Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — For the second time, a jury has failed to reach a verdict in the case of Brandon Cook, a local contractor accused of defrauding homeowners of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The two-day trial ended Thursday, March 12, after a hung jury forced the judge to declare a mistrial.

Cook, operating through his company Re-Lived Construction, was charged in 2024 following a wave of complaints from former clients. The Trial centered specifically on a contract with homeowner Cody Hawker, whom Local News 8 interviewed in February 2024 before Cook was charged.

Hawker hired Cook in February 2023 to add an extention on his home. He says he paid him $33,000 upfront, only to be left with a massive, exposed hole in his backyard leading to his basement. A year later, when we interviewed him, Hawker had been forced to board up the excavation and run a pump 24/7 throughout the winter to prevent his home from flooding.

In Bonneville County, Jennifer Bennent claims to have hired Cook in 2023 and was left with gutted walls and severely compromised support beams. At least 10 other homeowners claim to have lost money to the contractor, and the local non-profit LIFE Inc. (Center for Independent Living) reportedly lost $200,000 to Cook’s business dealings.

Despite the evidence against Cook, after three hours of deliberations, the jury remained deadlocked. The future of the case remains uncertain, as the court has not yet set another jury trial. However, Jennifer Bennet and her fellow homeowners remain hopeful.

“We are going to beg [deputy prosecutor] Fred Wheeler to try one more time, but whether he declines or not, we are going to see if we can assist in the Bannock County case and also talk to Randy Neal about trying him in Bonneville,” said Jennifer Bennent. “Additionally, I think I want to appeal to the Attorney General and state legislature for law reform so that we can get a conviction. Because the intent piece is the hardest to prove.”

While another criminal trial is a possibility, Jennifer Bennett tells Local News 8 that, as Cook has declared bankruptcy, there is little chance she or anyone else will get their money back.

In our initial investigation, Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal told Local News 8 that malicious parties or contractors would sometimes close their business or declare bankruptcy as a way of “avoiding civil liability.” In those cases, Neal said victims were left with few options.

The simplest answer is “don’t get in this situation in the first place.” For what we learned on how to vet a contractor, click HERE.

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Par Kermani

ROBERTS, Idaho (KIFI) — Painter Bob Ross once said, “You need the dark in order to show the light.” For 12-year-old Caellum Hebdon, who is battling brain cancer, that light is now coming in the form of encouraging news about his treatment.

The update comes days after Hebdon’s story first aired on Local News 8, highlighting the Idaho Falls middle schooler’s battle with brain cancer and his passion for drawing prehistoric creatures. 

Brain scans show encouraging results. Courtesy Hebdon family.

Caellum Hebdon and his family recently received results from a follow-up MRI that showed his chemotherapy and radiation treatments are working better than doctors expected.

“We just see minimal cancer in there now — just two little spots left,” said his mother, Kaylene Hebdon. “So much has cleared up. It’s just amazing.”

Hebdon was diagnosed in 2025 after he suffered a stroke. He was life-flighted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, where doctors discovered a bleeding tumor in his brain and performed emergency surgery to save his life. 

The stroke temporarily took away his ability to speak and move the right side of his body. This became an obstacle that Caellum had to overcome, because he was right-handed and art is his passion in life. 

When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Hebdon had a quick answer. “Artist.”

Months of therapy helped him regain those abilities — including the ability to draw. His artwork has since earned him national attention as a finalist in the “Bob Ross presents: America’s Most Artistic Kid” competition.

Following the Local News 8 story, his family says the community support helped push Hebdon back into first place in his contest group.

“He’s back at number one in his group of about 60 people,” said father JayC Hebdon. “All the extra votes people have been giving have made a really big difference.”

Doctors say the radiation therapy Hebdon completed last fall will continue working over the next year as his body clears damaged cancer cells.

His family says the latest scan results have given them something they’ve been waiting months to feel.

“Before, we didn’t know what was going to happen,” said his mother, Kaylene Hebdon. “Now we know the treatment is working. There’s hope.”

