Boise replaces pride flag with signs and lights outside City Hall after new state law

KIFI on April 7, 2026

CBS2 Staff

BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) — New signs and lights are on display outside Boise City Hall showing support for the LGBTQ+ community. Crews were finishing the work early Tuesday morning outside City Hall.

This comes after Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a bill that fines cities for flying flags that aren’t on the Legislature’s pre-approved list.

The city of Boise took down an LGBTQ+ pride flag that flew in front of its City Hall last week.

CBS2 reached out to the Mayor’s office and Governor’s Office for a response.

The city released a statement to CBS2 saying, “The art additions to city hall demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the people that call Boise home and to the values that we uphold every day of being a safe and welcoming city for everyone.” We have asked the city if it plans add any additional art and will share their response.

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Hartman unseats Waterman in Columbia’s Ward 5 race

KMIZ on April 7, 2026

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia’s Fifth Ward will have a new representative.

Challenger Christina Hartman defeated incumbent Don Waterman in Tuesday’s election 58% to 42%. Hartman brought in 1,332 votes while Waterman got 981 votes, with a total of 2,313 ballots cast.

Waterman expressed his disappointment at the loss, but congratulated Hartman on the win. He said she hopes she can finish the job on a number of important issues to Ward 5 constituents.

“Let’s finish the transmission line, let’s finish the water tower, let’s finish the push for public safety,” Waterman said. “That’s what she said she was interested in doing, so let’s hope that she follows through with it.”

Both candidates previously told ABC 17 News that infrastructure projects would be a top priority if they’re elected. Long-delayed infrastructure projects, including a water tower in southwest Columbia and an electric transmission line have faced setbacks for nearly a decade.

Hartman said the first issue she planned to address once she is sworn in would be infrastructure.

“Looking at those projects and really trying to make progress happen on them, connecting with the voters to just keep them updated and making sure that their priorities are being represented at council,” Hartman said.

Hartman told ABC 17 News Tuesday that more community engagement and education about the proposed projects will help garner community support.

“I think a lot of the backlash cam came before because they felt caught off guard about the design or structure and where things would be,” Hartman said.

Waterman said Tuesday that the transmission line project is finally moving forward again after a years long standstill and that city leaders need to keep their foot on the gas to not lose momentum.

“Basically, the transmission line, we got a report back from utilities, that’s a preferred route. So now it’s just making sure that we just keep keep the pressure on,” Waterman said.

Other hot topics city-wide include how the city should manage its budget and addressing staffing vacancies in the police and fire departments. Waterman supports the passing of a Public Safety Sale Tax, while Hartman wants to take a closer look at the city’s current spending measures.

At Monday’s City Council meeting council members unanimously passed a Downtown Ambassador Program to further support ongoing public safety efforts. Both Waterman and Hartman shared their support for the program.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction, it’s an established program,” Waterman said. “People think that it’s going to be successful and another step in making Columbia a safer place.”

“That real, preventative action is definitely something I want to see the city continue to take,” Hartman said. “I like that they’re going to have a more connectedness to the community and try to build the relationships at an individual level.”

The candidates also share different perspectives on the city’s role in addressing homelessness. Waterman believes private organizations and local nonprofits are more efficient at administering help than the city. Hartman has advocated for individualized assistance to help people reach their next steps.

Waterman won his election race for Ward 5 over Gregg Bush in 2023 by a margin of fewer than 150 votes out of close to 4,000 cast. This is Hartman’s first time running for a City Council seat.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Both Hartman and Waterman said they have cast their ballots. Waterman hosted a watch party at Southside Pizza and Pub, while Hartman held hers at Las Margaritas on Southampton Drive.

Boone County voters can visit the Boone County Clerk‘s website to find voter information and polling locations.

For more information about Boone County ballot issues, the Columbia Board of Education race or the Columbia City Council Ward 5 race, visit ABC 17’s Voter Guide.

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The Idaho Falls Zoo is reopening early this year

KIFI on April 7, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The Idaho Falls Zoo is officially reopening Thursday, April 16th.

This is about a week earlier than the 2025 season. Due to the favorable weather this year, they invite all to once again experience the Zoo’s wildlife and educational opportunities.

The Zoo has also updated its operating hours.

Monday-Sunday: 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Tuesday: 9:30 A.M. to 8:00 P.M

Tuesday’s hours have been extended to later. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Visitors can explore a diverse collection of more than 230 individual animals representing over 90 species from around the world.

