First grizzly of the spring spotted scavenging in Yellowstone

KIFI on March 10, 2026

Seth Ratliff

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY (KIFI) — On March 9th, Yellowstone biologists reported the first grizzly bear sighting of the spring season, signaling the end of winter hibernation. As the seasons change and Yellowstone prepares to open the West Entrance in April, the National Park Service is reminding visitors that all of Yellowstone is grizzly and black bear country.

The group was working in the backcountry of the northern part of the park when they spotted the bear scavenging a bull bison carcass.

“When bears emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter,” states the NPS in a news release. “Bears may react aggressively to encounters with people when feeding on carcasses.”

Male grizzlies typically come out of hibernation in early March, while females with cubs emerge in April and early May. In 2025, the first reported grizzly bear sighting happened on March 14th.

The NPS has provided the following guidelines to protect yourself and Yellowstone’s bear population:

Prepare for a bear encounter by carrying bear spray, knowing how to use it and making sure it’s accessible.

Stay alert.

Hike or ski in groups of three or more, stay on maintained trails and make noise. Avoid hiking at dusk, dawn or at night.

Do not run if you encounter a bear. Stay 100 yards (91 m) away from black and grizzly bears. Approaching bears within 100 yards is prohibited. Use binoculars, a telescope or telephoto lens to get a closer look.

Store food, garbage, barbecue grills and other attractants in hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof food storage boxes.

Report bear sightings and encounters to a park ranger immediately.

Learn more about bear safety.

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Missouri gas prices surge 33 cents, topping $3 per gallon

KMIZ on March 10, 2026

Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri drivers are seeing a sharp jump at the pump as average gas prices surged nearly 33 cents per gallon over the past week, reaching $3.01 per gallon statewide.

According to GasBuddy’s survey of nearly 4,000 stations across the Show-Me State, the steep rise marks a significant month‑over‑month increase. Gas costs about 43 cents more per gallon than it did a month ago, and 16 cents more than the same time last year.

The rapid price hike is tied to rising global tensions, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. He says that gasoline prices are “surging at one of the fastest rates in years” following U.S. strikes on Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

This is hurting drivers like Cheryl Wagner, who drive for a living.

“I drive an average of 10,000 miles a month,” Wagner said.

She’s drove for Uber and Lyft for nearly four years and Medical Transportation Management since fall 2025. But it’s costing her more to do her job.

“It [her vehicle] used to cost about $30 to $35 to fill up. Now it’s about $45,” Wagner said.

She said she has to take that into consideration when accepting a ride, as tips aren’t up either.

“My tips are averaging the $3 or nothing,” Wagner said.

She got a nice tip Tuesday morning after driving a woman from Kingdom City to Columbia.

“She [rider] was astounded that I only got $17.99 compared to how much she paid. And she paid well over $50 for that ride,” Wagner said.

As a Farber, Missouri resident who drives all around Mid-Missouri for work, she said Columbia’s gas prices are strikingly higher than some surrounding areas.

Gas analysts confirmed that data.

“If we dive into Columbia specifically, it’s [increase] actually a little bit more pronounced currently sitting on average of $3.20,” Petroleum Analyst Matt McCain said. “That’s up about $0.21 just since yesterday [March 9] and up $0.40 a gallon over the past week, just in the Columbia area. A 65 cent jump in the past month.”

Oil prices surpassed $100 per barrel over the weekend amid ongoing attacks across the Middle East, prompting fuel markets to “rapidly recalibrate” to the threat of prolonged supply disruptions.

Costs are not rising because of low supply, though. U.S. oil comes from domestic production, Canada, and even Missouri. Prices increase because crude oil is traded globally using U.S. dollars.

“As a result, gasoline prices in many states could climb another 20 to 50 cents per gallon this week,” De Haan warned in a news release.

Diesel could rise even more dramatically—potentially 35 to 75 cents per gallon. The national average for diesel — used to transport goods that end up on store shelves — jumped nearly 86 cents in the past week to $4.59 per gallon.

Nationwide, gas prices climbed even more sharply in Missouri. Over the past week, gas rose about 51 cents per gallon, now sitting at $3.45 nationwide. That’s up about 54 cents compared to last month and 41 cents from a year ago, GasBuddy reports.

