Category: kifi-local-news

CNN Newsource

(CNN) — Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected the 267th pope and has stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as the new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

He’s now known as Pope Leo XIV.

Prevost, 69, from Chicago, Illinois, is the first ever pope from the United States.

Cardinals took two days to select a new pontiff, matching the timeline from the previous two gatherings and suggesting that Prevost quickly impressed his peers during the secretive process.

Francis and Benedict XVI were both revealed in the evening of the conclave’s second day, while John Paul II, the longest-reigning pope of modern times, was selected on the third day in 1978.

‘An exceptional leader’

A leader with global experience, he spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and most recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments. He is expected to build on Pope Francis’ reforms.

He worked for a decade in Trujillo, Peru, and was later appointed bishop of Chiclayo, another Peruvian city, where he served from 2014 to 2023.

Prevost is a member of the Augustinian religious order – which he also led for more than a decade as their prior general, which has given him leadership experience of leading an order spread across the world.

Considered a highly capable and accomplished leader, Prevost most recently led the powerful Vatican office for new bishop appointments, the Dicastery for Bishops, assessing candidates and making recommendations to the late pope. He also served as the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

While it is often said cardinal electors would always shy away from choosing a pope from the US, due to America’s outsized global political influence, Prevost’s long experience in Peru may have mitigated those fears among the electors.

“He’s somebody that, even though he’s from the West, would be very attentive to the needs of a global church,” said Elise Allen, CNN’s Vatican analyst. “You’re talking about somebody who spent over half of his ecclesial career abroad as a missionary in Peru.”

Allen added that he is seen as an apt leader in Vatican circles because “he’s able to accomplish things without necessarily being authoritarian about the way he did things.”

“Prevost is somebody who is seen as an exceptional leader. From very young, he was appointed to leadership roles,” Allen said. “He’s seen as somebody who is calm and balanced, who is even-handed, and who is very clear on what he thinks needs to be done… but he’s not overly forceful in trying to make that happen.”

Prevost earned his bachelor’s in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and went on receive his diploma in theology from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.

He was later sent to Rome to study canon law at the Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University and was ordained as a priest in June 1982. Later in his career, he taught canon law in the seminary in Trujillo, Peru.

In an interview with Vatican News shortly after he became the leader of the Dicastery for Bishops, Prevost said: “I still consider myself a missionary. My vocation, like that of every Christian, is to be a missionary, to proclaim the Gospel wherever one is.”

Asked about the contributions of three women who were made members of the Dicastery for Bishops, Prevost told Vatican News: “I think their appointment is more than just a gesture on the part of the Pope to say that there are now women here, too. There is a real, genuine, and meaningful participation that they offer at our meetings when we discuss the dossiers of candidates.”

He also addressed the responsibility of combating clerical abuse, saying: “There are places where good work has already been done for years and the rules are being put into practice. At the same time, I believe that there is still much to learn.”

This is a breaking story. More details soon…

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Phillip Willis

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A 13-year-old female has been taken into custody after leading police on a high-speed chase early Wednesday morning. She drove a stolen pickup into a canal after taking a round-about route and intentionally ramming officer vehicles.

Just before 1 a.m., Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call for assistance from the Ucon Police Department, attempting to stop a pickup truck. The vehicle had only one working headlight as it continued south on Ammon Road, running the red light at Highway 26. The deputies and officers pursued the truck through a construction zone before turning on Iona Road. The pickup was driving through yards and residential properties.

A deputy near 25th East and Iona was able to get behind the pickup and attempt a traffic stop as it turned onto Highway 26, but broke off after a short distance as the vehicle continued traveling quickly. Officers observed the pickup turn South on Ammon Road, now with no headlights on and then into a neighborhood near Rocky Mountain Middle School.

A deputy and Idaho State Police officer located the pickup parked in the apartment complex, Meadow Creek Townhomes, at which point the driver intentionally rammed into both patrol cars and caused damage to a garage and property, forcing their way through the the two vehicles. A second deputy collided with the pickup in an attempt to keep it from leaving the complex but was ultimately unsuccessful.

The pickup returned the way it had come, back up Ammon Road towards Ucon. It drove through the construction once again in speeds exceeding 100 MPH, blowing through lights and other intersections.

