Category: kifi-local-news

Par Kermani

EASTERN IDAHO, (KIFI)— Pocatello and Rexburg are preparing for Pride celebrations this weekend.

The first celebration took place Saturday, June 20, as Gate City Pride returns to Pocatello with a family-friendly community event at Centennial Park.

The event ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature local businesses, food vendors, nonprofit organizations, live music, games, family activities and community resources.

“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to host this event and proud to bring Pride back to our city,” the Gate City Pride Board said in a statement. “This celebration is about community, inclusion, connection, and supporting the many local businesses, nonprofits, artists, and residents who make Southeast Idaho such a vibrant place to live.”

Organizers say Centennial Park’s playground, pavilion, open green spaces and shaded areas make it an ideal location for this year’s celebration. Attendees are encouraged to bring water, stay hydrated and avoid entering the Portneuf River.

Rexburg Pride also hosted its annual celebration at Porter Park from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event feature community activities and opportunities for LGBTQ+ residents, families and allies to gather and celebrate Pride Month.

For attendees like Stella Gefrom, being an ally means showing up to events like Rexburg Pride, offering support, and helping create a welcoming space for everyone.

“I’m really glad they have it here in a town where it’s like a lot less popular. And I love that everyone here has an opportunity to know that they’re loved and now they have a spot,” Gefrom said, “I just I love going to pride. It’s really fun. I love rainbows.”

Idaho Falls Pride will begin on Saturday, June 27, with the Idaho Falls Pride Parade beginning at 10 a.m. The parade will start at the Unitarian Universalist Church parking lot before making its way around the Greenbelt.

The Idaho Falls Pride Festival will follow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Greenbelt Bandshell Area. Organizers expect between 2,000 and 3,000 attendees throughout the day.

In a statement, Idaho Falls Pride said this year’s theme focuses on unity and belonging.

“This Pride, we honor the truth that our strength grows from diversity — from the many roots that ground us, shape us, and carry us forward,” organizers said. “Whether you define yourself by a label, many labels, or none at all — you belong.”

Organizers across eastern Idaho say the events are designed to bring communities together while providing opportunities for education, celebration and connection throughout Pride Month.

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Stephanie Lucas

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Idaho Falls is urging residents to reduce water usage this summer in a press release, emphasizing the city’s efforts to preserve over 30 million gallons of water this year.

“Eastern Idaho is experiencing drought conditions this year, making water conservation especially important,” the release said. “By working together and taking simple steps to reduce water use, the city and its residents can help conserve this valuable resource while maintaining the services, landscapes and quality of life that make Idaho Falls a great place to live.”

“Water is one of our community’s most valuable resources, and conserving it is something we can all contribute to,” said Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw. “The city is taking steps to reduce water use across our operations, and we encourage residents to join us. Small actions taken throughout our community can make a meaningful difference.”

The city cited a variety of conservation measures they will implement across their operations to reduce water use and improve irrigation efficiency. They estimate this will save about 30 million gallons this year. These efforts include:

Adjusting irrigation schedules to prevent overwatering.

Conducting regular inspections to identify leaks and broken sprinkler heads.

Replacing aging irrigation controllers as needed.

Keeping the Broadway Plaza and Tautphaus Park fountains turned off for the season.

Identifying green spaces within the city that can be converted from turf to more waterwise landscape design.

“Many of the largest water savings come from simple measures such as repairing leaks, adjusting irrigation schedules and avoiding overwatering,” said Water Superintendent David Richards. “When those actions are taken across the community, the impact can be significant.”

The press release says the city will share water conservation information, practical tips, and educational resources through its website and social media channels throughout the summer. They are also encouraging residents to share their own water-saving practices and ideas on social media as the community works together to conserve this valuable resource.

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News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Pocatello Police Department and Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal crash that claimed the life of a woman early Friday morning.

Just after midnight on June 19, the Pocatello Police Department and Idaho State Police were called to a severe accident near the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and East Cedar Street. Witnesses nearby told police they’d seen the woman speeding down the roadway, hitting two parked vehicles before her vehicle completely left the roadway.

