Category: kifi-local-news

Par Kermani

EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous broadcast version of this story included file video footage featuring branding from Daloris Jersey Dairy in Rigby. Local News 8 clarifies that Daloris Jersey Dairy is entirely unrelated to the raw milk outbreak.

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho health officials are investigating an outbreak of illnesses linked to the consumption of raw milk that has affected nearly 60 people across the state.

According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, at least 45 people have tested positive for campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.

Health officials say the illnesses have been reported since May 19, and investigators believe additional cases may still be identified as the investigation continues.

Most of those who became sick reported drinking unpasteurized, or raw, milk from two separate milking operations, one in northern Idaho and one in southern Idaho.

The Idaho Division of Public Health is working with multiple local health districts to determine the source of the contamination and identify any affected batches of milk.

Officials say both dairy operations are cooperating with the investigation and are working with health agencies to identify and address potential sources of contamination.

Raw milk has not been pasteurized, a process that kills harmful bacteria while maintaining the milk’s nutritional value. Health officials warn that raw dairy products can contain bacteria that cause illness, especially in young children, pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of campylobacteriosis typically begin two to five days after exposure and can last about a week. In some cases, complications can develop and persist longer.

Anyone who develops symptoms after consuming raw milk or raw milk products is encouraged to seek medical care and contact their local public health district.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 03 JUN 26 16:51 ET

By Erin Cox

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSL, KSL TV) — A Utah bus driver was sentenced to five years in prison for setting a school bus with 42 children inside on fire.

Michael Ford, a 60-year-old who’s worked at the Granite School District since 1998, pleaded guilty to intentionally setting a district bus on fire using a cigarette lighter.

In April 2023, surveillance footage shows Ford igniting a bus and “continuing to drive the bus, despite smoke billowing past his face,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The video shows no children on the bus, and no injuries were reported.

Prosecutors said Ford tried to tamper with the bus’s video surveillance system days before setting it on fire.

“Through further investigation, (the investigating officer) has learned that Michael Ford … was involved in a total of eight fires. Four bus fires involving Granite School District (buses), two fires at his residence located in West Valley City, one vehicle fire in Bluffdale, and one additional vehicle fire in 2009,” according to an affidavit.

Police said the four bus fires were all reported to be electrical in the dashboard area and started while Ford was driving the buses.

He pleaded guilty in March to arson of a vehicle belonging to a federally funded organization.

In 2022, attorneys said Ford started a fire on a bus with 42 children inside.

“Multiple students are seen covering their faces with their shirts and coughing,” according to an affidavit. Ford then stopped the bus, and the students got out, police said. He used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. No one was injured. The charge connected to this was dismissed as part of Ford’s plea agreement.

In 2017, a bus was partially engulfed in flames, scorching the scaffolding of the bus. No children were inside and no injuries were reported. At the time, police believed the bus had mechanical issues but later confirmed Ford was the bus driver.

“Given the nature of the four bus fires with the same driver with them all starting in the same area of the bus, Michael Ford lighting the dash area on fire while driving the bus on April 7, it is reasonable to conclude that Michael Ford is responsible for these fires,” police said in the affidavit.

Three years following the 2023 fire, Ford has been sentenced.

“We are grateful for the efforts of Granite Police, West Valley Police and the Utah State Fire Marshall who helped investigate this matter as well as the prosecutors who were involved in the case,” a spokesman with the Granite School District told KSL in a statement. “We are glad to see that the legal process has played out and we are thankful for the end result.”

Ford was sentenced to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay more than $21,000 in restitution.

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KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 03 JUN 26 15:49 ET

By Greenlee Clark

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    EAGLE, Idaho (KIVI) — What started as a joke between a father and daughter is now days away from becoming reality.

Cynthia Wilson, who has lived in Avimor for 6 years, is preparing to take on a 40-mile, 7-day trek across the Andes Mountains in Peru — reaching elevations above 17,000 feet — to raise awareness and money for prostate cancer through the Zero Peaks Challenge. The trek ends at Machu Picchu. She leaves the weekend of June 6 as part of a group of 10, accompanied by a guide and support crew.

Wilson’s fundraising minimum is $10,000, but her personal goal is $15,000 for Zero Prostate Cancer — the largest national prostate cancer awareness organization. Donations are being accepted through July 7.

