Author: KIFI

InvestigateWest

By Whitney Bryen

Originally Published: March 26, 2026 by InvestestigateWest

BOISE, Idaho — A bill that would make it easier for prosecutors to charge prison staff accused of sexually abusing inmates passed the Idaho Senate on Tuesday and is now awaiting final approval from Gov. Brad Little. 

House Bill 696 was introduced by Idaho Falls Republican Rep. Marco Erickson in response to InvestigateWest reporting that exposed sexual abuse of women by prison guards — most of whom avoided criminal consequences. Reporters found 37 prison workers accused in the last decade of sexual misconduct toward incarcerated women. Only three were criminally charged. 

Prison officials, prosecutors and police blamed an Idaho law, in part, for making it difficult to punish the accused.  

Idaho’s “sexual contact with a prisoner” law limits the definition of sexual abuse when the victim is an inmate. The more than 30-year-old statute protects inmates from abuse only when prison staff touch the victim’s genitals or when they’re made to touch the genitals of staff, omitting kissing, groping and grabbing. 

House Bill 696 would make it a felony for jail and prison staff to have “any willful physical contact, over or under the clothing, when the physical contact is done with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passion, or sexual desires of the actor or any other person.” The current law, written by a former Ada County deputy prosecutor, carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and lacks a mandatory minimum sentence, leaving penalties up to the judge’s discretion. The bill does not change that.  

The bill passed with 34 senators voting in favor and one absent. If it’s signed by the governor, the updated law would bring the state more in line with federal standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act, which prohibit all inappropriate touching, harassment and even voyeurism.

Gov. Little responded to journalists’ findings in October with a statement saying he would order the Board of Correction to review the cases in question and that “transparency and the public’s confidence in state government are top priorities.” But the review was never ordered and is not forthcoming, according to Little’s communications director, Emily Callihan. Last month, the governor’s office supported a decision by the prison system and the agency that certifies law enforcement to conceal information about officers’ employment histories that makes it more difficult to ensure accountability for officers accused of misconduct.   

Callihan did not respond to questions this week about whether Little planned to sign the bill. Rep. Erickson said he is confident that Little will approve it since there were no opposing votes in the House or the Senate. 

Other state laws make it illegal to touch the groin, inner thighs, buttocks, breasts or genital area of any person, including an inmate, without their consent. But those laws don’t recognize the power that prison staff hold over the people in their custody and, therefore, require prosecutors to prove that the victim did not consent. Incarcerated victims often go along with or reluctantly agree to sexual requests from guards because they fear retaliation if they say no. That’s why specific laws like “sexual contact with a prisoner” are written to protect people behind bars. 

Middleton Republican Sen. Tammy Nichols, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, told lawmakers that the bill is needed to address ongoing sexual misconduct in state prisons. 

“Unfortunately, these types of incidents are happening within our female population, and it is important for this law to be clear so there are no questions about what behavior is prohibited,” Nichols said.  

Idaho has the nation’s highest women’s incarceration rate, according to federal data, which Nichols said “makes it even more important that we have clear protections and accountability within our correctional system.” 

Tina Transue, the Department of Correction’s government relations adviser, said the department supports the bill, saying it “gives us more teeth.”

InvestigateWest (investigatewest.org) is an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Pacific Northwest. Contact reporter Whitney Bryen at whitney@investigatewest.org or 208-918-2458. 

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Two convicted fentanyl traffickers will spend a combined 20 years in federal prison after a police tip led parole officers to uncover their drug operation.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Marcos Gallegos, 43, of Pueblo, Colorado, to 188 months (over 15 years) in federal prison. His partner, Morgan Galloway, 25, of Pocatello, Idaho, was sentenced to 5 years.

According to court documents, the investigation began on August 22, 2024. Probation and parole officers with the Idaho Department of Corrections searched the pair’s Pocatello apartment after receiving a tip from the Pocatello Police Department that the two were actively selling drugs.

The search uncovered 122.78 grams of fentanyl along with a firearm. After obtaining a search warrant for the pair’s storage unit, police discovered $28,000 in cash made through selling drugs.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to the charges on December 11, 2025.

Judge Nye ordered Gallegos’ 188-month federal sentence to be served consecutively to two seven-year state sentences he is already serving for drug-related cases in Bannock County. Following his release from prison, Gallegos will face five years of supervised release.

