Family Guidance launches all-new program to support pregnant women recovering from substance use disorders

News-Press NOW on January 16, 2026

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — An all-new program designed to support pregnant and postpartum women recovering from substance use disorders has been launched by Family Guidance Center.

From counseling and emotional support to transportation assistance, Family Guidance’s new “Strong Beginnings” program launched on Friday aims to help build stable and health futures with a wide range of services to support women navigating motherhood and substance abuse.

Strong Beginnings collaborators include Family Guidance Center for Behavioral Healthcare and Mosaic Life Care, with additional collaborations planned.

“Strong Beginnings is designed to reduce barriers to care and meet women where they are — offering hope, dignity, and practical support during a critical stage of life,” said Ashley Grippando, RN, Strong Beginnings Program Coordinator at Family Guidance Center, in a news release. “This program creates a space where women are encouraged, supported, and empowered to begin healing and change the trajectory of their lives and their children’s lives.”

Strong Beginnings offers:

Counseling and emotional support for pregnant or one-year postpartum women with substance use disorders

Education and recovery resources

Advocacy and case management

Connection to community services, including substance use disorders treatment

Transportation assistance

According to Family Guidance, the number of pregnant or postpartum women experiencing substance use disorders continues to rise across St. Joseph and Northwest Missouri, while specialized, coordinated support services remain limited.

“Without intervention, these challenges can lead to serious health, child-welfare, and economic consequences for families and communities,” a news release from Family Guidance reads.

The hope is offering early and supportive intervention will improve healthy outcomes while also reducing financial strain on mothers and state resources. Health impacts can also have a significant impact on costs for foster care.

“Missouri child-welfare data underscores the importance of early support. Foster care costs range from $6,108 to $8,544 per child each year, and when legal, medical, and casework services are included, costs can reach approximately $25,000 per child annually.

In the state of Missouri, neonatal intensive care unit stays related to prenatal substance exposure can range as high as $60,000 to $100,000 per infant. Emergency room visits and overdose hospitalizations can also cost thousands of dollars.

“Programs like Strong Beginnings are vital because they remove barriers and provide hope for women facing substance use challenges,” said Zakary Reneau, DO, Mosaic Life Care, in a news release. “By working together as a community, we can improve health outcomes for mothers and babies and create a foundation for stronger families.”

Individuals interested in learning more about Strong Beginnings can visit www.fgcnow.org or contact:

Click here to follow the original article.

KC man sentenced to nearly 4 years for federal gun charge

KMIZ on January 16, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Kansas City man on Thursday was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for a gun crime, according to a Friday press release from the Department of Justice.

James Tatum, 35, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for being a felon with a gun. The sentence includes three years of probation after he is released, the release says.

The release says Columbia police found Tatum with a gun during a stop on June 8, 2024.

“Tatum was encountered by a Columbia, Mo. Police Department officer on June 8, 2024. Tatum was alone in a vehicle, and while the officer was checking Tatum’s identification, he saw Tatum making what he believed were furtive movements in the front passenger area. During a subsequent search of the car, officers located a Glock 43X firearm under the driver’s seat,” the release says.

Click here to follow the original article.

Chocolate Lover’s Affair Promises Sweets and Silent Auction

KIFI on January 16, 2026

Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — If you’re looking for a sweet way to either have a girls’ night out or a fun date night, you’ll want to check out the upcoming Chocolate Lover’s Affair.

Local News 8 Live at Noon hosted Summer Jackson from the Pocatello Rotary Club, who is hosting the event, and she promised jazz music, a chance to dress up, and of course–lots of desserts from local vendors.

Summer also brought one of the vendors, Kaylee Reed from Impressed Coffee, with her crazy stupid good brownies for all to taste test.

Attendees will also be able to bid on great silent auction items. There will be a selection of beer, wine, and soft drinks available for purchase.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, it’s a great opportunity to explore local businesses who might be able to create an order for a loved one, friends, or family.

They will also be selling tickets for and drawing the winner for Dinner for Two Anywhere in the World—raffle tickets can be purchased ahead of time or at the event to be entered for a drawing where the winner is awarded airfare for 2, a night’s lodging, and a dinner gift certificate anywhere in the world.

Tickets can be purchased at  www.chocolateloversaffair.com

Click here to follow the original article.

Fountain eye clinic agrees to pay $240k over alleged illegal Medicaid billing

KRDO on January 16, 2026

Celeste Springer

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) — A Fountain eye clinic will be paying $240,000 to the state over allegations of illegal Medicaid billing, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office says.

Officials allege that Just for Grins Vision routinely billed Medicaid for two sets of lenses when only one set was delivered to patients.

The attorney general’s office says that Medicaid provides eye coverage to children and young adults under the age of 20; the vision benefit includes one pair of frames and two sets of lenses.

