Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Taylor Aughenbaugh, 20, will spend up to the next 25 years behind bars for his role in the 2024 Compass Academy parking lot shooting. On Monday, May 11, Seventh District Judge Jason Walker imposed the unified sentence, Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal announced.

The charges stem from the February 20, 2024, shooting, which was captured on police-recovered video. That footage shows a fight breaking out among a group in the parking lot, then gunshots ringing out. Police say Aughenbaugh fired at two men during the fight, hitting one victim in the upper back and the other in the leg.

Aughenbaugh ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in March as part of a plea agreement.

During the hearing, Neal argued for the 25-year unified sentence, while the defense requested a rider. Judge Walker ultimately sided with the State. Under the terms of the sentence, Aughenbaugh must serve at least five years of “fixed” time before he is eligible for parole.

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CNN Newsource

By Rebekah Riess, Ramishah Maruf, CNN

(CNN) — Data stolen in a cyberattack that shut down an education platform used by universities and K-12 schools across the US last week has been returned to the platform’s parent company, Instructure, according to an update the company posted Monday.

Canvas, a popular, cloud-based digital hub for classrooms, has more than 30 million active users globally, with more than 8,000 institutions as customers, according to Instructure.

A ransom note signed by a hacking group appeared on the homepage of Canvas sites for large public school systems and top universities like Columbia, Princeton, Harvard and Georgetown last Thursday.

The hacking group ShinyHunters claimed to have “breached” the platform’s parent company, according to a screenshot obtained by CNN. The group said impacted schools had until May 12 “to negotiate a settlement.”

ShinyHunters previously claimed it had breached 275 million individuals’ data and had access to “several billions of private messages,” according to a ransom note shared by Ransomware.live on May 3, which tracks ransomware attacks and groups.

Data accessed by the hacking group included information like usernames, email addresses, course names, enrollment information and messages, according to Instructure. Course content, submissions and credentials were not compromised, the company said.

Instructure said it received digital confirmation of the data’s destruction, called “shred logs,” from the hacking group, the company said. “We have been informed that no Instructure customers will be extorted as a result of this incident, publicly or otherwise,” the update said.

The agreement between the hackers and Instructure covers all impacted customers, the company said. “There is no need for individual customers to attempt to engage with the unauthorized actor,” the company said.

“While there is never complete certainty when dealing with cyber criminals, we believe it was important to take every step within our control to give customers additional peace of mind, to the extent possible,” the update said.

Instructure said it is organizing a webinar with company leadership to detail information about the attack and its efforts to harden the system. The company said it expects the webinar to take place on May 13 across multiple time zones.

The FBI mobilized resources in multiple states to assist victims of the hack, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

Canvas was “fully back online and available for use” Friday morning, Instructure said. Universities and school districts throughout the country reported their Canvas pages were back up and running, though some schools had already extended deadlines and changed finals schedules because of the hack.

“Many of you dealt with real disruption. Stress on your teams. Missed moments in the classroom. Questions you couldn’t get answered. You deserved more consistent communication from us, and we didn’t deliver it. I’m sorry for that,” Instructure CEO Steve Daly wrote in a message to customers.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

CNN’s Hanna Park and Emma Tucker contributed to this story.

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Danielle Mullenix

AMMON, ID (KIFI) – A heads-up to drivers in Ammon this Tuesday: plan for delays today as crews repair damage left by an earlier water main break.

Starting this morning at 7 AM, crews will reduce traffic down to one lane in each direction between San Carlos and Rawson Street while permanent repairs are made. 

A map of the Ammon Road stretch that will experience maintenance on Tuesday, 5/12.

The City of Ammon says this construction is connected to a previous water main break that damaged the roadway. All traffic control will be handled by Idaho Transportation Services, while Premiere Paving crews work to repair and repave the damaged section of the road.

Drivers should expect slower traffic and possible backups throughout today, especially during the morning and afternoon commute hours. The lane restrictions will stay in place until the work is completed.

City officials are encouraging people to slow down in the work zone, watch for flaggers and construction crews, and, if possible, consider taking alternate routes.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – After six kratom-related death investigations in 18 months in Bonneville County, the Idaho Falls City Council considered a measure last week to ban the sale of kratom within city limits.

“I was a little bit surprised by the number of letters I’ve already received about this,” said City Councilman Jim Freeman, who shared he has received a 2:1 ratio of correspondence supporting the ban.

The discussion comes seven months after the Bonneville County Coroner’s Office released a public health alert about the “dangerous and potentially fatal consequences of using” kratom.

The youngest-known kratom victim in Bonneville County was only 19-years-old, while the oldest was 42, according to the coroner office’s release.

City Council leaders said those opposed to banning the drug are well-funded and well-organized.

“If you’re not aware of the the financial contributions in this industry in the state of Idaho, they are very significant,” said City Councilwoman Michelle Ziel-Dingman.

She also confirmed that she has received twice as many letters supporting a kratom ban.

The drug is derived from the tree leaves of “Mitragyna speciosa,” which grows in Southeast Asia.

