Category: kifi-local-news

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS (KIFI) – The first Latina astronaut in space, Ellen Ochoa, touched down in Idaho Falls to address the Village Improvement Society Wednesday at College of Eastern Idaho (CEI).

As an 11-year-old girl, she watched the Apollo 11 lunar landing on television.

“Of course, women weren’t allowed to be astronauts at that point,” Ochoa said. “I mean, no one would have said to an 11-year-old girl, ‘Oh, is this something maybe you want to go out and do?’ I mean, not even say scientist or engineer or pilot, much less astronaut.

But Sally Ride paved the way, becoming the first U.S. woman in space in 1983.

After being rejected once by NASA, Ochoa persevered and was selected as an astronaut in 1990.

She completed four trips for NASA from 1993 through the 2000s, serving as a mission specialist and flight engineer.

“We’re called mission specialists, so we do a lot of the other jobs – operating the robotic arm, which I ended up doing on all four of my flights, doing spacewalks when that’s required, and in charge of the science experiments, which was of course particularly interesting to me,” Ochoa said. “That was kind of the motivation for me in the first place, and then you know everybody helps with operating your vehicle and making sure everything’s going correctly.”

In total, she spent almost one thousand hours in space.

But her message to all women, including those wanting to pursue a career in STEM, was much more down to Earth.

“We need you. We need bright minds. We need people who think of good questions, who help us come up with solutions,” Ochoa said. “You don’t have to look around very far to see – there’s lots of challenges that we have that we need to overcome. We want to make sure we get everybody’s ideas and put them together for that, and we absolutely need women to do that.”

Ochoa was in mission control during the 2003 Columbia shuttle disaster that disintegrated over Texas, and shared lessons NASA learned from the tragedy.

“The commander of that mission, Rick Husband, was somebody I’d flown with. He had been the pilot on my third flight, so I knew him really well and his family and all of that,” she said. “… We learned a lot. It was a lot of hard lessons, and even though there were engineering reasons why this accident happened, there were also human reasons in that if we had asked different questions over the previous two or three years, we could have prevented that.”

But the agency implemented major reforms, and Ochoa took those lessons with her later into her career.

She served as Director of the Johnson Space Center from 2013 to 2018, before retiring after 30 years working for NASA.

During the presentation, Ochoa answered questions from CEI President Lori Barber, as well as several from the audience.

She even taught the audience a delicious recipe for “space s’mores.”

Ochoa is the author of a series of children’s books in Spanish and English.

The Village Improvement Society (VIS) is a civic group and women’s organization modeled after the original society founded in 1904. Ochoa’s presentation was the first in its ‘Inspire’ lecture series.

“Happy to be here in Idaho Falls. Of course, there’s lots of great STEM that goes on in this town, and I’m really happy to talk about it,” she said.

Ellen Ochoa became the first Latina to in space, pictured here operating the Atlantis’ Remote Manipulator System arm in November 1994. | NASA

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Dylan Barfuss

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KIFI)- Constitution Day is observed on Sept. 17, marking the date the U.S. Constitution was signed in 1787. The holiday is being celebrated with national events and local community activities.

The holiday was celebrated with an address on religious freedom delivered Wednesday at Washington National Cathedral by Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Titled “Faith, Freedom and the Common Good,” the gathering was part of the cathedral’s “A Better Way” series, which encourages Americans to find common ground in polarized times. The event was presented in partnership with the Wheatley Institute at Brigham Young University.

Oaks has spent seven decades studying the Constitution as a scholar, jurist and religious leader. Oaks previously served as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren and later served as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court. Speaking at Washington National Cathedral, he described the Constitution as a primary tool for bringing divided groups together.

“The Constitution compels a divided people to build coalitions to allow them to act together,” Oaks said. “’Compels’ is a strong word, but it is exactly what the Constitution does. It puts what we now call ‘peacemaking’ at the heart of the Constitution’s process for achieving freedom and unity and fairness for all.”

Oaks encouraged citizens to view contentious political and social issues as opportunities to listen to and learn from fellow Americans.

“All of us should accept the reality that we are fellow citizens who need each other,” Oaks said. “This requires all of us to obey some laws we dislike and to live peacefully with some persons whose values differ from our own. We should make every effort to understand the experiences and concerns of others, especially when they differ from our own.”

He noted that negotiating coalitions does not require compromising core principles.

“This process calls upon common moral instincts,” Oaks said. “It produces peacemakers, even in those instances when competing core values may preclude ultimate conciliation.”

Oaks also pointed to disaster response work by tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints around the world as another practical model of peacemaking.

“When our volunteers bring help, people in distress do not ask for their beliefs. Likewise, the volunteers help everyone, not just fellow believers,” Oaks said. “Why? Simply because deeper moral needs about safety and family and hope take center stage. What is important is giving help and getting help, people-to-people.”

