Yuma School District One celebrates student achievements during recognition event

KYMA on March 12, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma School District One celebrated student achievements during a recognition event Wednesday.

According to a press release, the event honored 45 students and 33 teachers across the district “who demonstrated exceptional academic success in several competitions and programs.”

Reagan Strom, Official Top 10 Winner of the Arizona Historical Society’s Postcard Contest. Courtesy: Yuma School District One

Zyla Gonzales, Overall State Winner of the AEA Drug Awareness Poster Contest. Courtesy: Yuma School District One

District One says the following students were recognized during the celebration:

First and second-place school spelling bee winners

Second-place winner at the Yuma County Spelling Bee

Award recipients from the Yuma County Science Fair

The Arizona Historical Society Contest winner

The Arizona Education Association (AEA) Drug Awareness Poster Contest winner

Donivan Schue, First Place Winner of the Yuma County Science Fair for Engineering. Courtesy: Yuma School District One

Natasha Hernandez, First Place Winner of the Yuma County Science Fair for Zoology. Courtesy: Yuma School District One

District One also says not only were the students recognized for their accomplishments, but the event also recognized “also the dedication of the teachers who helped guide and support their success.”

“Events like this give us the opportunity to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students and the educators who inspire them every day,” stated Denis Ponder, District One Superintendent. “Their hard work and commitment to learning make our entire district proud.”

Jacius Skinner, First Place Winner of the School Spelling Bee. Courtesy: Yuma School District One

To learn more about the event, as well as to see the full list of students recognized for their accomplishments, read the press release below.

2025-15 Celebrating Academic AchievementsDownload

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ISP issues safety warning as 60 MPH wind gusts and dust storms hit Idaho

KIFI on March 12, 2026

Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — High winds and seasonal dust storms are prompting safety warnings from the Idaho State Police as spring weather creates hazardous driving conditions across the region.

Troopers are monitoring forecasts calling for wind gusts of approximately 60 mph this weekend, which pose a significant risk to high-profile vehicles.

“We’ve seen some vehicles, because of the wind, usually semis, larger vehicles like that, have tipped over,” said Trooper Adam Anderson with the Idaho State Police, a 12-year veteran of the agency. Anderson added that passenger cars are also at risk, often experiencing sudden gusts when passing larger vehicles that previously acted as windbreaks.

To lower these risks, law enforcement encourages drivers to slow down, increase following distances, and keep both hands on the steering wheel to prepare for sudden wind shifts.

Beyond the wind, spring marks the beginning of “dust season” in Eastern Idaho. As farmers begin plowing and planting fields, the loose topsoil—which has not yet been secured by new vegetation—can be swept up by strong winds.

The resulting dust storms often reduce visibility to zero, creating conditions similar to dense fog. Key areas of concern include:

Interstate 15: Between mileposts 119 and 135 near Roberts.

State Highway 33 and 32: Specifically, the farm fields stretching toward Ashton and the Parker-Chester area.

In extreme cases, the Idaho Transportation Department may close sections of the highway. Motorists are warned that bypassing road closures is illegal. While Idaho does not have specific fines for vehicles tipping over, drivers who ignore roadblocks can be cited for failing to obey a traffic control device or a lawful order.

As temperatures rise, police also cautioned drivers to be more vigilant of motorcycles returning to the road after the winter off-season. Travelers are encouraged to check real-time road and weather reports at 511.idaho.gov before heading out.

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Oxnard’s Jess Ramirez Shares New Kids Book On The Journey of a Migrant Family

KEYT on March 12, 2026

Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Oxnard resident and the Port of Hueneme Commissioner, Jess Ramirez joins your Morning News to share about his children’s book.

The book based on a true story, Little Drops of Water shares the journey of a migrant family from Mexico to the United States. In both Spanish and English, the book shares about the day he was born, love within the family and is dedicated to his sister Toña.

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Missouri House approves Kehoe’s tax elimination bill

KMIZ on March 12, 2026

Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

After less than an hour of debate, the Republican-led Missouri House approved Gov. Mike Kehoe’s income tax elimination bill with a 98-54 vote.

It will now be sent to the Senate, and that chamber is likely to pick it up after spring break, which starts Friday, and legislators will be back in session March 23.

