Author: KIFI

Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Pocatello Police Department is honoring K9 Frank, a seven-year-old yellow lab who has faithfully served the Pocatello Police Department for a little over five years.

The move comes after K9 Frank’s health declined significantly in recent weeks. After consultation with his veterinarian, Pocatello PD determined that the most compassionate course of action was to let him go.

Alongside his handler, Sgt. Eborn, K9 Frank has taken part in countless deployments and community events.

On December 11, 2025, at 8:45 a.m., K9 Frank received his final radio call before passing peacefully. The Pocatello Police Department says they are deeply grateful for his loyal service and the many ways he contributed to the safety and well-being of our community.

To watch K9 Frank’s end of watch, click HERE.

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News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Crews with the City of Pocatello are responding to multiple water line breaks across the area, forcing several school closures.

RELATED: Indian Hills closes early due to waterline break; Parents must pick up students at reunification site

The initial incident took place early Friday morning, when a 12-inch water main break occurred at the corner of Pole Line Road and Eldredge Road. City of Pocatello crews arrived at 5:29 AM and initially instructed residents near the break to remain indoors as a safety precaution, as the leaking water flowed into a power grid area.

The water was successfully turned off at around 6:32 AM. Traffic control remains in place at the Pole Line and Eldredge intersection, restricting it to one-way traffic as crews work on clean-up and repairs. Residents are being told to avoid the area due to ongoing operations.

A second water line break, this one involving a smaller service line, was reported just before 9:30 AM near Bannock Highway and Cheyenne Avenue. The break forced an emergency closure for Indian Hill Elementary School.

As of 10:13 AM, City of Pocatello crews are on-site inspecting the area and beginning any necessary repairs.

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News Release

BOISE, Idaho – Two lucky Idaho Lottery players who participated in the 2025 Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle will begin the New Year as Idaho’s newest millionaires! All 500,000 tickets in the Idaho Lottery’s traditional holiday game, the Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle, have been sold, and the game has officially ended. The last ticket was sold Thursday, December 11, 2025.

This year’s game was one of the fastest selling in the nineteen-year history of the Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle. After last year’s very successful game, the Idaho Lottery continued the game with TWO top prizes of $1,000,000.  They also added a $100,000 prize and a $50,000 prize.

It is the eighteenth sellout and the eleventh time the game has sold out before Christmas.

“We want to remind everyone this game features two, one-million-dollar top prizes. Last year, unfortunately, one of those $1,000,000 prizes was never claimed,” said Andrew Arulanandam, Idaho Lottery Director. “So, please keep your tickets in a safe place and remember to go online and check them after the drawing.”

The winning numbers will be announced at 5:59 p.m. Mountain Time on Monday, December 29, 2025.

“Idaho Raffle tickets are popular holiday gifts. So, this year, two lucky Idahoans could be instant millionaires because of their stocking stuffers!” added Arulanandam.

Players can check their tickets for winning numbers at idaholottery.com, at all Idaho Lottery retail locations, on the Idaho Lottery winning numbers hotline at 208-334-4656, or by using the Idaho Lottery Check-a-Ticket app for their iPhone or Android phone.

Besides the guaranteed top prizes of $1,000,000, there are over 21,500 additional prizes ranging from $15 up to $100,000. This year’s game also featured twenty, $1,000 prizes mid-game for players who purchased one of the 25000th tickets. There were 15 daily, $1,000 winners during the first 15 days of sales. All players are encouraged to check their tickets for these promotion winners manually by visiting idaholottery.com.

All winning tickets of $1,000 and higher in this game must be claimed at Lottery offices in Boise. Players will have 180 days after the draw announcement on December 29, 2025, to claim their prizes.

This year’s Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle generated over $1.7 million for the Idaho Lottery’s beneficiaries, Idaho public schools and buildings.

During this gift giving season, the Idaho Lottery would like to remind everyone to gift Lottery tickets responsibly. You must be 18 years old to buy, sell, or redeem Lottery products in Idaho.

The following is a current list of $1,000 promotional winning tickets that remain unclaimed from this year’s Raffle:

035429

099040

122908

149710

158289

173160

192289

350000

425000

450000

475000

500000

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News Team

UPDATE:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) —  Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 has issued an emergency closure for Indian Hills Elementary School due to a major waterline break on Cheyenne Avenue. With classes already started, parents must now make arrangements to pick up their children.

Families of Indian Hills students are directed not to go to the school, but instead must proceed to the designated reunification site at the LDS Church Building at 5425 S. Bannock Highway.

