Category: kifi-local-news

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Bannock County and United Way of Southeastern Idaho have partnered with local businesses and leaders on a new program called the ‘KIDS First Coalition’ to provide affordable child care for working families in the Portneuf Valley.

KIDS First Coalition leaders say they launched the pilot program to combat the rising cost of childcare in the area and boost the local economy by helping parents stay in the workforce.

“If you have an infant, you want to put them in childcare, that’s equal to a semester’s tuition at Idaho State University,” said Jeff Hough, chair of the Bannock County Board of Commissioners and founding member of the KIDS First Coalition. “If you are a single parent and only making $15 to $18 an hour, you can’t afford to work and have childcare; so what this program is designed to do is to help ease that burden so that you can go back to the workforce rather than being on a welfare program.”

Hough said the KIDS First Coalition works through a collaborative effort between governments, employers, and working parents in what the Coalition is calling the ‘Tri-Share model’.

Under the Tri-Share model, employers agree to pay one-third of child care costs for eligible employees on a sliding scale based on business size, budget, and employees’ choice of childcare center. The employee will also pay one-third of the cost, and local governments will pay the other third.

“It tackles a lot of issues with one program,” said Sadie McMorris, KIDS First Coalition liaison for United Way. “It helps stabilize our workforce, it helps parents who may be struggling, it also helps childcare providers who are facing high turnover rates right now; so if we can stabilize their income, then we’ll be able to help their employees stay on board… it helps not only businesses, but families and childcare providers.”

The KIDS First Coalition launched on October 1. United Way, Biggie and Smalls Learning Center, and Southeast Idaho Council of Governments are the first three employers to sign up for the pilot program.

Bannock County and the City of McCammon have both allocated one-time seed funding from their fiscal year 2025 budgets to get the project started.

Coalition leaders said they hope to have at least 10 businesses opt in to the program so they can collect data on the initiative’s benefits and drawbacks to guide Coalition decisions and continuation in the future.

“For employers, it’s a really beneficial tool because one of the statistics that we’ve seen is people are starting to ask their employers to modify their hours because they’re having trouble with daycare hours,” said Commissioner Hough. “What this will allow them to do is pay for full-time daycare and help stabilize that… it can be a recruiting tool, it can be a retention tool, it can be used a lot of different ways, and the thing that I like most about the program is it’s flexible for the employer.”

To learn more about the KIDS First Coalition, click HERE.

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News Team

DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) — A registered sex offender out of Teton County is now facing up to 87 years in prison after hospital staff reported him for possession of child pornography.

Dennis Joe Empey, of Driggs, is charged with two counts of felony sexual battery-solicit participation of a minor child 16 to 17 years of age, two counts of disseminating material harmful to a minor, one count of possession of child sexually exploitative material, and distribution of child sexually exploitative material.

According to court documents, on December 26, 2024, a hospital worker reported Empey for potential possession of child pornography. The probable cause documents state that “Empey had reportedly pulled up a photo of the wound on his phone, and when he swiped out of the photo and scrolled down, there were photos of children on his phone.”

“The worker stated it was quick and the photos were blurry, but stated that one photo was of a shirtless boy that looked to be 8-12 years old,” states the document.

Detectives later went on to interview Empey in his home on January 15, 2025, where he willingly allowed the detectives to go through his phone, and detectives told him he could tell them to stop at any time.

Detectives located a photo on Facebook Messenger of what appeared to be an AI-generated photo of juvenile males within the age range of 10-14 years old engaging in sexual acts. The males’ genitalia were clearly visible in the photo, according to court documents.

According to court documents, when detectives showed Empey the photo, he confirmed that they appeared to be minors, but denied having anything to do with he photo, stating “he was just in a group chat and it had nothing to do with him.”

Empey reportedly informed the detectives that forty-five years prior, while he was in his twenties, he had “mutually masturbated with a 15-16 year old boy,” according to court documents. Empey is a registered sex offender, having been convicted in 1991 in Provo, Utah, of child molestation, sentenced to one year in jail and three years’ probation.

He was later tied to a well-known lawsuit involving sexual abuse crimes against now-former Boy Scouts. According to a report by the Idaho State Journal, Empey was accused by an anonymous victim of sexually abusing him during the summer of 1981 at Camp Morrison, near McCall, about 100 miles north of Boise.

Detectives seized the suspect’s phone and applied for a warrant to search Empey’s phone data. Upon further search, detectives discovered videos and photographs of child sexually exploitive material, in addition to WhatsApp messages between Empey and two 17-year-old boys from other countries.

According to court documents, in said messages, Empey claims to be a young man in his twenties, using an AI-generated image of a younger man. The messages start in mid-September 2024, and in them, the suspect reportedly asked the boys about their sexual encounters, repeatedly sent pornographic material, and asked the young men to take photos of themselves.

