Lights, Camera, Science: Local students featured in national science education video

KIFI on September 15, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from the American Falls Joint School District #381:

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Students at William Thomas Middle School recently had a unique opportunity to showcase their science skills on a national stage. A film crew from Stile Science, an international science education company, visited the school on Tuesday, September 9th to record classroom footage for a promotional video.

William Thomas Middle School was the only school in Idaho selected to participate in the project. Sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students each demonstrated hands-on labs to highlight the school’s engaging science curriculum.

Sixth graders worked on a measuring activity, while seventh graders explored the use of microscopes. Eighth graders modeled the phases of the moon and eclipses, providing a glimpse into how students learn through active investigation.

Science teachers and administrators expressed pride in the students’ efforts and excitement at the chance to represent Idaho in the video. “This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to show the kind of learning we do every day,” said Jamie Clark, 8th-grade science teacher. “They were focused, enthusiastic, and really impressed the film crew.”

The visiting crew shared that they were especially impressed with William Thomas Middle School students. “We’ve filmed in classrooms across the country, but these students were the most engaged and actively participating we have seen,” said a member of the Stile Science film team.

Stile Science, based in Melbourne, Australia, has been used in classrooms across the United States for the past four years. The program provides interactive digital lessons and lab activities that blend hands-on experiments with technology, helping students think like real scientists. Its curriculum is aligned to U.S. standards and is designed to spark curiosity while strengthening problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

In Idaho, Stile Science recently completed the formal adoption process with the State Department of Education. This process ensures that the materials meet the state’s updated science standards, which emphasize inquiry-based learning and real-world application. 

District leaders noted the significance of this recognition for William Thomas Middle School. “Being the only school in Idaho chosen for this project is a tremendous honor,” said Randy Jensen, superintendent. “It highlights the dedication of our teachers and students, and it shows that even in a small, rural district, we are providing world-class science education.”

This recognition comes at a time when Idaho continues to strengthen its focus on STEM opportunities. Rural schools like William Thomas Middle School are making strides to give students the same access to innovative resources as larger districts, using lab-based activities and digital tools to prepare students for future careers in science and technology.

“It’s pretty amazing to know that our small town middle school is part of something that will be seen all across the country,” said Thad Lusk, an eighth grader who participated in the astronomy lab.

The project not only shined a spotlight on the students’ hard work but also celebrated the innovative science education happening at William Thomas Middle School.

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Idaho Fish and Game issues salvage order for Blackfoot’s Jensen Grove Pond

KIFI on September 15, 2025

Seth Ratliff

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Effective from now until Oct. 15, 2025, Idaho Fish and Game has issued a salvage order for Jensen Grove Pond in Blackfoot. This means anglers can harvest any remaining fish from the pond before water levels drop too low.

The City of Blackfoot annually manages the pond’s water for both recreation and aquifer recharge, creating a seasonal fishing opportunity. In May, IDFG stocked the pond with 2,525 catchable-sized rainbow trout. However, the pond’s water levels are now decreasing rapidly.

Under the salvage order, all bag, possession, size, and number limits are suspended, and fish may be taken by any method except for the use of firearms, explosives, chemicals, electric current, or prohibited baits.

IDFG is also reminding anglers that a valid Idaho fishing license is still required to participate. Additionally, no live fish may be transported from the pond.

For more information regarding the salvage order, the public can contact the Idaho Fish and Game office in Pocatello at 208-232-4703.

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Car hijacking ends near Frederick Avenue, suspect identified

News-Press NOW on September 15, 2025

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — On Sunday morning, the St. Joseph Police Department responded to an armed carjacking in the 800 block of South 24th Street.

Police responded to a report a victim was approached by Devontra Hughes, who pointed a firearm and stole his white 2014 Honda Accord. 

Later Sunday morning, officers were dispatched to a disturbance in the 4500 block of Orchard Road. Hughes allegedly shot a male in the hand before fleeing the scene in the stolen vehicle, according to a press release from SJPD.

License Plate Reader cameras later tracked the vehicle in Andrew County.

The Savannah Police Department attempted to stop the vehicle, but reported Hughes fled, resulting in a pursuit.

The vehicle crashed near Frederick Avenue and Interstate 29. Police say they found Hughes at the scene and took him into custody.

A handgun and loaded magazine were recovered near the crash scene with assistance from the ATF K9. The Missouri State Highway Patrol worked the crash investigation, and SJPD is handling the robbery and assault cases.

