Category: kifi-local-news

CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 22 JAN 26 13:24 ET

By Chris Reed

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    LA VERKIN, Utah (KSTU) — A groundbreaking $51 million water reclamation facility is about to transform how southern Utah handles wastewater. The Confluence Park Water Reclamation Facility represents 20 years of planning and construction, and it’s the first of its kind in Utah.

“As a child, I always wanted to be a marine biologist. But I also wanted to live here. So those two things don’t work together very well,” said Bradley Johnson, who grew up in Hurricane and La Verkin and now works at the facility.

Johnson said he never intends to leave the area because he loves the beauty of the terrain and landscapes. The 34-year-old is helping improve the water supply situation in Washington County through his work at this innovative facility.

All wastewater from public sewer systems in the Hurricane-LaVerkin-Toquerville area will be processed here. The facility may be hard to find — from the outside, it could easily be mistaken for a business park, Amazon warehouse or gymnasium.

“The least desirable thing next to a nuclear reactor is a wastewater treatment plant. So if we’re hitting well enough that you need additional directions, there’s a little bit of comfort for us,” said Mike Chandler, superintendent of Ash Creek Special Service District.

The facility uses new technology with a triple-filtering chemical and filtering system designed to prevent the characteristic bad odors typically associated with wastewater treatment plants. The project is being funded mostly through impact fees on new homes and development.

“Growth needs to pay for growth,” Chandler said.

The process begins when wastewater enters the collection system.

“A toilet is flushed. A sink is turned off. The dishwasher turns off. The water comes down through our collection system, conveyed to the front of our plant,” Chandler said.

The water that emerges meets Type 1 water standards according to state regulations — equivalent to pristine groundwater from a well. This treated water can be used to irrigate farms, parks, schools and home gardens.

“You’re able to pump this to the local elementary school. They can put it on their soccer fields. They can go to the local golf course. It can be used on residential gardens, and there’s not the likelihood or any chance of really there being any sort of contamination,” Chandler said.

The facility represents a significant component of the Washington County Water Conservancy District’s overall water reuse strategy. Chandler said the plant will help offset agriculture’s impact on the dwindling water supply in the region.

“That facility with the storage that it will allow increases the degree of robustness that we have as far as water scarcity through years like this, where there’s no snow on the mountains as you see out there today, which makes it a little bit problematic for us as we look and say, ‘What’s this next water year going to look like?'” Chandler said.

The Confluence Park facility uses technology developed in the Netherlands during the 1990s and 2000s, only licensed for use in the United States in 2016.

“So, relatively new process, first of its kind in Utah,” Chandler said.

The facility is currently undergoing final testing with clean water. Full wastewater processing will begin within the next week.

The biological process relies on bacteria to break down contaminants. Let the biologist who lives in LaVerkin explain.

“So the bacteria, they’ll eat the organic matter and contaminants, convert it into more of themselves through reproduction. And then we essentially just have to get rid of those bugs. And that’s through filtration,” Johnson said.

Johnson emphasized the quality of the final product.

“Essentially, the water that comes out of here is way cleaner, like way, way cleaner than the water that you see just in the Virgin River. And you’re willing to go play in that with your kids and stuff, so there shouldn’t be any concern with lawns being sprinklered with it or watering your garden,” Johnson said.

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Fox13

Originally Published: 22 JAN 26 13:31 ET

By Michael Martin

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    DAVIS COUNTY, Utah (KSTU) — A Davis County man is facing charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and voyeurism after he was allegedly caught using a hidden camera to film members of his family without their knowledge.

The 26-year-old man, whose identity FOX 13 News is not providing to protect the privacy of the victims, was arrested Wednesday and is being held without bail.

In August, a report was filed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children claiming a user uploaded files containing possible child sexual abuse material. Investigators identified a Davis County home as the location where the files were allegedly uploaded.

On Wednesday, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant at the home and spoke with the man, who admitted that he had downloaded child sexual abuse material, but claimed the last time he had done that was over a year ago, but did admit to viewing material in the last month.

The man also told investigators that he had been setting up a spy camera in an adult family member’s room inside the home, with detectives saying the camera captured one of the man’s family members as she was changing.

According to investigators, the man admitted to setting up the camera in December of 2024, but said the last time it was recording was a month before the search warrant was executed. When police searched the SD card from the camera, they said it contained videos of a bedroom with someone who appeared to be sleeping on the bed.

