Skip to Content

Regional News

Star BYU receiver charged with rape in Utah

A standout wide receiver at Brigham Young University is being charged with rape for an alleged incident that occurred last year.

The Washington County Attorney’s Office announced that it filed a first-degree felony rape charge against 21-year-old Parker Trent Kingston on Tuesday. He was arrested and is being held in the Washington County Jail without bail.

Continue Reading

Wasatch County Republican Chair arrested for allegedly waterboarding teen daughter

A 54-year-old Heber City man is facing aggravated child abuse charges after his 16-year-old daughter told police that he waterboarded her.

According to court documents, on January 21, Heber City police received a mandatory child abuse and neglect report from the Utah Division of Child and Family Services. The report stated that the 16-year-old girl didn’t feel safe in her home and feared for her life.

Continue Reading

Olympian reflects on competing in Cortina 70 years ago as games return to Italy

As the Olympic Games unfold in Milan and Cortina, Italy, the slopes of Cortina are once again hosting Olympic alpine skiing. But this isn’t the first time these Italian mountains have welcomed the world’s best skiers.

For 90-year-old Marvin Melville, a Utah native and two-time Olympian, watching the games return to Cortina brings back vivid memories from seven decades ago when he competed there as a 20-year-old in 1956.

Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading

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

Continue Reading

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

Continue Reading

Community takes Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Utah

People from all over jumped into freezing cold water on Thursday, to help raise money for Special Olympics Utah.

The polar plunge at the America First Field in Sandy was one of four events to help make inclusive sports more accessible for athletes. They called in ‘Freezin for a Reason.’

“People are willing to jump into cold water to support the mission of Special Olympics, we’re raising funds and awareness,” said Scott Weaver, President and CEO of Special Olympics Utah.

Continue Reading

Tooele couple recounts hearing loud explosion, escaping flames

A fire destroyed a Tooele couple’s home and took the life of one of their pets Friday night.

It happened about 6 p.m.

“We were actually just getting ready to eat a roast,” homeowner Brittany Johnson said. “Our fire alarms started to go off, which sometimes they randomly do that anyway, which is a little inconvenient, but, if we shower, hot water is running too long, they just kind of go off and do their own thing.”

Continue Reading

Teen son of slain Saratoga Springs woman had gunshot residue on his clothing, police say

Clothing worn by the 15-year-old son of a Saratoga Springs mother who was shot and killed in her home had gun residue on it.

That’s according to a series of search warrants recently unsealed in 4th District Court that provide more insight into the evidence collected by Saratoga Springs police in their ongoing investigation into the shooting deaths of Jessica Orton Lyman, 44, and her 8-year-old son, Eli Painter. No arrests have been made in the killings and no suspects have been named.

Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading

Utah’s first-of-its-kind water reclamation facility transforms toilet water into water plants crave

A groundbreaking $51 million water reclamation facility is about to transform how southern Utah handles wastewater. The Confluence Park Water Reclamation Facility represents 20 years of planning and construction, and it’s the first of its kind in Utah.

“As a child, I always wanted to be a marine biologist. But I also wanted to live here. So those two things don’t work together very well,” said Bradley Johnson, who grew up in Hurricane and La Verkin and now works at the facility.

Continue Reading

Where are they now? Netflix revisits Elizabeth Smart and key figures in her kidnapping case

“I’m not just that girl that was kidnapped. That happened to me, but I’m so much more,” Elizabeth Smart told CNN’s Anderson Cooper in 2013.

A new Netflix documentary premiering January 21 has renewed interest in one of the most closely followed kidnapping cases in American history. Smart was 14 when she was kidnapped from her Salt Lake City home in 2002 and rescued nine months later.

