Month: March 2019

Police arrested a 46-year-old Chubbuck resident on an outstanding felony warrant for 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor (possession of child pornography) Sunday. Pocatello police arrested Donald J. Maberry Sr. after conducting a traffic stop in Pocatello. This case initially came to the attention of the Chubbuck Police Department back in October of

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has announced a 53-year-old Rexburg man was sentenced Monday for insurance fraud. Sidney R. Pierce pleaded guilty in January. Seventh District Court Judge Joel E. Tingey withheld judgment and placed Pierce on probation for two years. The court ordered and then suspended 90 days discretionary jail time. Judge Tingey also ordered

The construction of 96 new apartments to expand The Falls Apartments was announced Tuesday. Kartchner Inc. and Snake River Landing said the success of The Falls Apartments has driven the expansion of the new apartment community which opened in 2016 with 228 units. The Falls Apartments features 1, 2 and 3-bedroom options, including a limited

University of Wyoming President Laurie Nichols says she was surprised that the Board of Trustees had decided not to renew her contract. The Laramie Boomerang reports during an emotional address to Faculty Senate on Monday afternoon, Nichols made it clear she hadn’t planned for her presidency to end this year. But she says it’s the

Nevada agriculture officials say they will lift by the end of the week all quarantines ordered after three horses tested positive for an equine herpes virus. The Nevada Department of Agriculture officials say they lifted the first quarantine at a Clark County facility Monday where a horse was treated after it may have contracted EHV-1

The Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has dropped the state’s Republican lieutenant governor from the list of speakers for a women entrepreneurs conference next month. Chamber CEO Diane Bevan told the Idaho Press Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin is no longer speaking after the chamber board voted to modify the conference agenda. Bevan says the chamber

The city of Franklin will receive assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Franklin was awarded a $900,000 low-interest loan and a $522,000 grant to increase the supply of water available to the Franklin water system. The city’s water storage and spring boxes will be rehabilitated and

A 51-year-old man whose body was found in a park outside Casper likely died of exposure. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the man, whose name has not been released, was found dead in Rotary Park on Saturday morning. Sheriff’s deputies say his vehicle was parked in a lot with a door open, and a brief search

Thanks to a wet February and water supply surplus in Upper Snake River Reservoirs, the Idaho Water Resource Board is now projecting it will surpass its original aquifer recharge goals this year. The Board expects to recharge 290,000 acre-feet of water into the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer this year, up from its original 250,00 acre-foot

Several community leaders from southeastern Idaho met at Chubbuck City Hall Monday to discuss a topic that impacts all of them: child abuse prevention and a new campaign that involves your thumb. “Well, the biggest thing I’m hoping is awareness,” Idaho Children’s Trust Fund’s Brenda Stanley explained. “We are doing what’s called thumbs up for

Idaho State Police is responding to a crash on State Highway 31 at milepost 5, near Swan Valley. The highway is blocked in both directions. Follow Local News 8 and KIDK Eyewitness News 3 as more information becomes available.

Showers move into the Central Mountains today, but don’t make it further east. So we’ll enjoy another nice day in Eastern Idaho, with highs about 5 degrees warmer than yesterday with lots of sunshine. Showers move into the region tomorrow evening and unsettled weather will continue through Friday. Some lightning and thunder is possible in

A Victor woman was killed and three other people injured in a two car crash on State Highway 31 at milepost 5.4 at around 4:45 p.m. Monday. Idaho State Police said 24-year-old Nevada J. Chavez was driving a 1997 Subaru Legacy Wagon and failed to negotiate a curve in the northbound lane. She collided head-on

A new advocacy clinic is opening soon in Idaho Falls. The Advocacy Center is a place that will help those who have experienced traumatic events from a car accident that kills a loved one, to child sexual abuse. “We specialize in what’s called complex trauma,” said Matthew Smith, founder of Operation Shield, which operates the

