Category: kifi-local-news

KSL

Originally Published: 26 AUG 26 13:28 ET

By Emma Benson

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSL) — Five years after the disappearance and death of Gabby Petito, her case continues to have an impact on domestic violence awareness and policy.

Petito was 22 when she disappeared in 2021 while traveling across the country with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. Her body was found weeks later in Wyoming, and her death was ruled a homicide.

“I can’t think of another family that’s been more dedicated to policy change than the Petitos,” said Steve Jensen, partner at Parker & McConkie and one of the attorneys representing the Petito family.

Jensen said the family has worked to turn the attention surrounding Gabby’s case into lasting change.

“It’s not like they carry this animosity toward anyone,” Jensen said. “They just genuinely want to effect change.”

In Utah, that work has included a 2023 law, known as SB117, requiring law enforcement officers responding to domestic violence calls to use a lethality assessment. The assessment is designed to help officers identify victims who may be at particularly high risk of serious harm or death.

Under Utah law, officers who identify a high-risk situation are required to connect the victim with a local emergency shelter hotline.

Similar lethality-assessment laws or programs have been adopted in states across the country, including Florida and New York.

The Petito family also created the Gabby Petito Foundation, which works to support victims of domestic violence and raise awareness about warning signs.

“Any time you have a policy change, it doesn’t happen overnight,” Jensen said.

Jensen said Gabby’s story has helped more people recognize the warning signs of domestic violence.

“I think there are steps that have been taken that will, and have, helped domestic violence victims … but there’s obviously much more that can be done,” he said. “Education is going to continue to be really important.”

Meanwhile, the Petito family’s wrongful-death lawsuit against the Moab City Police Department is still moving through the courts.

The family sued the department, alleging officers failed to properly handle a domestic violence incident involving Gabby and Laundrie weeks before her death. The department has denied wrongdoing.

The Utah Supreme Court is considering the family’s appeal, and attorneys expect the court to set a date for oral arguments in the coming weeks.

This story was initially reported 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.

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Sometimes, it’s good to get a reminder that simple acts of kindness can mean so much more, as shown by this local family.

For six years, Max and Logan have spent every Friday afternoon at a local diner. Along the way, they’ve built much more than a weekly routine.

Dixie’s Diner promises food, fun and the ’50s. But at this Idaho Falls location, the Van Orden family says it offers connection, love and belonging.

For Max, that connection has become an important pillar of his week.

His mom, Amanda, says the weekly tradition is motivating for him.

“When he knows he’s coming to Dixie’s Diner, he gets up and he gets ready to go without having to encourage him.”

Max is 27, autistic and mostly nonverbal. His cousin, Logan, is his caregiver.

“It feels like a job that matters. So I’m very grateful for it.”

Fridays at Dixie’s have been a tradition for about six years, with the same order every time: grilled cheese, French fries and Pepsi. On special occasions, there’s a chocolate shake.

What started as a place Max liked has become a place where people know him — and pay attention to him.

“They’re always interested in how he’s doing,” Logan said. “If anything seems like something’s off, they’re very attentive to his needs and want to make sure he’s comfortable.”

And one of the people who knows Max best is waitress Christy Anderson, who has worked at Dixie’s for 18 years.

Christy says the relationship between Max and Logan is special.

“Their interaction and the love that I see between them, even without words, is absolutely amazing and phenomenal.”

Amanda agrees.

“He just gets Max. They have a pretty special bond.”

Max and Christy have developed a special greeting of their own, and Anderson says it has evolved over the years as Max has become more comfortable with her.

“His handshakes have progressed over the last six years. It was just that, that was what he was comfortable with. And we were great with that. And then it progressed to a really cool handshake … and then it progressed to letting me, you know, tickle his palms.”

Recently, someone else noticed the connection between Max and Logan.

“We had already paid,” Logan said. “We were about to leave, and Christy stopped me … saying that she had a gift for us.”

A fellow customer had offered to pay for their meal. But because Logan had already paid, the anonymous diner gave them a gift card instead.

“It’s hard to put to words gratitude for things that are selfless like that,” Logan said.

When asked what he would do if he could see the person who gave them the gift card again, Logan said he would probably give them a hug.

Christy can see why the family caught the other diner’s attention.

“They’re just a light every time they come in. They’ve been a blessing, both of them, in my life. And I feel like people come into your life for a reason and at the time you really need them.”

