Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The air traffic control tower at the Pocatello Regional Airport is officially getting a massive, state-of-the-art upgrade.

Friday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the department is investing over $750 million to replace eight aging air traffic control towers and Terminal Radar Approach Controls across the country with brand-new facilities. The Pocatello Regional Airport was selected alongside just seven other national locations, including cities like Sacramento and San Jose, California, based on the safety and efficiency needs of the nation’s airspace system.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), many of the country’s current air traffic facilities are decades old and suffering from failing infrastructure. In a press release, Duffy took aim at the past administration, saying the investment highlights administration is “laser-focused” on ushering in a Golden Age of Transportation.

“Under the last administration’s watch, these facilities were neglected and left to deteriorate rapidly. We need a system and supporting infrastructure that is built for the future to attract top talent for our air traffic control workforce,” said Duffy.

According to the release, the new towers will feature modern equipment as part of a broader Brand-New Air Traffic Control System being built by the current administration.

“Our controllers are the best in the world, and they deserve to work in the best, most modern facilities,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “These investments will replace aging infrastructure with modern, state-of-the-art towers and equipment that strengthens safety, improves reliability, and supports the future of the National Airspace System.”

In addition, the FAA is also rolling out a separate $85.8 million grant program to upgrade 41 Federal Contract Towers (FCTs) across 24 states.

Projects include:

Acadiana Regional Airport receiving $915,000 for facility improvements

Marana Regional Airport receiving $800,000 to support the design of a new sponsor-owned FCT

Missoula County Airport Authority receiving $1 million to modernize key infrastructure

Wiley Post Airport receiving $10 million to construct a new sponsor-owned FCT

For more information, click HERE.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — If you’ve got questions about road work coming this summer, local leaders want to give you answers all in one place. The City of Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, and the City of Ammon are joining forces to host a regional Street Summit tonight, Monday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Bonneville County Commissioner’s Hearing Room.

The public meeting will take place in the Bonneville County Commissioner’s Hearing Room. The summit aims to prep drivers for the upcoming 2026 summer road construction season, offering a look at how local projects will affect summer traffic.

According to regional leadership, the summit is part of a growing collaborative effort between the three agencies, aiming to improve coordination, communication, and provide a “clearer understanding of roadway improvements, traffic impacts, and infrastructure projects planned throughout the 2026 construction season.”

“Road construction and infrastructure improvements impact every community in our region, and those impacts do not stop at jurisdictional boundaries,” said City of Idaho Falls Public Information Officer Kimberly Felker in a recent news release.

After a short presentation from each participating agency highlighting major transportation and infrastructure projects, attendees will have opportunities to ask questions.

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed and recorded. To watch online, click HERE.

In addition, residents can access interactive construction maps for all three agencies through their websites or through the links below:

Idaho Falls Construction

Bonneville County Construction

City of Ammon Construction

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News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Drivers on I-15 will notice a major traffic shift this week as the Idaho Transportation Department enters the next phase of its ongoing interstate expansion project. Starting tonight, May 18th, crews will begin moving northbound traffic into new lanes between the Northgate (Exit 73) and Fort Hall (Exit 80) interchanges.

Once the shift is done, Northbound drivers will have three open lanes of travel instead of being squeezed down to one. However, motorists should prepare for temporary ramp closures and minor delays:

The northbound on-ramp at the Northgate Interchange (Exit 73) will close between 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. 

This same on-ramp will close again between 7 p.m. on Monday, May 18 and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19.

Intermittent traffic shifts and northbound on-ramp closures will be taking place at the Fort Hall Interchange (Exit 80) on Monday, May 18. Exit 80 ramp closures are expected to last up to 30 minutes at a time.

The work is part of a massive, multi-year effort to improve safety and increase driver capacity along I-15. ITD anticipates the construction will wrap up in 2027, ultimately expanding I-15 to three lanes in each direction between Northgate and Fort Hall.

For project updates, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

SUGAR CITY, Idaho (KIFI) — A suspected drug dealer believed to be responsible for a Sugar City student’s drug overdose earlier this year was arrested last week. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office shared news of the arrest in a Facebook post on Monday morning, May 18th.

The arrest brings an end to a multi-month investigation that began in January, when School Resource Officers (SROs) in Sugar City were told that a juvenile had been hospitalized following a drug overdose. According to MCSO, the overdose took place outside of school hours.

Following the incident, SROs partnered with detectives from the sheriff’s office to investigate the source of the drugs and find the individual responsible for distributing them.

“The deputies assigned to our schools take their responsibility to protect students very seriously, both on campus and within the community,” the Madison County Sheriff’s Office stated in the post. “Their commitment to the safety and well-being of our youth extends far beyond the school day.”

Monday morning, May 18th, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook that its SROs had arrested the suspected drug dealer last week.

Investigators have not yet released the name of the suspect or the specific charges they face. Local News 8 is actively working to confirm further details surrounding the arrest and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

An arrest or formal charge is merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– 1 in 7 children in the United States has their mental health issues overlooked. The main reason their mental needs are not noticed is because children do not communicate like we do. Instead they use tools, such as toys, games, and art.

