Four areas in the Desert Southwest break record for hottest day in March in the U.S.

KYMA on March 21, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The National Weather Service (NWS) confirms four areas in the Desert Southwest broke the record for the hottest day in March in the U.S., hitting 112 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday.

According to NWS, the four areas are Yuma, Martinez Lake, Winterhaven, California and Ogilby, California.

This means the four areas beat Martinez Lake’s record of 110 degrees, which it hit Thursday evening.

An Extreme Heat Warning for the Desert Southwest went into effect Thursday and will go until Sunday evening.

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Mt. Bachelor launches 2026/27 season pass sales with ‘Buy Now, Ski Now’ perk

KTVZ on March 21, 2026

Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mt. Bachelor will begin selling 2026/27 season passes on March 24, featuring a “Buy Now, Ski Now” perk that grants new passholders immediate access to the slopes starting April 1. The new incentive allows purchasers to use their passes for the remainder of the current spring season in addition to the full 2026/27 winter season.

The early sales period runs through June 2, 2026, offering the lowest rates of the year and renewal discounts of up to $100 for returning guests. Mt. Bachelor is also providing retail credits of up to $100 and a “Kids Ski Free” option for children age 12 or under with the purchase of an adult pass.

John Merriman, president and general manager of Mt. Bachelor, expressed gratitude to the local community for their support during the current winter. Merriman noted that the resort has a full schedule of activities planned for the upcoming month.

“I’m so grateful to our passholders for coming out and making the most of this season,” Merriman said. “This community is special and despite challenging conditions, our passholders continued to show up and have a great time on the mountain together. April is packed full of events and we look forward to welcoming new Mt. Bachelor passholders this spring with our “Buy Now, Ski Now” option.”

The Full Season Pass is priced at $1,249 for renewals and $1,349 for new purchasers. This pass offers daily access with no blackout dates or restrictions. Each purchase includes a $50 retail credit for the Mt. Bachelor Sports Pro Shop and allows the adult passholder to add a free season pass for a child age 12 or under. Full Season renewal prices have remained flat compared to the previous year.

The premier Outplay 365 Pass costs $1,899 for renewals and $1,999 for new members. This year-round multi-sport pass includes unlimited alpine skiing and snowboarding at the resort, an Ikon Base Pass and access to the Nordic Center. It also features a 2026 Mt. Bachelor Bike Park Season Pass and provides a $100 retail credit. Like the Full Season option, it includes the “Kids Ski Free” benefit for children age 12 or under.

Mt. Bachelor also offers several specialized pass tiers, including a Midweek Pass for $949 that provides access Monday through Friday. A five-Day Pass is available for $419, which breaks down to $84 per day of use. For those interested in cross-country skiing, the Nordic Pass is priced at $399 and covers 56 kilometers of groomed trails and three snowshoe loops with views of the Cascades.

The resort is located on a 9,065-foot volcanic peak and offers 4,323 acres of lift-accessible terrain. It is served by 12 lifts and three carpets, including seven high-speed quads and one high-speed six-pack lift. Mt. Bachelor is a part of POWDR, a family-owned and operated adventure lifestyle company. Beyond winter sports, the resort offers summer attractions such as mountain biking, zip-lining and whitewater rafting.

Season pass sales will begin March 24 and the early-pricing window will close June 2, 2026. Guests can use payment plans through Affirm to manage the cost of their pass purchases.

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High Desert Chamber Music partners with St. Vincent de Paul for community donation drive at concert

KTVZ on March 21, 2026

Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — High Desert Chamber Music is partnering with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to host a community donation drive during its upcoming concert on Sunday, March 29, 2026. The event will take place in Bend and aims to provide support for local individuals and families.

The drive focuses on collecting nonperishable food and essential household items for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Bend. This partnership allows audience members to contribute to local relief efforts while attending the scheduled musical performance.

Donations will be collected at a table located in the entrance of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon. Collections will take place prior to the start of the performance. A specific list of the most-needed food and household items is available on the High Desert Chamber Music social media, including:

Food items:

Canned soup and instant ramen

Canned fruits and vegetables

Pasta, rice, oatmeal

Canned proteins

Granola bars

Snacks (chips, crackers, fruit snacks)

Juice/juice boxes

Non-dairy milk

Cereal

Peanut butter and jelly

Non-food items:

Tampons and pads

Soap

Shampoo/conditioner

Hand warmers

Shaving razors

Deodorant

Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Diapers – 4, 5, 6, 2T, 3T

Toilet Paper

Isabelle Senger serves as the executive director of High Desert Chamber Music. She emphasized the value of using the concert as a platform for local outreach. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with St. Vincent de Paul and invite our audience to make a meaningful impact,” Senger said. “It’s a simple way to come together—through music and generosity—to support our neighbors.”

