Donovan Pimentel
The Air Academy girls basketball team advances to the Class 5A Great Eight. The Kadets defeated Thompson Valley on Wednesday night 58-53. They will play Montrose on Saturday.
By Jamal Goss
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MABLETON, Georgia (WUPA) — The City of Mableton has passed a local ordinance aimed at preventing discrimination based on natural hairstyles in schools and workplaces.
The measure mirrors the CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” The law protects styles such as braids, locks, Afros and twists from discrimination.
Supporters say the ordinance addresses a problem many Black residents say they have experienced for years. At Health in Hair and Wellness Hair Loss Center, master cosmetologist Dyniecia Barnes said she often sees clients feel pressure to change their hair when preparing for job interviews or professional photos.
“When people have to hide their hair in life, it’s almost like it’s a form of shame,” Barnes said.
Barnes said many of her clients feel they must alter their appearance to meet workplace expectations.
“If they have to apply for employment … I gotta slick them out,” Barnes said. “The natural hair is still deemed unacceptable or unprofessional or unpolished.”
Client Ijah Porter said she has experienced similar pressure while working in corporate environments.
“Just being a Black woman here in America, especially corporate America, there’s always been this double consciousness,” Porter said.
Porter said she has sometimes changed her hairstyle to meet perceived professional standards. “On a Friday, I might have my braids,” Porter said. “Come Monday morning, I’m looking like a whole brand new person.”
City Councilwoman Keisha Jeffcoat said hearing stories like Porter’s helped motivate her to push for the ordinance.
“I’ve had a lot of personal stories..students who were having to make adjustments to their hair because it didn’t fit the uniform code of the school, and also in the workplace,” Jeffcoat said.
The ordinance creates local protections against discrimination based on natural hair or protective styles in workplaces and schools within Mableton. For Porter, the new law represents hope for her daughter and future generations.
“She should be able to get any position or have any opportunity, regardless of what her hair looks like,” Porter said. “That doesn’t define you.”
Mableton becomes the first city in Cobb County to pass a local CROWN Act ordinance. Nationally, more than 40 municipalities and several states have adopted similar protections.
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.
David Pace
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – In a ‘slam dunk’ event, a special needs basketball team squared off with some of the Grizzlies finest basketball players Wednesday night at Skyline High School.
“The coaching staff has done a great job this year, and the team does phenomenal,” said Kayden McWilliams, one of the key players on the team. “A really good group of guys. I mean, it’s just so good to be on this team. I love it, and Skyline thank you for having us play.”
The special needs Snake River Cobras’ athletes moved the ball up and down the court with some amazing shots, Globetrotter-like passing and stifling defense against Skyline.
“It’s a special needs team here in Idaho Falls,” said Head Coach Emory Holst. “We have 12 to 14 players now. It’s a wide variety. We have high functioning, low functioning. We’ve even got a 12-year-old on our team.”
Smiles, cheers, and high fives abounded on and off the court.
The Cobra squad pulled ahead at the end of the third quarter, and narrowly won the close match-up with Skyline’s boys and girls teams.
“We came out with a win. That’s all that matters. Actually, that’s not all that matters,” said Brayden Taylor, an accomplished ball hander for the Cobras. “This is more of a team effort for special needs, and then the fact that Skyline welcomes us in with open arms and lets us play with them.”
The final score was 57-55.
The squad has been playing together for three to four years and practices each week at the Idaho Falls Recreation Center.
“We broke off from Special Olympics last year, and kind of formed our own little team, because the team was getting a little big,” Coach Holst said.
The Cobras can’t wait for their next match-up and have another four to five games scheduled this year.
“It went good. We need to like pass the ball more, and we need to win more games,” said Bridger Christiansen, who scored multiple baskets.
The Snake River Cobras special needs squad (black jerseys) defeated Skyline’s boys and girls basketball team on Wednesday night.
By Ryan Marion
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WAYNE COUNTY, Utah (KSTU) — Three women were found dead at multiple scenes across Wayne County on Wednesday, including a local hiking trail.
