Assemblymember Ramos to Present $10M Check to Tribal College in Palm Springs

KESQ on July 17, 2025

City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Assemblymember James C. Ramos will present a symbolic $10 million state-funded check Friday to California Indian Nations College as part of an effort to help the school become the state’s first federally accredited tribal college.

The presentation featuring a “blown-up” check is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, 140 N. Indian Canyon Drive, and will be livestreamed on multiple social media platforms.

Participants will include Ramos, D-San Bernardino, California Indians Nations College Founder Theresa Mike; CINC President Erica Munoz; Rose Saubel, a 2023 CINC graduate; Dakota Galindo, associated students of CINC vice president; and members of California Legislative Native American caucus.

The two-year college, located at 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive in Palm Desert, received pre-accreditation in January from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

The college receives no ongoing federal or state support, aside from a one-time $5 million state allocation in 2022 to help reach accreditation and a $9 million donation from the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.   

With only 11.4% of American Indian students in California graduating high school and just 14.4% enrolling in college, officials say tribal colleges could help boost academic success.

“Native students who attend a tribal college are four times more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree,” according to a statement made by Ramos’ office.

“More than 30 accredited tribal colleges with 75 campuses are located in 13 states across the Southwest, Northwest and the Great Plains — from Kansas and Oklahoma to Minnesota and the Dakotas,” according to the American Indian College Fund.

Ramos represents the 45th Assembly district including the cities of Fontana, Highland, Mentone, Redlands, Rialto and San Bernardino. He is the first and only California Native American serving in the state legislature.   

To view the livestream, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/751279414146428/, orhttps://youtube.com/live/XqcQByr5Law?feature=share.

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Felon accused of gunning down man on Morongo Reservation arraigned

KESQ on July 17, 2025

City News Service

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A convicted felon accused of gunning down a 50-year-old man in a drive-by attack on the edge of the Morongo Indian Reservation northeast of Banning pleaded not guilty today to first-degree murder and other charges.

Robert Eugene Leonard, 43, of Beaumont, was arrested last month following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the slaying of Orlando Lara of Banning.

Along with murder, Leonard is charged with being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm, being in possession of controlled substances while armed, a special circumstance allegation of perpetrating a murder in a drive-by and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

He was arraigned before Superior Court Judge Jay Kiel, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Aug. 6 at the Banning Justice Center.   

The defendant is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail.    Lara’s remains were discovered by passers-by shortly before 11 p.m. on June 25 in the 47000 block of Morongo Road, near Cottonwood Road, along the upper boundary of the reservation, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Alberto Loureiro.  

“Upon arrival, deputies found the male with a traumatic injury,” Loureiro said, confirming there were “obvious signs” the victim had been shot to death.

The likely circumstances and motive were not disclosed.   

Within two days, Central Homicide Unit detectives gathered sufficient evidence pointing to Leonard as the alleged shooter.   

He was tracked to a residence on the reservation, where he was taken into custody without incident on June 27.   

Court records did not list Leonard’s prior convictions, which occurred in another jurisdiction.

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‘Underrated Golf’ inspires, teaches, and provides opportunity to young golfers

KESQ on July 17, 2025

Allie Anthony

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – A national youth golf tour backed by NBA superstar Steph Curry is making a stop right here in the Coachella Valley.

The “Underrated Golf” tour is about more than just winning on the green, it’s about building life skills and empowering underserved youth.

Nearly 100 talented golfers have qualified to travel with the Underrated tour, gaining the opportunity to compete on elite courses and learn from golf legends.

Steph Curry is a basketball icon, but his passion for golf led him to want to help kids. He understood how expensive and inaccessible the sport can be.

The tour covers all costs for young athletes.

College golf coaches are scouting talent at Underrated tournaments, too.

One youth golfer says he’s playing his best in hopes of getting noticed and earning a spot on the college team. Duncan Reid says, “Honestly, a lot of coaches are looking at these leader boards, so just go out there and play your golf. People are paying attention to this because it’s on such a big stage. So you’re just going out there and trying to focus on your game.”