The full event can be seen here.

Local Constitution Day celebrations in Idaho Falls and Ammon feature a planned flyover of World War II era aircraft at around 1:45 p.m. Following the flyover, community members are invited to ring bells, honk horns, stand up and cheer at around 2 p.m.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho State University boasts many opportunities unique to its Pocatello campus, including its being the only university in the state with a Bachelor’s program for nuclear engineering. Now, those students will receive a secondary hands-on education through a new advanced research and test reactor located at the ISU Business and Research Park.

In April 2026, the Department of Energy selected ISU as the country’s first university for the Launch Pad USA program, allowing the university to expand its technological opportunities and partner with nuclear energy companies to build a second reactor. ISU’s first nuclear reactor has been critical since 1965 and makes Idaho State one of only 24 universities in the US with a reactor.

For the students, that experience in undergraduate and masters programs is invaluable.

“As a student, it gives me the incredible opportunity to be at the top of the field coming out of school,” said Sam Jeffries, an ISU engineering student. Jeffries already works as a lab manager and test engineer for NuCube Energy, the Idaho Falls-based company partnering with ISU on the project. Students like Jeffries are working at NuCube on the concept site development for the reactor.

The new microreactor will also be the first of its kind: a solid-state reactor. Jeffries explained that other reactors spin a turbine, but using technology similar to solar energy, there are no moving parts in the microreactor.

“Being a student, getting to work on the first of a kind reactor and becoming some of the world experts on the new technology, just gives an incredible opportunity,” he said.

Governor Little attended today’s event, stating Idaho has been “doing nuclear” for a long time, and the rest of the country and world are catching up. More important than advancing the technology on a campus so close to the headquarters of nuclear energy, INL, is the educational opportunity for students.

“We’re going to build the great minds and the skillset needed to deploy all over this country as the nuclear renaissance goes forward,” stated Gov. Little.

Idaho State University was selected for Launchpad USA for several reasons, including its proximity to the INL and the history of collaboration the two entities share. Jake Rymer, Technical Program Manager for the National Reactor Innovation Center Launchpad USA, stated the new project will take ISU’s opportunities from 50 watts to nearly four megawatts of thermal energy produced.

“That creates large scale heat pipe systems that you can now test,” Rymer said. “You can do a lot of research and development on an active reactor that’s got a much more dense neutron flux.”

Rymer explained that these energy assets can be integrated into other types of industry, mentioning the Simplot fertilizer plant just outside of Pocatello. Plants that use processed heat may be able to utilize a future nuclear reactor.

“There’s only so much you can teach in terms of reactor judgement and safety culture from textbooks,” said Dr. Todd Combs, Deputy Director of Idaho National Laboratory. “At some point, students need to lift their heads out of the textbooks and start really getting into the nuts and bolts of how to operate a reactor safely.”

The educational value for students spreads beyond nuclear engineering students. Rymer said students from electrical and mechanical engineering programs can utilize the new project, too.

“You’re going to have all kinds of systems in use here, even civil structural componenets that have to be assessed,” he said. “So it runs the gamut as far as capabilities go.”

Target criticality for this new reactor is the end of this decade, likely in 2029 or 2030. ISU and NuCube Energy are currently assessing a partnership agreement for ownership of the reactor. One day, Idaho State University may have full ownership of the one-of-a-kind microreactor.

Because of licensing constraints and the project’s purpose, the nuclear reactor’s power won’t actually be used on the power grid for Idahoans. The project is for exactly what its name implies– Advanced Research and Testing.

For Rymer, a long-time resident of the Pocatello area, getting this kind of development in town is a huge step forward.

“I love seeing something like this go on, reactors aren’t cheap, but having a research and test reactor opportunity for this university only helps it grow,” he said. “It develops the workforce, the students, and gives more opportunities to future generations.”

According to the Department of Energy, the nuclear energy sector projects a 5.7% increase in nuclear construction industry jobs for 2026. Jeffries said he hopes to continue building and testing his own nuclear projects post-graduation in eastern Idaho.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A local museum is inviting visitors to celebrate America 250th anniversary with a family friendly scavenger hunt.

The Collector’s Corner Museum has partnered with the Daughters of the American Revolution to host a special “1776” scavenger hunt on Sept. 19. Participants will search the museum for 17 items connected to the American Revolution, with prizes and activities available throughout the day.

“We have a game to play for kids or anyone who can read and write, including adults,” Nida said. “It’s called 1776 and they need to find 17 items in the museum that are related to the American Revolution.”

Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the scavenger hunt, prizes, badges and other activities will continue until 5 p.m.

In addition to the hunt, visitors can enjoy coloring pages, commemorative pins and appearances by Spuddy Buddy.

