Category: kifi-local-news

News Release

The following is a news release from the city of Pocatello:

POCATELLO, Idaho — Starting today, January 20, the City of Pocatello is inviting community members to provide feedback on proposed landscape redesign options for city entryways and roadways throughout the city.

The City’s Planning & Development Services Department, in consultation with The Land Group, is seeking input on designs intended to improve the appearance of key corridors while reducing water use and wildfire risk through waterwise and firewise landscaping practices. The public comment period will remain open through January 30.

“This feedback will help guide future beautification efforts for our city’s roadways and entryways,” said Jim Anglesey, Pocatello’s Long-Range Senior Planner. “The goal is to enhance the City’s appearance while selecting landscaping better suited to our semi-arid environment. These designs will be used as funding becomes available to support landscape and irrigation improvements at various locations across the city.”

Community members can view proposed locations and design concepts and submit feedback online at: pocatello.seamlessdocs.com/f/PDSlandscapeconcepts

This project supports multiple goals identified in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. More information about Comprehensive Plan 2040 is available at: pocatello.gov/DocumentCenter/View/318/Comprehensive-Plan-2040-PDF

The project was made possible through a Western State Fire Manager’s Grant administered by the Idaho Department of Lands. The grant-funded effort focuses on reducing fuels along roadways and interstates by redesigning adjacent landscaping to better align with local environmental conditions. The proposed designs will be implemented as funding becomes available to support landscape and irrigation improvements at various locations throughout the city.

For more information about the project, please contact Jim Anglesey at 208-234-6514 or janglesey@pocatello.gov.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Nicholas Umphenour, the man accused of engaging in a deadly hospital ambush to free a white supremacist inmate, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty.

Court documents filed on January 13, 2026, reveal that Umphenour, 30, will enter an Alford plea for the killings of 83-year-old James Mauney and 72-year-old Gerald “Don” Henderson. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution has enough evidence to secure a conviction.

Under the terms of the deal with Nez Perce and Clearwater county prosecutors, Umphenour will waive his right to a preliminary hearing and a jury trial. In exchange, the state will not seek the death penalty, and Umphenour serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

This move comes only weeks after his co-conspirator, Skylar Meade, entered a similar plea. While a hearing for Umphenour has not yet been set, Meade is scheduled for sentencing at the Nez Perce County Courthouse on January 27, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

Background

The charges stem from Meade’s violent breakout on March 20, 2024, at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. While being held by the Idaho Department of Corrections on another conviction, Meade broke out of custody during a visit to the Boise area hospital. During the escape, Uphernour shot two IDOC guards who were monitoring Meade at the time.

While on the run, Idaho State Police say the pair stole 83-year-old James Mauney’s Chrysler Pacifica. Mauney’s body was discovered near Leland.

Investigators later found Gerald “Don” Henderson dead at his remote home outside Orofino. Umphenour had briefly lived with Henderson over a decade before, according to reports by KTVB. Police recovered Mauney’s dogs and Meade’s discarded shackles at Henderson’s home, eventually leading to the duo’s capture following a multi-state manhunt.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) –  The city of Rexburg is excited to welcome a new attraction to town. They are introducing a new ice skating rink for hockey, figure skating, and recreational skating.  

“We are always, you know, just wanting more things to do in the wintertime. And so this is one more event. And like this winter, it’s been tough to get out and do cross-country skiing or skating because of the weather,” said Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill. “And this being an indoor facility, it’s all climate-controlled. And so you go in there, and the ice is beautiful and perfect, and people are having a great time.”

A private individual built the ice rink on city land at Riverside Park. He had an agreement with Rexburg that they could operate the facility for up to 25 years or donate it. That person chose to donate it in less than 2 years to the city.  

“I can just tell you, I’ve been here 20 years and saving for these types of capital facilities, especially for recreation, is almost impossible,” said Matt Nielson, CFO for the city of Rexburg. “To be quite frank, it’s an amazing donation to think that somebody privately built this facility and donated it to the Rexburg. You know, really, to the residents of Rexburg to be able to continue to use it for many years to come.”

The mayor says a grand opening is planned for sometime in February. 

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Due to an unseasonal and total lack of snow, the City of Rexburg’s Winterfest 2026 has put on permanent ice. The Rexburg Parks and Recreation Department confirmed the cancellation on Facebook.

City leadership had initially put celebration on ice, postponing the event until January 24, in hopes of a late-season storm, but with no significant snowfall in the forecast, the city chose to call off the festivities entirely.

Winterfest typically serves as a highlight of the Rexburg winter season, usually held in January or February, featuring traditions like the Cupid Cup cross-country ski race and a polar plunge.

“Without winter conditions, Winterfest won’t take place this year, but we already have some big plans in mind for our 2027 event,” the city stated in their Facebook post. “Thanks for understanding, and we’ll see you next year… when winter will hopefully decide to show up.”

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KTVB

By: Abby Wilt

Published: 10:24 PM MST January 18, 2026

For updates in this story, click HERE.

