Local riders take on annual “The Broadmoor Cycle to the Summit” Challenge up Pikes Peak

KRDO on August 7, 2025

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Hundreds of bikers will take on the grueling challenge of biking up Pikes Peak Saturday for the annual The Broadmoor Cycle to the Summit.

Racers will climb the Pikes Peak Highway for 12.24 miles before summiting at the top at over 14,000 feet in the USA Cycling-sanctioned event. The race also acts as the Senior and Master’s Hill Climb State Championship for Colorado.

Colorado Springs Sports Corp is promoting the event. Communications and PR Manager Lauren De Marco said she’s helping set up the event at 3:45 a.m. before suiting up and taking on the summit challenge herself.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but I am,” De Marco said. “My team is going to be there, who are kind of my stand-in family, and so I’m really looking forward to racing with them and celebrating at the end of it all.”

For the first time, the Summit Challenge will debut “The Midway Challenge” for riders interested in a smaller taste of the mountain riding experience. It’s a shorter, 5.16-mile ride from the start line to Glen Cove.

Online registration is closed, but riders can sign up in person on Friday at packet pickup at the Axe and the Oak Distillery from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

It’s a rolling start, with the first wave taking off at 6:15 a.m. from the start line/festival area at mile 7 on the highway. You can find the full schedule here.

Parking and starting line map (courtesy Colorado Springs Sports Corp)

Spectators will need to buy a Gateway Pass at the toll gate. Passes are per person, not per car. It’s $10 for adults and $5 for children 15 and under.

For the first time, spectators can buy a shuttle pass. The shuttle takes spectators up to the top, making multiple stops to watch the bike race. The shuttle leaves at 6 a.m. from the Festival Area. Tickets are $35 for adults and $10 for children 15 and under. Spots are limited. To reserve your spot, follow this link, choose your shuttle option and select August 9 at 6 a.m.

The Pikes Peak Highway will open late to the general public while bikers are racing up the mountain. Timed entry for Summit drivers will open back up at 9 a.m.

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Officials to rely on experimental, better materials in upcoming bridge repair, paving on Woodmen Road in Colorado Springs

KRDO on August 7, 2025

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Next week begins three months of construction on a stretch of Woodmen Road, primarily between Academy Boulevard and Interstate 25.

During a Thursday morning briefing near the Woodmen/Academy interchange, officials detailed the two upcoming projects.

The first starts Monday with repairs to the Woodmen overpass across Academy Boulevard, and to the entrance/exit ramps at the interchange.

The bridge was built in 2011 and needs resurfacing work, as well as concrete upgrades and fresh pavement markings.

Officials stated that the project should be completed within three months.

In the second project, starting next month, crews will repave a 1.5-mile segment of Woodmen between Olga Wilson Way (near the Sam’s Club) and East Rockrimmon Boulevard.

All of the work will happen overnights with an estimated completion time of three to five weeks; paving will start a month or so after the bridge repair begins.

Construction hours are from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., and at least one lane of traffic in each direction will remain open during the projects.

And in a move that will likely please many drivers, the city revealed that it will try out an experimental paving material on Woodmen.

“It’s called stone matrix asphalt (SMA),” said Corey Farkas, operations and maintenance manager. “This is a specialized asphalt that is typically utilized on highways and interstates. It gives a lot more durability and is rut-resistant to a lot of vehicles. But it’s more expensive, too.”

Information provided by officials showed that SMA ranges from $24 to $53 per ton more than traditional asphalt, but the city could save money in the long run by using SMA more frequently if it proves to be more durable on major streets.

The city also plans to upgrade the materials used to repair the overpass.

“We’re going to be replacing the joints and updating the concrete that’s been damaged,” Gayle Sturdivant, deputy public works director, explained. “But one of the main things we’ll be doing is changing the wearing surface for the bridge. It has just degraded more quickly than expected. So, we’ll be working with products that have demonstrated, in other locations around the state, to be better-performing.”

She also urged drivers to continue to visit the many local businesses.