House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174 would phase out the income tax, with the goal of eliminating it by 2032. Lawmakers plan to expand the sales tax base to include services and online purchases as a way to make up for the massive revenue cut.

Income tax makes up about two-thirds of the state’s revenue.

Republican lawmakers argue that the state’s tourism will make up for the revenue loss because out-of-state consumers will have to pay sales tax. The GOP also argues Missourians will take more home in their paycheck, and could choose to spend more, generating more sales taxes.

However, Missourians will have to pay that back at the grocery store, online subscriptions and purchases, and when they pay for services like haircuts or pet care.

Voters will have the final say at the ballot if the bill makes it through the Senate.

In final arguments on the House floor Thursday, Rep. John Martin (R-Columbia) reiterated the need for his colleagues to keep public safety, schools and infrastructure in mind while adjusting the state’s budget.

“We have a historic opportunity to help Missourians to have more take-home pay, and they can choose to spend that,” Martin said. “We also need to evaluate our state budget at this time, a good time to look at the target, as people are wondering how we’re going to make up the difference.”

The bill language said it would protect public school funding. However, Traci Gleason from the Missouri Budget Project said that might not be possible when legislators intend to cut the state budget by a million dollars this year and even more next year, and are already underfunding public schools.

“In that environment where we’re already underfunding, legislators are already making cuts and considering more drastic cuts next year, we’re talking about eliminating a huge source of funding for everything in our budget,” Gleason said.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is also working to adjust the foundation formula for school funding.

Schools could also see shortfalls in local funding.

If the bill makes it through the general assembly and voters give the OK, it would provide a boost to local sales tax revenue. The bill would require local governments to lower property taxes to account for that increase, but that’s where many public schools get a chunk of their funding.

“Schools would be hit by an inability to handle real-world dynamics that any locality faces with population growth, demographics and things like that,” Gleason said. “It would really be a 1-2 punch at both state and local funding levels.”

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Jury recommends max sentence on reduced assault charge in Columbia restaurant shooting

KMIZ on March 12, 2026

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Boone County jury made its recommendation on how much prison time a Florida man should face for opening fire in a Columbia restaurant.

The jury recommended a seven-year sentence for second-degree assault, the maximum allowed under the law. The jury also recommended and eight-year sentence for armed criminal action after about four hours of deliberation on Thursday afternoon.

Alexis Gonzalez, 38, was found guilty of second-degree assault and armed criminal action Wednesday. He was acquitted on one charge of unlawful use of a weapon. Gonzalez was accused of shooting Gary Bitsicas in the face on Aug. 17, 2024.

Prosecutors originally charged Gonzalez with first-degree assault, which has a maximum sentence of 30 years. The jury convicted him instead of the lesser offense of second-degree assault, and deliberated the sentence recommendations for most of Thursday.

Judge Stephanie Morrell will decide the final sentence on May 4. Morrell cannot exceed the jury’s recommendations when deciding on a prison sentence.

The state asked the jury to consider the maximum sentence for both counts. The defense asked for one year in the Boone County Jail for the assault conviction and three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the armed criminal action.

The state argued that Gonzalez went back into a restaurant with a gun and the intention to harm Bitsicas after an argument outside over a bar tab. Gonzalez claimed he was acting in self-defense and in defense of his girlfriend. Gonzalez expressed his regret one final time on the stand Thursday before deliberations.

“I regret the injuries that Gary had to suffer, I regret the things that people had to go through in that bar, I still do think about it each and every night,” Gonzalez said.

Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said the verdict will send a message to the public on whether Columbia tolerates crime or stands up to it. He asked the jurors to make an example out of Gonzalez and his actions that night. Johnson said being a gun owner comes with a responsibility that Gonzalez failed to uphold.

“Gun violence on our community is not going to be tolerated,” Johnson told ABC 17 News after court Thursday.

The defense highlighted Gonzalez’s character in closing statements to jurors. His attorney, Jeff Hilbrenner, said Gonzalez is a military veteran who worked as a pharmacy technician before his arrest. Hilbrenner said Gonzalez has no criminal history and no reports of poor behavior while being held in jail since Aug. 18, 2024.

Hilbrenner wasnot available for comment Thursday.