The Utah Department of Public Safety and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the homicides in Torrey and surrounding areas.
Due to a suspect remaining at large, law enforcement urges residents in the areas to take extra precautions, such as locking doors, remaining at home or with others, and being vigilant about surroundings.
Two women were originally found dead Wednesday afternoon on an unidentified trail, and a third victim was later found dead inside a Wayne County home.
The first two victims were a woman in their 30s and a woman in their 60s, while the woman found in the home was in her 80s.
None of the victims have been identified as next of kin notifications are underway.
An investigation is centered around a 2022 White Subaru Outback with license plate U560YF. Anyone with information on the car is asked to call dispatch at 435-896-6471.
The Wayne County School District has canceled all classes Thursday and Friday out of an abundance of caution, with counselors being available for students upon return to school next week.
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.
Michael Coats
AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) – Walmart employees and customers were evacuated Wednesday night following a possible bomb threat to the store.
Reports of the evacuation came in just before 8 p.m.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office says, emergency dispatchers received call, reporting a person was barricaded in the back of the store with a bomb.
Sgt. Bryan Lovell says, “As a precaution, Walmart management cleared customers out of the store while Deputies searched the building. No suspicious people or items were found and deputies are continuing to work with Walmart security to investigate the situation. Business in the store has resumed at this time. “
Local News 8 will update this story as more information is confirmed.
Campbell Porter
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Submarine Veterans will host a christening ceremony for its S.S. Redside model submarine on Saturday, March 7. The event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the Riverbend Park pavilion in Bend.
The organization, established in 2002, recently expanded its membership to begin a project honoring local service members. The christening celebrates the completion of the S.S. Redside, which was built as a 637 Sturgeon Class Nuclear Fast Attack Submarine model.
The construction of the model served as the first phase of a larger effort to establish the Oregon Submarine Veterans Memorial in the region. Members finished building the 637 Sturgeon Class Nuclear Fast Attack Submarine replica in October 2025.
The below image was taken by KTVZ viewer Larry Cole at the 2025 Veterans Day Parade in Redmond, where the S.S. Redside made its public debut. The model functions as a float and is not designed for use in the water.
The upcoming ceremony follows a naval tradition that dates back to approximately 2500 B.C. While the S.S. Redside is a model rather than a functional vessel, the COSV maintains the christening practice to celebrate the completion of the project and its future use in the organization’s mission.
The ceremony is open to the general public, with a special invitation extended to military veterans. The pavilion is located at 799 SW Columbia St. in Bend.
Barney Lerten
Meanwhile, the region’s largest money measure would fund new libraries in Madras and Culver
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Three fire districts around Deschutes County plan to ask voters for new or higher five-year tax levies in measures on the May 19 primary election ballot to add firefighter-EMTs and wildfire risk reduction staff, deal with rising costs and cut response times.
The largest of the three is Measure 9-182, which would raise an estimated $5.8 million for the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire District, to fund fire, EMS and wildfire preparedness staffing over its 800-square-mile district.
“Emergency calls for service have increased 65% over 10 years,” the measure filing states. “Medical calls now account for 70% of responses, and overlapping emergencies have increased 35% in the past eight years.”
The levy would fund three additional firefighter-paramedics for the district, as well as a new wildfire risk reduction coordinator, a mechanic to maintain vehicles and seasonal wildfire risk reduction personnel.
If approved, the levy would set a property tax rate of 70 cents per $1,000 of taxable assessed value. For a $317,000 home, the annual cost would be about $225, the fire district said.
The Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District also is proposing a five-year local option levy, for staffing and operations. It would raise about $3.68 million over the five years and assess a rate of $1.23 per $1,000 of assessed value. It would replace a current levy of 69 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
Like Sisters-Camp Sherman, the increased Cloverdale RFPD levy would fund a community wildfire risk reduction specialist. That person would engage homeowners on lowering their wildfire risk, and work on grant funded and cross-boundary fuels mitigation projects.
The new staff member would be tasked with creating a wildland fire resiliency plan and secure funding to support residents’ efforts.
