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Livestock

Anthrax cases in Idaho livestock raises concerns, risk to public remains low

A recent anthrax outbreak in southern Idaho livestock has triggered concern among residents, but a local veterinarian says the risk to the general public is low if handled correctly by responsible owners.

The recent cases involve livestock in the Cassia County area near Burley. Dr. Tony Parsons, a veterinarian at Blackfoot Animal Clinic who has worked with cattle and small animals in eastern Idaho for nearly two decades, said anthrax has long existed in Idaho, particularly in soil and dust.

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Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID

‘A difficult moment’: ISU announces sweeping changes amid budget constraints 

Idaho State University is reshaping itself with sweeping changes in the face of current and looming state budget cuts.

That includes merging colleges, restructuring programs, “modest” student fee hikes and a range of other changes starting July 1 to try and save and generate millions by year’s end. The university released a complete budget restructuring plan Wednesday. ISU President Robert Wagner overviewed the changes in an accompanying video.

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Anthrax confirmed in Cassia County beef herd

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) confirmed Thursday afternoon that a beef herd in Cassia County has tested positive for anthrax. State officials are currently working alongside local producers and veterinarians to contain the spread and minimize human exposure.

“The risk to the general public from this event is very low,” said Dr. Christine Hahn, medical director in the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Public Health. “We are working with the local health department to notify anyone who had direct contact with the infected cattle and offer antibiotics for their protection.”

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Wild Mule Deer removal turns into major donation for local food banks

Local food banks are receiving a significant protein boost thanks to a joint effort between Idaho Fish and Game and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture to protect Idaho’s elk population.

The donation is the result of a proactive wildlife management operation in Game Management Unit 60A, where officials recently removed 82 wild mule deer from a high-fenced captive elk facility to mitigate the risk of Chronic Wasting Disease.

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Idaho Olympian Breezy Johnson Caps Gold Medal Run with an Engagement

Victor, Idaho’s golden girl, is returning home from the Olympics with more than just a gold medal!

Just days after clinching a gold medal in the women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Breezy Johnson capped off her historic run with a life-changing milestone: an engagement. Following her final race on Thursday, Johnson’s longtime boyfriend, Connor Watkins, met her at the base of the super-G run to pop the question.

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Little Reinstates Idaho Governor’s Trophy: Boise State and U of I to Revive Rivalry in 2031

One of the most storied rivalries in Idaho college football is officially back on. On Thursday morning, Governor Brad Little signed Executive Order 2006-02, officially reinstating the Idaho Governor’s Trophy after a two-decade hiatus.

While the pen hit the paper today, fans will need to pack their patience: the Idaho Vandals and Boise State Broncos aren’t scheduled to meet on the gridiron until Sept. 6, 2031, at Boise’s Albertsons Stadium.

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Idaho Falls leans into roundabouts for future growth

The city of Idaho Falls says it is making plans for safer and more efficient traffic flow. One of those plans includes the construction of a roundabout at the Birch Street and South Boulevard intersection.

“So, roundabouts are an intersection improvement to try to help mitigate basically safety at intersections,” said Chris Canfield, Assistant Public Works Director for the city of Idaho Falls. “So they’re a good solution for kind of off-aligned intersections where we have a significant skew on one approach.”

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House Committee Advances Bill to Track Student Immigration Status

The House Education Committee Wednesday introduced a bill that would direct the state to publicize data on the immigration status of students attending K-12 public schools and public colleges and universities. 

Rep. Steve Tanner said his bill would allow the Legislature to estimate the costs to educate undocumented immigrants. “It does not seek, nor does it ask for, personal identifying information of any students,” said Tanner, R-Nampa. “(It’s) aggregate data only.”

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ACLU files class action lawsuit, alleging civil rights abuses and agressive force in Wilder immigration Raid

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a class action lawsuit following the controversial immigration raid in Wilder, Idaho, last year. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of three Latino families who are U.S. citizens or lawful residents, alleges that authorities used excessive force and violated the constitutional rights of hundreds of spectators.