After a stop at PGA West in La Quinta, players will compete at TPA Sawgrass in Vedra Beach, Florida, then head to Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey.

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Missing 42-year-old man last seen July 9 in Cabazon

KESQ on July 17, 2025

Jesus Reyes

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing man last seen last week in Cabazon.

Benjamin Cole, 42, was last seen July 9 at his residence in the 51000 block of Ida Avenue, near Peach Street, on the south edge of the unincorporated community, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said Cole did not inform loved ones where he was headed, and his whereabouts remained unknown Thursday.

Cole is described as five feet, 11 inches tall, weighing approximately 155 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing all dark clothing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s office at 800-950-2444.

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Columbia man commuted by former President Biden released from federal custody

KMIZ on July 17, 2025

Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man convicted of being involved in a Mid-Missouri drug ring was released from federal custody on Wednesday.

Malcolm Redmon, 42 of Columbia, was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison in 2016 after pleading guilty to being involved in a cocaine-selling ring in Mid-Missouri from 2011-14. He was one of nearly 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug charges to have their sentence commuted by former President Joe Biden.

A federal judge ordered his release to a halfway house in Kansas City in June, according to online records.

An email sent to ABC 17 News Wednesday afternoon from the federal bureau of prisons confirmed Redmon was released from federal custody on July 16.

However, they would not confirm if Redmon had been released from the halfway house.

“For privacy, safety, and security reasons, we do not comment on the conditions of confinement for any individual in our custody, including release plans,” the statement reads.

Redmon’s cousin, Nathan Stephens says the two were close while growing up in Columbia and said he viewed Redmon’s father as someone he looked up to. Redmon grew up in public housing, faced with many challenges growing up, according to Stephens.

“Like many of us, he took to the streets. Especially when you’re living in an economically disenfranchised community,” Stephens said. “When you’re in an economically disenfranchised community and the opportunity to “do dirt” as we say comes available, it’s kind of hard to resist that because no one wants to continue to struggle, myself included. I’m not saying that that’s necessarily an excuse, but I’m saying it’s not like we had all of the choices that folks who may not necessarily be fans of his, or what I believe is overly critical fully understand.”

Stephens also served time in prison, before being released in 2000. He said he views prison as a place that isn’t designed to rehabilitate people and doesn’t believe in the system he referred to as “flawed.”

Stephens said Redmon served his time and is deserving of the second chance he’s been given, a feeling he said the family shares. According to Stephens, Redmon’s father’s health is deteriorating and there have been several deaths in the family within the last five years, making it that much more important that Redmon not serve anymore time.

He said he’s spoken to Redmon via Facebook, who’s been involved in a vocational program and seems to have a clear head and reconnected with his children and family.

Stephens said no one is in a position to judge Redmon.

“We have a current president sitting with 34 felonies but I guarantee you, many of the folks who would criticize and talk about Malcolm and myself and others are not talking about our sitting president,” Stephens said. “I would tell them to give that same energy to our sitting president that they would Malcolm, myself or others who are formerly incarcerated or currently incarcerated.”

Redmon was one of 27 people arrested in 2014 throughout Missouri and Illinois in relation with the cocaine ring. He was accused of being the leader of the operation. Federal authorities accused him of directing sales and converting cocaine to crack.

Stephens said while he’s looking forward to reconnecting with Redmon face to face soon, he and his family are hopeful Redmon chooses not to return to Columbia for a much needed change.

Stephens also views himself as a person who is living proof that a person can change, turning his life around after prison, working as an assistant professor in social work.

“When I came home, I started working for parks and recreation, working with young men like myself and Malcolm used to be, Stephens said. “I went from working at University of Missouri. I worked at Douglass Park for a number of years trying to steer our young people in the right direction but that’s the thing that people don’t talk about is a lot of those resources that we grew up with are no longer there.”

All of that doesn’t come without problems along the way.

