Author: KIFI

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Pocatello police responded to a report of an armed individual in the City Hall parking lot at around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8.

Officials tell us the report stated a male subject made threats to harm department employees and was believed to be in the parking lot of the Pocatello Police Department.

According to City of Pocatello Public Information Officer Marlise Irby, employees in the City Hall were instructed to lock down and stay inside while police investigated the threat. Any people in the parking lot were taken inside the building by officers.

“Due to the seriousness of the threat and the subject’s reported proximity, both the Pocatello Police Department and the City of Pocatello offices were placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure,” stated the Pocatello Police Department as of 4:52 p.m.

Pocatello police were reportedly able to locate the threat in Chubbuck, and the lockdown was lifted at approximately 11:50 a.m. The public was asked to avoid the area during this time.

The investigation has since been passed to the Chubbuck Police Department.

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Danielle Mullenix

UPDATE:

KELLOGG, Idaho (KIFI) — The Kellogg City Council unanimously passed an Ordinance banning the sale of Kratom within city limits, making it the first in the Gem State to do so as efforts to regulate or outlaw the substance continue to gain traction across Idaho.

Ordinance 645 is effective immediately for new retailers. The Chief of Police, Paul Twidt has given existing retailers until May 8th to remove it from their inventory.

This vote could encourage other cities to follow suit, with several nearby communities signaling efforts to enact similar ordinances.

ORIGINAL:

Kellogg, ID (KIFI) — A small North Idaho city could soon become the first in the state to ban the sale of kratom, as broader efforts to regulate or outlaw the substance continue to gain traction statewide.

As of April 7th, the Kellogg City Council is proposing a resolution to prohibit the sale of kratom within city limits, a move that could catalyze similar actions in other Idaho communities.

Kratom is a plant-based substance derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, indigenous to Southeast Asia. It is primarily used to relieve muscle pain, boost alertness and energy, and reduce stress. Currently, it is sold without specific regulation in Idaho and many other states. However, concerns over its safety and lack of regulation are fueling renewed scrutiny at both the local and state levels.

“The problem is that there are no state or federal regulations on this, on this stuff,” explains Kellogg Police Chief Paul Twidt. “There are some safer versions, and there are some synthetic, higher doses that are really, in my opinion, dangerous. There’s a reason why they nicknamed it the gas station heroin.”

In East Idaho, officials have already linked kratom to multiple deaths. According to Bonneville County Coroner Shante Sanchez, the county has documented six kratom-related deaths within a year, prompting calls for stricter oversight and public awareness.

Kellogg city officials and law enforcement are weighing the ban amid growing concerns about potential health risks and accessibility. If approved, the ban would make Kellogg the first city in Idaho to take such action, signaling a shift toward tighter local control over the substance.

While details of enforcement and penalties are still under discussion, the proposal reflects increasing pressure on local governments to address substances that currently fall into regulatory gray areas.

The Kellogg City Council will make its final decision on the proposed ban at its meeting this evening. If Kellogg moves forward with a ban, it could pave the way for similar ordinances in other Idaho cities.

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Sean Dolan

By: Sean Dolan

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on April 8, 2026

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has endorsed David Worley, a District 28 Senate candidate, in his Republican primary bid against Sen. Jim Guthrie, who is seeking a ninth term in the Legislature.

Worley is a major in the Idaho National Guard. He ran for Senate in 2022 but lost in the general election to Sen. James Ruchti, D-Pocatello.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador

In a press release, Labrador said Worley will fight for Idaho families, support strong border security and hold government accountable.

“Voters are tired of politicians who campaign one way at home and govern another when they are in Boise,” Labrador stated. “David is different. He’ll bring integrity, courage, and common sense to the Senate. I encourage Republicans in District 28 to support David Worley on May 19.”

Guthrie, R-McCammon, was first elected in 2010. He chairs the Senate State Affairs Committee and has faced criticism this session from hardline Republicans for not allowing hearings on immigration bills. Guthrie tops the Stop Idaho RINOs PAC list of Republicans who vote with Democrats.

In response to an EdNews candidate survey, Worley wrote Idahoans deserve honest government where bills are heard in public.

“In Boise, too many decisions are controlled by procedure and closed-door gatekeeping, and that undermines trust,” Worley wrote. “I am running to uphold immigration law, defend Idaho family values, and restore integrity and transparency so the people’s business happens in daylight.”

Worley submitted responses to the EdNews candidate survey, but Guthrie has not. Neither Worley nor Guthrie have responded to multiple requests for phone interviews for an election profile.

Jim Guthrie and David Worley

On his campaign website, Worley stated that he believes “Cultural Marxism” has no place in public schools, and schools should not “promote hatred of their nation.” He is committed to driving “radical Leftist ideology” from Idaho’s education institutions.

