Category: kifi-local-news

News Release

The following is a press release from the Idaho Transportation Department:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department will move Interstate 15 traffic Tuesday and Wednesday nights to accommodate girder placement at 2.5 Mile Road Bridge.

Traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction and shifted onto the same side of the interstate. Work will be conducted between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night with a speed limit of 55 miles per hour through the work zone.

Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area. With crews working day and night on the project to make I-15 three lanes from Northgate to Fort Hall it is especially important that drivers be alert and travel safely.

I-15 serves as a major transportation corridor through eastern Idaho. These improvements will increase capacity and improve safety to serve the region’s growing transportation needs for years to come. 

Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of project detours. Project details are available on ITD’s projects website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i15northgatetoblackfoot.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The search is on for the next artistic leader of the Idaho Falls Symphony. Monday, the symphony announced the formation of its Music Director Search Committee, which will spend the next two seasons fielding candidates across the nation to become the new music director.

“This search is not just about finding a conductor—it’s about identifying a visionary partner who will inspire our musicians, engage our audience, and strengthen our role in the cultural life of eastern Idaho, said Executive Director Carrie Athay. “We are thrilled to begin this journey with such a dedicated and well-rounded committee.”

Led by Jake Durtschi and following the best practices set by the League of American Orchestras, the symphony says the committee reflects a careful balance of musical, organizational, and community viewpoints. Members were chosen for their leadership skills, insights, and commitment to the Symphony’s long-term artistic vitality.

“This is an exciting chapter in the Symphony’s future,” said Jake Durtschi, Committee Chair. “We are committed to a transparent process that honors the rich legacy of the Idaho Falls Symphony while embracing new artistic leadership.”

During the search, the committee will finalize candidate criteria, conduct a national search, and invite guest conductors to lead performances for the 2026–2027 season.

Feedback from audiences, musicians, and board members will play a critical role in the final selection process, according to symphony directors.

The final appointment is expected to be made in May 2027.

2025–2027 Music Director Search Committee:

Committee Chair

Jake Durtschi

Board Representatives

Rick Aman

Todd Combs

Kevin Young

Musician Representatives

Adam Ballif

Kristin Bull

Annalee Kelly

Lisa McNiven

Kevin Meyer

Emma Rubinstein

Community Representatives

Betsy Hunsicker

Michelle Mallard

Administrative, Non-Voting Advisor

Carrie Athay, Executive Director

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Bannock County Assessor’s Office announced they have seen a record number of homeowners apply for the Property Tax Reduction (PTR) program this year.

The PTR, formerly known as ‘Circuit Breaker’, program can reduce property taxes by up to $1,500 for people with disabilities, seniors, and some veterans; applicants must have an annual income of $37,810 or less.

Bannock County Assessor Anita Hymas said this year’s 1,498 applicants surpassed the previous record year in 2023, when 1,397 people applied for the PTR program.

Assessor Hymas said she and her team have been holding more public outreach events, such as open houses in every Bannock County town, as well as PTR help over the phone and online, to increase awareness of property tax reduction options available.

“I’ve always felt that it’s important to bring us to them if possible, and that is one program we can do that with,” said Hymas.

Hymas also said that with last month’s increase in Pocatello property values, homeowners should make sure they have an exemption listed on their statement before property taxes come due in the fall. If an exemption is not listed, homeowners are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Assessor’s Office.

For more information on property taxes, homeowners’ exemptions, and the PTR program, you can visit the Bannock County Assessor’s Office website.

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Sam Ross

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI)– The American Red Cross is now working out of their new Blood Donation Center location in the Pine Ridge Shopping Center.

The Red Cross relocated ahead of demolitions scheduled in the ongoing project to turn the Pine Ridge Mall into an open-air retail space.

Regional Red Cross account manager Traci Lund said their new location is a major upgrade and includes new prescreening rooms, more temperature-controlled storage spaces, and a larger area for collections and blood drives; the Red Cross’ new space also has a entrance accessible from the parking lot, an improvement over their old location which was only accessible through the mall.

