Author: KIFI

Seth Ratliff

JACKSON, Wyo (KIFI) — A condo complex in Teton County, Wyoming, is still standing today after a structure fire broke out in a wall early Friday morning, July 10th. Fortunately, Jackson Hole Fire/EMS says a passerby spotted smoke coming from the building’s roof and quickly alerted first responders.

The Teton County Sheriff’s Office received the initial report of smoke along the building’s roofline at 7:52 a.m. Jackson Hole Fire/EMS crews arrived on the scene nine minutes later at 8:01 a.m and spotted the smoke, but could not find the source.

As more first responders arrived on the scene, the crews began investigating the source of the smoke and quickly found fire in a wall and the roof.

Firefighters immediately attacked the blaze while additional first responders evacuated the building. To assist the ground crews, sheriff’s deputies brought in a thermal imaging drone, helping firefighters pinpoint hidden hot spots within the structure.

Within the hour, firefighters successfully halted the fire’s progression and extinguished the blaze without any injuries.

“The fact that a bystander observed the smoke and called 911 immediately allowed firefighters to arrive quickly and keep the fire from spreading to other units in the building,” said Incident Commander, Battalion Chief Matt Redwine.

The cause of the fire remains unknown and is currently under investigation by JHF/EMS Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Chief Raymond Lane.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the National Park Service:

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. – Effective Thursday, July 9, 2026, select Yellowstone National Park rivers and streams will close to fishing daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise the following day due to warm water temperatures and low river flows.

Water temperatures in select rivers and streams have exceeded 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) in recent days, and flows are low. Additionally, air temperatures with highs near 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) are forecast in the coming days. These conditions are lethal to trout, and the closure will protect the park’s native and wild trout fisheries and will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Staff will continue to monitor the water temperatures. The closure may be lifted, or additional restrictions and closures may be put in place depending on condition assessments.

Which rivers and streams will be closed daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise the following day?  

Water temperatures on the following rivers and creeks cool off at night, allowing for fishing for part of the day:

The Madison River and all associated tributaries.

The Firehole River and all associated tributaries.

The Gibbon River and all associated tributaries downstream of Norris Campground.

What will be open?

Yellowstone Lake and other lakes will remain open to fishing from sunrise to sunset as specified in the 2026 Fishing Regulations booklet.

All other rivers and streams not listed as closed.  

Anglers: Please fish during the coolest times of day and land fish quickly. Do not play hooked trout to exhaustion. Gently handle fish in the water as much as possible and let them recover before release. Your cooperation will protect the park’s fisheries.  

Extended fishing season

This year, Yellowstone extended the fishing season on these three rivers by opening them to fishing weeks earlier. The earlier opening date allowed for a longer fishing season during a period of more optimal angling and water conditions.

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KIVI Staff

By: KIVI Staff

Posted 8:24 PM, Jul 09, 2026

and last updated 3:16 AM, Jul 10, 2026

BOISE, Idaho — Boise police have arrested a man in connection with the killing of 25-year-old Jordan Harbst, whose death along the Greenbelt sparked a homicide investigation earlier this week.

Ross Allen Wardlaw, 41, of Boise, was arrested on Thursday and charged with first-degree murder, according to the Boise Police Department.

Police said evidence indicates Wardlaw attacked Harbst shortly after midnight Monday while Harbst was traveling along the Boise River Greenbelt near 11th Street. Investigators said Wardlaw stabbed Harbst multiple times, leading to his death.

Detectives identified Wardlaw as the suspect following their investigation, and police said he was taken into custody around 3:30 p.m. He was later booked into the Ada County Jail.

Police said Wardlaw and Harbst were not known to each other and there was no known altercation before the stabbing.

“Our hearts are with the family and friends of Jordan Harbst,” Boise Police Chief Chris Dennison said in a news release. “Boise Police detectives, officers, and professional staff have been working around the clock to find answers and locate the person responsible for Jordan’s tragic death.”

