SJSD superintendent says ‘We’re in this together’ as Plan 4BR moves forward  

News-Press NOW on November 26, 2025

Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — After months of waiting for a final decision on Plan 4BR, the plan that keeps Benton and Central as the district’s two high schools, the school district is now preparing for some major changes. 

Superintendent Ashly McGinnis said the district’s current feeder patterns help students move smoothly from elementary to middle to high school. With the new Plan 4BR model, she admits the transitions can be bigger and more challenging for both families and staff.  

Even so, McGinnis said no one will be going through this alone.  

“Our message to them is that we are in this with them. We want to take care of our staff, and we want to take care of our students,” McGinnis said.  

One of the district’s biggest priorities right now is having a staffing plan to make sure teachers and staff are placed where they’re needed most to best support kids and families.  

“So right now our staff wants to know, for example, if they were at Lafayette, where are they going to be next year?” McGinnis added. 

She explained, the district will follow clear criteria as they make those decisions, and they’ll try to accommodate staff preferences whenever possible.  

“I think there’s been a lot of uncertainty for several months. I have a sense of relief knowing that we have a direction,” McGinnis said.  

With the board’s vote now behind them, McGinnis hopes the district can focus on moving forward and helping families and staff adjust — even though the transition may be tougher for some than others.

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Thanksgiving travel in full swing around the Coachella Valley

KESQ on November 26, 2025

Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Thanksgiving crowds are here! Travelers are driving and flying into the Coachella Valley, visiting family and friends.

Flyers at Palm Springs International Airport reported smooth travels from spots like Seattle, Tulsa, and Atlanta. Most said they chose to wake up before the crack of dawn – a decision many called worthwhile.

So far, according to the airport’s flight status page, there have been minimal delays to arrivals and departures throughout the day.

Stay with us for the latest on traffic conditions and what travelers are experiencing this Thanksgiving.

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Buellton Spearheading Urban Forestry Efforts For Tree City Designation

KEYT on November 26, 2025

Jarrod Zinn

BUELLTON, Calif. (KEYT) – The city of Buellton is spearheading an urban forestry initiative.

In pursuit of Tree City U.S.A. designation, Buellton seeks to establish a procedural framework for communities to maintain and expand their urban forests.

“The concept of urban forestry refers to the planting, care, and maintenance of trees within an urban environment within the city proper,” says Scott Wolfe, Buellton’s City Manager.

City leaders say that overall this is an effort to streamline policies and ordinances that currently are as scattered as naturally grown trees themselves.

“The big desire, too, is to ensure their native plants are species that will really thrive in the area,” says Buellton’s mayor David Silva. “So it’s not just putting trees in the ground, it’s putting trees that will really stand the test of time and meet the moment as we work to ensure that our town is climate resilient.”

Mayor Silva proposes putting together drafts of several of tree-related policies, and then combining them into one streamlined community effort for mitigation, upkeep, and future growth.

“The Tree City USA designation is granted by the Arbor Day Foundation, and it’s really a way to showcase cities that are leading the way in prioritizing trees as not just an ancillary part of their policies,” says mayor Silva.

City leaders hope to establish a method to oversee these efforts, as well as to enhance the mediation of disputes related to tree removal.

“Part of the ordinance that the city council’s in the process of adopting right now creates or codifies the creation of a tree and landscape advisory board,” says Wolfe.

During the November city council session, the policy passed with a unanimous vote.

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On the Move for Thanksgiving Weekend? Expect a Crowd Nearly Everywhere

KEYT on November 26, 2025

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Unless you are in an isolated place away from the general population, or don’t plan on going out much this weekend, you could find yourself entangled in some big crowds.

The early data shows there will be at or near record travelers on trains, planes and in automobiles. From the Automobile Association of America (AAA) to ticket reservations from airlines analysts know seats will be filled and people will be in motion.

Highway 101 has already been showing signs of more cars filling the lanes, from the local population to the travelers on this coastal north-south route. Normally the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times to travel but the Sunday after Thanksgiving has now been given the honor as the busiest day.

They says a good time to travel is Thanksgiving morning when the roads are generally clear.

Caltrans construction will not be taking place Wednesday evening or Thursday.

Amtrak is adding extra cars to its trains in Southern California. Among those that will be riding on the Central Coast will be students from UC Santa Barbara on the southbound train around 1:45 p.m. Traditionally they have filled the cars for that getaway afternoon train.

One Santa Barbara City College student Eila Andresen was getting set for her train ride south and said, “I think the train is the most reliable.  It only ever gets  delayed  a little bit sometimes.  It not a big deal. “

She had a seat assigned for this trip but has had to stand in a crowded train in the past. “People get off at LA and after that  so that is perfectly half way on my trip,” said Andresen.

One family coming up from the Los Angeles area did not want to do it in the car and said they made the right choice with their kids.

Ben Duckett said, “the trip were perfect, easy and these guys were  great. Not too crowded. Everyone was in a good mood, just going to celebrate Thanksgiving.”

A Washington D.C. resident on an extended stay in Santa Barbara said, many family members were on the way. Joel Sarfati said, “all the family is coming in. So were going to have 14 for Thanksgiving. One group just came from Salt Lake City,  another from either SLO and from Phoenix, and third group landed in Los Angeles from Seattle.”

Santa Barbara weather was forecasted to be in the 70’s.

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Local restaurant and motorcycle club team up to support cancer patients

KYMA on November 26, 2025

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local restaurant and a motorcycle club teamed up to support cancer patients in Yuma.

Texas Roadhouse and the Harley Owner’s Group (HOG) Yuma Chapter donated more the $28,000 to the Yuma Cancer Resource Center.

Texas Roadhouse local marketer Edith Mederos said this is an example of the strong bond between the community and local businesses.

