Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction today partially blocking enforcement of House Bill 752, an Idaho law that criminalizes the use of public restrooms and locker rooms that do not align with an individual’s biological sex.

The law is to take effect on July 1, 2026. Today’s injunction specifically halts enforcement of the law regarding:

Single-user facilities.

Multi-user facilities when a single-user restroom is unavailable (either because none exist on the same floor, or because all same-floor single-user restrooms are occupied or out of service).

In late April, the ACLU of Idaho filed a lawsuit on behalf of six transgender Idahoans against Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador. The lawsuit argues that HB 752 violates the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights to due process, equal protection, and privacy, calling the legislation an “unconstitutional intrusion on the fundamental rights of Idahoans.”

While several plaintiffs are proceeding under pseudonyms to protect their privacy, the suit names Emilie Jackson-Edney, a 77-year-old transgender Idaho resident. The lawsuit claims the new law would cause suspicion and conflict for Idahoans like Jackson-Edney who’ve transitioned.

In today’s order, U.S. District Court Judge Amanda Brailsford granted the plaintiffs’ motions for both the preliminary injunction and provisional class certification. Judge Brailsford also ruled that the plaintiffs may continue using pseudonyms, strictly prohibiting the state from disclosing their identities without express, written permission.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador vowed to appeal the decision.

“This is a results-driven decision that misapplies the law, confuses the issues, and misrepresents the position of the State. Biological sex is not vague, and neither is this law,” Labrador said in a statement to Local News 8. “The good news is that this ruling is narrow. Idaho’s law remains enforceable in most settings, including changing rooms and many restrooms. The injunction applies only in limited circumstances and to certain people. My office will appeal, and we will keep fighting until this commonsense protection is fully enforced.”

Meanwhile, the ACLU of Idaho celebrated the ruling as a protection for the state’s transgender community.

“This ruling means trans folks in Idaho can continue participating in public life without the threat of being arrested for using the bathroom,” said Paul Carlos Southwick, Legal Director for the ACLU of Idaho. “Trans Idahoans have been understandably anxious about the disruption this unconstitutional law would cause in their daily lives. This ruling will relieve that anxiety for our trans friends and neighbors.”

Understanding House Bill 752

House Bill 752 represents an expansion of Idaho’s existing 2023 restrictions. While the previous law (Senate Bill 1100) applied only to public schools, the new statute covers nearly all government-owned or public spaces, including libraries, highway rest stops, airports, and public hospitals.

Under the blocked statute, anyone who “knowingly or willfully” enters a public restroom that does not correspond to their biological sex could face criminal charges. A first offense is classified as a misdemeanor, while a second offense is a felony.

Governor Brad Little signed the bill into law earlier this year following decisive victories in the state legislature, where it passed 54–15 in the House and 27–7 in the Senate.

While critics and civil rights advocates argue the law targets and marginalizes transgender individuals, the bill’s sponsors have maintained that the legislation is necessary to protect public privacy and safety as a “common-sense” protection for women and girls.

With today’s injunction, the criminal penalties remain on hold until a full case determines the law’s constitutionality.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 has reached out to the bill’s legislative sponsors for comment and will provide additional updates as they respond.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)— Teachers for Idaho Falls School District 91 have voted to ratify a newl contract for the upcoming school year.

Idaho Falls School District Superintendent Karla LaOrange said the agreement will be presented to the Board of Trustees this Wednesday for approval.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the bargaining teams from both the District and the Association for their work throughout the negotiations and mediation process,” LaOrange wrote in a news release. “Most importantly, we thank our teachers for their continued dedication to our students and schools. Their commitment to student learning, growth, and success is reflected in the work they do each day to help every student reach their potential.”

The new agreement will take effect on July 1, 2026.

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Seth Ratliff

POWER COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A 72-year-old Arimo man died late Monday night, June 15th, following a single-vehicle crash south of Pocatello, according to the Idaho State Police.

The accident happened just before 10 p.m. near the intersection of Mink Creek Road and Wright Lane.

