Category: kifi-local-news

Curtis Jackson

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI)—A teen who was charged in the killing of a woman last fall in Blackfoot has entered a guilty plea in court.

Bobby Grant Jackson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the death of Rebecca Rivera. The plea was submitted on January 29, 2026, as part of a binding agreement with prosecutors. If the judge accepts the deal, Jackson will serve at least 20 years in prison.  

Rivera’s body was found dead on October 23, 2025, at a trailer park at 1159 Broadway in Blackfoot. According to investigators, preliminary findings indicated that before the shooting, Jackson had stolen a firearm and had been reported as a teen runaway.

Police say Jackson arrived at Rivera’s home sometime after 12:40 PM on October 23, where he allegedly shot her in the head before leaving the home.

Following the shooting, investigators say Jackson traveled to Chubbuck and eventually to Pocatello, where he was located at a home and taken into custody without incident that night.

Because Jackson was a minor at the time of the crime, he is not eligible for the death penalty. Sentencing is scheduled for March 4 at 9 a.m.

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Maile Sipraseuth

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Eligible Bannock County residents can save up to $1,500 on their property taxes, and the Bannock County Assessor’s Office is encouraging those who may qualify to apply for the 2026 Property Tax Reduction program.

The Property Tax Reduction (PTR) program, formerly the “circuit breaker,” helps lower property taxes for qualifying Idahoans, including seniors, widows and widowers, recognized disabled individuals, disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, and the visually impaired. To qualify, applicants must have an annual income of $39,130 or less.

For more information about applying, the Bannock County Assessor’s Office will host multiple open houses throughout the community, where staff will be available to answer questions and help with applications.

Residents who think they may qualify are also welcome to call the Assessor’s Office for help at 208-236-7260 or visit bannockcounty.gov/assessor.

Upcoming PTR Open House Schedule:

Feb. 24, 9-10 a.m. – Arimo City Hall – 115 Henderson Rd. 

Feb. 26, 9-10 a.m. – Downey Community Center – 15 S Main St. 

March 3, 9-10 a.m. – Lava Hot Springs Senior Center — 150 N Center St. 

March 5, 9-10 a.m. – McCammon City Office – 100 Center St. 

March 10, 9-10 a.m. – Inkom City Hall — 365 N Rapid Creek Rd. 

March 12, 9-10 a.m. – Chubbuck City Hall — 290 E Linden Ave. 

March 19, 9-10 a.m. – Pocatello Senior Activity Center — 427 N 6th Ave

The application deadline for 2026 is Wednesday, April 15.

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David Pace

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho is closely debating whether to join a coalition of states calling for a balanced budget amendment on the national level. 

The proposal, if passed, would include Idaho in a push to hold a convention of states.

The amendment would require the U.S. Congress to balance its budget and ensure that its expenditures do not exceed income.

“We have a $38.5 trillion debt with only $5.3 trillion of revenue every year,” said Rep. John Shirts, R-Weiser. “That’s like making $53,000 a year, and having $385,000 in credit card debt. This affects our national security, our national sovereignty, and most importantly, it affects our children and our grandchildren who will be saddled with this massive amount of debt.”

But the 36-34 vote divided Republicans, with 25 GOP legislators joining nine Democratic representatives in opposition.

“I know you want just a Constitutional convention for a balanced budget. I submit to you that that will not happen today,” said Rep. Cornel Rasor, R-Sandpoint. “It will be overturned. They will use necessity, they will use precedent, and we will come out of that with something so foreign to our worldview and way of thinking that our children will never forgive us.”

A convention of states is provided for by Article V of the U.S. Constitution, which says that 34 state legislatures can call for a convention to propose amendments to the Constitution. Any amendments would then need to be ratified by 38 of the state legislatures. 

Proponents say this is one of the states’ best tools to reign in federal spending and the national debt.

“Congress needs to reopen up the autopilot, actually do their job, balance this thing down to where they actually have something to work with,” said Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle.

However, opponents argue that a convention of states has never occurred before and could lead to unintended consequences.

