Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — In a continuing debate over Proposition One, the language in Idaho’s Prop One “Yes/No” statement on the November ballot, written by Attorney General Raúl Labrador and Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, faces a legal challenge.

Idahoans United for Women and Families asked the Idaho Supreme Court to hear their case against the state officials Wednesday, claiming the newly drafted ballot statements are “biased, misleading, and violate two decades of state precedent.”

The suit asks the court to strike down the “Yes” and “No” statements jointly written by Labrador and McGrane’s offices for the November general election and replace them with “lawful, clear, and concise language.”

What the Draft Ballot Language Says

The controversy stems from the language of the “Yes/No Statement” in the state’s voter pamphlets, which have already gone to print. The proposed 76-word statement currently reads:

“A YES vote would create reproductive rights, including a right to abortion before a fetus’s ability to survive and after a fetus’s ability to survive in cases of a medical emergency, and provide liability protections for healthcare providers.”

“A NO vote would make no change to Idaho’s current law, which protects the life of the unborn while allowing abortion in reported cases of rape or incest, or when necessary to protect the life of the mother.”

Idaho Voter pamphlet includes the following characterization of what a “Yes” vote and a “No” vote will do. Screenshot Courtesy Idahoans United for Women and Families.

Proposition 1 Campaign Arguments

Idahoans United argues the language selectively frames Idaho’s existing abortion laws without addressing the severity of Idaho’s ban or its lack of exceptions.

“The ‘No’ statement also purports to describe Idaho’s existing abortion laws…omitting that abortion is a felony under Idaho law, that criminal and civil penalties exist for doctors, and the lack of a health-of-the-mother exception. It also does not disclose that a federal court found part of Idaho’s law unconstitutional less than two weeks ago,” states the release.

The 38-word “No” statement written for Proposition One is also one of the longest in Idaho history.

“Typically, the ‘No’ portion was about 11 words long and read: ‘A No vote would make no change to current Idaho law,'” states Idahoans United.

The above chart tracks the word count and length of “Yes/No Statements” on Idaho Ballots from 2012 to present. Courtesy Idahoans United.

This marks the second time the organization has sued the state over the Reproductive Freedom & Privacy Act (Proposition One). Last year, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled largely in the group’s favor, ordering the Attorney General to rewrite the initiative’s short title and fiscal impact statement after finding them misleading.

“This issue was settled by the Idaho Supreme Court last June,” said Folwell. “The direction from the Court was clear: Idaho voters deserve clear, accurate, and fair language on the ballot to inform their vote. This long, confusing, biased Yes/No language, hustled in at the last minute, is incredibly disappointing.”

Attorneys for Idahoans United sent a letter to Labrador and McGrane on Aug. 25 requesting the language be withdrawn, but state officials declined.

Idaho AG and Secretary of State Defend Ballot Language

Labrador and McGrane disputed the Idaho United’s characterization of the ballot language. In a statement to Local News 8, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office defended the draft:

“Idaho law is clear: the Attorney General and Secretary of State are responsible for writing ballot language that clearly and concisely explains the effect of a Yes or No vote. Our duty is to fully inform the voters of Idaho. We applied the same legal standard to every measure on the ballot. Idaho voters deserve a straightforward explanation of what their vote will do,” Labrador said.

McGrane said the Idaho Secretary of State office’s efforts to prepare absentee ballots by September 18, while “printing and distributing 850,000 voter pamphlets are now paused while the case is pending.”

“The yes and no statements in question were jointly prepared by our office and the Attorney General’s Office in an effort to help Idaho voters understand the effect of their vote,” McGrane said in a statement. “We are seeking an expedited resolution so our office and county clerks can meet these important election deadlines.”

Under federal and state law, the content of ballots must be finalized no later than September 11, 2026, in order for county clerks to have enough time to meet the deadline for mailing out absentee ballots.

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Curtis Jackson

UPDATE 8/28/2026 10 AMSALMON, Idaho (KIFI) – The GO evacuation status remains for Fourth of July drainage and Kriley Gulch area, 14 miles north of Salmon Friday morning.

The fire is estimated to be 291 acres.

The Lemhi County Emergency Management said the evacuation order will be evaluated later today.

ORIGINAL STORY:

SALMON, Idaho (KIFI)— The Lemhi County Emergency Management is telling people in the Fourth of July drainage and Kriley Gulch to evacuate because of a wildfire.

Sheriff deputies are currently making notifications in the affected areas. They do not wait for an officer to reach your property.

The Cherry Fire was first spotted around 2:45 Thursday afternoon along US 93 between Salmon and North Fork.

The latest fire acreage was 40 acres.

This is a developing story and will be updated when more information is available.

