Mexican authorities respond to incident inside CERESO 3 in Juárez

KVIA on June 23, 2025

Heriberto Perez

UPDATE (June 24, 2025): The Chihuahua State Police Department just reported they have concluded with inspections and operations at CERESO 3 in Ciudad Juárez.

The operation led to the seizure of dozens prohibited objects inside of the prison, with no injuries reported.

“The intervention included a search of all areas of the prison to detect and seize prohibited objects that could jeopardize the prison’s governance. During the inspections, the corresponding protocols were applied, respecting human rights and under strict security measures,” said SSPE Chihuahua in a news release.

-As a result of the operation, various prohibited items were seized, including sharp objects, electronic devices, cell phones, and unauthorized clothing, which were:•    26 perfumes•    30 nail tips•    12 tubes•    5 nail clippers•    1 shovel•    1 machete•    7 caps•    14 cell phones•    3 extension cords•    7 scissors in total•    1 winter hat•    21 packs of cigarettes•    3 mirrors•    2 grinders•    7 sealing irons•    1 knife•    1 lamp•    1 multimeter•    8 screwdrivers•    4 watches•    6 Pliers•    1 hammer•    1 garden shears•    1 meter•    2 space heaters•    1 horn•    1 bench•    1 roll of blue wire•    11 jackets•    7 sweatshirts•    8 pants•    8 shorts•    15 T-shirts•    3 neck warmers•    1 scarf•    Several packs of cigarettes from module 19.

The inspection was carried out in coordination with personnel from the Undersecretariat of the Penitentiary System and Social Reintegration, the Undersecretariat of Police Deployment, the Undersecretariat of the General Staff, and the Undersecretariat of Intelligence and Police Analysis of the SSPE, with the support of the National Guard and the Ministry of National Defense.

All operations were led by members of the Penitentiary Security and Custody Police of CERESO 3.

“The operation concluded without incident, with no injuries or major incidents, which represents a positive outcome for security and governance within the penitentiary,” the news release says.

“The SSPE calls on the families of those deprived of their liberty to reiterate that these actions are part of regular institutional procedures and are carried out with the goal of maintaining order, preventing risks, and ensuring decent conditions within the state’s penitentiary centers,” SSPE added.

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The Chihuahua State Police Department (SSPE) reported this morning a special operation inside CERESO No. 3 in South-West Juárez.

SSPE officials say a conflict broke out between inmates inside Module 1 of the prison during the early morning hours, prompting this operation.

Officials have not reported any injuries, as custody staff have managed to control the situation.

Two hundred members of the National Guard, the Ministry of National Defense, and the SSPE arrived to support prison custody staff.

“These inspection operations are part of the routine inspection work in common areas and cells throughout the prison system, with the goal of preventing the presence of prohibited objects and reducing risks for both custody staff and inmates,” said SSPE spokesman Jorge Armendariz.

Through operations led by personnel from the Chihuahua Security and Penitentiary Custody Police during the current administration, prohibited objects have been seized inside the Ceresos, which posed a risk to the population, staff, and visitors:

In 2023, 21,055 objects were seized

In 2024, 11,214 objects were seized

From January to May 2025, 7,955 objects were seized

“These operations will continue to be carried out randomly and unexpectedly to ensure the safety and security of each prison,” Armendariz added.

More updates in later newscasts.

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Burgerville officially expands into Central Oregon with grand opening

KTVZ on June 23, 2025

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Over 100 hundred people lined up outside of Burgerville’s newest location on 3rd Street in Bend, for the grand opening of its newest location. The first 100 customers of the fast food chain received a promotional gift card for the equivalent of 52 Burgerville burgers.

After the early-morning crowd cleared out, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, with Burgerville CEO Ed Casey speaking on the importance of local partnerships.

