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Idaho gas prices jump 13 cents in a week, average now $4.46 per gallon">Idaho gas prices jump 13 cents in a week, average now $4.46 per gallon

Idaho gas prices jump 13 cents in a week, average now $4.46 per gallon">
Carlos Ferre fuels up at a gas station on April 6 in Miami

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Gas prices in Idaho have increased by 13 cents over the past week, bringing the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline to $4.46, as reported by AAA. The national average also stands at approximately $4.46 per gallon, marking a 35-cent rise from the previous week. Idaho is currently ranked 16th nationwide for the highest fuel prices, falling out of the top ten.

“Geopolitical turmoil is still at the heart of the matter, driving up the cost of crude oil and, in turn, gas prices,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde.  “The continued uncertainty could make the market pretty jumpy in the short term.”

With the summer travel season just around the corner, Triple AAA’s Matthew Conde emphasized that residents should use reward programs and locate the cheapest pumps in their area.

“As we’ve said in recent weeks, try to think like a delivery driver,” Conde said. “Planning a good travel route could help stretch your fuel budget in the coming weeks.”

Here’s a look at statewide Idaho gas prices as of 5/4/26:

Boise – $4.40

Coeur d’Alene – $4.54

Franklin – $4.37

Idaho Falls – $4.36

Lewiston – $4.57

Pocatello – $4.41

Rexburg – $4.32

Twin Falls – $4.42

In response to fluctuating gas prices, Local News 8 has updated our website to better serve our viewers. To see the current lowest gas prices around the region, Idaho state gas trends, and national averages, visit our Gas Prices tab now located at the top of the Local News 8 home page.

Gas Prices

The renewed rise in oil prices came despite President Donald Trump announcing a plan Sunday dubbed “Project Freedom,” under which the United States will “guide” commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. More than 20% of the world’s oil supplies typically transit the strait every day, but the war has halted that traffic. Since the war in Iran began in February, the national average price of unleaded gas has risen by over 49%.

EXCLUSIVE: Worley, Young discuss legislative campaigns">EXCLUSIVE: Worley, Young discuss legislative campaigns

EXCLUSIVE: Worley, Young discuss legislative campaigns">

In an interview Wednesday on Newstalk 107.9, legislative candidates David Worley and Julianne Young discussed their campaigns and criticized the records of their respective opponents. Appearing with hosts Neal Larson and Julie Mason, the two challengers addressed a range of issues, from procedural hurdles in the Idaho Statehouse to upcoming campaign events featuring Attorney General Raul Labrador.

David Worley, who is running for the District 28 Senate seat against incumbent Jim Guthrie, expressed frustration over the lack of a formal debate. Worley alleged that Guthrie withdrew from a scheduled debate after initially committing to it. During the interview, Worley accused Guthrie of using his position as chair of the State Affairs Committee to block conservative legislation through “proceduralism.” He argued that any bill passed by the House should receive a hearing and a committee vote in the Senate to ensure transparency and accountability.

Julianne Young, a former representative seeking to reclaim a seat in District 30 against incumbent Ben Fuhriman, similarly noted that her opponent had declined to participate in a public forum. Young and Worley both highlighted policy differences regarding social issues and government spending. Worley cited Guthrie’s votes against legislation involving gender-specific bathrooms and parental rights in schools. Young criticized the argument that certain bills should be avoided due to the potential costs of legal defense, stating that constitutional principles are worth the expense of a court battle.

The conversation also turned to campaign finance and a recent fundraiser for pro-choice advocates. Larson noted that the incumbents in both races reportedly attended the event. Worley and Young questioned the decision of Republican candidates to associate with pro-abortion groups, suggesting it creates a disconnect between campaign rhetoric and governing actions. While acknowledging that the incumbents possess larger campaign “war chests,” both challengers emphasized that their support comes from grassroots, small-dollar donors rather than special interest groups.

With the primary election less than two weeks away, both candidates announced upcoming appearances with Attorney General Raul Labrador. Young will host a family event at North Bingham Historical Park this Saturday, while Worley is organizing a volunteer effort in Pocatello to discuss pro-life legislation and a potential upcoming referendum. Both candidates concluded by warning that Idaho must maintain a consistent conservative platform to avoid the political shifts seen in neighboring states.

