Author: KIFI

Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — People met in downtown Idaho Falls today for their love of the barbering industry, which is on the rise.

“Every walk of life, every culture comes through the barber shop,” said barber Jordian Perez.

Over a hundred people visited Idaho’s Best Barberfest to learn about the artistic side of the barbering industry and how to build revenue and clientele.

“This will be the beginning of Idaho having a path, opportunity of education, competition, [and] networking being built in this area,” said Idaho’s Best Barberfest’s Creator and Owner, Marcus Rodriguez.

People also participated in barber battles to showcase their talent and passion.

Studies show the barbering industry is growing, mainly due to men becoming more conscious of their appearance and barbershops showcasing their work on social media.

Rodriguez says there’s a lot more to the barbering industry than some people might think. He says social skills and networking are essential, especially to connect with clients.

“If somebody’s having a kid or somebody just got a promotion or maybe somebody is about to get married and you’re giving them a haircut for that…you get to be with them in that moment,” Perez said. “It’s pretty cool to see their life kind of play out throughout the year.”

“And that’s what’s going…to get [clients] to continue coming back over and over again for years to come,” said Rodriguez.

Many people who get their hair cut know the importance of having good connection and good conversations with their barber.

Rodriguez says if someone wants to go into the industry, they should visit a barber shop they find interesting.

“Whether it’s the way they cut, the way they speak, or the way they present themselves in the shop. Connect with them on a level of showing your interest.”

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CNN Newsource

COLORADO (CNN) — Police in Boulder, Colorado, are investigating after man reportedly set people on fire in an attack, leaving multiple people injured, police said during a news conference. A suspect is in custody.

“When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims that were injured with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries,” Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said Sunday.

A group of pro-Israel demonstrators were taking part in a peaceful demonstration, Redfearn added.

“We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available,” FBI director Kash Patel said in a social media post Sunday.

FBI personnel are at the scene along with local law enforcement, according to FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

“We are investigating this incident as an act of terror, and targeted violence,” Bongino posted to social media. “All of the necessary assets will be dedicated to this investigation.”

The reported attack took place at the Boulder Run for Their Lives event, the Anti-Defamation League said on social media. The weekly gathering of Jewish community members is meant to support the hostages taken during the October 7 attacks in Israel in 2023.

The incident happened ahead of the holiday of Shavuot, according to the ADL – a Jewish holiday which celebrates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Museum of Idaho‘s new exhibit, “Mummies of the World,” has been in the works for about two years. Now, people can come see mummies from Egypt, Europe, and South America—some who even date back to 200 B.C.

“They are shown with the utmost reverence and respect. Their remains tell incredible stories, not only about the scientific process of mummification, but also about the lives they lived and the people they were,” said Museum of Idaho’s Director of Marketing, Camille Thomas.

Human mummies aren’t the only things on display. There are even mummified animals like a house cat and a sloth’s head.

Every display includes a thermometer to make sure it has the right temperature and level of humidity.

Even though these mummies are people who lived centuries ago, we keep learning things from them—from ancient history to even modern medicine.

“Medical researchers are continuing to learn about disease and its effects on the body, especially over the course of a long period of time. And there are some things that we can learn [from mummies] that may help us fight disease now still,” said Museum of Idaho Executive Director, Jeff Carr.

When most people hear the word “mummy,” they usually think of ancient Egypt. However, people mummified their leaders and loved ones around the world and had their own ways to preserve them. For example, Carr says the Incas wrapped mummies in bundles instead of a coffin or sarcophagus. 

“Around the 14th and 15th centuries, people…were buried in the fetal position and then placed into baskets so they could essentially be portable,” Carr said. “They could be brought to family gatherings even after death.”

“Mummies of the World” will be open until January 4, 2026.

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Phillip Willis

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — The Annual Summer Kick-Off Event was held at Porter Park Friday. There were vending booths, food trucks and games. A highlight of the event was the Idaho Centennial Carousel which opened for the season on Memorial Day.

One family in attendance said they enjoyed the bouncy houses, food vendors, and having fun in the sun. The streets around Porter Park were blocked off, allowing vendors to cover the streets. There were many stations, for family fun, including several bounce houses, a petting zoo, and a bull riding station.

The Idaho Centennial Carousel is almost 100 years old, and normally costs two dollars to ride. However, kids rode for free at the event. It is open from noon – 7 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. The carousel will close early in September.

