BYU-Idaho/Web-Content huggingface dataset:
BYU-Idaho Radio | BYU-Idaho

# BYU-Idaho Radio

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## Recent News & Articles

Stay updated with what's happening in Rexburg from BYU-Idaho Radio! Learn about upcoming and past events and devotionals as well as other local news and events.

Local News

Rexburg to host performance of Handel's Messiah

By 
Jack Esplin

December 19, 2025 11:00 AM

The city of Rexburg is hosting a performance of Handel's "Messiah" this weekend. It comes just a few days before Christmas to celebrate the life and mission of Jesus Christ.

1 Min Read

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Campus News

The William James Mentorship allows students to help the next batch of freshman

By 
Alexander Batman

December 18, 2025 04:00 PM

The BYU-Idaho Psychology Department is looking for juniors and seniors to mentor new freshman students in the William James Mentorship program.

2 Min Read

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Local News

Mrs. Rexburg 2026 to teach marriage class to begin new year

By 
Jack Esplin

December 18, 2025 10:51 AM

Mrs. Rexburg for 2026, Jessica Pearson, will teach a class for married couples in the new year.

1 Min Read

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LDS News

Latter-day Saint musician releases new Christmas song

By 
Jack Esplin

December 17, 2025 11:40 AM

An uplifting new Christmas song is available just in time for the holiday season.

1 Min Read

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Kiln Kottage, a hidden gem in Rexburg

By 
Cody Miller

December 16, 2025 05:51 PM

Kiln Kottage awaits new customers for new adventures with pottery and fun family oriented activities. Student Reporter Cody Miller interviewed Nikki Robertson, the owner of the company, about this business.

1 Min Read

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Local News

Giving Machines make their final stop in Idaho Falls

By 
Hannah Haneberg

December 16, 2025 02:45 PM

For the first time, the Light the World Giving Machines have made their way to Idaho Falls. They will be there through Jan. 1.

1 Min Read

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Turning a vending machine into romance

By 
Hannah Haneberg

December 16, 2025 01:30 PM

When freshman Donovan Strader and his cousin, Carter Felt, returned to BYU-Idaho after serving two-year church missions in Argentina, they knew they wanted to start a business together.

1 Min Read

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Drivers should beware wildlife on the road

By 
Kimber Pearce

December 16, 2025 11:47 AM

Winter is especially dangerous for both drivers and the wildlife that might cross roads, such as deer, moose and elk.

2 Min Read

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Local News

Local ballet studio honors Mexican heritage

By 
Jack Esplin

December 16, 2025 11:34 AM

Ballet Folklorico Heritage in Rexburg isn't your typical dance studio.

1 Min Read

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## BYU-Idaho Radio Newsletter

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Alexander Batman | BYU-Idaho Radio

Born in Rexburg, Idaho, and raised in Southeastern Tennessee for the latter half of my life, I am sophomore student at Brigham Young University - Idaho. I am majoring in Communication with a focus in Organizational Leadership and Public Relations. Currently I work as a news reporter and producer, where I organize and write local news for the morning and afternoon show, as well as seek out campus events to report on, with which I create news packages to put on the air.

With a strong interest in interpersonal communication, cultivating relationships, deliberation, leadership, and mentoring, I aim to use my communication background as a springboard into business relations and community leadership. I feel driven by values of purpose, authenticity, and family, and I enjoy finding ways to use my voice to connect with and uplift others, and I'm grateful for opportunities that allow me to do that.

Outside of academics and work, I'm an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I enjoy sports, outdoor adventures, quality time with friends and family, and good conversation.

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## Latest from Alexander Batman

Campus News

The William James Mentorship allows students to help the next batch of freshman

By 
Alexander Batman

December 18, 2025 04:00 PM

The BYU-Idaho Psychology Department is looking for juniors and seniors to mentor new freshman students in the William James Mentorship program.

2 Min Read

Get Involved

Campus News

What you need to know about BYU-Idaho Grad Night

By 
Alexander Batman

December 12, 2025 11:11 AM

Grad Night will give BYU-Idaho graduates a chance to meet the Merediths and receive some guiding insights from them in their devotional to close the evening.