Galloway was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATED: March 26, 2026, 12:30 PM

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho State Police is investigating a head-on semi-truck vs. passenger car crash that claimed the life of a 69-year-old Pocatello man Thursday morning.

According to ISP, the crash took place at 7:12 AM on Interstate 15 at mile marker 69. Police say the Pocatello man was traveling north on I-15, driving a 2002 Nissan Altima. At the same time, a 2003 Freightliner semi-truck and trailer, driven by a 39-year-old male from Utah, was traveling southbound on I-15.

Police say the Nissan Altima left the roadway, crossed through the median, and collided with the semi-truck head-on.

The driver of the Nissan Altima was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene of the crash. The driver of the semi-truck was wearing a seatbelt.

The southbound lanes of travel on Interstate 15 were blocked for approximately 4.5 hours.

This crash is under investigation by the Idaho State Police.

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A crash involving a semi-truck and a passenger car has stalled traffic along I-15 Southbound near E Center St. in Pocatello. Authorities are reporting the crash was fatal.

According to the Idaho Transportation Department, the accident occurred shortly after 7:00 AM near mile marker 69, close to the East Center Street exit. Investigators say the crash involved a 2002 Nissan Altima and a commercial semi-truck.

Lt. Todd Orr of the Idaho State Police confirmed that an adult male was killed in the crash.

All lanes and the Pocatello Creek Rd. on ramp to I-15 southbound are currently blocked as crews work to clear the wreckage. For updates on traffic impact and road closures, click HERE.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 has a reporter on the scene and will provide more updates as we learn additional information.

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Danielle Mullenix

A dip in temperatures today will bring us the coldest day of spring so far, with a minor cold front pushing through Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming this Thursday. Still experiencing early morning breezes across much of the region, but a dry weather pattern will carry over into today’s forecast, still making for ample opportunity to get outdoors.

Some high clouds are passing over the region in the early morning hours, typically associated with the cold front moving through. Skies will begin to clear up by this afternoon. A slight chance of rain could occur between Victor and the Island Park area this afternoon, with moisture moving to the North and east of us. High temperatures today are expected to be in the 50s around Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming. Highest wind gusts are generally expected to be 25-35 mph, breezing through this morning behind the cold front. Hanging onto some stronger winds across the Magic Valley this afternoon, but the wind advisory from yesterday has been lifted. Mostly freezing for our lows this evening, with many places dipping back into the 20s.

Highs for Friday will remain in the upper 50s, some places working back into the 60s. A gradual warmup into the weekend is expected throughout the region, so we could see numbers returning to the 70s by Sunday. Chances of precipitation remain slim. Wind gusts will decrease, sitting in the teens for the weekend outlook.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – For six years, angels at the People in Need Coalition (PINC) have been providing the hungry with hundreds of free lunches – three days a week.

“People don’t have food,” said Monica Kachur, who has lived in Idaho Falls for six years. “This is the place to get something for the families.”

But the loss of Grocery Outlet in town means the non-profit is losing its primary food supplier, and the group of eight to ten volunteers are looking to the community to help fill the gap.

“I know for a lot of people, it’s the difference between eating today and not eating today,” said Rachael Christensen, a friend of the non-profit. 

On Wednesday, PINC volunteers cooked and gave out 524 Grab ‘n Go lunches with fresh, homemade Tex-Mex food, vegetables and dessert.

“Our goal is to greet them with a smile, to ask them how they’re doing, and then to find out how many meals they need,” said People in Need Coalition (PINC) Founder Bonnie Champagne.

Last year, they provided 75,394 meals to people who need it most.

“They provide food Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They have lunches at 11:30 pick up,” said Kachur, who came to visit and grab a lunch. “They also have in the front they have a table with food people donate, and people donate the clothes.”  

The nondenominational non-profit is housed at First Christian Church on 1800 12th Street in Idaho Falls.

“For something like PINC that doesn’t charge, that doesn’t make you fill out paperwork, that doesn’t demand anything from you, it really fills a tremendous gap in the people who tend to fall in the cracks,” Christensen said.

But now PINC finds itself in need as well.

“For the last several years, we have been supported by the Grocery Outlet, who just closed,” Champagne said. “They gave us their rescued food, and this worked out very nicely for us. They’re closed. We don’t know how we’re going to make up the difference, because it’s pretty substantial.”

The non-profit will have to close its doors in July without additional community support.

PINC is searching for cash donations and food contributions, and is also willing to take additional volunteers.

