Category: kifi-local-news

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — American Farmers Network (AFN) has officially acquired Intermountain Packing LLC (IMP), the Idaho Falls-based beef processing plant.

According to a press release, the move allows AFN to fully integrate and control its supply chain, bringing cattle processing, fabrication, and further processing in-house. Sanin Mirvic, Founder and CEO of AFN, called the acquisition a “game-changer” for the company.

“We can ensure the highest quality standards from the ranch to the consumer’s table. This acquisition of Intermountain Packing not only enhances our operational efficiency but also strengthens our commitment to providing sustainable, highest quality grass-fed beef,” said Mirvic.

Bill Hampton, CEO of Intermountain Packing, echoed Mirvic’s enthusiasm, highlighting the partnership’s potential for expanding the plant’s current capacity. “We are thrilled to join forces with American Farmers Network,” said Hampton. “Together, we are poised to set new standards in the grass-fed beef industry, delivering exceptional products to our consumers while optimizing our operations.”

The acquisition comes after a year of challenges for Intermountain Packing, including a large number of complaints from Idaho Falls residents due to a pungent odor emanating from the plant. In February, former IMP CEO David Adams was charged with creating a public nuisance in connection with the smell. The following month, Bill Hampton assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer at IMP, according to his LinkedIn profile.

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News Team

MOOSE, Wyo. (KIFI) — The Signal Flat Fire, which burned nearly 8 acres near Signal Mountain in Grand Teton National Park, is now 100% contained. The lightning-caused blaze was first spotted on Saturday, July 26.

Fire crews from Grand Teton National Park, aided by a 20-person Forest Service team from Montana, successfully secured and improved fire lines throughout Sunday, July 27. While the fire is out, Signal Mountain Road remains closed to the public.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls School Board and School District #91 are negotiating with the Idaho Falls Education Association to reach an agreement on their new budget.

The Education Association is using a federal negotiator to discuss contracts, and D-91 is using their own attorney. The Education Association’s negotiator, Jake Snarr, says they are not happy with how the budget was presented to them this year. Snarr says the budget was presented differently compared to previous years.

“The [School] District’s representative didn’t make a financial proposal, but the District characterizes it as a financial proposal,” Snarr said. “But essentially it was just a number that they put across the table. It was about $35.3 million. They’re saying that they’re okay with anything that we do within that $35.3 million, but it’s up to us to figure out where all that money goes.”

The Education Association has some issues with this budget proposal because it doesn’t seem specific enough, and the budget includes more than just salary.

“The public probably has a concern that the teachers have a contract by the time that the school year starts, not just because that they’re paid, but because the only part of the last contract that rolls forward in the interim is their salary,” Snarr said. “It’s not the terms and conditions of the contract.”

Snarr says he looks forward to working with the School District and thinks this can be figured out before the new school year begins. He says mediation with School District #91 will start again on August 1st.

Local News 8 has reached out to District #91 and we are waiting to hear back from them.

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – People are celebrating creativity and artistic excellence this weekend.

Preparations are underway right now at the Eagle Rock Art Guild’s annual Riverwalk Art Festival.

There will be a variety of items on display, including paintings, sculptures, mixed media, and photography.

This art show only comes once a year, and vendors say it’s important to support local artists. 

“Today with supply chains and tariffs and all that stuff being what they are, it’s even more important to support local artists because I have what you can give for a gift tomorrow as opposed to having to order it, you know, and wait a couple of weeks,” said Lisa Horton, art vendor.

The art show kicks off on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and will continue on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Skaters, city leaders, and supporters gathered to celebrate the grand opening ribbon-cutting of the new Optimist Skatepark on Friday.

The skatepark features stairs, rails, ledges, and a six-foot-deep bowl, as well as a concrete ledge feature in the shape of the State of Idaho. The park was designed by Pillar Design Studios and built by Artisan Skateparks in partnership with the Pocatello Parks and Recreation Department and local skaters who pitched in on construction.

“Skateboarding connects generations, neighborhoods, stories; it gives us a common memory, a shared past that we could build our future on,” said Darin Black, owner of Deckadence Board Shoppe in Pocatello and member of the city’s Parks and Rec Advisory Board. “This skate park is your skate park. This skate park is my skate park. This skate park is our skate park. Let’s honor it.”