Bitsicas also shared a statement after court on Thursday calling for stricter gun law in the state.

“When the laws are weak, the violence becomes easier,” Bitsicas said. “When the violence becomes easier, more families suffer.”

Bitsicas did not want to share his thoughts on the jury’s sentencing recommendation.

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Two Yuma County stores cited for selling tobacco to minors

KYMA on March 12, 2026

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Two stores in Yuma County were cited after state investigators found they were selling tobacco products to minors.

The inspections were part of the Arizona Attorney General’s Operation Counter Strike program, which checks stores to make sure they are not selling tobacco to people under 18.

Last year, the program inspected more than 1,000 stores across Arizona. Nearly 500 citations were issued to clerks and businesses that sold tobacco to minors.

In Yuma County, two stores were cited: Chevron Food Mart near the Big Curve in Yuma and Super Gas Mini-Mart on Main Street in Somerton.

Some local residents say they are disappointed to see this happening in their community.

“It’s sad to see that in our hometown. It’s gotten to the point where just to make a quick buck, businesses are selling to minors, but almost as a way of like targeting them as well,” said Richard Nunez, a local father.

Nunez said he hopes businesses take more responsibility when it comes to protecting kids and says protecting kids from tobacco sales should be a bigger priority.

“The future of the U.S., or our state of Arizona, is in our kids, you know, and if we’re not protecting them, then we’re not protecting the future. So I do think statewide, they should crack down a little bit harder,” he said.

Operation Counter Strike has been running since 2002. During the checks, youth volunteers work with investigators to try to buy tobacco from stores.

If a clerk sells to an underage volunteer, both the employee and the business can receive a criminal citation.

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City of Arco issues mandatory boil order

KIFI on March 12, 2026

News Team

ARCO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Arco has issued a mandatory boil water order for all residents effective immediately, Thursday, March 12, 2026. The strict boil order follows a computer monitoring malfunction earlier this morning that caused a drop in water pressure throughout the city’s distribution system.

While the computer issue has been resolved, the temporary loss of pressure creates a risk of “back-siphonage,” which can allow contaminants to enter the water supply. City officials are currently conducting testing to ensure the water meets safety standards.

The Arco Public Works anticipates the issue will be resolved within 5 to 7 days. In the meantime, the City has provided the following safety instructions:

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil. Let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the

You may continue to use your water to wash your hands using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alternatively, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care

For more information, visit the City of Arco’s official website HERE.

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5 things to know about Idaho’s school funding debate 

KIFI on March 12, 2026

Devin Bodkin

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on March 12, 2026

By: Devin Bodkin

BOISE, Idaho — State leaders are nearly two months into the legislative session, and much of the noise still surrounds the state’s budget deficit. Cuts are happening. School leaders and parents are watching. So what’s on the chopping block and what’s not? What factors shape the debate? And what about that big rainy day fund some people keep mentioning?  Here’s a rundown of where things stand — and five takeaways to help clear the smoke.

1. Yes, Idaho faces a deficit

There’s a roughly $40 million gap this fiscal year. 

Projections peg next fiscal year’s imbalance at $555 million. 

So … 

2. Lawmakers are cutting spending

The Legislature last week approved a bill to cut $131 million from the current state budget. 

Most of the cuts came from a 3% reduction Gov. Brad Little ordered last summer. But lawmakers added another $15.3 million in new cuts beyond the governor’s order. 

The cuts affect this fiscal year, which ends June 30.

K-12’s brick-and-mortar schools have been largely spared, and budget-writers have reversed cuts for community colleges and career-technical programs.

Still, Idaho’s four-year colleges and universities are poised to face a disproportionate share of the pain.  

3. Idaho has a big reserve fund

State leaders have built up around $1.3 billion (yes, with a “b”) in savings since the Great Recession. 

That’s about 23% of the state’s general fund spending, and puts the state in a strong position for “rainy day” situations. 

4. So, isn’t it raining? 

Depends on who you ask.

Lawmakers have had three options heading into a tough financial year: 

Cut spending 

Tap rainy-day funds

Increase revenue by raising taxes

Raising taxes is politically unlikely after multiple tax cuts in recent years.

So the debate has swirled around the other options: cutting spending or using reserve funds. 

