Author: KIFI

Par Kermani

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Zoo Idaho will officially reveal the name of its rescued cougar kitten during a special event Friday afternoon.

Pocatello Mayor Mark Dahlquist is scheduled to announce the kitten’s name at noon at Zoo Idaho. The event will also mark the cougar’s first public appearance in her newly renovated habitat.

The cougar arrived at the zoo with two other orphaned kittens from Wyoming after the animals lost their mother.

Shortly after arriving, all three kittens were diagnosed with feline panleukopenia, a highly contagious and often deadly viral disease. Zoo officials said only one of the kittens survived despite extensive veterinary care.

“Every animal at Zoo Idaho has a story, and this cougar’s story is one of resilience,” said Zoo Idaho Manager Peter Pruett. “She overcame tremendous odds, and thanks to the support of our community, she’ll now have a beautiful new habitat to call home. We’re excited to welcome everyone as we reveal her name and celebrate this remarkable chapter.”

Following a public naming contest that generated more than 500 suggestions, zoo staff narrowed the choices to three finalists: Roxanne, Purrsephane and Clawdia.

Community members were then invited to vote for their favorite name through online donations. According to Zoo Idaho, the campaign received more than 600 votes and raised more than $3,000 to support renovations to the cougar’s habitat.

Zoo officials say the event will celebrate both the cougar’s recovery and the community support that helped fund improvements to her exhibit.

The naming ceremony will take place Friday, July 17, at noon at Zoo Idaho, located at 3000 S. Second Ave. in Pocatello.

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Curtis Jackson

ONEIDA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI)— A brush fire burned over 2,000 acres near I-84 on Sunday evening.

According to BLM reports, the fire started around 2:15 pm, near the Juniper Rest Area. The cause of the fire is unknown.

The fire is currently reported to be as zero percent contained.

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Seth Ratliff

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated with corrected information from ISP

TERRETON, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho State Police is investigating a mid-morning, four-vehicle crash near Terreton that sent three people to the hospital on Monday.

Police say the crash took place just before 8:40 a.m. on Highway 33 near the intersection with N 1300 E. Preliminary reports indicate that a silver Honda Accord driven by a 27-year-old Idaho Falls man and a black 2023 Freightliner were both headed east on Hwy 33 when the Freightliner rear-ended the Accord. The force of the initial impact sent both vehicles into the path of a westbound silver 2000 Dodge Caravan and a white 2018 Chevrolet Silverado.

The driver of the Accord, along with the drivers of both the Dodge Caravan and Chevrolet Silverado — a 72-year-old Idaho Falls man and a 44-year-old Pocatello man — were all taken by ground ambulance to a local hospital. Their current conditions have not been released.

ISP confirmed that all drivers involved were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

The lanes on Highway 33 were blocked for approximately two hours while emergency crews cleared the scene. The investigation into the exact cause of the crash remains ongoing.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Several well-known faces have recently been spotted across Idaho and Wyoming, giving locals a few unexpected celebrity sightings.

Every year, thousands of visitors travel to eastern Idaho and Wyoming to experience the region’s scenic landscapes, outdoor recreation and wildlife.

This summer, some famous names have also made appearances.

Former President Bill Clinton was recently spotted at the historic Wort Hotel in Jackson, Wyoming.

Television host Jimmy Fallon

Actor Henry Winkler

Singer Justin Bieber

Former President Bill Clinton

The hotel shared the sighting in a social media post, writing:

“What an incredible Fourth of July weekend in Jackson Hole as we celebrated America’s 250th anniversary. We were honored to welcome President Bill Clinton at The Silver Dollar Bar & Grill and grateful to everyone who made this year’s parade and celebration so memorable.”

Actor Henry Winkler, best known as “The Fonz” from Happy Days, was also seen grabbing a bite to eat at The Sandwich Tree in Idaho Falls.

Television host Jimmy Fallon made a stop in Idaho Falls as well, posing for photos with fans at Mike’s Music.

Farther north in Coeur d’Alene, Breaking Bread Artisan Bistro shared a photo with singer Justin Bieber and his wife, Hailey Bieber.

“Had the pleasure of meeting @lilbieber and the beautiful @haileybieber today. Thank you for supporting local businesses and being so kind,” the restaurant wrote on social media.

The sightings come during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, as visitors flock to Yellowstone National Park and other attractions throughout the region.

Whether they’re exploring the outdoors, visiting local businesses or simply passing through, Idaho and Wyoming continue to attract more than their share of notable visitors each summer.

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Par Kermani

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — Teton County officials have declared a local emergency following a measles outbreak at Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton National Park.

The declaration comes at the request of Teton County Health Director and District Health Officer Dr. Travis Riddell, and approved Monday morning by the Teton County Board Of Commissioners.

According to the Teton County Health Department, three linked cases of measles have been confirmed among people in Colter Bay Village.

Due to the high density of employee housing and the large number of visitors who travel through the area, the Colter Bay Village outbreak presents a unique challenge, according to health officials.

The outbreak marks Wyoming’s first measles outbreak of 2026.

