85-Year-Old Santa Barbara Dentist Reflects on Eye-Opening Trip to Palestine

KEYT on June 23, 2025

Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Local dentist and humanitarian Dr. James Rolfe is known for his community work and his 24-hour clinic in Santa Barbara. For decades, Rolfe has provided dental care to people in need both locally and abroad, including in Afghanistan and, more recently, the West Bank, Palestine.

“There was no dental care at all in this whole province [of Afghanistan], and people had to go to a barber to have their teeth extracted without anesthetic,” said Dr. Rolfe. “That was the only care they could get. I had the same kind of feeling about Palestine, so I decided to go there and see for myself.”

Rolfe says that when he arrived in Palestine to work with United Nations hospitals, he found people deeply depressed, lacking hope, and unable to care for themselves—many having “basically given up.”

The humanitarian crisis in Palestine has reached catastrophic levels, with recent reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry indicating more than 5,300 Palestinians killed and nearly 18,000 injured since March. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations continue to devastate civilian areas, while access to food and medical aid remains severely restricted. According to the World Food Programme and UNICEF, over 66,000 children in Gaza are suffering from severe malnutrition, with rates of acute hunger tripling since March 2025. Food prices have surged up to 1,400% following Israel’s blockade and destruction of agricultural infrastructure. International efforts to deliver aid and promote peace have been repeatedly hindered, and diplomatic calls for a ceasefire continue amid growing global concern over the escalating violence and humanitarian collapse.

“I knew things were really bad, but I found out they were even worse,” Rolfe said, reflecting on his visit to the West Bank in May.

“We really don’t see how this is affecting the people. I saw them as the nicest, kindest, most considerate people I’ve ever met. I didn’t have any conflict or disagreement with anyone.”

The 85-year-old dentist says his work is challenging but rewarding. He funds the missions himself, which allows him to remain independent.

After returning from Palestine, Rolfe wrote a personal statement to reflect on and process his experience.

“What I felt was that we really need to support the Palestinian people, because this is about freedom,” he wrote. “I think it basically depends on the United States. Israel would not be doing these things if it weren’t for U.S. support. This is something we have to deal with internally. We even see people who stand up for Palestinians being deported just for voicing their opinions under the First Amendment. Palestinians are not allowed to be free, and they are not allowed to be free because of U.S. policy.”

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

One seriously injured in Caldwell County crash

News-Press NOW on June 23, 2025

News-Press NOW

CALDWELL COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A Hamilton, Missouri man suffered serious injuries after hitting a deer in Caldwell County Sunday night.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the crash occurred around 9:08 p.m. at the intersection of Northwest Jewell Drive and County Road 365, about five miles from Hamilton.

A 27-year-old man from that town, driving a UTV, collided with a deer.

He lost control of the vehicle, and it flipped.

First responders took him to Liberty Hospital for serious injuries.

Click here to follow the original article.

Power shutoffs across San Luis Obispo County

KEYT on June 23, 2025

Christer Schmidt

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. – Two power outages left more than 3,500 PG&E customers without electricity on Sunday.

One was a planned shutoff near Lake Nacimiento that, according to PG&E, affected 2,067 customers.

PG&E says power was shut off around 2 pm on Saturday due to risky wildfire conditions.

The second was reported at 10:39 AM near Arroyo Grande and affected 1,505 customers.

Click here to follow the original article.

Pueblo West woman in desperate need of a new kidney

KRDO on June 23, 2025

Karla Sosa

PUEBLO WEST, Colo. (KRDO)- A woman from Pueblo West is asking for help from the community in hopes that someone will be a match and be a kidney donor.     

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, every 8 minutes, another person is added to the transplant waiting list.

Christina Maldonado said that back in 2016, she was diagnosed with stage three Chronic Kidney Disease. Last week, when she went to see her doctor, she received some devastating news. 

“They told me to go ahead and start looking for a kidney donor,” said Maldonado. “Right now, my GRF is at a 15, so when I talked to the surgeons at UC Health, they told me that they. I probably should have gotten on a lot sooner for the transplant list.”

Maldonado said she’s had to limit her favorite pastime. 

“I like to spend time with my grandkids and stuff, but it’s hard because I’m always tired and exhausted all the time,” said Maldonado

Once Maldonado and her husband Alex got the heartbreaking news, family and friends started to see if someone was a match.

“They started going through the process to see if they’re compatible. I’m A+ and, so my family members are different blood types,” said Maldonado

Maldonado is staying true to their wedding vows, ‘through sickness and health,’ and is always by her side.

“Sometimes I miss work, so I could go to her appointments. A lot of it’s traveling to UC Health,” said Maldonado. “The fight’s not over. We’re still fighting, and we’re going to continue fighting until we find it.”