Also on his website, Worley said Christian morality is the “foundation of Western Civilization” and the state plays a legitimate role in supporting public and private morality.

If elected, Worley has committed to banning the use of government resources to “advance the LGBTQ agenda or support sexual immorality generally,” according to his website.

Worley in January 2025 filed a religious discrimination lawsuit against leaders of the Idaho National Guard. U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye dismissed the suit in February.

According to the lawsuit, Worley claimed leaders of the Idaho National Guard affirmed a “No Christians in Command” policy.

Nye, in a memorandum and order to dismiss the case, wrote that it’s not clear to the court that such a policy exists.

Click here to read Worley’s lawsuit and here to read Nye’s order to dismiss.

Guthrie’s history

Guthrie is a former trustee for Marsh Valley School District and former Bannock County Commissioner. According to his website, he champions the principle that local governments know their communities best.

He voted against the $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit last year and prioritizes “robust funding and support” for Idaho schools, according to his website. That means pushing for “restored and increased” education budgets.

In 2023, he was a legislative co-sponsor of the bill that established the Idaho Launch grant program for graduating high school seniors.

On social issues, Guthrie was the sole Senate Republican who voted last month against a bill that regulates which bathrooms transgender people can use.

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Fox13

Originally Published: 08 APR 26 13:53 ET

By Jeremy Tombs

Click here for updates on this story

    OREM, Utah (KSTU) — Researchers and professors at Utah Valley University are using AI to help uncover ancient history from what they call The Buried Library.

“It’s a complete game changer for what papyrology can do,” said UVU philosophy student Orpheus Isom.

Isom never foresaw herself delving into the world of ancient papyrus scrolls.

“For a while, I wanted to be a political science major… and then I wanted to be an illustrator,” she admitted.

That led her on a study abroad trip to Italy, where she learned about the neighboring civilizations of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

“That’s where we first encountered the Herculaneum papyri,” Isom explained.

The relationships built with the people at the archaeological sites in Europe have helped the school bring an exceedingly rare sight to Utah.

The four scrolls, 2,000 years old and never before seen in the United States, sit behind glass at the UVU conference this week, where scholars from around the world are gathering. They’re all paying attention as University of Kentucky researchers show how they’ve pioneered the art of ‘virtually unrolling’ the scrolls with AI.

“We started thinking… that we didn’t want things to be left behind in the digital age. Things that are damaged and fragile are really hard to digitize,” said computer science professor Brent Seales with the University of Kentucky.

Seales soon realized that in some cases, it’s about being able to see anything at all.

“The Herculaneum scrolls are quite unique,” explained University of Kentucky research assistant Seth Parker. “They’re basically pure charcoal. But in another sense, that’s what preserves them.”

Because the pages are so brittle, researchers came up with a way to non-invasively recover the text.

“The basic idea is that we CT scan them, which shows the internal structure of the scrolls,” explained Parker.

The group then puts that data into custom software to unfold the wraps of the scrolls and see their texts.

“The recent discovery was an extended passage on Epicureanism and, in particular, a discussion of scarcity and abundance,” said Seales.

“We’ve scanned about 50 or 70 scrolls, and of those, we’ve only recovered text from maybe two or three,” added Parker.

The task remains daunting, but they’re driven by what they’ve uncovered so far.

“There’s going to be more in this library about what we didn’t know about the ancient world,” Seales said. “We’re standing on the edge of a future that we can hardly even imagine.”

The Buried Library Conference is being held in Utah Valley University’s Clarke Building through Friday. Anyone wanting to see the scrolls can do so for free, but you must first register on the university’s website.

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

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Blackfoot has chosen its new Police Chief. Captain Wes Wheatley has been chosen to helm the Blackfoot Police Department, following a unanimous vote by the City Council during Tuesday night’s meeting.

Mayor Marc Stufflebeam named Wheatley as his top choice to replace outgoing Chief Gordon Croft, who is retiring after a 26-year career with the department.

RELATED: Blackfoot Police Chief reaches top Idaho law enforcement milestone ahead of retirement 

Wheatley is an 18-year veteran of the Blackfoot Police Department. According to City leadership, throughout his nearly two-decade career, Wheatley has served the citizens of Blackfoot in nearly every role within the Police Department.

In a Facebook post, city leadership praised the appointment, citing Wheatley’s deep roots in the community and his professional track record.

“His dedication, commitment, and passion to the public safety of our citizens is unmatched,” said City Leadership. “Congratulations, Captain Wheatley, this city is in excellent hands.”

Wheatley is scheduled to be officially sworn into the role on April 20, 2026.

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CBS2 Staff

By CBS2 News Staff

Originally Published: Wed, April 8, 2026 at 8:41 AM

GARDEN CITY, Idaho (CBS2) — George Gebran, the Eagle man accused of killing a cat locked in a cage in Garden City, is in court this morning for a pre-trial conference.

