Attorney general demands information from Grain Belt Express

KMIZ on July 2, 2025

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said Wednesday that he is demanding documents to back up the claims made about the Grain Belt Express wind energy project.

The project will cross Missouri to deliver power from western wind fields to Illinois. The route will run through Mid-Missouri and a connection is planned from north of Centralia to near Kingdom City. That route includes land in Monroe, Audrain and Callaway counties, according to the Grain Belt website.

The main line will also run through Chariton and Randolph counties.

Invenergy also inked a supply chain deal with Centralia’s Hubbell Power Systems.

“Grain Belt Express has repeatedly lied to Missourians about the jobs it would create, the benefits it would deliver, and the land it seeks to take,” Bailey says in a news release. “We will not allow a private corporation to trample property rights and mislead regulators for a bait and switch that serves out-of-state interests instead of Missourians.”

Bailey has issued a Civil Investigative Demand, similar to subpoena powers, to compel Grain Belt’s parent company, Invenergy, to turn over documents related to its economic, job and environmental claims, marketing and landowner outreach.

Grain Belt Express investigative demandDownload

The 800-mile Grain Belt Express relies on nearly $5 billion in federal funding. The release says the project has filed more than 50 eminent domain lawsuits against landowners “to seize property for a speculative project.”

Grain Belt is reveiwing Bailey’s demand.

“We should be building energy infrastructure in America, but the Missouri Attorney General is instead playing politics with U.S. power,” a project spokesperson said. “His last-ditch and obviously politically-driven attempt to delay construction of a critical American power project comes at a time when our country is facing a national energy emergency — declared by the Administration. Electricity demand is rising across the country, and we urgently need transmission infrastructure to deliver power. Projects like Grain Belt Express are the answer to providing all forms of affordable and reliable electricity to U.S. consumers.”

The project has contracts with 39 municipal utilities in Missouri, including Columbia Water and Light. Project leaders say Grain Belt could save Missouri energy consumers billions of dollars.

The first eminent domain lawsuit was filed in Callaway County, according to reporting in the Missouri Independent.

Grain Belt’s website says construction on Phase 1 is expected to start next year.

Bailey has also sent a letter to the Missouri Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, urging the body to reevaluate data related to Grain Belt’s previous approval.

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DNA scientist takes the witness stand in twins murder trial

KYMA on July 2, 2025

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A DNA scientist took the witness stand in the trial for the twin brothers charged with the murder of a Yuma teenager.

Theresa Ritna, the DNA scientist, found that DNA from a ski-mask recovered at the crime scene was 13-octillion-times more likely to belong to one of the twins compared to a random stranger.

Ritna says that since the twins have the exact same DNA, it’s unclear which brother it belonged to.

The mask was one of several items detectives wanted scientifically examined.

The defense argues the possibility that some items may have been left out.

“There’s a black ski mask, as well as handgun, and a spent shell casings,” Ritna said while reviewing her documents.

Zach Dumyahn, the defense attorney, replied, “Those were the only items you’re aware of for this investigation, correct?”

A detective will testify next where the jury will learn about messages recovered from the defendant’s phones.

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Brawley Feed the Need celebrates 10 year anniversary

KYMA on July 2, 2025

Karina Bazarte

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The founder of “Brawley Feed the Need” says she started at a local park with one mission and that was to help her community fast forward to ten years that mission is still the same. 

“I can never give God too much credit because honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to do it unless I had the Lord in my heart and the faith to just continue to hold on to him,” said Rosalind Servin, founder of “Brawley feed the need.”

Brawley “Feed the Need” is celebrating their 10 year anniversary.

The founder of the non-profit says she started giving out food and ice cold water to unshelted people at a local park on July first of 2015. 

“Somebody invited me to do it…they were doing it in El Centro and they asked me if they would like to do it here in Brawley and that’s how it started,” said Servin.

She was later invited to help distribute food to four different churches

It was an experience that eventually inspired her to open her own non-profit.

“When I came into this, I never thought I would be able to do half of the things that I am able to do and I would have not ever thought that I had I guess what it takes to be able to, you know, run a ministry,” said Servin.

The founder has received awards and recognition, including receiving the Latina of the Year Award in 2020.

“The mission and the motivator behind it is to spread the love of Jesus Christ and to let people know that God is a savior and a helper to everybody,” said Servin.

The founder says she appreciates the people that help her including her assistant. 

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St. Joseph to launch new tax incentive program to boost rehab of historic and blighted homes

News-Press NOW on July 2, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Local property owners will soon have a new tool to assist with restoring blighted and historic homes, the latest move to address critical needs in St. Joseph’s housing market.

City officials are finalizing a new program, called the “St. Joseph Neighborhood Redevelopment Corporation”, which allows individual residential property owners to seek tax abatement for redevelopment projects involving blighted properties.

The program offers property owners long-term cost savings by allowing for the abatement of real property taxes over a specified period, depending on the level of financial investment planned for the property, excluding furniture and appliances.