Numerous child sexual abuse files were found on the phone and computer that were in the man’s room. Also on the computer was a word-based guide that police claim was a “how-to” on manipulating and abusing children.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

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

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Seth Ratliff

EDITORS’ NOTE: Local News 8 has reached out to the Idaho GOP leadership for a response to the Idaho Democratic legislator’s joint statement and will update this story when we receive word back.

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — On the anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, Idaho Democratic legislators marked the date with a call to restore abortion access, reaffirmed their commitment to a 2026 ballot initiative aimed at ending the state’s near-total abortion ban.

In a joint statement released Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow and House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel argued that Idaho’s current laws have created a healthcare crisis, forcing patients to leave the state for care and causing a healthcare shortage in the Gem State.

Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel

“Idahoans value privacy, freedom, and responsibility. Our laws should reflect those values,” the lawmakers stated. “Instead, these bans threaten physicians with criminal penalties and tie the hands of medical professionals when pregnant patients need urgent care.”

The lawmakers continued by endorsing a ballot initiative, the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act, introduced in 2025 by Idahoans United for Women & Families.

A Shift Toward the Voters

The move to a ballot initiative marks a strategic shift for reproductive rights advocates in Idaho. By bypassing the Republican-controlled Legislature, Democrats hope to let voters directly decide on “reasonable standards” for reproductive healthcare.

“We will keep fighting in the Legislature, in our communities, and at the ballot box until every Idahoan can make their own reproductive health decisions without fear, delay, or political interference,” concludes the lawmaker’s statement.

Senate Bill 1385: Idaho’s Trigger Law

Idaho’s abortion ban, Senate Bill 1385, passed in 2020 and went into effect following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe.

The law makes performing an abortion a felony, with exceptions for situations when the life of the mother is at risk or in reported cases of rape or incest. While the Biden administration previously challenged the law under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), the lawsuit was dismissed by the Trump administration in early 2025.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador praised the dismissal, stating, “We are grateful that meddlesome DOJ litigation on this issue will no longer be an obstacle to Idaho enforcing its laws.”

The End of Roe.

The current legal battle follows the controversial and sweeping 2022 Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson, which overturned Roe v. Wade in a 5-4 vote.

In the majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito declared that Roe was “egregiously wrong from the start,” arguing that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. In a joint dissenting opinion, Justices Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan wrote that the decision stripped away “a fundamental constitutional protection” from millions of American women.

Nearly four years after that ruling, Idaho remains one of the most restrictive states in the nation, setting the stage for what is expected to be a divisive 2026 midterm election cycle.

In the wake of the ruling, pre-existing state abortion bans, known as trigger laws, such as Idaho’s Senate Bill 1385, immediately went into effect. Nearly four years after that ruling, critics argue that Idaho remains one of the most restrictive states in the nation, setting the stage for what is expected to be a divisive 2026 midterm election cycle.

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — As a result of a significant number of staff absences due to illnesses and other unavoidable circumstances, Hazel Stuart Elementary has been closed today, Thursday, January 22. Superintendent Doug McLaren announced the decision Wednesday night, saying the overwhelming number of staff absences has left the school unable to open.

“Despite exhaustive efforts to secure coverage and adjust staffing, we are unable to ensure appropriate instruction, student supervision, and support services,” stated the announcement.

The school district is reporting the sickness is a combination of the stomach flu, influenza, and personal reasons. The superintendent says he has never had shut down a school for this reason before.

“This is a new one. And I think part of it’s because our teachers have felt some obligation to come because so many teachers are out, so they want to come, but they’re coming sick, and then it’s spreading. And so we’re hoping this will nip it where it needs to be nipped,” said Doug McLaren, Superintendent of Shelley’s school district.

While the school is closed for the day, it is being cleaned and disinfected. They expect to return by next Monday. The school district is looking hire substitute teachers. If you are interested in applying click here.

RELATED: Super flu: Worst influenza season in 30 years sweeping Idaho

Highlighting D60’s priority to keep students in school, Superintendent McLaren emphasized that, due to unforeseen staffing limitations, the district could not ensure student safety or meet their needs, leading to the temporary closure.