“I am not, necessarily against the convention of states, but I am worried about a runaway convention,” said Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls. “Supporters say that there’s rules in place, there’s laws in place that it just won’t happen – that there’s no way that it can be a runaway. But my experience in local and state politics suggest otherwise.”

Cook cited Platform Enforcement Hearings, in which local GOP committees attempted to remove elected officials from the Republican party for not following the GOP platform, as an example of small groups of people changing political rules to achieve their aims.

The convention of states proposal is supported by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who visited with Idaho legislators in January, but is opposed by the Idaho GOP party, including Chairwoman Dorothy Moon. Idaho Democrats also voted unitedly against the resolution.

The measure now advances to the Idaho Senate for a vote.

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho’s warm winter season is throwing a lot of people off, and lately, winter driving hasn’t been very winter-like. Local News 8 visited with the Idaho State Police to see what they see on the roads during the unseasonably warm days.

Normally, ISP would be warning drivers to look out for snow plows, but lately, there’s an unusual sight – motorcycles on the roads. While Idaho State Police say they haven’t had any reports of accidents involving motorcycles, they say to be mindful of the two-wheeled vehicles on the roads.

“We’re just trying to get that message out now, where we have seen more motorcycles out, which is not typical for this time of year,” said Sergeant Amanda Ward with ISP. “So, we just want to remind the public to share the roads with them and watch for them.”

While it’s been dry enough for bikers, we’re still waking up to frost on the windows. If ISP sees you driving with mostly icy windows and only a small portion cleared up, that’ll be a $67 fine. So until the snow plows come out, watch out for motorcyclists, and always keep those windows clear, snowplows or not.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Two people were arrested Saturday after Bonneville County authorities traced a suspect vehicle seen in security footage from a storage unit burglary.

Deputies were called to a facility near 1st Street and Ammon Road on Saturday morning. Victims reported a large amount of property missing, including furniture, personal items, and a vehicle.

Through an investigation involving security video from nearby businesses, deputies identified a suspect pickup truck. They located the vehicle at a residence in the 600 block of West 19th Street with some of the alleged stolen property in the back.

While deputies were at the scene, Frank Ruben Addleman, 55, and Kelly Lynn Dean, 45, arrived in a separate vehicle. Deputies detained both after noting they were wearing the same clothes seen in the surveillance footage.

Both suspects admitted to the theft and led deputies to a second storage unit where they had hidden the stolen vehicle. Almost all property was recovered and returned to the owners.

Addleman and Dean were booked into the Bonneville County Jail.

Sergeant Bryan Lovell, of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, said, “The good thing about this is, people were paying attention, they noticed that something was amiss, and got law enforcement involved and started working it backwards to try and track down a suspect. We’ll always tell the public to make sure they’re checking their car doors, lock the car doors, lock their storage units, lock the windows to their barns and shed doors to their sheds and garages and houses.”

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Curtis Jackson

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (KIFI) – U.S. Ski racer Breezy Johnson, of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, won gold in the women’s downhill at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

Johnson blazed down the run in a time of 1:36.01 to beat Germany’s Emma Aicher by .04 seconds to the gold medal.

Italian skier Sofia Goggia, who lit the Olympic cauldron in Friday’s opening ceremonies, finished with bronze.

Johnson’s win is the first gold medal for the United States in these games.

Teammate Lindsay Vonn suffered a heartbreaking crash moments into her run after clipping a gate. Vonn was airlifted to a hospital where she underwent surgery for a fractured leg.

Johnson offered her support. “The work that we put in, the careers, I think obviously, my heart aches for her. And it’s a tough road and it’s a tough sport,” Johnson said.

Johnson is only the second American woman in alpine skiing history win a gold medal in the downhill. The first was Vonn in 2010.

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Danielle Mullenix

While Super Bowl Sunday will remain warm and partly sunny, Monday will kick off with cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather, setting the stage for a dynamic and intriguing start. Beginning late Sunday night, the persistent high-pressure ridge over our region will break down, allowing moisture to return to the area overnight. We’ll begin Monday morning with rain and snow mixtures across Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming.

