State attorneys general hold press conference at southern border in Yuma County

KYMA on May 21, 2025

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Several attorneys general visited the border in Yuma to see the results of the immigration policies put in place by President Donald Trump.

The 11 attorneys general are part of the Republican Attorneys General Association.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach says every state is a border state and enforcing immigration laws has also helped in the fight against fentanyl and human trafficking.

“Now the word has gotten out that you are going to be turned around, so it’s not that we don’t need interior enforcement, it’s that the interior enforcement is what cause the slow down at the border,” said Kobach.

Enforcing immigration laws has brought down the migrant apprehensions from 1,500 to only four a day, but the attorneys general say there’s still more work to be done to cover gaps along the border.

“They only have to be right one time in order to cause mass destruction and complete chaos in this country. The good guys, us, we have to be right every time and people don’t want to invest in this until something bad happens. I would rather invest in this to prevent something bad to happen,” said South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.

Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes says the cooperation between state, local and federal law enforcement is key to having safer communities.

“It’s estimated that 500 thousand criminal aliens are free in this country right now. We got to partner with the federal government, we got to for coalitions networks local in the communities to find those people and get them out of the country,” explained Sheriff Rhodes.

“Finish the infrastructure that the Trump team put in effect the first time…that would be the first step and added elements to that infrastructure, turning cameras back on energizing the rest of the observation system that it is along the border,” said Yuma County Board of Supervisors Vice-Chairman Jonathan Lines.

The attorneys general say they will continue working together along with the federal government to bring down the number of undocumented crossings from four to zero.

You can watch a livestream of the press conference here:

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City of Brawley and BPD launch youth soccer league

KYMA on May 21, 2025

Karina Bazarte

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Brawley and the Brawley Police Department (BPD) will be hosting a Major League Soccer (MLS) youth program.

The inaugural season of MLS GO is a recreational soccer experience for boys and girls from the ages four to 13.

BPD will be serving as coaches and mentors.

“This initiative is more than just about soccer; it’s about community, mentorship, and providing our youth with opportunities to grow and succeed,” said Chief Jimmy Duran. “We’re excited to see the positive impact this program will have on our city’s young residents.”

Brawley and surrounding communities are invited to support the MLS GO program.

For more upcoming information, visit BPD’s Facebook page here.

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First day without traffic light yields near-fatal crash at Los Olivos intersection

KEYT on May 21, 2025

Jarrod Zinn

LOS OLIVOS, Calif. – Los Olivos residents are speaking out after CALTRANS removed a temporary traffic signal on Highway 154. 

A crash happened the day after it was taken down.

Highway 154 is a major commuter route connecting north and south Santa Barbara county.

Several small communities, including Los Olivos, connect directly to the highway.

“This is a small town, and many of us living on the other side of the highway have small children. So having to cross such a dangerous intersection and having to worry about them going out and having to cross it during busy times, it adds a lot of stress,” says Santa Ynez resident Zach Brown.

Drivers at intersections like Foxen Canyon must wait at stop signs and hope for a break in traffic.

When patience runs out, crashes can happen.

“The accidents here range from fatalities to major injuries to sometimes non injuries. But the problem is, is that they’re frequent during the construction process, we saw sometimes multiple traffic collisions a day,” says Los Olivos resident Ryan Smith.

During the recent nearby Edison roundabout project, about a mile away, CALTRANS installed a temporary signal that residents say improved safety and traffic flow.

But after the project finished, CALTRANS removed the light.

“That was never intended to be a permanent traffic safety device. It is very different, a permanent signal than one that is a temporary signal. They look different. The process of installation is different. The traffic safety studies are more enhanced and the funding mechanisms are different,” says Jim Shivers, CALTRANS District 5 spokesperson.

On the first day without it, two cars collided in a crash that left people seriously injured.

“This has always been a problem for people. It’s a very difficult if you’re just going on 154, it’s not a big deal, but when you’re coming in from the sides, it’s hard to get over there. And so it’s been an area of concern for people who live here and have to get back and forth,” says Joan Hartmann, Santa Barbara county Supervisor for District 3.

