an unbelievable experience for them.”

The Boys’ Choir Dagilėlis traveled all the way from Lithuania after seven years of not being in Pocatello. Director Remigijus Adomaitis said they are excited to be back in Pocatello and participate in the festival.

“I really like the nature here,” said Julias, a singer in Dagilėlis. “It’s very different. Since we have no mountains at home, it’s really nice to see all of that.”

Pocatello Mayor Mark Dahlquist and Chubbuck Mayor Rodney Burch both gave remarks, thanking everyone for traveling to the Gate City for this week of music.

“One of my favorite parts about being mayor is coming to events like this and meeting all the wonderful people, meeting all the wonderful visitors that come to our community,” Dahlquist said. “There’s been a lot going on behind the scenes and preparation to make this happen, so please thank all the volunteers here today.”

Other choirs came from around the United States, including Utah, California and New Jersey. The Idaho High School Honor Choir is composed of students from around Idaho who met just a few days before the festival.

“It really is representative of the whole state. And they didn’t know each other before they came here,” Anderson said. “I picked a bunch of music, and it’s a very wide variety. And so those students have spent a couple of days rehearsing that with long rehearsal days.”

Program director Barbara Kurtz said the festival is the highlight of many of the high school students’ summers.

Across cultures and countries, the love of music and the ability to share it with people is a common language for all the choirs.

“Understanding everyone and different cultures is very important,” Julias added. “So that we can live in a peaceful society and all be happy.”

For Anderson, he gets to enjoy the festival without the pressures of running it, instead focusing on his choirs. As the former director of choral activities at Idaho State University, he is proud to bring the ISU Alumni Chamber Choir back to the stages of Jensen Grand Concert Hall and Goranson Hall.

“I have representative singers from every year of my tenure there, so some of these people sang in the early 1990s,” he said. “It’s very special for me. It’s a homecoming, reminiscence, and just a great opportunity to reconnect with Idaho State and with this festival.”

Participating Choirs 2026

Boys’ Choir DAGILĖLIS (Lithuania)

Chorus of Change (Kazakhstan)

Huaxia Chinese Chorus of New Jersey (USA)

Spring Women’s Choir (California, USA)

Salt Lake Chinese Choir (Utah, USA)

ISU Alumni Chamber Choir (Idaho, USA)

High School Honor Choir (Idaho, USA)

Schedule of Events/Concerts

Wednesday, July 15

9:30-10:30 AM: Opening Welcome Ceremony & Ribbon Cutting (Free, media only, please) – Pebble Creek Ski Area.

7:00 PM: Community Concerts – Jensen Grand Concert Hall & Goranson Hall, ISU.

Thursday, July 16

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Outdoor Concert (Free, bring your own lunch) – ISU Quad.

7:00 PM: Community Concerts – Jensen Grand Concert Hall & Goranson Hall, ISU.

Friday, July 17

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Outdoor Concert (Free, bring your own lunch) – ISU Quad.

7:00 PM: Community Concerts – Jensen Grand Concert Hall & Goranson Hall, ISU.

Saturday, July 18

7:00 PM: Gala Concert – Jensen Grand Concert Hall, Stephens Performing Arts Center.

For more on ticket sales and prices, visit idahointerchoralfest.org/tickets

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Par Kermani

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article has been corrected to include Too Extreme for Idaho poll’s sample size, margin of error, and methodology, which were included in the initial release.

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho voters will decide in November whether to establish new protections for reproductive health care, including abortion access, after the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act qualified for the general election ballot.

The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office confirmed Tuesday that the initiative met the state’s signature requirements.

RELATED: Idaho abortion initiative qualifies for November ballot; Medical Cannabis measure falls short

Idahoans United for Women and Families, the group behind the initiative, said it submitted more than 110,000 signatures collected during a 10-month campaign.

The Secretary of State’s Office certified 75,478 valid signatures across 20 legislative districts. Idaho law requires valid signatures from at least 6% of registered voters statewide and 6% of registered voters in at least 18 of the state’s 35 legislative districts.

Clerks verified the signatures before the initiative was submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office for final review.