BOISE, Idaho (KTVB) — Idaho Fish and Game is proposing new regulations to the Idaho legislature this session that would restrict hunters’ use of advanced technology during big game season, after concerns about advancements in hunting equipment.

The regulations stem from recommendations provided by a group of 23 hunters, bear baiters, trappers, long-range shooters and wolf hunters, who advised Fish and Game on fair hunting practices in Idaho. After a public comment period, the agency is now presenting the proposal to state lawmakers.

The proposed rules would restrict four main technologies from Aug. 30 through Dec. 31: drones, night vision equipment, thermal imaging optics and transmitting trail cameras. Hunters would not be able to retrieve animals after their death using these technologies.

Under the proposal, hunters would be completely prohibited from using drones for scouting or hunting big game animals. Night vision and thermal imaging technology could not be used for scouting, hunting or retrieval of big game animals. Transmitting trail cameras would be banned on federal, state or local land for big game hunting and scouting, though Idahoans could still use them to monitor private property and photograph wildlife.

The proposals have drawn mixed reactions from Idaho hunters.

Michael La Course, who has hunted in Idaho since 2012, said he understands the rationale behind some restrictions but worries excessive regulations could diminish both the enjoyment and practicality of hunting.

“I can see, in a sense, where they’re coming from,” La Course said. 

La Course said he agrees with the elimination of drones, but would like to still use thermal imaging and trail cameras. 

“Thermal imaging makes it a lot easier to find your animal just because you can literally walk past it 20 yards,” La Course said. “If you lost the blood trail, you would never find it, and you have to circle and circle. If you have thermal vision, [you] will be able to recover them.”

La Course said some regulations are necessary to protect wildlife but expressed concern about overregulation.

“If we are starting to restrict more and more, it’s going to hurt us in the long run,” La Course said. “It is very important to preserve that way of life.”

Idaho Fish and Game told KTVB they will not comment on pending legislation, and it has not yet been introduced to the legislature. 

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The lottery period is officially open for Gem Prep: Idaho Falls, the city’s newest tuition-free K-12 public charter school, ahead of its scheduled opening for the 2026-2027 academic year. Interested parents of young students have until February 26, 2026, to enter the enrollment lottery.

Gem Prep: Idaho Falls marks the 8th in a network of free charter schools across the Gem State. Crews broke ground on the new Charter School last September, and construction is projected to be finished in time for students to begin classes in mid-August 2026.

“The walls are up, and the windows and doors are going in as we speak. We are one step closer to opening this campus,” the school wrote in a January Newsletter.

For more information or to directly enroll in the lottery process, click HERE. Gem Prep will also host an in-person information session for interested parents on Wednesday, January 28, at 7:00 PM at the Idaho Falls Library.

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Maile Sipraseuth

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Eastern Idaho Ag Expo kicked off today, January 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the ICCU Dome.

Over 150 companies were at the ICCU Dome and the Student Union Ballroom. Vendors said events like these are important for agricultural businesses to make connections with farmers.

“Everybody has this platform to show off the new products that they offer. And the things that the customers aren’t aware of that are out there. And so they get an idea of how they can better their company as well,” Corey Baumbach, outside salesman of Fairbank, said.

Vendors also saw the importance of visibility and collaboration within the agricultural sector.

“It’s important to just show the industry that we’re here and to reach out to farmers and other vendors to connect and make an impact in the community,” Anthony Schilling, sales manager, eastern Idaho salesman and agronomist of Magic Valley Compost, said.

The next three days are to focus on the potato industry, and the potato conference topics include:

Optimizing Temperature and Humidity for Storage

Management of Potato Viruses

Integrated Pest Management

Mitigating Pesticide Drift 

Over 25 hours of workshops and seminars will include Impact of Hail and Tuber Bruising, nematode management, glyphosate stewardship, Optimizing Potato Variety Selection, nutrient management, and more.

The event will be held through Wednesday, Jan. 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 5:55 PM, Jan 19, 2026

By: Brady Caskey

BOISE, Idaho (KIVI) — A new way to pay could be coming to Idaho — letting residents buy everyday items with gold or silver using a debit card linked to physical precious metals.

Lawmakers heard how the proposal might work at a meeting on Monday, January 19.

“What we would like to see is a system that is backed by gold and silver, where people can actually use it in the day-to-day sphere,” said Idaho State Sen. Josh Kohl, who is spearheading the idea in Idaho.

“I think there would be a state depository where Idahoans could put in certain accounts, their accounts, of gold and silver, and then they could use that,” he said.

Kohl says the precious metals-based system could help protect Idahoans from inflation.

“But that’s actually gold and silver that they’re using to make purchases and not a devaluing dollar,” Kohl said.

Similar systems have been implemented in Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, and Florida. Economic author Kevin Freeman said Idaho could benefit from creating a transactional gold and silver system.

“States can make gold and silver coin, let’s just make them modern — let’s slap a debit card on them and allow people to spend gold and silver as real money,” Freeman said.

He said the move could make owning precious metals more accessible for everyday use.