Locals quickly raised concerns to community leaders and online, saying a traffic light could have prevented what they believe was a near-fatal accident.

“I think we’re in a challenging situation,” says Brown. “CALTRANS seems to have their hands tied a little bit on this. I know they have their the federal regulations and processes as long as that as well as their own protocols. My suggestion or my hope would be that our county supervisors could pass a special resolution and maybe send it up to our state representatives to work with CALTRANS and figure out a way to get this done faster.”

CALTRANS has studied the intersection at Foxen Canyon and plans to build a roundabout.

They’re now monitoring the Edison roundabout’s performance before deciding whether to build another at Roblar.

CALTRANS says it’s weighing several options but wants to avoid slowing traffic along the corridor.

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Santa Maria getting ready to hold two of the city’s biggest annual events over the next several days

KEYT on May 21, 2025

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Two of Santa Maria’s biggest annual events are all set to take place over the next several days.

This coming weekend, the West Coast Kustoms Cruisin’ Nationals car show will roll into town, brining with it hundreds of one-of-a-kind customized cars as well as thousands of participants and spectators.

Next week, the city’s showcase event, the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade will be held over an unprecedented five days beginning, Wednesday, May 28.

Similar to the West Coast Kustoms, the Elks Rodeo will also attract a large of amount of participants and visitors to the Santa Maria area.

With so many visitors in the city for the two events, local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, shops and other places of commerce, stand to receive a significant financial boost.

“This will be probably our biggest influx of traffic in the next two weeks,” said Scott Shute, Historic Santa Maria Inn General Manager. “Being the West Coast Kustoms for this weekend and for Elks Rodeo next week, we are the hub for them as well, and that’s across the board in Santa Maria. This is huge for the whole city and everybody benefits. Everybody has a great time. Summer is officially kicked off. It’s a time of the year that the hotels and the city, we all look forward to.”

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Water main burst blocks off Messanie Street

News-Press NOW on May 21, 2025

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Messanie and 8th Streets have been closed off due to a water main line bursting late Wednesday morning.

Safety officials from the Missouri American Water Company are working to resolve the issue and hope to have the intersection cleared soon.

This water main line break is unrelated to the water line construction on Messanie from Noyes Boulevard to 31st Street.

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Two arrested for criminal threats and possessing illegal weapons in El Centro

KYMA on May 21, 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) has announced the arrest of two people for making criminal threats and possessing illegal weapons.

ECPD says their night shift patrol officers stopped a white SUV in the area of 10th Street and Park Avenue after they received reports of a disturbance in the area of Broadway.

The occupants of the vehicle were detained, according to ECPD, and a K9 unit was deployed, leading them to find illegal weapons.

ECPD says they found a loaded 9mm Beretta APX A1 with a threaded barrel and three high-capacity magazines.

Courtesy: El Centro Police Department

In addition, ECPD says one of the suspects made a criminal threat towards a teen.

This prompted ECPD to arrest the two suspects, one a young adult and the other a teen, for various charges and booked them into the Imperial County Jail and Imperial County Juvenile Hall.

Courtesy: El Centro Police Department

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‘Absolutely critical’: $7,000 grant boosts Weekend Food Program’s effort to combat food insecurity for students

KTVZ on May 21, 2025

Jillian Fortner

(Update: Adding video, Jillian Fortner has a report on KTVZ News at 6:00 p.m.)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Every Friday, Jericho Road’s Weekend Food Program sends out food bags to students across the Redmond School District. 

Last year, over 2,000 bags were sent out. 

“Each one of those bags averages two to three meals. So that’s 6,000 meals that went out through the volunteer efforts of this program,” said Don Senecal from Jericho Road of Redmond. 

The program recently received a $7,000 grant from the Healy Foundation. 

“This award is extremely appreciated,” said Eleanor Bessonette, program director of the Weekend Food for Students.

Jericho Road says the funding comes at a critical time. 

“The demand for assistance is still there, but the cost is going up,” Senecal said. 