Idaho News 6 previously interviewed Wardlaw

Idaho News 6 previously interviewed Wardlaw less than two weeks before his arrest as part of a story about cooling resources available to Boise’s unhoused population.

Wardlaw spoke with Idaho News 6 downtown neighborhood reporter Sahana Patel about Corpus Commons, a resource center that provides services to people experiencing homelessness near the Greenbelt. During that interview, Wardlaw said the organization had helped him through some of his hardest days.

“Everybody kind of like takes care of each other and stuff like that,” Wardlaw said at the time. “Sometimes I volunteer here and do the cleaning and stuff like that, just to try to pay it back — but I can never really pay it back, you know what I mean.”

READ MORE | Boise cooling spaces expand to protect unhoused residents from summer heat dangers

Boise police confirmed to Idaho News 6 that the man arrested in connection with Harbst’s death is the same individual who was interviewed for the previous story.

About the victim

Harbst was 25 years old. His family and friends described him as someone who brought light to those around him.

A verified GoFundMe has been created to support Harbst’s family with funeral expenses and other costs following his death.

What’s next

Wardlaw is scheduled to appear in Ada County Court for an arraignment Friday.

The investigation remains ongoing. Detectives are asking anyone who may have had contact with Wardlaw in the days before or after the killing to contact Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790.

Idaho News 6 will continue following this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

This story has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Seth Ratliff

PROVO, Utah (KIF) — The man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk is scheduled to return to a Utah courtroom today for the fifth and final day of his preliminary hearing.

Friday’s hearing has now ended. You can watch the recorded proceedings in the video player above.

Tyler Robinson, 23, faces multiple severe charges, including aggravated murder, in connection with the Sept. 10, 2025, shooting on the Utah Valley University campus. Prosecutors have already signaled their intent to seek the death penalty if the case goes to trial.

On Thursday, Utah prosecutors played portions of a videotaped interview with Robinson’s former roommate, Lance Twiggs. According to the footage shown in court, Twiggs told investigators that Robinson expressed immediate regret the day after the fatal shooting, reports CNN.

“He started crying a little bit and said he wishes he hadn’t done it, and then kept going around and just doing stuff, I think to keep himself busy or distracted or something,” Twiggs said in the video.

In addition to the interview, prosecutors presented what they characterized as a late-night text conversation between Robinson and Twiggs sent on the night of the killing, according to CNN. The state alleges these messages amount to a confession by the defendant.

The court was also shown photographs of the suspected murder weapon, alongside images of bullets and cartridges that had been engraved with various messages.

Robinson surrendered to police the day after the shooting and has not yet entered a formal plea.

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Danielle Mullenix

ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (KIFI) – As hot, dry weather continues to increase the wildfire threat across eastern Idaho, Fremont County has enacted countywide fire restrictions and moved to the “Ready” stage of its wildfire evacuation system.

County officials say the “Ready” level is not an evacuation order, but it indicates a significant wildfire threat and that residents should begin preparing in case an evacuation becomes necessary.

Restriction Boundaries and Specifications

Beginning Friday, July 10, fire restrictions apply to private lands outside the city limits of Ashton, Newdale, Parker, St. Anthony, and Teton.

Under the restrictions:

Open burning, including burning weeds, slash piles, and ditches, is prohibited.

Fireworks are prohibited.

Hot work, such as welding, grinding, and cutting, must be performed in an area with at least a 10-foot clearance from combustible materials. A shovel and water source must also be available.

Campfires are allowed only in approved fire pits. Fire pits should be approximately 16 inches deep, surrounded by rocks, stones, or bricks extending at least 6 inches above ground level, and have a 10-foot-diameter cleared area around them. Campfires must also have a shovel and a nearby water source.

Planning for Wildfires

Emergency managers are urging residents to use this time to prepare for the possibility of wildfire activity by:

Signing up for emergency wildfire alerts.

Downloading the Watch Duty app to monitor fire activity.

Following local news and official emergency management updates.

Building a “go kit” with essential supplies.

Creating a family evacuation and communication plan.

Preparing pets, livestock, and family members with special needs.

