Howard County Sheriff’s Office confirms armed robbery at Isle of Capri casino in Boonville, suspects at-large

KMIZ on March 25, 2026

Ryan Shiner

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

Police were at the Isle of Capri casino on the Boonville riverfront Wednesday afternoon investigating.

The Howard County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a now-deleted Wednesday evening social media post that an armed robbery occurred at the casino and that multiple agencies are investigating.  

The sheriff’s office wrote that two men with rifles were involved and sped away in a vehicle to Howard County. The vehicle was found on Howard County Road 344 with no occupants, the release says.The sheriff’s office wrote that the Missouri State Highway Patrol used a helicopter during the search.  

Lt. Eric Brown, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, later told ABC 17 News that one of the men held a long gun and the second had a handgun. He said they got away in a Ford Taurus before abandoning it and getting into another vehicle that has not been identified.

An MSHP press release from later in the night said an “unknown amount of money” was taken from the casino.

Information related to the robbery at Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville, MO on March 25, 2026. pic.twitter.com/fd1q8UbiBM

— MSHP General HQ (@MSHPTrooperGHQ) March 26, 2026

Boonville police referred questions to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, though it later referred to the robbery as an “incident” on its Facebook page. The patrol did not immediately respond to questions.

Boonville police said the casino would be closed for the rest of the evening.

Check back for updates to this developing situation.

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Planned burn in Deschutes National Forest halted after test fire fails

KTVZ on March 25, 2026

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes National Forest firefighters canceled a planned prescribed burn on Wednesday after a test fire was unsuccessful. The Flank Four project is located 15 miles southeast of Bend.

The cancellation occurred because environmental conditions were not favorable, likely due to local winds. While crews have successfully ignited hundreds of acres south of Bend throughout the week, officials determined they could not proceed with the Flank 4 ignitions on March 25.

The Flank four unit encompasses up to 1,270 acres on the west side of Forest Service Road 18. The project site is located just north of the junction of Forest Service Road 18 and Forest Service Road 25.

The burn area is situated near the Camp II Off-Highway Vehicle Staging Area. Firefighters had been working throughout the week to ignite hundreds of acres in other areas south of Bend prior to the unsuccessful test fire at the Flank four site.

Firefighters are planning ignitions on Flank four through Friday as conditions allow.

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Bonus Break: Spring Break just got longer for Bingham County students

KIFI on March 25, 2026

Seth Ratliff

MORELAND, Idaho (KIFI) — Bingham County students can rest easy this spring, knowing they are in for a longer-than-expected break from pencils, books, and all the rest.

During last month’s District 52 Board meeting on Wednesday, February 18, the board members unanimously voted to extend this year’s Spring Break. Thanks to a mild winter with zero snow days, local families are getting those unused days back. Spring Break will now span a full week, running from Monday, March 30, through Thursday, April 2.

D52 students will return to the classroom rested and ready on Monday, April 6. For more information, click HERE.

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Former caretaker accused of spending more than $4,200 of client’s money on personal items

KMIZ on March 25, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman who was described as a hired caretaker for a disabled person in Boone County has been charged with two felonies after she allegedly stole money from the patient’s debit account.

Cassandra Cook, 34, of Columbia, was charged on Wednesday with stealing more than $750 and fraudulently using a debit card. She is being held at the Boone County Jail on a $10,000 bond. A court appearance was held on Wednesday.

The probable cause statement claims the victim on March 16 gave police bank statements from Sept. 3, 2025-March 13, 2026, that showed fraudulent purchases from Victoria’s Secret, DoorDash, TikTok Shop, Doug Perry Towing, Jonesboro Jail ATM and several Walmart and ATM withdrawals.

The victim allegedly allowed Cook to use his debit card so he could have groceries and other items, but did not allow her to use it for herself, the statement says. The victim told police he would “often lose his card at which point Cook offered to hold onto it for him so he would not lose it, which he agreed to,” court documents say.

The victim claimed he never ordered from DoorDash and account information provided by DoorDash allegedly showed an account registered to Cook had the victim’s debit card listed with it, the statement says.

Cook allegedly spent $4,245.39 of the victim’s money while working for Providence Homecare, the statement indicates.

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From Pocatello to Afton: How Amazon keeps drivers safe across Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming

KIFI on March 25, 2026

Maile Sipraseuth

 IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — From the last-minute Christmas gifts to same-day delivery, Amazon Delivery Drivers work extremely hard to get your package to your doorstep on time. To keep them safe, the delivery drivers are undergoing hands-on safety training at the company’s Integrated Last Mile Delivery Academy in Idaho Falls.

Local News 8 had the opportunity to tour the local academy, known as iLMDA. The program launched in 2024 as part of a $2 billion investment Amazon has made in safety initiatives over the last five years. It’s purpose is to prepare drivers for regional hazards and unpredictable weather conditions before they begin their routes.

