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National Drug Take Back Day pickup locations scheduled across Southeast Idaho

Southeastern Idaho Public Health and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are partnering to pick up unused medications across the area for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 26.

At select locations, public health officials and police will collect any unused prescription or over-the-counter medications, veterinary medications, and vape pens and cartridges to be safely disposed of and to prevent misuse.

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Judge rules autism diagnosis won’t shield Bryan Kohberger from Death Penalty if convicted

Bryan Kohberger’s recent autism diagnosis will not affect the prosecutor’s decision to seek the death penalty if he is convicted in his upcoming quadruple murder trial.

In a new ruling Thursday, Steven Hippler ruled that the state of Idaho can pursue the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger despite his autism diagnosis.

Bryan Kohberger has been charged in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho Students, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, and Xana Kernodle, at an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022.

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National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set April 26

Local law enforcement agencies and health departments are collaborating to allow individuals to anonymously drop off unused medications. On Saturday, April 26, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and its state and local partners will hold National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The DEA began the initiative in 2010 to provide easy, anonymous opportunities to remove medicines in the home that are highly susceptible to misuse and theft.

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Gov. Little issues executive order to safeguard Idaho’s federal forests

Tuesday, the governor issued a new executive order, the “Make Forests Healthy Again Act,” directing the Idaho Department of Lands to expand its partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to increase management activities and reduce fire risk in Idaho’s federally managed national forests.

“For too long, millions of acres of national forests in Idaho have remained totally untouched, creating a tinderbox of fuel that threatens communities, air quality, and the environment,” Governor Little said in a written statement highlighting the order. “The State of Idaho has led the country in standing up programs to help our federal partners increase the pace and scale of active management on federal ground.”

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Beware of stowaways: State Dept. of Agriculture urges boaters to watch for invasive species

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) warns people to watch for any invasive species that may be hitchhiking on watercraft this spring.

Cole Morrison, section manager of ISDA’s invasive species, noxious weeds, and grasshopper/Mormon crickets division, said aquatic invasive species are often brought in on boats coming into Idaho’s waters from out of state.

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City of Blackfoot water tower

Local high schoolers selected as recipients of the 2025 Bingham County Mayors Scholarship

64 lucky local high schoolers have been selected to receive a portion of $32,000 in scholarships as recipients of the 2025 Bingham County Mayors Scholarship.

All scholarships will be awarded at the annual Bingham County Mayors Scholarship Awards Gala, scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6:00 pm at Aberdeen High School, 268 S 4th St W in Aberdeen. The recipients were chosen by the Bingham County Mayors Scholarship Selection Committee out of 74 applicants.

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Idaho murder trial judge to allow ‘bushy eyebrows’ testimony, but jury can’t hear about suspect’s autism unless he testifies

By Lauren del Valle and Jean Casarez, CNN (CNN) — Bryan Kohberger’s legal team won’t be able to tell a jury in his upcoming death penalty trial about his autism diagnosis unless he takes the stand in his own defense, a judge ruled Friday. Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of

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Local young woman chosen to represent the U.S. at World Expo in Japan

Samantha Carrell, of Pocatello, is one of 88 youth ambassadors from the USA chosen to represent the nation at the 2025 Osaka World Expo in Japan this summer.

“Each country gets to show off some of their culture, some of the cool things they’re doing in science, in the arts,” said Carrell. “Then people get to interact both with those exhibits and with each other. So it’s a really great chance for connection, for kind of meeting people from all over the world.”

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“It’s going to take a very long time for our community to heal from this,” – City of Pocatello releases video related to fatal Police shooting

Mayor Brian Blad is providing updates on the case of the police shooting that led to the death of 17-year-old Victor Perez of Pocatello.

The move comes after a prominent California-based civil rights firm, known for representing Rodney King in his case against Los Angeles Police officers, filed a wrongful death and civil rights violation claim against the city on behalf of the family of Victor Perez.

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American Falls man convicted of embezzeling $129K from Housing Authority

72-year-old Bruce Hauber of American Falls is sentenced to 5 years of probation for stealing over $129,000 from the American Falls Housing Authority (AFHA). The news comes from the Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.

Between 2019 and 2023, Hauber was responsible for paying bills, managing rent, and handling the authority’s bank accounts.

But instead of sticking to official business, prosecutors say Hauber started using AFHA credit cards for personal purchases. According to court records, Hauber used the cards to pay for meals, airplane tickets, utilities for his home, medical expenses, and purchases at retailers.

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Civil rights firm files wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Victor Perez’s family

Only a day after the funeral of the disabled 17-year-old shot by Pocatello Police officers, a major civil rights firm, Burris Nisenbaum Curry & Lacy (BNCL), has filed a wrongful death and civil rights violation claim against the city of Pocatello on behalf of the family of Victor Perez.

“The family wanted the police to help their son, not kill him,” said John Burris, an attorney with 40-plus years of representing victims of police abuse, including representing Rodney King in his case against Los Angeles Police officers. “The officers’ conduct shocks the conscience of all families needing assistance with developmentally disabled kids.” 

