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Yellowstone receives record $105 million donation for long-term stewardship

9:50 AM

On Monday, NPS, alongside its official philanthropic partner Yellowstone Forever and Blackstone Infrastructure portfolio company Tallgrass, announced the creation of the Conservation and Stewardship Fund.

“More than 120 years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of Yellowstone’s iconic gateway, enshrining the promise that our National Parks exist for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “This historic $105 million investment honors that legacy, bringing together the best of American enterprise and conservation to expand access to Yellowstone and inspire the next generation to experience America’s great outdoors. We’re grateful to Blackstone, Tallgrass and Yellowstone Forever for their partnership and extraordinary commitment.”

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Melting Pot of Music: Shizuo Z. Kuwahara leads first audition concert for Idaho Falls Symphony

10:39 AM

Six finalists are vying to become the next music director and conductor for the Idaho Falls Symphony, with guest conductor Shizuo Z. Kuwahara taking the podium as the first candidate to lead the orchestra this season.

Kuwahara—who often goes simply by “Z”—brings a wealth of international experience to Eastern Idaho. His career features performances at the famed Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, alongside appearances across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America.

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New documentary highlights legacy of Grand Teton’s grizzly 399

3:22 PM

The documentary film “399 Forever” is now available on Amazon Prime Video, detailing the life and legacy of Wyoming’s famous Grizzly 399.
Grizzly 399 spent nearly three decades in Grand Teton National Park, where she raised 18 cubs during her lifespan. In 2020, she gained widespread attention after emerging from hibernation with quadruplets. She frequently brought her cubs near roads and developed areas around Jackson Hole, Wyo., using public spaces to protect her young from male grizzlies.

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Threat rumor prompts brief hall check at two Idaho Falls schools; juvenile in custody

12:35 PM

A juvenile student is in custody Friday morning after an alleged firearm threat prompted a brief “Hall Check” at two local schools, according to Idaho Falls School District 91.

According to Idaho Falls Police Department spokesperson Jessica Clements, the student arrived at school Friday morning and was taken into custody for an offense related to a fight earlier this week. At this time, IFPD is investigating whether a threat was actually made. Clements emphasizes that there is no evidence that a gun was brought to school.

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Butte County School District condemns hate speech after swastikas painted on cross-country course

11:27 AM

The Butte County Joint School District #111 is taking a firm stance against hate speech following a recent incident where a student painted swastikas on the district’s cross-country course after a recent sporting event.
Superintendent Dr. Joel Wilson described the vandalism as a deeply troubling act of antisemitism that contradicts the community’s values. The district plans to address the incident directly while urging parents to teach children about the historical harm caused by such hate symbols.

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Authorities seek help after three dogs found shot in Blackfoot

5:25 PM

Bingham County law enforcement and the Blackfoot Animal Shelter are asking for the public’s help after three dogs were found shot in the head near 1400 W and 1100 N near Blackfoot.

All three dogs were young female hounds, with the youngest being roughly 6 months old. None of the dogs had microchips or identification. Now, police and the Blackfoot Animal Shelter are asking for your help in identifying these dogs and who was responsible.

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Timberline High School investigation sparks Eastern Idaho debate over student safety

10:11 AM

A recent investigation involving alleged controversial social-media messages and death threats connected to Boise’s Timberline High School is raising difficult questions about student safety, accountability, and what happens when harmful behavior moves from a private conversation to a wider audience.

For Eastern Idaho families, the situation also reminds them that conversations about online behavior, respect, and reporting concerns should start before something happens — not after.

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Community rallies around Teton County first responder injured in Swan Valley bear collision

9:13 AM

The Teton County Sheriff’s Office and local community have raised over $14,000 to support 24-year veteran detention officer Bart Churches following a serious motorcycle accident involving a black bear. Churches, a 24-year veteran detention officer with Teton County, remains in serious condition in the intensive care unit at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

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Proposition 1: Idaho women reflect on the experiences shaping their views

4:14 PM

Two Idaho women whose experiences with pregnancy and loss have shaped their views on abortion are preparing to cast opposing votes on Proposition 1.

The Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act would restore abortion access to a standard similar to what existed before Idaho’s near-total ban took effect in 2022. The citizen-led initiative would protect abortion before fetal viability, as determined by a physician, and afterward in medical emergencies involving threats to the pregnant patient’s life or physical health.

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Boise district is launching its Timberline investigation, as police continue their probe

10:56 AM

The Boise School District is launching an internal investigation following reports of online death threats made by members of the Timberline High School football team.
Details on the district’s Timberline High School investigation are unclear. “We cannot disclose individual student discipline due to student privacy requirements,” district spokesman Dan Hollar said in an email to Idaho EdNews.

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Idaho community rallies to support family of child killed in highway fire

9:04 AM

The North Fremont Fire District is hosting a fundraiser to support the family of Kynzlee Rae Luthy, who died in a tragic truck fire on October 9. Despite rainy weather on Sunday, firefighters were out collecting donations, and the local community responded with an overwhelming wave of generosity.

“We are truly amazed by the support and generosity we have seen,” the department shared in a Facebook post. “Every donation helps lift some of the financial burden off this family’s shoulders as they navigate an incredibly difficult time. Thank you all for continuing to show up and support this family.”

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Cancer Survivors volunteer with Portneuf Health, importance of early detection in breast cancer

4:16 PM

Early Wednesday morning, cars lined up around the block to receive a free breakfast and goodie bag from Portneuf Medical Center, driving through a line of pink balloons to raise awareness for breast cancer. The “Brake for Breakfast” event is in its 27th year, with the goal remaining to encourage women aged 40 and older to schedule their routine mammograms. Early detection of breast cancer could be the life-saving difference in someone’s cancer journey. Patients and survivors were among the volunteers for the event.

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Idaho potato production faces setbacks from low prices and water scarcity

4:59 PM

Another Idaho potato harvest is coming to an end, but farmers faced several challenges getting this year’s crop out of the ground.

Sean Ellis from the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation says farmers planted about 300,000 acres of potatoes this year, down from roughly 315,000 acres last year. The decrease was driven by several factors, including water availability and potato prices.

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Bannock County to host Public Hearing for new Land Use and Development Ordinance, including ban reversal on renewable energy projects

4:49 PM

The Land Use and Development Ordinance (LUDO) has been quietly under construction in Bannock County for the last two years, as the county commissioners debate over topics including how to potentially allow renewable energy resource projects into the county. Previously, the LUDO was a total of eight separate documents, while the new, finished version combines the documents into a simplified single code. Residents have the opportunity to review this document and propose changes to Bannock County at the end of the month.

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National TV to ride along with IFPD on On Patrol: Live

8:52 AM

Local police officers will soon step into the national spotlight as the Idaho Falls Police Department joins the cast of the live television documentary series On Patrol: Live, beginning Friday, Oct. 9.

“We are proud of the work our officers do in Idaho Falls,” said Bryce Johnson, Idaho Falls Chief of Police. “Appearing on On Patrol: Live gives our community the opportunity to ride along with us every weekend and to see what your officers are doing and experiencing right here in Idaho Falls. We’re excited for this, and excited to be part of sharing the real stories of policing across the country.”

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