In low doses, it is a stimulant, but in higher doses it functions similar to an opioid depressant, the coroner’s release states.

It is often labeled as a pain reliever, but has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Kratom products that would be banned by the ordinance include “food, food products, ingredients, dietary supplement, beverages or any other substances containing kratom sold for human consumption.”

During the May 4 work session, the Council tabled discussion on kratom until May 18 or June 1, so that they can request expert testimony before the Mayor and a full City Council.

Council President Jim Francis acknowledged he’s received well-reasoned arguments on both sides, and said Council members will carefully consider and weigh their decision.

We will continue to follow this story as the Council moves toward a decision.

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Abi Martin

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho State Police is investigating a two-vehicle crash that happened Monday afternoon near Blackfoot.

According to ISP, the crash happened around 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of 450 West and State Highway 39.

Troopers say a 65-year-old woman from Blackfoot was driving southbound in a Dodge van when she crossed into the other lane and collided with a Peterbilt semi hauling a trailer.

The woman driving the van was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. Her condition has not been released. The driver of the semi, a 65-year-old man, was not injured.

Investigators say the woman was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, while the semi driver was.

The roadway was blocked for about five hours while emergency crews responded and cleared the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

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Stephanie Lucas

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — From a distance, you might assume it’s a giant potato—this is Idaho, after all. But upon closer inspection, the massive object parked on Broadway Monday wasn’t a spud, but a 26-foot-long peanut on wheels

The iconic Planters Nutmobile paid a visit to the Albertsons parking lot in Idaho Falls on Monday, drawing a crowd of curious locals and snack enthusiasts alike.

The Nutmobile isn’t just a rolling advertisement; it’s a mobile classroom and a full-time job for a select group of recent college graduates. These “Peanutters” sign on for a year-long cross-country tour, handing out samples and sharing the history of the uniquely American snack.

The full-time drivers of the giant legume are recent college grads who sign on to take the nut mobile on a cross-country tour, promoting Planters products along the way by giving out free samples and educating the public on the history of the uniquely American snack. 

“It’s something people aren’t expecting to see in their hometown,” said driver Adleigh Mayes. “In Idaho Falls, people see it and think it’s awesome. It’s a lot more special than just seeing a picture online.”

For more information on the Nutmobile’s next stop or to sign up as a driver, click HERE.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — On July 17, 2024, Fred King was riding his motorcycle down Broadway when his life changed in an instant. An oncoming car struck King, destroying his bike and severing his leg. If it weren’t for Jake Allred, who had taken the Stop the Bleed classes, King may not be standing here today.

Allred was driving by when he witnessed the aftermath of the collision. While several bystanders rushed to help, Allred arrived with a specific set of skills. Years earlier, after witnessing another accident, he decided to enroll in Stop the Bleed, a national program that trains civilians to handle life-threatening trauma.

It turns out, the instructor who originally taught Allred how to save a life was Fred King’s own niece. That afternoon on Broadway, the lesson came full circle as Allred applied those skills to save his instructor’s uncle.

Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death following a traumatic injury. While others tried to help King with makeshift tourniquets, Allred had exactly what was needed.

“They had a couple of makeshift tourniquets on Fred, but I had a professional one,” Allred recalled. “I was able to, without thinking, prep the tourniquet correctly. And help it get on…that’s because of the stop the bleeding classes that I’ve taken before.”

A tourniquet is a strap-like device that can go on arms and legs to prevent bleeding from wounds. Classes like Stop the Bleed teach their students how to use these properly.

Nearly two years after the accident that nearly took his life, Fred King is back on his motorcycle.

“I got a few that tell me, you got to give up riding them Harley’s. But should I have to?” Fred said. “You know, look what happened here. And I don’t think I can say is riding is part of my life, and I’m fortunate enough and, that big rider up in the sky said I’m going to give you another chance at this.”

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A Saturday evening house fire that sent one resident to the hospital is now being investigated as a potential arson, according to the Madison Fire Department. The investigation comes as firefighters urge residents to remain vigilant about fire-related activities as local resources are being stretched thin by an unusually demanding spring season.

The fire broke out around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th, at a home along Rosewood Dr. in Rexburg, according to the Madison County Fire Department.

At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th, the Madison County Fire Department responded to an early evening structure fire at a home at 164 Rosewood Dr., in Rexburg. As they arrived on the scene, the fire crews found smoke pouring from the eaves of the home and heavy smoke inside.

The department says its crews immediately made their way inside the home to begin an offensive fire attack and found fire in four separate locations, both upstairs and downstairs. Responding in force, the department called three engines to the scene, where a team of 16 battled the blaze as officers from the Rexburg Police Department assisted.

While no firefighters were injured, one resident was transported to Madison Memorial Hospital. Their current condition has not been disclosed. Officials estimate the fire caused roughly $400,000 in damage.

In the wake of the fire, Madison Fire Department Battalion Chief David Ivey is urging the public to be “especially mindful.”