“Thousands of Idahoans stepped up because they believe freedom, privacy, and the right to make personal medical decisions belong to families, not politicians,” lead organizer Melanie Folwell said.

The organization said more than 1,250 volunteers gathered signatures in all 44 Idaho counties. Petition signatures met the required threshold in 20 legislative districts.

The proposed measure would establish a right to make reproductive health care decisions involving contraception, fertility treatment, prenatal and postpartum care and abortion.

It would allow abortion before fetal viability. After viability, abortion would be permitted in cases involving a medical emergency, including conditions that threaten the pregnant patient’s life or health.

The initiative would also limit the state’s ability to penalize patients, health care providers or others who assist someone in exercising the proposed rights.

Idahoans United said it will now focus on encouraging voters to support the measure during the Nov. 3 general election.

“All kinds of people, no matter their party affiliation, understand that their kitchen tables and doctors’ offices have no room for the government,” Folwell said.

A newly formed political action committee, Too Extreme for Idaho, also announced the launch of its Stop Prop 1 campaign Tuesday in opposition to the measure.

The group released results from a survey of 500 prospective General Election voters conducted by Peak Insights, which it said found 52% of likely Idaho voters opposed the measure, while 41% supported it. Conducted via live telephone interviews from February 9–12, 2026, the poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

“Idaho voters see Proposition 1 for what it is — an extreme, California-style abortion measure that is out of step with the sensibilities of most Idahoans,” Dee Sarton said on behalf of the Stop Prop 1 campaign.

The group argues the measure would expand abortion access later into pregnancy, change who may provide or prescribe abortion care and reduce parental involvement in decisions involving minors.

“Stop Prop 1 will be a strong, multi-million-dollar media and grassroots campaign to communicate the truth about Prop 1,” Sarton said.

Supporters of the initiative say it would restore reproductive rights and protect access to contraception, fertility treatment, abortion care and other reproductive health services.

Pro and con arguments for the state voter pamphlet may be submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office through July 20. Voters will receive the full initiative language and selected arguments before the election.

More information from Idahoans United for Women and Families is available at BackToIdaho.com. Information from the opposition campaign is available at StopProp1.org.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Burn & Reconstructive Center at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center has earned verification from the American Burn Association, becoming one of 81 verified burn centers in the United States.

According to EIRMC, the verification followed a multi-day, on-site review by the American Burn Association to evaluate the hospital’s staff, resources and systems for treating burn patients from the time of injury through recovery.

Hospital officials say the review confirmed the center meets national standards for quality, safety and patient care.

“Verification by the American Burn Association reflects the depth of our expertise across every aspect of burn care and reinforces that patients can trust our team to provide the highest level of specialized treatment,” said Dr. Tait Olaveson, burn surgeon and medical director of EIRMC’s burn program. “It confirms that we meet the highest standard of burn care and are the regional experts.”

EIRMC said there are 143 burn centers nationwide and only 81 currently hold ABA verification.

The Burn & Reconstructive Center provides emergency treatment, intensive care, surgical procedures, rehabilitation services, outpatient follow-up care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Hospital officials say the center is staffed by a multidisciplinary team that includes burn surgeons, critical care physicians, nurses, therapists, psychologists, dietitians, case managers and social workers.

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Curtis Jackson

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A Rexburg man was injured when his SUV crashed into a crash cushion post on I-15 Wednesday morning.

Idaho State Police said the 69-year-old man was driving south near milepost 88, when it car drove off the right shoulder and collided with the post. It happened at 10:24 a.m.

Police said the driver was wearing his seatbelt.

Idaho State Police are still investigating the crash.

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Par Kermani

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador is warning renters to watch for fraudulent property listings and demands for upfront payments as competition for housing remains high across the state.

The Attorney General’s Office said scammers often copy legitimate rental advertisements or create fake listings offering below-market prices.

The scammers may then demand a deposit or other payment before allowing a renter to see the property. The schemes can especially target people moving from out of state who may not be able to tour a home in person.

