Category: kifi-local-news

Abi Martin

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) – A skydiver was injured while landing at a Rigby High School football game Friday night.

Emergency medical personnel with Central Fire District were already on scene for the game and responded to help the skydiver after the landing.

According to Central Fire District, the skydiver came in too fast while landing and injured his leg.

Idaho Falls Fire Department ambulance personnel transported the patient to a hospital for treatment.

No further information about the extent of the injury was made available.

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David Pace

ARCO, Idaho (KIFI) – Seventy-five years ago, Experimental Breeder Reactor-1 (EBR-1) became the first-ever nuclear power plant to create electricity near Arco, Idaho.

“This is the first place in the entire world where we managed to produce enough electricity to light four, simple light bulbs,” said EBR-1 Tour Guide Vic Thomas. “It’s the very beginning of us being able to use atomic energy peacefully.”

The Museum of Idaho and Idaho National Laboratory hosted a historic tour for dozens of community members Friday to commemorate the milestone.

The groundbreaking achievement on December 20, 1951, was followed two years later by another breakthrough. In 1953, EBR-1 successfully produced more fuel than it consumed – the first demonstration of breeder reactor technology.

The reactor was cooled by liquid sodium. It ran for a dozen years until December 1963.

Later that decade, it was designated a National Historic Landmark by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson.

“This is representing a whole legacy of electricity production across the United States. At the laboratory, we are now creating small modular reactors and microreactors, and that legacy, it began here.”” Thomas said.

While the site remains the birthplace of atomic power, INL guides quickly corrected a common myth. 

“Everybody believes EBR-1 is the reactor that lit the city of Arco. That is not true—it was the BORAX-III reactor,” said INL Ambassador Liza Raley.

On July 17, 1955, electricity for Arco’s 500 residents was unhooked from the grid and connected directly to the Borax-III reactor in a historic first for nuclear power generation.

“For 45 minutes in the middle of the night, they powered the entire city of Arco with atomic power. That made Arco the first city in the world to ever be powered entirely by atomic power,” Raley said. “Now, the joke that we normally make is in 1951, they lit four iconic light bulbs at EBR-1. In 1955, they lit five light bulbs.”

Today, 57 nuclear power plants are producing 20 percent of America’s electricity.

The dawn of the nuclear energy age began with the illumination of four, small light bulbs in December 1951.

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Abi Martin

UPDATE 8:20 p.m. – Frances Avila has been found, according to the Idaho Falls Police Department.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – The Idaho Falls Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating a missing handicapped adult.

Frances Avila, 54, was last seen around 6 p.m. Friday in the area around the College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls.

Police say Avila was wearing a white T-shirt and gray sweatpants and was not wearing shoes.

Anyone who sees Avila or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call dispatch at 208-529-1200.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Pocatello Marathon is just around the corner in the Gate City, with participants picking up their swag bags and T-shirts this afternoon at the ICCU Fieldhouse. This year’s race marks the first under new race director Mary Stenquist, who took over the role from her father and is excited to continue the legacy of the marathon.

For a quarter-century, the Pocatello Marathon has brought runners from all over the U.S. and internationally. The 2026 race currently has over 800 runners signed-up, but Stenquist says the number continues to grow as they accept same-day sign-ups.

“We have multiple different events, we have the full marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, we also have a kids’ one mile and a .2,” said Mary Stenquist, Race Director. “It’s been fun to see it change and grow over the years.”

With multiple different race lengths, the event both draws out and accomodates for all levels of runners. Some participants are running their first race ever, with others hoping to qualify at the race for the Boston Marathon.

“I love being able to show people our awesome community. We have people from over 40 states and three different countries represented this year,” said Stenquist. “It’s cool to see the variety of different people and be able to share our little slice of Pocatello heaven that we have here.”

Stenquist said runners enjoy the scenic views along the route of the Pocatello Marathon as the first half of the marathon is along a narrow canyon road. The full marathon course begins at Camelback Mountain and follows Buckskin Road.

All the races finish at Ross Park where vendors, volunteers and supporters will be waiting to welcome the finishers. The racers are hoping to beat the heat with an early start on Saturday morning, with the full marathon beginning at 6:15 a.m. and the half-marathon at 8 a.m.

