Category: kifi-local-news

Kevin Richert

By: Kevin Richert and Ryan Suppe

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on April 2, 2026

BOISE, Idaho — A last-minute bill restricting teachers’ unions passed the House Thursday afternoon, after surviving two procedural challenges Thursday morning.

Representatives convene on the House floor Thursday. (Sean Dolan/Idaho EdNews)

The 43-24 House vote sends the heavily amended House Bill 516 to Gov. Brad Little’s desk, as lawmakers look to adjourn for the year. Thursday is the 81st day of the 2026 session — and the final day of the session. The Senate formally adjourned for the year at 6:19 p.m.; the House followed suit at 6:29 p.m..

 

At issue is a controversial proposal that would make it illegal for schools to “use or authorize the use of taxpayer funds to support teachers unions.” Among other things, schools could no longer use their payroll systems to collect union dues, increase teacher pay to cover the cost of union activities, or provide a teacher paid time off for union activities.

These proposals aren’t new — lawmakers have debated them in past sessions, and earlier this session — but the issue came back to life in the waning days of the 2026 session.

On Monday, the Senate transformed a three-page bill on LGBTQ+ instruction into a 10-page union bill. The total rewrite is known in Statehouse parlance as “radiator capping” — taking one part from a car, and building a new vehicle around it. The Senate passed the overhauled bill Wednesday.

During debate over the bill, Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, downplayed the impact on teachers’ unions, which represent educators in 83 Idaho school districts. The bill would simply prevent taxpayer support of teachers union.

Rep. Soñia Galaviz, an elementary school teacher, took a much more dim view of the situation. She cited language that broadly defines “teachers union activities,” a definition that includes promoting the union or soliciting membership.

“This will kill the teachers’ association,” said Galaviz, D-Boise. “It will not let us utter a word about it.”

Galaviz attempted to move the bill to the House’s amending order — saying it should be extended to cover law enforcement and fire department unions that actively lobby the Legislature. She withdrew her motion after Republicans objected.

Earlier in the day, the eleventh-hour amendment process came under scrutiny in a pair of procedural votes.

First, the House had to vote to accept the Senate’s amendments to HB 516.

House Education Committee Chairman Dale Hawkins, the author of the original LGBTQ+ instruction bill, defended the overhaul.

“Nothing was done sneakily,” said Hawkins, R-Fernwood. “This is a good measure. It does not stop one educator from being involved in unions.”

Boyle also debated in favor of the rewrite. Earlier this year, Boyle sponsored a similar union bill, House Bill 745, which passed the House last month. Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Moscow, refused to bring the bill before the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee, prompting the HB 516 makeover.

“The Senate doesn’t do that very often,” she said. “That tells you how upset they were.”

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel said the entire process has “smacked of shenanigans,” cutting the public out of the process.

“At no point has the substance of this bill … been heard by an education committee,” said Rubel, D-Boise.

Galaviz said the union bill reflects a “continual and steady erosion of trust, of respect,” for what educators do. Every legislative session, she said, “public school teachers hold their breath across the entire state.”

The House voted to accept the amendments on a 41-23 vote, over bipartisan opposition.

Minutes later, the House rejected an attempt to ship the bill back to House Education for a hearing.

Rep. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston, pushed for the move, noting that House Education has “never had the opportunity” to hear the issue.

House Majority Leader Jason Monks said the issue received a full public hearing, when the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee considered Boyle’s HB 745. “Let’s just move along with the process,” said Monks, R-Meridian.

McCann’s motion failed on a 20-45 vote.

Thursday afternoon’s vote turns the focus to Little.

The amended HB 516 fell short of two-thirds support in both the House and the Senate — meaning Little would have the support to sustain a veto. However, Little has not vetoed a single bill so far this session.

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Danielle Mullenix

Get ready for an egg-citing Easter weekend! Local News 8 has gathered an amazing lineup of Easter egg hunts happening throughout the region. Bring your family out for a fun-filled adventure as you search for colorful eggs and create lasting memories before the holiday festivities begin! Don’t miss out on the fun!