“Many children experienced, like, abuse, neglect, divorce, bullying, violence. Those are some of the things that give kids instability, community trauma,” Dr. Tamara Pettingill, the clinical social worker & director of Pettingill Counseling. “Kids are under a lot more stress nowadays, I think, than they were before. And so it’s important to address that. And sometimes they do get overlooked”

If you notice your child may be having mental health issues, that does not make you a bad parent and you should not fear judgement.

“You’re not a failure,” Dr. Pettingill said. “Parents are doing the best that they can. And we’ve got a lot of, things that we have to take care of, along with not just one child, but more children. And then usually parents are working, trying to make a living. And so no, parents are not failures. They’re doing the best that they can with the, skills that they have.”

Research by the National Institute of Mental Health has found that play therapy helps children communicate their emotions. Play therapy involves playing, whether with toys, games, art, etc.

“The therapy gives children basically self-esteem, self-worth, similar to, you know, work through their feelings,” Dr. Pettingill stated. “They validate and give tools for healing.”

Mental health professionals encourage parents, guardians, and grandparents, to pay close attention to their child’s emotional well-being. Taking care of emotional problems now could prevent many problems in their adult future.

Resources:

National Institute of Mental Health : Children and Mental Health

Mayo Clinic : Know the signs of mental health in children

National Alliance on Mental Health : The Warning Signs

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Maile Sipraseuth

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KIFI)– A mid-air collision during the second day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show forced a lockdown at Mountain Home Air Force Base on Sunday, May 17.

The Mountain Home Air Force Base Gunfighters confirmed the lockdown in a Facebook post following the incident. According to Boise CBS affiliate KBOI, the collision involved two EA-18G Growlers around two miles from the base. All airmen involved successfully ejected and parachuted to safety; no major injuries have been reported.

The Mountain Home Police Department announced on Facebook that the remainder of the air show has been canceled. Police are asking the public to avoid the area and refrain from traveling toward the base at this time.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

A History of Incidents

This weekend’s event marked the highly anticipated return of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show after an eight-year hiatus, following a 2018 incident where a veteran hang glider pilot died after crashing onto the runway. Before that, during the 2003 show, a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds jet crashed. Fortunately the pilot successfully ejected before impact.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide more updates as new information is made available.

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Hadley Bodell

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The primary election is right around the corner, and the Bonneville County Democrats provided voters with the opportunity to meet candidates face-to-face tonight at the Truman Banquet.

“Many years here in Idaho Falls it’s been our annual fundraiser,” said Daniel Barker, Chair of the Bonneville County Democrats. “Democrats from all over the Snake River Valley can come together and hear some of the voices of the candidates and leadership within the community that want to get up and help share a message.”

Interacting with constituents in person is one of the ways candidates can not only garner votes, but show their true values, views and personalities to their districts. “I think that builds a different level of trust and credibility between cadidates and constituents,” Barker said. “With people getting their news through social media, voters are untrusting and it’s so hard to identify sometimes with what is the true voice of the candidate.”

The money raised by the Bonneville County Democrats at the Truman Banquet go straight towards the candidates as they prepare and go into election season. Barker said the organization is especially looking forward to supporting each running person and rallying behind those candidates going to the final election after Tuesday.

The organization is looking forward to launching there headquarters on Yellowstone Ave in the coming weeks. Barker said several candidates will host watch parties on Tuesday for the elections, with members of the Bonneville County Democrats planning to attend as many as possible in support.

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Hadley Bodell

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The Trio program at Idaho State University works with veterans to ensure they get the resources they need. This Saturday, May 16 was their second annual Veterans and Military Family Resources Fair.

The fair is designed to bring together military families in the community and provide them with all kinds of connections to local organizations. Vendors had booths for mental health help, programs for veteran community involvement, and even senior home care. Idaho Central Credit Union was there to help veterans set up accounts and seek financial advising.

“As a veteran, there are a lot of resources available, and sometimes it’s really difficult to navigate those resources and know what you qualify for,” said Russell Adams, volunteer with the Wounded Warrior Project. “Being here is important to help veterans understand what is available for them.”

The fair came to the Bennion Student Union Building at the ISU Idaho Falls Campus this year, which organizers say helped with having enough space for vendors.

“We also had a lot more support from our partners in the community, so we’ve had a lot of organizations set up and try to provide resources for the families,” said Emily Wunderlich, advisor and recruiter for Trio. “It’s been a lot easier to fit everyone in, and it’s been a lot of really positive connections with people that are here.”

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – In one of the closest, contested races in Idaho Falls, firefighter Connor Cook is challenging incumbent Barbara Ehardt in a race for Legislative District 33 Seat A.

The contest has generated heightened activity – with major endorsements and Political Action Committee (PAC) involvement on both sides.

Ehardt is endorsed by the Professional Firefighters of Idaho and Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, while Cook is endorsed by the Idaho Falls Firefighters PAC and the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police.

