Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

Since August 1, 2025, DHW has received reports of at least 26 cases of bacterial infection across Idaho associated with drinking or consuming raw milk. DHW has documented 23 cases of Campylobacter infection, including six children under the age of 12, in addition to 3 cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection.

STEC is a type of E. coli that can cause very serious infections, especially in young children. As cases have broken out throughout Idaho, with multiple people seeking medical care and two requiring hospitalization.

What is Raw Milk?

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized, which involves heating milk to kill disease-causing bacteria. Raw milk can harbor dangerous bacteria, including Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, which can cause symptoms such as vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration.

“People should be aware of possible health risks before consuming raw, unpasteurized dairy products or providing such products to family members, particularly people who might be at higher risk for illness, including young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised,” stated IDHW in a news release.

In Idaho, DHW says raw milk can be sold legally. However, under current state law, raw milk is not required to be tested for dangerous bacteria like Campylobacter, E. coli, or other disease-causing agents before it is sold to the public.

The DHW urges anyone who has recently consumed raw milk and is experiencing symptoms to seek medical care promptly. For additional information or to report an illness, contact your local public health district.

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is investigating a significant and recent surge in illnesses linked to the consumption of raw, unpasteurized milk.

Since August 1, 2025, DHW has received reports of at least 26 cases of bacterial infection across Idaho associated with drinking or consuming raw milk. DHW has documented 23 cases of Campylobacter infection, including six children under the age of 12, in addition to 3 cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection.

STEC is a type of E. coli that can cause very serious infections, especially in young children. As cases have broken out throughout Idaho, with multiple people seeking medical care and two requiring hospitalization.

What is Raw Milk?

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized, which involves heating milk to kill disease-causing bacteria. Raw milk can harbor dangerous bacteria, including Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, which can cause symptoms such as vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration.

“People should be aware of possible health risks before consuming raw, unpasteurized dairy products or providing such products to family members, particularly people who might be at higher risk for illness, including young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised,” stated IDHW in a news release.

In Idaho, DHW says raw milk can be sold legally. However, under current state law, raw milk is not required to be tested for dangerous bacteria like Campylobacter, E. coli, or other disease-causing agents before it is sold to the public.

The DHW urges anyone who has recently consumed raw milk and is experiencing symptoms to seek medical care promptly. For additional information or to report an illness, contact your local public health district.

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — While turkey has been the traditional centerpiece of Thanksgiving feasts, nearly 12% of Americans are making the switch to Ham, according to the National Turkey Federation.

With ham becoming more popular, Local News 8 is taking a look at how to prepare the popular substitute. Jesse Smith from Fred Meyer’s and his butcher showed us how to flame craft a ham with sugar right in our own back porch.

Gluten-free, MSG-free, and allergen-free, it would make a great Thanksgiving centerpiece to either complement the turkey–or just forgo it altogether.

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News Release

The following is a news release from Idaho State University:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A landmark partnership between the Idaho Museum of Natural History at Idaho State University and the University of Idaho is strengthening statewide collaboration between Idaho’s public universities and bringing natural history exhibits and educational programming to northern Idaho through the creation of a North Idaho Affiliate of the museum.

As Idaho’s designated state museum of natural history, the IMNH at Idaho State University serves as the official steward of Idaho’s natural heritage. This partnership reflects ISU’s leadership in preserving and sharing that heritage statewide.

Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, this collaboration establishes a fiscally responsible, long-term commitment to protect, share and expand access to Idaho’s natural history collections using existing state resources. The affiliate will be housed within University of Idaho’s Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences and serve as a regional hub for community access, student learning and Idaho-based research. 

“This is the birth of a new museum for north Idaho,” said Leif Tapanila, Director of the Idaho Museum of Natural History. “Our museum began at ISU in a similar way back in 1934, with the university committing to protect its natural history objects. We’re excited to partner with U of I to create new educational opportunities based out of Moscow.”

Displays are planned throughout the Mines and McClure buildings on the UI campus, with long-term goals to activate the spaces between them. The first exhibit, located in the basement foyer of McClure Hall, is already open to the public, with more to come in the months ahead.

The roots of the affiliation began with a conversation about responsible stewardship of Idaho’s public collections, many of which have grown over decades at UI but lacked formal protection. With leadership from the chair of the Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences, Alistair Smith, and support from university leadership, including Ginger E. Carney, dean of the College of Science, the idea of creating a regional affiliate began to take shape.

“This partnership enables us to not only preserve our collections for Idaho’s citizens for generations to come, it also reflects good stewardship of state assets and helps the University of Idaho enhance its Land Grant mission,” said Smith.

A ribbon cutting event is being considered for March. “This partnership allows us to protect and showcase our collections while creating new opportunities for outreach, research and student learning,” said Smith. “It’s a win for the College of Science and for Idaho’s citizens who will benefit from greater access to their state’s natural heritage.”