Keeping vehicles fueled with at least a half tank of gas.

Officials stress that taking these steps now can save valuable time if wildfire conditions change. According to Wildland Fire Service Public Information Officer Matthew Rose, the dangers of wildfires this time of year can grow within moments.

“Fire danger is high right now – everyone knows how windy Idaho can be,” Officer Rose said. “We’re always trying to encourage people to be safe, prepared when they’re out recreating, always have some water and a shovel, and be prepared to help put out anything. Whether you’re just doing some camping or shooting, whatever you do on public lands, we hope you enjoy, but just try and be safe.”

Fremont County Emergency Management says residents should stay informed throughout the fire season and follow all fire restrictions to help prevent human-caused wildfires.

Stay up-to-date with the latest wildfire conditions by visiting the WatchDuty App here.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Heated community debate over Flock cameras continued during an Idaho Falls City Council meeting Thursday.

Flock Safety cameras are AI-powered license plate readers that gather data such as the “color, make, mode, and license plates” of vehicles as they drive by, the company’s website states.

Multiple residents shared their concerns about the cameras during public comment.

“Our Fourth Amendment rights, privacy and freedom from unreasonable and unwarranted searches isn’t just some quaint, outdated idea that can be superseded by the acquisition of a little bit more safety,” said Brad Strand, a lifelong Idaho Falls native. “It must not be violated.”

Brian McKellar, an Ammon resident and former Legislative candidate, delivered the city a legal ultimatum to address the Flock cameras in the next 20 days.

“There’s 300,000 license plates they scan. We have a pretty good tort claim set up, which is $1,000 per picture taken,” McKellar said. “We really need to take this seriously. We need you to cover up these cameras before July 29th.”

However, Bonneville County Sheriff Spokesman Bryan Lovell said the cameras are an important tool for combating crime in the community.

In an interview last month with Local News 8’s Maile Sipraseuth, he said, “I know it has, since they’ve been in Idaho, been a factor in a lot of those cases where it’s narrowed down a search,” Lovell said. “It’s eliminated people as possible involvement or suspect activity. It’s narrowed down suspects and information and helps us kind of narrow down a search for someone that might be involved in a crime – all kinds of crimes. … It essentially makes a big list of that data that’s accessible by law enforcement.”

City of Idaho Falls Attorney Zachary Jones announced at the meeting that the city is currently working to change its contract with Flock Safety.

“We’re in the process of amending the contract that we have with Flock Safety to get rid of the clause that allows Flock Safety currently to use data that’s gathered from our Flock Safety cameras to be used to train its Flock Safety AI software,” he stated.

We’ll continue to follow the conflict over Flock cameras in our communities – reaching out to both law enforcement, opponents and city leaders in the weeks to come.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Chief Justice John Roberts has transferred a judicial misconduct complaint involving Ninth Circuit Judge Ryan Nelson to the Judicial Council of the Fourth Circuit, which moves the matter outside Nelson’s home circuit for further review.

The complaint comes from a altercation that occurred in June that led to the misdemeanor criminal charges against Judge Nelson.

RELATED: Ninth Circuit Judge accused of breaking man’s sunglasses in altercation outside Brio Home Health and Hospice

During the April incident, Judge Ryan Nelson and another man were involved in a dispute over a parking space that allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation. Prosecutors allege Nelson grabbed the man’s sunglasses, threw them across the parking lot and stepped on them, damaging the glasses. Nelson has acknowledged damaging the sunglasses but has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor malicious injury to property charges.

According to a news release issued Tuesday, Roberts approved a request from Murguia to transfer the matter under Rule 26 of the Rules for Judicial-Conduct and Judicial-Disability Proceedings. The transfer includes the complaint and all related proceedings.

The rule allows a judicial misconduct matter to be assigned to another circuit when doing so would promote impartiality and public confidence in the process. The complaint will now be handled by the Judicial Council of the Fourth Circuit rather than the Ninth Circuit.

The complaint is a formal review that focuses on whether the judge’s conduct violated standards expected of members of the federal judiciary.

