Kehoe rings the first bell of the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign as shutdown increases need

KMIZ on November 7, 2025

Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign kicked off Friday in the Capitol rotunda, with Gov. Mike Kehoe ringing the first bell of the holiday season.

This year, the Salvation Army and its volunteers will collect donations starting Friday and running through Christmas Eve.

The Jefferson City Salvation Army has a goal to raise $410,000 to support the communities in need.

Major April Clarke said this was last year’s goal, but they fell short of meeting it. This year, the Salvation Army is hoping to reach its goal and stretch it.

“We’re sharing our current resources, not just with people who are most vulnerable, but also furloughed workers,” Clarke said. “That’s why our goal of $410,000 is so important, because the need is greater right now.”

Friday marks the 38th day of the federal government shutdown — now the longest ever. Federal workers haven’t received a paycheck since the shutdown, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding is still in limbo, forcing more families to turn to food pantries.

The Trump administration on Friday filed an emergency appeal of a judge’s ruling that the USDA must immediately pay out SNAP benefits for November.

Clarke said the Salvation Army is serving twice as many people now as before the shutdown. The nonprofit was serving about 50 meals a day, and now it’s up to 100.

Kehoe allocated millions of dollars to crucial food programs, such as food banks and a senior food program, to support families as they go without SNAP payments.

At the red kettle campaign Friday, Kehoe said the answer to the rising food insecurity is opening the government.

“A simple solution would be to open the government back up, vote on a continuing resolution that they voted on with other administrations before,” Kehoe said. “There’s no hunky dory business here, let’s just get this done.”

Kehoe has also encouraged Missourians to donate to charities helping the hungry during the shutdown.

“I always say when things happen in Missouri, we see the best Missourians,” Kehoe said Friday. “Neighbors helping neighbors.”

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Nordhoff’s Michael Dennie Leads Rangers Back to Playoffs After Record-Breaking Season

KEYT on November 7, 2025

Joey Vergilis

OJAI, Calif. (KEYT) – On this week’s Walkthrough with Joey, Nordhoff’s standout junior quarterback Michael Dennie discussed the Rangers’ return to the postseason and the journey that got them there.

“It feels good,” Dennie said. “It’s kind of a relief that we’re finally here. It feels like the season’s gone by really fast. But now that we’re here, we’re just preparing for Buena Park.”

It’s been a breakout year for both Dennie and the Rangers, who bounced back strong after an early setback.

“We’ve been working really hard,” he said. “We had that first loss, we thought we were going to win, we under-prepared, and after that, we didn’t really let that happen again. This year’s been going by really fast for us, and we don’t want it to end. We want to go all the way, and we’re going to make sure it happens.”

Dennie’s season hit a high point in Week 9 when he set the Nordhoff single-game passing record with 504 yards and six touchdowns in a dominant win over Carpinteria.

For most players, shattering two school records in one game would be a night to remember, but for Nordhoff’s rising junior gunslinger, it was just another Friday under the lights.

“That night, it was just like any other,” Dennie recalled. “We prepared for it, did our thing before the game. We had our running back, Desi Canfield, out that week, so I knew I’d have to step up. My guys were making plays out there and helping me out a lot. I wasn’t going for stats, I just wanted to win. I didn’t even know I broke the record until I got taken out in the fourth and somebody told me.”

For Dennie, there’s something special about every home game under the lights in Ojai.

“When I’m there, I like to look around before the game, like, ‘This is what I’m fighting for,’” the 6-foot, 170-pound signal caller said. “I love the scenery. When we’re out there playing, you can just look around, we’ve got the meadows right next to us. Hopefully soon we’ll have our new stadium up, and it’s going to be real fun next year.”

Before every Friday night, Dennie keeps things simple with his tight end, Elliot Sheets.

“Me and Elliot like to go to Subway, get our sandwiches, then head back to my house,” Dennie said. “We’ll watch some film, relax, make sure our bodies are right before the game.”

After a record-breaking regular season, junior QB Michael Dennie has the Rangers dreaming big. 

The first step in that dream happens tonight in Round 1 of the CIF-SS Division 13 playoffs, when the Rangers head to Orange County to take on the Buena Park Coyotes at 7 p.m.

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SHOP LOCAL: ‘Central Oregon Fill Your Pantry’ event takes place at Deschutes County Fairgrounds

KTVZ on November 7, 2025

KTVZ – News Team

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening Saturday, November 8th, the 10th annual Central Oregon Fill Your Pantry event is taking place at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond. This event is a community bulk b uying farmers market created to fill your pantry and freezers with local products for the winter.