The distinctions betwen the two are stark – with differences on social issues, budgets, taxes and immigration.

Barbara Ehardt: “I’ve absolutely been out there fighting for families, fighting for parental rights, putting families first. When you have strong families, that’s when you have strong communities, and that’s when you’re going to have a strong state. The next [major issue] would probably have to be about reducing our taxes, particularly our property taxes.”

Connor Cook: “My top priority getting in there is just to stop the bleeding, stop the divisiveness, try and stop the political purity tests, to stop the culture wars and to just focus on Idaho – … having a robust education system, getting our statewide budget back on track and making sure we’re recruiting and retaining state troopers.”

The two have differing priorities when it comes to Idaho’s budget.

Connor Cook: “Honestly, the state of Idaho is run lean. It’s run efficiently, and they’re very tactical with their dollars. If we continue to have this cut mindset, what will we have, right? That’s the thing I’m trying to go beyond. Instead of cut, let’s stabilize. Let’s stabilize the budget. I don’t think we need to come in every year with, ‘Where can we cut? Where can we cut?'”

Barbara Ehardt: “There’s a lot of people struggling just to make ends meet, just to pay their property taxes. I had introduced House Bill 961, which would eliminate property taxes for one’s primary place of residence and would instead replace it with an increase in the sales tax. The Tax Commission – it took them about three months – but said that they would need to replace that with about $932 million, or an increase of sales tax from 6 percent to 7.75 percent.”

They also addressed their differences on social issues.

Barbara Ehardt: “Certainly a big discussion in our debates would have been our stances on protecting women and children, such as the bathroom bills. I think I’ve already explained that I feel strongly that it is government’s role to protect the rights of the people. We have gone to such a place that we are bending over backwards, putting women and children in danger.”

Connor Cook: “If we continue on the same trajectory, I feel like we will become the most authoritative state under this kind of ruse of freedom, right? We became the most authoritative state in the country as far as who goes to the bathroom. We are forcing minutes of silence on kids in schools. We were close to forcing religion on kids in schools, and to me, that’s a clear delineation of church and state.”

Watch our full, in-depth interviews with both candidates below to help inform as you make your own decision who to vote for on Tuesday.

Barbara Ehardt election interview.

Connor Cook election interview.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Springtime in Eastern Idaho means warmer weather and recreational activities in nature for residents. It also means baby animals are out and about, sometimes with no mother in sight. Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) wants to warn people against interfering with nature and the abilities of mother animals to care for their young, recalling an incident last year when a group of citizens dropped off a young fawn in a box at an Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) office.

“The weather is wonderful, and of course we have the chance to see wildlife moms with their babies, which makes it extra fun,” said Jennifer Jackson, Regional Communications Manager for Idaho Fish and Game in Eastern Idaho. “But it’s also a time to be aware of protective mothers and give them space on the trails.”

“Trust that the mom’s going to come back”

While exploring nature areas or unmarked trails, people may encounter baby moose, fawns, goslings, ducklings and more. Residents may also find these species right in their own backyards.

“We’ve had situations where people see a little fawn curled up under a tree and think the mom’s not in the picture,” she said. “They think they need to pick up the animal and take it to Fish and Game. The reality is, much of the time a baby animal has been left where it’s at because the mom put it there.”

Mother animals, particularly deer, may leave their children behind while they forage for food, drawing predators away from the babies. By stealing from nature and grabbing a baby animal, people are taking it away from it’s mother and putting it in more danger.

“If you encounter a situation where you’ve found a little baby, don’t assume it’s orphaned. Rather, keep your distance and trust that mom’s going to come back,” Jackson said.

When Fish & Game Steps In

In some cases, people may have real concerns about the condition of a young animal. For those situations, IDFG encourages you to call their local office so they can investigate the situation.

Jackson said that IDFG has stepped in on special occasions when conditions are met to help save young wildlife. A few years ago, two moose calves were orphaned when the mother moose was hit by a car in southeast Idaho. In collaboration with Zoo Idaho in Pocatello, IDFG was able to transport the calves and locate a facility with the capacity to permanently and properly care for them.

She also said to beware of hiking with your dog, as mother moose and bear can see the dogs as threats to their children and may try to engage or charge. In that situation, it’s best to back up and move away.

“If you do have a concern about a situation you’re seeing, if you think it’s an orphaned animal, just give us a call,” Jackson said. “We deal with wildlife species here in the state of Idaho, and so it’s really under our purview to make those calls.”

She said most times, they’ll tell you to leave the animal where it is, and the mother will likely be back to take care of it, and is aware of its location. By putting it in a box and bringing it to Idaho Fish and Game, it removes the baby from its home and potentially from necessary parental care.

“They’re doing it because they love wildlife. They care about the animals, and they want what’s best for that animal,” Jackson said. “We like to tell them sometimes what’s best is leaving those animals right where they’re at.”

If you’re concerned about an animal situation, call the Southeast Idaho Regional Fish and Game office at 208-232-4703.

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