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Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Baker resigns

Paul Baker has resigned as CEO of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce amid speculation of his involvement in financial irregularities at the Portneuf Valley Soccer Club, though no charges have been filed against him.

The Chamber’s press release appears to directly address the ongoing rumors, reassuring members that its own finances remain secure.

“To date, the Board has not found any evidence that Chamber funds have been misappropriated,” the statement read.

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Fourth of July

Yellowstone National Park offering free admission for Fourth of July Weekend

YELLOWSTONE, WY (KIFI) – With free admission for U.S. residents from July 3 through July 5, Yellowstone expects especially heavy crowds this weekend at entrance stations, popular attractions, road construction zones, and wildlife viewing areas. If you’re planning to celebrate Independence Day in Yellowstone National Park, officials are encouraging visitors to plan ahead as one

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“It’s a wake-up call–we have it very well here:” Idaho congressman refects on the World Cup and America at 250.

As the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, the global spotlight from the World Cup is bringing a fresh perspective to the American experiment.

Local News 8 had a chance to catch up with Congressman Russ Fulcher from Idaho’s 1st Congressional District, who says the influx of international tourists is serving as a reminder of what Americans often take for granted — from wide-open spaces to ranch dressing.

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A waterless AI data center? A big experiment is under way in rural Utah

A nuclear power startup and an artificial intelligence computing company are partnering to try to create a “waterless” data center.

At an event here on Wednesday, NVIDIA debuted a chip fully powered by Valar Atomics’ small modular nuclear reactor. It was used to launch a website to demonstrate its capabilities when scaled up. The website is accessible here when the reactor is powered up.

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Third advanced reactor reaches criticality at INL ahead of America’s 250th anniversary

With America’s 250th anniversary just days away, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the third advanced reactor to go critical, meeting the Trump administration’s July 4 deadline.

The reactor, known as Unity and developed by Deployable Energy, successfully achieved criticality at Idaho National Laboratory. Criticality occurs when a nuclear reactor sustains a controlled nuclear chain reaction.

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Fish and Game Urges Caution with ill Bats and Raccoons in the area

Wildlife officials are urging southeastern Idaho residents to exercise caution after a bat in Bannock County tested positive for rabies, and a raccoon in Pocatello tested positive for canine distemper.

Idaho Fish and Game and Southeastern Idaho Public Health are tracking the cases and are encouraging people to be aware and know the best practices for dealing with sick or unusually bold wildlife.

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Community honors Jenefer Mitchell’s legacy of hope and recovery

Jenefer Mitchell, a woman who helped others recover from addiction, was remembered by hundreds of people at a memorial service in Idaho Falls. Mitchell believed that anyone can overcome addiction and fought to show others that they could do it. She was heavily involved with The Center for Hope Peer Recovery Center, which provides free addiction and mental health recovery support services to adults.

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East Idaho wildlife advisory: Distemper found in raccoons, bat encounters increase

Idaho Fish and Game is reminding East Idaho residents to use caution around wildlife after confirming distemper in raccoons in the Pocatello and Chubbuck area and sharing guidance for safely handling bat encounters around homes.

Over the past three weeks, Fish and Game personnel in southeast Idaho have responded to numerous reports of raccoons appearing sick, lethargic or injured. Officials say some of the animals were also seen lingering in plain view during daylight hours, behavior that is not typical for raccoons.

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Second measles case confirmed in Wyoming; public exposure locations identified

Wyoming health officials have confirmed a case of measles in an unvaccinated adult in Teton County and are warning the public about several potential exposure locations in northwest Wyoming.

“We are asking people who may have been exposed to watch for measles symptoms for 21 days past the exposure date and consider avoiding crowded public places and high-risk settings such as daycare centers,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, Wyoming’s state health officer.

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Firth man arrested after alleged threats with gun, attempted break-in near Ammon

A Firth man is facing felony charges after Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies say he threatened people with a gun while trying to force his way into a home Saturday night.

According to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a residence in the 2000 North block of Ammon Road just after 10 p.m. on June 27 after receiving reports of a disturbance.

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Volunteers build tables for 4-H exhibitors at Eastern Idaho State Fair

Volunteers with Bingham Ag Services and the Hall Foundation spent Friday building tables for 4-H exhibitors at the Eastern Idaho State Fair, helping prepare for this year’s event while supporting youth agriculture programs.

Employees with Bingham Ag Services partnered with the Hall Foundation on Friday to build tables that will be used by 4-H exhibitors during the fair. The tables are destined for the poultry barn, where youth participants display their birds throughout the event.