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Dylan Carder

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)- More than 200 volunteers from Melaleuca partnered with the City of Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department on Thursday for the fourth annual cleanup project along the Idaho Falls greenbelt. Volunteers cleared trash, overgrown brush and invasive trees along the Riverwalk to improve community safety and restore riverfront sightlines.

The single-day effort is expected to remove approximately 300 yards of debris from the banks of the river at Freeman Park and surrounding areas. The large volunteer force allows the city to complete major maintenance tasks along the Riverwalk that would otherwise require weeks of labor from municipal park crews.

PJ Holm, Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation director, emphasized the community impact that the volunteer workforce provides to city operations. The parks department typically maintains a staff of about 35 full-time employees and roughly 100 seasonal workers, with daily work crews usually consisting of five to eight people.

“It’s just amazing to be able to see so many people come out from their organization and give back to the community, give back to, the, Riverwalk here in Freeman Park,” Holm said. He noted the efficiency of having more than 200 volunteers working simultaneously, adding, “You know, 20 days worth of work these guys can get done in, in one afternoon.”

The annual initiative originated through direct outreach between company leadership and municipal staff. “Melaleuca reached out to the city a handful of years ago and just said, hey, we want to we want to put together something that can be a team building effort, for their organization and, working with them and and then working with our, our volunteer coordinator,” Holm said.

Jamie Reynolds, chief human resource officer at Melaleuca, explained that the company opens participation to all team members across the organization, adjusting shift schedules and workloads so interested employees can join.

“Our mission is to enhance lives. And we see this as one of many ways that we can give back to our community and enhance lives. The greenbelt here, the Riverwalk is a gem and it is treasure to our families here,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds noted that participation has grown as staff members share their experiences. “The great thing about it is our team members are really excited to be part of it. And so how we do it is we give the opportunity to all of our team members. So we send out an email communication and all of our supervisors make sure that every single team member has the opportunity to receive the communication,” Reynolds said.

“One of the things that I love is the growth in those who are participating. Right. So we may have had some at first who are a little timid to try and come out and do something a little bit different, but then the team members come back and they hear the stories and they want to be part of it.”

McKay Shippen, a Melaleuca employee, reflected on the physical nature of the project and the shared effort among co-workers along the riverbanks. “It’s fun to get out. It’s a change of pace from, you know, our everyday work. But it’s fun to be in the community and help, you know, clear up trash and and take the twigs and make it beautiful,” Shippen said.

“I mean, there’s a lot of us, so it’s kind of fun to see how quickly we can make a big impact. And that’s evident. I mean, we’ve got huge piles. There’s tons of work that gets done, but it’s pretty fun to see how well we work together, especially as a big group.”

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Pocatello is gearing up for an annual volunteer opportunity– the Portneuf River Cleanup. The river is one of the city’s biggest natural resources and assets for tourism. Representatives say the event will continue for years to come to maintain its natural beauty.

Pocatello’s assistant planner, Jennifer Flynn, said the river is completely underutilized and an excellent economic tool for the city. “We’re encouraging folks to come and pull mainly trash out of the river. We’ll do a little bit of removing logjams or any big debris,” Flynn said. “For the most part, we’re focused on trash.”

Flynn said that in years past, volunteers have pulled items as big as wheelbarrows and shopping buggies out of the river. Because of that, volunteers are encouraged to bring power tools and winches attached to vehicles to haul out large items.

“I’d encourage folks to wear shoes that are good for the water and clothes that are okay to get dirty,” she said.

The city will provide gloves, trash bags, and garbage picker tools. Volunteers and city officials will meet at the Pacific Steel and Recycling Trailhead at 10 a.m. on Saturday and work until noon.

They will strategically place dumpsters across the Greenway for people to dispose of trash. Flynn says it’s an effort to get more people out on the river in all its beauty.

“We just want to keep it free of debris and litter to make it beautiful for both wildlife and for people that want to enjoy it,” she said.

Flynn also said people can bring a canoe or kayak to help remove trash from the water. There are several places along the river where you can launch them into the water.

“Volunteering in our community is such a great way to meet new people and also just to be engaged in things going on,” Flynn said. “If you’re an advocate for using the river or outdoor activities in general, it’s a really fun way to contribute.”

2026 River Cleanup

Dozens showed up on Saturday morning for the annual Portneuf River Cleanup, including members of the Pocatello City Council. Some volunteers even traversed over fallen logs and branches to reach trash in the middle of the river.

“The river just needs a lot of help,” said volutneer Julia Miller. “I think it needs a lot of grant money, a lot of labor, and I’m just happy all these volunteers are out here trying to make a difference and doing things that need to be done.”

Other volunteers found shelters and debris deep within the trees on the banks of the Portneuf. Councilmember Ann Swanson held up a sparkly disco ball found along the river and one of Miller’s friends found an entire Owala water bottle caught in the dam.

