First Alert Weather Alert: Monitoring monsoonal thunrderstorms

KESQ on August 26, 2025

Spencer Blum

We are tracking another round of monsoonal thunderstorms around the Coachella Valley today. A Flood Advisory is in place currently for the mountains and canyons just to the west of the Coachella Valley (as of 3:10 PM). Overall, it is more mild today compared to yesterday. It is still warm and very humid across the valley. We will remain under a First Alert Weather Alert through 7 PM this evening.

Our weather is all because of a ridge of high pressure impacting the western US. This is funneling moisture into the southwest, leading to the monsoonal activity over the last few days. Tomorrow will begin to see some slight drying and clearing. However, Thursday will see more clouds thanks to moisture from the tropics.

Overall, temperatures will be fairly moderate in the coming days. We can expect warmer weather this weekend with near average temperatures heading into next week.

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Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation sponsors ISP trooper safety training

KIFI on August 26, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho State Police:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation is once again stepping up to support local law enforcement. Their latest contribution to the Idaho State Police (ISP) District 6 will allow troopers to receive specialized training at Soma Jiu-Jitsu in Idaho Falls, advancing officer safety, health, and wellness.

Through the Foundation’s sponsorship, four troopers will train weekly at Soma Jiu Jitsu, in addition to the defensive tactics instruction provided by ISP. This opportunity enhances the skills troopers use in high-risk encounters, focusing on control and restraint techniques that reduce the need for strikes while improving officer safety and public perception.

“Every day, troopers face unpredictable and sometimes dangerous encounters,” said ISP District 6 Captain Chris Weadick. “This training builds confidence and equips our troopers with proven techniques to safely resolve situations while protecting themselves and the communities they serve. We are grateful to the Foundation and the donors who make this possible.”

Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has become a leading best practice in law enforcement across the nation. The program emphasizes control and restraint, providing officers with tools to resolve confrontations with reduced risk to themselves and the public.

“This is more than just defensive tactics,” Captain Weadick added. “It’s an investment in officer fitness, wellness, and the trust we build with the community. The Foundation’s support helps us raise the standard of training and continue serving Idaho with professionalism and confidence.”

The Foundation is a nonprofit organization funded by community donors and grant opportunities. Its mission is to strengthen law enforcement agencies by providing resources that might otherwise be unavailable. They also partner with the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, ensuring officers across agencies have access to lifesaving equipment and training.

The Foundation has supported ISP District 6 with several recent donations, including:

A wrestling mat used for annual training.

A radar unit for a patrol vehicle.

Cold-weather search gloves for all D6 troopers.

Cooling vests for all D6 troopers.

Sponsorship of weekly training at Soma Jiu-Jitsu.

For more information on the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation, visit ifpolicefoundation.org.

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Local organizations to host 29th Annual Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism

News-Press NOW on August 26, 2025

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The YWCA, in partnership with other local organizations, announced when it will present its 29th Annual Commitment to Eliminate Racism Breakfast.

The event will be held from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, in the YWCA Terrace Room, located at 304 N. Eighth St.

Those interested in attending the event can RSVP online by going to ywca.org/events or by calling 816-232-4481. RSVPs are due by Friday, Sept. 5.

Breakfast and coffee will be served, and the keynote address will be given by community leader and former Racial Justice Award recipient, David Howery.

The 2025 Kelsy Beshears Racial Justice Award recipients will be presented, followed by the annual pledge to eliminate racism.

The event is in partnership with the St. Joseph NAACP, Missouri Western State University and the United Way of Greater St. Joseph.

There is no cost to attend, but space is limited.

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Audrain County sues state over property tax assessments

KMIZ on August 26, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Audrain is one of five counties suing the State Tax Commission over increasing property assessments.

The lawsuit was filed Monday in Polk County. Audrain County joins Polk, DeKalb, Reynolds and Pike counties in challenging the commission’s decisions on property reassessment.

