City finalizes field of candidates for St. Joseph mayor, city council primaries next February

News-Press NOW on November 5, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — City officials have confirmed the full field of candidates vying for mayor, city council and municipal judge in next year’s elections.

All eight city council seats, including mayor and municipal judge, will be up for election next year, a consequential voting cycle for residents and local government.

The primary election is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Feb. 3, followed by the general election on Tuesday, April 7.

Mayor candidates

St. Joseph’s incumbent mayor and three new challengers have thrown their hat into the ring to become the next mayor. New challengers include Jonathan McClain, Larry Miller and Kenneth Reeder.

John Josendale — incumbent, seeking second term in office

Jonathan McClain — seeking first term in office

Larry Miller — seeking first term in office

Kenneth Reeder — seeking first term in office

City Council candidates — At-large seats (4)

The upcoming race for at-large City Council seats (4) will feature four new challengers and four incumbent councilmembers.

Collin Clibon — seeking first term in office

Frederick Martin — seeking first term in office

Gary Wilkinson — new challenger, former city councilman

Dakota Allen — seeking first term in office

Marty Novak — incumbent, seeking third term in office

Randy S. Schultz — incumbent, seeking second term in office

Jeff Schomburg — incumbent, seeking second term in office

Kenton Randolph — incumbent, seeking second term in office

City Council candidates — District seats (4)

Elections for City Council district seats will feature two notable races for both District 3 and District 4.

On the other hand, incumbent councilmembers in District 1 and District 2 will run unopposed.

District 1

Madison Davis — incumbent, seeking third term in office

District 2

Jason Eslinger — incumbent, seeking first full term in office

District 3

Dana Stickley — seeking first term in office

Andrew Trout — incumbent, seeking second term in office

District 4

Michael G. Grimm — incumbent, seeking second term in office

Russell Moore — challenger, former city councilman

Municipal Judge

In the election for municipal judge, incumbent Laura Chavez is set to run unopposed.

A native of St. Joseph and graduate of Bishop LeBlond High School, Missouri Western State University and Creighton University, Chavez was appointed to the position by City Councilmembers in April following the death of judge Ted Elo.

Chavez worked as a prosecutor in St. Joseph for 10 years before taking office.

Recap

With all city council positions and mayor up for election, the positions of mayor and four at-large councilmembers will be elected to serve four-year terms, while the four district councilmembers will be elected to an initial two-year term.

Any official who receives a majority of votes during the primary election will automatically be appointed to office.

Correction: A previous version of this article listed Madison Davis as seeking a second term for City Council. Councilmember Davis is seeking a third term. News-Press NOW apologizes for this error.

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Commercial burglars arrested in Santa Maria

KEYT on November 4, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Maria Police arrested two commercial burglars just after 3:00 a.m. Tuesday.

SMPD officers checked the business and heard both men involved jumping a chain-link fence on one side of the property.

SMPD officers then detained a 31-year-old man and a 33-year-old man after finding a truck registered to the 31-year-old containing many stolen items from the business.

Video surveillance showed both men inside the business committing the burglary and the SMPD later booked both into the SBSO jail for felony burglary charges.

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Prop 50 Could Affect California and Future Elections – What Do You Think?

KEYT on November 4, 2025

News Channel 3-12

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Following Nov. 4th special state election, former senator and Dale Francisco, former councilman came together on TV Hill for a LIVE discussion on the results.

They shared their thoughts on Prop 50 and the ongoing government shutdown, and answered your questions and comments LIVE in studio.

Leave your questions/comments/concerns in the chat below.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

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Trial date set in NAACP lawsuit challenging new Missouri congressional map

KMIZ on November 4, 2025

Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Cole County judge will review another redistricting lawsuit Dec. 15, following what was supposed to be the first redistricting trial Monday.

The NAACP filed its redistricting lawsuit at the start of the special session in September against Gov. Mike Kehoe, the former attorney general, the House speaker and the Senate president pro tem.

In the lawsuit, the NAACP asked a Cole County judge to stop the legislature from meeting, arguing a special session on redistricting without an updated census is unconstitutional, according to court documents.