“Fresh food just tastes better. And so if you’re getting it local and you’re getting it quickly and it’s not frozen, it’s a fresh product, it’s just a higher quality meal to start with. So there’s that. But it’s also about participating in the community,” Casey told KTVZ News. “When you’re buying local, you’re trading with economies in the market and it helps everybody. So those are the most important pieces of it. And I think it speaks to most of our guests.”

The new location has already employed 60 locals.

“60 (employees) is probably about right to start, but if it gets busier than we can handle with that, then we would hire a few more,” Casey said. “We hope to grow in this market and put another store in down the road.”

For the first 30 days, there’s a Bend-exclusive item on the menu: the Pub Beer Cheese Slider.

It features Bend’s own 10 Barrel Beer Cheese, pasture-raised beef patty from Country Natural Beef, and is served on a pretzel bun. Burgerville will donate 20% of all slider proceeds to The Giving Plate, a Bend nonprofit food relief organization.

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Trump declares end to “12 Day War” as Israel and Iran agree to ceasefire

KIFI on June 23, 2025

News Team

UPDATE:

Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire,” set to begin at 10 PM Mountain Time tonight, Monday, June 23. President Donald Trump announced the deal Monday afternoon in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

The agreement includes two 12-hour ceasefires, starting with Iran. Israel will follow with the second 12-hour ceasefire, “at which point the War will be considered ENDED,” said President Trump.

“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end what should be called ‘THE 12 DAY WAR,'” said President Trump in the post. “This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will.

The announcement comes two days after the United States struck Iranian nuclear facilities and only hours after the Iranian Government responded by targeting U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq. No injuries were reported in the attack, and the nation of Qatar and the Trump administration were reportedly made aware of the attacks beforehand.

ORIGINAL:

Iran has reportedly launched missile attacks targeting U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq. The move comes after the U.S. bombed three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend.

President Donald Trump had visited the very same base last month.

The strike has been confirmed by the Qatari government, which said its air defenses “thwarted the attack and successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles.” 

“The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter,” a spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on X. “We affirm that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law.”

A senior White House official said the White House and the Department of Defense are aware of, and closely monitoring, potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to a report by CBS. The base serves as the forward headquarters for CENTCOM, and about 10,000 U.S. troops are based there and are sheltering in place.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 is following the response from our national partners and will update with more information.

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Leaders from Jewish Federations of North America’s Pride Mission to Israel detail trip, missile attacks

KESQ on June 23, 2025

Tori King

RANCHO MIRAGE, Cali. (KESQ) — Leaders with the Jewish Federation of the Desert have returned from Israel after getting stranded during this month’s missile attacks, and spoke about their experiences on Monday.

The event took place at 11:00 a.m. at Jewish Federation of the Desert. It focused on sharing firsthand accounts from the recent LGBTQ+ Federation Mission to Israel and discussing the experience of being in Israel during the initial days of the ongoing war with Iran. According to the Federation, the delegation returned with powerful stories of resilience, identity, and solidarity.

The recent Jewish Federations of North America’s Pride Mission to Israel brought 100 LGBTQ+ Jewish leaders from 26 communities across the US and Canada to Israel for a trip that was concluding just as the Iranian missile attacks began. 

“I wasn’t afraid so much,” said Kenneth Emert, Rabbi of Sun City Jewish Services Palm Desert. Emert went on the trip, and was forced to shelter inside during missile attacks. “I was more worried about how I was going to get home. While we were there, for example, around one o’clock in the morning you’d hear sirens go off, and you’d go down to the shelter. You’d be there for 15 to 20 minutes, or until everyone says it’s okay to go back to your room. So you go back to your room, you go to sleep for an hour, and then again you hear these sirens, so you have to go down again. You never get a good night’s sleep at all there.””On some level, the horrors of war cannot be imagined,” said Danny Labin, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of the Desert. “They can only be understood once they’ve been experienced. And let us all hope that no one has to experience war who hasn’t already experienced it.” Labin says the group went on the trip to attend Tel Aviv Pride celebration, also to see where the Federation’s fundraising dollars were going. The group had raised over $850,000,000 over the last 20 months. Some of the funds were used to construct bomb shelters, so Israeli families could seek shelter during missile attacks. Other funds went to build Trauma Recovery Centers, which help to provide mental health and PTSD treatments for local who have experienced the recent attacks first hand.

