Author: KIFI

News Team

UPDATED: Jan 7, 2026 / 07:56 PM MST

By Amelia Hobson: Click HERE for Updates on this story:

Police are responding to a shooting near 660 N Redwood Road and have closed Redwood Road to traffic. They have confirmed multiple individuals were injured and two died as a result of the injuries.

As of 9:50 p.m., it appears that police have taken someone into custody. Law enforcement confirmed that they have detained individuals but could not confirm how many were detained at this time. ABC4’s Bayan Wang captured the following images.

Case details

Salt Lake City Police Department PIO Glen Mills confirmed that around 7:36 p.m., a call came in about a shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse. There was a funeral taking place at the meetinghouse and an altercation reportedly broke out, leading to shots being fired.

According to Mills, there are at least eight victims, two of which died as a result of their injuries. Three are also in critical condition and three individuals are in unknown condition. Some of the victims were taken via private vehicle to the hospital, which Mills says has complicated the situation.

Brian Redd, the Salt Lake City Chief of Police, confirmed that all victims are adults.

Police are actively looking for at least one suspect, who fled the scene, and have established a search area from 500 north to 700 north. Mills says there is an active manhunt and they are still determining exactly how many suspects were involved.

Additionally, Redd says that law enforcement is pulling surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residents as part of their investigation. Additionally, at this time, they are asking the public to come forward and call 801-799-3000 if they have any information.

Chief Redd also confirmed that gang detectives are on scene, but they cannot confirm if it is a gang-related incident at this time. Preliminary evidence have reportedly indicated that it was not a random shooting, but does not appear to be targeted towards any religion.

Law enforcement has also said there doesn’t appear to be an active threat to the public.

Public reactions

Notably, police confirmed that the shooting took place during a funeral that was being held at the Church meetinghouse, with many attendees already grieving. ABC4 spoke with some of the attendees and bystanders who witnessed the shooting.Bystanders react to shooting during funeral at LDS church that killed two

 “I still have my family in the church, and they won’t let us leave, because the whole back of the church is a crime scene,” said one of the attendees, who was the cousin of the deceased.

Additionally, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement on the shooting, extending prayers for the tragedy. Their full statement can be read here.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as more information becomes available.

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Seth Ratliff

INKOM, Idaho (KIFI) — Bannock County authorities have closed the investigation into the death of 19-year-old Jonas Diaz-Edgeman, whose body was discovered on private property last November.

Following a joint investigation by the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office, officials confirmed that Diaz-Edgeman died of hypothermia with alcohol intoxication. His death has been officially ruled an accident.

Diaz-Edgeman was found on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, prompting an immediate investigation and an autopsy to determine the circumstances of his passing.

RELATED: Suspicious Death Investigation underway in Bannock County

Bannock County Coroner Torey Danner issued a statement alongside the findings, offering his condolences to Diaz-Edgeman’s grieving family and friends.

“The sudden loss of Jonas deeply impacted many people in our community,” Danner said. “I hope that by answering these outstanding questions, we can provide some measure of closure to those who were close to him.”

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho will soon defend its law preventing transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports in the nation’s highest court. 

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments next week on the case Little v. Hecox about the constitutionality of Idaho’s “Fairness in Women’s Sports” Act.

State Representative Barbara Ehardt (R-Idaho Falls), who sponsored the law, is heading to the hearing before the nation’s highest court in Washington, D.C.

“Finally, after five and a half years, my legislation that was passed in 2020 – first of its kind – the ‘Fairness in Women’s Sports’ is being heard by the Supreme Court of the United States,” Ehardt said.

The act requires athletes to participate in boys’ or girls’ sports teams corresponding with their biological sex. Co-ed teams are permitted, but the law specifically bans transgender individuals from participating in girls’ sports.

The law has been blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

“The outcome that we’re hoping for is that this not only deals with sports across the spectrum as was intended federally with Title IX,” Ehardt said, “but what we’re also hoping is that it takes even a little bit broader definition as it defines men and women – what a female, what a male is – and that some of that definition then will obviously then affect our locker rooms and our bathrooms and our, you know, basically private spaces for girls and women that should be protected.”

State Rep. Barbara Ehardt (R-Idaho Falls) discusses the Little v. Hecox case, centered on her “Fairness in Women’s Sports” law, which is going before the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Lindsey Hecox, a transgender athlete at Boise State University, sued the state in 2020 so that Hecox could try out for the Bronco women’s track and cross country teams.

Hecox requested that the case be thrown out in September, which was denied by U.S. District Judge David Nye.

26 states have followed Idaho’s lead and adopted similar legislation.

In addition to affirming or expanding on the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” Supreme Court justices could potentially rule that Idaho’s law is moot, or it could be limited only to Idaho, Ehardt said. 

The case will be heard on Tuesday, January 13, and a ruling is expected by late June.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Keeping children safe is every parent’s goal, and a local task force is arming families with protection through education. They call themselves the Upper Valley SAFE (Safety, Awareness, Freedom, Education) Initiative. The new group, formed last year, was organized by parents, grandparents, and community members. 

