Author: KIFI

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Idaho Food Bank is starting its Back to School campaign to raise awareness and funds for its school-year programs.

Throughout the academic year, the food bank operates its School Pantry and Backpack programs to support students experiencing food insecurity.

The School Pantry program maintains a stockpile of food and toiletries at schools across the state, providing easy access to students in need. According to the Idaho Food Bank, approximately 15,000 Idaho households were supported by School Pantries last year.

The Backpack program provides children with healthy meals during school-year weekends. In 2024, the food bank supplied 68,000 backpacks to students across the state.

The Idaho Food Bank is accepting monetary and food donations at all area locations. To find a location near you, visit the Idaho Food Bank website.

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Curtis Jackson

The following is a news release from Yellowstone National Park.

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. (KIFI) — Yellowstone National Park hosted 975,109 recreation visits in July 2025, down 2% from July 2024 (992,352 recreation visits).

This July’s visitation showed an 10% decrease from July 2021 (1,080,767 recreation visits). The park’s record-breaking year was 2021, with over 4.8 million recreation visits.

So far in 2025, the park has hosted 2,666,031 recreation visits, up 1.5% from 2024 (2,626,091 recreation visits), and down 0.1% from 2021 (2,668,765 recreation visits).

The list below shows the year-to-date trend for recreation visits over the last several years (through July):

2025 – 2,666,031

2024 – 2,626,091

2023 – 2,462,535

2022 – 1,855,396 (The park was closed June 13 through June 21 due to the historic flood event. Three entrances opened on June 22.)

2021 – 2,668,765

2020 – 1,674,699 (The park was closed March 24 through May 17 due to COVID-19. Two entrances opened on May 18 and the remaining three opened on June 1.)

Visiting Yellowstone National Park during the busy summer months? Plan ahead by browsing our top things to know and downloading the free NPS app. Protect yourself and the park by taking the Yellowstone Pledge, act responsibly and safely, and set a good example for others.

More data on park visitation, including how we calculate these numbers, is available on the NPS Stats website.

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CNN Newsource

By Jordan Valinsky, CNN

New York (CNN) — Eastman Kodak, the 133-year-old photography company, is warning investors that it might not survive much longer.

In its earnings report Monday, the company warned that it doesn’t have “committed financing or available liquidity” to pay its roughly $500 million in upcoming debt obligations. “These conditions raise substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” Kodak said in a filing.

Kodak aims to conjure up cash by ceasing payments for its retirement pension plan. It also said that it doesn’t expect tariffs to have “material impacts” on its business because it manufactures its many of its products, includings cameras, inks and film in the United States.

“In the second quarter, Kodak continued to make progress against our long-term plan despite the challenges of an uncertain business environment,” said Kodak CEO Jim Continenza in the earnings release.

In a statement to CNN Tuesday, a Kodak spokesperson said that it’s “confident it will be able to pay off a significant portion of its term loan well before it becomes due, and amend, extend or refinance our remaining debt and/or preferred stock obligations.”

Shares of Eastman Kodak (KODK) slumped more than 25% in midday trading Tuesday.

Rise and fall

The Eastman Kodak Company incorporated in 1892, but the company traces its roots back to 1879, when George Eastman obtained hist first patent for a plate-coating machine. In 1888, Eastman sold the first Kodak camera for $25.

At the time, photography was not a mass business because of the technical skills and equipment needed to do it, but the Kodak camera was designed to make photography more widely accessible. Eastman coined the slogan: “You push the button, we do the rest.”

The name was largely meaningless, with the word “Kodak,” according to the company, being invented by Eastman out thin air: “The letter ‘K’ had been a favorite with me — it seems a strong, incisive sort of letter.”

Kodak had a century of success producing cameras and film. At one point in the 1970s, it was was responsible for 90% of film and 85% of camera sales in the United States, according to The Economist. Paul Simon’s hit song “Kodachrome” topped the charts in 1973.

But that powerful market position would not last because of technology that the company invented: Kodak introduced the first digital camera in 1975.

Kodak failed to capitalize on the rise of the digital technology. In 2012, it filed for bankruptcy. At the time of its Chapter 11 filing, it had 100,000 creditors and debts totaling $6.75 billion.

In 2020, Kodak had a brief moment of reprieve when the US government tapped it to transform into a pharmaceutical ingredients producer. Kodak’s stock price rose so fast it tripped 20 circuit breakers throughout the trading session.

Despite its recent losses, Kodak recently said it aims to expand that part of its business. The company continues to manufacture films and chemicals for businesses, including the movie industry, and it licenses its brand for a variety of consumer products.

The-CNN-Wire
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CNN’s Clare Duffy contributed to this report.

