Soaring gas prices won’t stop spring break travelers; AAA says Central Oregon is still the region’s top destination

KTVZ on March 16, 2026

Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Spring break is almost here, and despite fast-rising gas prices, thousands of travelers will be flocking to places where they can get some sun and have some fun. And that means Bend and Central Oregon remain the region’s top travel destination, AAA Oregon/Idaho reports.

AAA Travel booking data reveals top destinations and trends as spring breakers prepare to travel throughout March and April. AAA says beaches, warm weather destinations, theme parks and cruising are the most popular for spring break 2026. AAA also offers tips to keep the vacation worry-free.

“Travel is a very personal choice, and for many, it’s vital to their overall quality of life. By taking some precautions, everyone can feel more at ease throughout the journey,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Theme parks in Southern California and Florida are perennial favorites for families during spring break. The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and Knotts Berry Farm are popular in the Los Angeles area. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary with special shows and new additions to attractions. And in Florida, The Walt Disney World Resort and the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando are top destinations.

Cruising continues to set records this year. AAA projects 21.7 million Americans will take cruise vacations in 2026. Many families book cruises over Spring Break to get the most out of the week, with Caribbean itineraries departing from Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas being the most popular.

Top international destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho include Paris, Rome, Tokyo, London and Barcelona. These cities appeal to families looking for history and entertainment.

Good news for travelers planning to drive abroad: you can now apply for International Driving Permits online! AAA is one of only two official organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs. While you can still apply in person at a AAA branch, you now have the option to use your smartphone to take a digital photo and complete the application online. Many countries require IDPs to rent a car and drive legally.

Many will take a road trip this Spring Break. Oregonians will be visiting Central Oregon, the Oregon Coast, Portland, Seattle, Eugene, Southern Oregon, and Boise. La Verkin, Utah is popular for its proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. The busiest car rental destinations are Orlando, Los Angeles and Phoenix, according to AAA rental car partner Hertz.

AAA offers many other tips on how to save on fuel here: https://gasprices.aaa.com/news/fuel-saving-tips/

Costs to fly for Spring Break in the U.S. are up 2% this year, compared to 2025. AAA says the average price for a roundtrip domestic ticket is $815. International flights are slightly cheaper this year, with the average price for a roundtrip ticket at $1,300.

“Spring break is a perfect time to chase the sun and shake off the winter doldrums. Sandy beaches, inviting pools and sunny skies are among the most popular escapes this time of year. International cities are popular for culture, sightseeing and great restaurants, often with mild spring weather,” says Doreen Loofburrow, Senior Vice President of Travel at AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Gas prices on the rise for spring break:

This is the time of year that we typically see seasonal increases in gas prices – and this year, the conflict in Iran and the Middle East is causing gas prices to soar due to skyrocketing crude oil prices. Anytime crude oil prices spike, gas prices go up as well.

Other factors that cause prices to rise this time of year include refinery maintenance, the switch to summer-blend fuel, and an increase in demand for gas.

Gas prices are more expensive this year for spring break, compared to last year. Last year in mid-March, the national average for regular gas was $3.08 and the Oregon average was $3.72.

Find current fuel prices at GasPrices.AAA.com.

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Man accused of sexually abusing employee at ER

KMIZ on March 16, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man has been charged with first-degree sexual abuse after authorities claim he abused an employee at the University Hospital emergency room.

Antonio Murphy, 38, is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A court appearance is scheduled for Monday afternoon.

The probable cause statement claims Murphy had touched the employee while he was being looked at in a triage area on March 8. He allegedly grabbed the victim while pressing himself against them, the statement says.

Cameras allegedly showed Murphy attempting to grab the victim multiple times, but pulling his hand away when the victim turned around, the statement says. The camera did not record Murphy assaulting the victim because the area where it happened was out of view, but it recorded the victim running out of the room, the statement says.

Murphy allegedly followed the victim into an exam room, causing the victim to leave that room and walk behind a nurse’s station, the statement says. Murphy was then allegedly seen grabbing himself, court documents say.