“As this outbreak unfolds, I suggest individuals confirm their own immunity status, or get the MMR vaccine if they cannot confirm it,” Riddell said.

Health officials say the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best protection against the disease. One dose is 93% effective against measles, while two doses are 97% effective.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and spreads through the air. It can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. Infants, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are considered most at risk for serious complications from measles.

Anyone with questions about vaccination is encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.

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Linda Larsen

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — As Ross Allen Wardlaw of Boise faces first-degree murder charges for the deadly July 6 stabbing of Jordan Harbst on the Boise Greenbelt, a voice from his past is speaking out. Hannah French, who says she survived a violent encounter with Wardlaw less than a year ago, says the recent tragedy could have been prevented.

A History of Violence

French, a Fremont County native, claims Wardlaw attempted to stab her less than a year ago while she was working at the Interfaith Sanctuary in Boise.

According to court documents, Wardlaw was charged with aggravated battery and aggravated assault in June 2025. Those charges stemmed from allegations that Wardlaw broke a man’s nose at the shelter. French says she was speaking to the gentleman who had been punched in the face when Wardlaw chased her with a knife. 

In addition to the assault and battery charges, prosecutors argued Wardlaw was a persistent violator, as evidenced in the litany of his criminal charges in his court records

However, a jury found Wardlaw not guilty in that case this past May. He was released from custody less than two months before the fatal attack on the Greenbelt.

“Housing Status is Not a Reason People Commit Murder”

French expressed profound grief over Harbst’s death, emphasizing that the tragedy highlights a breakdown in how the justice and healthcare systems handle severe mental illness.

“My heart was broken for the individual, the victim,” French said. “It’s just very unfortunate that in order to possibly get Ross Wardlaw help with his mental health and things like that, an individual had to be murdered.”

French also says the problem is not Wardlaw’s homelessness but rather an unaddressed mental health crisis. She suggests he should have been remanded to a psychiatric facility rather than released.

“I think it’s important, besides the fact that the system failed this 25-year-old victim, to understand that people don’t commit crimes because they’re unhoused; they commit crimes because there are internal factors at play,” French said. “Housing status is not a reason that people commit murder. Being unhoused shouldn’t rope you into this stereotype because of one individual.”

Community Support Pours in for Harbst’s family

In the aftermath of Harbst’s death, a verified GoFundMe for Harbst’s family has already raised more than $50,000. The fundraiser identifies Jordan as the oldest in his family, survived by his younger sister and two parents.

“The loss has left the Harbst family devastated, and they are now facing the unimaginable challenge of saying goodbye to their beloved son,” states the Fundraiser. For more information, click HERE.

His accused killer, Wardlaw, remains in custody and is scheduled to return to an Ada County court next Monday, July 20, for his preliminary hearing.

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Par Kermani

UPDATE:

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho State Police released additional information Monday afternoon about a crash that temporarily shut down southbound Interstate 15 near Inkom.

According to ISP, the crash happened around 9:30 a.m. Monday near milepost 56, just south of Inkom.

Troopers said a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck driven by a 55-year-old man from Calgary, Alberta, was traveling southbound when it struck a guardrail and came to rest across the southbound lanes.

The crash blocked all southbound lanes of I-15. Crews alternated northbound and southbound traffic for about two and a half hours while the scene was cleared. No injures have been reported at this time.

The crash remains under investigation by Idaho State Police.

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho State Police are investigating a crash involving a commercial vehicle on Interstate 15 near Inkom that is causing significant traffic delays Monday morning.

The crash happened around 9:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-15 near milepost 56, according to ISP.

The incident occurred in an active construction zone where traffic is already reduced to two lanes.

Authorities say the southbound lanes remain blocked and crews are alternating both northbound and southbound traffic through the northbound lanes, causing significant delays and backups in the area.

Drivers traveling through the area should expect delays and traffic backups until the roadway is cleared.

Motorists can check current road conditions and traffic updates through Idaho 511 at 511.idaho.gov.

No additional information about injuries or the cause of the crash has been released.

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CNN

Originally Published: 13 JUL 26 13:29 ET

By Sara Smart, CNN

(CNN) — What started as a yearly trip for a grandfather and his grandson turned into a visit to a Montana hospital after a bison attack at Yellowstone National Park.

Carl McDaniel, 65, was hospitalized with a broken femur after a bison charged and tossed him into the air Friday evening at the park’s Bridge Bay Campground, according to McDaniel and the National Park Service.

He was visiting the park with his 13-year-old grandson when they decided to take a walk after dinner.

Along the way, they encountered a large bison that appeared to be rolling around in the dust and was not bothering anyone, McDaniel told CNN.

“We were about a hundred yards away,” McDaniel said. “He was not aggressive; he was not having problems and we took some pictures and decided to walk on.”

McDaniel and his grandson snapped a quick photo and continued with their walk, video of the encounter shows. At the same time, a truck drove by, and the driver laid on his horn in what appeared to be an attempt to get the bison to move, McDaniel said. There is no audio on the video.

The bison then appeared to become agitated and began running toward the pair.

