Category: kifi-local-news

Danielle Mullenix

The following is a news release from the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Thanks to generous donations, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center has built a new and unique feature, the Healing Garden, outside the main entrance.  It is designed for patients, family, and community members to seek calm, relaxation, and renewal.  The Healing Garden also serves as a place to honor and remember patients and employees who have passed.   

The Healing Garden is freshly landscaped, contains brick walking paths, and comfortable furniture for rest.  A local artisan has also handcrafted beautiful garden bells that will hang in the trees.  

The Healing Garden was made possible by generous donations from Insure-It-All, a local insurance company, and the EIRMC Auxiliary, an independent 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that provides comfort items for patients and their families.  

For more information about the services provided by EIRMC, click here.

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office has issued an urgent public service announcement following a surge in local cases where children became victims of online exploitation and extortion over the past month.

Local detectives and patrol officers have investigated multiple incidents involving children from elementary school to high school age. Sheriff Ron Ball warns parents that “no age group is off limits to online predators.” While the exact number of cases remains unspecified, the trend has prompted the Sheriff’s Office to ask parents to take immediate action.

Sheriff Ball took to Facebook to urge parents to have an important conversation with their children about online safety this week, stating: “We’re asking all parents to take a few minutes this week to talk with your kids about their online activity. Know what apps they use, who they’re talking to, and how to report something suspicious.”

The Sheriff’s Office specifically identified the following as platforms involved in the recent cases:

Snapchat

Roblox

BeReal

X (formerly Twitter)

“Many parents give their young children access to these popular games and apps without having any idea that they have unrestricted access to strangers on the Internet,” adds the Rexburg Police Department. “Please be involved in your kids’ Internet and computer usage!”

If you need to report exploitation or extortion, please contact the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at 208-372-5001. For trusted tips and tools to help keep your family safe online, click HERE.

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News Team

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Madisonhealth has announced its intent to sell its interest in the joint venture of Madison Carriage Cove, a short-stay rehabilitation facility it has co-owned for the past 12 years.

The local community healthcare system is stepping away from direct ownership, but has legally stipulated that the facility must continue to serve the same patient population for a minimum of 10 additional years, ensuring local continuity of care.

The decision was made with the future of local healthcare in mind, according to Madisonhealth CEO Dr. Rachel Gonzales.

“This facility was created to meet a specific need in our community, and we believe it has fulfilled that purpose with distinction,” said Dr. Rachel Gonzales. “We are confident the new ownership will uphold the values and mission that have defined Carriage Cove from the beginning.

Madison Carriage Cove was founded in Fall 2013 to address the growing need for short-term rehabilitative care. Over the past decade, Madison Health says it has served hundreds of patients in need of skilled rehabilitation following hospitalizations, surgeries, or other medical events. Dr. Gonzales emphasizes that while the organization is stepping away, they are proud of what the partnership has accomplished.

Doug McBride, Executive Director of Business Development, thanked partners and staff for the facility’s success. “Madisonhealth remains committed to supporting this important service and the future of short-stay rehabilitation in our region.”

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Danielle Mullenix

Chubbuck, Idaho (KIFI) – The Human Bean in Chubbuck is inviting coffee-lovers to “drink pink” on Friday, October 17, for their annual Coffee for a Cure breast cancer giveback event. All food and beverage proceeds on that day will be donated to Pocatello Free Clinic, marking The Human Bean’s largest fundraiser of the year.

Each October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Coffee for a Cure aims to raise awareness and provide critical support to breast cancer patients and survivors.

In 2022, the most recent year with complete statistics available, there were 279,731 new cases of breast cancer reported in the United States—equivalent to 133 cases for every 100,000 women, according to CDC data.

“Coffee for a Cure is a great way for our community to come together and support one another,” shares the baristas of The Human Bean in Chubbuck. “So many of us know someone who’s been personally impacted by breast cancer, which makes this day a truly heartfelt giving event.” 

