Columbia man dies from injuries after crash

KMIZ on April 3, 2026

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 20-year-old man has died after a single-vehicle crash in Columbia.

The Columbia Police Department said in a news release that Mohamed Abdalla, 20, of Columbia, died Thursday after a crash earlier in the week.

Police said the crash happened on Wednesday just after midnight on Route B near the intersection of Waco Road.

Abdalla was driving south on Route B when his vehicle crossed the traffic lanes, jumped a median and hit a traffic control pole, according to police. He was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries on Thursday.

Missouri State Highway Patrol STARs map reports seven injury crashes near this intersection since Jan. 2025.

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Oregon School for the Deaf student to compete in 2026 Poetry Out Loud National Semifinals

KTVZ on April 3, 2026

Kelsey Merison

SALEM, ORE. (KTVZ) — Emma Keen, an 11th-grade student at the Oregon School for the Deaf in Salem, will compete in the 2026 Poetry Out Loud National Semifinals in Washington, D.C., on April 28th. Keen will represent Oregon as one of the state champions vying for a spot in the national finals and a $20,000 grand prize.

The competition is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with state arts agencies. Designed to improve public speaking skills and teach literary history, this year’s event coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States. Participating students will recite poems from an anthology that celebrates historic American voices.

Keen is scheduled to participate in the third semifinal session at 2:00 p.m. PST (5:00 p.m. ET) on Tuesday, April 28th. This session includes champions from 19 jurisdictions, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Minnessota, and Washington. Keen is the 2026 Oregon champion and is one of more than 130,000 students to compete in the program nationwide this year.

2026 Oregon Poetry Out Loud competitors (Emma Keen is third from the right, dressed in all black)

The national semifinals consist of three separate sessions. A total of nine students will advance to the national finals. To qualify for the finals, students must place in the top three of their respective semifinal sessions. Judges will evaluate each recitation based on physical presence, articulation, interpretation, and accuracy.

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter highlighted the educational impact of the competition. “Poetry Out Loud helps students discover the power of language while building confidence, communication skills, and a deeper connection to literature,” Carter said. “We are thrilled to welcome our champions to Washington, DC, during America’s 250th birthday. In reciting works that helped shape our nation’s history, they are honoring the past while developing the skills to shape the future.”

A total of $50,000 in cash prizes and school stipends will be awarded during the competition. The national champion receives a $20,000 grand prize. The second and third place finalists will be awarded $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. These monetary prizes are administered by Mid Atlantic Arts.

All competition sessions are free and open to the public at the George Washington University Lisner Auditorium. The organizers will provide American Sign Language interpretation and closed captioning in English and Spanish for both the semifinals and finals. Those unable to attend in person can view the events through a one-time-only webcast at arts.gov.

The 2026 Poetry Out Loud National Champion will be announced at the conclusion of the finals on the evening of April 29th. Full results and a list of all participating champions are available at PoetryOutLoud.org.

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Measles exposure confirmed at Portland Safeway, health officials issue warning

KTVZ on April 3, 2026

Kelsey Merison

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A measles exposure has been confirmed at a Safeway in Portland, prompting health officials to warn the public of potential risks. The Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County public health officials identified the grocery store at 2800 SE Hawthorne Blvd. as the site of the exposure.

The potential exposure occurred during specific time windows between March 26th and March 29th. The exposure windows occurred over four consecutive days. Potential exposures are linked to Thursday, March 26th, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, March 27th, from 2 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, March 28th, from 2:20 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, March 29th, from 2 p.m. to midnight.

Health officials are urging anyone who visited the location during those times to contact their health care provider to determine their immunity based on vaccination records, age, or prior infection history.

For individuals who do not have a primary care provider, Multnomah County offers services at seven primary care clinics and nine student health centers. While the health centers are located at high schools, they are available to anyone between the ages of 5 and 18. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 503-988-5558.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Viral particles can remain suspended in the air for up to 2 hours after an infectious individual has left the area. Those infected are contagious for four days before a rash appears and for four days after the rash develops.

Symptoms of the virus generally begin 7-21 days after exposure. Early signs include a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. A rash typically follows, starting on the face before spreading to the rest of the body. Common complications include ear infections, lung infections, and diarrhea, though swelling of the brain can occur in rare cases.

Health officials identified several high-risk groups, including children under age 5, adults more than 20, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems. In developed countries, the fatality rate for measles is between one and three deaths for every 1,000 cases.

Vaccination provides the highest level of protection against the virus. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing infection. Public health officials noted that the risk of severe disease is very low for those who are up to date on their vaccinations.

To prevent further community spread, individuals experiencing symptoms are asked to contact their medical provider or an urgent care center by telephone before arriving. This allows clinics to establish an entry plan that prevents exposing other patients in waiting rooms.

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Internet Outage Impacting Multiple Schools on West Side of Idaho Falls

KIFI on April 3, 2026

Bailee Shaw

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – An internet outage is currently affecting several schools and offices on the west side of Idaho Falls, including Ethel Boyes Elementary, Eagle Rock Middle School, Skyline High School, and District 91 Transportation.

At this time, both internet access and office phone systems are down in the affected locations. Transportation services are continuing on schedule, but calls to Transportation or school offices may not go through. Families with urgent messages are encouraged to contact the District 91 main office at 208-525-7500.