April 3rd:

The Sounds Choir Presents “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” – Thunder Ridge Performing Arts Center (7:00 pm)

Jurassic Park Film Screening with Expert Commentary – ISU Idaho Falls Campus (7:00 pm)

Community Easter Egg Hunt – Life Care Center of Idaho Falls (4:00 pm)

Easter Egg Hunt – The Gables of Shelley Memory Care (3:00 pm)

Easter Egg Hunt – Monte Vista Hills Healthcare Center (6:00 pm)

“He is Risen” Concert Easter Celebration – Blackfoot Performing Arts Center (7:00 pm)

“Now & Then” Live Theatre Event – The Heart, Idaho Falls (7:00 pm)

Ammon Parks Spring Scavenger Hunt – City of Ammon (April 1-20)

Latin Dance Social -Dynasty Ballroom, Idaho Falls (7:00 pm)

Artist Series: Expressive Ink – Artitorium on Broadway (11:30-12:30 am)

Idaho Falls Symphony Presents “The Four Seasons: Vivaldi and Piazzolla” – The Downtown Event Center (7 pm)

April 4th:

Camp Hayden Easter Adventure – Taylor Crossing on the River (11:45 am)

Menan Hoppening Annual Community Egg Hunt – Menan City Park (10 am)

Ammon Easter Egg Hunt – City of Ammon (10 am)

Shelley Easter Egg Hunt – Shelley City Park (11 am)

EGGcessible Easter Egg Hunt – Portneuf District Library (11 am)

Find the Easter Bunny – Downtown Idaho Falls (12 pm)

Easter Egg Hunt – Rigby City Park (10 am)

Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt – Snake River Homestead, Shelley (10 am)

Annual Easter Egg Hunt – Porter Park, Rexburg (9 am)

Hairball: Balls to the Walls 2026 Tour – Mountain America Center (7 pm)

Boogie with Bluey Dance Camp – Eagle Rock Dance (9:30 am)

Easter Egg Hunt – Jensen Grove, Blackfoot (10 am)

Easter Egg Hunt – Peterson Park (3 pm)

Idaho Falls Bloom & Grow Farmers Market – Idaho Farmers Market (9 am)

Afternoon Paint and Drink – The House on Park (12 pm)

Adult Egg Hunt – Downtown Idaho Falls (7 pm)

From the Local News 8 team, we wish you a wonderful Easter weekend!

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Bailee Shaw

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The “Doomsday Mom” at the center of one of the nation’s most high-profile murder cases is now trying to overturn her conviction.

Attorneys for Lori Vallow Daybell have officially filed an appeal, asking a higher court to either throw out her convictions or give her a new trial.

Daybell was convicted in May 2023 of killing her two children, Tylee Ryan and J.J. Vallow, and conspiring to kill her husband’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. The case gained national attention due to the Daybells’ bizarre religious beliefs that prosecutors say motivated the killings.

The defense argues that the high-profile proceedings were flawed from the start, citing what they describe as serious legal errors and violations of Daybell’s constitutional rights.

In the filing, Daybell’s defense team argues the judge wrongfully removed her chosen attorney—even though there was no real conflict of interest. They say that the decision undermined her defense strategy and violated her Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

“The right protects the defendant’s autonomy – her ability to choose the advocate she trusts and to control the strategy of her defense when confronted with the power of the State,” states the filing. “This remains true even when outsiders view the defendant’s choice about representation as unwise or perhaps foolhardy.”

The appeal also claims Daybell’s due process rights were violated, saying the court made key decisions about her legal representation while her competency was still under review. The defense contends this prevented Daybell from fully participating in her own defense.

The case now heads to the Idaho Supreme Court, a process that could take months—possibly years—before there’s a final decision.

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KIVI Staff

By: Allie Triepke

Originally Posted 11:11 PM, Apr 02, 2026

MERIDIAN, Idaho (KIVI) — Leaders with Idaho State Police say they are struggling to recruit and retain troopers after years of funding that has not kept pace with competitive wages.

A bill aimed at boosting funding for the agency is now awaiting the governor’s signature, as law enforcement leaders warn staffing shortages could impact public safety.

“These are the things that keep me up at night — is that phone call that I get at night and something terrible that happens,” Idaho State Police Col. Bill Gardiner said. “And then we go back and research it and we think, could this have been stopped by having a police force that’s fully staffed?”

Idaho State Police lost access to gas tax funding five years ago and now rely primarily on the state’s general fund. Just $3 from each vehicle registration is also allocated toward trooper pay — a level leaders say is not enough to maintain staffing.