“Hopefully other grocery stores will donate here to help fill the gap that is going to be happening,” said Cheryl Kidd, a Pearl Health Clinic social worker.

If you’d like to contribute and keep the PINC Grab ‘n Go lunch program going, you can donate directly to PINC’s Venmo page here. You can also type in “Pinc Pinc” or search for @pincoalition on Venmo.

“We give out a lot of hugs. We give out encouragement – whatever we feel is needed at the time – along with a hot meal,” Champagne said.

A volunteer delivers a homemade, hot meal to a patron at PINC on Wednesday.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Rock band Foreigner brought the house down tonight at the Mountain America Center.

“I work with an amazing band with an incredible legacy –16 Top 30 songs. So our setlist is like, you know, a greatest hits package,” said Foreigner Musical Director and Bassist Jeff Pilson. “So it’s a great situation, and we love playing live. We love coming here.”

The group has sold more than 80 million records worldwide. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.

Vocalist Luis Maldanado, bassist Jeff Pilson, keyboarder Michael Bluestein, guitarist Bruce Watson and drummer Chris Frazier showed off some of the most famous numbers in rock and roll – including “Cold as Ice,” “Juke Box Hero” and “Hot Blooded.”

In the second-to-last number, Rigby High School’s choir took to the stage, joining Foreigner to perform their biggest hit single – “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

“It’s way fun. It’s a honestly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Rigby High School Choirs Vice President Isabella Corbett. “It’s very fun to be singing with a band this big.”

Pilson said Foreigner loves working with local high school choirs in their performances.

“We like to give money to the schools for their music programs, because first thing that gets cut in budget cuts is the music program,” Pilson said. “I myself went to public school. My music education there was very important to me, and I probably wouldn’t be doing what I do without the orchestra conductor that I had for several years.”

Foreigner donated $500 to Rigby’s Choir program and encouraged the singers to pursue their dreams!

“This is really big for our choir because lately we’ve been losing a lot of funding for the program,” said Isaac Corbett, Rigby High School Chambers Choir president. “This will really pick us back up.”

The band that brought “Waiting for a Girl Like You” to the masses says the next generation of world-famous musicians will likely start out playing and learning music at a public school music program.

“Big advocate for public school music education,” Pilson said. “That’s one of the reasons we’re here. The other reason, of course, we want to do a great rock show and have a lot of fun with everybody.”

The Rigby High School Choir and Foreigner hit the stage Wednesday at the Mountain America Center.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A crash involving a truck and a sewage tanker sent an 81-year-old man to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon, March 25th.

Troopers say the crash occurred around 3:31 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 26 and 45th East, just north of Iona.

According to ISP, an 81‑year‑old man from Idaho Falls was driving a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 northbound on North 45th East when he failed to yield at the intersection. His pickup collided with a 2015 Western Star sewer truck traveling westbound on U.S. 26.

The sewer truck was driven by a 27‑year‑old man from Idaho Falls and a 22‑year‑old male passenger from Iona.

The driver of the Dodge Ram was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital. The driver and passenger of the sewer truck were taken for medical treatment by a private party. The extent of their injuries has not been released.

ISP says neither driver was wearing a seatbelt, while the passenger in the sewer truck was properly restrained.

The crash caused traffic disruptions in the area. Westbound lanes of U.S. 26 remain blocked while crews work to clear the scene. The left eastbound lane was blocked for approximately two hours but has since reopened.

For updates or more information, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The application window for the inaugural year of Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit has closed, and the final numbers exceeded expectations. A total of 6,069 families applied for the program, representing 13,568 participating students.

Republican lawmakers passed the $50 million tax-credit voucher program during last year’s legislative session. The program allows families to receive up to $5,000 per child to help cover qualified educational expenses such as private school tuition, tutoring, etc.

Heidie Nesset, the vice president of implementation at the Yes. Every Kid. Foundation, noted that the high number of applications reflects Idaho families’ significant interest in alternative educational options.

“Idaho families showed up in a big way, and we couldn’t be happier that so many are choosing unique paths to best support their child’s learning,” Nesset said. She added that the foundation believes every child deserves individualized options and that the organization expects the program to grow in future years.

Pushback Amid Statewide Funding Crisis

The legislation, known as HB 93, faced unanimous opposition from Idaho Democrats in the legislature. Opponents argued that the law creates a publicly subsidized funding stream for private education that operates with fewer standards and less accountability than the state’s public school system.