The journey is all the more remarkable given what Wilson has overcome to get here. At 16, she broke her lower spine in a car accident and was told she would likely need back surgery by age 40 — the first in a series of surgeries — and that she may not be able to carry or bear a child. She has since had a son, and the bone that was once floating freely in her spine has gradually fused back together over roughly 2 decades. She has also dealt with chronic migraines, autoimmune issues, bone spurs in her knees and hips, and shoulder problems throughout her adult life.

“It’s not something I’ve ever dreamed… I thought that I could possibly do,” Wilson said.

To prepare for the trek, Wilson has been training for 6 months with personal trainer Brandon Peters, who has lived in Avimor since 2022 and is her longest-running client. Peters first met Wilson at the Avimor prostate cancer awareness walk, where she learned he was a trainer. The connection was personal for him as well — his father passed away from cancer.

Peters said the trail Wilson is taking on is considered the most physically demanding in the Andes, and that when he learned what she had signed up for, he knew the training would need to be intentional and specific.

Each session is structured to build the strength and stability Wilson will need on the trail. Sessions begin with banded work to mobilize her hips, activate her glutes and warm up her shoulders, then move into balance-based exercises including step-ups and cross-diagonal lunges designed to mimic the demands of hiking over rocks and uneven terrain. Sessions finish with core and back work to maintain postural integrity throughout the trek.

“As soon as your posture fails, then your joints start to fail too,” Peters said.

He said the training has been tailored carefully around Wilson’s history of injuries — focusing on strengthening the muscles around her knees to manage bone spurs, building shoulder stability for carrying a pack and developing hip and core strength to protect her lower back.

Peters said the progress he has seen over nearly 4 years of training together has been consistent and meaningful — improved range of motion, stronger posture, better endurance, strength, stability and balance.

“It’s just a testament to persevering and pushing, and it’s so motivating, and like, I’m inspired by her, like, honestly,” said Peters. “I haven’t told you that, but I truly am,” Peters added while looking over at Wilson.

He said Wilson’s perseverance through chronic migraines and setbacks has been a defining quality throughout their work together.

“She’ll have these times where she gets this chronic migraine, and she’s just going through it. Sometimes she has no choice but to do nothing, but she gets back on the horse, she gets back in her sessions, and she gets back to training, and she’s just been super consistent,” Peters said.

He said Wilson’s story is a positive testament.

“The body is capable of doing so much more than I think we give it credit for, as long as you’re doing the right things for it.”

“If you really put your mind to it, you take the right steps — don’t be messy about it, have a goal — you can accomplish so much more than you probably could imagine,” Peters said.

Wilson is also seeing a functional medicine doctor and chiropractor in Avimor who is performing soft wave therapy on her knees and shoulders — a treatment that uses deep-penetrating waves to break up scar tissue and stimulate the body’s natural healing response. A massage therapist who specializes in neck and shoulders and is herself an avid backpacker rounds out Wilson’s care team, focusing on the specific rotations and movements she will need on the trail. All three of her care providers live in Avimor.

“In the last 6 months that I’ve just been training for this, I would say I’ve felt the healthiest physically, but also mentally. The hiking outside in nature is huge, and being able to live in Avimor and being able to say, I don’t have time to drive somewhere to go for a hike — I’m just going to walk 5 minutes, and then I’m already on a trail.”

Wilson’s motivation is deeply personal. Her father was diagnosed with prostate cancer 17 years ago. After the cancer returned following initial treatment, doctors gave him approximately 4 years to live. He is still here. Over the years, he has served on government research advisory boards — reviewing studies before they were conducted on patients and advocating for changes that made them more viable — and has been able to access some of those treatments himself to extend his life.

Today, his cancer has spread significantly. He has already undergone multiple rounds of treatment, recently had targeted radiation on his lower spine and liver, and currently has 2 fractures in one hip caused by bone weakness from years of treatment. One chemotherapy option remains.

Despite all of that, Wilson’s father leads a monthly prostate cancer support group at Eagle Hills Church in Eagle — a group he started about 6 years ago after moving to the area and recognizing the need for local connection. Wilson’s mother runs a parallel group for partners and caregivers, meeting at the same time in a separate room.

Wilson said the trek is also a way to bring her dad along on the adventure in spirit. He will be able to track her location on the mountain in real time through a link she plans to send him.

“This could potentially be a way for him to have some excitement without having to go anywhere.”

Beyond the trek, Wilson and her father organize a prostate cancer awareness walk every September in Avimor — now in its 6th year. The event is held in the lot across from the community center and features food trucks, local vendors and entrepreneurs from the neighborhood. This year, the walk is planned for a Saturday in mid-September, and organizers hope to connect it with the farmers market across the street.