1 Min Read

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Campus News

BYU-Idaho to offer new AI Engineering minor starting in Spring 2026

By 
Alexander Batman

December 04, 2025 02:35 PM

BYU-Idaho's new minor aims to offer students skills in artificial intelligence development and is geared toward students with a background in computer science and technology.

2 Min Read

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Campus News

BYU-Idaho celebrates the holiday season with Campus Christmas event

By 
Alexander Batman

November 20, 2025 11:59 AM

BYU-Idaho's Campus Christmas event is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. The annual event even has a few new tricks up its sleeve this year.

2 Min Read

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Local News

The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho invites the community to find unique gifts at its holiday market

By 
Alexander Batman

November 13, 2025 03:32 PM

The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho will showcase local and international artists in its new seasonal pop-up market.

1 Min Read

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Campus News

BYU-Idaho's competitive football championship expected to be close game

By 
Alexander Batman

November 07, 2025 12:47 PM

The competitive championship football game is Saturday at BYU-Idaho and it is sure to entertain.

1 Min Read

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Brandon Isle | BYU-Idaho Radio

Brandon Isle has more than 20 years of experience in radio and television. He graduated from BYU-Idaho in 2004 and returned as a full-time employee in 2014.

In his decade of television journalism, he worked at KIFI Local News 8 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and KKTV 11 News in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Since coming to BYU-Idaho, he has taught classes about radio productions, media literacy and video journalism.

Brandon enjoys hiking, running and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Marybeth, have six children.

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## Latest from Brandon Isle

Devotional News

Journalist shares message of hope and healing in mental illness in BYU-Idaho devotional

By 
Brandon Isle

December 02, 2025 02:53 PM

Jane Clayson Johnson, an award-winning journalist and best-selling author, shared her experience with mental health during a BYU-Idaho devotional. She also shared tips on how to find help and hope in mental illness.

3 Min Read

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Local News

Light the World Giving Machines officially open in Rexburg

By 
Brandon Isle

December 01, 2025 05:02 PM

Hemming Village in Rexburg hosted a ribbon-cutting for the three Light the World Giving Machines on Monday. The machines are filled with cards that patrons can "purchase" to donate goods and services through local and global charities.

3 Min Read

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LDS News

Church lowers age of sister missionary service to 18

By 
Kimber Pearce

November 21, 2025 05:09 PM

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Friday that, effective immediately, young women in the Church who want to serve a mission can begin service at age 18.

1 Min Read

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Campus News

BYU-Idaho launches new podcast called 'The Roots of the Mighty Oaks'

By 
Brandon Isle

November 20, 2025 10:13 AM

BYU-Idaho's newest podcast, "The Roots of the Mighty Oaks," explores the history of the university by diving into the stories of the people whose names are on the buildings on campus.

2 Min Read

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Local News

Local Rexburg Giving Machine charities unveiled at Chamber forum

By 
Brandon Isle

November 19, 2025 10:23 PM

The local charities featured in the Light the World Giving Machine in Rexburg were unveiled during a Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce forum on Wednesday. The charities will have items people can "purchase" ranging from $10 to $250.

3 Min Read

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Devotional News

Elder Quentin L Cook teaches about trusting in God in BYU-Idaho devotional address

By 
Brandon Isle

October 28, 2025 02:10 PM

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of The Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints spoke to BYU-Idaho student Sunday during a campus devotional.

1 Min Read

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BYU-Idaho Theatre Department presents 'Wait Until Dark' | BYUI Radio

BYU-Idaho

The BYU-Idaho Theatre Department is putting on a performance of "Wait Until Dark," based on the movie starring Audrey Hepburn.

Harlee Higginbotham, the stage manager for "Wait Until dark," describes the plot as "A bunch of con men who are trying to operate this heist and the heist goes a little bit wrong, and they end up accidently involving a blind woman. So, they have to figure how to navigate around her without letting her in on this heist."

Higginbotham says this production will be a bit different than others they have done in the past.

