Category: kifi-local-news

News Team

ARCO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Arco has issued a mandatory boil water order for all residents effective immediately, Thursday, March 12, 2026. The strict boil order follows a computer monitoring malfunction earlier this morning that caused a drop in water pressure throughout the city’s distribution system.

While the computer issue has been resolved, the temporary loss of pressure creates a risk of “back-siphonage,” which can allow contaminants to enter the water supply. City officials are currently conducting testing to ensure the water meets safety standards.

The Arco Public Works anticipates the issue will be resolved within 5 to 7 days. In the meantime, the City has provided the following safety instructions:

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil. Let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the

You may continue to use your water to wash your hands using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alternatively, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care

For more information, visit the City of Arco’s official website HERE.

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Devin Bodkin

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on March 12, 2026

By: Devin Bodkin

BOISE, Idaho — State leaders are nearly two months into the legislative session, and much of the noise still surrounds the state’s budget deficit. Cuts are happening. School leaders and parents are watching. So what’s on the chopping block and what’s not? What factors shape the debate? And what about that big rainy day fund some people keep mentioning?  Here’s a rundown of where things stand — and five takeaways to help clear the smoke.

1. Yes, Idaho faces a deficit

There’s a roughly $40 million gap this fiscal year. 

Projections peg next fiscal year’s imbalance at $555 million. 

So … 

2. Lawmakers are cutting spending

The Legislature last week approved a bill to cut $131 million from the current state budget. 

Most of the cuts came from a 3% reduction Gov. Brad Little ordered last summer. But lawmakers added another $15.3 million in new cuts beyond the governor’s order. 

The cuts affect this fiscal year, which ends June 30.

K-12’s brick-and-mortar schools have been largely spared, and budget-writers have reversed cuts for community colleges and career-technical programs.

Still, Idaho’s four-year colleges and universities are poised to face a disproportionate share of the pain.  

3. Idaho has a big reserve fund

State leaders have built up around $1.3 billion (yes, with a “b”) in savings since the Great Recession. 

That’s about 23% of the state’s general fund spending, and puts the state in a strong position for “rainy day” situations. 

4. So, isn’t it raining? 

Depends on who you ask.

Lawmakers have had three options heading into a tough financial year: 

Cut spending 

Tap rainy-day funds

Increase revenue by raising taxes

Raising taxes is politically unlikely after multiple tax cuts in recent years.

So the debate has swirled around the other options: cutting spending or using reserve funds. 

Some lawmakers say it is raining — and the right time to tap funds. 

Others say the funds should be used only during a major economic downturn. 

For now, lawmakers appear inclined to keep reserve funds intact. But as they finalize next year’s budget, the question lingers: How long can Idaho keep cutting spending while sitting on more than a billion dollars?

5. School leaders are watching closely

K-12 is mostly exempt from the current round of cuts. Funding for these schools remains flat heading into the new year. 

Around 87% of Idaho’s public school funding comes from the state. So flat funding feels more like a cut as costs rise, some local leaders say.  

Public schools will be forced to cut budgets even if state funding remains flat. One of East Idaho’s largest districts is already weighing staff cuts and upping its request for local funds to boost depleted savings and address its budget crunch.

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CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 11 MAR 26 15:38 ET

By Tim Vandenack

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    ROY, Utah (KSL) — A Roy man has been charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of another person while the two were practicing drawing handguns from holsters.

Benjamin Garrett Davis, 24, is charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony; reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor; and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, a class B misdemeanor in the incident last Sunday.

Roy police were called to Davis’ apartment on Sunday after receiving a report a male had been shot in the head. On arriving, they found Davis kneeling over the other person’s body repeatedly saying “the shooting was his fault,” according to charging papers filed Tuesday. Security video footage in Davis’ apartment shows the incident.

“Both individuals are seen drawing handguns from holsters and pointing the firearms toward one another. During one of the drills, Davis draws his handgun, points it toward (the other male), and pulls the trigger. The firearm discharges and (the other male) is immediately struck in the head and collapses to the floor,” charging papers read. Davis later told authorities he and the victim were practicing firearm-draw drills but that he thought his gun was not loaded.

A 2-year-old was in the apartment when the incident occurred and visible in the video authorities retrieved, leading to the charge for committing an offense in the presence of a child. “The child is seen walking within several feet of Davis and (the other person) while the firearms were being drawn and manipulated,” charging papers read.

According to the police booking affidavit in the case, video taken from the apartment shows Davis after the shooting. “Benjamin is seen with a panicked expression, and he drops the gun,” the affidavit reads.

