Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The State of Idaho and President Trump’s administration have signed an agreement that could have major impacts on the state and the future of nuclear energy in the nation.

According to recent news releases, the U.S. Department of Energy and state officials agreed to a targeted waiver of the 1995 Settlement Agreement, which established milestones to remove legacy waste at the Idaho National Lab site while allowing continued energy research and development at the lab.

The agreement limits the amount of spent nuclear fuel entering the Site to 55 metric tons and requires DOE to report annually on the amount received, according to the INL

The waiver will allow additional spent nuclear waste to be brought into the site for critical research on a high-burnup nuclear fuel cask from a commercial nuclear power plant. According to the INL, this research will provide data to support licensing for the extended storage of spent fuel at 54 nuclear power plants in 28 states.

In a press release commenting on the agreement, Governor Brad Little supported the collaborative effort between the state and national partners. Gov. Little said the effort showcases the commitment to advancing nuclear energy research while upholding the goals of the original agreement.

“We are proud to support innovation in nuclear energy that will support national security and energy independence into the future,” Governor Brad Little said.

In the years since the original agreement, the state has made major strides to dig up and remove radioactive and hazardous waste buried for decades in unlined pits at an eastern Idaho nuclear facility that sits atop a giant aquifer.

According to the Idaho National Lab, modern commercial nuclear fuels are more efficient, lowering costs for utilities and customers. To ensure safe long-term storage, the nuclear industry and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission require performance data for nuclear fuel. This information is crucial for over 70% of dry storage facilities to renew their licenses and maintain safe storage.

The waiver enables INL to address a national need not envisioned when the Settlement Agreement was established three decades ago, while supporting the national commitment to energy independence, according to the INL.

The INL says this research will help sustain the current U.S. nuclear reactor fleet, which produces nearly 20% of the nation’s electricity, and reinforces Idaho’s critical role in supporting the U.S. nuclear industry.

“As the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development, we look forward to utilizing our unique facilities and expertise to support this critical national need. We are thankful to the Department of Energy and the state of Idaho for entrusting us with the safe and secure execution of our vital mission,” INL Director John Wagner said.

For more information on the 1995 Settlement Agreement, click HERE.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Pocatello Animal Services is bouncing back from a recent outbreak of Canine Parvovirus, which spread to four puppies and prompted the shelter to close for quarantine and cleaning on April 25.

Animal Services leaders say they were forced to euthanize the four infected puppies to stop the virus from spreading, but, after diligent testing and disinfection, the disease has been contained and the shelter reopened with increased precautions on April 25.

“We are actively monitoring all the rest of the puppies in our care, and all of the dogs in general,” said Sarah Moore of the Pocatello Animal Shelter. “We’re testing them with parvo SNAP tests daily, just to make sure that we’re on top of anyone who might start showing symptoms of it and keep them well-isolated.”

Animal Services is also limiting the number of volunteers allowed in the shelter until they are sure the disease has been completely suppressed–they said they hope to return to normal operations in the next week.

Now, Moore said, the problem comes in keeping the shelter animals from going stir-crazy as they’re sequestered to their kennels in an added precaution against causing a resurgence in parvovirus.

“They’re spending a lot more time in their kennels than usual, and a lot more than we would like,” said Moore. “We also are limiting how many toys we’re distributing amongst the dogs, because everything that goes into a dog’s kennel needs to get cleaned–it’s another point of possible contamination between one dog to another–so we’re really limiting how much the dogs are getting.”

Moore said the community can help quell the dogs’ boredom–the shelter is asking for donations of ‘chews’: items like bully sticks, beef cheek rolls, etc. which can provide a source of entertainment and also be eaten, eliminating the need for the toys to be disinfected and passed to other pets.

Donations of toys and chews will be accepted at the Pocatello Animal Shelter at 3100 Avenue of the Chiefs in Pocatello.

The shelter is also open for adoptions, with safety measures added to preserve the health of the shelter pets and visitors. For more information, you can contact the Pocatello Animal shelter by calling (208) 234-6156, or by visiting their website.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Police are investigating a pair of allegedly counterfeit bills that were passed at two businesses in Idaho Falls.

The counterfeit money was reportedly being used by a man and woman at various businesses along 17th Street in Idaho Falls, according to a post on the Life in Idaho Falls Facebook page.

Photo Credit: Russ Young, Life in Idaho Falls

The Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD) has confirmed that two suspected bills were found at two local businesses: one at O’Reilly’s and the other at Starbucks, both located on 17th Street.

According to IFPD, counterfeiters will often make small purchases with large counterfeit bills to obtain real cash.

IFPD has proved the following tips for people handling money to help spot fake bills:

The Transaction.

The goal when passing a fake bill is to get the most real cash back in exchange for the fake bill. The suspect may make a small purchase – a drink or candy bar at a convenience store, for example – then pay with a large denomination bill, typically a $100 bill. The business/victim gets a worthless bill, and the suspect gets $90 or so in real cash back in addition to their drink and candy bar.

Transactions where a large bill is used to pay for a small transaction, requiring cash back should be a red flag and encourage the person to look more closely at the bill.

The Bills

5 Ways to Spot a Counterfeit Bill

Feel the Paper – Genuine U.S. currency is printed on a unique blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen, giving it a distinct texture. It also contains small red and blue security fibers embedded throughout the paper. Counterfeit bills often feel smoother or thicker and may lack these embedded fibers.

