Category: kifi-local-news

CNN Newsource

By Kara Scannell, Casey Gannon, CNN

(CNN) — A federal judge said he would not unseal grand jury transcripts and exhibits from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein – rejecting the Justice Department’s request to make them public.

Judge Richard Berman said the Justice Department did not overcome long-standing precedent to keep grand jury materials sealed and noted that the information contained in the sealed materials is small relative to the entire investigation file already in DOJ’s hands.

“The information contained in the Epstein grand jury transcripts pales in comparison to the Epstein investigation information and materials in the hand of the Department of Justice,” the judge wrote.

The Justice Department declined to comment on Berman’s ruling. This is the third federal judge to decline to release Epstein-related transcripts and evidence from a grand jury.

The ruling comes as the Trump administration has faced mounting pressure to release more information around the Epstein files, especially after senior officials promised to do so.

“The Government is a logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein files. By comparison, the instant grand jury motion appears to be a ‘diversion’ from the breath and scope of the Epstein files in the Government’s possession,” Berman wrote Wednesday.

The judge added another compelling reason to keep the records sealed are “possible threats to victims’ safety and privacy.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi released binders to right-wing social media influencers at the White House in February, but many of the influencers shared that the binders did not reveal any new information regarding the Epstein files.

The Justice Department started revoking their promises to release more information in Epstein’s case in May and downplaying the situation. Bondi alerted Trump in May that his name appeared in the files.

On July 7, the DOJ released an unsigned memo saying they would not be releasing any more documents regarding the Epstein files. The lack of transparency in the memo only angered Democrats, the public and even members of Trump’s political base.

Third judge to rule against DOJ

The Justice Department has explored several avenues to have more information released, including by asking two federal judges in New York to unseal grand jury materials in Epstein’s case and Ghislaine Maxwell’s case. Maxwell is Epstein’s long-time partner who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for carrying out a years-long scheme with Epstein to groom and sexually abuse underage girls.

New York federal Judge Paul Engelmayer denied the Justice Department’s request for grand jury materials in Maxwell’s case on August 11 in a scathing opinion, saying that the premise of DOJ’s argument was false and that the request was not a matter of public interest.

The Justice Department also requested the unsealing of grand jury materials from a federal court in Florida, and a judge swiftly denied the request.

Additionally, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted a two-day interview with Maxwell on July 24 and 25 at the US Attorney’s Office in Tallahassee, Florida. The Justice Department is working on transcribing a 10-hour audio tape from the interview.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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CNN Newsource

By Cindy VonQuednow, CNN

(CNN) — As authorities continue their search for Travis Decker, the Washington state man accused of suffocating his three daughters to death, investigators now believe he is the only suspect in the crime based on evidence found at the gruesome scene.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office revealed in a social media post Tuesday that each victim, 5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn and 9-year-old Paityn, was found with multiple plastic bags over their heads. Two of them had two separate bags over their heads, while the third had three bags over her head, the post said.

DNA samples obtained from the bags and cable ties found near their bodies matched the profile for Decker, the sheriff’s office said. No other DNA was found on the bags or the cable ties, authorities added.

“The completion of this DNA analysis provides additional evidence that indicates Travis Decker is the only suspect involved in committing these homicides,” the post read.

The revelation comes nearly three months after the girls were found dead near a campsite in the Cascades, a remote and picturesque region known for backcountry hiking and camping. The siblings had been reported missing by their mother days earlier when Decker failed to bring them home after what was supposed to be a three-hour visit mandated by a custody agreement.

In the weeks since, local, state and federal officials have searched for Decker – an Army veteran skilled in wilderness survival – without knowing whether he is still alive.

“At this time, we do not have any evidence to suggest Travis Decker is either alive or deceased,” the sheriff’s office reiterated Tuesday.

An ongoing manhunt

Decker was charged with murdering the three girls not long after he picked them up from their mother for the custody visit on May 30.

Drones, a swift water team, cadaver dogs and even GoPros have been used as several agencies work to find him.

The search has been complicated by treacherous terrain, and the fact that Decker had a three-day head start.

Decker’s truck was found abandoned in the area of Rock Island Campground on June 2. His daughters’ bodies were nearly 100 yards away down a small embankment, along with zip ties and plastic bags found strewn throughout the area, according to a police affidavit.

Authorities also found a bloody fingerprint on the truck’s tailgate, as well as Decker’s dog.

