Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — A firestorm of controversy is erupting in the “Cowboy State” after a Teton County Republican leader was caught distributing campaign checks directly on the Wyoming House floor. The incident has sparked a criminal investigation and a rare moment of bipartisan condemnation in the state legislature.

The controversy began on February 9, on the first day of session in the 2026 Wyoming Legislature. Following the day’s legislative session, Rebecca Bextel, a conservative activist and state committee woman for the Teton County GOP, was spotted handing checks to three lawmakers.

Rep. Karlee Provenza (D-Laramie) captured the incident on camera, later describing it to the Cowboy State Daily as a “terrible misuse” of the chamber and “dishonorable.”

“Nothing to Hide”

Bextel has remained defiant, taking to Facebook to clarify her actions. She maintains that the checks were written two weeks prior and were not distributed while the House or Senate were actively in session.

“There’s nothing wrong with delivering lawful campaign checks from Teton County donors when I am in Cheyenne,” Bextel wrote.

Timing and “Optics”

The controversy has drawn significant attention and speculation to recent legislative action. On February 11, the three Republican Representatives who were documented as receiving the checks, Joe Webb (Lyman), Darin McCann (Rock Springs), and Marlene Brady (Green River), all voted to introduce House Bill 141.

The bill, which Bextel has publicly championed, would bar communities like Jackson from implementing policies or imposing “a monetary fee, nonmonetary condition or other concession” in order to offset or incentivize the development of new affordable housing, or to prevent the loss of existing affordable units.

During the bill’s introduction, Rep. Mike Yin (D-Jackson) warned colleagues to vote “no” based on the undesirable “optics” of the situation.

While Yin clarified he wasn’t making a direct accusation of bribery, Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (R-Cody) fired back, calling his comments “defamatory” and an “allegation of quid pro quo.”

In response, Bextel quickly took to social media, calling Rep. Yin a “sore loser.”

“In an attempt to stop the unconstitutional mitigation fees bill from passing, he essentially tried to accuse me of bribery from the House floor,” wrote Bextel.

As of February 18th, HB141 has been placed on House General File, indicating it is awaiting further action by the entire membership of the House.

Formal Investigations and Legal Stakes

The fallout of the Checkgate controversy has been swift. On February 12, all 59 present House representatives unanimously voted to convene a special seven-member committee to investigate the incident.

Under Wyoming’s “Misuse of Office” statute (Section 9-13-105b), officials are strictly prohibited from using public facilities, equipment, or “time” for political or campaign activities. If the distribution of checks on the House floor is found to violate this rule, it is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and potential removal from office.

By February 13th, all 31 Wyoming State Senators had formally condemned Bextel’s actions.

Even Bextel’s own party has distanced itself. Kat Rueckert, Teton County GOP Chair, stated the party had “no prior knowledge” of the checks. “Bextel acted on her own accord,” Rueckert said.

The legislative probe is currently on hold, however, as the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office has launched a criminal investigation into possible bribery.

Under Wyoming’s bribery statutes (Section 6-5-102), if investigators find that any lawmaker accepted a “pecuniary benefit” upon the understanding that their vote or legislative discretion would be influenced—specifically regarding HB 141—they could face a felony conviction. This carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

In a recent update, Bextel welcomed the scrutiny, expressing hope that the hearings will lead to “clear rules for various types of engagements with representatives and activities on the floor.”

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KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 18 FEB 26 14:13 ET

By Leslie Solis

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    CALDWELL, Idaho (KIVI) — Teen dating violence is not just a statistic; it is happening in Canyon County, and local advocates say the numbers are rising.

At Advocates Against Family Violence, Outreach Coordinator Tiffany Ruiz says the scope of the problem is alarming.

“We served last year, 250 teens that were survivors of sexual assault, and that is an extremely high number,” Ruiz said.

February is recognized as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, but Ruiz said the nonprofit’s work extends far beyond a single month.

She has worked at the agency for 20 years, with the last 15 years focused on teens in various capacities, including supporting survivors navigating court cases and at-risk youth in need of case management.

