Category: kifi-local-news

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A new law allowing semi trucks to travel the freeway at 80 miles per hour goes into effect in Idaho on July 1.

“It is Idaho Transportation Department’s plan to take down 70 miles per hour truck speed limit signs along I-15 to the Montana border on July 1,” Idaho Transportation Department spokeswoman Sky Buffat said. “We will continue to gather and monitor traffic and speed data moving forward.”

The change is driving a wide range of responses from employers and drivers in the trucking industry.

Doug Andrus Distributing is one of the region’s largest trucking companies, employing 250 drivers who travel 30 million miles a year across the United States.

Doug Andrus Chief Financial Officer Jason Andrus said their drivers’ top speed will remain unchanged at 67 miles per hour despite the new limit.

“When we talk about fuel economy, that change in speed from 67 mph to to 80 mph would hurt our fuel economy at 1.3 miles per gallon and cost our company about $3.6 million,” Andrus said. “So we have a big reason to operate efficiently and at those lower speeds.”

But some drivers are on board with the changes.

“I think it’s a great idea because the the faster we go in, the more miles we can cover because we get paid by the miles so they can cover more miles that way,” over-the-road truck driver Michael Roy said at Love’s Truck Stop Wednesday.

Garrett Hinshaw, another driver, pointed out the heightened danger of vehicles traveling at different velocities.

“Anytime you have a difference, especially of ten miles per hour between traveling traffic and commercial trucks, it ups the stakes of something going drastically wrong,” Hinshaw said. “We’re also seeing that there’s an uptick in collisions and distracted driving.”

Andrus said that lower truck speeds enhance safety for everyone on the road.

“If we’re in an accident, it’s going to be less damaging if we’re at a lower speed,” Andrus said. “Slower speeds give our drivers more time to react, more time to brake. So all of those are good reasons for us to keep operating on the speeds that we do.”

Buffat said the increased truck speed limit was driven by the Idaho Legislature.

“After our Legislature hears and passes new laws and direction, that’s what we follow,” she said. “ITD will always prioritize safety and monitor to make future changes if needed.”

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Par Kermani

EASTERN IDAHO (KIFI) — Communities across eastern Idaho are preparing to celebrate Juneteenth with events in Idaho Falls and Pocatello honoring the end of slavery in the United States and highlighting African American history, culture and contributions.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved people they were free — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday became a federal holiday in 2021.

In Idaho Falls, community organizations and local governments will come together for the Third Annual Juneteenth: An Evening at the Colonial on June 19 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Colonial Theater.

The free event will feature musical performances and storytelling exploring the history and significance of Juneteenth and the influence of African American culture on American music throughout the 20th century.

The evening will begin with a Juneteenth proclamation read by Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw, joined by representatives from the City of Ammon and the Bonneville County Commissioners.

“I’m glad our community can come together to celebrate and reflect on Juneteenth,” Burtenshaw said. “It’s an important moment in our nation’s history, and we remain dedicated to freedom and equality for everyone.”

Organizers say the program will include performances guided by Idaho Falls Symphony Executive Director Carrie Athay and a Readers’ Theater presentation by the Freedom Readers youth group.

Meanwhile, the Pocatello Branch of the NAACP will host its fourth local Juneteenth celebration on June 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pocatello Senior Activity Center and neighboring Purce Park.

The family-friendly event will feature ethnic and traditional foods, music, raffles, scholarship announcements and activities for children. Organizers say the celebration will also recognize the history of Juneteenth and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

“Juneteenth is a time to honor the hard-fought victories of the past while moving forward in the ongoing struggle for equality for all, a fight that requires courage, conviction and community effort,” said Pocatello NAACP President Jackie Wood.

Retired Idaho State University administrator Dr. James H. Yizar Jr. will serve as the keynote speaker. The event will also include a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem, by local singer Tiphanie Anirah.

Wood said the celebration is an opportunity to recognize those who fought for freedom while encouraging future generations to continue that work.

“As we come together this year in celebration of this hard-fought holiday, may we remember those who paved the way for victories in justice and join our efforts with theirs as we strive for a better future for the rising generation,” Wood said.

Organizers in both communities say the events are open to the public and are intended to educate, celebrate and bring people together while reflecting on an important chapter of American history.

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Stephanie Lucas

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A Pocatello man was sentenced to state prison and a lifetime ban from the field for multiple felony wildlife violations after a years-long, multi-jurisdictional investigation into an elaborate, illegal guiding scheme.

