Palm Springs ShortFest returning with 311 screenings

Allie Anthony

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The 31st edition of the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival begins today. Filmmakers from around the world are heading to Palm Springs to screen their work.

311 short films from 64 different countries are a part of the program. These have been selected from more than 6,200 submissions.

This year Pauline Chalamet, John C. Reilly, Ian McKellen, Bella Ramsey, Haley Joel Osment, and Ashley Park will attend.

ShortFest has a reputation as an Oscar launchpad.  over 100 films from past years have gone on to win Academy Award nominations. This year, there are five Oscar-qualifying awards and $30,000 in prizes up for grabs. Juried winners will be announced June 29, and the Best of the Fest gets its own screening on the final day, June 30. 

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TODEC distributes essentials amid ICE operation fears

Luis Avila

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Fear keeping families behind closed doors. In response to growing anxiety over recent ICE activity, TODEC is stepping up efforts to help immigrant families who are living in fear. That help, delivered directly to their doorsteps.

On Tuesday, TODEC began distributing essential supplies, including food, water, informational material and “red cards,” to families across the Eastern Coachella Valley.

“The feeling in the atmosphere here in the Coachella Valley is a lot of fear, a lot of confusion, fear of family separation, it’s hard.”

Sandra Reyes, TODEC program manager

The goal is to reduce panic and provide support to those who need it most, those like Francis and her family.

“We’re very stressed, worried, anxiety about everything that’s happening, not for me or my husband but for my children. We have a lot of fear going out to buy food, the basics. We stopped going to the doctor. One of my children needs a dental procedure so we’re waiting for all this to pass.”

Francis, Thermal resident

A life she’s built for decades, she says now at risk of being taken away.

“We’re scared of deportation. I’ve been here for a majority of my life. I came here at 19 years old, now I’m 42. Honestly, it would be a massive trauma returning to my county with basically nothing. We’re not prepared for that.”

Francis, Thermal resident

Sandra Reyes, program manager at TODEC, says this isn’t just affecting families like Sandra, but entire communities.

“Most families have fear to go outside, to go to work, to go to school, and the effects the economy. So for that, it’s our way to provide some kind of help.”

Sandra Reyes, TODEC program manager

As ICE activity continues, Reyes advises residents to stay informed and have a plan. TODEC is asking for the community’s help and generosity to help raise more donations.

For more information, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

 

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Local residents offer thoughts on Chiefs return to St. Joseph next month

Jacob Meikel

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to return to St. Joseph next month for training camp, and the community is ready for the increased foot traffic that goes with it.

On Monday, the Chiefs and Missouri Western State University agreed to a multi-year extension ahead of the team’s 15th summer visit to Western for training camp in July.

Come July 22 when training camp practices open to the pubic, fans from in and around St. Joseph are expected to flock to campus, creating economic opportunities for local businesses close by whether franchises or small businesses. 

At Il Lazzarone, a local pizza business located at 1628 Frederick Avenue, one employee is looking forward to the increased business during the nearly four-week timespan the Chiefs will be in town, whether that’s tending to fans or potentially a player.

“We’re definitely really excited to have them come back for training camp. I think it’s going to do a lot for the community and we’re just glad to be able to serve them and bring in a lot of good company and have them around,†St. Joseph resident and Il Lazzarone employee Kalya Sansom said.

Weather is certainly going to be a factor in how great attendance will be at camp this summer with peak summer temperatures typically at play in July and August. Enduring high temperatures while attending training camp practices can pose risks for heat-related illness. Emergency medical personnel are on hand every day at training camp, but some locals don’t bother taking the risk.

“Too hot and too many people,†local resident Juel Pierce said. “We’re glad they come to St. Joe and we hope they keep coming, we probably won’t.â€

Another local resident, Rick Meyer, echoed the same sentiment as Pierce, saying the reason he avoids training camp is because of the heat. However, Meyer, who was escaping the heat on Monday afternoon inside of East Hills Mall, acknowledges the Chiefs value to the community.

