The St. Mary’s boys basketball team in Class 3A Final Four action
Rob Namnoum
The St. Mary’s boys basketball team took on Strasburg in the Class 3A Final Four on Friday and lost 64-41.
The Salida girls basketball team is heading to the State Championship
Rob Namnoum
The Salida girls basketball team beat Denver Christian in the Class 3A Final Four on Friday 50-47.
One Class at a Time: Silver Rail’s “Miss G” helps kids find their rhythm
Campbell Porter
Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new music program at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend is already striking a chord with students, thanks to one teacher’s passion for helping kids express themselves through music.
Marci Griffiths, known by her students as “Miss G,” started the school’s music program this year. She says her students have quickly embraced the creative process, with some even composing their own songs.
“Some of my kindergartners are writing their own music, and some of my fifth graders are also writing their own music,” Griffiths said. “Once they get their hands on the instrument and start to understand the theory behind music itself, they take it upon themselves to grow because we’re giving them tools.”
To get the program off the ground, Griffiths has borrowed instruments from other schools around the district. Today, she was recognized by KTVZ and Mid Oregon Credit Union’s One Class at a Time program for her dedication to giving every student the opportunity to make music. She plans to use the award funds to purchase djembe drums for her classes.
One Class at a Time is our monthly award celebrating inspiring teachers who make a difference in Central Oregon classrooms.
Idaho’s top leaders emphasize the economy at Chamber Leadership Session
David Pace
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The state of Idaho’s economy and budget loomed large at a Leadership Session featuring Governor Brad Little, Lt. Governor Scott Bedke and U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson on Friday.
Three of Idaho’s top leaders addressed “5 I’s” – Idaho’s economy, Idaho Launch, Immigration, Irrigation and Iran at a forum hosted by the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber at the Downtown Event Center.
Idaho EconomyGov. Little struck an optimistic tone for the state of Idaho’s economy.
“One thing that I’m proudest of is Idaho – from top to bottom – has the fastest growing personal incomes of any state in the union,” Little said. “… We’re going to get by. We’re going to have a balanced budget guaranteed.”
Bedke warned that legislators overshot in appropriating $600 million in tax and revenue cuts for 2027, triggering this year’s budget cuts.
“The people you sent to the Legislature chose to create a list of things that had short-term political bang to it – mostly tax cuts,” he said. “…C’mon Idaho, you’re acting more like the federal government than Idaho. You don’t have the luxury to go over the top here.”
On the federal level, Congressman Simpson said that 72 percent of the federal budget is spent on entitlement programs and 28 percent on discretionary programs.
“We have to have courage to tackle the entitlement programs. That doesn’t mean take away Social Security or anything else, but you better change it,” Simpson said. “… That’s the only way you’re going to address this deficit and get the economy going.”
Idaho Launch
Idaho’s executive branch highlighted the success of Idaho Launch preparing students for well-paying careers.
“There’s an Idaho job waiting for every child commensurate to their education,” Bedke added. “I think that puts Idaho in a pretty good spot frankly.”
In this year of budget cuts, the Governor acknowledged he’s battling for funding for the program.
“What I thought was probably one of the most important investments we can make was increasing post-high school opportunities, [but funding] was limited,” Little said. “In fact, I’m still trying to just hang on to the appropriations that I proposed so far.”
Immigration
Simpson also addressed immigration, highlighting his support for the HALO bill to protect ICE officers from violence and harassment.
“There’s a legal way to come into this country, and unfortunately what’s happening right now, what you’re seeing with ICE and all this other stuff, and I don’t mean to sound partisan, but it is,” he said. “We’re trying to correct four years of an open border where 20 million people illegally came across the border.”
Irrigation
Lt. Gov. Bedke highlighted a tough year ahead for agriculture with an impending water shortage.
“We have planned before the crisis,” he said. “Now we’re going to stress test our plan, and I think we’re as well positioned as we possibly could be. We don’t have any problems a couple of wet snow storms won’t solve.”
Iran
On foreign policy, Rep. Simpson expressed his support for the current military action in Iran.
“Every president for 50 years has made the commitment to the American people that Iran can never had a nuclear weapon,” he said. “They would not commit to not enriching uranium. Even though we took out their major enrichment facilities, they still have others that they worked in. This is the first president that’s been willing to say, you know what, we’ve got to end this now.”