“It may take you a little longer, but you’ll still have access,” Sturdivant said.

The repaving is part of the city’s 2C expanded paving program, which voters first approved in 2015 with a sales tax increase that they renewed for the second time last fall.

KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior first reported late last summer that the Woodmen projects would happen this year.

The targeted road section has deteriorated significantly in recent years, as officials stated that a previous repaving project used asphalt mixed with rubber from old tires.

According to officials, the method was widely used in California and Texas, but has not held up well in Colorado Springs — likely because of the high altitude, temperature extremes, and freeze-thaw cycles.

The bridge repair will cost $2.7 million and is funded by sales tax revenue from the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority; the paving is included in the annual 2C expanded paving program, funded by a voter-approved sales tax increase.

Earlier this season, crews prepared for the repaving by completing a two-block project on Woodmen between I-25 and Campus Drive.

The project rebuilt a center median and improved westbound traffic flow onto I-25.

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Gov. Kehoe proclaims Missouri State Fair ‘Great American Fair’ as celebrations kick off Thursday

KMIZ on August 7, 2025

Jazsmin Halliburton

SEDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Fair kicked off in Sedalia Thursday, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend over the next week and a half. The theme of the fair this year is Step On In.

Governor Mike Kehoe proclaimed the fair a “Great American Fair” at the kick off ceremony Thursday morning. This is the first step in what Gov. Kehoe is calling ‘Show-Me 250’ as the United States inches closer to its 250th birthday in 2026.

Leading up to the next Fourth of July, Kehoe said communities across the nation will celebrate 250 years of America. He said the state of Missouri is already celebrating with the Missouri 250 logo being pushed out and drone shows.

This is the Missouri State Fair’s 123rd year and hot temperatures mixed with thousands of people and 11 days of action can leave plenty possibility for some things to go wrong.

The fair is the state’s biggest agricultural showcase and can bring more than 30,000 attendees each day. In 2023, the fair broke the record for total attendees, with just under 350,000 people attending. In 2024, 345,643 people attended the fair.

Fair attendees will generally see the most traffic around the fairgrounds near the entrances. The entrances to the fair can be found at these locations:

Centennial Gate entrance – Hwy 65

Main Gate entrance – 16th St.

Gate 11 entrance – Hwy 65

Gate 6 entrance – Clarendon Rd.

General parking can be found along W. 16th St. and Hwy 65.

For those who choose to take the Amtrak to Sedalia for the fair, expect to see traffic around the train station in the morning and evenings on Main St. and S. Limit Ave.

Local, county and state first responders will be on site at the fairgrounds to keep visitors safe over the next week and a half.

Members of the Missouri State Fair’s Volunteer Fire Department have been coming together for nearly 65 years just to serve the state fair exclusively.

“This year we have 74 different departments represented here with personnel and we are going to average about 80 members each day at the fair,” said Larry Eggen, the spokesperson for the department.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol also assisting with work around the clock.

“We want to make sure that we have security going on 24 hours. So we have got a night squad and the day squad,” said Cpl. Justin Howard. “We have nine troops around the state of Missouri, and we’ve brought in a lot of members and personnel here to the state fair just for operational reasons.”

Emergency Medical Services and fire officials tell ABC 17 News they feel confident with the string of protocols on site.

“If you get sick our EMS serves our first aid, and we have our DMAT. They are like an urgent care, basically a little higher up than our first aid and then if they can’t help you, then we go to Bothwell with the patients,” Eggen said.

The “DMAT Tent” a Disaster Medical Assistant Team is set up with beds, monitors and an X-ray machine. Eggen said heat is important to plan for outside of physical injuries.

“We’ve had as many as 40 people, 40 calls in a day, the heat related,” Eggen said.

Seven water stations are set up around the fair grounds to help fairgoers cool down and beat the heat. The Missouri State Fair Foundation is also selling water bottles for $1 around the fair grounds.