“This spring, Madison Fire Department has been especially busy, so we ask the public to beespecially mindful about fire-related activities, whether that’s controlled burns or recreationalfires,” said David Ivey, Battalion Chief of C Shift at Madison Fire Department.

The department stresses that fires of this magnitude require all on-duty personnel to respond; the department must then rely heavily on off-duty staff to cover additional emergency calls in the area. In light of the increased fire activity, the Madison Fire Department is actively seeking local community members to join its ranks.

“Madison Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind the community that we arealways looking for local community members to become certified and join our fire department,” stated the department in a news release.

For more information, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A local man will spend more than a decade in federal prison after being convicted of trafficking methamphetamine, LSD, and Psilocybin mushrooms in eastern Idaho. U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced Monday that Kacey Franklin James has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison.

The sentence stems from the findings of a 2023 Idaho State Police investigation. In October 2023, the investigators executed a search warrant on James’ Pocatello home, where they found a cache of illegal substances, including;

2.5 pounds of methamphetamine

1.23 pounds of MDMA

7.53 grams of LSD

Psilocybin mushrooms and various other illicit substances

Along with the drugs, officers also recovered 14 firearms, including one reportedly stolen and two short barreled shotguns that were not properly registered to James.

In January, a jury found James guilty of three counts of Possession with Intent to distribute, two counts of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, and one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense.

Monday, May 11, U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced James to 192 months in federal prison, ordered him to pay a $500 fine, and imposed a five-year term of supervised release following his prison sentence.

In a news release, U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the Idaho State Police, along with the assistance of the BADGES Task Force, which led to the charges.

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Seth Ratliff

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Five Idaho men, including four from eastern Idaho, were sentenced to combined decades in prison last month on individual child exploitation charges.

The sentencings, handed down across multiple counties, bring an end to multiple investigations that began with “CyberTips” from tech platforms and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Key Sentencings and Case Details

The following individuals were sentenced in April 2026 for their roles in the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM):

Defendant
County
Total Sentence
Fixed Time

Zachary Gilbert, 40
Bannock
70 Years
30 Years

Nathan Selig, 43
Bonneville
30 Years
5 Years

Benjamin Roach, 28
Bonneville
18 Years
3 Years

Jason Malone, 39
Bannock
10 Years
2 Years

James Mansfield, 65
Oneida
10 Years
2 Years

Zachary Gilbert

Zachary Gilbert, Courtesy Bannock County Jail

The most severe sentence was handed to Zachary Gilbert, a repeat offender who, according to the AG’s office, was already on probation for a 2003 rape conviction.

The sentence stems from a CyberTip sent to the ICAC Unit in 2024, indicating that Gilbert had downloaded child pornography from an online platform. At the time of his arrest, Gilbert was prohibited from accessing the internet under the conditions of his parole.

Despite a ban on internet access, investigators found Gilbert used a neighbor’s Wi-Fi and fake email accounts to download CSAM. On April 27th, Judge Rick Carnaroli sentenced him to 70 years after Gilbert pleaded guilty to 11 felony counts. He will also be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.

Jason Malone

Jason Malone, Courtesy Bannock County Jail

Malone was apprehended during a June 2024 traffic stop after investigators linked him to a Google account under a fake name that had uploaded 8 images containing child pornography, according to court documents. The documents indicate he later admitted to viewing the material up to 20 times.

He was originally charged with 8 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material (Child Pornography). In February, he pleaded guilty to 2 counts in a plea agreement with prosecutors.

District Judge Robert C. Naftz sentenced Malone to a total unified sentence of 10 years, with two years fixed and eight years indeterminate. He will also be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.

Nathan Selig

Nathan Selgi, Courtesy Bonneville County Jail

In August 2025, Selig was arrested after investigators recieved a CyberTip from Microsoft Bing, flagging an image Selig had uploaded for containing child pornography. The investigators discovered later six videos of explicit content hidden in desktop folders on Selig’s computer. After pleading guilty to three counts of possession, Judge Brendon Taylor sentenced Selig to 30 years.

Benjamin Roach

Benjamin Roach, Courtesy Bonneville County Jail

According to court documents, Roach was flagged by eight separate CyberTips from various electronic service providers for uploading and sharing videos containing child pornography between 2024 and 2025. While originally facing 21 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material, Roach pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution. Judge Whyte sentenced him to 18 years in prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.

James Mansfield

In Oneida County, 65-year-old James Mansfield was sentenced by Judge Cody L. Brower to 10 years in prison. The Attorney General’s Office reported that investigators uncovered approximately 1,300 images of CSAM stored on Mansfield’s cloud account. Upon his release, he will also be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.

AG Labrador Touts ‘Relentless Work’

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador touted the sentencings as a major victory for the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit in “protecting Idaho families from child predators.”

“These sentences reflect the relentless work of our investigators, prosecutors, and the growing network of law enforcement partners across Idaho who share the goal of protecting kids from those who would exploit them,” Labrador said in a statement.

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