Category: kifi-local-news

News Team

Arco, Idaho (KIFI) — The Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is investigating an altercation involving a group of high school students and an allegedly involved gun.

Investigators have determined the incident originated at a local high school on Thursday, September 25, and escalated after school hours at a city park, according to a BCSO press release.

During the park altercation, one young man presented a gun. Fortunately, the other individuals involved were able to secure the firearm from the individual. Authorities have confirmed that no one was injured in the incident, and the gun was never fired. Following the confrontation, all parties went their separate ways.

Law enforcement was notified later that evening when a report was made.

The Sheriff’s Office is now actively investigating the incident and is coordinating closely with the Bingham County School District. The primary goal is to “ensure the safety and security of all students,” per the release.

In response, the School District has requested an increased police presence at Butte County Schools.

Due to the individuals involved being minors, their names have not been released at this time. However, the Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that once their investigation is complete, appropriate charges will be filed by the Butte County Prosecutor’s Office.

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Stephanie Lucas

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The United States government is bracing for a potential shutdown as a critical funding deadline looms at the end of tomorrow, with Congress deadlocked over a new spending bill. Negotiations in the Senate, where a successful bill requires 60 votes, have stalled, as Democrats refuse to support the current Republican proposal without major compromises.

Idaho Congressman Russ Fulcher identified the major sticking points to Local News 8, saying Democrats are pushing for changes vehemently opposed by Republicans. According to Fulcher, the Democrats are trying to undo several ‘hard-fought Republican victories’ in the form of the Big Beautiful Bill.

“They want to infuse our taxpayer-funded health care for illegals, taxpayer funding for certain media channels, NPR is the most visible of that,” said Fulcher. “And they want to remove any work requirements for healthy working-age people to get Medicaid. Now, those are the main things that they want to change. And that’s the sticking point. I don’t see the Republicans backing down on any of those.”

Countering the Republican claims, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer outlined the Democratic priority in a press conference earlier today. Schumer said the main issue they want is an extension of the Affordable Care Act insurance tax credits to prevent insurance premiums from spiking for Americans on ACA plans.

Fulcher says at the moment, he doesn’t see either party budging from their key points. 

“I don’t think the Republicans are going to back off of their position,” Fulcher told Local News 8. “…This is an attempt, I think, by the Democrat position to renegotiate the Big Beautiful Bill.”

In the event funding expires, a partial government shutdown will begin. While agencies deemed essential, such as national security and critical infrastructure, will continue to operate, many non-essential federal services will immediately cease. Crucially, members of the House and Senate will continue to receive pay during the shutdown.

The full interview with Representative Fulcher has been included above.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Many people in eastern Idaho are remembering President Nelson after his passing, including Jay Hildebrandt. Despite the sad news, Hildebrandt was in good spirits when he heard that President Nelson had passed away.

RELATED: Global faith leader and medical trailblazer Russell M. Nelson dies at age 101

“I was sad when I heard President Nelson died,” Hildebrandt said. “But I’d have to admit, I wasn’t devastated because I knew that he had fought a good fight. He had completed the mission that he was sent here to do, and that he was going to a wonderful place.”

Hildebrandt covered the news conference in Salt Lake City in 2018 when President Nelson was announced as the new president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

“I remember seeing him in that news conference,” Hildebrandt said, “and he just radiated a spirit of love and confidence. And I just knew that the church would be in good hands.”

Hildebrandt says President Nelson made a great impact on a lot of people’s lives, and many of the things President Nelson said have stuck with him for years.

“And they were just simple things, just two or three words. Things like, ‘Let God prevail.’ I thought, if I let God prevail in my life, I’ll be a better person,” said Hildebrandt.

Like Hildebrandt, many people are sad to see President Nelson go, but they are thankful for highlights from his time as president of the church, like announcing construction plans for over 200 temples, having more gospel learning centered at home, and emphasizing using the church’s full name.

Hildebrandt looks forward to the next chapter for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello has been awarded a $4.8 million grant from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to spearhead a five-year project aimed at dramatically reducing the Portneuf Valley’s significant wildfire risk.

The funding, officially $4,836,555, comes from the competitive Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program and represents the largest of four projects funded in the entire Intermountain Region (Idaho, Nevada, and Utah), which collectively received nearly $9.5 million. The grants are intended to provide critical support to communities with limited resources but a high exposure to wildfire danger.

