Mid-Missouri shelters see increase in people in need as frigid cold hits the area

KMIZ on January 18, 2026

Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Room at the Inn is keeping its doors open throughout Saturday night for people in need of a warm place to sleep as the frigid cold sweeps through mid-Missouri.

Manager John Trapp said the shelter regularly hits its full capacity of 110 people. The shelter opens at 6:30 p.m. and closes at 8 a.m.

He said people are grateful to have a warm space and a meal to eat.

“Well, if they’re here, they’re not outside,” Trapp said. “That’s our main goal, is to keep people from having to sleep outdoors during the winter.”

The warming shelter will be open Monday, which is Martin Luther King Jr Day. Trapp said that’s because the city buses won’t be running.

Many people won’t have any place else to go.

“With it being a holiday, it really doesn’t meet our criteria to stay open as far as the coldness goes, but we’re going to do it anyway,” Trapp said.

Audrain County Room at the Inn Executive Director Revae Moore said the shelter saw new people on Friday night.

“The shelter’s different every day, so I know last night we had more people than we’ve had in a while,” Moore said. “Several new faces were at the shelter last night, so it was good to see them come off the streets.”

Moore couldn’t tell ABC 17 News the exact number of people in the shelter Friday. Moore’s shelter can serve 16 people, and she saw eight people the last time she was in.

The shelter opens daily at 5 p.m., and people can come in and out of the facility until 10 p.m. The shelter closes at 7 a.m. on days when the weather is below freezing. The shelter will open early and stay open throughout the day, although Moore said she doesn’t think that’s necessary for Sunday.

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‘It’s just not affordable:’ Idaho Democratic Party Chair outlines major concerns for the Legislature

KIFI on January 18, 2026

David Pace

Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea speaks with Local News 8.

BOISE, Idaho – As the Idaho Legislature kicks off for 2026, Local News 8 is interviewing the Idaho Democratic and Republican Party Chairs about their top priorities this session.

Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea outlined some of the Democrat party’s goals and reacted to Governor Brad Little’s State of the State address in an interview on Friday.

“Idaho Democrats are very concerned about what we’re seeing happen with the budget and the expressed priorities,” she said. “There is a big hole in our budget because of deep revenue cuts that were made last year. And instead of, you know, patching those holes, it seems that the Republicans supermajority seems to want to roll ahead with a budget that cuts critical services.”

She cited $450 million of “permanent revenue cuts” passed in 2025 by the Republican supermajority.

“This includes a $50 million voucher scheme that is going to send dollars out the door with zero accountability to subsidize tuition at private, religious, and for-profit schools,” Necochea said. “At the same time that we have a $100 million funding gap for special education in your local neighborhood school. So it’s just not affordable.”

Necochea also listed recently discarded mental health treatment programs and cuts to therapy for children with disabilities among her chief concerns.

“These are just really crucial things that are not really optional if we’re going to have a society where everyone has a chance to succeed,” she said.

Necochea said Democrats are gearing up for a major battle to protect Medicaid expansion in the state.

“Medicaid expansion is the best investment in our budget because we put in $1 and then we get to draw down at $9, and that means we get to cover 90,000 people in Idaho who face low wages but don’t have jobs that offer health coverage,” she said.

The Idaho Democratic Chair said her party is fighting to bring down the cost of living.

“We want families who put in the work to be able to pay their utility bills, put a roof over their head and make sure their neighborhood school is strong, and it’s going to make sure that their kids are going to be set up to do the same for the next generation,” she said.

Local News 8 will continue our coverage of the 2026 Legislative session.

We are reaching out to hear from Idaho Republican Party Chair Dorothy Moon next week.

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Voters react as Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Janelle Bynum hold townhall in Sisters

KTVZ on January 18, 2026

Spencer Sacks

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — For over an hour and a half, Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Janelle Bynum took questions from members of the community on Saturday.

They were answering questions on both foreign and domestic policy.

Both Sen. Wyden and Rep. Bynum took about 12 questions together, giving insight into how they voted on recent issues and what they think about current events.

The gymnasium was packed with residents from all across Deschutes County hoping to get their questions answered.

So I asked a few of them what they are hoping to hear about.