Recent reductions in support to the Oregon Food Bank and the NeighborImpact Food Warehouse by the Department of Agriculture have resulted in fewer supplies being available.

In April, KTVZ spoke with NeighborImpact, which reported a 17% decrease in food supplies, over half a million pounds lost.

Carly Auten, Food Program Director for NeighborImpact, said, “We’re looking at less food, less variety, and we’re looking at potentially having to put more limits on food. It’s very disheartening for those us who work in food banking.”

Students in the Weekend Food Program are selected through a screening process.

Some already rely on SNAP benefits, but that safety net may also be at risk.

House Republicans have proposed close to $1 trillion in cuts to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP as part of a larger effort to reduce federal spending.

Oregon U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum warns that if the legislation passes, millions of Americans could lose access to essential support.

Bynum said, “80,000 Oregonians will be at risk of losing access to food they put on the table thanks to SNAP. Now, I know from my own town halls and that my constituents are not okay with this, and I think they shouldn’t be.”

For more information about how to help the Weekend Food Program, visit the website for Jericho Road of Redmond or call 541-633-0854.

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Colorado Springs Police Department releases identity of dirt bike rider who died in crash

KRDO on May 21, 2025

Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has released the identity of a dirt bike rider who died in a crash last week.

Police say Kaylon Thomas, age 36, was riding a dirt bike on May 12 when it crashed off Florence Avenue.

Police say Thomas was given aid and taken to the hospital, but died from his injuries. CSPD says they believe speed may have been a factor in the crash.

The department says this was the 11th traffic fatality this year.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters to host Annual Ignite 5k

News-Press NOW on May 21, 2025

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Joseph invites runners, walkers and community supporters to lace up their sneakers for one well-known annual event.

The Annual Ignite 5K will be taking place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 14. The event supports youth mentoring programs and promises a fun and scenic race for a great cause.

Race Day registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot across from Bode Ice Arena, where the course will begin and end.

The route will follow the St. Joseph Parkway system, with the turnaround point being at Bartlett Park. The course features a few gentle climb, going downhill on the return, making the course accessible for all fitness levels.

Participants who register in advance can also pick up their race packets early between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, June 13 at River Bluff Brewery.

All proceeds from the Ignite 5K go directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Joseph, helping to “ignite” the potential of local youth through impactful, on-to-one mentoring relationships.

Registration includes: an event t-shirt (for those who register by Sunday, June 1), chip timing, finish line photo and video, metals for first 100 finishers and all kids, awards and more.

For more information about the 5K and how to register, visit bbbsignite5k.org.

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SPECIAL REPORT: The raitero bust operation

KYMA on May 21, 2025

Karina Bazarte

Karina Bazarte investigates the risks passengers take when entering rides from “raiteros.”

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – They call them “raiteros,” a Spanish slang word meaning a person who gives rides. The community of Calexico says it’s a big problem that needs to be fixed.

Raiteros usually wait by the Port of Entry ready to provide a ride to whoever needs to get from Point A to Point B.

Usually you would think this is a kind gesture, but what you don’t know are the risks a passenger and even the driver are putting themselves into.

That’s because in the state of California, it’s illegal to sell or offer and negotiate transportation without a certificate or a permit.

“The truth is that it feels helpless because it is a battle that has been going on for many years,” said Miguel Hernandez, a taxi driver in Calexico.

Hernandez has been a taxi driver three years, and says it feels like there isn’t a solution to a problem that started 30 years ago.

“The calls that they take from us – they are also calling locally not only calls to take them to El Centro, They take locals. They don’t have permits and they are taking our jobs,” said Hernandez.

In the state of California, it’s illegal to sell or offer and negotiate transportation without a certificate or a permit.

Police say there’s been cases were raiteros negotiated a high price and left a person without money and not at their requested destination. Not only that, the driver can also be at risk.

“We have already had incidents where the driver is being taken for their money and robbed at gunpoint,” said Officer Nicolas Monninger with the Calexico Police Department (CPD).

According to the state of California, if caught for illegal transportation, you can be charged with an infraction and fined up to $500 or even serve jail time.

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