Author: KIFI

News Release

The following is a press release from the American Red Cross:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — People wanting to make a difference in the Pocatello area will soon have a new larger, more modern place to donate lifesaving blood. On May 30, the American Red Cross is set to open its doors at a new blood donation center, located at 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101. The new center is in the Pine Ridge Shopping Center, a newly constructed open-air retail space.

This new six-bed facility replaces the previous Red Cross location inside the old Pine Ridge Mall, 4155 Yellowstone Ave., and will provide lifesaving blood products to cancer patients, accident victims, expecting moms and countless others across Idaho.

“We are so excited to provide our generous blood donors in Bannock County a fresh new place to give the gift of life,” said Dharma Nichols, regional donor services executive for the Red Cross of Idaho, Montana and East Oregon. “It’s a gorgeous facility, and we encourage the community to make a donation appointment and come check it out.”

The center will be open Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donors are also able to donate at the numerous Red Cross mobile blood drives across the area. Schedule an appointment at either the new donation center or at a mobile drive by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering your zip code or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Donating blood is essential to community health, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need. Red Cross provides lifesaving blood products to 38 hospitals and medical centers across Idaho and East Oregon.

“Donating blood takes less than an hour, and a single donation can save more than one life,” Nichols said. “How often can you give just an hour of your day and walk out the door knowing you may have helped saved someone’s life. It’s a pretty amazing feeling.”

The current location will remain open and will continue collecting blood through May 27.

How to donate blood: Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card, a driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Republican Central Committee (BCRCC) has officially opened the application period for the Bonneville County Clerk position. This follows the upcoming retirement of current Clerk Penny Manning, who will step down on July 25, 2025, after nine years of service.

“Penny set a high standard of excellence in the Office of County Clerk. We appreciate her outstanding dedication and service”, said Bryon Reed, 4th Vice Chair and former County Commissioner.  

The BCRCC is now tasked with recommending her replacement to the Bonneville County Commissioners. From now until Friday, June 6, 2025, the BCRCC is accepting letters of interest and resumes from interested candidates. For more information on the important role of Idaho’s County Clerks, click HERE.

“Preferred qualifications include attention to detail, experience with large budget development, experience supervising large numbers of employees, auditing, and proficiency in complex software systems,” writes the BCRCC. “The BCRCC will send each interested candidate a pre-interview questionnaire to be completed before the public meeting and interview.”

To submit an application for the County Clerk position, click HERE. 

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Seth Ratliff

SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) — A dedicated teacher from Salmon has earned a coveted spot in the National STEM Scholar Program. Renae Lewis, of Salmon Junior-Senior High School, is one of only ten middle school teachers nationwide selected for this highly competitive program, recognizing her commitment to making science, technology, engineering, and mathematics come alive for her students.

Teachers were asked to apply with a “challenge project” they would implement in their classroom if funds were available, making learning more exciting.

“STEM education is essential for my students because it equips them with critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills that are vital for success in today’s rapidly changing world. By engaging in hands-on, real-world learning, students gain the confidence and curiosity needed to pursue high-demand careers and become innovative contributors to their communities,” said Renae Lewis.

Studies show that middle school students who become excited about science are more likely to pursue STEM courses throughout their education.

“Supporting teachers who inspire and motivate middle school students at this critical decision-making age will directly impact how many choose to pursue the STEM skills essential for living-wage jobs. By investing in the influential middle school STEM teacher now, we reach thousands of students in classrooms today and far into the future,” said Dr. Paula Grisanti, CEO of the National Stem Cell Foundation.

Now in its 10th year, there are 100 National STEM Scholars representing middle schools in 37 states. 93% teach in public schools, 44% teach in mid- to high-poverty schools, and 39% teach in communities with a population under 15,000.

A unique requirement of the program is the responsibility for STEM Scholars to share lessons learned with colleagues in their home schools, districts or states, magnifying impact over multiple classrooms and years. By June 2026, National STEM Scholars will have directly and indirectly impacted more than 190,000 middle school students in the U.S.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Owners of local classic car restoration business ‘Badass Glass’ are trying to get back on their feet after a fire destroyed the company’s body shop.

Jordan Miller, owner of Badass Glass, said his son woke him up in the early hours of May 13 after noticing a fire in the large body shop near their home. Miller called the Pocatello Fire Department, and firefighters extinguished the blaze, but not before the loss of the shop and the tools and vehicles stored inside.

