Author: KIFI

Stephanie Lucas

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – The road along 2nd East between Yellowstone Hwy and 7th North will be closed August 16-18 while the City of Rexburg begins sewer line construction.

No through access will be permitted during this 3-day period as the intersection willbe the center of construction; however, business access will still be open during this period. Detour signs will be in place.

Rexburg Public Works is advising residents to plan alternate routes and plan ahead, as driving times will be affected..Following the initial closure, 2nd East will reopen with one lane of traffic maintained in eachdirection through the construction zone for approximately 30 days while crews install the sewer line. Motorists should anticipate reduced speeds, changing traffic patterns, construction equipment, and possible delays throughout the project area during this phase.

Drivers are asked to use caution, follow all posted construction signage and traffic controls, andwatch for crews working near the roadway throughout the duration of the project, and be aware that the construction schedule is subject to change based on weather, site conditions, and projectprogress.

Updates about this and other infrastructure projects can be found on the City’s infrastructure update map: https://www.rexburg.org/o/cor/page/featuredconstruction-updates.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 17-year-old runaway who has not been seen in over two weeks.

Harley Peterslie was last seen on July 28 at his home in Idaho Falls.

Peterslie is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing approximately 135 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Police remind the public that harboring a runaway is a crime under Idaho law.

Anyone with information regarding Peterslie’s current or recent whereabouts is urged to contact the Idaho Falls Police Department at (208) 529-1200 or report a tip anonymously to East Idaho Crime Stoppers.

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Seth Ratliff

HEISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Rain and thunderstorms are creating dangerous conditions in southeastern Idaho, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an updated flash flood warning for Southeastern Jefferson County and South Central Madison County.

Jefferson and Madison County have closed roads around the Heise area due to heavy rain that fell over scar area of the recent Big Rock Fire that could result in mudslides.

“As typically happens after a fire, this area has become very susceptible to flash flooding,” said Jefferson County Emergency Manager Rebecca Squires.

The road is closed at the Heise bridge. South Snake River Road is also closed before Cress Creek heading into the Heise area.

“What we have going on is a very unstable and dangerous situation with debris flow crossing the road,” Squires said. “We’ve met the three conditions for having debris flow – that is heavy rain, a burn scar and steep slopes.”

With an inch of rain that came down in an hour at noon Thursday, it carried multiple flows of mud and debris across the road.

“The soil has become very hydrophobic, meaning that it sheds the water rather than absorbing it,” Squires explained. “The second thing that’s happening is the vegetation has been burned, and so there’s nothing holding the soil back. Therefore, when we have heavy rain, this area is very susceptible to mudslides. … We have rocks, mud, water, tree branches, and it’s just a very hazardous situation for motorists.”

The road to Heise Hot Springs and Kelly Canyon area will reopen soon once conditions stabilize.

“Once the rain subsides in the next couple days, then we’ll be able to get in,” Squires assured. “Our crews will get in, assess what’s wrong, fix the damage, remove the debris, and then we’ll open right back up.”

It could take 3 to 5 years before the island reestablishes itself enough to prevent mudslides in the future, she said.

Emergency crews closed the Heise Bridge, east of Ririe, on Thursday, August 13, 2026, for possible flash flooding.

The NWS urged residents and visitors to move immediately to higher ground and away from the burned scar area.

Officials ask residents and visitors to monitor weather alerts via NOAA weather radio or the FEMA app, and to get out of the danger area before it begins. “There is no time to protect life and property once debris flow has started,” states the post.

A US Forest Service fire truck waits at the Heise Bridge on August 13, 2026.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The College of Eastern Idaho will celebrate the opening of its new Future Tech Building, marking a major expansion of the college’s technology and workforce training programs.

The ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech Building in Partnership with Frontier Credit Union is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Gov. Brad Little, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch and Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner are among the guests expected to participate in the ceremony.

Local News 8 got an early look inside the new building Wednesday.

RELATED: College of Eastern Idaho set to unveil new Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech Building

The facility includes hands-on learning spaces for cybersecurity, engineering, agriculture technology, energy systems, robotics and other STEM programs.

