Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

SALT LAKE, Utah (KIFI) — Erika Kirk has filed a formal motion pushing for a speedy trial for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of murdering her husband, Charlie Kirk. The filing alleges that Robinson and his defense are intentionally stalling the criminal justice process.

In the motion filed last week, Kirk cited the Utah Code, which guarantees the victims of a crime the right to a “speedy disposition” of charges and protection from “unwarranted delay” caused by the defendant.

“Nobody believed in the importance of the United States Constitution more than Charlie Kirk. And although the United States Constitution guarantees criminal defendants many rights, it does not guarantee them the right to cause undue delay in the criminal justice process,” states Kirk’s motion.

“The Defendant in this case is entitled to a fair trial, and he must be given one, but he is not entitled to cause undue delay to the criminal justice process,” it continued.

Kirk’s motion was filed on January 16, the same day Robinson’s defense team attempted to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office from the case. At the hearing, Robinson’s attorneys argued that because the daughter of a deputy county attorney attended the rally where Charlie Kirk was fatally shot, the Office should not be allowed to try the case due to a conflict of interest.

This argument was met with sharp criticism from Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray, who characterized the motion as a “stalling tactic,” as reported by Fox 13 in Salt Lake.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — This year, the College of Eastern Idaho recorded an all-time high of 625 students enrolled in its apprenticeship programs. The school says this increased enrollment reflects a rapid regional growth and demand for skilled trades.

Enrollment at CEI’s apprenticeship programs has been climbing for the past three years straight, reaching 496 students in 2025 and 422 in 2024. The programs, which include Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC, provide students with both classroom instruction and real-world, on-the-job training.

The college attributed the success and growth of the apprenticeship programs to the quality of its instructors — whose real-world knowledge provides students with invaluable insight and experience — and CEI’s Program Manager, Josiah Bell. CEI says Bell’s leadership and commitment have been instrumental in the program’s continued growth and high retention rates.

To keep up with the growing demand in the program, the college just launched a new January start date for several programs that traditionally are only offered in the fall. Looking ahead, CEI plans to explore opportunities to expand access, including multiple annual start dates and hybrid learning options in the future.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idahoans may catch a rare glimpse of a celestial display Monday night as a powerful solar event sends the northern lights further south. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch effective from January 19 through January 21, following a massive eruption of solar material over the weekend.

The disruption was triggered by what scientists call a Coronal Mass Ejection —a burst of solar plasma—that blasted from the sun on January 18. NOAA says this event was accompanied by a “Strong” R3-class solar flare originating near the center of the solar disk.

According to the National Weather Service’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the resulting radiation storm is the most significant of its kind in over 20 years.

RELATED: Sun releases the largest solar radiation storm ‘in over 20 years,’ forecasters say

“The last time S4 levels were observed was in October 2003,” the SWPC shared on X. “Potential effects are mainly limited to space launch, aviation, and satellite operations.”

While high-level solar activity can cause disruptions to power grids and satellite communications, solar radiation is the cause behind the Northern Lights. Under the current forecast, the aurora may be visible across much of the northern half of the United States, and even as far south as northern California, according to SWPC. The only question is – will residents in southeastern Idaho be able to see the lights, considering the overcast skies in Monday night’s forecast?

If you manage to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights through a break in the weather, we want to see it. Send your photos to Local News 8 for a chance to be featured on our social media pages and during our evening broadcast. To share your photos, click HERE.

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Ariel Jensen

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) –  Dozens gathered in Pocatello on Monday afternoon to march in honor of Martin Luther King Day. This is a longstanding tradition at Idaho State University that brings the campus and Pocatello community together in a march and a day of service.

All were welcome to join the event, which began at 12:30 p.m. at the Reed Gym parking lot. From there, the group marched to the Jensen Concert Hall within the Stephens Performing Arts Center.

“You know, there’s something bigger than ourselves. And it has to do with less than who we are and what we are as a community, but how we can show up and be kind to one another and really dream about bigger things. Dreams are free. They don’t cost anything. And I think we really need to celebrate that now,” said Dr. Matt Daily, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at ISU. 

The march ended at Jensen Concert Hall, and the event transitioned to a formal program featuring remarks from ISU President Robert Wagner. The ceremony included a live musical performance and a curated panel discussion focused on the significance of the civil rights movement and its modern applications.

Later this week, on January 21, the Bengal community is invited to participate in a service project in the Pond Student Union from noon to 1 p.m. Students will be making cards for residents at the Veterans Home and other local care facilities. 

From January 22nd to 24th, the Bengal Movie Theater will feature several screenings of the historical drama Selma. Evening showings are scheduled for 7 p.m., with an additional matinee on Saturday at 4 p.m. Tickets are free for ISU students, $2 for faculty, staff, and children under 12, and $3 for the general public. 