McLaren optimistically estimated that the illnesses would run their course over the weekend. D60 expects to resume normal operations on Monday, January 26. For updates on the closure or more information, click HERE.

Keeping Your Family Healthy

Health experts recommend the following steps to keep you and your family healthy:

Wash Your Hands frequently: Use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in public spaces or before eating.

Stay Home When Sick: Keep children home if they show symptoms such as fever, cough, or fatigue. Most health guidelines suggest waiting until a child is fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to school.

Sanitize Surfaces: Regularly wipe down doorknobs, light switches, and electronic devices with disinfectant to eliminate lingering germs.

Boost Immunity: Consult with your doctor about flu shots and other vaccines. To schedule a vaccination appointment with Eastern Idaho Public Health, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

SALT LAKE, Utah (KIFI) — A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck near the Utah-Wyoming border overnight, just as the Beehive State was waking up.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake began around 7:49 AM. The epicenter was located just under 25 miles south of Evanston, Wyoming, over 8 miles deep.

A 4.7 magnitude quake can often be felt but rarely causes damage, according to seismologists. Forecasters with the USGS expect at least one aftershock within the next week.

While this morning’s tremor was small, seismic activity is not uncommon in Utah. On March 18, 2020, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Salt Lake City, causing minor damage and injuries. Most notably, the iconic Salt Lake City Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was undergoing a seismic upgrade at the time of the earthquake and sustained minor damage, causing the statue of the Angel Moroni to lose its trumpet.

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho is celebrating local creativity with the opening of the 2026 Eagle Rock Art Guild Spring Show, a diverse exhibition featuring the work of artists from across the region.

An annual exhibition, this year’s gallery, titled The Work of Today’s Guild Membership, opens to the public on January 22 and runs through March 14. It showcases a wide range of artistic styles and media, including landscapes, abstract works, sculpture, and more, all created by current members of the Eagle Rock Art Guild.

Museum officials say the annual show highlights both the diversity of artistic voices in the region and the long-standing partnership between the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho and the Eagle Rock Art Guild, one of the area’s oldest arts organizations.

In addition to the guild exhibition, the show includes the Helen Auuperle Senior Scholarship Exhibition, which honors outstanding graduating high school seniors pursuing education in the arts. The scholarship recognizes the legacy of Helen Aupperle, a founding member of the Guild and a respected art educator in Idaho Falls.

The museum is also featuring additional exhibitions during the same period, including a thesis exhibition by Jaymi Jones, work by Tony Carpenter, and new pieces from The Museum Artist Group, offering visitors an even broader look at the region’s creative community.

The Eagle Rock Art Guild Spring Show opens with a free public reception on January 22 at 5 pm, featuring live music and light refreshments. Admission to the museum and exhibition is free.

For more information about the exhibit and ongoing events at the museum, click here .

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Par Kermani

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Tension over the closure of a volunteer‑run pantry and store at the Blackfoot Senior Center erupted into a packed, emotional meeting as seniors accused the center’s board of poor communication and ignoring members’ concerns.

“Unfortunately, there’s been a breakdown in communication between the members of the senior center, and the board members. And the pantry has been closed,” said Tami Jones, a volunteer at the pantry and local resident.

Jones was disappointed in the decision because of the proximity of the senior center to the apartment buildings nearby. She recalled a recent event in which a gentleman on the sidewalk was struggling to carry two backpacks full of food from the pantry. She offered to help him drive the food back to his house, despite his initial fear that she was judging him for taking so much food. He accepted her offer. She fears that the residents won’t have access to food now that the pantry is closed, since the other pantries are further away.

For roughly three years, volunteers operated a food pantry and small donation store out of the center, bringing in more than $15,000, according to figures cited at the meeting. About half of that went back to the senior center, volunteers said.

During the meeting, former Blackfoot Mayor Paul Loomis and current Chairman of the Board told the agitated crowd that they will not be reopening the pantry.

“We at the senior center are experts at running the senior center.” said Loomis “We’re not experts that run the pantry. And there are four other pantries in this city which take care of food insecurity. And so we’re going to let them do what they’re really good at, and we’re going to do what we are really good at.”

One of the meeting attendees shouted back at Loomis, explaining that the other food pantries made them feel ashamed, whereas the one at the senior center made them feel comfortable and treated them like family.

