Author: KIFI

CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 31 MAR 26 14:28 ET

By Shelby Lofton

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    SPRINGVILLE, Utah (KSL) — The discovery of human remains in the mountains above Springville over the weekend is stirring a mix of hope and anxiety for families of missing people across Utah.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that human bones were found in a remote, rugged area above Springville after a horseback rider came across them Saturday. Investigators believe the remains had been there for some time.

Sheriff’s officials said they would return to the scene on Monday to complete evidence collection. The remains will be sent to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner. Officials said they do not have updates on the investigation at this time.

The location where the remains were found has no cell service and is difficult to access, investigators said. Authorities have not released additional details about the exact location.

Utah maintains a cold case database through the Department of Public Safety that includes hundreds of unsolved homicides, missing persons cases and unidentified human remains. Local law enforcement agencies are responsible for adding and updating information in the database as investigations continue.

The database includes images and descriptions of unidentified remains, such as sketches, photographs of clothing and footwear, estimated age ranges, and the dates on which the remains were found. A public tip hotline is also available for anyone with information related to cases.

As of Monday, there were no recently logged unidentified remains from Utah County in the state database.

Brock Best, executive director of Utah Homicide Survivors, an organization that provides legal and therapy resources for families of homicide victims, said discoveries like this often bring complicated emotions.

“For some families, getting that call can help them take the next steps and provide some closure,” Best said. “For others, it can be deeply retraumatizing.”

Best said families coping with missing loved ones often live in a state of uncertainty, making moments like this particularly difficult.

“They have to go through all of those emotions again, not only, ‘Gosh, we were so sad when our loved ones were missing,'” he said. “Now to find out that they have been out in the elements alone and have been taken from us in an unnatural way, it’s got to be incredibly difficult.”

Utah Homicide Survivors has not received any calls connected to the remains found in Utah County, Best said, but the organization is closely monitoring developments.

Authorities said updates will be released if new information becomes available. While the remains have not been identified, the discovery has reignited conversations about missing person and cold cases across the state.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATED: MARCH 31 4:30 PM

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — A bill aimed at ending what supporters call “secretive transitions” in Idaho schools and healthcare settings is heading to the Governor’s desk. House Bill 822, also known as the Pediatric Secretive Transitions Parental Rights Act, passed the Idaho Senate on Monday in a 27–8 vote.

Opponents have criticized the bill, saying it forces trusted adults to either ‘out’ minors to their parents within 72 hours or face devastating civil penalties.

Trans Idahoans argue the bill puts youth at risk

Also known as the Pediatric Secretive Transitions Parental Rights Act, the bill would mandate that teachers or healthcare providers report any request by a child to change their name, pronouns, or dress to a gender different from their biological sex to parents. Under the proposed law, schools or doctors who fail to comply could face lawsuits and civil penalties of up to $100,000.

While supporters say the measure strengthens parental rights, critics argue it could put youth at risk. Leah McNeal, a trans woman and local LGBTQ advocate, argues that forcibly outing a child could have catastrophic consequences.

“What I worry is that children already sometimes don’t feel safe. And the concept of identity is so complicated,” said McNeal. “Let that stay with teachers, counselors, and the children by forcibly outing a child who might be questioning something. It’s going to have catastrophic effects. And I think that I worry about the mental health of some of these kids.”

Closing the ‘Social Transition’ Loophole

Supporters of the legislation argue it comes down to a parental rights issue. Senate co-sponsor Ben Toews (R-Coeur d’Alene) told lawmakers that the legislation builds on Idaho’s Vulnerable Child Protection Act, which banned gender affirming care for minors. While the law has faced legal challenges, in 2024 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled allowed Idaho to enforce the law while litigation proceeds in lower courts.

Toews says HB 822 is intended to close a loophole in that law that allows for social transitions.

“This legislation upholds parental rights through transparency. It is about protecting the most important relationships in a child’s life, and allowing parents to do their job without being kept in the dark,” Toews told lawmakers Monday.

Critics Warn of State Overreach

Opponents argue that several major medical groups support gender-affirming care as medically safe and even necessary. Senator Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) argued that the majority of those who signed up to speak on the bill in committee, including Idaho physicians, were opposed to the legislation.

“I think this bill is one more that’s just over-controlling overreach and just goes far beyond what’s necessary. And again, we respect parents, absolutely. But we also have to respect the people doing their jobs,” said Wintrow.

Two Senate Republicans, Sen. Jim Guthrie (McCammon) and Sen. Jim Woodward (Sagle), joined Democrats in opposing the bill, citing concerns over the state inserting itself into family dynamics and the severity of the $100,000 fines.