The tax-credit voucher program has come under additional fire due to a sizeable deficit that resulted in significant state budget cuts. Democratic leaders have questioned the priority of the program at a time when Idaho public schools and families are facing rising costs.

During a failed legal challenge to the law, Senate Democratic Leader Melissa Wintrow stated that the state should focus on existing obligations to public classrooms before funding private educational expenses. She specifically highlighted the need to address the funding gap for students who require extra support.

“It is unconscionable for Republican leaders to defend tens of millions of dollars in tax giveaways instead of fully meeting the state’s existing obligations, including closing the special education funding gap,” Wintrow said.

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, led efforts to repeal the $50 million credit in response to the budget shortfall. In an interview with the Idaho Capital Sun, Rubel expressed frustration that Democratic proposals to address the deficit—including tapping into rainy day funds, delaying previous tax cuts, or repealing the private school choice tax credit—were not allowed to be introduced by Republican leadership.

Supporters of the legislation argue that it affirms Idaho parents’ freedom to choose the educational path that best fits their children’s needs.

Families will receive notification regarding their application status by April 15.

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Dylan Carder

IDAHO FALL, Idaho (KIFI) – “It was bit of a gut punch,” says Charlie Lansche, Board Chair of the Friends of Harriman State Park. They say they remain fully committed to protecting the park and its public purpose after Senate Bill 1300 passed the Idaho House of Representatives by a 41-29-0 vote on Tuesday. It is now on its way to Governor Brad Little’s desk. The Idaho Senate approved the bill on March 2nd by a 21-14 vote.

The bill would require the directors of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Fish and Game, and the Idaho Transportation Department to be appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation. Currently, the Parks and Recreation Department Director is appointed by a bipartisan committee based on qualifications and experience.

An attorney representing Thomas Dixon, the grandson of E. Roland and Gladys Harriman, sent a letter to state Representatives. The letter stated that the bill would break an agreement the state of Idaho made with the family when the property was donated on December 4, 1961.

The letter states that land known as Railroad Ranch was donated to the state to become Harriman State Park with some conditions. One of which states that “personnel shall be chosen on the basis of merit alone.” The Harriman Family, according to the letter, believes SB 1300 would violate those conditions.

Friends of Harriman State Park say that if the agreement is breached, it puts the park at risk. The land could be given back to the family, removing the 11,000 acres from the state park system. A statement from Averell Harriman Fisk, grandson of Averell Harriman, the park “must be protected from political whims.”

The sponsor of the bill disagrees with that assessment. Senator Doug Okuniewicz, R-Hayden, says the Governor will still appoint directors based on merit. Under the present system, the directors are appointed by a board or a commission. Those members are appointed by the governor.

Okuniewicz believes there is “zero risk” of this bill violating the agreement with the Harriman family.

“The bill is perfectly in line with the agreement and can coexist with it quite easily.” The Senator says having political appointees would improve relationships between the Legislature and the agencies.

Representative Douglas Pickett, R-27, spoke to the full House just prior to Tuesday’s vote, saying, “The language of the agreement concerns itself with the selection criteria, but not with who has the authority to make that selection and under what process that selection shall be made. And it is the consensus of a broad range of attorneys that this bill, its passage, will not affect that agreement.”

Others in the House say this bill becoming law could trigger a legal battle.

“The Harriman Family will take whatever legal steps are necessary to see that the original agreement between the state of Idaho and the Harriman family is honored.” Representative Jerald Raymond (R) District 31 added, “what’s that going to cost the citizens of the state?”

“It shows distrust in the process.” Lansche feels like this could discourage future land donations to the state. “I think it tarnishes Idaho’s reputation, integrity. A lot of people will think twice if you’ve got a lot of land out there and want to donate it.”

If signed into law by Governor Little, the next move would be up to the Harriman family and what legal action they may choose. As for your next trip to Harriman State park?

“Nothing is going to change immediately, in the near future.” However, Lansche warns, “but long term, a lot could change and a lot could be lost.”

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Seth Ratliff

MORELAND, Idaho (KIFI) — Bingham County students can rest easy this spring, knowing they are in for a longer-than-expected break from pencils, books, and all the rest.

During last month’s District 52 Board meeting on Wednesday, February 18, the board members unanimously voted to extend this year’s Spring Break. Thanks to a mild winter with zero snow days, local families are getting those unused days back. Spring Break will now span a full week, running from Monday, March 30, through Thursday, April 2.

D52 students will return to the classroom rested and ready on Monday, April 6. For more information, click HERE.

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