The pickup continued on North Yellowstone, eventually attempting to turn onto Roh Lane. The truck failed to turn far enough and drove into the canal. Deputies and officers were able to take a female driver and male passenger into custody.

The driver, a 13-year-old female, was transported to 3B Detention Center in Idaho Falls and booked for two felony counts of aggravated battery and felony eluding, along with misdemeanor charges for leaving the scene of an accident and joyriding.

The passenger was a 15-year-old male who was released to parents. There are potential charges related to the theft of the pickup for the young man.

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Seth Ratliff

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A woman has been hospitalized after her car went over a cliff along the Snake River near American Falls.

Her vehicle was discovered early Wednesday at around 10:30 AM below Massacre Rock State Park by a passenger on a passing boat. It is believed that the accident happened sometime during the night on May 6, 2025, according to the Power County Sheriff’s Office.

Emergency responders from multiple departments swiftly responded, working together to safely reach and recover the victim due to the remote location of the wreckage.

“We commend the swift and coordinated efforts of all responding agencies and thank the boat passenger whose alert observation led to a successful rescue,” said Power County Sheriff Joshua Campbell in a press release.

The woman was successfully rescued and taken by Air Ambulance to a nearby hospital.

The incident is still under investigation by the Power County Sheriff’s Office. The name and age of the crash victim have not been released at this time.

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News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – The family of the man charged with killing four University of Idaho students will be allowed in the courtroom in the high-profile murder trial, according to recently released court documents.

Several of Bryan Kohberger’s family members could be called to testify in the upcoming murder trial. Prosecutors had previously argued that Kohberger’s family should not be allowed to be present for the trial to “reduce the possibility of a witness shaping his testimony to conform with or to rebut prior testimony of others,” according to court documents.

In a new batch of rulings, Judge Steven Hippler said that “the scope of the family members’ proposed testimony is very narrow and is not necessarily tied to the testimony of other witnesses.” Under that reasoning, Judge Hippler ruled that Kohberger’s family members will be allowed in the courtroom throughout the trial.

In an additional ruling, Judge Hippler also determined that the state can examine Kohberger’s personality, but barred the state from using personality tests during the trial. He also ruled that the defense cannot be in the exam room but can watch remotely. 

Kohberger’s trial is set to start in August in Ada County. If convicted, the prosecution has announced their intention to seek the death penalty.

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Seth Ratliff

By Gregory Deffenbaugh (KTVZ)

As the Catholic Church prepares to elect its next spiritual leader, here’s a detailed look at the centuries-old ritual of the papal conclave, an event marked by history, secrecy, and sacred tradition.

The 2025 Papal Conclave

The Vatican officially announced the papal conclave to elect a new pope begins on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis. The election takes place in the Sistine Chapel, the Renaissance masterpiece nestled within Vatican City.

This solemn gathering of cardinals, who are some of the highest-ranking leaders in the Roman Catholic Church, represents one of the most sacred and confidential events in the religious world. While rooted in tradition, the conclave also serves as a critical moment of discernment, shaping the future direction of a faith followed by over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.

What Is a Papal Conclave?

The word “conclave” comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key.” The term reflects the practice of locking the cardinal electors inside a secluded space, now the Sistine Chapel, until they reach agreement on who will become the next pope. The Church has used the conclave process for over 700 years, with modern rules codified by recent popes, most recently Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

The conclave is not only about casting votes; it is a spiritual event, grounded in prayer and carried out with elaborate ceremony. Once the conclave begins, all participants are sworn to absolute secrecy, forbidden from communicating with the outside world in any form.

Who Participates in the Conclave?

According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, only cardinals under the age of 80 at the time the papacy becomes vacant are eligible to vote.

These electors, typically around 120, travel to Rome from across the globe. They are a diverse group, representing the universal nature of the Church. Although any baptized male Catholic is eligible for election, in practice, the new pope is almost always chosen from among the cardinals.

The Pre-Conclave Meetings

Before the conclave officially begins, cardinals attend a series of general congregations, formal meetings where they reflect on the state of the Church, hear reports, and discuss what kind of leader is needed.

These discussions are private, but they often help shape consensus around potential candidates, known informally as papabili, those considered likely to become pope.