Randy Jones, a resident of Bend, told KTVZ News, “When will we see a step by achievable step of a plan that’s going to reverse the depredation, cruelty, and destruction of our system of compassionate governance?”

“Hopefully, we get some answers about trying to get rid of this clown that’s leading us astray,” Gary Mason, a resident of Sisters, told KTVZ News.

We are now about 10 months away from the midterm elections.

While legislators in Washington focus on issues such as what is happening in Iran, I asked potential voters what they are following as we get closer to the upcoming elections.

Bend Resident Robin Werdal told KTVZ News, “The total violence that is being perpetrated on citizens and immigrants in this country by ICE.”

“I think we need to overturn the Congress in the House and hopefully the Senate,” Sisters Resident Rob Phelps told KTVZ News. “Who’s going to pay for it? Purse strings are controlled by the House of Representatives.”

You can follow our election coverage at ktvz.com/elections and the ktvz app.

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Denver headed to AFC Championship after wild overtime win over Buffalo

KRDO on January 18, 2026

Bradley Davis

In a wild back-and-forth game with six total turnovers, Will Lutz knocked through a 23-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Broncos to their first AFC Championship birth since 2016.

Trailing 27-23 in the fourth quarter, Bo Nix led a 73-yard touchdown drive ending in a 26-yard strike to Marvin Mims with less than a minute left in the game.

Despite four turnovers in regulation, Josh Allen and the Bills kept bouncing back. In what’s becoming a Buffalo staple, Allen hit Khalil Shakir in the middle of the field, who threw a lateral back to Ray Davis for a 27-yard gain with 32 seconds left in regulation. That led to a Buffalo field goal, tying the game at 30 and sending it to overtime.

Their final turnover would be the dagger for the Bills. After Denver failed to score in overtime, Allen went deep to Brandon Cooks. Cooks looked to come up with the catch, but cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian ripped it away before hitting the ground, coming up with the incredible interception.

With the game on the line, Nix once again went back to Mims, who drew the 30-yard pass interference penalty. The play set up Lutz for the game-winning field goal.

The pace in this game really picked up in the final seconds of the first half. With just 22 seconds left near the Bills’ 30-yard line and the score tied at 10, Nix was not ready to settle for the last-second field goal. Instead, he hit Lil’Jordan Humphrey deep down the seam for the 29-yard touchdown.

On the next drive, Denver linebacker Nic Bonitto popped Allen on a scramble, forcing a fumble. Denver recovered, setting up Lutz for a 50-yard field goal as time expired, capping off a 10-point scoring burst in the final 22 seconds of the half.

The second half started with a little déjà vu. Allen fumbled, setting up another Lutz field goal.

That’s when the momentum started to turn. The Bills would go on to score 17 unanswered points and take the lead 27-23 midway through the fourth quarter.

As has been the case 11 other times this season, Nix and Denver were up to the challenge. The response with Mims late in the fourth and again in overtime was enough to finish a wild 33-30 divisional round victory. It’s the Broncos’ 12th one-score win this season.

For the Bills, it was a game plagued by mistakes. Buffalo committed five turnovers at Mile High. Allen is now 0-7 in overtime games in his career, and 0-3 in overtime playoff games. It ties Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning for most overtime losses without a win for a starting QB in NFL history.

Denver will host the AFC championship game next Sunday at 1 p.m. Their opponent depends on the result of tomorrow’s AFC divisional tilt between Houston and New England.

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National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Hosts MLK Day Brunch

KIFI on January 18, 2026

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Pocatello Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) hosted their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration earlier this morning. This year’s celebration was a brunch in the student union building at Idaho State University.

The program included guest speakers like Pocatello Mayor Mark Dahlquist. The guests enjoyed a breakfast buffet following the program honoring Dr. King’s legacy.

There was also a reading of the joint proclamation between the cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck, announcing that next week has been named “Martin Luther King Jr. Week” and activities will continue throughout the holiday week.

Mayor Dahlquist told us it’s important the community honor his legacy. “He had so many wonderful ways for going about promoting justice and we need that in our communities today,” he said. “He promoted community activeness and serving the community and as Mayor of Pocatello, that’s something I can try to promote with our public.”

