kifi-local-news – Page 9 – NPG Content Share

INL hosts ribbon cutting for pilot plant supporting domestic antimony production

KIFI on July 30, 2026

News Release

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (INL Media Release)– The United States is one step closer to securing a domestic supply of antimony trisulfide, a critical mineral essential to national security, with the commissioning of a new modular mineral processing plant at the Idaho National Laboratory.

The plant will initially process ore mined from Perpetua Resources’ Stibnite Gold Project to characterize and separate out antimony. The U.S. currently relies on foreign sources for antimony, an essential component in Army munitions, creating a vulnerability in the critical materials supply chain that could threaten national security. The plant will operate 24 hours a day, processing approximately one ton of material per day.

“From the mountains of central Idaho to the national laboratories advancing America’s defense and energy capabilities, today’s milestone shows what’s possible with industry, government, and scientific innovation work together on practical domestic solutions,” said Jon Cherry, president & CEO of Perpetua Resources. “As construction advances at the Stibnite Gold Project, this pilot plant extends that momentum downstream by helping establish the capabilities needed to produce military-grade antimony materials here in America. Together, these investments are laying the foundation for a secure, end-to-end domestic supply chain that strengthens national security while creating long-term economic opportunity.”

INL experts in critical minerals and materials processing and separation will operate the plant, ensuring the equipment runs smoothly and the material produced meets specifications. The project also demonstrates INL’s growing role in strengthening domestic critical mineral supply chains through pilot-scale testing and advanced process development.

INL employees train to operate the controls of a new modular pilot plantthat will process ore from Perpetua Resources’ Stibnite Gold Project. The plant will helpdemonstrate domestic production of antimony materials used in U.S. Army munitions.

“Proving we can process these materials reliably, efficiently and economically for domestic industry is exactly the kind of work national laboratories are uniquely positioned to do,” INL Laboratory Director John Wagner said. “We’re proud to be part of this effort and look forward to the progress it will enable.”

Funded through the U.S. Department of Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium, the opening of the pilot plant marks a significant milestone in a multiyear collaboration. Since receiving the major components in June, INL staff have installed, powered and brought them online for operator training.

“This pilot plant is more than a demonstration facility. It’s an investment in the nation’s critical mineral future,” Wagner said. “The data and operational experience generated here will help advance domestic antimony production while demonstrating how national laboratories, industry and government can work together to strengthen America’s supply chains and national security.”

Speakers at the ribbon cutting included U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho; Wagner; Cherry; and INL Directorate Fellow Robert Fox.

“We’ve worked to rebuild America’s critical mineral supply chains because our national security depends on them,” said Simpson. “Today’s ribbon cutting is a significant milestone in that effort. By bringing together Perpetua Resources, the Idaho National Laboratory and the U.S. Army, this project demonstrates how Idaho is helping strengthen our nation’s defense, expand domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce our reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals. I’m proud to have supported this partnership from the beginning, and I look forward to seeing the important role it will play for our country.”

To learn more about INL’s critical minerals and materials research, visit https://inl.gov/integrated-energy/critical-materials/.

Click here to follow the original article.

Lightning-caused Lake Channel fire grows to 1,500 acres near Massacre Rocks

KIFI on July 30, 2026

Seth Ratliff

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Emergency crews are actively battling a fast-moving wildfire that sprang up Wednesday night near Massacre Rocks, just off Interstate 86 west of American Falls.

As of midnight on Thursday, July 30, the lightning-caused blaze—dubbed the Lake Channel Fire—has grown to an estimated 1,500 acres.

First reported around 5:40 p.m. on Wednesday, the fire quickly spread through dry brush and grass. Firefighters from multiple agencies are on scene, including crews from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS), the U.S. Forest Service (Caribou-Targhee National Forest), the American Falls Fire Department, and the Power County Sheriff’s Office.