Decker leaving behind his truck likely means he is on foot, which slows down his mobility, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told CNN last month. He also left equipment behind, meaning he is unprepared unless he stashed supplies out in the woods.

The sheriff hoped more people flocking to the area surrounding where the girls were found for the busy summer season might help in the search.

“It may work in our favor now that we have that many people out there just saturating that part of the county with camping, hiking and other recreating,” Morrison said last month.

The US Marshals Service is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to Decker’s arrest.

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™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

CNN’s Alaa Elassar, Danya Gainor and Andy Rose contributed to this report.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – School may be back in session for many, but that doesn’t mean summer is done.

Madison County students are spending the day on Wednesday with some fun in the sun.

Hundreds are packing in the fun at Porter Park in Rexburg to join the Madison school district as they present “Celebrate Youth.”

This is an annual back-to-school community event to ring in the year of learning.

Those who attended were able to enjoy meals from vendors and got to try an array of fun activities like rock wall climbing, inflatable bounce house, face painting, and more.  

This year, Tuesday, August 19 2025, marks the 21st anniversary of hosting “Celebrate Youth.” The School district is proud that the annual event brings students, families, teachers, and the community together.

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — An Idaho Falls man is dead after a disturbance call escalated into an exchange of gunfire with police late last night. The incident, which began on Tuesday, August 19, involved an armed man who reportedly made suicidal threats and fired a shot at officers.

The Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD) was called to an apartment in the 100 block of Clubhouse Circle around 10 p.m. A caller reported that a man, who was acting “erratically” and armed with a gun, had allegedly pointed the weapon at her and made suicidal statements before leaving the apartment.

As officers searched the area, the man returned and reportedly tried to force his way back into the residence. “The caller reported that the man was pounding on the door, trying to get inside,” according to an Idaho Falls Police statement. Emergency dispatchers advised the woman and children inside to stay in the apartment and shelter in place.

Officers located the man outside and tried to de-escalate the situation by giving him commands to take him into custody. When verbal commands were unsuccessful, a police K-9 was deployed in an attempt to apprehend him, but this was also unsuccessful.

At approximately 10:50 p.m., the man reportedly brandished his gun, yelled threats, and fired a shot at the officers. In response, two officers “returned fire with their service weapons, striking the suspect,” according to the IFPD statement.

Emergency medical services immediately provided aid and transported the man to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The East Idaho Critical Incident Taskforce (EICIT) is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting, with the Rexburg Police Department acting as the lead agency. The two officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure, according to IFPD. The investigation’s findings will be reviewed by the Prosecutor’s Office to determine if the use of force was justified.

“The names of the officers and the suspect will not be released to allow the investigative task force time to conduct necessary interviews and to ensure next of kin notifications have been made,” states IFPD.

This incident represents one of two police involved shootings that took place overnight, August 19. Related: Attempted theft in Shelley ends with suspect’s death, homeowner injured

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News Team

SHELLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — The name of the robbery suspect killed in an officer-involved shooting was released Wednesday night.

The Bingham County Coroner Jimmy Roberts said the man’s name is Talon Session, 35, of Thayne, Wyoming.

The late-night shooting in Bingham County on Tuesday left a homeowner injured and the suspect dead after an attempted theft.

Around 11 p.m., the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office received a report of shots fired at a home east of Shelley near 1100 E. and 1300 N. According to the sheriff’s office, the homeowner confronted a man attempting to steal a four-wheeler. During the encounter, shots were fired, injuring both the homeowner and the suspect, who then ran off.

Emergency responders transported the homeowner to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment of a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Responding deputies from the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by officers from Shelley and Blackfoot Police Departments, Idaho State Police, and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, established a perimeter and began searching for the suspect, who they believed to be wounded and armed.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies from both Bingham and Bonneville counties located the suspect in a field near the residence. “Shots were fired by Deputies from both agencies,” the sheriff’s office reported. Deputies immediately began life-saving measures, but the suspect died at the scene.

Bingham County Sheriff Jeff Gardner has requested the East Idaho Critical Incident Team to investigate the incident, with the Pocatello Police Department as the lead agency. The investigation is ongoing, and no further details are available at this time.

This incident represents one of two police involved shootings that took place overnight, August 19. Related: Police shooting in Idaho Falls after armed man reportedly fires at officers

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Wackerli Subaru in Idaho Falls is continuing its partnership with Adopt a Classroom for the fifth year. This year, they have adopted 20 classrooms at Dora Erickson Elementary School as a part of the national Subaru loves learning initiative.

