Author: KIFI

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The rain could not keep the fun at bay at Idaho State University on Saturday morning when hundreds took to the streets on bikes, in truck beds and throwing candy from floats for the Homecoming Parade through campus. While the 2025 Homecoming Parade held a significantly larger crowd due to fairer weather conditions, this year’s parade featured several special floats.

With the midterm elections on the horizon, several local candidates rode floats through town. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes also had several floats, blasting music and throwing candy. ISU President Wagner was a spectacle on his automated scooter, riding alongside the host of ISU Ambassador Student Representatives and the Bengal Jeep.

ISU Student Ambassadors walk in the 2026 Homecoming Parade, Sept. 10

Local businesses as well as clubs and student groups from the university also walked in the parade. The wind and rain conditions were heavy when the parade began at 10 a.m., but improved throughout the morning.

Idaho State has been celebrating homecoming all week long, with fan-favorite events like the homecoming bonfire, window painting, barbeque, royalty pageant, and the infamous True Bengal event.

The week culminated in the football game against Cal Poly on Saturday evening. Idaho State lost 25-24 after an interception in the fourth quarter.

Pocatello High School Marching Band plays in ponchos for the 2026 Homecoming Parade, Sept. 10

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Hadley Bodell

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Hundreds headed out to the Bonneville County Fairgrounds today for a spooky-season-themed market with vendors and food trucks. The Boo-Tique Craft Fair was free entry and provided all kinds of goodies for attendees.

All four buildings at the fairgrounds were full of vendors selling everything from fall and Halloween house decor to clothing and baked goods. Several local food trucks were available including Cowpoke Coffee and Mac Burger.

One popular vendor booth has been “Blind Date with a Book” adaptations, including one at the Boo-Tique where attendees could create their own book craft. October is also National Book Month.

The fair went all day today, but those looking for more Halloween gifts and decor still have a chance at the vendors later this month. The Halloween Market will replace the regular Farmer’s Market in Idaho Falls on Saturday, October 31 on Memorial Drive.

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Max Gershon

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Brigham Young University-Idaho has unveiled Thor the Viking as its official mascot and reintroduced the Viking logo from its Ricks College heritage. The announcement took place at the conclusion of annual Spirit Week festivities as the university marks 25 years as BYU-Idaho.

The Viking has a long history as the adopted mascot of Ricks College, where images of the Viking and a Viking ship routinely appeared across campus. University leaders refreshed the emblem to strengthen student belonging, connect alumni and highlight historical values of leadership, courage and unity.

School officials noted that the return of the Viking does not signal a return to intercollegiate athletics. The emblem will instead be featured on university materials and merchandise.

Amy Renee, vice president of student life, described the process of gathering feedback from across the campus community before the mascot was selected.

“Our team spent a lot of time talking to students, faculty and alumni to make sure we could introduce a mascot that would unify Ricks College alumni with generations of BYU-Idaho students both now and well into the future,” Renee said. “We look forward to adding to the energy and school spirit by introducing Thor the Viking.”

Thor is scheduled to appear at campus events such as New Student Orientation, Date Night and other high-energy student activities. To mark the mascot’s debut, the University Store launched an official Viking collection that features shirts, hoodies, hats, pennants and other spirit items online.

Students, alumni and supporters of the university can follow Thor on Instagram at @byui_thor.

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Hadley Bodell

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – A truck overheated and caught fire at the top of Ashton Hill at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 9, killing one juvenile passenger. Idaho State Police are still investigating the fire.

The fire occured at mile marker 368 on US Highway 20 just north of Ashton. A Chevy 2500 was towing a livestock trailer when it overheated. The driver was a 26-year-old male from Thayne, Wyoming, accompanied by a 23-year-old female from Rexburg and a juvenile.

Both the driver and adult passenger were transported to a local hospital for their injuries. The juvenile died at the scene of the vehicle fire.

Both eastbound and westbound lanes on US Highway 20 were blocked for approximately three hours.

Idaho State Police was assisted by Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, North Fremont Fire Department, Intermountain Air Ambulance, St Anthony Ambulance, and Ashton Ambulance.

The crash remains under investigation. Local News 8 will continue providing updates as they become available.

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Hadley Bodell

YELLOWSTONE, Wyoming (KIFI) – Winter weather has caused the Beartooth Highway in Wyoming to close three days early for the season. The stretch of US 212 between Red Lodge and Cooke City, Montana closed October 9 ahead of forecasted snow.

The highway leads directly to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park, making it a popular road throughout the warm seasons. The Wyoming Department of Transportation said there is forecasted snow and ice that could cause hazardous driving conditions as soon as this weekend.

The highway was originally scheduled to close for the season on Monday, October 12. Now, drivers may not be able to use the Beartooth Highway route again until next spring.

Check for further updates from the Montana and Wyoming Departments of Transportation.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Fire Department responded to a kitchen fire at a home on Daffodil Place Saturday morning, leading to $20,000 in damage.

Crews arrived just before 8 a.m. and found smoke coming from the front of the home.

One person managed to escape the home safely and told firefighters that someone else might still be inside. Firefighters searched the home, found no other occupants, and quickly knocked down the fire in the kitchen.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Property damage is estimated at around $20,000.

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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Hadley Bodell

UPDATE:

MENAN, Idaho (KIFI) — Jefferson County Coroner LaVar Summers has identified the two teenagers killed Saturday when their pickup truck crashed into the Snake River north of Menan.

The victims are 18-year-old Jaydon Putnam of Rigby, the driver, and 15-year-old Nicholas Jayce Olsen of Idaho Falls, the passenger.

