Author: KIFI

Abi Martin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senate, David Roth, announced that he will be withdrawing from this year’s Senate Race.

In a statement released on July 28, Roth said the decision comes after careful consideration.

“I have concluded that I can make the greatest difference by focusing my time and energy on helping Democrats win up and down the ballot and in communities across Idaho,” Roth wrote. “I have been proud to do that work as a volunteer, a candidate, a supporter of fellow Democrats, and Idaho’s Democratic National Committeeman.

He expressed gratitude for all the people who believed in his campaign — volunteers, donors, and voters. He hoped that they would stay involved in their local politics to “build a better future for the state.”

He also reflected on being the first openly gay man to receive a federal nomination in the state of Idaho.

“I hope this campaign showed LGBTQ+ Idahoans, especially young people, that they belong in our politics, their voices matter, and no office should ever feel beyond their reach.” Roth wrote.

Roth said in the announcement that he will work with his team to meet their remaining financial obligations and complete the formal withdrawal process.

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Maile Sipraseuth

DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) — Downtown Driggs was transformed into an outdoor art studio as painters set up their easels, brushes and canvases during the Plein Air Festival.

“I just really love this town. That’s why this is the second time driving all this way. I drove all the way from Seattle here and I’m really enjoying this town. It has beautiful, beautiful scenery and just really amazing, friendly people,” Plein Air Festival artist Min Zhong said.

Barrel & Bins became a popular painting location, where artists were drawn to the store’s bright green signs and umbrellas.

For Driggs resident and Plein Air Festival artist Blake Luther, the storefront represents everything that makes downtown unique.

“Just good geometry and color and some great shadows. I love the umbrellas,” Luther said.

Some out-of-town artists found inspiration in a different landmark: the bison sculpture atop a building on Main Street.

Zhong said the bison immediately stood out as a symbol of the town.

“The bison looks really great to represent the town. I thought I’d make a little memory out of it,” Zhong said.

Connecticut artist Sam Guindon said the bison caught his attention while he was exploring Driggs.

“I was scouting around last night and I had a few spots in mind, but I really liked the bison that’s on top of the building. And I liked the blue domes on the building. It just seemed like a really interesting spot,” Guindon said.

The Plein Air Festival continues with artists painting throughout Teton Valley before showcasing and selling their completed works.

For more information, visit downtowndriggs.org.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – A tradition born from tragedy is back in Pocatello for the twelfth year– the annual Parrish Family 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. The competition serves as a fundraiser for the NO C.O. Foundation and the Chubbuck Lions Club, as well as an opportuity to raise awareness about carbon monoxide poisoning.

In an incident that shook the community, Bill Parrish, his wife Ross, and their two young sons died in their sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning in 2014. Carri Parrish Curtis, Bill’s sister and vice president of the NO C.O. Foundation explained a hot water heater malfunctioned and emitted the toxic gas throughout the night.

“The furnace was of course, running because it was February, and it sucked that carbon monoxide being released from the hot water heater into the vents to the house and pushed it throughout the house while they were sleeping,” Parrish Curtis said.

The remaining family members learned a valuable lesson: death by CO poisoning is preventable.

“We want to make sure that this never happens to anybody else ever again,” Parrish Curtis said. “As long as we have more people become educated and have detectors in their home, so we started the NO C.O. Foundation.”

The foundation provides free CO detectors to anyone in need. Unlike functioning smoke alarms, in order to buy or rent a living space, a carbon monoxide detector is not required. Parrish Curtis said others have suffered from vacation rentals not being equipped with a detector, leading the foundation to provide portable equipment.

Just three months after the tragedy in the Parrish family, Carri and her husband decided to host a basketball tournament in honor and memory of their lost loved ones.

“My brother is a big basketball player, he played college ball and raised his kids to play basketball, so it’s a love of all of our family,” Parrish Curtis said. “We thought of it to commemorate them and remember them and do a fundraiser for the Lions Club.”

The Chubbuck Lions Club is a service organization focused on restoring eyesight and hearing for local people. The Parrish family combined forces with them to create the perfect event for the community.

“It’s not just to create awareness and fundraise, it’s to create a fun event where we’ve got food, live music and high energy basketball,” Parrish Curtis said.

