Latest News & Features
Bannock County burn ban extended through Oct. 15
BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho (KFII) - The Bannock County Commissioners voted Friday to extend the county-wide burn ban through Oct. 15, 2022. The ban, which began on July 1, extends to certain types of fires for most parts of Bannock County: Inkom Downey, Arimo, McCammon, Lava, Pocatello Valley, Chubbuck, Pocatello and North Bannock Fire District. Many of the fire officials from the municipalities and fire districts throughout Bannock County worked together [...]
Boundary Creek Road Bridge construction and closure schedule update
SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) — The Salmon-Challis National Forest has implemented an emergency road closure (#04-13-22-511) to protect public health and safety during removal of the existing culvert and installation of an aquatic organism passage bridge on the Boundary Dagger Road #568 at the Dagger Creek crossing. Boundary Boat Ramp, Dagger Falls Campground and associated trails will be inaccessible during that time. Reservation holders with launches on those dates should plan on [...]
Save time and money renewing your vehicle registration online
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Beginning Oct. 1, 2022, Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customers will save money by renewing vehicle registrations at dmv.idaho.gov. Through innovation, the DMV has reduced administration and convenience fees for online vehicle registration transactions, passing savings on to customers. Like appointments and online options, this cost-saving effort is part of a larger initiative to improve customers’ DMV experience. Join the 1.2 million Idahoans who have [...]
Gov. Gordon appoints Secretary of State
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (KIFI) – Governor Mark Gordon has appointed Karl Allred as Secretary of State. Allred replaces Ed Buchanan, who resigned September 15 after being appointed a District Court Judge for the Eighth Judicial District. State law obliges the Governor to choose within five days from three names submitted to him by the Republican Central Committee. The other two candidates were Marti Halverson and Bryan Miller. “I have selected Mr. Allred [...]
Moose Fire reached 75% containment
SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) - The human caused Moose Fire burning west and south of North Fork has burned 130,112 acres and is 75% contained. On Thursday, crews inspected the lines in the Stormy Creek Road area and determined that they were secure, resulting in an increase in the percentage of containment. Shifting and gusty winds from the incoming weather system caused little to no change in fire behavior. At the [...]
Moose Fire reaches 75% containment
SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) - The human caused Moose Fire burning west and south of North Fork has burned 130,112 acres and is 75% contained. On Thursday, crews inspected the lines in the Stormy Creek Road area and determined that they were secure, resulting in an increase in the percentage of containment. Shifting and gusty winds from the incoming weather system caused little to no change in fire behavior. At the [...]
Pocatello Creek waterline installation continues through November
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - Beginning Friday, contracted work crews will be installing a new city waterline on Pocatello Creek Road. Work will continue on Pocatello Creek Rd. and extends from Jefferson Ave. to Call Creek Dr. The right-hand eastbound lane of Pocatello Creek Rd. beginning at Jefferson Ave. will be closed from Sept. 30 for approximately six weeks. Both directions of travel in the work area will be temporarily restricted [...]
IDOC launches trauma-intervention program for correctional staff and residents
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) - The Idaho Department of Correction has launched a pilot program aimed at helping the department’s staff and residents address the impact of trauma on their mental and physical health. The first phase of IDOC’s trauma intervention program will focus on correctional staff. The department is inviting mental health professionals to submit proposals describing how they would help staff address trauma-related problems like stress and burnout. “We count [...]
Chill down is here with slight shower chances 60’s
https://youtube.com/watch?v=cP7s_aIglLM&feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&embed_config=%7B%22disableRelatedVideos%22%3Atrue%2C%22adsConfig%22%3A%7B%22adTagParameters%22%3A%7B%22iu%22%3A%22%2F6123%2Fkifi%22%2C%22cust_params%22%3A%22category%3Dlocal-forecast%22%7D%2C%22nonPersonalizedAd%22%3Afalse%7D%7D An upper low will pull in some shower chances for later afternoon/evening 30%, and better for Wyoming state line counties. Highs in the 50's for mountains and low 60's for valley: 63-Pocatello SW winds 5-15 20G with clouds in here for the afternoon. It will feel like fall and be chilly in the mornings - around 40 for Idaho Falls, freezing in Jackson. Isolated storm chances are good [...]