“It’s a good thing for the community because people come up and watch it and they spend money in our community… and it’s been good for the college because they got upgraded facilities,†Meyer said.

Chiefs training camp practices will take place from July 22 through Aug. 13. The full training camp schedule can be found at newspressnow.com.

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Heavy rainfall causes flooding across Northwest Missouri

Abigail McCluskey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW)–Northwest Missouri has been waterlogged by heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours. Since Monday night, parts of the region have received between 4 to 7 inches of rain.

Several areas in eastern Nodaway County have recorded over 5 inches of rainfall, resulting in localized flooding. To the east, in Worth County, rainfall totals surpassed 7 inches, causing flooding downstream.

In addition, a flood warning has been issued for parts of Buchanan County. The warning takes effect later Tuesday evening and continues into early Friday morning, due to forecasted minor river flooding.

The 102 River in Andrew County overflowed its banks, carrying branches and debris downstream.

The Platte River in Buchanan County showed similar activity, moving swiftly to the south and carrying additional debris as well.

Beyond the rivers, storm debris was also found along local streets and in communities Tuesday afternoon, as strong winds damaged trees and power lines.

During times of flooding, it is crucial to stay safe. Remember: Turn around, don’t drown, and do not enter or play in moving water.

In addition to the heavy rainfall, there are also reports of downed tree limbs and power lines in Buchanan and Andrew counties.

If you have any storm damage or photos, send them to news@newspressnow.com

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City hopes to break ground this fall on new Hyde pool, Northside Splash Park

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph is ready to make the plunge on construction of two new aquatic facilities in the North and South ends, a highly-anticipated boost for the city’s long-term pool landscape.

Parks officials and engineers have been making headway this summer on final designs for a new $2 million Northside Splash Park and $3.7 million Hyde Park shallow activity pool.

The Hyde pool project also includes construction of a new $1.5 million pool house for community members, a multi-use facility that will include concessions, community rooms for gatherings and birthdays, as well as spaces for lifeguards and park staff.

“All three sets of plans and designs are done. Our engineering team has them now. They’re going through the plans just to make sure that everything we needed is there,” St. Joseph Parks Director Jeff Atkins said. “Maybe another month and they’ll be ready to go out for bid.”

Once the bidding process is complete, Atkins said the hope is to begin construction at both sites this fall. The goal is for both facilities to be open around summer of 2026.

While final designs have yet to be released to the public, the Northside Splash Park will feature a nature-based theme that ties with the greenery and stone structures of Krug Park just across the street. Krug Park is in the midst of a historic $11.7 million renovation project as well.

One of the top features of the Northside Splash Park will be a hillside slide, an homage to Krug Park.

The Hyde aquatic project will include a 3-feet-deep activity pool similar to the one at the Aquatic Park. The facility is expected to have a central play structure and deck space both in and out of the water for multi-purpose use.

Once open, the Hyde pool will charge an admission fee unlike the Liberty Oak Splash Park. The city is currently working on a system where families and children can conveniently access both aquatic facilities, whether with some form of wristband or other item.

New aquatic facilities will be a welcome addition for local residents and the city’s aquatic landscape, which has seen a number of facilities shutdown in recent years due to costly upgrades for aging facilities and declines in pool attendance.

St. Joseph currently has the Aquatic Park, Thomas Eagleton Pool at Missouri Western and the Liberty Oak Splash Park open for residents.

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Man wins $50,000 from lottery ticket sold at Gower convenience store

News-Press NOW

GOWER, Mo. (News-Press NOW)– One lucky Missouri Lottery player won $50,000 at a Gower convenience store in an uneventful trip to get gas for his lawnmower.

A “$250 Million Extravaganza” Scratchers ticket caught the man’s eye at Custom Convenience, 100 S. 1st St. in Gower.

“I was getting gas and just decided to get a ticket,†he said. “It was a new ticket. too, so I thought I’d try it.â€

He scratched off the ticket and said he had to check it several times before it sunk in that he won one of the game’s $50,000 prizes.

