Category: kifi-local-news

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Gateway Transitional Care Center has been an essential healthcare facility in Pocatello, serving inpatients in rehab for injuries, surgeries, accidents and illnesses. June 22 marked the opening of a double-facility expansion to offer outpatient therapies and vent/trach care for respiratory patients.

The newly remodeled vent/trach unit is the only of its kind in Southeast Idaho, which CEO Gavin Monteath said was essential post-Covid.

“This project had a lot of different phases, it was a private hospital wing and then an Alzheimer’s and dementia unit,” Monteath said. “We had architectural plans for both, it got shifted to a vent/trach unit where we’re able to take patients with mechanical breathing needs, which has been a big need in the community since Covid hit.”

From Boise to Salt Lake City, Gateway is the only facility with state-of-the-art vent and trach equipment for respiratory care. During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Monteath said they even considered turning the bottom floors of the building into a daycare for nurses’ children. After such a long process to make use of the space, the team at Gateway was excited to open it to the community for tours.

“We’ve had failures, we’ve had successes, and now the entire community is behind us so we can open up this unit,” Monteath said. “It means more than a lot of things to a lot of people.”

The facilities are also located on Memorial Drive adjacent to the Idaho State University Campus, providing internship and learning opportunities to students entering the medical field.

Physical Therapy Outpatient Clinic at Gateway, July 22

“They get a firsthand look at what it’s like to take care of patients that have a high acuity need and high clinical need,” Monteath said. “The experience they get here at Gateway is far beyond anything they’re going to get anywhere else in the community.”

With the opening of their brand new 10,000-square-foot Outpatient Therapy Clinic, Director of Rehab Gina Marsh said they’ll be able to service not only more community members, but more students in various theraputic fields.

“We have ISU students for occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and now with our trach unit we’ll also have respiratory therapy,” Marsh said. “We’re hoping to invite students to come in to get experience with that as well, and we have our nursing and CNA students.”

ISU students make up a portion of the now over 200-person staff, which Monteath said they’ve been working towards for several months. They are happy to announce they’re fully staffed to provide quality care in the new facilities.

Inpatient Stay Room at Gateway, July 22

Previously, Gateway held inpatients for short periods of time while they were in rehab. Now, community members can come to the brand new therapy offices and physical therapy gym area for an appointment and head home afterwards.

“It’ll operate as a full function outpatient clinic,” Marsh explained. “That’s really exciting because we have all the disciplines with occupational, physical and speech therapy all under one roof.”

These two expansions to the facility have been a long time coming for the management at Gateway. Monteath explained to the community who showed up for the grand opening on July 22 that it took a team of architects, engineers, advisors and nurse management staff to make the project come to life. They now have 102 beds total in the facility.

“People are in the worst situations of their lives when they come to us,” Marsh said. “They’re really struggling because they used to be completely independent just like everybody else, and all the sudden they’re needing help with all of their basic cares. To see that journey of them returning to who they want to be and the lives they want to live is really rewarding.”

Monteath said their goal remains to improve the quality of life of their patients, whether long-term at Gateway or for a return home. Esteemed author and quadraplegic Chad Hymas, known for breaking the world record of miles pushed in a wheelchair, attending this morning’s grand opening and emphasized that lives will be changed in these facilities.

Chad Hymas speaking to the community at Gateway ribbon cutting celebration, July 22

“I hold this place just as sacred as a religious center,” Hymas said. “Because people’s lives, that’s where my life was transformed.”

Hymas continued to say he’s toured other facilities for outpatient therapy and vent/trach care, saying Gateway exceeds expectations for equipment and inpatient stay areas.

Monteath said they’ll begin putting patients in the unit after the first of August.

“I want the people of Pocatello to understand that we love and support them just as much as they love and support us,” Monteath said. “They have faith in us to care for their loved ones and that means more to me and my team than anything else they can say or do.”

Gateway Transitional Care Center Staff at July 22 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Maile Sipraseuth

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI)– The 70th Annual Teton County Fair is officially underway, bringing a full week of rides, food, livestock shows and live entertainment to the Jackson community and beyond.

The fairgrounds will feature activities for everyone to enjoy, such as carnival rides, cotton candy, games and exhibits celebrating the area’s agricultural roots.

One controversial yet fan-favorite event is also making a comeback. After a six-year hiatus, pig wrestling has returned to the fair lineup. Pig wrestling is set for Thursday, July 23, at 7 pm. Youth and women are set to participate.

Behind the scenes, organizers spent days preparing the fairgrounds for the annual event. From coordinating vendors and entertainment to setting up exhibits and attractions, they say hosting the fair takes nearly a year of planning and a tremendous community effort.