“I was thinking it was a nightmare every time until I walked out here and looked at it again every day and realized I wasn’t dreaming,” said Miller. “It’s total annihilation.”

Among the vehicles lost in the fire were a 1966 Chevy pickup truck and two Volkswagen Beetles.

Miller said, despite the loss, Badass Glass’ loyal customers and local fans have been understanding and supportive in the wake of the tragedy.

“I couldn’t do any of it without them,” said Miller. “We’re just gonna try to get cleaned up here and try to see what little we can save and see if we can’t get back on our feet doing something.”

A GoFundMe page was created to raise money for Badass Glass’ cleanup efforts and replacement of the tools and equipment lost in the fire; the fundraiser has already collected over $1,000 in donations.

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Maggie Moore

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Air Idaho Rescue hosted a BBQ for emergency first responders on Tuesday.

The BBQ is in celebration of National EMS Week, which recognizes EMTs and paramedics and their lifesaving care across the nation.

The BBQ was at Aero Mark in Idaho Falls, and all area first responders and dispatchers were invited.

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Maggie Moore

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The Idaho Falls Chukars came out on top against the Idaho Falls Bandits 13-4 in their first exhibition game of the season Monday.

The Bandits started off strong, leading the game 4-2 halfway through the game. But the Chukars picked up speed and scored most of their runs in the last three innings.

The Chukars head to Boise Tuesday for a six-game road series against the Hawks. Their official home-opener will be Tuesday May 27 against the Billings Mustangs.

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Noah Farley

UPDATE:

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — People who live in Jefferson County will soon have better access to ambulance services.

The creation of a new ambulance district was approved by voters yesterday in Idaho’s consolidated election. 63% were in favor, per Idaho code, the measure only needed a simple majority to pass.

Now, people living in Rigby can be taken to the hospital much faster, says former Central Fire District Deputy Chief Todd Stowell.

“Not only are we going to have advanced paramedic-trained people…we’ll have the medications that will go along with that, and we will also have an advanced life or an als ambulance equipped with all that advanced stuff as well,” said Stowell.

With the passage, Jefferson County could have its own ambulances ready to go by January 2027.

ORIGINAL:

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Election day is tomorrow, and voters in Jefferson County will need to make a decision if they want a new ambulance service. 

Jefferson County currently has only one ambulance district—in Mud Lake.

“We are trying to create an ambulance district here for Rigby, Ririe, Menan, Lewisville…All those areas not covered by the fire district in Mud Lake,” said Retired Fire Chief for Central Fire District, Carl Anderson.

Right now, when areas like Rigby need an ambulance, it often comes all the way from the south side of Idaho Falls. The trip to Rigby can take around half an hour. If there are ambulances on hand in the area, people could be taken to the hospital much faster.

“Not only are we going to have advanced paramedic trained people…we’ll have the medications that will go along with that, and we will also have an advanced life or an ALS ambulance equipped with all that advanced stuff as well,” said Retired Deputy Chief at Central Fire District, Todd Stowell.

If a new ambulance district is created, full-time emergency responders will be on-hand in the Rigby area. That will mean less stress on volunteer first responders, which are getting harder to recruit.

Stowell says some locals are worried about taxes going up if this levy passes. But if Jefferson County gets its own ambulance district, it won’t have to pay to use ambulances from Idaho Falls anymore.

“We are going to have to bring in this new district, which is going to add more money to our tax line on our statements, but it’s not going to be that much.”

Stowell expects a total of taxes going up by $40 for every $100,000 estimated property value.

If the levy passes, Jefferson County could have its own ambulances ready to go by January 2027. That’s why this levy is on the ballot now. 

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News Team

The following is a press release from the National Park Service:

MOOSE, Wyo (KIFI) — Biologists with the U.S. National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey will conduct bear capture operations in Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway from May 24 to October 15. These efforts support ongoing black bear research in Grand Teton National Park and grizzly bear population monitoring across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The grizzly bear work, carried out by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, is to document recovery under the Endangered Species Act.

When bear capture operations are being conducted, trap sites will be posted with bright warning signs to inform the public of area closures. For bear and human safety, the public must respect these closures and stay out of the posted areas. All trap sites in the park will be located away from established roadways, hiking trails, and backcountry campsites. 

Agency biologists use natural food sources, such as road-killed elk, to bait bears into culvert traps. Once captured, bears are handled in accordance with strict safety and animal care protocols. After handling, bears are allowed to fully recover before being released on-site. 

