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Here’s what we know — and don’t know — about the killings of 4 University of Idaho students as a suspect has yet to be identified | CNN

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Here’s what we know — and don’t know — about the killings of 4 University of Idaho students as a suspect has yet to be identified | CNN




CNN
 — 

Because the College of Idaho mourns the lack of 4 college students killed in an assault at an off-campus house final weekend, a neighborhood stays in disaster over few recognized particulars surrounding the scholars’ deaths and the shortage of an recognized suspect.

The 4 college students – Ethan Chapin, 20; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Madison Mogen, 21 – had been discovered Sunday stabbed to dying on the second and third flooring of the house in Moscow, Idaho, in accordance with authorities.

Key particulars on how the grotesque assaults unfolded remained unclear Friday even after the Moscow Police Division offered an replace into the intensive investigation that features federal, state and native regulation enforcement businesses.

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Police revealed the 4 victims had been “probably asleep” earlier than the assault started through the early morning hours Sunday and every was stabbed a number of instances. The assaults weren’t reported to authorities till round midday that day, police have stated.

Every week after the homicides shook the small faculty metropolis of some 26,000 residents, investigators haven’t recognized a suspect nor did they discover the homicide weapon used to hold out the heinous assaults.

Right here’s what we all know – and nonetheless don’t know – because the investigation continues.

All 4 victims’ killings had been dominated homicides by stabbing, in accordance with Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt. Of the victims, “some had defensive wounds,” Moscow police stated of their most up-to-date replace Friday.

Nevertheless it’s unclear how most of the victims or which victims exactly had defensive wounds.

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Earlier this week, the daddy of Xana Kernodle revealed that his daughter fought off her attacker by way of the very finish.

“Bruises, torn by the knife. She’s a troublesome child,” Jeffrey Kernodle advised CNN affiliate KPHO/KTVK in Avondale, Arizona.

When Mabbutt arrived to the crime scene, she noticed “numerous blood on the wall,” she advised CNN.

Every sufferer was stabbed a number of instances – probably by the identical weapon, Mabbutt stated, stopping wanting specifying what number of wounds or the place most had been situated.

Moscow police additionally identified Friday that the victims weren’t “tied and gagged” through the assault. The victims’ autopsies didn’t discover indicators of sexual assault, Mabbutt stated.

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When police arrived on the house after they obtained a 911 name, the door was open and there was no harm inside, Moscow Police Chief James Fry stated. There was no proof of pressured entry, he stated.

One of many doorways used to entry the house has a keypad lock that requires a code to achieve entry, in accordance with Jeffrey Kernodle.

New timeline particulars emerge in case of Idaho college students killings

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Alivea Goncalves – Kaylee’s sister – famous the residence was recognized to be a “occasion home” and had been for a while.

“So I received’t say they had been very non-public with that code,” Goncalves advised ABC World Information Tonight.

The home additionally has a sliding door that would have been used to achieve entry, Jeffrey Kernodle advised KPHO/KTVK.

Together with the shortage of suspect identification, police have but to find the homicide weapon used.

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To that finish, investigators have requested from native companies info on any latest purchases of a “fixed-blade knife.” Moscow police didn’t present additional info on these particulars.

idaho student movement map

Moscow Police Division

Hoping for ideas from the neighborhood, investigators on Friday launched a map and timeline of the victims’ actions final weekend. The map reveals the 4 college students spent many of the night time separated in pairs.

Chapin and Kernodle attended a celebration on the Sigma Chi fraternity home from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. native time Saturday.

Goncalves and Mogen had been on the Nook Membership sports activities bar between 10 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. The pair was then seen ordering from a meals truck, in accordance with a reside Twitch stream from the truck.

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As they waited for about 10 minutes for his or her meals, they chatted with one another in addition to different folks standing by the truck. The person who manages the truck advised CNN the pair didn’t appear to be in misery or at risk in any approach.

Goncalves and Mogen used a “non-public occasion” for a journey, arriving house at 1:45 a.m, police stated of their replace. All 4 victims had been again on the home by about 1:45 a.m. Sunday.

Two different roommates had been house on the time of the assault and had been discovered unhurt, Fry stated earlier this week. Moscow police “don’t imagine” the 2 surviving roommates or a person seen within the meals truck surveillance video had been concerned within the crime, the division stated Friday.

Aaron Snell, the communications director for Idaho State Police, advised ABC that the surviving roommates may present some important leads within the investigation.

