Latest News & Features
Board of Education approves partial wavier of senior project graduation requirement
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - The Idaho State Board of Education voted Wednesday to extend a partial waiver of the Board rule requiring high school seniors complete a senior project in order to graduate during the 2020/21 school year. A partial waiver enables schools that want to maintain the requirement for the current school year if they choose to do so. In March, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Board initially [...]
Community Food Basket seeks to collect 120,000 pounds of food
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - The Community Food Basket has seen a continued rise in the need for emergency food provisions since March. An average month pre-pandemic brought more than 1,000 families through their doors. Since March, the number of families and individuals needing assistance has grown by more than 100%. The month of October will have the Food Basket assisting more than 2,500. Because the pandemic has forced many [...]
EIPH confirms another death due to COVID-19
Coronavirus Coverage SOUTHEAST IDAHO (KIFI/KIDK) - Eastern Idaho Public Health has confirmed another death associated with COVID-19. The individual was a male in his 70s from Teton County. This brings the total to 36 deaths due to COVID-19 in the health district. Out of respect to these individuals’ families, no additional details will be released. Southeastern Idaho Public Health has reported 35 deaths in its health district. As of Wednesday, [...]
987 new Idaho COVID-19 cases, 11 new deaths
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - Idaho officials reported 987 new COVID-19 cases and 11 new deaths on Wednesday. That brings the total confirmed and probable cases reported since March to 55,650. There are a total of 49,228 confirmed cases and 6,422 probable cases in all 44 of the 44 counties in Idaho, according to numbers released from the local health districts and the state. See the chart below. Southeastern Idaho [...]
Idaho governor: collaboration key to solving land issues
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - A collaborative process that gives everyone a say is key to solving many federal public lands issues in the U.S. West, Idaho Gov. Brad Little said Wednesday. "Good resource management in the West requires that people are not disenfranchised because they don't have a voice in how they manage the federal lands," Little said in a keynote speech to the Western Governors' Association's Working Lands Roundtable. The [...]
126 new COVID-19 cases in Southeastern Idaho
SOUTHEAST IDAHO (KIFI/KIDK) - Southeastern Idaho Public Health has 126 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in southeast Idaho. See county case counts below: This brings the total of confirmed and probable cases to 4,670. Out of the 4,670 cases, 3,705 have recovered from COVID-19. For more information, click HERE. SIPH COVID-19 risk level monitor has four categories: minimal, moderate, high and critical. Oneida County is in the minimal [...]
Festival of Trees to move forward in an innovative way
Holidays IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - There will be an Idaho Falls Festival of Trees this year, but it will be an un-usual event. The centerpiece will still include hand-crafted, decorated Christmas trees, with wreaths, displays and mantles all for sale. "We won't be having the kids singing groups and the live performance that people are used to," event President Kathie Hendrix said. "But we'll have more than 30 beautifully decorated trees [...]
Virus spikes have officials looking to shore up hospitals
Coronavirus Coverage BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Hospitals around the United States are starting to buckle from a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, with several states setting records for the number of people hospitalized and leaders scrambling to find extra beds and staff. New highs in cases have been reported in states big and small — from Idaho to Ohio — in recent days. With persistent resistance to statewide mask mandates, some [...]
Idaho launches $1,000,000 raffle
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK)-Tickets went on sale Tuesday for the Idaho Lottery’s annual “Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle.” As it has in the past, the Lottery will only sell 250,000 tickets at $10 each. “Idaho Lottery players enjoy playing Idaho-only games,” said Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. “The Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle has produced an Idaho Lottery millionaire every year. And after fourteen years, it’s still the best chance for players to win a million, [...]
CEI to use grant for new career and technical facility
Local News IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK)-College of Eastern Idaho has been awarded a $1.2 million Economic Development Administration grant to design and build an 80,000 square foot career and technical education facility. The building will house workforce training programs focused on energy, environment, and technology fields. The EDA grant will be matched with $1.2 million in local funds.“EDA is pleased to support the College of Eastern Idaho’s locally driven efforts [...]
I-15 closed due to high winds
Breaking News IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - The Idaho Transportation Department reports Interstate 15 north of Idaho Falls near Osgood is closed due to blowing dust and low visibility. The closure is between milepost 119 to milepost 135. Idaho State Police said a detour is in place. 🚨🚨Road Closure 🚨🚨Interstate 15 north of Idaho Falls near Osgood is closed due to blowing dust and low visibility.Detour is in place.Go to [...]
Power sports among growing industries amid pandemic
News IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - Outdoor recreation continues to increase as the pandemic continues. Some major power sports vendors, like Polaris, have seen a 70 to 100% increase in sales in the last year. Off-roading vehicles of all types have garnered increased interest. Xtreme Powersports in Idaho Falls has kept busy renting ATVs and side-by-sides out to hunters in the past month. Owner Matt Sorg says that rental snowmobiles [...]
3 moose illegally killed in west-central Idaho
CASCADE, Idaho (AP) - Three bull moose were illegally shot and killed in Valley County in west-central Idaho, Idaho officials say, and a fourth bull moose was shot at but apparently not injured. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game this week said a large bull moose was killed west of Smiths Ferry sometime between Oct. 10 and Saturday. Officials are investigating and offering a reward. Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) is [...]
Local company invents new type of light
Local News RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - A small startup company in Rigby has invented a new type of lightbulb. The company Pure Light says this will make other light bulbs obsolete. They say they have also invented a new anti-smog/anti-pollution electric muffler that is expected to reduce vehicle emissions by up to 80%. Those two new inventions are now patent pending. They expect to patent another 10 products within the [...]
Chubbuck Elementary School to host virtual Halloween parade
Holidays POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) — Instead of canceling Chubbuck Elementary School’s annual Halloween parade, Chubbuck’s school staff and administrators decided to find a new way to celebrate the holiday by hosting a virtual parade using Facebook Live. “This year, it has been more important than ever for us to include parents and families in our school community," Principal A.J. Watson said. "With most other activities being canceled and limited opportunities [...]
Wyoming submits vaccination plan
Local News CHEYENNE, Wyo. (KIFI/KIDK)-In the event there is one, Wyoming has submitted its initial plan to the Centers for Disease Control for distributing and administering a COVID-19 vaccine.The plan uses much of the infrastructure already in use by the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH). Governor Mark Gordon said it is expected to change over time and be updated as the state learns more details about the vaccine and the [...]
Health officials offer tips and tricks for Halloween during a pandemic
Coronavirus Coverage POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - Halloween traditions may look different this year to keep everyone safe from COVID-19. However, local health officials say there are still plenty of ways families can have fun while avoiding the scare of being exposed to or spreading the virus. “Any way you look at it, Halloween will feel a little different this year,” Southeastern Idaho Public Health’s Director Maggie Mann said. “From a [...]
Idaho congressman shares his viewpoints at local luncheon
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - Congressman Mike Simpson spoke at a Business Lunch hosted by the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce at the West Bank Convention Center on Wednesday. He addressed many issues facing Idahoans and all Americans. Congressman Simpson spoke about some of the bills he has planned for Idaho. He says one bipartisan bill he worked on for a year, the Wokers Modernization Act, passed in the [...]
Refinancing saves Idaho taxpayers millions
Local News BOISE, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK)-Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth says refinancing efforts by the Idaho Bond Bank Authority (IBBA) will save taxpayers $9.3 million.The IBBA closed a bond issue to refinance outstanding loans that was intended to lower future debt service costs. Ellsworth said, “I am pleased with the overall results of the IBBA work. Interest rates were near historical lows and investor demand was high for such a strong [...]