Crash with large truck kills Callaway County man

KMIZ on August 20, 2025

Matthew Sanders

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated to remove references to a semi-truck.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A passenger died Tuesday afternoon in Linn County when a pickup truck hit a large commercial truck that was parked on the shoulder of a highway.

The 45-year-old Holts Summit man was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Highway 36 a mile west of Bucklin. It was unknown whether the man, who was riding in a Ford F-250 driven by a 32-year-old Ashland man, was wearing a seat belt.

The driver of the pickup suffered serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Pershing Memorial Hospital in Brookfield.

The crash happened when the F-250 hit a 2019 Peterbilt 567 registered out of Shelbina that was parked on the shoulder of eastbound Highway 36, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report.

No injuries were reported in the Peterbilt, the report states.

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El Centro Motors holds blood drive for Imperial Valley residents

KYMA on August 20, 2025

Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY/T3) – El Centro Motors held a blood drive for Imperial Valley residents as well as their own workers.

About a dozen employee, including sales people and administrative staff, joined in contributing to the San Diego Blood Bank.

They collect 150,000 units annually, but due to the high demand they need to collect even more. 

“We invited the whole Imperial Valley to come over here to motors, donate blood. And it’s a wonderful thing to do, you know? I mean, help our community. We’re a local business, family owned, local business, and we’d like to give back to our community,” said John Banda, sales manager.

The blood bank staff says young people are the biggest donors in Imperial County.

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Garbage man faces serious chemical burns after hazmat situation in Colorado Springs

KRDO on August 20, 2025

Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) says that hazmat teams are in the area of the 2400 block of North Chelton Road.

According to CSFD, they were called out around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Initial reports said a sanitation worker was dumping trash into a trash truck when CSFD says he was exposed to an “unknown substance.” The substance was later determined to be sulfuric acid, a corrosive liquid that can be found in items like car batteries, the department said.

He was taken to the hospital with serious burns, CSFD said. He has been airlifted to Denver in critical condition, the fire department said. The department adds that he received chemical burns over 60% of his body.

The fire department says the chemical is contained to the area of the trash truck, so there is no threat to the neighborhood.

The department wants to remind residents of the importance of properly disposing of hazardous material, which should not go in regular garbage bins.

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City of Coachella appoints new finance director after years-long search

KESQ on August 20, 2025

Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – After a years-long search and several changes to its administrative team, the City of Coachella officially appointed Lincoln Bogard, CPA, CFE, as its new Finance Director.

Bogard brings more than two decades of financial leadership experience across municipal, private, and public sectors, with a career spanning executive, management, and auditing roles.

“As a Coachella Valley resident, I care deeply about the community where I live and work. The City of Coachella is well positioned to become a regional economic leader, with upcoming projects that will create jobs, improve infrastructure, and expand resources for residents,” said Bogard. “I’m honored to join a team dedicated to serving our community, and my immediate goals include implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning system and ensuring fiscal responsibility for the years ahead.”

Most recently, Bogard served as Deputy City Manager for the City of Banning, where he oversaw Finance, Human Resources, Payroll, Purchasing, Utility Billing, Risk Management, and IT. During his tenure, he implemented critical payroll and financial systems, restructured human resources operations, and helped the City earn recognition for Achievement in Excellence in Procurement and the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

“Lincoln’s deep experience in municipal finance, combined with his expertise in risk management, budgeting, and fiscal transparency, makes him an invaluable addition to Coachella’s executive team,” said Councilmember Yadira Perez. “We are confident his leadership will strengthen the City’s financial foundation and support our community’s long-term growth.”

Previously, Bogard held leadership roles as Finance Director and City Treasurer for the City of American Canyon and Senior Accounting Manager/Deputy Auditor-Controller for the County of Sacramento, where he directed large-scale financial reporting, budgeting, and system modernization projects. His career also includes key roles with the Superior Court of San Bernardino, City of Berkeley, Bank of the West, and Ernst & Young, where he specialized in fraud investigations and internal audits.

Bogard holds a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Science in Business with an emphasis in Corporate Finance from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in California and Colorado and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), with professional memberships in the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO), and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

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Judge rejects Trump administration request to release Jeffrey Epstein grand jury documents

KIFI on August 20, 2025

CNN Newsource

By Kara Scannell, Casey Gannon, CNN

(CNN) — A federal judge said he would not unseal grand jury transcripts and exhibits from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein – rejecting the Justice Department’s request to make them public.

Judge Richard Berman said the Justice Department did not overcome long-standing precedent to keep grand jury materials sealed and noted that the information contained in the sealed materials is small relative to the entire investigation file already in DOJ’s hands.

“The information contained in the Epstein grand jury transcripts pales in comparison to the Epstein investigation information and materials in the hand of the Department of Justice,” the judge wrote.

