Category: kifi-local-news

CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 05 NOV 22 10:22 ET

Updated: 29 OCT 25 13:54 ET

By Katia Hetter and Stephen Mays, CNN

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(CNN) — It’s almost time for clocks to “fall back” one hour, allowing many people across the United States to gain one hour of sleep.

On the first Sunday of November, at 2 a.m., clocks fall back an hour to standard time. On the second Sunday of March, at 2 a.m., clocks in most of the United States and many other countries move forward one hour and stay there for nearly eight months in what is called Daylight Saving Time.

The current March to November system that the US follows began in 2007, but the concept of “saving daylight” is much older. Daylight Saving Time has its roots in train schedules, but it was put into practice in Europe and the United States to save fuel and power during World War I, according to the US Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Pro tip: It’s Daylight Saving Time, with singular use of “saving,” not “savings.”

Reasons for Daylight Saving Time

The US kept Daylight Saving Time permanent during most of World War II. The idea was put in place to conserve fuel and keep things standard. As the war came to a close in 1945, Gallup asked respondents how we should tell time. Only 17% wanted to keep what was then called “war time” all year.

During the energy crisis of the 1970s, we tried permanent Daylight Saving Time again in the winter of 1973-1974. The idea again was to conserve fuel. It was a popular move at the time when President Richard Nixon signed the law in January 1974. But by the end of the month, Florida’s governor had called for the law’s repeal after eight schoolchildren were hit by cars in the dark. Schools across the country delayed start times until the sun came up.

By summer, public approval had plummeted, and in early October Congress voted to switch back to standard time.

In the US, states are not required by law to “fall back” or “spring forward.” Hawaii, most of Arizona and some territories in the Pacific and Caribbean do not observe Daylight Saving Time.

The twice-yearly switcheroo is irritating enough to lawmakers of all political stripes that federal lawmakers have tried to make Daylight Saving Time permanent over the past few years. New versions of the bill were introduced in the House and Senate this year.

Why do we need Daylight Saving Time

Studies over the past 25 years have shown the one-hour change disrupts body rhythms tuned to Earth’s rotation, adding fuel to the debate over whether having Daylight Saving Time in any form is a good idea.

The issue is that for every argument there is a counterargument. There are studies, for example, that show we have more car accidents when people lose an extra hour of sleep. There are also studies that show robberies decline when there is an extra hour of sunlight at the end of the day. We also know that people suffer more heart attacks at the start of Daylight Saving Time. But what about our mental health? People seem to be happier when there is an extra hour of daylight.

Of course, there’s the economy, which pays for all that outdoor fun in the sun. Although saving energy was often put out as a reason to have Daylight Saving Time, the energy saved isn’t much — if anything at all.

Instead, the lobbying effort for Daylight Saving Time came mostly from different sectors of the economy. In the mid-20th century, lobby groups for the recreational sports industry (think driving ranges) wanted more customers to come out after a day at the office. It’s easier to do so when there is more light at the end of the day.

But the movie industry didn’t like Daylight Saving Time. You’re less likely to go to a movie when it’s bright outside. Despite the myth, farmers didn’t like it either because it made it difficult to get their food to the market in the morning.

The bottom line: It’s not clear whether having that extra hour of sunlight at the end of the day versus the beginning is helpful. It just depends on who you are and what you want. And it doesn’t look like Daylight Saving Time in the US is going away anytime soon.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, Idaho (KIFI) – The Museum of Idaho is excited to announce a generous $50,000 donation from Oklo, an advanced nuclear technology company developing its first commercial Aurora powerhouse in Idaho at Idaho National Laboratory. This partnership marks a major contribution to the region’s cultural and educational fabric, reinforcing Oklo’s deep commitment to the Idaho Falls community.

The donation will support the Museum’s mission to inspire lifelong learning through dynamic exhibits, educational programming, and ongoing research in science, history, and archaeology. It comes during the run of “Mummies of the World”, a major traveling exhibit currently on display at the museum.