According to the attorney general’s office, Just for Grins Vision allegedly billed the state illegally for more than 1,800 claims from 2019 to 2025– though the provider disputes these claims.

“JFG [Just for Grins] Vision is a small practice.  JFG fully cooperated with the Attorney Generals Office.  JFG disagrees with the State’s interpretation of Medicaid coverage and billing standards. JFG settled to avoid a long distracting litigation and to instead focus on caring for patients,” read a statement from the provider.

Another company has agreed to pay the state in a similar settlement. Apex Vision and Wellness will pay $280,000 for a similar alleged scheme.

Click here to follow the original article.

Sedalia woman seriously injured in Pettis County crash; accused of DWI

KMIZ on January 16, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 27-year-old Sedalia woman was seriously injured in a crash Thursday evening on westbound Highway 50 in Pettis County, east of Muddy Creek, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.

An MSHP arrest report indicates that Leydi Maldonado, 27, of Sedalia, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated that caused physical injury, driving on the wrong side of a divided highway, not wearing a seatbelt and not having insurance. Charges were not available on Casenet on Friday afternoon.

The report says the Sedalia woman drove a 2023 Jeep Cherokee eastbound in the westbound lane of Highway 50 and hit a 2013 Chevrolet Suburban head-on. The Suburban was driven by a 69-year-old woman from Alma, Missouri.

The Jeep went off the right side of the road and stopped while facing north, while the Chevrolet stopped in the middle of the highway and was also facing north, the report says.

The Sedalia woman did not wear a seatbelt and was flown to University Hospital with serious injuries, the report says. The Alma woman wore a seatbelt, had minor injuries and was brought to Bothwell Regional Health Center by ambulance, the report says.

MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.

Click here to follow the original article.

South 22nd Street, south of Garfield Avenue to close Tuesday for utility work

News-Press NOW on January 16, 2026

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — South 22nd Street on the south side of Garfield Avenue will be closed Tuesday for utility work Missouri American Water is doing at the intersection.

While work began at the intersection Friday morning, city officials said the intersection opened back up Friday afternoon.

Work will resume on the intersection on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

In a Facebook post Friday, the City of St. Joseph said the closure will remain in effect until Wednesday, Jan. 21, weather-permitting.

Drivers traveling north on 22nd Street will be detoured to take Interstate 229 south to A Highway, A Highway to north 169, north 169 to Pear Street and then Pear Street west to 22nd Street.

Drivers traveling south on 22nd Street will take Pear Street east to 169, 169 south to A Highway, A Highway to I-229 and then I-229 north to Highway 371.

The City advised drivers to exercise caution while in work zones to ensure safety, not just for themselves, but for crews working as well.

Click here to follow the original article.

Santa Barbara County Looks at Ways to Benefit from 2028 Olympics

KEYT on January 16, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) –  Even though there are no athletic events scheduled in Santa Barbara County, there may be many benefits from the 2028 Olympics.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors set a list of goals ahead and one was looking at the Olympic benefits in the form of travel, tourism, and the history of the Olympics in Santa Barbara County.

Santa Barbara Supervisors Chairman Bob Nelson said, “it is an opportunity for us as a community to celebrate past Olympians and current Olympians and to have community events and celebrate national pride and a generational event so close to home.”  

The are many Olympic medal winners from Santa Barbara County over the years.

When the 1984 Olympics were held in Los Angeles, UC Santa Barbara had an Olympic Village.

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.

Click here to follow the original article.

New Train Service Could Be on Track This Spring on the Central Coast

KEYT on January 16, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – After a plan to go with a Metrolink addition to the train service in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties failed, a new option is about to get rolling in the next few months.

The targeted ridership is commuters, who are often part of the ongoing congestion during peak periods.

At the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), the members learned the Metrolink plan is not going to work as expected but they have been able to pivot.

Amtrak service is in line to have additional trains, especially where it’s needed to get workers out of their cars and off the freeway.

An update on agreements to get the process rolling is in the final stages, after many years of planning.

LOSSAN handles the San Diego-Los Angeles- San Luis Obispo corridor – that’s over 300 miles of train tracks.

Executive Director Jason Jewel said, “we are excited about the potential to bring expanded service not only to the Santa Barbara and Ventura county regions, but all the way up to San Luis Obispo and the entire corridor so we really think this is a great opportunity. “

Aaron Bonfilio with SBCAG said this solution came up quickly when Metrolink was out.

“In November they got the direction to proceed with that proposal and priorize it over other options,” he said to the SBCAG board.

For commuters who are coming from Ventura county to Santa Barbara and Goleta every day, and who are fed up with freeway construction and traffic, this will save them on gas and wear and tear on their car.

