Sen. Ruchti to host three-part 2026 Legislative Town Hall series

KIFI on January 28, 2026

Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Looking to bridge the gap between the Statehouse and the community, State Senator James Ruchti (D-Pocatello) has announced three town halls for District 29 residents and surrounding community members during the 2026 legislative session. Ruchti says these forums are designed as a nonpartisan space for Idahoans to discuss the future of Medicaid, ask questions about policy priorities, and share concerns directly with leadership.

“Our democracy works best when the people are heard,” said State Senator Ruchti. “These events give folks the chance to speak directly with their elected representative, and for me to better understand how the decisions we’re making in Boise are affecting everyday Idahoans.”

Event Schedule & Areas of Focus

The first of these town halls will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM, at the Pocatello City Hall. According to the event description, this town hall is part of a “broader effort to hear directly from constituents about the challenges and gaps in Idaho’s healthcare system, especially regarding Medicaid access and eligibility.”

The second and third events will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, and Saturday, March 21, 2026. Both events will run from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at the Pocatello City Hall. Ruchti says these nonpartisan town hall events will cover a broad range of topics, including education, the state budget, and current legislation.

All of our events are open to everyone regardless of party affiliation and are intended to foster respectful, bipartisan discussion.

“We may not all agree on every issue, but we can agree that listening to one another – and beinghonest about our challenges – is the first step toward good policy,” State Senator Ruchti added. “Ihope to see you there.”

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Yellowstone announces early fishing season for three west-side rivers

KIFI on January 28, 2026

News Release

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Starting this year, Yellowstone National Park will extend the fishing season on three rivers in the park. The following waterways, located in the west side of the park, will open May 1 for fishing access, weeks in advance of the standard fishing season:

Firehole River (see map): The Firehole River and all associated tributaries downstream to the confluence with the Gibbon River at Madison Junction.

Gibbon River (see map): The Gibbon River and all associated tributaries from the bridge on the Grand Loop Road at the Norris Campground entrance downstream to the confluence with the Firehole River at Madison Junction.

Madison River (see map): The Madison River and all associated tributaries from the Montana-Wyoming state line upstream to the confluence with the Gibbon and Firehole rivers at Madison Junction.

The Madison River from the Montana-Wyoming state line downstream to the park boundary near the West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana, is open to fishing year-round (see map).

The fishing season on these sections of the Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison rivers will end Oct. 31, the same date as the standard fishing season in the park. Temporary, partial, or full fishing closures typically occur later in the fishing season on these three waterways due to warm water temperatures and low river flows. The earlier opening date of May 1 will align fishing access with more optimal angling and water conditions. No adverse impacts to the fisheries are anticipated with this extension. Water temperature and flow data for park waterways is available at Water Data for the Nation.

Most other fishing areas in the park will continue to be available during the standard fishing season, which is from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Oct. 31 each year. Learn more about fishing in Yellowstone, including information about fishing areas, regulations, and permits.

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Missouri House committee hears income-tax elimination bill Wednesday

KMIZ on January 28, 2026

Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A committee in the Missouri state House of Representatives heard the governor’s income-tax elimination bill and public comment on Wednesday.

Income-tax revenue makes up about two-thirds of the state’s revenue. The general assembly needs to find a way to replace money from the income tax, and Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe proposed expanding the sales tax to include services.

The policy is receiving a lot of attention from Republicans, including Speaker of the House Jonathon Patterson (R-Lees Summit), who introduced the bill to the commerce committee.

Many Republicans who support eliminating the income tax say it means more money in Missourians’ pockets, which is true. Missourians and people who come to the state could pay more at the register.

“I don’t think it’s a wash because it gives you your money, you hard-earned money, and lets you keep it, and then it lets you have a choice on how to spend it,” Patterson said.

Patterson and representatives from tourist attracting areas like the Lake of the Ozarks argue that eliminating the income tax makes Missouri more competitive.

However, Democrats argue this would increase the prices of everyday services, especially for senior citizens.

Rep. Pattie Mansur (D-Kansas City) said older adults on Social Security don’t pay income tax, and she’s worried this bill would add expenses that a fixed income can’t afford.