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CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 19 JAN 26 13:53 ET

By Amy Nay

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    SNOWBIRD, Utah (KSTU) — A Draper woman living with multiple sclerosis has reached new heights thanks to a local group.

“It is a great feeling. I mean, it just wipes out the whole feeling you have about yourself as being somebody who can’t do anything,” said Maggi Welliver, 75, after skiing for the first time with the help of Wasatch Adaptive Sports.

“When I first started with them,” Welliver said, “I started cycling, and then when winter came, my instructor, who I trust with my life, said we need to go skiing, but I said, ‘Uh, I’ve never been a big skier.’”

Her trust in the instructors and what she calls her new family she found at the nonprofit gave her the confidence to try and to discover a sense of freedom she hadn’t felt in years.

“I’ve been in a wheelchair for … over 20 years, and what I have is chronic progressive multiple sclerosis,” Welliver said. “So slowly I’ve been getting to this position in my life. And it’s OK, it’s OK,” she said, describing a gradual decline since her diagnosis three decades ago.

Wasatch Adaptive Sports connects people with physical disabilities to adaptive outdoor programs. They were able to expand offerings this season after a $100,000 donation match from Utah outdoor brand KUHL helped the nonprofit reach a $500,000 fundraising goal. That support, Welliver said, made experiences like skiing at Snowbird and reaching the top of Hidden Peak possible for people who might otherwise never try. It was Welliver’s daughter who encouraged her to look into ‘WAS’ and what they offered.

“What made it really special is I was able to ski with my daughter, and she just cried and said never in her wildest dreams thought she’d be on the slope with me, so now I want to ski with everybody,” Welliver said.

On the slopes, she said she doesn’t feel defined by her disability.

“I don’t feel disabled. I feel able to do most anything I want to do. It’s just different,” she said, adding that adaptive skiing has changed her perspective.

“It just really opens you up to feel good about yourself,” she said. When asked why that matters, Welliver replied, “It’s pretty important because it’s easy to fall into ‘poor me’ and give up.”

She urged others in similar situations to take the first step.

“It doesn’t cost you anything. You just have to step out and take advantage of it,” she said. “Just try it. I mean, it’s scary, but you can do it.”

Her advice for anyone starting is simple: “Start slow and just keep building on that. You can do it, and it’s all about accommodations and that’s life. It’s just what you do in life.”

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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CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 19 JAN 26 13:55 ET

By Mya Constantino

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    OREM, Utah (KSTU) — Nearly every month, a group of Utah men come together in an unexpected place to talk about mental health while building connections and finding support.

We all need someone to lean on. For men across the state, that’s exactly what they’re finding once a week inside the Costco food court in Orem.

“Like, in my darkest moments and things when I’ve been sad, they’re just there to listen,” said Jaxon Smith, the group’s organizer. “It’s something that men don’t have an outlet to where they can express their emotion or feel like they won’t be judged.”

Smith started the Men’s Mental Health Community Club two months ago, continuing a tradition of hanging out at the food court with his friends a couple of times a week, just to hang out.

“The idea just popped in my head of let’s just invite everybody, and let’s get all the boys together,” Smith explained.

Now, the club is a space for men of all ages to get together, eat, and share stories.

“Just creating a low-pressure environment where you can open up about feelings, if you want to, but really you’re there just to connect,” said Smith.

Jaxon said creating a space like the Men’s Mental Health Community Club matters.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis of 2022 survey data found that 26.1 percent of men said they lack social or emotional support compared to 22.3% of women. The CDC added that as of 2023, men are about four times as likely to die by suicide compared to women.

Luke Christensen is a member of the Costco group, showing up to deal with the stresses of school and deadlines.

“When you’re in a group, and you feel included, then it’s easy to just feel welcomed and have that sense of belonging,” Christensen shared, “and that can really help soothe the stress.”

Although the group started at Costco, Smith plans to take it to other locations across Utah.

“People want to help make a change and help men understand that it is OK to show emotion,” said Smith, “and that you’re not any less of a man if you do.”

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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Curtis Jackson

UPDATE:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Two drivers walked away uninjured after a fiery early morning crash between two semi-trucks forced the closure of I-15 north of Idaho Falls. According to the Idaho Transportation Department, the flames from the ensuing diesel fire were enough to melt portions of the asphalt. A timeline for repairs has not yet been determined.

The Idaho State Police says the two-vehicle crash took place around 5:49 AM, near milepost 125 along southbound I-15. A 55-year-old man from Alberta, Canada, was driving south in a 2024 white Volvo semi-truck. Just ahead, a 25-year-old man from Monteview, Idaho, was traveling southbound in a white Kenworth semi-truck.