“We’re not just here to build essential infrastructure and deploy advanced nuclear technology,”remarked Bonita Chester, Head of Communications and Media at Oklo. “Our mission is to both enrich and improve the communities in which we operate. We couldn’t be more excited to be the newest members of the Idaho Falls community.”

Chris Sheetz, Director of Corporate Partnerships at the Museum of Idaho, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation, which means so much to the Museum of Idaho’s mission. This donation will directly support the growth of our educational programs, the curation of powerful exhibits, and the development of exciting new traveling exhibitions that serve and engage our community.”

The partnership between Oklo and the Museum of Idaho began earlier this month with the unveiling of a hands-on, community mural project in the museum’s Maeck Education Center.

From September 13–19, local residents participated in painting a large-scale paint-by-number mural celebrating East Idaho’s culture, landscapes, scientific achievements, and pioneering spirit in nuclear innovation.

Created by award-winning Idaho artist Rett Longmore and painted with help from local community members, the mural brings together Idaho’s past and future through energy innovation.

Featuring both the Oklo Aurora powerhouse and the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II), the artwork highlights how history and innovation meet in Idaho—and how community is at the center of building what comes next.

The Aurora powerhouse is a sodium-cooled fast reactor that utilizes metal fuel and is based on the proven design and operating heritage of EBR-II, which operated in Idaho from 1964 to 1994. Oklo is placing its first Aurora powerhouse at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and is proud to have worked alongside the community to bring this vision to life—looking forward to continuing that partnership as the Aurora-INL takes shape in Idaho.

The collaboration culminated in a special reception hosted at the museum, where Oklo presented a surprise $50,000 check—underscoring the company’s intention to be a long-term partner in Idaho Falls’ cultural and educational development.

This all comes as the museum continues to display its latest exhibit: “Mummies of the World”. Mummies of the World brings together naturally and intentionally preserved mummies from South America, Europe, and ancient Egypt.

Presented with dignity and respect, the exhibition blends modern science, interactive displays, and multimedia to uncover the lives, environments, and cultures of ancient civilizations.

Since its debut in Los Angeles in 2010, Mummies of the World has captivated over 2.4 million visitors across 23 cities in the U.S. and Europe. With exhibits over 4500 years old, this display will continue to be showcased at the museum until January 6th, 2026.

For more information about the latest exhibit, donation, and upcoming events, click here.

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS — Normally, a parent’s biggest worry on Halloween is how much sugar their kid will consume. But for some Idaho families who deal with food allergies, every single bite matters.

When one piece of candy can be deadly, there’s a lot of stress and pressure to keep your child with food allergies safe.

Both allergy mom, Katherine Lee, and local allergy specialist, Dr. David Petty, DO, recommend reading every single label–especially since festive wrappers can often look different from the typical branding.

Local News 8’s Megan Lavin is also a food allergy mom. Her son, Carter Lavin, shows just how many candies he can’t have and what a food allergy reaction–known as anaphylaxis–can feel like.

With food allergies on the rise, Dr. Petty sees over 1000 patients in the area and reminds parents with food allergies that they shouldn’t allow their kids to eat any homemade treats. No matter how kind the neighbor, if you can’t verify the ingredients, it shouldn’t be consumed by those with food allergies.

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, October 30 for part 2, where Megan will share with you ways you can be inclusive and some safe treat ideas to help those with food allergies be safe.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Starting today, Oct. 29, crews with the Bonneville County contractor Knife River will begin work to improve the right northbound lane of 25th East (Hitt Road) north of the Costco roundabout at Lincoln Road.

Idaho Falls Public Works anticipates the work to last through November, weather permitting.

During construction, the right northbound lane will be closed north of the roundabout, and the speed limit will be reduced to 20 mph heading into the roundabout. All lanes approaching and within the roundabout will remain open.

Public Works crews are urging drivers to slow down, follow posted signs, and watch for construction crews in the area.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho Transportation Department:

IDAHO FALLS – Winter travel in Eastern Idaho means more than just tossing on a jacket before you go. The Idaho Transportation Department is teaming up again with the Idaho State Police to offer free winter driving safety classes to help Eastern Idaho drivers be prepared for the reality that snow and ice changes everything.

