Category: kifi-local-news

News Release

The following is a press release from Idaho State University:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – An evolving partnership between Idaho State University (ISU) and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is helping secure the nation’s supply of critical materials used to make a wide range of important technologies, including nuclear fuels.  

INL and Department of Energy officials, joined by ISU President Robert Wagner, dedicated the Critical Materials and Energy Systems Innovation Center during an Aug. 26 ceremony in Idaho Falls. 

Formerly known as the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES), the Innovation Center supports expanded cooperation between Idaho’s university students, faculty members and INL researchers to accelerate innovations in critical and strategic materials and minerals. Building on more than a decade of successful partnership under the CAES model, both institutions are leveraging their combined expertise to deliver impactful research and development outcomes.

“ISU and INL have a long history of successful partnerships and collaborations,” said ISU President Robert Wagner. “Establishing a critical and strategic materials center positions Idaho as a national leader in critical materials research, driving innovation and economic opportunity across the region while building America’s energy future and safeguarding national security. We continue to seek ways to enhance opportunities for ISU faculty and students to work directly with INL in finding innovative solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing challenges.”

Specifically, the Innovation Center will help INL researchers develop recovery, extraction and advanced separation technologies to safely and economically process critical materials. These capabilities — found in few facilities across the United States — allow researchers to process materials like natural uranium, thorium, cobalt and lithium, supporting domestic production of advanced nuclear reactors, grid-scale energy storage and defense technologies.

“Idaho is positioned to lead in securing the resources that power everything from renewable energy systems to defense technologies,” said INL Director John Wagner. “By combining our laboratory’s unique capabilities with ISU’s academic excellence, we’re creating a center of excellence for developing resilient, domestic supply chains for critical and strategic materials, including those needed for advanced nuclear fuels.”

In partnership with ISU and the University of Idaho, the Center will also help prepare Idaho’s future workforce for careers in advanced energy systems, materials science, advanced manufacturing and national security. By offering hands-on research opportunities and direct industry collaboration, the facility will help students gain in-demand skills while fueling economic growth across Idaho. 

“As the demand for critical materials grows, INL and Idaho universities will work side by side to develop real-world solutions to strengthen America’s supply chain,” John Wagner said. “Together, we’re not just solving today’s challenges — we’re building the foundation for a resilient energy future powered by American innovation.”

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho State Police:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation is once again stepping up to support local law enforcement. Their latest contribution to the Idaho State Police (ISP) District 6 will allow troopers to receive specialized training at Soma Jiu-Jitsu in Idaho Falls, advancing officer safety, health, and wellness.

Through the Foundation’s sponsorship, four troopers will train weekly at Soma Jiu Jitsu, in addition to the defensive tactics instruction provided by ISP. This opportunity enhances the skills troopers use in high-risk encounters, focusing on control and restraint techniques that reduce the need for strikes while improving officer safety and public perception.

“Every day, troopers face unpredictable and sometimes dangerous encounters,” said ISP District 6 Captain Chris Weadick. “This training builds confidence and equips our troopers with proven techniques to safely resolve situations while protecting themselves and the communities they serve. We are grateful to the Foundation and the donors who make this possible.”

Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has become a leading best practice in law enforcement across the nation. The program emphasizes control and restraint, providing officers with tools to resolve confrontations with reduced risk to themselves and the public.

“This is more than just defensive tactics,” Captain Weadick added. “It’s an investment in officer fitness, wellness, and the trust we build with the community. The Foundation’s support helps us raise the standard of training and continue serving Idaho with professionalism and confidence.”

The Foundation is a nonprofit organization funded by community donors and grant opportunities. Its mission is to strengthen law enforcement agencies by providing resources that might otherwise be unavailable. They also partner with the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, ensuring officers across agencies have access to lifesaving equipment and training.

The Foundation has supported ISP District 6 with several recent donations, including:

A wrestling mat used for annual training.

A radar unit for a patrol vehicle.

Cold-weather search gloves for all D6 troopers.

Cooling vests for all D6 troopers.

