News Channel 3-12 Talks Venezuela, ICE, Greenland – But What Do You Think?

KEYT on January 13, 2026

News Channel 3-12

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – On Thursday, Your News Channel will invite State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson and former Santa Barbara City Councilman Dale Francisco in what is anticipated to be a heated discussion on recent world events.

The two will represent both sides of the political discussion on topics such as the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and U.S. involvement in Venezuela, immigration crackdowns and protests across the country, and Trump pushing for U.S. acquisition of Greenland.

Tell us what you think in the chat box above.

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Rent Stabilization Could Progress Soon in Santa Barbara

KEYT on January 13, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Another step towards rent control in Santa Barbara could happen on Tuesday.

The city council first discussed it late last year in a five-hour session, and instructed the staff to come back with a plan.

It would include a rent freeze until the ordinance can be discussed and voted on, possibly in the summer.

There would be some exemptions including single family dwellings, some condos and units owned or managed by a not for profit organizations.

The tenants union has rallied in support of the rent stabilization efforts saying rents and increases in recent years are drastically beyond the reach of many residents, including low and middle income workers and families.

Landlords say a rent freeze or limits on rent increases would impact their ability to keep up their property or make their payments in some cases.

The discusson on this began when two council members Wendy Santamaria and Kristen Sneddon had it added to the agenda to open the process that included staff input and many community members speaking out.

Mayor Randy Rowse has not waited for this issue to move forward and has already spoken out against the plan.

A full copy of the proposals can be found on the City Council Agenda. ( Item 14)

City council will take up the issue after 2:00pm tomorrow afternoon.

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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Rexburg launches public survey following failed police station bond

KIFI on January 13, 2026

Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — City leadership in Rexburg is looking for feedback from residents on building a new police station after a bond for the proposed building failed to pass in November, despite receiving a majority of the votes.

Because Idaho law requires a “supermajority” of two-thirds for bond approval, the measure fell short of the legal threshold. The city has now launched a public survey to determine how to move forward.

“We’re trying to figure out what our options are going forward. Right. And so we want to understand how the residents feel about the bond,” said Matthew Nielson, CFO for the city of Rexburg. “They did have concerns, what those concerns are, and how can we address those concerns? Did they have questions that weren’t answered? How can we answer those questions?”

The survey is designed specifically for Rexburg residents to help officials understand the disconnect between the majority support and the failure to meet the legal requirement. It asks participants whether they voted in the November election. The city has also included open-ended questions to allow residents to list specific concerns or highlight questions that they feel went unanswered during the initial bond campaign.

“They did have concerns, what those concerns are, and how can we address those concerns? Did they have questions that weren’t answered? How can we answer those questions?” explains Nielson.

The survey closes January 18, 2026. City officials plan to present and discuss the results during a City Council meeting scheduled for January 21. While it is currently unclear if the bond will reappear on the next local ballot, the upcoming council meeting will serve as the primary forum for deciding the project’s future.

To find that survey, click HERE.

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How lack of snow affects tourist attractions in Southeast Idaho

KIFI on January 13, 2026

Maile Sipraseuth

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI)– While winter conditions and icy roads are often thought to curb local businesses, the lack of snowfall can have an even greater impact, particularly on Idaho businesses that depend on snow.

Local News 8 spoke with Justin Severson, manager of High Mountain Adventures in Island Park, to see how their business is doing amidst the underwhelming amount of snowfall.

“I won’t deny the fact that the lack of snow has shown a little bit of a decline. But with that being said, we still have a lot of the riders that might have come from elsewhere where their rides were canceled. You know, got paired with the fact that we had a lot of early season reservations. Those all came together and we still had a fairly strong season,” Severson said.

According to Drought.org, the western United States, including Idaho, is currently in a snow drought. Businesses like ski resorts or motor sports rentals are feeling the effects of a lack of snow.

Snow drought is caused by a combination of warm temperatures and/or low precipitation, according to the American Meteorological Society.

Severson mentioned that he’s never seen this little snowfall in Island Park.

“I’ve been here ten years. I’ve never seen such little snowfall. Reports from people that have lived here for quite a while, they say it hasn’t been [like this] since the 80s,” Severson said.

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Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert holding more town halls in Terrebonne this week, Sisters next week

KTVZ on January 13, 2026

KTVZ

TERREBONNE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reminded residents Monday about this week’s community Town Hall meeting on Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Terrebonne Community School.

Rupert said the Town Halls offer residents the opportunity to connect directly with their Sheriff’s Office, ask questions, share concerns, and provide ideas to help shape the future of public safety in Deschutes County.

Rupert also said he he will make a stop in Sisters on Wednesday, January 21, at Sisters Elementary School from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Additional Town Halls are in the works, including several in Bend.