The counties allege that the commission has not taken the proper legal steps to compel them to raise their property tax assessments because there was no notice and no hearing as laid out in state law, according to the lawsuit. Instead, the commission requires assessors to sign memoranda of understanding that compel them to adjust tax rates, the suit says.

Audrain was among the counties that refused to sign a memorandum of understanding to raise residential property assessments 12-15%. State officials later insisted on 15% after the county agreed to 12%.

The commission’s study had shown residential property was assessed at 59.21% instead of the 90-100% the commission requires, according to the lawsuit.

Lawsuit against the State Tax CommissionDownload

“The increases proposed by the Commission … are arbitrary and not based on accurate data and if imposed will have an unequal and discriminatory impact on taxpayers within the respective Counties and will negatively impact taxpayers’ abilities to stay in their homes,” the counties’ lawyer wrote.

The commission withheld more than $50,000 in tax reimbursements from Audrain County because officials did not sign the memorandum, the lawsuit states.

The counties are asking the court to pause the tax commission’s action while the case is litigated.

Summons have been issued to state tax commissioners, but no hearings have been set.

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Bannock County residents, non-profits rally against commissioners’ proposed budget at public hearing on Tuesday

KIFI on August 26, 2025

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Bannock County commissioners held a public hearing attended by dozens of residents and area organization leaders who shared overwhelming opposition to the county’s controversial fiscal year 2026 proposed budget on Tuesday.

Complaints against the budget were mostly leveled at the proposed cuts to county-funded non-profit organizations like the Veterans’ Memorial Building (which stands to lose around $43,000 under the draft budget) and Aid for Friends (which would be completely defunded in the upcoming fiscal year, losing $30,000 in county funds).

“Cutting aid for friends, the less advantage of all of us, they need some assistance–– and I know the national environment is not to do that, but I would hope that Bannock County would be above that,” said Rich Smith, a Bannock County resident of over 60 years, to commissioners at the Tuesday hearing. “Cutting the veterans facility, the Veterans Building, and publicly abusing them is not leadership. That is bullying, and it’s not okay.”

Other complaints were aimed at the substantial 14% raises proposed for Bannock County Commissioners in the next fiscal year, which would raise commissioner salaries from around $83,000 to $95,000 annually.

“You’re cutting my veterans, you’re cutting Aid for Friends, all that to give yourselves a raise,” said Hon. David Archuleta, retired Associate Tribal Judge for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, to the commissioners. “…Getting into public office is not about getting rich; you guys are servants. No one gets a 14% raise. What world do you live in that you give yourselves a 14% raise?”

The Bannock County Board of Commissioners will discuss the feedback and the proposed budget moving forward at their regular meeting on Thursday, August 28, at 9 a.m.

To view a copy of Bannock County’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, visit the Bannock County website.

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Part of Sixth Street in Columbia closed due to water line break

KMIZ on August 26, 2025

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A portion of South Sixth Street in Columbia is closed due to a chilled water line break.

Columbia Public Works said in a release that South Sixth Street is closed to traffic between Elm Street and East Stewart Road.

The area is expected to be closed between two and seven days while excavation work is done by the University of Missouri.

A University spokesperson, Christopher Ave, told ABC 17 News that there was a break in a chilled water line that supplies cooled water to air conditioning systems in multiple buildings.

“The break was quickly isolated, and systems were quickly rapidly restored, Ave said over email. “The cause of the break is currently being investigated, and repairs are underway.”

Ave added that there was minimal impact on normal operations.

The closure is also impacting two Go COMO routes, the Tiger Line 403 and Black routes.

Go COMO said in a social media post that the northern loop of the 403 route will not be used and the stop across from Naka Hall will not be in service. A temporary stop is set up at the corner of South Sixth Street and East Steward Road.

The southbound black bus route will use a detour during the closure. No stops will be closed, according to Go COMO.

Sidewalks are still open, but pedestrians are asked to use alternate routes if possible.