“We’re thrilled to open our gates early this year and welcome everyone back to the Zoo,” said Zoo Executive Director David Pennock. “By expanding access through updated hours, we’re making it easier for families and visitors to spend time with wildlife, learn something new, and create lasting memories together.”

General admission rates for 2026:

Adults (13–61): $12.50

Seniors (62+): $11.00

Children (3–12): $9.50

Toddlers/Infants (2 & under): $0.50

Military (with valid ID): $9.50

Zoo Members (with valid membership): Free

For more information about the zoo, go to the Idaho Falls Zoo webpage.

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Lone survivor and victims’ families grieve loss of teenagers killed in crash

KIFI on April 7, 2026

Fox13

Originally Published: 07 APR 26 14:28 ET

By Caroleina Hassett

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    RIVERTON, Utah (KSTU) — Three families are now picking up the pieces after a devastating car crash in Juab County.

“It’s been unfathomable. I mean, it’s just been something that is the worst nightmare you could ever go through,” said Ava’s father, Aaron Olivarez. “My heart just absolutely breaks for Xander and Ava. I mean, I don’t know how I’m going to move on.”

Last Thursday, 17-year-old Ava Olivarez was driving 15-year-old Xander Hover and 15-year-old Corey Wayman along Weiss Highway when they came up to a turn.

“She turned too wide and it was all silent. Next thing you know, I was on the floor looking at the roof, and it blacked out, and then I woke up with paramedics around me,” Wayman said.

The three teens, all from the Riverton area, were ejected from the car. Wayman was the only one to wake up.

“I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet,” Wayman said. “I hate to think about it, because they’re my best friends, best ones I’ve ever had… The thought that I was with them and they’re gone and I’m still here — sucks.”

All three met through the racing community and were attached at the hip.

“That gives me comfort… just the three of them, they were together,” said Xander’s dad, Jessie Hover. “They were inseparable in life and would talk on the phone and joke around. I mean, it was the old married couple kind of, is what it seemed like to us.”

The families just want parents to educate their kids on seatbelt safety, so no child has to become a memory.

“The most heart-wrenching thing right now is we all taught our kids to wear seat belts,” Olivarez said. “Ava was so insistent on always having a seat belt on, and that’s the thing that we have to talk about here is just keeping our kids safe because it only takes that one second.”

“Buckle up and always be cautious, because I don’t know how, but it’s a miracle that I’m here today. I’m standing here; the other two aren’t,” Wayman added.

Every parent had an answer to the question: how do you want your child to be remembered?

“For exactly who she was: a champion. She was a fierce competitor on one hand, [but] she was so good to people. She treated people so well, and just had a genuine love for people,” Aaron Olivarez said through tears.

While Wayman still has a long road to recovery with a broken collarbone, broken nose and brain bleeding, he believes there’s a reason why he’s still here.

“Everybody’s told me that there’s a reason I lived. I think it’s, don’t know what it is yet, but it’s probably just to carry on Xander and Ava’s legacy,” he said.

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Imperial County data center meeting approves lot merger

KYMA on April 7, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Board of Supervisors voted on a lot merger needed to proceed with a proposed large-scale data center late Tuesday morning.

The merger was submitted by Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing LLC.

At least four people were removed from the meeting, with the seats were filled with union construction workers from neighboring counties.

There was also a protest happening outside the Administration Building.

“Vote them out, vote them out,” was heard by the protestors.

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday on a lot merger needed to proceed with a proposed data center in the City of Imperial.

The Board approved the lot merger 4-1, with Martha Cardenas Singh voting “NO”.

Emotions ran high inside the meeting as dozens lined up to speak ahead of the vote, with dozens more left outside without a seat, and four attendees were removed from the meeting during public comments.

A point of contention among residents was that the board room was filled with union construction workers in support of the project, most of whom live in surrounding counties such as Bakersfield.

This raised concerns among citizens that the promised jobs will not go to imperial county workers.

“A union has hired a bunch of people that are not from the county. They were bussed in and they took us over 90 percent of the seats in the county board of supervisors office. And so, all of the noise that you hear out here are actually residents of imperial county that were not afforded a seat,” said Tomas Oliva, an El Centro resident.

Residents opposed to the data center cited water usage, power demand, and the long-term impact on nearby communities.

“Real consequences for our water, for our air, for our infrastructure and our people. We don’t have to look far for lessons about what happens when decisions are made without fully considering the long term impacts,” said Bryan Vega, Chair of Imperial County Democratic Party.