“We’ll sell approximately 70,000 bottles in a week. There’s 32 pallets over there right now for this initial run and four pallets of Gatorade,” said Bret Kuhns with the foundation.

The money from the water bottle sales goes back into the state fair grounds.

Gates will be open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you are entering after 10 p.m., fairgoers will want to use the entrance on Clarendon Rd.

Box office hours will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Carnival area will be from Monday-Friday, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to Midnight.

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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should the federal government stop its mRNA vaccine research?

KMIZ on August 7, 2025

Matthew Sanders

The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday said it would wind down vaccine research using the type of technology used in the predominant COVID-19 vaccines.

The agency said it would wind down its mRNA vaccine research and pursue other types of research through its Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement that the authority would end 22 mRNA vaccine development investments. He suggested the vaccines were not effective against upper respiratory infections.

Do you think it’s the right move? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Parents concerned after Yuma school bus catches fire on Interstate 8

KYMA on August 7, 2025

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – On Tuesday evening, a school bus caught fire on Interstate 8 near Araby Road.

Thankfully, there were no injuries reported. However, the incident raised concern among the community, especially for parents.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire from the front of the vehicle before it spread to the back, but there were some challenges.

“Being an alternative fuel vehicle presented additional challenges, just because of the hazards that come with propane and finding a shutoff valve for it,” Yuma Fire Department Public Information Officer Francisco Leon said.

As for future use of school buses, the school district is adamant that transporting students in a secure manner is priority number one.

“I want to reaffirm to our families that this is a safe mode of transportation,” District One Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator Christine McCoy said. “We take this instance very seriously. We will investigate and determine the cause of this, and we’ll share that information with the community, so that they’re aware, as well, what the cause was.”

The good news is the district does not expect to encounter such a problem in the future.

“What I can say is our school buses undergo regular maintenance, so this really was an event that we haven’t seen in the past, and don’t expect to see in the future,” McCoy stated.

The investigation on what led to the propane sparking is still ongoing.

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Idaho Falls teachers reject salary proposal, board seeks path forward

KIFI on August 7, 2025

Max Gershon

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) — In a surprising turn of events, the Idaho Falls Education Association (IFEA) voted against ratifying a proposed salary and benefits agreement, prompting the Idaho Falls School Board to reassess its approach to negotiations. The decision has raised concerns about the negotiation process and the upcoming school year.

The tentative agreement, reached after months of discussions and 42 hours with a federal mediator, offered a $35.3 million compensation package, including an average 4.4% salary increase for certified staff. Notably, this proposal was put forward by the IFEA itself, making the rejection unexpected for the School Board.

Board Chair Hillary Radcliffe expressed disappointment but reaffirmed the district’s commitment to collaboration. “While we are disappointed that the agreement was not ratified, we are committed to working with IFEA to reach an agreement,” Radcliffe said. “The Board is looking forward to a strong and smooth start to the school year and continuing to serve the students of Idaho Falls School District.”

The Board is now focused on understanding the reasons behind the rejection, suspecting it may reflect broader concerns among teachers about the negotiation process. Despite the setback, their priority remains clear: supporting educators while ensuring high-quality education for all students in Idaho Falls School District 91.

As the new school year approaches, the Board and IFEA are expected to resume negotiations to secure a sustainable agreement. District officials emphasize their dedication to fostering a positive environment for both teachers and students.

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Show Us Your Garden: Friendship, love, a hidden fountain and a morning stroll highlight this week

KTVZ on August 7, 2025

John Carroll

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This week on Show Us Your Garden, we have another great variety of gardens to show off. A garden that is made from a circle of friends who all share different parts of their gardens with each other. Another is a lovely fountain hidden in some beautiful flowers on the front deck. The third garden is one that gets a lot of attention each morning.

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Moberly murder suspect has arraignment scheduled for next week

KMIZ on August 7, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was arrested in Illinois last week and charged with first-degree murder in Randolph County is in custody in Missouri.