On June 2, 2026, Seventh District Judge Dane H. Boyce sentenced Joelseph Jenkins of Pocatello on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from an fradulent hunting sweepstakes he advertised on an Oklahoma radio station. Through the operation, Jenkins raked in more than $55,000 by leading hunters to illegally harvest big game across eastern Idaho.

Judge Boyce accepted the terms of Jenkins’ plea agreement, handing down the following concurrent sentences:

State prison: 2 years determinate + 2 years indeterminate for unlawful possession of a firearm

State prison: 2 years determinate + 2 years indeterminate for felony unlawful possession of wildlife (served concurrently)

6 months in Teton County Jail for guiding without a license (served concurrently)

6 months in Teton County Jail for a bear bait violation (served concurrently)

 Lifetime hunting license revocation

Lifetime prohibition of accompanying other hunters in the field

$9,750 in restitution for nine unlawfully taken animals

$1,498.50 in total fines and court costs

Inside the Investigation

Jenkins was originally charged in 2024 with numerous felony and misdemeanor wildlife violations after Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officers uncovered the commercial guiding scheme spanning Power, Caribou, Bannock, Jefferson, and Teton counties.

Investigators found that Jenkins assisted clients in unlawfully taking five black bears and four elk (three bulls and one cow). A mountain of violations was identified during the multi-agency probe, including:

Felony, unlawful possession of a firearm

Multiple felony and misdemeanor counts of possession of unlawfully taken wildlife

Guiding without a license

Placing bear bait unlawfully

Violating forest road closures

Aiding and abetting

molesting big game with a motor vehicle;

Trespassing to hunt or retrieve game

Failure to remove bear bait sites after the season.

Idaho Fish and Game extended its gratitude to the public for remaining vigilant in reporting potential wildlife crimes.

“Public involvement plays a critical role in ensuring Idaho’s fish and wildlife will exist for future generations,” said IDFG Regional Communications Manager James Brower in a press release announcing the sentencing.

IDFG also expressed its gratitude to the Prosecutor’s Offices of Power, Caribou, Bannock, Jefferson, and Teton counties for their extensive work in reviewing the multi-county case and pursuing appropriate charges.

Anyone with information about potential wildlife violations is encouraged to call the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline at 1-800-632-5999, report online at the Idaho Fish and Game website, or contact their local law enforcement agency. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Par Kermani

WENDELL, Idaho (KIFI) — Fire crews are battling a fast-moving wildfire burning northwest of Wendell that has grown to more than 8,600 acres Wednesday afternoon.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the Median Fire was estimated at 8,624 acres as of 3:05 p.m. The fire was reported around 11:55 a.m. approximately four miles northwest of Wendell and quickly spread through grass and brush fueled by strong winds.

The Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District and U.S. Wildland Fire Service Great Basin Unit 2-Twin Falls responded to the fire.

Officials reported the fire had reached approximately 1,000 acres shortly before 2 p.m. before rapidly expanding throughout the afternoon.

Fire officials describe the blaze as wind-driven and say it has crossed State Highway 46 and is moving east.

As of 2 p.m., all lanes of State Highway 46 were closed between East 2800 South and mile marker 105, according to Idaho 511.

Resources assigned to the fire include eight engines, two dozers, six fixed-wing aircraft, overhead personnel and cooperating agencies.

Officials are urging the public to avoid the area and give firefighters room to work.

Smoke from the fire is expected to be visible throughout the region and could impact travel.

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

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News Team

Originally Published: Published June 15, 2026 10:25 AM

By: Abby Smith, Marina Garcia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A mysterious figure described as “potato-shaped” hovering over Colorado Springs is reported in the latest UFO files.

Five U.S. Army service members reported seeing the object spotted over Cheyenne Mountain on Feb. 15, 2022, while near Fort Carson. They described it as large, oddly shaped, and shimmering white. According to the report, it appeared to hover over the mountain for up to three minutes before suddenly disappearing.

The witnesses said the object looked somewhat translucent and had an uneven, panel-like surface that seemed to slowly change shape.

After reviewing the incident, government analysts believe the sighting may have been caused by sunlight reflecting off snow-covered ground and nearby clouds. The report says this effect, known as backscattering, could have created the illusion of a solid object in the sky.

However, investigators said they have low confidence in that conclusion because they could not be certain about the weather conditions, snow cover or each witness’s exact viewpoint.