In the cybersecurity lab, students will be able to build desktop computers from scratch before using them throughout the program.

The building also includes “Innovation Alley,” where students will have access to 3D printers and other tools for projects.

CEI’s new agriculture technology program will give students the opportunity to work with technology increasingly used in farming, including robots and drones. The college is also moving its surgical technology program into the building to provide additional space for its growing health care programs.

Many of the programs are designed to give students hands-on experience they can take directly into the workforce. The building will also support CEI’s new Associate of Engineering degree, which is designed for students who plan to continue their education at a four-year university.

Local News 8 will have continuing coverage from Thursday’s ribbon cutting.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The world premiere of Idaho National Laboratory’s “The Road to Advanced Nuclear” documentary hit the big screen Wednesday at the Frontier Center for the Performing Arts.

The more than 25-minute documentary dives into the laboratory’s role at the helm of a surging advanced nuclear movement in the U.S. 

“Nuclear got its start in Idaho, and the documentary shows the history of it, and so we’re now doing it again. This shows that we’re ready, we’re getting into the next-generation of nuclear reactors,” said Film Producer Donna Kemp Spangler, an INL communications specialist for nuclear science and technology.

Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 Reactor was the first advanced nuclear reactor to achieve criticality this year on June 4.

“That’s ultimately the goal of nuclear fission is that you want to create that reaction, control it, and then get usable energy from it,” said Antares Nuclear Licensing Director Jason Andrus. “I will say for Antares, that was a huge moment because for so long, the entire focus of the company had been to produce a system that could in fact do that.”

A panel of experts moderated by Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw featured INL Director John Wagner, College of Eastern Idaho President Lori Barber, Marvel Reactor Lead Abdalla Abou-Jaoude, Regulatory Research and Plant Optimization Division Director Katya Le Blanc and Andrus, who responded to questions from the audience.

“What we’ve done here now is not sacrifice, safety or security, but focused on the things that really matter,” said Wagner. “We just had not been able to do that for the last five decades. And so being able to do that, to sort of break through and I’m going to say right size our approach to safety and security to get all that to come together and then demonstrate not just one, not just two, not just three – we now have five across the country – is breaking through that longstanding barrier.”

Idaho is one of five states vying to become a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, which could bring up to 25,000 jobs to the region.

You can watch the full documentary here.

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Curtis Jackson

UPDATE:

MACKAY, Idaho (KIFI) — A Grace man has been arrested in connection with a home invasion and shooting that took place early Tuesday morning in Custer County.

Douglas A. Flagg was taken into custody on August 13 on an outstanding warrant stemming from the August 11 incident in the Mackay area. Flagg has been charged with felony aggravated assault, attempted burglary, and malicious injury to property.

According to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received a 911 call around 3:16 a.m. on August 11 from a 47-year-old man who reported he had been shot. Deputies responded to the home, while Mackay Ambulance crews staged nearby until the scene was secured.

Flagg was treated at the scene, transported to a nearby hospital for further care, and later released.

Investigators say Flagg was shot while attempting to force his way into the home. Deputies said that Flagg and the homeowner knew each other, but have not released details about their relationship or what led up to the incident.

ORIGINAL:

MACKAY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Custer County Sheriff’s Office has released new details about a shooting reported early Tuesday morning, saying an intruder was shot at a home in the Mackay area.

Dispatchers received a call at about 3:16 a.m. on Aug. 11 from a 47-year-old man who reported he had been shot. Deputies responded to the home, while Mackay Ambulance crews staged nearby until the scene was secured.

Investigators say the man was shot while attempting to force entry into the residence. Deputies said the people involved knew each other, but have not released details about their relationship or what led up to the incident.

The man was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital. He was later released.

So far, the sheriff’s office has not made any arrests or announced any charges. Investigators are continuing to look into exactly what happened.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Back-to-school season is in full swing, and many parents are starting to prepare their children for the classroom.

A major factor in back-to-school preparation is ensuring children are up to date on their vaccinations.

With so much already on parents’ back-to-school checklist, access to affordable and convenient vaccines can ease some of the stress. Meeting school vaccine requirements can be as simple as a quick stop at the grocery store.