The Justice Department declined to comment on Berman’s ruling. This is the third federal judge to decline to release Epstein-related transcripts and evidence from a grand jury.

The ruling comes as the Trump administration has faced mounting pressure to release more information around the Epstein files, especially after senior officials promised to do so.

“The Government is a logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein files. By comparison, the instant grand jury motion appears to be a ‘diversion’ from the breath and scope of the Epstein files in the Government’s possession,” Berman wrote Wednesday.

The judge added another compelling reason to keep the records sealed are “possible threats to victims’ safety and privacy.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi released binders to right-wing social media influencers at the White House in February, but many of the influencers shared that the binders did not reveal any new information regarding the Epstein files.

The Justice Department started revoking their promises to release more information in Epstein’s case in May and downplaying the situation. Bondi alerted Trump in May that his name appeared in the files.

On July 7, the DOJ released an unsigned memo saying they would not be releasing any more documents regarding the Epstein files. The lack of transparency in the memo only angered Democrats, the public and even members of Trump’s political base.

Third judge to rule against DOJ

The Justice Department has explored several avenues to have more information released, including by asking two federal judges in New York to unseal grand jury materials in Epstein’s case and Ghislaine Maxwell’s case. Maxwell is Epstein’s long-time partner who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for carrying out a years-long scheme with Epstein to groom and sexually abuse underage girls.

New York federal Judge Paul Engelmayer denied the Justice Department’s request for grand jury materials in Maxwell’s case on August 11 in a scathing opinion, saying that the premise of DOJ’s argument was false and that the request was not a matter of public interest.

The Justice Department also requested the unsealing of grand jury materials from a federal court in Florida, and a judge swiftly denied the request.

Additionally, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted a two-day interview with Maxwell on July 24 and 25 at the US Attorney’s Office in Tallahassee, Florida. The Justice Department is working on transcribing a 10-hour audio tape from the interview.

This story has been updated with additional information.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Desert Sands Unified School District welcomes students back to school

KESQ on August 20, 2025

Gavin Nguyen

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s that time of the year! Students at DSUSD returned to school Wednesday morning for the start of the 2025-26 school year.

Desert Sands has 34 total schools, which includes eighteen elementary schools, one charter elementary school, six middle schools, one charter middle school, four comprehensive high schools, two continuation high schools, one alternative education school, and preschool.

Nearly 26,000 students are enrolled in the district for the 2025-26 school year.

The district gave News Channel 3 exclusive access to Indio Middle School as faculty and students welcomed back their peers for another academic year.

The school played music as a long line of students and teachers greeted everyone walking into school for their first day back. The school’s mascot – a tiger – joined in on the celebrations, too. It was an energetic welcome, which students said was important to make new students feel more welcome as they start their next chapter of schooling.

Andrew Ruiz, an eighth-grade student, said, “I feel like we have to help the 6th graders because they were just in elementary school and it was, like, their first [school transition]. So, you know, you got to help them.”

Ruby Flores, another eighth-grader, added, “I feel like everybody needs a good start for 6th grade. Like, that’s where you really start, and if you have any issues, it’s going to, like, have … spread out through [their] whole middle school experience.”

Angel Reyes brought his daughter, Allison, to her first day of middle school.

“We’re excited. She’s my only child. So, you know, it’s a first for us,” Reyes said. “It’s probably nerve-racking for [students] today, and they’re scared a little bit. But I remember my first days of school, they were the same and then a couple of more days, you know, all that goes away.”

Students, faculty, and parents all shared that they were excited for a successful start to the school year, and school staff reassured everyone that they’re there to guide students on the path to success.

“This is the first step in a longer journey and we just are glad to be a part of it. We’re going to do everything we can to support our students here,” said Robert “Cully” Cullinan, the principal of Indio Middle School.

With a beaming smile, he added, “Let’s have a great year.”

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Santa Barbara Students Learn The “Phones Off and Away” Policy for Classrooms on Day One

KEYT on August 20, 2025

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – In a program that has gained national attention, the Santa Barbara Unified School District with its “phones off and away” policy for classrooms continues with the start of the new school year.

In addition to cell phones, smart watches and headphones are not allowed during class time. 

Instruction began today.

Each high school room has a “cell phone hotel” where students can store their devices, but also have quick access to them in an emergency. 

The program has proven to be successful to keep the students focuses on their learning and minimize distractions.

At times phones can be used for instructional reasons but if not, they are in the hotel slots.

In the lower grades they are given a pouch that cancels out the signal and they are not able to get service. It stays there until school is out. It is not allowed during breaks.

They can also use the phone in an approved emergency.

The plan to limit cell phone use on campus has recently been praised by Governor Newsom.

At Santa Barbara High, the message about a no cell phone policy in classrooms has been shared with students and their parents.