First responders worked to extricate the driver from the wreckage. She was rushed by EMS to Portneuf Medical Center, where she later died of her injuries.

Police and first responders worked to extricate the woman from the wreckage, and she was rushed to the Portneuf Medical Center, where she later died of her injuries.

Authorities confirmed the woman was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and no other injuries were reported. The driver’s name has not been released at this time.

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Danielle Mullenix

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) – A growing Mormon cricket infestation that has already affected thousands of acres in Eastern Idaho is now crawling farther into northern Fremont County, raising concerns among residents and property owners.

According to local officials and residents, the large reddish-brown insects have spread north from the St. Anthony Sand Dunes area and are now being reported in portions of Island Park, including Antelope Flats and other areas farther north into the forest.

Recent social media posts have documented groups of Mormon crickets moving through the region. A chain of videos and photos shows the creepy crawlers are multiplying by the thousands from Ashton to Kilgore to the Fort Hall Reservation. One post from a local resident in Ashton went viral on ACCUWeather’s national Facebook page, prompting county officials to urge residents to report any infestations and seek assistance if needed.

Despite their name, Mormon crickets are not actually crickets. The flightless insects are known for traveling in large bands and can cause significant damage to vegetation, gardens, crops, and rangeland as they move across the landscape.

The “Mormon cricket” insects received their name following a historic infestation in Utah during the early days of Mormon settlement. According to pioneer accounts, flocks of seagulls helped save crops by feeding on insects during an event known as the “Miracle of the Gulls.”

Resources Fremont County locals can turn to at this time

Fremont County officials say resources are available to help landowners combat the infestation. County weed department employees are certified to apply bait treatments designed to control Mormon cricket populations on private property and along county roads. However, treatments cannot be applied to federal lands.

Earlier this year, Fremont County Commissioner Mark Chandler said the county has treatment products available and that the state would provide additional supplies for roadside applications where needed.

Officials are encouraging residents who notice large numbers of Mormon crickets on their property to contact the Fremont County Weed Department for assistance before the infestation spreads further.

Property owners seeking help can contact Fremont County Weed Department Supervisor Bryce Fowler at (208) 332-8856 or Fremont County officials for more information on available treatment options.

As warmer summer weather continues, county officials say monitoring and early intervention will be key to limiting the impact of Mormon crickets across Fremont County and Eastern Idaho.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – An investigation is underway after the body of a 50-year-old woman was discovered at Civitan Park in Idaho Falls early Friday morning.

Idaho Falls Police have confirmed that the body was discovered by a mother and her two children while visiting the playground area.

Crime tape was put around the park as officers and deputies searched the scene. Idaho Falls Police say the investigation is ongoing and there is no confirmed cause of death at this time.

This is a developing story, and Local News 8 will release more details as they become available.

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Par Kermani

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho’s teacher preparation programs are receiving national recognition for how they train future elementary school teachers to teach reading.

A newly released report from the National Council on Teacher Quality found all seven of Idaho’s elementary teacher preparation programs earned an “A” rating in the organization’s Reading Foundations Review, with four programs receiving the highest designation of A+.

The review evaluates how well colleges and universities prepare future teachers to teach reading using the science of reading, an evidence-based approach that focuses on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

The report examined nearly 700 teacher preparation programs nationwide. According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, just over half provided adequate instruction aligned with the science of reading.

“The positive assessment of these programs is wonderful to see — and not at all surprising,” Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield said. “Idaho recognized early on that the science of reading could transform student outcomes. We made a commitment to implementing those practices, and we’re seeing the results.”

The teacher preparation programs receiving top marks include:

• Boise State University — A+• Brigham Young University-Idaho — A• Idaho State University — A• Lewis-Clark State College — A• Northwest Nazarene University Undergraduate Program — A+• Northwest Nazarene University Graduate Program — A+• University of Idaho — A+

State officials say the recognition comes as Idaho continues to see improvements in early literacy. The Idaho Department of Education points to gains on the Idaho Reading Indicator and continued professional development opportunities focused on science of reading instruction.

