Business Watch Archives

RetroX blasts back to Idaho Falls with bigger, better event: Storm Troopers and Super Heroes assemble!

May 2, 2024 4:14 PM Seth Ratliff

Eastern Idaho’s RetroX event returns to Idaho Falls for a second year after massive success in 2023.…

Patients forced to look for new drug and alcohol rehab center

April 30, 2024 5:05 PM Cole Sams

A local drug and alcohol rehabilitation center has shut down, leaving a number of workers without a…

Spring cleaning should include your car

March 20, 2024 12:05 PM News Team

Bryston Van Wey from the Pro Detailer in Rigby told Local News 8 that giving attention to your car is just as important as your…

Live On 8: CEO of Teton Medicare Talks Free Medicare

March 12, 2024 4:29 AM Zach Glancy

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Lee Wilson, CEO of Teton Medicare, visits Local News 8 in the Morning to share how seniors find the right health…

Facebook and Instagram outage: Widespread disruption affects services

March 5, 2024 11:11 AM CNN

Meta’s platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, went down for thousands of users on…

Mackenzie River Pizza owners ordered to pay $319K for wage violations

February 28, 2024 10:40 AM Noah Farley, Ashley Chilcutt

An Idaho Falls restaurant has been ordered to pay a total of $319,000 for illegal tip sharing, child labor, and overtime violations.…

Bannock commissioners to use neighboring county’s example to draft new solar farm ordinance

February 15, 2024 3:31 PM Ashley Chilcutt

Bannock County commissioners are looking at developing a solar farm ordinance similar to an ordinance used in Caribou County.…

Water curtailment order has east Idaho farmers worried

April 26, 2023 5:16 PM Stephanie Lucas

Local farmers are worried their irrigation pumps could shut down, and members of the Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition are looking for…

Crispý Cones reels in a deal on Shark Tank

March 22, 2023 11:42 AM Kailey Galaviz

Crispý Cones reels in a deal on the hit ABC television show Shark…

Rexburg business pitches to Shark Tank

March 14, 2023 11:21 AM Kailey Galaviz

Rexburg entrepreneurs are taking their business to the next level as they pitch to world renowned investors on the hit ABC TV show, Shark…

Blast Off! celebrates 26 years of fun

December 27, 2022 11:00 AM Kailey Galaviz

In Dec. 1996, Blast Off! opened their doors for the first time. They have been providing family fun for 26 years…

Museum of Idaho names new Executive Director from within

November 29, 2022 11:51 AM Bill Cummings

Carr hopes to expand the museum’s growing outreach efforts by working with museum supporters and business and government leaders to address…

Kroger seeks to create grocery giant in $20B Albertsons bid

October 14, 2022 5:39 AM Associated Press

By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer Two of the nation’s largest grocers have agreed to merge in a deal they say would help them better compete…

Construction for Idaho Falls fiber network halfway done

April 18, 2022 10:19 AM Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Fiber optic cables are snaking their way under Idaho Falls every…

Rexburg hoping to foster a new era in, raising home grown businesses

January 26, 2022 12:54 PM Braydon Wilson

Rexburg is working hard to support the needs of its community’s budding entrepreneurs and small businesses.…

The pitchforks are out for Kohl’s

January 18, 2022 8:54 AM CNN Newsource

By Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Business Kohl’s can’t catch a break from Wall Street. For the second time in as many months and third time in…

The owner of Ben & Jerry’s wants to buy Aquafresh and Advil

January 17, 2022 6:20 AM CNN Newsource

By Julia Horowitz, CNN Business Unilever is willing to pay big money for the company that makes products like Advil, Tums and Aquafresh toothpaste as…

10 notable people who broke barriers in the business world

December 16, 2021 11:41 PM Stacker

Assemble compiled a list of people who, from the early days in the United States to the present, broke the glass ceiling across a variety of…

Idaho Falls city council to vote on new water tower location Thursday

December 14, 2021 1:27 PM Dylan Carder

The city of Idaho Falls may have found a new location for a water tower. A vote on approving that new location is scheduled for Thursday night’s city…

