Category: kifi-local-news

CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 22 APR 26 15:31 ET

By Andrew Adams, KSL

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    KAYSVILLE, Utah (KSL) — It was an unlikely problem that showed up out of the blue Monday, just outside Jeannette Stokes Memmott’s front door.

Bees.

And just not a few. There were thousands.

“It was quite the sight,” she said. “I thought, ‘What do we do, what do we do, what do we do, who do we call, who do we call?'”

Though she initially feared they were yellow jackets, Memmott soon discovered they were honey bees.

“We thought, ‘No, no, no, no, no — we can’t spray the honeybees,” she said.

Instead, they reached out to the Davis County Beekeepers Association. It turned out one of its beekeepers was a neighbor.

“I would probably say we had around 30,000 bees on the column,” said the beekeeper, Shane Hughes.

Hughes carefully extracted the bees from the column and transferred them into a bee box, although he acknowledged there were still some bees left inside, including possibly the queen.

Swarming, he explained, is a natural part of bee reproduction this time of year, although sometimes it can prove to be a little unpredictable.

“What swarming does (is) if you have a really healthy and vigorous hive, naturally, the bees want to split and make two really strong hives, and it’s just a way for them to reproduce,” Hughes explained. “The queen will hatch and take about half of that hive somewhere else, and we never know where it’s going to go.”

Memmott said she believed it was possible the bees may have come from another neighbor’s home.

“For whatever reason, the hive split, and here they landed right on my very home,” Memmott said.

Hughes said on Sunday he was helping a different homeowner with a similar issue.

“It’s really hard to find the queen,” he said. “Last night, I was in Farmington and had to start tearing off siding of a home and reaching in 2 or 3 feet and trying to pull out every single bee from inside their home.”

Hughes said he believes Memmott’s bees were Italian, and planned to bring them back to his home. He said those types of bees can produce 80 to 100 pounds of honey per hive.

He said there are beekeeping groups in various counties that can help to mitigate these issues, and people in Davis County who encounter swarms can report them to Brent Rasmussen with the Davis County Beekeepers Association at 801-390-0222.

“Shane came to the rescue,” Memmott said of her beekeeper neighbor. “It’s fascinating, but I don’t want them to live in my home, because I’m told if they get in your attic, you’re looking at some trouble.”

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.

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Fox13

Originally Published: 22 APR 26 16:04 ET

By Nate Larsen

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU) — If you haven’t been to the Great Salt Lake lately, the impact is hard to miss. Lower water levels, an expanding shoreline, and ongoing concerns about the lake’s future are all on display. Now, Salt Lake County leaders are hoping a new visualization tool will help people better understand why — and what can be done about it.

Inside the Salt Lake County Government Center, a new display uses blue marbles to represent water. Each marble equals about 10,000 acre-feet, giving a visual breakdown of where water goes across the Great Salt Lake Basin, and how much of it never makes it back to the lake.

“We believe that the more people know and understand how water works in the Great Salt Lake Basin, the better we’re going to be able to figure out how do we manage our water so that we can have a healthy lake,” said Jason Brown, CEO of Envision Utah.

The display highlights a key takeaway: most water use happens outdoors.

In Salt Lake County, about 70% of water is used outside — primarily for things like lawn watering. Of that, roughly 90% is lost to evaporation and does not return to the system. Indoor water use, by comparison, is much smaller, and most of it eventually flows back into the ecosystem.

“We lose about 100 times more water outdoors than what we lose in the water we use inside,” Brown said. “The water that goes on your lawn doesn’t.”

County leaders say they are working to reduce that impact — starting with their own operations. Emily Paskett, sustainability director for Salt Lake County, says efforts include upgrading irrigation systems, fixing leaks quickly, and watering at more efficient times of day. The county is also replacing traditional grass with drought-tolerant landscaping at many of its more than 140 facilities and parks. So far, Salt Lake County has removed more than 160,000 square feet of turf, saving millions of gallons of water each year. Officials say the goal is not just to reduce government water use, but to set an example for residents across the Wasatch Front.

“So that everybody can do just a little bit to conserve a lot of water,” Paskett said.

With a record low snowpack this year, leaders say those small changes could make a meaningful difference in helping more water reach the Great Salt Lake.

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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News Team

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — Starting next week, the Idaho Transportation Department will begin work on the Buffalo River Bridge in Island Park.

On Monday, April 27, crews will begin working to stabilize the soil where the bridge meets the roadway and repave sections to create a smoother ride and “preserve the longevity of US-20 in the area.”

Throughout the duration of the project, US-20 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction around Buffalo River Bridge and Pond’s Lodge.

ITD anticipates the construction will be done before the Memorial Day holiday, which marks a significant influx of recreational traffic for the summer season in the surrounding Yellowstone area. For up-to-date info on traffic impacts through the area during the project, click HERE.

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – A major milestone in American history is being celebrated right here in East Idaho. The Museum of Idaho has just opened a brand-new exhibit marking 250 years of the United States—bringing the Revolutionary era to life through artifacts and storytelling.

via Museum of Idaho Facebook

The exhibit—called “Declaration: 250 Years of US”—is now open to the public, and it takes visitors all the way back to the American Revolution.