Sunday afternoon will see skies slowly filling with clouds as the weather system moving in prepares to bring rain and snow. A large swath of clouds advances toward the Snake River Plain in the afternoon hours of Sunday, but temperatures remain above average, with many places still sitting in the mid-50s for the end of the weekend. Expect partly sunny conditions and a high near 53°, followed by increasing clouds Sunday night and a chance of rain after 11 p.m. with overnight lows around 37°. Winds will begin to pick up, with gusts up to 20 mph.

Rain showers will pass over the Snake River Plain for the start of Monday, with some snow mixing in later. Most of the snow will favor the higher terrain. No significant accumulation is expected with this snow system. 2-3 inches will be visible around places like Island Park and Jackson. Rain is likely before noon, then a rain/snow mix with scattered mountain snow showers throughout the day. The Snake River Plain tops out near 45° with little or no accumulation expected and precipitation chances around 60%.

Precipitation chances are expected to decrease slightly on Tuesday and Wednesday; however, light snow flurries may continue intermittently throughout the week. This Sunday will be the last day of unseasonably warm temperatures, as we can expect a return to more typical temperatures for this time of year in the coming week.

AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MONDAY

WHAT…Poor air quality will continue. This is due to an inversion and stagnant air near the surface, which will continue to trap pollutants.

WHERE…Franklin/Eastern Oneida Region and Lower Snake River Plain.

WHEN…Until 11 AM MST Monday.

IMPACTS…Periods of air stagnation can lead to the buildup of pollutants near the surface.

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Danielle Mullenix

Enjoy the sunshine for the remainder of this weekend, as we will begin to see a shift in the weather starting Sunday night. High pressure around the area will slowly begin to break down, bringing rain and snow to the region by the start of this upcoming week. While this weekend offers plenty of clear skies and warm temperatures, we’ll return to more seasonable conditions within the next few days.

Saturday remains a quiet and pleasant day, with a mixture of sun and clouds and a springlike feel for early February. Highs reach the lower 50s across the Snake River Plain, with south-southwest wind of 5–10 mph. Lows will fall into the upper 20s and low 30s for Saturday evening.

Sunday morning and afternoon will stay abnormally dry and warm as the high-pressure system around us breaks down and slowly weakens the moisture system into our area. Expect partly sunny conditions and a high near 53°, followed by increasing clouds Sunday night and a chance of rain after 11 p.m. with overnight lows around 37°. Winds will begin to pick up, with gusts into the 20 mph range.

Rain showers for the start of Monday, with some snow mixing in later. Most of the snow will favor the higher terrain. No significant accumulation is expected with this snow system. Rain is likely before noon, then a rain/snow mix with scattered mountain snow showers throughout the day. The Snake River Plain tops out near 45° with little or no accumulation expected and precipitation chances around 60%.

AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MONDAY

WHAT…Poor air quality will continue. This is due to an inversion and stagnant air near the surface, which will continue to trap pollutants.

WHERE…Franklin/Eastern Oneida Region and Lower Snake River Plain.

WHEN…Until 11 AM MST Monday.

IMPACTS…Periods of air stagnation can lead to the buildup of pollutants near the surface.

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David Pace

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho and Utah have been having a not-so-quiet feud over a Utah plan to change its gas tax and share its tax burden with Idaho.

Plans by the Utah lawmakers to potentially place an export tax on gasoline shipped from Utah refineries to surrounding states – including Idaho – are drawing continued pushback from Idaho lawmakers.

In an interview with Local News 8 this week in Boise, Idaho Speaker of the House Mike Moyle said Idaho is proactively responding to the threats.

“I think that Utah will find some sanity and pull back. But we’ll see because if they don’t, we in Idaho will find ways to make it miserable for them,” Moyle said. 

Idahoans currently pay $2.90 per gallon of gas on average – 13 cents more than drivers in Utah.

The plan in Utah to impose a new tax on refineries for exported fuel could push Idaho prices at the pump even higher.

