Metro Atlanta pastors say fear of ICE raids is keeping some congregants away from church

CNN Newsource on October 20, 2025

By Madeline Montgomery

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — Some pastors in metro Atlanta say they’re witnessing something they’ve never seen before: fear is keeping people out of church.

From Lithonia to Atlanta’s West End, pastors report a noticeable drop in attendance. They say undocumented churchgoers are skipping services, worried immigration agents could be waiting outside. It’s part of a growing national trend that faith leaders link to new immigration enforcement rules under the Trump administration.

One man told CBS News Atlanta he hasn’t attended church for at least a month because he’s afraid ICE agents might show up. He said his pastor has even asked congregants not to meet in person for now.

Across metro Atlanta, church leaders are getting creative to keep faith alive while keeping their members safe.

A Lithonia pastor said he’s moved some services from the chapel to his living room.

“Many of our people are scared,” he said. “That’s why I invite them to my home, to sing, to praise God, to worship together with freedom.”

The fear isn’t limited to Georgia. A pastor in Baltimore told CBS News he’s also noticed longtime congregants staying away.

“There comes a point where the church has to adapt, not give up,” he said.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons told CBS News that despite restrictions being lifted on immigration raids at churches, houses of worship are not a target.

“We’re not going to go ahead and target a church or synagogue,” Lyons said.

Still, church leaders remain cautious after ICE agents reportedly detained a man at a church earlier this year. Many religious organizations are now distributing guidelines reminding churches of their rights, from locking doors during services to exercising the right to remain silent.

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Man critically injured in vehicle-pedestrian crash on NE 3rd Street  

KTVZ on October 20, 2025

Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore.{KTVZ} — A 26-year-old Bend man remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle Friday night on Northeast Third Street, according to Bend Police. 

The crash happened around 8:16 p.m. on October 17 between Thurston and Underwood Avenues.  

Officers responding to the scene found a white Toyota RAV4 stopped in the northbound lanes and a man with severe injuries in the roadway. Police say officers immediately performed lifesaving care until Bend Fire medics arrived and took over.  

The victim was transported to St. Charles Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition. 

The driver, a 61-year-old man from Idaho, told police he was traveling north on NE Third Street when he struck a man who was crossing the road with a bike. Police say the driver called 911, remained at the scene, and fully cooperated with investigators. 

Third Street was closed in both directions between Revere and Underwood avenues for about two and a half hours while Bend Police’s traffic reconstruction team investigated. 

As of Saturday, no citations had been issued, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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Crane Country Day hosts annual Country Day Fair

KEYT on October 20, 2025

Tracy Lehr

MONTECITO, Calif. (KEYT) The Crane Country Day Fair took place on Sunday.

Crane School in Montecito has been hosting the event for decades.

It is a Fall favorite of families, especially those with young children.

It included face painting, a petting zoo and cupcake walk and more.

“All the families from crane come out also community members and friends all gather together and really celerate fall there’s games there’ delicious food and really it is just all about brining community together. With a big senses of fun it is kind of like a big old fashioned fair and everybody is out here to have a great time,” said parent and teacher Alexa Hughes.

After playing plenty of games kids and parents didn’t leave empty handed.

Volunteers stocked a Country Kitchen with homemade goods and treats that people to purchase.

They also had a chance to pick up Crane clothing and hats and more.

For more information visit https://craneschool.org

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Community-Loved “Boo at the Zoo” is Back in Santa Barbara

KEYT on October 20, 2025

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The community-favorite ‘Boo at the Zoo’ is back!

It gives families a jump start on Halloween fun.

The Santa Barbara Zoo kicked off the event on Friday and it will be back next Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

People are encouraged to come in costumes and perhaps get their faces painted.

Then they can trick-or-treat and participate in a fun story. 

“We’re encouraging our guests to help our Lt. Mariposa and Detective Rosa Cruz find Miss Micro Trash who has been polluting our habitats with her trash,” said the Santa Barbara Zoo’s Head Coordinator Belle Gillium.

By helping they can collect trading card to get an extra special prize.

For Boo at the Zoo ticket information visit http://sbzoo.org

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Lake Ozark man seriously injured in two-vehicle crash Sunday

KMIZ on October 20, 2025

Nia Hinson

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Lake Ozark man was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash in Camden County on Sunday evening.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, a 56-year-old Osage Beach woman was driving an SUV on Bagnell Dam Boulevard around 6:30 p.m, when she swerved to avoid a stopped vehicle in the road. The women’s vehicle then crashed into a 2020 Ford F-550, which was stationary in the center turn lane, the report says.