During this period, logistical preparations are finalized, and the Sistine Chapel is inspected and secured. Specialized staff ensures that electronic jamming and counter-surveillance measures are in place to preserve the integrity of the conclave.

Oath of Secrecy

Once the conclave officially begins, the cardinals process into the Sistine Chapel, chanting hymns as they pass under Michelangelo’s famous fresco of the Last Judgment. Upon entering, each elector takes an oath of secrecy, pledging not to disclose anything that occurs within the conclave under pain of automatic excommunication.

After the doors close, they are locked from the outside, and the chapel becomes the cardinals’ exclusive space for discernment and voting.

The Voting Process

Each day of the conclave includes two voting sessions in the morning and two in the afternoon, with time for prayer and informal discussions between.

Here’s how a vote works:

Each cardinal writes his choice on a paper ballot marked with the Latin phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”).

Ballots are folded and placed into a chalice, then deposited into a receptacle atop the altar.

Three cardinals designated as “scrutineers” count the votes aloud.

If no one receives a two-thirds majority, the process repeats.

Ballots from each session are burned in a special stove inside the chapel.

To let the world know what’s happening, smoke rises from the chapel’s chimney:

Black smoke (fumata nera) means no decision has been reached.

White smoke (fumata bianca) signals that a new pope has been elected.

Election and Acceptance

When a candidate receives the required number of votes, the dean of the College of Cardinals formally asks: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” If the chosen cardinal accepts, he is then asked what papal name he wishes to take.

The new pope is led to the nearby Room of Tears, where he dresses in white papal vestments prepared in various sizes. The room gets its name from the emotion often experienced at that moment – grief, awe, or humility, as the weight of responsibility settles in.

Public Announcement: “Habemus Papam”

Once dressed, the new pope is introduced to the world from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

A senior cardinal steps forward and proclaims: “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a pope!”), followed by the pope’s birth name and chosen papal name.

Moments later, the new pope offers his first Urbi et Orbi blessing – “to the city and to the world” – a tradition that stretches back centuries.

Why the Conclave Still Matters

In an age of technology and transparency, the conclave remains a powerful symbol of mystery, unity, and sacred duty. It is deliberately designed to prevent political lobbying, media pressure, or factionalism. It reminds the world and the faithful, that leadership in the Church is not merely elected; it is discerned through prayer and tradition.

With over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, the choice of pope has spiritual, cultural, and even geopolitical consequences. The 2025 conclave brings together cardinals from more than 70 countries, many of whom were appointed by Pope Francis himself, possibly shaping a continuation of his pastoral, globally minded legacy.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Pocatello’s Historic Preservation Commission (PHPC) is updating the city’s Historic Preservation Plan to guide future city development around respecting historical sites and buildings.

The updated Historic Preservation Plan will include goals and guidelines for development over the next 10 years, and include priorities like surveying the city for historical sites and ensuring city building code protects area buildings over 50-years-old.

“Our identity is housed in these historic places,” said Jim Anglesey, long-range senior city planner. “It informs us today of where we came from and can really help us know where we’re going in the future for development, for who we are, and what we stand for.”

PHPC is seeking public input on their updated Historic Preservation Plan before the plan is put into effect, they will be holding a public hearing at Pocatello City Hall on May 15 at 6pm.

For more information, you can visit the Pocatello city website. A draft of the updated Historic Preservation Plan can be found here.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) terminated a $16.4 million grant to Pocatello’s Portneuf River Vision project, the city announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

The Portneuf River Vision is an ongoing effort by multiple city departments to maintain the health of the Portneuf River, improve city parks and recreation areas, and provide better river access for community use.

Portneuf River Vision was originally awarded the $16.4 million ‘Community Change’ grant from the EPA in August 2024, to be used for infrastructural improvements to stormwater drainage in Rainey/Centennial Park and Constitution Park, as well as adding sewer systems to south Pocatello neighborhoods and constructing walking paths along South 5th Ave.

In their Facebook post on Tuesday, Portneuf River Vision included this quote from the EPA:

“This EPA Assistance Agreement is terminated effective immediately on the grounds that the remaining portion of the Federal award will not accomplish the EPA funding priorities for achieving program goals. The objectives of the award are no longer consistent with EPA funding priorities.”