New owners revive old Pocatello Naval Ordnance Plant, rename it “Titan Center”

June 21, 2021 11:36 AM Emma Iannacone

An iconic piece of Pocatello’s industrial history is getting…

Goodbye Hello Crafts and Boutique now open

June 17, 2021 6:03 PM Cole Sams

The Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce is welcoming a new…

Dry spring could mean lost crops for East Idaho farmers

June 16, 2021 4:52 PM Emma Iannacone

A dryer than normal spring for East Idaho could mean trouble for area farmers, especially potato…

Fort Hall fireworks stands open for season, expecting big sales

June 9, 2021 4:16 PM Emma Iannacone

Fort Hall has long been a popular place for East Idaho families to buy their fireworks from, due to their large…

Idaho Dept. of Finance warns investors about virtual currency

May 25, 2021 10:38 AM Emma Iannacone

The director if the Idaho Department of Finance is warning people of the risks of investing in…

Help Wanted: Idaho’s “job-seeker market” makes it hard to hire

May 18, 2021 5:36 PM Emma Iannacone

‘Help Wanted’ signs are glaring at drivers along Yellowstone Ave. in Pocatello, begging people to apply for a…

Used car prices rising as new vehicles in short supply

May 17, 2021 4:08 PM Emma Iannacone

Car dealerships in the area are having a hard time keeping their new vehicle inventory stocked, so buyers are turning to used cars…

Mo’ Bettahs coming to Ammon

May 4, 2021 5:48 PM News Team

Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food is bringing the sights, sounds and taste of the islands to eastern…

Duck Donuts opens Ammon location

April 29, 2021 3:18 PM News Team

Now we can stock up on Duck Donuts in…

New wedding venues to open near Pocatello

March 30, 2021 11:26 AM Emma Iannacone

The Gate City area is expanding the limited options for couples to tie the…

Red Lobster closes permanently

March 15, 2021 6:11 PM Linda Larsen

For close to 30 years, Red Lobster in Chubbuck has been a favorite for not just the Bannock County patrons but people all over the eastern part of…

Women’s History Month spotlights women in male dominated fields

March 11, 2021 9:59 AM Rachel Fabbi

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is spotlighting women who perform typically male-dominated jobs in the utilities field.…

Alturas Preparatory Academy to move into former Sears property

February 25, 2021 3:44 PM News Team

TOK Commercial has announced the closing of a transaction for the sale of the former Sears retail anchor space in the Grand Teton…

East Idaho job market recovering, some counties faster than others

January 26, 2021 2:20 PM Emma Iannacone

Due to Idaho’s diverse economy, some counties have had a more difficult time bouncing back, while others seem to be…

New family owned business offers a release for our rage

January 17, 2021 7:35 PM Ariel Schroeder

There’s a new distraction in Idaho Falls, that’s likely to become all the…

Credit union opens first Pocatello branch

January 11, 2021 11:38 AM News Team

East Idaho Credit Union has expanded its territory, opening a new branch at 1700 Hurley Drive in Pocatello. …

Macy’s to close Grand Teton Mall location

January 5, 2021 3:37 PM News Team

Macy’s Department Store has announced plans to close its Grand Teton Mall location in Idaho Falls. …

New CEO takes over Bannock Development, to focus on digital footprint

December 29, 2020 8:18 PM Emma Iannacone

There’s a new face at the helm of Bannock Development, a nonprofit focused on the continued growth of the…

Teton Auto Group boosts event center

December 29, 2020 3:09 PM News Team

The Teton Auto Group has contributed $500,000 toward the construction of the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls. …

Girl Scouts launch digital cookie program

December 29, 2020 8:29 AM Ariel Schroeder

For the first time, Girl Scout Cookies can be ordered before New…

Idaho Falls Fiber is recognizing 1,000th customer

December 22, 2020 7:24 PM Ariel Schroeder

Idaho Falls Fiber-optic network celebrated Tuesday morning to mark the milestone of their thousandth…