You can use your SNAP benefits card at the Bend Farmers Market Booth. They’ll exchange benefits for tokens. Through an Oregon Department o Agriculture Grant, a $100 matching grant will be offered for each participant on SNAP, as well as $20 Protein Perks matching grant. That means if you have just $1 you can still receive the matching grant and protein perk.

If you do not have any benefits left on your card, you can still receive $20 in the matching grant and $20 in protein perks. They’ll also have a ‘Fill All Pantries’ free food bin.

The event is happening 11am to 3pm at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds.

For more information click here.

From the Central Oregon Fill Your Pantry website:

If you would like to use EBT/SNAP at the Fill Your Pantry event, please bring your SNAP benefits card to the Bend Farmers Market booth at the Fill Your Pantry event. The Bend Farmers Market will be exchanging SNAP benefits for tokens. These tokens can be taken to any of our vendors to use just like you would your SNAP benefits. If you would like to use your FDNP vouchers, please take these vouchers directly to the vendors. Vendors that can take FDNP include: Boundless Farmstead, Canyon Moon Farm, Cultivate Farm, Deschutes Canyon Garlic, The Farmer in Odell, Rainshadow Organics, Rooper Ranch, Sungrounded Farm, Upriver Organics, and Zajac Farms.

We were just awarded a grant from the Oregon Department of Agriculture to offer a $100 Double Up Food Bucks matching grant for each participant. We are also able to offer a $20 Protein Perks matching grant for each participant this year as well.

So that means if you ring up your EBT/SNAP card for $120, you will receive $240 total in benefits to use at Fill Your Pantry!

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Prosecutor: Investigation into deadly Jefferson City shooting is ongoing

KMIZ on November 7, 2025

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cole County’s top prosecutor said Friday that the investigation is ongoing into a shooting that took a man’s life last weekend in Jefferson City.

Prosecutor Locke Thompson issued a statement Friday morning about the investigation into the shooting of Erik Spencer II, who died after being shot in a business parking lot last Saturday.

“The Cole County Prosecutor’s Office is working closely with investigators from the Jefferson City Police Department, who are working diligently to complete a thorough investigation into the shooting,” Thompson wrote. “Because the investigation remains ongoing, the Cole County Prosecutor’s Office cannot offer further comment at this time. “

Police have not publicly identified the shooter but say that person is cooperating with the investigation. An incident report details the moments leading up to the shooting through calls to emergency dispatchers. The narrative says callers reported a man and woman in an argument before the shooting, which shattered plate glass in the front of the Old Navy store.

Redacted incident reportDownload

ABC 17 News has learned that police questioned a state employee who is on leave pending the investigation.

Spencer’s family was in Jefferson City this week to publicly demand answers from police and prosecutors about the shooter’s identity and the status of the investigation.

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Heartland Road construction project to impact traffic starting Monday

News-Press NOW on November 7, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Drivers will likely need to plan an alternative route of traffic starting Monday for those commuting through the Mosaic Life Care campus.

City officials announced Friday that an extended road repair project is set to begin on Heartland Road from Faraon Street to Frederick Avenue beginning Monday, Nov. 10.

The project includes a full-depth concrete replacement to damaged areas of the road, which runs along the west side of the Mosaic Life Care Medical Center campus.

TRAFFIC IMPACTS

During construction, southbound Heartland Road will be closed to through traffic from Frederick Avenue to just south of the emergency room entrance. South of the emergency room entrance, the southbound lane will have a complete closure.

The northbound lane will remain open, ensuring uninterrupted access to the emergency room from Heartland Road.

TIMELINE

Work is expected to continue in phases, with updates provided as the project progresses. No official time or date for completion is confirmed at this time.

Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes and exercise caution while driving through the construction zone. Work is expected to continue in phases, with updates provided as the project progresses.

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Adam Sandler to receive Chairman’s Award at Palm Springs International Film Festival

KESQ on November 7, 2025

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Adam Sandler will be honored during the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Sandler will receive the Chairman’s Award for his performance in Netflix’s Jay Kelly.

Sandler joins previously announced honorees, the cast of Sentimental Value (Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning) who will receive the International Star Award.

Check Out Our Film Festival Section for More Announcements

Past recipients of the Chairman’s Award include last year’s recipient, Timothée Chalamet, who went on to receive the Academy Award nomination for Best Actor along with previous honorees Amy Adams, George Clooney, Viola Davis, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Regina King, Gary Oldman, and Reese Witherspoon.

The Film Awards will take place on January 3, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running January 2-11, 2026. The event will be presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight.

“Adam Sandler delivers a deeply moving and career-best performance in Jay Kelly,” said Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi. “It is a performance which underscores his standing as one of the most versatile and respected actors of his generation. We are proud to honor Adam—a singular talent whose work continues to surprise and inspire—with this year’s Chairman’s Award.”

