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Rexburg man sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography

“Parents need to know that predators like this are operating in our communities, seeking out images of children being exploited,” said Attorney General Labrador. “We will relentlessly pursue every predator who exploits Idaho’s children through these disturbing crimes. I’m proud of the partnerships we’ve built statewide that make these prosecutions possible and make Idaho families safer.”

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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store celebrates grand reopening after expansive renovations

“I am hoping that this is going to help us increase our revenue in the thrift store,” said Beth Huston, manager of the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. “In the past, our revenue in the thrift store has been pretty small–enough to pay the bills and payroll and keep the building open–I’m hoping that we can increase the revenue enough to where we can supplement or augment the social services, which we’ve never been able to do.”

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Idaho Falls couple makes a splash with year-round swim lessons

“Water safety doesn’t stop. You might find yourself at a hotel pool or even in the wintertime around water. And so it’s just something that we progressively want to work on, kids becoming safer. And yeah, like summer is going to be here before you know it. And so wouldn’t it be great if they were confident before we even get those nice in 90-degree days again?” said Kyla Dnaos, Deck ambassador.

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Soda Springs Geyser roars to life after three-month repair

After three months of silence, the famous Soda Springs Geyser is once again erupting. A mechanical failure had sidelined the world-famous man-made geyser, a popular attraction for both residents and visitors.

The geyser, which typically erupts every hour on the hour, stopped working on April 29 due to a pump problem. City officials announced on June 3rd that the issue was more serious than initially thought, requiring a complete replacement of the geyser’s mechanical and valve systems.

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League of Women Voters set up shop at ISU for National Voter Registration Day event

The League of Women Voters of Pocatello set up voter registration stations at the Pond Student Union building and Eli M. Oboler Library at Idaho State University in honor of National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday.
“In today’s world, everyone needs to have a voice,” said Susan Carter, member of the League of Women Voters Pocatello. “The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization whose main goal is to educate voters on the choices they have and to make sure that they get out and have their voices heard.”

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IFPC files tort claim against Boise School District over restroom encounter

“We will hold Boise High School accountable for the psychological and emotional harm that its actions caused this teenage girl, who was understandably traumatized by the experience,” said Kevin Shupperd, a senior litigating attorney for the IFPC Legal Center. “Students cannot excel academically if they don’t feel safe at school. No girl should be forced to share school restrooms with biological males—full stop.”

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Judge dismisses wrongful termination lawsuit against Idaho AG

“Idahoans elected me to protect families, uphold the Constitution, and ensure government follows the law,” said Attorney General Labrador. “The people of Idaho sent a message that they wanted to change the direction of the Attorney General’s office. When I took office, we began advising state agencies on legal compliance and setting our policies in place. While this former employee may have disagreed with our policy directions, the court found no basis for her claims. I will continue protecting Idaho families and ensuring government accountability.”

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Lights, Camera, Science: Local students featured in national science education video

Students at William Thomas Middle School recently had a unique opportunity to showcase their science skills on a national stage. A film crew from Stile Science, an international science education company, visited the school on Tuesday, September 9th to record classroom footage for a promotional video.

“It’s pretty amazing to know that our small town middle school is part of something that will be seen all across the country,” said Thad Lusk, an eighth grader who participated in the astronomy lab.

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Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID

“Business Pitch” competition at ISU, with $4,500 Prize

Are you a high school student with a great business idea? Idaho State University’s Business Pitch competition is now open for registration. The competition offers a chance to win a $4,500 scholarship and valuable entrepreneurial experience.

The competition is designed to give young students a platform to showcase their business concepts while also developing essential skills like public speaking and a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship.

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IDWR issues September methodology order, Idaho farmers avoid new water restrictions despite dry summer

Farmers across Idaho can breathe a sigh of relief as the state’s water officials have announced that no new water restrictions are needed this year, despite a dry summer that caused a significant water shortfall.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) announced today that its enforcement efforts on existing water orders have been so successful that they’ve almost completely made up for the deficit. IDWR Director Mathew Weaver initially calculated a shortfall of 63,700 acre-feet for the remainder of the irrigation season, primarily impacting the Twin Falls Canal Co. and the American Falls Reservoir District #2.