Jackson Hole organizes testing program for visitors

December 11, 2020 3:51 PM News Team

Jackson Hole businesses, health agencies, and travel groups have created a Visitor COVID-19 Test program for visitors.…

Arby’s makes YMCA donation

December 11, 2020 8:43 AM News Team

The area Arby’s ownership group has committed $5,800 in support of the Idaho Falls YMCA “Make A Difference” campaign. …

Nationstar mortgage agreement announced

December 7, 2020 10:41 AM News Team

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office, 50 other attorneys general, and a variety of other federal and state agencies have reached an $86.3 million…

Small business gets day of recognition

November 27, 2020 8:42 AM News Team

As part of a national movement, the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce has proclaimed November 28 as “Small Business Saturday.” …

Idaho Falls lights up Christmas

November 27, 2020 8:39 AM News Team

The Christmas season opens in Idaho Falls with a number of events in the downtown area., both in-person and…

Millions out of work, economists claiming different story – here’s the lowdown on the ‘hidden’ gig economy

November 18, 2020 2:27 PM Kaitlin Miklos

We’re seeing a record number of people out of work, and what could be an even larger, unprecedented number of gig workers who are unaccounted for,…

Idaho Falls Chamber launches “Hope Lunches” program

November 18, 2020 11:29 AM News Team

The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce “Hope Lunch” donations are aimed at supporting the Community Food…

Idaho businesses urge people to use ‘common sense’ as COVID-19 cases rise

November 9, 2020 5:33 PM Emma Iannacone

The Idaho Business for Education published an open letter, urging Idahoans to listen to doctors and use “good old Idaho common…

REI Co-op to open new store in Jackson

November 2, 2020 5:27 PM News Team

REI Co-op will open its first Wyoming store in Jackson in summer…

Harbor Freight Tools to open new location in Rexburg

November 2, 2020 1:09 PM News Team

Harbor Freight Tools has announced it will be opening a new store in…

Police Chief Guiberson’s unmarked car stolen from home

November 2, 2020 11:59 AM Cole Sams

Chubbuck Police Chief Bill Guiberson’s unmarked police car was stolen from his home on Oct. 29. Pocatello police retrieved the car later that morning…

New center to help train, educate local businesswomen

October 20, 2020 3:51 PM Curtis Jackson

Women who are running a business or would like to start one now can find help with a new non-profit organization.…

group gathers to cut ribbon outside of MYDM

Local children’s museum officially opens in Chubbuck

October 14, 2020 6:36 PM Emma Iannacone

Two local moms are celebrating after accomplishing their dream to open a children’s…

BBB says scammers are out taking advantage of the pandemic

September 16, 2020 9:26 PM Adrian Luevano

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) – The Better Business Bureau says scammers are out taking advantage of recent natural disasters and the pandemic. A…

Club Charley’s reopens for belated Pocatello Pride

September 12, 2020 3:23 PM Emma Iannacone

Despite “outstanding” losses from the mandatory bar shut down, Club Charley’s in Pocatello is finally…

Idaho Falls development continues; Intermountain Packing to open beef and bison processing plant

August 30, 2020 2:27 PM Chelsea Briar

As the pandemic has ripped away the greater sense of normalcy around the world, many businesses are continuing to feel the financial effects. The…

Elevation Labs celebrates 25 years of business

August 26, 2020 6:32 PM Ariel Schroeder

Unlike most businesses, they are booming during the…

New CBD shop is supporting locals affected by COVID-19

August 15, 2020 6:02 PM Ariel Schroeder

A new business has opened up in Pocatello and is looking to bring coronavirus relief funds to community members.…

New market in Old Town Pocatello aims to support local artisans

July 25, 2020 8:50 PM Emma Iannacone

There’s a new place for Pocatellans to support local…

New PPP Act may save local businesses

July 1, 2020 4:57 PM Chelsea Briar

A new PPP Flexibility Act may go into effect that will extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to August 8,…

