Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Bryan Kohberger, the man serving a life sentence for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, is now pushing to withdraw his guilty plea and reopen the case.

In an interview and exclusive statement provided to The New York Times, 31-year-old Kohberger maintained his innocence, saying the guilty plea “hinged on false promises and blatant disinformation” and “must be withdrawn.”

“I hereby declare my intention to enter a not guilty plea, and welcome to the state the opportunity to prove their case at trial, as well as to, again, file the death penalty,” wrote Kohberger. “My actual innocence is my truth…”

Kohberger was charged in the November 2022 early-morning home invasion that claimed the lives of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The brutal killings in Moscow, Idaho, sent shockwaves through the small college town and captured national attention.

At the time of the killings, Kohberger was pursuing a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, located just a short drive from Moscow. Authorities arrested Kohberger over a month after the murders, on December 30, 2022, in his home state of Pennsylvania.

In June 2025, Kohberger pleaded guilty in a bid to avoid the death penalty.

His statement to the Times comes less than a year after reports detailed his difficult transition to prison life. In August 2025, just one day after arriving at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, Kohberger petitioned the Idaho Department of Correction for a transfer, claiming harassment by fellow inmates.

The high-profile prosecution has already carried a steep price tag. According to reports by the Idaho Statesman, the case has cost taxpayers over $8 million, with nearly $5.5 million spent on Kohberger’s public defense team.

Attorney General Raúl Labrador Responds

Following Kohberger’s petition for post-conviction relief, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador issued a statement addressing the developments.

“My heart goes out to the families of Madison, Kaylee, Xana, and Ethan, who have already endured unimaginable loss and now must face today’s deeply painful news,” Labrador said. “My office stands ready to do whatever is necessary to ensure justice is fully carried out.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – With wildfire season well underway, smoke is spreading across the country causing more problems for those living with asthma.

Asthma is a chronic illness that causes your airways to swell, narrow and fill with mucus. Making it harder to breathe or cause other symptoms, like chest tightness, cough and wheezing. Common triggers for asthma are things like allergens, pollen, and smoke.

At the Asthma Clinic of Idaho, Dr. David Petty says this year’s combination of smoke, dust, wind and seasonal allergies has created the perfect storm for respiratory problems.

“We’ve had all these high winds. We have all the dust and dirt blowing around. Plus the, you know, the nation’s on fire with forest fires,” Dr. Petty said. “So between the smoke, the dust, the wind blowing around and it being allergy season, asthma has been, you know, literally on fire.”

Regardless of if you experience Asthma or not, inhaling smoke can be very dangerous.

“Obviously we don’t want to have, you know, smoke in our lungs,” Dr. Petty said. “A little bit here and there, you can probably cough it away. But significant exposure can really do bad damage. And so when you have that big fire that’s really close, you really have to be careful with that and try to stay inside.”

He also recommends keeping windows closed and using air conditioning to cool your home instead of letting smokey air inside. While driving, he says switching your vehicle’s ventilation system to the recirculate setting can also help reduce exposure to outdoor smoke.

Data from the American Lung Association found that over 10% of the adult population in Idaho and Wyoming are currently suffering from this chronic illness.

Doctors encourage patients to stay on top of their prescribed medications, even if their symptoms seem manageable.

“We’re in the middle of a bad season like this with a forest fire like this. We need to make sure that we’re taking our medicines as prescribed,” Dr. Petty said. “And sometimes, even if you’re taking things as prescribed, if you’re needing to use your rescue inhaler too often, you might also need to go check in with your doctor because, hey, maybe you need something stronger for this season.”

If you or someone you know is struggling to breathe or noticing asthma symptoms becoming more frequent, doctors recommend contacting a healthcare provider to discuss whether additional treatment or medication adjustments are needed.

Click here to follow the original article.

Curtis Jackson

UPDATE July 29, 2026: AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—The City of American Falls said testing has confirmed that the tap water is now safe to use.

A boil order was lifted around 11 a.m. Wednesday, when test results showed no contaminants were found in the water.

The boil order was issued Monday when communication with the water system was lost and the water pressure fell below safety levels.

Crews worked to flush the system and tested the water to make sure the water was safe.

ORIGINAL STORY

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—The City of American Falls has issued a water boil notice on Monday morning.

The order comes after water pressure fell below the minimum safe level. The loss of water can increase the risk of contaminants entering the water system. They said the cause was a loss of communication with the city’s water system.