“It was my lucky day, I guess,†he said. “I was pretty excited.â€

Players have already won over $9.3 million playing â€œ$250 Million Extravaganza†since it began on May 27. There are currently over $257.8 million remaining in unclaimed prizes, including three top prizes of $5 million, three prizes of $1 million and 47 additional prizes of $50,000.  

In FY24, players in Clinton County won more than $2.8 million in Missouri Lottery prizes, retailers received more than $307,000 in commissions and bonuses, and more than $1.5 million in Lottery proceeds went to education programs in the county.

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Missouri politicians praise Middle East ceasefire, consider War Powers Resolution over Iran strikes

Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A bipartisan group of U.S. representatives are drumming up support for a resolution curbing President Donald Trump’s military strikes in Iran.

Reps. Ro Khanna (D-California) and Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) filed a resolution last week to end the United States’ strikes against Iran, “unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) has also filed a similar resolution in the upper chamber.

Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on Monday may put a pause on the immediate debate over the resolution. Khanna said the resolution was “making a difference.”

The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires the White House to notify Congress 48 hours ahead of any military strike, and limits how long armed forces can remain to 60 days. Congress can also direct the removal of any troops from hostilities outside of the U.S. in the absence of legislative approval.

The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the ability to declare war, while making the president the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. University of Missouri Professor Charles Zug told ABC 17 News that division of responsibility creates a “contest” for power, with presidents after World War II exercising their power as the head of the military to engage in world affairs more often.

“The president doesn’t really have much of an incentive to care what Congress really thinks,” Zug said. “Because the likelihood that Congress is going to do much about it, at least in the short term, is pretty low. It’s just hard for Congress to do anything to get any measure passed through both chambers.”

ABC 17 News asked several Missouri representatives and both senators for comment via email on the War Powers Resolution.

Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raymore)”While I respect Congressmen Massie and Khanna, their War Powers Resolution is unnecessary, counterproductive, and potentially dangerous. Targeted strikes are not the same as a declaration of war. Since World War II, the vast majority of American uses of military force have been conducted without prior congressional approval. In a perilous world, Congress should not tie the President’s hands when it comes to national security. I have deep reverence for our Article I powers, but at the same time, we cannot undermine the executive’s clear legal authority to protect the American people and our interests.”

President Trump’s show of STRENGTH has delivered PEACE!

We pray it will be a just and lasting peace. pic.twitter.com/rbfWNjTdjn

— Rep. Mark Alford (@RepMarkAlford) June 23, 2025

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri)

Sen. Eric Schmitt praised President Trump as the “peace president” on Fox News on Monday night following the ceasefire announcement.

They’ll be writing books about the way President Trump ended the 12 Day War.

He executed a successful limited strike — obliterating Iran’s nuclear program. Protected core American interests. Then he secured peace.

Incredible. pic.twitter.com/mGR1fvhVF9

— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) June 24, 2025

Neither of Missouri’s House Democrats, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) or Wesley Bell (D-St. Louis) have sent statements or posted on social media as of Monday night about the ceasefire. Both criticized President Trump’s lack of notification to Congress ahead of the weekend military strikes in Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on his social media at 7:46 p.m. CST, however, that an agreement has not been reached. He wrote that Iran would stop firing if Israel also halted.

As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around.

As of now, there is NO “agreement” on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no…

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 24, 2025

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Mother of missing teens speaks with Local News 8

Chris Nestman

MONTEVIEW, Idaho (KIFI) – “It’s been emotional, very emotional. I’ve cried a lot,” said Elizabeth Roundy, the mother of Rachelle and Allen Fischer, the victims of Monday’s (June 23, 2025) Amber Alert.

The suspects are likely family members of Roundy who are still a part of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or FLDS church.

“I used to be a part of the FLDS church,” said Roundy. “But I had been sent away to repent. When I decided to come back and get my children, who had been left in the church with other people, then they [the FLDS church] automatically banned me as an apostate.”

