Idaho Falls hockey team wins a battle of kings in Dineen Cup game 1

KIFI on April 26, 2025

William Syslo

NEW JERSEY (KIFI) – Exciting news for all local hockey fans! The Idaho Falls Spud Kings won the first game of the Dineen Cup Final in overtime, 1 to 0.

Spud King’s Ronnie Wade scored the game-winning goal in overtime against the Foxboro South Shore Kings.

Spud Kings are set to play again tomorrow at 7:30 PM Eastern. If they win again, they’ll play on Monday. If they lose tomorrow, they’ll play on Sunday.

Local News 8’s Will Syslo is in New Jersey covering the Spud Kings. He’ll cover the details on all their games nightly on SportsLine on Local News 8 at 9 and 10.

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Dozens of people in Idaho Falls participate in a ride for Victor Perez

KIFI on April 26, 2025

Ashley Chilcutt

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Over 50 people showed up to ride for Victor Perez on Friday night. Victor is the autistic teen who was shot and killed by Pocatello police earlier this month.

Cars, trucks and motorcycles filled the parking lot by the Broadway Bridge in Idaho Falls beginning at 5:30 p.m. Many drivers in the group decorated their vehicles with blue ribbons and words like, “We ride for Victor” and “Justice for Victor.” A teal truck with blue balloons led the ride from the bridge to the Grand Teton Mall.

Organizers Michelle Perez and Tierra Harris say they are proud to expand support for Victor’s family in Idaho Falls.

“Our goal right now is to show them that they have the support,” Michelle said. “Not from just Pocatello, but Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, Rexburg, all the way to Saint Anthony.”

Victor was shot nine times by police on April 5 after a concerned neighbor witnessed a confrontation and called dispatch for help. Victor passed away on April 12. His funeral was three days later.

“We’re hoping by processing the Victor Project that, not only will his name go on to be something bigger, but it will save somebody else’s child in the end,” said Michelle.

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Lori Vallow Daybell reacts to guilty verdict in her first Arizona trial

KIFI on April 26, 2025

Ashley Chilcutt

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Lori Vallow Daybell spoke with an Arizona reporter shortly after being found guilty of conspiring to murder her fourth husband Charles Vallow.

She reacted to the jury’s verdict.

“They receive all this information and then they make up a story that goes along with whatever information that they have,” Vallow Daybell said. “Right? They make it up. It’s a made up story. They weren’t there. They didn’t experience it.”

She is scheduled to go on trial again in early June for a different murder conspiracy charge. When asked if this verdict will affect her plea in that case, Vallow Daybell had this to say.

“This will have zero effect on me in eternity,” she said.

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Big Sky Handbell Festival returns to Idaho Falls

KIFI on April 25, 2025

Kailey Galaviz

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – It’s been 11 years since the last Big Sky Handbell Festival happened in Idaho Falls, and now, it’s coming back.

Handbell choirs from around Montana and Idaho are coming together for a concert on April 26.

The festival begins with the youngest member ringing the tiniest bell. It will close with the eldest member ringing the largest bell, who this year, is 90-year-old Marilyn Taylor.

Taylor has been known as the “godmother of handbells” in Idaho Falls for years. Her dream was to be the closing ringer, but she has not been able to travel to different locations where the festival has been held. But now, she can live out that dream.

The free concert is at the Hillcrest High School Gym on April 26 at 7:00 p.m.

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Arbor Day activities

KIFI on April 25, 2025

Maggie Moore

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – April 25 is Arbor Day. The holiday is celebrated the last Friday in April and started in 1872.

Arbor Day started as a tree planting day in Nebraska. Prizes were given out to people who planted the most trees that day. Over a million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. President Theodore Roosevelt declared Arbor Day as a national holiday in 1907.

Local Celebrations

The city of Ammon is hosting an Arbor Day celebration Friday at Bridgewater Park. Celebrations start at 11:30, the city will be planting trees in the park and then giving out a hot dog lunch and Colorado spruce seedlings.

The Idaho Forest Products Commission also has a lot of great ways to celebrate. They’re giving away thousands of seedlings across the state including in Idaho Falls, Chubbuck, and Blackfoot. You can find a list of locations here.

IFPC also has lots of activities for students to learn about trees and conservation on their website, including a free coloring sheet to print out.

IFPC also hosts the Arbor Day youth photo contest. You can see this year’s winners here.

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Baseball field in Ammon dedicated to honor the legacy of Tyce John

KIFI on April 25, 2025

David Barrington

“I feel like Tyce’s legacy couldn’t be more perfectly captured than on a baseball field.”

