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Demolition begins on Pine Ridge Mall

Demolition crews have started to tear down portions of the Pine Ridge Mall in preparation for renovations to turn the mall into an open-air retail space.

The upcoming ‘Pine Ridge Shopping Center’ is slated to have some of the mall’s current tenants, like Hobby Lobby and CAL Ranch, and welcome new stores like the long-awaited Target.

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Demolition crews take down Idaho Naval Reactor Prototype building

Crews with the Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) have completed the demolition of the high bay roof and walls of the Submarine 1st Generation Westinghouse (S1W) naval reactor prototype plant, using explosives to carry out this key phase of work. The effort, overseen by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) and ICP contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC), marks significant progress in reducing the footprint at the Naval Reactors Facility (NRF) located on the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site.

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Mayor Blad nominates Dakota Bates to fill vacant Pocatello City Council seat

The race to fill the vacant Pocatello City Council seat may be heading into the final stretch. After considering seventeen applications for the position, on Tuesday, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad announced his pick to fill vacant Seat #4, Dakota Bates.

Bates will be considered for the role in the upcoming regular City Council meeting on June 5, 2025. If confirmed by the City, Bates’s seat on the City Council would be effective June 5, 2025, and he would fulfill the unexpired term through December 2025.

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Greater Idaho Falls Realtor Association Office

Housing markets trend better for buyers across the nation, what about Idaho?

It’s a waiting game. If sellers get desperate to sell, they’ll lower prices to get buyers. If buyers get desperate to purchase a home, they’ll pay for one at a higher price. If a seller lowers their prices, all other sellers lower theirs, but when bought from, the pressure to lower the prices is lessened. With interest rates causing problems, forcing people to break contracts on homes they can no longer afford, realtors have a tricky road to navigate.

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New webcam captures eruption at Biscuit Basin’s Black Diamond Pool

A newly installed camera at Biscut Basin’s Black Diamond Pool captured a rare event: a small hydrothermal eruption from the pool over the weekend.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the eruption is the first that has been captured on video since the hydrothermal explosion on July 23, 2024, which dramatically changed the Biscuit Basin area, although monitoring data and eyewitnesses have indicated that sporadic eruptions have happened several times since the initial explosion last year.

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Record number of Bannock County homeowners applied for Property Tax Reduction program

The Bannock County Assessor’s Office announced they have seen a record number of homeowners apply for the Property Tax Reduction (PTR) program this year.

The PTR, formerly known as ‘Circuit Breaker’, program can reduce property taxes by up to $1,500 for people with disabilities, seniors, and some veterans; applicants must have an annual income of $37,810 or less.

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61-year-old Jerome man killed in motorcycle crash

A 61-year-old man from Jerome is dead after an early Sunday morning motorcycle crash.

According to Idaho State Police, just before noon on Sunday, June 1, 2025, the rider was traveling westbound on State Highway 24 near milepost 39.5. The motorcyclist exited the roadway on his 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle turning right down a hill where he lost control and crashed.

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Man with a weapon reportedly set people on fire in Boulder, Colorado, attack, police chief says

Police in Boulder, Colorado, are investigating after man reportedly set people on fire in an attack, leaving multiple people injured, police said during a news conference. A suspect is in custody.

“When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims that were injured with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries,” Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said Sunday.

A group of pro-Israel demonstrators were taking part in a peaceful demonstration, Redfearn added.

“We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available,” FBI director Kash Patel said in a social media post Sunday.

FBI personnel are at the scene along with local law enforcement, according to FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

“We are investigating this incident as an act of terror, and targeted violence,” Bongino posted to social media. “All of the necessary assets will be dedicated to this investigation.”

The reported attack took place at the Boulder Run for Their Lives event, the Anti-Defamation League said on social media. The weekly gathering of Jewish community members is meant to support the hostages taken during the October 7 attacks in Israel in 2023.

The incident happened ahead of the holiday of Shavuot, according to the ADL – a Jewish holiday which celebrates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Prior Encounters, Known Disabilities: Perez family attorney says Pocatello Police mishandled fatal shooting

Lawyers representing the family of Victor Perez are arguing the fatal shooting of the disabled teen by Pocatello Police was a preventable tragedy, saying the officers were aware of the 17-year-old’s autism diagnosis, significant mental health struggles, and physical disabilities.

The new development comes after a Local News 8 investigation broke the news that Pocatello police had previously interacted with Victor Perez on two separate occasions before the April 5 shooting that led to his death.

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“Hopefully, this never happens again”: Former consultant for Boise Police analyzes officer-involved shooting in Pocatello

The Idaho Critical Incident Task Force is in the middle of its investigation for the Pocatello police shooting of Victor Perez. 
Local News 8’s Doug Long spoke with a man who, for 15 years, had to walk a fine line between the men and women in blue and the public. His experience sheds light on the difficult task a city and community face in the aftermath of a police shooting.

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Search and Resucue volunteers help teen who crashed mountain bike along Teton Pass trail

A 16-year-old boy is recovering after crashing his mountain bike on the Parallel Trail along Teton Pass early Friday, according to Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR).

TCSAR received an emergency call around 1 p.m. reporting the incident. In a Facebook post, the organization described the Parallel Trail as a “downhill-specific bike trail with several jumps, some of which have mandatory gaps.”