She said all ages are welcome to compete, from eight years old to 88. The divisions are split into men’s and women’s as well as by skill level categories. The event has grown to nearly 100 teams each year.

“We were wishing and crossing our fingers for 20 to 30 teams total, and it has grown and spread across all the divisons,” she said. “We’re so grateful for all the support, we want to make sure everyone gets to play.”

Their main focus post-tournament is to turn the funds around right back into the community, including to purchase and distribute more carbon monoxide detectors across the region. At the basketball tournament under the NO C.O. Foundation tent, visitors can grab a free detector. They’re also asking anyone with extra glasses lying around to come donate them to the Chubbuck Lions Club at the tournament.

Each registered player gets a Parrish Family T-shirt. Parrish Curtis said they switch colors each year, and 2026 is the year of coral. This year’s event will also have a focus on cooling stations, with misters, water guns and hydration stations available to keep all players safe during the heat advisory.

Parrish Curtis said she’s already had multiple families tell her how the detectors saved their lives.

“Two more people who have come to the tournament and got carbon monoxide detectors, their lives were saved because they had a leak in their home,” she said. “Otherwise, without those detectors, they went off when they were already sleeping, so they could’ve not made it.”

The tournament begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 31. Opening ceremonies are at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 1 with tournament play to follow. Sign-ups for teams are still open through Thursday, July 30. To register, visit chubbucklions.org.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The federal government is proposing to give Idaho, Montana and Wyoming greater authority to manage grizzly bear populations.

Since 1975, grizzly bears have been a protected species under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, meaning only the federal agency can handle anything regarding a grizzly bear’s status.

In 1993, the federal organization created a recovery plan to boost the species population. Since then, there have been cases, starting back in 2017, to remove grizzlies from the protected species list.

This proposal would allow specific state organizations to capture and kill grizzlies under their own terms instead of the federal governments. The move could increase flexibility for grizzly bear management in the areas where species have met or exceeded federal recovery benchmarks.

Sens. Jim Risch, Mike Crapo, along with Gov. Brad Little have applauded the move, each stating that the grizzly population have exceeded recovery goals and that management should be left to each state.

“It’s abundantly clear Idaho’s grizzly bear populations have widely exceeded recovery goals,” Risch said. “Increasing state authority to manage grizzly bears ensures our own local wildlife agencies, who understand Idaho’s environment best, can follow the science and make commonsense conservation decisions without bureaucratic inefficiencies.”

“The recovery of the grizzly bear in the West is a conservation success story made possible by decades of work from state, tribal, federal and local conservation partners,” Crapo said. “For years, I have advocated for returning grizzly bear management to the states as recovery objectives and benchmarks have been achieved. Secretary Burgum’s announcement moves us one step closer to allowing Idaho wildlife professionals to manage a recovered grizzly population in a way that protects both the species and Idaho communities.”

“Idaho has proven we can successfully conserve grizzly bears while responsibly managing wildlife and protecting our communities,” Little said. “This proposal is another important step toward returning wildlife management to the states, where decisions are guided by science and those closest to the land. I appreciate President Trump and Secretary Burgum for recognizing what Idaho has long maintained – that recovered grizzly populations should be managed by the states, not Washington, D.C.”

For more information about the proposal, you can visit the United States Fish & Wildlife Service.

You can submit your comment here.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Drivers traveling between Idaho Falls and Rigby should expect nighttime traffic shifts and temporary exit closures beginning this week as the Idaho Transportation Department enters the next phase of its U.S. Highway 20 resurfacing project.

According to the Idaho Transportation Department, overnight work is expected to begin Tuesday evening at Hitt Road. Crews will remove a portion of the existing pavement. Speed limits will be reduced through the work zone, with repaving scheduled for next week.

ITD said work at the remaining interchange areas will follow a similar schedule and expected to be complete by mid-August.

During that time crews will begin resurfacing on and off ramps one ramp at a time. Drivers will be able to use neighboring U.S. 20 exits as detours while work is underway.

“These closures and traffic shifts mark the end of this project to help create a smoother, safer ride for drivers,” ITD Project Manager John Cleveland said. “Repaving this busy route will help the road serve Idaho and any visiting traffic for years to come.”