In the post, Portneuf River Vision stated the remaining grant funds and any costs paid for using grant money will be returned to the EPA.

Local News 8 reached out to Portneuf River Vision leaders for comment, however, they said they have no updates at this time.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Teachers and staff from Idaho Falls School District 91 are warning parents of a dangerous new social media trend affecting schools across the nation.

The warning comes from a post on the D91 Facebook page.

According to D91, students have been inserting metal or conductive items into the USB ports of school-issued devices to intentionally start a fire or cause damage. “In extreme cases, this has resulted in devices catching fire and evacuations of entire school buildings,” said the post.

The trend has been circulating on TikTok and other social media platforms.

“We urge you to speak with your child about the dangers of participating in such trends and to help them understand the gravity of these actions,” said D91 in the post.

D91 staff says any student who attempts the trend could face the full cost of replacing the damaged equipment, disciplinary action per school policies, and/or possible criminal charges, including vandalism.

“Our school staff will also be monitoring devices more closely and reiterating these expectations with students. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our schools safe and our learning environments focused and uninterrupted,” write D91 staff in the post.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) —  A pair of juveniles are facing charges after an early morning joyride in a stolen pickup turned into a police pursuit, damaging at least three patrol cars and private property.

Just before 1 AM, Wednesday, May 7, Sheriff’s Deputies in Bonneville County attempted to assist the Ucon Police Department to stop a pickup truck speeding in the area of Hwy 26 and Ammon Rd. (Beeches Corner).

As Deputies and ISP officers responded, attempting to stop the vehicle, the pickup fled the area at a high rate of speed through a construction zone, turning onto Iona Rd. and driving through residential yards and property along the way, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

A Deputy was able to get behind the pickup and attempted a traffic stop as it turned onto Hwy 26, but the vehicle fled, traveling at a high speed, according to police. Police spotted the pickup again without its headlights on as it turned South on Ammon Rd. and again into a neighborhood near Rocky Mountain Middle School.

Law enforcement then found the pickup parked in a nearby apartment complex, where the driver fled by intentionally ramming into both patrol cars and causing damage to a garage and surrounding property while forcing their way through. According to the Boneville County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), another Deputy arriving on the scene collided with the pickup in an unsuccessful attempt to keep it from leaving the complex.

The pickup was later spotted again driving at over 100 MPH along Ammon Rd., heading north and running multiple red lights. At the intersection of N. Yellowstone and Roh Ln., the driver failed to navigate the corner and drove into the canal. At which point, law enforcement was able to take the driver and passenger into custody, according to BCSO.

The driver, identified as a 13-year-old girl from Bonneville County, has been booked into the 3B Detention Center for Felony counts of Aggravated Battery and Felony Eluding, along with Misdemeanor charges for leaving the Scene of an Accident and Joyriding.

Meanwhile, the passenger, a 15-year-old male, has been released to his parents. He is facing potential charges related to the theft of the pickup, according to BCSO. The names of the juveniles will not be released, due to their age.

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Idaho teachers and educators gathered Wednesday for a post-legislative recap of the 2025 Legislature.

The meeting focused on the state’s education funding and help them navigate next year’s budget.  One key item was teacher pay increases, and another was about operational dollars that school districts and charter schools expected, but didn’t get.

As of now, school districts and charter schools are setting up next year’s budgets. 

“This information and really being able to ask us a lot of very pointed questions is important as they set those budgets and negotiate with their teachers what the salary increases will look like for the upcoming school year after the budgets,” said Greg Wilson, Chief of Staff at the State Department of Education. 

The group also discussed the impact of curricular decisions at the local level.

One bill updates the graduation requirements to begin next year for the class of 2028. One of which is digital literacy as a one-credit requirement. 

“One of the key components is basic computer science concepts. Navigating artificial intelligence is an example and coding. Just basic things that are important to understanding how all the technology that we interact with every day works,” said Wilson.

There’s also an online safety component. 

Wilson told Local News 8 they have heard from many parent groups and legislators want to make sure kids are safe online at age-appropriate levels, understand how to navigate online, and how to be safe online.

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