Ruiz said teen dating violence is often minimized by adults, allowing unhealthy behaviors to become normalized across generations.

“Their parent experienced it, their grandparent experienced it, and so they aren’t noticing those red flag behaviors,” she said. “They’re seeing it as normal behavior or expected behavior.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, one in twelve high school students will experience physical abuse before eighteen, and one in ten will experience sexual abuse.

In Canyon County alone, Ruiz said the nonprofit served 9,047 youth last year through school presentations, juvenile detention programs and other outreach efforts.

“Specifically, through our program last year, we served 9,047 youth,” she said.

The number of teens needing direct services is already trending upward this year.

“We have already served just in January alone, 105 youth, and we’ve provided 276 youth services,” Ruiz said. “And we’ve served 24 that are survivors of sexual assault.”

Ruiz said the increase reflects a continuing trend.

“If we keep heading this way, we will surpass the number that we saw last year,” Ruiz said.

Abuse does not always present as physical harm. Ruiz said technology is increasingly being used as a tool of control.

“We have a lot of teens that don’t identify repetitive text messaging or always needing to have your location on and checking your location by a significant other is not a normal, healthy behavior,” she said.

Beyond prevention education, the organization also responds when assaults are reported. Advocates Against Family Violence is part of the local Sexual Assault Response Team and works alongside law enforcement agencies in Canyon County.

When an assault is reported, advocates are called to the hospital to meet survivors — teens and adults — often within hours. Ruiz said their role begins at that moment and continues as long as the survivor wants support.

The nonprofit recently launched what it calls Roar Again Kits, comfort bags given to survivors at the hospital through grant funding.

The kits include new clothing in various sizes, including undergarments, sweats, sweatshirts, slippers and shoes. Because clothing worn during an assault is typically collected as evidence, survivors are often left with hospital scrubs. The kits allow them to leave in regular clothing.

Each bag also contains a blanket, sensory items to ease anxiety, a handwritten note and a small stuffed lion named Roarie. Separate kits are prepared for youth and adults.

“It’s kind of being looked at as teen drama or not that big of a deal because they are just teens, but the reality is, is that if that’s the way that we’re responding to it, they’re then going to think it’s not a big deal and think that it’s normal, and it’s not,” she said.

She said one of the most important steps adults can take is to listen when teens speak up.

“When I talked, they didn’t listen, so maybe they’ll listen to how I act,” Ruiz recalled teens telling her.

Advocates Against Family Violence will continue year-round outreach in Canyon County schools and community programs to reduce the number of teens who experience dating violence.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. ­­­KIVI verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Ariel Jensen

UPDATED: 4:15 PM

SOUTHEAST, Idaho (KIFI) — As severe winter weather grips Southeast Idaho, both the Idaho State Police and local authorities have been busy responding to several slide-offs and crashes throughout the area.

In a recent Facebook post, ISP released images of several minor crashes that took place along I-15 and US-20 early Wednesday morning.

Courtesy ISP via Facebook

In Rexburg, nearly 4 1/2 inches of snow and winter weather led to multiple crashes, one of which snarled traffic at the intersection of Main St & 2nd W in the morning.

Courtesy: Rexburg Police.

Drivers are being urged to slow down and be cautious on the slick roads as another round of snow is on the way.

ORIGINAL:

SOUTHEAST IDAHO (KIFI) — As severe winter weather grips Southeast Idaho, Idaho State Police troopers have been busy responding to several slide-offs and crashes along I-15 and US-20.

In a recent Facebook post, ISP released images of several minor crashes that took place early Wednesday morning. To keep motorists safe, ISP is urging drivers to stay put if they lose control.

“If you slide off the highway and your vehicle is in a safe location, please remain inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened while waiting for emergency personnel,” ISP advised in a recent Facebook post. “Exiting your vehicle along the highway can be extremely dangerous.”

To keep track of all road closures and crash delays, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Following the arrest of their alleged attacker, authorities have identified the victims of a violent Sunday night stabbing. The victims have been identified as Rajah Keller, 32, and Starla Keller, 49, both of Pocatello.

