Author: KIFI

Seth Ratliff

CASSIA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The man accused of killing four people across two southern Idaho counties has accepted a plea agreement to avoid the death penalty, the Cassia County and Minidoka County Prosecuting Attorney’s Offices announced today. On December 22, 2025, Benjamin Roy Naylor, 56, pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder for a killing spree that spanned two southern Idaho counties in exchange for four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.

According to court documents, Naylor is accused of killing Kelly and Donna Jenks in their Burley home in Cassia County, and the killings of 25-year-old Angelica Medina and 77-year-old Dennis Mix in neighboring Minidoka County.

Throughout the plea agreement process, prosecuting attorneys from both Cassia and Minidoka counties stated that the resolution was reached only after extensive consultation with the victims’ families. The prosecutors praised the families’ extraordinary strength and invaluable input.

“This plea agreement represents justice for the victims and their families. While no outcome can undo the devastating loss these families have endured, this resolution ensures that Benjamin Roy Naylor will never walk free again. The victims’ families showed tremendous courage throughout this process, and their input was critical in reaching this agreement,” said Cassia County Prosecuting Attorney McCord Larsen.

Larsen noted that the “certainty and finality” of the consecutive life sentences spared the families from years of trial proceedings and appeals.

“I want to thank the law enforcement officers and investigators from both counties whose tireless work on this case made this outcome possible,” said Larsen. “Our office remains committed to supporting the victims’ families as they continue to heal from these unimaginable losses.”

Minidoka County Prosecuting Attorney Lance Stevenson emphasized that the focus of the prosecution remained on community safety and ensuring the defendant would never walk free again. He credited the collaborative efforts between the two jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies for the successful outcome.

“This resolution brings a measure of closure to an unspeakable tragedy that has impacted our community deeply…” adds Minidoka County Prosecuting AttorneyLance Stevenson. “The families of the victims have shown remarkable strength and dignity. Their voices were heard, and their wishes were respected in reaching this agreement. Four consecutive life sentences mean that Benjamin Roy Naylor will be held accountable for each life he took.”

Both offices expressed gratitude to the investigators and victim advocates who supported the grieving families throughout the legal process. Judge Blaine P. Cannon has formally scheduled the sentencing hearing for March 9, 2026, at 1:15 PM in Cassia County.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — An Idaho Falls man was killed early Monday morning in an officer-involved shooting after he allegedly lunged for and grabbed a knife during a domestic disturbance call. The East Idaho Critical Incident Taskforce has opened an external investigation into the incident.

The shooting took place shortly after 5:00 a.m. on Dec. 22, 2025, after the Idaho Falls Police Department responded to a call of a woman being threatened by her boyfriend. According to investigators, the victim had texted a third party to call emergency services.

As they arrived on the scene, officers spoke with the couple separately inside their apartment and learned from the woman that the man had allegedly threatened her with a knife and choked her. A knife was in plain view, sitting on a piece of furniture.

The man denied threatening or choking her, but reportedly admitted to the officers that he had threatened the woman’s father, saying he would “kill her father if he came over.” He then claimed to have grabbed the knife in self-defense.

The situation escalated when officers told the man he was under arrest. According to IFPD, the man immediately lunged for the knife, leading to a physical struggle as the officers attempted to stop him. During the struggle, one officer fired his service weapon, striking the man.

Officers on the scene immediately began life-saving medical aid until Idaho Falls Fire EMS arrived. However, the man was ultimately declared deceased at the apartment.

Per department policy, the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave while the Rexburg Police Department leads an independent investigation into the use of force. The findings of the investigation will eventually be submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office to determine if the officer’s actions were legally justified.

The Idaho Falls Police Department has pledged full cooperation with the taskforce, including the handover of all body camera footage. At this time, the names of the involved officer and the suspect are being withheld to ensure proper notification of next of kin and to allow the taskforce to conduct initial interviews.