Christina said if she can’t find a kidney donor, she could be on the donor wait-list for up to 7 years. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Dixon man seriously injured in single-vehicle Phelps County Crash

KMIZ on June 23, 2025

Nia Hinson

PHELPS COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Dixon man was seriously injured when the vehicle he was driving flipped over in Phelps County.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the crash occurred on Saturday just after 8 p.m. on Highway M, about 6 miles west of Edgar Springs. The 34-year-old man was driving a 2001 Nissan Frontier when the vehicle failed to negotiate a left turn– traveled off the left side of the road– flipped over– and struck a fence.

The man was taken to University Hospital in Columbia with serious injuries.

Two passengers in the vehicle– a 3-year-old boy and 31-year-old woman from Dixon– suffered minor injuries in the crash.

According to the report, the boy and driver of the vehicle were not wearing seatbelts when the crash occurred.

Click here to follow the original article.

Local veterans and community members react to U.S. strikes on Iran

KESQ on June 23, 2025

Timothy Foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – As the United States’ military actions in the Middle East continue to stir debate, the ripple effects are being felt even in the Coachella Valley, where community members, including local veterans, express mixed feelings about U.S. involvement in the region. The situation, marked by increasing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, has left many feeling uncertain.

While opinions vary across the political spectrum, one theme resonates strongly throughout the Valley—people want peace, but they also want to ensure national security.

The Coachella Valley, known for its political diversity, has found itself at the heart of these global issues. At a recent gathering of Valley residents at the American Legion in Palm Springs, a mix of Democrats and Republicans gathered to discuss their views on the recent U.S. strikes on Iran. Many of them expressed agreement with former President Donald Trump’s stance that Iran should never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

Despite the complexity of the situation, there is recognition that certain actions may be necessary to safeguard national and international interests. Many see the strikes as a necessary step to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, which is viewed as a threat not only to Israel, but to the broader international community. At the same time, however, there remains a collective hesitation to engage in a full-scale military conflict.

Despite agreeing on the need to take a firm stance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, many residents of the Coachella Valley, particularly veterans, have made it clear that they are not in favor of further escalating the conflict. The desire to avoid another protracted war in the Middle East was palpable at the Legion gathering.

There is a shared understanding among many of the Valley’s residents that while military action may have been necessary in this instance, war is never a favorable solution. This shared wisdom, particularly from the older generation of veterans who have lived through past conflicts like the Vietnam War, informs a cautious approach to future military interventions. Many agree that the mission was accomplished, but there are concerns about the proper channels of approval, such as Congress, not being fully involved in the decision-making process.

As the world waits for Iran’s response and global tensions continue to simmer, residents of the Coachella Valley are calling for a balanced approach. There is a belief that finding a middle ground, where diplomacy and compromise take precedence over conflict and aggression, is the key to a more peaceful resolution.

The hope is that global powers can focus on creating solutions that improve the lives of ordinary people, rather than engaging in power struggles and territorial disputes. The desire for peace is universal, and residents are emphasizing the importance of moving away from divisive rhetoric and focusing on finding common ground, both within the U.S. and globally.

As tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to unfold, many in the Coachella Valley are hoping for an end to the escalation, and a return to diplomacy. Residents remain hopeful that the situation will not spiral further into conflict and that peace can prevail. There is a collective desire for stability, a future where international conflicts are resolved through understanding, rather than violence.

For now, the residents of the Coachella Valley continue to hold onto the hope that through dialogue and diplomacy, a peaceful resolution can be achieved. As they continue to organize, speak out, and advocate for change, they are united in their prayers and their hope for a better, more peaceful future.

Click here to follow the original article.

Sedalia teenager killed in jet ski crash in Taney County

KMIZ on June 23, 2025

Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 16-year-old boy from Sedalia was killed when the jet ski he was riding on crashed Saturday afternoon.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol incident report, the boy was riding the jet ski around 2:45 p.m. near Clevenger Cove in Taney County, when the vehicle collided with another jet ski head-on. The boy was pronounced dead on scene.

The driver of the other vehicle– a 19-year-old man from Ozark– was not injured in the crash.

Click here to follow the original article.

Missouri Lawmakers speak on U.S. tensions with Iran

KMIZ on June 23, 2025

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo, (KMIZ)

After the United States made its move overnight in the Israel-Iran conflict, Missouri Lawmakers are reacting.

President Donald Trump announced in an address to the nation Saturday night that U.S. B-2 stealth bombers successfully destroyed Iran’s three nuclear enrichment sites: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.

“Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror,” Trump said.

U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) shared his support of the strike dubbed ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ in a post on X shortly after the President’s address calling Trump a “foreign policy realist.”

“He has taken limited military action to achieve a crucial objective that is in the core national interest of the United States: preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons,” the post reads.

