Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho farmers are struggling to do more with less as water users across the state grapple with one of the worst water outlooks on record.

In a news release, the Idaho Surface Water Coalition (SWC) announced that its members have been forced to impose drastic reductions on their own water usage. The cuts are driven by a devastating combination of historically low snowpack, a statewide drought emergency, and declining reach gains across the Snake River system.

The crisis arrives at the worst possible time, just as Idaho farmers enter the most critical stretch of the 2026 agricultural irrigation season.

“Idaho is in a bad situtation,” said Alan Hasten, chairman of the Surface Water Coalition. “The snow never fell this past winter, so now we are dealing with one of the most challenging water years in generations, with the consequences already stacking up.”

Graph: The black line shows historic lows in the natural flow into the Snake River from below Blackfoot, Idaho. This water sustains the senior water right users of the Surface Water Coalition. Source: June 3, 2026 Water Report from Water District 1, Idaho Department of Water Resources, www.waterdistrict1.com.

Preliminary data highlights the severity of the shortage, indicating that this year’s snowpack is less than 40% of typical levels for this time of year. In addition, Idaho reservoirs are currently holding approximately 2.47 million acre-feet of water. In a typical year, the system holds about 3.25 million acre-feet, which means Idaho is facing a deficit of roughly one-third of the state’s dependable reserve.

The shortfall is already hitting central Idaho farms, where agricultural fields served by the Twin Falls Canal Company are desperately trying to stretch water allocations that have been slashed by 33.3%, according to the release.

Faced with these troubling conditions, Hasten says some producers have already made the difficult decision to cut their losses. Hasten notes that one local farmer has already sacrificed their grain crop early, chopping it to sell as low-margin cattle feed to conserve their remaining water for higher-value crops.

“Our members are facing deep cuts to their water supplies, which in turn leaves everyone who relies on us working frantically to stretch what little they have,” Hasten warned. “Farmers are already having to decide which fields to abandon just to make it through the summer. The impacts of this very real drought equate to lost crops and lost income. Ultimately, this will be felt in our towns, our businesses, our grocery stores, and around kitchen tables across Idaho and the nation.”

In early June, the Idaho Department of Water Resources warned The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) that Snake River flows may fall below the minimum flow of 3,900 cubic feet per second at the Murphy gage this summer. As a result, water users who have Trust Water Rights may be subject to curtailment.

Amid the grim water outlook, the majority of groundwater users have been provided a safe harbor through the 2024 Stipulated Mitigation Plan.

Earlier this year, the SWC and nine groundwater districts jointly filed a First Addendum to the plan with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, bringing three additional groundwater districts – the Little Lost River Basin, Big Lost River Basin, and Upper Big Lost River Basin – under the same umbrella of conservation standards, storage water obligations, and managed aquifer recharge requirements as existing participants. In exchange for safe harbor protection, groundwater users have agreed to an approximate 11.3% reduction through a combination of pumping reductions and recharge efforts.

The SWC stated it will continue to monitor conditions closely and provide updates as the season progresses.

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Curtis Jackson

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (KIFI) – The body of a kayaker was found floating in Yellowstone Lake on Monday morning.

Park Rangers said the body of Brandon Rhea, 41, of Denver, was discovered by boaters near Rock Point on the northwest shore of the lake near Bridge Bay.

Rangers also recovered the capsized kayak and personal belongings.

They are still investigating what happened and no other details were available.

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Curtis Jackson

UPDATED:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Pocatello Police are investigating a two-vehicle accident in Pocatello this morning that sent five nearby children to a local hospital.

Five children are in the hospital today after being struck during a two-vehicle wreck in Pocatello.

According to newly released information, it happened just before noon at the intersection of Barton Road and South 4th Avenue. Pocatello Police say two cars collided in the middle of the intersection. The impact sent the vehicles into five children who were standing on the corner waiting to cross the street.

Emergency medical personnel rushed to the scene and took all five children to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. Fortunately, police say their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. Both drivers were treated at the scene.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and no further details have been released. Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information to contact the Pocatello Police Department at (208) 234-6100.

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Par Kermani

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A woman was rescued from a burning trailer home west of Blackfoot on Tuesday morning, and investigators are now looking into whether the fire was intentionally set.

