Parking lane outside of Helias to close next week as sidewalk repairs are underway

KMIZ on November 22, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The parking lane on Stadium Boulevard outside of Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City will be closed for a few days next week as sidewalk repairs occur, according to a Friday press release from Jefferson City Public Works.

Crews will work from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

Lane closures are also planned for the northbound lane of Myrtle Avenue, which is also next to Helias. Crews will work 9 a.m.-noon Monday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday.

Message boards and signage will be in place. Helias’ academic calendar shows the school’s Thanksgiving break begins Wednesday.

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Sky View Middle School teacher Loren Renfroe named Bend-La Pine Schools Educator of the Year

KTVZ on November 22, 2025

KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend-La Pine Schools Excellence in Education awards culminated Friday afternoon with the presentation of the Educator of the Year award to Loren Renfroe, language arts teacher at Sky View Middle School in northeast Bend.

Superintendent Steven Cook and other district officials made the surprise presentation.

Renfroe has been with Sky View for two years. Before she joined Bend-La Pine Schools, she was an English teacher at Round Rock Independent School District in Round Rock, Texas. 

“Loren builds bridges between academic rigor and real-world relevance,” Dr. Cook said. “She pairs high expectations with empathy, accountability with compassion, and creates a learning culture where belonging drives achievement.”

In addition to her classes, Renfroe is also the instructor of Sky View’s leadership class and co-designed the Career Technical Education Wheel course, integrating communication, technology, and design thinking through hands-on experiences with local professionals and Oregon State University faculty.

She has led professional development in the Readers and Writers Workshop and student-led conferences. She serves on both the campus and district language arts leadership teams, helping shape literacy instruction across Bend-La Pine Schools.

“Loren steps into leadership roles across multiple areas, strengthening parent communication, fostering school culture, and enhancing instruction,” said Julie Stroinski, Sky View Middle School Principal. “As an instructional leader, Loren has taken the initiative to expand learning beyond traditional coursework. Whether supporting colleagues, guiding students, or strengthening school culture, Loren leads with innovation, reflection, and a deep commitment to success for all.”   

Dr. Cook was joined Friday afternoon at Sky View by School Board Chairman Marcus LeGrand, Board Director Amy Tatom, Deputy Superintendent Lisa Birk, Executive Director of Middle Schools Stephen DuVal, Bend Education Association President Sarah Barclay, and other District leaders.

On behalf of Renfroe, representatives of MidOregon Credit Union presented Sky View with a $500 check. 

The district presented the first two Excellence in Education awards earlier this week. On Tuesday, Caldera High School Principal Chris Boyd was honored as Administrator of the Year. On Wednesday, Welcome Center Liaison Liz Vargas was named Support Staff Member of the Year.

The Excellence in Education awards honor custodians, counselors, kitchen managers, classroom teachers, educational assistants, office managers, bus drivers and other district employees who have had a positive impact on students.

The recognition began last spring, when Bend-La Pine Schools honored dozens of staff members from across the district who distinguished themselves with their leadership, innovation, outstanding professional practice, and positive contributions at work and in the community. From that group, 13 finalists have been celebrated this fall.

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Two more lawsuits filed this week in Missouri redistricting battle

KMIZ on November 22, 2025

Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The group backing a referendum to get the new congressional map on the ballot filed its second lawsuit against the Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, according to court documents.

People Not Politicians is arguing Hoskins wrote misleading and biased ballot language for the group’s referendum.

This is the ballot title Hoskins approved, and posted to the official Secretary of State website:

“Do the people of the state of Missouri approve the act of the General Assembly entitled ‘House Bill No. 1,’ which repeals Missouri’s existing gerrymandered congressional plan that protects incumbent politicians, and replaces it with new congressional boundaries that keep more cities and counties intact, are more compact, and better reflects statewide voting patterns?”

According to court documents filed by the group, People Not Politicians argues the word “gerrymandered” is biased and argumentative. The group argues the whole ballot title is argumentative.

“It’s the latest attempt by desperate politicians seeking to break the rules and justify their power grab and try to manipulate an outcome around what should just be a fair and free election,” Executive Firector von Glahn said.

People Not Politicians is asking a Cole County judge to throw out the ballot title and write a new one, according to court documents.

People Not Politicians contracts another group, called Advanced Micro Testing, to help collect signatures, according to a People Not Politicians spokesperson. AMT makes up less than 10% of People Not Politicians’ workforce.

AMT filed its own, separate lawsuit Tuesday in federal court against four other campaign companies, according to court documents. AMT is alleging these other companies “poached” 28 AMT employees.

Those other companies are Let The Voters Decide, Vortex Elite, Synergy Wise Solutions and Onest Marketing.

According to the court documents, these other companies started a campaign to block the ballot measure, and allegedly tried bribing employees and created a smear campaign.

“The Smear Video indicates that AMT did provide its employees with a hotel with working water or food or money,” the court documents read.

AMT wants the judge to bar the other companies from soliciting, encouraging contract breaks, employing with AMT’s employees, remove all smear videos and stop using confidential trade information from AMT, according to court documents.