“It’s family. It’s the local community we love to have it every year, it’s has been more and more important to us…We’ve grown with everybody here. We are practically family,” Mederos expressed.

Texas Roadhouse and HOG are looking forward to raising more money for the Yuma community next year. 

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Fantasy Springs Resort Casino to host job fair for public safety officers

KESQ on November 26, 2025

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is hosting a Career Expo to hire public safety officers next week.

The event will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the resort’s Special Events Center.

Fantasy Springs is looking for motivated and qualified individuals to join its growing team. Hiring managers will conduct on-site interviews and extend job offers to well-suited candidates the same day.

Interested applicants must bring a current resume and are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by contacting the Fantasy Springs Recruitment Center at 760-238-5687.

Fantasy Springs offers an exceptional employment package that includes Competitive Wages and Advancement Opportunities, Tuition Reimbursement, Free Meals for All Team Members, a Robust Health Benefits Package, 401 (k) Retirement Programs, Entertainment and Restaurant Discounts throughout the property, Wellness Programs, Free Family Events, Scholarships available for employees’ High School Graduates, and more.

“Fantasy Springs is more than a place to work, it’s a community where every team member is supported, valued, and empowered to grow,” said Robert Silverang, Director of Human Resources at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. “Whether you’re launching your career or looking for your next big opportunity, we invite you to discover what’s possible with us.”

To view all current job openings and learn more about working at Fantasy Springs, please visit: www.fantasyspringsresort.com/employment/.

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AFL-CIO expects 1,000 applicants for Adopt-A-Family program

News-Press NOW on November 26, 2025

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The AFL-CIO Community Services Adopt-A-Family program said it needs more adopters.

The organization has seen an influx of applications this year since the day applications opened up. So far, it’s reached over 700 families, with 182 being adopted.

Nichi Seckinger, executive director of the agency, said they feel like they’re falling behind in working with adopters due to the high volume of adoptee applications received.

“Any more adopters that we can get is always wonderful, and we do need more adopters,” she said. “If those numbers end up being what we’re anticipating that they’ll be, and we’ll have over a thousand families, we’re absolutely going to need more adopters.”

This will be the third time the program will see over a thousand families. The previous times the program saw an influx of this many applications were the Great Flood of 1993 and the Housing Crisis of 2009.

Seckinger said the influx of applications could be because of the economy and the effects of the government shutdown.

“A lot of it is probably also due to the issues with SNAP that we saw, because that’s going to put a lot of folks into catch up mode till the end of the year and the shutdown with the government, because we have had quite a few military families that have applied and folks that were employed by the state who are trying to play catch up,” Seckinger said.

Along with adopters, Seckinger said the organization needs volunteers and toys for its gift room.

AFL-CIO will take adopter applications until Christmas Eve. Applications can be picked up in person or filled out online.

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Eagle Bluffs viewing platform reopens

KMIZ on November 26, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The viewing platform at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area has reopened after two years.

The platform was closed for renovations and removal of boardwalks in November 2023, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. The boardwalks had become a safety concern, the department says. The trail remains accessible from the Katy Trail and South Warren School Road.

Eagle Bluffs, located in southern Boone County near McBaine, attracts visitors interested in seeing waterfowl in the area’s extensive wetlands. Those wetlands were restored by creating 17 shallow pools.

The park is located off Route K.

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Peak holiday travel expected Wednesday and Sunday

KESQ on November 26, 2025

Tauli Anderson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Wednesday and Sunday are expected to be the busiest travel days of the holiday week as millions of Americans make their way to their Thanksgiving destinations.

While Palm Springs International Airport is bracing for heavy passenger traffic, the majority of travelers will be driving — and the California Highway Patrol is urging everyone to stay safe.

The CHP’s Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period begins Wednesday, meaning officers will be out in full force watching for speeding, impaired driving, seatbelt violations, and other dangerous behaviors on the road.

We’ll have more on holiday travel, watch our coverage starting at 4 p.m. on News Channel 3.

 

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Oregon business group urges lawmakers to act on ‘unsanctioned public camping,’ prepares possible ballot measure

KTVZ on November 26, 2025

KTVZ

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — An Oregon business organization is calling on state lawmakers to restore local control over “unsanctioned public camping” – and advancing a possible ballot measure if they fail to act during the 2026 legislative session.

On Wednesday, chief petitioners for the Local Control & Safety Act submitted 1,770 sponsorship signatures, advancing the 2026 ballot measure to the next phase of the qualification process, according to a news release from the group, Oregon Business & Industry.

In submitting the signatures, petitioners reiterated their request for Oregon lawmakers to address challenges related to unsanctioned public camping in the 2026 legislative session, Lukens said in a news release.

“Local control over unsanctioned public camping is essential to addressing the ongoing crisis in our streets,” said Preston Mann, chief petitioner for the Local Control & Safety Act and director of external affairs for Oregon Business & Industry.

“It’s clear from our conversations with signers that this is an issue that demands urgent attention from our state lawmakers. We renew our call for the Legislature to restore local control and safety through legislative action next year. If the Legislature fails to act, we will have an opportunity to put the question before voters next November.”

Following Wednesday’s sponsorship signature submission, the Oregon secretary of state will conduct a verification of the signatures to ensure the minimum 1,000 valid signatures threshold has been met, the group said. When verification is complete, the initiative will be sent to the Oregon attorney general for the drafting of a ballot title.

The Local Control & Safety Act seeks a repeal of HB 3115 (2021) / ORS 195.530.

“Repealing this law will allow local governments to respond more acutely to the crisis in our streets and improve community safety,” the business group said. “The law as it stands has effectively tied local governments’ hands when it comes to responding to unsanctioned public camping by establishing ambiguous ‘objectively reasonable’ ‘time, place and manner’ considerations.”

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