It is worth noting that a large gap has been reported between the cheapest and most expensive gas stations. GasBuddy reports wide price swings across Missouri. The lowest price recorded on Sunday was $2.37, while the highest hit $3.59, a $1.22 difference per gallon.

While the outlook remains uncertain as the U.S./Israeli war with Iran continues, one thing is clear: drivers are already feeling the immediate effects. Experts caution that gas prices may not stabilize anytime soon, but they are monitoring developments.

“French’s President Emmanuel Macron [is] indicating that they are planning to send multiple warships, possibly to the Strait of Hormuz to help safeguard it in order to bring about some calm to the Strait of Hormuz itself. And that may allow oil tankers to begin flowing from the Middle East again, which is exactly what we need to make prices start falling.”

If changes don’t come soon, people like Wagner may have to reconsider their livelihood.

“The higher the gas is, the less money I have for bills,” Wagner said. “I am going to be doing the transportation at least until July, minimum. After that, depends on how much gas prices are.”

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Missouri House gives income tax phase-out plan initial approval

KMIZ on March 10, 2026

Lucas Geisler

EDITOR’S NOTE: The story has been corrected to say the bill received initial approval.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri House of Representatives gave initial approval Tuesday to a plan that would ask voters to phase out the state income tax over several years.

The chamber voted 85-48 around 1 p.m. Tuesday to perfect HJR 173. A final vote is expected Thursday.

If HJR 173 is passed by voters in November, the state would lower the income tax by 0.01% if net general revenue collections are $20 million more than what was collected at the end of fiscal 2025. The rate would drop another 0.01% for every $20 million collected after that.

State budget numbers show that the state collected $13,430,978,645 by June 30, 2025, the final day of the fiscal year. The collections threshold to reduce income tax further would grow every year by the rate of inflation.

Resolution sponsor Rep. Bishop Davidson (R-Republic) said the Department of Revenue estimated that 0.01% of state income tax amounted to about $20 million, which he hoped would make the reduction “revenue neutral.”

The measure would also allow lawmakers to expand the sales tax to apply to other services to make up for revenue lost.

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Man arrested for allegedly hitting child with car in Boone County

KMIZ on March 10, 2026

abc17news-Newsroom

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County deputies have arrested a Columbia man for a crash that left a child hurt over the weekend.

On Monday, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said it was searching for a driver accused of hitting a 9-year-old girl with their car in the 700 block of Demaret Drive on Sunday night. Deputies originally said they were looking for a woman, but a social media post on Tuesday morning said they arrested 40-year-old Frank Gee IV on suspicion of leaving the scene of an accident.

Charges against Gee were not available in online court records Tuesday morning.

The girl was taken to a hospital, though she was alert and talking when emergency crews got to the scene on Sunday night.

Gee was not on the Boone County Jail roster on Tuesday.

 

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Rigby’s ‘Shark Tank:’ Student entrepreneurs take home $10K at Invest Nest competition 

KIFI on March 10, 2026

David Pace

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI)  – Ten student entrepreneurs hit the stage for a “Shark Tank”-style competition Monday at Rigby High School.

The “Invest Nest” finalists competed for $10,000 in prize money, split among the top three business pitches.

“A bunch of students are competing for a pretty big sum of money – bringing their business ideas in front of a panel of judges,” said Bailey Davis, a contestant and senior at Rigby High School.

First place and a $7,000 check was earned by Brayden Hammer, who pitched HSR Adapters, “a custom-made phone scope adapter for your cell phone to adapt to spotting scopes and binoculars at an affordable price.”

Brayden Hammer took home first place at Rigby High School’s Invest Nest business pitch competition.

Davis took second place and a $2,000 prize for her photography business, “Photos by Bay.”

“I’ve been in business for about three years now,” she said. “I’ve been taking clients, and I take pictures of couples, families, seniors, individuals, weddings and small businesses,” she said.

Judge Garrett Foster presents Bailey Davis with a $2000 for second place.

Third prize and $1,000 was awarded to Ridge Turner for his Multifab Studio.

His goal is to custom manufacture and create products using a “3D printer, laser cutter, pen plotting and sticker cutting.”

Ridge Turner received third place and $1000 on Monday.

Students developed their pitches after school for over four months. To participate in Monday’s main competition, they advanced through two earlier rounds – a 30-second elevator pitch and a 2-3 minute polished pitch.

One took a non-profit twist.