Soda Springs Police are investigating the robbery of Ireland Bank. The robber entered the bank at 98 West Second Street shortly after noon Monday. He showed no weapons but handed the teller a note demanding money. Upon leaving the bank, he was seen getting into a small, white, two-door car. He was described as being

People wishing not to have a specified gender on their state-issued IDs can now do so in Idaho. Idaho is now among several other states such as Utah, Colorado and California to offer a third option to the male or female designation. Idahoans choosing not to identify as male or female can get an “X”

A federal judge has upheld two of three death penalties for a man convicted in a gruesome child kidnapping and murder case and put a third death sentence on hold for now. Joseph Edward Duncan III was sentenced to death after an incredibly violent crime spree in which he broke into a Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

University of Wyoming President Laurie Nichols will step down and take a faculty job when her contract expires June 30. UW officials announced the change Monday. Nichols says in a press release she is proud of enrollment growth, new degree programs and other accomplishments during her three years at Wyoming’s only four-year, public university. Neither

Legislation that supporters say is critical to preserving a historic water agreement between two sets of water users and is intended to prevent declines in a giant Idaho aquifer relied on by farmers and cities is heading to the governor. The House voted 67-0 on Monday to approve the bill to give the state additional

A deep area of low pressure along the west coast, will begin to work into the region mid-week. We’ll see nice weather for Tuesday, ahead of the storm, which arrives late Wednesday. Tuesday: Mostly sunny with highs into the mid to upper 50’s for the Snake River Plain. Chance of showers for Central Idaho. Wednesday:

The Wyoming Supreme Court has upheld a much harsher prison sentence than prosecutors recommended for a man who pleaded no contest to killing and dismembering two other men. The high court ruled Monday a prosecutor didn’t violate a plea deal with Michael Montano with statements at his sentencing that included calling him a “monster.” Prosecutors

A portion of the Cache Creek Road accessing the Nelson Drive trailhead has been temporarily closed. The Bridger Teton National Forest said the parking area is also closed to allow road crews to install a new culvert. The culvert will alleviate flooding at Cache Creek and help protect the road. Due to warm temperatures, the

People angry about sweeping changes made to a voter-approved law legalizing medical marijuana are calling on the state’s highest court to rein in the legislature’s power to amend measures passed at the ballot box. Steven Maxfield with The People’s Right group said Monday the alterations undid much of what the voters wanted and are part

Legislation to legalize hemp in Idaho is headed to the Senate for potential amendments that Gov. Brad Little says could be enough to get his approval. The Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday voted unanimously to send to the full Senate the bill that has already passed the House. The legislation would legalize the growing

Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed legislation to designate a roadway that crosses southern Idaho as the Idaho Medal of Honor Highway. Little signed the bill earlier this month but held a special ceremony on Monday – National Medal of Honor Day – to mark the event involving U.S. Highway 20. Backers say Idaho’s portion

UPDATE 1:15 p.m. The Bonneville County Prosecuting Office filed charges against 30-year-old Kenneth Ryan Jones for the murder of Idaho Falls resident Stephanie Eldredge . Jones is charged with one count of murder in the second degree. This charge carries a unified 10 years and up to life in prison, up to a $50,000 fine,

The Custer County Sheriff’s Office needs your help locating a missing person. 23-year-old Charles (Charlie) Lawrence McBride was reported missing on Sunday. He was last seen on February 25, 2019. The person he was last seen with has spoken to police. McBride has blond hair and blue eyes and is approximately 6′ tall, weighing 200

The Idaho Transportation Department is hosting open house meetings at each of its regional headquarter buildings Tuesday. The department is seeking public input on its long-range transportation plan. The plan outlines its statewide priorities. Some of the department’s specific goals include reducing highway fatality rates, improving mobility during the winter season, and sustaining 80% of