“We’re definitely seeing some improvement. It’s kind of crazy, the spot we’re cleaning is kind of a makeshift dam, so we’ve been thrown in a couple of times, but I feel like we’re making an impact,” said volunteer Andrew Baker.

The volunteers filled many garbage bags as well as dumpsters with larger items like bicycles. Volunteers ranged in age and ability, with several ISU students coming out to help the effort.

“It’s been a lot of work,” Miller added. “There’s a lot of bugs and trash out here. You can see that the river is really murky because a lot of the sediment and boats that are in the river. I’m proud of everyone who came out to try and help.”

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The first week of school at ISU is always filled with daily events for students. Some are geared towards incoming freshman to help them meet fellow students and explore campus opportunities. Thursday’s agenda included both the part-time job fair and the Back to Business fair.

The part-time job fair put on by the Career Center offers an opportunity for students to meet with local employers about internships and jobs in their chosen field. Organizer Virginia Barnett said all majors and class levels are welcome at the fair.

“We have over 30 employers both on and off campus for all majors to help our students,” Barnett said. “Being able to find temporary work, work study and internships is really important for our students.”

Some of the booths included the City of Pocatello, Mountain View Event Center, and several local clinics. Organizers said all participating companies offer positions that are flexible with students’ schedules. As returning and incoming students adjust to the stress of the semester, these employers understand the need to balance work and school.

Students meet with representatives from a local company at the part-time job fair, August 27

“We have employers for students of all majors, some of them are looking for part-time and some could be full-time,” she said. “These are more professional level positions that are government, for profit or non-profit, large and small.”

Barnett said the university often sees students in the career center who believe their only option for employment while in school is fast food or retail. Events like the part-time job fair show students a range of side jobs within their field of study.

“We want our students to not be intimidated to just say hello, I’d love to work with you,” she said. “Practice is key.”

Students did their elevator pitches and heard from real, local employers about the job market. Because of the lasting benefits of these fairs, Barnett says they do several throughout the year.

On September 30 from 10-2 p.m., the career center will host the STEM and Business Fair at the Student Union Building Ballroom. Barnett said this is the first year the two fairs have been combined, and they look forward to serving hundreds of students throughout the day.

Representatives from the Mountain View Event Center pitch part-time jobs to ISU students, August 27

“We feel there’s just a broader range of employers that can come in for student opportunities, and employers can still sign up to participate,” she said.

All the information for the upcoming STEM and Business Fair next month is at the Career Center’s website at https://www.isu.edu/career/.

Over at the quad lawn, the College of Business held the Back-to-Business event with free food, business student booths and a dunk-a-professor dunk tank. The College of Business offers many opportunities like the traveling sales team and fellowships. Senior students greeted incoming freshman at the event to tell them about the opportunities in the programs the college offers.

Professor Nye after being dunked at the College of Business dunk tank, August 27

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Snake River Animal Shelter has partnered with the ASPCA to offer free adoptions on August 28 and 29, September 25 and 26, as well as October 30 and 31.

Their goal is to find loving homes for the pets in their shelters as well as make space for more animals in need. Over 6 million dogs and cats went into shelters in 2025, causing many to reach capacity. The ASPCA is hoping to help shelters from becoming too full and not being able to help other pets in need.

“So ASPCA has done this for the past three years,” Sally Solis, the Development Director for the Snake River Animal Shelter, said. “It’s the Rescue Effect campaign. In an effort to get animals into loving homes and free up space in shelters.”

When looking through the catalog of cats and dogs, there is one group that is often overlooked: senior pets.

A dog or cat is considered senior once they’re over the age of 7. They can be more lethargic and could require more medical care, which may cause potential adopters to hesitate. But older pets come with a lot of benefits and may already have some training.

“They go into senior housing or hospice care. We do get quite a few animals in that way. People just can’t care for them anymore,” Solis explained. “But many times they come in, and they’re already house trained, crate trained. Have some manners. Sit and stay.”

For anyone with a slower and quieter lifestyle, an older pet may fit your household’s vibe. Many times, these seniors are just looking for a comfortable lap to nap on.

“We try to find the perfect fit depending on what somebody wants in an animal. If they have children, a fenced yard, that type of thing. So take the characteristics of the animal and try to match it to the home.”

If you plan to go to the shelter, consider what type of pet may be most suited for your household.

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Curtis Jackson

CAREY, Idaho (KIFI)—Residents near Carey remain under a Level 2 “Set” evacuation status as firefighters continue battling the Wildhorse Fire, which has burned more than 74,000 acres across south-central Idaho.

The Wildhorse Fire was estimated at 74,316 acres and 10% contained as of Thursday afternoon, according to fire officials.