“If they invest in that property. Historic ones, for example, to bring it back online and back to useful life and perhaps more importantly, save that property from continuing to deteriorate, then they’ll enjoy a tax incentive,” City Manager Mike Schumacher said. “That’s our way to get involved and support that private property owner.”

Results from a community survey launched this spring showed that 75% of respondents supported using tax incentives for the restoration of historic properties in St. Joseph.

With nearly 40% of the city’s aging housing stock being built before 1960, city officials are hopeful that targeting one of the largest housing sectors in need of improvement will produce the greatest change.

To qualify for the program, applicants must provide evidence of blight and financial details on their project before undergoing extensive reviews by city staff, SJNRC, the Planning Commission and City Council, including development of an Impact Study Exhibit. Public hearings are also required to allow for community feedback on each application.

“There’s a lot of different variables that have to be reviewed,” Schumacher said. “We also have to be mindful of our partner agencies, like us, that are impacted through an abatement. That it makes sense for everyone involved.”

Along with long-term cost savings, the program establishes a mechanism to apply to the city without the cost required to submit a third-party blight analysis and cost-benefit study, which can help property owners save thousands of dollars on upfront fees and expenses.

Incentives are primarily designed for projects relating to an individual land parcel; however, treating multiple properties may be deemed appropriate depending upon the circumstances. The program shall generally apply to individual single-family residential structures, but may be used for multi-family or multiple single-family structures.

“One of the best uses for that tool is rehabilitation and restoration of historic properties. We have some beautiful older homes here. Some are vacant and some are really in need of help,” Schumacher said. “We need to fill up our toolbox with every available tool.”

Recent weeks have seen city leaders signal their approval for a range of programs and policies designed to improve permitting processes and incentive housing development, this coming in response to an April study that showed critical declines in St. Joseph’s population (70,382) with housing gaps likely playing a significant role in the loss of younger demographics.

City Council passed an ordinance in June that allows the city to waive construction permit fees associated with qualified residential development and construction located in approved geographic areas of the city.

City staff have been collaborating closely with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph School District and Buchanan County to take a comprehensive approach to economic development and housing improvements.

“Working with the Chamber on the economic development piece and engaging different builders, and attracting them to St. Joe. You know, it’s time to grow,” he said. “We need to be the most attractive community for any developer to want to come into.”

The St Joseph Neighborhood Redevelopment Corporation will include a Board of Directors consisting of three individuals: one representative from the City’s Legal Department, one representative from the Planning & Community Development Department, and one representative from the St Joseph Chamber of Commerce.

The three members will review applications for consistency with program guidelines and make a recommendation to the Planning Commission for their review and consideration, before forwarding to City Council for approval.

Schumacher said an official announcement will be made in the near future when the program is up and running.

“We need to get that board stood up, which will happen. And then I encourage you to follow the newspaper as well as our social media to look for announcements coming in the future,” he said.

NEIGHBORHOOD REDEVELOPMENT POLICY EXPLANATIONDownload

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Teenagers arrested for driving stolen vehicle in Calexico

KYMA on July 2, 2025

Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Two teenagers were arrested at the Calexico border after attempting to cross into Mexico in a stolen vehicle.

The Calexico Police Department (CPD) says a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old were taken into custody after officers received a report of a stolen vehicle last week.

Police say one of the teens was spotted driving toward Mexicali.

“They stopped the car, arrested the driver and during the course of investigation, they discovered that the vehicle in front of it, which is the same model just a different color, also came back stolen. Both cars stolen out of Downey, California,” said Officer Victor Garate with CPD.

The owners traveled to Calexico to retrieve their vehicles.

The two teenagers are now facing auto theft charges and were booked into Imperial County Juvenile Hall.

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Arizona Primary: What Yuma voters need to know before Election Day

KYMA on July 2, 2025

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Election day is just two weeks away and voters are already making their voices heard in Arizona’s Congressional District 7 Primary.

Early voting is already underway. Officials say they’ve seen a steady stream of voters and they encourage more residents to get involved ahead of the July 15 primary. 

As of June 30, Yuma County has sent over 27,000 ballots to registered voters. So far, over 2,000 ballots have been cast, over 2,400 by mail and 31 in person.

Yuma County Recorder David Lara says this could be due to convenience.

“Everything that is moving forward is mostly mail in ballots. For some reason, I think it’s just the convenience people like to go that way,” says Lara.

But in-person voting becomes more popular closer to Election Day. 

“The emergency voting is a weekend before the election and some people like to come in here and vote in person,” says Lara.

For some locals the approach is simple. Be ready and expect the rush.

Jose Garcia, a Yuma local says, “Prepared or unprepared elections will arrive and we have to be ready. We can’t say they won’t arrive because they will eventually.”

Other say they’re watching closely and taking their time.

Sally Pottratz, a Yuma local says, “I took it in last time and I may take it in again. You know I’m still up to the last minute thinking I’m I doing the right thing.”

Voters can submit their early ballots up until July 11. Lara reminds voters to avoid common mistakes. When sending in your ballot, don’t forget to sign it.

“Of course it’s done unintentionally. We all forget we’re in a hurry. We fill it out, seal the envelope, and forget to sign it. Very common,” says Lara.