Continue Reading

Idaho-Falls native filmmaker screening his award-winning documentary around Eastern Idaho

Eastern Idaho (KIFI) – Get ready for an adventure next week as award-winning Idaho filmmaker Dusty Hulet brings his riveting documentary “Bears of Durango” to screens across eastern Idaho. Audiences will have a rare opportunity to experience the wild drama of human-bear encounters and the quest for conservation, all through Hulet’s captivating lens. Dusty Hulet

Continue Reading

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issues statement following fatal Utah shooting

A spokesperson for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued the following statement in response to the fatal shooting at a Salt Lake meetinghouse:

“We are aware of a serious incident that occurred outside a Church meetinghouse at 660 North Redwood Road in Salt Lake City tonight as a memorial service was being held in the chapel. The Church is cooperating with law enforcement and is grateful for the efforts of first responders. Until more information is available, all questions about this incident are being directed to the Salt Lake City Police Department. We extend prayers for all who have been impacted by this tragedy and express deep concern that any sacred space intended for worship should be subjected to violence of any kind.”

Continue Reading

Idaho’s efforts to confront prison sexual abuse hampered by Federal cuts

**Content Warning: The following article discusses topics of Sexual abuse and assault.**
As Idaho reckons with revelations of widespread sexual abuse by women’s prison staff, the Trump administration has cut off support meant to help states combat that kind of abuse.   

Funding for the National Prison Rape Elimination Act Resource Center was abruptly cut by the U.S. Department of Justice in April, shuttering the 15-year-old program that helped jails and prisons implement federal standards designed to protect incarcerated youth and adults from sexual exploitation and ensured facilities complied with those standards.

Continue Reading

Urgent Call to Action: Families of Kratom victims rally for awareness and change

Families of Kratom victims are taking a stand to expose the serious dangers of Kratom and advocate for awareness and change. Kratom products continue to be sold and marketed heavily around Idaho, despite the official FDA warnings of the drug’s life-threatening effects. Now, officials and the victims’ loved ones are speaking out.
In the last 18 months, the Bonneville County Coroner’s office has investigated six kratom-related deaths. A staggering four of the fatalities were determined to be solely due to the acute drug toxicity of mitragynine, the primary active compound found in Kratom. One of these four victims was 23-year-old Kielee Rustici of Idaho Falls.

Continue Reading

In CNN interview, Govs. Spencer Cox of Utah and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania condemn political violence

By Arit John, CNN (CNN) — Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro condemned the rise of political violence during a joint interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, calling on politicians, including President Donald Trump, to help lower the temperature in the country. The two responded on Tuesday to the president’s comments

Continue Reading

Student searches for Good Samaritan who performed a good deed, restoring his faith in humanity

A Southern Utah University student has launched an online search to find the mystery person who restored his faith in humanity after going far out of their way to do the right thing.

Freshman Karson Thomas had left class and was headed to his car Monday when he came home and realized his wallet was left behind in the parking lot.

“I didn’t even realize it was gone until my sister had called me and told me that someone had returned my wallet. So I didn’t even know it was gone until it was returned,” Thomas said Wednesday.

Continue Reading

Indigenous Fashion Show raises awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous persons

The first Indigenous fashion show in Boise is using style and storytelling to spotlight a crisis affecting communities across the country — Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP).

The sold-out event, presented by Your Voice Is Heard Foundation, brought together Native communities from across the Pacific Northwest to honor culture and raise awareness.

Continue Reading

Confessed killer who fled to Idaho Falls sentenced to 60 Years for Bozeman Walmart Homicide

The man who confessed to brutally killing a woman and her dog in a Montana parking lot before fleeing with the victim’s remains to Idaho Falls has been sentenced to spend what will likely be the rest of his life behind bars.

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Judge Rienne H. McElyea sentenced Christopher Brandon Foiles, of Spokane, to 60 years in state prison with no possibility of parole for deliberate homicide.

Continue Reading

Utah father who went missing with 3 children on hike charged with child torture, abuse

A Utah father who went missing overnight last month with his three children in Big Cottonwood Canyon has been charged with multiple counts of child torture and aggravated child abuse.

The indictment accuses Micah Smith of being “selfish” and formally charges him with 3 counts of child torture and three counts of aggravated child abuse. He is currently being held without bail.