An Idaho Falls man is in custody following an active situation with Idaho Falls Police and the SWAT team. Police received a call about 5 a.m. in the 1200 block on Bluebird lane. Idaho Falls Public Information Officer, Jessica Clements, tells Local News 8 and KIDK Eyewitness News 3 because of prior knowledge they knew

An Idaho rancher says 29 of his cows died in winter storms in Washington state, but investigators suspect he let them starve. The Tri-City Herald reports 42-year-old James Peter Marek of Slate Creek, Idaho, appeared in Franklin County Superior Court this week after being arrested for investigation of animal cruelty. He filed a claim with

Costs for high school students taking dual credit courses from the College of Eastern Idaho will be going up this year. The college’s board of trustees has voted to increase the cost of adual credit from $65 to $75 starting with the fall semester. According to the college, the action is part of a move

As predicted, Idaho gas prices have risen an average 5.9 cents per gallon over the past week. A GasBuddy survey of 802 stations found prices were 13.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago, but 23.8 cents per gallon lower than the same time a year ago. The range of Idaho prices was wide,

We’ll see calm weather today with average temperatures. However, showers will move in to our west for tomorrow and Wednesday, so the Central Mountains will see rain/snow, and rain for the Magic/Treasure valleys. However, we’ll likely stay dry till Thursday, when a larger batch of moisture spills into the region. Today: Partly sunny with highs

With the second round of the NCAA Tournament wrapping up Sunday, lots of people are talking about the NCAA but not all of the talk is about basketball. While sports lovers have been glued to their TVs watching the round the of thirty-two play out, many have another topic on their minds. In this case,

For most college students, spring break isn’t a time you plan to spend in City Hall, going from meeting to meeting. This Thursday and Friday, that’s exactly what ISU senior Trevyan Marley will be doing. Marley, double majoring in political science and global studies, was looking for internship opportunities when someone at the student involvement

Idaho Falls Police have arrested the man involved in the vandalism at JB’s Soda Barn. 22-year-old Gilberto Ahuatzi was arrested Friday afternoon on charges of Felony Malicious Injury to Property and is in the Bonneville County Jail. He shattered multiple windows at JB’s and caused damage to machinery inside. The owner’s of JB’s Soda Barn

Harper is just like any other 2-year-old. She likes french fries and bugging her siblings. But Harper has one thing that makes her stand out. “I took her to (Primary Children’s Hospital) to kind of just get her checked out, and that’s when we find out the diagnosis, which was cerebral palsy,” said Whitney Hovis,

Last week’s warm weather has many people excited for spring; however, it has forecasters and emergency coordinators concerned over the potential of flooding. The recent storm system moving through the region is giving forecasters an idea of the locations of vulnerable flood zones. Storm systems that bring warmer temperatures and rain melt the snow at

H. S BASEBALL Blackfoot – 10 Madison – 4 SkyView , UT – 3 Highland – 17 Hillcrest – 3, Skyline – 2 F/8 Inn. Idaho Falls – 8Desert Hills – 7 Bonneville – 8, Lehi , UT – 6 South Fremont – 11 Snake River – 0 F/5 Inn. Snake River – 4,Teton –

Two teenage boys in California were arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Arlyne Koehler. People living on Mckinley Avenue in Pocatello, where the murder happened, say they are frightened. One woman living there, came closer to the killers than she realized. ” Why did they pick the front of my

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed a proposal to ban abortions if the only reason is the fetus has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. But the legislation signed Friday will only go into effect if a similar law is upheld in court elsewhere, a provision added to address criticism that it could embroil the state

A couple of low pressure centers are moving through the region this weekend. We’ll see mostly cloudy skies scattered rain and snow showers. A break is expected on Monday with partly cloudy skies, with another round of wet weather expected late Tuesday. Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow. Highs into the

Museum of Idaho is looking for local, original artwork for their expanded regional exhibit, “Way Out West.” “Anyone is eligible. This is a really wonderful opportunity for amateur artists and professional artists,” said Rod Hansen, the director of exhibits. Specifically, the museum is seeking proposals for original art inspired by regional ancient native art, pictographs,