The affiliation will highlight UI’s Earth Sciences Collection, including the Smiley Paleobotany Collection—one of the most significant fossil leaf collections in North America—along with the Williams Geological Teaching Collection and the Gunter Mineralogy Collection. Together, these resources form one of the most comprehensive natural history holdings in the region.

“We’re excited about the potential of this museum to broaden research and education in the earth and life sciences,” Carney said. “This collaboration reflects the shared public  mission we share with Idaho State University—to serve all Idahoans through discovery, learning and outreach.”

For the Idaho Museum of Natural History, this agreement is part of a broader initiative to reach communities across the state through partnerships and mobile education. Since August, the museum’s Mobile Museum has delivered more than 50 programs, reaching 6,300 people, including 2,500 K–12 students across northern Idaho. Statewide, the museum has engaged over 18,000 participants this year through classroom visits, community programs and hands-on exhibits.

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Danielle Mullenix

Eastern Idaho (KIFI) – The DSPs Doing Good Organization, part of the DSP, will provide free Thanksgiving meals to aid direct support professionals on November 25th-26th during the holiday season.

This initiative aims to alleviate holiday stress for those professionals and is part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to assist both DSPs and the individuals they serve—adults with developmental, aging, and/or intellectual disabilities—here in Eastern Idaho.

The DSP’s Doing Good organization is in the process of supplying and operating temporary food pantries in Idaho Falls, Meridian, and Twin Falls.

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides in-person support for adults with disabilities in a wide range of daily activities. DSPs work around the clock—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Their responsibilities include offering emotional support, physical assistance, and help with personal care tasks.

The DSPs Doing Good Organization was created to provide in-person training and resources made by people with direct support professional experience.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, November 25-26, services will be available from 9 AM to 5 PM. For those who require a different time, they are encouraged to reach out for assistance.

Three convenient locations are available: Idaho Falls at 548 Lomax St., Meridian at 1850 N. Lakes Place, and Twin Falls at 141 Shoshone St. N.

For more information about the DSPs Doing Good organization, click here.

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News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Pocatello Police Department is asking the public to remain calm and not be alarmed by a large law enforcement and emergency services presence at Hawthorne Middle School today, Tuesday, November 25, 2025. PPD says it will be using the building for a training exercise while students are away for the Thanksgiving holiday, and there is absolutely no threat to the public.

The PPD, School Resource Officers, and Pocatello Emergency Services are utilizing the empty school building while students are away to conduct an Active Shooter Training. In an email to the public, the department states, “Please be aware that an increased police presence will be in the area as part of this planned exercise.”

The training is set to last from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. 

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO Falls, Idaho (KIFI)– As families gather around the table each Thanksgiving, kitchens across the country become the site of a surprising holiday hazard: cooking fires. In 2023 alone, Thanksgiving Day saw more than 1,400 home cooking fires—almost 388 percent higher than a typical day.

Local News 8 stopped by the Idaho Falls Fire Station to speak with Fire Marshal Jim Newton about kitchen fire safety.

Starting off with the star of Thanksgiving dinner: deep fried turkey. While delicious, it can be extremely dangerous if you’re not careful.

“So when you’re cooking the turkey, a lot of common mistakes with deep frying a turkey is that they don’t allow the turkey to thaw out all the way. So it’s partially frozen or fully frozen. That introduces water, hot oil, and then that can cause the oil to overflow, which cause it can cause a fire. also not turning the flame off. So if you’re going to deep fry a turkey before you drop the turkey in, turn the flame off, drop the turkey, and then you can light the flame back up again. So if oil does overload, it doesn’t hit that open flame and catch fire,” Newton said, “If you’re going to deep fried turkey, make sure it’s ten feet away from any structure or any kind of, combustible source.”

Studies show that Thanksgiving day has significantly higher home cooking fires than an average day.

“Statistically speaking, it is three times more likely that a cooking fire will happen during Thanksgiving holidays,” Newton said.

According to NFPA, Thanksgiving Day saw an estimated 1,446 home cooking fires in 2023, roughly 388 percent higher than the average day.

Newton emphasized that it matters where the deep frying takes place.

“Don’t cook it on a wood deck, don’t cook it inside on carpet. You know, make sure that you’re outside and you have proper extinguishing materials, such as a fire extinguisher. Don’t use water on oil. Same goes for in the kitchen as for outside, just don’t use water on oil,” Newton said.

If you want a safer alternative to deep fried turkey, Newton suggested to singing an infrared fryer with propane, smoked turkey, having it professionally prepared or using the oven.

The Idaho Falls Fire Department sent out a press release with tips on how to stay safe in the kitchen during the holidays:

Never leave cooking unattended. Stay in the kitchen, set a timer, and minimize distractions. A single pan of oil can reach 700°F in minutes and ignite.

Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove. Turn pot handles inward to prevent spills and burns.

Handle grease fires safely. Never use water. Turn off the heat and slide a lid over the pan or use baking soda to smother small fires.