Wilson said the most important message she wants people to hear is about early detection. Prostate cancer often has no symptoms until it has already spread, but a simple PSA blood test — prostate-specific antigen — can detect rising levels before symptoms appear.

“If you go get checked and you find out you have it when it’s in like stage 0 of cancer, you treat it, and it’s no problem. But if you wait until you have the symptoms, it’s probably already metastatic, and it’s probably gonna just constantly be — we’re chasing after it,” Wilson said.

She said she has watched her father’s condition progress for nearly half her life, and still believes in hope.

“I still feel like there’s hope out there, and there’s definitely hope for all the other guys that are out there and their families, their kids, their spouses, to their grandkids, you know, to know that this doesn’t have to be something that is the end.”

Zero Prostate Cancer will be posting updates online during the trek. Wilson is also sharing training updates and the donation link on her Facebook page, where the link is pinned to the top. Donations are accepted through July 7.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Par Kermani

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador is backing a proposal that would increase wage requirements for employers hiring workers through the H-1B visa program.

Labrador joined attorneys general from 12 other states in submitting comments to the U.S. Department of Labor supporting a proposed rule that would raise the minimum wages employers must pay foreign workers under the program.

According to the coalition, increasing wage requirements would reduce incentives for companies to hire foreign workers at lower costs than American employees.

The H-1B visa program allows employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations when qualified American workers are unavailable.

Supporters of the proposed rule argue some companies have used the program to replace American workers while reducing labor costs. The coalition cited examples of major technology companies that have conducted layoffs while continuing to file H-1B visa petitions.

“The H-1B visa program was originally intended to bring in foreign workers only when Americans aren’t available. Instead, corporations have exploited it to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor,” Labrador said. “I’m urging the Department of Labor to raise the wage floors that make this abuse profitable. When the financial incentive disappears, so does the scheme.”

The coalition also raised national security concerns, noting that a portion of H-1B visas issued in recent years have gone to Chinese nationals working in technology-related fields.

In addition, the attorneys general argue the current wage methodology used by the federal government may not comply with federal administrative law because it was established through agency guidance rather than formal rulemaking.

The Department of Labor is currently considering the proposed changes.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Drivers traveling on Hitt Road should expect traffic delays beginning Thursday as construction crews start work near the Lincoln Road roundabout.

According to a notice shared by the City of Idaho Falls, Knife River will begin utility installation and roadway improvements associated with the Riviera Park development on the northeast corner of Hitt Road, also known as 25th East, and Lincoln Road.

As part of the project, the outside northbound lane on Hitt Road north of the Lincoln Road roundabout will be closed. All lanes entering and traveling through the roundabout will remain open.

Drivers heading north from the roundabout should be prepared to merge into a single lane shortly after leaving the intersection. The lane closure will extend north to the Grand Peaks Medical area.

The work includes underground utility installation and roadway upgrades to support the new development.

Construction is expected to continue through the end of August, depending on weather and field conditions.

Drivers are encouraged to watch for crews and equipment, follow posted traffic signs and slow down while traveling through the construction zone.

City officials note the project is not being managed by the City of Idaho Falls. The city says it is sharing the information to help notify residents about upcoming traffic impacts.

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Danielle Mullenix

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Construction continues onward within the walls of Willow Creek Elementary, the district’s newest elementary school, which is scheduled to welcome its first students when doors open in September 2026.

The school represents a significant investment in the future of education in eastern Idaho and comes as District 93 works to accommodate continued population growth and increasing student enrollment throughout the region.

“It’s always fun to open a school and be part of that and be part of the original crew that started,” Willow Creek Elementary Principal Steve Cziep said. “And I think the kids are going to be just as excited.”

Although crews officially broke ground on the project in September 2024, district leaders say planning for Willow Creek Elementary began much earlier. Initial design work dates back to 2019, as school officials evaluated long-term enrollment trends and future facility needs.

“I started the design for this school back in 2019, and it’s been a long but rewarding road to get here,” shared Tucker Hatley, project manager of NBW Architects. “There are features of this building that are unique only to this structure, including individualized bonus rooms for music or special needs programs… we’ve been really impressed with the work that has been done.”

As new housing developments and neighborhoods have expanded throughout the Idaho Falls and Ammon area, district leaders have identified the need for additional classroom space to reduce overcrowding at existing elementary schools and accommodate future growth.

To see the updated 2026-2027 D93 Boundaries Map, click here.

Willow Creek Elementary will be the first completely new elementary school design utilized by District 93 in approximately 30 years. School officials say the building is being designed with modern learning environments that support both academic achievement and student collaboration.