“Our slogan has always been ‘small town with big race flair,” said Stenquist. “We try to incorporate some nice swag items for runners and bring in all the vendors, we’d like to just make it really awesome for our runners.”

People line up to receive their runner packets and swag bags at the ICCU Fieldhouse the day before the 2026 Pocatello Marathon, Sept. 4

The event comes together each year thanks to sponsors like title sponsor Bingham Healthcare and a fleet of local volunteers from various organizations and Idaho State University. Stenquist said the team is incredibly thankful for the local businesses that chip in for fundraising to make the event memorable and professional each year.

There are multiple aid stations along the course for runners that will be manned by dozens of volunteers. At the finish line, booths like the ISU Physical Therapy program will offer services to runners.

“We’re offering post-race massages tomorrow,” said Alex Lacroix, PT student at ISU. “So after you’re done with any length of race, you can come check-in right by the finish line. We’ll try to get that fluid moving so hopefully the lactic acid doesn’t build up and we’ll get the blood flowing again.”

Some runners, like Marijke Johnson, are locals from Pocatello running the marathon in their hometown.

“I’ve been a runner my whole life so I thought it would be a really cool opportunity to run a marathon in my hometown and do something that I love,” Johnson said.

Johnson said she’s been training for about six months and has woken up early all summer to beat the heat on her runs. “I’m excited to have it done and have all my hard work pay off,” she said.

The hill past Century High School brings some nerves for participants, who anxiously call it a “brutal” part of the course. However, the runners walking in to grab their shirts today were all smiles and anticipation for the big day tomorrow.

“I think a marathon sounds intimidating, but I genuinely believe that anyone can do a marathon,” said Johnson. “I think if you put in the work and the time and effort, you can do hard things. You might be slow, but a marathon is a marathon.”

For more information about the various races and a spectator guide, visit pocatellomarathon.com.

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — There was a chill in the air this morning, which means the holidays will be here before we know it.

Two people who are already thinking about the holidays stopped by Local News 8 Live at Noon to tell us why this year’s Festival of Trees will be such a special one.

McKayla Matlack, the CEO of Development Workshop Inc., and Tim Sopalski, the foundation director, arrived in festive attire with a decked-out Christmas tree to remind us that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Trees.

They also announced this year’s theme: Nostalgia.

The theme is an invitation to look back at the last 60 years of the Festival of Trees, from past themes to the family traditions and memories that have made the event special to generations of Idaho Falls families.

Organizers are asking people to share their favorite Festival of Trees memories on social media, including photos of trees they’ve brought home from the event.

And there are plenty of ways to get involved. Volunteers are already needed, with committees working on everything from decorating trees and building crafts to baking goods. If the holiday season gets too busy, organizers say now is a great time to volunteer and help before the holiday rush begins.

There are also sponsorship opportunities for businesses and organizations interested in supporting the event.

To find out more about the Festival of Trees or learn how to volunteer or sponsor the event, visit their Facebook page.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Divers with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office recovered the body of Teng Go on Friday, nearly a week after the Arizona man fell into the Snake River.

Go’s body was found around 10:30 a.m. about 46 feet underwater, just upstream from the Broadway Bridge.

This comes after officials reduced water flow from the Palisades Dam earlier this week to slow downstream currents near the downtown Broadway Bridge, where search operations are concentrated, in an effort to support dive teams.

“Divers and rescue personnel have been searching the area since last Sunday, taking advantage of lower water flow and improved conditions,” stated Sgt. Bryan Lovell in a news release.

Go, who fell into the river Sunday, Aug. 30, is the second visitor to drown along that stretch of the Greenbelt this summer. On June 4, John Green of Louisiana drowned after losing his footing on riverbank rocks while taking photos nearby.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office says search crews remain on the water Friday in an attempt to locate Green’s body.

“Mr. Go’s body was turned over to the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Bonneville County Coroner who will continue their part of the investigation,” Lovell said. “Our thoughts are with the families of Mr. Go and Mr. Green.”

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Seth Ratliff

LINCOLN, Idaho (KIFI) — Authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting after Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from an armed, suicidal man early Friday morning.

Just before 6 am dispatch received a call from a home on Badger Creek Rd. from a man indicating he was armed and intended to kill himself, according to a press release from BCSO.