The report also found no evidence that the object was an unknown aircraft or a threat. Investigators noted that no airplanes or balloons were known to be operating near Cheyenne Mountain at the time.

A separate FBI document includes an interview with one of the witnesses, a former Army intelligence officer. The witness described the object as “potato-shaped” with a creamy white color and said its surface looked like irregular panels that moved in slow waves while the object itself stayed perfectly still.

The witness also said the object disappeared almost instantly after about two minutes, making it seem as though it had “cloaked” rather than flown away.

KRDO13 spoke with the Director of the Mutual UFO Network, Seth Feinstein, who says they use a point system to rate credibility for reports, and this sighting earns a few.

“They would get one point for being reliable witnesses because they’re U.S. Army intelligence and they would get two points for having four witnesses, more than one witness,” says Feinstein.

Overall, though, a low probability of being an actual unidentified anomalous phenomena, otherwise known as a UAP.

“There are reasons, psychologically or perception-wise. I don’t think it was the lens flare or reflection of the snow, but, you know, I’ve seen so many cases of clouds that people would swear were UAPs,” says Feinstein.

While the witness descriptions are unusual, the government analysis concludes that a natural atmospheric effect is the most likely explanation based on the available evidence, though some uncertainty remains.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Two students from the ISU Robotics Program, Angel Nava and Rudy Ernest, traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for the Skills USA National Championships and came home with medals, memories, and an astounding accomplishment.

Idaho State University became the first school to win the same competition at Skills USA Nationals three years in a row when Nava took the gold medal in Electronics Technology. Ernest came away with a 6th place overall win in the Mathmatics competition.

Instructor Brody Holyoak and athlete Angel Nava with the Director of Skills USA, credit Brody Holyoak

The Electronics Technology competition had five different sections to complete, including written tests and hands-on applications. Nava said he felt very prepared after his rigorous years in the robotics program.

“In later semesters in the program, you really get knee deep in the troubleshooting, trying to figure out what each component in the circuit does,” Nava said.

He added that other competing students he spoke to came from less intensive electrical engineering programs, working with older equipment. “I know everyone did their best, but our program is pretty tough as nails,” he said. “But that kind of works out in my favor because it makes me a little more prepared.”

Angel Nava during his Electronics Technology competition at Skills USA Nationals, credit Brody Holyoak

ISU sent multiple students to the state level competition, which Nava said was just as intense as nationals. “I was going against a lot of my classmates, and I was definitely nervous because they’re really good at what they do so I’d say I was more nervous at the state level.”

The national competition brought in over 20,000 people from across the country, making it the biggest stage the ISU athletes had ever competed on. Nava said the presssure really came from knowing the three-peat rode on his shoulders and he didn’t want to let the team down.

“I knew going into it I could probably make it onto the podium, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to be first,” he said. “The other guys really knew what they were doing and seemed confident. When they called my name, I just felt a huge wave of relief, just like ‘oh thank goodness I didn’t screw it up’ because this was really big and if I had gotten second place, we would’ve had to start over again another three years to hopefully get the three-peat.”

Angel Nava on the podium with his gold medal, credit Brody Holyoak

Prizes were also awarded to the highest winners of each competition. Nava said he and Ernest had some time to explore Atlanta and make some memories while on the trip.

Ernest got a higher score than the ISU student who competed in mathmatics last year, who walked away with a bronze medal. Because Ernest secured 6th place, the team believes the competition is only going to grow more fierce in the next several years.

“It’s such an achievement he was able to beat our guy from last year, and it really speaks to how the competition is going to keep getting better every year and everybody’s going to be stepping up their game,” he said.

The director of Skills USA met with Nava and his instructor Brody Holyoak for photos and to congratulate them on their history-making win. Now, Nava looks forward to possible scholarship opportunities that could come as a result of his national achievement and to mentoring future students in the robotics program.

“We’ll love to have Angel’s help and understanding to have him mentor the next group of competitors,” said Brody Holyoak, a first semester instructor in the Robotics and Communications Engineering Technology program at ISU. “It was Angel’s hard work, intuitiveness, his ability to read the instructions and do the competition. The program taught him, but he was the one able to pull it all together and do so well in the competition.”

Skills USA National competition arena in Atlanta, GA, credit Brody Holyoak

When it mattered most, Nava blocked out the pressure of the national competition and performed at the highest level in his craft.

