Oregon leaders approve committee to rebuild public trust and increase accountability for ODOT

KTVZ on March 17, 2026

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, comments from committee member, Phil Chang)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new state committee aims to increase oversight of the Oregon Department of Transportation, as questions about the agency’s financial management take center stage in the broader debate over how to fund roads and infrastructure.

State leaders recently approved the creation of an Audit Accountability Committee, designed to ensure issues identified in audits are addressed — not just documented.

Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang, who will serve on the new committee, said the group will play a hands-on role in tracking whether ODOT follows through on recommended fixes.

“We, as the governing body for ODOT, will be able to press to make sure that things are getting done,” Chang said. “We will be overseeing that process of checking up on the different divisions of ODOT and whether they are acting upon the auditor’s findings or not.”

The move follows several high-profile audit findings, including one that revealed $1.1 billion was mis-timed in agency projections. It also comes as lawmakers and voters consider a controversial transportation funding proposal that could bring new taxes and fees for Oregonians.

“People don’t want to invest in an agency that they don’t think is running well and using their money well,” Chang said. “This highlights our commitment at ODOT to taking auditor findings very seriously and making the fixes that they recommend.”

While the new committee may not lead to immediate, visible changes on Oregon roads, leaders say it plays a key role in rebuilding public trust.

“What I hope this audit committee can do is help build trust that ODOT is catching issues and fixing them so that people feel more comfortable investing in our transportation system,” Chang said.

The committee is expected to begin reviewing audit progress in the coming months, as the statewide transportation funding debate continues.

After strong public pushback, the latest transportation funding proposal is now expected to go before voters in May.

Whether the new oversight effort will boost confidence in how taxpayer dollars are spent remains to be seen, but the future of transportation funding in Oregon may ultimately depend on it.

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Otero County Commissioners renew ICE detention center contract, Immigrant Safety Act to take effect in May

KVIA on March 17, 2026

Heriberto Perez Lara

CHAPARRAL, New Mexico (KVIA) — Otero County Commissioners held an emergency meeting last Friday to discuss the future of the ICE detention center located in Chaparral, New Mexico.

Otero County Commissioners renewed a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to keep the Otero County detention center open, even though a new state law prohibiting such agreements is set to take effect in May.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Immigrant Safety Act in February, which prohibits state or local governments from renewing or agreeing to contracts to arrest people for federal immigration crimes or violations.

The office of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham sent the following written statement to ABC-7:

“The Immigrant Safety Act takes effect on May 20, and the administration expects all local governments to comply with it. The Governor’s Office will continue to review the county’s actions and monitor any legal developments. The Attorney General will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Immigrant Safety Act.”

A spokesperson for Governor Lujan Grisham’s office also told ABC-7 that she was not available for an interview today due to scheduling conflicts.

Otero County Commissioners made a motion to approve the new contract last Friday, where all three County Commissioners, Vickie Marquardt, Amy Barela and Gerald Matherly approved it.

County Attorney R.B. Nichols said the County has operated the processing center under an Intergovernmental Service agreement with ICE since the facility opened, which agreement, as the sole source of revenue, pledges to secure the 2007 bonds that funded the building of that ICE facility in Chaparral.

The former agreement expired last Sunday, March 16. Otero County Commissioners voted before the deadline to renew it, in which ICE sent the county a replacement last Thursday night with a term going from March 16, 2026, to March 15, 2031.

“I’ve reviewed that contract; it is in order and I’m recommending that you (County Commissioners) approve it because we got this (new agreement terms) last night and there’s less than four days before the current one expires,” said County Attorney Nichols during last Friday’s meeting. “We couldn’t give the 72-hour notice for a special meeting, that’s why we’re here under the emergency authority; it was not our choice to do it this way.” “I would’ve much preferred not to come through the last 24 hours of dealing with this.”

According to County Attorney Nichols, the county’s revenue bonds that were issued in 2007 to finance the construction of the Otero County Detention Center are still outstanding and the total remaining debt service as of last week was in excess of $19.3 million in outstanding principal.