Sponsorship of weekly training at Soma Jiu-Jitsu.

For more information on the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation, visit ifpolicefoundation.org.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Bannock County commissioners held a public hearing attended by dozens of residents and area organization leaders who shared overwhelming opposition to the county’s controversial fiscal year 2026 proposed budget on Tuesday.

Complaints against the budget were mostly leveled at the proposed cuts to county-funded non-profit organizations like the Veterans’ Memorial Building (which stands to lose around $43,000 under the draft budget) and Aid for Friends (which would be completely defunded in the upcoming fiscal year, losing $30,000 in county funds).

“Cutting aid for friends, the less advantage of all of us, they need some assistance–– and I know the national environment is not to do that, but I would hope that Bannock County would be above that,” said Rich Smith, a Bannock County resident of over 60 years, to commissioners at the Tuesday hearing. “Cutting the veterans facility, the Veterans Building, and publicly abusing them is not leadership. That is bullying, and it’s not okay.”

Other complaints were aimed at the substantial 14% raises proposed for Bannock County Commissioners in the next fiscal year, which would raise commissioner salaries from around $83,000 to $95,000 annually.

“You’re cutting my veterans, you’re cutting Aid for Friends, all that to give yourselves a raise,” said Hon. David Archuleta, retired Associate Tribal Judge for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, to the commissioners. “…Getting into public office is not about getting rich; you guys are servants. No one gets a 14% raise. What world do you live in that you give yourselves a 14% raise?”

The Bannock County Board of Commissioners will discuss the feedback and the proposed budget moving forward at their regular meeting on Thursday, August 28, at 9 a.m.

To view a copy of Bannock County’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, visit the Bannock County website.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO (KIFI)– A new set of lungs has given Audra Burgener a second chance at life. The 59-year-old Idaho Falls woman received a double lung transplant at the University of Utah Medical Center last Tuesday after her health was ravaged by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For her and her partner, Chad Williams, who has been with her for 45 years, the journey from diagnosis to the operating table has been a grueling one, but a successful donor match earlier this year provided a ray of hope.

Burgener’s journey began in 2018, when she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension. Then, she got COVID twice. In 2020, she was diagnosed with COPD. Her breathing continuously got worse over the course of four years since her COPD diagnosis. Ultimately, she was placed on the lung transplant list in early July.

She received a donor match on July 30th. Burgener received the transplant at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, which is the closest lung transplant organization to Idaho Falls.

Her partner, Chad Williams, described the team of doctors at the Medical Center as “miracle workers”.

Burgener is now recovering at the University Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit, but the fight is not over.

“She’ll be released in two to six weeks, and then we’re going to have to be available through the week to just keep monitoring and making sure that the body is doing what it should be doing. And that will last a minimum of two more months, and can drag out to possibly six months. So total time spent here in Utah could go up to six months,” Williams said.

As a Certified Nursing Assistant, Burgener has devoted her life to taking care of the elderly. She enjoys the outdoors, especially gardening.

“She’s one of the most sweetest and caring humans I’ve ever known,” Williams said.

The family is raising money to pay for hospital expenses, as well as the costs of travelling to the hospital in Utah. To donate, click HERE.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office:

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced that Daniel Dekruyf, 58, was convicted of four counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material (Child Pornography). Dekruyf was sentenced on August 8, 2025, by District Judge William Hancock. “This sentence removes another predator from our communities and sends a clear message that we will not waver in prosecuting those who exploit children,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Since rebuilding our ICAC Unit, we have eliminated the backlog of more than 1,300 tips and now respond within 24 hours. Idaho parents deserve to know we are working every day to protect their children online.” In February 2024, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received a CyberTip that an account, later identified as belonging to Dekruyf, had uploaded approximately four files identified as containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Officers executed a search warrant for Dekruyf’s property and residence on August 15, 2024. Multiple electronic devices belonging to Dekruyf were seized. During subsequent examinations, forensic examiner Gregg Lockwood from the Office of the Attorney General located over 20,000 files and artifacts containing CSAM across multiple devices. At sentencing, the State highlighted the quantity of CSAM on Dekruyf’s devices and the surrounding evidence that indicates that this was not a new occurrence despite Dekruyf’s lack of prior criminal history. Judge Hancock sentenced Dekruyf to a total of 18 years in prison with four years fixed and 14 years indeterminate. Dekruyf will be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.  The investigation was led by Investigator Sam Kuoha, an affiliate of the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit and a detective with the Rupert Police Department. Investigator Kuoha and the ICAC Unit were assisted by various agencies, including the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, the Rupert Police Department, the Idaho Falls Police Department, the Jerome Police Department, and the Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General James Haws.