Todd Turner, 38, of Cahokia Heights, Illinois, was charged with first-degree murder last week in the death of Donald Hickem on Feb. 1. He was booked into the jail at 2:21 p.m. Monday. A judge on Tuesday scheduled his arraignment for 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11. He is being held without bond.

Hickem, 37, was found dead with gunshot wounds in the 500 block of North Moulton Street on Feb. 1.

Timothy Turner, 37, of Columbia, was initially charged in the case with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Timothy Turner was shot and killed by Columbia police after a standoff in the 1500 block of Raleigh Drive in Columbia. Charges were not filed against the officers said to be involved.

Court documents in previous reporting say a phone registered to Timothy Turner was found at the Moberly residence in the 500 block of North Moulton Street.

A witness who knew Timothy Turner allegedly told police that the Turners entered an alley near the home and Todd Turner had told Timothy to put his gun away, court documents say.

The witness walked down the alley and heard four-to-five shots, the statement in previous reporting says. The witness went inside a home and came back out to see the Turners in a vehicle, with Timothy Turner pointing a gun at the witness, the statement says.

The witness claimed in a probable cause statement that they left with the Turners in Timothy Turner’s vehicle and they planned on driving to Illinois.

The statement says that lab results from June 18 determined the bullets recovered from Hickem’s body were fired from two different guns.

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Rep. Mike Simpson explores water storage options at Teton Dam site

KIFI on August 7, 2025

Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson visited the site of the Teton Dam Wednesday afternoon, August 6th, 2025.

Simpson is looking into ways to improve Idaho’s water storage.

The Teton Dam collapsed on June 5, 1976, as it was being filled up for the first time.

Waves of water flooded Rexburg, Wilford, Sugar City, and other communities.

11 people died, and homes and businesses were destroyed causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

There was a discussion on rebuilding the Teton Dam, but the visit was really just a chance for Congressman Mike Simpson to learn about water resources for the state.

He met with the Idaho Farm Bureau to learn what our options are.

“We’re here at the Teton Dam site talking about the need for additional water storage in the state of Idaho, potentially looking at and studying the Teton Dam, what it would take to potentially rebuild that. But of course, other options as well, because there’s many other options when it comes to water storage in the state,” said Braden Jensen, Director of Government Affairs, Idaho Farm Bureau.

“It was interesting to listen to water users, the Farm Bureau, and others about the need for water, particularly in Southeast Idaho. We live in a high plains desert. We need to store as much water as we can. That’s what the Teton Dam originally was all about. Unfortunately, it broke. But there are a lot of things that we can do,” said Simpson.

The congressman got to learn about the history that took place here 49 years ago.  

“I think it’s a good idea for me to do what the people of Idaho with the state legislature and what the people of this region want to do. If there was a great deal of concern, I know it’s been advocated by some people who represent this area, and stuff they wouldn’t be advocating if people in this area didn’t think it was a good idea, or they will learn that they don’t think it is. So, yeah, there are still feelings from that. And from the Teton Dam,” said Simpson.

People do not want to see history repeat itself. Local News 8 spoke with a few locals who said the rebuild of the Teton Dam can be a good thing if done properly.

At this time, a date has not been set for making a decision.

Right now, Simpson is just gathering information from the Idaho Farm Bureau.

Local News 8 asked Siimpson if this would affect his concept from 2021 to breach dams on the lower Snake. He said the rebuilding of the Teton Dam would not affect salmon.

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Woman seriously injured after crash with dump truck

KMIZ on August 7, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 66-year-old woman from California, Missouri, had to be airlifted to University Hospital after her vehicle was hit by a dump truck on Tuesday afternoon, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred on Lookout Trail Road at Industrial Drive in Moniteau County, the report says.

The report says a 2018 International Dump Trick was heading southbound when it failed to yield to the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina — that was driven by the woman – that was heading eastbound. The dump truck was driven by a 66-year-old Prairie Home man, the report says.

The Prairie Home man had no reported injuries. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts. The Chevrolet was totaled, while the dump truck had minor damage, the report says.

MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.

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