The levy also would fund three shift captains and three student firefighters, as well as other operating costs.
“The added positions strengthen daytime response capabilities when volunteer and student staffing is limited, providing added personnel for emergencies,” the measure summary states.
The Alfalfa Fire District will seek a five-year levy of $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed property value for added staffing, That’s about $350 a year for the owner of a home assessed at $200,000. Over the five years, it’s estimated it would raise about $955,000.
Officials say the levy revenue would be used exclusively to fund two new full-time firefighter-EMT positions, to improve response capacity, reduce response times and support 24-hour emergency services.
You can find more information on those measures at the Deschutes County election page, along with who is running for a variety of offices. The candidate filing deadline is next Tuesday, May 10.
But those are not the biggest money measure heading for Central Oregon ballots.
The Jefferson County Library District will ask voters to approve a $15.9 million bond measure to build, furnish and equip a new library building in Madras, and one in Culver as well. The existing Madras library would be improved to serve as a multi-use facility, including community meeting space.
The average annual tax rate is estimated at 41 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.
You can learn more about that measure and who has filed for various Jefferson County races at their election page. Crook County also has a similar page listing their primary candidates.
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A man who was accused of shooting someone at a Jefferson City apartment last month is facing additional charges after a grand jury indictment was filed on Tuesday.
David Jarrett, of Jefferson City, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child, first-degree assault and resisting arrest. He was previously just charged with unlawful use of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child.
An arraignment for the new set of charges is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, March 26. He was released from the Cole County Jail under his own recognizance on Feb. 26.
The probable cause statement says police were called on Feb. 13 to the 900 block of Cedar Way for a report of a shooting. The statement says Jarrett left the area with his 1-year-old child and the gun used in the shooting. Police arrested him on East Elm Street after a short chase. Two rounds were missing from the gun.
Jarrett allegedly went to a neighboring apartment where his mother resided and threatened to hit her after he was upset, the statement says. The victim went over to the apartment and told Jarrett to leave, which he refused the statement says.
Jarrett first allegedly shot at the floor before getting into a fight with the victim and shooting him in his torso, the statement says. The victim had bloodstains, but University Hospital staff determined no vital organs were hit, the statement says.
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Boone County Commission announced in a Wednesday press release that it will discuss amending its senior property tax policy during a Thursday meeting.
The release says the amendment would get rid of the need for seniors to sign up for the tax freeze each year. Applicants who maintain eligibility will be automatically renewed, the release says.
“Removing the annual renewal requirement should make it easier for participants to remain in the program, as well as allow County staff to administer the program more efficiently and cost-effectively,” Boone County Collector Brian McCollum was quoted in the release.
To be eligible, taxpayers must be:
62 years old or older by Jan. 1 of the initial credit year;
An owner of record of their primary residence or has a legal or equitable interest in such primary residence as evidenced by a written instrument; and
Liable for the payment of real property taxes on the homestead.
To maintain eligibility, seniors must continue to reside in the home they claim as their primary residence, the release says. If that person moves or buys a different home, they will have the opportunity to enroll again.
Tyson Beauchemin
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — New a new shuttle service to Portland could be coming to Bend.
Pacific Crest Bus Lines is a local, veteran-owned company which offers intercity travel across the state.
Their routes take people to several major destinations across Oregon, including Portland, Eugene, Medford and Salem. By utilizing grants and sponsorships, the company is able to offer these routes at reduced prices. Some of the routes are free.
Antony Ferro, the president of Pacific Crest Bus Lines, said the service is sees a lot of use, for many different reasons.
“Intercity transportation connects families and groups all together,” Ferro said. “There’s tours, there’s going to medical facilities. A lot of veterans, disabled veterans utilize the service. There is also a going to college and just came together enjoying life.”
The company recently invested in a new bus for its Bend-to-Eugene route to address high passenger demand.
Next Month, a new route between Eugene and Medford is scheduled to begin. The company also expects to launch its Portland-to-Bend route, which passes through Salem within the next six months.