"I like the play, and I think it's worth seeing because one, it's really engaging. We just got done doing 'Cinderella,' which was more of a family-friendly, Disney kind of play. This is more of an ... on-the-edge -of-your-seat, suspense, trying to follow different things, and so it's more engaging in that way," Higginbotham said.

This moodier performance from the Theatre Department is also a great way to kick off spooky season with friends and family.

"I think it's very fitting for the Halloween season that we're about to enter into," Higginbotham said.

Higginbotham expressed her excitement to finally put on the show after many hours of hard work and dedication.

"I'm really excited to finally get going," Higginbotham said. "Productions like this take a while to build. Everybody involved in the process has been working on it since last semester, early last semester, so it takes several months to make a production like this. So, it's really gratifying and rewarding now that we finally get to show it to an audience."

Show times for "Wait Until Dark" are at 7:30 p.m. starting Oct. 8 and going through Oct. 18. Tickets are available at the door or at tickets.byui.edu.
Campus News | BYU-Idaho Radio | BYU-Idaho

Campus News

The William James Mentorship allows students to help the next batch of freshman

By 
Alexander Batman

December 18, 2025 04:00 PM

The BYU-Idaho Psychology Department is looking for juniors and seniors to mentor new freshman students in the William James Mentorship program.

Get Involved

Campus News

What you need to know about BYU-Idaho Grad Night

By 
Alexander Batman

December 12, 2025 11:11 AM

Grad Night will give BYU-Idaho graduates a chance to meet the Merediths and receive some guiding insights from them in their devotional to close the evening.

Get Involved

Campus News

BYU-Idaho to offer new AI Engineering minor starting in Spring 2026

By 
Alexander Batman

December 04, 2025 02:35 PM

BYU-Idaho's new minor aims to offer students skills in artificial intelligence development and is geared toward students with a background in computer science and technology.

Get Involved

Campus News

Comic Frenzy brings improv fun to life

By 
Jack Esplin

November 21, 2025 11:33 AM

Audiences usually sit and cheer as they watch a carefully prepared and scripted show from their seats. When the BYU-Idaho Comic Frenzy team is on stage, however, the audience controls the show.

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Campus News

Sneak preview teases BYU-Idaho choirs Christmas show

By 
Jack Esplin

November 20, 2025 02:06 PM

If anyone is looking to get into the Christmas spirit before we even reach Thanksgiving, BYU-Idaho has just the event for you.

Get Involved

Campus News

BYU-Idaho celebrates the holiday season with Campus Christmas event

By 
Alexander Batman

November 20, 2025 11:59 AM

BYU-Idaho's Campus Christmas event is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. The annual event even has a few new tricks up its sleeve this year.

Get Involved

Campus News

BYU-Idaho launches new podcast called 'The Roots of the Mighty Oaks'

By 
Brandon Isle

November 20, 2025 10:13 AM

BYU-Idaho's newest podcast, "The Roots of the Mighty Oaks," explores the history of the university by diving into the stories of the people whose names are on the buildings on campus.

Get Involved

Campus News

BYU-Idaho Symphony Orchestra to perform Firebird Suite

By 
Jack Esplin

November 19, 2025 03:48 PM

The Barrus Concert Hall in the Eliza R. Snow Building will be ringing with classical music this Thursday evening as the BYU-Idaho Symphony Orchestra performs once again.

Get Involved

Campus News

BYU-Idaho forum speaker shares lessons from Disney, Coca-Cola and family life

By 
Jack Esplin

November 10, 2025 01:41 PM

Cydni Tetro spoke at a recent BYU-Idaho Business and Communication Forum, and she has quite the decorated career.

Get Involved

Campus News

BYU-Idaho's competitive football championship expected to be close game

By 
Alexander Batman

November 07, 2025 12:47 PM

The competitive championship football game is Saturday at BYU-Idaho and it is sure to entertain.

Get Involved

Next
BYU-Idaho a special place for one religion professor | BYU-Idaho Radio

BYU-Idaho Radio · Chase Rockwood Talks His Journey to be Religious Professor at BYU-I

REXBURG -- Any university is made up of students and professors, but not many students return to become professors. Chase Rockwood, a religion professor at BYU-Idaho, is one of the select few.