To celebrate the encouraging news, the family took a spring break trip to California, visiting Legoland and SeaWorld before heading to Universal Studios.

Caellum, who remains quiet but appreciative of the support, offered a simple message to the community, helping him stay in the contest.

“Thanks for all the votes,” Caellum said.

If Bob Ross taught generations that painting can bring calm in difficult moments, Caellum is Eastern Idaho’s living proof. 

Voting for Hebdon in the national art competition remains open, with the top contestants advancing to the next round.

If you want to help Caellum bring home that national title and help his family with those medical bills, there are a few ways to get involved. The “America’s Most Artistic Kid” contest relies on community support. You can cast one free vote every 24 hours by heading to the contest website.

https://artistickid.org/2026/caellum-3f31

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CNN

Originally Published: 16 MAR 26 13:53 ET

By Brenna Donnelly

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    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KSL) — A Utah mother is raising awareness about the heightened suicide risk among military veterans after losing her own son, Private First Class Bowden Hunter of Saratoga Springs.

Utah currently ranks second in the nation for veteran suicide (adjusted for population), with 78 deaths reported last year, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Because the state has a smaller-than-average veteran population, the numbers are especially alarming to families like the Hunters.

The statistics have motivated Janaea Hunter to launch “Bowden’s Brigade,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safe, community-centered spaces for veterans returning to civilian life.

Hunter said her message is especially important as more American military members are heading overseas. The United States is in the midst of its largest Middle East deployment since 2003, according to Center for Strategic and International Studies statistics. This week, military officials confirmed 5,000 more marines will deploy and join the 50,000 American soldiers already in the Middle East.

A memorial held Friday in Bluffdale honored Bowden with a “Battle Vest” ceremony — an event designed both to remember his life and to spotlight the ongoing crisis of veteran and emergency responder suicide. James Collins, president of “Heroes in the Sky,” explained the vest displays 19 names of service members who died by suicide, including seven from Utah.

It is one of several similar vests traveling the country thanks to “Heroes in the Sky.” The one dedicated in Bluffdale Friday will remain in Utah with “Bowden’s Brigade.”

“Veterans need to be around other veterans,” Hunter said. “There are so many organizations people don’t know about, and we want them to know there’s a place they can go when they get home — where they can still be with their veteran brothers and sisters. So they don’t have that sense of loss; it’s like moving to a different base.”

Bowden’s Brigade, together with Heroes in the Sky, hope to shift public understanding of post‑traumatic stress disorder, describing it not as a weakness but as a nervous system injury that results from trauma. Through awareness and increased access to resources, both groups aim to reduce veteran suicides in Utah.

“This just so happens to come right at a time where there’s international conflict that sits heavily on a lot of us combat veterans’ minds as we process what’s happening overseas right now,” Collins said. “Whether or not you deployed or not, the commitment of veterans or first responders service involves significant sacrifice.”

Hunter said she also hopes to see a behavior change in the community members the soldiers will return home to.

“My biggest concern, honestly, is the political stance that people have, and they hold it against the veterans,” she said. “They’re just doing what they’re told. They signed up because they love our country and they want to protect us. And whether you agree with the conflict or not, you shouldn’t hold it against them.”

The organization’s next major effort is a Salute to Service Gala on May 9 at Club Paddock in American Fork. The public is invited to attend and contribute to the group’s ongoing veteran meetups, which are designed to build connection and prevent isolation among Utah veterans

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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News Team

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) — A string of juvenile vandalism over the weekend has left a local training facility and several tribal vehicles damaged, according to the Fort Hall Police Department.

The incident began Sunday afternoon, March 15, when police were alerted to a break-in at the Fort Hall Fire Department’s training house on Shoshone Drive.

Later that evening, police received reports of a group attempting to scale the fence at the tribal fleet yard near the BIA irrigation office. Upon arrival, the officers caught four teenagers at the scene along with two tribal trucks with several windows and mirrors smashed in.