ISP says the Volvo rear-ended the Kenworth at milepost 125, where both semis came to a stop. As a result of the crash, the Volvo blocked both southbound lanes as the cab of the semi-truck caught fire.

Idaho Falls Firefighters rushed to the crash, extinguishing the fire; However, a portion of the roadway was damaged after diesel fuel from the trucks melted the asphalt.

Both southbound lanes were closed for around four hours as ITD and ISP investigated and worked to clear the scene. The left lane has since been reopened, while the right lane remains closed as crews work to clear the wreckage.

Fortunately, ISP says both drivers were wearing their seat belts and were not injured in the crash, which remains under investigation.

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — One lane has reopened following an accident involving a vehicle fire in Osgood.

Idaho Falls Fire was called to the crash around 5:45 a.m. on Monday near milepost 125 in the Osgood area.

According to the Idaho Department of Transportation, a portion of the roadway was damaged after diesel fuel from the trucks melted the asphalt. A timeline for repairs has not yet been determined.

According to the Idaho State Police, no injuries have been reported.

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Seth Ratliff

KUNA, Idaho (KIFI) — An Idaho Department of Corrections staff member has been hospitalized following a brutal assault by a convicted murderer at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution over the weekend.

On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the 56-year-old staff member, whose name has not been released, was attacked Saturday morning by inmate Robert David Pompa. Following the assault, the corporal was transported to Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise for treatment. IDOC officials have confirmed that the staff member is in stable condition.

“IMSI staff immediately secured the crime scene with assistance from officers from the Idaho State Correctional Institution and the Idaho State Correctional Center. The IMSI facility returned to normal status earlier today,” IDOC officials wrote in a news release Saturday.

The suspect, Robert David Pompa, is currently serving a 27-year sentence for a litany of violent felony convictions. In 2021, Pompa was charged with beating and killing a fellow inmate at the Madison County Jail. He later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Court records also indicate that Pompa was charged with battery on a correctional officer in early 2022 while being held at the same county facility.

The Idaho State Police have assumed the lead in the investigation into Saturday’s attack. No further details regarding the specific nature of the corporal’s injuries or the circumstances leading up to the assault have been released at this time.

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Danielle Mullenix

Residents of Eastern Idaho can expect more patches of fog during the early mornings over the next few days. Light winds will flow through parts of the Snake River Plain and upper valleys. By the end of the week, we anticipate some changes as precipitation gradually returns to Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming. Additionally, a ridge of high pressure remains over the region, prolonging the air stagnation advisory into the early part of the week.

AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST TUESDAY:

* WHAT…Stagnant conditions will persist due to little verticalmixing and light winds. Degraded air quality is expected throughthe early part of this week as pollutants remain trapped nearthe surface.

* WHERE…Franklin/Eastern Oneida Region and Lower Snake River Plain.

* WHEN…Until noon MST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS…Periods of air stagnation have led to the buildup ofpollutants near the surface. If possible, reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning and the use of residential wood-burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible. Check with local agencies for possible restrictions in your area.

Some dry weather and light winds are expected to continue through the middle part of next week, and we’re still looking at some warm days with cold nights across Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming. Sunshine will be taking the forefront of our radar this Sunday afternoon, as well as Monday and Tuesday. Sunday’s forecast also calls for clear skies and high temperatures in the lower 40s in some valleys. There is a possibility of snow and wet weather returning to our area by late next week.

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Hadley Bodell

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) – Over one thousand people in the community of Ammon gathered at McCowin Park for the 6th annual “Icy Inferno” where the fire department sets a massive pile of used Christmas trees from the past holiday on fire.

This year had the largest pile of Christmas trees yet, with over 500 trees burnt tonight. They were dropped off throughout the week at the McCowin Park. This year also included the largest firework show following the bonfire lighting. Almost two thousand people crowded into the park to feel the warmth of the bonfire, enjoy some good food and watch the fireworks.

Guests enjoyed many vendors offering food, hot drinks and treats. There were also raffles put on by many vendors, led by name sponsor Lookout Credit Union.

MC for the event and radio host Shaggy said, “Here is the biggest bonfire you’ve ever seen in your life, it is a ton of fun. And if that wasn’t enough, fireworks on top of that! To have a great bonfire and fireworks in the city of Ammon here in McCowin Park, what more could you want?”

Ammon Parks and Rec worked with the City of Ammon to put on the anticipated event. “It’s a cold night in the middle of January, post holidays and we kind of just get to have some fun and get together and have a good time,” said Randall Miller, Director of Ammon Parks and Rec.

The Ammon Fire Department made sure everyone kept a safe distance from the fire, and that it was both lit and put out safely.

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