“It makes it way more convenient for parents with school age kids,” WanNell White, a pharmacist at Fred Meyers in Idaho Falls,said. “You can come get your school supplies, do that kind of thing, and stop and get your vaccines at the same time. And if you’re not sure which vaccines you need, stop and talk to a pharmacist. We actually have the accessibility to look online and see which vaccines you’ve had if they were in Idaho.”

Idaho law requires students attending preschool and grades K-12 of any public, private, or parochial schools to meet the minimum vaccine documentation requirements upon admission.

An overview of vaccination requirements by grade level administered:

Preschool – 6th Grade:

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

Polio

Hepatitis A & B

Varicella

7th – 11th Grade

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Booster

Meningococcal (MenACWY)

12th Grade

Meningococcal (MenACWY) follow up

You can find more information about the requirements here.

One of these required vaccinations is going to look a little different. On Monday, President Donald Trump announced an executive order to separate the MMR vaccine into three separate shots.

The announcement was just made this week, so your local Pharmacy may not have changed its vaccinations to this separate order. The MMR is still a safe vaccine for children to receive.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The College of Eastern Idaho is preparing to cut the ribbon on its new Future Tech Building, bringing several of the college’s technology and workforce-focused programs under one roof.

Local News 8 got an early look inside the Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech Building ahead of the ribbon-cutting later this week.

Inside, students will find hands-on learning spaces for programs including cybersecurity, engineering, agriculture technology, energy systems, robotics, and surgical technology.

In the cybersecurity lab, students will be able to build desktop computers from scratch and then use those computers throughout the program.

Agriculture technology is one of the college’s newest programs. The space is designed to give students experience with technology increasingly used in farming, including building and working with robots and drones.

The building also includes “Innovation Alley,” a space equipped with 3D printers and other tools that students and campus clubs can use for projects.

Many of the programs housed in the building are designed around hands-on training that can prepare students to enter the workforce after earning a two-year degree. CEI is also offering a new Associate of Engineering degree designed for students who want to transfer to a four-year university.

The additional space comes as CEI continues to see enrollment growth. The college says its 2026 fall headcount has reached about 1,911 students and is currently 7.7% higher than last year.

While much of the building focuses on STEM and technical education, it will also include traditional classroom space that can accommodate other courses.

The building will also provide additional space for CEI’s surgical technology program. College officials said the program is moving into the building because the school’s existing health care programs have been consistently full.

CEI will hold its ceremonial ribbon cutting Thursday at 1 p.m.

Gov. Brad Little and Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner are among the VIP guests expected to participate in the ceremony.

Following the ribbon cutting, CEI President Lori Barber and representatives from Battelle Energy Alliance/INL and Frontier Credit Union are expected to be available for interviews.

Local News 8 will have continuing coverage of the new facility following Thursday’s ribbon cutting.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho is one of only two states left in the U.S. without a cat cafe. Shannon Fox and her fiancé are taking the leap of faith and entrepreneur journey of building “Caturdays208” from scratch: a “two spaces, one roof” business that’s half cafe, half lounge with adoptable cats.

The key is to keep the two sides of the new community destination separate, but cohesive. Fox ensured that no cat hair would be in the food or drinks. Rather, the cats will be in a separate lounge section of the establishment. Customers will be able to enjoy food or drinks from the cafe and interact with adoptable cats.

“It allows a really great partnership with other animal rescue services to provide more spaces for cats, so that way our community can help navigate the overpopulation problems,” Fox said.

She added the inspiration for Caturdays208 came from understanding many people want to interact with animals regularly, but don’t have the capacity to own them. With a background in social work, Fox also said animals are excellent for mental health.

“I want to build a grounding business versus a consumption based business,” she explained. “That means having people come to a place where they can kind of center themselves, have some fun, interact with animals and reduce their stress.”

Pocatello is also known for being a college town, home to thousands of students at Idaho State University. Fox says this makes Pocatello the perfect home for a cat cafe, with many students unable to have their own animals nearby, the cafe will provide a comfortable space to regularly care for cats without the responsibilities of being a pet owner.