For more information on Arizona’s Congressional District 7 Primary, you can click here.

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Jury reaches full verdict on Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial

KRDO on July 2, 2025

Celeste Springer

NEW YORK, N.Y. (KRDO) — Jurors in the sex trafficking and racketeering trial for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have announced a full verdict, according to ABC News. He was found not guilty on the most serious counts.

The five counts are:

Count 1: Racketeering conspiracy, NOT GUILTY

Count 2: Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion – pertains to Victim 1 (Cassie Ventura), NOT GUILTY

Count 3: Transportation to engage in prostitution – pertains to Victim 1 (Cassie Ventura) and commercial sex workers, GUILTY

Count 4: Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion – pertains to Victim 2 (“Jane”), NOT GUILTY

Count 5: Transportation to engage in prostitution – pertains to Victim 2 (“Jane”) and commercial sex workers, GUILTY

Combs faces a maximum sentence of 10 years.

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Two Colorado Springs-area homeowners express frustration about sidewalk issues

KRDO on July 2, 2025

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Driving around the Pikes Peak region this summer, it’s easy to find crews performing concrete work to prepare for repaving streets for this year and future years.

Some residents wish that the broken sidewalks in front of their homes could be fixed as quickly and efficiently.

Two viewers recently contacted KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior to share frustrations about sidewalk damage in front of their homes.

One of them is Barbara Emerson, a 78-year-old widow who said that she and her late husband were the first to build a home in the Villa Loma neighborhood of northeast Colorado Springs.

Over time, her sidewalks haven’t fared well.

“I’ve been waiting for several years to have them repaired,” she said. “There are a lot of people who walk on them, or walk their dogs, and I’m afraid of someone tripping and falling, and getting hurt.”

Emerson said that a city official told her in 2019 that she was on a list to be considered for a city cost-sharing program, in which residents can opt to pay half the cost of a sidewalk repair, in order to have it fixed sooner.

“Then he said that my half will be $700,” she explained. “Well, I about fell over because I didn’t think I’d be paying anything. So, I’ve left it that way. I’m not going to fix it myself.”

During a sidewalk controversy covered by The Road Warrior in December 2024, officials revealed that the city had a backlog of 6,000 requests for sidewalk repairs — because of growth, limited resources, and the number of requests coming in faster than repairs can be made.

At that time, the city said that between 100 to 150 residents register annually for the cost-sharing program.

Meanwhile, just southeast of the city, in Security-Widefield, Michael Sadley has a somewhat unique issue with his sidewalk on McGrew Circle; roots from a neighbor’s tree, he believes, are undermining his sidewalk and driveway.

The sidewalk is sinking in some places and rising in others, creating a tripping hazard.

“(One) morning, a lady tripped and scraped her knee pretty badly,” he said. “So, I tried to help her. I gave her some water and some bandages. She was alright. She was walking her dog. She was mad at me. She came knocking on my door. I said that it wasn’t my fault.”

Sadley said that he has contacted the city several times about the matter, and didn’t realize that he should have contacted El Paso County instead.

“I’m going to do that,” he said.

The tree is on property owned by an elderly woman, he explained, who can’t afford to have the tree trimmed or removed.

“A group of us neighbors get together once a year to clean up her yard, but there’s only so much we can do,” Sadley said. “I hope the county can do something because it’ll cost me $7,500 to pay for fixing the sidewalk myself.”

The Road Warrior contacted the county about the matter, and a spokesman said that it’s being investigated.

Residents with sidewalk issues should report them to the appropriate department as soon as possible, so that officials will be aware of them.

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Officials recommend firework shows instead of personal use ahead of the holiday weekend

KMIZ on July 2, 2025

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Fireworks sent nearly 15,000 people to the emergency room and killed 11 in 2024, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Fire officials with the National Fire Protection Association say the best and safest way to view fireworks is at a professional show. However, for people who want to take a more personal route to their firework fun, safety is going to be extremely important.

CPSC recommends to keep a bucket of water, or a hose nearby in case of a fire, light your fireworks one at a time and move back quickly, never try to relight or pick up a firework that has not fully finished, and never use fireworks under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Some cities in the show-me-state have regulations around fireworks, like the city of Columbia. It’s illegal to own or use fireworks within city limits. Setting off any other firework besides sparklers is condiered a misdemeanor.

Firework sales are only legal in Missouri from June 20th through July 10th.

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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should the City of Columbia be investigated for DEI-related policies?

KMIZ on July 2, 2025

Matthew Sanders

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said Tuesday that he’s looking into the City of Columbia’s policies and practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

It’s not the first time Bailey has intervened in Columbia’s local issues. In 2023, he wrote a letter to Columbia Public Schools demanding firings or resignations after students attended an event that included a drag performance.

This time, Bailey is demanding information from the city about its DEI-related policies, on the heels of a Columbia City Council vote to keep DEI-related language in key city policies. The city manager says the city doesn’t use quotas or any other metrics to favor any racial or other demographic group.

Do you think Bailey’s investigation is worthwhile? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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