Women continue breaking barriers in science, but work remains to close gender gap

KTVZ on March 4, 2026

Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Each February, the world celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science — a time to recognize the trailblazers and inspire the next generation of scientists. While more women are studying and working in scientific fields than ever before, men continue to outnumber them in many areas.

According to the Pew Research Center, women remain underrepresented in disciplines such as engineering, mechanics, astronomy, and physics. However, they’re seeing greater success in health and life sciences, including healthcare, psychology, and veterinary medicine.

At Oregon State University–Cascades, chemistry instructor Dr. Maureen Johnson said beginning her career wasn’t easy. She recalls being one of the only women in her field — and one of the few in leadership.

“When I was first in industry, being a woman in engineering was a very lonely place,” Johnson said. “Even after a while, I really felt like it was something I couldn’t tolerate anymore.”

Central Oregon Community College biology professor Sarah Fuller said her passion for science started at a young age but came with hesitation.

“I remember being in the sixth‑grade science fair and having mixed messages about pursuing science,” Fuller said. “I loved it, but I was a little scared about whether I would fit in.”

Fuller noted that while the gender gap has narrowed, the imbalance persists in which science paths women choose. Men continue to dominate engineering and fieldwork roles, while women are more often found in education and healthcare. In her current microbiology class, she said, every student enrolled is a woman — a reflection of lingering career trends.

Johnson said perseverance was key to finding her place in science, and she hopes more young women will be encouraged to push forward.

“You have to make your own way and be yourself,” she said. “The more women that are in industry and leadership positions, the easier it will be. There just need to be more of us — that’s all.”

Both professors agree that mentorship and visibility make a difference. The more young women see others thriving in science, the more likely they are to believe they belong there too.

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Southern California teen whose home laboratory sparked FBI investigation speaks: “I’m just a kid who’s interested in science”

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Michele Gile, Dean Fioresi

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — The Southern California teenager whose home laboratory sparked a nearly week-long investigation from the FBI last week is speaking out, stating that he’s just a “kid who’s interested in science.”

Last Monday, Irvine Police Department officers were called to a home near Cartwheel and Iluna in a gated Irvine neighborhood after learning of “suspicious materials” discovered by the property’s landlord.

As the investigation continued, both Orange County Fire Authority and FBI investigators were called to the scene after it was determined that the materials were possible indications of chemical nerve agents, according to a source familiar with the investigation. They said that the substances, paired with writings found at the scene, were concerning.

While investigators say that 17-year-old Amalvin Fritz, a pre-medical student slated to graduate from Univeristy of California, Irvine, in the coming months, and his family have cooperated with their investigation, the family still hasn’t been able to return home.

“You know, it’s almost been a week since I’ve been out of my home, and I really want to go back,” Fritz said.

He says that he’s unsure exactly what investigators found that triggered such a chaotic series of events.

“I gave my full cooperation and gave them my phone and I gave them as much information as possible, but I’m not sure exactly what materials inside the home they would be suspicious about,” Fritz said. “I hope that they can conclude their investigation and we can continue to put this behind us.”

As the investigation progressed, the National Guard’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team was deployed to the neighborhood to assist with the handling of the materials and ongoing probe, which continued over the weekend.

Video from the scene shows FBI personnel dressed in hazardous materials suits and breathing apparatus as they walk to and from the home through the garage. They still haven’t commented on exactly what they discovered as their investigation develops.

Fritz dreams of becoming a doctor one day, according to his attorney, who spoke with CBS LA on Monday. He has posted a few of his home experiments on his YouTube channel, which were also conducted at his home lab.

While he says that anyone can purchase chemicals like acetone online and that he was safe throughout the process, a chemistry professor from California State University, Long Beach, says that his YouTube videos also show his use of isopropylmagnesium chloride and other compounds in an unsafe and inappropriate setting.

“Those experiments needed to be done in a proper lab facility,” said Professor Elaine Bernal. She says that acetone is highly flammable, and that the compounds Fritz used would require proper storage due to the risk of a fire or explosion. She also expressed concern over how the chemicals were disposed of, and the escape of gasses during the experiments.