According to Detective Sgt. Devin Trujillo with the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of smoke coming from a trailer in a mobile home park around 5:45 a.m.

When deputies arrived, they found heavy smoke coming from the trailer. Trujillo said deputies knocked on windows and doors and attempted to enter through a back door, but were forced back by the smoke.

Deputies eventually went through a front window, woke the woman inside, and pulled her to safety.

Firefighters arrived to find active flames and worked to bring the fire under control within about an hour before extinguishing remaining hot spots.

The woman was taken to Bingham Memorial Hospital for treatment. Investigators said she is now safe and staying with family in the area.

The trailer was heavily damaged and is considered a total loss.

Trujillo said detectives and the local fire marshal are investigating the cause of the fire. He said several factors led investigators to open an arson investigation, including preexisting damage to electrical equipment and fire boxes, holes in the walls, an open back door, and the fact that the woman was asleep when deputies arrived.

“There’s not a lot of arson cases we investigate here in Bingham County,” Trujillo said. “There’s a lot of natural things that happen with homes that start fires. So we’re just making sure there’s nothing involved in this one that is an intentional act that started a fire.”

Investigators also questioned the woman’s son, who arrived at the scene after firefighters had already responded.

No other trailers or vehicles were damaged in the fire.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) has released an updated standard operating procedure detailing how firing squad executions will be carried out.

The procedure covers all aspects of the execution process, from the monitoring of appellate activities to the conditions of confinement of the condemned person.

Under the newly established policy, the firing squad will consist of volunteer law enforcement officers. To qualify, candidates must have at least three years of experience as a certified peace officer and possess “training and experience [that] includes the deployment and proficient use of firearms.” In addition, volunteers must pass rigorous accuracy testing conducted under simulated conditions.

The Execution Team must complete a minimum of four training sessions within the 12 months prior to an execution, including both live-fire and dry-fire training. Meanwhile, the Medical Team is required to practice placing peripheral IV catheters and administering fluids on at least two live volunteers.

Once a death warrant is officially served, the Execution Team will transition to weekly training sessions before the scheduled execution.

Finally, in the 48 hours leading up to the scheduled execution, the team must complete at least four distinct training sessions and two full-scale rehearsals.

In the final four hours prior to the execution, the prison healthcare staff will offer the condemned person a sedative. After which, the condemned person will be restrained in the execution chamber. An EKG and other medical equipment will be placed on the individual to monitor their condition, and a target will be placed over the heart.

The policy goes into effect just ahead of July 1, 2026, when the firing squad officially becomes the state’s primary method of execution.

Execution ProceduresDownload

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Four members of a drug trafficking organization operating across state lines in Idaho and Oregon will spend a combined 37 and a half years behind bars. U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced the sentences today, following a joint investigation by Idaho and Oregon law enforcement agencies.

According to court records, the multi-agency investigation began in 2024, targeting an organization distributing methamphetamine throughout southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon. The group allegedly brought methamphetamine from California back to Idaho and Oregon for distribution.

Over the course of the investigation, detectives seized more than 17 pounds of methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Davis emphasized that this case reflects his office’s unwavering commitment to keeping illegal narcotics out of local communities.

“Out-of-state acquisition of illegal narcotics endangers our community,” Davis said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to zealously prosecute those bringing drugs into Idaho.”

Individual Sentences and Court Findings

Juan Pulido (Caldwell, ID)

Pulido, 44, was sentenced to 188 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine with the intent of distributing it to others. At the time of his arrest, Pulido already had four prior drug trafficking convictions. During sentencing, Judge Brailsford described Pulido as a “large-scale methamphetamine supplier” and ordered him to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

Maleah Rochelle Benavidez (Ontario, OR)

Benavidez, 31, was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. During her involvement in the conspiracy, Benavidez was absconding from supervision on two prior drug trafficking convictions.

Daniel Ryan Carrion (Ontario, OR)

Carrion, 38, was also sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. During the investigation, authorities say Carrion led law enforcement on a high-speed chase so dangerous that officers were forced to call off the pursuit for public safety. During the chase, Carrion threw a pound of methamphetamine into an open field that law enforcement officers seized.

Wesley John Roehl (Boise, ID)

Roehl, 41, was sentenced to 24 months, followed by three years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine.