Hughes has been charged with vehicle hijacking, a Class B Felony.

Additional charges related to the assault and resisting arrest are pending.

News-Press NOW will continue to track this case.

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Two lawsuits, one ‘citizen’s veto’ filed since Gov. Kehoe’s special session on redistricting

News-Press NOW on September 15, 2025

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

People Not Politicians, a non-partisan organization, filed a referendum on Friday, aimed at giving voters the chance to approve or deny Gov. Mike Kehoe’s “Missouri First” map. This is the third challenge to the governor’s map.

Lawmakers are calling this referendum a ‘citizen’s veto.’ Sen. Doug Beck (D-St. Louis County) said at a press conference Friday he would personally go out and collect signatures.

Missouri is still waiting on the governor to sign the redistricting map and initiative petition reform into law, after the Missouri legislature wrapped up its side of things Friday.

Moberly Community College sophomore Keith Gaberielson said he hasn’t seen the new redistricting map, but he thinks the congressional districts over the years have been out of balance.

“Every time they come out with new districts over the past few years for Missouri, I mean, it just looks worse and worse,” Gaberielson said.

The “Missouri First” map stretches the Fifth District, which mostly covers the Democratic pocket of Kansas City, into Mid-Missouri.

Democrats believe this would kick U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) out of his seat because the district covers a much larger area.

A lawsuit filed Friday argues it is unconstitutional to redistrict in the middle of a census decade, according to court documents. It was filed by three people who would be in a new district next year if the governor signs the map into law and a person who would remain in the same district.

Chuck Hatfield, the plaintiffs’ attorney, previously told ABC 17 News that redistricting without an updated census is unfair to voters.

“They’re going to have new congresspeople if this map goes into effect,” Hatfield said. “Normally, you get to keep the same congressperson for ten years.”

The current congressional districts were approved in 2022.

The NAACP filed a lawsuit against the governor days into the start of the special session, asking a Cole County judge to stop lawmakers from continuing the special session, according to previous reporting. A judge will hear both arguments on Monday.

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Latest on teen killed in road rage fight

KYMA on September 15, 2025

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – There is new development in the road rage fight from over the weekend which left a teen dead.

According to the Yuma Police Department’s (YPD) Facebook post, it happened before 8:00 p.m. Saturday in the area of S. Fourth Avenue and 14th Place.

“On Saturday night, the 13th at about 7:57 p.m., YPD, and YFD both received calls for a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian,” said Hayato Johnson, Public Information Officer for YPD.

YPD says it started as a road rage fight between three people.

Officers say the victim was hit by a vehicle driven by his 19-year-old brother. The brother is now being held at the Yuma County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

YPD says there were multiple witnesses, and has a message for the community.

“We encourage everybody to come forward with whatever they have, so we can make a solid case out of this,” said Officer Johnson.

We spoke to locals who share their thoughts on this fatal road rage incident.

“When I was younger, I used to always get scared when I was in the car with my grandpa, and he would get mad at people, and I would be like, ‘Grandpa, don’t flip people them off, don’t do that.’ [He would say,] ‘Oh it’s just road rage, Nobody’s going to do anything,’ and these are the kind of things exactly what I’m talking about,” said Katrina Chevry, a Yuma local.

Chevry expresses how shocked she is someone could harm another person saying, “I don’t even know how you can look at a 17-year-old and get that angry at them, anybody in general, but a kid.”

The 19-year-old suspect is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

We’ll be following the case and provide more information as it becomes available.

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Salinas Police looking for suspect in Dollar General store robbery

KION on September 15, 2025

Victor Guzman

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — Salinas Police are searching for a suspect in the robbery of a Dollar General along North Main Street in the city.

Police say the suspect left the scene prior to police arriving at the 1045 North Main Street location.

Police say the suspect is around 5’10” with a mustache and beard. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, jeans and a black beanie with some letter. Police say the suspect also has a tattoo on his left cheek. Also describing the suspect as Hispanic.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Salinas Police at 831-758-7321

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Suspect taken into custody following standoff with police in Chubbuck

KIFI on September 15, 2025

Curtis Jackson

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI) – Police in Chubbuck say a man was taken into custody following a standoff Sunday.

Joshua Dahlinghaus, 36, is being held in the Bannock County Jail.

Around 11:49 a.m. Sunday, police responded to the Extended Stay Pocatello hotel after reports of a fight and a gun threat.