Elizabeth Roundy, mother of missing teens.

Rachelle Fischer

Allen Fischer

Roundy says when someone is labeled as an apostate, the FLDS church tells its members to cease any contact with that person. For Roundy, this meant they tried to keep her kids away from her, even after a court order gave her sole custody.

“And that’s part of what’s been going on with my children,” said Roundy. “Their father’s been trying to get them away from me because I left the FLDS church, and he believes I’m an apostate.”

Roundy told Local News 8 that ever since she won sole custody in court, she’s seen people from the FLDS church drive by her home in Monteview. “Sometimes more than once a week,” she said. “I think they’ve been planning this for a while.”

Recent revelations within the FLDS church may explain why members worked so hard to get Roundy’s children back. The same revelations also have law enforcement and other entities worried.

“There are some revelations out… that talk about [children] becoming translated beings,” said Tonia Tewell, the executive director for the non-profit Holding out HELP. “But it says they [the children] must die first and then they’ll be risen like Jesus Christ in two-and-a-half, three days.”

“It’s a five year revelation, and we’re three years into it,” said Tewell. “And so I think she [Roundy] is worried that her kids lives may be taken at the end of the day.”

Holding out HELP is an organization that helps former FLDS members who have left the church integrate into normal society.

“The FLDS culture is a very insular culture and so many decisions are made for you,” said Tewell. “So we we put a roof over their heads, food and clothing, education and job skills, and even the whole basic life skills to get them on their feet.”

Tewell said she’s seen other people who have left the FLDS church fight similar battles. “They will come after you,” said Tewell. “I think a lot of it is parents losing the rights to access and see their kids.”

For Elizabeth Roundy, this nightmare can’t end soon enough. She’s hoping above all hope that she will see her kids again and thanks police for how much they’ve done so far.

Authorities have issued an amber alert for the missing children. The suspected vehicle is a gray Hyundai with Utah license plate: 4BYT6. Anyone who spots them or the suspected vehicle is asked to contact the Jefferson CSO at 208-745-9210.

The children were last seen wearing traditional FLDS attire. Rachael was in a dark green prairie dress with braided hair, and Allen was wearing a light blue shirt with blue jeans and black slip-on shoes, similar to Crocs. Roundy believes her children were traveling en route to her sister’s home in Mendon, Utah, approximately 10 miles outside of Logan.

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Morgan County man sentenced for 2022 deadly crash

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Morgan County man who entered an Alford plea in April after a deadly crash was sentenced on Monday.

Larry Lunnin Sr., 43, was sentenced to nine years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for second-degree involuntary manslaughter and two counts of child abduction.

Court records show that Lunnin was sentenced to three years for each charge, all counts running consecutively to each other.

Lunnin was charged in 2022 after he was driving a jeep when it crashed in Morgan County, resulting in the death of his 3-year-old son. He had told investigaors he took his two sons from Nebraska between January-March 2022 and were traveling until he bought property in Rocky Mount that summer.

Lunnin entered an Alford plea in April on three counts. Prosecutors dropped charges of second-degree murder, driving on the wrong side of the road and an infraction for not properly securing a child into a car seat.

Lunnin and a 7-year-old boy were also hurt in crash, according to troopers.

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ISP investigates pedestrian accident on I-15 south of Idaho Falls

Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Idaho State Police are investigating a serious crash involving a pedestrian on Interstate 15, just south of Idaho Falls.

It happened Monday, June 23, 2025, around 6:40 pm at milepost 115.

Troopers say a 26-year-old Menan man was driving northbound in a Volkswagen Tiguan when he hit a 58-year-old man from Washington who was in the lane of travel for unknown reasons.

The pedestrianwas rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. Driver of the car was not injured.

The interstate was blocked for about an hour while crews investigated.

ISP is asking if you saw a pedestrian in the area of I-15 and Sunnyside Road around 6:40 p.m. to call them at 208-528-3408.

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