Author: KIFI

Danielle Mullenix

Chubbuck, Idaho (KIFI) – The Human Bean in Chubbuck is inviting coffee-lovers to “drink pink” on Friday, October 17, for their annual Coffee for a Cure breast cancer giveback event. All food and beverage proceeds on that day will be donated to Pocatello Free Clinic, marking The Human Bean’s largest fundraiser of the year.

Each October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Coffee for a Cure aims to raise awareness and provide critical support to breast cancer patients and survivors.

In 2022, the most recent year with complete statistics available, there were 279,731 new cases of breast cancer reported in the United States—equivalent to 133 cases for every 100,000 women, according to CDC data.

“Coffee for a Cure is a great way for our community to come together and support one another,” shares the baristas of The Human Bean in Chubbuck. “So many of us know someone who’s been personally impacted by breast cancer, which makes this day a truly heartfelt giving event.” 

Since launching the Coffee for a Cure giveback program in 2005, The Human Bean locations nationwide have raised over $4.2 million for breast cancer causes. These funds support patients with essential services, including mammograms, post-diagnosis care and support, and education.

With a passion for creating happy ‘Human Beans’, the company’s drive-thrus around the U.S. have established a reputation for friendly baristas and high-quality coffee, teas, smoothies, granitas, Bright® Energy, and good eats. The Human Bean opened its first drive-thru espresso stand in Ashland, Oregon, in 1998, and currently supports over 260 locations open or under development in 23 states.  

To commemorate the company’s milestone 20th anniversary, The Human Bean has designed special cups featuring artwork that aligns with the essential message of hope for breast cancer patients and survivors.

“Coffee for a Cure is all about celebrating strength, honoring loved ones, and spreading a message of hope to breast cancer patients and survivors,” says Rhonda Hawkins, co-founder of The Human Bean. “We’re grateful to our community of customers and franchise partners who show up in a big way every October to support one another.”

The Human Bean is also serving up a special pink-themed drink all month long — the Bright® Energy Pink Lemon-aid, featuring Lime Bright® Energy, raspberry, and sweet almond flavors. 

Customers and supporters are encouraged to spread awareness by sharing their stories and photos on Instagram using #CoffeeForACure.

For more information about the Human Bean, click here.

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Curtis Jackson

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Residents in Pocatello are invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the city’s newly renovated Recycling Services Facility. The event will take place on Monday, October 20, at 5:15 p.m. at 3034 Garrett Way.

The facility, previously operated by Western Recycling/Republic Services, was acquired by the city in August 2024 to prevent its closure and ensure the continuation of local recycling services. Since then, the site has undergone significant upgrades to improve efficiency, safety, and accessibility.

Crews work inside Pocatello’s new Recycling Services Facility.

“We’re proud to reopen this facility as a City-operated service and continue providing accessible recycling options for our community,” said Mayor Brian Blad in a news release sent by the city. “This project is a great example of how partnerships and smart investment can strengthen Pocatello’s future.”

The upgrades were made possible through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy – Idaho Operations Office, as part of a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP).

Recycling bins located outside the Pocatello’s Recycling Services Facility on Garrett Way.

The news release said the recycling facility project is one of several across Idaho resulting from a settlement with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality over alleged violations of the Hazardous Waste Management Act.

City officials encourage community members and partners to attend the ribbon-cutting and learn more about the expanded recycling services. Additional information is available at pocatello.gov/395/Recycling-Services.

Bales of recycled cardboard at Pocatello’s new Recycling Services Facility.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A federal judge has ruled that the Idaho law banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports will continue going before the Supreme Court.

That’s despite the fact that Lindsay Hecox, the former Boise State athlete who brought the case up in the first place, attempted to withdraw her lawsuit.

In September 2025, Hecox requested that the case be dropped, citing the fact that she was no longer involved in college sports, as well as the rising public scrutiny of the case.

However, the legal team led by Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador pushed back against the dismissal request, saying Hecox’s attempt to end the legal battle was only a way to prevent a supreme court ruling on the issue.

The motion to drop the case was denied, and is now proceeding to the Supreme Court.

This means the ruling on the case could set precedent for other states concerning transgender athletes in Women’s sports, and the Labrador is confident in the legal legs his case is standing on.

Local News 8 spoke with Idaho State Representative Barbara Ehardt, the sponsor of the law at the heart of this case. You can watch that video above.

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Maile Sipraseuth

ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (KIFI)– Fremont and Madison County is once again putting a $17M bond initiative on the ballot for a new auditorium, a move that’s been attempted three times since the 90s.

South Fremont High School currently has just 280 auditorium seats for its 500 students, and the strain is being felt by students and staff.

Band and choir director Matt Bennett, a 30-year veteran of the district and a former South Fremont High student himself, says the need for a new space is long overdue.

