Month: May 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – 129 years ago—on May 26, 1897—Irish author Bram Stoker unleashed Dracula upon the world. Written as a series of eerie letters, diary entries, and newspaper clippings, the Gothic masterpiece followed the sinister Count’s attempt to move from his crumbling Transylvanian castle to England to spread his vampiric curse.

As the final school bells ring and the summer heat sets in, this legendary classic offers more than just a spooky history lesson. It serves as a perfect reminder of a vital seasonal tradition: the summer reading list.

While Dracula is a staple of many high school reading curricula, you don’t need to be facing a graded English quiz to reap the massive benefits of cracking open a book this summer.

The importance of summer reading for all

It is easy to view summer reading as “homework” meant only for students. But local libraries across Eastern Idaho are launching their annual summer programs to prove summer reading can benefit anyone, regardless of age:

For Kids: Building the Foundation

Improves basic reading and vocabulary skills

Prevents loss of educational progress over the summer

Develops creativity and imaginations

Helps children discover interests and favorite subjects

For teens: Supporting both Academic Growth and Personal Development

Encourages independence and self-expression

Helps teens explore identity, values, and different perspectives

Keeps critical thinking skills sharp

Expands knowledge for school subjects and college preparation

For Adults:

Keeps the brain active and engaged

Improves communication and lifelong skills

Creates social connections through book clubs and community programs

Provides entertainment, relaxation, and inspiration

“Reading is one of those lifelong things that, like, it’s a relaxing thing,” Beth Swenson the Director of Community Engagement with the Idaho Falls Public Library said. “Like, it can be very enjoyable, but it helps people connect to the world and finding ideas they’ve never have. Even at 80, they can still come up with new ideas or empathy for others. And plus, there’s a little bit of social if people are coming in, then they’re meeting with people who are like them and helps with the loneliness epidemic.”

Libraries across the region are offering prizes, tracking challenges, and community events to keep you motivated. Check out your closest local resource to sign up:

Idaho Falls Public Library Summer Reading

Madison Library District Summer Reading

Teton County Library Summer Reading

You can find more information on summer reading near you by visiting your local library’s website.

Finding a Page-Turner: Dracula by Bram Stoker

If you are looking to start your summer reading with a book that will actually keep you hooked, look no further than Stoker’s masterpiece itself.

Stoker drew inspiration from Vlad the Impaler (Vlad III of Wallachia), a brutal 15th-century Romanian prince, to craft his masterpiece. While Vlad wasn’t a vampire, brutal military tactics, particularly impaling his enemies on stakes, gave Stoker the perfect name that translates to “son of the dragon/devil”.

The novel blends Slavic and Balkan undead myths with Irish revenant folklore that Stoker heard growing up, such as the Abhartach and undead or nosferatu, who sustain themselves by drinking blood.

Stoker couldn’t have known that his novel would permanently alter pop culture. From the sparkly Edward Cullen in Twilight and the rock-playing Marceline the Vampire Queen in Adventure Time, all the way to Sesame Street’s beloved Count von Count, every modern vampire owes its fangs to Dracula.

When picking your summer lineup, look for books with that same rich mix of atmosphere, history, and suspense. For more suggestions to add to your summer reading list, click HERE.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– How much does a graduation typically cost? That’s the question many parents have before they throw their kid’s graduation party. In between picking out the perfect venue, catering and decorations, making the perfect party can be difficult, especially with rising costs and inflation.

Laura Lee Klosterman’s son graduated from Watersprings school last week. She had a vision and did everything possible for a perfect celebration.

“We had to get a venue and food was actually probably one of the more expensive things,” Klosterman said.

Venues and food was the top expense for graduation parties. Postage and announcements also added significant costs.

“I was hoping to keep it pretty cheap. But in my mind, because I did a lot of ‘do it yourself’, I thought, oh, ‘I bet I can do this for 500 bucks or less, and there’s just no way,'” Klosterman said.

Shane Gritzenbach’s step-daughter is graduating from Thunder Ridge High School this Friday. His family is still planning her graduation party, and opted to get a permit from the city instead of renting a venue and are closely monitoring different grocery stores.

“For like, the food and the, drinks and stuff, we’ve been watching, different supermarket prices.”

How Idahoans are Stretching Dollars for Graduation

Local News 8 reached out to the community about the growing costs of graduation this year. Some people budgeted by throwing a small party and cooking from home, and some people even picked up extra shifts.

Jordyn Quilimaco, a local parent, was expecting to spend $500 for her graduate party. Instead, she spent nearly double at $1,100.

“My original plan was to rent a shelter at Tauphaus Park, but I had to change it to hosting at our place to help with saving some money,” Quilimaco said.

She also said food was another reason party planning was so costly.

“Food prices have definitely skyrocketed. We did the same food for a party last year that cost maybe $150 for meats. It cost around $350 this year,” Quilimaco said, “Venues have also gotten more expensive, which is why we had to change to doing it at home.”

Quilimaco encourages families to prepare early and not be afraid to ask loved ones for help when graduation expenses start adding up.

“Plan ahead and save. It took us two families coming together, two months in advance, to get what we could, and it was perfect. Remember to breathe, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from family,” Quilimaco said.

Both Klosterman and Gritzenbach say to begin planning as soon as possible to know what to expect.

“Be prepared ahead of time. Plan out your event. Plan out what you want to do. Because if you don’t plan it out. You’re going to get into higher costs,” Gritzenbach said.

“There are some people and their kids are just going into their sophomore year. And one of them said, ‘I need to start planning now,’ And I’m like ‘yeah, I would,'” Klosterman said.

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Seth Ratliff

CALDWELL, Idaho (KIFI) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has officially unveiled the site of its newest house of worship in the Gem State.

On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the First Presidency of the Church—the faith’s highest governing body—announced the location for the upcoming Caldwell Idaho Temple.

According to the announcement, the temple will be built on a 19.2-acre site located at the southwest corner of West Orchard Avenue and South Florida Avenue in Canyon County, Idaho. Current blueprints outline an 82,000-square-foot, multistory temple. The site will also feature a local meetinghouse and an accompanying ancillary building.

The development significantly impacts hundreds of thousands of church members across Idaho. The Gem State boasts a sizeable Latter-day Saint population, serving as home to more than 480,000 members who meet across roughly 1,300 congregations, according to the faith.

The Caldwell Temple marks the 11th temple either announced, under construction, or operating throughout the state. Unlike local meetinghouses, where weekly Sunday services are held, the LDS faith reserves temples for specific forms of worship. According to faith, “Latter-day Saints worship in temples for several reasons: to feel God’s love and peace, to learn more about God’s plan for His children and the gospel of Jesus Christ, to make promises with God and with one’s husband or wife, and to unite families in this life and the next through sacred ordinances.”

The Caldwell Idaho Temple was announced by the former Prophet of the church, President Russel M. Nelson in April 2025, before his passing in September 2025. In his announcement, President Nelson emphasized the spiritual value of the house of worship.

“Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord,” he said. “Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

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