St. Joseph Mustangs share updates on Phil Welch renovations

News-Press NOW on January 6, 2026

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Mustangs said Phil Welch Stadium is ready for the next steps in a more than $1 million project funded by St. Joseph’s Capital Improvements Program Parks and Recreation tax.

A recent Facebook post by the Mustangs showcased the new concrete around the entire stadium.

Courtesy of the St. Joseph Mustangs.

Right now, the concrete is smooth around the entire stadium, including in the seating areas behind both baselines. Soon, the concrete will no longer be empty.

The stadium will see new seats, which include bleachers as well as brand new seats for the reserved box seats with chair backs, which are still for sale.

Courtesy of the St. Joseph Mustangs.

The Mustangs have a limited number of box seats available for season ticket purchase, as well as general admission tickets. Fans can reserve a spot by calling 816-279-7856.

The CIP project is expected to be completed before the Mustangs’ 2026 season.

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DeKalb County woman describes backyard encounter with mountain lion  

News-Press NOW on January 6, 2026

Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)– A recent mountain lion sighting near the St. Joseph area has residents talking and taking extra precautions, especially those living near wooded and rural areas. 

Wildlife officials said Mountain Lion encounters in Missouri are rare; however, one DeKalb County resident shared her story as she came face-to-face with the animal just steps from her home last spring.  

“I let my dogs out at night, and it was just in my back field, along the fence by my big tree, and he was just standing there doing his own business, and my dogs actually scared him off,” Jessiy Hayes said.  

Hayes lives in a rural area where wildlife sightings are not uncommon. Despite her close encounter, she said she was never terrified of the mountain lion.

Neighbors in the area have shared stories of their own close calls, raising concerns about safety. 

“He minds his own business, but just recently this person was out doing his cattle and he did get scared because of one of them was was trying to attack him,” Hayes said.  

Hayes raises chickens and other farm animals on her property. She said the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) permitted her to shoot the animal if it poses a threat to her livestock.  

According to the MDC, there were five confirmed mountain lion sightings in the state in 2025. 

MDC Spokesperson Maddie Fennewald said large cats are highly mobile, which means they can travel long distances in a short amount of time, making sightings unpredictable. 

“By nature, mountain lions are very mobile and most of the mountain lions that we get in Missouri just kinda wander through…Since Missouri has so much open space its a luck of the draw if we spot them,” Fennewald said.  

The MDC also recommended keeping pets indoors when possible, securing livestock and avoiding walking alone in areas with dense vegetation when mountain lions are most active. 

According to the National Park Service, mountain lions are typically more active during dusk and dawn.

The Idaho Fish and Game reports that mountain lions are seen throughout the year, but observations and incidents tend to increase during the winter months due to fresh snow making their tracks more visible, along with increased numbers of deer and elk moving onto their winter ranges.

also emphasized that encounters between humans and mountain lions in Missouri are extremely rare.  

“Most of the mountain lions are going to be coming from (the) Western States of Wyoming, South and North Dakota, Colorado and Texas,” Fennewald said. “We don’t have any proof of an established breeding population in Missouri.”

She said sightings like these serve as a reminder that Missouri is home to a wide range of wildlife. While encounters are rare, residents are encouraged to stay alert and informed. 

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Military officially demobilizing National Guard troops activated in Portland, Los Angeles and Chicago

KTVZ on January 6, 2026

Barney Lerten

(UPDATE: Adding Video)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — After months of court fights and legal limbo over their call-up by President Trump, hundreds of Oregon National Guard members and others called up in Portland, Los Angeles and Chicago to protect federal facilities are being demobilized, the U.S. Northern Command confirmed Tuesday.

“All Title 10 troops in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago are conducting demobilizing activities. They will return to their home units once their demobilization is complete,” according to a brief update on NORTHCOM’s “Federal Protection Mission” website.

Trump federalized 200 Oregon National Guard troops in late September in response to protests outside an ICE facility in Portland’s South Waterfront neighborhood, KGW reported, although he repeatedly described both the mission and the situation on the ground in Portland in far broader and more incendiary terms, such as claiming that life in the city was like “living in hell” and that he was “authorizing Full Force, if necessary” to respond to “Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.”

Local and state political leaders protested the move, arguing that Trump was grossly exaggerating the situation on the ground and that the existing federal personnel at the ICE facility were fully capable of keeping it secure. KGW’s reporting showed that the protests were largely peaceful and confined to just a few nearby blocks.

Trump announced recently that he was withdrawing the National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, but left the door open to sending federal forces “in a much different and stronger form.” He did so after the US Supreme Court rejected his request to let him deploy the Guard to Chicago to protect ICE agents as part of the administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown.

Governor Tina Kotek issued a statement Tuesday in response to the official demobilization order, received Monday by the Oregon Military Department. She said demobilization activities require Oregon National Guard members to travel to Fort Bliss, Texas before returning to Oregon.