Community members say they will make their voices hear come November at the ballot box.

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Kehoe signs bills related to crime, divorce

KMIZ on April 7, 2026

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed three bills in his office Tuesday afternoon.

Kehoe signed bills that allow a woman to get a divorce or separation while she is pregnant, one that attempts to cut down on child sexual grooming and one that could make it easier for juveniles to be prosecuted as adults.

The legislative session ends next month.

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Santa Maria Police Begin ‘Blue Envelope’ Initiative For Autism Awareness Month

KEYT on April 7, 2026

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Maria Police Department is participating in the “Blue Envelope” program, highlighting it for Autism Awareness Month.

Support organizations have been thrilled to hear it.

The nicknamed “Blue Envelope” program started in Connecticut during 2020 and it has spread across the country since then.

It’s aimed at improving communication between officers of law enforcement and people on the autism spectrum.

“We’ve had nothing but positive, feedback from community members from other departments, other entities,” says Santa Maria Police Department’s Sgt. Oscar Corral.

The blue envelope simply holds the driver’s license, registration, and insurance information, and is a visual cue for the officer to implement certain accommodations.

“April is Autism Awareness Month,” says Kiwanis Aktion Club Advisor Julie Posada. “And so this is perfect time to introduce the blue envelope.”

In addition to the envelopes, there are now car decals, bracelets, lanyards, and additional items that have the same purpose in public settings.

“The goal is to obviously make sure everybody has a positive contact with emergency services,” says Sgt. Corral.

Last year’s Senate Bill 664 aimed at making it a statewide mandate failed to pass, but many communities are implementing the program at local levels of their own accord.

“It goes to the resiliency and, the interest for it,” says Sgt. Corral.

Officials at the Central Coast Autism Awareness Center hope it will serve as impetus for neighboring communities to follow suit.

“This is actually been coming up a lot recently,” says Carly Spears, the Central Coast Autism Awareness Center’s executive director. “From what I understand, it’s a great tool for police officers, people with autism to better understand each other.”

Not limited to autism, drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing can qualify, as can those with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and developmental disabilities.

“Someone who maybe is hearing impaired or completely deaf, and they walk away from a police officer because they don’t even know the police officers talking to them,” says Posada. “But if that person had a blue envelope, keychain on the back of their backpack, as they were walking away, the officer would say, oh, ‘Okay, there’s something that I need to think about before I jump to thinking that they’re taking off and maybe handle it a little bit differently.’”

The program is self-implemented, voluntary, and best of all, free of charge.

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Over 110 rounds of ammunition removed from Calexico lot

KYMA on April 7, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – Over 110 rounds of ammunition was found in Calexico over the weekend.

Authorities were called to the scene where mortar rounds and ammunition were found in a lot in Calexico.

The discovery was made when property owners were clearing the lot, but police say the ammunition was not live.

“Someone moved, I guess, [an] abandoned vehicle there, and…under the vehicle, there was a couple of those dummy rounds there, and after further search of that immediate area, there was more found,” said Sgt. Marco Mardueno with the Calexico Police Department (CPD).

This is the second time ammunition has been found at that property, where CPD previously removed a pallet of non-explosive mortar rounds.

“This is like the second time this has happened but that lot used to be like a scrap metal yard, and I guess before they cleaned it up there was a large amount of those duds, like mortar rounds, practice rounds,” Sgt. Mardueno shared.

The rounds were turned over to the Bomb Squad. The area has been cleared and is now safe.

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Yuma students learn about pursuing the future for Career Day

KYMA on April 7, 2026

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local school gave its students a first-hand look at what careers they can pursue in the future.

It was part of OC Johnson Elementary School’s Tunnel of Hope and Career Day. Students learned what it takes to work in a variety of jobs locally.

The goal of the event was to help transform kids’ dreams into a reality.

“It’s important so they can make a plan for their future, have some dream and set some goals to find a college or career that they want to go to,” said Principal Angela Logan.

More than 30 agencies were a part of the Career Day, including the Yuma Police Department, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office and Onvida Health.

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Bend-La Pine bus driver arrested for DUII, accused of being intoxicated before student route

KTVZ on April 7, 2026

Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Police arrest a Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver, accused of driving under the influence while on duty.

What a transportation employee discovered after a reported bus issue—and how it led to a DUII and reckless endangering arrest.

KTVZ’s Tracee Tuesday will be reporting live in Bend today with a full report of the incident during our 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts on our FOX and NBC affiliates.

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