“These centers are called Resilience Centers and not trauma centers,” said Labin.”It really speaks to the optimism, the hope and the belief that this kind of therapeutic approach can actually be part of a healing process and lead to positive outcomes for people who experience them.”

The group said they were aware of the risks of missile attacks before going on the trip, but believed it was important to follow through with the mission.

“It’s day 11 since the war began with Iran directly, but it’s actually day 628 of the war that began when Hamas infiltrated Israel on October 7th,” said Labin. “So being able to go as a group, and to be there shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand with Israelis during this incredibly difficult time in history was extremely meaningful for everybody.”

“It’s important that Israel and Israelis, know that they’re not alone, that somebody there is supporting them,” said Emert.

The Federation is beginning a new fundraising effort. To learn more or to donate click here.

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Iran launches missile attacks on US bases in Qatar and Iraq

News-Press NOW on June 23, 2025

Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran launched missile attacks Monday on a U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region.

People in Doha, Qatar’s capital, stopped and looked up as missiles flew and interceptors fired and struck at least one missile in the night sky.

Iran announced on state television that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base.

A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response” to “America’s aggression†as martial music played.

Iran also targeted the Ain al-Assad base housing U.S. troops in western Iraq, an Iraqi security official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

The attacks came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran.

Just before the explosions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: “We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.â€

In the past, Iran has threatened American forces at Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the U.S. military’s Central Command. Qatar, across the Persian Gulf from Iran, maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and shares a massive offshore natural gas field with Tehran.

Earlier in the day, Israel expanded its war against Iran to include targets associated with the country’s struggling theocracy, striking the gate of a Tehran prison notorious for holding political activists and hitting the headquarters of the military force that suppressed recent protests.

As plumes of thick smoke rose over Tehran, Israel was attacked with yet another barrage of Iranian missiles and drones. The persistent fire has become a reality for civilians in both countries since Israel started the war to target Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.

On the 11th day of the conflict, Israel said it attacked “regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran,†but Israeli officials insisted they did not seek the overthrow of Iran’s government, their archenemy since the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The Israeli military warned Iranians that it would continue to attack military sites around Tehran over “the coming days†as its focuses has shifted to symbolic targets as well. The military issued the warning on the social platform X, though Iranians are struggling to access the outside world as an internet shutdown has crippled the country.

The latest strikes unfolded only hours after President Donald Trump openly raised the possibility himself after just a day earlier inserting America into the war with its unprecedented stealth-bomber strike on three Iranian nuclear sites.

“If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???†he asked on his Truth Social website.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later described Trump as “simply raising a question.†However, suggestions of overthrowing the Iranian government drew new anger from Tehran, which insists it will not negotiate at this time and is threatening to retaliate directly against either American troops or interests in a Mideast already inflamed by the still-raging Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

Tehran strikes open new chapter of war

In the Tehran strikes, Israel blew open a gate at Evin prison. Iranian state television shared black-and-white surveillance footage of the strike at the facility known for holding dual nationals and Westerners often used by Iran as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West.

Evin also has specialized units for political prisoners run by the paramilitary, all-volunteer Revolutionary Guard, which answers only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The facility is the target of both U.S. and European Union sanctions.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in Iran or significant damage, though the semiofficial Tasnim news agency said there had been a power cut reported outside of Tehran following the Israeli strikes.

Iranian state television also aired footage it described as being shot inside Evin, with prisoners under control inside the facility. However, the Washington-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran expressed worry about the condition of prisoners there.

“Many families of current detainees have expressed deep concern about the safety and condition of their loved ones held inside the prison,†it said.