Since launching the Coffee for a Cure giveback program in 2005, The Human Bean locations nationwide have raised over $4.2 million for breast cancer causes. These funds support patients with essential services, including mammograms, post-diagnosis care and support, and education.

With a passion for creating happy ‘Human Beans’, the company’s drive-thrus around the U.S. have established a reputation for friendly baristas and high-quality coffee, teas, smoothies, granitas, Bright® Energy, and good eats. The Human Bean opened its first drive-thru espresso stand in Ashland, Oregon, in 1998, and currently supports over 260 locations open or under development in 23 states.  

To commemorate the company’s milestone 20th anniversary, The Human Bean has designed special cups featuring artwork that aligns with the essential message of hope for breast cancer patients and survivors.

“Coffee for a Cure is all about celebrating strength, honoring loved ones, and spreading a message of hope to breast cancer patients and survivors,” says Rhonda Hawkins, co-founder of The Human Bean. “We’re grateful to our community of customers and franchise partners who show up in a big way every October to support one another.”

The Human Bean is also serving up a special pink-themed drink all month long — the Bright® Energy Pink Lemon-aid, featuring Lime Bright® Energy, raspberry, and sweet almond flavors. 

Customers and supporters are encouraged to spread awareness by sharing their stories and photos on Instagram using #CoffeeForACure.

For more information about the Human Bean, click here.

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Curtis Jackson

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Residents in Pocatello are invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the city’s newly renovated Recycling Services Facility. The event will take place on Monday, October 20, at 5:15 p.m. at 3034 Garrett Way.

The facility, previously operated by Western Recycling/Republic Services, was acquired by the city in August 2024 to prevent its closure and ensure the continuation of local recycling services. Since then, the site has undergone significant upgrades to improve efficiency, safety, and accessibility.

Crews work inside Pocatello’s new Recycling Services Facility.

“We’re proud to reopen this facility as a City-operated service and continue providing accessible recycling options for our community,” said Mayor Brian Blad in a news release sent by the city. “This project is a great example of how partnerships and smart investment can strengthen Pocatello’s future.”

The upgrades were made possible through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy – Idaho Operations Office, as part of a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP).

Recycling bins located outside the Pocatello’s Recycling Services Facility on Garrett Way.

The news release said the recycling facility project is one of several across Idaho resulting from a settlement with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality over alleged violations of the Hazardous Waste Management Act.

City officials encourage community members and partners to attend the ribbon-cutting and learn more about the expanded recycling services. Additional information is available at pocatello.gov/395/Recycling-Services.

Bales of recycled cardboard at Pocatello’s new Recycling Services Facility.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A federal judge has ruled that the Idaho law banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports will continue going before the Supreme Court.

That’s despite the fact that Lindsay Hecox, the former Boise State athlete who brought the case up in the first place, attempted to withdraw her lawsuit.

In September 2025, Hecox requested that the case be dropped, citing the fact that she was no longer involved in college sports, as well as the rising public scrutiny of the case.

However, the legal team led by Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador pushed back against the dismissal request, saying Hecox’s attempt to end the legal battle was only a way to prevent a supreme court ruling on the issue.

The motion to drop the case was denied, and is now proceeding to the Supreme Court.

This means the ruling on the case could set precedent for other states concerning transgender athletes in Women’s sports, and the Labrador is confident in the legal legs his case is standing on.

Local News 8 spoke with Idaho State Representative Barbara Ehardt, the sponsor of the law at the heart of this case. You can watch that video above.

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Maile Sipraseuth

ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (KIFI)– Fremont and Madison County is once again putting a $17M bond initiative on the ballot for a new auditorium, a move that’s been attempted three times since the 90s.

South Fremont High School currently has just 280 auditorium seats for its 500 students, and the strain is being felt by students and staff.

Band and choir director Matt Bennett, a 30-year veteran of the district and a former South Fremont High student himself, says the need for a new space is long overdue.