Deputies arrived on the scene and were in the process of evacuating the home when the man emerged holding a gun. “Shots were fired at that time, and the subject was injured,” states the press release.

Deputies immediately administered life-saving measures until Idaho Falls Ambulance personnel arrived. Despite these efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. No deputies were injured.

The East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force was activated to conduct an independent investigation, with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office acting as the lead agency. The Idaho State Police, the Idaho Falls Police Department, and several regional law enforcement agencies are assisting them.

BCSO says there is no ongoing threat to the public, and the investigation remains active.

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Danielle Mullenix

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – As Labor Day weekend approaches, many families load their cars with mementos to make the most of their last summer adventure. However, this year, many families are rummaging for spare change under their seats just to fill up their gas tanks on the way to enjoy that fleeting taste of summer freedom.

Gas prices in Idaho are expected to reach a historical high this Labor Day weekend, with the average price of a regular gallon around $4.62, according to Idaho AAA. That is eight cents more than a week ago, 32 cents more than a month ago, and a staggering $1.11 more than a year ago. Raising more alarm, Idaho now ranks seventh in the nation for the most expensive gasoline, according to AAA.

GasBuddy is also projecting the national average to reach $4.14 per gallon — the highest price ever recorded for the holiday in nominal terms. The projection is 87 cents higher than last Labor Day, and would surpass the previous Labor Day record of $3.83 set in 2012.

For families already budgeting around food, lodging and other holiday expenses, the added cost at the pump can make a weekend getaway considerably more expensive. AAA Idaho Public Affairs Director Matthew Conde says the higher prices are creating another set of challenges for household finances.

“Some folks are doing serious budget gymnastics to make ends meet,” Conde said. “Hopefully, there are calmer days and lower prices on the way this fall.”

Why the continual rise in gas prices?

The increase comes as global energy markets remain unsettled.

AAA says continued turmoil in the Middle East is contributing to higher crude oil prices, which is putting upward pressure on gasoline prices. The national average is currently $4.08 per gallon—about two cents lower than a week ago and a month ago, but still 90 cents higher than it was one year ago.

GasBuddy has also pointed to geopolitical disruptions affecting the global supply of crude oil and refined fuel. The ongoing conflict involving Iran has threatened traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while attacks on Russian refineries have reduced refining capacity and tightened supplies of gasoline and diesel worldwide.

The West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil was trading near $85 per barrel as of Aug. 31. While that is roughly the same price as a month ago, crude oil prices had fallen to about $75 per barrel in early August. The current price is also about $20 per barrel higher than it was a year ago.

As of Aug. 31, AAA reported the following average prices for a gallon of regular gasoline:

Boise: $4.56

Coeur d’Alene: $4.46

Franklin: $4.38

Idaho Falls: $4.49

Lewiston: $4.50

Pocatello: $4.55

Rexburg: $4.49

Twin Falls: $4.59

Among the cities listed by AAA, Twin Falls had the highest average price at $4.59 per gallon, while Franklin had the lowest at $4.38.

Prices going down anytime soon?

There may be some relief ahead.

GasBuddy expects gasoline prices to begin falling after Labor Day as summer driving demand fades and much of the country transitions to less expensive winter gasoline around mid-September. However, the company also cautions that continued geopolitical instability could delay that seasonal decline.

For Idaho drivers heading out this holiday weekend, AAA recommends checking fuel prices before filling up and shopping around for the best deal.

Local News 8 is also tracking prices at stations throughout eastern Idaho. Visit our Gas Prices page to find the cheapest places to fill up near you before hitting the road.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – After a bond for a new police station failed to pass, Rexburg leaders are looking for other ways to provide the Police Department with the upgrades it needs.

On Wednesday night, city officials met to discuss 3 plans and determine which options would work best.

Option 1:

Wait a few years and try to pass another General Obligation (GO) Bond to build a new police station.

Land owned & paid for on Pioneer Road

New construction project could fix current facility challenges

Not located downtown

No known time frame for completion

Initial Cost Analysis:

Range from $16.5-$18 million

Option 2:

Purchase an existing building in town and renovate it into a police station facility

Would need to locate and purchase where the building would be and renovate

May not address all station needs

No known time frame for completion

Initial Cost Analysis:

Range from $14-$16 million

Option 3:

Build a new city hall office building and renovate the current city hall into a police station facility

Located downtown near public buildings and services

Has the most financial sources available

Allows planning to begin for both new city hall and police renovation

City Hall can have “smaller footprint”

Initial Cost Analysis:

Range from $13-$14.5 million

Officials say they are leaning towards option 3.