Registration is now open for these popular, helpful sessions at the following places and dates:

Idaho Falls

Wednesday, November 5 @ 7 p.m.

Rocky Mountain Middle School, 3443 N Ammon Rd

Register for Idaho Falls  

Rexburg

Wednesday, November 12 @ 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

BYU-Idaho Little Theater, Manwaring Center, 101 E Viking Street

            No registration needed

Pocatello

Tuesday, November 18 @ 5:30 p.m.

Chubbuck City Hall, 290 E Linden Ave.

            Register for Pocatello

Rigby

Wednesday, December 3 @ 7 p.m.

ITD District 6 Office, 206 North Yellowstone

Register for Rigby

The classes are designed to help drivers prepare for Idaho’s winter conditions by covering topics like vehicle readiness, proper equipment, defensive driving techniques, and how to safely share the road with snowplows. Instructors include state troopers and ITD operators who bring firsthand experience from years of working on Idaho’s roads and responding to emergencies during severe weather.

While these classes are open to everyone of all ages and skill levels, they are especially valuable for:

Young drivers with limited winter driving experience

New drivers, including those preparing to start driver’s education in the next year

New residents facing their first Idaho winter

Participants who complete a class will receive a coupon for 10 percent off a new set of tires at any Les Schwab Tires location in Eastern Idaho from American Falls to St. Anthony. ITD and ISP extend a special thank you to Les Schwab for their partnership.

More information and direct links to these classes can be found on ITD’s website Travel page, itd.idaho.gov/travel.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO (KIFI) — Idaho food banks lost out on 370,000 pounds of food shipments from May through September due to massive cuts to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), according to USDA records obtained by the investigative website ProPublica.

These canceled shipments, first detailed in a report by non-profit newspaper The Idaho Capital Sun, included meat, dairy, and fresh produce intended for distribution centers in North Idaho, Lewiston, Boise, and Pocatello. Local partners, including Community Action Partnership and El-Ada Community Action Partnership, lost planned deliveries of essential items like cheese, chicken, turkey, and pork.

According to the records obtained by ProPublica, the USDA cut approximately 94 million pounds of food nationwide from the program under the direction of the Trump administration, resulting in a loss of over $500 million in scheduled deliveries.

In a statement released in March, the USDA justified the cancellation of aid as “prioritizing stable, proven solutions.”

“USDA is prioritizing stable, proven solutions that deliver lasting impact. The COVID era is over — USDA’s approach to nutrition programs will reflect that reality moving forward.”

Compounding Crisis: SNAP Benefits Halted Due to Government Shutdown

The canceled aid comes as the USDA informed the states that the ongoing government shutdown has placed a hold on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps. Due to the gridlock in the Senate and the House, over 42 million Americans, including over 130,000 Idahoans, who rely on these essential benefits, will not receive crucial funds in November.

The USDA posted a statement on its website addressing the halt in benefits, stating:

“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued on November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”

Political Standoff Over Contingency Funds

Idaho Democrats and advocacy groups have sharply criticized the Trump administration for failing to release an estimated $5 to $6 billion in available funds that could provide at least partial SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

“Idaho families are working hard to put food on the table, and our farmers are working hard to feed them,” Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea said in a written statement. “These programs make sense because they fight hunger and help producers move their goods. But the Trump regime doesn’t care. They are letting good food rot in warehouses while children, veterans, seniors, Idahoans with disabilities, and thousands of working families go hungry. Republicans are sitting on their hands instead of standing up for the families and farmers they’re supposed to represent. It’s cruel and pointless, and everyone in Idaho can see it,” Necochea said.

The Trump administration, however, maintains it cannot use the contingency funds for SNAP, with Speaker Mike Johnson claiming the money is not “legally available”  for this purpose.

“The contingency funds are not legally available to cover the benefits right now,” Speaker Johnson told reporters Monday. “The reason is because it’s a finite source of funds. It was appropriated by Congress, and if they transfer funds from these other sources, it pulls it away immediately from school meals and infant formula…There has to be a preexisting appropriation for the contingency fund to be used, and Democrats blocked that appropriation when they rejected the clean continuing resolution.”