Police say that the man was driving southbound on Mink Creek Road in a 2017 Genesis G80 when he failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of the vehicle.

Unfortunately, the driver was not wearing a seatbelt and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The identity of the driver has not yet been released, and the Idaho State Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

SWAN VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI) – A mother and her two children are alive and recovering after their truck flipped upside down in a creek along Falls Creek Road, near Porcupine Creek and Rash Canyon.

It took so many people to rescue this mom and her two sons from the creek.

A part of the rescue team were five Skyline High School students:

Jeremy (JJ) Thompson

Clay Lindula

Logan Mcalevy

Donald (DJ) Carney

Colton Johnson

“We were going down the road. I see some people on the side of the road, and I kind of pull over waiting for them to pass by,” Thompson said. “They don’t come, so I think, oh, they’re probably waiting for me. So we go around the corner, and then that’s when we see the truck tipped over in the creek.”

Without a moment of hesitation, not even taking the time to throw their wallets out of their pockets, these teens dove into the creek to save the family.

The mother was able to pry herself out of the front window with some help. But her two boys were still stuck inside.

“I feel a shovel on the bottom of the creek bed,” Mcalevy said. “From there I smashed the black glass, stick my arm in the truck, and then I feel the one year old kid grab my finger.”

After pulling both kids from the car, these five teens had to find the mentality of trained adults, setting aside their own fears to help calm a distraught four-year-old, while Rylie Albertson and Danielle Williams fought to save his little brother.

“He was screaming for his mom. He was screaming for his dad. He was screaming for his little brother – very worried about all of them,” Carney recounted. “But I’m glad we were able to pull him away and put him kind of by the trailer where he could, like, be away from where his little brother’s CPR was performed, because even seeing that, like for a minute, I was like, it got bad for us and we didn’t even know.”

The group wished they could’ve done more to help resuscitate the one-year-old.

When they got home, the first phone call they made wasn’t to their parents, but a friend and retired Fire Chief who could teach them CPR. When asked if they would take CPR classes if they were offered, they all offered a resounding yes.

Red Cross CPR Certification

American Heart Association CPR Training

Idaho Falls Community Hospital

Benefit Dinner for Family

A benefit dinner will be held to support the family who was caught in the crash next month.

It will be held at the Westbank Convention Center on July 11th with dinner beginning at 6 PM. 

More details will be posted on the Signature Events Facebook Page as the event gets closer. 

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Par Kermani

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Portneuf Health is now out of network for Regence BlueShield of Idaho members after failing to reach a new agreement before their previous contract expired on Sunday.

“Significant issues remain unresolved.” a press statement from Portneuf outlined. “Regence routinely denies a substantial portion of claims for medically necessary care provided to patients covered by their plans and has millions of dollars in unpaid claims owed to Portneuf.”

Portneuf also accused Regence of “taking the position that patients covered by theiur plans can skeek care outside their community rather than reaching a fair agreement with local providers.

In a statement to Local News 8, officials at Regence Blueshield of Idaho

“Although Regence’s prior long-standing contract with the operators of Portneuf Medical Center has lapsed, negotiations continue at an accelerated pace. Regence customer service is – as always – available to answer questions about coverage for ongoing care, emergency services and alternative provider options. As an Idaho not-for-profit insurer, we remain committed to ensuring any new agreement respects the healthcare affordability needs of our members, while fairly compensating the systems and professionals that provide care.”

Negotiations between Portneuf Health and Regence BlueShield of Idaho have been ongoing for months, but significant issues remain unresolved.

As of June 15, Portneuf Medical Center, its facilities and employed providers are considered out of network for all Regence insurance plans.

Portneuf said emergency services will continue to be covered at in-network benefit levels. Some patients may also qualify for continuity-of-care protections and are encouraged to contact Regence directly for more information.

Patients with questions about their coverage are encouraged to contact Regence BlueShield of Idaho or visit Portneuf’s network update page for the latest information.