Otero County had to pass and approve this new contract because they were required to do so; it was an obligation they had with ICE.

“House Bill 9, as you know, is out there and it would prevent approval of this if today were May 20th or beyond, but it’s not May 20th; that’s not in effect, so that’s why I’m recommending that you approve this agreement.” County Attorney Nichols added.

Otero County Attorney R.B. Nichols provided ABC-7 with the following news release:

County_Press_Release_3.17.2026Download

County Attorney Nichols also told ABC-7, Otero County will not be providing further comment or interviews at this time.

State Senator for District 34, Jim G. Townsend (R-New Mexico), said when HB 9 was discussed, it was disturbing to him to know that around 1,000 jobs in New Mexico were going to be impacted by this bill, but that the county did a really good job by making this decision.

“It was a reaction to that and I thought it was unfortunate that a New Mexico legislature, who are responsible for representing the people of New Mexico, promoting jobs, making their lives better, would carry a bill that did away with a thousand jobs and put a lot of our families and our neighbors at risk,” said State Sen. Townsend. “If rewriting immigration law in New Mexico was the New Mexico legislature’s purview, I would be right on board with helping that occur because that, in my opinion, desperately needs to be done.”

“We didn’t need to harm New Mexicans with the bill that they had no effect or action on it,” State Sen. Townsend added. “Not signing a new contract would have been devastating for the county and would have broken the county.”

State Senator Townsend says he has been inside the Otero County Detention Center and says conditions there are nothing compared to other places he has visited, saying it is “immaculately clean and well cared for.”

“There’s all walks of life, many different countries are there (around 90 different) and I think it was unfortunate that what I saw there was just a spattering of what actually came across the border; we really don’t know what came across the border and that has caused a lot of people some alarm,” State Sen. Townsend also said. “I want to make sure that those people who are in that facility are processed quickly, fairly and under the laws of our nation.”

ABC-7 also spoke with State Representative for District 51, John Block (R-New Mexico), who also represents Otero County.

“I was very pleased with the commission, making sure that our facility stays open and the contract is for five years, so there’s five more years of stable revenue to our community and that happens because our contract ended on the 15th; so we needed to make sure that by the 15th, we got this in the bag and ensured that that contract was renewed,” State Rep. Block said.

“I’m glad that they (Otero County Commissioners) had that emergency meeting and they acted swiftly to make sure that we protected those 284 jobs, as well as the tens of thousands of dollars in economic revenue and then the millions of dollars in GRT and other things that are really promoting our county,” State Rep. Block added.

For New Mexico State Rep. Block, they have to think creatively in the future, five years down the road in the future, to make sure that they protect their assets as a county.

“The state of New Mexico really did a disservice to our county and to our people by taking away our gross receipts taxes that we need to rely on to ensure that we have public safety, that we make sure that our potholes are filled and that we continue to protect our community with things like essential services, such as, animal control, for example,” State Rep. Block also said. “With this renewal of our contract, we’re going to ensure that we protect those current jobs that we have, maybe even have some growth here and that’s something that I want to make sure that we’re working with federal partners and ensuring that those dollars stay in Otero County.”

“I have spoken to federal partners in DC and those federal partners say that this is something that is not okay, this is something that is essentially trying to deter the president’s administration from conducting U.S. federal immigration law and that’s something that is not okay,” State Rep. Block added. “Unfortunately, the state of New Mexico has brought itself into a conundrum, passing an unconstitutional bill that absolutely defies both the state constitution and the federal regulations; so we’re working hard to ensure that our federal partners are working with us.”

“I’m not exactly sure what our congressional delegation is doing because all of our delegation supports this legislation, which is unconstitutional, that kills jobs and that hurts their very districts; so we’re working hard to make sure that we protect Otero County’s facility, but we also want to make sure that we protect the Torrance and Cibola County facilities and other places in New Mexico.”

State Representative for District 53, Sarah Silva (D-New Mexico), sent the following letter to the office of New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez to ensure that Otero County Commissioners had not violated HB 9—or any other regulation—by taking this action and signing the contract for the Otero County Detention Center with ICE and DHS.

