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BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — New developments emerged Tuesday in the Boise River Greenbelt murder case as a judge ordered a mental health competency evaluation for the man charged in the fatal stabbing of 25-year-old Jordan Harbst.

Ross Wardlaw, 41, appeared in Ada County court for a preliminary hearing on a first-degree murder charge stemming from Harbst’s death. However, proceedings were put on hold after questions were raised about Wardlaw’s competency to stand trial.

The court’s decision marks the second time in less than a year that Wardlaw’s mental competency has been challenged in a criminal case.

Survivor of Previous Encounter Speaks Out

For Hannah French, who is a Fremont County native, the latest developments are deeply personal. In 2025, she worked as a shelter worker at the Interfaith Sanctuary in Boise and survived a previous alleged attack involving Wardlaw.

Hannah said Wardlaw threatened her with a knife while she was intervening in a fight.

“It was very preventable, and my heart was broken for the victim,” Hannah said. “This was 100% preventable. It’s very unfortunate that in order to get Ross Wardlaw help with his mental health, an individual had to be murdered.”

Following that incident, Wardlaw spent several months at State Hospital South after a psychologist determined he was not competent to stand trial. According to Hannah, he was later found competent, and a jury acquitted him in May before he was released.

“I knew I was in a dangerous situation when he was coming at me with a knife,” she said. “I have never been scared at work or scared of any of the individuals I serve, but seeing someone charge at you with a weapon is a scary feeling.”

Mental Illness, Not Homelessness, Hannah Says

Hannah emphasized that the tragedy should not be blamed on Wardlaw’s housing status.

“I think it’s important, aside from the fact that the system failed this 25-year-old victim,” she said. “But I think it’s also important to understand that people don’t commit crimes because they’re unhoused. People commit crimes because there’s more internal factors that play into it. There is not a reason that people commit murder.”

She said the larger issue is a system she believes failed both the victim and the broader community.

Calling for Changes to Mental Health Care

Reflecting on her experience testifying in the earlier case, Hannah described the process as emotional and intimidating.

“[He] basically said everything that I testified to wasn’t true,” said French. “It was just also very intimidating. You know when you’re explaining how you’re scared for your life, and that you know you have the feeling that you actually are going to be stabbed. It’s intimidating when you know he’s sitting on the stand telling you that ‘he catches what he’s gonna kill.'”

Hannah said she refuses to stay silent. She said the real accountability must extend beyond the courtroom to state laws that continue to release severely mentally ill individuals without long-term care.

“I’m an individual who utilizes mental health resources and things like that And so just making them easier access, not just for certain populations to have access to that, but access for everyone.”

What Happens Next

Prosecutors did not object to the court-ordered competency evaluation but said they reserve the right to challenge its findings.

The case is now scheduled for a status hearing on Aug. 25.

Vital Resources for those in Need

While Wardlaw’s case highlights systemic gaps in Ada County, the trend of homelessness and unaddressed mental illness remains a statewide challenge. According to the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, nearly 3,000 people are currently experiencing homelessness across Idaho.

In eastern Idaho, community organizations are working to bridge these gaps by pairing shelter services with immediate psychiatric care. The Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, for example, partners directly with the local Behavioral Health Crisis Center to identify and provide mental health support.

“I can think of one instance where a gentleman came to us who was dealing with undiagnosed schizophrenia,” said Chris Aspinall, Director of Development at the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission. “We were able to get him in front of mental health professionals, get him diagnosed, and start him on medication. From there, we placed him in permanent housing where he receives regular care.”

With success stories like these, the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission hopes to continue making a difference in people’s lives. Their partnership with the Behavioral Health Crisis Center helps them provide more resources for anyone experiencing a crisis or is in need of mental health support.

“Most of the time, there are underlying struggles, and people just need help,” said Kenneth Boll, program supervisor for the Rescue Mission’s men’s shelter. “We provide several resources beyond just a bed. We run 100% on community donations to serve nightly dinners, distribute food boxes, and connect people with care.”

How to Get Help or Support

Local Resources: Idaho residents experiencing a housing or mental health crisis can dial 2-1-1 or text 898211 to connect with local support services.

