1+ mon, 4+ week ago (335+ words) As election season intensifies for local offices in Idaho Falls, candidates for mayor gathered at a public forum hosted by Stand Up for Idaho to share their visions for the city's future. Lisa Burtenshaw, Christian Ashcraft, and Jeffrey Aldridge fielded questions from residents, focusing on the challenges of rapid growth, housing affordability, infrastructure strain, and the need for better communication between city hall and the public. Idaho Falls is experiencing significant growth, which brings both opportunities and challenges. Candidate Lisa Burtenshaw, acknowledged the inevitability of this growth, stating, "There's no way that we're going to be able to stop the growth. It's coming, and we have some great reasons why we're growing, but we have been discovered." The candidates recognized that with growth comes rising housing costs, traffic congestion, and strained infrastructure. Christian Ashcraft emphasized the city's role in managing…...

5+ mon, 3+ week ago (127+ words) An police investigation is confirmed at a home in Idaho Falls at 7th and Lee. There is no ongoing threat to the public, according to Public Information Officer Jessica Clements. IDAHO FALLS (KIFI)- An active police investigation is confirmed at a home in Idaho Falls at 7th and Lee. There is no ongoing threat to the public, according to Public Information Officer Jessica Clements. Lee Street is closed in between 7th and 8th Street.The Idaho Falls Police Department is asking the general public to stay away from the area, but if there are residents who need to access the neighborhood, the police department will work with them.Local News 8 will continue to provide updates throughout the day. Travis is a producer for Local News 8....

2+ mon, 1+ week ago (101+ words) An Idaho Falls city worker died while they were on duty. City spokesperson Kimberly Felker said emergency responders were called to the scene on Saturday morning. IDDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)An Idaho Falls city worker died while they were on duty. City spokesperson Kimberly Felker said emergency responders were called to the scene on Saturday morning. The city isn't releasing any specifics of where the death happened, but Felker says there is no sign of foul play. The name of the city employee is not being released. City leaders are extending their deepest condolences to the family of the worker....

5+ mon, 2+ week ago (159+ words) IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) " The friend of a family who lost everything in a house fire Monday night, June 9th, has organized a GoFundMe on behalf of the family. The fire tore through a home on Lornwood Avenue in Bonneville County Monday afternoon, destroying the garage and back deck. Dawn Barber of Blackfoot, who created the fundraiser, says the home belonged to a single father and his young son, who were not home at the time. The fire caused an estimated $200,000 in damages. Barber says the father and son had insurance, but are facing a "pretty hefty deductible." "They are displaced but able to stay with family right now, so the immediate needs will be personal/hygiene items like clothes, as well as the deductible. Plenty of worries right now, money shouldn't be another," said Dawn Barber of Idaho Falls in…...

5+ day, 16+ hour ago (176+ words) IDAHO (KIFI) " Ahead of the Thanksgiving travel surge, the Idaho State Police is increasing patrols on the Gem State's roadways, reminding drivers to slow down, buckle up, and drive sober during one of the busiest travel holidays of the year. AAA of Idaho predicts an astonishing 81.8 million Americans will'travel'for the holiday, including 478,000 Idahoans.'With record numbers of drivers expected to hit the road, motorists can expect the largest presence of law enforcement on the day before Thanksgiving, which ISP projects to be the heaviest travel day. "Thanksgiving weekend can often turn deadly as it combines heavy traffic with winter weather, and that means drivers need to slow down and give themselves extra time," Lieutenant Tyler Barrett said. "We just want everyone to get to their destinations safely and return home safely, which is why this operation focuses on visibility and…...

6+ mon, 3+ week ago (176+ words) Some Idaho Falls Power customers may experience brief power outages in the coming weeks as crews work to upgrade infrastructure. Over the next 6 weeks, crews will be upgrading power poles and overhead lines in the Falls subdivision to improve long-term service reliability. IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) " Some Idaho Falls Power customers may experience brief power outages in the coming weeks as crews work to upgrade infrastructure. Over the next 6 weeks, crews will be upgrading power poles and overhead lines in the Falls subdivision to improve long-term service reliability, according to a post on the Idaho Falls Power Facebook page. Work is scheduled to take place weekdays from 8 AM-4:30 PM. According to the post, people living near the subdivision can expect occasional brief outages, temporary access restrictions, and construction noise during work hours. "Please stay clear of work areas for everyone's…...

3+ mon, 3+ week ago (234+ words) The following is an urgent news release from Eastern Idaho Public Health: EASTERN IDAHO (KIFI) " Eastern Idaho Public Health has reported a case of measles in an adolescent in Eastern Idaho. The adolescent was an international traveler who was unvaccinated against measles. This child was seen by a healthcare provider for symptoms of measles and was not hospitalized. The investigation is ongoing as EIPH is working to identify more details surrounding this case. The case has self-isolated during the contagious period and is no longer contagious. EIPH does not expect exposure to the public, outside of household contacts who are currently being monitored for potential infection. If you suspect that you or someone in your family has measles, it is important to stay home to prevent the spread of measles to others. "Typical initial symptoms of measles include a high…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago (250+ words) Eastern Idaho (KIFI) " The Idaho State Police (ISP) is recognizing Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) from November 17 to 21, 2025, and urges Idaho drivers to do their part in protecting those who respond to crashes, stalled vehicles, and roadway hazards across the state. The 2025 theme is "Safety Starts With You " Slow Down and Move Over!" Every day, Idaho responders place themselves in harm's way on highways and rural roadways to keep traffic moving. CRSW serves as a nationwide reminder that every driver shares responsibility for keeping these responders safe. CRSW emphasizes the importance of safe and swift roadway clearance, urging drivers to slow down, move over, and remain alert. It also reinforces that traffic incident response includes not only crash scenes but stalled vehicles, roadway debris, and other hazards that put responders and stranded motorists at risk. Idaho law requires drivers to…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago (231+ words) EASTERN IDAHO (KIFI) " The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking input on long-range planning for transportation across the state through a series of public meetings in the next month." Open houses will be held in each region of the state with upcoming local dates to include:" Both events will take place 3 " 7 p.m. The same material will be sharedonline, with comments sought throughJan. 10. ITD's Long-Range Transportation Plan will look at the needs of the transportation network out to 2050 and consider a variety of factors including growth, travel demands, land use, safety, economic development, system reliability and anticipated revenue." The plan comes at a time of extraordinary growth and funding uncertainty. Besides seeking public feedback, ITD is engaging with other planning organizations as the plan will look at the transportation network as a whole, which extends beyond state-managed highways to locally owned routes and…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago (230+ words) BONNERS FERRY/IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) " The Idaho community is rallying to support a local family following a devastating tragedy in Southeast Asia, where a Bonners Ferry woman's husband and young son were attacked and killed by a swarm of what are believed to be Asian giant hornets. Daniel Owen, 47, a native of Idaho Falls, and his 15-year-old son, Cooper Owen, died on October 15th after being stung hundreds of times by the aggressive insects while on vacation. The father and son were rushed to the Phakan Arocavet Clinic for emergency care following the attack, but did not survive. RELATED: Idaho Falls Native and son die in "Murder Hornet" attack while zip-lining in Southeast Asia A wave of support has begun in Northern Idaho for Daniel Owen"s widow, Jessica Owen, and her mother, Nancy Wycoff, both natives of Bonners Ferry....