Also unveiled at the ribbon-cutting ceremony was a memorial plaque honoring legendary local skater Chevy Nichols, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 17.

At the event, attended by hundreds of people, skaters shared the importance of having a new, designated place to practice their sport in the Portneuf Valley.

“It’s a good euphoric feeling,” said Dillon Jackson, a Pocatello skater who helped lay concrete during the final stages of park construction. “The whole community, and the sea of people we just seen, they all cheering because we got a park, and of course for Chevy, that was really cool, really brought a tear to my eye.”

Optimist Skatepark is located at 972 N 7th Ave in Pocatello.

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department wants your feedback on what to work on next, but the clock to submit your responses is ticking.

The department has a 30-day open comment period where anyone can comment on the long-term plan for some projects across the state, but it ends Thursday, August 1st, 2025

ITD says they are seeing a lot of great feedback on their Facebook page, but if you want to see actual change, you need to submit your suggestions through the correct channels. 

“People care greatly about the roads that affect them the most. Of course, we all care about the ones we have to travel, right? So we get a lot of comments on interstates, get a lot of comments on places with the most congestion or the highest safety concerns, and many of which people will find that those projects are already in our long-term plan. But there are some, of course, that we’re happy to hear when it’s like we didn’t realize we might need to think about that, and people give us good feedback to be able to do that, said Sky Buffat, Public Information Officer, of the Idaho Transportation Department.

If you would like to make a submission, visit this link here or scan the QR code below.

2026-2032 ITIP flyerDownload

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News Team

PHOENIX, Arizona (KIFI)-A judge sentenced Lori Vallow-Daybell to two consecutive terms of life in prison for the murder of her fourth husband Charles Vallow, and the attempted murder of her niece’s former husband, Brandon Boudreaux on Friday.

She is already serving five life sentences in Idaho for the deaths of her children JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan,  and conspiring to kill her current husband’s first wife, Tammy Daybell.

The sentences will run consecutively and will also run concurrently with the Idaho case.

Larry Woodcock, the grandfather of JJ, yelled at Vallow Daybell during a video appearancem, saying “You murdered Charles, the best thing that’s ever happened in your life, for your delusional, narcissistic ways. I will never speak your name again, murderess. You are nothing.”

Prosecuting Attorney Treena Kay dismantled claims that this was a “family tragedy.”

“A family tragedy does not involve the intentional killing of a person,” Kay said. “A family tragedy does not involve working with an accomplice to commit first-degree premeditated murder. And a family tragedy does not involve conspiring with others to kill.”

Lori Vallow-Daybell also spoke before she was sentenced. “So whether I’m giving 5 life sentences or 7 life sentences, I will continue to try to uplift and help and strengthen those around me. It does not matter where you serve on earth as long as you do it with love. It doesn’t matter if I’m given 7 lifetimes or the death penalty like my husband,” said. Lori.

The judge admonished Daybell before handing down the sentences. He told her she left a trail of destruction and “it will take an act of god for you to go free.”

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News Team

PHOENIX, Arizona (KIFI) – Lori Vallow Daybell was sentenced to two life sentences with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the two conspiracy cases in Arizona.

You can watch the hearing below.

She was convicted of conspiracy to kill her former husband, Charles Vallow in April and then convicted of conspiracy to kill her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux.  

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Sam Ross

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI) – A young martial artist in Chubbuck is channeling his entrepreneurial spirit to raise money for a trip to a national competition.

Twelve-year-old Kimber Berger is a jiu-jitsu athlete who has trained at the gym ‘Pocatello Jiu-Jitsu’ for a few years, winning multiple titles.

But this summer, Kimber can be found behind his family’s lemonade stand on Stuart Avenue, trying to raise money for a trip to a national jiu-jitsu tournament in Las Vegas at the end of summer.

“We’ve been doing this lemonade stand for quite a while now,” said Kimber. “My mom suggested it, and I was like, oh yeah, that could be a good way. So, we just came out. We just came out like two weeks ago. That’s when we first started this summer, and it was doing pretty well.”

Kimber says he’s only around $200 away from his $500 goal.

He’s inviting everyone to stop by his stand for fresh lemonade in multiple flavors and to help him achieve his dream of making it to the national jiu-jitsu competition on August 26.

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