Under the definitions of Misconduct and Disability, the misconduct review will determine whether the alleged conduct meets the judiciary’s definition of misconduct under Rule 4 of the Rules for Judicial-Conduct and Judicial-Disability Proceedings.

Possible outcomes can range from dismissal of the complaint to corrective action or disciplinary measures by the judicial council overseeing the case.

At this time, the Ninth Circuit has not announced a timetable for the Fourth Circuit’s review.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) —As e-bikes continue to surge in popularity, safety experts and medical professionals are raising concerns about the risks associated with the high-speed bicycles, particularly for children and teenagers.

The renewed focus on e-bike safety comes after two recent fatal crashes in Idaho. A Boise teenager was killed in an e-bike crash, while just a week earlier, a North Idaho man died after losing control of his e-bike near Spirit Lake.

Yet, e-bikes’ popularity shows no signs of slowing down.

“It’s definitely the fastest-growing segment in the cycling industry. There are city cruisers, there are gravel, there are racing road bikes, and there are mountain bikes in the e-bike world,” said David Wilding, owner of Idaho Mountain Trading.

Available in a variety of styles, including commuter, road, gravel, and mountain bikes, some models can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour or more, with certain high-powered versions capable of traveling significantly faster.

With their increasing popularity has come a rise in safety concerns. Communities across the region are considering new ordinances aimed at improving safety for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.

“Some cities have particular ordinances that have designated bike lanes or bike lanes and some of those for safety,” said Sgt. Bryan Lovell of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. “If it’s on a bike path or that’s also being shared by pedestrians, so you still have a responsibility to ride safely in those areas, even though it’s not a traveled roadway or a city street.”

Health experts are also reporting an increase in serious injuries tied to e-bike crashes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100,000 cyclists visit emergency departments each year for crash-related injuries. Locally, doctors say e-bike accidents have led to head injuries and broken bones.

“E-bikes and E-scooters could cause things like head traumas,” said Dr. Jaren Dickey. “Broken arms would be the main ones. They might get a big cut on their head, something like that. However, sometimes it can be a lot worse. Can even include bleeds inside the brain”

Because of those risks, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children younger than 16 not ride e-bikes, citing the combination of higher speeds and limited riding experience among younger users.

Despite those recommendations, neither Idaho nor Wyoming currently sets a minimum age requirement for riding an e-bike. Neither state requires adults to wear helmets while riding.

Even without a legal mandate, medical professionals and cycling experts strongly encourage riders of all ages to wear helmets every time they ride.

Doctors say helmets have been proven to significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries and urge families not to wait for laws to require the use of protective gear.

“Helmets have been shown to prevent a lot of these. Don’t wait for it to be a legal requirement to do the thing that’s right for your kid,” said Dr. Dickey.

Cycling advocates echo that message, noting that crashes are a risk you take when riding and that wearing a helmet can make the difference between a minor injury and a life-threatening one.

“It’s pretty much a must,” says Wilding. “It’s not an if but a when, because you will crash at some point”

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Hadley Bodell

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) – As Pocatello awaits an appellate hearing on the proposed Lex Developments AI data center later this month, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have reaffirmed their opposition to the project. On July 7, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes made an official statement reaffirming their stance against the proposal, stating they agree with the Hearing Examiner’s original decision to deny Lex Developments a conditional use permit (CUP).

All of the Tribe’s concerns stem from what they state is, “the developer’s failure to submit sufficient information for review to address concerns over likely increases to electricity rates, impacts to water resources and environmental impacts.”

Members of the Tribal Council emphasized their responsibility to care for the environment and its reach beyond the Fort Hall Reservation. They said they continue to care about surrounding lands and are “deeply concerned” about the potential impacts of a data center in Pocatello. The Fort Hall Business Council submitted a public records request for the public hearing documents as well as the Hearing Examiner’s decision, agreeing that Lex Developments failed to adequately deliver any project requirements, leaving them highly concerned about the potential environmental impacts.