“This is something that we need to happen for our students. Some people think it’s just going to be more luxurious and more comfortable for us, but the fact is, we haven’t had a performance space for 30 years, and it’s a need for these students to continue to grow their musicality (and) it’s a need for our community to have a space for our arts,” Bennett said.

South Fremont High School currently holds assemblies and concerts at their gym or at South Fremont Junior High School.

Bennett believes that this auditorium will benefit not just the school.

“I think the biggest thing is that people know that it’s not just going to benefit the high school and the music department, it’s going to benefit our entire community. We have opportunities to bring in professional musicians, professional acts, comedians, whatever. If we had a space to do that, we could increase community and Chamber of Commerce activity if we had a space to bring in these professional acts,” Bennett said.

Bennett says that the bond has failed due to multiple factors, particularly financial concerns from voters.

“In years past, we’ve asked for an auditorium and a gymnasium Three years ago, the bond failed because we felt like we were asking too much as a district. But there was some money that came in from the state and we were able to build a stand alone gymnasium, some CTE classrooms, and a greenhouse,” Bennett said.

To learn more, visit here.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Authorities continue to search for 15-year-old Kaiden Christopher Pulliam, who has been missing since October 6th.

Kaiden was last seen at Idaho Falls High School. His family says they’re desperate for his safe return.

“We miss him and just want Kaiden home,” Kaiden’s aunt, Holly Ironstar, told Local News 8. “I hope he is safe wherever he is at and with whomever he is with.”

Kaiden is described as having Blond Strawberry Blond hair and blue eyes.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Kaiden Christopher Pulliam, reach out to the Idaho Falls Police Department at 208-529-1200.

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Seth Ratliff

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A voter fraud case against Chad Vanderbeek will proceed after a judge ruled Wednesday that the prosecution met the burden of proof for probable cause.

RELATED: Island Park Voter Fraud Investigation

Vanderbeek is one of eleven defendants accused of illegally voting in the 2023 Fremont County municipal election by allegedly using incorrect addresses in Island Park. Judge Eddings announced his ruling in a near-empty courtroom, with at least two seats filled by Vanderbeek’s visibly disappointed family.

The ruling comes three weeks after a heated preliminary hearing where the defense argued Vanderbeek never intended to move from his primary home in Island Park. He had been staying in Idaho Falls since 2022 to care for his aging parents, which the defense said should not impact his voting residence.

“There is no indication under black letter law that my client has established residence somewhere else,” argued Malek. “There is, however, an indication that my client has established residence in Island Park.”

 However, the prosecution argued that under Idaho Code 34-107, the Island Park address was not his primary residence for voting purposes. The code outlines that factors like “residence of parents… and motor vehicle registration” should be considered to determine residence where no homeowners’ exemption has been taken out.

Blake concluded that because Vanderbeek’s parents have taken out a homeowners’ tax exemption in Bonneville County since 2016, his primary residence would be in Idaho Falls.

RELATED: Man accused of voter fraud in Island Park awaits judge’s decision

The ruling by District Judge Faren Eddings means that Vanderbeek will appear in court once again to formally enter a plea at an arraignment on October 28th before Judge Steven Boyce.

Preliminary hearings for several of the remaining individuals in the voter fraud investigation have been scheduled for the following day, October 29th, at 1 p.m.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — It’s getting cold outside, and some people woke up to a chilling reminder that it’s time to keep up with our car maintenance.

Take a look at this flat tire. 

No one wants to wake up to this first things in the morning.

With the weather getting colder, many tires are losing air.

The best way to avoid this is to fill up the night before, and even then, you still might notice a leak the next day.

Car maintenance shops are noticing more drivers coming in for air at the start of this winter season. 

“It’s usually when it gets colder, the air gets more condensed in the tire. And so it comes in a little more flat. And so once you come in, we fill it up with more air than we have. And once we do that, the tire pressure light will go off and it’ll be gone until, you know, till the air goes back down,” said Colby Smith, a manager at Nitro Station & Express Lube in Rexburg.

Smith says park your tire in a straight postion. If the tires are tilted in a certin direction it can cause a slow leak.

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Maile Sipraseuth

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The American Falls Police Department is urging the public to help locate a runaway juvenile, 16-year-old Leland Hawke of American Falls.

Hawke was last seen wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans. He’s described as 5’6, 120 lbs, with brown eyes and brown hair.

If you have any information about Leland Hawke’s location, please contact the American Falls Police Department immediately at 208-226-5922.

The AFPD reminds the public that harboring a runaway juvenile is a criminal offense, and anyone found to be intentionally assisting or hiding Leland could face criminal charges.