During the investigation, the teens admitted to both the damage to the Fire Department’s training house and the damaging of two tribal trucks. All four suspects were cited and subsequently released into the custody of their guardians.

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News Team

SALT LAKE, Utah (KIFI) — The Department of Homeland Security has officially purchased a massive warehouse on the west side of Salt Lake City, confirming months of speculation and marking the establishment of the first ICE detention center in the state of Utah.

The federal government purchased the nearly 25-acre property for $145 million. According to CNN, the deed of sale identifies the seller as the holding group R-REEF CPIF.

In a formal statement, ICE confirmed its intentions for the site, stating:

“These will be very well-structured detention facilities meeting our regular detention standards. Sites will undergo community impact studies and a rigorous due diligence process to make sure there is no hardship on local utilities or infrastructure.”

Federal officials are leaning heavily into the economic benefits of the project. ICE projections suggest the facility’s construction and operation will generate nearly 10,000 local jobs, contribute $1.1 billion to the regional GDP, and bring in approximately $239 million in tax revenue.

However, local leaders remain staunchly opposed. The facility, an 833,000-square-foot warehouse located near the Salt Lake City International Airport, is rumored to house up to 7,500 beds, according to ABC4 in Utah.

Friday, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson issued a sharp rebuke following the confirmation of the sale.

“I am deeply disturbed to learn that a 833,000-square-foot warehouse… has reportedly been purchased by the federal government to what would likely become a massive ICE detention facility,” Wilson said. “The idea of 7,500 detainees being held in the heart of our capital city is simply unacceptable and must never be realized.”

The purchase follows a wave of “Beehive State” protests that began earlier this year when rumors of a potential federal site first surfaced.

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Seth Ratliff

CHALLIS, Idaho (KIFI) — An unnamed person is recovering Monday after a weekend shooting in Challis sent them to the hospital.

According to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting took place on Friday, March 13th, around 11 PM in the Hot Springs area of Challis. Sheriff’s Deputies rushed to the area where they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound, but otherwise in stable condition.

Few details are available surrounding the shooting. But the Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that one person was taken into custody without incident.

Authorities secured the scene overnight and assured residents that there is no threat to the public.

No further details have been released at this time. Local News 8 will provide additional updates as new information becomes available.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The Bonneville and Bingham County GOP honored long-time, former state legislator Dean Mortimer, who served for 14 years in Idaho’s Legislature, at the annual Lincoln Day dinner Saturday.

Mortimer received the “Bonneville County Republican Party Public Service Award.”

Idaho Sen. Dave Lent shared an original poem, “The Measure of a Good Man,” in tribute to Mortimer.

“In quiet ways a life is knownNot by noise and power shown,But steady work from year to year,A faithful voice that others hear.

“He walked the halls where our laws are madeYet never sought the grand parade.With careful thought and patient hand,He served the people of this land.”

(You can see the full poem at the end of this article.)

“I think that ultimately what this event tonight showed is that we have the ability to come together as Republicans under Reagan’s big tent, and that’s what we have emphasized,” said Michael Colson, Chairman of the Bonneville County Republican Central Committee. “That’s what we have promised to the voters that we were going to bring in more Republicans to Bonneville County to support the kind of conservative policies and principles that have made our state and our county great.”

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke delivered the keynote address.

“Why is Idaho the best place to live, work and to raise a family?” he asked. “It’s because we always have paid attention to the fundamentals of government. We’ve always lived within the taxpayers’ means. We’ve always defended the Constitution. We’ve always supported the law enforcement and first responders in our community.”

But Rep. Mike Simpson acknowledged the complexity and discord present in politics as well.

“Yes, there’s arguments. There’s debates and fights – not fistfights – but there’s fights and all that kind of stuff. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said. “I would not want a government that was too easy, because a government that can do things easily – even if it’s something that makes sense – can do bad things easily.”

Overall, the event focused on commemorating America’s 250th anniversary and readying for the future.

The Bonneville County GOP will be holding multiple forums for the public to meet and learn the positions of candidates who are interested in running, Colson said.