Murphy allegedly told police on Thursday that he may have “unintentionally” touched the victim, the statement says.

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Four teens cited following weekend vandalism spree in Fort Hall

KIFI on March 16, 2026

News Team

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) — A string of juvenile vandalism over the weekend has left a local training facility and several tribal vehicles damaged, according to the Fort Hall Police Department.

The incident began Sunday afternoon, March 15, when police were alerted to a break-in at the Fort Hall Fire Department’s training house on Shoshone Drive.

Later that evening, police received reports of a group attempting to scale the fence at the tribal fleet yard near the BIA irrigation office. Upon arrival, the officers caught four teenagers at the scene along with two tribal trucks with several windows and mirrors smashed in.

During the investigation, the teens admitted to both the damage to the Fire Department’s training house and the damaging of two tribal trucks. All four suspects were cited and subsequently released into the custody of their guardians.

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‘Sky Hunters’ takes flight at the High Desert Museum just in time for Spring break

KTVZ on March 16, 2026

Silas Moreau

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Museum will begin its Spring break programming on Saturday, March 21st, featuring the return of live flight demonstrations and several new exhibitions. The museum will also transition to summer hours, staying open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The seasonal schedule includes the Sky Hunters bird of prey program and interactive history at the museum’s ranch and sawmill. These activities are paired with daily wildlife talks and scientific exhibitions focused on regional geology and biology.

The Sky Hunters program will be hosted in the E.L. Wiegand Pavilion in the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center. The demonstration features raptors flying overhead to showcase their agility while educators share information about the birds’ lives in the wild. The program runs daily from March 21st through March 28th at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available at admissions for $7, and museum members receive a 20% discount. Fly Redmond and the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon provide funding support for the program.

Daily talks regarding High Desert flora and fauna are included with museum admission. These scheduled events include a Nature Walk at 10:30 a.m., an Otter Encounter at 12:30 p.m. and a Mammal Encounter at 3:00 p.m.

The High Desert Museum is also featuring several temporary exhibitions, including “Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration.” Located in the Spirit of the West Gallery, the exhibit combines history and geology with interactive storytelling. Visitors can view lava rocks, study a volcanic hazard map and hear simulated volcanic rumbles. The display highlights the scientific significance of volcanoes and the local impact of the Mount St. Helens eruption on May 18, 1980.

The Brooks Gallery houses “Soil Alive!,” a subterranean-themed exhibition presented in both English and Spanish. The family-friendly installation uses muffled underground sounds and interactive activities to show how microorganisms turn dirt into living soil. Features include a giant magnifying glass for viewing digital illustrations and a motion-activated experience where visitors help a ponderosa sapling grow.

Artist Hilary Baker is featured in the Desertarium Gallery with an exhibition titled “Prophets.” Baker, who grew up in Los Angeles, lost her longtime home to the Palisades Fire in January 2025. Following the fire, she began painting moths as spiritual messengers. The exhibit includes 18 of her artworks, which use bright renderings to encourage closer observation of the insects.

Another original exhibition, “Drawn West: A History of Promoting Place,” examines a century of western salesmanship. The collection features more than 50 maps, advertisements and artworks that explore the growth of cities along High Desert railways and the first Pendleton Round-Up in 1910. Additionally, the “Forest at Night” exhibition provides an immersive virtual tour of the forest after dark, highlighting the constellations and nocturnal animals.

The High Desert Ranch and Sawmill will offer historical demonstrations from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. These areas will be open from Saturday, March 21st through Sunday, March 29th, though they will be closed on Monday, March 23rd. Visitors are invited to ask questions about the historical buildings or participate in ranch activities.

The Sky Hunters flight demonstrations will conclude on Saturday, March 28. The “Soil Alive!” exhibition is scheduled to close on Sunday, March 29.