“I have about 40 openings in those ranks,” Gardiner said. “And so, you know, you do the math… that’s a lot of vacancy for those that are responsible to ensure public safety is out there.”

Officials say the agency is also losing troopers to city and county departments that offer higher pay.

“In fact, in Moscow there’s normally four troopers that live in that town… I have zero troopers in Moscow right now, none,” Gardiner said. “So, I have to supplement troopers from either Coeur d’Alene or from Lewiston to make their way up to Moscow to work.”

Leaders say those staffing shortages can affect response times and support for local agencies. In Meridian this week, troopers assisted local police by shutting down Interstate 84 during a pursuit in an effort to keep the public safe.

“I think we need to do something to address the critical trooper shortage that we’re facing,” said Sen. Daniel Foreman, R-Viola. “I know in my neck of the woods the shortage is absolutely hypercritical.”

Earlier this year, Gardiner requested $18 million through Senate Bill 1379 to help close the pay gap, proposing an increase of about $5 in vehicle registration fees to fund the plan.

That proposal was later scaled back and ultimately stalled, making way for a new measure, House Bill 967, which would provide about $4 million in funding instead.

“So when you ask, am I happy with it… I would be tempted to call it a band-aid,” Gardiner said.

Lawmakers acknowledged the compromise as they advanced the bill.

“This is not my preferred approach, but it’s a compromise,” said Sen. Todd Lakey, R-Nampa. “We need to stop the bleeding and help retain our quality troopers.”

Others said broader funding solutions are needed for state employees.

“And if we value all of our state employees, we need to do better and we need to fund all of them and give them raises and pay their healthcare,” said Sen. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise.

Idaho State Police leaders say a long-term funding solution is needs to be addressed in future legislative sessions.

As for this bill, Sen. Todd Lakey detailed where the funding would come from.

“The total impact of this bill is about $4 million going into the law enforcement account. It includes $2 million from state liquor funds that would typically go to the general fund, along with just under $2 million that would normally be shared with cities and counties. Overall, that amounts to about an $870,000 impact to counties and roughly $1.2 million to cities statewide,” said Sen. Lakey in the Senate Chambers Wednesday.

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Bailee Shaw

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – An internet outage is currently affecting several schools and offices on the west side of Idaho Falls, including Ethel Boyes Elementary, Eagle Rock Middle School, Skyline High School, and District 91 Transportation.

At this time, both internet access and office phone systems are down in the affected locations. Transportation services are continuing on schedule, but calls to Transportation or school offices may not go through. Families with urgent messages are encouraged to contact the District 91 main office at 208-525-7500.

Idaho Falls Power is actively investigating the outage, which is believed to be linked to ongoing utility work in the area. District 91 officials say they are working closely with Idaho Falls Power to restore services as quickly as possible.

District administrators have promised updates as soon as more information becomes available and thanks the community for their patience.

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Abi Martin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Idaho Falls has a new fire chief. 

Johan Olson was sworn in Thursday during a ceremony before the Idaho Falls City Council meeting. 

Before his appointment to fire chief, Olson served with the Idaho Falls Fire Department from 2007 to 2021, holding roles from firefighter to captain and move-up battalion chief.

He most recently served as deputy fire chief for the Grand Junction Fire Department in Colorado.

However, to Olson, the Idaho Falls Department is not like any of the other departments he’s served with.

“I want to recognize the people of the fire department,” Olson said. “Having a history here, and having spent time with other agencies and firefighters, I feel I have a perspective to say I consider the members of this fire department to be some of the finest I’ve known.”

Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw also spoke at tonight’s ceremony, highlighting the importance of the fire chief and the fire department. 

In her remarks, she said the fire department is the heart of the city’s essential services, answering the call when people need it most. 

Idaho Falls Fire Chief Johan Olson swears to uphold the U.S. Constitution and laws of the land in his new position.

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David Pace

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – The Idaho Legislature has closed for the session, declaring Sine Die Thursday at 6:30 P.M.

The end of the session was marked with with a flurry of maneuvering on last-minute legislation – including hotly contested immigration bills.