There are penalties for those who try to use their phones or digital watches against the rules.

Last year the program was recognized by Governor Gavin Newsom.  He signed Assembly Bill  3216 requiring school districts to have a policy limiting cell phones on campus by July 1, 2026.

The time frame at La Colina Junior High is  8:50a.m. when they have their first class to  3:05 p.m. when they are let out.

Connor MacNaughton, an eighth grader gave us the rules as he was told by the school. “You’ll put your phone in the pouch, before the first bell rings at the start of the day and put it in the pouch in your backpack with the phone in it for the entire day. And then after the last bell rings, you can get it back.”

Principal Jennifer Foster said the program can help with learning and reducing distractions. “We’re using the pouches as more of a tool to help them manage those things.”

Overall there will be more traditional interaction. “It feels like it makes you more live and  in person and maybe fosters conversation and stuff like that,” said MacNaughton.

Max Quijano is an eighth grader who said, “I’ll probably just keep hanging out with my friends. Last year I didn’t really use my cell phone that much. I use it for music, so it won’t be that big of a difference.”

 MacNaughton said there are times when the phone helps him make a connection. “Sometimes you miss it because if you can’t find your friend, you need to text them and call them.”

 Santa Barbara Unified School Superintendent HIlda Maldonado said she has had good feedback. “Parents are thanking us. Teachers are thanking us. Obviously, our principals are also doing a great job promoting it. So, no, it’s not an area that I think anybody’s upset about .”

Without a phone there’s more critical thinking and reasoning  which are valuable school and life skills to develop early on. 

Foster says, “one of our goals here at La Colina this year is building that grit and perseverance skills. And you know, if something gets hard, they you stick with it.”

Santa Barbara Unified School District “Off and Away” policy from Superintendent Hilda Maldonado:

Dear Santa Barbara Unified School District Parents and Guardians,

I’m writing to you today to share important information about a new cell phone policy that will be in effect at Junior High Schools for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. This change will be part of the registration process, which begins on July 1.

Our goal with this updated policy is to promote responsible and balanced technology use among our students, ensuring a focused learning environment for everyone.

Here’s a breakdown of the new policy:

2025-2026 Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy

What’s New?

The most significant change for elementary and junior high schools is the introduction of an “Off & Away All Day” policy.

Elementary Schools: All cell phones and non-instructional electronic devices, such as earbuds, must be turned off and stored away from the official start of the school day until dismissal. This means these devices are not permitted for use at any time during the school day.

Junior High Schools: The same “Off & Away All Day” policy applies. Devices must remain off and put away from the start to the end of the school day. However, a junior high school may be exempt from this all-day policy if they submit and implement a plan for managing responsible device use on campus. This includes providing students with digital citizenship lessons throughout the school year.

High Schools: The policy remains similar to previous years. All cell phones and non-instructional electronic devices must be turned off and put away during class time. However, students may continue to use their devices before and after school, during passing periods, nutrition breaks, and lunch.

Why the Change?

This updated policy aims to minimize distractions in the classroom and promote a more engaged learning experience for all students. We believe that by creating clearer boundaries around device use, we can better support academic focus and positive social interactions during the school day.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

Failure to follow this policy will result in appropriate support and/or consequences. These may include a verbal warning, reteaching of expectations, a family conference, behavioral intervention support, confiscation of the device, or loss of privileges, depending on the student’s age, ability, and the frequency of the violation.

Health-Related and Accessibility Needs

We understand that some students may have a health-related or accessibility need that requires the use of a device. If this applies to your child, please inform their school or teacher so that appropriate accommodations can be made.

Registration Process to begin July 1

We encourage you to review the full policy during the registration process, which begins July 1. We appreciate your partnership in creating a productive and focused learning environment for our students. To learn more about registration, visit our Enrollment Website. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

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Dangerous heat wave this week to bring elevated wildfire risk to the Central Coast

KEYT on August 20, 2025

Dave Alley

PASO ROBLES, Calif. – Just as firefighters have nearly put the Gifford Fire completely out, a dangerous heat wave is forecasted to hit the Central Coast this week and create an elevated risk of wildfire to the area.

According to News Channel 3-12 meteorologist Mackenzie Lake, an Extreme Heat Warning begins today for most inland areas.

In addition, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning begins beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday in parts of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo counties.

“Red Flag Warning means that we’re going to have low relative humidity, high temperatures and also accompanying winds,” said Ryan Grebe, San Luis Obispo County Fire Department public information officer. “That combination allows for rapid fire growth. If we do get a start, it’s going to be harder for firefighters to, you know, go out and put out that fire.”