The program has expanded to more than 70 training hubs across 220 delivery stations nationwide and has provided instruction to more than 180,000 drivers. Company officials say it is now the largest last-mile delivery safety training initiative in the industry.

“Every morning we always start off with safety strategies/safety tips,” said Amazon site leader Austin Empey. “Most of my job consists of how we keep our drivers safe on the road, our workers in the warehouse safe, and all the improvements that we do to keep them safe and sound.”

Through iLMDA, delivery drivers develop specialized skills to safely navigate sudden Idaho snowstorms and extreme summer heat, protecting both themselves and the packages they deliver. Empey says that training is vital for the busy Idaho Falls station, which has been open for three years and serves a massive area.

“We’ve been able to deliver over 21 million packages out of this warehouse,” explains Empey. “Anywhere from Saint Anthony down through Pocatello, even out to Montpelier and Afton, Wyoming.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Jersey Mike’s Subs raises over $30,000 for Special Olympics Idaho

KIFI on March 25, 2026

Maile Sipraseuth

UPDATE: March 26, 2026.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Jersey Mike’s Subs Idaho Day of Giving has raised over thirty thousand dollars for the local athletes to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics. In total the fundraiser collected $34,982.91 in East Idaho.

Here’s a breakdown of how much was raised and where:

Ammon location- $8,350.58

Pocatello location- $6,108.59

Magic Valley- $20,572.72

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– A simple meal could make a big difference for athletes today. Today only, March 25, 2026, Jersey Mike’s Subs locations across Idaho will donate 100% of all sales to support local athletes competing in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

The all-day fundraiser is part of Jersey Mike’s annual “Day of Giving,” the grand finale of its Month of Giving campaign. This year, proceeds will help 32 Team Idaho athletes travel to and compete in the national event, set for June 20–26, 2026, in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.

Athletes, like Jessie Kearsley, appreciate this opportunity to go for gold. Kearsley has a gold metal in the Bocce singles and looks forward to the games this summer.

“It means a lot to the athletes to go to different states to meet different athletes, different people and meet new friends and coaches,” Kearsley said.

Today was all about giving back to the community and helping local athletes attend this year’s games.

“We give to give. It’s all about giving back to our communities, because without community, we’re nothing,” Jersey Mike’s Ammon General Manager, Jared Jasmine said. “Last time we worked with the Special Olympics, back in 2022, we raised over $11,000 and we’re hoping to beat that today.”

17 participating Idaho locations are taking part in the effort, with every dollar spent in-store, online, or through the app going directly toward the cause.

The Day of Giving is part of a larger, nationwide campaign in which more than 3,200 Jersey Mike’s locations participate.

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Deschutes National Forest completes Tumalo Falls platform repairs

KTVZ on March 25, 2026

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —The Tumalo Falls viewing platform has reopened to the public following the completion of repair work. While the overlook is now accessible, visitors must currently reach the site by foot as driving access has not yet opened for the season.

Repairs were required because the wooden platform of the previous viewing deck was deteriorating and needed to be replaced. Deschutes National Forest staff also used the repair period to conduct a structural inspection of the overlook.

The repair project followed a brief timeline once the work began. Materials were transported to the site on Monday, March 16, and Deschutes National Forest employees completed the repairs on Thursday, March 19.

Deschutes National Forest staff performed all the labor for the deck replacement. The total cost for the project materials was approximately $1,900.

Tumalo Falls is a popular destination located a few minutes from the nearby trailhead. The site features various amenities for visitors, including picnic areas and access to a network of hiking and mountain biking trails.

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Pocatello moves forward on Center Street underpass improvements

KIFI on March 25, 2026

News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Pocatello:

POCATELLO, Idaho — The City of Pocatello continues to make progress on the Center Street Underpass project, a key investment to improve safety, accessibility, and connectivity for pedestrians and motorists.

This project is a complex effort taking place in a unique environment, with construction occurring adjacent to an active railroad line. Work is being closely coordinated with Union Pacific Railroad and carried out under strict safety standards. Because of the active rail line, certain work must be carefully timed around rail operations, which can affect sequencing and progress.

Crews are also navigating typical challenges associated with underground construction in the Historic Downtown area, including large boulders and other obstructions. These conditions require adjustments in construction methods, but work continues to move forward safely.

While the City had anticipated opening the underpass to one lane of traffic at this stage, current conditions require continued evaluation to ensure any traffic changes can be made safely. Opening one lane remains a priority and will occur as soon as it is safe for the public and construction crews.

“We know this project is important to our community, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as work continues,” said Mayor Mark Dahlquist. “This is a complex project, but the end result will be a safer, more connected Pocatello that serves residents for generations to come.”

“We are committed to delivering this project safely and efficiently,” said Public Works Director Tom Kirkman. “Our crews are making solid progress every day, and working diligently to keep things moving forward.”

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Once completed, the underpass will enhance pedestrian safety and improve connectivity while preserving the historic link between neighborhoods. The project remains on track, though timelines may adjust due to construction conditions.

