Category: kifi-local-news

News Release

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A local art museum is one step closer to a notable milestone, thanks to a new grant. The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls has received a generous grant from the CHC Foundation, helping kick off the initial construction phases of its new education center.

“The foundation has supported TAM for decades, and we are proud to honor that relationship with the museum’s current CHC Gallery. Their latest investment is a meaningful vote of confidence in TAM’s expansion and the future of the arts in Eastern Idaho,” TAM stated in a news release.

The CHC Foundation is a private foundation in Idaho Falls dedicated to providing grants to nonprofits in eastern Idaho. 

The project will add classrooms, studios, and gallery space, expanding art classes and community programs year-round.

The CHC Foundation has supported the museum for more than two decades, and museum leaders say this grant will help continue turning their vision of making art an accessible reality. Museum director Alexa Stanger says the grant is both a financial boost and a vote of confidence in the project’s value to the community.

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News Release

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The worlds of minerals, magma, and management are converging in a new degree offered by Idaho State University. 

Recently, ISU added a master’s in geology with a concentration in geology management. Differing from the already offered research concentration, students will be required to take graduate-level geology classes and courses focused on being effective managers. 

“This degree is specifically intended for people who are chomping at the bit to enter their geosciences career and move up into managerial roles,” said Shannon Kobs Nawotniak, professor and chair of the geosciences department at Idaho State. “While the traditional research-track offers a student an opportunity to gain expertise in a very narrow application, the new master’s with a concentration in geology management replaces the thesis work with targeted courses from the Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) program at Idaho State to ensure that the student has training in how businesses and management actually work.”

On the business side, students pursuing the new degree will take courses related to leading in organizations, managerial decision making and negotiation, applied economics, and more.

“We are delighted by this partnership and the opportunity to offer courses toward this degree,” said Alex Bolinger, interim dean of ISU’s College of Business. “These courses address an array of skills that are crucial to successfully managing projects and teams in the geological sciences, from managing conflict and fostering collaboration to making strategic decisions and negotiating effectively across competing interests and priorities.”

“This is a relatively unique degree that can help launch students into their careers,” said Kobs Nawotniak. “Graduates of this program are not only qualified for careers as working geologists and environmental scientists, they are strategically positioned for management roles or to start their own consulting firms due to their increased knowledge of business.”

If you are interested in pursuing a master’s in geology with a concentration in geology management, email geology@isu.edu. 

For more information on ISU’s Department of Geosciences, visit isu.edu/geosciences. 

Prospective students can schedule a campus tour at isu.edu/visit.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — For the 7th year in a row, the Pocatello Police Department is bringing back a seasonal partnership with the local Idaho Food Bank ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

From now until November 20th, PPD is encouraging residents to donate frozen turkeys, non-perishable canned goods, and monetary gifts at the police department as part of the annual “Give the Cops a Bird” turkey drive. This annual initiative ensures local families facing food insecurity have food on their tables for the holiday.

The PPD shared a clear message on Facebook: “Don’t miss your chance to ‘Give the Cops a Bird’ and help us help the community!”

For more information on how to donate or get involved, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

CHEYENNE, Wyoming (KIFI) — As millions nationwide brace for reduced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits this month due to the ongoing government shutdown, Governor Mark Gordon signed two executive orders aimed at bolstering food security across the Cowboy State.

On Friday, October 31, Governor Gordon declared a Public Welfare Emergency. This declaration immediately unlocks up to $10 million in state emergency funds specifically designated to ensure Wyoming families maintain access to necessary food resources, directly addressing the impact of the ongoing federal funding crisis.

“Food insecurity does not care about political parties,” Governor Gordon stated on Facebook. “Wyoming will not allow its citizens to go hungry because Washington cannot do its job.”

Executive Order Targets Unhealthy SNAP Purchases

The second order targets the quality of food assistance. It mandates that SNAP recipients utilize the benefits for nutritional foods, excluding purchases with “little to no nutritional value,” such as sugary beverages and candy.

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows about 20% of all SNAP spending goes towards sugary drinks and snacks, highlighting the potential impact of these restrictions. The National push to limit unhealthy food choices within the SNAP program has been a staple of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. 

Unlike neighboring states such as Idaho, Nebraska, Utah, and Colorado, the Equity state has not yet passed a Bill to request a federal waiver from the USDA to limit such purchases on Food Stamps. While such a bill has been adopted by the Wyoming Legislature’s Health Committee, it would still need to be considered and passed by the full Legislature during the 2026 session. Meaning the order by Governor Gordon effectively circumvents the typical process to limit unhealthy purchases with SNAP funds.