President Trump is a foreign policy realist not an ideologue. He has taken limited military action to achieve a crucial objective that is in the core national interest of the United States: preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

He doesn’t want another Forever War. He…

— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) June 22, 2025

In an interview with ABC 17 News following the President’s announcement of the attack, U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) said that this attack was needed to put a stop to the Ayatollah Regime’s terror.

“They are intent on developing nuclear weapons. They believe that Israel is the little Satan in the United States of America is a greatER Satan, and so would not stop with Israel, I think they would come after us next,” Alford said.

According to the Associated Press, the B-2 stealth bombers that dropped the bunker buster bombs made their return to the Whiteman Air Force Base in Johnson County, Missouri on Sunday. U.S. officials say about a dozen B-2 bombers deployed from the base early Saturday morning, half of them heading west toward guam as a decoy group. Seven more stealth bombers deployed not long after heading eat directly towards Iran.

U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) praised the skill and bravery of the Missouri airmen, in a social media post on X, but shared his criticisms towards the President’s decisions.

“Launching airstrikes without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, and without providing transparency to the American people is not an acceptable path forward,” the post read.

I’m grateful that no American service members were harmed in this strike, and proud of the skill and bravery of the Missouri-based airmen and airwomen who carried out their mission. Our troops always deserve our respect, no matter who is president.

I never for a second doubted… pic.twitter.com/YQZ2c4VrNE

— Congressman Wesley Bell (@RepWesleyBellMO) June 22, 2025

State Rep. David Tyson-Smith (MO-D) also showed his support for the airmen that completed the attack in a statement shared with ABC 17 News:

“Although I am not a proponent of starting a war with Iran and the global ramifications that could unleash, I support our brave airmen of Whiteman AFB and am grateful they are safe after completing their mission,” Tyson-Smith said.

President Trump also issued a warning to Iranian leaders in his Saturday night address.

“Iran the bully of the middle east must now make peace. If they do not future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier,” Trump said.

Iran has denied any significant damage done, and the Islamic Republic pledged to retaliate, according to the Associated Press.

The U.S. Department of State issued a worldwide security alert on Sunday. The alert cautioned Americans overseas or planning to travel overseas of possible targeting.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe also issued an alert to all Missourians asking to report suspicious activity to local law enforcement authorities amid rising tensions.

Gov. Kehoe said in a social media post, the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) has already notified every law enforcement agency in the state of this heightened sense of awareness as well as all state trained Terrorism Liaison Officers. Besides local law enforcement the governor is asking Missourians to also report suspicious activity and threats of violence, including online threats, to FBI Field Offices, or the Missouri Fusion Center – MIAC.

Click here to follow the original article.

Senator Risch shares thoughts hours before U.S. makes air strikes in Iran

KIFI on June 23, 2025

Stephanie Lucas

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Local News 8 had the opportunity to speak with Senator Jim Risch Saturday morning, just hours before the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear facilities.

Not only is Senator Risch the Senior Republican on the Intelligence Committee, he is also Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He spoke to the president Wednesday before the attacks.

“We talked about the various options and what they were. But I’m going to keep that right now to myself. I am going to support the president. I know what his options are. He will take one of those options. And I have every confidence it will be the right road that he’s going to go down,” Risch said.

Senator Risch also clarified that the Iranian people are not the same as the Iranian regime.

“When I talk about the Iranians, I’m not talking about the Iranian people. I’m talking about the regime. The Iranian people are a very different… group from the from the regime. Don’t want anything to do with the…what the regime wants. But you cannot trust the regime.”

Risch says the Iranian regime has their own agenda.

“They are motivated by a radical religious view of the world where they will be in charge of the world. They believe their path is to get a nuclear weapon,” he said. “They’re going to do everything they can to get a nuclear weapon. And they will they will make agreements. They’ll do whatever it takes.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Locals come together to support Eric Martinez

KYMA on June 22, 2025

Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – It’s been over a month since Eric Martinez was critically injured in a hit-and-run, and this weekend, the community stepped up to show their support.

A fundraiser tournament to benefit Martinez, 48, was held Sunday at the Eagles Lodge in Yuma.

The washoe event drew dozens of teams and hundreds of supporters, all raising money to help cover medical expenses for Martinez.

The tournament featured a double-elimination format, raffles, cash prizes, and a barbecue, with plenty of love from family, friends, and strangers alike.

“I’m overwhelmed when I brought Eric in. He was overwhelmed, you know. It brought a tear to my eye, you know, so many people…they all hadn’t seen him and people have reached out to us, prayers and everything. It’s great,” said Larry Munoz, Martinez’s stepfather.

Family members say the support they’ve received since the incident has been overwhelming.

Click here to follow the original article.