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Par Kermani

NATRONA COUNTY, Wyo. (KIFI) — A Wyoming judge has struck down a law requiring women to receive an ultrasound before obtaining medication abortion drugs, ruling the requirement violates the Wyoming Constitution.

In a decision issued Friday, Natrona County District Court Judge Thomas T.C. Campbell ruled House Bill 64, known as the Ultrasound Requirement, is unconstitutional. The law required women seeking a medication abortion to undergo an ultrasound at least 48 hours before receiving abortion medication.

The judge also struck down two other abortion-related laws passed by the Wyoming Legislature, including a law requiring abortion clinics to be licensed as ambulatory surgical centers and part of a law restricting protections for off-label prescriptions used to induce abortions.

The lawsuit was brought by abortion providers, physicians and advocacy groups, including Wellspring Health Access in Casper.

In his ruling, Campbell found the state failed to prove the laws were necessary to achieve a compelling government interest, as required under Article 1, Section 38 of the Wyoming Constitution, which guarantees adults the right to make their own health care decisions.

Supporters of House Bill 64 argued the ultrasound requirement would help identify ectopic pregnancies and protect women’s health. However, the court found the state did not provide sufficient evidence showing the law addressed an actual problem or improved patient outcomes.

The ruling comes months after the Wyoming Supreme Court struck down Wyoming’s abortion bans, finding they also violated the state’s constitutional protections for health care decisions.

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Par Kermani

DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) — Fire officials are urging residents and visitors to use extra caution after a Red Flag Warning was issued for Teton Valley for Tuesday, June 16.

According to emergency officials, warm temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds are expected to create critical fire weather conditions across the area.

A Red Flag Warning means conditions are favorable for the rapid growth and spread of wildfires.

Officials are asking the public to do their part to reduce the risk of human-caused fires by avoiding activities that could create sparks or open flames.

Residents are encouraged to properly dispose of cigarettes, avoid parking vehicles in tall dry grass and follow any local fire restrictions that may be in place.

Fire officials say even a small spark can quickly become a fast-moving wildfire under Red Flag conditions.

The warning is in effect Tuesday, June 16.

Anyone who spots smoke or a wildfire is encouraged to report it immediately to local authorities.

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David Pace

UPDATED:IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The body of a missing 20-year-old man was recovered from a canal in Idaho Falls Monday afternoon, according to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies identified the victim as Tayson Paul Thomas, who had been reported missing by friends and family last Wednesday after they had not seen him since the early morning hours of June 7.

Emergency personnel were called to the area near 1st Street and Southwest Bonneville Avenue around 1:30 p.m. Monday after receiving a report of a body floating in the canal.

Idaho Falls Fire Department personnel, Idaho Falls Police officers and Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies responded and recovered the body near 9th Street and Southwest Bonneville Avenue.

According to investigators, Thomas was last seen near the On The Run Truck Stop on Iona Road and North Holmes Avenue during the early morning hours of June 7. Deputies said Thomas reportedly ran from the area after seeing a police vehicle because he wanted to avoid being arrested on an active warrant.

Friends later located Thomas’s cellphone at a nearby residence along Lewisville Highway.

Over the past week, deputies spoke with family members, friends and coworkers and conducted an extensive search of the area where the cellphone was found but were unable to locate him.

On Monday, a passerby notified police after viewing the body of a man floating in the canal. The west bank of the canal near 9th Street and Linden Drive, next to Linden Park Elementary School, was taped off while emergency crews recovered the body.

Deputies on scene Monday began notifying Thomas’s family. The Bonneville County Coroner’s Office also responded to assist with the investigation.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing. No additional information has been released at this time.

Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office deputies carry a body bag after retrieving a man’s body from the canal near 9th Street and Lincoln Drive.

A GoFundMe Campaign has been created for Thomas’ girlfriend, who is expecting their first child within seven weeks. To support or donate, use the direct link to the campaign here.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to remove video showing the recovery of the deceased individual from the canal.