Currently, Fox and her team are in the beginning stages of the establishment– looking for the perfect space to transform into the cat cafe. She said they’re aiming for somewhere in between the ISU campus and the historic downtown district. They also have begun raising awareness and funds via their website and social medias.

“We’re currently in the fundraising stage as well, with a three-pronged approach,” Fox said. “We have a Go Fund Me going right now and everyone who donates gets a little free gift. We want to respect everyone who contributes to this idea. Crowdfunding is huge for us.”

Caturdays208 is also selling merch like T-shirts, available on their website to help fund their new business. They’re also running a Kickstarter, a program where donations are accepted for a certain amount of time or it goes back to the donators.

“You must reach the goal that you set for your campaign or else you don’t get any of the funding, so that’s a pretty critical campaign for us,” Fox said. The Kickstarter will begin in September, with a goal of all three fundraising tactics to bring in between $40,000 and $50,000.

Fox also said that Caturdays208 will have reservations and walk-ins available to see the cats. People who want to interact with specific cats or have extended, secure time with the animals can book an appointment in advance. If a customer wants to adopt a cat, Fox said they’ll be working closely with their community partners’ regulations to give the kittens forever homes.

“We want to be an asset to the community instead of creating anything that would harm the rescues currently,” she said.

Caturdays208 is partnering with the Pocatello Animal Services shelter as well as other local rescues to make the cat cafe a reality in the coming months. Fox said they hope to have the lease on a space secured by October, with a grand opening in January 2027.

“The best way to help now is just share and spread the word,” Fox said. “We’re looking to see our merch pop up everywhere as soon as possible and get funds through presale. Just jumping on our website or socials, it’s been really fun to see all the comments and see how excited people are about the idea.”

To donate to Caturdays208 and be part of the original group of supporters for Idaho’s first cat cafe, visit their website at Caturdays208.com. To donate to the GoFundMe, visit gofund.me/base.wall.moon.

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Curtis Jackson

MACKAY, Idaho (KIFI) – Another bat has tested positive for rabies in Idaho.

Eastern Idaho Public Health reported on Wednesday that a bat found in Mackay tested positive for the virus. Southeast Idaho Public Health reported in May, a bat tested positive in Bannock County.

Health officials say bats carrying rabies are detected throughout Idaho each year, and Eastern Idaho typically records at least one rabid bat every season. While most bats are harmless and do not carry rabies, they are the only natural reservoir for the virus in Idaho.

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can affect humans and animals. Pets and other animals can become exposed after interacting with sick or injured bats that are no longer able to fly normally. Because of this risk, EIPH is encouraging pet owners to keep their animals’ rabies vaccinations up to date.

“Bat bites or scratches can be very hard to see; they may not cause pain or leave blood,” said Jordan Adam, epidemiologist with Eastern Idaho Public Health. “If you know or suspect that you came into contact with a bat, call your health care provider immediately. Rabies is fatal once symptoms start, but the vaccines are nearly 100% effective in preventing rabies infection.”

 To protect yourself and your pets, EIPH offers the following tips: 

Do not touch a bat with your bare hands. If you have had contact with a bat or wake up to find a bat in your room, seek medical advice immediately. The teeth of a bat are very small, and people are sometimes bitten in their sleep without feeling it. Any bat found in a home should be tested for rabies if there is any suspicion that an exposure to a person or pet might have occurred. 

Parents should teach their children to avoid bats, never bring them to school for show and-tell, and to let an adult know if they find one. 

If you or your pet has had contact or may have had contact with a bat, save it in a non-breakable container if it is alive, or sealed and double-bagged in clear plastic bags. Only do this while wearing thick gloves. Call EIPH at (208) 533-3152 to determine whether testing the bat for rabies is indicated. If it is determined that you or your pet may be at risk of exposure to rabies, testing the bat is a free service. 

Rabies is deadly for pets, too. Always vaccinate your dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses— even indoor pets could be exposed to rabies if a bat gets into a home. 

Bat-proof your home or cabin by plugging all holes in the siding and maintaining tight fitting screens on windows. For information about bat proofing your home, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/management/index.html.

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