The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation order Wednesday night as the fire moved toward the southern edge of Carey, prompting immediate evacuations. Officials lowered the status to Level 2 Thursday morning as fire conditions improved.

A section of U.S. Highway 26/93 between Carey and Richfield was also temporarily closed because of the fire but has since reopened to traffic.

In neighboring Lincoln County, the sheriff’s office has issued a Level 1 “Ready” evacuation notice for residents living in and around Richfield, advising them to remain alert and be prepared to leave should conditions worsen.

Fire crews continue working to slow the fire’s spread and are conducting backburning operations when conditions allow. Officials said residents may notice increased smoke in the area as firefighters carry out those efforts.

The Wildhorse Fire was sparked by lightning Monday afternoon. Officials are urging residents to stay informed about changing fire conditions and evacuation notices.

You can see the latest information at watchduty.org

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Curtis Jackson

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)—Valley Mission is holding a raffle for a 2019 Cub Cadet MX 750 EPS UTV to raise money for its new rescue mission facility in Pocatello.

All proceeds from the raffle will go directly toward construction of the organization’s new facility. Valley Mission purchased the former Metro Gym and Spa in 2020 and has been renovating the building into a full-service shelter.

Total project costs are estimated at approximately $2.6 million. Valley Mission is currently just over $600,000 away from reaching its fundraising goal.

A local community member donated the UTV to help close the remaining funding gap. Karl Pettit, director of Valley Mission, expressed appreciation for the support. “We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation from one of our community members. His support and belief in what we are building is inspiring. This raffle gives someone the opportunity to win a great UTV while helping us take another important step toward opening the doors of this new facility,” Pettit said.

Once complete, the new facility will bring multiple services together in one location. Plans include a food pantry, an 18-bed emergency shelter, a commercial kitchen and dining area, a medical clinic, administrative offices, a 16-bed Transformational Living Program and office space for up to five local partner agencies. Pettit highlighted the organization’s progress toward opening the full-service shelter. “We can see the finish line and that is incredibly exciting. Every ticket purchased helps move us closer to a facility that will provide food, safe shelter, practical resources and opportunities for people to begin rebuilding their lives,” Pettit said.

Construction remains ongoing at the site. Work crews are aiming to open the new food pantry this fall, with the emergency shelter scheduled to open by winter.

Raffle tickets are $20 each, or six for $100. Tickets are available at www.valleymission.org/events/utv-raffle/

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Danielle Mullenix

ISLAND PARK, Idaho — Authorities in Eastern Idaho are investigating after rifles were reported missing from a property near Henry’s Lake in Island Park this week. This comes days after reports of another gun theft incident in Southeastern Idaho at a hardware and outdoor store.

According to the Island Park homeowner, the rifles had been stored in a garage but were moved during repair work on Thursday afternoon. The homeowner later discovered that the firearms were missing. A restoration company was working at the owner’s cabin when the rifles disappeared.

One of the stolen rifles in Island Park (Shared courtesy of owner Jose Ruiz)

The homeowner is now asking residents in the Island Park community to be aware of anyone attempting to sell or otherwise get rid of the missing rifles.

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the recovery of the firearms.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case.

Anyone with information about the missing rifles is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 208-624-4482.

Separate rifle theft reported in Malad

The Island Park investigation comes as authorities in Oneida County investigate a separate firearm theft from Ward’s Ace and Country Store in Malad.

According to investigators, someone broke into the store early Monday morning by breaking through a glass door. Authorities say the suspect stole a 7.62×39 rifle and ammunition.

Surveillance footage capturing suspect exiting store in Malad on Monday, Aug. 24/ Courtesy of Ward’s Ace and County Store

Surveillance video captured the suspect, who investigators believe may have been wearing a Jackson Hole T-shirt. Investigators also found blood and fingerprints at the scene.

Authorities say the suspect may have attempted to steal handguns but was unable to access the handgun display case.

Anyone with information about the Malad burglary or the suspect’s identity is asked to contact the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office at 208-766-2251.

At this time, authorities say there is no indication the Island Park and Malad cases are connected. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office also shared on their Facebook page that there is no public threat at this time as investigations into the theft continue.

Local News 8 will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Grammy award winner, actor and rock musician Rick Springfield spoke with our Local News 8 morning crew to discuss his recent show at the Mountain America Center and to share some insights on what having such a long career has been like.

Achieving hit status with his single “Jessie’s Girl”, he’s been in the limelight for decades.

And now, he stops to talk with Jeff Roper and Megan Lavin to discuss all the things–from taking his shirt off at concerts, to how he likes his baked potato.

We played several clips in our show, but you’ll only find the full 10 minute interview here, on our website.

Click the player above to watch along.

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