“Our plaintiffs were treated as less than human because ICE and their willing partners think they can disregard fundamental rights if it gets them immigration arrests,” said Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, an attorney involved in the case.

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AG Labrador announces new settlements in generic drug price-fixing case

“These drug companies conspired to rig prices and eliminate competition, forcing Idaho families to pay artificially inflated costs for necessary medications,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Through settlements so far, we’ve secured significant money for consumers, and we continue to pursue many more corporate defendants who participated in this scheme. Any Idahoan who paid for these generic drugs deserves to file a claim and get some money back.”

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Idaho death row inmate Erick Hall dies of natural causes

Erick Hall, the convicted murderer behind two of Idaho’s most notorious cold cases, will not face the state’s execution chamber. The Idaho Department of Correction announced Tuesday that Hall passed away from natural causes at a local hospital on Feb. 9, 2026, at 9:58 p.m.

At the time of his death, Hall was serving two death sentences for the first-degree murders of Lynn Henneman and Cheryl Ann Hanlon in Ada County.

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Bannock County announces property tax relief Open Houses for eligible residents

The Property Tax Reduction (PTR) program, formerly known as the “circuit breaker,” helps lower property taxes for qualifying Idahoans, including seniors, widows and widowers, recognized disabled individuals, disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, and those who are vision impaired. To qualify, applicants must have an annual income of $39,130 or less.

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Idaho Capitol

Idaho lawmakers move to curb local control over short-term rentals

Idaho legislators introduced two pivotal bills last week aimed at stripping local governments of their power to regulate short-term rentals (STRs). The legislative push follows a wave of local crackdowns, new taxes, and zoning restrictions in Idaho’s most popular resort towns and vacation destinations, where the explosion of platforms like Airbnb and VRBO has sparked fierce community debate.

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Custer County man arrested for grand theft

A man in Custer County was arrested early this morning on charges of grand theft, trespassing, and possession of a controlled substance.

According to court documents, Jeremy Ward of Challis was caught on business cameras on three separate occasions over February 1st-6th. Ward was seen taking wiring, a radiator, and other valuable scrap metals from Blue Mountain Refuse in Challis. These thefts, caught on camera, were all in the early hours of the morning.

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JFAC approves spending cuts, placing higher ed on the chopping block

The Legislature’s budget committee Friday endorsed $46.3 million of additional spending cuts for the next two years, which could come largely from higher education budgets.

Several big budgets are exempt from the sweeping proposals — including K-12, which accounts for nearly half of all state spending. But with K-12, Medicaid, prisons and Idaho State Police off the table, a disproportionate share of the cuts could fall to the public colleges and universities.

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Idaho AG issues urgent warning over new jail bond scam

The Idaho attorney general’s office is warning families about a new scam targeting people with loved ones in jail.

“These scammers target families at their most vulnerable moments,” said Attorney General Labrador. “They exploit a parent’s or grandparent’s instinct to help by manufacturing fear, creating false urgency, and demanding immediate payment. It’s cruel, deliberate, and wrong. Idaho families deserve to be protected from those who would steal hard-earned money through lies and intimidation.”

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Idaho House passes bill to nullify local LGBTQ+ protections

The Idaho House of Representatives approved legislation Thursday that would strip 13 cities of their ability to enforce local anti-discrimination ordinances protecting LGBTQ+ residents. House Bill 557, titled the “Uniformity in Local Antidiscrimination Ordinances Act,” passed in a 53-16 vote and now heads to the State Senate for consideration.

If passed, the bill would prohibit cities and counties from enforcing civil rights protections that exceed those recognized under state law. Because Idaho’s state-level Human Rights Act does not currently include sexual orientation or gender identity as protected classes, the move would effectively nullify existing local protections across the state.

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Former West Ada school teacher files federal lawsuit over state, district response to ‘Everyone is Welcome Here’ poster

The middle school teacher who was forced to remove a classroom sign that read, “Everyone is Welcome Here,” filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday seeking a declaration that an Idaho flag and banner law is unconstitutional.

