Leah Rainwater
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced its Driver Examination Stations will be closed statewide for holidays in February.
Stations will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 12, in observance of President Lincoln’s birthday.
Stations will also be closed on Monday, Feb. 16, in observance of President Washington’s birthday.
Marcos Icahuate
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Local organizations are helping you avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) and Avenir Financial held a seminar Tuesday morning at the Yuma Main Library to discuss scam calls.
The free public session helped locals recognize the risks of financial exploitation.
YCSO investigator Bryan Evans III explained why it’s important to hold these presentations.
“What we’re trying to do is reach out to as many residents as we can. We don’t think they understand the extent, and I don’t think they identify them the way they should,” Evans explained.
If you believe you encountered a scam call, you can contact the National Fraud Hotline at 1 (833) 372-8311
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Tuesday’s Home Grown report, we highlight Dr. Bhupinder Singh’s work within the state.
Dr. Singh is an assistant professor and agronomist at the University of Arizona who is studying how to best use Arizona’s landscape for agriculture.
Singh is using new technology to see how crops react to new products. The LI-COR 6800 can help growers determine exactly when to apply certain products.
“My position as an agronomist is to understand all of these crops and how well they can grow in Arizona, and how well we can improve our management practice,” Singh says.
Singh works throughout the entire state, including Yuma, focusing on different crops such as romaine lettuce and even water retention.
Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A new geothermal project at Controlled Thermal Resources’ Hell’s Kitchen site could provide reliable, round-the-clock power for data centers, factories, and other facilities in Imperial County.
The project, called American Data Power, will generate electricity using geothermal heat from beneath the Salton Sea.
The facility is designed as a large-scale energy complex that operates independently of the local electric grid.
According to the company, it will use its own power and water systems so residents won’t see higher utility costs.
“You’re basically bringing superheated water, making steam and turning a steam turbine, which is 100% renewable,” said Rod Colwell, CEO of Controlled Thermal Resources.
The project falls under Imperial County’s Lithium Valley Specific Plan, which streamlines permitting for clean energy and industrial projects while maintaining environmental protections.
Colwell said the development could encourage more businesses to come to the region, including battery manufacturers and other industrial operations.
While some residents have expressed concerns about new data centers moving into the region, Colwell said combining geothermal energy with industrial and digital infrastructure could shape a future few have imagined for Imperial Valley.
Julia Castro
BLYTHE, Calif. (KESQ)— The Palo Verde Healthcare District has asked Riverside County officials to step in and appoint two members to its hospital board after vacancies left the district without enough members to conduct official business..
In a letter dated Tuesday, Feb. 3, district officials said the board currently lacks a quorum and missed a required 60-day deadline to fill one of the open seats. As a result, the authority to make the appointment now rests with Riverside County.
The board attempted to fill the vacancies during a special meeting Friday, Jan. 30, but did not have enough members present to take action. A rescheduled special meeting set for Wednesday, Feb. 4, has since been canceled due to anticipated insufficient attendance.
One of the vacancies opened after longtime board member Rosie Rowell stepped down Nov. 30. A second seat became vacant following the resignation of Dr. David Brooks on Jan. 7. District officials said they attempted to confirm Brooks’ resignation but were unable to reach him before it was formally acknowledged later in the month.
In the letter addressed to Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, board President Carmela Garnica requested that the county oversee and complete the appointment process in order to restore the district’s five-member board.
District officials said maintaining a quorum is required under the district’s loan agreement, making the appointments necessary to ensure the board can meet and take official action.
It was not immediately clear when Riverside County supervisors may consider the request or how soon appointments could be made.
News Channel 3 will continue to follow the latest developments.
Scott Harrison
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The efforts of a Colorado Congressman and the head of the county’s Board of Commissioners have resulted in $1 million of federal funding for the intersection of Constitution Avenue and Peterson Road.
Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colorado Springs, recently announced the allocation, citing the assistance of Commissioner Carrie Geitner.
His announcement came a year after the January 2025 hit-and-run crash at the intersection that killed Charlene McAlister, 76; she was a beloved employee at a nearby daycare center who walked the same route to work daily.
That summer, authorities arrested a suspect and charged him with leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
Crank said that the federal funding will finance numerous safety improvements relating to signal timing, street lighting, center median work, and lane adjustments.
According to county officials, the project is still under design and has no official start date.
Another project under design nearby and benefitting from federal money is scheduled to begin this summer: Replacing stormwater infrastructure along several blocks of Palmer Park Boulevard, in the Cimarron Hills neighborhood.
The funding will also pay for equipment at the county sheriff’s office and for a cybersecurity program at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS).
Adrik Vargas
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A crash left two people injured Tuesday morning.
According to a press release, the crash happened in the area of E. 32nd Street and Winsor Avenue, near Bici Park, before 7:00 a.m.
YPD says a 24-year-old man, driving a Nissan Versa, “was making a left-hand turn from 32nd Street onto Winsor Avenue” when he crashed into a Hyundai Genesis, driven by a 25-year-old man, which then crashed into a parked 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
The driver of the Nissan, according to YPD, was removed from the vehicle and was taken to Onvida Health in serious condition, but was later flown to a hospital in Phoenix. YPD says he is now in stable condition.
His family has created a GoFundMe page to support him at this time.
Meanwhile, the driver of the Hyundai was also taken to the hospital after suffering minor injuries.
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says a man has been arrested in connection to a shooting near the Yuma Civic Center earlier this week.
