Category: kifi-local-news

Curtis Jackson

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (KIFI)— A Florida man was injured when he was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on Sunday, May 4, 2025.

According to a news release, the man was injured in the Lake Village area at approximately 3:15 p.m. when he got too close to the animal. The 47-year-old man was from Cape Coral, Florida.

This is the first incident of a person injured by a bison this year. In 2024, two people were injured, and one in 2023.

Sunday’s incident is still under investigation and hasn’t released any more details about the

Wildlife in Yellowstone are wild and can be dangerous

Wild animals can be aggressive if people don’t respect their space. It is your responsibility to stay more than 25 yards (23 meters) away from all large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes – and at least 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears and wolves. If wildlife approaches you, move away to always maintain these safe viewing distances.

Bison will defend their space when threatened and have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.

Learn more about our safety tips while visiting Yellowstone, including how to behave around wildlife. The safety of these animals – and humans – depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules.

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Phillip Willis

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A Star Card will be needed in order to fly commercially or to access federal buildings by May 7. Forms of identification that are not REAL-ID compliant will not be accepted at security check points.

“The Star Card is Idaho’s form of the real ID, or the updated driver’s license and identification cards that brings our state into compliance with the Real ID Act,” says Sergeant Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

If someone arrives at an airport or federal building without a Star Card or another acceptable document, they may be delayed and undergo additional examination. This can cause delays, but can still go through security through a longer process.

“Passengers will not be turned away at airports,” says Steve Lorincz, TSA’s acting Deputy Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations.

The Star Card is intended to make it more difficult for bad actors to falsify their identities.

“Believe it or not, people do come to try and get an ID that have a different name or that of somebody they know… to get a false identification and use that for criminal purposes,” says Sergeant Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

For a comprehensive step-by-step guide to getting a star card, you can use the Idaho Transportation Department’s Add the Star tool to make sure all of you have all the necessary documents.

Other acceptable documents are: 

State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License

U.S. passport

U.S. passport card

DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents

Permanent resident card

Border crossing card

An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).

HSPD-12 PIV card

Foreign government-issued passport

Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card

Transportation worker identification credential

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

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Curtis Jackson

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (KIFI) — A grizzly bear was found dead in Grand Teton National Park on Tuesday.

Park Rangers found its remains along Highway 26 east of the Buffalo Fork River. They said the bear was probably hit by a vehicle and made it about 125 yards from the road to a patch of willows. The said it appears the bear may have been deceased for several days.

The bear was identified as Grizzly Bear 1058, a five-year-old male bear, and was a cub of Grizzly Bear 399. Grizzly Bear 399 was a famous bear that roamed the park and the Jackson Hole vicinity. Grizzly Bear 399 passed away last year after being hit by a car.

“GB1058 was one of four offspring that emerged with GB399 in May 2020,” a park news release said. “GB1058 had occasionally been observed in the park since he was weaned in 2022, but no confirmed sightings of him this spring had been reported.”

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Fall River Electric is announcing a planned power outage for Madison County, as crews trim and remove trees near powerlines in the Salem area.

The outage is set to begin at 9 AM on Wednesday, May 7th, and last until Noon. The news comes from a post on the Fall River Electric Facebook page. For more information, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Some Idaho Falls Power customers may experience brief power outages in the coming weeks as crews work to upgrade infrastructure.

Over the next 6 weeks, crews will be upgrading power poles and overhead lines in the Falls subdivision to improve long-term service reliability, according to a post on the Idaho Falls Power Facebook page.

Work is scheduled to take place weekdays from 8 AM-4:30 PM.

According to the post, people living near the subdivision can expect occasional brief outages, temporary access restrictions, and construction noise during work hours.

“Please stay clear of work areas for everyone’s safety. We appreciate your patience as we improve your power service,” said Idaho Falls Power in the post.

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Seth Ratliff

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho State Police has determined the driver at fault in last Thursday’s deadly crash on U.S. Highway 20 near Henry’s Lake.

The collision involved a Dodge Ram pickup and a Mercedes passenger van, both of which caught fire after the crash.

“Based on current evidence, investigating troopers have determined that the Dodge Ram pickup crossed the center line and struck the eastbound Mercedes passenger van,” writes ISP. “This finding will be documented in the official Idaho Vehicle Crash Report (IVCR).”

The reason the pickup crossed the center line is still under investigation. ISP reports that crash reconstruction is ongoing, and troopers are working to determine all factors contributing to the crash.

Thursday’s crash took the lives of seven people, including the driver of the Dodge Ram, as well as six passengers of a tour group by Ctour Holiday.

Tuesday morning, May 6, Ctour Holiday sent Local News 8 the following statement responding to the crash.

“CTour Holiday is saddened by the loss of life and injuries suffered in this terrible accident. CTour Holiday is continuing to work with the families as well as the investigating authorities regarding this accident.”-

Ctour Holiday LLC

ISP troopers are actively collaborating with Ctour Holiday LLC, as well as with the home countries of both the surviving and deceased tourists, as the investigation into the crash continues.