State Board of Education President Kurt Leibich said the results reflect collaboration between Idaho’s colleges, universities and K-12 schools.

“When teacher preparation programs are grounded in evidence-based instruction, students benefit from the very first day they walk into the classroom,” Leibich said.

Gov. Brad Little also praised the findings, calling them evidence that Idaho’s investments in literacy and teacher development are producing results for students.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Clad in traditional caps and gowns, many for the very first time, 12 inmates at the Bannock County Jail celebrated a major milestone Thursday, June 18th. The emotional ceremony celebrated their completion of the Hustle 2.0 education program, an intensive rehabilitation and education program aimed at giving incarcerated individuals the tools and the self-belief needed to successfully reenter society.

What is Hustle 2.0?

The program was created by former inmate John Jackson through Southern Utah University. Jackson said it’s a unique curriculum with lessons in victim awareness, recovery strategies, coping mechanisms, social skills and more. Hustle 2.0 has spread into 900 correctional facilities across the country since its founding in 2017.

“I had taken plenty of programs while I was incarcerated, but none of them were written by people who were formerly incarcerated or currently incarcerated,” Jackson said. “They were all written by people who had degrees, so we decided to use our lived experience to start developing a program that would reach this population in a different way.”

Jackson said the creators are understanding that inmates cannot make up for what they’ve done, but they can take positive steps forward and make progress.

Graduate Kylee with Sheriff Manu receiving her certificate, June 18

“These are from actual people who have been there, reading about a real person in our work book can help them see the progress that can be made,” Jackson said.

Several of the graduating inmates mentioned the impact the stories in the book had on their educational experience in the program. One story features former inmate Shelley Winner, who rebuilt her life after incarceration for drug sales and became a top salesperson at Microsoft. Seeing success stories of real people gives Bannock County Jail students inspiration for their futures.

The name of the program originated with the intention to change the negative connotation of the word “hustle.” Jackson said they focus on “transforming your hustle,” and taking to the new and improved, or “2.0” version of itself.

“We’ve had about 200 people go through this program at Bannock County Jail,” Jackson said. “For a jail with an average daily population of around 200, that’s a large amount that’s completing the program and engaging with it. Bannock County Jail is hands down one of our most active facilities. They’re committed to the program and the population is engaging, so shoutout to Bannock County.”

Graduate Testimonies

Many of the inmates decided to start the program because their peers enjoyed it first.

“Initially I joined because a bunch of the girls were recommending it, so I started doing it and it just turned out really great,” said Emily Speakman, a graduate of Hustle 2.0. “Learning the different skills I was learning for anxiety and gratitude, especially in here gratitude has been a huge one for me.” Speakman said she didn’t always have an attitude of gratitude, but lessons in Hustle 2.0 taught her to change her mindset and begin living more positively.

Another inmate said she had dealt with lots of trauma prior to her incarceration and felt extreme anxieties. The lessons and homework assignments taught her coping skills to help her move forward from those memories.

Graduate Emily Speakman receiving her certificate with Sheriff Manu, June 18

“I learned about counting to 300 and then counting backwards, breathing techniques and it really helps to calm my mind,” said Janeal Miera.

Others went into the program to help pass their time in jail, not knowing it would become a source of growth and positivity.

“I didn’t know where this journey was going to take me,” said Kylee, a graduate. “I read the stories and I really focued and interpreted it into my own life and it really hit home. Being able to step back and analyze it and put it into my own perspective made it like, ‘oh, I can actually do this.'”

Kylee also said the program made her realized she’s stronger than she believed, and is worth more than the labels people put on incarcerated people. The program offers hope for a fresh start and a brighter future ahead.

Inmates reported having more positive interactions with law enforcement in the jail environment, fostering relationships with the sheriffs rather than seeing them as just the people with badges.

“I actually engage with the officers, I have good conversations and I know they’re here to help me,” Kylee said. “It’s changed my whole perspective on just little things and it’s helped tremendously. Now, I’m just really excited to see where my journey is going to go no matter where it is.”

Austin Carmona never graduated high school, so today’s ceremony meant everything.