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News Team

SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyoming (KIFI) — The Dollar Lake Fire in Sublette County, Wyoming, has now burned 13,449 acres in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The fire, which began last Thursday, August 21, remains at 0% containment.

Fire officials will provide a public update on Tuesday, August 26, at 6:00 PM at the Sublette County Public Library, located at 155 S. Tyler Ave. in Pinedale. Watch live HERE.

According to the Forest Service, firefighters completed on Monday constructing a dozer line and conducting burn-out operations to protect the Red Cliff Bible Camp. Crews also accomplished several other objectives, including cleaning up hot spots in both the interior of the fire and along the fire line, preparing structure protection around the lodge, and beginning to tie control lines into anchor points, according to a release.

Tuesday, fire crews are reportedly looking to take advantage of forecasted favorable weather to continue cleaning up problem areas and building more containment and contingency lines with the help of air support.

Evacuation Updates

A mandatory “GO” evacuation order is in effect for a five-mile radius around Dollar Lake and for the Red Cliff Bible Camp.

Residents in the following areas are currently at a “SET” status, indicating they should be prepared to evacuate:

Moose Gypsum Road

Hill Road

Valley View Trail

Hecox Road

Pine Drive

Rock Creek Road

Brookie Lane

White Point Road

Rainbow Drive

Trout Drive

Cutthroat Drive

River Road

Cattle Drive Lane

Terrace Drive

Half-way Drive

Galley Lane

All residents living along US Hwy 352 South to Richard Lane.

Residents in the Kendall Valley area are currently at a READY evacuation status, meaning they should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. For additional evacuation information, click HERE.

The Bridger-Teton National Forest has issued a closure order for the area around the fire, including the Green River Lakes Road. The closure is to ensure public and firefighter safety. Additionally, Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect across the entire forest.

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Seth Ratliff

SMOOT, WY (KIFI) – Fire crews made significant progress yesterday on the eastern flank of the Willow Creek Fire, burning southwest of the town of Smoot, Wyoming. This morning, the U.S. Forest Service-Bridger-Teton National Forest confirmed that the fire is now 12% contained.

Containment Efforts

Containment efforts are reportedly concentrated on the eastern side of the fire, where “structure protection and defense operations were highly effective,” according to a statement from the U.S. Forest Service. Crews are now focused on protecting structures and resources along and near the fire’s perimeter. Fire engines have been strategically placed along Highway 89, near the Idaho-Wyoming border, to respond quickly to any flare-ups or fire spread in the area.

In addition to the ongoing structure protection, crews have completed work on a “dozer line in the Smoot area, strengthening the containment perimeter,” the Bridger-Teton National Forest stated in a release. Fire officials currently anticipate the fire will be fully contained by September 5th.

Evacuations

Following an aerial assessment by the incident management team, Lincoln County Emergency Management has lowered the evacuation zone from milepost 75 south to Salt Pass, in the Gomm’s Pond Lane area, to “SET” status. This indicates that residents in this area should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

Similarly, residents west of Highway 89 from Reeves-Schwab Lane South to Gomms Pond are also in “SET” status. To sign up for evacuation updates, click HERE.

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Stephanie Lucas

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — United States Speaker of the House Mike Johnson paid a visit to the Melaleuca distribution warehouse in Idaho Falls today. Accompanied by company founder Frank Vandersloot, Speaker Johnson’s visit is part of a broader nationwide tour of businesses that have scaled from small startups into major corporations.

