Author: KIFI

Kaelyn Blessinger

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — As Idaho continues to rank among the states with the poorest access to mental health care, one local counseling center hopes its new location will help meet the growing need for services in eastern Idaho.

According to Mental Health America, Idaho and Wyoming rank 48th and 47th, respectively, for access to mental health care, placing both states near the bottom of the national rankings.

Despite those challenges, Harmony Counseling Center recently celebrated the opening of its new office on 17th Street in Idaho Falls, expanding its ability to provide counseling services to people of all ages.

“We do play therapy with little kids and all the way up to their parents, grandparents,” said Timmie John, LCSW, therapist and owner of Harmony Counseling Center. “There really is a need all the way through life for counseling and therapy services.”

The center offers therapy for children, adults and families, with staff members emphasizing that mental health support can be beneficial at every stage of life.

Therapists say many people experience increased stress from major life events, including moving, losing a job or coping with grief and other personal challenges. They hope to reduce the stigma surrounding counseling by encouraging people to seek help when they need it.

“We all have difficult times, griefs, losses, experiences that are trying and push us to the extent of what we’re able to do,” John said. “That’s very human. Sometimes in our society, there’s a little bit of a stigma about receiving help — that if we receive help, there’s something wrong with us. I would like to advocate that if someone comes to counseling, it’s a beautiful thing. It is an opportunity to heal. It’s an opportunity to grow, to get support and a better life.”

Counselors also stressed that there is no age limit on personal growth or healing, saying therapy can be effective for people throughout their lives.

“If someone said they were too old for therapy, that says to me that they think there’s not a lot of hope for change,” John said. “But I do believe that there’s always hope for change. When you have a clinician that’s trained and has the ability to connect, has empathy and builds a good therapeutic relationship, anybody can change.”

Counselors at Harmony encourage anyone experiencing anxiety, stress or other emotional challenges to reach out to a licensed mental health provider rather than struggling alone.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for immediate support.

Click here to follow the original article.

Curtis Jackson

CHALLIS, Idaho (KIFI) – The Double Spring Fire has grown to 1,021 acres on the Salmon-Challis National Forest, according to fire managers on Monday.

The wildfire was first reported on July 24, about 21 miles southeast of Challis and is burning in steep, rocky terrain, that is making it difficult for firefighters to access on the ground.

Fire activity increased significantly over the weekend. The fire expanded from roughly 150 acres to more than 1,000 acres in the past two days because of weather conditions.

Double Spring Fire burning southeast of Challis.

Despite the growth, fire managers said cooler temperatures and higher humidity on Monday helped slow fire behavior, resulting in minimal fire activity and limited growth.

The Forest Service has closed Roads 114 (Rock Springs Road), 115 (Christian Gulch Road), and 288 (Dead Cat Canyon Road) because of the fire.

Double Spring Fire burning southeast of Challis.

Click here to follow the original article.

Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Fire Department is responding to a natural gas leak in downtown Idaho Falls after a construction crew accidentally struck a gas line.

As a precaution, B Street is closed between Park Avenue and Shoop Avenue, including the intersection of B Street and A Street. The department is asking people to avoid driving or walking through the area until the leak is resolved.

Nearby businesses have been evacuated, and an emergency alert was sent to cell phones within the affected area.

Intermountain Gas is on scene working to stop the leak.

Once the gas has been shut off and emergency crews determine the area is safe, people will be allowed to return to evacuated businesses.

Local News 8 will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Click here to follow the original article.

Par Kermani

HEISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The Big Rock Fire near Heise and Kelly Canyon Resort remains very active and at 0% containment as officials warn people to stay out of the fire area and obey road closures.

“Crews were able to secure Heise Road on the first night, and we were able to protect all the structures along Heise Road – working to the west and then to the north, up in the ag fields up to the north of the fire, up on the mesa.” said Incident Commander Type III Kory Davis, who’s helping lead the Bureau of Land Management efforts to fight the fire. “Then we were able to secure a fire perimeter edge along Kelly Canyon up on the rim there, keeping fire out of Kelly Canyon.”