Check for Color – Shifting Ink – On denominations of $10 and higher, the numeral in the lower right corner on the front of the bill changes color (from copper to green) when tilted. If it doesn’t shift, it’s likely fake.

Look for a Watermark – Hold the bill up to the light—there should be a faint image matching the portrait on the bill, visible from both sides. If there’s no watermark or it doesn’t match the portrait, it’s likely counterfeit.

Inspect the Security Thread – All denominations $5 and up have a vertical embedded thread that glows under UV light and indicates the bill’s denomination. If the thread is missing, misaligned, or the wrong color under UV light, it’s fake.

Examine the Printing Details – Real bills have very fine, detailed printing, especially around the borders and portraits. Blurry lines, fuzzy details, or smudged ink are red flags. Also, microprinting—tiny words like “USA” or the denomination—should be sharp and clear under magnification.

For more details on how to spot counterfeit bills or “dummy money,” click HERE.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Community Beautification Council is looking for volunteers in Pocatello and Chubbuck to join in on the ‘Community-Wide Spring Cleanup’ on Saturday, May 3.

During the annual event, volunteers are assigned areas of the city to clean up trash and debris left over from winter–all volunteers will be provided with free gloves and trash bags, and people who show up to clean up will also get a complimentary breakfast at the start of the event.

The Community-Wide Spring Cleanup is organized by the Community Beautification Council, a committee of the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce. The Beautification Committee will hold a ‘pre-cleanup’ kickoff in Historic Downtown Pocatello on Tuesday, April 29.

The Community-Wide Spring Cleanup will start on Saturday, May 3, at 8:30 am at the NeighborWorks Pavilion in Caldwell Park in Pocatello.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will accept applications for fall 2025 controlled hunts of deer, elk, pronghorn, swan, fall black bear, and fall turkey from May 1 to June 5, applications for the first Super Hunt drawing will be accepted through May 31.

According to Fish and Game, hunter harvest of mule deer, elk, and white-tailed deer increased statewide in 2024, indicating herds could be making a comeback after the harsh winter of 2022-2023 had major impacts on animal numbers.

Hunters with a valid 2025 license can apply for controlled hunts at gooutdoorsidaho.com, at their local Fish and Game office, or at any hunting license vendor. For more information, you can visit the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO (KIFI) – On Wednesday, April 30, some members of the Idaho State Police will change their uniforms temporarily in support of an important nationwide initiative.

Throughout April, ISP has been involved in various activities and initiatives to raise awareness during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. These efforts will come to a head on Wednesday, as the ISP joins individuals and organizations nationwide in participating in Denim Day.

“Sexual violence affects every community, every demographic, and every corner of our state,” said Colonel Bill Gardiner, Director of the Idaho State Police. “As Idaho’s statewide law enforcement agency, we are committed not only to responding to these crimes with professionalism and compassion, but to thoroughly investigating and enforcing the laws designed to stop this violence.”

Denim Day, which originated from a 1999 Italian Supreme Court case, is recognized annually as a visible symbol of protest against erroneous attitudes about sexual assault. In a show of support for survivors and to reinforce the importance of consent, ISP professional staff will wear denim as part of their uniform to highlight the agency’s commitment to ending sexual violence.

“Denim Day gives us a straightforward but powerful way to show our support for survivors, promote prevention efforts, and reaffirm the fundamental importance of respect and dignity for every person,” said Gardiner.

“ISP encourages Idahoans to learn more about Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the importance of supporting survivors. We also invite you to join us by wearing denim to show your support. Together, education, support, and action can help build safer communities across our state,” said ISP in a press release.

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Phillip Willis

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Old Fort Hall chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is excited to share a new innovative exhibit taking a look into the birth of the United States.

The traveling exhibit will be open from April 28th, 2025, at 10 AM through May 10th, 2025, at 9:00 PM.

“The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation,” according to the Idaho Falls Public Library website.

The Daughters of the American Revolution “… was founded in 1890 to promote Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism across the United States,” according to the group’s website.

The exhibit is located on the second floor of the library and will be available to the public during the library’s normal operating hours.

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Noah Farley

WARM RIVER, Idaho (KIFI) — A woman from Brisbane, Australia, has stopped in Idaho during an amazing hiking trek across the American continents.

Lucy Barnard started hiking in the most southern end of Argentina in 2017. Since then, she’s traveled all the way up to Warm River, Idaho. Her goal is to make it up to the furthest northern reach of Alaska. That would take her over 9,000 miles of travel.

Barnard originally started her journey on a whim when she was on vacation in Argentina. She learned some men had walked the full length of that country, but no women had yet.

“And it just got under my skin a little because I felt like back then hiking and walking couldn’t be that difficult,” Barnard said. “But that’s been a hard and long lesson.”

Since then, Barnard has traveled through beautiful countries like Chile, Peru, and Mexico. She loved seeing the culture, dancing, and art in South America. She says she has a great appreciation for hiking trails here in the United States.

“There is such a strong community, and I really felt helped by the trail through the United States, where it’s the first time I’ve just felt like people understand what I’m doing, and have really been able to get behind me,” she said.

Barnard says she has a strong social media community, where many people have given her encouragement, and she’s been able to give people confidence to travel like she has.

You can learn more about Lucy Barnard, her journey, and her dog, Wombat, here.

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