Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

MOSCOW/PROVO, UTAH (KIFI) — The Russian government has blacklisted Brigham Young University (BYU), designating the American institution as an “undesirable” organization. This move, which carries potential criminal charges for anyone affiliated with the university, was first reported Tuesday by the independent Russian newspaper The Moscow Times.

Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office and the Justice Ministry added BYU and Germany’s Körber Foundation to the “undesirable” list without public explanation. Official entries on the Russian Justice Ministry’s website confirm that both institutions were formally blacklisted on April 29.

The designation could pose concerns for BYU’s academic programs, particularly its Russian Major, which, according to the university’s website, has historically included study abroad and international internship opportunities within Russia. KUTV in Utah reports that BYU has not yet issued a statement on how this blacklisting will impact these programs moving forward.

It’s unclear if the designation would affect BYU-Idaho as well. According to the school’s website, the university does offer a Russian minor, unlike their sister school does not list international internships or study abroad opportunities associated with the program. Local News 8 has reached out to BYU-I for clarification.

“Under Russian law, individuals found to be affiliated with ‘undesirable’ organizations face up to four years in prison,” The Moscow Times notes.

Since its adoption in 2015, Russia’s “undesirable organizations” law has been used to blacklist nearly 230 entities, according to reports.

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Phillip Willis

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Ten teenagers, all members of the 4-H club, chose a yearling mustang to train over the next couple months.

Wednesday was pick up day, and the group will have until August 29th to train the wild horses, at which point they will participate in a compete in an In-Hand Trail Challenge at the Eastern Idaho State Fair. The horses will then be put up for adoption on August 30th.

Among other things, the horses must be able to stay calm when touched by strangers, led around a corral, and haltered.

The trainers chose their preferred mustang based on how they responded to the stress of the new environment. They looked for which ones took a moment to think about a situation and which ones were more prone to act quickly. They also chose based on physical characteristics such as the color of the coats, the look in their eyes and even the size of their hoofs.

“They’re going to take one of these young wild horses home this summer and train it, and bring it back to the state fair and show it in an in-hand trail class, and then we will offer it for adoption on the first Saturday of the fair,” says Juley Smith, a representative for the Bureau of Land Management.

The University of Idaho extension of the 4-H Youth Development Club and Bureau of Land Management Idaho Wild Horse and Burro Program have partnered on the project since 2009, and more that 400 wild horses have been placed into private care. The Bureau of Land Management says the program has saved $6 million in caring costs for unadopted wild horses.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Two BYUI students are being recognized for their video production skills and have been nominated for an award similar to the Emmys.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, also known as NATAS  offers the Student Production Awards for college students.

This is organized by the same company who do the Emmys.

We caught up with one of the students nominated for the NATAS, Tim Boyce. He is being recognized for his editing on the project he pitched, called Gathering at Devotion.

He calls it his love letter to the school.

“Gathering Devotion, it was a poetic documentary that was attempting to show how unique this university, BYU-Idaho, is,” said Boyce. “And so it was all kind of about showing the fun, the busy hustle and bustle of student life, the homework, the rushing around. And to completely contrast that with devotion, we have here. To show that the university takes a break and encourages students to do so.”

Boyce tells us his project was a group effort, but he is honored to be recognized.

Check out his video here.

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Curtis Jackson

PHOENIX (KIFI) – Sixteen jurors were selected for the murder conspiracy trial of Lori Vallow Daybell on Wednesday.

The process was delayed twice, as Lori claimed she was sick.

The jury consists of eight men and eight women sworn in on Wednesday afternoon. The 16 jurors include four alternate jurors.

Opening statements are scheduled to begin Thursday morning.

Lori Vallow Daybell is facing murder conspiracy for the attempted murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux.

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.

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.

To see previous stories on this case, you can check out our Vallow-Daybell Coverage here.

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Seth Ratliff

The following is a news release from the American Falls School District:

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The American Falls School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Blauer as the new principal of Hillcrest Elementary School, beginning in the 2025–2026 school year. Mr. Blauer, a respected educator with 19 years of service in the American Falls School District, currently teaches second grade in the district’s Dual-Language Immersion Program and brings a deep commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Blauer succeeds Tina Fehringer, who is retiring after a highly successful 19-year tenure as principal of Hillcrest. During her leadership, Hillcrest became a model of excellence in elementary education. She was named Idaho’s National Distinguished Principal in 2017 and led the school through numerous innovative programs that strengthened academic achievement, enhanced family engagement, and built a strong, caring school culture.