From Academy Award nominee Noah Baumbach, Netflix’s Jay Kelly follows famous movie actor Jay Kelly (George Clooney), as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery confronting both his past and present, accompanied by his devoted manager Ron (Adam Sandler). Poignant and humor filled, epic and intimate, Jay Kelly is pitched at the intersection of life’s regrets and notable glories.

Comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician, Adam Sandler is one of the most influential entertainers of his generation. Recipient of the 2023 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Sandler has earned three Grammy nominations, seven Primetime Emmy nominations, two Golden Globe nominations and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

Sandler won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for Uncut Gems, and his performance in Hustle earned him a Critics Choice Award nomination and Screen Actors Guild Award Nomination.

Most recently, Sandler was also nominated for two Emmys for his Adam Sandler: Love You variety special and Outstanding Music and Lyrics for his song in SNL50. He also received a Golden Globe nomination for his variety special in 2024.

Over the past few years, Sandler has continued to prove that his strengths as a comedy legend are equal to his dramatic acting skills.

This past summer, after reprising his beloved character in the long-awaited sequel Happy Gilmore 2, he landed Netflix its biggest opening weekend ever.

From Sandler’s breakout on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s to a run of box-office classics including Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer and Big Daddy, Sandler became a defining comedic voice of his generation — and a lasting voice for all generations. He went on to earn critical acclaim for transformative performances in Punch-Drunk Love, Reign Over Me and The Meyerowitz Stories, showcasing the emotional depth behind his trademark humor.

As a writer, producer and performer, Sandler has built a creative empire through Happy Madison Productions, entertaining audiences worldwide for more than three decades. His films have generated billions at the box office and continue to resonate across generations.

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‘Shocking’: Family of murdered pharmacy student seeking answers

CNN Newsource on November 7, 2025

By Kendall Keys

Click here for updates on this story

    MEQUON, Wis. (WISN) — A Concordia University School of Pharmacy student was murdered Tuesday.

According to Milwaukee police, someone shot and killed a 26-year-old woman near 39th Street and Lancaster Avenue just before 10 p.m. Tuesday. Family identified the woman killed as Ariel Spillner. Police said a 31-year-old woman was also shot. She survived, and is who police say is their suspect in Ariel’s death.

Ariel’s family, from the Madison area and Iowa County, came to Mequon on Thursday, meeting with her fellow students, professors and friends at the Concordia University School of Pharmacy.

Courtney Spillner, Ariel’s older sister, said she had one year of classes left in pharmacy school.

“She wanted to be a pharmacist so bad. She was so excited. When she graduated, she wanted to move to Florida and be a pharmacist there,” Spillner said.

“Why did she want to be a pharmacist?” WISN 12 News reporter Kendall Keys asked.

“She wants to help people. She loves helping others. She would give you the clothes off her back if you needed it,” Spillner said.

Spillner said she talked to Ariel on the phone Tuesday night.

“I had talked to her at 8 that evening and everything was fine. She was her goofy self, laughing, smiling, joking around. And just a few hours after that is when she had passed,” Spillner said. “It’s just shocking. It’s hard to wrap my head around not having my sister.”

“Do you remember the last thing you guys said to each other?” Keys asked.

“We told each other we loved each other when we hung up the phone. We always say it. This time, it’s just a little more special,” Spillner said.

Police said a 31-year-old woman was also shot. She survived and it’s who police arrested in connection to Ariel’s death. Spillner said the two were friends.

“She was friends with her,” Spillner said. “It was her birthday, I guess. And she probably just went over there to celebrate. She had a big exam on Friday, so I don’t anticipate that she would have stayed out too long. But yeah, just to be there for her friend, celebrate their birthday.”

Those closest to Ariel said they’re still trying to piece together what happened at the house on 39th Street.

“She’s an incredible person who was taken way too soon. She had so much more life left to live, so much more to give to her community, to the people she loved. It’s heartbreaking that we don’t get to see her life play out as it should have,” Spillner said.

“It’s heartbreaking. If there’s anyone that deserve to live out their dream, it’s Ariel,” Liz Bruchs said.

Bruchs said she and Ariel were close friends for years, even playing college basketball together at Lake Superior State and Clark University. Ariel also had her third-degree black belt in karate.

“She loved the beach, and she always wanted to go there. She went and visited one of our friends there quite a few times, and just absolutely fell in love with Florida and always talked about when she saved enough money up, she would go there,” Bruchs said. “She really deserved to get to that point.”