On Friday, a judge denied the NAACP’s request for a preliminary injunction, and the court is considering a motion to dismiss the case filed by the state. The attorneys on each side and the judge met Tuesday for a case review, where the trial date was set.

A Nov. 12 trial date has been set in two other lawsuits challenging the new map.

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City of Columbia sends out community survey for feedback from residents

KMIZ on November 4, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia has mailed out its annual community survey “to a random sample of households” to get feedback on issues surrounding the city.

Some households received the survey on Monday. The surveys include postage-paid return envelopes. The release says responses will remain confidential. The return address is the ETC Institute, which has conducted the story since 2003.

“This feedback is invaluable; it directly informs how the City sets priorities and ensures our resources are focused on the issues that matter most to residents,” City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said in a Tuesday evening press release. “Taking a few minutes to complete the survey helps us build a more responsive and representative Columbia for everyone.”

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Idaho Food Banks reach tipping point as unpaid workers, SNAP cuts drive record demand

KIFI on November 4, 2025

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– The ongoing federal government shutdown, on the edge of becoming the longest ever, has created a severe national emergency. Federal workers are going unpaid, SNAP recipients are set to only receive partial benefits this month, and the financial fallout is pushing local food banks to a crisis as they struggle to serve both affected employees and low-income families.

41.7 million people rely on SNAP benefits every month. Amid the ongoing shutdown, many are turning to food assistance.

Federal workers were also laid off, furloughed, or working without pay at the beginning of the shutdown.

According to Reuters, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that food assistance benefits will be distributed once the government shut down ends, despite a court order for his administration to make payments by Wednesday.

In Southeast Idaho, food banks are feeling the effects of the government shutdown.

“We do know that some people haven’t been getting paid that do have government jobs. This is like their second or third paycheck that they haven’t been paid. So they’re coming in a little bit more often. We suggest our clients come in twice a month, but they can come in as often as they need. And some people have been coming in weekly just because they’re just not making it right now” Kori Ellis, President of The Giving Cupboard, said.

The Idaho Falls Community Food Basket has also seen an uptick in demand for food, which is affecting the amount of food left on the shelves.

“We just finished our month-long October food drive. The food collected typically carries us through the cold winter months and into spring. That food is now being used twice as fast and will not sustain us as long as we projected. We have seen an increase in donations as we are facing this uncertain time, and we are doing all we can to meet the increased need. We are scrambling to keep up,” Ariel Jackson, Executive Director of the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket, said.

Both The Giving Cupboard and the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket said that there has been a dramatic increase in traffic since the last week.

“We saw a drastic increase between the week before last to last week, almost like a 40% increase in the amount of people that are coming. And I expect that that might keep going higher as the weeks go on, unfortunately, until the government shutdown gets taken care of,” Ellis said.

“We have seen double our regular number of families daily since the middle of last week. We are currently serving more than 100 families per day. We have seen twice the number of brand-new families in the last week as we typically see in a month,” Jackson said.

Nonetheless, both food banks are staying strong amidst the government shutdown and will persist for families that need help.

“I mean, it’s hard to gauge what’s going to happen. We hope obviously the shutdown will get taken care of as soon as possible. If it doesn’t, we’re in good financial shape. And we’re in good inventory shape, so people don’t have to worry that they are going to come here and there’s not going to be enough food,” Ellis said.

“For 45 years, Community Food Basket has been providing emergency food supplies to families facing crisis and we will continue to do that for as long as we can. This community is amazing at stepping in and stepping up when the need calls. We may have to give out a little less or different items than we typically provide, but we have absolute hope that our community will continue to do their best to support our efforts just as [we] will continue to do its best to support those who are struggling in our community,” Jackson said.

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The American Express charitable foundation donates $1.1 million at community impact celebration

KESQ on November 4, 2025

Blake Arthur

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) — Impact Through Golf, the charitable foundation for The American Express, hosted its annual Community Impact Celebration Tuesday, revealing the charities selected to receive donations this year. $1.1 million was awarded to 15 deserving organizations.

This money was generated via the proceeds of last year’s American Express golf tournament.