Students will be released by their classroom teacher to parents or guardians who must present a photo ID for checkout. D25 staff and first responders are on site, and parents are asked to please follow all directions to ensure a smooth and orderly process. All students and staff have been accounted for and are currently being safely taken to the reunification location.

This closure comes on top of classes being canceled at D25’s Hawthorne Middle School due to a separate waterline break near Poleline Road and Eldredge Road.

For questions regarding the Indian Hills closure or the reunification process, please contact the District Office at 208-232-3563.

ORIGINAL

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Hawthorne Middle School will be closed today (Friday, December 12) after a water main line break caused flooding in a nearby power grid area. School district officials say the closure is being made out of an abundance of caution, emphasizing that the safety of students and staff is their top priority.

The break occurred near Poleline Road and Eldredge Road, where Bannock County Emergency Management reports that water has entered a power infrastructure zone. Residents in the immediate area are being asked to remain inside their homes and avoid the area until further notice.

District officials stress that the closure impacts only Hawthorne Middle School. All other Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 schools are open and operating on their regular schedules. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and are working to restore normal conditions as quickly as possible.

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Hadley Bodell

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Chubbuck hosted their annual City Hall-I-Days Christmas festival at the Chubbuck City Hall earlier this evening, December 11th.

Mayor of Chubbuck Kevin England was excited to host the community for a night filled with holiday cheer. The event was supported by ICCU, The Human Bean, Lamb Weston and more. Outside the City Hall building, guests could grab hot chocolate and french fries.

Families and children enjoyed taking photos with Santa inside. Buddy the Elf was also there to bring the holiday cheer. Guests could make their own Christmas ornaments and take home coloring pages provided by the city.

The event also included a fundraiser for Toys for Tots. The Public Works Department and Parks Department work to make the event happen with sponsors and ensure the City Hall building is decorated for Christmas. It began years ago at Cotant Park in Pocatello, but has since moved to the beautiful City Hall building.

“We started many years ago with Christmas in the Park, but then we got this beautiful building and we thought we’d better use it as such,” said Mayor England. “We’re grateful that people come out and have a good time.”

Mayor England said events like these are important to bring the community of Chubbuck together and recognize it outside of the business world. Without the concious effort to put on events like the City Hall-I-Days, community culture could fall to the wayside.

“It’s important for us to celebrate and to just enjoy one another. And that’s what these events like Movies in the Park and Chubbuck Days and this event, that’s exactly what they’re for, is just to come together and have a good time with one another,” said England. “So we’re really dedicated to those experiences, just to give the community some fun things to do together.”

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls High School (IFHS) has been designated the top high school in the area by U.S. News and World Report’s 2025-2026 rankings.

The recognition placed Idaho Falls High School first of 19 regional high schools.

“Idaho Falls High School was awarded as the top school in the area, and I think that’s very well deserved because I think we just have such great teachers here,” said Jonas Webb, a high school senior. “The school offers a really wide range of AP and dual credit courses, and that’s able to help launch me further into college.”

Webb was recently named a National Merit Semi-Finalist for placing in the top 16,000 students nationwide on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit exam.  

The school’s commendation continues a long track record and legacy of success. “They look at a variety of things – AP scores, college go on rates, they look at graduation rate and things of that nature,” said Idaho Falls High School Principal Dallan Parker. “… Idaho Falls High School offers 11 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, 21 dual enrollment classes, and the opportunity for students to earn their associates degree before graduation.”

The school was named one of the top 25 high schools in Idaho – out of more than 200.

“We are helping kids achieve their goals and working so that every student can be successful,” said Paula Trudell, an AP English and College English teacher. “This school has a climate of holding kids accountable for academics and rigor as well. I know a lot of high school, for example, are actually dropping AP courses and moving more towards dual credit. And we’re still offering both and we’re still filling both.”

Nationwide, the magazine reviewed 24,000 U.S. high schools and ranked 18,000, placing IFHS in the top quarter of high schools in America at #5,114.

The annual “Best High Schools” designation factors in six criteria for the award. According to U.S. News and World Report, the ranking looks at:

“College Readiness (30%) – Students who take and earn a qualifying score on AP or IB exams.

“College Curriculum Breadth (10%) – Seniors who earn a qualifying score on multiple AP or IB tests.

“State Assessment Scores (20%)

“State Assessment Performance (20%) – Factors in school’s demographics.

“Underserved Student Performance (10%) – Learning outcomes among Black, Hispanic, and low-income students.

“Graduation rate (10%).”

Idaho Falls High School boasts an 84 percent graduation rate.

Additionally, more than one in three students took an Advanced Placement exam, about one in four of total students passed an AP exam, and 74 percent of all students are proficient in reading.