“There was little time to decide what to do. At that point, he was within 100 yards; he could be to us in seconds, so I told my grandson to run in one direction and I went the other to try and draw him away,” McDaniel said.

The animal then pushed McDaniel with the top of its head, sending him flying into the air before he hit the ground, the grandfather said.

“When I was on the ground immobile, unable to move, he was right on top of me. He could have stomped on me, he could have gored me, he could have done almost anything to take my life, and he did not do so,” McDaniel said.

After McDaniel hit the ground, photographer Mike MacLeod, who captured the encounter on video, had to step in, he told Cowboy State Daily.

“I was really afraid he was going to gore the guy on the ground, so I stopped videotaping and ran at the bison, yelled loud, and was trying to be as big and intimidating as possible,” MacLeod said.

After the bison took off, people rushed over to McDaniel, who was in a lot of pain, MacLeod told Cowboy State Daily. Yellowstone EMS arrived soon after, he said.

“Park emergency medical personnel responded and transported him to a nearby hospital,” the National Park Service said in confirming the incident in a statement to CNN.

This is the second bison attack at Yellowstone this year. A 12-year-old was injured near Mud Volcano on June 26, according to the agency.

After Friday’s attack, “all the people that were there were amazing; they were all positive, they were trying to help as best they could,” McDaniel said. A nurse started tending to his leg, while another bystander held his head.

He was then transferred to a hospital in Bozeman, a two-hour journey during which he was in intense pain. He said he was grateful for the paramedic who helped him along the way.

McDaniel broke his femur, the body’s strongest bone, in four places near his hip and suffered several bruises. He had surgery Sunday and could stand by Monday.

“I will be doing physical therapy for the next few days to get to walk, but it was not as catastrophic as it could have been,” McDaniel said.

The National Park Service advises visitors to stay at least 25 feet away from bison at all times and to never approach the animals. “If the bison follows you, spray bear spray as you are moving away, and seek cover behind nearby trees or cars,” the agency said.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Par Kermani

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Ada County prosecutors have expanded the criminal case against an eastern Idaho nonprofit founder, adding felony charges alleging a conspiracy involving a child under the age of 16.

An amended complaint filed June 4 in Ada County District Court charges Samuel David Ferrell, 36, with conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse of a child under 16, sexual exploitation of a child, and preparing forged or fraudulent evidence.

Ferrell was initially charged in April with preparing forged or fraudulent evidence, according to court records.

The amended complaint alleges Ferrell and another defendant, Michael Whittaker-Miller, conspired between March and April involving a 15-year-old identified in court records only as “S.B.”

According to prosecutors, the amendment in the complaint states that Ferrell sent and received sexually explicit material involving the child and communicated with the child through text messages.

Court records further allege Ferrell encouraged sexual contact with the child and directed the child to fabricate abuse allegations.

According to the court records, Whittaker attempted to obtain sole custody of the child. After both Whittaker and Ferrell drove to ADA county to obtain the child, the complaint states Ferrell sought custody of the child after Whittaker was arrested.

The sexual exploitation charge alleges the child was used to create Snapchat messages depicting explicit sexual conduct, according to court records.

Ferrell runs the Rise and Respond Foundation, a nonprofit organization originally created to honor fallen Ada County Sheriff’s Deputy Tobin Bolter.

Boise State Public Radio previously reported on the nonprofit and Ferrell’s background in connection with the organization.

According to IRS nonprofit records available through ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer, Ferrell is listed as an officer of the organization.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Charges represent a formal accusation. All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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News Team

STAR VALLEY, Wyo (KIFI) — The search for a missing North Carolina man ended over the weekend after a group of campers discovered his body along the shore of the Palisades Reservoir on Saturday, July 11.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office assisted in recovering the body of 55-year-old Tory J. Raether, of Charlotte, N.C., ending a week-long search that began over the Fourth of July holiday.

RELATED: Search continues for missing man in Snake River Canyon

According to Star Valley Search and Rescue (SVS&R) Commander Matt McMurdo, on Saturday, July 4th, Raether was part of a group recreating near the Sheep Gulch Boat ram when he jumped into the river without a life jacket. Investigators believe he was quickly caught in a swift, powerful current and began struggling. While members of his group made several desperate attempts to pull him to safety, the current ultimately swept him away.

A call was made to the Star Valley Search and Rescue team and Alpine Volunteer Fire Department shortly after 7:00pm on Saturday, July 4, reporting that a man from North Carolina had fallen into the Snake River near Sheep Gulch near Alpine. VS&R Commander Matt McMurdo said the group the man was with was enjoying the Fourth of July festivities at Jumping Rock, a popular spot to jump into the Snake River above the Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp, roughly 3 1/2 miles east of Alpine.

The initial search began that night, but had to be suspended due to the extreme safety risks of operating on the river after dark.

The search continued throughout the following week until Raether’s body was found on Saturday by campers along the reservoir shoreline, miles downstream from where he initially entered the water.

Editor’s Note: This story was adapted from an original on-air broadcast report with the assistance of AI. All content is thoroughly reviewed and verified for accuracy by the Local News 8 editorial team.

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