The legislative debate surrounding the bill has been marked by significant tension between parties. Earlier this month, the House Republican supermajority voted to suspend rules to block a formal minority report from the official House Journal, an action Democrats called an “egregious abuse of power.” Monday, the Senate Republican majority allowed Senate Democrats to submit a six-page minority opinion.

ACLU Denounces Bill as ‘Weaponized’ Government Overreach

Following Monday’s vote, the ACLU of Idaho released a statement denouncing the bill as “a sweeping act of government overreach.”

“Idaho lawmakers have offered no credible evidence that a young person’s choice of name, pronouns, dress, or appearance poses any short or long-term harm to them; instead, HB 822 weaponizes the law to police youth expression and silence trusted adults, undermining free speech protections and violating the privacy of every Idaho student,” wrote spokesperson Taylor Munson.

The ACLU argues the “extreme and unconstitutional bill” would curtail teachers, counselors, and medical professionals’ ability to provide support and medical and mental health care to minors who need a trusted adult.

Governor Little now has five days to sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

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News Team

PROVO, Utah (KIFI) — Attorneys for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, filed a motion Friday to postpone a key preliminary hearing scheduled for May. The defense argues they need more time to review evidence, specifically a federal bullet analysis that failed to link the bullet that killed Kirk to the weapon found near the scene.

The motion, filed March 27, contained a summary report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) saying they couldn’t conclusively connect a bullet fragment recovered during an autopsy to the rifle found near the scene, according to reports by CBS.

His lawyers argue that the analysis could contribute to Robinson’s defense.

“The defense may very well decide to offer the testimony of the ATF firearm analyst as exculpatory evidence,” the motion states. “It is necessary for the defense and its firearm expert to review the ATF case file and protocols… which have not yet been provided.”

The motion states that the FBI is running additional tests. Robinson’s attorneys argue that to continue the preliminary hearing scheduled for May would violate Robinson’s rights under Utah Rule of Criminal Procedure 7B(a) and the U.S. Constitution.

“Mr. Robinson has the right at a preliminary hearing to present evidence, to call his own witnesses, and to have a meaningful opportunity to cross-examine the state’s witnesses through the effective assistance of counsel,” states the motion.

Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder in the September shooting of the conservative activist on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem.

While prosecutors have stated they intend to seek the death penalty, Robinson’s defense has not yet entered a plea. He is still currently scheduled for a court appearance on April 17.

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KIVI Staff

By: Victoria Rodriguez , Ellie Sullivan

Posted 3:26 PM, Mar 30, 2026

BOISE, Idaho — A revived immigration bill that would require local law enforcement agencies to work with federal immigration officials is moving forward at the Idaho Statehouse — but not without continued pushback from local sheriffs.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | “We don’t need a law to tell us to do so”: Idaho sheriffs oppose revived ICE partnership bill

On Monday, the Senate State Affairs Committee voted 6-3 to advance Senate Bill 1441, sending it to the Senate floor.

The proposal comes after a similar bill, House Bill 659, failed earlier this session. Lawmakers say the new version is intended to address concerns raised by law enforcement while still strengthening cooperation with federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“You’ll recall that we had a similar bill to 1441 in the committee before which failed. And so when that failed because there was enough interest in my caucus, I began working on another piece of legislation…” said Republican Senator Kelly Anthon of District 27.

Like its predecessor, SB 1441 would require local law enforcement agencies to apply for participation in a federal 287(g) program, which allows local officers to assist with certain immigration enforcement duties.

The updated version includes new language allowing county commissioners or city councils to opt out of participation under specific conditions — particularly if it would interfere with their ability to provide essential services.

Despite those changes, local sheriffs say their concerns remain.

This marks the third time sheriffs have testified against legislation tied to immigration enforcement this session.

Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue said the revised bill still gives too much authority to the federal government and raises questions about local control.

“This illusion that they’re working with us is absolutely a farce,” Donahue said. “It’s offensive for him to say that they have been, because they haven’t been.” Donahue also raised concerns about the role of local governing bodies in the decision-making process.

“There are many… things not known to the board of county commissioners,” he said. “So to have them decide whether we can participate or not is misleading, to be polite.”

He added that communication from the bill’s sponsor has been lacking.

“Let’s make no mistake — he has never asked us into a room to talk about this bill… prior to it being tabled a couple of weeks ago, nor since.”

Other law enforcement leaders warned about how the bill could play out under future federal administrations.

Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford said the requirements could limit local flexibility depending on who is in power.

“What happens when Kamala Harris gets, if she gets elected here in 2 years, everybody in here is gonna be crying because now we have to comply by this law and I don’t have an inability to work with the 287G program”, Clifford said.

In a joint press release issued last week, the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association and its 44 elected county sheriffs said lawmakers may be moving too quickly without sufficient input from local law enforcement.

They also claimed federal officials, including the Department of Homeland Security, have been in contact with state leaders advocating for mandatory participation.

Idaho News 6 reached out to Senator Anthon for comment but has not yet received a response.

Supporters of the bill argue it is necessary to address illegal immigration and ensure local agencies are working proactively with federal partners.

“I want you guys to be proactive on this too,” said Senator Ben Adams, District 12. “If this legislation goes forward this year, you will be.”

With the committee’s approval, SB 1441 now heads to the Senate floor for further debate.

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Danielle Mullenix

Chubbuck, ID (KIFI) – The wait is almost over for chicken-finger fans in eastern Idaho. Raising Cane’s is opening its first Chubbuck location today — bringing fresh meals, community pride, and a full day of festivities.

Raising Cane’s newest location in Chubbuck, ID

The new restaurant at 4310 Yellowstone Avenue officially opens at 9 a.m., but eager customers are encouraged to arrive early as the celebration kicks off well before doors open.

Known for its focused menu and made-to-order approach, Raising Cane’s serves hand-battered chicken fingers marinated for at least 24 hours, alongside favorites like buttery Texas toast, crispy fries, coleslaw, and its signature Cane’s Sauce. Every item is prepared fresh daily—no heat lamps, no shortcuts—just hot, quality food made in real time.

The Chubbuck restaurant marks the brand’s fourth Idaho location, following recent openings in Meridian, Twin Falls, and Coeur d’Alene. Founder Todd Graves says the company is excited to continue growing across the state and connect with the local community.

Inside, the space is designed with Chubbuck pride in mind. Customers will find memorabilia from nearby schools, such as Highland High School and Pocatello High School, along with displays featuring Idaho State University and nods to the gem state’s outdoor lifestyle and local sports culture.

Opening day is packed with excitement, including:

A “Lucky 20” giveaway where 20 guests will win free Cane’s for a year

Free branded hats and a Box Combo card for the first 100 combo purchases

A special prize package for the very first customer in line

Free coffee from Idaho Coffee Company before opening, while supplies last

A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce around 8 a.m.

A donation presentation to the local school district

Appearances by the Idaho State cheer team and mascot Benny Bengal

Restaurant leaders say the goal is to create not just a place to eat, but a welcoming, high-energy spot where the community can gather.

“I’m excited to open the first Raising Cane’s in Chubbuck and fourth in the state of Idaho,” said Raising Cane’s owner and founder, Todd Graves. “Our Crew is looking forward to opening our doors and serving Craveable Chicken Finger Meals to this great community.” 

The new location will be open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.—making it a late-night option for those craving a Box Combo.

With more than 1,000 locations worldwide and plans for continued expansion across Idaho, Raising Cane’s is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands—and now, Chubbuck is officially part of the excitement!

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Abi Martin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The First Presidency for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced changes to its Sunday worship schedule. 

Beginning on September 6, Sunday school classes along with the Relief Society, Elders Quorum, Young Women, and Aaronic Priesthood meetings will be held each week during the second hour. 

Sacrament meeting will remain at sixty minutes, followed by Sunday school for 25 minutes and then men’s and women’s classes for 25 minutes. Primary will also continue for the full hour. 

This comes just before the LDS Church’s General Conference, set for this weekend. 

You can read about the changes here.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Bonneville County election officials are working to clear up confusion after inaccurate flyers regarding the upcoming May Primary Election were handed out throughout the area. The flyers in question contain incorrect dates for early voting.

The correct early voting period will run from May 4 through May 15, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the elections office.

For more information, call the Bonneville County Election’s Office at (208) 529-1363 or click HERE. General voting information can be found on voteidaho.gov

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Kaelyn Blessinger

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Light the World Giving Machine presented checks to 7 local nonprofits this afternoon.

These machines, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, work as vending machines in reverse, allowing people to donate various items in a simple purchase; Such as meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, school materials, and livestock.

Over 48 days (from November 15th to January 1st), more than 95,000 people visited the machines. 78,000 donations were made across Pocatello, Rexburg, and Idaho Falls.