“Idaho’s growth has made us a target for these types of scams, and criminals are exploiting families desperate for housing in a tight market,” Labrador said. “Before you send a dollar, verify the listing and see the property in person or through someone you trust.”

Officials said scammers may claim there is no time to visit the property or pressure renters to pay immediately before the supposed deal disappears.

Another warning sign is a landlord who only accepts payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers. Those payment methods can be difficult to trace or recover after money is sent.

The Attorney General’s Office recommends searching the rental address online before making a payment. If the same property appears under a different landlord or price, it may be fraudulent.

Renters should also tour the property in person when possible. Those moving from outside the area can ask someone they trust to visit the property or confirm that it matches the advertisement.

More scam prevention information and a consumer complaint form are available through the Idaho Attorney General’s Office at ReportScamsIdaho.com.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Fire Department responded to a residential fire Tuesday evening after receiving reports of flames at a single-story home on Aegean Avenue.

Firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the home’s attached garage. The occupants had already evacuated the home safely.

The first engine on scene began attacking the fire and brought it under control. Three engines, one ladder truck, two ambulances and a battalion chief responded.

Additional crews searched the home and checked for the fire spreading beyond the garage. Although smoke entered the attic and several rooms, firefighters contained the flames to the garage.

No residents or firefighters were injured.

The garage and its contents were declared a total loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The fire department issued a reminder for residents that grills should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas and away from homes, garages, decks and other combustible materials. They warn that using a barbecue in an enclosed area can ignite nearby materials and create dangerous carbon monoxide levels.

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A new burn ban with stricter rules went into effect today, July 15, 2026, in Madison County, Idaho, prohibiting all open burning activities. This includes campfires, fireworks, and burning yard debris.

The ban comes amid an already active fire season where local firefighters battled two large, multi-day brush fires. Shortly after the Independence Day Holiday, Madison County Fire crews responded to a massive brush fire burning off Hwy. 33 near the Unified Sportsmen’s Club. While crews from multiple agencies battled the fire, it still burned more than 1000 acres before it could be fully contained.

RELATED: More than 1,300 acres burned west of Rexburg

The ban applies to all open fires located within and in the unincorporated areas of Madison County. However, residents of Madison County can still use residential barbecue grills and enclosed fireplaces on their own property.

The ban is set to stay in effect through Sept. 30, 2026. Violators could face fines and may be held responsible for fire suppression costs if a fire starts.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – As conversations swirl around the use of Flock Safety cameras nationwide, Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson is speaking out to address concerns about the technology.

Thirteen cameras have been installed near busy city intersections since September. The cameras are Automated License Plate Readers, recording the license plates of vehicles as they pass by.

Safety on the Streets

Chief Johnson says they are an effective tool for combatting crime in the community.

“We are solving a lot of crimes with license plate readers. There’s a couple of big cases… – our young, early-teen girl that was kidnapped and trafficked across state lines,” Johnson said. “We were able to find her as she crossed into Colorado through a license plate reader.”

A wanted felon sexual offender who was threatening to rape a local citizen was also apprehended before the crime could occur, after his vehicle was picked up by a Flock camera.

Eyes on the Road

But others see the devices as a serious intrusion on privacy.

“They’re here tracking everyone who drives right past them on this street and any of the other 12 cameras positioned throughout the city,” said concerned Idaho Falls resident Finn Garren. “… Searching through this camera system does not require a warrant. Then Flock makes it very easy to share this data with other agencies.”

However, Idaho State law only allows data collected from Flock cameras to be used to investigate misdemeanors, felonies and traffic accidents, Johnson clarified.

“It’s finding people almost every day that have warrants – warrants for felony activity, warrants for domestic violence, drug trafficking,” the Chief said. “It’s finding stolen cars. It’s solved property crimes when people’s businesses are being burglarized.”

The system includes safeguards that track each time data is accessed, to prevent misuse, he stated.

Idaho Falls employs “clear [30-day] date retention limits in compliance with Idaho State Law and the Constitutions of the United States and Idaho, strict access controls and audit logs, policies prohibiting use for generalized surveillance or political targeting and a public transparency page on Flock Safety reporting IFPD use in detail,” he provided in a written statement.