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ICE purchases $145M Salt Lake City warehouse, sparking local outcry

KIFI on March 16, 2026

News Team

SALT LAKE, Utah (KIFI) — The Department of Homeland Security has officially purchased a massive warehouse on the west side of Salt Lake City, confirming months of speculation and marking the establishment of the first ICE detention center in the state of Utah.

The federal government purchased the nearly 25-acre property for $145 million. According to CNN, the deed of sale identifies the seller as the holding group R-REEF CPIF.

In a formal statement, ICE confirmed its intentions for the site, stating:

“These will be very well-structured detention facilities meeting our regular detention standards. Sites will undergo community impact studies and a rigorous due diligence process to make sure there is no hardship on local utilities or infrastructure.”

Federal officials are leaning heavily into the economic benefits of the project. ICE projections suggest the facility’s construction and operation will generate nearly 10,000 local jobs, contribute $1.1 billion to the regional GDP, and bring in approximately $239 million in tax revenue.

However, local leaders remain staunchly opposed. The facility, an 833,000-square-foot warehouse located near the Salt Lake City International Airport, is rumored to house up to 7,500 beds, according to ABC4 in Utah.

Friday, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson issued a sharp rebuke following the confirmation of the sale.

“I am deeply disturbed to learn that a 833,000-square-foot warehouse… has reportedly been purchased by the federal government to what would likely become a massive ICE detention facility,” Wilson said. “The idea of 7,500 detainees being held in the heart of our capital city is simply unacceptable and must never be realized.”

The purchase follows a wave of “Beehive State” protests that began earlier this year when rumors of a potential federal site first surfaced.

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One in custody following Friday night shooting in Challis

KIFI on March 16, 2026

Seth Ratliff

CHALLIS, Idaho (KIFI) — An unnamed person is recovering Monday after a weekend shooting in Challis sent them to the hospital.

According to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting took place on Friday, March 13th, around 11 PM in the Hot Springs area of Challis. Sheriff’s Deputies rushed to the area where they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound, but otherwise in stable condition.

Few details are available surrounding the shooting. But the Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that one person was taken into custody without incident.

Authorities secured the scene overnight and assured residents that there is no threat to the public.

No further details have been released at this time. Local News 8 will provide additional updates as new information becomes available.

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Juvenile arrested for alleged bomb threat at Jefferson City Lowe’s

KMIZ on March 16, 2026

Josie Anglin

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A juvenile has been detained after the Jefferson City Police Department investigated a bomb threat over the weekend, according to a Monday press release from JCPD.

A Lowe’s employee said the store received a hand-written note that included a bomb threat at 8:23 P.M. Sunday , according to the release. JCPD officers and a K-9 unit from Missouri Capitol Police responded to the scene.

After an investigation, JCPD determined there was no threat and the public was not in danger. The youth was later arrested.

The name of the juvenile and pending charges were not announced on Monday morning.

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Kansas City mother pleads guilty in connection with 5-year-old’s deadly fall from 17th floor

CNN Newsource on March 16, 2026

By Chloe Godding, JoBeth Davis

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — A Kansas City mother charged in her 5-year-old son’s death has pleaded guilty to a new charge.

Corrinne O’Connor was initially charged with endangering the welfare of a child after her son’s death in 2023. That charge was amended Monday, and she pleaded guilty March 16, 2026, to first-degree involuntary manslaughter.

Grayson O’Connor, 5, fell from the 17th floor of an apartment building and died. Detectives said surveillance video shows the boy fell from his apartment. His body was discovered in an alley behind that building.

Neighbors told KMBC 9 News that they believed Grayson O’Connor’s death was preventable.

Documents revealed that the Missouri Department of Social Services had seven interactions with the family before Grayson’s death but did not separate him from his mother.

Videos shared with KMBC included O’Connor repeatedly cursing at Grayson, hitting him, and another fight. Neighbors reported problems to property managers and police.

KCPD and the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services even put Grayson in a neighbor’s care for several days after he was found wandering downtown alone at night. He was returned to his mother four days later.