“My kids love to go ride the carousel,” says Jon Lewis, Director of the Rexburg Parks and Recreation Department. “In fact, when my son came here today, that was the first thing that he asked to do. So, I think the carousel, with that being our centerpiece, is probably my favorite part. But also, you got great music, great food, and a lot of good people floating around here too.”

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Ashley Chilcutt

“He’s going to be missed.”

– Jon Clark, Idaho Falls Parks and Rec

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) —  Dozens of people attended a casual retirement party for long-time basketball coach Cleave Lewis on Friday afternoon. He has been a city employee for over 25 years.

“The thing about life is you never know what’s around the corner,” Cleave said. “I’m just taking in it right now. I’m just happy to see all these people here, enjoying this ride, celebrating this with me.”

We first introduced you to Cleave Lewis last year when the city of Idaho Falls dedicated its renovated recreation center in his name which is now displayed in bold letters on the gym walls.

Jon Clark with Idaho Falls Parks and Rec was at the dedication and showed up to wish Cleave a happy retirement.

“I don’t know of a person that’s spent more time in this gym in the 45 years that I’ve been coming here, and a lot of it’s been his own free time that he’s just given to the kids in the city,” said Clark. “He’s going to be missed. Big, big loss for the rec center.”

While Friday was his last day on the job, Cleave says he’ll look for opportunities to continue doing what he loves — playing basketball and coaching kids. But for now, he is looking forward to the next chapter of life.

To watch our Community All-Stars segment that features Cleave Lewis, click HERE.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Temperatures are heating up this week, and everyone wants to stay cool.

Local News 8 learned some ways to make sure your air conditioner is working properly so you don’t break the bank while trying not to melt in your own home.

Air conditioning is all about airflow. If dust, hair, and other debris build up in your air filters and vents, air won’t be able to travel freely. The same thing goes for if you block your vents with furniture.

Air filters should be changed every one to two months. If you have a lot of pets that shed, you might need to change the filters even more often.

“There’s a lot of people who live in new construction areas here around town. The dirt and dust that gets brought up into the air from new construction can get into people’s filters and cause them to need to be be changed more often,” said First Call Jewel Sales Manager, Matt Bidstrup.

If you have windows that face the west, the setting sun could make the room extra hot. It could help to put up blackout curtains.

If your home feels hot, Bidstrup says it’s best to gradually turn the temperature down one or two degrees at a time. You can’t suddenly change your thermostat from 75 to 65 degrees and expect it to work. A/C systems are not designed to run for hours and hours.

“If you try and run it continuously for hours, you’re going to end up freezing up your outdoor unit, your indoor coil, and it’s going to cause more damage,” Bidstrup said. “And you’re really not going to get the results that you’re expecting.”

If you replace your air filter and make sure your vents aren’t blocked, but your A/C still isn’t working properly like it used to, it’s probably best to call in a professional to sort that out.

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Curtis Jackson

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho State Police said Friday the driver who caused a fiery accident on US 20 near Henry’s Lake had a blood alcohol content level of 0.20, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08.

The May 1 crash claimed the lives of seven people, including the driver of the pickup that crossed the center line. Many of the victims were tourists from out of the country.

“This tragedy should be a wake-up call,” ISP Captain Chris Weadick said. “No one plans to cause a crash or take a life when they get behind the wheel, but choices have consequences. Impaired driving isn’t just illegal — it’s deadly. If you see someone unfit to drive, speak up. Lives depend on it.”

Alcohol-related crashes remain one of the leading causes of traffic deaths in Idaho.

“Idaho’s roads are especially busy during the summer,” ITD Operations Manager Bryan Young said. “With more construction, increased travel, and an influx of visitors, we’re seeing more families and more drivers on the road. It only takes one impaired driver to change lives forever. This is a preventable problem, and it starts with each of us making responsible choices.”

Officials suggest that if you plan to drink, arrange for a designated driver, rideshare, taxi, or public transportation, and always buckle up your seatbelt.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Zoo Idaho and Connections Credit Union are hosting their annual Free Zoo Day on Saturday, May 31.

Free Zoo Day has been an annual tradition for Pocatello’s Zoo Idaho since 2017. Connections Credit Union, a major sponsor of Zoo Idaho, will provide additional activities like scavenger hunts, games, and free food from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. to go along with free admission for everyone to enjoy Zoo Idaho’s collection of native animals.

