Flora and Hoover ground Pilots as UCSB wins home opener

KEYT on February 21, 2026

Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Gauchos ace pitcher Jackson Flora allowed just one run in five innings of work and reliever Chase Hoover dominated in a four-inning save as UCSB won their home opener 4-1 over Portland.

Flora gave up a solo home run to the Cole Katayama-Stall to lead off the third inning but he was able to work around trouble in the second and third innings.

The junior struck out six batters to improve to 2-0 on the year.

San Marcos High School alum Chasee Hoover pitched 4 scoreless innings out of the bullpen allowing just 2 hits while striking out 5 batters to earn his second save on the young season.

As for the offense Rowan Kelley had two hits, knocked in a run and scored a run.

Ball State graduate transfer Nick Husovosky hit his third home run on the year, a solo shot to left to give the Gauchos a 4-1 lead.

UCSB is 2-2 on the season and will host the Pilots on Saturday at 3:05 p.m. and on Sunday at 12:05 p.m.

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11-year-old girl dies in Utah avalanche while on vacation

CNN Newsource on February 21, 2026

By Riley Rourke, Brandon Truitt

Click here for updates on this story

    BRIGHTON, Utah. (WBZ) — An 11-year-old girl from Rochester, Massachusetts has died in an avalanche while on vacation with her family in Brighton, Utah.

The avalanche began just after 12 p.m. on Thursday near Brighton Ski Resort, according to police. The 11-year-old girl, identified as Madelyn Eitas, was the only victim caught in the snow.

The Unified Police Department said that rescuers arrived and quickly began looking for Madelyn, alongside 20 nearby citizens and her family.

“It was just scary and crazy,” said Harrison Garner, one of the many people searching for Madelyn. “I was just super sad. Just thinking what if it was my family member, what I would be doing. And just thinking super sad for that family.”

But it was Madelyn’s brother, Cameron Eitas, who “heroically used an application to locate her,” according to police.

“Numerous agencies responded and worked together in an urgent and coordinated effort to care for the victim in attempts to provide life-saving measures,” a press release from police said.

Madelyn was unable to be airlifted out of the area due to risks from the avalanche. She was rushed to a nearby hospital in an ambulance in critical condition, where she later died.

“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family during this incredibly difficult time. The communities here in Utah, as well as the family’s home community in Massachusetts, now have the important responsibility of rallying around the family to provide support, compassion, and comfort in the times ahead,” Unified Police said in a statement.

“It’s a very solemn and depressing thing to have to notify people of and it’s very difficult to think of the idea behind a family being together and having something so tragic happen,” Unified Police Department’s Quin Wilkins said to CBS affiliates KSL-TV and KUTV.

Madelyn attended Rochester Memorial School, according to Superintendent Michael Nelson.

Nelson said that the school will be offering counseling for staff members and students.

“This is devastating news for our school community. We offer our sincere condolences to the student’s family, friends, classmates, and teachers during this unimaginable time. Our focus at this time is on supporting those who are grieving and we ask that the family’s privacy be respected.”

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.

Immigrants in Idaho: Major study analyzes the economic costs to Idaho of mass deportation

KIFI on February 21, 2026

David Pace

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho industry leaders are speaking out about the importance of undocumented immigrants to the state’s labor force and economy.

“We have a significant dependance on a workforce that’s here without status. That’s not unique to Idaho industries,” said Rick Naerebout, Idaho Dairymen’s Association CEO.

A new landmark study is highlighting the importance of foreign-born labor to Idaho’s agricultural, hospitality, dining and construction industries.

“You look at agriculture, construction, hospitality – there’s a certain portion of that workforce that’s here without status, and we really need to create visa programs for these individuals to come into country, and be able to fill these jobs and have a system that’s functional,” Naerebout said.

Pew Research Center estimates approximately 40,000 undocumented immigrants live in Idaho.

Idaho’s dairy sector, ranked third in the nation for milk and cheese production, is particularly vulnerable, as up to 90 percent of workers in the industry are foreign-born.

“There’s been an ongoing discussion and dialogue about labor, the lack there of labor in the greater economy and specifically in the ag economy,” Idaho Farm Bureau Federation CEO Zak Miller. “So we commissioned a study to just find out what it would look like if a portion of the undocumented workers that are in the state of Idaho were removed, and what the downstream effects would be on the economy of Idaho.”

If 28,725 undocumented individuals were removed from Idaho, the state would lose $5.1 billion in gross state product and $397.8 million in tax revenue – similar to the economic losses from the Great Recession in 2007 to 2009, the study states.

“In addition to removing over 25,000 jobs of individuals that are here without status, you would cause an additional 27,000 jobs to be lost, so a total of about 55,000 jobs would be lost in the state of Idaho,” Naerebout said.

One in five jobs in Idaho are in agriculture, construction, hospitality and dining, and those jobs directly support 35% of all jobs in the state, according to the study.

“We’re not afraid of the data because we believe when you have data, pragmatic and logical people can come up with real solutions,” Miller said. “Our real solution that we find from the data is that the system needs to be fixed, it needs to be updated, and everyone should have access to a legal workforce.”