The Collector’s Corner Museum is run by long-time collector’s, Jim and Nida Gyorfy, who have dedicated over 22 years to their museum, to give visitors a glimpse at history through their collections.

“We’ve both been collecting for a long time. I started when I was six with storybook dolls, and Jim started when he was eight with coins, stamps and trains, and then we never stopped collecting,” Nida explained. “And so after we retired from earning a living, we decided that we would open the museum so that we could share our collections with the public.”

The event will be held Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Collector’s Corner Museum, located at 900 John Adams Parkway in Idaho Falls.

The cost is $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for Students and Seniors.

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Curtis Jackson

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho State Police are asking for help in identifying the driver of a pickup truck involved in a crash that left two people injured Sunday night in Island Park.

According to ISP, the crash happened around 8 p.m. on U.S. Highway 20.

Investigators say a red Chevrolet Silverado was attempting to pass illegally in a three-lane section of the highway, creating a near head-on collision with an oncoming Subaru. In an effort to avoid the pickup, the Subaru left the roadway, struck an embankment and rolled over.

Idaho State Police are seeing the driver of this red Chevrolet Silverado.

The two people inside the Subaru were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Troopers say the driver of the Silverado did not stop and left the scene.

Anyone who recognizes the red Chevrolet Silverado or has information about the driver is asked to contact Idaho State Police dispatch at 208-846-7500.

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Maile Sipraseuth

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI)– At just four years old, one local entrepreneur is already learning the basics of running a business, one piece of candy at a time.

With help from mom and dad, four-year-old Emree Eddy has started putting candy machines inside local businesses, giving customers a quick sweet treat while learning about money, responsibility and communication.

“I saw this TikTok of a mom who saved up money and bought her kitchen candy machine,” Emree’s mom, Britni Eddy said, “And then all till she was 18 years old they saved up all the money and she was able to buy herself a first car.”

That idea stuck with Britni. About a month later, she spotted an opportunity online.

“I saw on Facebook somebody was selling like ten candy machines… And I was like, we’re doing it!” Britni said, “At first I asked em, I said, ‘Is it something you’re interested in?’ And she was so for it… she was so excited.”

The machines are more than just filling them up with candy, Emree’s parents hopes this journey will teach her lifelong lessons on financial responsibility.

“I think, making sure that she has fun and enjoys it, because if you enjoy what you’re doing, it’s not nearly as hard to do the job, but also life lessons like finances for sure, knowing how to operate a profit and loss,” Emree’s dad, Rowdie Eddy said.

Even with their help, Emree watches her parents every step of the way, from measuring candy to cleaning the machines.

But for the sales pitch, it’s all Emree, and she goes into local businesses and simply asks if she can put a candy machine in their store.

The skills Britni and Rowdie wants to teach Emree at a young age is beyond financial literacy, they also want to teach her communication skills and the challenges that life will throw at her.

“I think the biggest thing that we want [Emree] to know is failure is a natural part of life. And how you adapt and move on from failure is huge,” Rowdie said, “And little things like this, especially at her age, like there’s a chance at some places she’ll fail at, she won’t do so well and we just adapt and move on.”

The following locations are offering, or will soon offer, Emree’s candy machines:

Cafe et Amour, Rigby Mamor Martial Arts, Rexburg Roots and Boots Dance Hall, Rexburg Salon Bri, Rexburg Black Belt Academy of Shito-ryu, Rigby Exhibition Fades Barbershop, Rexbug Delayed Development, Rigby Prosper DDA, Rigby Click here to follow the original article.

Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A Ririe woman was injured Monday evening in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 26 and North 55th East, according to Idaho State Police.

The crash happened at about 5:15 p.m. on Sept. 15.

Troopers said a 25-year-old Ririe woman was driving a gray 2012 Nissan Altima eastbound on U.S. 26 when a 2019 Kenworth truck, driven by a 63-year-old Idaho Falls man, attempted to turn westbound from North 55th East. The two vehicles collided in the intersection.

The woman was taken by ground ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Police said she was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The crash remains under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information about what happened is asked to contact Idaho State Police at (208) 528-3408.

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Danielle Mullenix

While temperatures are increasing, rain showers and thunderstorms will work their way into our region this Wednesday evening. Expect these to begin very light and isolated in coverage, with the main impact hitting land by Thursday and Friday. A return to mild and seasonal conditions is expected by the weekend.

We are starting off Wednesday morning with mostly clear skies overhead. Most of the storm activity being tracked will drive up from the South throughout the day, presenting small impacts of thunderstorm and rain activity with gusty winds. Widespread impacts, however, look pretty low. Chances of precipitation will begin mainly after midnight, when the monsoonal moisture will drift northward and push into Eastern Idaho.