A price for a monthly pass has not been worked out but it is expected to be around $150.

Jewel said, “additional train service is vitally important to be able to provide commuters a way to travel to get to where they need to go and provide alternative options from the 101.”

The timing would be in line with the morning workers coming out of Ventura County around 6:30am -7:00am and have the final stop in Goleta before 8:30 a.m. There would be new options going south in the 2 o’clock hour and other choices later in the evening.

The upgraded train service plan is especially lining up for Goleta with its newest addition to the train stops on the Central Coast.

Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “I look forward to having this happen sooner than later as soon as we can because we have a train station in Goleta now almost ready and we want to trains rolling through.”

Union Pacific owns the tracks and is in line with adding the routes.

Agreements could be ready to put it all in motion in April with other service changes ahead.

Jewel said, “we are really excited to not only restore services, but also this proposal to possibly expand services throughout our corridor.”

Adding more train options would reduce freeway traffic and for those traveling on day trips or longer vacations, they can go car free.

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.

Click here to follow the original article.

City Trades Board of Appeals to discuss potential adoption of updated building codes

News-Press NOW on January 16, 2026

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — A revised building code release from the International Code Council prompted a public hearing from the City’s Trades Board of Appeals to discuss updated building codes.

The hearing, to be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, will be the board’s final discussion before making a formal recommendation to the City Council regarding adoption of the codes and amendments.

According to a news release from the City, approximately every six years, the International Code Council revises editions of its model building codes.

The City of St. Joseph reviews these updates and typically adopts them into City Code to ensure local regulations remain current with industry standards and best practices.

Codes for consideration include:

International Building Code

International Existing Building Code

International Fire Code

International Fuel Gas Code

International Mechanical Code

International Residential Code

International Property Maintenance Code

Uniform Plumbing Code

National Electrical Code (2023 edition)

When adopting new codes, the City typically includes minor amendments and revisions tailored to the specific needs of St. Joseph.

The City is currently operating under the 2018 editions of the codes and is now considering adopting the 2024 editions, along with the 2023 National Electrical Code.

Members of the public who are interested in the proposed building code updates are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jefferson City man accused of wife’s stabbing pleads not guilty, mental defect

KMIZ on January 16, 2026

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man accused of stabbing his wife to death this week at their home pleaded not guilty Friday, claiming a mental disease or defect.

Malang J. Akbari, 46, was charged Tuesday with murdering his wife, Manhaz Akbari, by stabbing her to death in their home on East McCarty Street. Court documents say Malang Akbari suspected his wife of cheating. Prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder, child endangerment and armed criminal action.

An Amber Alert was issued for two of Akbari’s children — an infant and a 12-year-old. The infant was later found at Akbari’s brother’s house, according to court documents. The alert was canceled, stating that the children were safe, but the older child’s whereabouts have not been stated publicly.

One of the Akbaris’ adult children found his mother stabbed after getting a call from his father, according to court documents. The couple has 11 children total, the youngest being almost 2-years-old. Ashley Qasem, a family friend to the Akbaris, tells ABC 17 News the three oldest children will take over caregiving duties of the other eight children.

“For the older kids, their biggest focus is making sure that all of them stay together. They’re a very, very close family,” Qasem said.

Malang Akbari’s lawyer, David Moen, said in court Friday that Akbari pleaded not guilty because of a mental disease or defect, claiming Akbari has PTSD from his time serving alongside American armed forces in Afghanistan. Moen said Akbari might also have lead poisoning from pieces of the metal in his body from shootings and grenade shrapnel.

Moen described Akbari as a “war hero” who spent six years in combat against the Taliban. Akbari’s family was relocated to a military base in New Jersey in August 2021 before resettling in Jefferson City that December, Moen said.

Qasem first met Malang and Manhaz Akbari’s family nearly five years ago.

“At the Columbia airport when they were first getting resettled here as refugees, I went there with them to their house and helped them settle in and stuff,” Qasem said.

Their families also attend the same Mosque in Jefferson City.

“They were both always very loving, very warm, very welcoming,” Qazem said.

She said she never would have expected the tragedy that unfolded on Monday.

“This is not what Islam teaches,” Qasem said. “This really, truly was just a horrific act of domestic violence and it never should have happened. This is not something that a muslim man is allowed to do to his wife for any circumstance.”

The Akbari children are in temporary housing arrangements with family members as they work to find their new normal, a fundraiser has been organized to gather donations.

“It’s important that we focus our energy on supporting the children and the family as they navigate this loss,” Qasem said.

A Cole County judge entered a not guilty plea, and he told Moen that he will need to file paperwork for a mental health evaluation.

A preliminary hearing for Akbari was scheduled for Feb. 19.

Click here to follow the original article.