Tina Fehringer

“We appreciate all of Tina’s efforts and the amazing work she has done at Hillcrest Elementary School,” said Superintendent Randy Jensen. “She has been a phenomenal leader and an integral part of our district’s success. We are excited to welcome Jeff Blauer as the new principal. Jeff is an outstanding educator and leader, and we’re confident that he will maintain Hillcrest’s high standards and take them even further.”

Blauer brings a strong resume of leadership and professional involvement at both the district and state levels. He was named a 2024 State Finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) in science and currently serves on several state committees, including the Idaho Essential Standards Committee, the Idaho Comprehensive Math Plan Committee, and the Idaho Math Instructional Guide Committee. He also serves as the Elementary Education Board Representative for the Idaho Science Teaching Association (ISTA).

In addition to his classroom work, Blauer has coordinated district Title I programs, facilitated standards-based reporting systems, served as a schoolwide behavior coach, and led professional development for teachers across the district. He has also taken on multiple leadership roles in the local education association and currently serves on the American Falls City Council.

“I am honored to be selected as the next principal of Hillcrest Elementary,” said Jeff Blauer. “This school has a strong tradition of excellence thanks to Tina’s incredible leadership and the dedication of our teachers, staff, and families. I look forward to building on that legacy and continuing to support the growth and success of every student at Hillcrest.”

“It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve as principal of Hillcrest,” said Tina Fehringer. “Working alongside such dedicated teachers and staff for nearly two decades has been a true privilege. While this goodbye is not easy, I take great comfort in knowing that Jeff Blauer will lead this next chapter. Jeff began his career at Hillcrest and understands the heart of this school. I know he will continue the work we’ve started and lead with compassion, vision, and integrity.”

The American Falls School District thanks Tina Fehringer for her years of exemplary service and congratulates Jeff Blauer on his appointment.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Idaho Falls:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Idaho Falls is proud to support the Second Annual Juneteenth Community Music Festival, hosted by the Greater Idaho Falls Juneteenth Organizing Committee in partnership with the Eastern Idaho Jazz Society.

Juneteenth is a national, state and local holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Similar to Independence Day, it celebrates freedom and the ongoing effort to achieve liberty, equality and justice for all.

“The Juneteenth CommUNITY Heritage Music Festival is about celebrating the right to freedom for all through the universal language of music, education, and human connection,” said Lora King, Juneteenth Community Heritage Music Festival Committee co-chair. “It’s an honor to belong to a team that is dedicated to sharing those beliefs within our community.”

This year’s celebration includes two free public events. The first will take place Saturday, June 14, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Riverwalk Bandstand. The event will feature live music, opening remarks from City of Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper and City of Ammon Mayor Sean Coletti, and informational booths hosted by local organizations highlighting Idaho Falls’ rich cultural history and community connections.

The second event will be held Tuesday, June 19, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Colonial Theater in downtown Idaho Falls. This free program will include a Readers Theater presentation on the history of Juneteenth, along with musical performances that explore themes in American and African American music throughout the 20th century.

For more questions about the Juneteenth CommUNITY Heritage Music Festival, contact Bill Forsyth 208-521-1822 or w.forsyth@att.net

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CNN Newsource

By Debbie Worthen

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSL, KSL TV) — What began as a sentimental family vacation on Italy’s Amalfi Coast turned into a nightmare for a young Utah mother — and a journey of faith, resilience and recovery.

Miranda Preston and her husband, Isaac Preston, had traveled to Italy to celebrate his graduation from medical school. With a narrow window before Isaac Preston began his residency, the couple brought along their two toddlers and Miranda Preston’s parents for what they hoped would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

But just days into the vacation, tragedy struck.

“We were trying to recreate a memory,” Miranda Preston said, referencing a cherished moment from 20 years ago when her older sister, who later passed away from cancer, had ridden a moped with their father along the same coastal road. “They said it was just the most memorable thing.”

Moments after filming a video on a Vespa, she and her father crashed.

“I have a split-second right before I hit the wall,” Miranda Preston recalled.