Opinion Request for AG Torrez (1)Download

ABC-7 has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, the offices of U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez and Otero County District 1 Commissioner Gerald Matherly for comment.

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Socorro ISD to host College, Career, & Job Expo

KVIA on March 17, 2026

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV) – Socorro Independent School District will host one of the city’s biggest job expos for the district’s sophomores, juniors, and seniors to explore future career options, including summer employment, college programs, and internship opportunities. Sixty-eight businesses and employers and 49 college and university programs will participate in the 2026 SISD College, Career, and Job Expo from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 23, at Montwood High School, 12000 Montwood Dr.

Students will have the opportunity to speak with college, university, technical school, and military representatives, and to meet with local business and industry partners to explore future career opportunities. Students can also interview with potential employers for summer jobs and internships. El Paso Workforce will be accepting applications for summer training and for job placement.

Students should be ready to interview, bring resumes, and dress professionally. Students may register for the event at sisd.net/ccje.

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Seasonal book sales return to Marshall Public Library

KIFI on March 17, 2026

News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Friends of the Marshall Public Library are celebrating 30 years by bringing back seasonal book sales.

The first sale is coming up on Friday, March 20th, and Saturday, the 21st, at the Marshall Public Library’s community room.

“From sci-fi to historical fiction to mysteries and hobbies, there are hundreds of books tochoose from in all genres and all reading levels,” said the Friends of the Marshall Public Library in a news release.

Books start at just 25 cents, with hardcover books sold for two dollars, and paperbacks will go for just one dollar. 

This year, shoppers can also enter raffle baskets to celebrate the 30th anniversary.

“For every $30 spent at our book sales, you will earn a raffle ticket to enter to win one of our fabulous prize baskets,” said the release. “All raffle baskets have been generously donated to, and created by, both local businesses and FOMPL board members.”

All proceeds support library programs, equipment, and community resources.

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Columbia Fifth Ward candidates similar on infrastructure but differ on sales tax

KMIZ on March 17, 2026

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Each of the two candidates for the Fifth Ward seat on the Columbia City Council says infrastructure projects would be a top priority if they’re elected April 7.

Incumbent Don Waterman and challenger Christina Hartman told ABC 17 News in separate interviews that they are focused on long-delayed infrastructure projects, including a water tower in southwest Columbia and an electric transmission line that have faced setbacks for nearly a decade.

“I think part of that is going out and speaking with the community. Making sure that the community understands why we need those infrastructure projects,” Hartman said.

Other hot topics include how the city should manage its budget and addressing staffing vacancies in the police and fire departments. City leaders have started discussions about a public safety sales tax measure to fund the new positions, a move that Waterman supports.

“The last couple of years we’ve struggled with sales taxes being roughly flat,” Waterman said. “This would give us the opportunity to hire the officers. [Police] Chief [Jill] Schlude said she needs somewhere between 50 and 60 [officers]. They want to add a fourth firefighter to each shift. Right now, they’re currently getting by with three.”

LINK: Full interview with Don Waterman

LINK: Full interview with Christina Hartman

Hartman called for a closer audit of city spending.

“We know that the city does have a budget deficit, which means we’re pulling out of our coffers, and that’s not a good thing,” Hartman said. “We need to really look at the budget and see what’s giving us that return on investment and get rid of things that aren’t working for us before we start asking the voters for additional money.”

Waterman described his campaign as a way to finish “unfinished business,” such as the transmission line project. One route has the line going south on Scott Boulevard before heading east along Vawter School Road, which turns into Nifong Boulevard and Grindstone Parkway.

“Bringing it down Scott and Vawter School and Nifong and Grindstone, that’s the most cost-effective way to do it, the quickest way to do it,” Waterman said.

Waterman said the latest action on the project was the council requesting more information after a report was provided to them. He said that because of the delay, the city government will also have to restart the informational and public hearing process.

“I expect that there will be some questions and some pushback from individuals that are concerned about property values. I know there’s some questions about safety, electrical emissions,” Waterman said.