– Brandon John, Tyce’s Brother

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Ammon dedicated a baseball field in memory of Tyce John who lost his battle with heart disease in February. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, the field was renamed in Tyce’s honor. It’s where he once played little league baseball and was an umpire for many years. His family and friends were there and got to play ball on the Tyce John Field for the first time.

The ceremony began with the national anthem followed by speeches given by several people, including Ammon Mayor Sean Coletti.

“Every young man, young woman who comes to play on this ball diamond will see his name, will learn about him and will see him as a role model,” Mayor Coletti said.

Tyce’s family members threw the first pitches. Afterwards, kids were invited onto the field to play baseball, and there was cake for everyone to enjoy.

Cake at the dedication of Tyce John Field.

Despite the sadness of losing a brother, Brandon John said it was a happy day for his family.

“Obviously, we miss Tyce and we wish he was still around, but this is a very happy day,” Brandon said. “We feel the love. There’s so many people that turned out.”

Tyce’s mom says she played softball on that field when she was younger. His dad Tristan hopes the field is a place where kids can have fun and families can be happy.

“This is such a great honor,” he said. “We really, really appreciate the community and little league and all of the people that care about baseball, and care about Tyce, and care about keeping things happy.” 

Brett Stauffer coached Tyce for 4 years in little league. He became visibly emotional when recalling Tyce’s impact on the Angels team, even referencing his mission in heaven.

“If you wanted to be the best, you had to beat the Angels,” said Coach Stauffer. “That was mostly because of Tyce. I know that Tyce has been drafted on a different Angels team, and I know that that message is the same there. He’s teaching them to smile and have fun.”

Baseballs made especially for Tyce’s family to throw at the dedication ceremony.

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Las Vegas Raiders draft Boise State star Ashton Jeanty

KIFI on April 25, 2025

Travis Richards

BOISE (KIFI)- The Las Vegas Raiders selected Boise State star Ashton Jeanty as the number six overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

Jeanty is the highest-picked Boise State player in NFL Draft history.

The former Bronco finished second in Heisman voting behind two-way player Travis Hunter from Colorado.

During his time at Boise State, Jeanty rushed 4,769 years and 2,601 yards in his 2024 season, which is a Boise State record.

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Judge rules autism diagnosis won’t shield Bryan Kohberger from Death Penalty if convicted

KIFI on April 24, 2025

Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Bryan Kohberger’s recent autism diagnosis will not affect the prosecutor’s decision to seek the death penalty if he is convicted in his upcoming quadruple murder trial.

In a new ruling Thursday, Steven Hippler ruled that the state of Idaho can pursue the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger despite his autism diagnosis.

Bryan Kohberger has been charged in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho Students, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, and Xana Kernodle, at an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022.

The recent ruling follows the defense’s request for Judge Hippler to eliminate the death penalty as an option in the case. They cited Kohberger’s diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder as a key reason. His attorneys argue that the media coverage of his diagnosis could bias the jury against him.

“These widely viewed and highly prejudicial media reports, draped in the language of ‘expertise’ and ‘analysis,’ demonize Mr. Kohberger for his disability,” write Kohberger’s defense team in court documents.

In response, the prosecution has argued that the media attention and Kohberger’s “social impairment” do not warrant striking the death penalty.

Judge Hippler’s new ruling also follows an additional decision surrounding arguments regarding Kohberger’s autism diagnosis. On April 18, the judge ruled that Kohberger’s legal team won’t be able to tell a jury in his upcoming death penalty trial about his diagnosis unless he takes the stand in his own defense.

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Bingham County Republicans avoid paying state GOP’s attorney fees

KIFI on April 24, 2025

Seth Ratliff

BINGHAM COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – Members of the Bingham County Republican Central Committee (BCRCC) will not have to pay attorney fees to the state GOP after a lengthy lawsuit between the two groups.

In an order published April 23 by Judge Darren Simpson, the Bingham group’s Motion to Dissallow was granted, meaning each party shall bear its own attorney fees and costs.

“We are pleased that this chapter is now behind us. The court has ruled that each side will bear its own legal costs and attorney fees, affirming what we have believed from the beginning—that this was a complex dispute in which neither side fully prevailed,” the BCRCC, in part, in a written statement.

“We are, however, disappointed that the leadership of the Idaho Republican Party chose to escalate this matter to such lengths. What should have been resolved through transparent internal processes instead became a protracted legal battle.”