Administrators for West Ada School District last year forced teacher Sarah Inama to remove the banner from her classroom. She quit her job in West Ada and now works for Boise School District.

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Idaho Falls airport receives $12 million federal grant for expansion project

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – Idaho Falls Regional Airport will soon be getting a major upgrade, thanks to $12 million in federal funding secured by Congressman Mike Simpson. This money, part of the recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, will help start the airport’s terminal expansion project. Congressman Mike Simpson said the airport expansion is

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Skijoring: The wild blend of horses and skis that was the Winter Olympics’ first ever demonstration sport

By Jack Bantock, Patrick Sung Cuadrado, Frank Nunns O’Connell, CNN (CNN) — On Friday, a highly-anticipated winter sporting competition with a rich history will get underway – and it’s not just the Winter Olympics in Italy. Over 5,400 miles away from the opening ceremony in Milan, thousands will flock to the Ford Idaho Center in

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Program cuts, staff cuts, furloughs: Education leaders say budget cuts would cause fallout

Another round of budget cuts would force immediate staff cuts and furloughs across Idaho campuses, college and university officials said Friday.

The cuts would lead to larger classes and reduced student support.

And cuts could affect some of higher education’s highest-profile programs. The University of Idaho would have to cut back its longstanding medical school partnership with the University of Washington, a training ground for Idaho doctors since the early 1970s. Boise State University said cuts could affect even its athletics programs — which is bankrolled largely by boosters and ticket and TV revenues.

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Idaho Falls Dealership wins prestigious award

Stones Kia has been named among the top 3% of Kia dealerships worldwide. This recognition is a testament to the dealership’s excellence in both operational performance and customer service.

“Something we didn’t expect to have in Idaho Falls, Idaho,” said Kyle Stringham, general manager of Stones Kia. “We’re very proud to win the prestigious award this year.”

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Early morning garage fire heavily damages Teton County home

A Teton County home was heavily damaged after a nearby garage burst into flames Friday morning. Fortunately, all the people inside and another nearby home were spared thanks to the quick efforts of a neighbor and local firefighters.

Around 2:20 AM, a neighbor spotted a structure fire near the intersection of E Johnson Ave. and 5th St. in Driggs and quickly called 911. Teton County Fire and Rescue crews rushed to the scene, arriving within 4 minutes to find the 2-car garage fully engulfed in flames.

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Idaho Speaker calls Utah’s proposed refinery tax ‘bull manure’, costing Idaho drivers more at the pump

Utah’s legislators are about to do something that has caught the attention of Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle (R), and he’s none too happy about it.

“This is Idaho. We play fair in the sandbox with Utah for years. We’ve always considered [Utahns] good partners, and to do this is bull manure in my humble opinion, but we’ll see,” said Speaker Moyle.

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Idaho National Guard to slash tuition assistance by 29% following budget mandate

Idaho National Guard members will see a significant drop in college financial aid as military leaders move to slash tuition assistance by 29% do comply with statewide budget cuts. The cuts are a direct response to Governor Brad Little’s order to reduce statewide spending by 3% across all agencies.

Major General Timothy J. Donnellan, Idaho adjutant general, warned the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) on Thursday that the reduction threatens recruitment and retention.

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Two hospitalized, one airlifted after two-vehicle crash on US-93 in southern Idaho

A crash on U.S. Highway 93 in southern Idaho sent two people to the hospital Friday morning.

The crash took place at around 8:00 AM at the intersection of US-93 and Golf Course Road in Jerome County. According to ISP reports, the driver of a black 2012 Ford Escape was attempting a left-hand turn onto Golf Course Road when they were struck by a blue 2022 Ford Bronco traveling southbound.

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Critchfield rejects budget committee’s request to plan for cuts

One day after legislative budget-writers asked state superintendent Debbie Critchfield to plan for cuts to public schools, the first-term Republican delivered her response: No. 

“I will not be recommending further cuts to the public schools budget,” Critchfield wrote in a Thursday letter to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee’s co-chairs. “The public schools budget is more than numbers on a spreadsheet. It represents every one of our students, classrooms, teachers and communities.”