If you want to get involved with the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, they have an upcoming fundraiser with Jersey Mike’s (2681 E Sunnyside Rd., Ammon, ID 83406) on July 31st, where 10% of all proceeds will go towards the Rescue Mission.

Editor’s Note: AI tools were utilized in the initial research and structural development of this article. All content is thoroughly reviewed and verified for accuracy by the Local News 8 editorial team.

Storms on this Tuesday will remain scattered and sporadic as we continue to experience monsoonal moisture driving through the area from the South. Local heavy rainfall could be expected this afternoon, with wind gusts climbing up to 25 mph in the late afternoon and slightly cooler temperatures.

The storm pattern from this weekend continues to cover our region with high-sitting clouds over Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming this early Tuesday morning. Daily chances for showers and storms increase toward Wednesday as monsoonal moisture pushes through from the Southwest. Expect these isolated storms to pop up mainly over the east and southeast highlands, with a few that creep into the Snake River Plain later this afternoon.

Temperatures today will be slightly cooler, with numbers dropping below the average and what we observed yesterday. Mid 90s across the lower elevations into the afternoon hours, with lows dropping into the lower 60s and 50s. Winds will stay generally 20- 25 mph after 4 pm.

Storm chances pick up across the region on Wednesday, with temperatures cooling into the 80s and wind gusts jumping up to 50 mph. Lightning chances will also increase, meaning a wildfire watch will most likely follow in its wake. As the monsoonal moisture wraps its ridge around our region tomorrow, most of these isolated rain showers and storms will begin to leave, meaning the rest of the week will start to dry up. Expect this day to be the heaviest with storms.

Expect temperatures to start climbing back up by Thursday, with more sunshine heading towards the weekend. By Thursday, a majority of the major storm system will be sitting East of the Montana mountain divide.

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI) — A district judge has rejected a plea deal that would have allowed a former Chubbuck church leader accused of sexually abusing six young members of his congregation to avoid serving prison time and registering as a sex offender.

On Monday, Sixth Judicial District Judge Robert Naftz rejected the proposed agreement for 45-year-old Virgil Larson, according to court records. Under the terms of the agreement, Larson’s charges would have been reduced to felony injury to a child, and he would have been exempted from mandatory sex offender registration. In exchange, prosecutors planned to recommend a suspended prison sentence in favor of probation, capped at 30 years.

RELATED: Chubbuck man faces reduced charges in child sexual abuse case after plea agreement

At the time of his arrest, Larson served as a local leader or counselor in a local ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to reporting by ABC4 in Utah.

Investigation and Arrest

Court documents indicate the investigation began on July 3, 2024, after the Chubbuck Police Department received a tip from Kirton McConkie, a Lehi, Utah-based law firm representing the church. The report claimed several underage children in the community may have been abused by an adult male.

RELATED: A Chubbuck man turns himself in for sexually abusing children

“The Chubbuck Police Department Criminal Investigations Division opened an investigation into the circumstances and learned that several underage teenage boys had potentially been victims of sexual abuse, while at Mr. Larson’s residence,” states the initial press release.

On September 17, 2024, officers from the Chubbuck and Pocatello Police Departments executed a search warrant at Larson’s home. Larson turned himself in to the authorities later that day and was booked into the Bannock County Jail.

Charges and Upcoming Trial

The affidavit of probable cause detailing the investigation was sealed in September 2024 to protect the identities of the underage victims. Larson was initially charged with five felony counts of sexual abuse of a child under 16, with an added sixth count as the investigation moved forward.

With the plea agreement thrown out, Larson is now scheduled to stand trial before a jury on January 12, 2027, where he will face all six original felony counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16. If convicted on all charges, Larson faces up to life in prison.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A major federal initiative is bringing over $40 million to Idaho and Wyoming to advance next-generation nuclear energy, with Idaho National Laboratory leading the charge.

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced Monday a major federal investment aimed at advancing U.S. leadership in industries essential to our economic competitiveness and national security. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) intends to award $169 million across six selected Tech Hubs nationwide, with a significant share slated for the Intermountain West.

Idaho and Wyoming have been designated as the Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Corridor Tech Hub (INEC), receiving $31 million in federal grant funding. Coupled with $9 million in local matching funds and private investments, the initiative will inject more than $40 million into the region over the next five years.