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Ariel Jensen

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — There’s still time for Idaho students to help name one of the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD’s) snowplows.

IDT says it is excited to include students in its 2nd annual ‘Name a Snowplow’ contest. They say this is a fun challenge for students in grades 6 to 12 to learn about Idaho transportation.

ITD also says that when its plows have names, it makes them more visible to drivers, so they are less likely to be hit.

“It is the time of year to start looking out for plows, looking out for slick roads, winter driving yet again. And we are happy to see students getting interested and hope that we can have fewer and fewer plow strikes all winter long, especially in our area and all across Idaho,” said Sky Buffat, PIO for the Idaho Transportation Department.

Last year’s winners were the Swan Valley School, which came up with “Anti-Snow-cial,” and Rigby Middle School, which came up with “Pow Pow Ka Plow.” To check out last year’s winners, visit HERE.

If you are a teacher and want to register your class for a chance to win, visit HERE.

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Phillip Willis

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Today’s story is a mix of fact, myth, speculation, and madness. In January of 1956, American UFO researcher Morris Ketchum Jessup received a strange letter, a warning to stop digging into the levitation mechanisms of UFOs. More letters followed, each more cryptic than the last. One correspondent shared a story of dangerous science based on alleged unpublished theories by Albert Einstein, and how one scientist named Franklin Reno put the theories into practice.

According to historians, the first-hand account letter purports that a supernatural event, the “Philadelphia Experiment,” occurred on October 28, 1943. It describes an experiment witnessed by Mr. Carl M Allen while he served aboard the SS Andrew Furuseth.

Using aspects of “Unified Field Theory” that dealt with gravity and magnetism, Allen wrote that a destroyer escort – the USS Eldridge- was successfully turned invisible in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. However, the ship inexplicably teleported to Norfolk, Virginia for several minutes before returning to the Philadelphia yard. Once the ship was back, the crew was… different.

Some of them were completely insane. Others were completely intangible. Some were fused into the ship’s bulkheads, and others still were stuck, “frozen” in place.

Author Robert A. Goerman says, after reading the letter, Jessup was hooked, and he wrote back, asking for proof. Allen directed him to a Philadelphia newspaper article, one Jessup would never find.

A year later, Jessup was summoned to the Office of Naval Research. While there, he was shown a copy of his own book, The Case for the UFO: Unidentified Flying Objects. You can imagine his delight that this government agency had some of his work, but his joy surely turned to dread when he noticed the annotations in the margins. In the scribbled notes, Jessup could read a debate between three individuals. They discussed the propulsion for flying saucers, alien races, indirect references to the Philadelphia experiment, and how they were concerned that Jessup was getting too close to discovering their technology. Worst of all, he recognized the handwriting. It was the same handwriting as the letters he had received from Allen.

For Jessup, it was lies upon lies upon lies. Was Allen an alien? Was Jessup in danger? how deep did the rabbit hole go? The situation sent an already mentally unwell man spiraling. In 1958, Jessup’s wife left him. In 1959, he was found dead on the side of the road, a hose running from his exhaust pipe into his rear window.

And that left Allen, the mastermind behind the elaborate hoax.

According to historians, it was in 1955 that Allen sent an anonymous package to the U.S. Office of Naval Research, a copy of Jessup’s book, with his own three-sided conversation scribbled in the margins.

Allen then began writing to Jessup, sending letters from his own given name, along with the alias of “Carlos Miguel Allende.” He purposefully left his handwriting recognizable so that he could “scare the hell out of Jessup” if he visited the Office of Naval Research. When Jessup requested more information about the Philadelphia Experiment, Allen simply claimed an article existed that covered the disappearance of the ship.

According to Skeptic.com, Allen’s account of the experiment is widely understood to be a hoax. But that doesn’t keep some people from theory crafting and wondering if the story of the vanishing ship isn’t somewhat true. Just be careful not to fall into that slippery slope to insanity… or do, if you dare!