“I never thought I’d be able to do this kind of thing in the Bannock County Jail,” Carmona said. “Here I am, ya know? I got four certificates and a whole graduation, so it’s really cool.”

The first row of graduates sat waiting to receive their certificates, June 18

Carmona spoke to the coping skills he learned to deal with stress, as well as the strategies to prepare him for reentry into the community.

“Employment opportunities, how to prepare for interviews, what kind of jobs and what kind of things will hold me back from applying for jobs, how to apply, how to create resumes, all of that I really enjoyed learning about,” he said.

Hustle 2.0 also includes lessons about anger management, substance abuse disorders, and repairing relationships. The students complete over 2,000 pages of work across four books.

“Getting those certificates put a real big smile on my face, I was excited to tell my family about it,” Carmona said. “They had a lot of cool things in the books too like puzzles and games and recipes for cooking jail food.”

Carmona said he was surprised by the curriculum feeling personal and attainable, rather than a daunting college course. He said he would recommend the program to all inmates so they can put their mind to focusing on something good and help get out of the mindset of being “stuck.”

“The main thing I’m taking from it is the motivation to continue my education,” he said. “It motivated me to look at my options, especially when I get out I’m highly motivated to continue.”

Comments from the Sheriff

Sheriffs in the Bannock County Jail testified to the difference Hustle 2.0 has made in the jail culture.

“What we see inside the facility is them interacting better with each other and with the staff as well,” said Captain Lyle Thurgood with the Bannock County Jail. “We’re trying to create that better environment and try and improve it inside the jail, reducing violence and all that, it’s been really beneficial for us to have the program.”

Thurgood has witnessed as inmates work for 3-4 months on the program curriculum and said the graduation is important to recognize those achievements.

“The whole premise behind Hustle 2.0 is that you can move on from criminality, move on to that next hustle,” Thurgood said. “It’s a really big thing for them that you can move on and do something else. It gives them the skills to see that they can do more and do something better. Their life can be different.”

Thurgood also said the program obviously gives inmates a chance to reflect on themselves while incarcerated and to learn how to interact with others. Some inmates collaborated on the workbook lessons and homework, fostering positive relationships in the jail environment.

“It gives them something to come together on, that’s a huge benefit of the program is they’re coming together for something positive and learning the skills and talking to each other, getting those communication skills better,” Thurgood said.

The group of inmates participating in the program grows each time as they inspire each other to dedicate time towards learning and self-improvement.

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Dylan Carder

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A group of cyclists riding across the country to support the disability community is making a stop in Idaho Falls this week.

The Idaho Falls Family YMCA is hosting riders from the Ability Experience’s Journey of Hope on Thursday, June 18, as they travel across the United States raising awareness and celebrating the abilities of people with disabilities.

The team will spend the night in Idaho Falls after completing an 80-mile ride before continuing on to Driggs Friday morning.

Journey of Hope is an annual cycling event organized by The Ability Experience, a nonprofit founded by the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. The program aims to build relationships and support people with disabilities through advocacy, fundraising and community engagement.

The cyclists began their TransAmerica route on June 3 in Enumclaw, Washington. They entered Idaho on June 10 with a stop in Coeur d’Alene and stayed in Sandpoint the following day before traveling through Montana.

After re-entering Idaho this week, the team made stops in Salmon and Leadore before arriving in Idaho Falls.

Following their overnight stay in eastern Idaho, the riders will continue to Driggs before spending the weekend in Jackson, Wyoming.

By the end of the journey, the cyclists will have traveled through 14 states, including Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia before finishing in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 8.

Organizers say the ride is designed to foster inclusion and celebrate the abilities of all people while strengthening connections between communities across the country.

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Seth Ratliff

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) — Two people were hospitalized Thursday morning following a chain-reaction, four-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 15 near Fort Hall.

The crash happened around 10:39 a.m. on the southbound I-15 at milepost 84 in Bingham County.

ISP says that the incident began when a 27-year-old Pocatello man driving south in a 2018 Toyota RAV4 attempted to use a median crossover. As the RAV4 made the maneuver, it was struck by a southbound Ford Maverick driven by an 84-year-old man, also from Pocatello.