“The teaching staff here is great and the best in the state, best in the nation, I think,” Parker said. ”Our teachers are so good at their craft and they care so much about kids.”

Between career-technical education, dual enrollment, and Advanced Placement courses, the school offers a variety of classes tailored for each student’s educational journey.

“There is a place for everyone in Idaho Falls High School,” Trudell said.

A new mural from the class of 2025 graces the teacher’s lounge at Idaho Falls High School.

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Curtis Jackson

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI) — The Chubbuck Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding a tragic incident that occurred on the evening of December 10, 2025, in the Petco parking lot.

According to a statement from Chubbuck Police, at approximately 8:52 p.m., an adult male died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while sitting in his vehicle. The vehicle was parked in the Petco lot after being stopped by an Idaho State Police Trooper for a traffic violation.

Police report that the trooper initially observed the vehicle traveling southbound on Yellowstone Avenue without functioning taillights. After initiating a traffic stop, the driver pulled into the nearby Petco parking lot.

The trooper informed the driver of the reason for the stop and noticed that the man appeared extremely nervous. When asked to exit the vehicle, the man refused, stating he did not want to go to jail. He then pulled out a handgun and pointed it at himself.

The trooper attempted to grab the weapon, but the man resisted. The trooper stepped away from the vehicle, and moments later, the man shot himself. The trooper and other emergency responders began life saving measures.

Authorities have not released the man’s identity out of respect for his family.

Chubbuck Police are reviewing the trooper’s body-camera and in-car video footage.

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News Team

STAR, Wyoming (KIFI) — A 40-year-old man is dead, and an eight-year-old child is recovering from a gunshot wound after a domestic shooting incident turned violent in Lincoln County, Wyoming.

On the night of December 9, 2025, law enforcement was called to a home on Meadow Lark Lane in Grover, just north of Afton, after a woman and her four children fled the home due to a domestic dispute.

Upon arrival, Lincoln County Sheriff M. Shane Johnson reported that deputies discovered the eight-year-old child had been struck by a bullet. The child was taken to Star Valley Health, where she was treated and later released.

The man inside the home, later identified as 40-year-old Chazz Lilly, was suspected to be armed. Deputies made several attempts to contact Lilly but were unsuccessful. After these efforts failed, law enforcement entered the home and found Lilly dead from what officials believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

No deputies or additional civilians were harmed during the response.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says it is continuing its investigation into the shooting, and no further information will be released while the investigation remains active. The Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that support services and victim assistance resources have been offered to the affected family.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal and the Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD) have dropped the kidnapping charges against Michael Raine, the BYU-Idaho student accused last month of kidnapping a 1-month-old child from the Idaho Falls Costco. The decision comes after the review of crucial new video evidence.

At a press conference today, December 11, Prosecutor Neal announced he would be filing the motion to dismiss the case.

“There are unquestionably ethical duties of the prosecutor not to go forward on a case that doesn’t meet the legal standard,” Neal told the press. “The analysis is really ‘Is there a rational basis for someone to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that they are to a moral certainty that this was a crime?’ And, I don’t think that we can say that.”

New Video Reverses Initial Narrative in Court Documents

The case, which gained significant attention on social media, initially rested on limited video evidence and statements from the mother, Natalie Millett. Early reports and court documents suggested Raine had “lurked” near the mother before intentionally taking her shopping cart. Furthermore, initial court documents incorrectly stated Raine did not have his own cart.

Prosecutor Neal clarified today that the initial report was made using vertical cell phone video of the security footage shot off a laptop. The full security video paints a different picture.

The full video places Raine’s own cart immediately behind the mother’s cart. Raine is captured walking past the mother, who was browsing the book section, and then pulling the mother’s cart from behind. Neal stated it is unclear if the 24-year-old ever looked inside the cart. Neal says this was further complicated as the video did not capture Raine’s actions after turning the corner.

“It’s really difficult one way or another to tell if he had seen the cart or looked into the cart,” said Neal. “The intent in this [case] has to be proven circumstantially, because we don’t have a way to peek into this person’s mind.”

IFPD 15-Point Investigation

Due to a lack of certainty from the video, the IFPD implemented a detailed 15-point investigative plan, which included a cognitive interview and a re-enactment of the incident. Neal says this approach was used to gather unbiased information, particularly since the high emotional impact of the event appeared to have affected the mother’s recollection.

After re-creating the incident with the mother and comparing it to the full security video, Neal says it became clear that some of the things the mother was remembering weren’t correct.

Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson elaborated on the challenge: “We know that’s the limitation of eyewitnesses, especially under that kind of emotional circumstance.”