“I’ve gone from prison to PhD and yet I still have to check the box when I apply for jobs. I lost a job at SEMO (Southeast Missouri State University) because of my background,” Stephens said.

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World Health Organization calls out for help making breakthrough HIV drug accessible to the public

KESQ on July 17, 2025

Peter Daut

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)– The World Health Organization just announced this week that they want all countries to help make a breakthrough HIV drug reach people as quickly and safely as possible.

The drug’s nickname is “Len,” and it only needs to be injected twice a year to offer near-total protection from the virus and developing aids.

The FDA recently approved the drug, but it carries a price tag of more than $28,000 per person per year, making it unaffordable to most people.

Local doctors say a more affordable, generic version could soon become reality.

Dr. Phyllis Ritchie, CEO & founder says, “The potentials are huge, because the question is if we have a prep like that, do we even need to work on an HIV vaccine, and those are all the questions that are being brought up presently. But we have to wait and see if insurance companies will actually pay for it.” 

Right now, doctors say there are only a few people in the valley taking the drug.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more information.

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BLM seeking public input on proposed campground fee increases

KIFI on July 17, 2025

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pocatello Field Office is asking people to review a draft of a new budget plan which would increase and add fees to campgrounds around Southeast Idaho.

The 2025 ‘Recreation Fee Sites Business Plan’ includes proposals to increase the cost of camping and boat ramp use at the Blackfoot Reservoir Campground near Soda Springs, the Redpoint Campground near Preston, and the Maple Grove Campground near Thatcher. The plan would also add fees for camping, boat ramp use, and RV amenities at the Pipeline Campground near American Falls.

Bruce Hallman, public affairs specialist with the BLM, said the fee increases are designed to keep the campgrounds ‘self-sufficient’ and make up for increased costs of labor needed to maintain the public spaces, which have had a steady influx of visitors since the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago.

“[The COVID-19 pandemic] really drove people outdoors… we applaud that, we want people to go out and enjoy our public lands,” said Hallman. “The problem is that it has impacted it, so lots more people, lots more use, lots more abuse––it takes work to try to deal with that, to handle trails, to handle people not following trails, to handle people camping, wanting more camping, inventing their own version of camping, dumping all sorts of things that are appropriate and not so appropriate; so, it takes a lot of managing to manage these different public lands.”

Camping fees are proposed to increase by $10 across all four campgrounds; if the business plan is accepted, Blackfoot Reservoir camping would cost $20 per night, camping at Redpoint and Maple Grove would cost $15 per night, and Pipeline Campground camping would cost $10 per night.

Under the proposed plan, boat ramp use for the day would increase to $10 per vehicle per day at the Blackfoot Reservoir and $5 per vehicle per day at Pipeline.

BLM is asking people to review the proposed business plan and leave comment until August 15. People can find the plan on the BLM website.

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New study shows declining Colorado growth, but economist has optimism for Colorado Springs

KRDO on July 17, 2025

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A recent study by the Common Sense Institute (CSI) shows a decrease in population growth statewide in the last decade, but a local economist said El Paso County is in a better spot than other parts of the state.

Common Sense Institute

While CSI said that COVID-19 played a factor in the statewide population slowdown, it noted that the data suggest deeper structural problems caused growth to shrink before the pandemic. CSI said housing affordability, shifting lifestyle preferences, and perceptions of livability are likely playing a factor.

Local economist, Dr. Tatiana Bailey, said that nationwide trends share some of the blame. She said aging populations, decreasing nationwide population growth, and an overall slowdown in innovation are all impacting Colorado.

CSI also pointed to Colorado’s aging population as a worrying sign for overall growth. Tatiana said older populations contribute to less population growth, coupled with lower birth and immigration rates.

Using data from the State Demographic Office, Tatiana says El Paso County is an outlier from this trend. While population growth is down 50% in Colorado Springs from the state-wide boom in 2016, El Paso County’s 2025 projections are right in line with the running 20-year average and have consistently been above the national average every year except 2023.