While the organization encourages all attendees to participate in the drive, donations do not replace the requirement for concert admission. Tickets are still required to attend the musical performance regardless of whether a donation is made.

Concert details and tickets are available on the High Desert Chamber Music website.

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NeighborImpact helps Redmond TSA workers during partial shutdown with $5,000 in gift cards

KTVZ on March 21, 2026

Campbell Porter

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — NeighborImpact donated more than $5,000 in gift cards to support TSA employees at Redmond Municipal Airport who are working without pay during a partial federal government shutdown. The donation is intended to help approximately 70 affected workers and their families afford groceries, gas and other essential items.

The assistance comes as the shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security has disrupted paychecks since Feb. 14. NeighborImpact provided 70 gift cards valued at $75 each, ensuring every impacted officer at the airport received support.

The officers affected are a part of the daily infrastructure at the airport, supporting business, family, medical and tourism travel. A delayed paycheck for these households can lead to late fees, missed rent payments and high stress for families already managing tight budgets. NeighborImpact executive director Scott Cooper noted that the organization aims to provide stability for these workers.

“NeighborImpact is here to help people stay steady when circumstances change,” Cooper said. “These are working households dealing with a sudden gap in income outside of their control. In moments like this, a local response can help families bridge the gap.”

The gift card initiative was supported by local businesses and private donations. Jersey Boys Pizzeria hosted a fundraiser day to help fund the effort and several community members provided targeted gifts to purchase the cards. This type of local response is funded through flexible community support, which allows the organization to bypass traditional funding structures that may lag behind immediate needs.

NeighborImpact has a history of responding to urgent local events, including the Flat Fire and disruptions to SNAP benefits. While the non-profit manages ongoing services in housing, food, energy assistance and child care, it maintains the flexibility to address unexpected challenges as they arise. Since 1985, the private non-profit has developed resources for Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

Alongside the gift card donation, Redmond Municipal Airport has started its own drive to support the staff. The airport is seeking nonperishable food and other household essentials to assist employees who have been working without pay for over a month.

Community members who want to support the TSA workers can drop off nonperishable food, household essentials or gift cards at the airport. Donations are being accepted at the badging office located across from the baggage claim area.

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Hunter’s Army to host Fifth Anniversary Celebration next weekend

KYMA on March 21, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Hunter’s Army announced they’re hosting their Fifth Anniversary Celebration next weekend.

The event is taking place Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Colorado River State Historic Park from 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and it is to raise money to fight childhood cancer.

During the event, there will be live music from Chavez Family Band and Jack Jackson, free food, giveaways and an auction.

Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family, and the event is presented by FTS Automotive Center.

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Columbia Animal Hospital permanently shuts down

KMIZ on March 20, 2026

Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia is down one animal hospital Friday.

The closure was announced last week and many pet owners say the sudden shutdown is unfortunate and concerning. A reason for the closure has not been provided.

Jada Sievers, a veterinary student and with two dogs, doesn’t use Columbia Animal Hospital herself but she understands the impact of its closure.

“Even in a city like Columbia, where we’re lucky enough to have more than one hospital, the loss of a single one is harmful to the whole community,” she said.

Sievers added with the hospital permanently closed, it could leave longtime clients without the providers they’ve come to trust.

“It’s a big loss” Sievers said. “Especially for people who have a relationship with that doctor or clinic. There’s trust built, and now they have to start from scratch.”

Another pet owner Katie Gilbane who was not a customer at the hospital said the closure could have ripple effects across the community.

“Less services available for those that need them,” Gilbane said. “Different price points at different places are nice for people in the community, so I think that’s sad.”

The hospital is owned by CareVet LLC, which is registered to a Jefferson City address and describes itself as a partnership with more than 500 licensed veterinarians. Staff members said they were given about two weeks’ notice before the closure by corporate leadership. According to employees, eight staff members are affected.

“Veterinarians have a very important role in communities, and the loss of more veterinarians is a really big hit,” Sievers added.

Despite the closure, there are still 24-hour emergency care options in Columbia, including the MU Veterinary Health Center and Horton Animal Hospital–Discovery.

Gilbane recently got her new dog, Luna, a Lab Hound mix, about a week ago. She has been a dog owner for many years, though her previous dog passed away a few years ago.

Gilbane said she makes it a point to take her pets for regular checkups.

“At least yearly, but sometimes more than once a year for checkups,” she said. “Any time there’s an injury or an illness, I take them in.”

Gilbane said she usually brings her pets to Horton for care.

There is now a “For Sale” sign posted outside the property. ABC 17 News has reached out to the realty company for more information about the site’s future, but has not yet received a response.

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CPS health insurance premiums expected to rise 20% next school year

KMIZ on March 20, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Board of Education has asked the district to raise health insurance premiums by 20% for the upcoming school year.