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74-year-old pilot uninjured after plane flips in Palisades Reservoir

A 74-year-old pilot walked away with only minor injuries Thursday afternoon after his aircraft clipped the ground and flipped into the snowy lake bed of the Palisades Reservoir.

At approximately 2:30 PM, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting a small, single-engine plane overturned in the reservoir lake bed, roughly a quarter-mile from the Alpine Airport.

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Idaho Bill seeks to nullify local LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination ordinances

A new legislative push in the Idaho Statehouse could strip 13 cities of their ability to enforce local anti-discrimination ordinances that protect residents based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

House Bill 557, introduced earlier this week, seeks to establish the “Uniformity in Local Antidiscrimination Ordinances Act.” Sponsored by Rep. Bruce Skaug (R-Nampa) and written by the right-wing Idaho Family Policy Center, the bill would prohibit cities and counties from enacting civil rights protections that exceed those currently recognized under state law.

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Two Teton County men arrested in major multi-agency drug bust

A coordinated, multi-agency narcotics investigation culminated in the arrest of two Teton County men and the seizure of a large cache of drugs, weapons, and cash.

On January 27, around 11:30 AM, Teton County Sheriff’s deputies—supported by federal and state partners—simultaneously executed search warrants at two separate homes. The suspects, identified as Jacob Alan Mitchell and Blaine Creigh Baldwin, were taken into custody without incident.

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Idaho Falls farmer bags Ford F-150 Tremor in final days of Idaho Lottery’s popular scratch game

Idaho Falls resident Josh Hartfield is heading home with a lot more horsepower than he started with. The local farmer recently claimed the second top prize in the Idaho Lottery’s Bucks n’ Trucks Scratch game, walking away with a fully loaded Ford F-150 Tremor and $10,000 in cash.

“I do my research on the Scratch games, especially when games are close to selling out. If there’s a Scratch game that looks like it’s about to end, I’ll stop at places along the way and buy a few at a time,” said Hatfield.  “I was looking for tickets on the game $200,000 Cash Spectacular. But I also knew that Bucks n’ Trucks was close to ending as well. When I saw them, I got a handful.”

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Eastern Idaho farmer Jamie Kress to lead National Association of Wheat Growers

“It is an honor to serve as president of NAWG at such a pivotal time for agriculture. I am inspired by the resilience and innovation of wheat growers across the country, and I am committed to leading with collaboration and purpose. Together, we will elevate our voice in Washington, advance policies that empower producers, and secure a strong, sustainable future for nation’s farmers and rural communities,” said NAWG President Jamie Kress.

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Two Idaho prison guards sexually assaulted her, witnesses said. Neither was charged

**Editor’s Note: The following article discusses incidents of sexual assault. Reader discretion advised.**

It was November 2023, in a staff break room at South Idaho Correctional Institution, when prison guard Blas Covarrubias unbuttoned Michele’s pants and sexually assaulted her, she told an investigator. She was one of six inmates that the corporal — known as “Covi” to the women he was entrusted with protecting — was accused of abusing in 2023 and 2024.  

Eight months later, Michele was sexually assaulted again. This time by someone else: a correctional officer named Justin Tillema, a witness reported.

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North Idaho non-profit director sentenced for $154K Medicaid fraud

A North Idaho woman has been sentenced to three years of probation after orchestrating a scheme to defraud the state’s Medicaid program of more than $150,000.

On January 21, 2026, First District Judge Barry McHugh ordered Tracy Hofius, 49, of Coeur d’Alene, to serve three years of supervised probation and 45 days of community service through the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Community Labor Program. As a condition of her sentence, Hofius must also pay $154,119 in restitution back to the Idaho Medicaid program.

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Driggs Family Safety Network unveils ‘Kalico Cottage’ in honor of Kali Randall and her children

In memory of the late Kali Randall, Teton County’s Family Safety Network has officially named its new emergency shelter in Driggs, Idaho, ‘Kalico Cottage,’ the nonprofit announced Tuesday. The naming honors the Greenville, Wis. native—along with her son Zeke and unborn daughter Freya, whose lives were lost to domestic violence in 2023—and the mission of Kalico Forest, the nonprofit founded in her name to protect women and children.