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Chris Nestman

Artificial intelligence is rapidly growing in use and focus around the country and we are no exception here in Idaho. What once was reserved for large corporations and the tech industry, is being used more and more by small businesses.

“AI uses such strong computing power, it’s able to do millions of processes almost simultaneously,” said Ryan Smith, an AI expert and founder of Teton AI Solutions. “And so it’s it’s much more efficient and much faster in many tasks.”

Smith’s company Teton AI Solutions exclusively uses AI to create programs and processes that help other companies run smoother.

“A lot of businesses are using what we call AI receptionists. These are essentially AI that answers your phone calls,” said Smith. “So let’s say you a business owner is interacting with a customer and someone calls your business. AI actually answers the call, talks to them just like you would, and its able to get the customer’s information, answer calls, book appointments, etc., for you.”

Such tools help small business owners to meet the demands of customers even when they have limited staff or employees on hand.

Another example of AI in the workplace is in research and networking.

“So the other day I actually came up with this, what we call a business card reader,” said Smith. “So if someone would give you a business card, all you have to do is take a picture of it. AI scans the card, understands the card, checks out their website, understands how your business can help their business, and drafts a whole email on that process.”

“All you have to do is read it, say ‘yeah that’s good’ and send it,” said Smith.

Over the next few years, Smith expects AI to become more and more integrated into a variety of industries and fields of study.

“What we’re going to get to soon is what we call AGI or General Intelligence. And that’s where it’s going to be so specific to each industry that every industry is going to have their own type of AI helping them.” said Smith

With the rapid growth of AI tech, Smith recommends the best thing to do is to get familiarized with it.

“A lot of people are saying AI is going to take some jobs and it will, but what the best thing you can do is to be that person that knows how to use AI,” said Smith. “AI is here, and if you know how to use it, if you know how to adapt with it, you’ll grow just fine.”

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Arts Council:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Long-time Idaho Falls Arts Council Executive Director Brandi Newton, who brought prominence to the Willard Arts Center, Colonial Theater and ARTitorium on Broadway during her 12 years at the post, will redirect her attention by joining The Bank of Commerce in Idaho Falls.

Newton, who is well known in the Idaho Falls community for championing musical, theatrical, and educational events for Eastern Idaho, will be a natural fit at The Bank of Commerce, which prides itself as a community bank. Newton, who holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Idaho, will take on the role of Vice President, Director of Marketing at the financial institution.

“Brandi has left an indelible mark not just at the Idaho Falls Arts Council, but within the arts and entertainment scene in Idaho Falls,” said Jason Littlefield, Chairman of the Board for the Arts Council. “To say she’ll be missed is an understatement, but I know the talents she’ll bring to The Bank of Commerce will be such an asset to the employees and customers of the bank.”

Mike Morrison, President and CEO of The Bank of Commerce, agrees. “Brandi brings so much to our organization,” he said. “She ran a successful non-profit, was loved by patrons and business leaders alike, and most importantly, she has a passion for serving her community. Those are the types of traits that make her a perfect fit for our staff”. 

Littlefield said a search will begin immediately for Newton’s successor. The board hopes to name a permanent replacement by this fall.

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News Release

The following is a press release from Yellowstone National Park:

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY –  Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect Aug. 12 in Yellowstone National Park due to the VERY HIGH fire danger level.

Stage 1 fire restrictions

Frontcountry and developed areas

Prohibited: Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle, single-family dwelling, developed campground, day-use picnic area, or within a 3-foot diameter area that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

Permitted: Campfires in designated fire rings in frontcountry developed campgrounds (Madison, Mammoth, Slough Creek, Tower Fall, Canyon, Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Grant Village and Bridge Bay) and day-use picnic areas. All campfires must be attended. Charcoal and ash must be soaked, stirred, extinguished, and cold to the touch prior to leaving a campfire unattended. Soak, stir, feel, repeat.

Permitted: Self-contained gas and charcoal grills.

Permitted: Stoves and lanterns that use pressurized liquid, jellied petroleum, or gas fuel, and fully enclosed, sheep-herder type stoves with a ¼-inch spark-arrestor screen in areas which are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.

Backcountry and trails

Prohibited: Charcoal and wood campfires in the backcountry, including those in established fire rings.

Permitted: Stoves and lanterns that use pressurized liquid, jellied petroleum, or gas fuel, and fully enclosed, sheep-herder type stoves with a ¼-inch spark-arrestor screen in areas which are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.

Permitted: Smoking only in areas adjacent to the provided fire ring in designated campsites or within a 3-foot-diameter area barren of all flammable material. Smokers must ensure that all cigarette butts are extinguished.