“The citizen-soldiers of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, friends, and family,” Kotek said. “These courageous Oregonians deserve certainty and respect. While I am relieved that all our troops will finally return home, it does not make up for the personal sacrifices of more than 100 days, including holidays, spent in limbo. 

“During this crisis, Oregonians stood united against the unwanted, unneeded, unconstitutional military intervention in our state, with thousands peacefully voicing their opposition to the Trump Administration’s abuse of power. 

“President Trump’s disregard for the facts on the ground revealed that he is more focused on provoking a fight in cities and states that don’t share his politics than serving the American people. I remain committed to defending our values and the rule of law.”

Kotek said a U.S. District Court injunction preventing Guard deployment in Oregon remains in effect and on appeal in the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

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State Tech student accused of posing as border patrol agent, threatening Mexican restaurant

KMIZ on January 6, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A student from State Technical College was charged after he allegedly threatened employees at a Mexican restaurant while posing as a border patrol agent.

Coby Williams, 20, of Linn, was charged on Monday in Osage County with first-degree making a terroristic threat, first-degree harassment and misdemeanor impersonating a law enforcement officer. He is being held at the Osage County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance was held on Tuesday morning.

The probable cause statement says Williams allegedly admitted to law enforcement that he called El Carnaval Mexican Restaurant in Linn on Sunday and made threats.

Dispatchers were called about the threat at 7:41 p.m. Williams allegedly identified himself to staff as “Sgt. Williams” and asked the restaurant if they had any “illegals” working, court documents say. Williams then allegedly told those inside the restaurant to “go outside and get on their knees and put their hands on their head,” court documents say.

Williams allegedly told the employee “we can do this the easy way or the hard way” then claimed “things will get messy” if the restaurant did not comply, court documents say. Police wrote that about 14 people were in the restaurant at the time of the threat.

Police then arrested Williams at his apartment, the statement says.

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Twin Falls boy struck by tree still recovering in Boise

KIFI on January 6, 2026

CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 06 JAN 26 15:42 ET

By Don Nelson

Click here for updates on this story

    BOISE, Idaho (KIVI) — The holidays have been tough for the French family out of Twin Falls County. You may remember that about three weeks ago, on Dec. 17, a strong windstorm toppled a tree that ultimately struck two of their three children as they waited at the bus stop. One of those children, Porter French, is still recovering at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Boise.

“He’s a fighter, and it’ll be a long road, but I know he can do it,” said Alisha French, Porter’s mom.

Porter’s parents say they hope the 11-year-old will get out of bed for the first time this week.

Porter’s sister Viviana was released from the hospital on Christmas Eve. “She’s like a normal kid again,” said Alisha. “It’s hard to keep her from limited activity, not running, no jumping, or dancing, twirling— just try and protect her head.”

To say it’s been a rough few months would be an understatement.

Alisha French put it this way: “Speaking of, when it rains, it pours. In October, he was in a car accident, and our main car was totaled, and so we haven’t replaced the car yet.”

Two days before the tree accident, the French family says they were asked by their landlord to vacate, leaving them to find a new home when they return to Twin Falls. For now, the Ronald McDonald House is home.

Their oldest son, Charlie, is with his Grandparents back in Twin Falls.

A fundraiser at Papa John’s in Twin Falls is scheduled for Wednesday, and their GoFundMe account is still active. Ren and Alisha are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support they’ve received in Twin Falls and Boise.

“It’s just amazing to see people reach out and show concern and care that you don’t know. Often people will say, ‘we’re praying for you,’ where I never would have interacted with otherwise, and so it’s amazing to see that.”

And as far as welcoming in a New Year? The couple is praying for the best. “It’s got to be better,” said Alisha. “It’s going to be better; it’s the way you think about it— so 2026 will be better,” added Ren French.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KIVI verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Girl injured in NYE fireworks display receives heartwarming hairdo

KIFI on January 6, 2026

CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 06 JAN 26 15:36 ET

By Barclay Idsal

Click here for updates on this story

    NAMPA, Idaho (KIVI) — Isabella, the girl injured during the New Year’s fireworks display in downtown Boise, has a fresh new hairdo thanks to her aunt and the generosity of a local salon.

In an update shared by the family on their GoFundMe page, Stephanie Ratto said that Isabella’s Auntie Jordan, who works as a stylist at One 3 Salon in Nampa, was allowed to open the salon during off-hours to wash Isabella’s hair.

The update goes on to explain that the family has had a hard time washing Bella’s hair without getting her face wet.

Having a quiet salon for Isabella, who is autistic, allowed the child to have her first successful public outing.

“At home, it had been too difficult to remove the blood without getting her face wet, so her aunt stepped in with so much love and care.” – Stepahie Ratto via GoFundMe

During the VIP appointment, Isabella expressed peace and calm, saying, “This is the stuff,” and “feels so much better, now.”