Incident Background

The attack took place just after 10:00 PM on Sunday, February 15, 2026, in a home on the 700 block of South Arthur Avenue.

As officers with the Pocatello Police Department rushed to the scene, they arrived to find Rajah Keller suffering from multiple stab wounds. First responders immediately provided emergency medical aid before she was transported by the Pocatello Fire Department to Portneuf Medical Center. Due to the critical nature of her injuries, she was later airlifted to the University of Utah Hospital for specialized care.

Inside the home, police found Starla Keller, who had sustained a large cut on the side of her face. Starla told the officers that she seen an unknown person, initially believed to be a man, with Rajah. As Starla entered the room, the assailant stabbed her in the face before fleeing south on Arthur Avenue after Starla threatened to call the police.

Starla was taken to the Portneuf Medical Center by ambulance for her injuries and later released.

Based on initial descriptions, police originally searched for a male suspect. However, as the investigation progressed, detectives obtained security footage and photos showing Rajah Keller with an individual later identified as Marita Gonzales, 32.

After obtaining a search and arrest warrant, investigators reportedly recovered several pieces of undisclosed evidence at Gonzales’ home linking her to the attack.

Marita Gonzales was taken into custody on Tuesday evening, February 17, 2026, and booked into the Bannock County Jail on one charge of attempted murder and one count of aggravated battery.

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Phillip Willis

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — In this week’s “Beyond the Books”, we take a closer look at state budget cuts to higher education.

Lawmakers in the joint finance-appropriations committee approved ten “maintenance” budget bills last week, totaling more than $5.5 billion dollars. These bills essentially roll this years funding into next year, but with a twist: most state agencies are facing new cuts.

Universities like Idaho State University are facing additional reductions on top of previous cuts, while K-12 schools have largely been spared. Critics are warning these across-the-board cuts could create long-term issues, even if they save money in the short term.

“It became apparent that we were looking at an 8.3 million dollar budget reduction that we needed to make by July first of 2026, and we had less than 9 months to figure that out.” said ISU President Robert Wagner. “It’s brought a lot of concern, emotions sometimes anger, I appreciate that, I understand that, and so for me, first and foremost, it’s about the ability to be empathetic and to understand.”

The $8.3 million may not be the final number. JFAC working groups are reviewing the budgets behind the scenes, and follow-up “enhancement” bills could increase – or decrease – agency funding.

Amid this uncertainty, higher education programs are already feeling the squeeze. A medical residency in Pocatello, for example, could be at risk from even small cuts. The next few weeks will be key for lawmakers and university leaders.

Some bills being considered include one that would cause the State Board of Education to conduct most searches and interviews for presidential candidates of higher education institutions behind closed doors, and only release one finalists name. The new law would be aimed at protecting current jobs, but it’s a major change from the current five-finalist process.

Another bill, lawmakers are also considering setting a statewide school start date. It would be the Tuesday after Labor Day. The House Education Committee introduced the bill on Monday. It will likely see some debate if it reaches a public hearing. It would give families more predictability, but rural areas with harvest breaks could give some push back. It’s also raising questions about honoring local control of school boards, as of right now, districts choose their own schedules.

You can visit idahoednews.org for further updates on education legislation.

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David Pace

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Pocatello is launching a new tool to help first responders support individuals with special needs during an emergency call.

The ‘Know Me File’ is a program that gives police, fire, and paramedics quick access to important information about the individual they are helping.

Pocatello Mayor Mark Dahlquist said the goal of the program is to provide critical information during high-stress moments of emergency response.

“We’ve just rolled out a great new program called the ‘Know Me File,’ Dahlquist said. “The Know Me File is just a tool that we have out there for emergency response calls. …There’s an interface with the registration page that the public can do. It will allow a police officer showing up on the scene if there is an emergency (to respond to the needs of the individual).”

Officials say it will help make sure first responders have the details they need on the ground.

Participants can share things like preferred communication methods, sensory sensitivities, medical needs, or conditions. 

They can also add emergency contacts or a photograph.