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Legislative budget-writers tell agencies to prepare for additional cuts

State agency budget cuts could deepen to 5% for the current fiscal year and next fiscal year.

Leaders of the Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) told agency directors Monday to make plans for additional across-the-board spending cuts at 1% and 2%, according to a memo obtained by Idaho Education News. 

These would be in addition to the 3% cuts that Gov. Brad Little made through an executive order last year.

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Idaho Democrats blast new round of budget cuts amid GOP Tax Plan

Idaho Democratic leaders are condemning a directive from Republican budget chairs that orders state agencies to prepare for additional mid-year budget cuts of 1% to 2%. The move aims to offset the estimated $155 million cost of adopting tax changes from the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” championed by the Trump administration.

The proposed reductions would come on top of a 3% holdback already imposed by Governor Brad Little last August to address a $40.3 million shortfall. Combined, state agencies could face total spending cuts of up to 5%, which Democratic leaders argue will “take a chainsaw” to essential services.

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Attorney General: Seven sentenced for child exploitation; Three from Bonneville County face decades in prison

In the last two months, seven individuals, including three from Bonneville County, were sentenced to prison after being convicted of crimes against children, Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced Tuesday.

“I’m proud of our ICAC prosecutors and investigators, as well as our local law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to bring these individuals to justice and deliver sentences that protect Idaho families from this evil,” said Attorney General Labrador in a news release. “Their hard work and dedication is resulting in the arrest and sentencing of dangerous criminals from our communities and ensuring children across our state are safer.”

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Know your rights: What to do if ICE comes to your home

As immigration enforcement continues to raise questions and concerns for families across Idaho, the ACLU of Idaho is reminding immigrants of their rights if ICE or other law enforcement officers come to their home.

“Immigrants have most of the same rights that US citizens do. So they have freedom of speech. They have the freedom to be free of unlawful search and seizures. They have constitutional rights because they are living inside the United States,” Immigration Attorney Tim Jones said.

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Two injured in separate snowmobile accidents on Granite Creek Road Friday

Teton County Search and Rescue volunteers responded to two simultaneous snowmobile accidents that left two riders with serious injuries on Granite Creek Road this past Friday.

According to a post on TCSAR’s Facebook page, the first call came in just before 4 PM, indicating a 39-year-old man had crashed and rolled about 30 feet down an embankment. The man had seriously injured his leg in the crash. Due to the severity of the man’s injury, TCSAR mobilized both a helicopter and a ground team to the trailhead.

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Celebrating 65 Years of Broadcasting: Governor Brad Little proclaims Jan. 23 as “KIFI Local News 8 Day”

Today marks a historic milestone for the region’s airwaves. January 23, 2026, officially marks the 65th anniversary of KIFI Local News 8, celebrating over six decades of dedicated service to southeast Idaho and western Wyoming.

In honor of this achievement, Idaho Governor Brad Little has officially proclaimed January 23, 2026, as “KIFI Local News 8 Day.” The declaration honors the station’s unwavering commitment to excellence in broadcast journalism, providing essential coverage in news, weather, and sports.

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Idaho Supreme Court weighs constitutionality of Private School Tax Credits

The Idaho Supreme Court heard oral arguments today to determine whether Parental Choice Tax Credits, a program that provides public funds to families for non-public education expenses, are constitutional.

Lawyers representing the Idaho Education Association (IEA) and the Moscow School District argue that it drains resources from Idaho’s public school system. On the other side, supporters say the bill simply returns tax dollars to families choosing to use options outside of the system.

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Gov. Little signs proclamation recognizing Community Risk Reduction Week across Idaho

“Community Risk Reduction is the process fire departments use to identify risk before tragedy occurs and to take intentional action to reduce it,” Meridian Fire Department community risk reduction manager Carly Shears said. “As Idaho continues to grow, Community Risk Reduction provides the strategic framework and mindset shift from reactive to proactive.”

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