The advice people to boil water for at least one minute before using it. Bottled water may be used as an alternative.

City crews are working to stabilize the water pressure and flushing the water system.

The boil order will remain in effect until testing shows the water is safe.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danielle Mullenix

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Drivers in Idaho Falls should prepare for lane closures beginning Monday, July 27th as the City of Idaho Falls and the Idaho Transportation Department launch a project to improve street lighting and sidewalks along two of the city’s busiest roadways.

The project will span the rest of the summer, starting Monday, July 27, and includes work along the U.S. 26 Business Loop (Yellowstone Highway) from Sunnyside Road to the Yellowstone Underpass, as well as Broadway Street from the intersection with U.S. 26 to the Broadway Bridge.

Construction crews will install new streetlight poles, luminaires, underground electrical utilities, and foundations. Sidewalk improvements are also planned as part of the project.

Motorists can expect single-lane closures or traffic shifts where work is taking place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some work also scheduled on Saturdays. Crews will perform nighttime work when erecting and installing the new streetlight poles.

City officials say the lighting upgrades are designed to improve safety for both drivers and pedestrians while enhancing visibility along the corridor. The project is the result of a partnership between the City of Idaho Falls and the Idaho Transportation Department.

Construction is expected to continue through late October. A nearby road work delay, the installation of the Birch St & S Blvd Roundabout, is also causing drivers near downtown to make alternate routes until the fall. To see an interactive app of Idaho Falls road work and construction updates, click here.

Officials are asking drivers to slow down, remain alert in work zones, and watch for changing traffic patterns throughout the project.

For the latest traffic updates and road conditions in Eastern Idaho, drivers can check the Idaho 511 app or visit the Idaho 511 official website here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

ABERDEEN, Idaho (KIFI) — Wildland fire crews are actively battling the fast-moving Gaston Fire, which exploded to an estimated 700 acres overnight in eastern Idaho.

The fire was first detected around 8:42 p.m. Saturday via satellite hotspots on NOAA’s Wildland Fire Data Portal. It is burning approximately seven miles southwest of Coffee Point and 12 miles northwest of Aberdeen.

As of midnight, the fire remains active in high-grass and brush, according to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS). Firefighting efforts have been hindered by gusty winds and rugged terrain.

Firefighters from the USWFS Great Basin Unit 3 (East Idaho/Idaho Falls) are on scene alongside multiple partner agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service (Caribou-Targhee National Forest) and Aberdeen Fire Department. Both ground and overhead personnel are actively on the scene.

Fire crews currently estimate full containment by 10 p.m. Sunday. A timeline for full control of the fire remains unknown.

Wildland Fire Crews emphasize that public and firefighter safety is their top priority, urging people to stay clear of the area to allow crews room to work. Authorities also issued a strong warning against operating personal drones in the area.

“IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T. Remember that if you fly a drone over a fire, critical operations get suspended,” states the post.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

MALTA, Idaho (KIFI) — Fire crews and emergency responders across southeastern Idaho are actively monitoring and responding to multiple wildfires that broke out Saturday.

Here is what we know about the active blazes currently burning in the region:

The Gaston Fire (West of Aberdeen)

According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), an estimated 500-acre wildfire is currently burning roughly 13 miles northwest of Aberdeen.

Dubbed the Gaston Fire, the vegetation fire was first detected around 8:42 p.m. via satellite hotspots on NOAA’s Wildland Fire Data Portal. Details regarding ground response, containment, or potential structures threatened remain limited at this time.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

The Rice Fire (Malta Area)

Further south, crews from the Raft River Fire and Ambulance Protection District are battling a blaze north of Highway 77 near Malta.

The Rice Fire was first reported on Saturday at 2:06 p.m. According to WildCAD data, the fire had grown to approximately 50 acres by 5:00 p.m. Officials with the protection district confirmed that both ground and air resources are actively deployed on the scene.

With help from localized rainfall, crews successfully knocked down the fire Saturday evening.

“With some good rain and multiple airplane drops, the fire was shut down quickly and effectively,” the Raft River Fire and Ambulance Protection District shared in an update around 9:30 p.m.

The cause of the Rice Fire remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide updates as new information becomes available.

Click here to follow the original article.