“So hopefully they do the right thing and don’t raise our fuel taxes,” Moyle said. “We’ll see though. They have control right because of the refineries. But I think we’re in good shape. I think we’re talking. We’ll find a path.”

The potential restructuring aims to cut Utah’s consumer gas tax up to 50 percent.

Moyle warned that the export tax could increase Idaho’s gas prices by twenty-five cents a gallon. 

About 75 percent of fuel exported from Utah is purchased by Idaho consumers, according to a draft Joint Memorial from the Idaho House of Representatives and Senate.

“I think that, on the front end, they thought it was going to be really easy to come tax Idahoans and make it miserable for us,” Moyle said. “But there’s more to the story, so we’ll see what they do. They’re supposed to introduce a bill. We’ll see what the next rendition is. Once we see that, we’ll know how to respond.”

However, Idaho lawmakers told Local News 8 this week they have a feeling it’s going to be water – or oil – under the bridge soon, and they are going to work things out with Utah.

“We will find a sensible diplomatic path through the conversation,” said Idaho Rep. Josh Wheeler, R-Ammon, whose district includes Bear Lake County, bordering Utah. “There are some slightly, outlandish ideas being bandied about right now – like charging more for lottery tickets in our border towns, or maybe it’s time to tax microchips that come out of Idaho, the same way they’re trying to tax fuel that comes out of Utah’s refineries.”

While the bill to restructure Utah’s gas tax has not been filed yet, Idaho legislators have introduced a joint memorial opposing Utah’s export tax.

The joint memorial states:

 “Idahoans pay Idaho fuel taxes and are not obligated to pay Utah’s fuel taxes except when in Utah;”

“Article I of the United States Constitution prohibits states from imposing ‘ any imports or duties on imports or exports’ without the consent of Congress;

“Imposition of such an export tax would result in hundreds of millions of dollars in annual costs borne by Idaho families, farmers, and businesses.”

The memorial is scheduled for debate after its third reading. 

“In the end, I think they’re going to recognize what they’re trying to do is unconstitutional, and it’s time for them to find solutions that are in their state, rather than trying to inflict damage on our Idaho citizens,” Wheeler said.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A controversial bill meant to eliminate barriers to education for cosmetology licensing is going to have to go back to the drawing board.

The bill would have decreased the mandated minimum education hours from 1,600 to 1,000 and apprenticeship hours from 3,200 to 2,000 required to receive a cosmetology license in Idaho.

A local cosmetologist and business owner tells Local News 8 why these hours of education are so important. Idaho leaders are learning it’s not as simple as holding a pair of scissors and a few snip, snip, chop, chop motions.

“It’s chemistry, biology, geometry, anatomy, physiology,” said cosmetologist and business owner Tiffany Judd of Studio 134 in Rexburg. She explains beauty licensing is an ongoing list that includes math, science, business education, communication, and cutting practice; so 600 hours to learn these skills would affect more than just the people working in the industry.

“The cost of my services within the salon will have to go up, which the consumer will have to pay for, because I have to pay for somebody to be trained to be here. And then I also have to pay my time to educate them,” said Judd.

Judd’s concerns that House Bill 547 would reduce the required hours for a cosmetology license from 1600 to 1000 were shared by many other salon owners and educators who turned out to testify against the bill in the House Business Committee. Posts were also shared on social media about the time needed to learn about chemical safety, sanitation, and infection control.

“We’re in the industry of taking care of people. And without the knowledge, I see industry professionals coming out of school [with] lower hours and making mistakes,” said Judd.

While the bill is now “effectively dead,” in its current form, according to KTVB’s interview with Representative Brent Crane of Nampa, east Idaho customers are still reflecting on what it’s like to be in the chair.

“I’ve had it happen where my hair has been cut way shorter than I wanted it to, and I wasn’t okay,” said a laughingly reflective Mattie Johnson, a customer at Studio 134. “I’d rather have someone with a little more experience who knows what they’re doing handle my hair.”

Judd wants to continue educating the public on what goes salon chair, and how cutting training hours, even for the cause of making it easier to start in the beauty industry, will impact ultimatley impact customer wallets. To learn more, visit here.

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