MaryBeth Hansen, Chair of the Teton County Fair Board, says that getting vendors lined up and set up is one of the hardest things to plan.

“Hardest game of Tetris you ever played in your life,” Hansen said.

Admission to the Teton County Fair is free, though rides, food and vendor purchases require tickets or payment.

Organizers encourage visitors to walk, bike or use public transportation whenever possible, as parking around the fairgrounds is limited.

The fair has plans for a rodeo, showcasing animals and live entertainment. For more information, visit the Teton County Fairgrounds website.

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Curtis Jackson

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — In honor of America’s 250 anniversary, Idaho State Parks and Recreation is offering a special discount at state park campsites and yurts.

Now through August 31, 2026, campers who make reservations online or by phone can get a 25% discount.

To get the discount, use the discount code A250Camping for campsites or Yurt250 for the Idaho City Yurts at checkout. Enter the code at checkout for the discount to apply.

Idaho Parks and Recreation said they hope the discounts will help family and friends make last memories in Idaho’s great outdoors before summer ends.

Reservations can be made at getoutside.idaho.gov or call 888-922-6743.

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Curtis Jackson

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI)—New numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show Idaho workers are earning more in 2025.

The state’s average hourly wage climbed 4.7% in 2025, ranking Idaho third in the country, behind Kentucky and Montana.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for all occupations in Idaho rose to $29.41 per hour. That is an increase of $1.31 compared to 2024.

The state’s median wage, which represents the midpoint between the highest and lowest earners, also rose from $22.34 per hour in 2024 to $23.06 in 2025, a gain of 3.2%.

The Coeur d’Alene area saw the largest increase in average wages, up $1.68 an hour, while the Pocatello area recorded the largest jump in median wages, increasing 95 cents an hour.

“One of the strongest indicators of a healthy economy is when Idahoans see bigger paychecks and greater take-home pay,” Idaho Governor Brad Little commented after the new numbers were released. “Rising wages mean more opportunities for families, more confidence for workers, and more prosperity in communities across our state. Idaho’s continued wage growth reflects the strength of our economy and our commitment to creating an environment where businesses can thrive and workers can earn more,” Governor Little said.

Southwestern Idaho posted the highest average wage in the state at $30.76 an hour, making it the only labor market region to top the $30 mark.

The region also had Idaho’s highest median wage at $23.53 an hour.

The report shows job growth continues across the state as well.

Idaho’s total employment reached 857,440 workers in 2025—an increase of more than 12-thousand jobs, or 1.5%, from the previous year.

As for the occupations employing the most Idahoans, fast-food and counter workers topped the list with more than 25,000 workers statewide.

They were followed by general and operations managers, with nearly 24,900 employees.

You can visit OEWS website for complete employment and wage data on the state.

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Seth Ratliff

SUGAR CITY, Idaho (KIFI) — Drivers using the 7th East at-grade crossing north of Rexburg will soon need to find a new route onto U.S. Highway 20, as crews prepare to permanently shut down the high-risk intersection.

On Wednesday, July 22, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), in partnership with Madison County, announced the permanent closure of the at-grade crossing at US-20 and 7th East, between Exit 338 (Sugar City/Salem) and Exit 339 (Driggs/Jackson).

The closure will take place on Monday, July 27. Local detours can be found by using US-20 Driggs/ Jackson Exit 339 or Sugar City/ Salem Exit 338. 

The decision follows ongoing discussions between ITD and local leaders. Prompted by a history of serious crashes at the crossing, the agencies chose to accelerate the timeline to close the intersection permanently.

Starting Monday, ITD and Madison County crews will begin installing barricades and advanced warning signs along US-20 and 7th East. Throughout the week, crews will cut away and remove the asphalt from the center median on US-20. Concrete barriers will remain in place throughout the fall while crews construct turnarounds on both sides of 7th East.

ITD notes that US-20 through-traffic will not be affected while the work takes place.

“Safety is always our most important priority, and we feel a responsibility to work to prevent tragedy on the road,” ITD Operations Engineer Jeremie Pettingill said. “We’ll also always make sure access is available for people to get where they need to be.”

The 7th East at-grade crossing closure is part of a broader safety overhaul for the corridor. ITD says plans for the eventual closure of other at-grade intersections along US-20 between Sugar City and Ashton are already underway. ITD says existing crossings on US-20 between Rexburg and Ashton will be replaced by interchanges that include on- and off-ramps that are safer for drivers. These will be built only when construction funding is secured in the future.

For more information on traffic impacts across Idaho, click HERE.

