Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

GROTON, Connecticut (KIFI) — The U.S. Navy has a powerful new addition to its arsenal honoring the Gem State. This Saturday, after years of construction, the USS Idaho (SSN 799) will be formally commissioned into active service.

The official commissioning ceremony begins at 9 a.m. MST, Saturday, April 25. You watch the historic event via the livestream below:

The future USS Idaho is the fifth vessel to bear the state’s name, carrying on a naval tradition that dates back over a century.

Built by Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class sub. The sub was christened in March 2024 before undergoing “rigorous sea trials,” to “ensure that the performance of the ship was in accordance with its plans and specifications.”

After this series of tests, the submarine was accepted by the U.S. Navy in December 2025.  With the commissioning ceremony this coming Saturday, the USS IDAHO will become an active part of our nation’s military strategy. When it joins the fleet, it will operate quietly, gather intelligence, and carry out missions worldwide.

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – Eastern Idaho residents are being encouraged to clean out their medicine cabinets this weekend as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, happening Saturday, April 25th.

The event, organized by Eastern Idaho Public Health in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies, aims to provide a safe, secure way for people to dispose of unused or expired medications.

In Idaho Falls, a drop-off site will be set up at the College of Eastern Idaho from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additional collection sites will be available across the region at this time, including in Driggs, Rigby, Rexburg, and St. Anthony.

Eastern Idaho Drop-Off Locations, April 25th:

Driggs Location:

Teton County Sheriff’s Office: 230 N Main Street, Driggs, ID 83422

Hours 10am to 2pm

Idaho Falls Location:

College of Eastern Idaho: 1600 South 25th East Idaho Falls, ID 83404

Hours 10am to 2pm

Rigby Location

Broulim’s Fresh Foods: 150 N. State Street, Rigby, ID 83442

Hours 10am to 2pm

Rexburg Location

Rexburg Walmart: 1450 N. 2nd E, Rexburg, ID 83440

Hours 10am to 2pm

St. Anthony Location

St. Anthony City Building: 420 N Bridge St, St. Anthony, ID 83445

Hours 10am to 2pm

Health officials say the effort is about more than just cleaning out clutter—it’s about protecting families and communities. Unused medications left in homes can increase the risk of accidental poisoning, misuse, and environmental harm if they are thrown away or flushed improperly.

During the event, officials will accept prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and even veterinary medications. Vape pens and e-cigarette devices will also be accepted, as long as batteries are removed. Needles will not be accepted.

The impact of these events can be significant. During the last Take Back Day in October 2025, more than 480 pounds of unused and expired medications were collected in Eastern Idaho alone, with a total of 6,038 pounds collected statewide.

Community members who participate may also receive educational materials while supplies last. For those unable to attend Saturday’s event, Eastern Idaho Public Health offers year-round options, including free drug deactivation packets and information on permanent drop-off locations.

Officials say taking just a few minutes to properly dispose of medications can make a big difference in preventing drug misuse and keeping communities safe.

To learn more about the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, visit the DEA website here.

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William Syslo

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Today at Eagle Rock Middle School, the Skyline High School Alumni Association put on an NFL Draft watch party. The reason? Kenyon Sadiq, a former Skyline High School football player, was projected to be a first-round pick.

“This is a really, really cool opportunity,” Skyline Principal Josh Newell told me, ahead of the party. “Kenyon is a great young man, and we had the opportunity to have him here for a few years… we all kinda feel like we’re part of it you know? So tonight we’re really excited to be able to do that.”

As fans streamed in, they had plenty to do and eat before the draft began. Olive Garden and Buffalo Wild Wings provided food for those in attendance. Vantage Point Homes provided pizzas, and Discovery Construction provided beverages.

The Skyline band was playing all night, Skyline’s student government ran trivia, the baseball and football teams ran a 50/50 to raise funds, and they had a “guess where Kenyon will be drafted” game.

This was a huge undertaking that all resulted in one electrifying moment when Sadiq was announced as the 16th overall pick to the New York Jets, sending the Eagle Rock auditorium into a frenzy. A camera streaming to ESPN was present to capture it all, and when the watch party was shown on the national broadcast, the crowd erupted yet again, maybe even louder the second time around.

“To celebrate a kid like this is easy,” Bridger Taylor, who coached Kenyon at Skyline, told me. “…He was one of the best kids you’d ever wanna be around…”

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Abi Martin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – Skyline High School will remain closed for the third day in a row as maintenance continues on the school’s air conditioning system. 

According to a press release from District 91, All water from the AC system has been removed. 

Local News 8 will continue to follow this story.

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David Pace

Newdale, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Transportation Department employee Brandon Bates flew into the air, blacking out instantly, as a speeding car barreled into him at more than 50 miles per hour a year and a half ago in Newdale.

“I was waving my arms, jumping around, trying to get him to slow down and stop. And he never touched the brakes,” Bates said. “He hit me. … From the time I saw him come across the tracks to when he hit me, he never looked up from the center of his car.”

Construction season is back in session, and Bates is sharing his harrowing story of survival as part of National Work Zone Awareness week, after coming face-to-face with death at the hands of a distracted driver.

“Ended up getting life flighted. I had a brain bleed. I am 100 percent deaf on my left side now,” Bates said. “I still have a few surgeries I have to get done to fix my left shoulder and my left arm.”

After sustaining bleeding on the brain and serious trauma, he was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.

But he’s back on the job, plowing roads Wednesday night near Palisades until 4:30 in the morning.

Hundreds of transportation workers throughout the state place their lives on the line every day – hoping a distracted driver doesn’t spiral into a disaster as they repair roadways, direct traffic and ensure the public’s safety.