Continue Reading

DSP’s Doing Good food pantry giving away free meals for essential workers this Thanksgiving

Eastern Idaho (KIFI) – The DSPs Doing Good Organization, part of the DSP, will provide free Thanksgiving meals to aid direct support professionals on November 25th-26th during the holiday season. This initiative aims to alleviate holiday stress for those professionals and is part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to assist both DSPs and the individuals

Continue Reading

“Incredible Idaho Women”: a new book celebrating Eastern Idaho’s unsung heroes and increasing literacy

Eastern Idaho (KIFI) – This month, BoiseDev proudly released its latest work, “Incredible Idaho Women,” a captivating book that celebrates the lives and achievements of 43 remarkable women throughout Idaho’s history, from the pioneering settlers of the past to the trailblazing figures of today. With vivid storytelling and rich illustrations, the book unveils the inspiring

Continue Reading

250 Trucks, 50 States: LDS Church to donate an estimated 10 million lbs of food aid for America250

In preparation for the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is kicking off its partnership with America250, the nonpartisan congressional commission preparing the momentous occasion, by launching a massive nationwide service effort.

To symbolize the milestone, the Utah-based faith announced in a news release Thursday that it has designated a fleet of 250 semitrucks to deliver food donations to 250 food banks across all 50 states.

Continue Reading

Pocatello Regional Airport cancels upcoming flight on Sunday, November 9th due to FAA cuts

The Federal Aviation Administration’s plan to slash airline capacity is already affecting flights in Southeast Idaho.

As of this morning, Delta Airlines has informed Pocatello Regional Airport that Delta Flight 3702 has been canceled. This cancellation is a result of the FAA’s recent decision to reduce air capacity by 10% due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Continue Reading

LDS Church names Elder Gérald Caussé to Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The faith officially announced today that Elder Gérald Caussé, a 62-year-old native of Bordeaux, France, will be the newest apostle. He was called on November 6th.

“I’ve always had a testimony of Jesus Christ,” Elder Caussé said Thursday. “He’s always been in the center of my life. I know Jesus Christ lives. And I know He’s our Savior and Redeemer. What a wonderful thing it is to be a witness of Christ. That’s the best responsibility or stewardship we might have in our lives.”

Continue Reading

Time capsule from Japanese Church of Christ revealed to public Saturday

Leaders from the Japanese Church of Christ unveiled artifacts found in a 101-year-old time capsule on Saturday, showcasing the story of early Japanese immigrants to Salt Lake City.

According to a press release from Michelle Schmitt, the previously unknown time capsule contained three newspapers, Sunday school records, an American and Japanese flag and two small bibles, one of which had been brought to Utah by a Japanese immigrant in 1906.

Continue Reading

Backcountry skier using AI to predict avalanches

Denny Schaedig, another backcountry skier and neuroscientist, is working on a solution. He is pairing his love for the outdoors with artificial intelligence to better gauge avalanche risk.

The effort began as part of a capstone project for Schaedig’s AI and machine learning master’s degree at Colorado State University Global. The fully online school allowed him to live and work in the Silverthorne area and be able to do research in the surrounding mountains.

Continue Reading

“Presumption of Innocence”: Judge rules accused Charlie Kirk killer can wear civilian clothes in court

Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing political activist Charlie Kirk, made his first in-person court appearance last Friday. The closed hearing was requested by his attorney, Kathy Nester, two weeks prior to discuss what Robinson would be permitted to wear during his court appearances.

Attorney Nester filed the motion arguing that forcing Robinson to appear in typical inmate attire or restraints—such as a “suicide robe,” bulletproof vest, or shackles—would unfairly prejudice the jury. She argues that these visible signs of imprisonment lead people to assume he’s guilty, violating his right to a fair and impartial trial.

Continue Reading

“Idaho Catholics urge Congress to pass bill protecting foreign-born religious workers”

The Catholic community in Idaho is advocating for Congress to pass a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting foreign-born religious workers from deportation. Currently, the Diocese of Boise hosts 79 active priests, 22% of whom are foreign-born and originate from 15 different countries.