That request came after a Thursday morning meeting. The district will take on the cost of the premiums next year, but will pass along costs of any dependents to employees.

This was nearly 10% lower than what the consultant recommended to fully cover the expected cost increases.

The increase will be part of next year’s budget which should be presented in May.

CPS health insurnaceDownload

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Locals react to Cesar Chavez allegations

KYMA on March 20, 2026

Moses Femino

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – San Luis, Arizona Mayor Nieves Riedel is speaking out following allegations against labor and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.

Earlier this week, allegations surfaced about Chavez allegedly sexually abusing multiple woman, including at least two underage girls.

Labor leader Dolores Huerta, who worked alongside Chavez, also shared she was abused by him, leaving activists and locals shook.

“Morally, I feel totally devastated because I know that in our culture, with our people, it’s something that you don’t talk about. I feel sorry for Miss Huerta that she endured 60 years of pain and shame,” Mayor Riedel expressed.

The allegations are sparking difficult conversations across the community, especially among those who have long viewed Chavez as a symbol of justice.

Now, many are left grappling with how to move forward with his legacy.

“His legacy will never be damaged because he did the right thing to us. And for all of us that work here,” said Emilio Rodriguez, a farmworker.

“He is a man who fought for us. For the Hispanics, so we can have bathrooms [and] water. He fought for our rights,” said Antonio Lugo, another farmworker.

As the community continues to process these allegations, many say it’s a reminder that even the most celebrated figures must be held accountable.

The City of San Luis canceled all Cesar Chavez events this month.

They say they’re also looking into forming a committee to see if they should rename the several public landmarks and other assets named after Chavez.

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Imperial County Democrats to host two forums next month

KYMA on March 20, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Democrats are hosting two public political forums next month.

According to Imperial County Democrats, the forums will feature bipartisan candidates running for local and state office in this year’s election cycle.

The first forum is taking place Thursday, April 9, 2026, and will feature candidates running for the Imperial Irrigation District and California State Assembly, District 36.

Courtesy: Imperial County Democrats

The second forum is taking place Thursday, April 16, 2026, and will feature candidates running for County Judge, County Assessor and the Imperial County Board of Supervisors.

During both forums, running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hidalgo Hall, Imperial County residents are provided an opportunity to hear from candidates, ask questions and learn more about them ahead of the June 2 primary election.

All candidates in the respective races were invited to participate, and the forums, according to Imperial County Democrats, are “intended to encourage civic engagement and help voters make informed decisions about the candidates on the ballot.”

Courtesy: Imperial County Democrats

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Local doctors warn of ‘high-gear’ allergy season fueled by early warmth

KIFI on March 20, 2026

Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Unseasonably warm weather is pushing allergy season into high gear earlier than normal across the Intermountain West. Family physician Dr. Gordon Harkness, a medical director with Optum in Utah and Idaho, says changing weather patterns are extending the time pollen is in the air and increasing how much people are exposed.

“When it warms up earlier, the plants start doing their thing,” Harkness said. “They start growing, they start pushing out blossoms, they start pushing out pollen earlier, and sometimes the length of time that those pollen counts are high remains for a much longer period of time.”

A recent national ranking listed Boise as the No. 1 “allergy capital” in the country, with several Utah cities — including Salt Lake City and Provo — also landing near the top. Harkness said that while eastern Idaho did not appear on the list, people traveling or moving between Idaho and Utah are still feeling the effects.

He said tree pollen is a major trigger this time of year, especially in March through May. Even people who have never had allergies before can develop them.

“Just because you haven’t had allergies in the past doesn’t mean you can’t develop them in the future,” Harkness said. “Environmental allergies, especially pollens during the spring, summer and fall, can really impact a lot of people’s lives.”

Harkness said pollen doesn’t always stay outside. It collects on clothing, hair, skin and pets, then comes indoors. He recommends checking pollen counts and reducing outdoor activity when levels are high, washing hands frequently, showering after being outside for long periods of time, and brushing your pets outdoors before letting them come back inside. 

For people who wear contact lenses, Harkness said eye irritation can be a sign that pollen is building up.

“If you’re getting irritated, you might need to remove your contacts for a little while and use regular glasses while your eyes reduce in inflammation.”

Other ways to prevent you from suffering a longer allergy season are over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays, which can be effective for many people. 

Longer-acting antihistamines that are taken once a day are often more convenient and can help reduce side effects such as drowsiness.

“It’s not that they don’t work if you’ve already got symptoms, but they work better before the symptoms actually start,” Harkness said.

Anyone with severe or persistent symptoms should talk to a pharmacist or see a primary care provider to confirm allergies are the cause and to discuss which medications may be safest and most effective.

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