Earlier Monday, Iranian Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief of joint staff of armed forces, warned Washington that its strikes had given Iranian forces a “free hand “ to “act against U.S. interests and its army.â€

Tens of thousands of American troops are based in the Middle East, many in locations within range of short-range Iranian missiles.

The Israeli military also confirmed it struck roads around Iran’s Fordo enrichment facility to obstruct access to the site. The underground site was one of those hit in Sunday’s attack by the United States on three nuclear facilities. The Israeli military did not elaborate.

“The Iranian dictator will be punished with full force for attacking the Israeli home front,†Israel’s Defense Ministry said.

According to an Israeli official familiar with the government’s strategy, Israel is targeting these sites to put pressure on the Iranian administration but is not actively seeking to topple it. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal government deliberations.

Nuclear fears mount after US strikes

In Vienna, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said he expected there to be heavy damage at the Fordo facility following Sunday’s U.S. airstrike there with sophisticated bunker-buster bombs.

With the strikes Sunday on Iranian nuclear sites, the United States inserted itself into Israel’s war, prompting fears of a wider regional conflict. Iran said the U.S. had crossed “a very big red line†with its risky gambit to strike the three sites with missiles and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs.

Several Iranian officials, including Atomic Energy Organization of Iran spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi, have claimed Iran removed nuclear material from targeted sites ahead of time.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the agency’s board of governors Monday that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi informed him on June 13 that Iran would “adopt special measures to protect nuclear equipment and materials.â€

“I indicated that any transfer of nuclear material from a safeguarded facility to another location in Iran must be declared,†Grossi said, without saying whether Iran had responded.

Iran presses on attacking Israel

Iran described its Monday attack on Israel as a new wave of its “Operation True Promise 3,†saying it was targeting the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv, according to Iranian state television.

Explosions were also heard in Jerusalem, possibly from air defense systems in action, and Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency rescue service said there had been no reports of injuries.

In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the war. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 950 people and wounded 3,450 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists.

The group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from Iranian unrest such as the protests surrounding the death of Masha Amini in 2022, said of those killed, it identified 380 civilians and 253 security force personnel.

Calls for de-escalation

The U.S. described its attack on the Fordo and Natanz enrichment facilities, as well as the Isfahan nuclear site, as a one-off to take out Iran’s nuclear program, but Trump has warned of additional strikes if Tehran retaliates.

Mousavi described the American attacks as violating Iran’s sovereignty and being tantamount to invading the country, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Russia is one of Iran’s closest allies and on Monday, President Vladimir Putin said after meeting in Moscow with Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, that they had explored “how we can get out of today’s situation.â€

Putin called the Israeli and American attacks on Iran an “absolutely unprovoked aggression.â€

Iran, which insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only, previously agreed to limit its uranium enrichment and allow international inspectors access to its nuclear sites under a 2015 deal with the U.S., France, China, Russia, Britain and Germany in exchange for sanctions relief.

But after Trump pulled the U.S. unilaterally out of the deal during his first term, Iran began enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90% — and restricting access to its nuclear facilities.

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Elise Morton in London, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Ella Joyner in Brussels and Stephanie Liechtenstein in Vienna contributed to this report.

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Summer car trouble? Local expert shares how to keep your vehicle safe in extreme heat

News-Press NOW on June 23, 2025

Abigail McCluskey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — As temperatures continue to climb, extreme heat can quickly damage your vehicle. Without proper preventive maintenance, components like your tires, engine and air conditioning system can all suffer.

Hot weather affects your car’s ability to operate efficiently. Fluids evaporate faster, circulation may be reduced and your vehicle’s systems have to work harder to combat the heat.

Local mechanic Craig Collings, co-owner of Kruse’s Auto Center, emphasized the importance of taking precautionary steps to prepare vehicles for the summer season.

