Category: kifi-local-news

Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — An Idaho National Laboratory building was evacuated Monday afternoon following a report of a possible steam explosion.

The evacuation was already underway at the INL facility located at 750 MK Simpson Blvd. when Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD) first responders arrived on the scene, according to IFPD spokesperson Jessica Clements.

Clements confirmed that the incident was minor from the first responders’ perspective and that there were no injuries to personnel.

Idaho Falls Police Department spokesperson Jessica Clements says the evacuation was in process when first responders arrived at the facility at 750 MK Simpson Blvd.. There were no injuries, and after a brief response, all first responders left the scene. Clements confirmed the incident was fairly minor from the first responders’ perspective.

“It appears to have been a minor issue with a piece of equipment,” Clements stated. “But I would defer to the INL to share any additional details of what that equipment was or the extent of any property damage.”

After a brief on-site response, all first responders cleared the scene.

Local News 8 has reached out to the Idaho National Laboratory for a statement regarding the specific nature of the equipment failure and any resulting damage. We will provide updates as more information is made available.

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News Team

SOUTHEAST IDAHO (KIFI) — As autumn arrives, local law enforcement agencies are encouraging Idahoans to tidy up their medicine cabinets and keep dangerous medications and drugs out of the hands of the Gem State’s most vunerable.

This week, police departments and Sheriff’s Offices across the region are participating in the National Drug Takeback Day.

On Saturday, October 25th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., law enforcement agencies are inviting the public to bring their old, expired, or unwanted prescription medications to designated collection sites. This service ensures the medications are safely and properly destroyed in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

To find a collection site near you, click HERE.

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News Release

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

IDAHO FALLS – The City of Idaho Falls Street and Sanitation Divisions will begin the annual leaf collection program on Monday, Oct. 27, with collection continuing through Friday, Nov. 21.

City residents are encouraged to rake their leaves—free of branches, sticks, and other debris—into the street along the curb at least one week before their scheduled collection date. Street Division crews will make one curbside collection to remove and haul away loose leaves. In some neighborhoods, crews may arrive a few days early to remove large piles using heavy equipment before beginning final cleanup with street sweepers.

Collection Schedule

Leaf collection is scheduled to run from Oct. 27 through Nov. 21, though dates may vary slightly depending on weather and volume. Updates and any changes can be found on the Leaf Collection Map & Schedule.

Residents are asked to move all vehicles, trailers, and other items off the street during collection to help crews safely and efficiently remove leaves.

Repeat collections are not guaranteed and will only occur if weather and workload allow.

Bagged Leaf Options

Residents who prefer to bag their leaves, miss their scheduled pickup, or are unable to rake leaves to the curb have two options:

Drop off bagged leaves at the Bonneville County Transfer Station at 2455 Hemmert Ave free of charge.

Schedule one free curbside pickup of bagged leaves, weighing under 50 pounds each, through the Sanitation Division.

Please note: the city does not provide bags for this service.

Tree Trimming Reminder

To help city equipment navigate safely and prevent damage, property owners must keep trees trimmed according to City Code Title 8, Chapter 9:

13 feet above the road surface at the curb

15 feet above the road surface at the centerline

Leaves that are blocked by parked vehicles low hanging branches, trash or other debris cannot be collected.

Contact Information

Street Division: (208) 612-8490

Sanitation Division (to schedule bagged leaf pickup): (208) 612-8491

Leaf Collection Map & Schedule

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A routine traffic stop in Bonneville County quickly escalated into the arrest of a Jefferson County man on multiple felony drug charges, last Friday.

Rigoberto Avila Mendoza, 19, was taken into custody after a Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputy pulled him over just before midnight on Friday, October 17, near the intersection of 15th E. and Iona Rd.

The incident began when Mendoza allegedly ran a stop sign. As deputies approached the vehicle to speak with the teenage driver, they reportedly detected the smell of marijuana. A check also revealed that Mendoza’s driver’s license was suspended.

While Mendoza reportedly denied having any illegal drugs or weapons, deputies detained him and conducted a search of his vehicle. The search uncovered a handgun, several marijuana joints, and a large amount of edible THC products.

In total, investigators seized just over 163 grams of marijuana and THC products from the vehicle. Mendoza was then arrested and transported to the Bonneville County Jail.

During the booking process at the jail, deputies reportedly discovered a small baggie of white powder hidden in Mendoza’s shoe. The substance was later identified as cocaine, weighing just over one gram.

Mendoza was subsequently booked into the jail on felony charges for Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, and Introducing Contraband into a Correctional Facility.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Authorities are warning residents to be cautious as Bitcoin-related scams become more common in the area. Victims are reportedly being tricked into sending money to fake investment sites or scare tactics, often losing thousands of dollars with little chance of getting it back.

