Author: KIFI

News Release

The following is a news release from Yellowstone National Park:

BOZEMAN, MT – As part of ongoing monitoring efforts to document recovery of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Geological Survey, in conjunction with Yellowstone National Park, is working to inform the public that pre-baiting and scientific capture operations are once again about to begin within Yellowstone National Park. Agency biologists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) will begin the field captures Sept. 1 and continue through Oct. 15. Capture operations can include a variety of activities, but all areas where work is being conducted will have major access points marked with warning signs. It is critical that all members of the public heed these signs.

Monitoring of the grizzly bear population is vital to ongoing research and management of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. To attract bears, biologists use natural food sources such as recently road-killed deer and elk. Potential capture sites are baited with these natural foods and if indications are that grizzly bears are in the area, culvert traps or foot snares are used to capture bears. Once captured, bears are handled in accordance with strict safety and animal care protocols developed by the IGBST and approved by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Whenever bear capture activities are being conducted for scientific purposes, the area around the site will be posted with bright warning signs to inform the public of the activities occurring. These signs are posted along the major access points to the capture site. It is important that the public heed these signs and do not venture into an area that has been posted. For more information regarding grizzly bear capture efforts call the IGBST trapping hotline at 406-994-6675. Information about the grizzly bear research and monitoring is available from the IGBST website.

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News Team

AFTON, Wyo. (KIFI) — After taking advantage of a break in the weather on Tuesday, firefighters have successfully increased containment of the Dollar Lake Fire to 8%, according to a Wednesday release from the U.S. Forest Service Bridger-Teton National Forest. The fire has grown to 13,449 acres.

Yesterday, firefighters concentrated their efforts on securing the southern and eastern flanks of the fire, where they focused on protecting several key locations, including campgrounds, outfitter camps, and the Red Cliff Bible Camp. Crews also worked to build additional containment and contingency lines, particularly on the south side of the fire area.

According to the release, areas on the west and south sides are now prepared for burnout operations. These controlled burns will be initiated once weather conditions become favorable to create a defensive perimeter and prevent further spread.

Evacuation Updates

A mandatory “GO” evacuation order is still in effect for a five-mile radius around Dollar Lake and for the Red Cliff Bible Camp.

Residents in the following areas are currently at a “SET” status, indicating they should be prepared to evacuate:

Moose Gypsum Road

Hill Road

Valley View Trail

Hecox Road

Pine Drive

Rock Creek Road

Brookie Lane

White Point Road

Rainbow Drive

Trout Drive

Cutthroat Drive

River Road

Cattle Drive Lane

Terrace Drive

Half-way Drive

Galley Lane

All residents living along US Hwy 352 South to Richard Lane.

For additional evacuation information, click HERE. The Bridger-Teton National Forest has issued a closure order for the area around the fire, including the Green River Lakes Road. The closure is to ensure public and firefighter safety. Additionally, Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect across the entire forest.

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News Team

SMOOT, Wyo. (KIFI) — The Willow Creek Fire in Bridger-Teton National Forest has grown to 4,355 acres, but firefighters are making steady progress, achieving 12% containment.

A welcome sight for crews, light showers on Tuesday and widespread showers forecast for today are temporarily helping to reduce the fire’s intensity, according to a U.S. Forest Service release. The damp conditions have allowed firefighters to work directly on the fire’s edge, focusing on building and reinforcing control lines.

However, fire officials warn that a warming and drying trend is expected to return in the coming days, which may contribute to increased fire behavior. Crews are using the current favorable conditions to prioritize structural protection efforts.

The evacuation zones remain at a “SET” status, meaning residents should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. The affected areas are from milepost 75 south to Salt Pass and west of Highway 89, from Reeves-Schwab Lane south to Gomm’s Pond.

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News Team

ONEIDA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) —Southeastern Idaho Public Health (SIPH) has confirmed that a bat found in Oneida County has tested positive for rabies, marking the first rabid bat detected in southeastern Idaho this year and the sixth for the state.

The confirmation comes just weeks after hundreds of visitors to Grand Teton National Park’s Jackson Lake Lodge in Wyoming were potentially exposed to rabies from a bat colony in the building’s attic between May 15 and July 27.

While not all bats carry the rabies virus, rabies is a nearly 100% fatal viral disease in humans and other animals. “It is extremely important for people to avoid all bats and other wild animals, particularly if they appear sick or are acting aggressively or abnormally,” said Jeff Doerr, an epidemiologist with SIPH.

Doerr also urged pet owners to contact their veterinarian immediately if they suspect their animal may have been exposed to a bat, regardless of their pet’s vaccination status.

Bats are the only known natural carrier of the rabies virus in Idaho, and an average of 15 rabid bats are detected in the state each year. No area of Idaho is considered rabies-free.

According to a public health release, people most commonly encounter bats when a pet brings one into the home or a bat enters through an open door, window, or small opening. In cases where a person wakes up to a bat in their room and is unsure whether they were bitten or scratched, they should contact their local public health office immediately.

Any bat that has potentially come into contact with a person, pet, or livestock should be tested for rabies.