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El Paso MPO approves Borderplex Safe Mobility Plan item for the future

KVIA on November 22, 2025

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (EPMPO), along with other city, county and local state leaders, approved the initiative called “Borderplex Safe Mobility Plan,” which aims at reducing and eventually eliminating traffic-related deaths and crashes in the border region.

This initiative includes drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and anyone using mobility devices.

“The BSMP reflects the input and expertise of a broad spectrum of community stakeholders, including local governments, law enforcement, schools, advocacy groups, residents, and regional agencies. By combining this collaborative insight with detailed crash data, traffic patterns, and road-condition analysis, the plan identifies high-risk corridors and prioritizes targeted programs and improvements. It strengthens the region’s transportation network and fills gaps in bicycle, pedestrian, and transit infrastructure, creating safer, more accessible travel options throughout the Borderplex,” said MPO in a news release.

“This plan gives our region the direction and tools to protect families and save lives. It’s time to turn safety goals into action,” El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said.

“Our residents cross city, county and state lines for work, family and school. Improving safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists strengthens every community in this region. This plan brings people together and sets up the investments we need,” Sunland Park Mayor Javier Perea also said.

According to a news release, with the Policy Board’s adoption, the EPMPO is launching the implementation phase of the BSMP.

A Vision Zero Committee will guide long-term progress, evaluate performance measures, and ensure accountability for advancing the plan’s strategies. The committee will work closely with regional stakeholders to carry out corridor studies, safety projects, education campaigns, and infrastructure improvements.

The plan will also support municipalities in identifying and securing funding for priority projects to close gaps in the bicycle, pedestrian, and transit networks.

More updates in later newscasts.

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Breeze Airways calls off planned Redmond-to-Burbank nonstop flights; Alaska Airlines steps in to fill the gap

KTVZ on November 22, 2025

Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An airline that announced three new destinations from Redmond Airport this summer already has dropped one planned route, months before it was set to start.

Breeze Airways, based in Salt Lake City, had announced in mid-July that it would be serving Redmond starting next spring with non-stop flights to Burbank and Las Vegas and one-stop “BreezeThru” flights to Provo-Salt Lake City.

Breeze says its Las Vegas and Utah flights are still set to begin in mid-March, but “Breeze Airways has confirmed they will not be offering the Redmond to Burbank route as originally planned,” Redmond Municipal Airport Customer Service and Administrative Supervisor Jodi Low confirmed Friday to KTVZ News.

However, Low said Alaska Airlines has followed through on its plans also announced this summer and began daily non-stop service Oct. 26 between Redmond and Burbank.

“This ensures continued direct access to the Burbank area for Central Oregon travelers,” she said.

Avelo Airlines had announced in July it would be ending all of its Redmond flights before the end of the year. But Avelo’s flights to Burbank ended Oct. 20, more than a month earlier than the planned Dec. 1 conclusion, leaving customers scrambling for new flights and refunds.

Breeze Airways representative McKinnley Matson told KTVZ News on Friday that the flights to Las Vegas mean options to connect to other airports in Southern California airports also will be available.

“While we never enjoy cutting service (especially before it begins), we occasionally need to make adjustments to our schedule in order to maximize our limited resources,” Matson told us.

“These cuts are rare, as Breeze continues to maintain one of the highest market retention rates in the industry,” she added.

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Local law enforcement shares online shopping safety tips ahead of the holidays

News-Press NOW on November 22, 2025

Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren’t here just yet, but holiday shopping certainly is. Online shopping has become the “new normal” due to the convenience and reliability, but just like any form of online use, safety concerns remain.

Websites like Amazon and Target are used because of their safety and reliability; however, a safety concern people run into during holiday shopping online is visiting unfamiliar websites.

Shoppers can get unlucky when the item they were searching for is unavailable online.

Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Detective, Capt. Thomas Cates is familiar with internet scams and is urging shoppers to be smart online this holiday season.

“Sticking with known sellers is the main thing that you want to do. If you’re looking at a major retail site such as Target, you need to make sure that you’re actually at Target.com or whatever the official website name is that you’ve been directed there from, usually by Google or some other reputable search engine,” said Thomas Cates.

Known sellers are the safest and most reliable option. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency(CISA), many of these websites have fake spoof sites, often accessible through spam emails or fake ads.

“You click on that and it takes you to a website that looks kind of like the normal retailer’s website, but slightly different, or maybe you just get an odd feeling about it, or you can’t verify that sale page on the retailer’s traditional website, then it’s most likely going to be a scam,” said Cates.

These look-alike websites are often a scammer trying to target shoppers for their information by offering fake items with too-good-to-be-true deals.

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Heavy traffic expected for NCAA Cross Country championships

KMIZ on November 21, 2025

Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Organizers are expecting a large crowd for Saturday’s NCAA Cross Country Championship, and that could mean heavy traffic around the Gans Creek Concourse.

Fans planning to attend must purchase parking passes online in advance—no passes will be sold on-site. Tickets for the event are still available and can be purchased online the day of the meet.