“Probably they’re witnesses, doubtlessly they’re victims,” Snell stated in an interview with ABC’s Kayna Whitworth. “Probably they’re the important thing to this complete factor.”

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Authorities hope the roommates will be capable to assist them “determine what occurred and why,” Snell stated.

“That’s their story to inform,” he stated. “Nobody has been dominated included or excluded as an individual of curiosity and/or a suspect. Everybody continues to be being investigated,” he acknowledged.

Police have stated they obtained a 911 name round midday Sunday reporting an unconscious individual on the house. The caller has not been recognized.

By Friday late afternoon, investigators had accomplished 38 interviews with folks “who might have details about the murders,” Moscow police stated.

Authorities additionally seized objects from three dumpsters close to the home to overview for potential proof, police stated Friday. No additional updates of the search have been disclosed.

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Detectives had been engaged on processing almost 500 ideas obtained as of Friday late afternoon, police added, and Moscow police is main the investigation with assist from the Idaho State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Latah County Sheriff’s Workplace.

College officers have offered an email tip line to Moscow police Friday.

The college introduced a candlelight vigil can be held in remembrance of the 4 college students killed.

The vigil will happen on campus on November 30, according to the college Friday, and those that will not be in a position to attend in individual are invited to additionally participate within the ceremony.

Four University of Idaho students were found stabbed to death on November 13 in their shared home near campus in Moscow, Idaho.

“Please be a part of us from the place you’re, individually or as a bunch, to assist us mild up Idaho. Mild a candle, activate stadium lights, or maintain a second of silence with us as we unite on campus,” the college stated. The vigil can be held after the Thanksgiving break to present extra folks the chance to attend.

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College of Idaho President Scott Inexperienced despatched a memo on Thursday that inspired college students to observe their greatest plan of action because the college neighborhood processes the homicides.

“We have to stay versatile this week and grant our college students and colleagues room to course of these unprecedented occasions in their very own approach,” Inexperienced stated. “College students, you’re inspired to do what’s best for you. Whether or not that is going house early or staying in school, you will have our assist.





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Idaho

A very wet holiday week lies ahead

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A very wet holiday week lies ahead


After a short dry spell this past week, Idaho is gearing up for a wet holiday week ahead with plenty of precipitation to come.

It started off today with light snow falling in the mountains but not much making it to the valley floor in terms of rain. Tomorrow the Magic Valley will see some rain sweep through the region as a stray pattern will bring in early rain separate from the main systems later this week.

Monday night into Tuesday morning is wave #1, which will deliver precipitation to almost all of Idaho. Tuesday will see another wave pass through before things clear out just in time for Christmas Day.

Wednesday’s clear weather only lasts for a moment as more rain arrives on Thursday & Friday, with more to come next Saturday.

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Happy Holidays everyone! Enjoy the season and stay dry this week!





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Idaho Fish and Game euthanizes mountain lion in central Idaho after it killed pet cat – East Idaho News

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Idaho Fish and Game euthanizes mountain lion in central Idaho after it killed pet cat – East Idaho News


KETCHUM (KMVT) — Idaho Fish and Game said they euthanized a mountain lion after it killed a resident’s pet cat south of Ketchum on Wednesday.

A young female mountain lion grabbed the cat within minutes of the owners letting their pet outside into their fenced backyard, according to Fish and Game.

Fish and Game set up a trap at the residence to protect the safety of area residents and their pets. The lion was later trapped that day and euthanized by Fish and Game officers.

“As with any decision that we are faced with to trap and put an animal down, our staff have to make the hard call to protect area residents and their pets” said Craig White, regional supervisor of the Magic Valley Region. “We don’t take these decisions lightly, but ultimately, our responsibility is to protect public safety. When a mountain lion exhibits aggression toward people or their pets within the confines of a fenced yard we need to take appropriate actions.”

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Fish and Game warned residents to keep pets on leashes, feed pets indoors, and make sure the yard is clear to help prevent predators like mountain lions from attacking.

Wildlife managers advise residents to never run away or turn your back on a mountain lion, according to Fish and Game. Slowly back away while maintaining eye contact and safety devices like bear spray can help.

Fish and Game also reminded residents to not feed wildlife or leave garbage outside and unsecured. Residents should call 911 immediately to report any encounter that results in an attack.

