REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – Madisonhealth is offering a new air medical helicopter service to expand emergency critical care access and cut down response times.
The helicopter’s arrival was celebrated at an openhouse Tuesday in Rexburg.
The aircraft is accompanied by a new medical base at the facility and is owned by Intermountain Health.
It can carry three or four individuals, including the pilot, emergency care personnel and the patient.
The crew can respond within minutes and transport the injured individual to Madisonhealth’s Level IV trauma center.
“Once the emergency workers get there, and they see that it is a life threatening or a very, complicated critical situation, then that’s when they would call for air transport, and then they can get there quickly and airlift them to wherever facility will be best to treat those individuals,” said Madisonhealth Executive Director for Business Development Doug McBride.
In addition, to Madisonhealth’s new chopper, Portneuf Medical Center will also host an open house for its new Airbus H130 medical helicopter Thursday at 11 a.m. in Pocatello.
A new helicopter is available to serve patrons at Madisonhealth.
REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – Rexburg Police are searching for a 12-year-old boy, named Samuel, who was reported missing in the Millhollow community. Samuel was last seen around 6:30 p.m.
He was wearing a dark blue sweatshirt with an orange octopus, black pants with white stitching, and possibly a Mario backpack.
Madison County Sheriff deputies and fire department personnel are assisting in the search.
If you have seen Samuel or know of his whereabouts, you’re asked to contact police through dispatch at 208-372-5001.
REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – Six candidates squared off on housing, immigration, infrastructure and private school tax credits at a Rexburg Chamber forum Tuesday at the Romance Theater in Rexburg.
The primary election is quickly approaching in two weeks on May 19.
In a close race for Madison County Commissioner, three-year incumbent Dustin Parkinson and challenger Madison School District #321 Trustee JC Weber addressed housing and economic development.
Dustin Parkinson: “We’ve been able to reduce, just a couple of things, almost $1 million in expenditures in my tenure. So it’s very important to me to not put any more burden on the taxpayers and make housing affordable – that’s a big part of it.”
JC Weber: “Potentially, having 0.5 acre lots there available in rural residential and building those out from the city core, as we look at making smaller lots potentially in the county. That could obviously lower some of that tax burden that would be from the property tax.”
Dustin Parkinson and JC Weber vigorously discuss how to draw more businesses to Madison County.
Meanwhile, in the race for the Legislature, District 34 incumbents explained their biggest priorities last year, while their challengers responded with the session’s biggest failures.
Britt Raybould (District 34 Seat B): “I want Idaho’s public lands to remain public and accessible to all Idahoans. That court iInterpretation of under Idaho’s Supreme Court left the door open to where the state landlord, which manages those lands would potentially be in a position of being forced to sell Idaho’s public lands. I don’t think that’s right. And so the constitutional amendment that I brought for that required a two thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. That’s a high bar, and it would have come to you on the ballot.”
Larry Golden (District 34 Seat B): “One of the things that frustrated me was when it came to illegal immigration – specifically House Bill 704 of the work. Those I would have voted different.ly on. Though as I said, and come from a family of immigrants. It’s like my family came in legally. I would expect those that come here be willing to follow the rules, to come here to do things right, the right way. They shouldn’t get advanced because they’re working on a farm.”
Doug Ricks(District 34 Senate): “So, you know, the federal government passed the big, beautiful bill in the middle of last year, and it had a lot of big tax cuts.You have no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, car interest deductions, an additional $6,000 deduction for, deduction. for seniors who are 65 and older. I was proud that I was able to get that [conformity bill] passed.”
Ethan Sanford(District 34 Senate): “I am not opposed to tax reductions and on cuts themselves. I just believe that the enacted these taxes without without consideration of, you know, the state government, whether the state government, whether it’s a big one or a limited one. And I do support limited, limited governments, but without considering, you know, how to replace those revenues and just making cuts. I think the Legislature did fail on that. If elected, I would work to reverse that.”
Legislative District 34 candidates present their opening statements at the Romance Theater.
(IDAHO FALLS) – Incumbent Representative Stephanie Mickelsen and challenger Kelly Golden met in the Sandhill Media Group studio on Newstalk 107.9 to debate several key issues ahead of the upcoming primary election. The discussion, moderated by Neal Larson and Julie Mason, touched on immigration, healthcare policy, water rights, and the role of faith in government.
The candidates offered diverging views on immigration enforcement within the state. Mickelsen, who has served two terms in the legislature, defended her opposition to state-mandated E-Verify requirements. She argued that while she supports federal border security, state-level mandates create “uncompetitive advantages” for Idaho businesses and increase the regulatory burden on local farmers. Golden, conversely, advocated for stronger state intervention, expressing support for the 287(g) program. Golden argued that Idaho should partner more closely with federal authorities to address what she described as an immigration crisis, stating the state needs to “take care of our own house.”
Healthcare and the state’s abortion laws also served as a primary point of contention. Mickelsen clarified her pro-life stance but emphasized the need to protect maternal health to prevent a further exodus of OBGYN specialists from the state. She suggested codifying recent court clarifications into statute to ensure doctors can act when a mother’s health is at risk. Golden stated she firmly supports the “Defense of Life Act” as currently written, arguing that any changes to include the “health of the mother” could lead to an increase in elective procedures. Golden maintained that the current legal framework provides sufficient protection while prioritizing the life of the unborn.
Regarding East Idaho’s water interests, Mickelsen pointed to her long-standing expertise in water policy and her efforts to manage the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer for future generations. Golden suggested that the state needs better data, proposing that the aquifer be mapped with advanced technology to move beyond “anecdotal evidence” during negotiations between surface and groundwater users.
Both candidates concluded the broadcast by encouraging citizens to participate in early voting, which has already begun in the region. Mickelsen and Golden agreed on their opposition to the legalization of medical marijuana, citing concerns over public safety and impact on the youth.