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All charges dismissed against Olympian Bode Miller following Idaho traffic stop

All drug-related charges against Olympic gold medalist Bode Miller have been officially dismissed in Fremont County, Idaho.

In a statement, Miller’s defense attorney, Jeromy W. Stafford, confirmed he had consulted with Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake, who agreed to drop the case.

“There is no evidence [Bode] possessed any illegal drugs,” Stafford stated. “Nothing was found on his person, and the passenger claimed ownership of all drugs found, so they are being dismissed factually.”

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‘Many Roots, One Rainbow’: Idaho Falls Pride returns this weekend

The 2026 Idaho Falls Pride celebration, themed “Many Roots, One Rainbow,” will take place Friday and Saturday with events designed to bring together members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies and families.

“I just want everyone to feel included,” Goodsell-Hall said. “Especially with the current political climate, I just want to reach out to our folks of different ethnicities and different backgrounds and be like, ‘We hear you. We love you. We accept you.'”

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Utah Gov. Spencer Cox declares emergency, expands fireworks restrictions ahead of July Fourth

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order Thursday declaring a new state of emergency aimed at reducing wildfire risk during the upcoming July fireworks season.

The order temporarily expands the authority of the state forester, allowing fireworks to be prohibited within city and town boundaries when fire conditions are considered extremely hazardous. Previously, the state forester could only impose broader fireworks restrictions on state and unincorporated lands.

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Glenn Beck to headline Preston fundraiser benefiting local history, library

A special fundraiser featuring Author Glenn Beck supporting two local nonprofits preserving history and expanding educational opportunities.

The fundraising event will benefit two local projects: the restoration of the historic Oneida Stake Academy, preserving an important piece of southeastern Idaho’s history, and the construction of a new addition to the Larsen-Sant Public Library, expanding educational opportunities for future generations

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Pocatello Police: Man found dead from suspected overdose near Main Street

A police investigation is underway after a deceased male was discovered on Thursday afternoon at the intersection of W Custer St. and N. Main in Pocatello.

The Bannock County Coroner’s Office was called to the scene to assist in the investigation. Authorities have explicitly stated that this was not a shooting situation, and the exact cause of death remains under investigation. Lt. Lacey emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public, as investigators have already ruled out homicide.

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Explosion in Yellowstone Creates New Hydrothermal Pool, how technology is shaping forecasting eruptions

A new crater has made its debut in Yellowstone National Park, filled with near-boiling water and caused by pressure changes just below the surface in Biscuit Basin. Monitors alerted scientists of seismic activity north of the Black Diamond Pool while Park Service employees saw milky water in the Firehole River downstream. Upon checking the camera footage, geologists saw steam erupting from the ground.

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Victor mayor announces resignation amid recall effort

Victor Mayor Will Frohlich announced he will resign from office effective July 1, saying he does not want the city to spend months fighting a recall effort while other issues remain unresolved.

In a statement released Wednesday, Frohlich said he believes voters would ultimately reject the recall petition filed against him, but decided stepping down is in the city’s best interest.

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Idaho woman accused of posing as nurse to obtain jobs at healthcare facilities

A Caldwell woman is among hundreds of people charged in what federal officials are calling one of the largest healthcare fraud enforcement actions in U.S. history.

On Tuesday, the Department of Justice announced charges against 455 defendants nationwide as part of its 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. Federal officials allege the schemes involved more than $6.5 billion in false claims submitted to Medicare, Medicaid and other healthcare programs.

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Former youth pastor charged in wife’s deadly 2006 fall from Angels Landing

A man who previously served as a church youth pastor has been charged with the murder of his wife, nearly 20 years after she fell to her death from Angels Landing in Zion National Park.

David Vander Meer was charged Tuesday with murder and insurance fraud by the Washington County Attorney’s Office. The charges came after the investigation into the death of Bernadette Vander Meer was reopened following a tip sent to the office.

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Summer travel scams warning issued

As families across Idaho prepare for the summer vacation season, Idaho Attorney General has issued a warning to be on the lookout for travel scams.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, scammers often create fake online advertisements that mimic airlines, hotels and travel booking websites in an attempt to steal personal and financial information.

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Idaho Falls woman killed, another hospitalized in four-vehicle crash near Iona

A 59-year-old woman from Idaho Falls died after a four-vehicle collision on U.S. 26 northwest of Iona. ISP says the crash took place after a 39-year-old man from Camarillo, California, ran a stop sign and collided with the woman’s Dodge Challenger. The force of the impact pushed the Dodge into the westbound lanes of the highway, where it collided with a Ford F-250 and a Ford Focus.

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