“We actually have a storefront,” said Lund. “I think people forget because we were tucked back in the mall, and now we’re just right out here–we have our big name out there, and I love that.”

Lund said she hopes the new location will draw more donors to give blood in the face of constant blood shortages in the Pocatello area.

The Red Cross also continually hosts blood drives around the Portneuf Valley. To find a blood drive nearby, or to schedule an appointment to give blood at the Red Cross’ brand new facility, you can visit the American Red Cross website.

The new Blood Donation Center is located at the Pine Ridge Shopping Center at 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101. The entrance is around the corner from Planet Fitness, across from the AMC CLASSIC Pine Ridge 11 movie theater in Chubbuck.

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Curtis Jackson

PHOENIX (KIFI) – Jury selection has been delayed again for Lori Vallow Daybell’s second Arizona conspiracy murder trial because she is sick.

Lori Vallow Daybell appeared in court Monday in a wheelchair. She explained to the judge she was sick with a headache, nausea, and chills, according to Fox 10 reporter Justin Lim. Judge Justin Beresky said he will delay jury selection to Wednesday, June 4, at 10 a.m.

Vallow Daybell also left the court early on Friday after she told the judge she was sick.

Vallow Daybell is on trial for a murder conspiracy charge of trying to kill her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux.

Police say Vallow Daybell’s brother shot at Boudreaux outside his home in Gilbert in October 2019. Boudreaux was not hit but the bullet shattered his car’s window.

Vallow Daybell was convicted in May of conspiring to kill her former husband. She is also convicted of killing her children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, in Idaho.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO (KIFI) — On Saturday, June 14, Idaho Fish and Game is reeling in a special invitation for all anglers in celebration of Idaho’s Free Fishing Day. Across the Gem State, numerous ponds and prime fishing locations will be open, offering a perfect opportunity for everyone to cast a line without needing a license.

JEFFERSON COUNTY – 9 AM – 1 PM

Jim Moore Pond – Fish and Game will be celebrating by loaning poles and bait, anglers can check out free equipment from 9 AM to 1 PM. Jim Moore Pond is a great place for kids to chase small perch with lots of biting action close to Idaho Falls. In addition to yellow perch, anglers may also catch rainbow trout and the occasional catfish.

TETON COUNTY – 9 AM – 1 PM

Trail Creek Pond – Trail Creek Pond is about two miles southeast of Victor near the Wyoming border on State Hwy 33 (toward Jackson, WY). This small scenic pond next to Trail Creek is in the lush Teton Basin. One of the most consistent kids’ fisheries in the area, it is easily fished from the bank, with trails and picnic tables around the perimeter.

SALMON – 8:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Kid’s Creek Pond – Fish and Game officials will be running a free Kid’s Fishing Derby at Kid’s Creek Pond near downtown Salmon. Registration runs from 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM, and while bait will be provided, children are encouraged to bring their own rod and reel if possible due to limited equipment. Prizes for the biggest fish in four age categories, generously donated by local businesses and individuals, will be awarded starting at noon, so make sure anglers are present to claim their winnings.

CHALLIS – 8:30 AM – 11:45 AM

 Blue Mountain Meadow Pond – Another Kid’s Fishing Derby will take place at the Blue Mountain Meadow Pond off U.S. Hwy 93, hosted by Idaho Fish and Game and Salmon-Challis National Forest, this event offers a fantastic opportunity for young anglers. Registration runs from 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM, and while bait will be provided, children are encouraged to bring their rod and reel if possible due to limited equipment. Prizes for the biggest fish in four age categories, generously donated by local businesses and individuals, will be awarded starting at noon.

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KRDO

WASHINGTON (KRDO) — The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed federal charges against Mohammed Sabry Soliman, the 45-year-old man accused of setting people on fire in Boulder on Sunday.