The project aims to accelerate reactor deployment, speed up the commercialization of next-generation nuclear tech, and strengthen U.S. energy security, according to the EDA.

The news comes after the Department of Energy celebrated the fourth advanced reactor to achieve the criticality milestone

National Focus on Emerging Technologies

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick says the funding comes as part of a broader push to advance U.S. leadership in essential industries, including pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and nuclear energy.

“President Trump remains firmly committed to strengthening American manufacturing and ensuring that jobs are created and remain in the United States,” said Lutnick. “Today’s $169 million in EDA awards will advance critical manufacturing processes…while accelerating the deployment of emerging technologies.”

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo emphasized the award will fund  “advanced fuel fabrication, … train workers in nuclear construction, manufacturing, fuel fabrication and operations and support firms entering the nuclear supply chain.”

“The INEC Tech Hub, led by the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium, will build on Idaho’s unmatched expertise and innovation in small modular reactors and reinforce our nation’s technological leadership while reducing reliance on foreign adversaries for critical energy capabilities,” Crapo said.

INL Takes a Leading Role

The grant will be administered by the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium (IAEC), bringing together more than 45 regional partners. Idaho National Laboratory, a founding partner of the consortium, will play a key leadership role in scaling advanced nuclear technologies, enhancing America’s nuclear-ready workforce, and developing key parts of the nation’s nuclear energy supply chain.

“This investment recognizes what we’ve long known at INL—that advanced nuclear energy is essential to powering America’s future,” said INL Director John Wagner. “This Tech Hub brings together the capabilities, infrastructure, and partnerships needed to move from research and development to deployment at scale.”

Through the INEC Tech Hub, INL will focus on removing the biggest barriers facing nuclear energy expansion, including:

• Strengthening U.S. Energy Independence: Reducing reliance on foreign fuel sources to build a self-sufficient domestic fuel supply.
• Accelerating Commercialization: Helping private industry navigate regulations, engage local communities, and test advanced construction methods to bring technologies to market faster.
• Workforce Development: Creating new training programs for high-quality jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and skilled trades.

Economic Impact on Idaho and the West

The Tech Hub is projected to deliver significant economic returns, generating hundreds of high-paying energy jobs across the Intermountain West over the next five years and thousands of secondary industry jobs nationwide. The INL and EDA also anticipate it will help lower long-term energy costs and strengthen grid reliability and energy security across the region.

“What we’re building here is bigger than any one lab, any one company, or any one community,” said Hope Morrow, Workforce and Economic Development programs manager at INL. “The INEC Tech Hub is what American innovation looks like when everyone brings their best, and the people of the Intermountain West are going to see the benefits in jobs, opportunity, and long-term energy security.”

State leadership also praised the grant award as validation of Idaho’s long-standing leadership in nuclear research. Idaho Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke says, “Today’s award proves the rest of the country is taking notice.”

“This is a win for Idaho, and it’s a win for American energy dominance,” Bedke said in a statement Monday. “The federal government looked at Idaho and saw a state that delivers. This is the result of decades of investment in Idaho National Laboratory, in our universities and community colleges, and in the workforce and infrastructure that makes this state the nation’s proving ground for advanced nuclear energy.”

The other five selected Tech Hubs include:

• Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Tech Hub (Virginia) 
  $16 million to develop and scale advanced, AI-enabled domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. 
• Bloch Quantum Tech Hub (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin) 
  $30 million to scale U.S. production of quantum materials, components, and subsystems. 
• Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy Tech Hub (Missouri) 
  $38 million to boost the region’s ability to convert locally sourced minerals into critical materials essential for advanced manufacturing. 
• Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub (Maine) 
  $20 million to unite state, university, industry, and workforce partners to strengthen domestic supply chains for sustainable forest‑based technologies.  
• Kansas City BioSecure Manufacturing Tech Hub (Kansas, Missouri) 
  $34 million to modernize manufacturing processes, strengthen and retool domestic supply chains, and accelerate the translation of biologic discoveries into scalable, resilient, and agile U.S. production.  

Editor’s Note: AI tools were utilized in the initial research and structural development of this article. All content is thoroughly reviewed and verified for accuracy by the Local News 8 editorial team.