Rockwood was recently hired by the Department of Religion over the summer. As a freshman, Rockwood did not plan to major in religious education, but one of his religion professors, Roy Huff, changed the course of his education.

"After a class one day, he pulled me aside and asked if I had ever considered religious education," Rockwood said. "Again, at that point, I hadn't really known much about it. And I was like, 'Not really.' And he's like, 'Well, I think you should look into it.'"

Look into it he did. He ended up changing his major. Following his graduation, Rockwood worked as a seminary teacher for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Idaho Falls for 10 years. The entire time though, he always wanted to return to Rexburg and BYU-Idaho.

"I had such an incredible experience here, and like I mentioned, I was so influenced by my professors that I wanted to have that opportunity at some point in my life," Rockwood said. "The application process when it was sent out said you had to have ten years of seminary teaching experience. And so, I thought, well, as soon as I hit ten years, I'm just going to apply as often as I can to get back."

This time around, he was hired. Other than influencing students in the classroom, another area of focus for Rockwood has been freshman retention.

"The freshman retention rate is pretty low, that freshmen, after their first or second semesters, a lot of times will go home and sometimes not come back," Rockwood said. "It's so sad to think that people are cutting their experience short based on maybe a couple of rough months. I would say, don't give up. Keep going. There's too much that the Savior has in store for you here to cut that short."

Rockwood says faith questions and struggles are two reasons why students may not come back to the university. He says Satan loves to have it that way, and he is good at it. No matter how alone you may feel in your struggle, Rockwood says people all over campus are here to help.

"If you have faith questions or struggles, this is the best place for you to be," Rockwood said. "Those doubts and those fears are real, and they matter, and it's a part of your faith journey. And so rather than diminish it or make you feel ostracized because of it, bring those questions, bring those wrestles and let's see how the Lord can help you."

Although he has not been a BYU-Idaho professor for long, Rockwood says this is his dream job.

"I just think, 'This is my job? This is what I get to do for a living. This is how I provide for my family?'" Rockwood said. "I feel just humbled and blessed to have such an experience."

This interview is part of the BYU-Idaho Disciple Journeys Podcast.

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Disciple Journeys Podcast
BYU-Idaho celebrates holiday season with Campus Christmas | BYUI Radio

BYU-Idaho Radio · BYU-Idaho celebrates the holiday season with Campus Christmas event

BYU-Idaho kicks off its holiday season with the event, Campus Christmas. Campus Christmas is a BYU-Idaho staple that takes place prior to Thanksgiving every year. The event is filled with spirited activities that embody the theme of Christmas, centering around the lighting of the Christmas trees in the Taylor Quad on campus.

The event also includes performances, a drone show, a Bethlehem Walk with real animals and much more.

Campus Life coordinator, Abby Kottkey says the tree lighting is one of her favorite parts.

"The tree lighting has always been a touching experience for me. There's something about big groups of people singing together that is really powerful, in my opinion. And with the light going on at the end, I don't know. It's always been a moving thing for me to attend, and I just love it," Kottkey said.

Kottkey says there are several new additions to the event this year including the drone show, Bethlehem Walk and appearances of the Grinch.

Kottkey says the carriage rides have changed, with the carriages taking a path that's themed more like a winter wonderland.

Hot chocolate and apple cider will also be provided for those in attendance outside at the Taylor Quad, with Mrs. Powell's cinnamon rolls waiting inside at the South Crossroads.

Kottkey says her favorite part of Campus Christmas this year will be having the Grinch there.

"I'm honestly stoked to have the Grinch there," she said. "I think that'll be a lot of fun. And I'm a little jealous that he gets to do that for his living. He just gets to go around and kind of harass people. Just kidding! But no, I think it'll be fun. I think that always adds when there's a character that people can interact with and wander around."

Kottkey says the Grinch MAY hand out onions to his favorite people.

The free event is also family friendly.

Kottkey invites students and the community out to enjoy Christmas on Campus.

"You should come to Campus Christmas because it's a great way to get in the holiday spirit before Thanksgiving, before Christmas, do some fun things with your family or friends. And it's low-budget, and it honestly is. It's a really cool experience," Kottkey said.