Idaho boasted the fastest job growth rate (.5%) in the nation during February. That represents 3,600 jobs, which was the second largest number of jobs added by any state. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 2.9%. An additional 2,218 people entered the labor force in February. The number of unemployed grew by

Legislation to limit how much the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has to pay ranchers and farmers for damage to crops caused by elk, deer and other big game is headed to Gov. Brad Little. The House on Friday voted 54-12 to approve the bill that would cap the amount paid for any single

Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed into law legislation requiring sexual assault and rape kits to be tested with limited exceptions. Little on Friday at a news conference with Democratic Rep. Melissa Wintrow said the new law will make Idaho residents safer. The law improves systems used by law enforcement, health officials and the Idaho

On a vote of 18-17, the Idaho Senate Friday approved Senate Bill 1159. The measure is intended to make it harder for citizens to get proposed initiatives on a ballot. The measure grew from republican lawmakers who were unhappy that voters approved Proposition Two, the Medicaid Expansion measure. Senator Scott Grow’s bill would require ballot

Wyoming’s governor says he has spoken with governors of neighboring states about the possibility of holding a grizzly summit. The Casper Star-Tribune reported Thursday Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon says he met with the governors of Montana and Idaho to discuss convening a summit to address the growing population of grizzly bears in the northern Rockies.

Crews will not let much spring weather to go by before launching street projects in Blackfoot and Pocatello. In Pocatello, crews will begin replacing a sewer line along West Griffith Road on Monday. The project will extend from McKinley Avenue to Yellowstone Avenue. Work will be underway from 7 a.m. to around 5 p.m. Monday

As Eastern Idaho grows, so do the clubs and organizations around the area. The Bonneville County Fair is replacing the fairgrounds to help meet the needs of the growing population. To help with the construction of buildings, the fair board received a $25,000 donation from Zions Bank on Thursday. “At Zions Bank, we’re committed to

A judge says Idaho prison officials must release several execution-related documents, including some that will reveal where the state obtained the lethal injection drugs used in its last execution. Fourth District Judge Lynn Norton made the ruling Thursday, finding that Idaho Department of Correction officials acted frivolously and withheld the records in bad faith when

Legislation to help pay for Medicaid expansion in Idaho by redirecting money that counties spend to pay medical bills for uninsured residents who seek medical care has been introduced. The House Health and Welfare Committee on Friday voted 10-0 to OK the legislation that Republican Rep. Fred Wood sponsored but said will advance no further

H. S BASEBALL Wood River – 1 Pocatello – 13 Lutheran, CO – 2Idaho Falls – 6 Douglas County, CO – 2Idaho Falls – 4 Snake River – 4 Teton – 3 Malad – 11Marsh Valley – 18 GIRLS H.S. SOFTBALL Malad – 17 Marsh Valley – 0 West Side – 0Firth – 17 Sugar-Salem

The Idaho Chapter in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) sent Carmen Stanger-Barney to east Idaho to raise awareness and promote the two upcoming walks in our area. Stanger-Barney is the public policy chairperson for the AFSP Idaho Chapter. The Snake River Area Walk will take place on September 28 of this year in

UPDATE 3/21/19 12:25 p.m.: Pocatello police received information Wednesday that led them to some possible suspects in connection to the murder of 87-year-old Arlyne Koehler. Police were able to track the suspects to Yuba County California. The Yuba County Sheriff’s Office was able to assist with the arrest, and two warrants were obtained for first-degree

Legislation to determine why so many Idaho women die while pregnant or from childbirth-related complications has been signed into law by Gov. Brad Little. Little earlier this week signed the legislation to create a panel of doctors and medical professionals to study maternal deaths, and then make recommendations about how to reduce such deaths. Idaho’s