“By eliminating income tax for the state, then we have no choice but to raise sales tax, and we don’t know what that’s going to look like with the bill, that’s not described yet,” Mansur said.

The governor said he was trying not to increase the sales tax rate.

Patterson said the way to combat the sales tax base increase is for local governments to reduce property and personal taxes. The bill language requires this to be done by July 2029, if passed.

The speaker said his bill won’t disrupt public schools, which rely on state funding and local property taxes.

Jason Zamkus, a lobbyist with the Missouri Realtors, testified Wednesday morning in opposition to the bill. He said the bill could force price hikes on services like home inspections, appraisals and title insurance.

“After you layer all those together, it could inflate the housing costs to a Missourian, and potentially price them out of the market,” he said.

The speaker’s bill, House Joint Resolution 174, doesn’t make any changes to the tax rate right away. If passed, the bill would ask voters on November’s ballot if they would want to get rid of income tax, Patterson said. From there, the next general assembly would make a plan to eliminate the income tax.

Committee Chairman Rep. David Casteel (R-High Ridge) said the committee is likely to vote on the bill next week.

Kehoe said in his State of the State Address that income tax elimination is a top priority for this legislative session.

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Local nurse wins big in Schwarzenegger fitness app contest  

News-Press NOW on January 28, 2026

Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — A registered nurse in Medical Oncology at Mosaic’s Cancer Center took a chance to compete in a challenge from a fitness app created by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Jeremi Dierenfeldt and his wife Danielle entered the Iron Ticket Contest, a challenge on Schwarzenegger’s fitness app, “The Pump Club.”

In the effort of winning, the couple was able to meet and work out with Schwarzenegger.

“It’s a Pump Club app developed by Arnold Schwarzenegger and his team. It has workouts and stuff like that you can do for different programs based on your experience level and what you have access to,” Dierenfedlt said.  

He explained one of the biggest draws of the app is the strong community aspect. Members can post within the app, interact with each other and even attend meetups, which are held in different locations from time to time. 

Dierenfeldt said the app team booked flights and a hotel in Los Angeles, while the actual workout took place in Venice.  

“It was a bucket list goal for me to do that. And when it did happen, it was so surreal because I have been a big Arnold Schwarzenegger fan since I was a kid,” Dierenfedlt said.  

While meeting Schwarzenegger was the highlight of the experience, Dierenfeldt said what surprised him most was how down-to-earth he was.  

During and after the workout, he was able to get plenty of tips from Schwarzenegger and even take several photos with him.  

“After the workout happened, we went to his office and had breakfast there. We were able to see the movie props and other things in his office. It was neat to see the shotgun from Terminator 2 and all those things,” Dierenfedlt said.  

He encouraged others to download the Pump Club app, highlighting how it offers different membership options, including monthly and yearly plans.  

Dierenfeldt said he joined the app on launch day, making him one of its founding members.  

“They offered just a limited number towards a lifelong memberships but the app has grown a lot ever since it launched a couple of years ago,” Dierenfeldt added.  

He also said the app offers a one-week free trial, giving users a chance to explore it and see if it’s something they want to continue using.  

Dierenfeldt emphasized that being a longtime Arnold Schwarzenegger fan is a big reason he supports the app, but said the platform stands on its own.  

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Legislative budget-writers tell agencies to prepare for additional cuts

KIFI on January 28, 2026

Ryan Suppe

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on January 26, 2026

By: Ryan Suppe

BOISE, Idaho (IdahoEdNews) — State agency budget cuts could deepen to 5% for the current fiscal year and next fiscal year.

Leaders of the Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) told agency directors Monday to make plans for additional across-the-board spending cuts at 1% and 2%, according to a memo obtained by Idaho Education News. 

These would be in addition to the 3% cuts that Gov. Brad Little made through an executive order last year. 

Sen. C. Scott Grow and Rep. Josh Tanner — JFAC’s Republican co-chairs from Eagle — are “evaluating options to balance the statewide budget,” and “one of those options is to further reduce budgets,” the memo said. Keith Bybee, chief budget analyst for the Legislative Services Office, delivered the message on behalf of the co-chairs. 