“Things that started as small businesses and became large operations like this one are a tremendous testament to the spirit of America and so many happy employees here. I met a few on the way in this morning, and have been with this company for – one lady said 34 years. They take good care of their employees, and they take good care of America,” said Johnson.

“We are thrilled that the administration and Congress are deeply interested in American businesses,” Vandersloot said in a statement to Local News 8. “We are extremely honored that Speaker Johnson considers Melaleuca an important home-grown American story.”

During the tour, Speaker Johnson spoke with employees and leadership, focusing on how the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill can benefit business owners.

“There are tax incentives for businesses, for people who are investing in their facilities and growing their manufacturing facilities, adding more jobs, adding more employees,” Johnson told reporters. “So many benefits in that pro-growth economy, so many benefits in the policies we put in the legislation are going to help companies like Melaleuca grow even more, and it will allow wages to rise all across the country and more opportunities for more people.”

Speaker Johnson also acknowledged the challenges Idaho farmers face when Local News 8 asked him how Congress might strike a balance between stronger deportation policies and the need for foreign workers. 

“It’s a very important question,” said Johnson. “I come from a big ag district down in Louisiana myself. I’ve got one of the biggest ag districts in the country, and we have a lot of cattle as well, and lots of crops. ‘Balance’ is the right word.”

Speaker Johnson also had good news for the Idaho National Lab. He said he is very “bullish on nuclear energy” and Congress is all in.”

You can view our entire interview with Speaker Johnson above.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will continue to update this article throughout the day.

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News Team

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — An unidentified individual was rescued by Blackfoot Fire Department crews on Saturday, August 23, after being found overcome by heat exhaustion near a brush fire.

Around 12:30 PM, crews were dispatched to the 1000 W area after reports of smoke and flames. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a rapidly spreading brush fire that was threatening nearby trees, a stubble field, and a home.

As crews began to attack the blaze and call for additional resources, they found a person lying facedown in the brush, clearly “overcome by heat exhaustion, bordering on heat stroke.” Firefighters quickly redirected their hoselines to protect the individual and called an ambulance to the scene.

The ambulance crew was able to assist the person to their home, where they were assessed and able to cool off. Meanwhile, firefighters successfully contained the fire, preventing any further loss of property.

The Blackfoot Fire Department released a statement on Facebook expressing gratitude that the incident was mitigated successfully and that the individual is recovering well. They also issued a public reminder about the dangers of heat, urging residents to stay hydrated and take breaks when working outdoors.

“Pay attention to warning signs of heat exhaustion in yourselves and others,” states the post. “These signs include excessive sweating without replenishing fluids, dizziness and spotty vision, and in extreme cases, altered mental status and dry, flushed skin. If any of these symptoms occur, seek shade immediately and rehydrate while actively cooling!”

Blackfoot Fire officials also remind residents that a countywide burn ban is still in effect until September 28. No open burning is permitted during this time, with the exception of ringed campfires.

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News Team

UPDATE:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A two-vehicle crash involving a pickup truck, a camper, and an SUV blocked southbound traffic on Interstate 15 for around two hours yesterday, August 25.

According to the Idaho State Police (ISP), the accident occurred at around 3:58 PM. A black 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe pulling a camper trailer, driven by a 73-year-old woman from Washington, Utah, was traveling south on the interstate when it fishtailed. The Tahoe then struck a blue 2016 Subaru Forester, driven by a 74-year-old woman from Dietrich, Idaho.

The impact caused the camper trailer to roll, coming to a rest and blocking both southbound lanes of I-15.

Emergency crews responded to the scene, and traffic was rerouted for several hours while they assisted the drivers and cleared the wreckage. ISP has not released the names of the individuals involved or any details regarding potential injuries.

ORIGINAL:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department is reporting a crash on I-15 Southbound near Blackfoot. The details of the crash are still coming in, but Idaho 511 is reporting that all lanes of travel are blocked.

Travelers are being told to “prepare to stop and expect delays.” No details on the cause of the crash or any potential injuries have been released at this time.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide more updates as details become available.

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