Dixie’s has a fun vibe and cool music, but the cherry on top? It’s the way this group smiles, chitchats and talks about each other. It’s clear the feeling goes both ways, as Anderson tells them, “I love you.”

Six years of Fridays have created a routine, a friendship and a language of their own.

The relationship is a reminder that kindness doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture. Sometimes, it looks like simply knowing someone, noticing them and making sure they know they’re welcome.

Christy sums it up simply:

“You don’t need words to communicate love.”

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Maile Sipraseuth

VICTOR, Idaho (KIFI)– The 19th annual Tin Cup Challenge in Teton Valley raised a record $4.5 million for local nonprofits and brought together donors, businesses and nonprofits to support local organizations across Teton Valley.

Dan Verbeten, the Executive Director of Teton Valley Trails and Pathways says the event serves as an opportunity to celebrate both the financial contributions and the community opportunities made possible across Teton Valley.

“The Tin Cup Challenge is a huge community fundraising event. Really helps all of the nonprofits in the community raise unrestricted funds to be able to better achieve their mission,” Verbeten said.

This year’s total set a new record for the highest donation amount ever raised through the initiative, surpassing the $3.8 million collected last year.

A key element of the Tin Cup Challenge is the Challenger Fund. The fund is made up of contributions from individuals or businesses that donate $1,500 or more.

The Challenger Fund provides matching grants on the first $25,000 raised by each participating organization. Money raised through the fund supports community programs including affordable housing, youth philanthropy and mental health services.

One Challenger at the event, Rose Hendricks, says the donations do more than fund the livelihoods of people who live and work in Teton Valley.

“This is a complex time. It’s a dynamic time. It’s a really challenging time in our society. And I think people feel isolated and divided, and there’s so much partisanship. And I think events like this and community efforts like this play such a powerful role and showing us that that doesn’t have to be the only truth and that we can really join together with like, minds and hearts is to make a huge difference regardless of who you are, where you come from, what your background is, what you believe,”

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David Pace

JACKSON HOLE, Idaho (KIFI) – U.S. Vice President JD Vance is in town in Jackson Hole, according to the Wall Street Journal, sparking a rally on public land near Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Local News 8 was on the ground in Jackson Hole to document reactions to the Vice President’s visit.

Twenty protesters gathered for three hours in the hot sun Wednesday, with signs opposing the Vice President’s appearance in Wyoming.

While the motorcade did not pass by near the rally, Vance is said to be in Jackson Hole raising funds for the Republican National Committee ahead of the midterm elections.

“It’s just taking money out of people’s pockets. It’s not sharing,” said Jackson Hole resident and protester Molly Harris. “You’ve got the billionaire class who just makes a whole lot of money. Now we have, what, a $40 trillion deficit because of the tax cuts that this Administration — including JD Vance — supports.”

However, Eric Amundson, a tourist visiting from Minnesota, said he will be supporting the Republican Party and its priorities in the midterm elections – highlighting support for public lands and protecting the unborn.

“I would say maintain the morality that I think our country was born with — not be distracted by popularity of what cultural trends happen to be coming, but maintain strong morals,” Amundson said.

Vance’s reported visit to Jackson Hole comes after a trip to Southampton, New York where supporters raised an estimated $5 million for the Republican National Committee.

🚨New: Vice President JD VANCE is heading to Jackson Hole, Wyoming today, where he will raise $2 million for the RNC, per person familiar.

Comes as VP is ramping up his travel ahead of the midterms. He raised $5 million last week in Southampton.

— Natalie Andrews (@natalieandrews) August 26, 2026

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Curtis Jackson

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho will receive between $89.2 million and $127.7 million as part of a landmark multistate settlement with Meta valued at up to $18 billion. The agreement resolves claims from 47 states, the District of Columbia and multiple U.S. territories alleging the company intentionally designed Instagram and Facebook with addictive features that harmed young users’ mental health.

The settlement follows a bipartisan, nationwide investigation launched in 2021 by attorneys general into social media industry practices targeting children and teens. Investigators found that Meta engineered platform features to hook young users while internally documenting the resulting mental health harms and failing to warn parents. Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced the state’s payout allocation after the trial, which began in federal court on Aug. 18, reached a resolution mid-trial.

Labrador emphasized his office’s commitment to holding tech companies accountable for product design. “Protecting children in Idaho is one of the most critical responsibilities of my office,” Labrador said. “Intentionally engineering any product to addict children is unconscionable. Meta’s design was a cynical attempt to create a lifetime user, regardless of the psychological damage and harm our children were exposed to. When this trial began, I said we would hold Meta accountable and today I’ve kept that promise.”