Legislation to increase penalties for a person who attacks an Idaho Parks and Recreation employee authorized to enforce state laws is heading to Gov. Brad Little. The House voted 37-28 on Thursday to approve the change to make the punishment for assaulting an Idaho parks compliance enforcement officer the same as assaulting police officers, public

A Terreton dairy is among the Dairy Farmers of America’s (DFA) 2019 Members of Distinction. Richard and Kim Korn manage a herd of 90 Holstein and Brown Swiss cows. The program recognizes dairy farmers who excel in their operations, in their communities, and in the industry. “We’re truly honored and humbled to receive this award,”

A man accused of the shooting death of his mother has been ordered held on a $1 million bond. The Casper Star-Tribune reports 27-year-old Andrew Steplock of Casper faces charges of felony murder, second-degree murder, aggravated burglary and possession of a deadly weapon in connection with the February death of 58-year-old Deborah Steplock. Authorities say

The 29th annual Pocatello Spring Fair kicked off at Holt Arena Thursday afternoon. “Idaho’s premier home and garden show” features more than 200 vendors offering a little bit of everything. From popcorn and cookware to lawnmowers and cars, Bob Bloxham of Raven Productions called it a “one-stop shop.” The event runs from Thursday through Saturday,

An explosion at an oil rig in northeast Wyoming has injured two men. The Gillette News Record reports Campbell County Undersheriff Quentin Reynolds said the explosion happened Wednesday during the loading of a hot oil tanker at a well site. Reynolds says a 24-year-old man suffered burns to his face and hands while a 23-year-old

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch, beginning early Friday morning and lasting through Sunday afternoon. FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON… The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a * Flood Watch for a portion of southeast Idaho, including the following areas, Blackfoot Mountains, Franklin/Eastern Oneida

A deep area of low pressure over Nevada and southern Utah will send showers in our direction for Friday and this weekend. Look for scattered showers and dropping temperatures. A brief break on Monday and Tuesday, before another round of stormy weather sets in for Wednesday. Friday: Showers with highs into the upper 40’s for

An Idaho Senate committee has approved legislation involving Medicaid expansion that includes voluntary work and received significant positive comments from the public. The Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Thursday voted 5-4 to send to the Senate the legislation with a “do pass” recommendation. Republican Sen. Fred Martin put forward the legislation he calls a

Health officials say four children have died from the flu in Utah since October, and with a new strain of the illness, the threat may not subside for weeks. The Salt Lake Tribune reports Trahern W. Jones, a pediatric infectious disease fellow with the University of Utah School of Medicine and Primary Children’s Hospital, said

A judge has blocked oil and gas drilling on almost 500 square miles (1,295 sq. kilometers) in Wyoming and says the government must consider the cumulative climate change impact of leasing public lands across the U.S. for oil and gas exploration. The order marks the latest in a string of rulings over the past decade

UPDATE 12:55 p.m. Idaho State Police investigated a two-vehicle injury crash on US 20 at milepost 279.5 west of Idaho Falls Thursday. ISP reports James McCurry, 44, of Idaho Falls, was traveling westbound on US 20 in a 2000 Ford Ranger, and Kyle Foster, 30, of Mackay, was traveling eastbound on US 20, along with

Officials in a western Idaho town have urged the mayor to resign following his arrest on a domestic battery charge earlier this month. The Idaho Press reports the Middleton City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to adopt a resolution requesting Mayor Darin Taylor to resign. Taylor said at the meeting – his first since the arrest

A bill that would dramatically toughen the requirements to get an initiative or referendum on the Idaho ballot is back on track after being amended in the Senate. The Senate on Thursday approved three technical amendments to the bill from Eagle Republican Sen. C. Scott Grow. The amendments involved clarifying when the 180-day deadline starts

Utah’s state veterinarian is advising horse owners to limit travel for their animals and to take precautions because of multiple cases of an equine virus reported in neighboring Nevada. Dr. Barry Pittman says the cases reported in Nevada involve horses that traveled on rodeo circuits but that all the specifics of possible exposure in Utah