National Transportation Safety Board to lead independent investigation

In addition to ISP, the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an independent investigation. This is due to the commercial vehicle’s involvement and the magnitude of the crash.

According to ISP, National Transportation Safety Board Personnel have visited the scene and are reviewing evidence. While information is being shared between the two agencies, ISP says each will conduct its investigation separately.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those lost in this tragedy,” said ISP Sgt. Blake Higley. “We are incredibly grateful to the passersby who stopped to help and to the first responders whose quick actions and teamwork aided those in critical need. This was a challenging and emotional scene for everyone involved.”

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Ariel Jensen

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho – Several of the survivors of last Thursday’s fatal crash near Island Park have been discharged from Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg.

The fiery two-vehicle crash claimed the lives of seven people, six of whom were members of a tour group by Ctour Holiday. ISP troopers are actively collaborating with Ctour Holiday LLC, as well as with the home countries of both the surviving and deceased tourists, as the investigation into the crash continues.

Local News 8 received the following statement from the tour company responding to the fatal incident.

“CTour Holiday is saddened by the loss of life and injuries suffered in this terrible accident. CTour Holiday is continuing to work with the families as well as the investigating authorities regarding this accident.”

– Ctour Holiday LLC  Statement

The condition of the other two survivors staying at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) has not been made known at this time. Five people were sent to Madison Memorial, but only two were admitted. The hospital said they were released on Sunday.

Douglas McBride, the Executive Director of Business Development at Madison Health, shared that the hospital offers a service allowing them to communicate with patients in any language. As a result, communication and translation were not obstacles for the Chinese individuals involved in last Thursday’s crash.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 is gearing up for the 20225 Summer Food Service Program. This summer will mark the 25th year that the program has provided meals to children ages 1-18 without charge.

“The Summer Food Service Program is a wonderful program. For many children, this is the only meal they will get during the summer days while parents are working,” write D25 Staff. “However, this program does more than serve needy families – it promotes health and well-being, and provides an opportunity for all families in the community to enjoy the wonderful parks our city has to offer while enjoying a nutritious meal.”

Courtesy: Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25

Children will be able to pick up lunch for free, and adults for just $5, at the following locations:

Alameda Park – Wayne St. & E. Pine St.

Caldwell Park – 8th & Center St.

Lower Ross Park – 2750 2nd Avenue

OK Ward Park – W. Quinn Rd.

Raymond Park – Riverside Dr. & Carson St.

Stuart Park – Stuart Avenue (Chubbuck)

Syringa Elementary School – 388 E. Griffith Avenue.

Meals will be provided starting Monday, June 9, and will continue Monday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM until August 8, 2025, excluding Independence Day.

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Maggie Moore

Idaho Falls, IDAHO (KIFI) – After 46 years, PGA Golf Professional Tim Reinke is retiring from Pinecrest Golf Course.

Reinke started his career in 1979 after taking a summer job at Pinecrest. He worked as an assistant professional for Mike Taylor. During that time, Reinke attended the PGA education program to become a certified member. He earned the highest score in the nation on the test to complete Business School 1 and had the highest score at the site for Business School 2.  

When Taylor took a job in Arizona, Reinke was promoted to head professional at 24 years old.

Reinke took East Idaho’s golf community by storm. He was named golf professional of the year in the PGA Rocky Mountain Section 3 times, and listed as one of the top golf instructors in Idaho by golf digest twice. In 2021, Reinke was inducted into the PGA Rocky Mountain Section Hall of Fame.

But Reinke’s focus has always been the people of Idaho Falls.

“I teach everybody who works for me, take care of these people. They come out here for fun,” Reinke said. “Making sure that when they come out here to play, they have an enjoyable day. If I did that, I did a good job.”

Reinke has helped tons of people in East Idaho learn to love the game of golf.

Elliot Billings, a golfer in Idaho Falls said, “I’ve been here for 23 years, and I’ve known Tim for a long time. The amount that he does for this community of golf is unprecedented.”

“He has been an incredible asset to this community and to the golf community,” Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper said. “We’re just really lucky to have that kind of employee with that kind of dedication.”

Reinke says he’s never had a bad day in all the 46 years he’s been at Pinecrest. “I’ve been very fortunate to be here at Pinecrest,” he said.

But now Reinke is passing the golf club to a new generation of golf professionals. But, that doesn’t mean he’s stepping away from the game.

“Oh, I’ll take more time golfing. I love the game, it’s the greatest game ever made. So I will be playing lots of golf.”

Casper says that Reinke will rarely be caught without a smile or positive comment. “That’s one of those rare life skills that he’s managed that just make him incredibly pleasant and wonderful to be around, and that’s something we all can learn from,” she said.

Reinke will still be in Idaho Falls and teach lessons after retirement.

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Seth Ratliff

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — The Ashton/Island Park Ranger District is planning prescribed burns for May to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from wildfires.

Caribou-Targhee National Forest Rangers expect the work to continue through the spring as weather conditions allow.

Prescribed burns are planned along the Yale-Kilgore Road near the Old West subdivision.

Park Rangers are asking travelers to watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. People living near the areas may also see or smell smoke during the planned fires.

For more information, click HERE.

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