Campus Christmas activities kick off with its Christmas Tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, with other various activities lasting until 10 p.m.

For more information, or to see the event schedule, go online to BYU-Idaho's Campus Christmas page.

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Jason Reeder Inspires BYU-Idaho Students | BYU-Idaho Radio

BYU-Idaho Radio · BYU-Idaho faculty member works to inspire students to become disciples of Jesus Christ

BYU-Idaho is a special place for so many people, including Jason Reeder.

Reeder studied communication at BYU-Idaho and has since worked in many different positions from the Admissions Office to the Alumni Office and University Relations Office. He's now a faculty member and the chair of the Communication Department. He attributes his success in his career to his studies at BYU-Idaho.

"I feel like I'm a product of BYU-Idaho, is kind of what I will say and share," Reeder said. "And I was actually a communication major. So, I'm now teaching in the department that I came from. I was happy out in the know doing that, and then always thought coming back here would just be a great opportunity. And I kind of just felt drawn back."

The success he saw as a student has challenged him to become a better professor and mentor for the students Reeder teaches.

"I care about you, I love you, I want you to be successful, and I'm going to do whatever I can to help you in that path," Reeder said. "Obviously, you got to put in the work, and we talk about that. And I kind of have this little, I don't know, a mantra or slogan. I kind of say, look, I have high expectations of you, but I promise to follow that up with high love. And it seems to have worked well."

Reeder's love for his students runs deep, and he wants every student to fulfill their grand potential.

"It's less about telling people that you can do it and showing them that you can do it by real work and things that you've been putting together," Reeder said. "So, I think that's a big way to help kind of be successful."

Reeder says that students can take advantage of the opportunity to draw nearer to the Savior as they choose to live by the standards BYU-Idaho has.

"They'll leave as a more committed, more converted, more dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ, and that they'll come to know him better, through the experiences that they'll have here, and that this place will become a really sacred place for them," Reeder said.

This interview is part of the BYU-Idaho Disciple Journeys Podcast.

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Disciple Journeys Podcast
Cydni Tetro shares lessons from Disney, Coca-Cola and family life

Cydni Tetro spoke at BYU-Idaho's Business Forum

Jack Esplin

BYU-Idaho Radio · BYU-Idaho forum speaker shares lessons from Disney, Coca-Cola and family life

Cydni Tetro spoke at a recent BYU-Idaho Business and Communication Forum, and she has quite the decorated career.

She is a three-time CEO and has started up and sold multiple of her own businesses. She is a former Disney imagineer and CIO of Swire Coca-Cola.

In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio last Thursday before her forum talk, Tetro said she made sacrifices at work to make time for her family amid all her business and career responsibilities.

"Balance is a little bit of a misnomer. You don't really find balance. What you figure out are your priorities," Tetro said. "You make tradeoffs based on those priorities. Life's busy. I decided early on when my kids were young that it was going to be really important for me to be super involved and available and at the things they were doing."

Tetro says she has taken many redeye flights from business meetings to her house and back to be with her family.

She says being with her family took priority over additional career success.

"Maybe I didn't make as much money as I could have at that moment, but I decided being there for my kids and my family was more important," Tetro said. "I've really tried to tailor the opportunities that I've taken and the way that I work in such a way that I could show up at every soccer game and every soccer tournament. I've taken thousands of calls from soccer fields, and I've just made that my priority."

Tetro says it takes a lifetime to figure out what someone wants to do, and that many times, people will find opportunities they didn't know existed as they move forward.

"I've taken the philosophy of 'go as far as you can in moving forward and doors will open and some will close and you will be led to do the thing you're supposed to do,'" Tetro said.

Tetro says the students at BYU-Idaho today are more than capable of making their dreams a reality.

"You can do anything that you believe and want to spend your time doing," Tetro said. "Don't be fearful of all the change in the world. You have a lifetime to figure things out, so do great things and have the courage to just jump in, and because you do that, opportunities will come to you and doors will open and you will find your path."

To listen to the full forum talk, visit BYU-Idaho Speeches.

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