Like Little’s directive last year, the additional statewide cuts would apply to fiscal year 2026, which ends June 30, and fiscal year 2027, which starts July 1. The potential reductions would also exempt K-12 public schools, but not higher education.

Sen. Scott Grow and Rep. Josh Tanner at a JFAC meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (Sean Dolan/EdNews)

A 5% cut would save the state $147.2 million in FY 2026, about $31 million more than the ongoing reductions recommended by the Republican governor, according to a spreadsheet attached to Monday’s memo. Click here to read it.

During his State of the State address Jan. 12, Little proposed a hodgepodge of one-time and ongoing cuts and fund transfers to address slowing tax revenue this fiscal year and a looming shortfall next fiscal year. But he didn’t recommend increasing his 3% across-the-board cuts to agency budgets.

Tanner, the newly appointed co-chair of the budget-setting committee, criticized the governor’s proposed budget for not making enough ongoing cuts and for relying on narrow margins on the bottom lines of two annual budgets that lawmakers must balance this legislative session. Little recommended ending balances of about $32 million in FY 2026 and $25 million for FY 2027. 

Tanner told EdNews Monday that additional cuts would allow for larger carryover balances. They would also make room for the cost of conforming to federal tax changes in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

On Friday, Idaho lawmakers introduced a bill that pegs the cost of conformity at $155 million, a mid-range estimate from the Idaho State Tax Commission. While the governor used the same estimate, he recommended implementing the tax changes in FY 2027, and the new bill would enact them immediately, cutting into state revenue this fiscal year. 

“There’s still a lot of unknowns,” Tanner said by phone. 

A spokesperson for Little did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

Gov. Brad Little delivers the 2026 State of the State address. (Sean Dolan/EdNews)

Grow and Tanner set a Friday deadline for the budget reduction plans. They told agency directors to: 

“Identify how budget reductions will affect the current workforce and whether additional reductions will necessitate formal reductions in force, furloughs, or both.

Identity when affected programs were added to the budget.

Identify if an essential service is affected.

Identify efficiencies.”

Tanner confirmed that K-12 would be exempt. But colleges and universities, along with other education-related state agencies, would not be immune.

The memo shows that colleges and universities would altogether face up to $9 million in additional annual cuts — on top of the $13.5 million reduction from Little’s executive order. 

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Hit-and-run suspect who hit a light pole turns himself in

KYMA on January 28, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says the suspect involved in a hit-and-run over the weekend turned himself in Tuesday evening.

According to a press release, the hit-and-run happened Sunday before 6:20 p.m. in the area of First and Gila Street.

YPD says there was a “road rage incident” that happened between a red Honda Civic and a black Dodge Journey.

The driver of the Honda ran away, prior to officers’ arrival, after the passenger of the Dodge, a 23-year-old man, was hit by the Honda, along with a light pole, according to YPD.

YPD also says a witness shared video of the victim “making contact” and kicking the Honda’s side passenger door, which led to the driver of the Honda backing up and chasing the victim. The driver hit both the victim and the light pole.

There was a fight that happened prior to the video being recorded, YPD says.

The victim was taken to Onvida Health, was treated for minor injuries, and there were no other injuries reported, according to YPD.

YPD says the driver of the Honda, a 24-year-old man, turned himself in before 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, and was arrested and booked on multiple felony charges, including attempted first-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident and criminal damage.

The investigation is still ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at (928) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

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St. Joseph Dance Company to perform ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ at Missouri Theater this Saturday

News-Press NOW on January 28, 2026

Patrick Holleron

Correction: A previous version of this article included an incorrect link for online directions to purchase tickets. The correct address is JoMoTickets.com. News-Press apologizes for this error.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Dance Arts Company is gearing up for a live performance of a classic novel at the Missouri Theater this Saturday.

On Saturday, Jan. 31, the Dance Arts Performing Company will showcase two performances of the “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Historic Missouri Theater. The classic children’s novel — written in 1900 and adapted to the big screen in 1939 — tells the story of Dorothy and her Dog Toto traveling from Kansas to the land of Oz.