Despite the large response, the USWFS says firefighting efforts are being challenged by inaccessible terrain, along with gusty and shifty winds.

While several structures in the area are currently threatened, crews worked through the night using ground tactics to establish containment lines, states USWFS. Multiple air resources have been ordered for Thursday morning to assist ground personnel.

“Firefighter and public safety is the highest priority,” the USWFS said in a Facebook update. “Please avoid the area and give the firefighters room to work.”

Officials are also issuing a strict warning regarding unauthorized drone activity in the area, reminding the public that private drones pose a severe hazard to firefighting aircraft.

“If you fly, we can’t,” the agency stressed. “Remember that if you fly a drone over a fire, critical air operations get suspended.”

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide updates as we learn additional details.

Click here to follow the original article.

Yellowstone expands fishing restrictions across nearly all rivers and streams due to extreme heat

KIFI on July 30, 2026

Danielle Mullenix

YELLOWSTONE, Wyo. (KIFI) – Anglers visiting Yellowstone National Park will face new fishing restrictions beginning this week as park officials respond to warming water temperatures and low stream flows that can threaten native trout populations.

Effective July 29, fishing on nearly all of Yellowstone’s rivers and streams will only be allowed from sunrise until 2 p.m. each day. After 2 p.m., those waterways will close to fishing until sunrise the following morning. The temporary restrictions will remain in place until conditions improve.

According to the National Park Service, water temperatures in many rivers and streams have climbed above 68 degrees, a threshold that creates stressful—and sometimes deadly—conditions for trout. Warmer water holds less oxygen, making it more difficult for fish to recover after being caught and released.

Yellowstone Lake and the park’s other lakes are not affected by the new restrictions and will remain open to fishing from sunrise to sunset under normal regulations.

Park officials say they will continue monitoring water temperatures and stream conditions throughout the summer. Depending on weather patterns and river temperatures, restrictions could be lifted, expanded or adjusted.

The park had already implemented fishing closures on several rivers earlier this month due to extreme water temperatures. This latest action expands protections across nearly all rivers and streams as hot, dry conditions continue across the region.

Officials encourage anglers to check the latest fishing regulations and closure information before heading into Yellowstone National Park.

Click here to follow the original article.

Idaho’s Oldest Rodeo Celebrates 115 Years at Sandy Downs

KIFI on July 30, 2026

William Syslo

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The 115th edition of the War Bonnet Round Up, Idaho’s oldest rodeo, kicked things off with the Toyota Wild West Family Fest tonight at Sandy Downs in Idaho Falls.

Earlier in the day, ahead of the night’s festivities, the War Bonnet held a media event, where we caught up with a handful of people involved in Idaho’s oldest rodeo.

Edie Barnes, a War Bonnet Round Up princess, highlighted the longevity of the event. “The War Bonnet is so special because it’s Idaho’s oldest rodeo,” Barnes said. The rodeo has reached its 115th edition this year.

Shelby Woolstenhulme serves on the board of directors and manages tribal relations. She has worked with the Shoshone Bannock Tribes to incorporate their heritage into the event, including a new opening act for Opening Night on Thursday.

“To be able to incorporate the history behind it all has been absolutely amazing,” Woolstenhulme said. “It means everything to have their stamp of approval. We would not have this rodeo if it was not for [the] Shoshone Bannock Tribes.”

Rodeo announcer Kade Rogge described the event as a “living, breathing thing” that serves as a highlight for the community.

He noted that the history of the rodeo contributes to its significance for participants and spectators alike. “The history here just makes it mean a little bit more,” Rogge said.

Rogge emphasized the multi-generational attendance at the rodeo. He noted that many families have attended for several years and now bring their own children to the event.

“There’s generations of people that were brought in here as little kids from their parents or their grandparents and now raising children that are bringing them to the rodeo,” he said. “We don’t want you to just buy a ticket for 2026. We want you to buy a ticket for the rest of your life.”