Some lawmakers say it is raining — and the right time to tap funds. 

Others say the funds should be used only during a major economic downturn. 

For now, lawmakers appear inclined to keep reserve funds intact. But as they finalize next year’s budget, the question lingers: How long can Idaho keep cutting spending while sitting on more than a billion dollars?

5. School leaders are watching closely

K-12 is mostly exempt from the current round of cuts. Funding for these schools remains flat heading into the new year. 

Around 87% of Idaho’s public school funding comes from the state. So flat funding feels more like a cut as costs rise, some local leaders say.  

Public schools will be forced to cut budgets even if state funding remains flat. One of East Idaho’s largest districts is already weighing staff cuts and upping its request for local funds to boost depleted savings and address its budget crunch.

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Utah man charged with manslaughter in death while practicing drawing handguns from holsters

KIFI on March 12, 2026

CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 11 MAR 26 15:38 ET

By Tim Vandenack

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    ROY, Utah (KSL) — A Roy man has been charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of another person while the two were practicing drawing handguns from holsters.

Benjamin Garrett Davis, 24, is charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony; reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor; and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, a class B misdemeanor in the incident last Sunday.

Roy police were called to Davis’ apartment on Sunday after receiving a report a male had been shot in the head. On arriving, they found Davis kneeling over the other person’s body repeatedly saying “the shooting was his fault,” according to charging papers filed Tuesday. Security video footage in Davis’ apartment shows the incident.

“Both individuals are seen drawing handguns from holsters and pointing the firearms toward one another. During one of the drills, Davis draws his handgun, points it toward (the other male), and pulls the trigger. The firearm discharges and (the other male) is immediately struck in the head and collapses to the floor,” charging papers read. Davis later told authorities he and the victim were practicing firearm-draw drills but that he thought his gun was not loaded.

A 2-year-old was in the apartment when the incident occurred and visible in the video authorities retrieved, leading to the charge for committing an offense in the presence of a child. “The child is seen walking within several feet of Davis and (the other person) while the firearms were being drawn and manipulated,” charging papers read.

According to the police booking affidavit in the case, video taken from the apartment shows Davis after the shooting. “Benjamin is seen with a panicked expression, and he drops the gun,” the affidavit reads.

The apartment complex where the incident occurred is at 4608 S. 1900 West. Davis is being held without bail in the Weber County Jail.

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-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Bend Park & Recreation District evaluates Deschutes River Trail connection, urges public input

KTVZ on March 12, 2026

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Park & Recreation District is launching a new study to evaluate options for connecting the Deschutes River Trail in southwest Bend and it wants your input. The project aims to link the trail to the Deschutes National Forest and recreation sites along the Cascade Lakes Highway.

The Deschutes River Trail South project seeks to complete one of the final remaining gaps in a trail system that extends from Sunriver to Tumalo State Park. The study, led by the consulting firm Kittelson & Associates, will evaluate trail alignments, environmental factors, and engineering feasibility to inform future design and construction decisions.

The study will analyze various factors including possible trail alignments, river width, engineering feasibility, and environmental conditions. Researchers will also consider federal and state designations and requirements for the area. Options under review include the potential construction of a new trail bridge over the Deschutes River and at least one “no-build” alternative that would utilize existing or pending trails and roadways.

The project is intended to update data from previous planning efforts conducted by the district between 2015 and 2019. Henry Stroud, Bend Park & Recreation District principal planner and project leader, said the initiative will help prepare for future phases of the trail’s development.

“The intent of this study is to provide the district, the public and other stakeholders with more detailed and accurate information to inform future community conversations and possible project design engineering,” Stroud said.

Kittelson & Associates, a transportation engineering and planning firm, is serving as the third-party consultant for the project. Stroud said the firm was brought in to expand on prior information and account for growth in the area.

“The goal is to reflect changes in the community over the past 10+ years since alignment options were last explored,” Stroud said.

A dedicated stakeholder group is scheduled to meet multiple times throughout the duration of the study. Project details and updates are being maintained on the district’s project website.

A public open house is scheduled for Thursday, April 2nd, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the gymnasium of Elk Meadows Elementary School. An online open house will also be hosted on the project website from April 2nd through April 23rd, 2026.

Click here for more information.

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