USDA Contingency Fund Controversy

This swift state response arrives as the federal government signals a significant reduction in aid. The Trump Administration recently announced it would provide only 50% of eligible households’ November SNAP allotments as federal warnings suggested full benefits might be stalled due to the government shutdown.

A sworn statement from a USDA official in federal court revealed that approximately $4.65 billion from the SNAP contingency fund will be used to cover this partial allotment. This decision follows a legal challenge in Rhode Island, where a federal judge had ordered the USDA to either deliver full November benefits or use contingency funds for partial payments. This contrasts with previous administration claims, maintaining that USDA contingency funds were not “legally available” to fund the program.

RELATED: Trump administration can provide only half of usual food stamp benefits in November

National figures show nearly 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, including an estimated 28,000 Wyoming residents.

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Michael Coats

Several disturbances roll through the region this week. We’re not expecting a ton of rain, but gusty conditions with a few scattered hit of rain and snow are possible.

Overnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around the lower 40’s. South southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

For Tuesday, there is a slight chance of showers between 8am and 1pm. Cloudy, with a high temperature in the mid 50’s. Southwest winds around 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%. Cloudy for Tuesday night with an overnight low in the lower 40’s. South southwest winds around 10 mph becoming east after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

A sunny and breezy Wednesday with partly sunny skies. Winds from the southwest around 10 to 15 mph. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Stormy weather possible for Wednesday night with a chance of rain. A low temperature around 40°.

On Thursday, there is a chance of showers with breezy winds. High temperatures in the lower 50’s.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation into the suspicious death of a young man following the discovery of his body Saturday morning, November 1st, on private property in Inkom, Idaho.

Details surrounding the discovery of the body, as well as the victim’s identity, have not yet been officially released. However, the victim’s grandfather, Ronald Diaz, shared Local News 8’s coverage of the investigation on Facebook with the caption “RIP Grandson Jonas Diaz.”

The grandfather’s posts have received an outpouring of words of comfort, condolences, and donations as the family grapples with Jonas’s passing.

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office and the County Coroner’s Office have ordered an autopsy to officially determine the cause and manner of death.

In a news release, BCSO assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community and has requested patience as the investigation proceeds.

This is a developing news story. Local News 8 will provide more details as they become available.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Just days before the City Mayoral election, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad has reignited debate over his handling of the fatal, officer-involved shooting of disabled teenager Victor Perez earlier this year.

Mayor Blad posted the video at 7 PM on Saturday, a time when most city offices are closed. In the video, Blad reflects on the amount of time he took to respond to the public on the shooting, acknowledging his delayed response to the community.

To watch the full response by Mayor Blad, click HERE.

Timing and Shooting Background

The shooting took place on Saturday, April 5th, 2025. Police responded to a neighbor’s 911 call after 17-year-old Victor Perez, who was disabled and non-verbal, got hold of a large kitchen knife and began swinging it at family members. Body camera footage reviewed by investigators and video captured on social media show that within seconds of arriving behind a fence, the four officers shot Perez 12 times as he stumbled toward them.

RELATED: Victor Perez Shooting Timeline

In September, five months after the shooting, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office cleared the four officers involved.

RELATED: Officers in Victor Perez Shooting will not face criminal charges

A mixed bag of backlash and Support

Controversy and criticism have followed Mayor Blad and the Pocatello Police Department since the shooting. Blad’s initial public statement came in the form of a pre-recorded video released on April 10th, five days after the shooting, and less than 24 hours before doctors at Portneuf Medical Center declared Perez brain dead.

In the recent video, Blad directly addressed this initial silence: “I have a community that needed their leader. They needed the mayor to be there and I didn’t…I wasn’t in front of the camera,” he stated. He attributed the delay to seeking information, adding, “I was listening to people of what I needed to make sure we had answers, and there were no answers. It’s a tragedy for the Perez family.”

The timing of the video—released on a weekend, just before the election—drew immediate and pointed online backlash. Many commenters condemned Blad for waiting months to address his personal response, arguing the timing was purely election-driven and performative.

In contrast, some supporters praised the Mayor’s willingness to show vulnerability and acknowledge his perceived shortcomings.

Local News 8 has reached out to Mayor Blad and the candidates for Pocatello Mayor for comment on the video and is awaiting their response.

Candidates’ response

Multiple Pocatello mayoral candidates said an initial response from the mayor was long overdue when asked about how the city handled the shooting.

