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Eastern Idaho (KIFI) – “I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 5000 more…” A cross-country odyssey is making its way through Idaho—one determined step at a time.

Noah Coughlan is in the middle of a massive coast-to-coast run, his fifth and final journey across the United States. This time, his mission is tied to a milestone: honoring America’s upcoming 250th birthday through a 5,500-mile trek spanning 260 days.

“This is insane, what I’m doing. This is crazy. This is 5,500 miles,” Coughlan said.

Now past the halfway point of his journey, Coughlan continues to push forward through Idaho, running day after day across changing landscapes and long stretches of highway. While his determination remains strong, he admits his running shoes are starting to feel the wear.

“I’ve been through nine pairs of shoes and will swap out for my tenth tomorrow,” Coughlan said while glancing down at his once bright white New Balances.

The inspiration behind this Run for America is deeply personal. Coughlan says the journey began back in 2011, in honor of two friends who were diagnosed with a rare brain disease. 15 years later, the mission has grown into something larger—something he hopes all Americans can connect to.

“If you’re an American—350 million of us—no matter what state you’re in or even abroad, you can celebrate the fact that we’ve made it this far,” he said. “That’s the spirit of this run.”

As he makes his way through Idaho, Coughlan has faced windy conditions and shifting terrain, but he says the physical challenge is only part of the experience. For him, the journey is about bringing people together.

Along the route, he’s met countless Idahoans, sharing stories and encouraging others to pursue their own goals. A lover of filmmaking, Coughlan documents the World War II veterans he meets around the nation, in the hope of cementing their legacy as real-life heroes. One glance at his social media reels shows the hundreds of veterans Noah interviews for his thousands of followers to connect with. His message of unity resonates with many who stop to cheer him on or follow his progress online.

“I feel like I’m just a messenger,” Coughlan said as we jogged down the middle of Highway 33. “Social media has been such a gift, and I’ve been able to highlight others along the way of this experience. I’ve met so many families and kids that are interested in geography and veterans now, and I just want to continue to thank them.”

Coughlan is pushing everything he needs in a 90-pound jogging stroller, packed with food, gear, and even bear spray—something he joked about after recently passing through Island Park.

“Glad I didn’t see any,” he said with a laugh.

His route has already taken him through parts of eastern Idaho, including the stretch from Ashton to Rexburg. And it’s in these communities where he says the support has stood out the most.

“I did not expect this massive a response from the people of Idaho,” Coughlan said. “When I came down into Ashton, it really struck me how many people were pulling over—law enforcement, families, kids. It’s been overwhelming.”

From small towns to open highways, each mile brings new scenery—and new supporters.

“I’m no different than many other Americans,” Coughlan said. “I have three grandparents who came here from different countries. And, you know, this is the nation I love. This is a chance to not just run, but to celebrate the people around us, to celebrate the states, and to end it on America’s 250th birthday.”

With dozens of days still ahead, Coughlan says he has no plans of slowing down.

“We’re the American people. We’re brave. We reach for the stars,” he said.

Coughlan’s “Run for America” is less about speed and more about perseverance, unity, and the celebration of progress: some journeys are about the milestones met, one step at a time.

“I have to have a lot of faith in myself, in God, and in the people of the United States in order to pull this off,” Coughlan said. “This fifth and final run is my large thank you to the country and its support for me over the past 15 years.”

Coughlan plans to continue traveling through Idaho toward the Boise area. In time, he will complete his coast-to-coast trek on the Pacific with large crowds of supporters before ultimately finishing his journey on July 4th in Hawaii.

Those interested in following Noah Coughlan’s progress can find updates on social media or by visiting his official website here.

Originally Published: 26 APR 26 00:17 ET

Updated: 26 APR 26 15:59 ET

By Kristen Holmes, Casey Tolan, Alayna Treene, John Miller, Holmes Lybrand, Kyung Lah, CNN

(CNN) — The day after a man opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, authorities are combing through a message sent by the shooting suspect, seeking to understand what allegedly led him from his life as a respected California teacher to a would-be assassin.

“Let me start off by apologizing to everyone whose trust I abused,” reads a note that authorities say was sent by the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, who worked part-time as a teacher and also developed video games, according to public records.

The note, which Allen allegedly sent to family members before the attack, said he intended to target administration officials and expressed his political anger, while noting, “I don’t expect forgiveness.”

Allen had a tendency to make radical statements as he became involved in left-wing activism in Los Angeles, acquired firearms and began regularly practicing at a firing range, his sister told law enforcement, according to the White House.