At this time, IFPD says Cleveland Street will remain closed between Wabash Avenue and N. Fanning Street as investigators process the scene. While authorities state there is no ongoing threat to the public, they are directing residents in the area to expect a significant law enforcement presence throughout the day and to follow all on-site directions regarding neighborhood access.

IFPD expects to release additional information, including body camera footage, as the investigation progresses.

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Megan Lavin

(Idaho Falls, Idaho) — David McClellan of Idaho Falls hopes he’ll see his LEGO design turned into an actual set sold in stores.

Lego runs an online contest, and after hundreds of hours of work, he’s hoping his piece connects with voters.

“That’s my dream in life — to make my own official LEGO set.”

INSPIRED BY CLASSIC NINTENDO GAMES

Not only would people be able to build his set if it gets mass-produced, they could turn it on and play it, too. It’s based on the popular 1980s motocross video game Excitebike. McClellan hopes this interactive LEGO build has all the right pieces.

The build has gone through multiple iterations, and he’s spent more than $1,000 of his own money, lovingly paying attention to even the smallest details.

“I created these custom minifigs, and since I couldn’t find a place that was able to print them in complex 3D shapes, I actually hand-painted them.”

You can even swap out the riders, who use a conveyor belt controlled by a joystick to move over various obstacles, making it interactive.

“So this allows them to catch some air… you can pull it and push it, and you can change lanes. You can do wheelies. You can tilt it forward. You can even do flips.”

HIS LOVE OF LEGOS GOES DEEP

McClellan is heavily involved in the LEGO community. He and his wife both have LEGO-specific Instagram accounts, amassing more than 20-thousand Instagram followers and traveling to LEGO conventions.

It’s not just fun — it’s family time, too — and they get both of their boys involved.

“My older son — I’m going to help him work on his first build, which is a guy that runs down a track and jumps over stuff. So I’m starting to get him into it, starting to get him interested. And even my younger son is really taking to it.”

If McClellan wins, he won’t be the first Idahoan to make his mark. He spoke with a past recipient who won with an idea for a ship-in-a-bottle set. The winner told Dave to focus on the details — and focus he has. He’s spent more than two years on the project since its conception.

“So these are custom dirt bikes. So I think that’s a huge selling point. And then you’ve got custom stickers here.”

He says he started building LEGO around age four, but stepped away from it until adulthood.

“I took like a 20-year break, maybe, and then rediscovered it as an adult.”

Reporter: “And what made you rediscover it?”

“I don’t know — just being an adult and needing a break from adult stuff.”

Now, his basement LEGO laboratory has an entire wall of builds he and his family have created.

WHAT HE’LL WIN–BESIDES BRAGGING RIGHTS

If he wins, he’ll receive one percent of all sales, plus ten free sets — which he says he’ll pass on to his boys. When asked if his parents will receive a set as a thank-you for getting him started, he replied:

“They’re definitely on the list.”

Dave needs 10,000 votes to move on in the competition. And if he doesn’t win — he won’t need to quit his day job. He says he’ll keep right on building. That’s because Dave is an engineer at the INL.

If you’d like to vote for Dave’s creation, click here.

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Seth Ratliff

LEWIS COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Two Idaho State Police Regional Communications Officers are being recognized for their pivotal role in rescuing a kidnapped woman and capturing a suspect in Lewis County earlier this year. Regional Communications Officer Thomas Conrad and Senior Regional Communications Officer Jamielyn were honored with Distinguished Achievement Awards, recognizing them for their investigative work that allowed law enforcement to locate a victim being held under dangerous circumstances in Kamiah.

The incident took place on June 16, 2025, when a young woman called from a local business stating she was unsafe and required immediate help. However, the young woman vanished before officers arrived on the scene, leaving behind limited information to work with.

Investigators were tasked with identifying the young woman and her suspected captor using only a phone number and a photograph she had shared of herself and an unidentified man. Conrad and Rupe immediately set to work using the limited information to track their possible location.

As the investigation intensified, authorities were able to contact the victim, who confirmed she was being held against her will. Through careful review of available information and law enforcement resources, Conrad and Rupe connected key details that ultimately led officers to a residence in Kamiah.