Tire pressure changes with temperature, and during the summer, that fluctuation can become dangerous.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) recommends checking your tire pressure at least once a month, especially when temperatures rise or fall significantly.

Improperly inflated tires can lead to uneven wear or even blowouts—an especially serious risk during highway travel in hot weather.

Your vehicle’s cooling system works overtime in the summer. The coolant plays a critical role in protecting the radiator and keeping the engine from overheating.

“The most crucial thing is to make sure the vehicle has an appropriate amount of coolant in it,†said Collings.

Low coolant can lead to serious engine damage if left unchecked. In addition to topping off coolant, drivers should inspect hoses and belts for cracks or leaks and replace them if necessary.

As Missouri’s heat and humidity peak, it’s also important to ensure your air conditioner is functioning properly. An A/C unit under strain in extreme heat may start blowing warm air, or fail altogether, making summer drives uncomfortable or even unsafe.

If your air conditioner isn’t performing well, have it inspected by a certified technician. Routine maintenance can prevent larger and more expensive repairs later in the season.

Summer heat can be just as hard on your car as winter cold. Taking time to check your battery, tires, fluid levels and cooling system now can save you from unexpected and costly repairs down the road.

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Artificial Intelligence and Creativity Expo offers inside look at push to make the Coachella Valley a hub for AI

KESQ on June 23, 2025

Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Experts gathered to discuss the implications of artificial intelligence at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Monday.

The inaugural Palm Springs Artificial Intelligence & Creativity Expo drew a sold-out crowd.

The event came at a time when the technology is developing at an accelerating rate. With these changes fast approaching, many people are understandably anxious about what the future holds.

The opening keynote speaker, Baratunde Thurston, reassured, “This can be a very isolating time politically, climate-wise, economically, and yet throw AI in the mix and it can feel really overwhelming.”

“My core message is that it’s up to all of us to shape this future. And we do it best when we do it together.”

According to Thurston, events like these are critical to help dispel the mystery, fears, and unknowns, and it represents an important first step when it comes to understanding and shaping the potential of artificial intelligence.

Palm Springs City Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein felt the same way. “We’ve seen it with all new technological advances that there is often fears and often valid. But if it’s used properly, it can be a great asset for residents, students, businesses and creatives,” he said.

Bernstein added that investing in educating our youth now will set the Coachella Valley up for success in the future.

“In the Palm Springs Unified School District, 97% of our students are at the federal poverty level, and so they’re often disadvantaged in many areas,” Bernstein said. “If we act now, we can help our students be on the same level as any other students in the rest of the country and the rest of the world.”

College of the Desert is one of the local institutions that is leading the charge on artificial intelligence education. New curriculum – the first for the college, as well as community colleges across the state – will focus on generative AI. The course will be offered both online and in-person at the college’s Palm Springs campus.

The inaugural event wrapped up at 5:00 p.m. after a full day of keynote speakers, a luncheon, expert Q&A panels, and hands-on demonstrations of artificial intelligence in personal assistant and marketing roles.

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D93 Network Restored After Cyberattack

KIFI on June 23, 2025

Seth Ratliff

UPDATED:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Bonneville County School District 93’s network is fully operational again after experiencing a cybersecurity attack. The district announced the successful restoration to parents via its Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon.

D93 had previously communicated that they were working closely with cybersecurity professionals to identify the source of the breach and ensure all systems were secure before network access was restored.

D93 expressed gratitude to Bonneville County residents for their patience and flexibility while they worked to resolve the outage.

ORIGINAL:

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Bonneville County School District 93 (D93) is currently investigating a cybersecurity attack that has breached its network. As a precautionary measure, the district has completely shut down its network, which includes all phone and internet access in every school and district building.

“This action was taken to protect sensitive information and prevent further disruption while we work with cybersecurity experts to investigate and respond to the situation,” D93 announced in a Facebook post to parents. The shutdown means staff may have limited access to internal platforms like email, Google Workspace, and student information systems.

