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Idaho House passes child sex abuse death penalty bill challenging U.S. Supreme Court decision

Monday, the Idaho House voted to unanimously pass a bill that would allow death penalty sentences for adults convicted of sexually abusing children ages 12 and younger.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa,says House Bill 380 is intended to amend existing law defining “aggravated rape” beyond “lewd and lascivious conduct” and to create harsher punishments for adults convicted of the most heinous of those crimes involving young children.

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Governor Little approves $5 million increase for literacy education training

Governor Brad Little was joined by Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and state lawmakers Monday as he signed Senate Bill 1069 appropriating an additional $5 million in ongoing funding to support literacy in public schools.

Senate Bill 1069 amended the Idaho Code to expand opportunities and professional training for all Kindergarten through third-grade teachers through the Idaho SMART program (Striving to Meet Achievement in Reading Together). The bill allocates an additional $5 million in ongoing funding to support literacy in public schools.

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City of Idaho Falls receives prestigious Idaho Award for Leadership in Energy Efficiency

The City of Idaho Falls’ ongoing efforts to reduce energy consumption have been recognized with the Idaho Award for Leadership in Energy Efficiency. The award honors the city’s commitment to reducing energy consumption and lowering costs for local taxpayers through energy-efficient lighting upgrades. In 2023 alone, Idaho Falls Power’s energy efficiency projects in the City of Idaho Falls saved over 711,267 kilowatt-hours (kWh) across 11 city-owned facilities, cutting energy use and reducing taxpayer costs by more than $50,000 annually.

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Bannock County proposes new 20-year plan for area growth and development

Bannock County leaders have drafted the ‘Comprehensive Plan 2040’, which gives guidelines for future growth and economic development in the area over the next 20 years and could be adopted as early as next week.

The Comprehensive Plan 2040 features five chapters focused on topics including ‘community development’, ‘economic growth’, and ‘outdoor adventure’ as well as specific goals for improvement in each area.

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311 bringing alternative rock to the PORT August 16

Omaha-based alternative rock band 311 is hitting the road with the return of their Unity Tour in 2025.

Kicking off on June 20 in Atlantic City, NJ, the band will make a stop at The Port (Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre), August 16 bringing the bands signature fusion of rock, reggae, and funk. Joining them on their nationwide tour will be direct support from Badflower, with Sitting on Saturn opening the show as the first of three acts.

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New Mazda Dealership in Idaho Falls

New car smell, meet new dealership smell, at least at Young Mazda in Idaho Falls. Young Mazda has opened a new dealership building at the intersection of Sunnyside and Pioneer Rd. “We moved our location to Sunnyside,” said Rachel Russell, Service Manager at Young Mazda Idaho Falls. “We’re just happy to be here and serve

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Boise State under investigaton for race-exclusionary practices

Boise State is one of 45 universities across the nation currently under investigation for allegedly engaging in discriminatory practices in the admission of applicants to their graduate programs.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened investigations into the universities under Title VI, following a February 14 Dear Colleague Letter that reinforced the obligation to end racial preferences in education. This comes amid allegations that these institutions violated Title VI by partnering with “The Ph.D. Project,” which allegedly restricts eligibility based on race.

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Rexburg drunk driver arrested for DUI and felony meth possession

Saturday, Rexburg Police responded to a traffic complaint of a potentially intoxicated driver near a local business. According to the caller, the driver had stopped in the business’s handicapped parking lot and was slumped over the steering wheel.
Rexburg Police said their officers conducted a probable cause search of the suspect vehicle where they found several prescription pills, a glass smoking pipe, and methamphetamine along with a large sum of cash.

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Idaho Fish and Game asking for your help in updating strategic plan

Fish and Game’s Strategic Plan, also called ‘The Compass’, was last updated in 2015, and sets the standard for Fish and Game strategies and tactics they use to meet their mission to, “Preserve, Protect, Perpetuate and Manage all of Idaho’s wildlife.”

“This is not necessarily a specific strategy, but more of a broad strategy–a roadmap, so to speak–that helps us achieve our mission and incorporates a variety of priorities, large priorities, that we’re trying to accomplish,” said Jennifer Jackson, regional communications manager for Fish and Game’s Southeast Region.

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Scam Alert: Idaho Falls Regional Airport warns travelers of rising E-Visa scams

The Idaho Falls Regional Airport is warning travelers to be on the look out for scammers and fraudulent websites pretending to issue E-visas or Electronic Travel Authorization. In a post on Facebook, the airport says they’ve noticed an uptick in travelers who think they have obtained legitimate travel documents for their international journey; unfortunately, those travelers found themselves losing money and unable to travel to their destination.