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Danielle Mullenix

YELLOWSTONE (KIFI) – As the summer travel season ramps up across the West, two of the region’s most popular national parks are already experiencing signs of increased visitor activity.

Recent visitation statistics reveal that Yellowstone National Park received 570,272 recreational visits in May 2026, making it the busiest May on record for the park.

The National Park Service reports that May visitation rose by 1% compared to May 2025 and was 20% higher than in May 2021, Yellowstone’s previous record-breaking year when the park exceeded 4.8 million visitors.

During the first five months of 2026, Yellowstone hosted 773,653 visitors, up from 762,672 over the same period last year. Park officials believe these numbers signal another robust tourism season as the peak summer months approach.

These latest numbers reflect a continued trend of rising interest in Yellowstone, following years of recovery and growth after pandemic-related disruptions and the historic 2022 flood that temporarily closed parts of the park.

Park officials encourage visitors to plan ahead, review park regulations, download the free National Park Service mobile app, and practice safe wildlife viewing during their stay.

Major investment announced for Grand Teton National Park visitors

At the same time, the National Park Service has announced a new long-term agreement expected to shape the visitor experience at Grand Teton National Park for years to come.

The agency has selected Grand Teton Lodge Company to provide lodging, dining, retail, campground, marina, transportation, and recreation services under a new 15-year concessions contract starting January 1, 2027.

This contract is the largest concessions agreement in Grand Teton National Park and ranks among the most significant visitor services contracts in the entire National Park System.

Officials estimate the agreement will serve more than 50 million visitors during its lifetime, generate more than $1 billion in gross receipts, and support approximately 1,000 jobs in surrounding communities.

“This contract helps ensure that visitors continue to enjoy the memorable experiences that make Grand Teton National Park one of America’s most treasured destinations,” said Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins in a statement.

Improvements planned throughout the park

With the new agreement, visitors can expect several upgrades focused on improving accessibility, safety, and the overall visitor experience.

Planned projects include:

Construction of new employee housing

Improving fire protection systems

Additional RV electrical hookups at campgrounds

Introducing two new tour boats with enhanced accessibility features

Expansion of the park’s boat rental fleet

Bear spray rental services

Continued maintenance of more than 400 park buildings, including historic landmarks

The agreement also includes measures to reduce wildlife interactions in campgrounds, protect dark night skies through improved lighting management, and expand educational programs for visitors.

Grand Teton Lodge Company is already one of the largest summer employers in Teton County, Wyoming. Park officials say the new agreement will bolster local economies while helping preserve the park’s natural and historic resources.

As Yellowstone posts record visitation numbers and Grand Teton invests in long-term visitor improvements, tourism leaders anticipate another busy summer season across the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

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David Pace

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – Five justices of the Idaho Supreme Court visited Brigham Young University-Idaho Wednesday to hear oral arguments in three cases from eastern Idaho.

The justices heard from lawyers in an appeal of a domestic battery conviction, a probate case and a dispute from Bonneville County over court records fees.

In State of Idaho v. Tony Crombie, Crombie appealed his conviction for domestic battery.

“The unwaived constitutional right that was violated here was Mr. Crombie’s right to fair notice of the charges against him. He had no idea that he was on trial for felony domestic battery, and he did not tailor his defense to the elements in that charge,” argued his lawyer Stacey Donahoe. “… We think that the only proper remedy in this case is to vacate his conviction.”

Idaho Deputy Attorney General Neil Paterson disagreed with that characterization.

“Crombie has not shown a violation of an unwaived constitutional right because the variance between the jury instruction and the pleading document was not fatal. Likewise, the record does not show that there was a clear error because there was not a failure to object, but rather a strategic decision to object on a basis that best fit his defense that he did not touch the victim, ” he said.

The second case, Travis Bowen v. Dana Penrod consisted of a dispute between a brother, Travis Bowen, and his sister, Dana Penrod.

After their sister, Deborah Bowen, and their father passed away, Travis was appointed as the personal representative for Deborah’s estate, while Dana oversaw her father’s estate.

Travis alleges that some of Deborah’s property was sold by Penrod at a July 2020 auction along with their father’s belongings, and requested that the value of Deborah’s property be sent to her estate.