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — They run toward danger when most people are running away. Today, the southeast Idaho community pauses to celebrate National First Responders Day, set aside to honor the brave men and women who rush to help us when we need it the most.

Across the region, communities are making a small token of respect and appreciation to first responders. For example, several local hospitals gave doughnuts to first responders to show their respect.

Local News 8 reached out to several agencies to find out the most meaningful ways the community can honor its first responders. Their message was simple and powerful: “Take care of yourselves, be healthy, and learn basic health-saving measures like CPR.”

Departments throughout the area also expressed deep pride in their teams. Joseph Haebrle, Battalion Chief for the Madison Fire Department, highlighted the dedication of his personnel, saying, “I love the guys and gals that I work with. They’re all excellent people. They want to do a good job. They study hard, they train hard. And because of that, they have pretty good outcomes in the calls for service that we respond to.”

The Rexburg Police Department also recognized the unwavering commitment of its staff.

“With great pride, I recognize and commend the dedication and sacrifice of the men and women of the Rexburg Police Department. This recognition extends not only to those who wear the uniform and bravely face the challenges of today’s society, but also to the many individuals who work diligently behind the scenes to ensure our department operates efficiently and effectively. I firmly believe that our department acts with the community’s best interests at heart, serving our citizens each day with professionalism, integrity, and unwavering commitment. We also extend our deepest gratitude to the community for their trust and continued support. It is through this partnership that the Rexburg Police Department is able to fulfill its mission to serve and protect the citizens of our great city,” said Asst. Chief Gary Hagen with the Rexburg Police Department.

If you’d like to learn more about the work of the Rexburg Police Department and meet the people behind the badge, the department is hosting an open house on Tuesday, October 28th, from 4 to 6 p.m. 

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Camp Hayden is set to host its 6th annual Special Needs Trunk or Treat this Saturday, November 1st, offering a completely accessible Halloween experience for families in southeast Idaho.

The free, family-friendly event runs from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Development Workshop of Idaho Falls, at 555 West 25th Street.

A Spooky-Not-Scary, Accessible Halloween

Camp Hayden volunteers are inviting families with children of all ages and abilities to dress up and “trick or treat” for both candy and non-edible items for those with dietary restrictions or allergies at dozens of decorated car trunks set up in the DWI parking lot.

The fun continues inside the DWI building with an Accessible Haunted Sensory Event. Camp Hayden founder Jason Chapa promises this year’s event will be the “best one yet.”

“The accessibility of The DWI building, and our alignment in missions, makes this the perfect location for our event,” said Chapa. “What’s most unique about this event is that it’s the ONLY haunted experience that is catered to folks with special needs, but it’s also the only kid-friendly haunted experience in the area. It’s more spooky than scary, which makes it suitable for all ages.”

The Trunk or Treat is entirely free thanks to the generous support of Camp Hayden donors and community partners, including the Development Workshop of Idaho Falls, which is donating the use of its accessible facility and providing volunteers.

A whole host of local businesses and organizations have stepped up to sponsor the event, including All Access Therapy, The Civitans, Festival of Trees, Frontier Credit Union, Bikers Against Bullies, Ascend Chiropractic, Opal Autism Centers, Achieve Therapy, Eagle Landscaping, Trail Life, and Sensory Getaway. Mars/Wrigley has continued its long-standing tradition by donating the majority of the candy for the fourth year in a row.

“We are grateful to all of our sponsors and supporters who’ve helped us create these events for our community,” says Chapa.

If you’d like to get involved, the group is still looking for event volunteers to help run the event, volunteer “trunks” to bring their cars and candy for the participants to trunk or treat at, and candy/money donations to offset candy and decoration costs.

About Camp Hayden

Since 2018, Camp Hayden has been dedicated to creating accessible adventures for families of children with special needs. Starting with rebuilding the Big Elk Creek YMCA Camp, the organization runs an accessible camp annually, hosts “mobile adventures,” and coordinates inclusive holiday events year-round—from Easter egg hunts to visits from The Grinch.

Camp Hayden is a 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more about Camp Hayden, sign up to volunteer, or make a donation, click HERE.

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