More than 125 firefighters are combatting the blaze. The men and women are split into four crews – with 15 fire engines, five bulldozers, multiple water tenders and two helicopters.

Officials said current road closures are expected to remain in place through the coming week and could be extended depending on fire conditions and ongoing operations. South Snake River Road, Lyons Creek Road and Forest Service Roads east of Kelly Canyon are off limits.

Emergency crews have reported people attempting to get closer to the fire by going around barricades and road-closed signs. Officials are asking the public not to bypass those closures.

“We understand people may want to get a closer look at the fire, but the roads are closed for a reason,” said the Madison County Sheriff‘s Office in a social media post. “Do not circumvent barricades, road-closed signs, or other closures to access the fire area.”

Officials said entering closed areas creates additional safety concerns and could interfere with firefighters and law enforcement working near the fire.

People in the area are being asked to follow instructions from fire personnel and law enforcement and stay away from active fire operations.

Officials said additional updates will be released as conditions change.

Click here to follow the original article.

CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 03 AUG 26 15:08 ET

By Brittney Ermon

Click here for updates on this story

    WEST COVINA, California (KCAL, KCBS) — A West Covina family learned about Saturday’s deadly mass shooting at an In-N-Out in Idaho the same as many did — a news alert on their phone. And for the ensuing moments, time felt like an excruciating, panic-inducing eternity.

Their Southern California-based 24-year-old daughter was part of an “all-star team” assembled to travel to Twin Falls, Idaho, to help train new associates as they open the new location. Around 2:30 p.m. local time, shots rang out as a gunman entered the store.

The Ahern’s were alerted to the shooting through the Citizen App, and knowing their daughter was there, they awaited a phone call from their daughter. It never came, at least from her phone, they said.

While the shooting was active, their daughter fled the scene without her cell phone, delaying her ability to contact family to let them know she was OK. She was later able to reach her parents from a friend’s phone, but for Nikki and Micheal Ahern, that wait was excruciating.

“All she could get out [on the initial phone call] was ‘mommy, mommy, mommy,’ crying, ‘mommy, I’m alive’,” Nikki said.

Micheal said he asked his daughter if police officers had arrived yet and if she was safe, which she said yes to, but added that a co-worker had been shot.

The Twin Falls Police Department later confirmed that three died and seven others were wounded after 24-year-old Chad Williams opened fire at the restaurant. In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder said a female employee was one of those killed.

Williams later turned the gun on himself and died.

Even hundreds of miles away, the fear centered in a Southern Idaho city was felt in West Covina.

“[It felt like] being powerless,” Nikki said. “It took a long time for clarification.”

The Ahern’s turned their attention to In-N-Out, saying that the company failed to alert them to the active situation and didn’t provide crucial information.

“There’s got to be a protocol,” Micheal said. “Like, you have an emergency contact list, right?”

CBS LA reached out to In-N-Out to ask about those protocols, but is yet to hear back.

The Ahern’s said their daughter still is without a cell phone, but she’s expected to return to Southern California on Monday.

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.

Click here to follow the original article.

Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — If you spot a moose wandering through your neighborhood this summer, Idaho Fish and Game says there may be a reason why.

During late spring and summer, the department frequently responds to reports of yearling moose wandering into residential and urban areas at lower elevations.

According to Idaho Fish and Game, mother moose will drive away their roughly 1-year-old calves as they prepare for new offspring. Those young moose are then left searching for new territory, food and water.

As they disperse from higher elevations, yearling moose can follow rivers and agricultural corridors that eventually lead them into populated areas. Sightings typically peak between May and July.

While a young moose wandering through town may attract attention, Fish and Game is reminding people to keep their distance.

Moose are large, powerful animals that can move quickly and should not be approached or treated like domesticated animals. Signs of agitation can include pinned-back ears or a lowered head, which could indicate the animal may charge.

Pet owners should also keep dogs leashed and away from moose. Dogs can provoke a defensive response from the animal, increasing the risk of a charge.

If a moose appears stuck, aggressive or is creating a safety concern in a populated area, contact Idaho Fish and Game.

Click here to follow the original article.

Par Kermani

UPDATE (Aug. 4):

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man reported missing during evacuations for the Big Rock Fire near Heise.