The update concludes by thanking the community for its continued support as the family continues to support Isabella on her healing journey.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KIVI verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Two people die in car crash on S. Avenue 1E

KYMA on January 6, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) has responded to a crash in the area of S. Avenue 1E. and E. County 15th Street Tuesday.

YCSO says the crash happened at about 11:27 a.m. when a Chevy Captiva failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into a Jeep Wrangler.

Life saving measures were provided but the single drivers of each vehicle died due to their injuries.

The driver of the Chevy was identified as 87-year-old Ginger Adell Bradford of Yuma while the driver of the Jeep was identified as 85-year-old Ronald Edward Yowell of Yuma.

According to a reporter on scene, two vehicles were involved in the crash, and both suffered significant damage to the front end of their vehicles.

Our reporter says YCSO is still on scene, and according to a post on Facebook, YCSO is asking drivers to avoid the area and seek an alternate route.

It is unknown if impairment was a factor in the crash, according to YCSO.

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16-year-old St. Joseph teen found safe after being reported missing for week

News-Press NOW on January 6, 2026

Cameron Montemayor

7:45 p.m. UPDATE: Steen has reportedly been located and is safe, according to someone close to the family.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Authorities and family members of 16-year-old Dakota Steen are asking for the community’s assistance after the teen was reported missing on Dec. 30 in St. Joseph. 

Dakota Steen, a 16-year-old teenager from St. Joseph, has been reported missing by his family and was last seen in St. Joseph on Dec. 30, 2025. 

Authorities and the family are seeking the public’s help with locating the teen safely. Steen may still be in the area and could be using the name “Kota.”

A Facebook post from Steen’s family said they were hopeful he would come home on his own, but more than a week has now passed since he first took off around 3 p.m. on Dec. 28. 

“We are all very much worried about him, he has not been in contact with anyone,” the post reads. 

A missing person’s report for Steen has been filed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrol. 

Anyone with information on Steen is encouraged to contact the St. Joseph Police Department at 816-271-4777 or the NCMEC 24-Hour Call Center at 1-800-843-5678. If seen, call 911 immediately. 

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Jefferson City Council approves parking fine hike

KMIZ on January 6, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council at its Monday night meeting approved a parking fine hike with an 8-2 vote.

Parking violations were approved to be $25 across the board. A fine for metered parking was previously $6.

Other notable increases include blocking a driveway and parking in a no-parking zone increasing from $17, parking at an expired 10-hour meter results in a fine, first offense of overtime metered parking is raised from $8, while a second offense is raised from $14 and a third offense is decreased from $29.

Failing to pay parking garage fees is raised from $15, while a residential permit parking violation goes up from $18.

A change in parking fines suggested by the Jefferson City Council. [Courtesy Jefferson City]

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Cinematic Trio to Be Awarded Vanguard Award at Upcoming Santa Barbara International Film Festival

KEYT on January 6, 2026

Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – With just a little over a month left until the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, an impressive trio has just been added to the already star-studded lineup.

On Tuesday, it was announced that actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro will received the Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award at the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival this upcoming February.

The trio will be honored for their work in the critically-acclaimed film, One Battle After Another. The project has been one of the most talked about films, even before the start of award season. It is the most nominated Golden Globes contender, earning a staggering nine nominations – including individual nominations for DiCaprio, Penn and Del Toro, and an impressive 14 Critics Choice Awards nominations.

The film festival says the Hammond Cinema Vanguard is reserved for actors “who have forged their own path, taking artistic risks and making a significant and unique contribution to film.”

“This is by far the most exciting tribute in SBIFF history. These three artists individually have regaled us with exemplary and unforgettable performances, and together, they have made one of the best films, ‘One Battle After Another.’ Let’s rejoice,” said SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling.

Movie lovers will recognize the iconic trio from their individual long-time careers. Academy award-winning actor and producer Leonardo DiCaprio has starred in films such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Wolf of Wall Street, Inception, The Great Gatsby, and Django Unchained, The Aviator, The Departed, Gangs of New York, Shutter Island, and Killers of the Flower Moon. 

Sean Penn – notable filmmaker, actor, and author – has been honored in previous film festivals in Cannes, Berlin, and Venice. Known for his work in Mystic River, Milk Dead Man Walking, Sweet and Lowdown, and I Am Sam.

Puerto Rican actor and producer, Benicio Del Toro, has received numerous Academy Awards and nominations throughout his decades-long career. Starring in films such as Sicario and Sicario: Day of the Soldado, 21 Grams, Sin City, Things We Lost in the Fire, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Dicaprio, Penn, and Del Toro will receive the Hammond Cinema Vanguard award on Monday, February 9, 2026 at the 41st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

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