Idaho Found

As a steadfast community advocate for the Idaho National Laboratory, Mark joins Idaho Found to share why he believes the Department of Energy’s proposed Nuclear Innovation Campus represents a pivotal moment for the region. Drawing on his long-standing engagement with INL and the broader community, Mark explains why he sees this project as an opportunity that could strengthen Idaho’s position in nuclear innovation, expand pathways for higher education, and create lasting benefits for the people who call this state home.

Idaho Found welcomes Stefanie Fuchs, an award-winning Idaho educator who has spent more than 20 years inspiring students. Stefanie is the Idaho recipient of the prestigious Gilder Lehrman National History Teacher of the Year Award and serves as an America 250 Co-Chair, promoting historical education and civic engagement across the state. Currently teaching History and Mythology at Rigby High School, Stefanie joins us to share insights from the classroom, lessons from her career, and her passion for helping students succeed.

District 33 State Senator Dave Lent returns to Idaho Found to explore how his deep roots in nuclear energy continue to shape his work in the Idaho Legislature. Drawing on decades of experience connected to the Idaho National Laboratory and the region’s nuclear ecosystem, Senator Lent outlines why he believes Idaho is positioned to lead a nuclear renaissance.

Idaho Found is proud to welcome Beverly Hott. Beverly Hott is a statewide leader in career and technical education, serving as President of the Career Technical Educators of Idaho and leading the Career & Technical Education Center for Idaho Falls School District 91. Under her leadership, the center has expanded high-demand, hands-on career pathways and built strong industry partnerships that prepare students for immediate success in the workforce, military service, or postsecondary education. At CTEC education is business and business is doing well.

Idaho Found is proud to welcome Kris Millgate back to the studio. Kris is the founder of Tight Line Media, an award‑winning journalist, and storyteller. She joins us today to talk about her new book, My Place Among Birds, and to share the inspiration behind her upcoming film Sage Wisdom West, which premieres in Idaho Falls on April 2nd.

Idaho Found is proud to welcome Brent Stacey, a founder of Idaho Regional Optical Network (IRON)—an organization he often describes as one of Idaho’s best‑kept secrets.

Idaho Found is proud to welcome Karole Honas. For decades, viewers across Eastern Idaho invited Karole into their homes as she delivered the evening news on KIFI Local News 8, becoming one of the region’s most trusted voices. Today, she returns to the airwaves to reflect on her early days in journalism, share how the industry has evolved, and highlight the passion projects that have shaped her life since retiring from KIFI.

Mayor Rebecca Casper is stepping down after 12 years. Under her stewardship, Idaho Falls earned the title of “America’s Best-Performing Small City” on the Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index in 2021, 2023, and 2024. On the eve of the 2025 election, Mayor Casper offers her reflection on the importance of understanding the fundamentals of federalism, the impact of bold collaborations, and the unsung heroes of municipal success: the public works crews, city planners, sanitation workers, emergency responders, and the administrative staff.

Idaho Found welcomes Senator Dave Lent. As chair of the Senate Education committee, Senator Lent is focused on innovative ideas to support education excellence for Idaho students. He hopes to create a more customized education approach in K-12 public schools and to build on the success of programs, like the Idaho Launch Education program, in better preparing our students for the evolving needs of today’s workforce.

Today on Idaho Found, we are featuring a special editorial from our host, Mark S. Young, with additional commentary from podcast producer, Kelli Jenkins. In this episode, Mark shares his thoughts on bolstering resilience in challenging times by tending to the four corners of our ecosystem: Education, Public Policy, Technology, and Economics.