O’Connor was sentenced March 16, 2026, to 10 years in prison with credit for time served.

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 Homerun Project’ seeks to help with housing crisis by renovating a home for giveaway

CNN Newsource on March 16, 2026

By Emma Benson

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    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KSL) — At a time when owning a home seems out of reach for many, a group of friends is trying to make the American dream possible.

Sky Evans, along with his wife Lily and friend Sawyer Reidelbach, started what they call the Homerun Project. They are renovating a 1920s house in Salt Lake City and, once it’s finished, plan to give it away — no mortgage, no rent, just a fresh start, in a drawing.

“We cannot fix the housing crisis for everybody, it’s such a disaster. But we wanted to fix it for someone,” Lily Evans said.

Evans said they are renters themselves and even sold one of their investment properties to help make the renovation possible.

“That’s really how passionate we are about this — to be able to bring such a dream to somebody else,” Sky Evans said.

The transformation is already well underway.

“What’s cooler than being able to give away a house?” Reidelbach said. “Every day I wake up, it’s all I think about. I lay in bed, and I think about it — getting to work on this makes me so happy.”

Once the renovation is complete, they say the goal is simple.

“Somebody is going to get keys to a home, and that’s really the moment that this whole project is for,” Sky Evans said.

They hope to expand this project in the future, giving even more people a place to “run home” to.

“We love it. We’re so excited about it, and we think it will change someone’s life,” Lily Evans said.

The giveaway ends Aug. 23, and the winner will be randomly chosen after that. Each dollar spent on merchandise through their website counts as entries. For more details, visit TheHomerunProject.com. Updates on the renovation are also available on their Instagram page.

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.

Woman killed in Louisville St. Patrick’s Day parade float accident described as ‘force for good’

CNN Newsource on March 16, 2026

By Alex Suckow

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    LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WLKY) — The coroner has identified the woman who died after getting stuck on a float during Louisville’s big St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The annual parade takes place the Saturday before the holiday on Bardstown Road.

Police said that roughly an hour into Saturday’s parade, around 4 p.m., they were called because a woman who was walking next to a float got her foot caught in it, causing her to fall and get stuck under the vehicle.

That woman has been identified as Joan Pannuti Pottinger, 50.

Police said the vehicle stopped and Pottinger was given first aid. She was taken to a hospital, but died in the ER.

Her husband, Tony Pottinger, sent a photo.

He described what happened as “truly a freak accident.” He said she was marching with members of their church, St. Agnes, when she was caught under the rear wheels.

We’re told a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reserve deputy rushed in to help her.

“We appreciate the work of the crowd in lifting up the vehicle and the professionalism of the first responder,” Tony said.

He provided this statement about Joan’s character:

“Joan, like the saint for whom she was named, was fiercely loyal and faithful. She was (and remains) the light of our lives as a mom, wife, and friend. We are a military family and before settling in our forever home in Louisville, we made multiple moves. In every community, Joan has been a passionate force for good, volunteering her time and helping those in need, including in her most recent work fundraising for Best Buddies. We are blessed at the outpouring of community support as we mourn our loss,” he said.

The archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville released a statement on Monday, as well.

“I was saddened to learn about the death of Joan Pottinger, a parent of St. Agnes Catholic School and parishioner of St. Agnes Church, who was killed Saturday at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I want to express my condolences to her husband and her children as they deal with this profound loss.

“Furthermore, I want to extend my sympathy to the St. Agnes community who knew and loved Joan. Please know we are grieving with you.I invite the Archdiocese of Louisville to join me in praying for the repose of her soul, her family, and the St. Agnes School community.Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine about her. May her soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace,” Archbishop Shelton Fabre said.

Parade organizers, The Hibernian Cultural and Charitable Association, Inc, released a statement as well. It read, in part, “It is, however, deeply saddened by the tragic accident at this year’s parade. Its members’ hearts and prayers are with the family, and all impacted by the incident.”

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.