An attempt to pass legislation requiring Idaho law enforcement agencies to sign agreements with ICE or publicly state their reasons for not doing so, died today in the Idaho Senate.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed frustration with the Legislature’s handling of the state budget.

“The Idaho Legislature has done a horrible job of managing the fiscal house, and we have fiscally mismanaged state revenues,” ” said State Sen. James Ruchti, (D) Pocatello. “We’ve cut our income tax revenue by $4 billion over the last five years, and that is resulting in deep, deep cuts to public education, health and welfare programs, roads and bridges and every other aspect of Idaho government to include our universities.”

Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen was disappointed the Legislature posted a significant budget surplus, after so many programs were cut.

“At the end of the day, they ended up with $150 million on the bottom line, which I think was a mistake in many respects,” Mickelsen said. “We have Idaho Digital Learning Alliance, which most students across the state or every single school district across the state benefited from. They had online classes. … It ended up being a 55 percent cut for Idaho Digital Learning Alliance. I’m disappointed that we didn’t invest in some of the infrastructure we needed for roads and bridges and for small rural communities that need water infrastructure, water and sewer infrastructure.”

But Governor Brad Little struck a more optimistic tone for the overall accomplishments of the second session of the 68th Legislature.

“For months, the Idaho Legislature and I worked closely to balance the budget and rightsize spending in line with taxpayers’ means,” he said in a statement. “We stayed focused on what matters most to Idaho’s future — protecting public schools and investments in water and transportation, supporting public safety, and continuing implementation of President Trump’s Talent Strategy through LAUNCH.”

Social issues were also front and center – with the Legislature banning cities from displaying the gay rights flag and requiring transgender individuals to use restrooms corresponding with their biological sex.

On Thursday, Governor Brad Little also signed an additional bill making the head of Idaho State Parks and Recreation a political appointee, which may impact Harriman State Park.

Almost 1,000 pieces of legislation have come before the House in the past two years, Mickelsen said.

“That is way up from where it was five or six years ago – like significantly,” she said. “… I don’t think it serves the best interest of Idaho citizens or the Idaho taxpayers, because you’re then not looking at really good legislation. We had some very poor legislation that came across the floor in the last three days – honestly.”

In the end, the session ended after 81 days of deliberation, compromise, controversy and accomplishments.

“Some of the budget decisions were not easy, but I am pleased the Legislature stuck to my ENDURING IDAHO plan — a forward-looking, responsible budget that keeps our state on a strong trajectory,” Little said. “Idaho’s economy remains the strongest in the nation, and our actions this session position us to continue that record of success. I appreciate my legislative partners for their hard work and commitment to the people of Idaho.”

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke lowers the gavel, declaring the second session of the 68th Idaho Legislature over.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — A third attempt to mandate formal partnerships between Idaho law enforcement and federal immigration authorities has died in the Senate Chambers.

On Thursday, April 2, Senator Mark Harris (R-Soda Springs) asked the chamber to reject amendments to Senate Bill 1247. Harris, the bill’s sponsor before it was amended in the House, argued the changes match the language of Senate Bill 1441, violating a Senate rule that prevents bill amendments from including the text from other pending legislation, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun.

The move effectively killed a controversial effort to revive a failed piece of legislation.

Radiator Capping Explained

The legislation became the center of a hostile debate Wednesday night when Representatives Jordan Redman (R-Coeur d’Alene) and Dale Hawkins (R-Fernwood) introduced amendments to completely rewrite SB 1247, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun.

RELATED: Idaho House lawmakers do ‘hostile’ takeover of E-Verify bill to mandate 287(g) agreements

The tactic, known as “radiator capping,” essentially treats a bill like a car, where the entire engine is replaced aside from the “radiator cap,”; Or in this case, the bill number. This tactic is often used to bypass the standard committee process and public hearings to force through polarizing legislation.

Reviving a Failed Mandate

The rejected amendments attempted to resurrect House Bill 659, which died in a Senate committee earlier this year. The proposal would have required every Idaho law enforcement agency to enter into 287(g) agreements with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Under these agreements, local officers would be required to participate in:

Jail Enforcement: Screening inmates for immigration status.

Warrant Service: Executing federal administrative warrants.

Task Force Operations: Actively searching for and taking action against undocumented immigrants in the community.