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“Being promoted on 9/11 is profoundly humbling”: Idaho State Police promotes Air Force veteran Jason Horst to Captain

From 1991 to 2005, Horst served in the United States Air Force, where his career shifted dramatically following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In the years that followed, he taught anti-terrorism protection, safeguarded Afghanistan’s first democratic election by ensuring ballot security during transport, and flew missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while stationed in Uzbekistan.

“Those experiences deepened my commitment to service. When I returned home, that same calling led me to the Idaho State Police. Being promoted on 9/11 is profoundly humbling and, in many ways, feels full circle. I see the pinning ceremony as a renewal of my duty to serve,” Captain Jason Horst said.

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New details in Fremont County voter fraud case: FBI’s early involvement confirmed in court docs

New court documents in the ongoing Fremont County voter fraud case reveal that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been involved in the investigation since at least April 2024. This information comes from a probable cause affidavit filed by the Fremont County sheriff’s office for one of the three individuals charged on September 2, 2025.

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ISU debuts new associate degree program in science

“I think the biggest thing is that we really designed it to be flexible,” said Dr. Shannon Kobs Nawotniak, professor and chair of ISU’s Geosciences Department. “We’ve had things like an associate in physics or in geology or in chemistry, and the problem is, with a two year degree, you’ve got to know so fast and sometimes you don’t; it’s not reasonable to know that fast. That’s why we really designed this one to maximize the flexibility and create pathways for students that then can go into any of these fields and get a foundation that will actually set them up successfully for that.”

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Three more charged in Fremont County voter fraud case, Island Park Mayor denies city involvement in investigation

The voter fraud investigation in Fremont County has expanded. Local News 8 has now confirmed through court records that authorities have charged three more people with voter fraud in a 2023 Island Park election, bringing the total number of accused individuals to ten. Local News 8 first broke news of the voter fraud investigation Sunday Night.

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Health Alert: Bat found in Lemhi County tests positive for rabies

EIPH has confirmed that a bat found in Lemhi County has tested positive for rabies. Rabies is a fatal viral illness in humans and other animals. Household pets and other animals can be exposed to the virus by playing with sick bats that can no longer fly normally.

While most bats are harmless and do not carry rabies, they are the only animal in Idaho that is a natural reservoir for the virus. Vaccination against rabies for humans and animals is important to protect against illness.

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Idaho AG and Secretary of State not involved in local voter fraud case; family members defend accused

A new development in an alleged voter fraud case in Fremont County has shed some light on the jurisdictional lines between local and state authorities. Seven individuals face felony charges, accused of illegally registering to vote in the May 2023 Island Park Auditorium District election, a race that was decided by a narrow margin.

Today, officials from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office and the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office confirmed to Local News 8 that they have no involvement in the case. According to former Idaho Attorney General Dave Leroy, this is not an unusual circumstance.

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Idaho Attorney General’s Office recovers $500K for consumer in crypto dispute with Coinbase

“I’m grateful for the hard work my team of investigators does to protect Idaho families in consumer protection matters,” said Attorney General Labrador. “This recovery is significant for one individual, but every day my office is helping Idaho consumers in smaller ways, making sure consumers and businesses alike have a trusted partner to help resolve disputes and enforce the law fairly.”  

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Burley man dies in rollover crash on Highway 81 north of Malta

A 30-year-old man from Burley died last night in a single-vehicle rollover crash on State Highway 81, just north of Malta.

The crash happened around 9:53 p.m. near milepost 8. According to the Idaho State Police, the driver was heading northbound in a green 1997 Toyota when the vehicle went off the shoulder after overcorrecting. The vehicle rolled, and the driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene from his injuries.

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“I was in shock”: New video shows terrifying moment bridge collapses in Shoshone Ice Caves

Three people are recovering today after a bridge collapsed inside the popular Shoshone Ice Caves north of Twin Falls last night.

Lincoln County dispatch received a call around 5:47 p.m. reporting the collapse. While initial calls indicated as many as 20 people might be trapped, emergency crews on the scene quickly determined everyone was accounted for, though three people had been injured in the collapse.