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Par Kermani

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Gate City Pride is returning to Pocatello this month with new leadership, a new location and a full day of family-friendly activities.

“This celebration is about community, inclusion, connection and supporting the many local businesses, nonprofits, artists and residents who make Southeast Idaho such a vibrant place to live.” the Gate City Pride Board said in a statement.

This year’s event is being organized by a newly formed Board of Directors, marking a new chapter for Gate City Pride in Southeast Idaho.

The annual event is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, at Centennial Park and will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This marks the first time the celebration will be held in Centennial Park.

According to Gate City Pride the one goal of the event is to connect community members with local nonprofits and organizations that provide services and resources throughout the region.

Gate City Pride is one of several Pride celebrations taking place across eastern Idaho this month. Rexburg Pride is also scheduled for June 20 at Porter Park, while Idaho Falls Pride will host its annual parade and festival June 27 along the Greenbelt.

Visitors are encouraged to park in the gravel lot adjacent to Pocatello Community Charter School and access the event by crossing the bridge into Centennial Park.

Additional information about the event is available at gatecitypride.org.

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CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 15 JUN 26 12:57 ET

By Kennedy Camarena, KSL

Click here for updates on this story

    MOAB, Utah (KSL) — Two people died Sunday in a BASE jumping incident.

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened in a remote area of Mineral Bottom.

A 50-year-old man, who was not identified, died at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office. The second person who died, a man from Moab, was identified by the sheriff’s office as Andrew Lewis.

Lewis was an experienced tandem BASE jumper who documented his jumps under the name “Sketchy Andy Lewis” on various social media platforms. He owned BASE Jump Moab and had accomplished over 4,000 jumps, according to the Moab Swingers website.

“(Lewis) performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show with Madonna, judged international slackline competitions and travels the globe as a performer and elite athlete,” the website said.

Lewis also co-founded Moab Swingers, a rope swinging company based in Moab, with co-founder and Lewis’ “lifelong friend,” Jimmy Peterson.

“At this time, we just like to release a statement saying that we are so sorry for the family and friends,” Peterson said in a statement. “It was a terrible accident, and I will be in touch at a later time.”

At news of his death, multiple people across the U.S. recounted what it was like to BASE jump with Lewis in the Moab area.

Ruth Bryson of Asheville, North Carolina, and her son took a trip to Moab during Mother’s Day weekend.

“I needed to do some healing from losing my mother in January, and I definitely went straight to Moab just to BASE jump,” Bryson told KSL. She said she was inspired to try after watching Lewis’ BASE jumps online. During the jump and prior, Lewis kept her calm and void of fear, Bryson said.

“We were laughing and cutting up all the way up the mountain,” she said.

Bryson said Lewis was compassionate and kind. She said she felt free and alive during the jump and mentioned that Lewis was the best at what he did. Bryson said she had a goal to BASE jump with him in the future. “He helped heal my heart, and I was hurting,” Bryson said.

William Cragg, of West Virginia, also BASE jumped with his 14-year-old son and Lewis about three weeks ago and said he found inspiration in Lewis’ TikTok BASE jumping videos.

“I started seeing these heart-wrenching stories of these people in Moab jumping off a cliff … Those stories resonated with me,” Cragg told KSL.

Ultimately, Cragg said Lewis inspired him to start an Accelerated Freefall program, as Lewis’ confidence rubbed off on him.

“Like any extraordinary thing worth doing in life, extreme sports are made up of extreme people,” he said. “All of these people share at least one common characteristic: needing to find an outlet. At the end of the day, we are all broken and just trying to put together enough pieces to survive another day. Although sports like BASE jumping have a high amount of fatalities, I promise you these sports have saved many, many more lives than they have ever taken.”

The sheriff’s office also expressed its condolences to the family and friends of the two victims.

“The Grand County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest sympathies to the families, friends and all those affected by this tragic incident,” the sheriff’s office said.

Contributing: Shelby Lofton

The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by KSL’s editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.

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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