Great day at La Quinta Country Club! A total of $1.1M was awarded to 15 local charitable organizations, proceeds from last year’s @theamexgolf. This tournament has always given back to the local community.

The 2026 tournament is Jan. 22-25. Stay with @KESQ for coverage. pic.twitter.com/h3fNnVwrGO

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) November 4, 2025

The charitable donations were distributed to nonprofit organizations focused on health and wellness, education, youth and family support, aiding those experiencing homelessness, natural disaster relief and recovery, and capital improvement.

Below are the 15 organizations to receive donations.

American Red Cross

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert

California Community Foundation

Coachella Valley Boxing Club

Coachella Valley Rescue Mission

Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine

First Tee Coachella Valley

Find Regional Food Bank

Galilee Center

Girlfriend Factor

Hunter Lopez Foundation

Ophelia Project

Pueblo Unido CDC

United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire

Since the tournament’s inception in 1960, this event has donated more than $67 million in support of over 100 non-profit organizations based in the Greater Coachella Valley region.

The 67th edition of The American Express will take place January 19-25, 2026, at PGA WEST’s Pete Dye Stadium Course (host course) and Nicklaus Tournament Course, as well as La Quinta Country Club.

Tickets are now on sale at the tournament’s official website.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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Harwood Elementary closed tomorrow (Nov. 5) due to pipe break

KIFI on November 4, 2025

Seth Ratliff

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — Jefferson School District 251 announced Tuesday afternoon that Harwood Elementary will be closed on Wednesday, November 5th, due to flooding caused by a minor pipe break.

This closure only affects Harwood Elementary students. All other D251 schools will operate on a regular schedule.

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Community to gather for ‘A Novel Idea’ 2026 book reveal at Downtown Bend Library

KTVZ on November 4, 2025

Lynsey Harris

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Book lovers across Central Oregon are invited to celebrate the big reveal of the 2026 A Novel Idea community read selections next month. The after-hours event takes place Saturday, December 6, at the Downtown Bend Library, where the next titles—one for adults and teens, and one for young readers—will be unveiled.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the official reveal upstairs at 6:30 p.m. Guests can stick around for trivia, snacks, and a shared love of reading.

“We started with a list of about 30 titles, and narrowing it down to the top five was no easy task,” said Liz Goodrich, Programs Supervisor at Deschutes Public Library. “The chosen book really stood out to our group and it provides ample entry points for meaningful conversations between readers.”

Now in its 22nd year, A Novel Idea began in 2004 with one simple question: What would happen if everyone in Deschutes County read the same book? The answer—according to two decades of participation—is a stronger, more connected community.

The annual program includes both an adult and youth selection, with both authors visiting Central Oregon in the spring. Each year, the event is followed by a month of themed discussions and activities, culminating in free, in-person author visits.

“You might spot your neighbor or the person ahead of you at the post office with this year’s A Novel Idea book in their hand,” Goodrich added. “It’s all about engagement and the desire to connect with one another through a good story—and this year’s selection is a big one.”

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Kids Win Missouri helps St. Joseph children

News-Press NOW on November 4, 2025

News-Press NOW

By: Zac Scott

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) —  Parents have struggled finding childcare for their children, nationally.

Kids Win Missouri’s (KWM) goal is to give every child a chance to grow healthy, safe and supported, while expanding child care options for St. Joseph families.

“We understand that our children and our community and families are facing a crisis right now with child care,” said Community Relations Director with the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph, Kayla Marmaud. “There’s a lot more children than there are spots for child care, and then even when families are getting in child care, they’re not affordable.”

Marmaud said KWM offers the chance for parental concerns to be heard and children to be cared for in a learning environment at an affordable price.

“Families are paying 20% of their gross annual income. So we are working with kids win to help expand child care options in St. Joseph and to be able to give parents a voice and leadership,” said Marmaud.

KWM also offers collaboration efforts to help parents advocate for their family’s needs.

“We were part of the planning leading up to that, and we continue to be a part of kids with Missouri’s parent fellow,” said Marmaud. “We build leadership for parents to be able to advocate for their family’s needs and their child care needs in early childhood education.”

The program aims to help the community with better child care options.

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