Because of the high level of threat reported at the scene, the Idaho State Police SWAT team was dispatched to the area. During the standoff, the victim managed to escape the immediate danger after speaking with investigators. The SWAT team subsequently took the male suspect into custody on kidnapping charges.

ISP Trooper Welling credited the dispatcher’s persistence as the deciding factor in the rescue, stating, “What they did was simply outstanding. They are force multipliers, enabling troopers on the road to do their jobs effectively. Without their work, the victim would have remained in serious danger.”

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Max Gershon

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — As the eighth and final night of Hanukkah arrives, families across Idaho light their menorahs, celebrating a miracle of light that dates back over 2,000 years. In a state with one of the smallest Jewish populations in the United States—ranking eighth from the bottom— the history of Judaism here is both deep-rooted and inspiring. From gold rush pioneers to the first elected Jewish governor in the nation, Idaho’s Jewish community has woven itself into the fabric of the state’s mountainous spirit.

Hanukkah commemorates the victory of a small group of Jews, led by Judah Maccabee, against oppressive Greek rulers in 165 BCE. These rebels reclaimed their defiled temple in Jerusalem, where a single day’s worth of oil miraculously burned for eight days. Rabbi Sara Goodman of Temple Emanuel in Pocatello describes Judah Maccabee as “sort of the first Jewish superhero.” She explains how this outnumbered band “fled into the hills outside of Jerusalem” and fought back against a massive army, refusing to abandon their faith.

The holiday is timed for the darkest period of the year, between the winter solstice and the new moon, when sunlight and moonlight are scarcest. “What the rabbis wanted to do is to offer this holiday of light in the darkest time of the year,” Rabbi Sam Klein of the Wood River Valley Jewish Community says. “It’s the idea of bringing light, bringing this miracle of our existence out to the world.” In Idaho’s chilly winters, communities from Pocatello to the Wood River Valley keep these traditions alive, blending ancient rituals with the state’s rugged landscape.

Jews have been part of Idaho’s history since before it became a state in 1890. Ari Goldstein, whose family has ties to the Wood River Valley, traces the earliest arrivals to the 1860s gold rush. “The earliest recorded Jews that we have in Idaho are two gold prospectors,” Goldstein notes. “They came in winter 1861; their names were Harrison and Haas. We only have last names, but gold had been discovered in Idaho in 1860, and people started to come from all over the West, trying to strike it rich.”

Waves of immigration followed: German Jews in the mid-1800s, then Eastern Europeans around 1900. Many settled as merchants in mining towns, contributing to the growing territory. A major milestone came in 1914 when Moses Alexander was elected as Idaho’s governor—the first democratically elected Jewish governor in the United States. “He was the very first elected Jewish governor,” Rabbi Daniel Fink of Boise said. “When that happened, it was really a big deal in the Jewish world. American Jewish newspapers across the country had big stories that a Jew could be elected governor in a state where there were hardly any Jews.”

As Idaho’s Jewish communities light their final Hanukkah candles tonight, they honor a history of resilience—from ancient rebellions to pioneer trails in the American West. In places like Pocatello and the Wood River Valley, the miracle of light continues to shine brightly against the odds. Whether through family gatherings or synagogue services, this small but vibrant community reminds us that even in the darkest times, faith and tradition endure.

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Max Gershon

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI)– The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center has issued an avalanche warning for Island Park, West Yellowstone, and nearby communities.

According to the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center’s website, “Near Island Park and West Yellowstone danger will rise through the day as heavy snowfall and wind-drifted snow add weight to a snowpack with weak layers buried 1-3 feet deep. Natural and human triggered avalanches large enough to bury a person are likely later today. Avalanches can be triggered from flatter terrain below steep slopes. The safest choice is to travel on slopes less than 30 degrees steep, and stay off of flatter terrain below steep slopes.”

The warning is in effect until Monday at 5:30 a.m.