The University lists three parking options for sale—Red, Orange, and Purple—all within a 10-minute drive of the course:

Red Lot: 2800 Maguire Blvd, $12

Orange Lot: 2810 Lemone Industrial Blvd, $6

Purple Lot: 3101 Lemone Industrial Blvd, $6

Shuttles will run from each lot to the course starting at 6:30 a.m.

Additional parking is available at 4210 through 42240 Phillips Farm Road and 4780 Discovery Drive. Those lots are booked from 5:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. that day. Shuttle buses will run from the lots.

There will be two main points of entry: One designated for shuttle drop-offs and two parking lots close enough for attendees to walk. Organizers said pedestrians will be guided to cross at supervised points where public safety officers can help direct them to the ticketed access area.

Megan McConachie, spokeswoman for the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, said safety has been the top priority throughout the planning process. She said several city departments have been involved in coordinating traffic flow and logistics leading up to race day.

“We working with our streets department, our parking folks, or public safety so that– A, they know what’s going on and B, they can also advise us because that’s their area of expertise on moves we might need to make,” McConachie said.

McConachie added that the satellite parking setup is designed to reduce congestion and get fans to the course safely.

“So having those satellites parking places as well as is just going to alleviate some of that traffic. It’s going to be mostly people coming in on shuttles and they’re going to kind of stop at a point that’s before where they’re going to encounter any athletes,” she said.

Drivers will see signage along Highway 63, Discovery Parkway, and East Gans Creek Road reminding them to watch for pedestrians. The Columbia Police Department will have three officers on site to manage traffic. Officials advise drivers to allow extra time and follow law enforcement directions.

Beyond the crowds and traffic, the championship brings a major economic boost to the area. According to the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, this weekend’s event is expected to generate $1.2 million in revenue for local businesses, from restaurants and hotels to shops and attractions.

Organizers say that careful planning of parking and shuttles helps ensure fans can enjoy the event safely—and support the community at the same time.

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Idaho Department of Education seeks public input on draft plan to free schools from red tape at the federal level

KIFI on November 21, 2025

Ariel Jensen

IDAHO (KIFI) — The Idaho Department of Education is asking for the public’s help to reduce federal paperwork and required tests for schools.

Over the past eight months, the department has been exploring ways to improve how the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is being implemented.

They are asking people to review a draft plan that suggests changes to the state board of education. These options are designed to free schools from red tape at the federal level.

They hope this will allow the state to better meet local student achievement goals.

“We are taking every opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Education to increase flexibility in federal programs,” said Chief of Staff Greg Wilson. Our goal is to ensure schools can focus on serving students and addressing local needs rather than getting bogged down in reporting requirements and red tape.

The comment period will remain open through the end of the year. For more information and where you can make a comment about the federal flexibility draft recommendations, click HERE.

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Health officials urge precautions after county’s first flu death ahead of holiday season 

KESQ on November 21, 2025

Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — Riverside County health leaders are urging residents to take precautions ahead of Thanksgiving as flu activity begins to rise and the county records its first flu-related death of the 2025–26 season. Riverside University Health System confirmed that the individual who died was over the age of 65, lived in western Riverside County, and was not believed to have been vaccinated.

Dr. Geoffrey Leung, a physician for Riverside University Health System, said the death serves as a stark reminder that flu season is underway and that now is the critical time to get protected. He stressed that vaccination ahead of the holidays is one of the most effective ways to reduce severe illness and safeguard vulnerable loved ones.

He noted that while flu activity is only beginning to rise, emergency rooms and hospitals historically see increases as the season progresses.

“We are just starting to see flu cases pick up and we expect that we’ll see a rise… and that tells us that this is the best time to get vaccinated because you do want to get your flu shot before the peak.”

Dr. Geoffrey Leung, Riverside University Health System Physician

County numbers show that only about 16 percent of residents are up-to-date on their flu vaccinations this season, a slightly lower rate compared to this time last year. With holiday gatherings approaching, Leung said families can play a role in protecting those at higher risk.

“The best way to protect grandmother or a mother who’s pregnant is to have everybody else in the house get vaccinated and sort of provide the safeguard.”

Dr. Geoffrey Leung, Riverside University Health System Physician

Health officials continue to recommend common preventive steps in addition to vaccination, including frequent handwashing, covering coughs, and staying home when sick.

Even though the flu shot takes about two weeks to reach full effectiveness, officials emphasize that it is never too late to get vaccinated.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more. 

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Salmon students line four blocks with food bank donations

KIFI on November 21, 2025

Curtis Jackson

SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Students in Salmon are proving that young voices can make a big difference.  

When a group of junior and high school students heard their local food bank was running low, they jumped into action. On their own, the students gathered over 25-hundred items for the food bank at Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership’s location in Salmon. 

The donations filled the length of four blocks down Main Street.

A video created by Amber and Dustin Pace highlighted their hard work. EICAP reps said it helped fill their shelves for the season and are grateful for the help.

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