The City of Pocatello appreciates the continued patience and will provide updates as work progresses.

For more information about the Center Street Underpass project, please visit pocatello.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/2448.

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The Cowsills to perform benefit concert for Jefferson County Historical Museum project

KTVZ on March 25, 2026

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding comments from Paul Cowsill and board member of historical society)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A classic American pop-rock group is heading to Central Oregon, but their upcoming concert is about more than just music — it’s part of a community push to bring a long-awaited historical museum to life.

In Jefferson County, history is all around, but there’s currently no single place dedicated to preserving and sharing it. That’s something the Jefferson County Historical Society hopes to change.

“Jefferson County is the only county in the state that does not have a historical museum,” said Margee O’Brien, a board member with the society. “We bought the building. We just have to get it restored and move our antiquities in.”

The plan is to transform a historic 1908 church in Madras into a community museum. Organizers hope the space will celebrate local history while bringing residents together. They even intend to have rotating displays, so there’s always something new for visitors to enjoy.

“It’s not so much the money as it is the whole idea of getting people in the community behind it,” O’Brien said. “This is a great opportunity for anyone in the community to have a goal and to help us make this museum award-winning.”

While money isn’t the focus, it’s still a necessity. To help fund the project, a well-known name from the 1960s is stepping in.

The Cowsills — the family band behind several major pop-rock hits and an inspiration for “The Partridge Family” — will perform a benefit concert at the Madras Performing Arts Center on April 11th. All proceeds will go to toward making the museum a reality. 

For band member Paul Cowsill, the cause is personal.

“The history that Madras has is insane,” he said. “This is quite a place to live. We want to have everything out of that room back there so people can see it, because they’ll be amazed at the history of this town and this area.”

Cowsill, who has lived near the community for about two decades, feels supporting local history is a way to give back.

Beyond fundraising, Cowsill hopes the concert offers a sense of connection and nostalgia.

“It’s just a time that people can forget about whatever is outside that door and come on in here and kind of get on a time machine, so to speak,” he said. “Bring your kids. They’re going to like it… you’ll love it!”

Organizers say the event is a chance to support a lasting community project while enjoying a night of classic music — a night of nostalgia, with a purpose. 

You can purchase tickets in-person at the Madras Pioneer, online at the Madras Performing Arts Center site, or at the door if any tickets remain on opening night. 

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Eliminating the state income tax could also do away with ‘circuit breaker’ for elderly, disabled

KMIZ on March 25, 2026

Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As some Missouri lawmakers work to pass a bill that would kick-start the process to eliminate state income tax, some seniors living on fixed incomes are worried about what this would do to their monthly budget.

Senators are considering House Joint Resolution 173, which would phase out the income tax by 2032. If the General Assembly approves the bill, the question would go to voters in November for final approval.

Lawmakers haven’t written any new tax codes — that would be a task for the 2027 General Assembly — but the bill sponsors, Speaker of the House Jon Patterson (R-Lee’s Summit) and Rep. David Bishop (R-Republic), say the way to make up revenue loss from income taxes is by expanding the sales tax base to include services.

Income tax makes up about two-thirds of the state’s revenue. While lawmakers have addressed one way to make it up, they haven’t added explicit protections for a property tax credit for low-income seniors and 100% disabled people that is directly tied to state income tax.

Services for Independent Living, located in Columbia, helps seniors file for the property tax credit. Spokesperson Karen Sicheneder said people file for the credit with their state income tax, and it’s returned the same way.

The credit is known as the “circuit breaker” and is meant to keep the elderly and disabled in their homes.

“If you’re not paying income tax, where are you getting that money from? So this would effectively destroy the circuit breaker, if they eliminated income tax,” Sicheneder said.

According to the Department of Revenue, people who own and live in their homes could receive up to $1,100, while renters could see up to $750 as a one-time payment.

People don’t have to file their income taxes to apply for and receive the tax credit.

For seniors like Brian Page, who lives on a fixed income of less than $1,500 a month, the money he gets back from the tax credit is used immediately.

Page is 80 years old and battling cancer, so a lot of his money goes toward health care. The money he receives from the tax credit once a year is crucial.

“What I think is a bigger issue in all of this is not the politics, but how do we treat one another? Do we do it with kindness and compassion and respect for one another, acknowledging the burdens that older people like myself have already walked the walk?” Page said. “And to tell us you are responsible until your last breath to pay at the rate that everybody else is, is not fair and reasonable.”

ABC 17 News has reached out to the Department of Revenue to request numbers on how many people are enrolled in the program and how much the state pays out.

Boone County Accessor Kenny Mohr was able to provide a glimpse at how many people filed paperwork associated with the tax credit. People typically submit a 948 form when they’re eligible for the property tax credit but live on land that’s over five acres.

2023: 43

2024: 41

2025: 15

Mohr said the 2025 number will grow as tax day, April 15, comes closer, and more people submit their paperwork.

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