Saturday is ‘Back in Business Day’ in Idaho Falls

June 26, 2020 5:36 PM Jilliana Colina

In an effort to encourage community members to shop local, Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper proclaimed tomorrow, Saturday June 27th, as ‘Back in…

Incoming cold storage facility expected to heat up ag industry

June 22, 2020 4:58 PM Emma Iannacone

The facility is expected to help the local ag industry reach across the nation and into other…

Amy’s Kitchen confirms employees test positive for COVID-19, working with SIPH to ensure safety

June 3, 2020 1:57 PM Emma Iannacone

Amy’s Kitchen confirmed on Wednesday that an employee at the Pocatello plant tested positive for…

“Losses are outstanding:” bar owners hit hard during shut down

June 1, 2020 3:32 PM Emma Iannacone

Zero bar sales, no patrons and little financial guidance made it difficult for bars to get through the…

Movies are back: theaters plan to reopen after Governor gives OK

May 28, 2020 4:22 PM Emma Iannacone

Royal Theaters plan to open the Blackfoot Movie Mill and the Paramount Theater in Idaho Falls on Saturday.…

Meat Madness: local vendors, restaurants impacted by meat supply chain

May 26, 2020 7:06 PM Emma Iannacone

Prices rising, restaurants nixing menu items, and animals going to waste: the state of the supply chain in a nut…

“Just want to put Pocatello on the map:” new podcast spotlights local entrepreneurs

May 25, 2020 5:29 PM Emma Iannacone

Ward features a different community leader in each episode to talk about their trials and successes in the business…

Local shave-ice shack up for sale

May 20, 2020 3:58 PM Emma Iannacone

A hot spot for locals to cool down is up for…

Family-run coffee shop gives Inkom new place to chill

May 17, 2020 12:51 PM Emma Iannacone

A new family-run coffee shop in Inkom is bringing new energy to Highway 30.…

Farm-to-table CSAs growing during pandemic, saving local farm

May 14, 2020 4:39 PM Emma Iannacone

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSAs, are gaining popularity across the country. And they’re saving…

A window of opportunity: Martha’s Cafe reopens with a drive-thru

May 6, 2020 8:28 PM News Team

Adding a drive-thru had always been something they discussed, but having to shut their doors to customers was the motivation they needed to actually…

Small Businesses need to apply quickly for second round of PPP loans

April 30, 2020 11:08 AM News Team

Small businesses that were left out of the first wave of SBA loans are being urged to quickly apply for the next round of loans available through the…

Northgate development finishing “phase two”

April 27, 2020 4:27 PM Emma Iannacone

Developers are finishing what they call “phase two” of the…

Risch leads local business support initiative

April 24, 2020 8:19 AM News Team

Idaho Senator Jim Risch is working with local officials to promote a “Support Local Gems” effort…

Local businesses excited to reopen under Gov. Little’s plan

April 23, 2020 8:44 PM News Team

Businesses such as salons and restaurants will be able to resume regular business during the second stage, should all criteria be met. With a target…

Small business emergency money runs out, new grant opens today

April 20, 2020 10:18 AM Emma Iannacone

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce created the Save Small Business Initiative, which starts accepting applications at 1:00 p.m. on…

Tough times at Tough Guy Lanes

April 15, 2020 7:01 PM News Team

Many businesses are facing hard times due to social distancing protocols, especially ones that rely on customer participation. For example – bowling.…

Sign business hosts drive-by Easter egg hunt

April 11, 2020 3:03 PM News Team

When it became evident that a traditional Easter celebration wasn’t going to be possible this year, a Pocatello sign business had an idea.…

Movie theaters looking for silver linings during closure

April 9, 2020 7:08 PM News Team

Nobody knows for sure when the next time you’ll be able to walk into a movie theatre is. But, despite the closures, there’s still some action…

Idaho unemployment claims rise again

April 9, 2020 11:30 AM News Team

Idahoans filed another 30,904 initial claims for unemployment insurance between March 29 and April 4. …

Low gas prices and slow business: Local gas stations feeling the effects of coronavirus