“The Upper Valley SAFE Initiative is really a volunteer led, community based, team of professionals from a cross-section of expertise who also happen to be parents, grandparents, who are concerned about their children and want to do everything they can to, provide safety and awareness and enhance their freedoms through education,” said Dean Coleman Co-founder of the Upper Valley Safe Initiative.

Founded by Rexburg residents Dean and Kristin Coleman, the group’s goal is to empower families with safety awareness, life skills to protect children, and build resilient communities. They have partnered with local law enforcement, educators, therapists, and other community leaders.

“We’re organizing it because in moving to Rexburg, we’ve met a lot of great people who work in law enforcement, different agencies. But they’re really maxed out with some of the things that they’re doing. And so we’re a supplement to support them and their efforts,” said Kristin Coleman, Co-founder of the Upper Valley Safe Initiative.

The group was formed in 2025, but they plan to go into action this year. They are organizing a series of workshops to deliver free education to the community. In honor of January being National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month, they plan to kick off their program by hosting a free class called “Family Protection Through Digital Safety.”  They want to provide parents and caregivers with information on how to protect children online.

“The SAFE Team draws from the professional training and real-world experience of its members, extrapolating essential knowledge and streamlining key concepts into practical, easy-to-understand education for families. These workshops focus on reducing vulnerabilities that can place children and families at risk and lead to harmful outcomes, and are free to the community,” said Dean Coleman.

The educational topics include, but are not limited to:

Online and cyber safety

Home and relationship safety, including AI platforms

Emotional regulation and life skills

Basic emergency preparedness

Awareness and prevention of all forms of exploitation

“I just don’t think anyone is more invested in eastern Idaho than the residents who live here. And we’re focusing on strengthening families. And because we’re parents and grandparents, it’s important to us. And it just happens that it’s important to everyone that we’ve talked to so far,” Kristin Coleman.

The event is free and scheduled for Monday, January 26, at the Rexburg City Council Chambers at City Hall. The class kicks off at 6:30 PM.

Because of how new the organization is, it does not currently have an online presence. The group hopes to have something up and running by the 26th to offer online resources for families.

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News Team

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Investigators with the Rexburg Police Department are on the scene of an accidental gunshot in the Millhollow Community near Madison Junior High School.

According to a post on the department’s Facebook page, the firearm has been secured by officers, and a person of interest is cooperating with investigators. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and no property was damaged. Police assure the community that there is no risk to the public at this time.

Local News 8 will update this story as we learn new details from the Rexburg Police.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Idaho Falls:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Mayor-elect Lisa Burtenshaw and elected City Council members will officially be sworn in during the City Council meeting on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 680 Park Ave. Members of the public are welcome to attend and witness the ceremony.

In addition to Mayor-elect Burtenshaw, Brandon Lee will be sworn in to City Council Seat 1, while Jim Francis and Jim Freeman, reelected to Seats 4 and 6, will also take the oath to begin their new terms.

This event marks the beginning of Mayor-elect Burtenshaw’s term following her election in Dec. 2025 and a new chapter in leadership for the city. Outgoing Mayor Rebecca Casper, who has served the city for 12 years, leaves a lasting legacy of dedicated public service and community-focused leadership.

“I am honored to serve the residents of Idaho Falls and to begin this next chapter with such a dedicated City Council,” said Mayor-elect Lisa Burtenshaw. “I look forward to engaging with our community, listening to their ideas, and working together to make Idaho Falls a great place to live, raise a family and grow a business.”

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News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield officially announced Wednesday that she will seek a second term in 2026, running as a Republican to continue her leadership of Idaho’s K-12 education system.

“I’m honored to serve Idaho students, families, and educators, and I’m excited to continue building on the progress we’ve made,” Critchfield said in a press release announcing her candidacy. “There is more work to do, and I’m ready to keep moving Idaho education forward”.

A fourth-generation Idahoan, Critchfield began her education career as a substitute teacher and GEDinstructor and served on the Cassia County School Board for ten years. She later served seven years onthe Idaho State Board of Education, including two as president.

Critchfield was elected Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2022, ousting incumbent Sherri Ybarra. Critchfield says her reelection campaign will focus on sustaining momentum in academic achievement, expanding pathways to success for students of all interests, and keeping parents and educators at the center of decisions that impact Idaho classrooms while preserving Idaho values and local control.

“From reading proficiency to career pathways and real-world readiness, we are focused on results thatmatter to Idaho families,” Critchfield said. “Our students deserve an education that prepares them notjust to graduate, but to build a strong future.”

The 2026 primary election for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction will be on May 19, 2026.

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CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 07 JAN 26 15:33 ET

By Dan Rascon

Click here for updates on this story

    SALT LAKE CITY (KSL) — A Utah County family is facing shock and heartbreak after learning their 21‑year‑old son died suddenly while serving as a missionary.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints confirmed Elder Caleb Martin died in his sleep over the weekend while serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission.

“When we found out that our son had passed away, I just felt like my heart ripped open,” said his mother, Jennah Martin, to KSL.

Caleb’s parents said the news was completely unexpected.

“No one expects this kind of news,” said his father, David Martin.