Police said the suspect allegedly held a woman hostage and pointed a possible BB gun at another.

The southeast Idaho STAR team rescued the woman, but Dahlinghaus had fled.

A warrant was issued for Felony aggravated assault and a misdemeanor.

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Two arrested after incendiary device found under local Fox TV news van in Utah

KIFI on September 15, 2025

CNN Newsource

By Brian Stelter, CNN

(CNN) — Two suspects are in custody after an incendiary device was found under a vehicle belonging to KSTU, a local TV station known as Fox 13 News Utah.

The incendiary device “had been lit but failed to function as designed,” according to court records obtained by CNN affiliate KUTV.

The device was discovered in Salt Lake City on Friday, two days after Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University, about 45 minutes south of the Utah capital.

KUTV reported that two suspects were arrested after FBI agents and local bomb squads converged on a home in Magna, Utah.

Additional explosives, along with firearms, illegal narcotics and other paraphernalia, were found in the home, according to court records.

Photos and videos from the scene showed anti-Trump signs on display outside the home.

Fox 13 News Utah is owned by Scripps. Stations like Fox 13 are affiliated with the Fox network but are not directly part of the Fox News Channel, the pro-Trump cable news network.

The station confirmed the news about its vehicle on Sunday night and said, “FOX 13 News is working closely with law-enforcement and our risk management team, with the safety of our employees as our top priority.”

Both national and local media outlets have stepped up security efforts in the wake of the Kirk assassination.

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

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Rep. Rose Pugliese resigns from Colorado’s House District 14

KRDO on September 15, 2025

Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Representative Rose Pugliese of Colorado’s House District 14 has resigned, according to a resignation letter obtained by KRDO13. District 14 encompasses a portion of El Paso County.

In the letter, Pugliese said that she had spent time praying on the issue following what she described as a “contentious” Special Session.

“The last day of Special Session was sad and disappointing for me. I had no other choice but to bear witness to the collapse of integrity in the Colorado State House of Representatives,” wrote Pugliese. “The lies and hypocrisies the Majority spewed were beyond what I had ever expected, even in Colorado politics.”

KRDO13 asked her about the last day of the Special Session.

“I clearly was disappointed in the way that the last day of the special session transpired. And any attacks on my integrity and character are really offensive to me because I didn’t deserve that. But, you know, I think we need to move forward and find a path forward. And for me, it was focusing on what really matters to me, which is my family. And, you know, I’m hoping that people on both sides of the aisle will continue to try to find a path forward, because I do think we need to do better in the legislature. I think the people of Colorado deserve that. But it’s going to take leadership on both sides and a willingness to want to forge a path forward,” said Rose Pugliese.

Pugliese also cited a devastating week between the shooting at Evergreen High School, the shooting of Charlie Kirk, and the anniversary of 9/11.

Above all else, Pugliese pointed to her children, who she said have made their own sacrifices during her career.

“I think the special session was hard, and I think even just over the last couple of months, just evaluating my life choices and what’s best for my kids. You know, I’m on the road a lot. I’ve got three jobs outside of the legislature, and then I am still the minority leader and a legislator. And so trying to keep all of those balls in the air while raising my kids all by myself. It’s been challenging. And so, then we went into special session, and that was rough. And then just the events over the last couple of weeks, you know, my kids have been clinging to me even more and just want me home more. And so I think I really just had to take a step back and, obviously, I’m very faithful and try to get some direction. And I really think this is the best choice for my kids, and for myself as well,” explained Pugliese.

Puglise says that she’s leaving the House Republican Caucus in good hands.

“We’ve got a lot of great leadership already, and people who are really dedicated. And then the caucus will step up. I know that they will and continue to fight for the values that they believe in,” shared the former representative.

Resignation letterDownload

According to the letter, her resignation is effective Sept. 15, 2025.

During her time at the Capitol, Pugliese passed legislation she’s proud of.

“There are three pieces of legislation that were really, I really put my heart and soul in. One was to reduce property taxes. And that was really, really important. Took a lot of bipartisan work. So proud of that legislation. My kinship bill, which was my very first bill that reduced barriers so that families can stay together when there’s an emergency situation, and then open up more foster homes to children who don’t have families that can take them in. And I thought that was really a fundamental piece of legislation. And then this past session, I was able to pass the right to try for individualized treatments. I mean, there’s not a lot of legislation you can talk about that you can say, like, this will literally save somebody’s life, but that legislation will give terminal patients, especially children, access to medications they wouldn’t have had otherwise. And so, I’m really proud of all three. And I feel like there’s a lot more I could talk about, but I really did focus on protecting our children and our families and trying to make Colorado more affordable. And I feel like I was able to accomplish that in a very short amount of time,” recounted Pugliese.