“This is something that we need to happen for our students. Some people think it’s just going to be more luxurious and more comfortable for us, but the fact is, we haven’t had a performance space for 30 years, and it’s a need for these students to continue to grow their musicality (and) it’s a need for our community to have a space for our arts,” Bennett said.

South Fremont High School currently holds assemblies and concerts at their gym or at South Fremont Junior High School.

Bennett believes that this auditorium will benefit not just the school.

“I think the biggest thing is that people know that it’s not just going to benefit the high school and the music department, it’s going to benefit our entire community. We have opportunities to bring in professional musicians, professional acts, comedians, whatever. If we had a space to do that, we could increase community and Chamber of Commerce activity if we had a space to bring in these professional acts,” Bennett said.

Bennett says that the bond has failed due to multiple factors, particularly financial concerns from voters.

“In years past, we’ve asked for an auditorium and a gymnasium Three years ago, the bond failed because we felt like we were asking too much as a district. But there was some money that came in from the state and we were able to build a stand alone gymnasium, some CTE classrooms, and a greenhouse,” Bennett said.

To learn more, visit here.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Authorities continue to search for 15-year-old Kaiden Christopher Pulliam, who has been missing since October 6th.

Kaiden was last seen at Idaho Falls High School. His family says they’re desperate for his safe return.

“We miss him and just want Kaiden home,” Kaiden’s aunt, Holly Ironstar, told Local News 8. “I hope he is safe wherever he is at and with whomever he is with.”

Kaiden is described as having Blond Strawberry Blond hair and blue eyes.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Kaiden Christopher Pulliam, reach out to the Idaho Falls Police Department at 208-529-1200.

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Seth Ratliff

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A voter fraud case against Chad Vanderbeek will proceed after a judge ruled Wednesday that the prosecution met the burden of proof for probable cause.

RELATED: Island Park Voter Fraud Investigation

Vanderbeek is one of eleven defendants accused of illegally voting in the 2023 Fremont County municipal election by allegedly using incorrect addresses in Island Park. Judge Eddings announced his ruling in a near-empty courtroom, with at least two seats filled by Vanderbeek’s visibly disappointed family.

The ruling comes three weeks after a heated preliminary hearing where the defense argued Vanderbeek never intended to move from his primary home in Island Park. He had been staying in Idaho Falls since 2022 to care for his aging parents, which the defense said should not impact his voting residence.

“There is no indication under black letter law that my client has established residence somewhere else,” argued Malek. “There is, however, an indication that my client has established residence in Island Park.”

 However, the prosecution argued that under Idaho Code 34-107, the Island Park address was not his primary residence for voting purposes. The code outlines that factors like “residence of parents… and motor vehicle registration” should be considered to determine residence where no homeowners’ exemption has been taken out.

Blake concluded that because Vanderbeek’s parents have taken out a homeowners’ tax exemption in Bonneville County since 2016, his primary residence would be in Idaho Falls.

RELATED: Man accused of voter fraud in Island Park awaits judge’s decision

The ruling by District Judge Faren Eddings means that Vanderbeek will appear in court once again to formally enter a plea at an arraignment on October 28th before Judge Steven Boyce.

Preliminary hearings for several of the remaining individuals in the voter fraud investigation have been scheduled for the following day, October 29th, at 1 p.m.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — It’s getting cold outside, and some people woke up to a chilling reminder that it’s time to keep up with our car maintenance.

Take a look at this flat tire. 

No one wants to wake up to this first things in the morning.

With the weather getting colder, many tires are losing air.

The best way to avoid this is to fill up the night before, and even then, you still might notice a leak the next day.

Car maintenance shops are noticing more drivers coming in for air at the start of this winter season. 

“It’s usually when it gets colder, the air gets more condensed in the tire. And so it comes in a little more flat. And so once you come in, we fill it up with more air than we have. And once we do that, the tire pressure light will go off and it’ll be gone until, you know, till the air goes back down,” said Colby Smith, a manager at Nitro Station & Express Lube in Rexburg.

Smith says park your tire in a straight postion. If the tires are tilted in a certin direction it can cause a slow leak.

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