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A powerful solar storm could trigger auroras farther south over the US than usual

A powerful solar storm is expected to reach Earth on Monday evening, potentially triggering a display of northern lights across the northern hemisphere.

The stunning wave of auroras may be visible much farther south than is typical, reaching not just the northern US states but also parts of the lower Midwest and Oregon, according to a statement from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

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Stepped-up school patrols start today to keep students safe

Starting today, law enforcement is stepping up patrols around schools. The Southeast Idaho Traffic Safety Task Force is stepping up patrols to protect students and crack down on unsafe driving behaviors.
“We’ll be in school zones during the day and watching for impaired drivers at night,” Lieutenant Todd Orr said in a release. “From young children to college students, our goal is to keep every student safe.”

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EIPH announces Opioid Settlement Subgrants for organizations combatting the opioid crisis

Eastern Idaho Public Health is excited to announce the opportunity to provide subgrants to organizations working to combat the opioid crisis in Eastern Idaho. EIPH’s vision focuses on healthy people in healthy communities with a mission to prevent disease, disability, and premature death, promote healthy lifestyles, and protect and promote the health and quality of our environment.

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Catholic Priest arrested in Nampa on sexual battery charges

A Catholic Priest at Nampa’s St. Paul’s Catholic Church has been arrested and charged with sexual battery of a minor, the Nampa Police Department confirmed Thursday.

45-year-old Robert Mendez Esquivel was arrested on Wednesday and is being held at the Canyon County Jail. He faces one count of sexual battery against a minor between the ages of 16 and 17. Authorities have stated that the alleged incident did not involve a minor from the church or its affiliated school.

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“We’ll Never Call This Way”: ISP warns of scammers spoofing official numbers

In recent days, ISP received multiple reports of individuals receiving suspicious calls from numbers that appeared to be from ISP. In one disturbing incident, a parent answered back-to-back calls from a man claiming to be a medic and insinuated that their child was in distress. He requested the child’s name, and the parents heard the sound of crying in the background. Thankfully, the child was safe at school, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the manipulative tactics employed by scammers.

“These calls are not coming from the Idaho State Police. This scam is designed to play on the hearts of potential victims and undermines trust in first responders,” Captain Tyler Jussel of the ISP Regional Communications Center said. “By spoofing first responders and dispatch centers, these scammers try to gain credibility in their deception. We want the public to know that ISP will never call in this manner.”

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Idaho Fish and Game issues salvage order for Mackay Reservoir

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has issued a fish salvage order for Mackay Reservoir, effective August 30 through October 31, 2025.

The Big Lost River Irrigation District is in the process of draining Mackay Reservoir to complete essential dam maintenance and prepare for future infrastructure upgrades. As water levels decline, many fish in the reservoir will be lost. The temporary salvage order is intended to maximize public use of the fishery before that occurs.

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Rabid Bat confirmed in Oneida County, first in southeast Idaho this year

Southeastern Idaho Public Health has confirmed that a bat found in Oneida County has tested positive for rabies, marking the first rabid bat detected in southeastern Idaho this year and the sixth for the state.
“It is extremely important for people to avoid all bats and other wild animals, particularly if they appear sick or are acting aggressively or abnormally,” said Jeff Doerr, an epidemiologist with SIPH.

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Power restored to over 600 customers in Swan Valley after outage

Lower Valley Energy is reporting a power outage affecting at least 642 customers in the area between Irwin and Swan Valley. The outage was first reported at 11:12 AM.

Crews have reportedly been dispatched to the scene, but there is currently no estimated time for when power will be restored. The cause of the outage is still unknown; however, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for all of Southeast Idaho until August 28, 12:00 AM MDT due to the excessive amount of rainfall impacting the Intermountain West.

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Idaho Cleanup Project set to demolish third naval reactor prototype

The Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) is moving forward with plans to demolish a third defueled naval reactor prototype vessel at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site’s Naval Reactors Facility (NRF).

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM), Office of Naval Reactors Idaho Branch Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality have signed an action memorandum to outline the end-state plan for decommissioning and demolishing (D&D) the Submarine 5th Generation General Electric (S5G) Prototype Facility.