Under the terms of the settlement approved by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, Meta will pay 70% of the settlement fund to states in annual installments over the next decade. The remaining 30% is contingent on whether competing platforms YouTube and TikTok agree to make similar financial payments and app modifications.

The agreement mandates sweeping safety adjustments for users ages 13 to 17 across Instagram and Facebook. Meta must enforce a cumulative two-hour daily time limit with mandatory pauses after 15 minutes of continuous use, as well as additional pauses at 60 and 90 minutes.

Platforms must also institute a nighttime block restricting access from midnight to 6 a.m. and a school mode that mutes push notifications on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the school year.

Additional mandated features include hiding visible like and reaction counts on posts by minors, blocking cosmetic surgery and extreme makeup filters and expanding age assurance tools to verify young users.

Meta must also strengthen parental controls and provide content safeguards against bullying, content promoting eating disorders and content related to suicide and self-harm.

Meta did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the agreement and has long denied that its platforms harm children. The company stated in a blog post that ensuring teens have a safe and productive experience is an absolute imperative, adding that it partnered with state attorneys general to establish a new industry standard.

Legal experts and youth safety advocates offered varying perspectives on the resolution. Matthew Bergman, founding attorney of the Social Media Victims Law Center, called the agreement a “watershed moment in holding the tech giant accountable for designing products it knew were harming children and fueling a nationwide youth mental health crisis.”

Meanwhile, Maurine Molak, co-founder of ParentsSOS, called for broader legislative action across the entire industry. “We need a duty of care to ensure that Meta stops designing for addiction both now and in the future and that our children are protected no matter what platform they use,” Molak said.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that the required platform changes are expected to go into effect within months. Both the implementation and ongoing efficacy of the new safety features will be regularly evaluated by an independent auditor and the settling states.

Editor’s Note: This story was adapted from an original on-air broadcast report with the assistance of AI. All content is thoroughly reviewed and verified for accuracy by the Local News 8 editorial team.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – As one attendee said Wednesday morning, “there’s disabled people everywhere,” and in Pocatello, the Glen Allen Project is bringing together the special needs community every week. Aside from hosting weekly art classes, Wednesday’s party was filled with face painting, free food, clay making and live music.

Organizer Stephanie Carr said the event was a party for disabled adults, focused on giving them an opportunity to meet new friends. Attendees were even given a notepad to write down each other’s phone numbers and make future plans.

Attendees showed up for a variety of reasons, many of them saying they were excited to meet other people.

Wheelchair car wash at the Glen Allen Project Special Needs Mixer, August 26

“I’m just hoping to meet some new people and make some new friends and hopefully find somebody I have something in common with and share interest with,” said Stacy Johnson, the mastermind behind the event.

Sunny Sage Bybee is the co-founder of the Glen Allen Project and said the organization is thrilled to help the special needs community in any way.

“We have a really good time here at Lookout Point Park, and we hope we enrich the lives for the downtown neighborhood,” Bybee said.

Johnson has dreamt of being many things in his life, including an artist, musician and scientist. At GAP, those dreams can become a reality.

“He wanted to help the community and thinks it’s important so this mixer was his idea,” Carr said.

People could get their face painted or make a clay sculpture inside the building. Outside was free food and a wheelchair car wash. While live music played the song “Car Wash,” attendees in wheelchairs were pushed through the turf and swarmed with bubbles.

“We just put a lot of effort into making it a fun and engaging experience where people can mingle and get to know each other,” Bybee explained. “And every Friday we have a special needs art class where they can also come to meet people. We’ve done polymer clay and it’s always just something different.”

Johnson said he was eternally grateful to be a part of the project and was thrilled with today’s turn out. Families in the community brought their kids for the music, free food and face painting.

Another attendee, Richard Meisner, also known as “Bubba” said he was invited by a friend during a Cars and Coffee meet up a few weeks back.

“It sounded fun to come make new friends,” he said. “And you should come out because we rock.”

A child gets her face painted, August 26

Cassie Correl is a weekly artist at the GAP and said she came to help spread the word about the special needs community in Pocatello. She said the weekly classes are easy and fun, with beaded necklaces being her favorite kind of art.