“It’s a really great way to access a little bit of extra information, so if there’s a vulnerable individual or someone with a disability living at the residence or the location where first responders are responding, it’s just a great tool to provide more information that comes from the individual themselves or a family member,” Dahlquist said.

The program was developed in part in response to the shooting of Victor Perez last year.

Victor was shot by police when he appeared to be threatening his family with a knife.

After the shooting, officers realized Victor was autistic.

Jennifer Call, an attorney representing the Perez family, said the program is one of a number of changes her clients are asking the City of Pocatello to make in their lawsuit following Victor’s shooting.

“This is the first step, and other changes we’d like to see are de-escalation techniques, and training being taught more widely within the police department, and a call for more transparency in what is happening inside the department,” Call said.

Bannock County residents can enroll in the ‘Know Me File’ program here on the Pocatello City website. 

You can also sign up in person at the Pocatello Police Department.

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Ariel Jensen

SUGAR CITY, Idaho (KIFI) —  A combination of strong winds and icy roads made for a hectic and dangerous morning on the roads, and tomorrow, Wednesday, February 18th, we could see more of the same.

Several crashes took place on Highway 33 near Sugar City. This morning, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office also responded to several calls of cars sliding off in this area.

Deputies tell Local News 8 it felt like call after call, they responded to a car, a semi, and a van that slid off as a result of high winds. The highway was closed from mile marker 108 to 115 and reopened around 11 A.M. The MCSO tells Local News 8 that even though the roads aren’t icy, these heavy winds still make the roads slick. 

“They just need to be aware. Don’t get distracted. If the wind starts blowing hard, just be mindful of that. Once that starts blowing over the roads, it’s going to be ice over really well. So in general, just drive safely. Watch what’s going on,” said Chief Deputy Vince Kaaiakammu, Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

It’s a First Alert Weather Day. First Alert Chief Meteorologist Michael Coats is tracking the next storm set to roll in overnight. Watch the News Cast for updates.

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Seth Ratliff

TETON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A crash involving a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck sent one person to the hospital via emergency airlift on Tuesday afternoon. Deputies with the Teton County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police are currently on the scene.

Around 12:36 PM, emergency crews rushed to the junction of Highway 33 and Highway 32 following reports of a “car vs. semi” accident. The impact was severe enough to require an Air Idaho flight to transport one occupant of the passenger car to a nearby hospital. Their current condition has not been released.

One lane of traffic is currently blocked off as investigators work the scene of the crash. Drivers should anticipate significant delays until the scene is fully cleared.

In a news update, the Sheriff’s Office extended its gratitude to Air Idaho, Teton County Fire and Ambulance, the Idaho Transportation Department, and the Idaho State Police for their seamless coordination during the emergency. However, authorities also issued a firm warning to the public regarding traffic safety, urging drivers not to drive around barricades, cones, emergency vehicles, or personnel directing traffic.

“These closures are put in place to protect the safety of the public as well as our first responders who are actively working on scene,” states TCSO. “Attempting to pass or drive through blocked roadways creates additional hazards, interferes with emergency operations, and places everyone at risk.”

The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

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Seth Ratliff

Update 9:28 p.m.

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Police have identified the person who allegedly stabbed two women late Sunday night.  Marita Gonzales, a 32-year-old woman from Pocatello, has been booked into the Bannock County jail on one charge of attempted murder and one count of aggravated battery.

Initial reports indicated that it was a male suspect who stabbed the pair of unnamed women on Sunday night. According to a news release, police identified Gonzales and took her into custody around 9 PM Tuesday.

ORIGINAL:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Investigators with the Pocatello Police Department are calling on the community for help following a stabbing attack that left two women injured late Sunday night. Police have spent the days since the attack establishing a timeline of the victims’ movements and are now asking residents and business owners in the vicinity to review their security footage.

The incident took place around 10:00 PM on Sunday, February 15, 2026, within the 700 block of South Arthur Avenue. According to police, an unknown man approached the two women and stabbed them before fleeing the area on foot.