His lawyer Stephen Adams argued that “he filed the petition to try and find out where the property went to and to collect it.”

Penrod was represented by lawyer Nathaniel Wadsworth, who stated a “three year statute of limitation applies, and the court properly dismissed the complaint, and the district court properly affirmed that dismissal.” 

The third case, Bryan Smith v. Penny Manning (in her official capacity as Bonneville County Clerk), Smith challenged the Bonneville County Clerk’s Office after he was charged a $352 fee for public records.

The fee was assessed after Smith requested judgments from 169 cases on an electronic thumb drive.

The District Court ruled that “the Clerk had absolute quasi-judicial immunity from suit and dismissed both claims without addressing whether Smith had been overcharged,” the docket states.

“It cannot be the law that the government can take your property, overcharge you, and then when you ask for your money back, they say we’re immune,” Smith said.

Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal disagreed, stating, “Where did the overcharge occur? If that requires an interpretation of the law, then I have to say my client is probably either 1) not the person who interpreted the law, so we go to the administrative district judge, or 2) you’re asking her to do something which was not ministerial or administrative.”

In each case, the justices peppered lawyers with piercing questions.

The Idaho Supreme Court took Wednesday’s cases under advisement and will release its decisions at a later time.

Following the hearings, the judges discussed their roles and decision-making process in the court, while answering questions from students and guests at the university.

“We are elected officials. We need to act like it in the sense that we understand we are responsive, that we’re transparent as we can be to the public, and that we strive to be out and about,” said Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan.

Another question dove into whether or not the judiciary has been politicized.

“It isn’t about politics. It’s about deciding the cases,” said Justice Cynthia Meyer. ”It’s about following the rule of law, looking at the facts that are developed throughout the case, and making the right decision regardless of whatever political winds may be blowing at the time.”

Justice Gregory Moeller, former District Judge for the Seventh Judicial District, affirmed that a judge’s duty is to uphold the rule of law.

“We have to understand that the decisions we make are much bigger than our own personal views,” Moeller said. “We often make decisions that we personally don’t like. For us, the only vindication is that we follow the law. We want the law to win. We want the rule of law to govern, and if that happens, it doesn’t really matter who won or lost.”

Idaho Supreme Court Justice Colleen Zahn, Justice Robyn Brody, Chief Justice Richard Bevan, Justice Gregory Moeller and Justice Cynthia Meyer (left to right) held hearings at Brigham Young University-Idaho on Wednesday.

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Stephanie Lucas

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies are seeking the public’s help to locate a missing person, 20-year-old Tayson Paul Thomas. Friends of Mr. Thomas reported him missing the morning of June 10.

He was last seen at 2:30 AM on Sunday, June 7, near Mitchell’s Restaurant and the On the Run Truck Stop (formerly KJ’s) on Iona Road near Lewisville Hwy. Thomas fled the area on foot after he saw law enforcement to avoid being arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Deputies checked the area, and his friends located Thomas’ cell phone at a nearby residence, but Mr. Thomas was not located at that time. Known friends and family have not heard from Mr. Thomas since then, and his current whereabouts are unknown.

Thomas is described as approximately 5’9″ tall, 140 lbs., bald with a goatee and multiple tattoos on his body. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Bonneville County Dispatch at 208-529-1200.

Tips and information can also be shared anonymously online through East Idaho Crime Stoppers at www.IFcrime.org or via the P3tips mobile app.

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Par Kermani

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Longtime Idaho environmental advocate Carta Reale Sierra, commonly known as the Idaho Lorax, has died at age 74. His passing on June 9, 2026, was first reported by the Idaho State Journal and later confirmed via an online obituary shared by Rez Radio Fort Hall.

His online obituary describes him as “one of Idaho’s most unforgettable educators, entertainers, passionately eccentric public activists, and fiercely independent politicians.”

Beyond activism, Sierra was a persistent figure described as a “relentless disruptor” in local politics, running for public office multiple times. Most recently, he launched a campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District as a member of the Constitution Party.

“Channeling Dr. Seuss, he adopted the name ‘Idaho Lorax,’ believing deeply in speaking up for what cannot defend itself,” states his obituary.

To honor his life and legacy, an informal gathering will be held at Lookout Point in Historic Downtown Pocatello on Saturday, June 13, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

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