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Gusty winds will continue to pick up throughout the region this Wednesday, with an advisory stretching from the Gallatin National Forest and Salmon down into the Upper Snake River Plain past Idaho Falls. Record-high temperatures do remain in play, though, with some areas seeing afternoon forecasts climbing up into the upper 70s. A cold front on Thursday will quickly drop these numbers back down.

High clouds will drift through the region and push North as we jump into Wednesday morning and afternoon. No weather hazards or impacts are expected beyond potential dust-blowing from high wind speeds. Winds in the Upper Snake Plain could bring a small amount of blowing dust today, but not nearly as much as we saw two weekends ago. Wind speeds will range from 25-35 mph and possibly gust to 50+ mph.  This possibility begins at 9 am and will last until 9 pm. 

Highs will reach the mid- to upper 70s this afternoon, breaking records and creating seasonal serotonin (for those who prefer warmer seasons). This time of year usually puts us around the 50s for highs, which we will see briefly on Thursday. Low temperatures tonight will fall below freezing across the central mountains, but be warmer in Southeastern Idaho.

Following these high wind speeds on Wednesday, a small cold front will push through Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming on Thursday, dropping temperatures back into the lower 50s during the afternoon. Wind speeds decrease, settling back into the teens and 20s. Little to no precipitation is expected across Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming.

Winds ease up by Friday, with warmer temperatures slowly making their way back into the forecast to close out the weekend.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — In Idaho Falls, Alturas Preparatory Academy has welcomed a new member to their school resource officer team, and she is quickly becoming the “paw-sitively” most popular pup on campus.

Students are falling in love with Molly, a two-year-old golden retriever and therapy dog-in-training with the Idaho Falls Police Department. While she may not wear a badge, Molly has quite the job to do.

Paired up with School Resource Officer Eric Lyke, Molly spends her days padding through hallways, popping into classrooms, and soaking up attention anywhere she goes. And if you ask students, she’s already the most popular face in the building.

“She has no clue about any of it. To her, this is just another regular day,” Officer Lyke says while looking at the gallery wall of student art in his office with Molly. “She just goes about, but she has really made an impact with a lot of people who just love her.”

From excited greetings of “Hi, Molly!” to quick stops for pets between classes, her presence brings an instant lift to the school day. For some students, that connection goes even deeper—offering comfort during stressful moments or simply a reason to smile.

Molly, of course, takes it all in stride.

With a wagging tail and boundless energy, she greets everyone like an old friend—completely unaware of the impact she’s making.

And that impact is real.

Officer Lyke says Molly has a special way of breaking down barriers, which helps students feel more at ease around law enforcement.

“She kind of takes away that scare factor,” he said. “She helps students realize we’re here for them.”

Before arriving at Alturas Academy, Molly was already making a difference—working with juveniles in a detention facility, where she began her therapy training and earned a basic certification.

Now, she’s settled into a new routine with Officer Lyke. The two start their days together, head to school side by side, and rarely leave each other’s company.

“She is absolutely amazing,” Officer Lyke said. “You can’t ask for a better partner.”

Whether she’s rolling over for belly rubs, brightening someone’s day, or quietly sitting beside a student who needs it most, Molly is proving that sometimes the best kind of policing starts with connection.

She’s still in training, with the goal of becoming a fully certified therapy dog—but around Alturas Academy, it’s safe to say she’s already earned her place.

After all, it’s hard not to trust someone who leads with kindness… and a wagging tail.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Falls High School has a new head football coach. Dustin Medellin, a local coach with 18 years of experience, will lead the Tigers starting this fall.

Medellin most recently served as defensive coordinator at Hillcrest High School, helping the team win two conference titles and reach three straight state championship games, including a 2024 state title.

He also helped Idaho Falls teams reach the playoffs for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018. 

In a news release sent Monday, Idaho Falls Athletic Director Nick Birch said, “From the beginning of this search, it was clear that we were seeking a leader who embodied integrity, competitiveness, and a relentless commitment to the development of our student athletes at IFHS.” “Coach Medellin is that leader. He has demonstrated the ability to develop talent, to build strong community relationships, and to lead programs with discipline and with purpose. His track record of success on and off the field speaks for itself,” Birch said.

Selected by a committee of administrators, coaches, parents, and community members, Medellin hopes to guide the Tigers into a new era of football.