The Martin family is now facing the unimaginable pain of losing a son — and a brother — without warning.

“We were blessed to have him for 21 years,” Jennah said. “His spirit was big — bigger than I think his earthly body could contain.”

Elder Martin had been serving his mission for about 19 months. He went to sleep Friday night and, for reasons still unknown, never woke up Saturday morning. His family had last spoken with him just two days earlier on New Year’s Day.

“He was happy. He seemed healthy, energetic,” his mother said.

Jennah said the family does not yet have answers as to why Caleb passed away, but they find peace in their faith.

“No matter what we find out physically, we believe it was his time, and he’s in the Lord’s hands,” she said. “God gives, and God takes, and that’s okay.”

Caleb grew up in Salem and was known by family and friends for his love of people and life.

“His high fives, his hugs and his big love,” his mother said.

“Lots of love, lots of energy,” his father added.

Caleb was also a twin. His sister Kylee describes her brother as her built‑in best friend.

“It doesn’t feel real still. I feel pretty numb. I’ve cried a lot,” Kylee said.

The twins received their mission calls on the same day — Caleb to New Mexico, Kylee to Australia. Kylee returned home from her mission in October.

“I want to be more like him,” she said. “I want to be brave like him.”

While the grief is overwhelming, the Martin family said their faith has helped them find peace in the middle of their loss.

“It’s such a mix of emotions,” Jennah said. “So much grief, but also the knowledge that we will see him again.”

The family said Caleb took part in a service project Friday night helping a family cut wood and showed no signs of illness. An autopsy has been completed, and they are now waiting for the results.

The Martin’s said they are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support they have received.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KSL verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Two Idaho Republican lawmakers are calling on the federal government to put a pause on the release of $14 million in childcare funding until the state boosts its fraud prevention, citing “systemic vulnerabilities” and high-profile fraud allegations in other states.

In a letter sent Dec. 31 to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Rep. Josh Tanner and Sen. Brian Lenney requested an immediate pause on “all solicitations, contract issuances, and disbursements authorized under Senate Bill 1206” The lawmakers argue that Idaho must implement more rigorous fraud-prevention rules before the state continues distributing the grants and subsidies intended to boost childcare in the state.

Key Concerns

The lawmakers are requesting that HHS work with Idaho to:

Develop a comprehensive fraud-prevention and enforcement plan addressing enrollment verification, financial transparency, inspection protocols, and coordination with the Attorney General

Review prior childcare grant and subsidy disbursements, as appropriate, to identify potential fraud, misuse, or noncompliance and assess recovery options

Provide a briefing to the Legislature outlining safeguards, implementation timelines, findings, and any recommended statutory or regulatory changes.

“Proceeding with additional disbursements without strengthened safeguards would present unnecessary risk to taxpayers,” Tanner and Lenney wrote, pointing to inadequate inspection controls and limited financial oversight as key concerns.

Minnesota Fraud Allegations and Background

The push for a freeze is largely driven by recent reports of daycare fraud in Minnesota. Those allegations gained national attention following a viral video by YouTuber and citizen journalist Nick Shirley, boosted by Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk, which claimed several Minnesota-based Somali-run childcare centers were receiving state and federal funds while no children attended the facilities.

In response to those claims, the federal government has already taken action. On Dec. 30, HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill announced a freeze on childcare payments to Minnesota, now requiring “justification and a receipt or photo evidence” before funds are released. The state typically receives about $185 million annually in federal child care funding, supporting care for 19,000 children.

However, according to reports by CNN, investigators in Minnesota have cast doubt on Shirley’s allegations, stating all child care centers accused of fraud in the video were “operating as expected.” Despite this, on Monday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced the end of his reelection campaign, citing the Republican Party’s politicization of the fraud investigation.

Minnesota officials have until January 9 to provide the Trump administration with information about providers and parents who receive federal funds for child care, according to CNN.

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Seth Ratliff

KIMBERLY, Idaho (KIFI) — Three men were rushed to the hospital early Wednesday morning after a two-vehicle crash along Kimberly Road in Twin Falls County. The crash is under investigation by the Idaho State Police.

The collision took place at 12:46 a.m. at the intersection of Kimberly Road and N 3400 E. According to ISP, a 2014 Freightliner Semi, driven by a 55-year-old Kuna man, was traveling Westbound, hauling an empty tanker trailer. At the same time, a Gray 2010 Ford 150 pickup, driven by an 18-year-old man from Jerome, was traveling south on N 3400 E.

ISP says the driver of the Ford ran a stop sign and slammed into the side of the semi. The semi jackknifed from the impact, struck a power pole, and came to a rest blocking the Eastbound lanes, while the pickup blocked the Westbound lanes. Fortunately, the power pole and lines remained upright and intact despite the impact. ISP confirms that Idaho Power is on scene to facilitate any repairs.

Both drivers and the passenger in the semi-truck, a 41-year-old male from Twin Falls, were rushed by ground ambulance to a local hospital. Their conditions have not been released at this time. All the men involved were wearing their seatbelts.

The Westbound lanes have been cleared; however, the Eastbound lanes remain blocked on Kimberly Road as emergency services work to clear the scene.

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