Curated by the Museum of Idaho, this exhibition features Revolutionary War–era artifacts and reproductions from local collectors, weaving together the stories of key figures who shaped American democracy.

Nancy and Gary Makey, local history interpreters in period clothing, greet visitors in the exhibit and discuss the stories of important historical figures while also reflecting on the broader impact of those early decisions today. Visitors can also explore their own connections to the past with help from the FamilySearch Center.

The opening comes as Idaho joins communities across the country in preparing to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Statewide efforts are already underway to encourage education, reflection, and community engagement tied to the nation’s founding principles.

The museum, known for its mix of local history and nationally recognized exhibits, hopes this new installation will offer a more personal and thought-provoking look at America’s beginnings.

Leaders say the exhibit is not just about looking back—but about understanding how the nation’s founding continues to shape Americans today.

“Declaration: 250 Years of US” is now open to the public at the Museum of Idaho. Visitors can find more information on hours and admission through the museum’s website here.

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Seth Ratliff

DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) — Teton County Fire & Rescue is getting a boost ahead of fire season thanks to new grant funding.

Last week, TCFR was awarded grant funding from the Community Foundation of Teton Valley to support wildfire mitigation efforts. The money will help build computer models that show how wildfires could spread through local communities, giving a clearer picture of where risks are highest and how to respond faster.

Officials say the data from these computers will also help fire crews reduce risk and help stop wildfires before they spread.

“With this data, we will be able to mitigate wildfire risks in a more strategic manner,” said TCFR in a Facebook post.

The funds were added to grants from Teton Springs and the Teton Valley Fire Action Community Team to further support the project. For more information, click HERE.

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Abi Martin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — There will be no school at Skyline High School tomorrow, April 22nd, due to maintenance issues.

D91 Maintenance is working with crews including a maintenance contractor, to address issues with the AC system.

District Leaders say the safety of students and staff is their highest priority. They also recognize that this cancellation brings Skyline very close to the minimum amount of instructional hours required for the school year.

District 91 says that adjustments to the schedule are needed, that will be communicated as soon as possible.

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Par Kermani

Idaho Falls, Idaho (KIFI) — Getting in to see a doctor in Idaho is not always easy. For many, it is not just about cost, but distance, availability, and even finding a provider in the first place.

A mobile clinic from Optum is working to close that gap by bringing preventative care directly to communities across eastern Idaho.

This week, the clinic is making stops in Idaho Falls, Ammon and Pocatello, offering free visits to eligible patients through its partnership with UnitedHealthcare.

“The mobile clinic is just an opportunity for us to get out into the communities where our members live and share access to quality, preventative health care services,” said Jim Tett, Optum manager of clinical operations. “We understand people may have mobility restrictions or transportation concerns, so it’s an advantage to bring it as close as possible.”

Inside the mobile unit, patients can meet with a provider, review medications and medical history, and receive a variety of screenings in a single visit. Services include checks for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoporosis, along with other preventative tests.

Tett said the goal is to catch health issues early, especially for patients who may not be regularly seeing a doctor.

“We know transportation and access to care can be difficult, so catching people who are not routinely following up with their doctor is a priority for us,” he said. “If we can catch something earlier and get them treated, or get them established with a primary care physician, that’s the goal.”

In one case, Tett said a patient who had delayed care received a serious warning during a visit.

“They were on a path where they likely would not have survived another year,” he said. “They were able to get the care they needed and make those changes, and now they’re in a much better place.”

Healthcare providers say demand for services like this is growing in Idaho, where rural communities and a shortage of providers can make access more difficult. Population growth combined with provider retirements has added to the challenge.

The mobile clinic primarily serves patients on UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans and coordinates care with their primary care physicians. Organizers say the service has seen increased demand since launching in Idaho and continues to expand to more locations.

Looking ahead, Optum is working to grow the program even further, including the possibility of bringing care directly to patients’ homes through a smaller mobile unit.

For now, organizers say the focus remains on meeting patients where they are and helping them stay ahead of potential health issues.

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KIVI Staff

By: Leslie Solis

Originally Posted 11:36 PM

CALDWELL, Idaho (KIVI) — On Monday evening at 9:50 p.m., Caldwell fire crews responded to a residential structure fire in Caldwell near the College of Idaho’s Marty Holly Athletic Center. Everyone in the home was evacuated, and there are no reported injuries.

Fire officials say the blaze was primarily concentrated near the rear of the home. Crews were able to quickly bring it under control, but the residence sustained extensive damage and is considered uninhabitable.

According to Canyon County public records, the home is registered to State Representative Kent Marmon, a Republican legislator representing District 11 in Caldwell, who is currently running for re-election in the 2026 Republican primary.

Marmon confirmed to Idaho News 6 that the home involved was his and shared details about what led up to the fire.He says they believe the fire started under a small refrigerator in an outdoor kitchen.