The apartment complex where the incident occurred is at 4608 S. 1900 West. Davis is being held without bail in the Weber County Jail.

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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Par Kermani

Roberts, Idaho (KIFI) — In a bedroom filled with sketches of apex predators and prehistoric giants, 12-year-old Caellum Hebdon is reclaiming a voice that cancer nearly took away.

For Hebdon, a middle-schooler from Idaho Falls, the last year has been defined by a battle more formidable than the dinosaurs he draws. After being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2025, his journey has been marked by emergency life-flights, life-saving surgeries, and a grueling recovery process that forced him to relearn the most basic human functions.

“They were able to tell us that he had a tumor that was bleeding,” said Jayc Hebdon, Caellum’s father. “They life-flighted him down to Primary Children’s Hospital. They performed the first surgery, which saved his life.”

The medical crisis was compounded by a stroke that occurred during his treatment, resulting in a loss of mobility on his right side and the loss of his ability to speak. What followed was three weeks of hospitalization and seven weeks of combined radiation and chemotherapy.

Through months of intensive speech and physical therapy, Hebdon began the slow process of recovery. He has since regained his ability to speak and, perhaps most importantly to him, his ability to draw.

“I drew that Spinosaurus drawing after my surgery,” Caellum Hebdon said. “It’s scary, but it’s also pretty… I’d say that he’s probably the strongest predator.”

While he often sketches to pass the time at home, his artwork is now vying for a national title. Hebdon is currently a finalist in the “America’s Most Artistic Kid” competition. For the Hebdon family, the contest represents more than just a trophy; the prize money would provide a significant dent in the mounting medical expenses accumulated over a year of emergency care and rehabilitation.

Despite the weight of the past year, those around him say he has maintained a positive outlook.

“I try to keep as happy as I can be,” Hebdon said when asked about hearing his parents discuss the hardships of his diagnosis.

The family reached a significant milestone in October 2025 when Hebdon was finally able to return home. Now, in March 2026, the focus has shifted from daily treatment to a pivotal moment of hope. This Friday, the family is scheduled to receive the results of a follow-up MRI. It is the first scan since the post-treatment inflammation has subsided, and it will determine if Hebdon is officially cancer-free.

“The weight is all the time,” said Kaylene Hebdon, Caellum’s mother. “Friday he has his first MRI since all the inflammation should be gone… we should get a clearer reading in a couple days. It’s highly stressful.”

As the community waits for the medical update, they can support Hebdon by voting for his prehistoric artwork in the national competition.

Details on how to vote for Hebdon and support the family’s medical fund

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

There is also an option to make a donation to “Blood Cancer United” through his profile page—those donations not only support cancer research, but they also act as “double votes” for Caellum. Every bit helps as he tries to maintain his spot at the top of the leaderboard.

https://www.crowdfunder.com/p/caellums-medical-fund

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho law enforcement associations continue to oppose an immigration enforcement bill that passed the Idaho House of Representatives on Friday.

The Idaho Chiefs of Police Association and Idaho Sheriffs’ Association testified against the measure during committee.

House Bill 659 would require “each law enforcement agency in this state to make an application for a section 287(g) program for which the local or county law enforcement agency is eligible.”

“You have the state government telling the local government to do the job of the federal government,” said Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse, immediate past president of the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association. “It’s just the wrong pathway. Now, we should certainly support the law. We should work with the federal partners to make sure that we help them in their efforts, but make no mistake, these are federal efforts.

“That’s where this is going to be resolved. It should be resolved by federal resource in cooperation with local resource,” he said. “Having the state government tell the local government that you’re going to enforce federal law, I think is setting a precedence that we do not want to be on as the state of Idaho.”

You can watch our full 32-minute interview with Sheriff Hulse below for more information on immigration and law enforcement.

Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act “enables specially trained local peace officers to perform specific functions relating to the investigation, apprehension or detention of noncitizens during a predetermined time frame and under federal oversight by immigration and customs enforcement,” the bill states.

The three distinct programs Section 287(g) includes are:

Warrant Service Model

This allows Sheriff’s deputies to “serve administrative warrants inside the jail facility,” on illegal immigrants, Hulse explained.

Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is already cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on this program.

Jail Enforcement Model

This provides additional training for jail personnel, providing further access to immigration systems so personnel can “research and place warrants themselves, without as much federal involvement,” according to Hulse.

His office is also participating in this program.

Task Force Model

This involves sending officers or deputies out in the community to find individuals who are not in the United States lawfully and taking action against them.

Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is not currently involved in this program.

Hulse said this third program is more controversial than the other two.

“(Illegal immigrants) are not here lawfully, but they may not be committing any other crimes,” Hulse said. “So for a lot of communities, they see that as problematic. They feel like that is causing their local law enforcement to do things that are not really the focus of local law enforcement. We recognize that it’s certainly the focus of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and/or border protection, but it’s not really the job of local law enforcement to be on the front lines of that.”

While the Bonneville County Sheriff’s office currently participates in two 287(g) programs, the office will implement the law if the current bill passes.

H.B. 659 also obligates local law enforcement agencies to “participate in any future program or successor to an existing program,” without specifying what those programs are or what the requirements would be.

“Now we’re seeing a situation where the state government feels like the proper thing is to force local enforcement entities to just do this in a blanket approach. I think that’s a mistake, and I don’t think we need that law,” Hulse said. “I think the majority of sheriffs are doing what they can within their resources to cooperate and enforce the law.”

If this bill does become law, agencies that could not fully participate will be required to publish a statement declaring why.

Despite law enforcement’s opposition, the measure sailed through the House on a 41-27 vote.

Local News 8 reached out to the bill’s sponsor Rep. Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood in north Idaho, for comment, but did not receive a response in time for this report.

Local legislators Reps. David Cannon, Barbara Ehardt, Marco Erickson and Rod Furniss voted for the bill.

Reps. Erin Bingham, Rick Cheatum, Ben Fuhriman, Dustin Manwaring, Stephanie Mickelsen (via William Athay), Britt Raybould, Jerald Raymond, Michael Veile, Jon Weber, and Josh Wheeler voted against it.

The bill now advances to the State Affairs Committee in the Idaho Senate.

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Seth Ratliff

LEMHI COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office has officially closed a nearly seven-year-old missing persons investigation after investigators positively identified human remains discovered late last year using DNA evidence.

The case began on November 8, 2019, when the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office received a report from the Springdale (Arkansas) Police Department regarding Bobby Lee Rodriguez. Rodriguez had last been seen on September 30, 2019, near Wagonhammer Spring south of North Fork, Idaho.

According to investigators, a taxi driver dropped Rodriguez off at the location, with Rodriguez telling the driver he was meeting a relative who was camping nearby. Rodriguez was carrying a boxed firearm, which he claimed was intended as a gift for that relative.

A Lemhi County Sheriff’s Deputy immediately canvassed the area surrounding Wagonhammer, speaking with residents and local businesses to gather possible information about Rodriguez. However, no one in the area had seen Rodriguez or anyone matching his description.

While the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office maintained contact with the Springdale Police Department and periodically checked to see if any new information had developed, the case eventually ran cold.

The breakthrough came six years later, when a fisherman on the Salmon River, west of North Fork, Idaho, discovered human remains while climbing a hillside to get warm.

The man led law enforcement to the remains, where investigators uncovered a rusted shotgun with a spent hull in the chamber and a note that suggested that suicide may have been a factor.

The Lemhi County Coroner’s Office took custody of the remains, which were recently confirmed to be those of Bobby Lee Rodriguez through a DNA match with a relative. LCSO states that no evidence of foul play was uncovered during the multi-jurisdictional investigation.

“The Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its deepest condolences to the family of Bobby Lee Rodriguez,” the office said in a news release.

The Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office expressed its gratitude to all of its state, regional, and Federal partners who had a hand in bringing this case to a close.

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – The Idaho Falls Arts Council proudly presents an unforgettable evening with Cheyenne Jackson—celebrated Broadway star, acclaimed film and television actor, and renowned recording artist—live on stage in Idaho Falls. Experience the excitement of the “Mid Life Torso Tour” as it arrives at the Colonial Theatre on Thursday, March 12th, offering local audiences a rare opportunity to see Jackson’s exceptional talent live on stage.

Famed for his powerhouse vocals and charismatic stage presence, Jackson has enthralled audiences worldwide. His impressive Broadway résumé features starring roles in hits such as “Xanadu,” “Finian’s Rainbow,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Into the Woods,” and “Aida.” On television, he’s a familiar face from acclaimed series like “30 Rock,” “American Horror Story,” “Glee,” “Call Me Kat,” and “Julie and the Phantoms.” He has also appeared in major films, including the Oscar-nominated film “United 93” and “The Green”, and the beloved “Descendants” series on Disney.