This isn’t the first time a cyberattack has impacted local schools. Earlier this year, in February, neighboring Jefferson County School District 251 experienced a similar network attack, which led to canceled classes as teachers quickly adapted to teaching without technology.

D93 states that they are working closely with cybersecurity professionals to identify the source of the breach and ensure all systems are secure before network access is restored.

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Law enforcement conduct street racing operation in Colorado Springs

KRDO on June 23, 2025

Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) says they worked with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) and Colorado State Patrol (CSP) earlier this month to target dangerous and illegal driving.

On Monday, the agency announced numbers from an organized enforcement period during which they targeted individuals engaging in street racing, speeding, or driving under the influence.

“Street racing and reckless driving continue to pose serious risks to our community,” said Adrian Vasquez, Chief of Police for CSPD, in a press release. “Our department, in partnership with EPSO and CSP, remains committed to proactive enforcement efforts aimed at reducing these dangerous behaviors and keeping our roads safe for all.”

CSPD says 54 members of staff across the three different law enforcement agencies were focused on the effort on Friday, June 6.

CSPD says in total, they made contact with 138 people. 22 were given warnings, 33 were given tickets for speeding; six of whom got tickets for speed contest/exhibition.

Police say nine people were arrested. Six of them were for driving under the influence, two for outstanding warrants, and one for felony eluding. In the felony eluding case, police say a person on a motorcycle refused to pull over for officers, but was later caught.

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City Council approves landfill, sewer rate increases

News-Press NOW on June 23, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Residents will see higher sewer rates starting next week in addition to future increases in landfill dumping fees following approval by City Councilmembers this evening.

Monday’s meeting concluded with councilmembers approving rate increases for both city services. Beginning Tuesday, July 1, residents will experience a sewer rate jump of 3%. Under the same measure, rates will increase again by 3% in mid-2026. 

All in all, the proposal is expected to push monthly sewer bills from $65.70 to $67.55, and again to $69.50 for most in-city residents.

St. Joseph residents have seen frequent and significant sewer rate increases since 2000 as the city continues the process of meeting the demands of keeping its aging sewer system in compliance with regulations mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency and Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Nearly 60% of the city’s combined sewer system was installed before 1920.

St. Joseph’s current sewer rates are not out of line with those of other older river towns in the Midwest, including Omaha, Nebraska ($60.12) and Kansas City, Missouri ($79.01), both of which are experiencing similar challenges. 

Landfill fees to increase beginning in 2026 as city makes headway on cell construction

In addition to higher sewer rates, St. Joseph customers and trash haulers will see tipping fees increase from $40 to $50 effective Jan. 1 2026, as part of a measure approved by Councilmembers on Monday. Tipping fees would increase again to $60 a ton on Jan. 1, 2027, if it is adopted by council. 

Prior to last year, tipping fees had remained mostly unchanged over the last two decades despite growing operational costs. The rate was set at $30 a ton in 2007, rising to $34 a ton in 2013, before being lowered to $32 a ton in 2018.

The increase is necessary not only to keep rates in line with other regional landfills and help moderate waste intake but to finance short- and long-term operational costs that have only gone up since 2007.

“The landfill is an enterprise fund, so everything that we make out there goes back to the landfill. And this money will allow us to buy new equipment, contract out another company or hire more staff,” said Abe Forney, director of Public Works and Transportation.

The plan comes as city officials reported successful progress Monday on the construction of landfill cell 8, a critical project that was fast-tracked to ensure enough space would be available if the rapidly decreasing cell 7 reached capacity this year.

“It does appear that Cell 8 at the landfill should be open by August,” City Manager Mike Schumacher said. “The vast majority of work has been completed.”

The situation presented numerous challenges for the city and residents last year, concerns that have improved significantly since then due to successful construction efforts, along with a waiver from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources approving additional space in the short term.

“If the timeline continues as is we will have enough space,” Forney said.

Stay with us as we continue to update this story.

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