Data gathered from capturing bears informs ongoing research and management efforts and is vital to the continued conservation of black and grizzly bear populations across the region. Information about grizzly bear monitoring is available from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team’s website: HERE.

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News Team

The Following is a press release from Teton County School District:

TETON COUNTY, Wyo (KIFI) — Teton County School District is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Scott Crisp as our interim superintendent.

Dr. Crisp has worked for TCSD since 1998. He started his career with TCSD in 1998 when he was hired as a history teacher at Jackson Hole High School. Scott served as the principal at Summit Innovations School (previously Summit High School) for one year before becoming the Jackson Hole High School principal, where he worked for 14 years. For the last two years Dr. Crisp has served as the TCSD Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services.

Scott will serve as the interim superintendent for the 2025-2026 school year while the Board of Trustees conducts a national search for our next superintendent.

In announcing the selection of Dr. Crisp for this interim role, Board Chairwoman Betsy Carlin stated, “Through this process, I have been reminded of the caliber of educational professionals we have working in our district. I am grateful to all three of the candidates for being willing to step up to serve in this interim position. On behalf of the Board, we are excited to work with Scott and the other leaders in our district to ensure we hire the best superintendent for our district, our employees, families but most importantly, for our students.”

At the May 21st Board Meeting, trustees will consider issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to hire a national search team to help recruit and hire the next superintendent. Trustees are also planning a Board Retreat later this summer to affirm their vision and goals for the new superintendent.

The Board has determined that the position of assistant superintendent of educational services will not be filled during the interim period.

In accepting the position, Scott commented, “I believe that public education is the most vital institution in our country, and that teaching is the profession that makes all other professions possible. The daily interactions of students, teachers, leaders, coaches, and others who support students in schools profoundly impacts student growth and success. As interim superintendent, I will remain focused on ensuring that TCSD continues to be a place where students thrive, educators are supported, and families are engaged.”

Over the next year, Scott will focus on implementing the Board-approved TCSD Strategic Plan, including:

Advocate—alongside Trustees, district leaders, and our state representatives—for fair and adequate school funding during this pivotal year of statewide recalibration.

Look, listen, and learn from our students, staff, Trustees, families, community organizations, business partners, and higher education institutions to understand perceptions of strengths and areas for growth.

Support existing school goals, coupled with a focus on increasing innovative learning opportunities that allow for students to take ownership of learning through personalized and real-world application of knowledge.

Prioritize student and staff safety.

Enhance two-way communication across the district and with the broader community.

With this important step in the hiring process complete, TCSD is set to have a terrific 2025-2026 school year as we plan for the future of our school district.

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Seth Ratliff

NEBRASKA — Following a significant move in Nebraska, Idaho is on track to potentially enact restrictions on what can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps.

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook L. Rollins signed the first-ever waiver to prevent SNAP recipients in Nebraska from using their benefits to buy soda and energy drinks, with the changes set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

This comes just days after Idaho submitted a similar waiver on Friday, May 16, which aims to ban purchasing soft drinks and candy with food stamps. The timing of Nebraska’s waiver increases the likelihood that the Gem State’s request will also receive federal approval.

“Today’s waiver to remove soda and energy drinks from SNAP is the first of its kind, and it is a historic step to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Rollins. “Under President Trump’s leadership, I have encouraged states to serve as the ‘laboratories of innovation.’ Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Governors in Iowa, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, West Virginia, and Colorado are pioneers in improving the health of our nation.”

Data from the USDA indicates that approximately 20% of all SNAP spending goes towards sugary drinks and snacks, highlighting the potential impact of these restrictions.

Idaho and Nebraska are among a handful of states that have already submitted waivers to implement the restrictions on SNAP benefits.

The push to encourage healthier food choices within the SNAP program has gained considerable support from the federal government, notably through Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. In March, Secretary Kennedy voiced his strong belief that taxpayer dollars should not subsidize the purchase of highly processed, sugary foods.

“There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks. SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver,” said Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen. “I’m grateful to have worked with Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration to get this effort across the finish line. It is a tremendous step toward improving the health and well-being of our state. We have to act because we can’t keep letting Nebraskans starve in the midst of plenty.”

Idaho Governor Brad Little and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare officially submitted their waiver application last Friday. With the federal government’s apparent support and Nebraska’s waiver now approved, Idahoans could expect a decision from Secretary Rollins on their state’s request in the coming weeks.

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