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Danielle Mullenix

Expect today to be the wettest period of the week, with scattered and heavy localized rainfall through Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming. Storms today will be capable of producing gusty winds up to 45 mph, with local heavy rain creating possible flash flood warnings.

This Wednesday will be noticeably cooler, with high temperatures only peaking into the upper 80s this late afternoon. Monsoonal moisture is streaming northward into Idaho in the early morning hours, meaning that localized rain spots are expected to start as most residents begin their day. We will see a small lull in rain on the radar for the late morning hours, but a resurgence in the afternoon and evening with stronger activity. The Eastern highlands do have potential risk for flash flood warnings as the rain activity picks up into the evening hours.

Thunderstorm and lightning chances are expected to increase in the afternoon and evening, especially in areas predicted to experience heavy rainfall. A flood watch has been issued for the counties and regions marked in green, as these showers and storms can saturate fire-affected areas prone to flooding. This situation will persist through Wednesday night. Remember, if you cannot see the roadway, moving water can be more forceful than you might think. Turn around; don’t drown.

Warmer weather will return by Thursday morning, with temperatures climbing back up into the low 90s. Dry conditions should also become increasingly apparent, as much of the washing-machine cycle of monsoonal moisture will begin to disappear from our region following Wednesday’s heavy storms.

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Abi Martin

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – One person is dead after a house fire in Pocatello on Tuesday night.

According to the Pocatello Fire Department, crews responded to a structure fire at 1935 S. 5th Avenue shortly after 8 p.m.

Firefighters arrived quickly and were able to contain the fire to a single home. However, an adult was found dead at the scene.

The Pocatello Fire department said additional information will be released after the investigation progresses and the victim’s next of kin have been notified.

The Pocatello Fire Department is also asking the public to avoid the area while investigators continue their work.

As of July 22 at 4 p.m., the Pocatello Fire Department and Pocatello Police Department have no updates on the investigation or the identity of the individual. PPD has taken over the investigation as they have to rule out criminal activity in the case. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Local News 8 will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – As you travel on U.S. Highway 20, you may have noticed a smoother ride on sleek new asphalt. 

Crews have been working on mainline U.S. Highway 20 since May to resurface the roadway for years to come.

“We’re almost done with the main line from Idaho Falls to Rigby,” said Idaho Transportation Department Engineering Apprentice Payton Hubbard. “Then we’ll do a couple fixes, and then we’re going to start working on the off and on ramps.”

45,000 vehicles travel the highway every day in summer between Idaho Falls and Rigby – making it the busiest stretch in the area.

Construction professionals with HK Contractors, engineers, inspectors and material testers have been working nights only – leaving the lanes open in the day to minimize disruption to the high flow of traffic.

But working at night increases the level of complexity for the project. 

“I’d say the biggest difficulty is the traffic that does go through there going at high speeds,” Hubbard said. “Sometimes they don’t follow the traffic control, dropping it down to 60 mph.”

Idaho Transportation Department spokeswoman Sky Buffat says crews have “resurfaced 60 lane miles – 15 miles in each direction, twice over, one lane at a time.”

The resurfaced highway is rated to last for 25 years, provided it is chip sealed in two years, followed by additional treatments every seven years, Buffat explained.

The total cost is approximately $15 million.

The project’s next phase involves resurfacing all the exit ramps from Rigby to Idaho Falls, which is expected to continue for the duration of the summer.

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Jeff Roper

SWAN VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI-TV) – A Swan Valley couple is making history after bringing hundreds of people to the region for a record-breaking event.

The third year of family summer camp for Bryce and Nelli Jurgy, owners of The Park in Swan Valley ended in a big way. 

“We broke a world record. So pretty crazy. The world’s largest hammock hangout.

We also had the most people lying in hammock stands or hammocks at the same time. Pretty wild. So it’s a little surreal. Still, just. This was like a dream that we had talked about. I don’t know when. How long ago?”, Bryce Jurgy explained.

“Bryce has always wanted to do this. Just because we have a campground and it has hammocks”, Nelli Jurgy said.

The Jurgys teamed up with Grand Trunk, a custom hammock maker out of Bountiful, Utah.

“This will go down in history. Yeah. You know, i thought it was going to be an easy world record, but I’m sunburnt. I’m filthy because I’ve been camping all week. It was a little harder than i thought. You are the grand trunk. But we got it. But we got that world record.”, Grand Trunk owner Paul Asis said.

Despite the sun and the wind. We made it happen.

The previous record was 269 continuously swinging hammock dwellers in Germany in 2016.