Courtesy: CBS2

On Feb. 15, 2026, Garden City Police received a radio call reporting an alleged animal abuse and shooting investigation in the 5100 block of North Alworth Street in Garden City. The caller reported seeing a white male in his 50s shoot a cat while it was locked in a cage. Officers responded to investigate alleged animal abuse and the discharge of a weapon within city limits.

The pre-trial hearing will be continued on Wednesday, May 20, at 9 a.m. Gebran faces two misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals and two misdemeanor charges of unlawfully discharging a firearm.

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News Release

The following is a news release from Yellowstone National Park:

YELLOWSTONE, Montana — Beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2026, select entrances and roads in Yellowstone National Park will open for the summer season, weather permitting, as part of the annual spring opening.

Entrances Open on April 17

North Entrance (Gardiner, Montana)

West Entrance (West Yellowstone, Montana)

From either entrance, visitors may access the following destinations:

Mammoth Hot Springs

Lamar Valley

Norris Geyser Basin

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Old Faithful

Northeast Entrance (Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana)

Additional roads within the park will open throughout May, weather permitting. Specific routes and directions can be found at Park Roads.

Plan Ahead

Check the park’s Current Conditions before arrival.

Bring appropriate footwear and clothing for winter conditions. Many trails and boardwalks are still snow covered this time of year.

Expect limited services in spring and come prepared. Visit Operating Dates for area-specific information.

Anticipate possible road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions. Temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice. Have flexible travel plans.

Expect delays of up to 30 minutes due to road improvement projects.

Stay informed about road conditions and delays in Yellowstone:

Visit Park Roads.

Call (307) 344-2117 for recorded information.

Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).

Reduce wait times at park entrances by purchasing a pass online ahead of time.

For additional details, visit the park website or download the National Park Service App.  

During Your Visit and Wildlife Safety

Use caution when driving and watch for ice, snow and gravel on road surfaces.

Bison, elk, bears and other wildlife use roads as travel corridors. Roadside snowbanks prevent them from easily moving off the roads. Do not crowd, harass or push wildlife. Be mindful as wildlife endure this difficult time of the year.

Stay at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves and cougars and 25 yards from all other wildlife. It is your responsibility to maintain safe distances at all times.

Protect yourself and bears. Stay alert, carry bear spray and know how to use it.

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – Drivers across Idaho can expect to see more law enforcement on the roads over the next few days as deputies increase patrols for Distracted Driving Enforcement Week.

The enforcement campaign will run over the next week, with deputies focusing specifically on distracted driving violations. Officials say drivers caught using their phones while driving are likely to be cited.

The effort reinforces Idaho Hands-Free Law, which prohibits drivers from holding or using a handheld cell phone while operating a vehicle—even when stopped at a red light or stop sign.

Under this law, drivers are not allowed to:

Use a device in any way that requires the use of their hands.

Hold a phone to talk

Text, email, or browse

Hands-free options are still permitted, including Bluetooth, headsets, voice commands, and GPS use if the device is properly mounted or voice-operated.

Penalties for violating the law can quickly increase. A first offense carries a $75 fine, a second offense rises to $150, and a third violation within three years can result in a $300 fine and a possible 90-day driver’s license suspension.

Law enforcement officials say distracted driving continues to be a major contributor to crashes. With more drivers on the road during the spring months, they stress the importance of staying focused behind the wheel. Even without snow and ice, construction zones and heavy traffic can create dangerous conditions if drivers aren’t paying attention.

Deputies say the goal of the increased enforcement is not just to issue citations, but to prevent crashes and keep everyone on the road safe.

Their message to drivers is simple: put the phone down—it can wait.

To stay up to date on our law enforcement and road conditions, visit the Idaho 511 website here.

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Abi Martin

Now that lawmakers wrapped up their work in Boise last week, election season is right around the corner.

Tonight’s “Beyond the Books” is all about ballot measures. Linda Larsen sat down with Devin Bodkin, who says there’s a lot on the line for several school districts.

Watch the video above to find out.

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Stephanie Lucas

SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) — A Lemhi County landmark is making a comeback after a devastating fire two months ago.

The Baker County Market seems to have popped up almost overnight, with the help of the surrounding community.

Yesterday, 42 volunteers put on trusses and most of the roof in a matter of hours. A family friend of the business owners says the trusses were up and the roof was on by 4:30 p.m.

The structure is ready for siding and shingles that should arrive in a couple of weeks.

Store owner Paul Miller says he is hoping the new Country Market will open in July. In the meantime, a new 7,000-square-foot greenhouse opens this weekend, and the business is still selling storage sheds alongside lawn and garden furniture.

While there will be over 1700 hanging flower baskets in the greenhouse ready for purchase, Paul says you don’t have to buy anything; you can just stop by and say hello.

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