Sheriff’s Town Hall Meeting Schedule

Terrebonne

Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location: Terrebonne Community School, 1199 B Ave., Terrebonne, OR

Sisters

Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Location: Sisters Elementary School, 2155 McKinney Butte Rd, Sisters, OR 

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Congresswoman Bynum announces Sisters town hall with Wyden

KTVZ on January 13, 2026

Triton Notary

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ)– Congresswoman Janelle Bynum is kicking off 2026 with a town hall in Sisters, giving Deschutes County residents a chance to share their concerns directly with their representatives in Washington. The event will be co‑hosted by Senator Ron Wyden.

The Deschutes County town hall is set for Saturday, January 17th, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at Sisters High School, 1700 W McKinney Butte Road in Sisters. Community members are invited to attend, ask questions and discuss priorities ranging from rural issues and public lands to housing, health care and the economy.

“Hearing directly from Oregonians is the most important part of my job,” Bynum said, noting that she held 21 town halls last year and is starting 2026 with more in‑person events. Senator Wyden said town halls are an opportunity for people in rural, suburban and urban areas to share opinions and ideas in an open forum with their neighbors.

The Sisters stop is part of Bynum’s first round of 2026 town halls, which also includes events in Clackamas and Linn counties later that weekend. All events are free and open to the public.

Below is the full release:

Oregon City, Oregon – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) announced her first three town halls of 2026, in Deschutes, Clackamas, and Linn Counties. Senator Wyden will co-host the town halls in Deschutes and Clackamas Counties, while Merkley will take on Linn County. Rep. Bynum hosted 21 town halls in 2025 and is picking up right where she left off with three more this January.

“Hearing directly from Oregonians is the most important part of my job,” said Rep. Bynum. “That’s why I held 21 town halls last year and that’s why I’m so excited to join Senator Wyden for 2 more to kick off 2026. I’ll see you out there, Oregon!”

“A new year means new opportunities for all Oregonians to share opinions, ask questions and discuss ideas in open-to-all town halls in community gatherings with their neighbors,”Wyden said. “These face-to-face meetings are always important, and I look forward to these town halls at the start of 2026 to hear Oregonians’ thoughts on priorities for the year ahead in rural, suburban and urban parts of our state.”

“I’m looking forward to again visiting wonderful communities all over our state. By talking directly to folks in each county my team and I can go to work for the interests and needs most important in each corner of our state,” Merkley said.

The time and location details for her upcoming town halls are below. Media availability information to come.

Deschutes County Town Hall with Senator WydenDate: Saturday, January 17th, 2026Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM PTLocation: Sisters High School – 1700 W McKinney Butte Rd, Sisters, OR 97759

Clackamas County Town Hall with Senator WydenDate: Sunday, January 18th, 2026Time: 12:30 PM – 2:15 PM PTLocation: Camp Withycombe – 15300 SE Industrial Way, Happy Valley, OR 97015

Linn County Town Hall with Senator MerkleyDate: Sunday, January 18th, 2026Time: 4:30 PM –6:30 PM PTLocation: Linn County Russell Tripp Performance Center – Ellingson Rd SW, Albany, OR 97321

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2 men sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2022 Columbia murder case

KMIZ on January 13, 2026

Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two men charged in a deadly 2022 shooting in Columbia were sentenced on Monday to 18 years in prison.

Oscar Ashford and Samarion Robins entered guilty pleas last week to second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. The two are charged in the shooting death of 15-year-old Aubrey Doxley on McKee Street in 2022.

The were were set to go to trial Monday but took a plea deal last week.

Ashford’s attorney, Stephen Concannon said a trail was avoided due to risks. After the sentencing, Concannon reflected on the outcome.

“This is a situation where no one is happy” Concannon said. “One thing I feel successful about is that he was a young man when this happened; and when he leaves prison he will still be a young man. So, we were able to salvage the biggest portion of his life, so I do see that as a success.”

Doxley’s family agreed to the plea agreement, due to not wanting to go to trial.

“I never win, I don’t win in this no matter what, nothing changed for me today I still buried my baby and I have to live with that,” Latoya Doxley, Aubrey Doxley’s mother said.

Latoya and four others read victim impact statements at Monday’s sentencing.

All described the pain the two men have caused since the shooting nearly four years ago. While statements were read, the two men looked straight forward or would look at the person speaking.

Latoya spoke for several minutes and said though she forgives the man, she still wants the truth to come out.

“I forgive yall I always have from the beginning because yall are just babies, but that was my baby,” She said. “I pray in my heart it don’t have to be now yall it don’t have to be tomorrow tell yall moms the truth yall know what happened and you know what you did, if you never tell anyone else tell your moms the truth,”

In her statement, Latoya reflected on her struggle to be angry at the men for taking her daughter’s life.