“Under the system, you could buy $100 or $10 or $50 worth of gold or silver and use it like money,” Freeman said.

For the system to work, the state would need to create a depository to hold gold and silver controlled by individual Idahoans.

“But the underlying value is gold or silver, not paper,” Freeman said.

Even so, prices for gold and silver can still fluctuate.

“It’s really optional, it’s a choice. Now the downside would be gold could go down in value, it could go down against the dollar,” Freeman said.

“The real question is, how do we make this fit for Idaho best?” Kohl added.

Kohl says he is working on legislation this session to lay the framework for gold and silver to be used in everyday transactions.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Twenty-four individuals commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a b-r–r–r–rave display of courage – confronting the icy waters of the Snake River in a cold plunge on Monday morning. 

Patrick Toussaint started the event reading from King’s famous “I Have a Dream” address. He recited stories of racism he experienced growing up as a young man in Miami, Florida.

“In Florida, I was public enemy number one – black guy crossing the street, they see me coming, I’d hear the door lock,” Toussaint said. “I’m walking along the street. Lady sees me; she crosses the street. If I’m in the supermarket, a lady sees me; she’s moving her purse to the other side.”

However, here in Idaho he reports his mixed racial family has been embraced.

“I haven’t felt racial stuff here,” he said, before repeating King’s immortalized lines, “I have a dream that one day my children will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Immediately following Toussaint’s statements, the cold plungers jumped, waded or flipped into the 27-degree waters of the Snake River.

Organizers started the morning by chipping away four inches of ice in preparation for the event.

The cold plunge serves as a reminder that “courage is rarely comfortable.”

“Thank you, Brother [Martin Luther] King, because of what you did back then, I’m living the dream right now,” Toussaint said afterward. “I love doing hard things. Again, back in the day with Martin Luther King, things were hard for black people.”

He said the cold plunge helps him “assimilate some kind of toughness to overcome that, because that’s what this is all about – overcoming.”

“We came to celebrate Martin Luther King Day here in Idaho Falls,” said Andy Johnson, a cold plunger extraordinaire. “… because we have a dream, as far as what he stood for, as far as the civil rights and liberties that we get to exercise in this country. How better to celebrate it than with a cold plunge?!”

Johnson led a group of hardcore enthusiasts in submersing in a two-feet-square hole in the ice. 

“We got to be able to chip out the ice, and be able to choose our mind over our physical needs,” he said.

During college, organizer Tyler Price heard Rosa Parks tell her experiences from the Civil Rights movement in person, and said that the struggle for civil rights and human dignity continues today.

Taking the plunge in today’s divisive climate, he said, means standing up to injustice while respecting each other’s differences and disagreeing respectfully. 

Tyler Price takes a plunge to end racism, and Patrick Toussaint speaks about civil rights on Monday.

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Maile Sipraseuth

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI)– Idaho’s newly launched Parental Choice Tax Credit program drew heavy interest from families with over 3,300 applications submitted within the first few hours, but it is now facing scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers.

Background

The Parental Choice Tax Credit program provides a refundable tax credit of up to $5,000 per eligible child ($7,500 for children with qualifying disabilities) to help cover education expenses for students attending non-public schools. Families can use these funds for private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, curriculum costs, and other education-related expenses.

RELATED: Idaho Parents Rush to Apply for New Parental Choice Tax Credit Program

Idaho Democrats call for a pause on funds

“We’re worried that the Idaho Tax Commission has not built in enough oversight (in) how that money is spent. We know of no auditor who’s going to go check to make sure that the money is spent properly. No clawback provisions to make sure that the money, if it’s misspent, fraudulently wasted, there’s no clawback provision that will allow the state Tax Commission to get that money back, or at least nothing that’s enforceable,” District 29 Senator James Ruchti said, who helped draft the letter to the Idaho Tax Commission Chairman Jeff McCray.

When asked whether the request to pause funding was a response to a letter from Republican chairs of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee calling on the Department of Health and Welfare to freeze child care payments, Sen. James Ruchti said the same standard should apply to the Parental Choice tax credit program.

“If you’re going to do it for payments made to child care centers based on something happening in one state, Minnesota, then why wouldn’t we do that exact same thing for the voucher program when there’s so much evidence that in voucher programs in other states, there is waste, fraud, and abuse, all over the place. And so we should do that here in Idaho and make sure we’re spending our Idaho taxpayer money with some oversight,” Ruchti said.

Ruchti also raised concerns about how the tax credit could affect public school funding, particularly in rural and aging school districts. He says the program prioritizes private and religious schools while longstanding infrastructure problems in public schools remain unaddressed.

“If you’re in Idaho Falls and your kids attend a school where the ceiling tiles are falling down in the hallway or in the classroom, or you’re in Salmon and your kids go to a school where the sewage is running underneath the cafeteria, you have a situation where the state of Idaho is going to send $50 million to private schools and religious schools, while your kids classroom still struggles with those issues. It’s just not right. And it’s going to get worse because we’re going to start cutting K-12 budgets,” Ruchti said.

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