Since January 2025, two priests in Idaho have been forced to leave the U.S. due to expired R-1 visas, and the Diocese of Boise is projected to lose its first parish priest in November 2025. An additional 14 priests are at risk of deportation, with estimates suggesting that over 25% of the clergy in Idaho may face this issue by 2026.

Continue Reading

Lawyers for Jack Smith rebut claims that investigators ‘wiretapped’ GOP members of Congress in January 6 probe

Attorneys for former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith rebutted claims by Republican lawmakers that investigators in the January 6 election subversion case had “wiretapped” GOP members of Congress.

Senate Republicans in recent weeks accused Smith and the FBI of “political weaponization” after the FBI disclosed 2023 court orders used to obtain phone toll records belonging to eight senators and one House member. The records covered calls over four days surrounding the January 6, 2021, attack by Donald Trump supporters on the Capitol.

Continue Reading

California Sheriff’s Lieutenant killed in Idaho hunting accident, fundraiser launched for family

In the wake of the shooting, the Riverside Sheriff’s Association has shared a Help A Hero fundraiser on behalf of Kass’s family. As of Thursday, the fundraiser has raised $11,590 of its $80,000 goal.

The fundraiser states, “He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and loyal friend. Nathan’s character as a protector and mentor strengthened his impact on the many walks of life he encountered.”

Continue Reading
Therapy dogs offer solace after deadly Michigan church attack

Therapy dogs offer solace after deadly Michigan church attack

A team from central Indiana has returned home after helping a Michigan community heal from a tragic church attack.

The team included two comfort dogs that helped people heal.

The dogs spent several days offering emotional support to survivors and first responders after the deadly church shooting in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. Four people died and eight others were wounded in the Sunday attack just as services were underway in the crowded sanctuary.

Continue Reading

The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho Launches “Foster the Arts” Program

“Foster families play such a vital role in our community,” said Amy Thompson, Development Director at TAM and former foster parent. Thompson’s family provided foster care for six years, ultimately adopting one of their children through the foster system.

“They are helping children heal, grow, and find their footing again—and we believe art can be an important part of that process. We’re honored to create a space where families can connect, create, and find joy together through art.”

Continue Reading

Pocatello Animal Shelter and Subaru to host name-your-price adoption event on October 4

“This is a good way to help make sure that there are hardly any barriers to coming and picking a pet, especially financial barriers,” said Sarah Moore, administrative assistant for Pocatello Animal Services. “It helps us get some of our more overlooked animals–like cats who have been here for months, dogs who have been overlooked for months–helps them get seen and hopefully get the home that they’ve been waiting for.”

Continue Reading

Putting kids first: new coalition helping families afford child care in Southeast Idaho

“If you have an infant, you want to put them in childcare, that’s equal to a semester’s tuition at Idaho State University,” said Jeff Hough, chair of the Bannock County Board of Commissioners and founding member of the KIDS First Coalition. “If you are a single parent and only making $15 to $18 an hour, you can’t afford to work and have childcare; so what this program is designed to do is to help ease that burden so that you can go back to the workforce rather than being on a welfare program.”

Continue Reading

From pumpkins to tomatoes: Chubbuck gardener grows record-breaking produce

Local gardener, Cliff Warren, recently set a new state record for largest tomato with a whopping 3.57-pound fruit; the tomato went through a rigorous weighing and judging process before it was declared a record-breaker at the Center Street Giant Pumpkin Festival in Logan, Utah, on September 27.
“We had a lot of space and I always wanted to be a gardener,” said Warren. “My sister went to the library and found a book, ‘How to Grow Giant Pumpkins’; I read the book, I got hooked, and I’ve been growing giant pumpkins ever since.”

Continue Reading

‘Our hearts are heavy’: LDS church leader offers comfort after prophet’s death and targeted attack

In a time of profound grief for members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Dallin H. Oaks, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has released a statement addressing two major events: the passing of the church’s global leader, President Russell M. Nelson, and the deadly attack at a Michigan chapel.