PJ Holm serves as the executive director of the War Bonnet Round Up and the director of the Idaho Falls Department of Parks and Recreation. He said the organization prides itself on hospitality for guests and competitors.

“Whether it’s contestants, whether it’s our contracted personnel, saying ‘coming to this rodeo is not like most rodeos’,” Holm said. “’We are part of the family. We feel so taken care of and appreciated here.’” The rodeo continues to attract talent from across the region.

Rogge noted that the level of competition remains high in East Idaho. “It should never be overlooked because our contestants here are just as tough as anybody in any state.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Search ends for missing 28-year-old Australian hiker found dead in Tetons

KIFI on July 30, 2026

Abi Martin

TETON COUNTY, Wyoming (KIFI) – A search for a missing hiker in the Teton backcountry has ended after rescue crews found a 28-year-old Australian man dead Wednesday morning.

Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) says crews located the hiker at approximately 8:20 a.m. on July 29 near an area known as the Wigwams on the west slope of the Tetons.

Teton County Search and Rescue says evidence suggests the hiker may have fallen from a steep, high-altitude ridgeline separating Grand Teton National Park and the Jedediah Smith Wilderness.

The man had been attempting a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, which stretches from Canada to Mexico. He had been regularly communicating with family members in Australia using a Garmin satellite device.

On July 23, the family received a Garmin check-in without coordinates or a message, along with a video they believed placed him in the Teton area. After they stopped receiving communication, they contacted park officials on Monday.

Officials from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks reviewed the hiker’s last known tracking information and determined the location was within Teton County. The search was then transferred to Teton County Search and Rescue, which handles search and rescue operations outside the national parks.

On Wednesday morning, search and rescue crews assembled a helicopter short-haul team and flew to the hiker’s last known location. Crews spotted a bright orange backpack from the air and located the hiker below a ridge south of North Wigwam Peak.

His body was recovered and transported to TCSAR headquarters in Jackson before being transferred to the Teton County Coroner’s Office.

TCSAR expressed condolences to the hiker’s family and friends and thanked the federal agencies that assisted with the search and recovery effort.

Click here to follow the original article.

Rigby family holds blood drive to combat critical national shortage

KIFI on July 29, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis, citing critically low blood supplies across the country. Officials say all blood types are needed, with Type O blood supplies dropping to just one day’s worth.

In Rigby, one local family is doing its part to help.

The Kartchner family hosted a community blood drive in honor of their daughter, Zoe, whose life was saved thanks to blood donations from strangers.

Zoe survived a life-threatening flesh-eating disease after receiving more than 30 units of donated blood during her treatment. Her family says those donations, given by people across the country, made all the difference in her recovery.

Now, with the nation’s blood supply at critically low levels, the Kartchners hope Zoe’s story will inspire others to donate.

At just 10 years old, Zoe Kartchner survived a flesh-eating disease thanks to blood donations. The family says she is preparing for an upcoming surgery but is living her best life this summer.

“Zoe was basically just bleeding out and we couldn’t stop the blood, and there was no skin to hold the blood in any way,” Cami Kartchner, Zoe’s mother and the drive’s organizer, said. “So that day was spent with a nurse just giving blood the entire day, running back and forth, giving blood. It’s scary really, to think somebody else in our position where we were last year could possibly lose their life because of the blood shortage. That’s that’s a really sad thought. So we want to do what we can to prevent that. And obviously this is just one small thing, but it’s important to us.”

The family says every blood donation has the potential to save lives, just as donated blood saved Zoe’s. They hope their blood drive not only helps replenish local blood supplies but also reminds people of the lifesaving impact a single donation can have.

The Red Cross continues to urge eligible donors of all blood types to schedule appointments, especially those with Type O blood, as hospitals nationwide work to meet ongoing patient needs.

Upcoming Blood Drives:

July

30th

Ammon Idaho North Stake

Rexburg Idaho South Stake

31st

Wapello Building