Safety Recommendations from Public Health Officials:

Never touch bats with your bare hands

Be suspicious of bats active during daylight hours

If you wake up with a bat in your room, seek medical advice immediately

If you have an encounter with a bat, seek medical attention immediately. If possible, safely contain the bat for testing and contact your local public health office.

Keep pets up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. If a pet brings home a dead bat, collect it using a plastic bag (without touching it) and contact both your veterinarian and local public health office.

Bat-proof your home by sealing any openings the size of a quarter or larger, including chimneys, roof peaks, and loose screens. The best time for this is typically in the fall after bats have migrated.

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News Team

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Authorities have released the name of the man killed in yesterday’s single-vehicle crash along US-20 north of Rexburg. Fremont County coroner Brenda Dye has identified the victim as 46-year-old John Anderson of Rexburg, Idaho.

According to coroner Dye, Anderson died on the scene from traumatic injuries. His next of kin has been notified.

FREMONT COUNTY, ID – A 46-year-old Rexburg man was killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash yesterday afternoon on US-20, just north of Rexburg.

According to a report from the Idaho State Police (ISP), the incident occurred at approximately 4:02 PM on Tuesday, August 26. The man was driving a white 2013 Ford Transit van westbound when the vehicle veered off the right side of the highway.

The van rolled over, coming to a rest on its roof. The driver, whose name has not been released at this time, was not wearing a seatbelt and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

ISP confirmed there were no other vehicles involved in the crash, and there was no blockage to traffic. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police. Next of kin has reportedly been notified.

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CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 27 AUG 25 10:17 ET

Updated: 27 AUG 25 11:38 ET

By Dakin Andone, Hannah Rabinowitz, Mark Morales, CNN

Editor’s note: EDITOR’S NOTE:  This story is no longer being updated. Follow our coverage here.

(CNN) — A suspected shooter at a Minnesota Catholic school is dead, two law enforcement officials familiar with the matter told CNN Wednesday, soon after Gov. Tim Walz lamented yet another “horrific act of violence.”

The shooter’s death was self-inflicted, sources said.

The shooting occurred during the first week of classes for Annunciation Catholic School, which serves students from preschool through eighth grade in southern Minneapolis – now the latest community to be victimized by the United States’ seemingly unrelenting gun violence.

The nature and scope of any injuries was not immediately clear. Authorities are expected to hold a news conference later Wednesday morning.

The shooter had been “contained” by 9:30 a.m. local time, when the city of Minneapolis said on a post on X that there was “no active threat to the community at this time.” The city asked people avoid the area to “allow emergency personnel to help the victims.”

Walz had earlier said he’d been “briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will continue to provide updates as we get more information.” The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the State Patrol are on the scene, the governor added.

“I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence,” the governor said.

President Donald Trump has similarly been briefed, he said on Truth Social, calling the incident a “tragic shooting.”

“Please join me,” the president said, “in praying for everyone involved!”

Agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have also responded, those agencies said.

Hennepin Healthcare, a level 1 trauma center, said on social media it is “caring for patients from the shooting that occurred this morning.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who represents Minnesota, was “heartbroken” by the news, she said in a post on X.

“My prayers are with the students, teachers, and families, and I am grateful for the first responders who are on the scene.”

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Abi Martin

IDAHO FALLS (KIFI) — On August 26, 2025, Perry Myron Thomson, 51, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for rape.

He was sentenced with no possibility of parole until Thomson turns 72, meaning he will serve 23 years before becoming eligible.

The sentencing took place with the victim and family members present.

The Idaho Falls Police Department served as the primary investigative agency in the case.

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Ariel Jensen

BLACKFOOT, IDAHO (KIFI) — A local family farm is facing a potential loss of crops after state officials turned off their irrigation pump this week. Jerry Bingham, a farmer near Blackfoot, had his water pump shut off by a water master from the Idaho Department of Water Resources on Tuesday morning.

The curtailment, issued last month, aims to address a predicted 75,300-acre-foot water shortage for the Twin Falls Canal Company, which holds senior water rights. However, the order is putting immense pressure on farms like Bingham’s, which relies on groundwater.

“Without water, you’re not a farmer,” said Jerry Bingham. “I got five boys on this farm. We all farm together. So yeah, this affects five families.”

Jerry’s son, Brent Bingham, added that while he can’t put an exact number on the financial impact, it will be “very big,” especially for their small family-run operation.

“First in Time, First in Right”

While many groundwater users are protected under a recent water settlement agreement, Bingham has chosen not to join the water district, arguing that his water rights from 1950 have seniority. He believes the state should honor the principle of “First in Time, First in Right,” which is enshrined in the state constitution.

“If the state was doing that like the law intended… instead of manipulating everybody into a water district, then the water district decides, turns it into socialism, and everybody’s going to share in the cutbacks,” said Jerry. “That’s why I don’t want to be part of the water district.”

However, the curtailment order issued earlier this year by IDWR Director Mathew Weaver clearly put that Groundwater users who draw water from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer and whose water rights are junior to Oct. 11, 1900, were at risk of being curtailed. According to a release provided by IDWR, newly curtailed groundwater users affected by the July Curtailment Order were given a 15-day grace period to join a mitigation plan.

