5.4.2026 – PARODY: “Larry Golden Kimball”, INTERVIEWS: James Lamborn, D28 candidate, Supt. Debbie Critchfield">5.4.2026 – PARODY: “Larry Golden Kimball”, INTERVIEWS: James Lamborn, D28 candidate, Supt. Debbie Critchfield

5.4.2026 – PARODY: “Larry Golden Kimball”, INTERVIEWS: James Lamborn, D28 candidate, Supt. Debbie Critchfield">

Send us Fan Mail

Today’s show was a mix of election-season levity and serious policy talk. We kicked things off with a parody ad imagining challenger Larry Golden trying to compete with the built-in name recognition of Brit Raybould by “upgrading” his last name into a full-on Southeast Idaho heritage sampler—funny because it’s a little too true about how politics can work around here. We also gave listeners the practical stuff: how to text in for the election “tools” packet (sample ballot, voting info, data sheets) and how to get the parody link again—plus some real talk about why it’s hard to pick keywords when autocorrect is out there sabotaging everyone.

From there, we dug into actual races and issues. James Lamborn joined us in-studio to talk about his run against incumbent Rick Cheatum (with Mike Seville also in the mix), laying out a strongly conservative platform—budget cutting and oversight, opposition to medical marijuana and abortion initiatives, and a hard line on Second Amendment “incrementalism.” Later, Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield came on to talk campaign dynamics (including the IEA’s posture toward Republican leadership), why Idaho’s 1994-era school funding formula doesn’t match modern needs, and her interest in moving toward a weighted-student model. She also addressed how AI is already in schools and why the state is trying to build guardrails instead of pretending it isn’t happening.

### Highlights
– The Larry Golden / Brit Raybould parody: name recognition, LDS-culture references, and election-season sanity breaks  
– Lamborn outlines his platform: budgets, union funding oversight, pro-life stance, anti-medical-marijuana concerns  
– Critchfield on education funding: outdated 1994 formula, weighted-student funding concept, and AI “guide rails”  
– Behind-the-scenes frustration: candidates declining debates/interviews and why voter-facing accountability matters  
– Culture-war issues (bathroom/locker room debates) framed around child safety and how adults complicate solvable problems  

Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?

You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.

Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.

Read More

Idaho Gives campaign returns to support nonprofits statewide">Idaho Gives campaign returns to support nonprofits statewide

Idaho Gives campaign returns to support nonprofits statewide">

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho’s annual statewide giving campaign, Idaho Gives, is back, encouraging donations to nonprofit organizations across the state.

The campaign began Monday and runs through Thursday, May 7.

Organizers say hundreds of Idaho-based nonprofits are participating this year, representing a wide range of causes, including housing, education, community services and the arts.

Several events are also taking place across eastern Idaho as part of the campaign, giving residents opportunities to connect with local organizations and learn more about their work.

Idaho Gives is designed to raise both funds and awareness for nonprofits serving communities throughout the state.

A full list of participating organizations and events can be found on the Idaho Gives website.

Pocatello youth choir to headline “We Are America” Concert set for May 2">Pocatello youth choir to headline “We Are America” Concert set for May 2

Pocatello youth choir to headline “We Are America” Concert set for May 2">

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The celebration for America’s 250th birthday is hitting a high note this weekend. On Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m., the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center will play host to “We Are America,” a free patriotic showcase presented by the Tavaci School of Performing Arts.

Under the direction of Cindy Bowen, 75 local voices—ranging from energetic toddlers to polished teens — are bringing the vocal fireworks to the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center for a free patriotic celebration you won’t want to miss.

In the spirit of community and patriotism, Bowen and her team are making this a truly inclusive event.

The audience is enthusiastically invited to join the “Sea of Patriotism” by wearing their favorite red, white, and blue attire.

Idaho farmers confronting a ’horrible, perfect economic storm’">Idaho farmers confronting a ’horrible, perfect economic storm’

Idaho farmers confronting a ’horrible, perfect economic storm’">

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – Farmers are facing a vortex of problems as they enter Idaho’s prime growing season with limited water, low crop prices, higher gas and fertilizer costs, myriads of aphids and mite pests, abundant disease, damage from freezing temperatures and weeds run wild.

In addition, Idaho’s warm winter – combined with an abnormal number of freezing nights in April – has decimated the winter wheat and barley crop.

“I’ve seen a lot of people decide to Roundup crops. So they completely stopped the plant growth, and they’re either putting the crop (or) not planting because of water shortages,” said Juliet Marshall, Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station associate director. “I’ve seen people take their crop and mow it down.”

She reports as much as 50 percent killed of winter barley main stems and some fields of winter wheat.

April’s extreme temperature oscillations decimated early crops.

“We had temperatures in some areas in Roberts and in Hamer and up and down the valley were seven degrees,” said Mickelsen Farms CFO Stephanie Mickelsen. “So when that freezes, what happens is, is it can reduce your crop anywhere from 30 to 60 to 100 percent. So right now we’re out taking a look at surveying the damage. We’re concerned.”

Most worrying is the drought that is already impacting the entire region.

“Just hope for some rain for a couple months – maybe ease the drought conditions we’re probably going to see,” said Surface Water Coalition Attorney Travis Thompson. “It’s probably the most severe year I’ve seen in my 25 years of practice.”

Combined with next year’s “Super El Nino” expected to extend and worsen the drought next year, farmers are in for a tough stretch.

“Farmers are facing a significant economic storm. Whether you’re talking about drought and disease and insects and the overall economy associated with the price of inputs, and the overall prices associated with commodities,” said Marshall. “So this is a horrible, perfect economic storm for producers to be facing at this time.”

Juliet Marshall is a University of Idaho agriculture specialist with grave concerns about this year’s winter wheat and barley harvest, combined with difficult crop-raising conditions.
scroll to top