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News Team

IDAHO (KIFI) — Idaho is the first state in the nation to open its Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplace enrollment starting October 15. But the opening is marked by uncertainty due to the potential expiration of Biden-era health insurance tax credits. If Congress does not act before the end of the year, an estimated 117,000 Idahoans who use marketplace plans could see their insurance premiums more than doubled, according to independent researchers.

RELATED: Idaho Insurance Broker weighs in on potential health insurance premium spikes

The high-stakes enrollment period, running from October 15 to December 15 through the state’s online marketplace, Your Health Idaho, comes as an ongoing federal government shutdown approaches two weeks, with the extension of the popular tax credits remaining a major political sticking point in Washington. Researchers with the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation estimate that up to 25,000 Idahoans could lose coverage entirely if the tax credits expire.

“Shop and Compare” is critical

Your Health Idaho remains the only place where Idahoans can apply for and receive a tax credit to lower the cost of monthly health insurance premiums.

“There are many changes this year, and it’s more important than ever for Idahoans to shop and compare to explore all of their health insurance options,” said Pat Kelly, Executive Director of Your Health Idaho. “Having health insurance is not only for the peace of mind that you and your family are covered if the unexpected happens, but it can also provide a financial safety net from unplanned medical bills.”

While Idahoans may see higher initial premium figures due to the end of the enhanced Premium Tax Credits and other federal policy changes, the organization says it is committed to offering comprehensive options. Almost eight out of every ten current enrollees currently receive a tax credit, and many also qualify for additional savings through Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs) when enrolled in a Silver plan, according to Your Health Idaho.

Political showdown over healthcare costs

The potential rise in health insurance premiums has created a heated debate along both sides of the political aisle.

Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea denounced the potential end of the tax credits, framing the price hikes as a manufactured crisis.

“Families across the state are opening letters that tell them their premiums are doubling, and many are realizing they will have to give up coverage altogether,” Necochea wrote in a statement. “This is no accident. The Trump regime and Idaho Republicans refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that have kept coverage within reach for 117,000 Idahoans.”

Necochea asserted that Democrats are committed to fighting the cost increases. “Idaho families cannot afford this manufactured crisis, and Democrats will not stop fighting until every Idahoan can access affordable health care.”

An independent poll by KFF found that nearly 75% of Americans want the ACA tax credits to be extended, including a majority of Republicans.

How to enroll

Amid the uncertainty, Your Health Idaho highly recommends that citizens work with a certified agent or broker to navigate the complex enrollment process and utilize all the savings for which they are eligible; this assistance is available at no cost. New this year, Idahoans can schedule an appointment with a local agent directly from the website, YourHealthIdaho.org.

Open Enrollment is also the time when Idahoans with unaffordable employer-sponsored coverage can utilize the marketplace. The site has provided an affordability calculator to help people in the Gem State determine if their current coverage meets the federal definition of unaffordable, which may qualify them for marketplace subsidies. For more information, click HERE.

Idahoans must enroll in 2026 health insurance by midnight on December 15. Your Health Idaho is urging applicants not to wait until the last minute to secure coverage that begins on January 1.

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Danielle Mullenix

Pocatello, Idaho (KIFI) – “Garden to Give” is back again this year and helping a local food bank provide extra produce during the government shutdown. The Marshall Public Library (MPL) has partnered with the Eastern branch of The Idaho Foodbank to help get excess produce from community members’ gardens to the food bank. 

The library is currently accepting donations of locally grown fresh produce, including herbs, and will transport it to the food bank.

Since the first Garden to Give in 2019, MPL has collected several hundred pounds each year for the food bank, which will reach the people in our community who need it the most.

“We have so many devoted gardeners in Pocatello,” said Public Services Supervisor Amy Azzouzat with MPL. “And they get a lot out of our short season. The library is happy to serve as a collection point to get their garden overflow to people who need it.”

Food banks in 2025 have seen a general decrease over the past year. The Idaho Falls Community Food Basket is managing a decline in donations, reporting a 400,000-pound decrease in supplies during 2025 compared to the previous year.

Due to the federal government shutdown in October 2025, food banks in Idaho Falls are experiencing increased demand and a drop in donations, but they have prepared for the surge.

While food banks have anticipated the shutdown’s effects, federal funding for programs like WIC is at risk, and supplies are limited. 

People in rural areas also often rely more heavily on federal assistance programs and are disproportionately impacted by disruptions to these programs. 

The typical seven-day supply of food has been reduced to about four or five days’ worth.

If you have more produce than you can eat or share with friends and neighbors, the Marshall Public Library will help you get the overflow to The Idaho Foodbank. As the temperature drops and fresh produce begins to wane, food banks are collecting as many donations of this type as possible.

The Marshall Public Library will collect all fresh produce through the end of October. For more information about the Eastern Idaho Food Bank in Pocatello, Click Here.

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