“Under Idaho water law, surface water users with senior water rights have priority over water users with junior rights on the Snake River and the ESPA,” states the release. “With the new July Curtailment Order, the group of affected water users and water rights has grown by several hundred. Because of the early curtailment date of Oct. 11, 1900, many affected water users may not have previously faced curtailment and not been aware of the ongoing delivery call process. Agents in the field are confirming compliance with the curtailment orders and helping water users understand the matter and identify their options.”

Despite this, Bingham says he is “going to stand up” for his water rights. He says his farm has already voluntarily reduced its water usage by 14.2% this year by turning off his pump for 24 hours every Sunday. He claims he’s only using one-third of what his water rights permit.

The IDWR curtailment order has been included below:

20250725-Final-Order-Curtailing-Ground-Water-Rights-Junior-to-October-11-1900Download

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News Release

The following is a press release from Idaho State University:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – An evolving partnership between Idaho State University (ISU) and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is helping secure the nation’s supply of critical materials used to make a wide range of important technologies, including nuclear fuels.  

INL and Department of Energy officials, joined by ISU President Robert Wagner, dedicated the Critical Materials and Energy Systems Innovation Center during an Aug. 26 ceremony in Idaho Falls. 

Formerly known as the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES), the Innovation Center supports expanded cooperation between Idaho’s university students, faculty members and INL researchers to accelerate innovations in critical and strategic materials and minerals. Building on more than a decade of successful partnership under the CAES model, both institutions are leveraging their combined expertise to deliver impactful research and development outcomes.

“ISU and INL have a long history of successful partnerships and collaborations,” said ISU President Robert Wagner. “Establishing a critical and strategic materials center positions Idaho as a national leader in critical materials research, driving innovation and economic opportunity across the region while building America’s energy future and safeguarding national security. We continue to seek ways to enhance opportunities for ISU faculty and students to work directly with INL in finding innovative solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing challenges.”

Specifically, the Innovation Center will help INL researchers develop recovery, extraction and advanced separation technologies to safely and economically process critical materials. These capabilities — found in few facilities across the United States — allow researchers to process materials like natural uranium, thorium, cobalt and lithium, supporting domestic production of advanced nuclear reactors, grid-scale energy storage and defense technologies.

“Idaho is positioned to lead in securing the resources that power everything from renewable energy systems to defense technologies,” said INL Director John Wagner. “By combining our laboratory’s unique capabilities with ISU’s academic excellence, we’re creating a center of excellence for developing resilient, domestic supply chains for critical and strategic materials, including those needed for advanced nuclear fuels.”

In partnership with ISU and the University of Idaho, the Center will also help prepare Idaho’s future workforce for careers in advanced energy systems, materials science, advanced manufacturing and national security. By offering hands-on research opportunities and direct industry collaboration, the facility will help students gain in-demand skills while fueling economic growth across Idaho. 

“As the demand for critical materials grows, INL and Idaho universities will work side by side to develop real-world solutions to strengthen America’s supply chain,” John Wagner said. “Together, we’re not just solving today’s challenges — we’re building the foundation for a resilient energy future powered by American innovation.”

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho State Police:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation is once again stepping up to support local law enforcement. Their latest contribution to the Idaho State Police (ISP) District 6 will allow troopers to receive specialized training at Soma Jiu-Jitsu in Idaho Falls, advancing officer safety, health, and wellness.

Through the Foundation’s sponsorship, four troopers will train weekly at Soma Jiu Jitsu, in addition to the defensive tactics instruction provided by ISP. This opportunity enhances the skills troopers use in high-risk encounters, focusing on control and restraint techniques that reduce the need for strikes while improving officer safety and public perception.

“Every day, troopers face unpredictable and sometimes dangerous encounters,” said ISP District 6 Captain Chris Weadick. “This training builds confidence and equips our troopers with proven techniques to safely resolve situations while protecting themselves and the communities they serve. We are grateful to the Foundation and the donors who make this possible.”

Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has become a leading best practice in law enforcement across the nation. The program emphasizes control and restraint, providing officers with tools to resolve confrontations with reduced risk to themselves and the public.

“This is more than just defensive tactics,” Captain Weadick added. “It’s an investment in officer fitness, wellness, and the trust we build with the community. The Foundation’s support helps us raise the standard of training and continue serving Idaho with professionalism and confidence.”

The Foundation is a nonprofit organization funded by community donors and grant opportunities. Its mission is to strengthen law enforcement agencies by providing resources that might otherwise be unavailable. They also partner with the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, ensuring officers across agencies have access to lifesaving equipment and training.

The Foundation has supported ISP District 6 with several recent donations, including:

A wrestling mat used for annual training.

A radar unit for a patrol vehicle.

Cold-weather search gloves for all D6 troopers.

Cooling vests for all D6 troopers.

Sponsorship of weekly training at Soma Jiu-Jitsu.

For more information on the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation, visit ifpolicefoundation.org.

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