High temperatures today will climb up into the upper 70s and low 80s across the region, with precipitation chances mainly confined to the eastern highlands. Peak wind gusts will settle around 15-25 mph this early afternoon. Low temperatures will climb back down into the 40s for the mountains and highlands this evening and 50s across the Snake River and Magic Valley.

High temperatures for Thursday will settle around the mid 70s and barely push towards 80. Expect alot of cloud coverage across the region as precipitation chances pick up with the isolated rain showers and thunderstorms across Eastern Idaho. Gusty winds will pick up tomorrow afternoon into the 20-30 mph range.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Hard-core model airplane enthusiasts have constructed a brand-new home at Noise Park to maneuver their craft up into the clouds.

The Desert Eagles Model Airplane Club invites everyone to come enjoy their brand-new flying field this Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM at 8433 West Arco Highway.

“People like airplanes. So it’s just kind of natural to want to fly an airplane,” said Desert Eagles Model Airplane Club President Stu Eddins. “Other people do it because they build airplane, and you can fly something that you build. It’s actually a working model.”

Club member Dave Leffler has been flying model airplanes since 1978.

“This one here will fly approximately 100 to 107 miles an hour, and slows down to probably 30 miles an hour or so to land,” Leffler explained. “It is an aerobatic airplane, so you can do loops, rolls, snap rolls – all kinds of good stuff.”

For 30 years, the club flew on a grassy airstrip south of town, but expansion at an adjacent gravel pit forced them to move to this new location.

“We’ve got a brand new runway that’s just absolutely gorgeous,” Eddins said. “At the grand opening of this runway Saturday coming up, we’re going to have free hot dogs, plenty of flyin’.”

Participants will be able to fly with a buddy box – where an experienced pilot can assist a beginner flying the airplane, and take over if the flight undergoes turbulence.

One lucky winner who participates in the buddy box flights will receive a free airplane – ready-to-fly.

The 400-foot by 70-foot runway is built of artificial turf – loaded with bits of rubber to weigh it down.

A team of six men spent two months constructing the field this summer.

Airplanes at the runway can soar up to 700 feet high.

“We can fly a lot of airplanes here that we didn’t used to be able to fly on our natural grass turf,” Eddins explained. “They roll better. They taxi better. It’s easier landing.”

The club is affiliated with the Academy of Model Aeronautics, and the new runway is a Federal Aviation Administration Recognized Identification Area, meaning model airplanes flying there do not need to be tagged with a radio Remote ID.

The club has more than 50 members on the books who fly at the field and stop by in the mornings.

“We’re out here pretty much every morning that the weather is nice. There’s somebody here,” Eddins said. “If the gates are open and somebody’s here, you [can] feel free to come out and inspect. Visitors are welcome.”

Come join the festivities Saturday, grab a hot dog, a piece of cake and learn how to fly a model airplane at the grand opening.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce has named Carrie Athay as its next Chief Executive Officer. Athay will step into the role effective October 1, 2026.

Athay, who currently serves as Executive Director of the Idaho Falls Symphony, was selected from a pool of more than 80 applicants.

“From the beginning, we were looking for a leader who could bring people together, build strong relationships, and help move the Chamber forward,” said Brenden Craft, Chair of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber Board. “Carrie stood out throughout the process. She knows this community, she has a proven record of leadership, and we believe she is the right person to lead the Chamber into its next chapter.”

The GIFCC touted the extensive nonprofit leadership experience Athay brings to the role. During her tenure with the Idaho Falls Symphony, she expanded business partnerships, strengthened fundraising, and oversaw key strategic and financial initiatives.

Before taking the helm of the Symphony, Athay held leadership roles at the Museum of Idaho, served as President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Idaho Falls, and was named Grand Marshal of the 2024 Greater Idaho Falls Independence Day Parade.

In a statement, Athay said she is incredibly honored and excited to step into the role and help lead the Chamber into its next chapter.

“At its heart, the Chamber has always been about connection-bringing people, businesses, and ideas together to create opportunity and strengthen our economy,” said Athay. “I see tremendous potential to build on that foundation by creating new partnerships, strengthening the connections between business and community, and ensuring the Chamber is a powerful voice and resource for our region. I look forward to working alongside our exceptional Board, our members, and our partners throughout the community to build bridges, open doors, and create opportunities for businesses and our region to grow and thrive.”

Athay’s appointment comes on the heels of former CEO Paul Baker’s departure in early July. Baker resigned amid online speculation regarding his involvement with the Portneuf Valley Soccer Club, whose former president is currently under investigation by the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office following an internal forensic audit that uncovered potential financial irregularities.

Former Chamber CEO Steve Hunter has served as interim leader during the transition.

RELATED: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Baker resigns

In her new role, Athay will oversee staff operations, work closely with the Chamber’s Board, spearhead efforts to support the regional business community, and help shape the Chamber’s future.

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