Hartman suggested that her background in information technology and auditing systems could help identify why certain city projects are stalled. She also called for more transparency in city government, specifically noting that record requests should be turned around more quickly.

“I think that there’s a lot of structural things that they’ve been working to improve that could still use a lot of help,” Hartman said. “Provide information to our constituents in a very quick and meaningful way. If they’re asking for information, let’s be transparent about it and get it out to them.”

The candidates also shared different perspectives on the city’s role in addressing homelessness. Waterman said he believes private organizations and local nonprofits are more efficient at administering help than the city.

“The city’s role should be to support as much as we can, whether it’s approving and improving buildings, making adjustments to various codes, or something like that, if necessary to kind of clear roadblocks,” Waterman said. “Time and again, they’ve proven that they’re much more efficient than trying to have a city organization do it.”

Hartman focused on the importance of proactive programs, noting that it is often less expensive to keep someone in their home than to lift them out of homelessness. She advocated for individual-focused assistance to help people reach their next steps.

“We need to be understanding. How do we help each individual at where they’re at to build programs that help them get to that next level and whatever step that looks like?” Hartman said.

Regarding city leadership, Waterman said City Manager DeCarlin Seawood has done a “good job,” specifically praising his hiring of department heads and the establishment of a local police academy.

“I was part of saying yes to starting our own police academy,” Waterman said. “Under Chief Schlude, we’ve increased the number of officers, decreased the number of vacancies. We can then train our candidates or the recruits on Columbia policies from the beginning rather than having to retrain them if they went somewhere else.”

Waterman won his election race for Ward 5 over Gregg Bush in 2023 by a margin of fewer than 150 votes out of close to 4,000 cast. This is Hartman’s first time running for a city council seat.

Campaign finance reports from Feb. 25 show Waterman’s campaign has raised a total $5,849 and spent just over $1,700. Some notable names that have donated money include $2,000 from Jim Yankee, owner of Flat Branch Bank, $50 from Matt Jenne, owner of Addison’s restaurant, $550 total from three different realtors at Re/Max Boone Realty and former Columbia mayoral candidate Blair Murphy, who donated $64.

Waterman has given nearly $2,500 of his own money towards the campaign as well, according to the report.

Christina Hartman’s campaign has raised a total of $3,040 as of Feb. 25 and has spent just over $3,300.

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Pocatello man charged after alleged bomb threat at local bar

KIFI on March 17, 2026

Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A local man faces a new felony charge after allegedly claiming to have a bomb during a weekend altercation at the Bourbon Barrel Bar.

Bret Kynaston has been charged with felony false reporting of explosives in a public or private place. At the time of the incident, Kynaston was already out on bond for several felony drug charges stemming from a separate case last October.

Details of the Incident

According to court documents, on March 14, officers from the Pocatello Police Department responded to a call around 12:30 AM. The caller reported a suspicious man walking out of the bar who claimed to be carrying a bomb.

Officers found the man matching the caller’s description walking one block north of the bar. The man, later identified as Kynaston, reportedly admitted to an earlier argument with a group at the bar after they accused him of using a marijuana vape pen.

Kynaston told police that he later encountered one of the men from the argument in the bathroom. Seeing him, Kynaston said he shoved his hand into his front jacket pocket, rolled it into a fist, stuck out the end of a cigarette, and said: “I have a bomb”.

According to court documents, two people overheard Kynaston’s threat, leading to a short fight before Kynaston left the bar and was stopped by the officers.

Kynaston was taken into custody and transported to the Bannock County Jail. Because he was out on bond for prior felony drug offenses at the time of this arrest, his bond has been set at $50,000.

Kynaston’s preliminary hearing has been set for March 25th at 9:45 AM. In his separate court case, he initially pleaded guilty to all charges. However, a change of plea hearing has been set for March 30th at 8:30 AM.

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Driver killed in rollover crash after striking elk on U.S. 33

KIFI on March 17, 2026

Seth Ratliff

UPDATED: March 17, 2026, at 3:50 PM

TETON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — An early morning accident on U.S. 33 turned deadly Tuesday after a driver struck an elk and was thrown from the vehicle.