According to a press release, the shooting happened Monday at around 9:40 p.m., where two people were inside a vehicle “when they were fired upon, causing damage to the vehicle,” but they were not injured.
YPD says detectives found and arrested a 22-year-old man Tuesday before 10:30 a.m.
The man was then booked into the Yuma County Detention Center for attempted first-degree murder and other related offense, and he’s being held on a bond of $250,000.
While there is no threat to the public at this time, the investigation is ongoing.
Sussanna Cano was in the area and she says it is frightening to see something like this happen to so close to a popular area.
“It’s very scary, and it makes you kind of like not want to come out because obviously if something like that’s happening, why would you want to come somewhere it’s nearby,” Cano says.
If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at (928) 783-4421, or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
By Shane Rackley
Click here for updates on this story
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (KRIS) — Texas authorities arrested a Nicaraguan man for human smuggling and apprehended a Chinese national during a traffic stop in Maverick County as part of Operation Lone Star.
Juan Alfonso Merlo Ibarra, 35, an undocumented immigrant from Nicaragua, was charged with four counts of smuggling of persons after a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper discovered four people being transported illegally in his vehicle.
The traffic stop occurred on US 277 just after 11:30 p.m. on Friday. During the stop, the trooper found four undocumented immigrants, all dressed in camouflage clothing, inside a gray Toyota Camry.
Among those being smuggled was Beibei Liu, 34, a special interest alien from China. Special interest aliens are individuals from countries that could pose national security concerns to the United States.
The other three undocumented immigrants were from Mexico, including one juvenile.
Merlo Ibarra was booked into the Maverick County Jail. Liu and the three other individuals were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol agents.
The arrest was part of Operation Lone Star, Texas’ border security initiative launched to address illegal immigration and drug trafficking along the state’s southern border.
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.
By Carli Petrus
Click here for updates on this story
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (WXYZ) — As we continue News Literacy Week, we’re lifting up the voice of one Birmingham librarian. She is making it her mission to make sure students learn how to separate fact from fiction early on.
The library at Birmingham Covington School recently turned into a full-on news literacy adventure with different learning stations — and students led their families through each one to learn how to think critically about the information they see every day.
Students at Birmingham Covington School are signing the news literacy pledge — promising to pause, question, and verify before believing or sharing information.
“It’s never too young to start these skills,” said Laura Amatulli, the librarian who organized the literacy night event.
It’s designed for third and fourth graders and their families, and the goal is simple.
“To learn how to slow down, think critically, and ask smart questions before trusting and sharing information,” said Amatulli.
Amatulli says this is especially important as artificial intelligence, or AI, becomes more prevalent in our lives.
“We’re building habits of asking good questions. We want students to think, ‘who created this? Why was this picture made?’ Or ‘why was this article made? What evidence supports this article?’ and these critical thinking skills give them a lifelong piece in their toolbox,” she said.
And it seems like those lessons are already sticking for fourth grader Melia Farr.
“How do you make sure what you’re looking at is truthful?” I asked.
“Well, it’s hard to make sure, but you have to like think about it and make sure it is, because it’s important, because if it’s not factual, then it’s not really that useful,” she said.
Melia attended the event with her mom, Jasmine Farr, who says growing up, the news looked very different.
literacy to elementary students Birmingham librarian Photo by: WXYZ Birmingham librarian By: Carli Petrus Posted 1 hour and 59 minutes ago and last updated 1 hour and 57 minutes ago BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (WXYZ) — As we continue News Literacy Week, we’re lifting up the voice of one Birmingham librarian. She is making it her mission to make sure students learn how to separate fact from fiction early on.
The library at Birmingham Covington School recently turned into a full-on news literacy adventure with different learning stations — and students led their families through each one to learn how to think critically about the information they see every day.
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Students at Birmingham Covington School are signing the news literacy pledge — promising to pause, question, and verify before believing or sharing information.
“It’s never too young to start these skills,” said Laura Amatulli, the librarian who organized the literacy night event.
It’s designed for third and fourth graders and their families, and the goal is simple.
Laura Amatulli WXYZ Laura Amatulli “To learn how to slow down, think critically, and ask smart questions before trusting and sharing information,” said Amatulli.
Amatulli says this is especially important as artificial intelligence, or AI, becomes more prevalent in our lives.
“We’re building habits of asking good questions. We want students to think, ‘who created this? Why was this picture made?’ Or ‘why was this article made? What evidence supports this article?’ and these critical thinking skills give them a lifelong piece in their toolbox,” she said.
Literacy event WXYZ Literacy event And it seems like those lessons are already sticking for fourth grader Melia Farr.
“How do you make sure what you’re looking at is truthful?” I asked.
“Well, it’s hard to make sure, but you have to like think about it and make sure it is, because it’s important, because if it’s not factual, then it’s not really that useful,” she said.
Melia Farr WXYZ Melia Farr Melia attended the event with her mom, Jasmine Farr, who says growing up, the news looked very different.
“I remember getting the newspaper twice a day and it came on your porch and that was kind of it, you just took that for what it was but now we have it on internet, we have it on social media, you’re getting it from left and right and all these different forms, you have to find out what really is the news,” said Jasmine.
Jasmine says she wants her daughter to stay on the offense as AI technology continues to advance — and she believes events like this one give kids the tools they need to do just that.
“It takes a village so schools can’t do it alone, parents can’t do it alone, and children definitely can’t do it on their own so we all have to come together collectively and make sure that they’re protected, that they’re safe, that they’re learning and we can all do it together as a community,” said Jasmine.
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.