The elevated fire risk arrives as firefighters draw close to fully extinguishing the Gifford Fire, which has burned more than 131,000 acres and now stands at 95% contained as of Wednesday

“It’s not ideal,” said Gifford Fire information officer Rich Eagan. “Guys have been here for two-and-a-half, three weeks now and they’re tired. It’s tedious work, but we’re here to complete the mission.” 

Eagan added more than 2,000 firefighters remain assigned to cover the fire with most of them now stationed the re-established Incident Command Post (ICP) at the Santa Maria Elks Event Center.

Earlier this week the ICP was moved from Santa Margarita Ranch back to the Elks Event Center, which served as the host site for a few days following the start of the Gifford Fire on Aug. 1.

With this week’s weather conditions creating extreme fire hazards, fire crews are hoping the public will heed their advice and be mindful of what they can do to lower risks.

 “We really want people to be aware of this Red Flag Warning and make sure that we don’t have any starts,” said Grebe. “Obviously accidental ignitions can happen, but, we’ve we’ve been fighting fire for a long time locally, and a lot of our, partner agencies have been out there with us, so we just want people to keep that in mind. We’ve seen a lot of local fire started by mowing, tow chains, things like that. There’s always that human element that’s involved in the ignition of these fires, so we want people to be aware of what they’re doing. Don’t mow after 10 a.m., and I probably wouldn’t mow it all during these next couple of days.”

Since a large number of firefighters remain on the Central Coast from around the state through the mutual aid system, there is a silver lining should a fire break out locally.

“We are prepared and willing to go if we get diverted,” said Eagan. “We can get redeployed at any time to a different incident. If a fire starts, they’ll definitely send people there.” 

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New evidence shows Travis Decker is the only suspect in his daughters’ killings, sheriff’s office says

KIFI on August 20, 2025

CNN Newsource

By Cindy VonQuednow, CNN

(CNN) — As authorities continue their search for Travis Decker, the Washington state man accused of suffocating his three daughters to death, investigators now believe he is the only suspect in the crime based on evidence found at the gruesome scene.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office revealed in a social media post Tuesday that each victim, 5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn and 9-year-old Paityn, was found with multiple plastic bags over their heads. Two of them had two separate bags over their heads, while the third had three bags over her head, the post said.

DNA samples obtained from the bags and cable ties found near their bodies matched the profile for Decker, the sheriff’s office said. No other DNA was found on the bags or the cable ties, authorities added.

“The completion of this DNA analysis provides additional evidence that indicates Travis Decker is the only suspect involved in committing these homicides,” the post read.

The revelation comes nearly three months after the girls were found dead near a campsite in the Cascades, a remote and picturesque region known for backcountry hiking and camping. The siblings had been reported missing by their mother days earlier when Decker failed to bring them home after what was supposed to be a three-hour visit mandated by a custody agreement.

In the weeks since, local, state and federal officials have searched for Decker – an Army veteran skilled in wilderness survival – without knowing whether he is still alive.

“At this time, we do not have any evidence to suggest Travis Decker is either alive or deceased,” the sheriff’s office reiterated Tuesday.

An ongoing manhunt

Decker was charged with murdering the three girls not long after he picked them up from their mother for the custody visit on May 30.

Drones, a swift water team, cadaver dogs and even GoPros have been used as several agencies work to find him.

The search has been complicated by treacherous terrain, and the fact that Decker had a three-day head start.

Decker’s truck was found abandoned in the area of Rock Island Campground on June 2. His daughters’ bodies were nearly 100 yards away down a small embankment, along with zip ties and plastic bags found strewn throughout the area, according to a police affidavit.

Authorities also found a bloody fingerprint on the truck’s tailgate, as well as Decker’s dog.

Decker leaving behind his truck likely means he is on foot, which slows down his mobility, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told CNN last month. He also left equipment behind, meaning he is unprepared unless he stashed supplies out in the woods.

The sheriff hoped more people flocking to the area surrounding where the girls were found for the busy summer season might help in the search.

“It may work in our favor now that we have that many people out there just saturating that part of the county with camping, hiking and other recreating,” Morrison said last month.

The US Marshals Service is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to Decker’s arrest.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

CNN’s Alaa Elassar, Danya Gainor and Andy Rose contributed to this report.

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Riverside County Animal Shelters seeing some relief through Adopt a Hero campaign

KESQ on August 20, 2025

Allie Anthony

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County animal shelters were operating at 240% capacity in July. Through waived adoption fees and campaigns, the shelters are now at 180% capacity, with 177 dogs in 81 kennels. These shelters are still overcrowded, but conditions are improving.

During the entire month of August, the county launched their “Adopt a Hero” promotion, offering free adoptions that include spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, and ID tags.

Despite progress, shelters still need help. Residents are encouraged to foster pets, even temporarily, and to volunteer for tasks like walking dogs, socializing cats, and cleaning kennels.

Community support remains critical as shelters work toward sustainable solutions.

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