Over the next five years, Pocatello will use the federal grant to implement a comprehensive strategy focusing on fire mitigation and preparation.

“We are one of the higher-risk areas in Idaho,” explained Hannah Sanger, manager of the City of Pocatello Science and Environmental Division. “We have a lot of fuel around the city that will burn really hot and fast. We wanted to implement steps to reduce that risk.”

USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins emphasized the local impact of the federal investment.

“These grants are about putting resources in the hands of those that know their lands and communities best, so that they can better protect their families, businesses, infrastructure and the future of our shared landscape,” Rollins said. “Keeping forests healthy, resilient and productive doesn’t come from the top down, it comes from us standing alongside the people and communities we serve.”

USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz stressed that collaborative effort is key to tackling modern fire conditions. “No single organization can tackle the severe fire conditions we face today. It is imperative that we work together to protect our forest and communities,” Schultz said. He added that for communities that already have plans in place, “these investments will enable immediate action to reduce wildfire risk.”

The funded proposals in Idaho, Nevada and Utah are as follows:

Recipient
Project Name
Grant Amount

City of Pocatello
Portneuf Valley Wildfire Risk Reduction and Education Project
$4,836,555

Glenbrook Homeowners Association (NV)
Glenbrook Community Defensible Space Projects
$2,979,732

Nevada Tahoe Conservation District
Upper Kingsbury Fire Adapted Community
$1,422,870

Utah Forestry, Fire and State Lands
Dammeron Valley Wildfire Fuels Mitigation & Community Education Program
$239,122

The Forest Service announced it will open a fourth funding opportunity for communities later this year. For more information, click HERE.

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News Team

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KIFI) — The Leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced a special global broadcast and public funeral services to honor Russell M. Nelson, the 17th President of the Church, who died at age 101.

RELATED: Global faith leader and medical trailblazer Russell M. Nelson dies at age 101

Global Tribute Broadcast: A special devotional will take place on Wednesday, October 1, at 10 a.m. MDT.

Public Viewing: The public is invited to pay their respects on Monday, October 6, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Public Funeral Services: The funeral will be held at the LDS Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Tuesday, October 7, at 12 p.m. MDT.

These services will follow the Church’s 195th Semiannual General Conference, which is scheduled for the weekend of October 4–5, 2025. For more information on the funeral services or the public broadcast, click HERE.

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News Team

TETON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Teton County Sheriff’s Office is actively seeking public assistance following an early morning vehicle crash that occurred in Driggs on Monday, September 29.

The incident took place at approximately 6:47 a.m.in front of the Marathon Gas station. Deputies responded to the scene and are working to identify everyone involved in the collision.

As part of their investigation, the Sheriff’s Office has released a security camera image captured at the gas station and is urging the public to help identify a person shown in the photo. The individual appears to be a man wearing a baseball cap.

The Teton County Sheriff’s Office shared the image on its Facebook page with a direct appeal: “If you know who this individual is, or if you are the individual shown, please call the Teton County Sheriff’s Office.”

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the individual in the photo or any details related to the crash is asked to contact the Teton County Sheriff’s Office at 208-776-8200.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Idaho Walk Bike Alliance (IWBA) has partnered with national pedestrian-advocacy organization America Walks to bring a ‘Week Without Driving’ to the Portneuf Valley.

IWBA and America Walks are challenging Pocatellans to use their cars as little as possible from Monday, September 29, to Sunday, October 5, and opt, instead, for walking, biking, or public transportation.

“This week gives you a glimpse into how many things you can do without actually getting in your vehicle, and you still get to a lot of the places you want to get to,” said ‘Cowboy’ Ted Hallisey, with IWBA. “…We’re just encouraging people to give it a shot and see what it’s like to go one week without driving… if you can’t go one week, try a day, try a couple days, and just enjoy human-powered transportation in Idaho.”

Another Week Without Driving will be going on in Boise at the same time as the Pocatello event, but Hallisey said anyone in Idaho can participate in the initiative.

There is no formal requirement to start the challenge, but participants can visit either the Idaho Walk Bike Alliance or America Walks website to register.