Robert Michael Quinn, known as “Robbie,” was last seen Friday, July 31, during the wildfire evacuation. The sheriff’s office said Tuesday that its search for Quinn remains active and there is concern for his welfare.

Quinn is 64 years old, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes, but officials said his head was shaved when he was last seen.

Quinn was wearing tan sweatpants and no shirt at the time of his disappearance. He was last seen in the vicinity of the Big Rock Fire evacuation area, and his current whereabouts are unknown.

The new information comes after the sheriff’s office previously told Local News 8 that the individual “took off” during Big Rock Fire evacuations Friday night. Law enforcement has been searching for him since.

Anyone who has seen Quinn since July 31 or has information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 208-745-9210.

ORIGINAL STORY:

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing person who disappeared during evacuations for the Big Rock Fire Friday night.

Sheriff’s officials told Local News 8 the individual “took off” during the evacuations and has not been located.

Law enforcement is currently searching for the individual and remains in contact with the person’s guardians.

The sheriff’s office has not yet released the person’s name, age, description or the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.

Local News 8 is working to learn more and will update this story as additional information becomes available.

Click here to follow the original article.

Par Kermani

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to stop harassing an innocent man who shares the same name as the deceased suspect in the recent In-N-Out shooting.

In a social media post, authorities said a man named Chad Williams has been mistakenly associated with the shooting because he shares the suspect’s name.

“This Chad Williams is alive and well and not related to the incident in Twin Falls,” the post said.

According to the post, the man has been receiving threats and his social media profile has reportedly been circulated in connection with the shooting.

Authorities are now asking people to verify information before sharing social media profiles or identifying people online.

“I am asking people to stop using innocent people’s profiles that have nothing to do with this situation,” the post said.

The Twin Falls Police Department is aware of the situation, according to the post.

Local News 8 has reached out to Williams for comment.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — First responders are on the scene of a crash along U.S. Highway 20 near County Line Road (Milepost 320) that has shut down the far right lane.

According to ITD, the crash response began around 4:08 p.m near near County Line Road (MM 320).

The right lane is currently blocked. Details surrounding the incident are limited at this time. However, photos from the scene indicate that at least one vehicle, a white Dodge Ram truck towing a trailer, was involved. It remains unclear if additional vehicles were impacted or if any injuries have been reported.

Drivers traveling through the area are urged to use caution when passing the crash.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide additional updates as we learn new details.

Click here to follow the original article.

Linda Larsen

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — At least three people are dead and five others injured following a shooting Saturday afternoon at an In-N-Out location in Twin Falls, police confirmed to news partner KMVT.

The suspected shooter is also dead, according to Twin Falls Police. Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity or specified the cause of death.

“We are working to try to ascertain his identity and the motivations behind that. We’ll be able to figure that out in the coming days,” Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks told reporters Saturday.

Police plan to hold a news conference at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Police say the shooting began inside the In-N-Out before moving outside in a busy commercial area on the city’s north side. The location had only been open for one week before the violence erupted, according to reports by CNN.

In-N-Out Owner Responds

At least one of the victims was an In-N-Out employee. In-N-Out owner Lynsi Snyder expressed her heartbreak on social media following the tragedy.

“We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight. She was taking care of our most important asset – our Customers, and her life was taken by a disgusting human who doesn’t value the lives of others or his own,” wrote Snyder. “…IN-N-OUT will be mourning with the families and praying for them as they tread through a very painful season. I am no stranger to loss, but this is so incredibly tough, and my heart also goes out to all of the Associates and Customers who were there during this traumatic event.”

Snyder expressed her love for the entire community, asking them to “turn to God, not in anger, but seeking comfort and strength for those who are hurting.”

“We will stand together, and we will do everything we can to learn from this situation,” wrote Snyder.

FBI Seeking Public Video and Tips

The FBI has established a digital media tip line for the public to submit images and videos related to the shooting that occurred yesterday at In-N-Out. To submit photos, videos, dashcam footage, or other tips, click HERE.

“Even small details may help investigators. Thank you for your assistance and support as law enforcement continues this investigation,” said the FBI on social media.

Click here to follow the original article.