“My business is called Local Life,” said Rigby High School junior Hannah Denning.  “It’s basically a nonprofit that would take people on a humanitarian trip in East Idaho instead of in Mexico or somewhere foreign like that.  I think it would be super awesome because I can give a lot more people a chance to go on a humanitarian trip and get that experience, because it’s more affordable, it’s less time-consuming, and it’s so much fun.”

The ten finalists were selected from a pool of more than 30 competitors.

Multiple competitors expressed a desire to launch their businesses – even if they didn’t win seed funding this round.

“My business pitch is a business called ‘Stink Be Gone.’ It’s a trash can cleaning business,” said entrepreneur Kade Scott, a junior at Rigby High School. “My goal with the business is just to clean out a bunch of trash cans and make a lot of money.”

The judges were Garrett Foster, a strategist for HK Contractors and Prevail Legacy Builders; Jace Poston, a partner with Poston, Denney Killpack accounting firm; writer and journalist  Brenda Stanley; and Kyle Jensen, a small business lender with Zions Bank. 

The winner will advance to regionals and a chance to compete for $20,000 in Utah later this spring.

Finalists Drexton Poulter, Emma Thornton, Bailey Davis, Kade Scott, Ridge Turner, Brayden Hammer, Hannah Denning, Austin Hude, Leini Kaaiakamanu and Hyrum Jones compete in the Invest Nest Competition.

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ABC-7 at 4: Spotlight on National Poison Prevention Week: Protecting Families

KVIA on March 10, 2026

Nichole Gomez

National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) is observed annually during the third full week of March (March  to highlight the dangers of accidental poisoning and promote safety. Salvador Baeza, the Director of West Texas Poison Center at University Medical Center of El Paso, shares helpful tips to keep your family safe.

Key Safety Measures & Actions:

Store Safely: Keep medicines, cleaning products, laundry pods, and pesticides in their original containers, locked up, and out of sight of children.

Save the Number: Call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 or visit poisonhelp.org for expert, confidential advice.

Preventive Action: Ensure child-resistant closures are used, check expiration dates, and keep products in original packaging.

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ABC-7 AT 4: Love on Repeat: Couples Night Event

KVIA on March 10, 2026

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-Love on Repeat, El Paso’s Official Couple’s Night, returns March 20. Headlining the evening is a special live performance by Yoshihana, who will set the tone for a night centered around intimacy, nostalgia, and connection. The event will also feature a D’Angelo tribute experience, honoring the legendary R&B icon. It is an environment where couples are encouraged to slow down and reconnect. The evening will include a hosted program, chef-curated dining, specialty cocktails, and a high-energy after-party.

Tickets are available at https://LoveOnRepeat1.eventbrite.com

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WATCH: Mizzou football spring practice continues

KMIZ on March 10, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Hear from Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz and players as spring practice continues.

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Webinar alert: Pacific Power shares wildfire mitigation strategies for 2026

KTVZ on March 10, 2026

Matthew Draxton

Pacific Power will host an online discussion today, March 10, 2026, at 1 p.m. to address wildfire safety and preparedness. The webinar will focus on steps taken to protect the electrical grid and ensure customer safety during the upcoming wildfire season.

The meeting will provide details on the company’s comprehensive wildfire mitigation plan and current preparations. Pacific Power serves customers across six western states and maintains a long history of wildfire defense planning.

Pacific Power representatives will lead the session, which includes an overview of the company’s wildfire mitigation plan. Protecting customers and communities while providing safe and reliable power is the company’s stated highest priority. According to Pacific Power, the utility has an established history of planning for and defending against wildfires throughout the six western states it serves. The upcoming discussion is designed to inform the public about the specific actions taken to safeguard the electrical grid. The webinar is open to the public and can be accessed online. The meeting will be held through the Zoom platform at the link provided by the utility.

The webinar is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on March 10, 2026, and can be accessed here.

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Bones found in Phelps County identified

KMIZ on March 10, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Bones found last week in a wooded area near Rolla have been identified as a man who went missing nearly 26 years ago.

Phelps County Sheriff Michael Kirn said in a news release that the bones found March 3 were identified as Eugene Cerney, who was 56 when he went missing on June 10, 2000. Cerney had left his central Phelps County home on a bicycle, telling his family that he planned to ride to St. Robert.

A dental expert based in Cole Camp helped identify Cerney using dental records, Kirn said.

A bicycle was also found near Cerney’s remains, the release states.

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