Specific areas where crews are working will be noted in detail on the Idaho 511 app and at 511.idaho.gov.

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Par Kermani

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A 20-year-old Pocatello man is facing felony charges after police say he intentionally drove his pickup truck over two Flock license plate reader cameras in the Lowe’s parking lot, causing an estimated $20,000 in damage.

According to court documents, officers responded around 11:53 p.m. July 7 after reports that a Dodge Ram had run over two cameras near the south parking lot entrances at Lowe’s on Bullock Street.

Police said two Lowe’s employees watched the truck strike one camera, stop briefly in a nearby parking lot, then deliberately drive over a second camera.

The truck was later located in the Costa Vida parking lot in Chubbuck, where Chubbuck police contacted the driver, Allyn James Carter. Police said Carter told officers he believed he had struck an unknown object near Red Robin on Yellowstone Avenue and was changing a flat tire.

Pocatello police later took over the investigation because the cameras were damaged within Pocatello city limits.

According to investigators, the truck’s damage matched the damage to the cameras. Officers also recovered a piece of rubber near one of the cameras that they believe matched Carter’s damaged front passenger tire.

The two Flock cameras were valued at approximately $10,000 each, according to the police report.

Carter was arrested on suspicion of felony malicious injury to property and misdemeanor failure to notify after striking fixtures. Court records show he was later released on his own recognizance.

His preliminary hearing has since been continued to Aug. 18.

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Seth Ratliff

VICTOR, Idaho (KIFI) — Now that former city councilwoman Sue Muncaster has stepped into the role of Mayor, the City of Victor has officially opened the application period to fill her vacant City Council seat.

Muncaster was appointed Mayor by the City Council on July 8, 2026, following the resignation of former Mayor Will Frohlich. On July 22, the council voted to open the application process for the vacant council seat.

Qualified Victor residents interested in serving are invited to submit letters of interest and applications now through Monday, August 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

“This vacancy comes at a meaningful moment for Victor,” the City Council stated in a recent press release. “The City has experienced a period of public strain and disagreement, while also moving through important and exciting work related to infrastructure, growth, regional relationships, public access, community connection, and the future vision for Victor and Teton Valley. The City is inviting residents who care deeply about this community to consider stepping forward to serve.”

The appointed council member will serve the remainder of Muncaster’s term through the next general city election in 2027. To continue serving afterwards, the new councilmember must run for election and be chosen by Victor voters.

“Victor needs people who are willing to listen carefully, ask good questions, and serve the whole community,” said Mayor Sue Muncaster. “This is a time of both challenge and possibility for our city. We are working hard to make this process open, fair, and respectful, and we encourage qualified residents who are ready to do the work of local government to apply.” 

Timeline and Next Steps

On Wednesday, August 12th, at 6 p.m., the City Council will meet for its regular meeting, where the Mayor and City Council will receive an update on the applicant pool and eligibility from the County Clerk. From there, Council members will decide whether to interview all eligible applicants or select finalists for a special public interview session.

At the next regular City Council meeting on August 26, Mayor Muncaster is expected to make a nomination for the City Council’s approval. The nominee will need to be confirmed by the majority of the City Council before being appointed to the vacancy.

For more information on how to apply and materials, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATE Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Bingham County Sheriff’s Office reported that they have located Thomas Saxton, and he is safe. It did not say where or how he was found. Saxton was reported missing on Monday night.

ORIGINAL STORY:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office has issued an endangered missing persons alert for 68-year-old Thomas Saxton, who was last seen around 10 p.m. on Monday, July 27, in the area of East River Road in Blackfoot.

Saxton is described as 6ft 1in, weighing 215lbs with a short grey beard. Authorities are particularly concerned for Saxton’s safety because he does not have his required medication.

If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, contact the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 785-1234.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)— Idaho has been named one of five states under consideration to host a new Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus. The campus is a U.S. Department of Energy initiative aimed at strengthening and modernizing the nation’s nuclear fuel cycle while creating thousands of jobs and attracting billions of dollars in investment.

The DOE announced that Idaho, Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Lousiana were selected from 28 applications submitted by 26 states. The agency has signed memorandums of understanding with each state.