According to Teton County Fire and Rescue, the accident occurred shortly after 7:00 AM near mile marker 119. The driver, a 35-year-old Rexburg man, was traveling east on U.S. 33 in a 2003 Ford F150 pickup.

His truck struck an elk in the roadway, and the driver lost control as the Ford rolled off the right shoulder of the road. TCFR says their crews arrived on the scene to find the driver had been thrown from the vehicle and died of his injuries at the scene.

The driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

While the victim’s identity has not yet been released, TCFR issued a statement saying, “Our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends, and those close to the victim.”

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YPD conducts impaired driving detail for St. Patrick’s Day

KYMA on March 17, 2026

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says they are conducting an impaired driving detail Tuesday for St. Patrick’s Day.

According to a press release, officers will be patrolling the streets of Yuma looking to stop and arrest drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In addition, YPD says they will “actively enforce traffic laws to get impaired drivers off the road, raise public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving” and to save lives on the roadways.

YPD also recommends the following steps when celebrating St. Patrick’s Day:

Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin

Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave the car keys at home

If impaired, use a taxi, Uber, or call a sober friend or family member

If anyone sees an impaired driver on the road, call 911

If anyone knows someone who’s about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely

St. Patrics Day DUI Detail 2026Download

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St. Patty’s Day the North Hi-Way Cafe way

KIFI on March 17, 2026

Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – In a tradition that has gone on for decades, the North Hi-Way Cafe in Idaho Falls continues to bring the flavor of Ireland to the Gem State in a delicious celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. The 93-year-old cafe serves up a platter of traditional Irish foods every March 17th, greeting regulars and newcomers with a warm smile and a warm plate.

The Irish menu includes a wide array of food options, including classic corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, and Irish soda bread, and homemade carrot cake.

For Chef Todd Holverson, the tradition means a culturally diverse menu and a community coming together through culinary means.

“We try and make it special for everybody,” Holverson said. “We see alot of faces come out that we’ve haven’t seen for awhile, it’s all about the commradery and social gathering.”

This special begins at 11am and is available until food runs out. You can learn more about the North Hi-Way Cafe by visiting their website here.

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Irish performers preparing for ‘bar crawl’ across Colorado Springs Irish pubs

KRDO on March 17, 2026

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Celtic Steps and the Pikes Peak Highlanders are preparing to take on the El Paso County bar scene one last time for St. Patrick’s Day to close out their busiest performing week of the year.

Both groups were active around town last weekend, and Tuesday will be more of the same. You can find their St. Patrick’s Day schedules below

Celtic Steps Schedule:

11:30 a.m. – Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub and Restaurant

4:30 p.m. – Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub and Restaurant

5:00 p.m. – Brit Pub

5:30 p.m. – Wyatt’s Pub and Grill

6:30 p.m. – Great Company bar

6:30 p.m. – Purple Toad Social Tap and Grill

Pikes Peak Highlanders Schedule

4 p.m. – Back East Bar and Grill (Monument)

4:30 p.m. Wyatt’s Pub and Grill

5 p.m. – Dublin House Sports Bar

5 p.m. – Sunset Grill

5:30 p.m. – Red’s American Grill

6 p.m. – Purple Toad Social Tap and Grill

6 p.m. – Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub and Restaurant

6 p.m. – Back East Bar and Grill (Colorado Springs)

7 p.m. – Rilea’s Pub

7 p.m. – Good Company bar

7:30 p.m. – O’Leary’s Pub

8 p.m. – Dublin House sports bar

8 p.m. – Abby’s Irish Pub

8:30 p.m. – Finish Line Lounge

All the local pubs are scheduling different combinations of live music, drink deals, food deals, DJs, dance performances, or all of the above. You can find a link to a few different pub happenings below.

O’Leary’s Pub

Abby’s Irish Pub

Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub and Restaurant

Dublin House Sports Bar

Alchemy

Kelly O’Brians Sports Bar and Grill

Rilea’s Pub

Wyatt’s Pub and Grill

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