“I just want to say congratulations to both of the guys, I am so proud of you,” Holyoak added. “It’s not an easy thing to go, and I’m grateful they were willing to take the time to go to the national competition. They’re incredible students, very hardworking.”

The robotics program is already looking forward to another amazing year of competition, hopefully to make it a four-peat next summer.

Rudy Ernest and Angel Nava, credit Brody Holyoak

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)— The Bank of Commerce has donated $12,000 to the Community Food Basket of Idaho Falls to help address food insecurity in eastern Idaho.

“Food insecurity affects more families in our community than many people realize,” Bank President and CEO Mike Morrison said. “The Community Food Basket provides an essential service by ensuring our neighbors have access to food during difficult times.”

Morrison presented the donation, which will help the nonprofit continue providing food assistance to local individuals and families.

According to the Community Food Basket, the funds will help fill critical gaps in funding and food supplies throughout the year as demand for services continues.

Ariel Jackson, executive director of Community Food Basket of Idaho Falls, says that this donation helps keep their shelves stocked all year long.

“We can spread those out throughout the whole year, That way we can get the best deals on food and and keep stocked up,” Jackson said.

The Community Food Basket serves thousands of people each year, providing food assistance and other resources to families facing hardship.

“We are incredibly grateful for The Bank of Commerce’s generous support,” Jackson said, “Partnerships like this allow us to continue filling shelves, meeting increased demand, and ensuring that no one in our community has to face hunger alone.”

A statement from Bank Of Commerce says supporting local organizations remains an important part of the bank’s mission through charitable giving, volunteer efforts and community partnerships.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – A man in Madison County is charged with a felony aggravated battery after police say he inflicted willfully caused injury to his three-month-old child.

The Rexburg Police arrested Leonardo Santiago Jara Saltos after being alerted by Child Protective Services that Saltos had confessed to his wife to shaking their newborn son.

According to court documents, Saltos claimed his newborn son had fallen off the changing table/dresser and was taken to the Madison Memorial Hospital for evaluation. The hospital found the newborn had a skull fracture and past bleeding in the brain.

However, after being alerted by the CPS, the Madison County authorities spoke with a medical professional over the incident who stated “the injuries (the newborn) has are consistent with a shake, impact, or severe impact,” according to court documents.

Based on this information, Saltos was placed into custody at the Madison County Jail where his bond has been set at $150,000. He is set to appear for a preliminary hearing today at 1:30 p.m in the Madison County Courthouse.

We will continue to monitor this case and keep you informed.

These charges represent a formal accusation of a crime. All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 17 JUN 26 14:18 ET

By Victoria Rodriguez

Click here for updates on this story

    CANYON COUNTY, Idaho (KIVI) — A bull briefly escaped the arena during a signature competition at this year’s Parma Inferno event Saturday night before being quickly recaptured, according to organizers and spectators.

The incident happened during the rodeo’s bull poker competition, one of the event’s featured attractions, when a bull broke through a gate and ran into a nearby field.

Spectator David Moore, who has attended the event for several years, said the bull appeared to circle the arena before forcing its way out.

“He kind of circled the arena and then went back and hit the arena gate and kind of bounced the chain or something, and then out he went,” Moore said.

Moore said cowboys on horseback moved in quickly once the bull got loose.

“The cowboys went out there with their horses, and they were able to catch him,” he said. According to Parma Inferno organizers, the bull was safely recovered, and there were no injuries requiring medical attention outside the arena.

Despite the unexpected moment, Moore described the event as a strong community gathering that continues to grow each year.

“This is my third year attending the Parma Inferno. I think it’s a great community event. It seems to be getting bigger every year,” he said. He also said he felt organizers handled the situation appropriately.

“I think they handled it perfectly. The cowboys and the horses were on that. Everybody had a rope,” Moore said.

Following the event, some attendees raised concerns on social media, including a Facebook post from spectator Michelle Serratos, who shared photos appearing to show a bull poker participant receiving medical attention for a bloody nose.

Serratos told Idaho News 6 that the man pictured was participating in the event and said she was standing nearby when he was escorted from the area.

Idaho News 6 has not independently verified the extent of any injuries shown in the photos before publication.

Organizers say the bull was contained quickly and the event continued without further incident.

The Parma Inferno has grown in popularity in recent years, featuring multiple rodeo-style competitions and drawing crowds from across the region.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KIVI verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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