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Rocky Mountain Power customers in Idaho set for annual bill decrease

Rocky Mountain Power customers are set to receive a federal billing credit that could save them up to $51.87 annually on their power bills.

The power company has recently been authorized by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to pass on the credit to certain residential and farm customers, according to a press release. The annual credit, which has increased from $7.93 million to $13.1 million, is scheduled to take effect from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028.

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Buhl man sentenced to 18-years in prison for possession of child pornography 

“This sentence removes another predator from our communities and sends a clear message that we will not waver in prosecuting those who exploit children,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Since rebuilding our ICAC Unit, we have eliminated the backlog of more than 1,300 tips and now respond within 24 hours. Idaho parents deserve to know we are working every day to protect their children online.”

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“Common-Sense Law stays in effect”: Federal Judge allows Idaho’s University Restroom Law to remain in effect during legal challenge

“Parents shouldn’t have to worry that their daughters will be forced to share restrooms with biological males while pursuing their education,” said Attorney General Labrador. “The court’s ruling ensures that Idaho’s common-sense law stays in effect while the lawsuit proceeds. We will continue to defend these protections until this case reaches its final resolution.”

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Help Them Help Others: Salvation Army Pocatello launches “Drive Away Hunger” campaign

The Salvation Army Pocatello Corps has officially started its new ‘Drive Away Hunger’ campaign to raise money to replace its box truck, which broke down earlier this year.

The Pocatello Salvation Army’s ministry leader, Bryan Makowski, said that before their box truck suffered a catastrophic engine failure this February, they used the vehicle daily to pick up food donations used to keep their pantry and soup kitchen programs stocked.

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Rupert man struck by semi-truck on I-84 following early morning crash

A 22-year-old Rupert man was killed this morning after he was struck by a semi-truck on I-84 near milepost 234.7, in Cassia County. The semi vs pedestrian crash happened at around 3:35 a.m.

According to the Idaho State Police (ISP), the man was driving a 1999 Chrysler 300 westbound on the eastbound shoulder of the interstate. After his vehicle crashed, he reportedly exited and stood in the eastbound lanes of travel. He was then hit by an eastbound 2023 Freightliner semi-truck, which was being driven by a 30-year-old man from Saratoga Springs, Utah.

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Three men in East Idaho arrested for child exploitation charges

Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced today that investigators with his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit have arrested three men in East Idaho this week for alleged sexual exploitation of children.

“The professional dedication and investigative excellence our ICAC team showed this week proves we’ve built Idaho’s strongest defense against those who target children in our state,” stated Attorney General Labrador in a release. “I’m grateful to every officer and agent who assisted in these arrests, your partnership makes Idaho families safer, working together to protect our the most vulnerable from exploitation.”

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Taunted in Prison? Confessed killer Bryan Kohberger requests transfer, alleging sexual harassment

In yet another example of his struggles to adjust to prison life, convicted murderer Bryan Kohberger is seeking a transfer from his current prison unit. The former Washington State University criminology Ph.D. student claims he is being sexually harassed by other inmates.

Just one night after arriving at the facility, Kohberger submitted a handwritten request to be moved from J-Block. According to a note obtained by People magazine, he wrote that J-Block “is an environment that I wish to transfer from” due to being “subject to minute-by-minute verbal threats/harassment.”

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Fatal crash claims life of St. Louis motorcyclist on I-84

The Idaho State Police is investigating a fatal collision that claimed the life of a Missouri man early this morning on Interstate 84.

The crash occurred around 5:20 a.m. near milepost 263, north of Snowville, Utah. According to ISP, the man had been travelling eastbound on I-84, riding a 2002 Harley Davidson. Behind him, a 2024 Freightliner tractor hauling cattle, driven by a 48-year-old male from Oakley, was traveling in the same direction.

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Bryan Kohberger described as creepy, domineering by college peers in months before Idaho killings, newly released files show

In the days and weeks after Bryan Kohberger was arrested in connection with the brutal killings of four undergrads at the University of Idaho, students and instructors at nearby Washington State University told investigators the suspect seemed creepy and intense, with one predicting Kohberger could become the type of professor that harassed and stalked students, according to a trove of newly released documents.

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