The crash left her with a broken spine, fractured ribs, a brain bleed, liver lacerations and several knocked-out teeth.

The couple, unfamiliar with the area and unable to speak Italian, found themselves in a terrifying situation.

“We got a phone call from Miranda’s dad. He was very confused,” Isaac Preston said. “Then the police got on the phone yelling at us in Italian to go to this hospital.”

Back in the U.S., friends reached out to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A senior missionary couple from Utah, fluent in Italian, arrived at the hospital to help.

“Me and Elder Montanelli gave her a blessing that night,” Isaac Preston said.

Isaac Preston described the night apart from his wife as one of the hardest of his life.

“I literally got back to the hotel, me and my mother-in-law just bawled,” he said.

After four days in the hospital, Miranda Preston was moved to an Air B&B as plans were made to bring her home. Her parents flew back to the U.S. with the couple’s one and two-year-old sons.

In the days that followed, the Prestons said they witnessed miracle after miracle.

“I just feel like God’s hand is so involved in every detail of our lives,” Miranda said. “I felt completely surrounded by angels.”

This week, Miranda was finally reunited with her children — a moment filled with emotion and gratitude.

“I’m just filled with gratitude for it. God is good,” she said.

Now back in the U.S., the Prestons have moved into a fixer-upper in Texas, just in time for Isaac Preston to begin his medical residency. They said they are overwhelmed with gratitude for the financial help, prayers and support from friends, family and strangers alike.

“We couldn’t have done this without the army of people who lifted us up,” Isaac Preston said.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Dramatic photos of a heroic rescue in a canal are making waves on the local social media page “Life in Pocatello.” On Tuesday, three bystanders jumped into action, forming a human chain to save a woman trapped in her car after she plunged into the canal off Hawthorne Road in Bannock County.

Witness Cassia Merrill Myers, who shared the compelling images, described the harrowing scene. Myers was calling 911 when she saw the three unnamed men, who were driving by, immediately jump into the canal. Her photos capture the tense moments as they linked together to avoid being swept away by the current and reached the vehicle

“Water was filling up her car and she was panicking,” Myers recounted in her post. “We had to smash both her windows with a wrench from one of the gentlemen’s trucks, and he was bloodied up from pulling her out.”

Thanks to their brave efforts, the woman was brought safely to the canal bank just as paramedics and police arrived on the scene.

Pocatello emergency responders speak with the rescued woman.

“These men are absolute heroes,” writes Myers.

While the names of the rescuers remain unknown, Myers declared, “These 3 men are absolute heroes.”

Local News 8 has reached out to the police for further details on the incident.

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News Release

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

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department will begin construction Monday at the intersection of Pocatello Avenue and State Highway 39 in American Falls. The $3.5 million project will redesign the busy intersection to improve safety. 

Work will place a signal at the intersection of Pocatello Avenue and SH-39. SH-39 will also be widened to four lanes from the intersection to Fairgrounds Road. New turn lanes will also be built on SH-39 for traffic heading to Pocatello Avenue.  

This year construction will take place through August and will focus on realigning and widening the intersection. All lanes will remain open, but traffic will be slowed in the construction zone. Flaggers will be present during different phases of the project. Access to the American Falls Airport and the Power County Fairgrounds will remain open throughout construction.  

In the spring of 2026 ITD will return to install the traffic signal. 

Project details are available on ITD’s projects website, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Library is set to launch its 2025 Summer Reading Program this Saturday, June 7th, at 11:00 AM at Iona Park with a vibrant Color Fun run/walk and a significant boost from the community.

The Friends of Iona (FOIL) will generously donate $9,000 to the library during the kickoff event. These funds, raised through community support, will be instrumental in expanding the library’s collection with new books and enhancing various library services and programming for all patrons.

“We’re thrilled to start our summer reading program with such a fun, community-focused event,” said director Michelle Tolman. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of FOIL and our community, these funds will help us provide even more resources and reading opportunities this summer.”

Immediately following the presentation, at approximately 11:15 AM, the family-friendly Color Fun run/walk will begin. This event is open to all ages and offers a fantastic opportunity for community members to get active while showing their support for the library and its mission to foster a love of reading.

Everyone is invited to participate in this exciting day of community, fitness, and literary celebration.

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