Always prohibited

Discharging fireworks or firearms

Using explosives or pyrotechnic devices

Abandoning or failing to attend a campfire

Driving vehicles off-road

Smoking in thermal areas and all posted and designated areas such as trails

Wood campfires at the Fishing Bridge RV Park, Shoshone Lake backcountry campsites or any backcountry campsite without a rock or metal fire ring to contain the spread of the fire

Negligently starting a wildland fire may result in fines and/or imprisonment. Stay informed about current fire activity in Yellowstone.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — It was all hands on duck at Development Workshop, Inc. as they cleaned all the ducks from this weekend’s annual Duck Race.

The workers with disabilities worked with DWI to get the ducks clean and ready to be sent off for their next race. All 30,000 ducks were checked, cleaned, and thrown out if they were broken.

The employees look forward to preparing the ducks for the race and cleaning them afterwards each year.

“When they’re not working on different projects, we have sewing, we have assembly packaging, and we do some injection molding products,” said DWI Sales and Marketing Manager, Glenn Guzman. “When they’re not working on those types of things, they love coming out. They will look forward to the ducks. This is like their favorite project for the year.”

The annual Duck Race was held Saturday, August 9. The rubber ducks were poured into the Snake River. Big prizes were given to people who paid for the first ten ducks to reach the finish line.

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News Team

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — Over the next 3 weeks, Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) maintenance crews are set to begin work on various sections of Wyoming State Highway 22, the Teton Pass. Beginning today, August 11, crews will be cleaning ditches and performing various maintenance work during the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM Monday through Thursday for the rest of the month.

Commuters should anticipate lane closures, flagger-controlled traffic, and short delays during these times. No work is planned for weekends.

WYDOT is also reminding drivers that this schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. For the latest information on road conditions and the project schedule, visit WYDOT 511.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Idaho Falls:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The City of Idaho Falls has released its proposed Budget Book for the upcoming fiscal year, providing residents with a detailed and accessible overview of how city funds will be allocated.

“The Budget Book offers a clear and comprehensive look at how property taxes, fees and other revenues are invested to support essential services, programs and growth,” said Mayor Rebecca Casper. “This document reflects careful planning and collaboration to ensure a balanced budget that benefits our community.”

The not-to-exceed preliminary budget totals $389.6 million, funding 11 city departments, key services such as Idaho Falls Power, public safety, the airport and several capital projects. Approximately $52 million, about 16% of the total, is funded through property taxes, with the remainder generated from utilities, fees, savings, grants and other sources.

This year’s proposed budget maintains a strong focus on public safety, with investments in personnel and infrastructure to keep pace with community growth. The budget also reflects a disciplined, fiscally responsible approach, prioritizing core services while carefully planning for future needs.

A public hearing to discuss the proposed budget is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14 in the City Council Chambers at 680 Park Ave. The hearing provides an opportunity for residents to learn more and share their comments before the City Council adopts the final budget on Aug. 28.

“We understand the responsibility that comes with managing public funds,” Casper added. “This budget is built to be both fiscally responsible and forward-looking — supporting the services people depend on today while preparing to meet the needs of tomorrow.”

Residents are encouraged to review the Budget Book, now available online, to better understand how city resources are managed.

2025-07-31 Draft Proposed Annual Budget-Reduced SizeDownload

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News Release

The following is a news release from Idaho Fish and Game:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Grab your fishing pole, pack the cooler, and don’t forget your fishing license!  Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing 6500 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during August.  Fish on!

Idaho Fish and Game is stocking 6500 rainbows in various southeast Idaho fisheries this month.

Here is a quick summary of what you need to know about some of these fun fisheries!             

Cub River – 500 rainbow trout. This beautiful little river is located south of Preston. All fish will be stocked in and around the Willow Flat Campground which is managed by the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.  There are 52 single units, 3 double units with 3 group sites, and an amphitheater.  It is open from May through September.  

Montpelier Creek – 1,000 rainbow trout.  Only a couple of miles from Montpelier, anglers can enjoy good creek fishing and a variety of camping options at the Montpelier Creel KOA (campsites and cabins). 

Montpelier Rearing Pond – 500 rainbow trout. This little fishing spot is tucked into a scenic high desert canyon at an elevation of 6500 feet in the hills east of Montpelier.  It has very basic facilities but offers a variety of fish species in a peaceful setting.  Anglers can fish the pond or head half-mile north up Crow Creek Road to Montpelier Reservoir. 

Upper Kelly Park Pond – 500 rainbow trout.  This great little fishery is located in Arthur Kelly Park in Soda Springs.  Access to the upper pond is via an easy quarter-mile hiking trail beginning at the parking lot.  This fishery provides fun fishing for anglers of all ages in a pretty setting all summer long.

Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates may change due to weather or staffing constraints.

If you need detailed information about Idaho’s waters, fish species, facilities, maps and rules, check out the Idaho Fishing Planner on Fish and Game’s website.

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