For more information, visit the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center’s website HERE.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Volunteers at Camp Hayden hosted their annual Grinch and Santa event tonight to provide gifts for children and families in need in the community. This was the seventh year Camp Hayden hosted their event with a Christmas gift truck at the Friendship Garden in downtown Idaho Falls.

Camp Hayden is a volunteer-run organization whose mission is to provide unforgettable experiences for children with special needs. This holiday season, they extended their offer of help for the holidays to all families responding to their call for assistance. They were able to raise thousands of dollars in donations as well as recieved hundreds of toys from Toys for Tots.

The plan this year was to surprise 15 families, but because of the overwhelming requests and generosity of donors, they were able to help 30 families.

Children lined up outside the truck, eagerly awaiting their turn to meet Santa. The Grinch himself is a volunteer with Camp Hayden, and told us none of this would be possible without the donors.

“A big part of this is Toys for Tots, we couldn’t do this without them. They gave us enough toys we were able to get them into bags for 30 different families,” he said. “Then, Camp Hayden donors brought money out so we were able to bless these families and help them give a Christmas to their kids.”

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – On the weekend before Christmas, there are still chances to get a homemade, special gift for your loved ones. Pocatello hosted two different winter markets today for last-minute shoppers.

The Museum of Clean hosted the Portneuf Valley Winter Market this afternoon complete with food trucks and live music. Shoppers enjoyed local vendors selling everything from homemade treats to crochet animals.

The indoor market offers shoppers a warmer option for small-business support as the market moves inside for the winter months. The Grinch and Santa even made special appearances for families to enjoy at the Museum of Clean. Over at Station Square, 25 local vendors show off their crafts every weekend.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The semester just wrapped up at ISU and for some, that meant the end of their college education. The ICCU Dome was packed this morning with loved ones to watch the students in the winter class of 2025 walk the graduation stage.

The university conferred more than one thousand degrees at this mornings’ ceremony. The alma mater was performed by the ISU treble choir and the National Athem by student Jacob Williams.

Speakers at this semester’s commencement included State Board of Education trustee and ISU alumna Cindy Siddoway and student speaker Tamisha Green.

President Robert Wagner also gave his remarks, celebrating graduates from each college on the campus as well as the doctoral and masters’ programs.

On Friday, graduates walked back through the arch near the Frazier Hall building on campus, an ISU tradition to mark the end of the graduates’ educational journies. As freshmen, students walk through the arch one direction and walk through it the other way on their graduation weekend to signify their accomplishments and obtaining of their degrees.

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Danielle Mullenix

A wet and active weather pattern takes us through the upcoming Christmas week. An active weather pattern will remain in place throughout the holiday week, bringing periods of rain to the valleys and moderate to heavy snow in the mountains. Temperatures will stay well above normal for late December, making a white Christmas unlikely for most lower elevations.

For the remainder of Saturday, the forecast indicates a brief reprieve from the active pattern. Anticipate clear, sunny weather with cool, seasonal temperatures around 40 degrees. Southwest winds will be moderate, gusting up to 30 mph. Another wintry system is set to arrive Saturday night. While snow accumulation is expected to be minimal—likely less than half an inch—travel conditions may become slippery, especially at higher elevations.

By Sunday afternoon, most of Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming will experience rain replacing earlier precipitation. Temperatures are expected to rise into the low 40s, with steady rain at times, and a 100% chance of precipitation during the day, continuing into Sunday night and early Monday morning. Rain continues through Monday, with highs near 46°.

While snow levels remain high, mountain regions will continue to accumulate snow, whereas valleys will remain mostly rainy. Looking ahead to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the following days, the forecast remains wet. With temperatures significantly above normal, a white Christmas in lower elevations is unlikely. Any snow on Christmas morning will probably fall early and melt quickly as warmer air settles in.

Checking our region’s forecast for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after, it remains wet. With well-above-normal temperatures, the chances of a white Christmas in lower elevations are slim. Any snow that falls on Christmas morning would likely fall early and melt quickly as warmer air moves in.

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