Jessie Leigh back in court
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - A Chubbuck man accused of shooting his estranged wife and her boyfriend was back in court Thursday. Jesse Patrick Leigh is charged with two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of 41-year-old Jennifer Leigh and 21-year-old Timothy Hunt in front of their 7-year-old son. This case is really unique because there is an actual audio recording of events that happened that night. On that tape [...]
Section of Beartooth Highway to close temporarily Friday due to anticipated winter weather
RED LODGE, Mont. (KIFI) - On Friday, Sept. 30 at 8 a.m., the Beartooth Highway (US-212) located east of the park’s Northeast Entrance between Red Lodge, Montana, and Cooke City, Montana, will close temporarily in anticipation of forecasted winter weather conditions. This is a temporary closure due to expected winter weather, heavy snow and hazardous driving conditions through the weekend. The highway will reopen as conditions allow. Check the Montana and Wyoming departments of [...]
Idaho Fish and Game cautions hunters against Avian flu
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Avian influenza could impact Idaho waterfowl hunters yet again this fall, with the virus now discovered across much of the state. Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologists are already seeing an increase in reports of avian mortality, which they believe to be the result of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). “We are uncertain of the HPAI strain type and virulence that may impact our [...]
US proposal would permit eagle deaths as renewables expand
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday proposed a new permitting program for wind energy turbines, power lines and other projects that kill eagles, amid growing concern among scientists that the rapid expansion of renewable energy in the U.S. West could harm golden eagle populations now teetering on decline. The Fish and Wildlife Service program announced Thursday is meant to encourage companies to work with officials to minimize harm to [...]
Suction-dredge gold miner working Idaho river fined $150K
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A suction-dredge gold miner from California who operated in an Idaho river containing federally protected salmon and steelhead without permits required by the Clean Water Act must pay $150,000, a federal judge has ruled. Shannon Poe received the fine Wednesday in an order by Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond E. Patricco in U.S. District Court in Idaho. Patricco ordered Poe to pay the $150,000 to the [...]
DEQ extends comment period on draft IPDES permit for the city of Rexburg
REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has extended the public comment period for the proposed city of Rexburg Idaho Pollution Discharge Elimination System (IPDES) Permit (ID0023817). Interested parties now have until Oct. 10, 2022, at 5 p.m. to submit written comments. The permit authorizes the discharge of treated municipal wastewater to the South Fork Teton River for five years. The permit identifies the pollutants of [...]
14-year-old’s wish to snorkel with sharks granted
Make a Wish Make a Wish BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) - On Sept.15, Make-A-Wish Idaho sent 14-year-old Ryker of Blackfoot to Hawaii to grant his wish to go snorkeling with sharks. Ryker, who has cystic fibrosis, has been described by his mother, Kim, as a ‘bit of an adrenaline junky.’ When researching wish options, Ryker saw photos online of a wish kid swimming in a cage surrounded by sharks, and he knew [...]
Moose Fire 53% contained
SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) - The human caused Moose Fire burning west and south of North Fork has burned 130,112 acres and is 53% contained. At 6:00 p.m. Thursday evening, officials will host a community meeting at the Idaho Fish & Game Office located at 99 US Highway 93, Salmon, ID 83467. The meeting will be filmed and posted to the Salmon-Challis National Forest Facebook page for those who prefer to [...]
Post Falls educator honored as 2023 Teacher of the Year
POST FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra visited Treaty Rock Elementary Thursday morning to surprise third-grade teacher Karen Lauritzen with a $1,000 check, balloons and the prestigious title of Idaho’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Selected by a blue ribbon panel from among 13 finalists, Lauritzen will serve as a spokesperson and representative for Idaho educators. She also will be the state’s nominee for National Teacher [...]
Carey named ‘Capital for a Day’
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Governor Brad Little’s first “Capital for a Day” event in more than a year will be held in Carey on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Blaine County Fairgrounds. Officials joining Governor Little include: Idaho State Controller Brandon WoolfIdaho Division of Financial Management Administrator Alex AdamsIdaho Department of Commerce Director Tom KealeyIdaho Department of Environmental Quality Director Jess ByrneIdaho Department of Fish and Game Director Ed SchrieverIdaho Department of Health [...]