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Memorial Day Weekend kicks off with massive flag display in Freeman Park in Idaho Falls

The 13th annual field of honor for our veterans and heroes is happening in Idaho Falls this weekend. It’s being put on by the exchange club of Idaho Falls.

The club says they were impressed by the number of volunteers who came to set up flags Friday morning, May 23rd. With 70 volunteers, one thousand flags were planted this morning in Freeman Park in 90 minutes.

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Local firefighters “Fill the Boot” for Muscular Dystrophy Association this weekend

The Idaho Falls Fire Department is once again upholding a cherished tradition, partnering with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for their annual “Fill the Boot” fundraising campaign this weekend.

Dedicated firefighters will be stationed at the busy intersection of Hitt Road and 17th Street on Friday, May 23rd, and Saturday, May 24th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., collecting donations to support individuals and families battling muscular diseases.

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Federal waivers in Indiana, Iowa could boost Idaho’s chances for SNAP purchase restrictions

“President Trump has given our nation a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the health trajectory for our entire country,” said Secretary Rollins. “On my first day as Secretary, I sent a call to states to innovate, and Governors Jim Pillen, Kim Reynolds, Mike Braun, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Laura Kelly, Patrick Morrisey, Jared Polis, Brad Little, Spencer Cox, and Greg Abbott have stepped up and taken action.”

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Veterans and volunteers gather for Idaho Field of Heroes Memorial dedication ceremony Friday

The annual Idaho Field of Heroes Memorial has returned to the Portneuf Valley for its 21st year; the memorial was officially dedicated with a community ceremony on Friday.

The Idaho Field of Heroes Memorial is a tradition started by Bannock County to honor the military members who have died in the war on terrorism since September 11, 2001. Volunteers spend over 3,000 hours building and installing 7,064 markers in the Century High School soccer fields bearing the names of men and women who lost their lives in military service.

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Funland at the Zoo opens for the season

Funland at the Zoo opens for the season on Friday, May 23, inviting visitors to extend their trip to the Idaho Falls Zoo with classic rides, snacks and family fun.

Located just steps from the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Funland offers a unique opportunity to turn a zoo visit into a full afternoon of excitement. Whether you’re flying high on the Octopus, taking a leisurely ride on the carousel or enjoying a snack around the original log hut, Funland makes it easy to keep the good times going.

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Yellowstone road rage incident leads to Federal Conviction for Oregon man

A 67-year-old Bend, Oregon, man faces up to 20 years in federal prison after being convicted of assaulting a federal employee inside Yellowstone National Park last year. David Tyler Regnier was found guilty by a federal jury on Wednesday, May 21, for the assault.

According to court documents, on September 18, 2024, Regnier was spotted by two park employees directing traffic near Canyon Junction. He was reportedly driving the wrong way along the road to avoid a construction zone and appeared upset with the traffic direction.

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Victor Perez Shooting Timeline

The shocking and controversial Pocatello police shooting of 17-year-old Victor Perez on April 5, 2025, ignited public outrage and propelled the city into a national conversation about the use of force.

Local News 8 has created the interactive timeline to provide more insight into how events unfolded and how the shooting has impacted the Pocatello and greater southeast Idaho communities.

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Local airport sees spike in firearms at security checkpoints: Know the rules for flying with firearms

With the summer travel season officially underway, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing a crucial reminder for travelers. So far this year, TSA officers at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport have intercepted six firearms at security checkpoints, with three in April alone.

That’s nearly halfway to last year’s total of 13, which set a record for the airport.

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Buckle Up! Bonneville County cracks down on seatbelt violations for “100 deadliest days”

Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies are participating with the Idaho Office of Highway Safety and Law Enforcement from around the state looking for seatbelt violations. Going into Memorial Day weekend and the beginning of the 100 deadliest days of summer, this mobilization will put extra Deputies on our roads in high traffic areas looking for and enforcing seat belt violations.

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Pocatello buzzing for National Pollinator Week, starting June 17th

The Friends of Edson Fichter Nature Area and members of the National Pollinator Pathways Organization are hosting a week of events in June celebrating Pocatello’s pollinators.

The events during National Pollinator Week will highlight all of the insects and animals that help plants reproduce and grow, and teach people how to grow their own pollinator-friendly gardens, while stoking appreciation of all the things pollinators do for people.

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UPDATE: Idaho Falls teenager reported missing: Police ask for public’s help

The Idaho Falls Police Department is looking for a juvenile runaway, Cordell Kenworthy. Cordell is a 17-year-old white male with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is 6 feet tall and approximately 160 pounds. Cordell was last seen wearing a black hoodie and plaid coat and was carrying a yellow backpack. Cordell was last seen around 9:30 p.m. on May 19th, at his residence in Idaho Falls.

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Kohberger defense team demands trial delay after case details leak

The defense team of Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, is pushing to delay the fastly approaching murder trial, citing the apparent leak that made its way into a recent episode of “Dateline NBC.”

In recently published court documents, Kohberger’s lawyers argue that the case details mentioned in the Dateline special, “The Terrible Night on King Road,” violated the court’s gag order, but may have created an unfair basis against their client.

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Brady Chapel open house set for Memorial Day

The City of Pocatello Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), in coordination with the Friends of the Brady Chapel, will be hosting the Brady Chapel Memorial Day Open House Monday, May 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery.

A special presentation will take place at noon, highlighting the historical significance of the Chapel and ongoing preservation efforts.

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