Category: kifi-local-news

Maggie Moore

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Southeast Idaho’s Desert Eagles RC Club is inviting you to a unique fundraiser this Saturday, July 19th, where you can aim a paintball gun at their model radio-controlled airplanes for a good cause.

For just $3, you’ll get 10 shots to test your accuracy on RC planes in flight. All proceeds will go to the Veterans Mobility Corp, an organization that refurbishes electric wheelchairs and donates them to deserving disabled veterans right here in Southeast Idaho.

There will also be flight demonstrations, a remote control airshow, a drawing for RC planes, and the grand prize: A chance to ride in a full-sized Stearman donated by James Hoff.

The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the RC Club field, located just north of Andrus Trucking headquarters, directly off I-15 at Exit 113.

Click here to follow the original article.

Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Get ready for a day of excitement, delicious food, and incredible local talent! The first-ever Summer Celebration at the Falls Event is happening today, July 18, on the downtown Idaho Falls Riverwalk.

Put on by the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce and Visit Idaho, the event organizers promise a full day of fun under the summer sun. Attendees can look forward to a fantastic lineup including:

The Chamber enthusiastically shared on Facebook, “We have a variety of vendors, a rib special from our friends at Snow Eagle, live music with performances from a selection of local singer-songwriters, and fun games for all ages.”

The Summer Celebration goes until 6 PM.

Click here to follow the original article.

News Release

The following is a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office (Idaho):

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Jack Edward Newsom, 43, of Pocatello, was sentenced to 121 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.  Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Newsom to serve five years of supervised release after he completes his prison sentence.

According to court records, Newsom was arrested on May 8, 2024, when police officers executed a search warrant on his home and a fifth-wheel trailer parked in a storage facility. The officers seized 48.9 grams of fentanyl powder and a half a pound of methamphetamine from the residence in addition to a pound of marijuana, half a pound of methamphetamine, 79.6 grams of fentanyl powder, and 237 fentanyl pills from the fifth-wheel trailer. The warrant was executed after a months-long investigation in which law enforcement bought three and a half pounds of methamphetamine from Newsom on five occasions between February and April 2024.

Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the BADGES Task Force. The BADGES Task Force is a federally funded High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) partnership between the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Idaho State Police, the Pocatello Police Department, the Chubbuck Police Department, and the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office.

Click here to follow the original article.

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The US Senate approved the Trump administration’s $9 billion rescission package on Thursday, which aims to cut $1 billion in federal funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a financial backer for NPR, PBS, and local public affiliates like Idaho State University’s KISU radio station.

The proposed cuts will be brought before the House of Representatives on Thursday before being officially enacted, but KISU general manager Jamon Anderson said they are already planning for the potential of losing one of their main sources of funding.

“The impact of the loss of CPB funding is going to be big, it’s going to be huge,” said Anderson. “I think we’ve got funding in place for this current fiscal year, but we’re going to spend the next 11 months really trying to increase the amount that we’re getting from some of those other areas with the goal of continuing on with increased business support and, of course, donations.”

Anderson said federal funding through CPB accounts for around 25% of KISU’s annual budget. Other sources of financial support for the station include local business backing, listener donations, and a small amount from student fees through the university.

The pull-back of federal funding, Anderson said, is likely to interfere with KISU programming, including broadcasting for ISU athletics, for which KISU is the exclusive outlet, and their 24 volunteer-produced shows.

However, Anderson said the real repercussions of the funding cut will be felt by the students who take advantage of KISU resources for class experience, and the people who rely on the public radio station for news, music, and the over 8,000 free public service announcements offered by KISU using CPB funding.

“I start to think about the folks that will be impacted,” said Anderson. “The employees, the students, the educational and nonprofit communities in our area, and we always hope to rebuild and, of course, make that support up in other areas but I think we have a long road ahead to make that happen.”

For more information, you can visit the KISU website.

Click here to follow the original article.

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Idaho Transportation Department announced the painting of the final lane markers on the I-86/I-15 ‘Flying Y’ system interchange earlier this week, signaling the end of the three-year-long update project on the busy stretch of interstate.

In a press release, ITD said the project is all but finished except for shoulder work and landscaping in the area around the interchange, and the conclusion of the project is thanks to the planning of ITD engineers and the hard, year-round work of crews and project leads of contractors ‘Sundt-Cannon Joint Venture.’

“It’s an amazing process, three years of construction, 24/7, and all the way through the winter; it’s been a massive undertaking,” said Justin Smith, public information officer for ITD District 5. “Not only that, but keeping traffic moving while rebuilding the entire interchange has just been something amazing to watch play out, and watching the contractors working, the community interacting with us, it’s been really gratifying to see the project coming to this conclusion.”

Throughout the $112 million rebuild, crews built 8 new bridges, laid 116,000 tons of asphalt, and excavated around 1 million cubic yards of dirt.

ITD has produced a short documentary chronicling the project from start to finish. It can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF6Kyu85DGs

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — A box truck driver is recovering from minor injuries after their vehicle lost its brakes on the Teton Pass Thursday afternoon, July 17.

The driver was luckily able to use the Vehicle Arrestor Catchnet System to bring the truck to a stop, avoiding a potential serious accident.