Directors have announced five industry leaders will be inducted into the 47th Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame. The inductees will be honored during a recognition dinner March 22 at the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Event Center in Fort Hall. The five include: Carol Guthrie of Inkom. A member of the Idaho Ag in the Classroom

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) formally announced Thursday that it has met a major milestone for spent fuel storage. The event actually happened on February 21, when workers removed eight spent fuel elements from the cooling canal at INL’s Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), packed them in a cask, and drove the container two miles to

The city of Rexburg is nearing the end of its Vision 2020 master plan. It was a comprehensive plan created in 2008 to prepare for “desirable future physical development for the city.” According to master plan, Rexburg grew 20 percent between 1990 and 2000, or 2 percent each year. Things began to change after Rick’s

The Blackfoot Fire Department is investigating a house fire that happened Wednesday night. The house is located off of Highway 26. Officials say no one was hurt in the fire. No other information has been released.

As spring arrives Wednesday, we close out what’s been a historic winter in parts of southeast Idaho. In Inkom, the Pebble Creek Ski Area had its snowiest winter ever. 339 inches fell on the mountain, despite a slow start to winter due to it being an El Nino year. “Indeed we have had a great

Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant at a residence on the 700 block of Contor in Bonneville County as part of an ongoing investigation by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) Monday around 1 p.m. The SIU team consists of Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho Falls Police Department detectives and were assisted Idaho

Lawmakers in Boise are cracking down even harder on people who ignore school bus stop signs. A bill to raise fines for passing a school bus with its stop-arm extended advanced to the House committee on Monday. It would raise the fine to $200 for a first offense, $400 for the second offense and $600

UPDATE 4:58 p.m. Officials report the Amber Alert has been canceled. Brooke Helmandollar has been located. _____ ORIGINAL: The Nampa Police Department issued an Amber Alert for a missing and possibly endangered child, Alissa Helmandollar, a 10-year-old female Nampa resident. Alissa was last seen at a Nampa hotel with her mother, Brooke A. Helmandollar, 41,

The College of Eastern Idaho has partnered with Safety Fest of the Great Northwest to provide free workplace safety training to employers of eastern Idaho. Safety Fest is held in cities throughout the nation but this is the first annual Idaho Falls Safety Fest. Last year in eastern Idaho, there were several severe workplace accidents

Idaho State Police and Madison County Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigating a potato truck rollover on US 20.The crash occurred in the eastbound lane at approximately milepost 327. Officials say no one was seriously hurt. Traffic is backed up on the northbound lane about 1.5 miles before marker 327. Watch Local News 8 and Channel

The Idaho Falls Police Department is trying to identify and locate the individuals in these photos.Officials believe they may have information about significant theft cases detectives are working on.If you have any information, contact police at (208)529-1200.

Starting teacher pay will increase to $40,000 annually in a move Idaho lawmakers hope will attract and keep more teachers in the state. Gov. Brad Little on Wednesday signed into law the legislation that received overwhelming support in the House and Senate. The new law boosts starting teacher pay to $38,500 next year and to

We’re losing our ridge of high pressure slowly to the east, with stormy weather rolling in from the southwest from the Pacific. We’ll start to see a few isolated showers for Friday, with more scattered activity for this weekend. We’ll drop our daytime highs for this weekend into the upper 40’s to lower 50’s. Thursday:

A 76-year-old Florida man has been injured in a snowmobile accident in southwest Montana. The West Yellowstone Police Department says it received a call about 10 a.m. Wednesday from a group of snowmobilers reporting one member of their group had crashed about 6 miles west of West Yellowstone. It says the injured snowmobiler, whose name