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News Team

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KIFI) — In a time of profound grief for members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Dallin H. Oaks, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has released a statement addressing two major events: the passing of the church’s global leader, President Russell M. Nelson, and the deadly attack at a Michigan chapel.

RELATED: “Targeted attack” on Michigan LDS Church leaves four dead, explosive devices found at the scene

His statement expresses profound sorrow in the wake of this weekend’s events and offers a message of comfort to the worldwide membership. Local News 8 has included Oak’s full statement below.

“Our hearts are heavy with sorrow. Millions of us are mourning the passing of our beloved Prophet and President, Russell M. Nelson. He was a dear friend and a cherished leader. His timeless teachings continue to guide us and help us find comfort amid suffering, especially in the wake of the recent violence aimed at members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan this past Sunday.

“The awful tragedy that took place in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on September 28, reminds us of our sacred responsibilities as followers of Jesus Christ. We mourn with our members who have lost loved ones, and we join in prayer for comfort with others around the world who are suffering from similar tragedies. We all seek answers and understanding in the wake of trauma, shock, and grief. We are grateful to all who are reaching out with service, prayers, and words of support during this difficult time.

“May we all remember the truth that each of us is a beloved child of God. Our Savior Jesus Christ, through His infinite Atonement, overcame death and gives us the joyful assurance that each of us will be gloriously resurrected. On behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I extend this expression to the family and friends of those affected by this recent tragedy and all others who may be experiencing loss and heartache at this time.” — President Dallin H. Oaks, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Office of the Attorney General of Idaho, Raúl Labrador:

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Attorney General Raúl Labrador filed a response with the U.S. Supreme Court opposing plaintiff Lindsay Hecox’s suggestion that Little v. Hecox should be dismissed as moot. Hecox filed a “suggestion of mootness” — a formal legal claim that no active dispute remains and the case should be dismissed — with the U.S. Supreme Court after the Court agreed to review Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.

“After five years, Idaho’s law protecting women’s sports has finally reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Now, the ACLU wants to drop the case because they know the strength of our argument,” said Attorney General Labrador. “But the legal arguments of one male athlete do not change the facts: Under Ninth Circuit precedent, girls across Idaho can still be forced to compete against boys. That’s not fair, it’s not safe, and it strips young women of equal opportunities. We’re urging the Court to affirm that states have the authority to preserve and protect women’s sports.”

Idaho’s response to the Court outlines three key legal arguments for why the case should proceed to a Supreme Court decision on the merits rather than being dismissed. First, Hecox cannot dismiss the case because their dismissal notice violates the court-ordered stay of all proceedings that Hecox requested and agreed to, which specifically prohibited any court activity while the Supreme Court reviews the case. Second, the case isn’t moot because Hecox remains enrolled at Boise State University and could resume playing women’s sports at any time, maintaining a legal interest in the outcome. Third, the Supreme Court has an interest in preventing parties from manipulating the judicial process by dismissing cases only when they face potential unfavorable rulings.

The Supreme Court will now decide whether to accept Hecox’s mootness claim or proceed with a decision that could protect women’s sports nationwide. If the Court agrees the case is moot, the lower court rulings would likely be vacated, potentially allowing Idaho’s law to take effect but leaving unresolved the broader legal questions about states’ authority to preserve women’s sports. If the Court rejects the mootness claim and hears the case on the merits, it could issue a definitive nationwide ruling on whether states can protect female athletics based on biological sex.

Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act was the first law of its kind when enacted in 2020, establishing the principle that female athletics should be reserved for biological females. Attorney General Labrador continues defending the law as it faces ongoing legal challenges.

Idaho’s response has been included below:

20250926161250258_Response to Suggestion of Mootness with Appendix ADownload

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News Team

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is urging all water enthusiasts to wear their life jackets while on the water following a water rescue on the Palisades Reservoir this past Saturday.

The incident occurred when a boat was reportedly capsized by large whitecaps, throwing three people into the frigid mountain water.

Air Idaho was able to locate all three people. The people were in the water for around thirty minutes to an hour before being brought ashore and treated on site for exposure to the cold water. 

Search and rescue volunteers, backcountry deputies, Swan Valley Fire, and an Idaho Falls ambulance all assisted with the rescue.

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