“The mayor’s absence for five days was unacceptable. He should have been out that night first thing the next morning, just even acknowledging that a tragedy occurred and that is being investigated,” Mayoral candidate Greg Cates said.

“A response took too long. With a tragic tragedy that took place in that level the public really needed to be addressed quickly, and there was really a long period. It took several days for our leadership to go out and make a statement and you know, what I would have done first and foremost is I would have been out there quickly reassuring the public that if there’s problems, if there’s training issues that we need to fix, I would have just been out there,” Mayoral candidate Mark Dahlquist said.

The candidates also scrutinized the city’s management of the case.

“I feel as if the state did everything they could, legal wise, to handle that. Although I do disagree with their findings,” Mayoral candidate Nate Kissel said, “You shouldn’t be afraid to call 911.”

“I don’t know why someone at the city couldn’t just say that [it] was wrong. We have to decide if that’s the kind of policing we want in our city,” Mayoral candidate Alana Leonhardy said.

One candidate, Idaho-Law Carta Sierra Idaho-Lorax, criticized the police force.

“There’s people wanting to do a public initiative. Basically deal with the issue of police force here. It’s it’s changed. It used to be more selective on who they had. And you know, they get rid of some people or just shouldn’t have been police officers,” Sierra Idaho-Lorax said.

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News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho is looking to bring in a massive federal investment to overhaul healthcare access and quality in its rural communities. On October 30th, Governor Brad Little signed an Executive Order establishing the “Making Rural Idaho Healthy Again Act” Task Force. The new Task Force is charged with developing and submitting Idaho’s application for significant federal aid.

The state is applying to secure $200 million annually for five years, totaling a $1 billion commitment from the federal government.

This funding stems from a larger $50 billion national program recently authorized by Congress, under the Rural Health Transformation Program created by President Trump’s “one big beautiful bill.”

The feds have set aside fifty billion dollars nationwide for this program —half split evenly among states that get approved, and the other half based on things like population, Hospital stability, and rural need.

“Idaho is a mostly rural state, and we are grateful for the significant investments President Trump and Congress have committed to improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes in rural Idaho and across the country,” stated Little in the release. The Idaho Rural Health Task Force introduces a new level of collaboration and expertise as we prepare to submit Idaho’s application for this transformative new program.”

Little says the money, once secured, would go directly to address shortcomings in access, quality, and overall health outcomes across Idaho’s remote areas.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) is in the process of writing Idaho’s grant application, which is due Nov. 5. Idaho expects to learn how much it will receive on Dec. 31, 2025.

Executive Order 8Download

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Danielle Mullenix

Update 8:00 p.m. — The bodies of the missing fishermen have been found. They were found around 5:30 p.m on Henry’s Lake. Using sonar tech, search and rescue teams identified an area of interest, and sent a diver to investigate.

Island Park, Idaho (KIFI) – A search is underway for two fishermen in Henry’s Lake, north of Island Park, according to Fremont County Search and Rescue Commander Brett Mackert.

The search began around midnight Saturday after the two failed to return home as expected earlier in the evening, Mackert said.

A fishing boat was found empty in the weeds near the opposite dock with the engine at full throttle, but the two men have not been identified, and no recovery attempts have been successful.

 The boat vehicle the two fishermen were using was described as a small, red, aluminum boat with an outboard motor.

The water temperature of Henry’s Lake is 37 degrees, according to the National Weather Service, and the overnight air temperature was around freezing.

The lake was reported to have whitecaps and winds over 20 mph, creating strong waves. Henry’s Lake is known for its unpredictable weather, and higher winds can make boating unsafe.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in the search by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont County Ambulance, and Air Idaho Rescue.

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Seth Ratliff

SWAN VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — A 68-year-old Idaho Falls man passed away last week, succumbing to injuries he received in a grisly motorcycle crash near Swan Valley early last month.

Bonneville County Coroner Shante Sanchez has identified the man as Bruce Pence. Idaho State Police released the confirmation on Sunday, stating the man died on October 29, 2025, 20 days after the accident and only a day before his 69th birthday.

The crash happened around 4:56 p.m. near milepost 372 on U.S. Highway 26. Initial reports state the man was driving a 1997 Harley-Davidson westbound when he reportedly failed to navigate a curve, causing the motorcycle to leave the roadway.

The driver was critically injured and airlifted to a hospital. His 68-year-old passenger, also from Idaho Falls, sustained lesser injuries and was taken by ambulance. Neither was wearing a helmet. The deceased driver’s name has not yet been released.

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