According to the Idaho State Police, the crash happened on October 10th on Twin Butte Road near the Menan Bridge. ISP says their Ford F-350 left the roadway, struck an embankment, and plunged upside down into the river.

Summers expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of both victims as the investigation into the crash continues.

ORIGINAL:

MENAN, Idaho (KIFI) – At just after 7 a.m. on the morning of October 10, a Ford F350 left the road just north of Menan and landed upside down in the Snake River. The crash resulted in the death of the 18-year-old driver as well as a juvenile passenger.

The single-vehicle crash was on Twin Butte Rd near the Menan Bridge. Idaho State Police say the Ford F350 was headed southbound when it left the road, hit an embankment, and fell into the river.

Both the driver and passenger died at the scene. The 18-year-old driver is from Rigby and the juvenile passenger is from Idaho Falls.

Idaho State Police said they were assisted by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Dive Team, Rigby Police Department and Central Fire Department.

This crash is currently under investigation by Idaho State Police.

Local News 8 will continue to provide details as they become available.

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News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho farmers and ranchers will face fewer fuel inspections for the remainder of harvest season following an executive order signed by Gov. Brad Little.

The order directs the Idaho State Police and the Idaho Transportation Department to temporarily pause enforcement and inspections related to dyed diesel fuel for 30 days. Dyed diesel is commonly used in agriculture and is subject to different requirements than fuel used in on-road vehicles.

In a statement announcing the order, Governor Little stated the move builds on President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce regulatory burdens on farmers and ranchers.

“Idaho farmers and ranchers work hard to feed our families, our country, and the world. President Trump has made cutting red tape a priority, and Idaho is doing the same. We will continue looking for ways to give our farmers, ranchers, and working men and women on the road more freedom to do what they do best,” Governor Little said.

During the 30-day suspension, state agencies will review Idaho’s current fuel inspection policies, compare them with neighboring states, and present recommendations for long-term administrative changes to the governor.

The executive order applies strictly to state-level inspections and does not exempt drivers or businesses from federal regulations, laws in neighboring states, or vehicle manufacturer warranty requirements.

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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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made a $1 million contribution to the opponents of Proposition 1, marking the largest single donation to an anti-Prop 1 campaign in Idaho.

The funds went to the Too Extreme for Idaho Political Action Committee. Local News 8 confirmed the donation and received the following statement from a Church spokesperson outlining the faith’s policy regarding political participation.

“While The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains neutral toward political candidates, it actively addresses ballot initiatives it believes carry significant moral consequences. Accordingly, the Church has joined a coalition of like-minded organizations and individuals in Idaho to dedicate resources toward defeating Proposition 1.” 

Former Superintendent of Public Instruction and former Idaho Republican Party Chair Tom Luna first revealed the donation during an appearance on the Idaho Falls radio station NewsTalk 107.

If passed by voters, Proposition 1 would establish a state constitutional right to reproductive freedom and privacy, effectively repealing Idaho’s current abortion ban. The initiative would permit abortion up to the point of fetal viability and establish a new legal definition for fetal viability within state law.

The major financial contribution follows official statements issued by Church leaders in opposition to the initiative. In a letter read during Sunday worship services across Idaho congregations, the Area Presidency reiterated the faith’s position on abortion.

“As noted in a 2024 statement, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral regarding political parties and candidates and addresses issues it believes have significant moral consequences. We join with other like-minded individuals and organizations in working against this initiative and encourage our members to voice their opposition in a respectful manner consistent with our prophetic direction of always demonstrating Christlike love and civility in political discourse.”

For more information on the faith’s stance on abortion, click HERE.

The contribution comes after an opinion issued by Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, which affirmed that religious and tax-exempt organizations are allowed under state law to donate money to political action committees and ballot initiative campaigns, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun.

While multiple religious organizations, including several groups affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, have contributed to PACs opposing Proposition 1, the $1 million contribution from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints represents the largest single contribution to date.

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David Pace

TETON, Idaho (KIFI) – Friday night’s rivalry football game between Teton and Sugar-Salem won’t be played.

Teton High School’s football team has chosen to forfeit the matchup after a hazing incident that occurred during a team dinner on October 1.

According to Teton Valley News, the team met together for a dinner at a private home when some younger players crossed the line.

The district said no injuries were reported, and team members stepped in and stopped the activity before it could continue.

“As a school and a community we need to show students that the way to grow IS to accept accountability, make repairs, and move forward a better person,” Teton District 401 Superintendent Brian Ashton wrote to Local News 8.

The dinners are organized by parents to help players bond outside of school.

While only a few players were reportedly involved, the team decided to take responsibility for the incident.

Led by their team captains, they “wrote a letter of apology, signed it and invited coaches and admin back in,” Ashton stated.

According to Teton Valley News, the coach said many players didn’t initially understand the seriousness of the situation, but quickly recognized that hazing has no place in their programs.

In a letter to parents, Principal Kristin Weston and Assistant Principals Marshal Givens and Patrick Hogan wrote, “We have work to do, lessons to learn, harm to repair, and relationships to restore, and our kids can do it. We love every one of them and care deeply about their well-being. Coaching them through the right conversations and behaviors will take all of our efforts. While we’re disappointed by what happened, we’re confident that we can learn and grow from these mistakes.”

The school administrators said that the incident should encourage “broader conversations” in the community about how students behave on their own, how does peer pressure and technology influence behavior,  and how do you react when you observe “something that makes you uncomfortable, but feel like you can’t say anything?”

The players chose to forfeit tonight’s game, but by applying the lessons learned they may yet emerge winners.

“WE are Teton in the good times, when we’re celebrating and winning,” the principals wrote, “and WE are Teton in the challenging times, when our kids need our support most.”

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