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The Day Four Lightbulbs Changed the World: Idaho’s Historic First Step in Nuclear-Powered Electricity

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The Day Four Lightbulbs Changed the World: Idaho’s Historic First Step in Nuclear-Powered Electricity


On a cold December afternoon in 1951, four ordinary 200-watt lightbulbs glowed in a modest brick building near Arco, Idaho. This seemingly small feat represented a monumental scientific achievement—the first generation of electricity from nuclear energy. Behind the unassuming scene stood the Experimental Breeder Reactor-I (EBR-I), a pioneering facility that helped lay the groundwork for the nuclear age.

Location and Origins: A Reactor in the Idaho Sagebrush

EBR-I was located on the Idaho National Reactor Testing Station (now the Idaho National Laboratory), a sprawling facility established by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to develop and test nuclear reactor technologies. Situated in the remote southeast Idaho desert, the site offered isolation and security for these groundbreaking experiments.

Construction of the EBR-I began in 1949, spearheaded by scientists who had been instrumental in the Manhattan Project, the top-secret World War II initiative that developed the first atomic bombs. Among the key figures were Harold Lichtenberger, the project manager, Walter Zinn, a renowned nuclear physicist, and Aaron Novick, a specialist in reactor design. Their goal was ambitious: to demonstrate the viability of breeder reactors, which could revolutionize nuclear energy by producing more fuel than they consumed.

Breeder Reactors: Expanding the Potential of Nuclear Power

The concept of a breeder reactor was rooted in addressing the limited supply of uranium-235, the isotope crucial for sustaining nuclear reactions. Natural uranium is composed of about 99% uranium-238, a stable isotope that cannot undergo fission under standard conditions. Breeder reactors like EBR-I were designed to transform uranium-238 into plutonium-239, a fissionable material.

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This transformation required a sophisticated sequence of nuclear reactions. In the EBR-I core, uranium-238 absorbed high-energy neutrons, resulting in the formation of neptunium-239, which quickly decayed into plutonium-239. The plutonium then served as fuel for sustained fission reactions, generating heat and additional neutrons to perpetuate the process.

A critical component of the reactor was its liquid metal coolant, a eutectic mixture of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) known as NaK. This alloy was chosen for its excellent thermal conductivity and low melting point, enabling efficient heat transfer within the reactor core. After absorbing heat from the nuclear reactions, the NaK coolant circulated to a secondary heat exchanger, where it transferred the thermal energy to a water-steam system. The resulting steam turned turbines to produce electricity.

Experimental Breeder Reactor I (ebr I)
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR-I), the world’s first electricity-generating nuclear power plant, Arco, Idaho, USA.

The Moment of First Light: December 20, 1951

The culmination of years of design, construction, and testing came on December 20, 1951, at precisely 1:50 p.m. Inside the compact brick building, Harold Lichtenberger flipped a switch, allowing the electricity generated by the reactor to flow to four suspended lightbulbs. Witnesses, many of them seasoned physicists, observed the event with measured enthusiasm. The moment was significant but understated, reflecting the pragmatic focus of the team.

When I turned the switch, I guess I was more interested in how the circuit breakers would function than I was in the significance of the test,” Lichtenberger later recounted. The real excitement for the team lay in verifying the reactor’s primary objective: demonstrating the efficacy of the breeder process and the conversion of uranium-238 into plutonium-239.

The following day, the EBR-I reactor achieved an output of 100 kilowatts, enough to power the building’s electrical systems. This marked another milestone, proving that nuclear power could provide practical amounts of energy beyond experimental conditions.

The Ebr-I Legacy: Laying the Foundation for Nuclear Energy

The success of the EBR-I experiment had far-reaching implications. By demonstrating the feasibility of breeder reactors, the project expanded the horizons of nuclear energy at a time when the world sought innovative solutions to growing energy demands. The reactor’s ability to produce more fuel than it consumed hinted at a sustainable nuclear future.

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In 1953, EBR-I achieved another historic milestone: it became the first reactor to use plutonium as a fuel source. These breakthroughs underscored the versatility of nuclear technology and its potential applications.

Despite these advancements, interest in breeder reactors waned in the 1960s. The discovery of vast uranium deposits and the development of more efficient enrichment techniques reduced the urgency for breeder technology. Additionally, concerns about the proliferation risks associated with plutonium dampened enthusiasm for widespread adoption.

Today, EBR-I remains a landmark in the history of science and technology. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966, the facility stands as a museum open to the public. Visitors to the site can see the original reactor, its instrumentation, and the historic lightbulbs that marked the dawn of nuclear-generated electricity.

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