Making a difference
Back at home, Gov. Little told youth in the Chamber’s Emerging Leadership program to stay involved and participate in their communities and government.”All our decisions are based on how do we create the runway, the enduring runway, for these kids to prosper here in Idaho?” he said.
Gov. Brad Little, Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, and U.S. Representative Mike Simpson address the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber Leadership Session on Friday.
The Banning Lewis boys basketball team plays in the Class 3A Final Four
Rob Namnoum
The Banning Lewis boys basketball team took on Forge Christian in the Class 3A Final Four on Friday and lost 58-57.
Locals react to early year heat wave
Paul Vozzella
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Residents across the Desert Southwest are preparing for a stretch of unusually high temperatures, with forecasts indicating that daily records could be broken as an early-season heat wave settles over the region.
In Yuma, the next week is expected to bring persistent heat across much of the desert landscape. The early arrival of such intense warmth has prompted both concern and resignation among residents who are familiar with the region’s extreme climate.
Some locals view the situation as part of the varying desert weather that happens naturally.
Andrew Segovia, a full-time resident, acknowledged the unusual timing but suggested that fluctuations are to be expected.
“It is warming up a little earlier than normal but that’s ebb and flow,” Segovia said.
Others say the transition from the mild winter season to extreme heat has felt particularly abrupt this year.
Jeff Waddell, who lives in the area year-round, noted that the cooler months seemed to pass quickly.
“We live here now full-time, so no, the winter time really didn’t exist too much,” Waddell said, describing what he felt was a noticeably short period of mild weather.
Not everyone is bothered by the early heat. For some seasonal residents who travel to the region specifically for its sunshine, the rising temperatures are welcome.
Gary Poole, who has been visiting the area for years during the winter months, said the warmth is exactly what he hopes for when he arrives.
“We come down here for the sun, so this is pretty good stuff,” Poole said.
Make sure to take proper precautions by staying hydrated, limiting prolonged exposure to the sun and taking frequent breaks indoors or in shaded areas during the hottest parts of the day.
Pet Pals: Penelope is a sweet girl with a lot to say
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Amber from the Humane Society of Central Oregon stopped by Friday with Penelope, a 3-month-old mixed-breed pup who is all ready to go to a new, loving home.
One injured after small helicopter crash
Caleb Nguyen
SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (KEYT) – First responders are on the scene of a small helicopter crash at the Santa Ynez Airport.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department said one person in the crash is being taken to the hospital for minor injuries after the crash happened just after 5:00 p.m..
The crash is temporarily shutting down the Santa Ynez airport and more information on the crash will be provided as it becomes available to Your News Channel.
Missouri ranks 42nd for women and children’s health; local doctor discuss trends seen in mid-Missouri
Euphenie Andre
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
In honor of International Women’s Month, ABC 17 News looked into women’s health trends in mid-Missouri.
Missouri ranks 42nd in the country for women and children’s health, according to America’s Health Rankings.
Dr. Elizabeth Wilson, an OB-GYN at Boone Health with 30 years of experience, said she has seen several changes in women’s health throughout her career. Wilson primarily works with patients typically ranging in age from their 30s to their 70s. As many women approach menopause, she said they often experience symptoms including brain fog, mood changes, fatigue and weight gain.
“People are always curious why they’re starting to gain weight when they didn’t gain before without making any changes, or they’re working harder and it’s not working like it used to,” Wilson said.
Dr. Wilson said metabolic health and the mitochondria are factors in the changes women often deal with.
“I think across medicine, we’re also recognizing that our mitochondria take care of ourselves. Our cells actually help prevent diseases all throughout our body,” Dr. Wilson said.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, 451.6 women per 100,000 in Missouri are diagnosed with invasive cancer in 2022. The report also breaks down rates by race, though it does not separate men and women: 478.3 per 100,000 for white residents, 459.9 for Black residents, 261.6 for Hispanic residents, 304.1 for Pacific Islanders, and 166.6 for Native American residents.
Wilson said one trend she has noticed is an increase in certain cancers among younger women.
“I do feel like we’re seeing more breast cancer in younger women,” Wilson said. “I feel like I hear more about colon cancer and lung cancer, and I feel like lung cancer is now in non-smokers.”