Two passengers in the truck– a 21-year-old Lake Of the Ozarks man– and a 43-year-old Sullivan, Missouri man were injured in the crash. The 21-year-old suffered serious injuries and was taken to Lake Regional Hospital. The 43-year-old’s injuries are minor.

The woman suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Lake Regional Hospital, according to the report.

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Oakland Soldiers announce new basketball team in Santa Barbara

KEYT on October 20, 2025

Mike Klan

Montecito, Calif. (KEYT). – The Oakland Soldiers marched into Santa Barbara announcing a new basketball team plus they unveiled plans for a spring event that will bring thousands of hoop fans to the area.

The Soldiers are adding a Santa Barbara squad to its growing franchises throughout California.

President and executive director of the Oakland Soldiers Mark Olivier was on hand for this groundbreaking announcement.

“For 35 years, the Oakland Soldiers AAU Program has been elevating basketball participation and development in communities throughout California. Basketball on the Central Coast has been underserved for many years now but we know the talent, resources and the local support is very much here,” said Olivier. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring the Soldiers Basketball program to Santa Barbara and the entire Central Coast and look forward to making further announcements of just how involved we plan to be in this community for many years to come.”

Established in 1990, the Soldiers organization has helped produce nearly 70 NBA players, such as LeBron James, Aaron Gordon, Chauncey Billups and Kendrick Perkins. The organization has also supported the development of hundreds of international professional players and Division 1 student-athletes, including a number of former UCSB men’s basketball players.

The new spotlight on Santa Barbara is one of the many reasons why Darnell Campbell — the director of the Central Coast Soldiers (and its local-circuit counterpart, Pro/spects), founder of LevelUp, and the newly minted boys basketball coach at Laguna Blanca School — is so excited for this overdue investment in the Central Coast community.

“(The Soldiers) resume speaks for itself with some of the alumni that they have played professionally and in college,” Campbell said. “This program has really changed lives for families and communities. Now, we will get the maximum exposure for our guys and girls through platforms like the Nike EYBL — now they can showcase themselves.”

The coaching backbone of the Central Coast Soldiers is in part why the area was chosen for the expansion, with Campbell (Laguna Blanca, LevelUp, Pro/spects), Cassandra Gordon (Santa Barbara High legend, star at Georgetown and Loyola Marymount universities, and European professional basketball player), Eric Lee (coach and co-owner of The Void on State Street and in Ventura) and Taylor Adnan (coach and CEO of Rad Sourcing, a U.S.-based boutique manufacturing firm) all providing both elite coaching, as well as support for players and families off the court.

For Gordon, she remembers well being that elite-level athlete trying to balance her aspirations of competing at the highest of levels with the grueling commitment it took to do so.

“Being a kid playing basketball, growing up Santa Barbara and the 805 in general, has always had talented athletes, but we’ve never had a platform like this, or like an EYBL-level club team here in the city that can give kids exposure in the competition that they deserve,” Gordon explained. “Especially if they have aspirations of playing at the next level, this is huge. (Before) if kids wanted to play at the next level or play on a circuit like this, they would have to travel outside of Santa Barbara to join a program.

​​”Firsthand, I know growing up, I had to travel to deep L.A., specifically Lynwood, three or four times a week. It took three to four hours to get down to practice, coming home at midnight, still trying to do my homework in the car on the way down, and waking up the next morning for early practices. This is amazing, what we’re doing now and putting together and just, you know, giving the kids a chance and an opportunity to play at this level, and not having to leave Santa Barbara.”

Darnell Campbell has used the past nearly decade to help countless number of youth athletes hone their skills through the LevelUp program he founded locally.

With that now comes a new, local-circuit venture in the Pro/spects, which was created to send teams to local and regional/non AAU competitions. These teams would be considered the “G League” to the Soldiers’ “NBA” status.

The team will begin practicing and playing this week, with future tournaments and opportunities for Central Coast players to participate in the near future.

‘Soldier Day’ will come to Santa Barbara on April 18, 2026, at UCSB’s Thunderdome. The event will bring every Soldier team in the organization — nearly 100 — to Santa Barbara, with each team featuring 8-10 athletes. The event will bring an estimated 6,000 people to the Central Coast from across California, including teams from as far as Sacramento.