“I do not hate you no matter how much I’ve tried or wish that I did, that upsets me because how can I not after what was taken from me,” Latoya said. “But, I look at you now and even then and I just see babies but mother in me won’t let me hate you even though you walk in her I don’t see remorse but I understand.”

To keep Aubrey’s memory from living on, Latoya says her and her family will continue to celebrate her birthday, and honor her on the day of her death.

“Everybody loved her, she had her own individual relation with everyone in the family so it has impacted us extremely,” Latoya said.

At the pretrial conference, prosecutors revealed cell phone data that they said showed Robins and Ashford in the area of McKee Street when the shooting happened that left Doxley dead and two others hurt.

One of those hurt included Tavan Williams-Patrick. Court documents placed him in the back seat of the car during the shooting. Charges were dropped against Williams-Patrick in August.

Prosecutors said cellphone data also placed Ashford and Robins at an area hospital following the shooting, when Williams-Patrick was dropped off.

Ayers is charged with felony murder, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. A hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, while a pretrial conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 3. A jury trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 14.

According to court documents, he allegedly told Doxley’s cousin what happened and claimed Ashford was driving the car while Robins fire shoots out of the passenger window.

However, the state believes the shooting was retaliation for a shooting Ayers was involved in days prior, along with conflicts dating back to 2020.

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Jefferson City prison inmate accused of having shiv in baby powder bottle

KMIZ on January 13, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An inmate at Algoa Correctional Center in Jefferson City is accused of having a 7.5-inch, prison-made shiv in a baby powder bottle last year.

Brandon Bassett, 25, was charged with having a weapon at a prison and armed criminal action. A court date has not been scheduled.

Court documents allege prison staff found the blade while searching Bassett’s locker on Jan. 27, 2025. Bassett allegedly admitted to making the weapon by grinding one end of steel on concrete, so it would become pointed, court documents say. One end was wrapped with a rag, the statement says.

Court information indicates Bassett is serving a six-year sentence after he pleaded guilty on March 21, 2024, in Platte County to first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle and illegal gun possession.

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Caleb Cegers’ murder trial postponed to April in 2023 downtown Bend shooting of Taylor Wyss

KTVZ on January 13, 2026

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The trial of Bend murder suspect Caleb Cegers has been pushed back another three months, to early April, at the request of both the prosecution and defense. 

Cegers, now 22, appeared by video Monday from the Deschutes County Jail, where he’s been held without bail since his East Coast capture and arrest in the August 2023 fatal shooting of Taylor Wyss, 33, of Redmond on the sidewalk outside a downtown Bend bar. 

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Beth Bagley, who a year ago had delayed the 10-day jury trial by a year, rescheduled the trial to begin on Tuesday, April 7th. 

Prosecutors and defense attorneys filed a mid-December joint motion for trial postponement that was granted by Bagley. In their request for a delay, defense attorney Bryan Boender and Deputy District Attorney Brooks McClain said the defense attorneys’ investigation was not finished and that they had provided new evidence to prosecutors that they need to analyze and investigate. 

Boender also filed a supporting declaration, stating, “The defense is also still conducting its investigation and locating witnesses that were never interviewed by law enforcement, nor the prior defense team.” 

It’s the third trial postponement in the case of Cegers, who pleaded not guilty in January 2024 to second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. 

The judge on Monday agreed to the April 7 trial date proposed by both sides in the case. She also set a March 16 date for a trial readiness hearing, when she will also consider several pending defense motions, as well as whether Cegers has to wear restraints during the trial. Any new motions must be filed by Jan. 30, Bagley said, and each side has until Feb. 13 to respond.

Cegers’ older brother, Dahnte Cegers, now 27, pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution in the case and was sentenced to nearly four months in jail, with credit for time served, and three years probation, court records show.

Last year, he was arrested again and later pleaded guilty to a second-degree disorderly conduct charge after getting into a fight with three others outside Vector Volcano in downtown Bend. He was sentenced to a 10-day jail term, with credit for time already served.

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Jefferson City prison inmate accused of sodomizing another inmate in 2023

KMIZ on January 12, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An inmate who was previously held at a Jefferson City prison has been accused of raping another inmate in October 2023.

Michael Sheets, 41, was charged on Friday with first-degree sodomy in Cole County. He has since been moved to a Springfield facility. A court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29.

The probable cause statement says Sheets entered the victim’s cell on Oct. 8, 2023, at Algoa Correctional Center and raped the victim while they slept.

Court records say Sheets had pleaded guilty to drug possession on Dec. 16, 2021, in Taney County.

He was sentenced to five years of probation, but the probation was revoked on Aug. 3, 2022 and was ordered to serve five years in prison.

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