According to the Wyoming Department of Transportation, the truck struck four of the catchnets before it stopped.

WYDOT crews are working on repairs and expect the catchnet system to be open by Thursday evening.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Falls Police made a massive drug seizure Friday, after a traffic stop led to the arrest of two Montana residents found with approximately 25 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in their vehicle.

Cody Davidson, 38, and Diane Walters, 50, both of Great Falls, Montana, are currently being held at the Bonneville County Jail, potentially facing serious drug trafficking charges following their arrests on July 11, 2025.

Courtesy: Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office

That day, the Idaho Falls Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit received a tip from law enforcement partners that a vehicle suspected of transporting a significant quantity of narcotics was headed towards Idaho Falls. Acting on this intelligence, investigators quickly located the vehicle at the Love’s Truck Stop at 6737 S 45th Road.

Officers initiated a traffic stop along I-15 after observing the driver, later identified as Davidson, fail to make a complete stop before re-entering the roadway. An Idaho Falls Police K9 officer was called to the scene, and during a free sniff of the vehicle, the police K9 reacted to the presence of narcotics.

Courtesy: IFPD

During the subsequent roadside search, investigators made the initial discovery: 13 bundles of suspected methamphetamine, wrapped in black electrical tape, concealed within the panel of the vehicle’s rear liftgate. Inside a purse in the vehicle’s center console, officers also found two small baggies containing 13.9 grams of cocaine and 4.85 grams of methamphetamine, along with various drug paraphernalia. Davidson reportedly claimed ownership of these items, and a further search of Davidson upon his arrest revealed a glass jar also containing methamphetamine.

Their vehicle was taken to the Idaho Falls Police Complex, where, after obtaining a search warrant, a more thorough search was conducted in the vehicle examination bay. The search uncovered additional drug paraphernalia and 11 more black electrical tape-wrapped packages, concealed inside a door panel. One of these packages was opened and tested positive for methamphetamine.

In total, police seized 24 bundles containing an estimated 25 pounds of tested and suspected methamphetamine.

Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson underscored the important role of inter-agency cooperation in such substantial busts. “Often, when large drug seizures like this one are made, it is thanks to a collaborative effort from narcotics investigators and officers from different agencies,” said Chief Johnson. “Those partnerships make it possible for us to make a stronger impact in the fight against illegal narcotics and the harm they do in our communities.”

Chief Johnson thanked the Davis County Task Force in Utah, Great Falls, Montana law enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho State Police for their partnership in this investigation.

According to the IFPD, Davidson admitted to knowing about the methamphetamine in the vehicle and to consuming methamphetamine during the trip. He was arrested for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Walters, his passenger, was arrested for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Firefighters in Custer County are on scene battling the Double Springs Fire, a lightning-caused brush and timber fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The small blaze is burning about 28 miles southeast of Challis and is estimated to be 0.25 acres in size.

The U.S. Forest Service has confirmed that two engine crews and a helicopter are on scene, actively working to contain the fire. Fire crews say firefighter and public safety is a priority for this fire.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will continue to provide more updates as information becomes available.

Click here to follow the original article.

News Team

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (KIFI) — On Tuesday, July 15, injured Coeur d’Alene firefighter Dave Tysdal was flown to a specialized rehabilitation hospital in Colorado, marking a significant step in his road to recovery. Tysdal, who was seriously injured in the tragic June 29 ambush that killed fellow firefighters John Morrison and Frank Harwood, received a “hero’s send-off” from Kootenai Health Medical Center.

The emotional farewell saw members of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, hospital staff, and local first responders line the hallway in a show of their support. Governor Brad Little also visited Tysdal at the hospital, urging Idahoans to “keep Firefighter Tysdal and his family in your prayers as they begin the long road to recovery.”

According to Coeur d’Alene Fire, Tysdal is credited with helping save the lives of his fellow first responders by warning them to stay out of the area after he was shot in the back. His injuries include a collapsed lung, shattered ribs, and spinal swelling. Since the incident, Tysdal has not been able to move his legs, Coeur d’Alene Fire reports that he started voluntarily moving the toes on his left foot Sunday, July 13.

His transfer to the rehab hospital will continue his care, which specializes in the care of individuals with spinal cord injuries.

VAST Apparel in Idaho Falls has raised $10,000 to support the injured firefighters in last month’s Coeur d’Alene shooting. For more information, click HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

SODA SPRINGS, Idaho (KIFI) — The iconic Soda Springs Geyser is expected to be out of commission for at least eight weeks due to extensive mechanical failures. The City of Soda Springs announced on June 3rd that the entire mechanical and valve system needed to be replaced after a mechanical failure.

Repair parts are anticipated to take eight weeks for delivery, during which time the geyser will remain non-operational. The City has apologized for the inconvenience via a Facebook post.

Discovered in 1937, the Soda Springs Geyser emerged when local businessmen, drilling for hot water for a commercial bathhouse, accidentally tapped into a pocket of carbon dioxide gas. Hot water erupted from the ground, initially reaching heights of over 45 feet and later 70 feet after the drill bit was removed, according to the City website. Following its discovery, the geyser was capped and set to erupt every hour on the hour, a schedule it maintained until the recent mechanical problems forced its closure.

For updates on the repair progress, check the City of Soda Springs’ official social media page, HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.