(The Oakland Soldiers franchise contributed to this article).

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Coachella Valley shoppers confront rising Halloween costs

KESQ on October 20, 2025

Timothy Foster

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – As Halloween approaches, local shoppers are feeling the pinch as rising prices on costumes, decorations, and candy add a new kind of challenge to the spooky season.

An annual consumer survey by the National Retail Federation found Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $13.1 billion this year, up from $11.6 billion last year. Costumes are averaging about $45 per person, up nearly 15% from pre-pandemic levels. Candy prices are also climbing, rising roughly 5% from last year, as global sugar and cocoa costs remain high.

Economists attribute the increase to several factors. Tariffs on imported goods and higher shipping costs have pushed up prices for everything from fabrics to plastics. Poor cocoa harvests in West Africa have driven chocolate prices higher, while sugar tariffs continue to impact sweets in stores across the country.

Local shoppers said they are finding ways to stretch their budgets. Many residents are reusing costumes from previous years to save money. Others are turning to DIY projects, thrift stores, and early discounts to create festive looks without breaking the bank. Some shoppers are making their own costumes when retail options are unavailable, keeping Halloween traditions alive while staying within budget.

Despite rising costs, many residents say the community aspect of Halloween, such as passing out candy, dressing up, and seeing neighbors, remains priceless.

Experts predict prices could stabilize next year if tariffs ease and supply chain costs drop. For now, the high cost of celebrating serves as a reminder that even holidays are not immune to inflation.

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Columbia bar continues partnership with national organization, trains staff to de-escalate dangerous situations

KMIZ on October 20, 2025

Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Willie’s/Fieldhouse bar in downtown Columbia held its annual staff training on Sunday with SAFE Bar Network on how to recognize and de-escalate situations that could potentially turn dangerous.

“We focus on skills to recognize uncomfortable and unsafe behavior, interrupt in a way that’s effective and de-escalate and then provide each other support,” SAFE Bar Network Executive Director Haleigh Harrold said.

The national organization works closely with Willie’s/Fieldhouse to train bar staff twice a year. Willies is the only downtown bar that receives training through the SAFE Bar Network.

The training came three weeks after a deadly downtown shooting killed Stephens College student Aiyanna Williams and injured two others. Since then, University of Missouri and city leaders have been cracking down on crime downtown.

Willie’s/Fieldhouse server Shelby Truitt said reducing crime in Columbia starts inside the bar, and includes being mindful of overconsumption of alcohol.

“Having people leave here with a better state of mind, I feel like will help the streets in general because who knows if it’s a college student that’s starting a mess or if it is someone just on the streets,” Truitt said.

Harrold showed Willie’s/Fieldhouse team members how to de-escalate situations that could become dangerous.

She said the de-escalation tools team members learned, can potentially reduce crime in the city.

“It’s absolutely possible if folks are working on de-escalation and being mindful not to over serve that we can reduce more intense forms of violence that might happen outside of the venue,” Harrold said.

Willie’s/Fieldhouse Manager Myles Robinson said he worries about his staff and customers and wants to make sure everyone makes it home safely at the end of the night.

“Pretty much anything that we can do to make sure that people are coming in the venue, leaving the venue safe and having a good time while here, without scaring them or being for real, like ‘hey, just walk with somebody’,” Robinson said.

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UCSB and Cal Poly weekend wrap-up

KEYT on October 20, 2025

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT).

NCAA Men’s Soccer:

UCSB 1, Cal Poly 0

NCAA Women’s Soccer:

UCSB 1, Long Beach State 1

Cal Poly 2, UC Irvine 1

NCAA Women’s Volleball:

UCSB 3, CS Fullerton 0; UCSB 3, UC Irvine 1

Cal Poly 3, UC Irvine 0; Cal Poly 3, CS Fullerton 0

NCAA Men’s Water Polo:

UC Irvine 10, UCSB 9

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One family displaced in Eastern Colorado Springs apartment fire

KRDO on October 20, 2025

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Residents at a Colorado Springs apartment complex had to evacuate their homes as firefighters battled a fire at the complex.

On Sunday night, the two Colorado Springs fire vehicles responded to an apartment along N. Murray Blvd. N. Murray between Platte and Maxwell has been temporarily shut down due to water supply lines that cross the roadway to a hydrant.

The fire department told KRDO13 that one family has been displaced by the fire. An official origin of the fire has not been identified, but firefighters said it appeared that the blaze started in the kitchen.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to one unit.

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