National Rise in Crypto Scams

According to CNN, dozens of victims have been affected by this scam and have lost a total of $118,000. The Federal Trade Commission found fraud losses involving crypto ATMs jumped from about $12 million in 2020 to $114 million in 2023. FBI data suggests the rate of the losses is only increasing.

These scams often begin with a familiar tactic: a caller threatens an elderly person with arrest unless they transfer their savings. But instead of requesting payment through Visa gift cards, scammers are now directing victims to use Bitcoin ATMs, making the funds nearly impossible to trace.

Bitcoin Scams in the Gem State

Unfortunately, Idaho is facing this scam as well. In September, Attorney General Raul Labrador warned families of this scam which predominantly target seniors through fake tech support calls and government imposter schemes that have costed victims tens of thousands of dollars.

“Criminals are calling Idaho seniors pretending to be from a legitimate business or government agency, then directing them to deposit thousands of dollars into cryptocurrency machines at gas stations to supposedly fix computer problems or pay fake fines,” said Attorney General Labrador. “If anyone demands you put cash into a cryptocurrency ATM for any reason, it’s more than likely a scam and you should report it immediately. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.”

People who have been affected by this scam can report it here.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Regional Airport is collecting donations for TSA employees who are working without pay while the federal government is still shut down, says the City of Idaho Falls.

TSA officers are not employees of the City of Idaho Falls, which owns and operates the airport. Since TSA officers are federal employees, they are required to keep working during a federal government shutdown, even when their pay is suspended temporarily. 

“The staff of the Idaho Falls Regional Airport are dedicated employees of private and public entities. We are saddened to see our colleagues within the federal workforce caught in a situation where they must work while making decisions between paying a mortgage or putting food on the table,” said Ian Turner, Airport Director. “We want to offer these employees assistance and hope the community will join us in support of these federal workers.”

Donations will be collected throughout the government shutdown Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport Office inside the terminal.

Signs will be posted so donors can easily find where to drop off their donations.

People can donate things like:

Perishable and non-perishable food items

Diapers and basic household supplies

Gift cards for groceries, gas, and coffee shops

Monetary donations (cash, checks, prepaid cards, etc.) cannot be accepted because of federal employee guidelines.

For more information about donating, call 208-612-8224.

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News Team

UPDATE:

CALIFORNIA/IDAHO (KIFI) — Former NFL running back and beloved Boise State legend Doug Martin has died at the age of 36. Sources have now confirmed that Martin died while in police custody shortly after being detained following a reported break-in at an Oakland residence.

The revelation of the circumstances surrounding his death was first reported by the Oakland-based newspaper, The East Bay Times.

According to the Oakland Police Department (OPD), the incident took place on October 18 in the Chabot Park neighborhood, a hilly, middle-class area of Oakland. Officers were called to a home 11000 block of Ettrick Street around 4:15 a.m. after receiving a report that an individual had broken into a nearby home.

At the same time, OPD says their officers were notified of an individual who was experiencing a medical emergency believed to be the same person related to the break-in.

As officers arrived, they reportedly found Martin inside the residence. He struggled against them as they attempted to detain him. After being successfully taken into custody, Martin reportedly became unresponsive. Paramedics were immediately called to the scene, where they provided medical aid before transporting him to a local hospital. Martin died later at the hospital.

Official Investigation Initiated

In accordance with department policy for incidents involving injury or death while in custody, the OPD confirmed that the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave.

The department detailed the multi-agency investigation of the incident in a statement released on Facebook:

“Consistent with OPD policy, the In Custody Death is being investigated by the Oakland Police Department’s Homicide Section, OPD Internal Affairs Bureau, the Oakland City Police Commission, the Community Police Review Agency (CPRA), and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.”

The OPD has been in contact with Martin’s family since Saturday. The family has requested privacy as they grieve this tragic loss, however they have confirmed on Facebook that the cause of death is currently unconfirmed pending the results of the official investigation.

Martin was a beloved figure in the Boise State community and a standout during his NFL career. He earned All-Pro honors while playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was known for his relentless, physical running style.

Martin became a legend at Boise State as he became the first running back in program history to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. He played six seasons with the Buccaneers before ending his career with a final season for the Oakland Raiders in 2018.

The Martin family released an emotional statement on his passing, reflecting on his legacy in the iconic orange and blue of Boise State:

“So many players have worn the orange and blue. Some have been sadly forgotten but not you,” the post read. “You played a game that you loved and right now so many are sad that you left us way too soon. You were more than just a player who wore the #22. Before #2 there was #22. His name was Doug Martin.”

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Maile Sipraseuth

EDITED: Oct. 20 2025 4:17 PM

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A federal immigration raid at an Idaho horse track over the weekend led to the detention of dozens of individuals by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), raising a torrent of online speculation regarding legal and civil rights concerns.