Keep your kitchen clean. Grease buildup on stovetops, ovens, and range hoods is highly flammable. Wipe surfaces after cooking and deep-clean monthly.

Be prepared with alarms and an extinguisher. Test smoke alarms monthly. Keep a Class K or A/B/C fire extinguisher accessible and remember PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

Maintain a clear cooking area and avoid electrical overloads. Keep towels, paper, and bags away from burners. Don’t overload outlets or use multiple high-wattage appliances on the same circuit.

Plan and practice your escape route. Every home should have two exits per room and a designated outdoor meeting spot. Practice twice a year, including at night.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Pocatello police department is celebrating another successful year of “Give the Cops a Bird.” The community turned out strong for the 7th annual Thanksgiving holiday food drive.

This year, donations added up to $4165, 71 turkeys, and 96 pounds of food — all going to the Idaho foodbank to help those in need.

In a post on Facebook, Pocatello Police officers said they couldn’t have done this without the support of the amazing community.

“Your generosity, energy, and kindness make this event what it has become today,” stated the post. “We are truly grateful to each and every one of you who donated and made a difference this holiday season.”

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Seth Ratliff

ELMORE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The final election results for Elmore County have been certified and will remain unchanged, even after an intensive hand recount introduced 373 ballots that were initially omitted from the election night tally.

Last week, the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office confirmed a discrepancy of nearly between the number of physical ballots cast and the initial count. The Elmore County Clerk had discovered 373 votes were missing from the original tally, triggering a full hand count —with Secretary of State Phil McGrane, 17 staff members, the Elmore County Prosecuting Attorney, and the Elmore County Sheriff on site to ensure an independent review.

“I appreciate the level of detail and openness that went into today’s count,” said Elmore County Clerk Shelley Essl. “Through this process, we have ensured that every Elmore County ballot was counted and reported.”

Despite the mix-up, none of the race outcomes changed. Secretary of State McGrane says the recount was about making sure voters have confidence that their votes count.

“In order for our elections to work, voters must have confidence that their votes will count,” said Secretary of State McGrane. “Today we demonstrated our commitment to ensuring just that. I’m proud of my team and grateful to Elmore County for partnering with us as we’ve worked to correct this error and investigate what went wrong on election day.”

The Elmore County Board of Commissioners will review and certify the new results by tomorrow morning. Following this, the Secretary of State and the Elmore County Clerk will request a judicial review before December 2 in accordance with Idaho law.

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Chris Nestman

In a push to speed up the approval and development of geothermal energy, Idaho Congressman Russ Fulcher (R) sponsored a bill to ease the regulatory burden on exploring potential geothermal sites.

“[The] biggest obstacle thus far has been just simply not getting permission or not getting access to where the resources are. And so that’s what this legislation is geared to try to do, is just make it available,” said Fulcher.

The bill, H.R. 5576, provides a new regulatory exclusion for geothermal exploration activities on federal land.

Currently, any geothermal exploration requires an Environmental Assessment (EA) that may take up to 10 months to get completed, with no guarantee the application will even get approved. Oil and gas wells do not need an EA for exploration, if land has already been approved for drilling. Fulcher’s bill would align geothermal exploration with oil and gas which he says will greatly speed up the process.

“So we think we’ve got a real win win situation here. We’ve got a great source of energy that’s a dependable baseload. It’s cheap, it’s clean, it takes a very small footprint that it disturbs on the land surface,” said Fulcher. “And and it’s just a great energy source at a time when our energy demands are really skyrocketing.”

Fulcher said Idaho in particular could benefit as we are one of the most prime states for geothermal exploration. He also said he doesn’t think other environmental concerns will hold up the development of geothermal plants as much compared to other sources of power like nuclear or coal.

The bill still has to make its way through the house, but Fulcher says he believes it has enough support on both sides of the isle to get the approval. If it does pass the house, it will then move onto the Senate. If it passes the Senate, then it moves to President Trump’s desk. Fulcher says he believes the President will support and sign the bill.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Antares Industries celebrated its expansion to Idaho with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Rogers building Monday morning.

A leading developer of advanced micro nuclear reactors from California, Antares Industries, is building an office in downtown Idaho Falls. This decision comes after the company has worked extensively with the Idaho National Laboratory.

“Earlier this year, we established a $40 million partnership agreement with Idaho National Lab. And we decided, given how much we’re investing here, it’s time to have a permanent presence here in Idaho Falls,” Jordan Bramble, the CEO and Co-founder of Antares, said.

The event not only captured the collaboration between INL, the United States Department of Energy, and Antares, but also highlighted the growing nuclear energy market in Idaho.

“Idaho is really the birthplace of American nuclear energy, and we believe it’s also going to be the home of the rebirth of American nuclear energy,” Bramble said.

Representative Mike Simpson, along with representatives from INL and the U.S. Department of Energy, made their remarks before the ribbon-cutting.

“It really feels like we’ve become one team,” Bramble said.

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