Continue Reading

Idaho Walk Bike Alliance encourages Pocatellans to ditch their cars this week

The Idaho Walk Bike Alliance (IWBA) has partnered with national pedestrian-advocacy organization America Walks to bring a ‘Week Without Driving’ to the Portneuf Valley.

“This week gives you a glimpse into how many things you can do without actually getting in your vehicle, and you still get to a lot of the places you want to get to,” said ‘Cowboy’ Ted Hallisey, with IWBA.

Continue Reading

Confessions, DNA and his grandfather’s rifle: This is the evidence so far against the Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

By Zoe Sottile, CNN (CNN) — More than two weeks after Charlie Kirk, the conservative firebrand and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University, attorneys for his suspected killer appeared in court Monday – the latest step on the lengthy road to a state trial. Tyler

Continue Reading

Detectives drop from helicopter to recover remains believed to be Travis Decker, who’s accused of killing 3 daughters

By Holly Yan, Karina Tsui, CNN (CNN) — Months after the bodies of three young sisters were found suffocated and abandoned in the Washington state wilderness, authorities believe they’ve found the remains of the man accused of killing them: their father. Investigators found bone fragments, other human remains and clothes that look similar to what

Continue Reading

Education Secretary Linda McMahon visits Jackson to promote shift of education power to States

Since shuttering portions of the Department of Education, President Trump has tasked United States Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to take the lead on returning several functions of the DOE to the states. Today, Secretary McMahon made her way to the Jackson Hole Classical Academy at K-12 School in Wyoming, highlighting the Trump administration’s plans for education.

Continue Reading

Pocatello Valley Montessori School hosts ‘Human-Powered Rodeo’ with Idaho Walk Bike Alliance Thursday

“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.”

Continue Reading

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.”

Continue Reading

Solo hiker hospitalized after bear encounter near Yellowstone Lake

A 29-year-old solo hiker is recovering at a local hospital after a bear attack on the Turbid Lake Trail in Yellowstone National Park. The incident, which happened Friday afternoon, marks the first bear-related injury in the park this year.

The man, who has not been identified, was reportedly hiking alone in the Pelican Valley Bear Management Area when he encountered the bear. According to a statement from the National Park Service (NPS), the hiker deployed bear spray as the animal made contact. Despite this, the hiker suffered significant but non-life-threatening injuries to his chest and left arm.

Continue Reading

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.”

Continue Reading

Pocatello horse-based therapy program hosting fundraiser event with celebrity guest Wednesday

Bridle Up Hope, a non-profit equestrian-based therapy and self-esteem building program, is hosting ‘A Night of Hope’ fundraiser event with food, live music, and an appearance from national rodeo star Amberley Snyder on Wednesday, September 17.
“We are looking for support from the community to help girls, women, and horses of Bridle Up Hope,” said Lana Davies, program director for Bridle Up Hope in Pocatello. “Through support of a fundraiser, those funds are going to go into our scholarship fund to help girls and women who can’t afford the program to be able to participate in a life-changing experience.”

Continue Reading

“With a little commitment, we can do hard things”: Idaho Falls man finishes 100 marathons

For most people, completing a single marathon is a life-changing accomplishment. For Kalvin Pike of Idaho Falls, it was just the beginning.
On Saturday, September 13, Kalvin crossed the finish line of his 100th marathon at the REVEL Big Cottonwood race in Murray, Utah, marking a milestone that few runners ever achieve. But this journey of a hundred races didn’t start with a personal goal; it began with a supportive husband cheering from the sidelines.

Continue Reading
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.

Continue Reading

Denver-area high school shooting suspect was ‘radicalized,’ officials say

The suspected shooter who critically wounded two students at Evergreen High School in Colorado during their third week of classes this semester appeared to have been “radicalized by some extreme network,” officials said Thursday.

The suspect, a student at the school, took the school bus that morning and brought with him a significant amount of ammunition, said Jacki Kelley, public information officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He roamed the campus, searching for new targets, as he shot out windows and lockers covering a “huge area” of the school, she said.

Continue Reading