She also pointed to El Paso County’s workforce breakdown. Its two largest age demographics are in two of the most important groups for economic growth: 30-49 and 0-17. While most of the country is getting older, Colorado Springs is getting younger.

State Demographic Office

Tatiana said this is a promising sign for the economic growth and overall population increase for the region. The Demographic Office also shows El Paso County as one of the biggest projected growers in the future.

State Demographic Office

Bailey said Colorado Springs still faces sustainability challenges. She said the average wage earner in Colorado Springs is below the national average, despite the average cost of living being above the national average. (“wage” is different from “income.” Wages do not include passive income like rental properties or retirement benefits.) She pointed to an increasing number of Colorado Springs workers commuting from Pueblo.

“I can’t afford to live in my city,” said Jodi Boehs, who said she’s homeless for the first time in her 50 years living in Colorado Springs. “I don’t feel like some of us belong out here.”

Both the CSI study and State Demographic data show bleaker growth potentials for the Denver metro, which has seen a steeper decline in population growth.

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Money allocated for Columbia recycling drop-offs to be used to bring materials to Jefferson City

KMIZ on July 17, 2025

Keriana Gamboa

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Solid Waste Assistant Utilities Director Tom Ratermann is encouraging the public to listen to new guidelines a day after the city announced it would begin recycling some materials.

Columbia’s recycling trucks will collect some materials and bring them to Jefferson City. The effort is part of the city’s first major step toward restoring recycling services after a tornado destroyed Columbia’s recycling facilities earlier this year. The City of Columbia is working with Federal Recycling & Waste Solutions in Jefferson City to help restart recycling operations.

City officials say keeping contamination low is key to maintaining the partnership the Jefferson City location and could qualify Columbia for rebates based on material quality.

“That’s why we’re really encouraging people to not put glass in it, not to put three through seven in it, and not to put clamshells. We end up getting docked for it, and it reduces any potential rebate,” Ratermann said.

Blue bags recycling placed at the curb by residents will be picked up and transported back to Columbia’s landfill, where city staff prepare the materials for shipment.

Funding to bring the materials to the Jefferson City site is coming from money that was previously used to maintain recycling drop-off sites that are currently closed. A timetable for when the drop-offs could be reopened was not immediately available.

City officials say drivers make three to four trips a week to Jefferson City, once there are enough materials fill a tractor-trailer.

Items that can be recycled, according to a Monday press release, include plastic bottles, some plastic container (such as detergent, milk or shampoo bottles) and aluminum cans.

Prohibited materials include glass, yogurt cups, dairy product tubs, plastic clamshell produce contains, black plastics or takeout containers, Styrofoam containers, packaging materials, plastic bags and trash.

The City of Columbia Utilities spokesman Jason West gave insight into what happens to the bag after you leave it on the curb.

“We’ve cleaned out this building and used part of it for the blue bags to be deposited here,” West said. “I have a crew that will come in and open the blue bags and empty those contents and dispose of the blue plastic bags.”

Leah Christian, owner of The Clean Refill, a local zero-waste small business, applauded the city’s efforts, saying it’s a positive sign to see recycling returning, but wants to remind people that reusing is also an alternative.

“I’ve told a few people this morning about recycling coming back to Columbia , and people are pretty excited about having that option for sure. I would just recommend for everyone to remember that reducing and reusing are the two steps to do before you recycle,” Christian said.

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Work session leads to discussing rate change to lower water bills, increase electric rates

KMIZ on July 17, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Water and Light discussed changing the water rate during a budget meeting on Wednesday.

The rate increase would increase revenue 12% — or $3.6 million — in fiscal year 2026 that should also lower prices for near two-thirds of residential water customers.

The change would increase the base rate of meters smaller than an inch by 25 cents, while 1-inch meters would see a $5.62 increase. The proposed changes would also get rid of summer and non-summer tiered usage and implement the same rate year-round.

The city is also considering raising electric rates by up to 2.4% on Oct. 1.

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