Board members said they recently decided to stop supporting what they called an “ad hoc pantry,” arguing it lacked the oversight required under the center’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. They also cited food safety concerns and a recent inspection that, they said, raised questions about how donated food was handled.

“You can’t have an ad hoc organization who is receiving donations under a 501(c)(3) that doesn’t have one,” Loomis said.

Other board members were concerned about how funds were donated. “There has to be proper oversight.”

Some seniors countered that the pantry and store had operated openly for years, with the board’s knowledge, and that members were never clearly informed of legal or safety issues.

Board members defended the decision to redirect donated food and pledged to improve communication, publish its meeting schedule in the center’s newsletter and form small working groups with seniors to discuss the various concerns the residents brought up.

Many seniors left the meeting early, upset by the decision. The ones who stayed did not feel satisfied with the outcome.

“We have four other pantries in the city,” Loomis repeated as another attendee quickly interjected with “I reiterate, Paul, not one of them will give these people what that pantry has given us for the last three years.”

Board members promised to issue a statement and a press release to the community concerning the decisions made and to address any concerns the community might have had.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — In an effort to combat local food insecurity, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has delivered 31,000 pounds of food to the Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership in Rexburg on Wednesday.

The donation is part of a nationwide collaboration with America 250, a celebration of the United States’ 250 years of independence. As part of the celebration, the Church has pledged to send 250 trucks of food to pantries across the country. Rexburg was chosen as one of the cities chosen for this donation.

While the delivery took place in Rexburg, Church Communication’s Director Brett Crandall says the impact will be felt far beyond city limits.

“I’m really grateful that the church is recognizing that there is a need in our local community in the Rexburg area,” said Crandall. “And this doesn’t just serve Rexburg, but the surrounding areas as well, like Fremont County, Jefferson County, as well as here in Madison County. And it’s a great way to give to those who are less fortunate.”

The donation comes at an important time for the wider area. Morgan Dortch, Upper Valley Coordinator for EICAP, notes that many Idahoans are quietly struggling to put food on the table.

“Rexburg actually has quite a bit of food insecurity,” Dortch explained. “We have many families with young children and seniors living without nearby family support. They rely on these food pantries for daily necessities and pantry staples.”

If you’re interested in showing your support, the  Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership accepts donations monday throug friday between 8 AM and 4:30 PM, and they are currently looking for volunteers. For more information, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — In response to a spike in sightings of invasive Norway rats across Southern Idaho, state lawmakers are hosting a public forum to address the rise in pests.

Homeowners in Eagle and the surrounding Treasure Valley have reported a significant uptick in rodent activity within garages and yards. Pest control experts say the invasive pests are frequently found along irrigation and canal lines.

“While these rats are currently concentrated in the Treasure Valley, experts warn they will continue to spread across Idaho if not addressed,” Senator Carrie Semmelroth warned in a press release.

The concerns extend beyond property damage. Pest control experts warn that the growing rodent problem carries an increased public health risk.

“Most of your rats are going to carry some sort of disease, especially the two major ones. It’s going to be Hantavirus, which carries flu-like symptoms, and Leptospirosis, which attacks the liver,” Tim Hall of  Vertex Pest Control said in an interview with KIVI.

Senator Semmelroth, along with state agencies and local experts, will host a forum to discuss practical solutions and explore how to protect local homes and businesses. The forum will take place on Thursday, January 22, from 3 to 4 PM at the Idaho Statehouse. It will be livestreamed.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Six people lost their homes last night after a fire broke out in an apartment building in Pocatello.

The fire was first called in just after 11 PM from an apartment at 335 North Hayes Avenue. Only 4 of the 6 apartments were occupied at the time, and all 6 residents evacuated safely, according to Kim Stouse, public information officer for the Pocatello Fire Department.

“We reached out to the American Red Cross, and they’re working to connect them to resources, as well as the landlord who put them up in the day’s inn last night,” said Stouse. “The tenants are now working with the Red Cross and the landlord to get long-term placement.”

Pocatello firefighters reportedly worked through the night to knock down the fire. However, due to multiple remodels, Stouse says the blaze experienced multiple flare-ups throughout the night. Firefighters confirmed that all levels of the fire and hot spots were suppressed by 7 AM, Wednesday morning.

Stouse says fire investigators are currently on the scene, investigating the origin of the blaze.

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