The bad blood between the State and Bingham County GOP began with a mismanaged election in June 2023. State GOP leadership said the Bingham County Republicans did not follow party rules in their election, and GOP chair Dorothy Moon would have to come to Bingham County to redo the election.

After lengthy miscommunication between the county and state party, the Bingham County Republican Central Committee filed a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against state party leadership. For more information, click HERE.

Before the end of last year, the BCRCC filed a motion to dismiss their original lawsuit. The move came after a judge ruled that their 2023 election had, in fact, broken party rules.

In February, Bryan Smith, attorney for the Idaho GOP, filed a memorandum for the Bingham County Republican Central Committee (BCRCC) to pay his attorney’s fees, which could add up to $82,000.

“We were particularly surprised by the request for attorney fees made by Mr. Bryan Smith, especially in light of multiple documented instances where it was stated—publicly and privately—that he was representing the party pro bono. Party leadership had repeatedly affirmed that Mr. Smith was not charging for his services. It was therefore concerning to see sworn affidavits submitted to the court asserting the opposite,” writes the BCRCC.

In a February interview with Local News 8, Bryan Smith said, “Under Idaho law, a prevailing party is entitled to file a memorandum of attorney’s fees and costs.” For more information on Smith’s comments, click HERE.

The decision by Judge Darren Simpson has helped the BCRCC avoid the hefty legal fee.

“In summary, both parties prevailed in part on BCRCC’s claims. Where both parties are partially successful, it is within this Court’s discretion to decline an attorney fee award to either side…neither party prevailed, and each shall bear its own attorney fees and costs,” said Darren B. Simpson in the written decision.

Local News 8 reached out to attorney Bryan Smith for comment on the order.

“The fact that the Bingham County Republican Central Committee thinks it won something after avoiding an award of attorney’s fees shows precisely how distorted their view of reality is,” Bryan Smith told Local News 8 in a written statement. “We just got the [judge’s] opinion and we’re evaluating on how to proceed further.”

View Judge Simpson’s full order below:

Order granting Plaintiffs Motion to Disallow Costs and FeesDownload

Statement by the BCRCC

Local News 8 has included the complete statement by the Bingham County Republican Central Committee below.

We are pleased that this chapter is now behind us. The court has ruled that each side will bear its own legal costs and attorney fees, affirming what we have believed from the beginning—that this was a complex dispute in which neither side fully prevailed.We are, however, disappointed that the leadership of the Idaho Republican Party chose to escalate this matter to such lengths. What should have been resolved through transparent internal processes instead became a protracted legal battle.We were particularly surprised by the request for attorney fees made by Mr. Bryan Smith, especially in light of multiple documented instances where it was stated—publicly and privately—that he was representing the party pro bono. Party leadership had repeatedly affirmed that Mr. Smith was not charging for his services. It was therefore concerning to see sworn affidavits submitted to the court asserting the opposite.These inconsistencies have only deepened our concern and eroded our confidence in the current leadership of the state party. Based on information brought forth by the group known as Party Watch, we are very skeptical of anything our current party leadership says or does. Trust is foundational to good governance, and it is difficult to place trust in those who do not act transparently or in the best interests of those they represent.We remain committed to serving our community and look forward to a brighter day—one where the Idaho Republican Party is once again led with honesty, integrity, and accountability.

—Bingham County Republican Central Committee

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Habitat for Humanity prepares to build affordable housing project

KIFI on April 24, 2025

Phillip Willis

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – After a long setback, Habitat for Humanity is clearing trees and old buildings from 11.5 acres of land in preparation for the construction of affordable housing.

The project was finally greenlit to use government funds a year past the proposed groundbreaking.  Karen Lansing and Randy Hubbard of Habitat for Humanity anticipated they would be able to begin building back in March of 2022 when the location was confirmed.

“This is a bigger project than Habitat Idaho Falls has ever done, so we have to ramp up all aspects of our organization, which includes fundraising and grant writing,” said Karen Lansing, Habitat for Humanity Executive Director.

The land is next to the Butte Soccer Complex. For now, Ernest Drive ends in a road block, but past that road block is a dirt road that passes through the middle of the planned neighborhood. Trees and grass will soon be transformed into a residential area with craftsman-style homes.

According to the Habitat for Humanity website, the project seeks to “put God’s love into action” and attempts to empower families to build a new life. Those who qualify based on financial readiness, an interview process, and do at least 300 hours of “sweat equity” will be able to own a home. 

“We’re looking for as much community support as we can get, and if you’ve got any questions, you can call our main office and inquire about what we’re doing out here,” said Randy Hubbard, Head of Construction.

For more information or the office number, click HERE.

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