Dahlquist also said that in order to have a welcoming community, everyone needs to take part in caring for their neighbors and focusing on kindness.

“We all need to be united,” Dahlquist said. “I am the mayor for all and today is a symbol of that being the utmost important for a leader to carry out and act upon.”

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Protesters Gather on Broadway Bridge Speaking Out Against Wars

KIFI on January 18, 2026

Hadley Bodell

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A small group of the Young Democrats of Bonneville protested on the Broadway Bridge today. Their signs read anti-war slogans as well as those claiming the Trump Administration is not helping those in economic distress.

One protester explained why the group gathered today, saying, “We’re out here against all those wars. We don’t want to have World War III. We feel that Trump’s actions are very reckless and he’s not doing the people any favors.”

“People are struggling in this economy right now, and we’re asking for that money to be brought to the polls instead of just trying to fight these endless wars,” he said.

Many protesters had signs reading against dictatorship, one read “Rejecting Kings Since 1776.” Today’s protest in Idaho Falls is one of many that have occured across the US over the past several weeks.

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Holtville becomes epicenter of 4.1 magnitude earthquake

KYMA on January 17, 2026

Carolina Garcia

HOLTVILLE, Calif. (KYMA) – Holtville, California was the epicenter of a magnitude 4.1 earthquake.

The earthquake was felt throughout all cities in the Imperial County as well as in Mexicali. It happened early Thursday morning close to 2 a.m. California time.

No injuries were reported, nor was there any damage to structures. 

“It was the basically the leading event of the swarm. We had a precursor 2.0, and then we had a follow up earthquake and a 3.5. We do live in an area that is highly seismic in nature,” said Cedrid Ceceña​​​​​​​, Imperial County Fire Deputy Chief of Operations. 

The Imperial County area is surrounded by at least five major faults, including the San Andreas, Imperial, and Brawley faults.

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Locals and winter visitors attend 17th Annual Tractor Rodeo in Wellton

KYMA on January 17, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals and winter visitors attended the 17th Annual Tractor Rodeo in Wellton this weekend.

The event, which kicked off Friday, took place in the area of E. County 12th Street, near the Coyote Wash Golf Course, at 9:00 a.m.

During the event, attendees got to see the tractor pull and a variety of new and vintage tractors and engines on display.

Bill Lanier Jr., President of the Southwest Forgotten Iron Edge&TA Branch 206, shared where the proceeds are going towards.

“All of the proceeds that we get from this event goes back into the communities of Wellton and Roll and the Mohawk Valley area, and that’s how it’s been since the inception of the event,” Lanier Jr. said.

Lanier also said Antelope Union High School’s FFA and Auto Skills Classes will receive a majority of the proceeds as well.

There was also a variety of food and drink vendors, a swap meet, a 50/50 raffle drawing and live entertainment.

The event wrapped up Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

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Locals attend annual Cruisin’ Yuma Charity Car Show

KYMA on January 17, 2026

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County were revving their engines and raising money in the Foothills Saturday.

The annual Crusin’ Yuma Charity Car Show took place at Fortuna De Oro RV Resort at 10:00 a.m. in an effort to raise money for local Veterans and youth.

This year, the show was under new management, but the goal remains the same with even more charities involved.

“They always they gave scholarships to like Annapolis and then they also supported the with the donation to the Young Marines and the Sea Cadet program here in Yuma. We’re going to continue that, but our major beneficiaries will be the Wounded Warriors Project and Tunnels to Towers,” said Ed Ernest, President of the Yuma Car Club.

“It’s nice to support the charities as well as other small businesses in this town, and it’s great to have as many people come out and support it as possible,” said Jordan Anthony, owner of the Motor Pool.

The car show, which lasted until 3:00 p.m., was free to attend and had 147 entries to go towards the donations.

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Yuma community holds protest against ICE

KYMA on January 17, 2026

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma community gathered for a peaceful protest against ICE agents Saturday morning.

Community members marched from Eighth Street all the way to 16th Street, with one of the protesters, Roxanne Barley, sharing why they’re taking a stand.

“We’re standing in unity, we’re standing in solidarity to show that we are against the tactics and dehumanization of ICE agents,” Barley explained.

The protest lasted until noon.

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