Pugliese will still be a public figure in Southern Colorado. She says she’ll continue representing rural counties as their county attorney, managing her law firm, and working on the Southeastern Colorado Opioid Abatement Council.

House Republican leadership released a statement thanking Minority Leader Rose Pugliese for her service.

Acting Minority Leader Ty Winter, today issued the following statement after Minority Leader Rose Pugliese announced her resignation as State Representative for House District 14:

“On behalf of the Colorado House Republican Caucus, we want to express our deep gratitude to Minority Leader Rose Pugliese for her dedicated service to the people of El Paso County and the State of Colorado.

This is a turning point, not only for our caucus, but for our state and our nation. At a time when Coloradans are facing rising costs, growing threats to public safety, and increasing political division, House Republicans are more committed than ever to standing firm for truth, honor, and policies that strengthen Colorado’s future. We will continue to fight for freedom, affordability, protecting families, and defending constitutional rights. 

The Colorado House Republican caucus will move quickly to elect a new leader and remain focused on delivering solutions for the people of Colorado.”

We reached out to the House Democrats for their response to Pugliese’s resignation letter.

“Stepping up to lead a caucus and represent communities in our state legislature are commendable acts of public service, and we thank Minority Leader Pugliese for her commitment to the people of her district and service in the legislature. We admire her dedication to her children, and we wish her all the best in her move to Mesa County and in the next chapter of her life.”

– Joint Statement from Speaker Julie McCluskie and House Majority Leader Monica Duran

There will be an election among republican house members to elect the next House minority leader, according to a representative for the House Republicans.

Pugliese’s House District 14 seat will be appointed by a vacancy committee; however, since Pugliese’s resignation is effective Monday, officials say it’s too early to know who will be a part of that committee.

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From science fiction to reality: 3D tech helps save Utah teacher’s kidney

CNN Newsource on September 15, 2025

By Emma Benson

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSL, KSL TV) — A Utah teacher is preparing to return to the classroom after doctors at Intermountain Health used cutting-edge 3D modeling and robotic technology to save her kidney.

When Sarah Machol suffered a painful kidney stone attack, she never imagined what doctors would discover next: a seven-centimeter cyst on her left kidney.

“I was stuck in the bathtub all night. I was in so much pain,” she said.

At first, she was told the kidney couldn’t be saved.

That changed when she sought a second opinion from Dr. Richard Matern, the lead robotics and surgical specialties surgeon for Intermountain Health’s Canyons Region.

“He actually let me see my CT scan, which I had never seen what this looked like or how it was impacting my body internally,” Machol said.

Using new state-of-the-art technology, Machol’s CT scan was converted into a 3D model by the system. That model was then integrated directly into the console of the Da Vinci 5 surgical robot.

Previously, surgeons could only view 3D images on a separate device, like a phone or tablet. That meant constantly looking away from the operating console to study the images, then going back to the surgery. Now, with the new system, the 3D model appears inside the console itself, so surgeons can manipulate and study it in real time while they operate.

Intermountain LDS Hospital was the first in the world to use the 3D model viewer in the DV5 robot.

“We can use the controls, we can look at the model, manipulate it while we’re looking at what we’re seeing inside of the patient,” he said. “It helped us be more efficient.”

The result: remarkable precision. Matern was able to remove the tumor, while saving 60% of Machol’s kidney — greatly lowering her risk of chronic kidney disease.

Machol says the experience still feels surreal.

“It feels like science fiction,” she said. “When I rolled into the ER, I saw all these advanced instruments, and I couldn’t believe that this was about to happen to me.”

Machol went home the same day. Now, just weeks later, she says she’s ready to get back to teaching third grade.

“I’m going to be back in the classroom next Monday — I can’t believe it,” she said.

Not only was Intermountain LDS Hospital the first in the world to use this advanced technology, doctors say it could transform surgeries well beyond kidneys.

“I think we’re just getting started on the advances with robotics,” Matern said. “I think we’re going to see a lot of steps forward, a lot of advances are going to be made with imaging-type things like 3D modeling.”

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