“We feel like is a good option and it’s not necessarily a done deal yet,” Rexburg City Mayor, Jerry Merrill said. “It’s really what the city council instructed our city staff to do from here on out is to just kind of vet this option and make sure it really is the best option for us, that is, to take our current city hall and remodel it, make it more secure and turn it into a police station.”

The current city hall building is far larger than the Police Station, which would offer more space for the officers.

“If our police station was still small, we would probably would just go ahead and make those repairs and keep them there,” Mayor Merrill said. “But we’re a growing city, which means our police force is growing. And even now they’re kind of on top of each other over there. And, and they just need more space for things like to do training.”

City officials and members of the Rexburg Police believe this would be a good option to give them the much-needed space.

Currently, they say the Rexburg Police Station is too small for the staff and there are leaks in the basement, where their evidence room is.

“The current City Hall is a very solid building and the offices have been remodeled and done very nicely,” Mayor Merrill explained. “It’s kind of like the current police station would be a one star hotel. This would be a four star hotel. We can’t really afford a five star hotel. But this can be a very nice and very secure police station”

A decision has not yet been reached, as they await City Council’s deliberations.

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Hadley Bodell

LAVA HOT SPRINGS, Idaho (KIFI) – The long-awaited hottest pool at Lava Hot Springs is open following a grand opening ribbon cutting on Thursday afternoon. Lava Hot Springs Executive Director Tyson Koester and Commissioner Jeff Hough cut the ribbon on the new and improved pool, built to serve the community for generations.

Dozens showed up to the hot springs for the grand opening on September 3, admiring not only the new pool, but the state-of-the-art landscaping project adjacent to the pool. The “Sunken Garden” was a surprise to the public, who didn’t know it was part of the construction. Visitors can walk the paths near the hot pools and admire views of the hot springs and waterfall from above.

Koester said while the construction of this project has been visible to visitors for the last 10 months, the idea began in 2023. The original pool was built in the 1970s and with time, suffered major structural problems.

“We wanted to preserve as much nature as we possibly can, and I feel like we did,” Koester said. “This wall got a little bit of criticsm, but it was really needed. There’s a lot of weight that sits above with Highway 30 right here, so it was a danger area. It was really important to the safety and longevity of the project.”

New hot pool at Lava Hot Springs, September 3

Several engineering and building companies came together to make the vision for the newly improved pool a reality. Prior to the construction, the steps to the old pool were crumbling, walls were tipping in, and Koester says the technology wasn’t built for longevity.

The new pool boasts a solid foundations and two helical spheres every two feet, a baseline down to bedrock. There are also loungers and two ramps for wheelchair accessibility along with a set of new stairs.

It didn’t come easily or quickly– the team faced dewatering 2.6 million gallons of water in the area during construction.

“We were shooting for opening Memorial Day,” Koester said. “But early on, we got behind 40 days right out of the gate trying to de-water. We needed more pumps, demolition took longer because we kept hitting old structure. Ultimately, I’m happy with where we ended up.”

The construction at Lava Hot Springs isn’t done yet. Koester said a new project is set to begin fairly immediately now that the hot pool is complete.

“There will be a cold plunge at the west end of the complex, seats about 10 to 12 people,” he explained. “That’s the number one thing we’ve been asked for, but that construction project will have a lot less impact on the facility moving forward.”

View of the new hot pool from the Sunken Garden, September 3

All the hot pools will stay open as normal throughout the building of the cold plunge. Koester said he expects traffic in the hot springs to increase as people arrive to see and enjoy the new pool.

“This pool is a lot of people’s favorite pool, and they’ve missed it,” he said. “I just encourage them to come check it out and enjoy the sacred waters.”

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes arrived early Thursday morning to bless the water in the newest pool at Lava Hot Springs. It is 100 percent natural, with no pumps running and fueled by Mother Nature. Koester said they’re proud to be back harnessing the natural resources of the area and turning it into a tourist destination.

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