Bruchs organized a Gofundme to help the family pay for funeral expenses.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office said they are reviewing the case and expects a charging decision in the coming days. Milwaukee police did not have an update on the 31-year-old woman’s condition. Police said they are not seeking additional suspects.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Fort Smith neurosurgeon arrested, facing aggravated assault charges involving a firearm

CNN Newsource on November 7, 2025

By Brett Rains

Click here for updates on this story

    FORT SMITH, Ark. (KHBS, KHOG) — Dr. Timothy Maryanov, a Fort Smith neurosurgeon who, according to his independent practice website, specializes in pain management, was arrested Monday night on two felony counts of aggravated assault on a family or household member involving a firearm, according to police and court records.

During a preliminary court hearing Thursday, Maryanov pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released from the Sebastian County Detention Center that afternoon on a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to return to court in January.

According to police reports, two people inside a residence told officers that after a physical and verbal altercation, Maryanov pointed a gun at himself and then at them. One person told police that Maryanov was on new medication and woke up angry, and an officer reported that he smelled of alcohol. Police recovered a loaded 9mm handgun from inside the home, the report stated.

Online state records indicate Maryanov’s medical license remains valid. 40/29 News has reached out to the Arkansas Medical Board and the Department of Health to ask whether they are aware of the arrest; as of Thursday night, neither agency had responded. Maryanov has not responded to calls or text messages seeking comment.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Independence third graders praised for spotting house fire, helping save dog

CNN Newsource on November 7, 2025

By Brian Johnson

Click here for updates on this story

    INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KMBC) — Third graders at Thomas Hart Benton Elementary School are being recognized for quick thinking that helped save a dog trapped inside a burning home near their school.

Last Thursday, during reading class, students noticed something unusual outside their window.

“I look out the window and I see the house is on fire,” said third grader Shaelynn.

Her classmate Emmett quickly alerted their teacher. “And I decided to report it to Mrs. Hudson,” he said.

Their teacher, Addison Hudson, immediately called 911.

“There was smoke coming out everywhere,” she said. “Actually, as they were showing me, the front window blew. So, I picked up my phone. I called 911.”

Firefighters from Independence Fire Department Station Four rushed to the scene and rescued a dog from inside the home, giving the pet oxygen to revive it.

“The dog was kind of lethargic at first,” Hudson said. “And then towards the end he was wagging his tail and super happy. So it was a really cool moment for my kiddos.”

Thankfully, no one was home at the time of the fire. The students watched from their classroom as firefighters worked to control the blaze and save the pet.

“Happy. And after that they feed it peanut butter,” Emmett said with a smile.

Independence firefighters later visited the school to thank the students and teach them about fire safety, showing off their gear and encouraging kids not to fear approaching firefighters in an emergency.

“This is truly about humanity, right?” said Principal Montel Evans. “What it means to step up and do something to help out your fellow neighbor.”

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New Orleans family awarded $50,000 after coroner’s office failed to identify loved one in timely manner

CNN Newsource on November 7, 2025

By Erin Lowrey

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — An appellate court has quintupled damages awarded to a New Orleans family who accused the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office of not identifying their loved one in a timely manner.

WDSU Investigates reported on the death of Benjamin Pfantz back in May.

Pfantz’s parents alleged in a lawsuit that although his body was sent to the morgue, staff denied that his body was there.

For eight months, his parents searched. After a call from his mother, it was revealed by an employee that they did have his body.

WDSU learned Pfantz had been cremated without the family’s knowledge.

In the Pfantz case, Judge Kern Reese noted that NOPD “obtained fingerprints and provided the coroner with Benjamin’s date of birth, state ID number, but misspelled his last name, Pfantz, as Peantz.”

He found the coroner’s failure to conduct a further investigation to identify Benjamin as “reckless and outrageous misconduct.”

The appellate court upheld this ruling following an appeal, and quintupled the damages awarded to the family to $50,000, according to court records.

In May, Orleans Parish Coroner Dwight McKenna said his office was provided the wrong name by police, resulting in the delay of Pfantz being identified.

“When you look at the facts of this case, that we started with a bad name, the police department gave us incorrect information,” McKenna said. “He disparaged me personally and the people in my office. We are appealing his decision. I disagree with everything he said. I don’t know what his motives were, what we were provided in that case, with a bad name to start with. He’s not God, he’s not the pope, he’s not infallible. That opinion was a disgrace.”

The judgment said despite McKenna’s office blaming the New Orleans Police Department, his office “acted with callous indifferences” to the Pfantzes, denying them closure.

“The Coroner’s Office failed to take reasonable measures to correctly identify him and notify his next of kin. For these reasons, we amend the general damage award to each of the Pfantzes to $25,000.00, for a total award of $50,000.00,” the court records read.

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