“Basically [follow] rules of the road. Don’t be texting and driving. No distracted driving,” said ITD Transportation Technician Colby Norlund. “The biggest thing is when you enter a work zone, pay attention to your signs. “

“Pay attention to what it’s telling you. Try and watch for cues such as lights on a truck, arrow boards,” he said. “We have pictures being shown – diamonds, signaling caution. We have arrows signaling to move over.”

Drivers should move over to the opposite lane if possible, when crews are on the road.

“Don’t get complacent,” Bates said. “ You might drive it every day, but things change all the time. Just pay attention and stay off your devices and just make it so everybody can go home at night.”

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Fox13

Originally Published: 23 APR 26 16:49 ET

By Ben Winslow

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU) — Utah’s contributions to a national time capsule to be opened 250 years from now were laid out on a table.

“It’s a collection of things representing events and individuals that helped shape Utah,” said historian Ron Fox, who helped gather some of the items.

The items were briefly on display Wednesday at the Utah State Capitol before they were packed up to be shipped off to the nation’s capital for events marking the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. On the table were cards of numerous Utah historical figures and their biographies. Those will be printed on cotton so they can withstand the ravages of time.

“We have silver dollars from 1896, the year of our statehood,” Fox pointed out. “The silver from many of these coins came from Utah’s mountains. Park City, specifically.”

There were old tickets from the early days of Lagoon, Liberty Park and Saltair; collectible pins from the 2002 Winter Olympics and the upcoming 2034 Games; coins from executive branch offices and legislative branches of government; a collection of signatures of lawmakers, the Utah Supreme Court and congressional representatives.

Fox’s personal favorite?

“A gold medal that was actually presented to people at the wedding of the rails, May 10th, 1869 in Promontory, Utah,” he said.

Utah’s tribes will also be contributing items. They will all be packed into a small box that will be Utah’s part of the national time capsule. Every state and territory in the United States is contributing something.

Some 4-H students who stopped by the Capitol on Wednesday got a glimpse at the items and were fascinated.

“I thought it was amazing,” said Ethan Barton, a Box Elder County student. “I love to see all the things they could see in 250 years from now. I was just trying to imagine what that would be like, what the world would be like.”

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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KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 23 APR 26 16:10 ET

By Barclay Idsal

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    BOISE, Idaho (KIVI) — Albertsons has reached a settlement to resolve any federal, state, or tribal-based legal claims involving opioids.

In a news release, Albertsons Companies, Inc. clarified that the settlement, which totals $774 million, “is not an admission of wrongdoing or liability.”

Meanwhile, Purdue Pharma, the creator of the prescription opioid OxyContin, is working to reach a settlement to resolve the thousands of lawsuits that name the company as a defendant regarding its role in the opioid crisis. The Associated Press reports that U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo will soon order the company to forfeit $225 to the Department of Justice before it can finalize a settlement.

“[Albertsons] is continuing its ongoing commitment to patient safety, responsible pharmacy operations, robust training and tools for pharmacy teams, and being a constructive partner in addressing the opioid crisis,” concludes the company statement regarding the settlement.

Albertsons currently operates 2,244 grocery stores and 1,713 pharmacies across 35 states.

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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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — If your days have been filled with coughing, sneezing, scratching, and sniffling, you may have the weather to blame.

Allergists tell us the frequent shifting of temperatures, the constant blowing winds, and the spreading of pollen have been forcing our bodies to work harder to adapt, causing stress to our systems. And with more irritants in the air, we could be in for a rough allergy season.

“Extreme temperatures, I mean, cold, dry air is a known airway irritant,” Dr. David Petty, of Idaho Allergy and Asthma Clinic, stated, “And so when we have that spill, like decent weather now or get into freezing cold Idaho weather again. That’s something that can be a big trigger.”

Our unusually dry winter has more dust and pollen in the air, leading to more allergens as well.

Dr. Petty has some solutions for those suffering from their allergies, “I mean, nobody likes to wear masks, but, hey, if you’re out, if you have to be outside and it’s a crazy windy day or a really cold day having a little scarf or warming up your air, to filter it or warm it up with those can be really helpful in those two conditions.”

He also recommended an air purifier, over-the-counter allergy medications, and staying indoors to help prevent reactions. If none of those are working, you may want to consider visiting a Pulmonary doctor.

“If you’re trying stuff at home and if it’s not working, come see us,” Dr. Petty said, “We’re happy to help.”

Petty says this weather season has brought out the worst reactions in our systems, but find what works for you to feel your best during these sneezy times.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Classes will resume as scheduled at Hawthorne Middle School in Pocatello tomorrow, April 24, following a one-day closure due to an unexpected plumbing issue.

Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 confirms that the issue that prompted Thursday’s closure has been addressed, and the school is ready to welcome learners and staff back to campus.

“All classes and activities will proceed as scheduled. We appreciate the community’s understanding as we work to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all,” stated D25 staff in an update.

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Maile Sipraseuth

RUPERT, Idaho (KIFI) — A longtime Idaho company is closing one of its processing plants in the Magic Valley. Idahoan Foods confirms it will shut down its facility in Rupert.

The food processing company, known for instant mashed and potato products, notified the state that the closure will impact 61 employees, according to documents from the Idaho Department of Labor.

The reason for their closure has not been released.

Local News 8 reached out to Idahoan for comment, and Idahoan President and CEO Dale Clemiss issued the following statement in response:

“Idahoan Foods has made the decision to permanently close its Rupert, Idaho, facility. The company has notified affected employees and is following all applicable notice requirements. Operations at the Rupert facility are expected to continue through the end of June 2026. Idahoan Foods is committed to supporting its employees through this transition and will continue to operate safely and reliably across all facilities.”

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