It’s officially “most people lying in hammocks” and the event in Swan Valley on Saturday registered 350 participants in hammocks, not touching the ground, taking in the Idaho scenery and doing nothing else but winning for 5 minutes. Accounts were recorded on video from multiple angles, multiple counts were made on the ground, witnesses recorded their accounts and everyone signed in and was cornered and roped off and not allowed to leave the “hammock landing area” for well over 90 minutes, while every angle and participant was documented. Participants will receive a certificate from authorized organizers and record keepers in their email. This may take months to approve.

“And so the record until now was 269. So beat that. You beat that with us. I did”, Jurgi added.

And every record breaker was offered a custom hammock to hang out in.

So next time you’re in Swan Valley. Come and hang out.

When you come out here, it’s so beautiful. You’ll you’ll get that. You will. You’ll show up as friends, leave feeling like family and you’ll be closer with your people. It just happens.

Each summer The Park at Swan Valley RV park hosts family summer camp designed for parents to attend camp with their kids and enjoy the 30 acres of space the Jurgis use to entertain. Registration and sign ups happen in the winter and sell out fast.

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Idaho Capital Sun

By Laura Guido

BOISE, Idaho (Idaho Capital Sun) — Idaho state fire officials have spent more than $20 million fighting wildfires so far this year, and conditions are expected to worsen as the fire season continues. 

Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller told the State Board of Land Commissioners on Tuesday that the agency expects to be reimbursed from other fire agencies for about $5.7 million of those costs for suppressing fires, leaving the state with around $15 million to pay so far. 

“Looking ahead, fire conditions are expected to become more challenging as we continue on through (the) fire season,” Miller said.

He said persistent drought has elevated the risk of fires, especially in northern and southern parts of the state. By August, the entire state is expected to see above-normal fire risk, Miller said. 

Idaho’s 2026 wildfire season – so far

Statewide, more than 60,000 acres have burned on state, federal and private land. About 4,000 acres have burned on state endowment land. The majority of the fires are human-caused, Miller said. 

The agency covers costs with fighting fires on the more than 2 million acres of state endowment land, and sometimes shares costs through agreements for fighting fires with other jurisdictions, such as federal agencies or cities. 

The Claremont Fire in the Boise foothills is 6,800 acres and about 85% contained, Miller said. Firefighters from the Boise Fire Department, the federal Wildland Fire Service and Department of Lands have all worked on the fire, Miller said. He told the land board members it is not yet clear how much the state owed on that operation. 

Last month, the state’s wildfire suppression balance hit $0, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. This meant the state has been paying for active firefighting efforts through “deficiency warrants” in a process likened to paying off wildfire costs with a credit card. 

State officials propose forest fire protection surcharge increase to cover ‘preparedness fund’ 

The state agency, in an effort to stabilize its funding for “fire preparedness,” is also proposing an increased surcharge on forest land owners.

While the state’s wildfire suppression fund is used to cover the costs of actively fighting a fire, the state has separate wildfire preparedness funding. These preparedness funds are used to hire and trail personnel, buy equipment, install infrastructure to detect and respond to fires, and fund other prevention activities. 

Some of the money for the fund comes from what are called “Forest Fire Protection” tax assessments. Private and state land owners on forested parcels in Idaho pay additional costs on their property tax bills to cover costs associated with protecting their properties from wildfire. 

The assessment is set at 60 cents per acre, charged at a minimum of 25 acres, with a $40 surcharge if a residential structure is on the parcel. The surcharge was last increased in 2009. 

State Forester Julia Lauch told land board members that agency staff recommends increasing the surcharge to $90 per qualifying parcel. 

“This provides a level of dedicated funding necessary to stabilize the dedicated fund and reduce the program’s dependence on the fluctuations of general fund appropriations and uncertainty of federal preparedness grant availability,” Lauch said. 

The maximum rate is set by Idaho Code, but the agency, with land board approval, sets the actual rate. The Legislature this year passed House Bill 511, which would allow the surcharge to be set up to $100. 

The surcharge is meant to reflect the reality that residential buildings in forested areas and the “wildland-urban interface” often raise costs associated with fighting nearby fires. 

“They typically present the greatest suppression complexity and require additional firefighting resources to respond to incidents, protect lives and property, and suppress the fires,” Lauch said. 

Because stakeholders did not know the proposed new surcharge rate, land board members voted Tuesday to delay a final decision on the new charge until the August meeting. 

“I would like to get more information from you,” Attorney General Raúl Labrador said Tuesday. 

He said he wanted to explore a tiered process, in which parcels with more valuable structures potentially receive a higher surcharge. 

Secretary of State Phil McGrane said he supported the rate increase, but also supported the idea of receiving more information before making a final decision. 

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