Idaho’s primary elections are May 19.

Tribute to Former Idaho State Senator Dean Mortimer

The Measure of a Good Man

In quiet ways a life is knownNot by noise and power shown,But steady work from year to yearA faithful voice that others hear.

He walked the halls where our laws are madeYet never sought the grand parade.With careful thought and patient handHe served the people of this land.

Consistency is his wayThe same in word from day to dayNot swayed by winds that quickly turnBut guided by the truths he has learned.

His faith in God is clean and clear,A compass held both far and near.In moments calm and under strainsIt is the ground on which he remains.

At home, his truest place of pride,Where love and laughter does resideHis heart belongs first and always thereTo the wife with whom eternity he shares.

Through every season – side by side  Her steady love – his truest guide,A partnership built firm and trueIn quiet strength that always grew.

A father’s care, a grandfather’s graceWarm kindness written upon his faceFor family is his greatest workThe place from which no man should shirk.

He measures success not by acclaimNor by a spotlight on his nameBut by the lives he helped to riseNew doors opened to clearer skies.

Dean believes that helping others growIs the richest work a man can know.To lift a friend, encourage a startAnd plant good courage and mend a heart.

A Scout leader who showed the wayThrough campfire light and break of day,Not just in words, but life displayedThe Oath and Law – more than just Scouts he made.

And yes with humor, warm and plain,He loves his cheese without refrainA simple joy, a shared delightAt family tables late at night.

So let the record show it’s trueA life of service carried throughSteady in purpose – strong, yet kind,The measure of a faithful mind.

For some build towers – tall and grandAnd some leave quiet marks upon the land,But those like Dean, who served with heart and care,Leave something more precious, More precious everywhere.  

– Senator Dave Lent  

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – Broadway and film star Cheyenne Jackson recently returned to eastern Idaho, bringing his nationally touring show “Mid-Life Torso Tour” to the Colonial Theatre in Idaho Falls. But long before the bright lights of Broadway and Hollywood, Jackson’s story began in the small towns of northern Idaho.

From growing up in rural communities to appearing in the Oscar-nominated film “United 93”, Jackson’s career has taken him across the country and onto some of the entertainment industry’s biggest stages — all while maintaining a deep connection to the Gem State. Ahead of the 2026 Oscars, Local News 8’s Danielle Mullenix sat down with Jackson to discuss his time on the set of “United 93” and his journey from Idaho to the Academy Awards.

In conversation with actor Cheyenne Jackson at the Local News 8 Newsroom

Small-Town Beginnings in Idaho

Jackson spent much of his childhood in Oldtown, Idaho, growing up in a modest environment that helped shape both his work ethic and his creativity.

“We lived out in the woods. We had no running water and an outhouse,” Jackson recalled. “I grew up singing in the church, and my mom raised my brothers and me to enjoy music.”

He says one pivotal moment came during high school when a teacher introduced him to Broadway.

Jackson’s French teacher organized an exciting school trip by bus to Spokane, where they would witness a touring production of “Les Misérables” at the Spokane Opera House. As he sat next to his classmates in the beautifully ornate theatre, the air filled with anticipation, and Jackson found himself lost in thought, imagining the thrill of a life illuminated by the stage spotlight and the shimmering allure of the big screen.

“I didn’t know what Broadway was,” Jackson said. “That was the first time I realized you could do that for a living.”

Building a Broadway Career

After high school and several side jobs, Jackson moved to Seattle to pursue a career in performing. By the age of twenty-seven, Jackson had built a strong resume of theatre credits in Washington and decided it was time to make a one-way flight to New York City. It wasn’t long before he found success on Broadway.

He went on to appear in several well-known stage productions, including Xanadu, All Shook Up, and Finian’s Rainbow, among many others. Fresh off a run from the Tony-winning production Oh, Mary!, Jackson decided to take his musical talents on the road in his current “Mid-Life Torso Tour”.