“You can interact with the community and just enjoy a day at the zoo,” said Ashley Wuthrich-Hoffman, brand empowerment coordinator for Connections Credit Union. “That’s the most important part, because we’re here to support the zoo, bring as much of the community here as possible.”

Zoo Idaho will host Free Zoo Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 31. For more information, you can visit the Zoo Idaho website.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Pocatello Animal Services is nearing capacity for dogs in the shelter, and they are asking for the community’s help in clearing space before they reach their busiest season in summer.

According to Sarah Moore, administrative assistant for Pocatello Animal Services, during the warmer months the shelter sees a marked increase in dogs brought into the shelter as lost or surrendered.

Moore said the shelter has already had an influx of dogs coming into the shelter this spring, prompting concerns they may see more dogs entering their care in the coming months than they have kennel space available.

“We’re going in already pretty much at our capacity line,” said Moore. “We are a municipal shelter that has to take all strays within our jurisdiction–which is the city of Pocatello–so we always have to make sure we have kennel space open for housing those dogs and so that they have a place to stay. In order to make sure we have space for them, we always have to make sure that we’re sending dogs out.”

Moore said they currently have 25 dogs available for adoption, and many other pets ready to go into temporary homes through the shelter’s fostering program.

For more information on adopting or fostering a shelter pet, you can visit the Pocatello Animal Services website.

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Ariel Jensen

Ammon, Idaho (KIFI) — Chick-fil-A in Ammon is facing a lawsuit after a former employee says he endured racist abuse by co-workers and supervisors.

Court documents show Thomas Wade, an African-American, is suing Ammon Chic-fil-A franchisee Lauren Mosteller for race and color discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress. The documents indicate the harassment came from three Chick-fil-A employees related to Mosteller.

Wade began working at the Ammon Chi-fil-a in December 2022, according to the court document timeline. He was hired as a cook and placed in the “back of house” crew. Shortly after being hired, Wade applied for the leadership development program, but was not admitted. The job of shift lead was given to a white employee.

On March 23, 2023, Wade stepped in when two employees – one of them his supervisor’s son – were “antagonizing another employee.” Court documents allege one employee said, “Shut up ape before I put you in a cage.” When Wade said he would report the behavior to management, one employee shot back with “monkey-looking-ass” and “my parents own this store.”

Wade says he reported the incident to his supervisor and the other employee’s father, Eric Ibarra, but Ibarra did nothing, according to the complaint.

The next day, Wade met with the General Manager and the Back-of-House Director and told them what had happened. The General Manager apologized, then said, “It was not as bad as if someone like her had said it.” The General Manager is white.

No one was disciplined for making racist comments or for the supervisor’s failure to report the comments to upper management.

Wade took two days off work to have some space. Documents say when he returned, “several members of the Ibarra family resumed making racist comments, which occurred over the next seven months. Wade made 25 to 30 reports about racist comments co-workers made to him or in his presence.

Some of the comments from Eric Ibarra, his son, as well as other co-workers, included calling Wade “ape,” “monkey,” “n-word,” and “antique farming equipment.” They also told Wade they would put him in a cage. They would also remark to each other, “Of course he works at Chi-fil-A, so he loves chicken.”

Court documents go on to say that Wade walked in on one of the Ibarras whipping another employee with a towel while the employee said “Please, master, I’ll work harder.” One employee told Wade he would know about getting whipped since he is black.

Wade says he was consistently called “blackie,” “n-word,” and “monkey.” Court documents indicate nothing was done when he spoke to management.

On June 11, 2023, Wade made an appointment to speak with management about the incident on March 23, Waiting outside the office, he heard one of Eric Ibarra’s daughters say, “Look like a monkey, act like a monkey.” Wade told her to repeat what she just said, and she repeated the remark. Management said they would speak with the co-workers, but nothing changed.

A racial slur was also written on the freezer on July 23, 2024. When Wade reported it to management, he was told, “If he wanted to be shift lead, he needed to get along with the Ibarra family because several of them were in leadership positions and she couldn’t fire them.”

Mosteller’s attorneys filed a response in court denying the allegations.

Local News 8 reached out to Wade, who agreed to meet with us and give us more information after discussing details with his legal consultant. 

THOMAS WADE COMPLAINT DOC1Download

THOMAS WADE DOC 9Download

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