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May the 4th be with you at the 20th annual teen film festival in eastern Idaho – East Idaho News

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May the 4th be with you at the 20th annual teen film festival in eastern Idaho – East Idaho News


IDAHO FALLS – The East Idaho Falls Rotary Club is pulling out the red carpet for aspiring young filmmakers at the 20th annual Idaho Teen Film Festival.

The event, formerly known as the Kiwanis Teen Film Festival, is happening on May 4 — Star Wars Day — at Hillcrest High School. Workshops will be held throughout the day for participants. Students can see their work on the big screen in 4K during a public film screening at 6:30 p.m.

A red carpet event will be held before the screening, where participants can take photos and limo rides with the local chapter of the501st Legion, an international organization dedicated to celebrating “Star Wars” by wearing costumes.

“We thought it was particularly pertinent, considering it’s Star Wars Day,” Alex Purcell, president of the East Idaho Falls Rotary Club, tells EastIdahoNews.com.

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Following the screenings, an Oscars-like ceremony will be held where awards will be given in different categories. Category winners will get a trophy and $300. The overall winner will receive $1,000.

Purcell is encouraging the community to come and support these kids at the festival.

“We aren’t charging admissions. If we can load up that auditorium for these kids — how cool and special is that going to be for them,” says Purcell.

Justin Hemsley participated in the film festival the first year it was held. The 35-year-old Idaho Falls man now works as a freelance visual effects artist in Hollywood. He’s worked on films like “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “The Suicide Squad,” “Free Guy” and the miniseries “WandaVision.”

Justin Hemsley on the set of “Spider-Man: Homecoming” | Courtesy Justin Hemsley
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He and another film festival alum, Josh Contor, are helping to organize the event and will be teaching workshops to participants.

Hemsley was a huge “Star Wars” fan as a kid and made a short “Star Wars” film in high school.

He submitted a different project in the film festival, which didn’t win any awards. But Hemsley says his participation in the event was still beneficial because it helped him realize what he was capable of.

He and his friends reunited in 2016 with a lot more experience under their belts, to shoot a remake of the “Star Wars” film in 4K.

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One thing Hemsley finds rewarding about making movies is that it’s a “hybrid” of many different careers.

“You’ve got acting and writing but you also bring in photography as an element. With visual effects, you get magic,” he says. “There really isn’t anything else like that.”

He’s grateful to be working in Hollywood, living his dreams and it’s a thrill for him to mentor young artists interested in a similar career.

Hemsley says the film festival is important for aspiring filmmakers because it provides an outlet for them to showcase their work.

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“Nowadays, anyone can put something online … but there’s something special about watching it in a theater with an audience,” Hemsley explains.

Purcell, whose son is a participant this year, expresses a similar sentiment. Media production is a viable career option, he says, and this film festival illustrates that for parents and students.

He’s excited to celebrate its 20th anniversary with the community.

To watch student films from previous years or learn more, visit the website.

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Idaho

Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work

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Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work


The Idaho Transportation Department has quite a few large projects happening around the state. One of those is the replacement of the I84 interchange to Burley and Heyburn. The work began in 2024, and a new step in the progress begins this week.

There will be a number of bridge and ramp closures that will affect traffic on Interstate 84 this week while crews work. The closures will also impact access and traffic on State Highway 24, Centennial Drive, Highway 30, and State Highway 25 in the area.

Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work

The Idaho Transportation Department shared an update and the details of the closures today on social media. Drivers should be cautious and pay attention to signs regarding traffic changes during the closures, which are expected to last through Friday, May 15th.

Beginning on Monday evening, at 6 PM, crews closed Interstate 84 at exit 211 to work on the new bridge. Traffic in the area should use exit 211 to bypass the closure. Work should be finished by 7 AM on Tuesday, but it could still affect the morning drive for some travelers.

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READ ALSO: 5 Injured in Southern Idaho Head-on Collision

On Tuesday, the Exit 211 on and off ramps will close intermittently while crews repave SH24. Centennial Drive will also close at some point during this work. The ramps will alternate closures for 6 to 8 hours, and work is expected to continue through Friday. The social media post shares suggestions on alternate routes for drivers during the closures.

Lane reductions are expected to last through June on State Highway 24. Details on the project can be found on the ITD website.

36 of the Worst Idaho License Plate Rejections From 2025

We have to admit that we don’t understand all of these, but the ones that we do really make us question why someone would want these on their car. This isn’t even all of them – we were sent 28 pages with 25 to 30 submissions on each page of rejected personalized plates from 2025.

Gallery Credit: Credit N8 Bird

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Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon

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Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon


There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.

Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.

Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.

Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.

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Idaho Costcos

Where to find Costcos in Idaho.

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!

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Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!

Look at those chicken tenders:

 

 

 

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Costco Foodcourt’s New Item

It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts

Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?

Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM

 

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This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist

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This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist


You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people.  The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams.  Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.”  One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school.  His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus.  Some of our early leaders were devout Christians.  Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service.  They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.

They Mock Good People of Other Faiths

I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention.  Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke.  She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!”  Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people?  Or would God prefer a gentler approach?  For instance, you could pray for conversions.

Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?

Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument.  “We’re all going to be judged,” she said.  What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black

A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates.  A group of liberal women demonstrated outside.  I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational.  They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event.  If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered.  Let me add a caveat.  Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple.  I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people.  Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.

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Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists.  Do we need to draw them some pictures?

Brad Little Through The Years

Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller





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