The choreography for the performance, which includes ballet, jazz, tap and other contemporary art forms, was created by instructors at The Dance Arts Center, including Artistic Director Marla Heeler. The Dance Arts Performing Company is affiliated with The Dance Arts Center which offers comprehensive dance instruction for ages 3 through adult.

The latest performance continues the group’s goal of incorporating new styles to provide a unique experience with each show. Some, including last year’s The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, and previous shows like The Dark Fairy and American Quartet, have been completely original works with original music and choreography by dancers from St. Joseph and surrounding communities.

“If we always do the same thing as everyone else, there’s no good reason for people to continue to show interest in what we have to offer,” Heeler said. “We have over 30 of our dancers in this production and they have been learning the choreography and rehearsing to bring a fun and lively performance to our audience.”

Admission can be purchased at JoMoTickets.com or at the door the day of the performances, with Adults being $15, and Loge Seating $20.

Additional information or questions can be found at TheDanceArtsCenter.com or by calling 816-233-5442.

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ABC-7 at 4: El Paso County Judge, Ricardo Samaniego, guest speaker for CBA January Luncheon

KVIA on January 28, 2026

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-The El Paso Central Business Association (CBA) will host the first luncheon this month with El Paso County Judge Ricardo A. Samaniego. This event will take place on Wednesday, January 28th, at 12:00 PM at the El Paso Convention and Visitors Center. It will bring together community leaders, business professionals, and stakeholders.

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Christian Nationalism in the spotlight: Idaho Falls City Club hosts ‘Extremely American’ podcaster

KIFI on January 28, 2026

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Christian nationalism was the topic of discussion at a public forum hosted by the Idaho Falls City Club Tuesday evening in Idaho Falls.

NPR podcaster and Boise State Public Radio contributor Heath Druzin has covered Christian nationalist movements in his “Extremely American” podcast since 2021.

Watch the whole forum below:

Druzin focused on Christ Church, led by pastor Doug Wilson in Moscow, Idaho, which he said meets the definition of a Christian nationalist church.

“When I’m talking about Christian nationalists, I’m talking about people who want a theocracy in America,” Druzin said. “They want the government to be explicitly run by Christian principles in the way that they interpret the Bible. In almost every case – the folks I talk to – it means that Christians and only Christians run the country. So, I’m not talking about Christianity. I’m talking about a movement, a specific movement. I’m talking about a movement that wants theocracy.”

Christ Church has risen to prominence, as U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth attends an affiliated church that is part of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches. According to Druzin, Hegseth has stated Wilson’s books have influenced him.

Druzin said Christian nationalists believe that non-Christians, as they define them (including Catholics, Jews and Latter-day Saints), should not be able to run for public office and that women should not be allowed to vote in elections.

“My biggest concerns honestly, are, you know, seeing a Christian nationalist movement kind of take hold. you know, in the sense that, like, foregoing the separation of church and state that I believe our, our Constitution, our founding fathers built this country, this nation on,” said Patrik Roderer, who attended the event. ”Seeing that potentially erode into a theocracy is definitely something that I’m concerned about.”

National Public Radio’s ‘Extremely American’ podcaster Heath Druzin talks about Christian nationalism at the Downtown Event Center Tuesday in Idaho Falls.

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First responders train for multi-casualty event

KYMA on January 28, 2026

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Fire Officer’s Association had a training for first responders where multiple students simulated being injured to practice how to properly handle the situation.

The first responders worked on securing the students and properly taking them to an ambulance.

Javier Hernandez, the Fire Chief from Somerton and Cocopah, shares how they’re working on their new system.

“It was really good for us to practice on multiple patients, how to use our triage system, how to use the resources that we have within the surrounding communities, like San Luis, Somerton, MCAS, Wellton, YPG,” Chief Hernandez says.

Daniel Espino, the division chief of EMS, first responder in attendance shares how this helps them work together with other local agencies.

“I think the great thing is we all have great relationships, so we understand that success on these larger scale events is highly dependent on our ability to work together,” Espino explains.

Chief Hernandez agrees saying, “It’s well to work together…you know we’re a small community and we all depend on each other, so it’s good to work with each other.”

The Yuma Fire Department says they would like to do this every year to have better communication and teamwork with local agencies.

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