According to the DOE, the proposed campuses would support activities across the full nuclear fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, enrichment, recycling and reprocessing of used nuclear fuel, and final disposal solutions. Depending on the host site, campuses could also include advanced reactor projects, power generation facilities, advanced manufacturing operations and data centers.

“Idaho is honored to have been selected as one of five initial contenders to further explore the development of Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses,” Gov. Brad Little said in a statement. “For more than 70 years, Idaho has been at the forefront of nuclear innovation, and we are grateful to President Trump, Secretary Wright, and the U.S. Department of Energy for recognizing our unmatched expertise and legacy.”

Little added that Idaho looks forward to working with DOE to advance the nuclear fuel cycle, strengthen national energy security and create good-paying jobs.

Idaho is home to the Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls. INL has long served as the nation’s leading nuclear energy research laboratory and has played a central role in advanced reactor development, nuclear fuel research and clean energy technology innovation.

“The United States has an opportunity to strengthen its nuclear enterprise for generations to come, and today’s announcement is a critical step in that process,” Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner said. “We’re pleased that Idaho has been selected to advance to the next phase alongside other highly qualified states. Idaho has spent decades building the infrastructure, expertise and partnerships that support the full nuclear lifecycle, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Energy as it evaluates the strongest path forward.”

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the campuses are intended to help rebuild domestic nuclear capabilities and support what he called an American “nuclear renaissance.”

“These campuses will be massive generators of economic growth, create thousands of high-paying jobs, and be crucial to unleashing America’s nuclear renaissance,” Wright said.

DOE estimates a single campus could attract up to $50 billion in capital investment, generate as much as $10 billion in state and local tax revenue and create nearly 25,000 jobs.

The DOE said states that ultimately pursue projects will negotiate hosting agreements at a later date. No final site selections have been announced, and the department did not provide a timeline for narrowing the field.

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Par Kermani

UPDATE:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Blackfoot says drinking water remains safe after a temporary water service interruption earlier this week prompted precautionary testing.

According to city officials, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality directed the city to conduct water quality tests following Tuesday’s brief loss of water service. Test results have since been returned, and officials say all results came back normal.

As a result, no boil order has been issued.

The city also provided new details about what caused the outage, saying it occurred during a scheduled test of the city’s SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system, which monitors and controls critical water system operations. During the test, officials identified a problem within the electronic control system that temporarily affected the operation of a well and interrupted water flow.

City crews quickly identified the issue, made the necessary repairs and restored normal operations.

Officials said routine testing and maintenance help identify potential problems before they become larger issues and thanked Water Department employees for their quick response.

BLACKFOOT, Idaho — A test on a city booster pump briefly dropped water pressure in parts of Blackfoot Tuesday, prompting a momentary city-wide water outage. Now, state regulators must be notified in case additional steps are needed to protect public health.

According to Blackfoot City Mayor Scott D. Stufflebeam, the city’s booster pump helps maintain consistent water pressure in the system, and it was temporarily shut down during a recent test.

“When the booster pump shuts down, you lose pressure because it’s the booster pump that keeps the pressure up,” said Mayor Stufflebeam. Other pumps are in place to help maintain pressure, but in this case, the shutdown happened so quickly that they did not immediately kick on.”

According to the mayor, they were able to restore water to the city quickly. However, a loss of pressure could raise concerns.

“The worst would be a boil order,” the mayor said, adding that officials are still determining whether pressure dropped enough to require further action.

Under federal rules governing drinking water systems, significant pressure losses may require consultation with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

Water pressure plays a key role in keeping drinking water safe. Consistent pressure and flow help prevent bacteria from accumulating in pipes and discourage contaminants from entering the system.

“You keep a constant flow of water, and you don’t have bacteria that accumulate,” the mayor said.

“That’s why they tell you don’t drink out of a stagnant pond,” the mayor said. “You always want to drink where there’s flowing water because it’s healthier that way.”

City officials are continuing to monitor the situation and review data from the incident to determine whether a boil advisory or other public notice is necessary.

For now, the mayor said the water is back on, and pressure has been restored. Additional updates will be provided if regulators require further action or if a boil order is issued.

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