Research also shows health conditions can affect women differently across racial groups.
A 2017 study found higher rates of diabetes among Black women compared to white women. Researchers tracked participants for 30 years, collecting data on diabetes risk factors, including medical history, weight, lifestyle habits, and social factors like education, finances, and neighborhood conditions.
According to the DHSS, 10.1% of white women have reported being told by a doctor that they have diabetes. The percentages increases to 14.7% for Black women.
Wilson said research helps doctors remain aware of conditions that may affect patients differently.
“I don’t know if I can tell you that more of my black patients have pre-eclampsia than my white patients, but I do know to be more aware of it and look for it more closely,” Dr. Wilson said.
Dr. Wilson added that her OB patient population has decreased over the past five years, so she doesn’t have enough cases to draw firm conclusions, but it remains a trend that doctors are trained to watch closely.
Jackquline Pribble, a Columbia native, said the biggest difference in her health now compared to her 20s is how her bodies feel as she ages.
“More body aches. As you get older you get worn out,” she said.
Columbia resident Dr. Mary Dohrmann said she is purposeful in maintaining a good health by being intentional about lifestyle choices.
Wilson said there are several ways women can improve their overall health, including getting enough sleep, managing stress, maintaining a balanced diet and spending time outside.
“I’ve been interested in the whole circadian health.” Dr. Wilson said. “This idea that maybe one of the reasons we don’t sleep as we get older and older is just that we are not in sync with our environment. We’re inside under artificial lights all day long, we’re not touching the ground,”
Missouri also ranks 48th in the country for high-risk behaviors associated with HIV among women, according to the report. The report also shows mental distress among women ages 18 to 44 increased by 20% between 2019 and 2022, highlighting growing health concerns nationwide.
Dr. Wilson said patient education and involvement in health care is crucial.
“But because they have a lot of choices, they don’t have to all do all the same things to feel better. They more they educate themselves, the more they help me figure out where to go next with them,” she said. “I think the idea that a patient comes to the office and in 15 minutes she get an easy answer. I don’t think patients want that anymore,”
Update: Seriously injured, rescued bald eagle – the third in weeks – is doing well after a week of care at Think Wild
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild Central Oregon is caring for its third seriously injured bald eagle already this year. But while the first two didn’t survive 24 hours after arriving at the Bend wildlife hospital, this bald eagle – America’s official symbol – has made it through a week of care and is doing well.
The adult female bald eagle was admitted to Think Wild on Monday, March 9, after being spotted on the ground and lethargic near a roadway near Prineville, officials said.
Think Wild volunteer Gary Lauder rescued and brought the eagle to Bend, where staff performed an intake exam under strict quarantine protocols.
Think Wild has been caring for an injured bald eagle found near Prineville (Photos: Think Wild Central Oregon)
In a newsletter to supporters, Think Wild said the bald eagle’s prognosis was “extremely guarded, due to wing and bill trauma and neurological symptoms.”
But on Friday, Think Wild Development and Communications Manager Molly Honea told KTVZ News that she is the first of the three rescued eagles to survive their first 24 hours in care.
And even better news came in an update to KTVZ News on Monday.
“The bald eagle is still with us – a promising sign!” Honnea said.
“She is eating and casting well (like owls, most raptors cast bones and fur in pellets instead of digesting them), and we have recheck radiographs scheduled for Wednesday ,which will help inform her continued care.”
Honnea told us Friday that this bald eagle “was found on the ground in a pasture after being seen crawling through barbed wire and unable to fly.”
“On intake, she showed signs of trauma, including a drooping left wing, swelling and popping in the left shoulder, raspy breathing, and injuries to the bill and mouth,” Honea said.
She was treated with fluids, pain medication, anti-inflammatories and antifungal medication, and her wing was wrapped to stabilize the suspected shoulder injury.
Radiographs did not show a clear fracture, but indicated possible trauma and pulmonary contusions. Honnea said she is being closely monitored, supported with assisted feeding, and will have her shoulder rechecked under sedation, as she stabilizes.
“We suspect these injuries were caused by a car strike, since the eagle was first seen near a rural road between Prineville and Madras,” Honnea said.
“We’ve ruled out Avian Influenza (HPAI) as a cause for her neurologic symptoms, since there are obvious signs of trauma,” she added.