Month: February 2026

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)— February is Career and Technical Education Month, a nationwide celebration highlighting the power of hands-on learning to prepare students for high-wage, high-skill and in-demand careers.

At College of Eastern Idaho, more than 20 CTE programs are helping students gain practical experience while meeting the workforce needs of eastern Idaho.

“It really kind of builds off of some of the academics. But really, what makes it unique is that it is applied hands on learning,” said Matthew Taylor, dean of Health Sciences.

According to ACTE, 71% of Idaho technical college completers obtained employment related to their CTE training.

“When you really look at both local and national trends, they’re both pretty similar,” Taylor said. “And what people want, meaning both students and employers, is they want job-ready applicants. So a student wants to go through a training that gives them the skills, ability and knowledge to go into the job field. And employers want to hire people who are prepared in that way. And so really, CTE programs are well positioned and they’re designed to deliver those things.”

CEI offers programs across trades, technology, healthcare, and business: Automotive Technology, Heavy-Duty Diesel, Welding Technology, Energy Systems Technology, Mechatronics, Cybersecurity, Information Technology Services, Business Management, Legal Studies & Paralegal, Digital Media Specialist, and a wide range of healthcare pathways. CEI’s new Dental Hygiene program is also scheduled to begin enrolling students for Fall 2026.

Their most enrolled program is their nursing program.

“Health sciences and healthcare fields are always going to have really high enrollment,” Taylor said. “Our nursing program is continuously full and at capacity. Students really like that, and other fields such as welding or the auto tech programs are also seeing a lot of demand.”

For more information on their programs, visit https://www.cei.edu/academic-programs.

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– A group of local barbers are cutting more than just hair; they are snipping off some of the burden that comes with being a new parent. Oley’s Barber Shop in Idaho Falls is offering haircuts in exchange for donations to the Nest Pregnancy Care Center. The Nest offers programs like one-on-one education, prenatal care, life skills, and more.

From being raised by a single moms, or having been a single fathers themselves, the group of barbers says they have first-hand experience in the challenges parents face. They are hosting a free haircut event where people can do a little good, feel pretty good, and leave looking good too.

“As someone who’s a younger parent myself, and was raised by a single parent who was my mom..I just know the struggles, and know what everyone’s kind of up against that way,” said Cole Tremelling, Barber at Oley’s Barbershop. “And the smallest little bit can help. So, if all I can do is provide a haircut and, you know, it’s going to fold or go tenfold towards somebody or ten other people in the community. All because I did one haircut, then that’s the least I can do.”

The event is this Saturday, February 28th, from 10 A.M to 6 P.M. at Oley’s Barbershop on 366 N. Holmes Avenue in Idaho Falls.

Donations as low as a dollar will be accepted in exchange for a haircut. Oley’s will also be accepting diaper donations.  If you come in and make a donation but don’t have time to get your haircut, they will give you a voucher to come back at a later date. For more details on the event, visit https://www.oleysbarbers.com/ or check out their Facebook post below.

Address: 366 N Holmes Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83401

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Par Kermani

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Republican leaders in Wyoming and Idaho praised President Trump’s 2026 State Of The Union address praising the administrations first-year achievments on economy, securing the southern border, and providing relief for working families.

“Under Republican leadership, Idahoans have more opportunity, more freedom, and more money in their pockets,” said U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho). “In 2025 alone, we secured the border, delivered record tax relief for working families, killed the Lava Ridge project, and reined in the wasteful federal spending that fueled inflation.”

Rep. Mike Simpson praised the administration’s leadership after four years of previous policy failures. Simpson highlighted the enactment of what he called the largest tax cut in American history and the introduction of “Trump Accounts,” a new investment program for American children.

“We now have the most secure border in American history, regulatory reform, and our servicemembers and veterans are being taken care of,” Simpson said. “Crime is plummeting, inflation is down, and we’re no longer reliant on countries that hate us.”

In Wyoming, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso said, “Republicans promised safety and prosperity for our nation, and we’ve delivered. The border is now secure. Gasoline prices are at a five-year low. Jobs are coming back to America. Wages are up. Things are more affordable.”

Barrasso shared a story of meeting Wyoming sailors on a Navy destroyer near Iran who told him the administration’s policies had saved their fathers’ jobs in the coal and power plant industries back home.

“Tax returns are going to be even higher for this year than they were last year as a result of the Working Families Tax Cuts law,” Barrasso added. “That’s what it means to make America safer and more prosperous.”

Looking ahead Idaho Senator Jim Risch noted the victories the White House has produced in the past year but also added “Our work is not over. I am committed to achieving even more for Idaho in the year ahead by partnering with my Senate colleagues to lower costs, ensure election integrity, and unleash American nuclear energy.”

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Par Kermani

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea issued a response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Wednesday, accusing the administration of neglecting working families while criticizing Gov. Brad Little for “banking on” the president’s momentum to launch his own reelection campaign.

“Trump had nearly two hours on that stage and offered nothing that would lower rent, cut premiums, or bring prices down, because he doesn’t want to. He wants noise. He wants distractions,” Necochea said.

The chair also connected the national address to Little’s reelection announcement, which coincided with the speech.

“As Trump ranted in Washington,” said Necochea, “Brad Little tried to ride the moment by launching his reelection bid. He is banking on Trump because he cannot defend a record of giveaways for insiders and budget failures that force cuts, threaten public safety, and make life harder and more expensive for Idaho families.”

The Idaho Democratic Party criticized the President over “the ditch” Trump has driven the economy into, citing rising household costs, which include groceries and utility bills. Safety concerns criticizing the “Republican Big Ugly Bill” for increasing ICE’s budget while allegedly taking $1 trillion from working people.

She further accused the administration of “reckless decisions,” ranging from attempts to privatize Social Security to foreign policy moves such as attempting to take control of Greenland.

Necochea concluded her statement by breaking down what Democrats will be focused on this coming election season.

“We will lower costs, protect Medicaid and Social Security, and stop the cuts that threaten essential services and public safety. Republicans are fighting for Trump. Democrats are fighting for Idaho, and we’re ready to win this November,” she said.

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