In further interviews with detectives on May 8, 2025, Empey denied recognizing any of the photos found by police.

Local News 8 spoke with victims’ advocate Noel Russell — who filed charges against Empey decades ago on behalf of her then-husband — about these latest allegations. She says Empey has been enabled for years and that his abuse needs to be stopped.

“One of the things. That I would love to be able to get through to people, is people think they know the offender, but the only person who really knows the offender, who really knows who they are and what they’re like, are their victims, and nobody else truly sees their whole face. They see the mask the offender puts on so that they can continue to prey on people,” said Russell. “But he has made it very clear that he is going to prey on children until the day he dies.”

He was arraigned before Magistrate Judge Jason Walker on September 17, 2025. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for October 15, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

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News Team

MICHIGAN (KIFI) — The family of Thomas Jacob Sanford, the perpetrator of a recent attack on a Michigan church, is receiving an immense amount of support from members of the very faith community he targeted: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Days after Sanford drove his truck into the Grand Blanc Township LDS chapel, opened fire, and set the building ablaze—an event federal investigators are calling a “targeted act of violence”—LDS Church members and friends worldwide have rallied to support his wife and son, who has a rare genetic disorder.

The viral GiveSendGo fundraising campaign has so far raised over $280,740 for Sanford’s family as of Thursday morning. The funds are earmarked to “help provide for the Sanford family’s daily needs, provide for ongoing medical treatment, and create some stability in a time of heartbreak,” states the fundraiser.

The attack, which resulted in four people killed and eight wounded, has been met by the church’s leaders with a strong message of peace and forgiveness, which they are encouraging the worldwide faith community to embrace.

LDS author David Butler started the fundraiser, explaining online that his faith inspired him to act. He felt compelled to care for people in need and to follow the teachings of James, the biblical apostle of Christ: “To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.”

While the campaign has drawn some scrutiny from those questioning the decision to aid the shooter’s family, Butler addressed the criticism, clarifying that the effort is not about taking sides.

“[Sanford’s family] They certainly didn’t choose this. They certainly didn’t want this to happen. And they’re victims, too,” Butler said in an interview with Fox News. “I think people want to love. People want to forgive.”

The majority of donations were accompanied by kind messages and reassurance for the family, with notes frequently stating, “You are loved. This wasn’t your fault.”

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Max Gershon

As election season intensifies for local offices in Idaho Falls, candidates for mayor gathered at a public forum hosted by Stand Up for Idaho to share their visions for the city’s future.

Lisa Burtenshaw, Christian Ashcraft, and Jeffrey Aldridge fielded questions from residents, focusing on the challenges of rapid growth, housing affordability, infrastructure strain, and the need for better communication between city hall and the public.

Idaho Falls is experiencing significant growth, which brings both opportunities and challenges.

Candidate Lisa Burtenshaw, acknowledged the inevitability of this growth, stating, “There’s no way that we’re going to be able to stop the growth. It’s coming, and we have some great reasons why we’re growing, but we have been discovered.” The candidates recognized that with growth comes rising housing costs, traffic congestion, and strained infrastructure.

Christian Ashcraft emphasized the city’s role in managing development, saying, “This isn’t something that is happening to us. We’re not victims of this. The city is complicit in the way that things are being developed now.”

He advocated for responsible city planning while maintaining a commitment to free market principles, ensuring businesses act responsibly under government oversight.

Residents expressed concerns about rising taxes and the need for better engagement with City Hall. Jeffrey Aldridge highlighted the importance of addressing these “growing pains,” including housing affordability and infrastructure challenges.

Ashcraft stressed the need for the city to improve its relationship with the public, noting, “The biggest crisis that we face in Idaho Falls isn’t necessarily growth. It’s the relationship that the city has with the public.”

The full forum is available for viewing on Stand Up for Idaho’s Rumble page. The organization will also host a similar forum next week for candidates vying for an open seat on the Idaho Falls city council, offering residents another opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to lead.

With the election approaching, Idaho Falls voters will decide which candidate’s vision best aligns with the city’s needs as it navigates growth and builds stronger connections with its residents.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A new lithium-ion battery manufacturer in Rexburg invited local firefighters and first responders to visit their facility and receive education on how to correctly fight battery fires. 

Grand Teton Energy Systems hosted a battery explosion demonstration to show how dangerous a battery fire can be. 

“More and more batteries are being incorporated in the household. There’s not a lot of knowledge on to how to go about handling those, as well as knowing the proper areas to be charging batteries. So we wanted to show the first responders, potentially, what happens when batteries get too hot and have thermal runaway,” said Brad Hill, Operations Manager, at Grand Teton Energy Systems.

The Madison County Fire Department in Rexburg was one of the local agencies to attend the training.