The initial crash triggered a chain reaction. The Maverick was subsequently struck by a southbound 2022 BMW driven by a 65-year-old male driver with a 63-year-old female passenger, both from Chubbuck. Immediately after, the BMW was hit by a 2026 Genesis driven by a 60-year-old man from Cardiff, California, who was traveling with a 59-year-old female passenger from San Diego.

Ground ambulances rushed the driver of the Ford Maverick and the female passenger of the Genesis to a local hospital. ISP confirmed that everyone involved in the crash was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident.

The left lane of southbound I-15 was blocked for approximately one hour while emergency crews cleared the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A local soccer team is heading to the national stage.

Idaho Falls Football Club (IFFC) will represent Idaho at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Tennessee this July after fighting to capture a state title.

For the team’s U15 girls, the journey from the Old Butte Soccer Complex to a national tournament is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and building synergy.

Breaking Through

One of the biggest challenges was simply making it out of Idaho.

Boise-area clubs have traditionally dominated state competition, making IFFC’s accomplishment even more significant. According to club officials, it has been roughly two decades since Idaho Falls Football Club last sent a team to nationals. The club, originally founded in 1983 as the Bonneville Youth Soccer League, no longer has records verifying the exact year.

Head coach Mary Murray says Boise teams often have advantages in both numbers and climate.

“They have a bigger area and, obviously, nicer weather,” Murray said. “But luckily for us, we have indoor facilities and spaces, so we’re able to practice all year. They are tough and they are strong teams.”

That challenge was on full display during the state championship match.

IFFC trailed 2-0 at halftime before mounting a comeback.

“They did not give up,” Murray said. “They put their chins up at halftime. They knew they could do it, and they worked their tails off.”

Team captain Presley Bullen says Murray’s halftime message helped spark the turnaround.

“When Mary gave her halftime talk, I think it really boosted us up,” Bullen said. “As captains, we just had to keep uplifting the team throughout the whole game. We had to keep cheering everyone on. If there was a mistake, we just had to let it go and not take anything too hard.”

Years in the Making

Part of the team’s success comes from something that can’t be taught overnight.

Several members of the roster have played together since they were four years old. Murray has coached some of them for more than a decade, creating chemistry that shows both on and off the field.

Club soccer requires a significant commitment. Players typically train and compete 10 to 12 months out of the year, practicing three to four times a week and continuing indoors through the winter months.

The team includes players from several local schools including Skyline, Hillcrest, Idaho Falls High School, Thunder and a homeschool program. Players compete for their respective school teams in the fall before rejoining their club teammates for the remainder of the year.

Each season, players must earn their roster spots through tryouts, with only the top athletes advancing to the state league.

One Last Run Together

This year’s tournament carries added significance.

U.S. Youth Soccer recently shifted age-group divisions from calendar-year registration to a school-year model. The change means many teams across the country, including IFFC’s state championship squad, will be split apart moving forward.

For a group that has spent years growing up together, nationals will be one final opportunity to compete as a team.

Murray says the relationships built away from the field have been just as important as the success on it.

“They care about each other,” Murray said. “They are good people off the field. Watching them come together, support each other and be a true unit gives me chills. They love each other.”

Bullen admits the upcoming separation is difficult.

“It’s a super sad story,” she said.

The national tournament will be one final chance to compete, travel and create memories together before the team goes its separate ways.

Already Champions

Regardless of what happens in Tennessee, Murray believes the players already accomplished something bigger than winning games.

“I feel like they’ve already felt that success,” Murray said. “They know what it feels like to work hard, to have a goal, to be dedicated and focused. Going forward in life, it’s going to make them the best humans they can be because they understand what it takes to do hard things, work together and be good people. I just could not be more proud of this group of girls.”

The club is also celebrating success at younger age levels. IFFC’s 2014 girls team also won the state championship and will advance to regional competition in Utah.

To follow along on how they do at Nationals, you can check out their Facebook and Instagram social media.

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