We’ll continue to follow the impact of immigrants on Idaho’s economy in the weeks to come.

You can watch our full interview with Idaho Dairymen’s Association CEO Rick Naerebout on foreign-born labor below.

You can also watch our interview with Idaho Farm Bureau Federation CEO Zak Miller below.

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The District 11 hockey team advances in the Class 4A playoffs

KRDO on February 21, 2026

Rob Namnoum

The District 11 hockey team advances in the Class 4A playoffs on Friday night. The Bookworms defeated Crested Butte in overtime 4-3.

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CIF-CS Girls Basketball and Soccer semifinal results

KEYT on February 21, 2026

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

CIF-Central Section Girls Basketball Semifinal:

Division 3: Shafter 52, Morro Bay 34

Division 4: Tulare Union 43, Atascadero 26

Division 5: Santa Ynez 62, Coalinga 55

CIF-Central Section Boys Soccer Semifinal:

Division 2: Liberty 2, Righetti 1

Division 5: Nipomo 4, Orosi 0 (Titans host Dos Palos in championship match on Wednesday, February 25)

Dos Palos 5, St. Joseph 1

CIF-Central Section Girls Soccer Semifinal:

Division 4: Sierra Pacific 2, Templeton 1

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State High School Wrestling Tournament – Semifinals

KRDO on February 21, 2026

Rob Namnoum

The heart of a champion. Pueblo South’s Elijah Algien was locked in a tough match with Widefield’s Manny Mota but Algien dug deep and got it done and when it was over, “I’m feeling great, dude. I feel so relief. I finally made it. And that’s really all. Just a big sigh of relief,” says Algien.

Falcon’s Allison McDaniel, a freshman, separated her shoulder. Then she was down with only second to go, suddenly, she escapes for a point, then forces sudden victory, she’s too young, she’s got a bad shoulder. Yeah, well take that and just like that. she’s in the finals, “It’s really just to win. Really wanting to get up in the morning, go to those extra practices. Trying to be the best version of myself,” says McDaniel.

La Junta’s Yliani Garcia isn’t here to make friends. She’s here to win. She went full beast mode on her way to pinning Calhan’s outstanding wrestler Kayleigh Reese in the opening round, “I came in to start realizing that everybody’s coming here. For one thing, that’s a state title and I want it. And I wanted more than anything in the world. So when it comes to someone on the mat, we’re in a different color than me. It’s all about who wants it more. And I want it more,” says Reese.

Widefield’s Amaya Hinojosa was in the third round of a tight match. Then she decided she’d had enough of that nonsense and stapled her opponent to the mat like a stack of papers. She advances to the Class 5A, 120 pound weight class, “I mean, I’m in the finals for the third time in a row. I’m feeling hopeful for tomorrow to go with the state championship,” says Hinojosa.

Coronado’s Bella Arellano went full python on her opponent on her way to the 125 pound weight class final. Alamosa’s Uriah Martinez politely introduced his opponent’s face to the ground on his way to the 138 pound weight class final. Pine Creek’s Gavin Weichelt hog-tied his opponent and buried him underneath the mat to clinch a spot in the 157 pound final.

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The Barefoot Runner: Jackson Laird Stuns at Simplot Games

KIFI on February 21, 2026

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Simplot Games are the pinnacle athletic event in Pocatello every year, with athletes coming from around the world to compete. The athletes train for months for their several moments racing under the lights in the ICCU Dome. For Jackson Laird, an unexpected turn of events led to his first race of the games becoming the talk of the tournament.

Laird is a senior from Weiser, Idaho and has enjoyed every second of his first Simplot Games. He came to compete in the 60 meter dash, but on Thursday evening, he was in for a surprise.

“I forgot that Simplot rules has a rule against certain spikes that aren’t allowed on the track, and I didn’t take mine out,” said Laird. “So the ref called me aside, told me I couldn’t run unless I had my flats, and my flats were across the arena, so I knew I wouldn’t make it.”

Laird didn’t have time to run across the arena for his other shoes, so he was forced to make a devastating decision: forfeit his event or run barefoot. He said the decision was easy, because as soon as the ref suggested he run shoeless, he knew he had to try.

“I honestly expected to get splinters and stuff, but it wasn’t that bad actually. It felt pretty good,” Laird said. Not only did he walk away with his feet in tact, but he won his race and set a new personal record. After running consistent races at over 7.3 seconds, Laird finished with a 7.19 in his barefoot blitz. He said he couldn’t believe it when he looked up and saw the time.

“I couldn’t believe it, it was a really big PR for me so I was really happy about that,” he said.

The Simplot Games journey doesn’t end here for Laird. On Saturday, he’ll compete in the boys 60 meter dash finals race. Following his unexpected barefoot PR, Laird said he’s anxious to run in spiked shoes again.

“Honestly, I’m a little worried for tomorrow to see if hopefully I can beat my time in spikes, because if not, it’s a little embarrassing,” said Laird. He will run the final race with the spikes in his shoes, but not the needle spikes, so that he doesn’t get disqualified by the Simplot Games.

The standout from Weiser High School is looking forward to his race, since he proved he can run even faster with no shoes.