“There’s a big environmental and safety concern that I think was worth of investigation. I get that the FBI was there, hazmat was there. I think it’s also important to think of it as the safety of the local community since it’s tight quarters,” Bernal said. “The chemicals that he mentioned are very flammable. My concern is that whatever gasses that are emitted, that folks with respiratory issues, sensitive respiratory issues, can be affected.”

Fritz said that his experiments are focused on new therapeutics for cancer and Alzheimers disease, and that he insists nothing he was doing was dangerous. He hopes to enroll in medical school after graduating from UC Irvine.

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.

Redmond High School student among finalists for 2026 Poetry Out Loud state championships

KTVZ on March 4, 2026

Campbell Porter

SALEM, Ore. — High school students from across the state will gather in Salem this weekend for the 2026 Poetry Out Loud Oregon State Championships. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, at the Historic Grand Theatre from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Hosted by the Oregon Arts Commission, the competition features 11 finalists in a display of memorization, performance and literary interpretation. The participants represent high schools from Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Salem, Redmond and Medford.

Ariana Morris, a junior at Redmond High School, is among the finalists competing this year. This marks the third year Morris has participated in the state championships. She is one of several students representing schools outside the immediate Salem area.

Finalists from the Portland area include Alida Shi Lyons from Cleveland High School, Bena Rodecap from Grant High School and Samantha Faulkner from Trinity Academy. Gabriel Hall and Josiah Gaither, both students at St. Stephen’s Academy in Beaverton, also advanced to the state round.

The competition also features Drishti Singh and Rain Obiesie from Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego. Emma Keen will represent the Oregon School for the Deaf in Salem, while Kaydence Pope and Molly Wheeler will represent South Medford High School in Medford.

The competition will take place at the Historic Grand Theatre, located at 187 High St. NE in Salem. The event is scheduled to run for 3 hours.

The 2026 state champion will be announced at the conclusion of the event on Saturday afternoon.

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Senator says controversial bill poses ‘zero risk of repercussions’ to Harriman State Park

KIFI on March 4, 2026

David Pace

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – A bill stirring discussion about the potential impacts to Harriman State Park passed the Idaho Senate on Monday.

The legislation’s sponsor, Idaho Senator Doug Okuniewicz, R-Hayden, reached out to Local News 8 today to defend his legislation and share his support for the bill.

“If there were even a remote chance that we thought this could jeopardize a park – let alone Harriman – we wouldn’t do this,” Okuniewicz said.

Senate Bill 1300 proposes that the Governor appoint the directors of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Fish and Game and Idaho Transportation Department, subject to confirmation by the state Senate every four years.

Okuniewicz said the directors are presently appointed by a board or a commission, whose members are appointed by the Governor.

The Senator believes having political appointees would improve relationships between the Legislature and the agencies.

He acknowledged that he’s received opposition claiming that the proposed law would violate the state of Idaho’s 1961 agreement with the Harriman family that established Harriman State Park.

Section 4(b) of that agreement states: “The People of the State of Idaho acting by and through the Legislature of Idaho will establish pursuant to law a professionally staffed career Park Service whose personnel shall be chosen on the basis of merit alone, and which shall be administered under merit system procedures for personnel administration, and the said Park Service shall, when established, be vested with the control and administration of the Park, subject to the advice and consent of the Governor of Idaho.”

Under Okuniewicz’s new legislation, the Senator said the Governor would still appoint directors to the three agencies based on their merit.

“As I said on the Senate floor, there’s zero risk of this somehow violating an agreement with the Harriman family – particularly to such a degree that it resulted in any kind of repercussions,” Okuniewicz said. “So the bill is perfectly in line with that agreement and can coexist with it quite easily.”

A grandson of one of the park’s original owners, Averrell Harriman Fisk, disagrees, sharing in a statement, “The gift is currently under threat by a bill pending in the Idaho Legislature. For years, Harriman State Park has been enjoyed by our family and millions of visitors. It must be protected from political whims. It must be protected for the people of Idaho.”