In recent days, authorities said, that talk turned into action. He boarded a train in Los Angeles and traveled to Chicago and then DC, where he checked into the downtown hotel hosting the annual dinner featuring President Donald Trump and including other top administration officials.

He came armed with a .38-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun, authorities told CNN. And then he allegedly sent family members a written statement calling himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin” and expressing anti-Trump sentiments before trying to storm past security outside the dinner Saturday night.

The suspect “got off a couple shots” and hit one Secret Service agent wearing a bulletproof vest before he was quickly apprehended, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told CNN, as Trump and other leaders scrambled for safety inside the nearby ballroom.

Now, authorities are reviewing the statement Cole allegedly sent and his social media history – which Trump has described as “anti-Christian” – speaking to family members and seeking to learn more about what drove him to allegedly carry out the violent attack.

“We’re still looking to try to understand a motive. From our preliminary investigation, it does appear the suspect was targeting members of the administration,” Blanche said.

The note laid out a number of grievances in broad terms that could point authorities toward that motive, including anger toward conditions in detention camps and appearing to refer to Trump as a “traitor.”

The suspect in the attack is being charged with two counts of using a firearm and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, according to the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, who did not name him publicly. Blanche said the suspect is not cooperating with authorities.

Allen attended the California Institute of Technology from 2013-2017, according to his LinkedIn profile, where he participated in the school’s Christian Fellowship organization and its Nerf Club. Facebook photos from 2016 also show Allen at Christian Fellowship events at the school.

As a student, Allen was also featured in a local news report in 2017 for developing a prototype emergency brake for wheelchairs.

He graduated in 2017 with a mechanical engineering degree, according to his LinkedIn profile, and was featured in a CalTech graduation announcement posted by the university that included a picture of him as an adult wearing a cardigan and a photo of him as a beaming young child holding a stuffed bunny.

After graduating, he found work as a part-time teacher at C2 Education, a test prep and tutoring company. C2 named Allen the company’s “teacher of the month” in December 2024, according to social media posts from the company. No one answered a phone number for C2 late Saturday evening.

He also said he worked as a video game developer, and published an indie game called Bohrdom for sale on the Steam gaming platform for $1.99. He registered a trademark for the game’s name in 2018, according to federal trademark records.

The game is described on Steam as a “skill-based, non-violent asymmetrical fighting game loosely derived from a chemistry model that is itself loosely based on reality.”

On LinkedIn, Allen wrote that he was “currently developing a second game, working name ‘First Law.’”

Allen became involved in political activism in recent years, his sister, who lives in Rockville, Maryland, told authorities, according to the White House, including by joining “The Wide Awakes,” a leftist group whose name is a callback to the anti-slavery protesters in the 1860s who worked to get Abraham Lincoln elected president.

Allen donated $25 to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in October 2024, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found records indicating that on October 6, 2023, Allen purchased a .38-caliber semi-automatic pistol from a store in southern California. On August 17, 2025, Allen bought a 12-gauge shotgun from another gun store in his hometown of Torrance.

The guns were purchased legally and in both cases required Allen to submit his information for a background check through the FBI to determine that he was not wanted, subject to a restraining order, or a convicted felon.

After making his train journey from Los Angeles to DC, Blanche said, the suspect checked into the Washington Hilton, which hosts the annual correspondents’ dinner.

On Saturday evening, the White House said, he sent family members his writings that “clearly stated he wanted to target administration officials.”

The note apologized to his parents, colleagues and students, and said that he didn’t intend to specifically target law enforcement – though added, “I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary.”

In the message, the suspect argued his attack didn’t clash with Christian values, writing, “Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor’s crimes.”

The note closed with a note of anger: “I experience rage thinking about everything this administration has done.”

After receiving the message, his brother contacted the New London Police Department in Connecticut to express his concern, and other family members reached out to police agencies.

Inside the hotel, the suspect charged through a security checkpoint outside the ballroom. The Secret Service agent hit in the attack was treated and released from the hospital, authorities said.

In the aftermath, law enforcement began working to piece together Allen’s movements and possible motives; Secret Service agents and Montgomery County Police interviewed the suspect’s sister in Rockville, the White House said, and FBI agents assembled outside a home linked to Allen in Torrance, a Los Angeles suburb.

Police tape was put up along part of the street and a spotlight was shone on the home. A number of reporters were gathered at the scene and news helicopters were hovering overhead.

A next-door neighbor, who did not wish to be identified, told CNN he was not sure if Allen lived at the property. They said they did not see him often, but he was there “a couple of days ago.” The neighbor said the suspected gunman’s father is friendly and chatty, adding that they spoke frequently.