Law Enforcement and Political Pressure

HB 659 was extremely unpopular with Idaho law enforcement. The Idaho Sheriff’s Association has repeatedly argued that resources are already stretched thin and the legislation forces local agencies to join “any future program or successor” created by the federal government. While several Idaho counties have already opted into these programs voluntarily, the ISA stresses that many have chosen not to opt into the program due to the financial and manpower costs involved.

RELATED: Idaho law enforcement continues vocal opposition as ICE legislation heads to State Senate

The push to bring back and pass the bill follows reports of intense pressure from Washington, D.C. On March 17, Stephen Miller, a top immigration advisor for the Trump administration, reportedly contacted Governor Brad Little and legislative leaders to urge action.

RELATED: Idaho Sheriffs slam D.C. pressure to resurrect failed immigration enforcement bill

Local News 8 has reached out to the Governor’s Office to confirm these reports, but has not received word back. However, opponents of the effort have criticized their fellow lawmakers for allegedly caving to pressure from Washington.

Letter distributed by Idaho Senate President Pro Tempore Kelly Anthon (R), Rupert.

‘Frankly, I’m ashamed that our governor and Idaho Legislature leaders are allowing themselves to be influenced by the federal government like that,” Sen. James Ruchti told Local News 8. “We are an independent state, and under the 10th Amendment, we should act as such.”

However, in a letter obtained by Local News 8, White House advisor Alex Meyer also threw his weight behind another effort to bring back the unpopular legislation, Senate Bill 1441. The letter states that the 287(g) program “dramatically expands U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reach” to keep communities safe.

“The bill establishes full participation in the 287(g) program, empowering state and local law enforcement to enforce some aspects of U.S. federal immigration law,” Meyer wrote.

With SB 1441 sent to the “14th Order,” where it could be amended before moving on to a third reading, and SB 1247 dead in the Chamber, the effort to mandate the partnership with ICE may be stalled for the remainder of the session.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – Light the World Giving Machine presented checks to 8 nonprofits this afternoon in Ammon.

These machines, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, work as vending machines in reverse, allowing people to donate various items in a simple purchase; Such as meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, school materials, and livestock.

Over 48 days (from November 15th to January 1st), more than 95,000 people visited the machines, and 494,000 items were donated in Idaho Falls.

The total donations raised in Idaho Falls: $1,312,826!

Care USA- $211,156

Right to Play- $233,970

Community Food Basket – $137,700

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center – $198,810

Idaho Falls Rescue Mission- $147,075

Friends in Service Here – $40,890

Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership – 202,225

The Village – $141,000

The total amount for donations across Southeast Idaho was $2,898,639.00!

So many lives could potentially be changed due to the generosity of everyone in Southeast Idaho and these organizations are very grateful for all of the support.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Concerns about student hunger and unpaid lunch balances are raising questions for families in eastern Idaho, but school officials say no child in District 91 is turned away from a meal.

District leaders say every student is served a full meal, regardless of their account balance, pushing back on concerns circulating online about students being denied food or given alternative meals.

“We never turn our child away,” said Vanna Merrill, assistant child nutrition supervisor for District 91. “No matter if they owe money or whatever, we always feed the child.”

Merrill said meals must meet strict federal nutrition guidelines, meaning all students receive the same planned menu rather than a substitute option.

Even as unpaid balances accumulate, the district continues to provide meals. Merrill said District 91 currently carries about $38,000 in negative lunch balances.

At the end of the school year, those costs are covered by the district’s general fund, which supports operations across the district.

Inside school kitchens, staff say their priority is making sure students have access to food every day.

Terri Thieme, kitchen manager at Eagle Rock Middle School says some students are aware of their account balances and may hesitate to get lunch, but staff encourage them to continue coming through the line.

“There’s a good group of kids that come up and ask how much is on their balance and are worried that they shouldn’t get lunch,” Thieme said. “We always encourage they come through.”

District officials say families can apply for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year. Eligibility is based on household income, with some students qualifying for fully covered meals and others paying a reduced cost.

The district also offers additional programs to support students, including a fresh fruit and vegetable program at several elementary schools and a free summer meal program open to anyone under 18.

Community members can also donate to help offset unpaid meal balances through the district’s website or by contacting the child nutrition office.

School officials say their goal is to ensure every student has consistent access to meals, regardless of financial circumstances.

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