Senate Bill 1300 passed the Senate by a vote of 21 to 14 on Monday, and now goes to the Idaho House of Representatives for consideration.

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Beyond the Books: Election Season Begins

KIFI on March 4, 2026

Phillip Willis

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFK) — It’s big election year with a May primary election and November general election. Last week was filing week for all candidates, people who could have heavy sway on issues that impact students and educators if they win. Class sizes, programs, and resources are all tied to the purse, and those elected to legislative power will hold those strings.

In the elections, there are rematches, comebacks, rookies, and a few uncontested champions. As races stretch across the state, and campaigning begins, it’s only fitting that we take a look at the one thing that truly matters to education… numbers.

272 candidates filed for the 105 legislative seats

29 are running for seven statewide offices

99 of the 105 incumbents are seeking relection

That’s not a lot of open seats.

There are many more Democrats running this year than in years prior, with twice as many running now than there were in 2022.

There will be 48 Republican primaries and seven Democratic primaries – that is, unless someone drops out. There have been a few cases of that happening, so it’s not without precedent.

Some East Idaho races are drawing attention. The return of past lawmakers Chad Christensen and Julianne Young is making waves – Young lost to Ben Fuhriman of Shelly by only a few votes in the last go-round.

Seven incumbents have no challengers at all, including Representative David Cannon of Blackfoot. He’s set up for another term without a contest.

In statewide races, both the Governor and State Superintendent are facing challengers, but the State Superintendent has no primary challengers for May.

The primary election is on May 19, and the general election is November 3.

You can find further details on these political races and their impact on education by visiting idahoednews.org.

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Pueblo South vs. Lewis Palmer

KRDO on March 4, 2026

Rob Namnoum

The Lewis Palmer boys basketball team advances to the Class 5A Great Eight. The Rangers defeated Pueblo South on Tuesday night. 57-48. They will play the top seed in Class 5A, Palisade on Saturday.

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Palmer Ridge vs. Mesa Ridge

KRDO on March 4, 2026

Rob Namnoum

The Mesa Ridge boys basketball team advances to the Class 5A Great Eight. The Grizzlies held off Palmer Ridge to win on Tuesday night 48-45. They will play Silver Creek on Saturday.

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Rampart in Class 5A Sweet Sixteen playoff action

KRDO on March 4, 2026

Rob Namnoum

The Rampart boys basketball team lost in the Class 5A Sweet Sixteen on Tuesday 60-58 to Lutheran.

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Santa Maria Police investigate two shootings Tuesday

KEYT on March 4, 2026

Caleb Nguyen

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Maria Police are investigating two shootings that happened Tuesday, one near Santa Maria High School and the other at the Town Center Mall around 1 p.m.

The SMPD reported several gunshots near Lincoln Street and Park Ave. where they locked down the school as a precaution during an investigation.

SMPD officrs found evidence of the shooting at the 700 block of South Lincoln Street without any victims and determined the incident was unrelated to the school and held no student threat.

SMPD officers then lifted the lockdown and released students without incident, though a second shooting at the south parking structure of the Town Center mall happened during the first.

SMPD officers found evidence of the second shooting involving two vehicles and reported no injuries from either.

The SMPD is investigating both shootings, but it is unclear whether or not they are related incidents. Those with information on either are encouraged to contact the SMPD.

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LU sprinter accused of killing boyfriend is indicted by grand jury

KMIZ on March 4, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Lincoln University sprinter who is accused of killing her boyfriend was indicted by a Cole County grand jury on Tuesday, according to court filings.

Denita Jackson, 27, is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. She is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. An arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, March 16.

Jackson was accused of stabbing and killing her boyfriend Kevaughn Goldson last week after she allegedly found him with another woman at a residence on Fairmount Boulevard.

Goldson and Jackson were members of LU’s track teams.

Goldson, 23, was a senior from Jamaica who was a sprinter on the LU track and field team, according to the LU Athletics website. Jackson’s hometown is listed as Berbice, Guyana.

ICE issued an immigration hold for Jackson on Thursday.

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