This story has been updated with additional details.

CNN’s Curt Devine, Scott Glover and Majlie de Puy Kamp contributed reporting.

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REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — If you live on Lorene Street in Rexburg, you may catch the sweet scent of fresh baked goods drifting your way.

That’s because every Sunday, Alex Andrews sets out dozens of homemade treats — FREE for the taking.

Each weekend, she bakes up a storm — about 60 to 70 items — and places them on her front porch.

She’s been doing this since October 2024, and it’s earned her a loyal following.

Freebies to Friendships

It all started with her grandmother’s cookie recipe — and a simple goal: meet her neighbors.

New to the area, Andrews was looking for connection. What she found was a way to bring strangers together.

“So I baked that, and I gave it away to my neighbors. And then it kind of just grew from there.”

One of those neighbors is now a close friend.

Katelyn Ehlen first stopped by for a treat while living in the same apartment complex. Now, the two spend time together doing yoga and going on outings.

Ehlen says Andrews is just as impressive as her baking.

“Everything she bakes is absolutely amazing. Alex is amazing. She has a heart of gold, and she just wants to help everybody around her. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with somebody like that?”

Andrews says the change has been remarkable.

“When I first moved here, I obviously didn’t know anyone. And now people say hi to me on the street because they know me.”

Self-Taught

Andrews finds many recipes on social media or in cookbooks. These days, she’s confident enough to create her own.

That wasn’t always the case.

She started with box mixes and has watched her skills rise — much like her almond brioche.

“I’ve taught myself. I’m 100% an amateur. I didn’t really know what I was doing… but I’ve seen how much my skills have grown, which has been really fun.”

“I just enjoy the process. Even when something goes wrong, it’s still fun for me.”

Proof Is in the Pudding

Ehlen proudly backs her friend’s work, saying these treats stand out.

“They’re not just your typical Rexburg Jell-O salad.”

She says the turnout speaks for itself.

“People have their post notifications turned on. I’ve looked out my window and there’s a line.”

But it’s not just about the baked goods.

“It’s a little slice of hope in a tumultuous world. It gives people something to look forward to every week.”

Andrews also writes inspirational messages on the sidewalk, hoping to spread a bit of encouragement.

“I know a lot of people are struggling right now, so it makes me feel better to do something good — even if it’s just cookies.”

Things Go Fast

If you want to grab something, you’ll need to be quick.

Andrews says items often disappear within 20 minutes. Some people even wait in their cars for the porch to be stocked.

“Sometimes I see people peeking around the buildings.”

“It’s grown so much that now I have to turn people away every week.”

The fastest item to go: cinnamon rolls.

“I made jumbo cinnamon rolls one time. It was pouring rain and super windy, and I thought nobody would come. It ended up being the busiest one I’ve ever had. They were gone in about ten minutes.”

Icing on the Cake

At first, Andrews would quietly set the food out and head back inside.

“I was worried it might make people uncomfortable, like having to talk to a stranger. So I’d just put the box out and let people come and go.”

That changed.

“Now I sit out there, and it’s been so much more fun.”

She says people enjoy the interaction just as much as the treats.

“People like to talk and ask questions. I think it makes it feel more like a community.”

Self-Funded

Andrews covers nearly all the costs herself.

“I buy about 99% of the ingredients. Every now and then, someone might give me a small tip or bring something like butter, but most of it comes out of my own pocket.”

She says it adds up.

“Everyone’s seen the price of eggs — it definitely gets expensive over time.”

She works full-time and says the bakery has become a second job–eating up most of her weekends. Though, it’s a labor of love.

Moving Forward

There’s no timer set to end this baking streak.

“As long as I can afford it and it’s feasible, I’ll keep doing it. It’s my favorite part of the week.”

She posts updates on social media when items are ready for pickup. You can find her on Instagram under “Little Free Bakery Rexburg,” where she also shares donation information.

In a world that can feel uncertain, this little bakery is serving up more than baked goods — offering connection, kindness, and a reason to step outside and meet a neighbor, one Sunday at a time.

Extra

In addition to weekly baked goods, Andrews maintains a free pantry outside her home stocked with essentials like diapers, wipes, and canned food.

Neighbors contribute what they can — similar to a little free library model: take what you need, leave what you can.

Recently, strong winds damaged the pantry structure so she hasn’t been able to set it out.

Andrews says if anyone knows how to repair it, or has shelving, or a small hutch to donate, she would greatly appreciate the help.