“There are batteries all around us everywhere, and we just need to be prepared in case it’s a bad day and one of them explodes,” said Ellis Johnston, Battalion Chief, Madison County Fire Department.

Grand Teton Energy Systems showed different types of battery explosions, including types that can occur inside a home.

Hill reminds us that batteries are safe overall, but in certain situations, they can be dangerous. 

“A fire extinguisher will contain it, but it will not put it out. It will help keep the heat down and help it from spreading,” said Hill. “That’s why we do ask with the batteries to locate them away from flammable things. And also at least on an exterior wall, if possible.”

While reports of fires caused by batteries are not common in our area, they still play a role in many fires.

“Think almost every time we go to fires, there’s always some batteries burning and they’re not generally very bad. But we want to be prepared,” said Chief Johnston.

Hill warns people that it is extremely important to follow charging instructions for all products with batteries. To avoid these fires, it’s key to know how long to charge and how often. 

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News Team

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Fish and Game is issuing an important safety warning to all outdoor enthusiasts after a lone hiker was injured in a bear attack near Squirrel Creek on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

IDFG states that the man was hiking along the South rim of Squirrel Creek when he was charged by a bear from thick timber at close range. The bear bit the man as it ran past him before quickly leaving the area.

Despite his injuries, the hiker was able to self-rescue and seek medical attention.

Fish and Game staff have posted warning signs in the area, but have clarified that the bear’s actions were classified as defensive. This indicates the bear likely reacted out of surprise due to the unexpected, close encounter. As such, IDFG says is not planning any further management action, emphasizing that proper hiker behavior is the best defense.

To prevent future bear encounters, which often happen when a bear is startled, IDFG urges visitors to strictly follow these safety precautions:

Hike in groups of three or more people. Avoid hiking after dark, or at dawn or dusk, when bears are most active. Use extra caution in places where visibility or hearing is limited such as bushy areas near streams.

Be alert. See the bear before you surprise it. Watch for fresh tracks, scat, and feeding sites (signs of digging, rolled rocks, torn up logs, ripped open ant hills).

Make noise. When hiking, periodically yell “Hey bear!” to alert bears to your presence, especially when walking through dense vegetation/blind spots, traveling upwind, near loud streams, or on windy days.

Avoid thick brush whenever possible. Bears often use the same trails hikers do, and are attracted to sources of food like berry patches or carcasses.

Carry bear spray and know how to use it.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– As the federal government faces a shutdown, federal workers in Southeastern Idaho are bracing for the prospect of furloughs and temporary layoffs, raising concerns about job and financial security across the community.

Impact on Land Management Agencies

The shutdown’s effects are already visible at federal offices in the area, particularly those overseen by the Department of Agriculture.

The local offices for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service, which fall under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), are operating with limitations. While employees are still reporting to work in an ‘excepted’ capacity, the public visitor center housed within the building has been closed as they are “shut down.”

The USDA weighed in on the national implications, framing the shutdown as an attack on rural America.

“The Democrat shutdown will cause real harm to American farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. President Trump has made it clear through his support of H.R. 5371 that he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people,” a USDA spokesperson said.

For more information on the USDA impact, click HERE.

Social Security Services Remain Operational

In contrast to some other agencies, the Social Security Administration (SSA) office in Idaho Falls is running as usual. The agency has a contingency plan in place to ensure critical services continue.

“As a result of the lapse in appropriation, SSA is following the contingency plan for continued activities, and Social Security beneficiaries will continue receiving their Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance, and SSI payments,” a spokesperson for the Social Security Administration confirmed to Local News 8.

For more information, click HERE.

Idaho Congressional Delegation Weighs In

Local News 8 reached out to Idaho’s congressional delegates to understand how the shutdown might impact residents, receiving multiple responses from the Republican delegation.

Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID): Congressman Simpson criticized the shutdown, placing responsibility squarely on the Senate Democrats.

“Shutting down the government is bad politics and policy. Unfortunately, Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats are holding the funding hostage and pushed us into a government shutdown due to their far-left, unreasonable policy demands. Idahoans, like the majority of Americans, do not support their tax dollars paying for free health care to illegal aliens, stripping rural hospital funding, or increasing spending by nearly $1.5 trillion. The impacts of government shutdowns are extremely harmful, which is why I supported the clean CR to keep our government open, but the Democrats’ counter demands would be much more harmful to our nation,” Congressman Mike Simpson said.

Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID): Senator Crapo echoed Congressman Simpson’s sentiment, also focusing on the Senate’s role and the proposed spending increases.

“Senate Democrats have rejected a clean Continuing Resolution to keep the government open to provide breathing room to make bipartisan progress on advancing regular appropriations bills.  Instead, they are demanding an unserious proposal that would increase government spending by a staggering $1 trillion and wipe out a vast majority of the savings Republicans have worked diligently to pass since the start of Congress. The Senate will keep voting to try to keep the government open–Democrats have the choice either to support a CR as they did 13 times under the previous Administration and keep the federal government fully operational, or pursue unreasonable political objectives,” Crapo said.