UPDATE 1:20 p.m. Idaho State Police investigated a two-vehicle injury crash eastbound on US 26 at milepost 357 around 9:10 a.m. Wednesday. ISP reports Harry Keyfauver, 89, of Afton, WY was driving westbound on US26 at milepost 357.3 in a Chevrolet Impala, and Jorden Voss, 25, of Rexburg was pulling out of the Clark Hill

A bill that would dramatically toughen the requirements to get an initiative or referendum on the Idaho ballot is headed to the state Senate for possible changes. The Senate State Affairs committee on Tuesday voted to send the bill from Eagle Republican Sen. C. Scott Grow to the full Senate for amendments after Sen. Chuck

An Idaho man is facing four felony charges after investigators say he drove drunk, fell asleep at the wheel and was in a collision that a killed pregnant woman. The Times-News reports 21-year-old Daniel Cruz Ortiz of Wendell is charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter, felony drunken driving and leaving the scene of an

The U.S. Forest Service has rejected the recently completed management plans for three national forests in the Pacific Northwest, restarting the 15-year process to revise the plans. The Lewiston Tribune reported Wednesday the plans for the Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman national forests were issued last summer, promising to support more than 2,800 jobs and provide

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock says he will appoint an advisory council to come up with recommendations on how to manage the state’s grizzly bears. The Democratic governor’s Tuesday announcement comes after a judge recently restored federal protections for grizzlies in and around Yellowstone National Park. Bears from Yellowstone and in northwestern Montana have been spreading

Homeless and broke isn’t the head start most people would want to help them get into college. One New Jersey student overcame those and other challenges to win his choice of where to go to school. As Ali Bauman reports, he’s got 17 acceptance letters to choose from, and that’s just so far. “I have

Legislation involving Medicaid expansion in Idaho will get a public hearing in a Senate committee. The Senate State Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved the hearing for the bill put forward by Republican Sen. Fred Martin. The first section of the bill directs the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to look into the possibility of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says two of its missionaries have returned home to the U.S. after they were detained in Russia for more than two weeks for alleged visa term violations. Church spokesman Eric Hawkins said Wednesday in a statement the men were treated well in detention. The 20-year-old Kole Brodowski

East Idaho Credit Union has announced plans to build a new branch office at 310 N. 2nd East in Rexburg. Construction will begin in April. The office will be located on a 1.2 acre parcel, just north of the current Pizza Pie Cafe. The Credit Union expects the move to allow for expanded membership to

Authorities say a woman sustained potentially life-threatening injuries after she was beaten and stabbed in the Boise foothills late Saturday night. The sheriff’s office says the 20-year-old woman reported she knew her attackers, and the group beat her, stabbed her with a knife and a broken bottle and then left her on the side of

Average national gas prices have surged 35 cents per gallon in the last six weeks. Motorists are now spending $135 million more each day than they did in early January. And, industry watchdog “GasBuddy” said more increases are on the way. Seasonal changes and refinery problems have combined to push prices higher, but the changes

The wife of a Montana Highway Patrol trooper wounded while investigating a fatal shooting says her husband suffered three gunshot wounds and is currently in a medically induced coma at a Utah hospital. In a statement on Monday, Lindsey Palmer says her husband, Trooper Wade Palmer, remains in stable but “extremely critical” condition at University

It’s been four days since the terrorist attack on two mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people. The world is still mourning, including the local Muslim community. A candle light vigil was held at the Pocatello Mosque on Tuesday night to honor those victims. The night started with leaders of the Pocatello Mosque thanking

Portneuf Medical Center surgeons performed four procedures using the hospital’s robotic unit Tuesday. The second procedure, a hysterectomy, was the hospital’s 2,000th case using the system. While the hospital has had the machine since 2011, 1,400 of the now 2,002 procedures have been performed in the past three years. Surgeon Drew McRoberts said there was

For many students, spring break is this week. The Idaho Falls Zoo and Idaho Falls Art Museum have teamed up to educate 40 lucky students for four days. It is the third year the two have paired to educate young students, but this is the first year the zoo is running this program in its