XanaduCredit Photo: Peter Lueders/Paul Kolnik Studio

Jackson’s stage presence eventually opened doors in television and film, helping him build a career spanning multiple entertainment genres.

A Breakout Film Role in “United 93”

After achieving success on Broadway, Jackson made his way onto film studio lots, where he began his early film and television career. One of his notable roles was in “United 93,” the critically acclaimed 2006 film that dramatizes the events aboard one of the hijacked planes during the September 11 attacks.

“United 93” film poster, nominated for Best Director and Best Film Editing at the 2007 Academy Awards

Directed by Paul Greengrass, the film was praised for its emotional realism and powerful storytelling. Jackson reflected on the film’s 20th anniversary and how its impact resonated during the shooting process.

“That was my first major movie,” Jackson said. “The takes were about 15 minutes long, and it was incredibly daunting and heartbreaking.”

Rather than impersonating the real passengers, Jackson said the cast approached the film with a sense of responsibility to honor the real people involved.

“It wasn’t about trying to do an impersonation,” he explained. “It was the duty that we all felt because we were playing real people.”

The film ultimately earned an Academy Award nomination for Greengrass’ direction.

Even now, Jackson says he still enjoys watching the Academy Awards — something that reminds him of his childhood in Idaho.

“I love the Oscars,” he said. “It reminds me of being a kid sitting there with my parents watching. It’s one moment where we all kind of come together.”

Advice for Future Academy Award Actors

For aspiring actors and performers growing up in small towns, Jackson says the most important thing is to stay open to opportunity.

“Take every opportunity that comes to you,” he said. “I didn’t go to college, but I learned by doing. Watch every person, stay inspired by their work, and absorb their creativity through osmosis. Be the sponge.”

Jackson’s journey from rural Idaho to Broadway stages and Hollywood screens serves as a reminder that big dreams can grow even in the quietest corners of the Gem State.

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Hadley Bodell

SHELLEY, Idaho (KIFI) – Families across the country deal with their childrens’ health complications every day. However, not all of them are lucky enough to have an entire town of support during their difficult times. Tonight, the community of Shelley rallied around Austin Currall and his family, uniting in love and support for the 4-year-old going through his second round of cancer.

Jenel Andersen is the mastermind behind the community fundraiser. “I just called six or eight of my friends and told them this is what I want to do for this family, will you guys help? And they said yes,” said Andersen. “We had a meeting and made some plans and went with it!”

Tanys Searle was another behind-the-scenes volunteer for tonight’s fundraiser. “We split off into teams and put everyone in charge of something,” said Searle. “So many people donated food and were so generous and we’re so grateful for that.”

The best part is that many people in attendance as well as helping with the event, didn’t even know the Curralls. “I know maybe a quarter of the people here,” said Michael Currall, Austin’s dad. “Everybody’s coming up and introducing themselves like they already know us, which in a way, they kind of do at this point. It’s just super cool, I’ve had a couple of times tonight where I’ve forgetten that we’re all here for Austin.”

The event included ticket and t-shirt sales, dinner and pie, games like a pie walk for the kids as well as a silent auction. Community members and local businesses donated to the silent auction, with all the proceeds going to the Currall family and their medical expenses.

It’s rare that a community unites in support of one cause, but locals tell us this is who Shelley is. “This is Shelley,” said Andersen. “And it’s Firth as well. This is what we do, this is what our community does.”

The Currall family could not be more grateful for the turnout and the positive experience their family had at tonight’s fundraiser.

“We just want to give a giant thank you to everybody, there’s no way we can say it enough at this point,” said Michael.

For more on Austin’s story and where you can donate, visit https://localnews8.com/news/2026/03/13/slices-of-hope-shelley-community-to-rally-for-4-year-old-battling-cancer/

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Hazardous driving conditions and low visibility have forced the closure of Interstate 15 in both directions North of Idaho Falls.

As of 11:48 AM, the Idaho Transportation Department has closed I-15 from exit 119 to mile marker 145 in Roberts due to a large dust storm brought on by the high winds.

For updates, visit Idaho 511 HERE.

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