The raid took place while a public horse racing event was in progress, with a large crowd in attendance, according to a report by KIVI. Eyewitnesses reported a significant law enforcement presence, noting that several officers were wearing masks, stating that ICE detained at least 50 more individuals than the FBI during the operation.

Four people were arrested and charged with federal complaints.

This incident comes amid a reported nationwide shift in enforcement strategy. According to The Guardian, ICE is increasingly targeting any unauthorized immigrants nationwide, including those with no criminal records.

Local News 8 spoke with Sargent Bryan Lovell of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, where he clarified that neither the sheriff’s office or IFPD directly detains people based off their citizenship status.

“We interact with people that are brought to our jail on a separate charge or some incident that’s happened in our jurisdiction. And they’re in for that circumstance. Our deputies identify that person is someone that may not be in the country legally, then that information is passed on to ICE for them to take appropriate action from there,” Lovell said.

While there have not yet been any known ICE raids in the Eastern Idaho area, immigration enforcement has been emphasized by Governor Brad Little, within his statewide initiative “Operation No Return”.

“Under Operation No Return, the Idaho State Police (ISP) is taking dangerous illegal alien criminals out of county jails after the completion of their sentences instead of being released back into Idaho communities. The transports are the first step necessary to remove them from the State of Idaho,” said a press release sent out by Governor Little.

RELATED: Dozens of convicted undocumented aliens removed from Idaho jails under new initiative

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A federal immigration raid at an Idaho horse track over the weekend led to the detention of dozens of individuals by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), raising a torrent of online speculation regarding legal and civil rights concerns.

The raid took place while a public horse racing event was in progress, with a large crowd in attendance, according to a report by KIVI. Eyewitnesses reported a significant law enforcement presence, noting that several officers were wearing masks, stating that ICE detained at least 50 more individuals than the FBI during the operation.

Four people were arrested and charged with federal complaints.

This incident comes amid a reported nationwide shift in enforcement strategy. According to The Guardian, ICE is increasingly targeting any unauthorized immigrants nationwide, including those with no criminal records.

While there have not yet been any known ICE raids in the Eastern Idaho area, immigration enforcement has been emphasized by Governor Brad Little, within his statewide initiative “Operation No Return”.

“Under Operation No Return, the Idaho State Police (ISP) is taking dangerous illegal alien criminals out of county jails after the completion of their sentences instead of being released back into Idaho communities. The transports are the first step necessary to remove them from the State of Idaho,” said a press release sent out by Governor Little.

RELATED: Dozens of convicted undocumented aliens removed from Idaho jails under new initiative

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — As a result of the ongoing government shutdown, Idaho SNAP recipients could not receive benefits that were slated to be paid in November.

Local News 8 has learned that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sent a letter to the states regarding the impact of the shutdown on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps. While the letter has not been officially released to the public, Local News 8 has confirmed that copies leaked on social media are authentic.

The letter, dated October 10, states that not enough federal funds are available to cover full SNAP benefits for November if the lapse in federal funding persists. Consequently, the USDA instructed states to delay the distribution of November payments until further notice.

Courtesy: Reddit – r/foodstamps

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has confirmed it’s aware of a potential delay in November SNAP benefits and is actively notifying beneficiaries and retailers. IDHW spokesperson AJ McWhorter stated, “Idaho continues to work with our federal partners at USDA to support SNAP operations in our state. SNAP beneficiaries and retailers are being notified this week of possible delays in November benefits.”

Adding to the concern, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced on Tuesday, October 14, according to a CNN report, that the food stamp program would exhaust its funding within two weeks.

“So you’re talking about millions and millions of vulnerable families, of hungry families that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown,” stated Rollins.

As a result, Idaho families may not see their SNAP benefits until the federal government shutdown ends. Nearly 125,000 Idahoans received SNAP benefits in 2023, according to IDHW. Meaning about 6.5% of the state’s population is set to lose essential food services if the shutdown continues.

“Without EBT, I don’t know how we’re going to do it,” an anonymous viewer said. “The cost of things has gone up so much. Even with EBT, we struggle to feed our little family. And if it prolongs, we may not be able to afford Christmas.”

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Several organizations are working together to gather 100,000 pounds of food for those in need. For the last six years, groups like JustServe, Melaleuca, Scouting America, Idaho National Laboratory, and the Community Food Security organization join each other for the month of October to reach their donation goal.

Volunteers quickly filled boxes and stacked pallets of donated food, which were then loaded into trucks to be taken to the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket.

“Every truck holds about 12 boxes. And each box holds between 800 and 1,000 pounds of food,” said Community Outreach Specialist, Launie Shelman. “So we’re hoping to get about 50,000 pounds today, not including the grocery stores.”

The donations will be collected every weekend until the end of October.

You can drop off food donations at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the corner of Sunnyside and Holmes.

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