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11 Idahoans convicted for their roles in major fentanyl trafficking conspiracy

11 Idaho defendants have been convicted on federal drug trafficking charges after attempting to distribute large amounts of fentanyl in southern Idaho, according to a release by Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.

According to court documents, the group had recruited recent parolees during their time in prison in a conspiracy to traffic fentanyl from the United States/Mexico border to distribute in Idaho.

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Gov Little approves SNAP benefits ban on soda and candy

Governor Brad Little has signed House Bill 109 into law, under which the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will seek a waiver from the federal government to ban candy and soda from being purchased using food stamps, or SNAP benefits.

“Idaho welcomes the MAHA movement. It is all about looking for creative ways to improve nutrition and increase exercise, the two main factors that influence overall health,” Governor Little wrote in a statement to the press. “Secretary Kennedy said it so well: we need to take better care of ourselves and each other. He said it is an act of patriotism, and the future of our nation depends on it. Idaho couldn’t agree more.”

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Idaho attorney general to review investigation of Pocatello officer-involved shooting

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office has agreed to review the investigative findings regarding the officer-involved shooting that led to the death of 17-year-old Victor Perez of Pocatello.

“As with all such matters, the Office of the Attorney General will conduct a thorough and impartial review once the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Taskforce completes its investigation,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Given the seriousness of the matter and the ongoing investigation, our office will not be making further public comment at this time.”

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How to survive spring allergies, according to a local allergist

Warmer weather means spring allergy season is around the corner in East Idaho, and it may be time for allergy sufferers to start taking precautions.

Dr. David Parry, allergist and immunologist at Pocatello Allergy and Asthma Clinic, said spring pollen may start hitting the air soon, and, when coupled with mold left over from winter, it could be time to start thinking about dosing up on antihistamines.

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New ruling broadens exceptions to Idaho’s abortion ban

On Monday, an Idaho state court issued a ruling allowing more exceptions to the state’s total abortion ban.

Idaho’s current abortion law previously allowed for abortions only when necessary to prevent the death of the mother.

The ruling broadens the exception, allowing pregnant women to access abortion care if they have a health condition or pregnancy complication that would put the mother at risk of death.

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Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad addresses public concerns regarding recent officer-involved shooting

“We are addressing this matter with the seriousness and thoroughness it deserves and with the appropriate respect for the gravity of the situation,” said Blad. “The criminal, external, and internal investigations regarding the officer-involved shooting are underway, which is why we cannot answer questions out of concern of interfering with or compromising the investigation.”

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Idaho’s new immigration law faces further legal setbacks

A federal judge has extended the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the enforcement of Idaho’s new immigration enforcement law, House Bill 83.

Governor Little signed the bill into law on March 27, 2025. Only hours afterward, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho filed a lawsuit, IORC v. Labrador, to prevent statewide enforcement of the bill.

Despite the lawsuit, on March 31, Governor Little, law enforcement officers, and supportive legislators celebrated the bill’s passage. Governor Little said the bill reinforces Idaho’s support of President Trump’s immigration policies.

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An alternate theory, Amazon searches and a new tip: This is what we learned at the latest hearing in the Idaho killings case

By Lauren del Valle and Jean Casarez, CNN (CNN) — A judge in Idaho is set to make decisions about what evidence can and cannot be submitted at the upcoming death penalty trial of Bryan Kohberger, who’s accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022. Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder

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Disabled teen shot in Pocatello officer-involved shooting fighting for his life in a coma

An autistic teen with physical handicaps continues to fight for his life after being shot nine times by Pocatello Police Officers over the weekend.

According to his family, 17-year-old Victor Perez is currently in a coma and hooked up to a ventilator. They say doctors are testing his brain function, but the 17-year-old has died twice and had to be revived.

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ITD urges drivers to zipper merge for smoother construction traffic

“One thing that really helps with traffic control is if people will do what’s called zipper merging,” said Buffat. “It’s in our inclination when we see the lanes closed ahead, we want to move over as quickly as we can. It’s just the kind of the people that we are in eastern Idaho, we’re courteous that way. But It actually really helps if you’ll stay in both lanes for as long as you can.”

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Idaho House and Senate wrap up 2025 legislative session

The sun has set on the 2025 Idaho Legislative session as both the House and Senate adjourned “Sine Die” Friday, after 89 days in session, excluding weekends.

“America wants what Idaho has – safe communities, bustling economic activity, increasing incomes, tax relief, fewer regulations, fiscal responsibility, and common sense values,” said Governor Little.

“I thank my partners in the Idaho Legislature for working so hard for the people of Idaho,” said Little.

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U.S. 20 Construction causing traffic delays

“The weather’s a little bit warmer, which allows us to get back and maintain and improve the road. So that’s what’s going on now. We’re going to be working from this rigby area all the way north to Saint Anthony, trying to repair the worst spots in the road as much as we can,” said Sky Buffat, Idaho Transportation Department Public Information Officer.