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Inmate dies after 11 days at Fulton Reception & Diagnostic Center

KMIZ on August 26, 2025

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An inmate at the Fulton Reception & Diagnostic Center died 11 days after being at the facility.

The Missouri Department of Corrections said Darnell Davis, 34, died on Sunday at 7:53 a.m. at the facility.

Davis was serving a five-year sentence for receiving stolen property, seven years for domestic assault and 15 years for endangering the welfare of a child, causing serious emotional or physical injury.

Online court records show that these stemmed from two cases in 2018.

Davis was taken into the custody of MDOC on August 13.

An autopsy will be done, according to the agency.

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Stephens College sees largest enrollment increase since 2021

KMIZ on August 26, 2025

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Stephens College is entering the new school year with a new president and an increase in enrollment.

In a release, the school said the undergraduate enrollment is projected to increase by more than 8% this fall. This is the largest number since 2021.

The overall enrollment is expected to increase by 5% compared to last year.

The fall semester is also marked by the start of its 25th president, Shannon B. Lundeen.

The college is also highlighting academic improvements, including an expansion of the on-campus Nursing Center and Animal Behavior Program.

“For generations, Stephens has nurtured confident voices and creative minds,” Lundeen said in the release. “Women’s leadership and representation remain unfinished business, and Stephens is uniquely positioned to prepare students to rise to the challenge. Our mission has never been more relevant, and the opportunities have never been more vital.” 

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“Miracle Workers”: After years of illness, Idaho Falls woman begins new life with double lung transplant

KIFI on August 26, 2025

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO (KIFI)– A new set of lungs has given Audra Burgener a second chance at life. The 59-year-old Idaho Falls woman received a double lung transplant at the University of Utah Medical Center last Tuesday after her health was ravaged by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For her and her partner, Chad Williams, who has been with her for 45 years, the journey from diagnosis to the operating table has been a grueling one, but a successful donor match earlier this year provided a ray of hope.

Burgener’s journey began in 2018, when she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension. Then, she got COVID twice. In 2020, she was diagnosed with COPD. Her breathing continuously got worse over the course of four years since her COPD diagnosis. Ultimately, she was placed on the lung transplant list in early July.

She received a donor match on July 30th. Burgener received the transplant at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, which is the closest lung transplant organization to Idaho Falls.

Her partner, Chad Williams, described the team of doctors at the Medical Center as “miracle workers”.

Burgener is now recovering at the University Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit, but the fight is not over.

“She’ll be released in two to six weeks, and then we’re going to have to be available through the week to just keep monitoring and making sure that the body is doing what it should be doing. And that will last a minimum of two more months, and can drag out to possibly six months. So total time spent here in Utah could go up to six months,” Williams said.

As a Certified Nursing Assistant, Burgener has devoted her life to taking care of the elderly. She enjoys the outdoors, especially gardening.

“She’s one of the most sweetest and caring humans I’ve ever known,” Williams said.

The family is raising money to pay for hospital expenses, as well as the costs of travelling to the hospital in Utah. To donate, click HERE.

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Bridge work on Highway 50 could cause delays starting in September

KMIZ on August 26, 2025

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Starting in early September, Highway 50 over Vetter Lane in Jefferson City will be narrowed a crews work on the bridge for several months.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, starting Sept. 8, construction crews will start to narrow Highway 50 over Vetter Lane to one lane in each direction. Traffic will be head-to-head during this work.

Work will be done to replace joint seals, apply protective coating to the substructure and repair the bridge deck, the release states. The lanes will have a 12-foot width restriction and reduced speeds in place.

MoDOT says two ramps will be closed during the work: the Clark Avenue ramp onto eastbound Highway 50 and the Eastland Drive ramp onto westbound Highway 50.

The traffic shift will take multiple days and is expected to be done by Sept. 10th, weather permitting.

The full project will not be done until December, according to MoDOT.

MoDOT said in a release that this work could cause traffic delays for several miles during peak commute and weekend travel.

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