Local News 8 also contacted the offices of Senator James Risch (R-ID) and Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-ID), and is waiting for a response.

Idaho Democratic Party: Contrary to their opponents across the aisle, members of the Idaho Democratic Party place the blame for the shutdown solely on Republicans, highlighting the potential local impact on Idaho families.

Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea issued a strongly worded statement, pointing to Republican control of Congress and the White House.

“Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. With all that power, they showed they can’t lead and don’t care to. Democrats fought to protect your health care, keep premiums from doubling for more than 100,000 Idahoans, and save our rural hospitals from devastating cuts. But Mike Simpson, Russ Fulcher, Jim Risch, and Mike Crapo stood with their party and turned their backs on Idaho families. Because of their choice, thousands of Idahoans will go without pay. That includes Forest Service firefighters, Mountain Home Air Force Base personnel, and BLM staff who manage our public lands. Farmers are waiting on $29 million in payments they are owed. Veterans will face delays in care, small businesses will lose access to critical loans, and Women, Infants and Children benefits, including food and formula, will run out. Republicans in Congress believe they are above accountability, and they proved it by forcing this shutdown,” states Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Office of Idaho Governor Brad Little:

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Governor Brad Little announced today his appointment of Pete Koehler to the Idaho State Board of Education. Koehler replaces Dr. Linda Clark whose term on the board expired June 30.

“Pete has consistently demonstrated a steadfast commitment to serving the people of our state and nation, with a particular focus on supporting the success of young Idahoans. Education remains my top priority, and entrusting proven leaders like Pete with the responsibility of shaping education policy strengthens our collective work to improve outcomes for Idaho students. I also extend my deep appreciation to Dr. Linda Clark for her many years of distinguished service in multiple leadership roles. Idaho is stronger today because of Dr. Clark’s dedication and contributions,” Governor Little said.

A Parma native, Koehler brings more than two decades of military and public education leadership experience to the Idaho State Board of Education. He served 21 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel before transitioning to education as a teacher, principal, area director, and superintendent.

Koehler served as Senior Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Staff at the Idaho State Department of Education. Koehler holds degrees from the University of Idaho and Boise State University along with administrator certification from Northwest Nazarene University. He is a member of community and conservation organizations, including Trout Unlimited, the Henry’s Fork Foundation, the Idaho Community Foundation, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“I am honored to join the Idaho State Board of Education and to continue serving the people of our state. Education has shaped both my military and civilian careers, and I believe it is the foundation for a strong and thriving Idaho. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to expand opportunities for every student, whether that means preparing for college, career, or civic life, and to ensure that education in Idaho remains accessible, affordable, and responsive to the needs of our communities,” Koehler said.

Koehler will step away from his position on the Charter Commission. Governor Little will announce a replacement appointee for the Charter Commission in the coming weeks.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Area V Agency on Aging is hosting its third annual pickleball tournament in Pocatello this weekend to raise money and awareness for local programs serving seniors.

The non-profit hosts the ‘Dink and Rally’ tournament every year to raise money for their Meals on Wheels and senior housekeeping assistance programs. Organizers also say the event is a great reminder of the resources available to help the Portneuf Valley’s elderly population.

“[We] are like a hidden treasure,” said Cara Christensen of the Area V Agency on Aging. “A lot of people don’t know we’re here, to provide supportive services and to help you navigate with yourself personally aging or your loved ones’ aging. So it’s just a great way to bring awareness to what we do, and how we serve our communities.”

The dink and rally tournament starts Friday at the Mountain View Event Center.

The Area V Agency on Aging is still looking for teams to compete. For information on how to get involved, click HERE.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Portneuf Medical Center hosted its 26th annual ‘Brake for Breakfast’ event on Wednesday to raise awareness for breast cancer and spread resources for screenings and checkups.

The drive-thru-style breakfast event is a free tradition that draws hundreds to kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

“We want to give people information on breast cancer awareness,” said Rob Dye, clinical social worker for the Portneuf Cancer Center. “One of the major things is catching it early–the earlier that people can find the cancer, the better we can get on it, better outcomes, easier process; that’s a major thing we want people to know.”

Drivers who showed up to the Brake for Breakfast event were given a gift bag with some breakfast foods and pamphlets with resources and contacts for breast cancer screenings and mammograms.

According to the American Breast Cancer Foundation, women over the age of 40 should have annual mammograms. Women with a family history of breast cancer or those with health concerns should speak with their doctor about the best time to start screenings and checkups.

For more information about Breast Cancer Awareness Month and local resources, visit the Portneuf Medical Center website.

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