“We have a responsibility to protect our lands, our water and natural resources within it,” said Donna Thompson, chairwoman of the Fort Hall Business Council. “We don’t know what the significant impacts of it would be for the community, not just us but overall.”

Thompson said the Business Council is not opposed to development as long as it is responsible, transparent and protects natural resources.

House Bill 911 was passed earlier this year, requiring developers to pay for all power infrastructure costs, however, leaders in the Tribe are concerned this will be difficult to enforce. If not, the electricity rates could increase for Tribal members.

“They say it’s not going to impact electricity costs, but if you go to different areas that currently have data centers right now, they’re struggling to find electricity for their customers,” Thompson stated. “For the residential people that do have them, they’re paying higher costs, that information is out there and I don’t think Idaho Power has the ability to predict that much power needed for such a large development.”

The second major concern is water usage, even while House Bill 895 passed this year, prohibiting data centers from using a water cooling system as a consumptive process, the Fort Hall Business Council stated the developer did not define the water requirements for the proposed data center. They are also worried about the chemicals or additives that could be outputs from the data center, regarding its location near the Portneuf River. The chemical hazard directly correlates with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes’ mission to protect Idaho’s limited water resources and the wildlife within it.

“We need clear, measurable information, not estimates. This includes water demand, cooling system operations, chemicals or additives, prevention and response plans and any water required for onsite generation,” Thompson explained. “The Portneuf River is very close and we already have enough contaminants in it, we don’t need more.”

She added they want to keep the water clean and safe for all future generations, and the council will continue to fight for their longevity.

When asked whether the Tribes would support the project if additional information were provided, Thompson said no.

“I’ll be honest, I just don’t think data centers are something we want in our community, whether it’s Fort Hall, Pocatello, Blackfoot, the resources that it would demand would be taken from all our communities, and I just don’t think that’s something we want,” she said.

The Fort Hall Business Council recognizes the resources they have, including the water, land and mountains on and surrounding the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. Thompson said they’re grateful for the resources and will fight to keep them for their kids and grandchildren.

“We remain committed to transparency, meaningful environmental review, protection of our natural resources and upholding Tribal interests and treaty rights,” she said. “We’re not going to sit down, we’re not going to go away. When we firmly believe in something, we will fight to the very end.”

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Stephanie Lucas

JACKSON, Wyoming (KIFI) — The Wyoming Highway Patrol says equipment failure likely caused the deadly chain reaction accident on the Teton Pass on Tuesday.

Investigators say that the dump truck was traveling eastbound down the pass when it suffered a critical failure. The driver lost control, and the crash rapidly unfolded.

First, a runaway dump truck rear-ended an eastbound motorcycle, which skidded across the westbound lane and came to a stop on the shoulder. Fortunately, WHP confirmed in a news release that the rider survived the impact.

As the dump truck barrelled downhill, it rear-ended an eastbound Chevrolet pickup. WHP says the impact forced the Chevy into oncoming traffic, where it collided head-on with a westbound Ford F-150. The F-150 overturned and went off the north side of the highway.

The dump truck then veered off the south side of the road, struck a guardrail, and swerved back into the eastbound lane. Once there, WHP says it spun out and rolled onto its side, sliding down the highway and spilling asphalt across the roadway.

While sliding on its side, the dump truck hit a westbound Chevrolet Equinox and then a westbound Subaru Outback. Both the Subaru and the dump truck collided with a drainage ditch. The impact launched the dump truck airborne before it landed on its passenger side in the eastbound lane. The Subaru rolled repeatedly, coming to a rest on its roof.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the driver of the Ford F-150 and the driver of the Subaru Outback both died at the scene. They have been identified as Nicholas Czernichew Besobrasow, 66, of Tetonia, and David Thomposn Page, 66, of Mammoth Lakes, California, and Jackson, Wyoming. The four other people who were injured were taken to an area hospital.

The highway was closed for an extended period on Tuesday as emergency crews cleared the spilled asphalt and wreckage. WHP also says this accident is under investigation, and any possible citations or charges are pending.

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