Maile Sipraseuth

VICTOR, Idaho (KIFI)– Three people were arrested in Teton Valley, Idaho following a multi-agency, multi-state narcotics trafficking investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

According to the Teton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies joined federal, state and local law enforcement agencies on July 21 as part of the investigation. Authorities executed multiple federal judicial search warrants throughout the region, including one at a home in Victor, Idaho.

During the search, investigators said they found and seized methamphetamine, cocaine, cash and drug distribution equipment.

Edgar Jaimes Angeles, Isaias Adan Alcaide and Carmen Torres Ore were arrested in Victor for trafficking in methamphetamine and cocaine.

The investigation is currently ongoing, any further questions will be directed to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Click here to follow the original article.

Hadley Bodell

Island Park, Idaho (KIFI) – Health officials are warning people to use caution at Island Park Reservoir after confirming the detection of cyanobacteria in the water. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issued a cyanobacteria health alert for the reservoir.

Officials say that field testing confirmed the presence of cyanotoxins, which can make people sick. They also pose a serious threat to pets and livestock. Sicknesses are caused when the cyanobacteria is exposed to skin or by swallowing contaminated water.

It can cause skin irritation, stomach illnesses or more serious symptoms. The department says harmful blooms in the water can appear as mats, foam, spilled paint or scum on the surface. It may also have a foul odor.

Anyone still using the Island Park Reservoir is encouraged to avoid any suspicious water and keep pets completely out.

More information on this health alert can be found on the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality website: deq.idaho.gov.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

RIRIE, Idaho (KIFI) — This weekend, Camp Hayden kicked off its largest summer camp yet at the Aspen Grove Inn and RV Park in Ririe, creating unforgettable outdoor adventures for local children and families with physical or mental disabilities.

Camp Hayden adapts every activity so children and families with physical or mental disabilities can join the fun safely. It’s an adventure that co-founder Jason Chapa says gives these families experiences most people take for granted.

“Hiking, ATV and horseback riding, even inflatable waterslides that they climb up these river experiences, stuff like that,” said Chapa. “We know that being able to do that, and the beautiful outdoors that we have in this area, is just something that’s so impactful to the family that they’ll never forget it. And that’s our mission. We create unforgettable memories that last a lifetime.”

The organization’s journey began in 2018, founded by Jason and Kami Chapa to honor their late son, Hayden, who passed away in 2016 from a rare congenital brain disorder. Years later, campers are racing around Aspen Grove Inn, diving into activities that were once out of reach.

Pulling off an camp of this scale takes a village. The non-profit relies entirely on community support, including donors like the Idaho Falls Civitan Club and a dedicated army of hands-on volunteers.

“The amount of work, planning and fundraising that go into creating these camps is significant, but when we get to camp it is 100% worth everything that goes into it,” said Chapa.

“We have no paid staff,” explained Board Member Matt Jantz. “We just have awesome volunteers that, whether it’s their first year or their seventh year, they’re still willing to jump in and just help us make it happen, no matter what.”

What started as a way to honor Hayden’s memory has grown into a community for dozens of regional families, and a deep source of comfort for those who build it every year.

“It’s been a healing experience being able to do all of this and watch these people get impacted,” Chapa shared. “We’ve been very blessed to not have anything go wrong. You know, and we have so many different people involved in what we’re doing to make sure it’s going to be safe. And I think one of the biggest things that has helped us along this way is that we have a guardian angel watching over us.”

While Aspen Grove Inn and RV Park has hosted Camp Hayden for years, organizers say their next big dream is acquiring their own permanent property, which would allow them to expand and serve even more families across the region. For more information on how to get invovled, click HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

MALAD, Idaho (KIFI) — A truck fire temporarily stalled traffic along southbound I-15 north of Malad on Saturday afternoon, according to the Idaho State Police. Fortunately, the Idaho State Police say no one was injured.

ISP says around 2 p.m. 2025 Ford F350 pulling a toy-hauler trailer was traveling south on I-15 when the engine compartment erupted in flames.

The 31-year-old driver pulled the vehicle onto the shoulder, where the truck became engulfed in flames. ISP says the flames spread to the trailer and surrounding brush in the median and the right shoulder of the interstate.

Traffic was partially blocked for over an hour while crews worked to extinguish the fire and clear the scene.

Idaho State Police was assisted by the Downey Fire Department, Oneida Fire District, the Idaho Transportation Department, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office.

Click here to follow the original article.