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Construction continues on new Bannock County Fairgrounds exhibit hall

“Bannock County, in recent years, has been investing in the facilities down here at the fair because this is a true gem of the community,” said Emma Iannacone, public information officer for Bannock County. “The Bannock County Fair has been a tradition for families for decades, and so seeing something new come into these fairgrounds is really exciting because it just shows the commitment to maintaining this fair for the community.”

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Gov. Little commemorates passage of immigration enforcement bill amid ACLU lawsuit

Governor Brad Little was joined by legislators and law enforcement leaders in celebrating the passage of Idaho’s immigration enforcement House Bill 83.

The move comes after a United States district judge granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the enforcement of the law hours after the bill was signed, in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho against the state.

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Man makes it to shore after his kayak capsizes

Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office said a 43-year-old man made it to shore by himself after his kayak capsized at the Blacktail Reservoir area on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Deputies arrived at the reservoir just before noon and located the man who had just reached shore after he was in the water by himself, yelling for help. They said he was extremely cold and exhausted from the cold water.

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Pocatello Chamber ‘Young Professionals’ host annual bowling fundraiser

The bowling fundraiser, held at Pocatello’s Tough Guy Lanes, supports the Young Professionals program in helping people entering the workforce or changing careers learn job skills and build a social network.

“We offer some masterclasses throughout the year on different topics ranging from personal development to professional development, communication skills, things like that,” said Rachael Daniels, board member for the Chamber Young Professionals. “Our goal is to just retain young professionals in Pocatello so that they’re finding a community and jobs here rather than leaving the area.”

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Local health providers feeling the sting of sudden federal budget cuts

Southeastern Idaho Public Health (SIPH) will lose thousands of dollars in federal funding following the US Department of Health and Human Services’ cancellation of around $12 billion of state grants.

SIPH representatives told Local News 8 that the federal grant cuts will take about $50,000 from their fiscal year 2025 budget, and the loss is already affecting local infectious disease monitoring and vaccination programs.

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U.S. district judge temporarily blocks Idaho immigration enforcement law hours after it’s signed

Hours after Governor Brad Little signed into law a controversial immigration enforcement bill, a United States district judge granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the enforcement of the law.

Judge Amanda K. Brailsford of the United States District Court for the District of Idaho granted the TRO in response to a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho over House Bill 83.

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Bridger-Teton National Forest implements new programs ahead of boating season

The Bridger-Teton National Forest is implementing a new fee program and large group reservation system for the Snake River Canyon beginning in May 2025. The U.S. Forest Service announced the change in a post to the Bridger-Teton National Forest Facebook page.

The new fee program and reservation system will help provide the financial resources necessary for maintaining facilities and managing the recreational use of the Wild and Scenic Snake River Canyon. The funds are intended to enhance user experiences, provide for visitor safety, and protect the wild and scenic river values, according to the US Forest Service.

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Prescribed burns planned near Roberts this April

Several prescribed burns are scheduled near the Roberts area in early April, as Idaho Fish and Game Upper Snake Region and the Bureau of Land Management work to clear large portions of the Market Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) of excess vegetation.

Large portions of the Market Lake WMA will be closed to public access during the burn period, according to a post to the Idaho Fish and Game Upper Snake Facebook page.

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Health Officials urge continued vigilance against Influenza as cases continue to wind down

Flu season is still impacting people across eastern Idaho and western Wyoming even as temperatures rise, according to health officials. Epidemiology experts with Eastern Idaho Public Health (EIPH) found influenza A to be the predominant strain in 2025. According to EIPH, flu cases peaked in late December to early January. As of March 27th, influenza cases continue to decline throughout the area.

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Pocatello firefighters gear up for realistic “Burn and Learn” training

Firefighters with the Pocatello Fire Department (PFD) will have the opportunity to learn from real fire conditions in a controlled setting as the department conducts a Burn and Learn training exercise. The training will take place March 31 and April 1, from 8 AM to 5 PM, at a vacant home along Jason Avenue. People in Pocatello may see flames and smoke coming from the building during the exercise, according to city officials.

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Governor Little signs unanimously supported property tax relief bill

Wednesday, Governor Brad Little joined House and Senate leaders as he signed House Bill 304, providing $100 million in property tax relief to Idahoans and Idaho public schools. According to the bill’s sponsor, Representative Jason Monks, R-Meridian, the HB 304 sends $50 million directly toward lowering Idaho homeowners’ property tax bills and directs $50 million to Idaho public schools to help pay off bonds and levies.

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President Trump nominates Idahoan Alex Adams for key HHS position under Secretary RFK

“Alex Adams brings a highly strategic and visionary approach to achieving my priorities for Idaho. As my longtime budget director, he helped us champion record red tape reductions, historic tax relief, and huge wins for Idaho public education and workforce training. In under one year at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, he completely transformed and improved Idaho’s child welfare system to better serve our state’s most vulnerable children and the generous foster families who care for them,” Governor Little said in a statement to the media.

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