“Honestly, I’m looking for another PR because I mean if I can run barefoot and run a time like that, I’m anxious to see what I can run with spikes,” he said.

Laird hopes to continue his track career after he graduates high school. The race on Saturday at the ICCU Dome will begin at 12:30pm.

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Living Desert hosts first-ever ‘Dog Day at the Zoo’

KESQ on February 21, 2026

Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – If you were at the Living Desert on Friday, you may be wondering who let the dogs out. Today marks the first-ever Dog Day at the Zoo, where attendees were invited to share their adventures with their dogs.

“Our zoo is really a perfect campus to try this out and see if it’ll be a success here, with our dogs at the zoo, and so far today it’s been really great,” said Roxanna Breitigan, COO of the Living Desert.

Many families say it was a great event for their pets and they’re hoping to bring them back, but it wasn’t just the dogs enjoying the views, the animals were taking a look too and interacting with local furry friends.

While the event is only taking place today, as long as the animals at the Living Desert aren’t disturbed in their habitats, zoo officials hope to bring this event back next year.

For more on the Living Desert and Dog Day, click here.

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Three Bend residents arrested for child sex abuse offenses

KTVZ on February 21, 2026

Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– Bend Police arrested three local men over the past two months in connection with separate investigations into child sexual abuse material. The arrests followed tips received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The investigations were handled by the Bend Police Department detective division and were initiated as CyberTips. Officials noted that these cases are often complex and can take months or years to complete, frequently requiring the execution of multiple search warrants.

William James Kanehl, 42, was arrested on Jan. 28 on suspicion of 12 counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse and 13 counts of second-degree encouraging child sex abuse. The investigation into the Bend resident began on Feb. 14, 2025, after a tip indicated a suspect uploaded files containing child sexual abuse material. Detectives served a search warrant at Kanehl’s home in the 20700 block of Tango Creek Avenue in August 2025. He also faces 11 counts of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct, as well as charges for luring a minor and encouraging the sexual assault of an animal.

Evan Matthew Hiatt, 20, was also arrested on Jan. 28 following a search warrant at his residence in the 1300 block of NE Hidden Valley Drive. Police initially investigated Hiatt in May 2025 for allegedly soliciting a child for sexually explicit images, but that tip did not lead to an arrest at the time because detectives could not verify the victim’s age. On Jan. 21, 2026, the department received a second tip involving the upload of images that led to Hiatt’s identification. He faces 10 counts each of first and second degree encouraging child sex abuse.

In a separate case, Mitchel Joseph Gregg, 23, was arrested on Feb. 10 at his home in the 2000 block of NE Holliday Avenue. The investigation into Gregg started on March 6, 2025, after a tip suggested a suspect was using Snapchat to save, share or upload child sexual abuse material. Gregg was charged with one count each of first- and second-degree encouraging child sex abuse.

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St. Charles Bend nurses ratify contract, securing wage increase

KTVZ on February 21, 2026

Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Registered nurses at St. Charles Bend voted overwhelmingly to ratify a two-and-a-half year contract agreement on Thursday, Feb. 19. The deal provides a 7.5% wage increase for frontline caregivers over the next 30 months.

The agreement with the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) extends through June 30, 2029. It aims to stabilize the health care safety net for a facility that serves as the only Level II trauma center east of the Cascades, covering patients across Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon and Washington

The new agreement builds on a 2023 contract that focused on rising costs, caregiver recruitment and trust between staff and management. In addition to general wage increases, the contract establishes pay equity for nurse case managers and transfer center staff. These employees will now be placed on the same salary scale as their nursing colleagues.

Rosa Brock is a registered nurse and serves as the ONA executive team chair at St. Charles Bend. She said the agreement resulted from treating nurses as essential collaborators in the hospital’s operations.

“This agreement shows what’s possible when nurses are treated as strategic partners,” Brock said. “Working together we found a way to build on our successes, continue raising health care standards and ensure our community has a stable health care system with nurses they know they can rely on.”

Brock noted that improved staffing levels from previous agreements have allowed caregivers to focus more on individual patient needs.

The facility serves as a regional hub for medical care. As the only Level II trauma center east of the Cascades, St. Charles Bend nurses treat patients from Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon and parts of Washington Union leaders said contract certainty was a priority given recent economic shifts in the area.

David Hilderbrand is a registered nurse and the ONA vice-chair at St. Charles Bend. He highlighted the importance of a stable nursing workforce amid rising local costs.

“A lot of our neighbors are struggling. Housing costs are up, the tourist industry is hurting and people are having trouble getting access to basic health care,” Hilderbrand said. “This contract stabilizes our community’s safety net. Your nurses aren’t going anywhere.”

Nurses and hospital management have also established a labor management committee to address health and safety concerns between formal bargaining sessions. The ONA represents more than 1,200 registered nurses at the Bend hospital. The organization also represents providers at St. Charles locations in Prineville and Redmond, as well as staff in home health and hospice services.

The new contract is scheduled to run through June 30, 2029. Nurses and management plan to use their joint committee to address ongoing health and safety issues as they arise throughout the duration of the agreement.

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