Witnesses described the suspect as a man standing roughly 5 feet 10 inches tall with short hair. At the time of the attack, he was wearing a hat and a dark jacket, and he was last seen running south on Arthur Avenue away from the scene, according to Pocatello PD.

Police have now confirmed that one victim was treated for her injuries at Portneuf Medical Center and has since been released. The second victim required more intensive care and was transported by Life Flight Helicopter to the University of Utah Medical Center, where she remains in stable condition.

Detectives are currently conducting interviews and analyzing cell phone data associated with the victims.

Members of the community who have relevant camera footage or information regarding the attack are urged to contact the Pocatello Police Department directly at (208) 234-6121. Police are specifically interested in any video footage captured before, during, or after the incident that may show an individual matching the suspect’s description.

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CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 17 FEB 26 16:33 ET

By Cassidy Wixom

Click here for updates on this story

    SALT LAKE CITY (KSL) — A man with cerebral palsy who dreamt of being the lead in a play decided to take matters into his own hands by writing that play himself.

Andrew Justvig grew up in St. George attending plays and musicals. Seeing the stars on stage, he knew he wanted to do the same.

“When I got into high school, even though I was passionate and I felt my technique was good — teachers thought I was good — I would never get the lead role. And that bothered me,” he said.

Growing up with cerebral palsy has made some things in life more difficult for him, but Justvig was determined to follow his dream.

He was inspired by Sylvester Stallone, who faced bullying and discrimination growing up for how he looked and how he spoke due to nerve damage on his face from complications during birth. But Stallone persevered and eventually became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars and filmmakers.

“He wrote his own movies, and I said, ‘Wait, I can do that!’ So I started to write plays where I could be the roles, like the lead or the villain, and where I didn’t have to hide my disability, but it was part of my character,” Justvig said.

He earned an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and later completed a master’s degree in fine arts in playwriting at the University of California, Riverside, where he developed “The Anxiety of Laughing.”

“Rather than waiting for permission, I decided to write stories where disability is present, complex and unapologetically human,” he said.

“The Anxiety of Laughing” is about a stand-up comedian with cerebral palsy whose life is upended when his mother dies, and his wife becomes paralyzed in an accident.

“Suddenly, he is the more able-bodied person. He not only has to grapple with losing his mom and being caretaker for his wife, but also finding his laugh again,” Justvig said.

He initially wrote “The Anxiety of Laughing” as a screenplay that was adapted into a feature film and was screened at multiple festivals in 2021, including Dances With Films at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. But Justvig wasn’t done there; he adapted the story into a play in which he could perform the lead.

The stage play “The Anxiety of Laughing” was recently accepted into the Midtown International Theater Festival, where it will be performed this summer in New York City. The show will be presented as a showcase production with six performances.

To kick off a fundraising campaign* for the New York production, Justvig is hosting a staged reading in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, March 18 at the Sorenson Unity Center’s Black Box Theater, 1383 S. 900 West. The staged reading is free, but people are encouraged to donate to help the show raise $30,000 to cover development and production costs.

“The main focus of the reading is, yes, to raise money, but I also want individuals who have disabilities and their families to gather to show them someone like them onstage telling a story that’s different from the typical Hollywood stories about disabilities. I mean, I love the movies ‘Radio’ and ‘My Left Foot’ and ‘The Peanut Butter Falcon,’ but this is completely different,” he said.

Being a part of the Midtown festival gives the show the opportunity to gain momentum and publicity to pursue an off-Broadway or Broadway run. Justvig said it’s an important step toward ensuring more people can experience a story in which a disabled person is the lead.

As a dad to a 4-year-old, Justvig hopes stories like “The Anxiety of Laughing” can also help children of parents with disabilities feel that they aren’t weird or alone in their experiences.

“It would be like, ‘Oh yeah, my dad is like that character or that guy in the New York show.’ So yeah, that’s what it means to me,” he said.

Although Justvig never dreamed he would create something performed in New York, he is so proud of what he has accomplished so far.

“I think I only dreamt more of telling stories that put people like me on the stage,” he said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KSL verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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