5.5.2026 – DEBATE: Stephanie Mickelsen v Kelly Golden">5.5.2026 – DEBATE: Stephanie Mickelsen v Kelly Golden

5.5.2026 – DEBATE: Stephanie Mickelsen v Kelly Golden">

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Neal Larson and Julie Mason set the table for a busy stretch of primary season, including a live, in-studio debate between Representative Stephanie Mickelsen and challenger Kelly Golden. Before the debate, we talked through how fried and combustible everything feels right now—local controversies, international tensions, and the reality that in Idaho, most races are effectively decided in the Republican primary. Neal made the case that conservatives can’t afford complacency and warned about candidates running with an “R” while signaling they don’t intend to govern like Republicans once elected. We also dug into a fiery Box Elder County, Utah blowup over a proposed Kevin O’Leary-backed AI data center—an example of how fast public trust can collapse when residents feel steamrolled, even when the project is framed as part of an America-vs-China tech race.

In the debate itself, Mickelsen leaned on her experience—especially on water policy—arguing the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer agreements require constant management and that some negotiations are constrained by downstream stakeholders only willing to commit in short windows. Golden emphasized trust and durability, arguing we need better data and longer-term certainty so farmers aren’t stuck in a cycle of renegotiations and curtailments. They also clashed on immigration enforcement (e-verify, 287(g), and what Idaho should do versus the feds), and spent significant time on abortion policy—Mickelsen focusing on clarifying statutory language to protect physicians treating life-threatening pregnancy complications, and Golden backing Idaho’s current Defense of Life Act and warning against broad “health of the mother” language. They closed with quick hits on medical marijuana (both opposed) and school choice/tax credits (Mickelsen said she’ll support it as settled law after the Idaho Supreme Court ruling), then finished with a direct question to each other about civic engagement and whether “the machine” drowns out grassroots voters.

### Highlights
– A frank conversation about Idaho’s primaries being the “real election,” and why turnout and organizing matter right now  
– Box Elder County, Utah erupts over an AI data center vote—local control vs national-tech-race urgency  
– Water fight: long-term certainty, curtailment frustration, and what’s actually driving basin negotiations  
– Immigration: E-verify reliability, 287(g) costs, and where state enforcement should begin/end  
– Abortion: physician clarity and statutory language vs keeping current law tight with minimal exceptions  

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Two injured in Yellowstone Bear encounter near Mystic Falls Trail">Two injured in Yellowstone Bear encounter near Mystic Falls Trail

Two injured in Yellowstone Bear encounter near Mystic Falls Trail">

YELLOWSTONE, Montana (KIFI) — Two hikers were injured Monday afternoon, May 4, following an encounter with one or more bears near the Mystic Falls Trail. The incident marks the first incident of a bear injuring a person within the park for the 2026 season.

National Park Service emergency personnel responded immediately to the scene. The victims’ were airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, but their current conditions have not been released. The NPS has launched a full investigation.

In the interest of public safety and to allow investigators to work undisturbed, the NPS has implemented a temporary closure of the following areas west of Grand Loop Road from the north end of Fountain Flat Drive to Black Sand Basin:

  • Trails:
    • Fairy Falls Trail north of the Grand Prismatic Overlook
    • Sentinel Meadows Trail
    • Imperial Meadows Trail
    • Fairy Creek Trail
    • Summit Lake Trail
  • Backcountry Campsites:
    • OG1
    • OD1
    • OD2
    • OD3
    • OD4
    • OD5
  • Recreation:
    • Fishing along the Firehole River and associated tributaries within the closure area

While Yellowstone is bear country, the park stresses that bear injuries in the park are rare. The last time a visitor was injured by a bear in the park was in September 2025, and the park has not seen a bear-related fatality since 2015.

The NPS has provided the following guidelines for park visitors to stay safe in bear country:

  • Stay 100 yards away from bears at all times
  • Carry bear spray and know how to use it
  • Be alert. See the bear before you surprise it. Watch for fresh tracks, scat, and feeding sites (signs of digging, rolled rocks, torn up logs, ripped open ant hills)
  • Make noise
  • Hike in groups of three or more people
  • Don’t hike at dawn, dusk, or at night, when grizzlies are most active
  • Don’t run from a bear  
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