Johnson said the license plate reader and system does not create files on everyday citizens.

“There’s no file out there where we list everywhere you have gone past a license plate. You can’t do that. If we did that, that would be unconstitutional. We can’t just keep files on random American citizens,” the Chief explained. “All it does is this keeps that data for 30 days, and then it purges it after 30 days. In order to go into the data and create a file, we have to have a suspect of a crime, a felony or a misdemeanor, or a traffic accident – like a hit and run or something like that.”

Additionally, in Idaho Falls, the cameras are not used for immigration enforcement unless it’s a felony case for aggravated re-entry.

Other concerns

Garren said much of the data being pulled by the cameras can be fed into A.I. to find information to identify a car or truck.

“It can get the make, model, color, dents, roof racks, bumper stickers – any identifiable piece of information off of the cars,” Garren said. “… Ninety-nine percent of the people that are scanned by this are not even suspected of any crime of any sort.”

Another common concern is the Fourth Amendment, which protects people against “unreasonable search and seizures … in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,” without a warrant and probable cause.

However, Johnson said license plate readers have been consistently ruled as constitutional by federal courts “when deployed with appropriate safeguards.”

“The license plate reader is at a place where the police have a lawful and legal right to be,” Johnson said. “There is no right to privacy on the public roadway, and so what the license plate readers do is take a picture of the rear license plate.”

While concerns over constitutionality trouble Garren, another issue looms large.

“In Idaho Falls, a lot of people are concerned about ‘Big Brother’ and surveillance,” Garren said. “I’m concerned over the lack of oversight that these cameras had going in. I was not given a vote. I was not asked if I wanted these.”

Chief Johnson recognized citizen concerns, but he emphasized the cameras’ continued role in bringing criminals to justice.

The Flock cameras led to 56 arrests in Idaho Falls between January and May of this year, and no abuses of the systems have occurred here, he stated.

“They are finding bad people doing bad things,” Johnson said. “They’re saving victims and preventing bad crimes from happening, and they’ve been a great tool.”

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Coroner’s Office has released new details on four recent death investigations, including the recovery of a man who went missing at Palisades Reservoir over the Fourth of July weekend.

The cases include an apparent drowning, a fatal crash, a residential fire and a woman found unresponsive inside her Idaho Falls home.

Palisades Reservoir recovery

The coroner’s office responded with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office to Palisades Reservoir on July 11 after a camper found an unresponsive man floating in the water.

The man was identified as Tory Raether, 55, of North Carolina.

According to investigators, Raether had been reported missing after an incident at the reservoir on July 4. He was visiting Idaho with family when he went to an area commonly known as “Jump Off Rock.”

Investigators said Raether removed his life jacket, climbed onto the rock and jumped into the water. He did not resurface, and search and rescue efforts began that day.

The preliminary cause and manner of death are consistent with an accidental drowning, according to the coroner’s office.

Motor vehicle collision

On July 12, the coroner’s office responded to a Bonneville County hospital after the death of a woman who had been involved in a crash outside the county.

The woman was identified as Ashlee Kollars, 32, of Pocatello.

Although the crash happened in another jurisdiction, the investigation fell under the Bonneville County Coroner’s Office because Kollars was transported to and pronounced dead at a hospital within the county.

The preliminary cause of death is blunt-force injuries sustained in the crash.

Residential fire

Also on July 12, investigators responded after a man was rescued from a residential fire and transported to a hospital in Bonneville County.

The man was identified as Lance Talbot, 58, of McCammon.

The coroner’s office said injuries Talbot sustained in the fire, combined with preexisting medical conditions, are believed to have caused his death.

Death investigation

On July 13, the coroner’s office responded with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office to a home after a woman was found unresponsive.

The woman was identified as Sandy Criddle, 68, of Idaho Falls. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause and manner of her death remain under investigation.

The coroner’s office said death investigations can continue well beyond the initial response and may include reviewing medical records, conducting follow-up interviews, ordering toxicology testing and arranging autopsies.

The Bonneville County Coroner’s Office extended its condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the deaths.

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