POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - Idaho State University kicked off their graduation activities with a bang. ISU graduates participated in the annual March Through the Arch ceremony on Friday. The ceremony takes place each fall when new students pass through the arch southward into campus. In December and May, graduates go northward back through the arch symbolizing their exit from the university. Former Alumni Director Valorie Watkins was the bell ringer for the ceremony.  Watkins helped start the tradition back in 2000. "In my first year or two as an alumni director back in 1995, it occur ..read more

By JUAN A. LOZANO and LEKAN OYEKANMI Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston area was under threat of worsening flood conditions Saturday, a day after heavy storms slammed the region and authorities warned those in low-lying areas to evacuate ahead of an expected “catastrophic” surge of water. A flood watch remained in effect through Sunday afternoon as forecasters predicted additional rainfall Saturday night, bringing another 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 centimeters) of water to the soaked region and the likelihood of major flooding. Friday’s storms forced numerous high-water rescues, includ ..read more

By Julia Buckley, CNN (CNN) — It was late 2021 when James Richardson heard about England’s poop problem. “I saw a tweet talking about the extent of the problem, and the numbers were so enormous I thought it couldn’t be true – that there was so much sewage being dumped,” he says now. “I thought, ‘It’s social media, someone must be exaggerating.’ So I thought I’d look into it, because if it was true it’d be a scandal.” His research tallied with the tweet: raw sewage was being pumped into England’s rivers and onto beaches at a truly astonishing rate. So-called “storm overflows” – designed to flus ..read more

By EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations food agency is waring Sudan’s warring parties that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death if they don’t allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region. Leni Kinzli, the World Food Program’s regional spokesperson, said Friday that at least 1.7 million people in Darfur were experiencing emergency levels of hunger in December, and the number “is expected to be much higher today.” She told a virtual U.N. press conference from Nairobi that “calls for humanitarian access to conflict hotspots in Sud ..read more

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - The Bannock County Event Center is hosting the first ever Southeast Idaho Days. The two-day event kicked off on Friday and will go from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free into the event, with an array of different activities planned throughout the weekend. Event organizer Nicole Jorgenson says they were inspired to create an event for the whole Gate City community to enjoy. "We do Pocatello Kids Days and this is kind of our way to bring in the whole community, not just the kids, and to show our appreciation for Idaho being our home," Jorgens ..read more

AMMON (KIFI) - Hillcrest High School, one of the largest in Idaho, will soon have a stadium of its own. Hillcrest has played football, lacrosse, and soccer games at Bonneville High School, located five miles away, for its entire 32-year history. Starting this fall, the Knights’ home games will actually be played at home. Larry Stocking, Hillcrest’s athletic director, single-handedly spearheaded the effort to build Westmark Stadium. “This has been a little over a four-year journey for me,” he said. Few schools have the necessary $3 million sitting around for the stadium’s construction, and Hil ..read more

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - Saturday is free comic book day across the country and one local comic book shop is getting in on all the fun. Captain Bengal’s Comic Cove in Pocatello will be handing out a select number of free comics on Saturday. From noon to 5 p.m., you can come to their location on 348 N 3rd Avenue and pick out comics that range from the DC and Marvel universe to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. James Schmidt says it's their busiest day of the year, making it his favorite day as an employee. "I love seeing all the people that come out and support the shop ..read more

urielblanco (CNN Español) — “No. Yo soy tu padre”. ¿En qué pensaste al leer esa frase? No es necesario que hayas pensado en un personaje en específico. Pero estamos casi seguros que lo primero que llegó a tu mente fue Star Wars. Si eres de las personas que pensó primero en Darth Vader y luego en Star Wars, seguramente eres un geek de “La guerra de las galaxias” o simplemente un conocedor de la cultura pop. No importa. Para todos ellos, llega una fecha muy especial: el Día de Star Wars (o Star Wars Day). Este día ha ido ganando popularidad con el paso de los años, al punto de que se llevan ..read more

By CHEVEL JOHNSON RODRIGUE Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer PJ Morton comes home with a new album and memoir dropping soon amid a Saturday afternoon performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which nears the end of an eight-day run. Morton said he looks forward every year to taking the stage at the Fair Grounds. Morton, in an interview with The Associated Press, said the performance there feels like participating in a family reunion. Morton said fans can expect to hear a mix of old and new, including songs from his lates ..read more

By BETH HARRIS AP Racing Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Derby turns 150 years old this Saturday. America’s longest continuously held sporting event has survived two world wars, the Great Depression and pandemics, including COVID-19 in 2020. That year it was run in virtual silence without the usual crowd of 150,000. The first Saturday in May is known for fast horses, stylishly dressed fans and mint juleps served in souvenir glasses. Among the changes this year is the value of the race, which has been boosted to $5 million, and the new $200 million paddock where the Derby horses will ..read more