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Portion of Highland High School that burnt down

School District 25 to break ground to rebuild Highland High School

The following is a press release from Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25: POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Exciting things are happening at Highland High School! The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District is proud to announce the next major step in rebuilding Highland High School, with construction set to begin on March 17. To commemorate this milestone, the district will host a groundbreaking

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No more after hours at Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower National Monument, a significant landmark in Wyoming and a staple of the National Park Service (NPS), is implementing a major change in its operating hours. Starting Thursday, March 13, 2025, the monument will no longer be open to visitors after hours. Devils Tower is often considered an essential stop for travelers as they make their way through the northeast corner of Wyoming toward Yellowstone’s northeast entrance.

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Bonneville School District selects Hillcrest’s new Principal

The Bonneville Joint School District 93 has selected Tyler Mills, former Assistant Principal, as the next Principal of Hillcrest High School.

“I am incredibly honored and blessed by this opportunity. Hillcrest holds a special place in my heart—I love our students, our staff, and our community. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing mentors throughout my career, and I am excited to continue serving Hillcrest in this new capacity. This is one of the greatest joys of my life, and I look forward to the journey ahead,” said Mills.

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“The Oscar of Teaching” – Jackson Fine Arts Teacher surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Jackson Hole High School Fine Arts Teacher Collin Binko is being honored for his contribution to education. During a schoolwide assembly celebrating the high school’s positive student outcomes, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder and Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller presented Binko with the Milken Educator Award for Wyoming.

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Fish and Game investigating poaching incidents near Thatcher

“If we want to preserve, protect, perpetuate, manage these species for years to come, for future generations, we have to make sure that we’re managing them and we are protecting those populations,” said Jennifer Jackson, communications manager for Fish and Game’s Southeast Region. “It doesn’t mean you can’t have hunting and fishing and trapping–that’s part of conservation… but it does mean we have to follow rules and regulations to ensure, viable, sustainable populations for the future.”

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Doug Long returns to Local News 8 as Evening Anchor

Longtime viewers of Local News 8 will recognize Doug as a former reporter, weekend anchor, and one of our original morning anchors.  He first joined the Local News 8 team in 1994 before helping launch our morning newscasts in 1997.
“I’m delighted to hear that Doug Long is returning to Local News 8 as evening anchor,” said Eastern Idaho broadcasting legend Jay Hildebrandt.  “I remember when Doug began his career at channel 8 back in the 1990s, how impressed I was with his talent and potential. He and Linda Larsen will make a great co-anchor team, and I look forward to watching them on the news,” Jay said.

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I-80 tunnel update – WYDOT redirects traffic along Green River Tunnel

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) has redirected traffic on Interstate 80 to a head-to-head configuration in the eastbound tunnel. This change comes after the completion of paving operations at the west side crossovers located at mile markers 90 and 91. WYDOT and its contracting crews are now focusing on cleaning the tunnels and planning for necessary repairs.

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Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho Gears Up for 6th Annual Fundraising for Families Event

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho (RMHC of Idaho) is excited to announce that the 6th Annual Fundraising for Families event, presented by Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC), is happening again this year. Taking place from Tuesday, March 11, through Thursday, March 13, this vital campaign raises funds to support families with ill or injured children at the Ronald McDonald Family Room at EIRMC.

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32-year-old Idaho Falls man sentenced for Child Exploitation

“Removing these predators from our streets is a top priority for our office,” said Attorney General Labrador.  “Our ICAC prosecutors and investigators work hard to deliver justice for these tragically young victims of such disturbing crimes.  I’m continually grateful for the partnerships that have been built across the state.  Protecting children in our communities is a team effort, and we’ve built a great team.”

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Idaho Capitol

Senator Brian Lenney says HB-90 headed to the governor’s desk

The Bill’s sponsor, Sen. Brian Lenny (R), wrote on Twitter, “We just overwhelmingly passed House Bill 90, my legislation to strip authority from the beaurocrats at Health and Welfare. Their actions last year led to a disastrous $15 million budget overrun for Idaho’s childcare program. If signed, state employees will no longer be able to bypass the legislature and secretly negotiate deals with the feds behind our backs.”

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City of Pocatello seeks public input on PROST Plan

“This comprehensive plan will enhance our community by improving spaces and facilities,” writes the City of Pocatello. “The Plan provides an inventory and analysis of current facilities and programs, a needs analysis, a park design manual, a capital improvement plan, an operations and maintenance plan, and funding and implementation strategies. Let your voice be heard and be a part of this exciting journey!”

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