Cheyenne Jackson’s concerts are a dazzling blend of Broadway classics, pop favorites, and heartfelt personal storytelling, creating an evening that is both intimate and electrifying. Audiences can expect emotional depth, quick wit, and vocal brilliance—an extraordinary chance to experience the magic of a Broadway-caliber artist up close.

Don’t miss this exclusive Idaho Falls performance! Tickets are available now at idahofallsarts.org or in person at our ticket office: 498 A Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83402. Click here for a direct link to tickets.

For an exclusive, behind-the-scenes treat, don’t miss Cheyenne Jackson live on the Local News 8 Noon show the day of the concert! Get a front-row seat to an exciting sneak peek as he shares stories, surprises, and a taste of the spectacular performance awaiting Idaho Falls that night.

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho lawmakers are considering legislation to make Kratom illegal—a major development for advocates pushing for stricter regulation of the substance and its use.

House Bill 864 could classify Kratom as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance, Idaho’s most restrictive drug category. If enacted, all forms of Kratom would be added to the Schedule 1 list, effectively prohibiting and criminalizing its sale and use.

The bill also equips the Idaho State Police to test for Kratom’s chemicals, whether natural or synthetic, should they become illegal. Under these provisions, Kratom’s entry into the supplemental market in Idaho would not just face barriers—it would be fully prohibited.

If the bill passes, even simple possession would become a criminal offense. Anyone found with Kratom—including products purchased legally before the law’s enactment—would be guilty of a misdemeanor, facing up to one year in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Kratom is a plant-based substance indigenous to Southeast Asia, primarily used to relieve muscle pain, boost alertness and energy, and reduce stress. Currently, it is sold without specific regulation in Idaho and many other states.

Although Kratom is widely available and sold as an herbal supplement in smoke shops and convenience stores across Idaho, many doctors warn that it can carry health risks.

Bonneville County Coroner Shante Sanchez has reported six Kratom-related deaths in the past year alone and believes restrictions are necessary.

“I strongly believe Kratom should have more warning labels and restrictions, and not be so readily available,” Sanchez said. “You can’t drive down the street without seeing advertisements everywhere. People don’t truly know what Kratom is or what it does—the benefits and the dangers—so it shouldn’t be advertised as openly as it is.”

The Idaho State Affairs Committee voted on March 10th to advance the proposal, but for now, Kratom remains legal.

If lawmakers approve House Bill 864 and it is signed by Governor Little, the distribution of Kratom in Idaho could change dramatically.

Local News 8 will continue to monitor this bill’s activity.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho National Laboratory:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho Operations Office has approved a key safety document for the MARVEL microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory. The approved document, called a Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis (PDSA), marks a major milestone toward building and operating the microreactor for research, development and end-user demonstrations.

MARVEL, the Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation project, is a sodium-potassium-cooled microreactor developed at INL to produce 85-100 kilowatts of thermal energy and approximately 20 kW of electricity.

The PDSA outlines a dry initial criticality configuration, a near zero-power experiment that will generate essential data on reactor physics behavior. This configuration is a foundational step on the pathway to full power operation.

The approval reflects the culmination of extensive safety calculations and engineering analyses that define the safety basis for MARVEL’s initial criticality. The PDSA affirms that the reactor can operate safely under this configuration and paves the way for final safety documentation and full assembly of the reactor.

“This is more than just a regulatory requirement — it’s a blueprint for the future of advanced nuclear,” said INL’s Abdalla Abou-Jaoude, MARVEL microreactor lead. “By receiving approval for our safety documentation, we are now able to share this template with developers to learn from our process and streamline their own timelines.”

“This is a pivotal moment,” added John Jackson, national technical director for the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s Microreactor Program. “We’re proud to play a leading role in helping to make microreactors commercially available.”

The approved PDSA builds on a 2024 version and incorporates updated modeling, lessons learned and a risk-informed methodology — an approach that uses risk analysis to guide design decisions and enhance safety. MARVEL’s approach has already influenced other DOE-authorized reactor projects such as Pele, the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment and the Versatile Autonomous Lightweight Kilowatt-class Reactor Experiment, commonly known as VALKRE. 

Researchers will conduct the dry criticality experiment at INL’s Transient Reactor Test Facility, a DOE-authorized research facility that supports a variety of reactor experiments. The next phase includes engagement with DOE-Idaho and project stakeholders to finalize the safety basis for full reactor assembly and fuel loading. This phased approach is designed to identify and address potential issues earlier in development.

The MARVEL team encourages the public and stakeholders to follow progress via INL’s social media channels and the MARVEL project webpage.

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