The FBI called it a targeted terror attack, as he allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at people gathered for a demonstration in support of the Israeli hostages. Soliman’s criminal complaint alleges he yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack.

The DOJ is seeking federal hate crime charges, according to court records.

pic.twitter.com/GmmP5VddGr

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 2, 2025

“(Soliman) stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,” the criminal complaint read. “Soliman stated he would do it (conduct an attack) again.”

According to the complaint, Soliman had allegedly been planning the attack for a year and waited until his daughter graduated to carry it out.

“The Department of Justice has swiftly charged the illegal alien perpetrator of this heinous attack with a federal hate crime and will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims and our Jewish community across the world,” read a statement from Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This vile anti-Semitic violence comes just weeks after the horrific murder of two young Jewish Americans in Washington DC. We will never tolerate this kind of hatred. We refuse to accept a world in which Jewish Americans are targeted for who they are and what they believe.” 

He reportedly traveled from his Colorado Springs home, where he lived with his wife and five kids, to Boulder.

Editor’s note: Previous information from the FBI spelled the suspect’s name as “Mohamed.” The criminal complaint spells his name “Mohammed.” Because a criminal complaint is a legal document, KRDO13 is currently reporting that spelling unless other information comes to light.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) has proactively shut down its network systems after a malware attack targeted the school. As of now, college officials do not believe any student or staff data has been compromised.

The issues began last week when a CEI student, using a personal laptop, accessed an external website, inadvertently introducing the malware into the college’s online network.

According to the school, CEI’s IT team quickly began actively monitoring and containing the initial threat. However, the malicious actor escalated their efforts, launching a “trojan horse attack” on the network last Friday.

In response, CEI quickly shut down its systems to prevent further intrusion and to protect the integrity of college data and infrastructure.

“Our top priority is the safety and security of our students, faculty, and institutional data,” said CEI President, Dr. Lori Barber. “We are working closely with cybersecurity experts and following all appropriate protocols and regulatory guidelines to fully eliminate the malware and restore system functionality.”

Despite the network outage, CEI reportedly has contingency plans in place to ensure summer courses will proceed as scheduled. The college says it remains committed to maintaining academic continuity and supporting students and staff throughout this process.

CEI has contingency plans in place to ensure that summer courses will proceed as scheduled. The college remains committed to maintaining academic continuity and supporting students and staff throughout this process.

CEI does not yet have a definitive timeline for when full network functionality will be restored but will continue to provide timely updates as more information becomes available.

For questions or concerns, students are being asked to contact CEI’s CIO, Steve Brown at steve.brown@cei.edu.

This is a developing story Local News 8 will update throughout the day.

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News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department resumed construction on the Chubbuck Road I-15 underpass, on Monday, June 2, 2025. During the work, the road underneath the interstate will be closed to through traffic so ITD contractors can complete the work adding lanes and footpaths for bicyclists and pedestrians.

ITD had partially opened the roadway for the past school year, but with schools out for the summer, they say their contractors will be returning to complete the work.

Drivers are being asked to use the Northgate interchange as a detour during the closure.

“Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area. With crews working day and night at the System Interchange it is especially important that drivers be alert and travel safely,” writes ITD staff.

ITD says they’re aiming to wrap things up by the end of June — so motorists should expect to plan for a few weeks of delays and detours in that area.

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News Team

SHOSHONE, Idaho (KIFI) — A 61-year-old man from Jerome is dead after an early Sunday morning motorcycle crash.

According to Idaho State Police, just before noon on Sunday, June 1, 2025, the rider was traveling westbound on State Highway 24 near milepost 39.5.

The motorcyclist exited the roadway on his 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle turning right down a hill where he lost control and crashed.

The man was wearing a helmet, but ISP reports that he died at the scene. The roadway was blocked for approximately two and a half hours to allow emergency personnel to render aid and clear the scene.

This crash remains under investigation by Idaho State Police.

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