The total donations raised in Rexburg was $625,270.00

Care USA- $112,060

Right to Play- $116,710

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho- $65,985

Idaho Falls Rescue Mission- $67,390

Idaho Falls Area Humanitarian Center- $67,825

Family Crisis Center- $106,670

Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership- $88,630

The non-profits were very appreciative of all of the donations they received. These amounts are not just numbers, but a showcase of the care within the community.

“We had 1695 family meals donated. Our new home starter kit for survivors who have escaped abuse and are starting a new home. We received 140 starter kits, new beds, 170 for nights of safety, 274 nights of safety and transportation assistance, 305 of those,” Marie Harris, the representative for the Family Crisis Center, said. “[It’s] just overwhelming how much support and the impact that this is going to have for survivors of abuse in our community.”

Each donation could be life-changing. The Eastern Idaho community came together to make a change for many people’s lives.

“We were able to get a month of utility assistance, and there are so many families with the cost of living right now being really high, that’ll be very useful,” John Radford, the representative for Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership, said. “We also had senior meals, which are desperately needed. So those dollars will help our local senior centers get more food into more seniors’ homes.”

The Light the World will present Pocatello’s numbers tomorrow, March 31st, and in Idaho Falls on Thursday, April 2nd.

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David Pace

UPDATED 03/31/2026

HAMER, Idaho (KIFI) — Hamer Fire Chief Scott Jacobs says Monday’s massive hay fire has died down into a smolder Tuesday morning.

Smoke is still visible but crews say the fire is well contained to the yard. Chief Jacobs says they are still on stand by as they wait for the fire to completely die out.

Jacobs says he is thankful for the help of all the people and resources who stepped in to contain this fire.

ORIGINAL:

HAMER, Idaho (KIFI) — Fire crews are continuing to battle a massive haystack fire that ignited Monday in Jefferson County. 

Teams from 11 different agencies are working to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby Camas National Wildlife Refuge – 11,000 acres of protected sensitive habitat, located about a quarter mile away.

“We’re trying to keep [the fire] off of the refuge,” said Hamer Fire Chief Scott Jacobs. “Right now, we’re only about a quarter to a half mile south on the south end of the Camas Refuge. So if we get into that brush and that grass, it’ll take off, and then we’ll end up in some houses. Right now, we’ve got everything contained here, and we’re just fingers crossed we’ll keep it here.”

The fire ignited when electricity arced from a power pole into a 10-bale high stack of straw at 2000 North 2300 East in Hamer around 12:30 PM Monday.

“The wind picked up, power lines clapped together, arched into the straw bales, and from there, it all went up south there,” Jacobs said.

Eight hundred calves were bedded down next to the giant, U-shaped straw stack. 

One calf died when a burning stack of straw collapsed on top of it, but no other calves were killed, a firefighter reported.

Fanned by gusts of wind exceeding 50 miles per hour, the fire quickly spread from the straw bales to other adjacent stacks of hay and straw.

Four power poles were burned in the flames, knocking out electricity in nearby Hamer.

Fire fighters had to lift the fire station’s garage doors by hand.

All ditches in the area are dry, and the response teams urgently fought to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to the Camas National Wildlife Refuge.

Crews are expected to work throughout the night.

“We’’re just trying to keep everything out of the silage pile,” Jacobs said.

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News Release

The following is a press release from the Idaho Falls Fire Department:

IDAHO FALLS – The Idaho Falls Fire Department will officially welcome Johan Olson as its new fire chief during a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, April 2, at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers.

The ceremony will take place prior to the regularly scheduled Idaho Falls City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend in person or tune in to the live stream at www.idahofallsidaho.gov/429/Live-Stream to celebrate this important milestone for the department.

Olson returns to Idaho Falls following a national recruitment process and City Council confirmation. He brings extensive leadership experience, a strong background in emergency management, and a deep connection to the Idaho Falls Fire Department.

Olson most recently served as deputy fire chief for the Grand Junction Fire Department and previously served as assistant fire chief for the Buckley Fire Department. He also served with the Idaho Falls Fire Department from 2007 to 2021, holding roles from firefighter to captain and move-up battalion chief.

“I am honored to return to Idaho Falls and serve as fire chief for a department that means so much to me and to serve a community that truly feels like home,” Olson said in a previous statement. “I look forward to supporting our firefighters, continuing to strengthen safety and operational excellence, and building on the strong relationships the department has within the community.”

The swearing-in ceremony marks the official start of Olson’s leadership of the department. The City of Idaho Falls and the Idaho Falls Fire Department proudly welcome him and look forward to his leadership.

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