“Subaru and AdoptAClassroom.org have been doing this for a number of years. Now we’re looking at somewhere around 950,000 students that have been served. We’ve done this here for the last three years and have really enjoyed working with this school,” said Wackerli Subaru Love Promise Coordinator Chad Mahoney.

Teachers received boxes full of school supplies along with five hundred dollars to spend for their classroom. 

“It really helps because it’s hard for parents to get those extra things sometimes for basic things like Kleenex. Sometimes it’s so it’s nice to have that little extra to be able to help and not have to spend our own money like we would usually do,” said 5th grade teacher Michelle Kurn.

For more information, visit Adoptaclassroom.org.

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News Team

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Montana (KIFI) — The West Fork Fire, located northwest of West Yellowstone and Hebgen Lake, has grown to nearly 300 acres since it started on Tuesday, August 19. While it is not currently threatening Big Sky, crews with the Custer Gallatin National Forest are asking the public for cooperation as fire crews work to contain the blaze.

Courtesy: Custer Gallatin National Forest

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Gallatin County, which remains in effect until 10 p.m. tonight. The warning, indicating high fire danger, comes as multiple resources have been deployed to assist with fire containment efforts.

Officials are urging the public to cooperate with fire crews to ensure their safety and the success of firefighting operations. Residents and visitors are asked to refrain from flying drones in the area, as “this will cause all firefighting aircraft to be grounded immediately.” The public is also advised to stay away from aviation working at Hebgen Lake.

While no evacuations have been ordered, Custer Gallatin National Forest is expected to issue closures for trails and roads within the fire area later today. Due to the ongoing fire and the Red Flag Warning, the public is advised to stay away from the Taylor Fork and Beaver Creek areas until further notice.

For alerts on the latest updates on closures and the fire’s impact, click HERE.

ORIGINAL:

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Montana (KIFI) — Fire crews in Montana are responding to an active vegetation fire northwest of West Yellowstone and Hebgen Lake. The fire has been dubbed the West Fork Fire and has grown to around 50 acres, according to Watch Duty.

Video sent in by Stephen Wilkinson shows a large column of smoke that is reportedly visible from the West Yellowstone Airport. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

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Maile Sipraseuth

 JEFFERSON COUNTY — With school starting back up in just a few days, many parents are taking the kids out of the house and into the water for one last splash before they dive into their studies.

With temperatures reaching 97 degrees, dozens of families gathered at the Jefferson County lake in Rigby and made sure to get every last drop out of summer.

“It is the hottest day this week. We’ve got school starting next week, so we’re just trying to squeeze in every little bit of summer that we can. It’s not windy here today, which is pretty rare. This is one of our favorite spots to come to in the summertime,” BreAnn Melicharek, a lake visitor said.

The Jefferson County Lake closes mid-October, so it’s not too late to enjoy the rest of the season. 

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho farmers, irrigators, city, and state leaders gathered this morning at the Rexburg Romance Theater to discuss water storage options in eastern Idaho. In light of the curtailment order last year, Idaho suffered a loss in its water supply.

Groups from different organizations involved in water management are looking for opportunities to keep Idaho’s water in our system.

The meeting discussed ideas on aquifer recharge and additional surface storage, including a mention of rebuilding the Teton Dam. It is being looked at as a possible storage option, but it falls under a long list of other alternative ideas discussed in the meeting. 

“(We’re) trying to look at all the different options for additional storage. There’s there’s options up and down the river,” Aaron Dalling, Executive Director of Fremont- Madison Irrigation District. “There are options to raise existing dams like Jackson Lake or Minnetonka. And some of those options might be a little bit easier to get done.”

If you’re interested in learning more about Idaho’s water resources, click HERE for more information on today’s seminar.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – One of the men charged in the February 2024 shooting at Compass Academy in Idaho Falls has been sentenced for voluntary manslaughter.

Gabriel Perkins, 20, was sentenced on Tuesday to prison for 17 years fixed with 23 years indeterminate for a total sentence of 40 years.

Perkins pleaded guilty in April under a plea agreement with prosecutors to voluntary manslaughter in the death of Alex Barber and aggravated battery for shooting an Idaho Falls man at the Compass Academy parking lot.

Several other suspects were involved in the fight that night, including Taylor Aughenbaugh.

Aughenbaugh faces two counts of aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and one count of destroying or concealing evidence.  A jury trial is scheduled to begin for him on October 6, 2025.

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