April 8, 2020 7:50 PM News Team

Normally, low prices drive people to the pumps, but the coronavirus has seemingly caused many to step on the…

Lava Hot Springs hotel offering complimentary night for truckers

April 3, 2020 7:56 PM News Team

During these trying times, everyone could use a helping hand. In Lava Hot Springs, a hotel is welcoming all truckers to “come and stay” for a free…

Local videographer keeping businesses active

Videographer helping local businesses stay active on social media

April 1, 2020 6:11 PM News Team

Times are tough for numerous local businesses. One local videographer is working to help keep them active on social media.…

Resources for small businesses affected by coronavirus

March 31, 2020 11:37 AM Emma Iannacone

Small businesses are experiencing the collateral damage of the coronavirus shut…

Local restaurant shows you how to cook your favorite meals

March 28, 2020 4:07 PM News Team

Missing the food from your favorite restaurant? Pocatello’s Puerto Vallarta has you covered.…

Essential businesses to remain open, Who qualifies?

March 25, 2020 4:15 PM Emma Iannacone

The state is working on a comprehensive list of essential and non-essential businesses, but here’s some…

‘Open4Biz’ helps alert customers to local businesses still open

March 24, 2020 4:31 PM News Team

Local News 8 and KIDK Eyewitness News 3 has organized a new website to alert customers with local businesses. …

Governor Little and state health director address COVID-19 concerns

March 20, 2020 10:56 PM Todd Kunz

News anchor Todd Kunz talks with Idaho Governor Brad Little and Dave Jeppesen, Idaho Director of Health and Welfare about the current COVID-19…

Rexburg businesses are being impacted by the lack of students

March 19, 2020 5:50 PM Jilliana Colina

Classes at the private university have switched to online during the coronavirus crisis and on Wednesday the university announced they will be held…

Truckers experiencing a hard road due to COVID-19

March 18, 2020 10:33 PM News Team

It’s been a long road for truckers over the past few weeks.…

Local restaurants adapting to coronavirus changes

March 18, 2020 5:05 PM Emma Iannacone

Local restaurants are making tough decisions to maintain safety and keep business…

Senator Risch talks about stimulus package helping Idaho

March 17, 2020 7:14 PM Todd Kunz

U.S. Senator Jim Risch of Idaho responds to the Trump Administration’s request for a stimulus package to battle the economic impact from the…

Habitat for Humanity Restore worries it may not survive outbreak without community help

March 17, 2020 7:49 PM News Team

The Habitat for Humanity Restore closed its doors on Tuesday in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.…

Nel’s Bi-Lo Market offers hours for people 65 and older

March 16, 2020 10:25 AM Emma Iannacone

To combat the spread of COVID-19 and protect the most vulnerable people, a local grocery store is offering special…

Bars react after Gate City Brewfest postponement

March 14, 2020 3:52 PM News Team

Several Pocatello bars decided to have a brewfest of their own after the annual event was postponed.…

Coronavirus concerns cause run on groceries, empty shelves

March 15, 2020 7:33 PM Emma Iannacone

During crisis mode, some of us feel the need to stock up on the essentials. So much so, stores across the country are being cleaned…

ICCU buys vacant Pocatello lot, can’t say what for yet

March 12, 2020 4:41 PM Emma Iannacone

New life is coming to a Pocatello lot that has been vacant for six…

blackhawk bbq pit truck serves customers

Scorched local food truck back in business this week

March 8, 2020 3:03 PM Emma Iannacone

The popular Blackhawk BBQ Pit food truck is preparing for it’s reopening after an accident shut down…

Smith’s to close Idaho Falls store

March 4, 2020 2:12 PM News Team

Smiith’s Food and Drug has decided to close its Idaho Falls store at 400 South Woodruff Avenue at 6 p.m. on April 7 because of its proximity to the…

Family owned carwash turns into Blackfoot’s newest laundromat

February 25, 2020 10:22 AM Emma Iannacone

After 20 years in business, the Oakridge Store Carwash is now Sophie’s Suds and Dry…