In addition to creating additional classroom capacity, district leaders say the new facility will offer updated educational spaces designed to meet today’s students’ needs.

“The classrooms are amazing,” Principal Steve Cziep shared. “The teachers that I’ve brought through love the setups and the technology that’s going in, just a lot of excitement to be shared.”

Construction progress has become increasingly visible in recent months, with the school’s structure taking shape. District officials remain on track for a fall 2026 opening and have already started preparing for the school’s future operations.

“It’s a beautiful, beautiful elementary,” Logan Bingham, senior director of Headwaters Construction, said. “They’ve incorporated many features that will really help with the learning process. And that’s been impressive to watch.”

For many families in this rapidly growing area of Bonneville County, the new school represents more than just another building project. It reflects the district’s efforts to stay ahead of growth while continuing to invest in educational opportunities for future generations.

District 93 plans to provide additional updates as construction progresses toward the school’s anticipated opening in September 2026. To find more resources with the district, click here.

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David Pace

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Pocatello Police Department recognized more than a dozen graduating citizens from its Citizen Police Academy on Tuesday.

Participants attended more than 25 hours of training over 8 weeks to learn about the duties and responsibilities of police officers and the inner workings of the department.

“This gives us an opportunity to do one of the most important things that it can do for any leadership group – and that’s building relationships,” said Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei. “This program helps us build relationships with members of our community, with us and with the members that were entrusted to serve.”

During the course, participants experienced or learned about hands-on firearms training, an emergency vehicle operations course, SWAT training, DUI investigations, explosive breaching, use of force and more.

Idaho State University’s Instructional Technology Resource Center Director and Citizen Police Academy Graduate Bob Houghton said his favorite part of the program was the gang task force.

“We have a lot of trafficking that happens here. It’s not the usual suspects that you would think,” Houghton said. “There’s a lot of influence from China, and there’s a lot of influence from motorcycle gangs and those kind of things that are moving a lot of of drugs and humans around.”

He enjoyed learning how Pocatello officers’ responsibilities differ significantly from typical depictions on TV crimes shows like Law and Order and CSI.

“One thing I’m going to take back is a truly new respect for the police and what they do here in Pocatello, and all of the resources that they pour into making sure that we are a truly safe community,” Houghton said.

Pocatello Mayor Mark Dahlquist honored graduates for investing their time to better understand law enforcement and their community.

“I understand this is the biggest class in quite some time in a few years, and I hope you’ve grown too,” Dahlquist said. “… That’s one of the goals is just to expose you to all of this and see what our police officers go through. They’re so super dedicated, and they’re putting their life out there every day protecting the community.”

Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei congratulates Citizen Police Academy graduates Tuesday.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — As the school year comes to an end and students begin summer break, negotiations between Idaho Falls School District 91 and the Idaho Falls Education Association are continuing.

Contract negotiations are a routine part of school district operations, with teachers unions and district leaders working to reach agreements on issues including salaries and working conditions.

Representatives from the IFEA and District 91 are scheduled to meet again Thursday, June 4, after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on teacher salaries. A third-party mediator will participate in the negotiations to help both parties explore potential solutions and provide an outside perspective.

“The way the system is intended is that there is money that comes in that’s earmarked for teacher salary, and then there is also discretionary funds, and there’s also local funds like our levies,” Jake Snarr, a District 91 teacher and member of the IFEA negotiating team, said. “The system is designed to create competition amongst the school districts. And so that’s where the teachers association comes in. We try to find what’s going to work best in our district, and hopefully that becomes attractive for prospective teachers looking for a job.”

Union leaders say both sides are working toward what they believe is best for students.

Local News 8 reached out to District 91 for comment. District officials declined to comment.

Local News 8 will continue to follow the negotiations and provide updates as they become available.

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KIVI Staff

LATAH COUNTY, Idaho — A federal judge has set a September 2027 trial date in a lawsuit filed by the families of four University of Idaho students killed by Bryan Kohberger, a former graduate student and teaching assistant at Washington State University.

U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson signed the scheduling order June 1. The jury trial is set to begin Sept. 13, 2027, in federal court in Seattle and is expected to last about 20 days.

The lawsuit, filed in January, was brought by the personal representatives of the victims’ estates: Steve Goncalves for Kaylee Goncalves, Karen Laramie for Madison Mogen, Jeffrey Kernodle for Xana Kernodle and Stacy Chapin for Ethan Chapin. The four students were killed in November of 2022 at an off-campus home in Moscow.