“Today I’m coloring and doing art, I’m getting my hair glittered and face paint. We’re doing dancing and there’s just a lot of fun energetic stuff for us to do,” she said. “People can also learn information about the community that they don’t know, not everyone knows there’s disabled people in Pocatello.”

Correl said there are disabled people everywhere and that everyone should help them because they’re just people.

“We’re just normal people,” she said. “We might be a little weird, but we’re just normal people.”

To learn more about the Glen Allen Project, visit https://glenallenarts.org/

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Curtis Jackson

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)—Travelers flying out of Pocatello will soon have an earlier option to start their trips.

Delta Air Lines is restoring its early morning departure from Pocatello Regional Airport beginning October 2. The flight is scheduled to leave Pocatello at 6:04 a.m., giving passengers more opportunities to connect through Delta’s hub at Salt Lake City International Airport.

The return flight is scheduled to arrive back in Pocatello at 9:48 p.m.

Airport officials say the added service will provide more flexibility for both business and leisure travelers.

“Having the early morning flight back is great news for our passengers and our community,” said Pocatello Regional Airport Manager Alan Evans. “This schedule gives travelers more flexibility and better opportunities to make connections while enjoying the convenience of flying from their local airport.”

Pocatello Regional Airport also highlights benefits such as free parking, shorter lines, and easier access compared to larger airports.

Passengers can view schedules and book flights through Delta.com. More information about the airport is available at pocatello.gov/airport.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Two rabid bats were found in Bonneville and Jefferson counties after domestic pets encountered the animals. Health officials at Eastern Idaho Public Health are warning residents on Wednesday that rabies poses a serious threat and is fatal if treatment is not administered after exposure.

Bats serve as the primary natural reservoir for the rabies virus in the region, with encounters typically increasing in late summer and early fall. While the disease is fatal once symptoms develop, rabies is preventable in humans and domestic animals through immediate medical attention.

Dogs, cats, ferrets and horses require primary rabies vaccinations and routine boosters every one to three years. Health officials noted that even indoor pets can be exposed if wildlife enters a home.

Jordan McAdam serves as an epidemiologist at Eastern Idaho Public Health. “It is essential to contact your health care provider immediately if you may have come into contact with a bat,” McAdam said. “If your pet has caught or played with a bat or other wild animal, contact your veterinarian immediately.”

Eastern Idaho Public Health provides free rabies testing when a potential exposure risk to humans or pets is identified.

Officials advise residents to never handle a bat with bare hands and to use thick gloves if securing a live or dead bat in a non-breakable container or double-bagged clear plastic bag for testing.

To prevent bats from entering structures, public health officials recommend plugging all holes in home or cabin siding and keeping window screens tight-fitting.

Editor’s Note: This story was adapted from a news release with the assistance of AI. All content is thoroughly reviewed and verified for accuracy by the Local News 8 editorial team.

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Curtis Jackson

RICHFIELD, Idaho (KIFI)— The Wildhorse Fire burning in Lincoln County has grown to 45,000 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said the fire is currently 8 miles east of Richfield and is asking residents to be prepared to leave if it gets closer. They have not issued an evacuation order yet.

The fire started on Monday afternoon due to lightning. The fire has been difficult to battle because of the lava flumes and rough terrain.

BLM says firefighters are conducting operations ahead of the fire to slow its progression and have aircraft working to slow the fire’s perimeter.

On Tuesday night, fire crews said they were able to keep the fire contained within the perimeter.

The Lincoln County Sheriff offers these suggestions to prepare:

Make sure you have a way to receive emergency alerts.

Keep vehicles fueled and ready to go.

Gather important medications, documents, and essential items.

Check on family members, elderly neighbors, and anyone who may need assistance.

If you have livestock or animals, begin making preparations now.

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Curtis Jackson

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — West Main Street is open and police have declared the area safe after investigating a suspected World War II-era hand grenade brought to the Rexburg Police Department. Authorities confirmed there is no threat to the public.

The investigation began when an individual brought military surplus items to the police station. Officers closed West Main Street between 1st East and Center Street for more than 2 hours while emergency crews secured the scene.

The individual had purchased military surplus items, including ammunition and bags, at an estate sale. After returning home, the buyer discovered what appeared to be a World War II-era hand grenade among the items and brought them to the Police Department.

Upon learning the grenade was inside the station, officers secured the scene and evacuated the immediate area. Emergency notifications were also issued to surrounding businesses and residents.

Members of the Idaho Falls Police Department Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit responded to the scene. The bomb squad took possession of the device for safe destruction.

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