Crucial New Angle

A new video, obtained by police last week, on Friday, December 5th, provided another angle of the confrontation. This footage shows the mother approaching Raine, who appears to still be pulling the cart behind him, coming to a complete stop to look at the products before she confronts him. He then follows her back to the book aisle to retrieve his own cart.

After reviewing all the evidence, IFPD detectives concluded that the evidence did not suggest any kind of stalking behavior or criminal intent.

“We have a fairly definitive narrative now of what happened after he turned that corner… it certainly seems inconsistent with an intent to take the baby and leave the area,” Neal concluded, noting that the case does not meet the legal standard to proceed. He added that the case could be refiled if new evidence emerges.

Warning Against Social Media Harm

Turning to the emotional impact and stir the case has made on social media, Prosecutor Neal voiced concerns that many of the comments have been extremely harmful to both sides of the case.

“I think that we have really come to a place, on social media, where there is a lot of thoughtlessness before posting, before the facts were known, even to law enforcement,” Neal stated. “We had plenty of people who had conclusions based on the most limited of information, and they were criticizing and making all kinds of statements that impacted this mother. I’m sure it impacted Mr. Raine, and that’s not our system. That’s not America.”

Chief Johnson confirmed that police have met with Natalie Millett and her family, who have been notified of the dismissal. The mother, while displeased, agreed to create an impact statement for release.

Millett’s full impact statement has been included below.

DOC121125-12112025Download

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal has announced a press conference regarding the alleged kidnapping that occurred at the Idaho Falls Costco last month.

Press Conference Details

The press conference is scheduled for 2:00 PM today and will take place in the Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office conference room at 444 B Street, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402.

Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal will be joined by Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson to provide an update on the case.

Case Background

Michael Garrison Raine, a 24-year-old Brigham Young University of Idaho, faces one count of second-degree kidnapping after a mother allegedly caught him taking her shopping cart containing her four-week-old daughter.

Michael Raine, Courtesy Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office

RELATED: BYU-I Student charged with kidnapping infant at Idaho Falls Costco

The 24-year-old now faces one count of second-degree kidnapping. His preliminary hearing has been moved to January 7th, 2026, before Judge Tawnya Rawlings at 1 PM.

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CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 11 DEC 25 14:45 ET

By Eric Levenson, Andi Babineau, CNN

(CNN) — Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old man accused of fatally shooting conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, appeared in a Utah court Thursday for the first time in-person since his arrest.

Robinson wore a light blue shirt, a striped tie and khaki pants, and was seen on camera speaking to his attorneys.

Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder and felony use of a firearm, as well as obstruction of justice, witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.

He has not yet entered a plea to the charges.

Robinson surrendered to police on September 11, a day after the shooting. His previous public court appearances took place on video or audio.

The hearing Thursday focused on issues of transparency and public accessibility to the case.

The issues stem from an October 24 hearing, which was closed to the public, about courtroom security, media coverage and Robinson’s ability to wear civilian clothing. Media organizations have requested a transcript of that hearing, but attorneys for Robinson and for the state of Utah have proposed certain redactions to the transcript.

On Thursday, the judge closed the first part of the hearing to the public in order to freely discuss what should or should not be sealed. Other parts of the hearing will be open to the public.

Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, has pushed for the case to be open to the public, in part to cut down on what she has called conspiracy theories about his death.

“We deserve to have cameras in there,” she told Fox News last month. “Why not be transparent?”

Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was known for his brash conservative views on hot-button partisan issues and his willingness to debate his liberal opponents, turning those arguments into content for millions of engaged followers online.

He was fatally shot on September 10 while he spoke at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem as part of his “The American Comeback” tour of college campuses.

Investigators on scene suspected the fatal shot came from a sniper on a nearby roof, and police soon released a photo from surveillance video of the suspect and asked for the public’s help in identifying him.

A charging document laid out the key evidence against Robinson, including DNA on the suspected murder weapon and a confession.

A bolt-action rifle, towel, a used cartridge casing and three unused cartridges were discovered in a wooded area near the crime scene, and DNA on several of those items were consistent with Robinson’s, according to the document. The cartridges were engraved with phrases from internet memes and video games.

The following day, Robinson, his parents and a family friend went to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to turn himself in, the document states. His parents had recognized their son from the surveillance photo, it said.

In texts to his roommate and romantic partner, “a biological male who was transitioning genders,” Robinson appeared to confess to the killing, according to the document. “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out,” Robinson wrote of his motive.

Robinson’s mother told investigators her son had become “more political” and “more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented” over the last year, according to the document.

Prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty in his case.

Kirk’s latest book, “Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life,” was released earlier this week.

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