According to Marmon, the flames spread through nearby cabinets, into a patio cover, and then along the wooden portion of the home and into the attic. Marmon described the moment they realized what was happening, saying they were inside watching TV when they heard glass breaking in a nearby bathroom.

When they went to check, he says flames were already spreading along the south side of the home, with heavy smoke filling parts of the house. He says they were able to get out immediately with their dog, but their two cats did not survive.

Marmon described a large emergency response, estimating around ten fire units on scene. As a precaution, emergency crews evacuated nearby homes in the area.

All neighboring residents were reported safe and unharmed. Fire crews were also monitoring a nearby home belonging to a family member as flames spread through vegetation, but the fire did not reach that structure.

Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Middleton Star Fire District, Nampa Fire District, Canyon County Paramedics, Caldwell Police Department, and Idaho Power. Marmon praised first responders, saying firefighters were able to retrieve several personal belongings, including medications, identification, and electronics, while also providing support to his family during the incident.

He also described an outpouring of support from neighbors and College of Idaho students, who brought blankets, clothing, and other essentials as crews worked the scene late into the night. Firefighters remained on scene until around 3:30 a.m., with cleanup crews securing the home hours later.

The outpouring of support and prayers from our friends and neighbors here in Caldwell is heartwarming and sincerely appreciated. We’ve been getting messages and calls from all over Idaho. Everyone’s concern, thoughts and prayers are so appreciated. We are alright. We got out unscathed, and that’s truly a blessing. We will be staying at my mom’s house as we work through this.

Idaho Rep. Kent Marmon

Officials say the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire was just one of two fires that Caldwell Fire battled overnight, as crews provided mutual aid just an hour earlier to the Nyssa Fire Department for a separate three-alarm commercial structure fire on Commercial Avenue.

This remains a developing story. Idaho News 6 will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Fire officials say the upcoming wildfire season in Idaho is shaping up to be a busy one, driven by an extremely dry winter and changing weather patterns.

The abnormal conditions are already raising concerns across Southeast Idaho, and wildfire season hasn’t even reached its peak yet. Earlier this month, crews battled the Snake Fire, which burned nearly 100 acres along the Snake River in Madison County and Jefferson County.

Last week, the Idaho Department of Water Resources declared a drought emergency for all 44 counties in Idaho due to a record-low snowpack, elevating concern among local fire officials. Thomas Pence, Natural Resource Specialist for USDA, says preparation is already underway for a dangerous fire season.

“This year, we are prepared using a critical fire schedule to increase our firefighter fitness and prepare our trucks and be ready in case a wildfire does start locally,” Pence said.

Pence emphasizes that prevention plays a major role in reducing wildfire risk.

“Most wildfires are started by people. The best thing you can do is make sure that any campfires you have are put out [and] they’re cold to the touch and wet, your chains are not dragging or anything,” Pence said.

For more information on how to prevent wildfires, click HERE.

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Fox13

Originally Published: 21 APR 26 15:08 ET

By Mythili Gubbi

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    OGDEN, Utah (KSTU) — Last week’s freezing temperatures hit Utah’s fruit farms hard, with experts saying most lost their entire crop. But one farmer in Ogden credits the produce he thinks he can harvest to his homemade contraption.

On Monday, Chad Midgley visited his farm for the first time since the freeze.

“It makes me want to cry, it’s really hard to be here,” he said looking at the plants that didn’t make it, like peaches, peas and pomegranates. “It started out as a jackpot, everything was real warm, blooming early, all kinds of fruit, thought we were going to have the biggest year we’ve ever had, and then in the last two weeks, it’s all crumbled.”

He has been farming for 30 years and has multiple farms, mainly in Davis County. But a common denominator on all his farms are his “Hobbit Hole Greenhouses.”

“There are compost piles mixed in between plastic layers like a hamburger, and water mass inside, and they actually throw enough heat out that it kept everything alive, even citrus trees alive,” Midgley explained.

The tomato, lemon, grapefruit, peach, blood orange and other plants inside the greenhouses were thriving.

“We have peaches that are good, and look here, look at this grapefruit, it’s like a Christmas ornament,” Midgley pointed out in the greenhouse.

But most fruit farms across the Wasatch front didn’t do so well.

“They’ve experienced almost 100 percent loss on all fruit crops, and so that includes peaches, cherries, pears, apples, all of it,” said Taun Beddes, a horticulturist with Utah State University Extension. “I’ve been in the green industry for 25 years, and have never seen this.”

Beddes said farmers have been dealing with one blow after another.

“Not only were they dealing with drought conditions, but now, you know, we don’t have much of a fruit harvest,” Beddes added.

Midgley called his greenhouses “a miracle.” He said the doors and windows of the greenhouse were open during the freezing temperatures, but the heat from inside protected the plants.

Midgley said he hopes people support local farmers this year, more than ever.

“There’s not going to be as many farmers selling things and supply is going to be a lot lower. We need your guys’ support to get through this year,” he said.

Beddes added that it’s important to support farms in any way possible, such as visiting for events and participating in various ways.

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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