The families allege Washington State University knew or should have known about troubling behavior by Kohberger before the killings and failed to take appropriate action. The lawsuit claims the university’s actions, or lack of action, contributed to the deaths.

According to court filings, dozens of faculty members, staff and students witnessed or reported concerns about Kohberger’s behavior. The families say they have identified nearly 90 witnesses who could provide information supporting those claims.

As the case moves forward, both sides will exchange evidence and records related to university policies, threat assessment procedures, hiring practices and the handling of complaints involving Kohberger. The lawsuit also seeks information from the Washington State University Police Department, including records involving safety escorts provided to female students and employees before the killings.

The families have indicated in the court documents that they do not expect to settle the case before trial, with neither side planning to pursue mediation at this stage, though that could change after evidence gathering is complete.

Several deadlines are scheduled before trial. Additional parties may be added to the lawsuit by June 29, 2026. Expert witness reports are due in February 2027, evidence gathering must be completed by April 2027, and requests to resolve the case before trial are due in May 2027.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello is excited to seal its 50-year time capsule at the end of the month and is looking for community members to donate items to City Hall that represent life in 2026.

Rick Cheatum, chairman of the America250 Ad Hoc Committee and the original author of the time capsule idea, said the project has been in the works for a long time. The Legislature appropriated $250,000 to be distributed to local jurisdictions and departments throughout the state to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary this year. Cheatum explained that local governmental entities could apply for grants to fund community projects and events.

“I saw a time capsule opened in Power County a couple of years ago, and the contents kind of captivated me and made me think maybe something like that would be appropriate,” Cheatum said.

Pocatello and the southeast Idaho region have changed significantly in everything from development to jobs and technology over the past 50 years. Cheatum approached Mayor Brian Blad last summer with the idea of creating a time capsule to be opened in 50 years, commemorating life during the country’s 250th anniversary year.

On July 3, the Marshall Public Library will host a celebration of the time capsule at 5 p.m. Mayor Brian Blad will give remarks, and attendees can enjoy refreshments while viewing the final items selected for inclusion.

“We’re asking people to bring what they might have that they think would be interesting and unique that provides a snapshot of the history in Pocatello, where we are today that people 50 years from today might find interesting,” Cheatum said.

There is a collection box at City Hall where community members can drop off items for consideration. Residents are asked to include their name and contact information with any submission in case organizers need to return the item or request additional information.

“We can’t take large, bulky things,” Cheatum explained. “We can take some small memorabilia and statements of things like civic clubs and social organizations and governmental entities to put in there.”

So far, the city has collected newspapers, a magazine about the 125th anniversary of Idaho State University and several other documents. In addition to governmental records and historical documents, the city will accept items that represent everyday life in 2026.

The time capsule will be built by Partner Steel and donated to store the items for the next 50 years. Cheatum said organizers originally planned to bury the capsule but decided instead to house it at the Marshall Public Library.

“We are concerned about potential damage to things contained within the time capsule, if fertilizer or water or something happens to be where it’s buried,” he said. “It was our original idea, but we’re going to store it inside the Marshall Public Library that’s been here since 1909, and I am sure it will be here in another 50 years.”

The library plans to create a historical display around the time capsule highlighting the history of Pocatello. The key will be stored in a separate location so no one is tempted to open it before the 50-year mark.

When asked who might open the time capsule in 50 years, Cheatum said that decision will be left to future local leaders.

“It’s a decision we have to leave to local government to decide at the time when this comes up,” he said. “I hope they have a similar celebration around the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration and I would hope it’s someone like the mayor of Pocatello or the president of the City Council.”

At the July 3 celebration, local committee member Michael Steele will perform an original song capturing the spirit of Pocatello and the Portneuf Valley. The box will be sealed by that date, so attendees will be able to view photos of the selected items.

The committee has also worked to ensure the contents remain in good condition for decades.

“There’s a problem with paper having an acid content and actually deteriorating and off-gassing things that will cause further deterioration of other documents,” Cheatum said. “So, we’re planning to put everything in a special polyethylene envelope, sealing them up. We’ll oxygen purge the time capsule when it’s sealed so we get as much oxygen out of there as possible so it can’t contaminate the documents and just hope that in 50 years we’ve done a good job.”

Cheatum said preserving local history is important to both him and the committee. He said it is important to accurately represent the community in the time capsule so future generations do not forget it.

“I think the things that we’re preserving as a record of what we were, where we are today and who we are as a people are important.”

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