Latest News & Features

By Jason Hoffman and Priscilla Alvarez, CNN The United States is extending nonessential travel restrictions at land crossings with Canada and Mexico through October 21, even as it makes plans to allow fully vaccinated foreign visitors to come to the US later this year. “We do not have any updates to the land border policies at this point. Title 19 is being extend for another month, as it is done [...]

KIFISlash Piles ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) - You may have seen piles like this while you have been out camping in the forest. They’re called slash piles.  They’re a type of fire mitigation that is designed to keep the forest healthy and prevent dangerous wildfires.  Forest rangers and fire officials reduce the fuel in an area by safely burning highly flammable fuels like dead trees and pine needles. “They basically [...]

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) - Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by one-tenth of a percent from July to 2.9%. August was the first time Idaho's unemployment rate dropped below 3% since March of 2020. The state's previous streak of unemployment rates under 3% lasted for 26 months – from February 2018 to March 2020. Idaho’s labor force participation rate held steady at 62.5% for August, as the number of people [...]

SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) - The lightning caused Boundary Fire that started on August 10 has burned 73,620 acres and is 48% contained. The Boundary Fire is burning in steep and inaccessible terrain in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness(FCRONRW), on the Middle Fork Ranger District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Lowman Ranger District of the Boise National Forest. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one [...]

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — The Jackson and Blackrock Ranger districts of the Bridger-Teton National Forest have planned roadside clearing of vegetation in four areas. Beginning on Monday, Four Mile Road (FS 30050) on the Blackrock District followed by the Shadow Mountain Loop (FS 30340) and Mosquito Creek (FS 30980) on the Jackson District. Each location is planned to be completed in four to six days. Officials say this maintenance will improve the [...]

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN The case of missing Gabby Petito took a tragic turn Sunday when police found human remains during their search for her — and officials are working to determine whether the discovery could answer questions regarding what happened to the 22-year-old. Teton County, Wyoming, Coroner Dr. Brent Blue told CNN an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, saying officials would confirm the identity of the remains through photographs, [...]

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's top prison official says a boost in pay and bonuses for prison workers has caused a spike in applications and increased retention of those already employed. Idaho Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt told the Legislature's Criminal Justice Reinvestment Oversight Committee on Friday the agency has received more than 130 applications and that some officers who planned to leave are staying. Corrections facilities have been [...]

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — A United Airlines plane tipped backward while being unloaded in Idaho, with passengers including part of the University of Southern California football team still on board. United representatives said in a statement that the plane tipped — so that its nose was pointing in the air — due to a weight shift during unloading in Lewiston on Friday. No injuries were reported. The plane was leveled [...]

CALDWELL, Idaho (AP) — Officials at a southwestern Idaho public charter school say the school's principal has died due to COVID-19. The school board at Heritage Community Charter School in Caldwell announced the death of Javier Castaneda in a letter to parents. The school's website links to a GoFundMe page that says Castaneda died unexpectedly Wednesday as a result of becoming ill with COVID-19. He is survived by his wife [...]

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - The oldest rock climbing competition in the United States returned to the Gate City. Idaho State University’s Outdoor Adventure Center hosted this year's Pocatello Pump. The event was held on the basalt crags of Ross Park’s sunny side and shady side, where participants of all ages climbed rocks with varying stages of difficulty. "People have been supporting the Pocatello Pump for 41 years and we see [...]

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) - A woman died Friday night, after a UTV accident. A Fremont County Sheriff's deputy and Island Park EMS responded to the call just before 11 P.M. near Big Springs. The reporting party, Scott Taylor, told dispatch that he and his wife, Tonya Taylor, had been in a single-vehicle accident and that Tonya was trapped under the UTV and submerged in water. Officials say Taylor initially [...]