Idaho Falls Power is actively investigating the outage, which is believed to be linked to ongoing utility work in the area. District 91 officials say they are working closely with Idaho Falls Power to restore services as quickly as possible.

District administrators have promised updates as soon as more information becomes available and thanks the community for their patience.

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U.S. Economy Adds 178,000 Jobs in March, Topping Forecasts

CNN Newsource on April 3, 2026

By Juliegrace Brufke | Quincy News Correspondent

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    Washington (Quincy News) — The U.S. economy added 178,000 jobs in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Friday, nearly tripling economists’ forecasts and offering some relief after months of mixed economic signals.

The unemployment rate dropped to 4.3% from 4.4% in February, while wage growth slowed to 3.5% from 3.8%.

The report also issued revisions for January and February figures which combined showed that payrolls fell by a net 7,000 during those months, putting the three-month average at a modest 68,000.

Health care posted the largest gains, adding 76,000 jobs. Around 35,000 of those workers were returning Kaiser Permanente employees whose absence due to a strike had weighed on February numbers. Hospitals added 15,000 jobs of their own, contributing to a sector that has averaged 29,000 job gains per month over the past year.

Elsewhere, construction gained 26,000 jobs, transportation and warehousing added 21,000, and manufacturing saw a surprising uptick, adding 15,000 new positions, after analysts had projected a decline.

Federal government payroll fell by 18,000, while financial services shed another 15,000, pushing the sector’s losses to 77,000 since it peaked last May.

The report provided encouraging numbers, but it came with caveats. Around 396,000 people left the labor force in March and have stopped looking for further employment. The share of Americans working or seeking a job slipped to 61.9%, the lowest in more than three years. A broader measure that counts the discouraged and those in part-time work climbed to 0.8%.

The Middle East conflict didn’t have a substantial effect on March’s employment figures, but economists warn that could change. The trajectory of the U.S. labor market will depend heavily on how long it lasts and how far it spreads, according to experts.

“The question now is how much blowback will come from the war in Iran and the associated uncertainty around energy prices,” Olu Sonola, head of U.S. economics at Fitch Ratings, wrote in a note to investors, MarketWatch reported.

Long-term unemployment, those out of work for six months or more, has seen a 300,000 uptick over the course of the past year, representing more than a quarter of all unemployed individuals in the U.S.

Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, was measured in her assessment.

“The big picture: The US economy has added only 260,000 jobs in the past year. 380,000 jobs were added in healthcare. Most other industries *lost* jobs,” Long wrote on X.

U.S. stocks finished mixed Friday as oil prices surged following President Donald Trump’s remarks that the Iran conflict would continue for weeks. The Dow slipped 0.13% while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq edged higher.

The next BLS jobs report is scheduled to be released on Friday, May 8.

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.

Athlete goes from baseball diamond to making dessert, the story of Super Witch Ice Cream Co.

CNN Newsource on April 3, 2026

By Fletcher Mackel

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    METAIRIE, Louisiana (WDSU) — Adjusting his cap as we sat down to talk, Briggs Barrios still has the mannerisms of a ball player.

“Baseball is my one true sports love,” Barrios said.

That love helped him become a star player at Jesuit High School and then at Tulane University, with one goal in mind.

“I think every kids’ dream is being a professional sports player, and like baseball was my thing,” Barrios said.

Unfortunately, three major injuries as a green wave player ended his diamond dreams, but as the valedictorian at Jesuit and a graduate of Tulane’s prestigious business school, he leaned into his education and became a successful commodities trader, and for fun, he started an Instagram page doing ice cream reviews, and then:

“COVID happened, and I decided I wanted to make some at the house, and I immediately fell in love with the whole process,” Barrios said.

So much so that his side project became his full-time passion.

“Yeah, I was working a full-time job, but probably 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every single day after my job, and 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every single Saturday and Sunday for about a year and a half straight, I was developing recipes,” Barrios said.

Which he finally perfected, and realized, “life has a way of sending you in different directions,” Barrios said.

His new path is as a professional ice cream maker. Enchanted by what he was doing, Super Witch Ice Cream was born.

“Opened the shop on Jefferson Highway in June 2023, and it was just me making ice cream for about a year and a half, and I hired my first employee in October 2024, and now we’ve got nine combined employees between our self-serve shop and the pint shop,” Barrios said.

Enhanced by a social media cult-like following, each week their pint drops draw hundreds of customers and sell out within minutes.

Super Witch is a super success.

“I quit the job that I had. It was a great job that I could see like a long future in, but I had to scratch the itch that I was having with the ice cream. I didn’t want to regret not diving headfirst into the deep end, and it’s honestly, it’s brought all the best things that I have in my life right now, and I could not have been happier with my choice to take the dive,” Barrios said.

As for what’s next for Super Witch, could Barrios’ company follow in the footsteps of a brand like Jeni’s Ice Cream? That company started small in Columbus, Ohio, and is now sold in over 3,000 grocery stores and markets nationwide.

“It’s that same sports mentality that I’ve always had since high school, since college. It’s if we can get incrementally better every single day, and that stuff’s going to add up, and then maybe we put ourselves in a position that we can potentially take that next leap. right now, we’re not ready for that. But that’s always in the back of my mind,” Barrios said.

So while the future isn’t known, the past is, and that’s where the name super witch actually comes from.

“That’s my grandma’s nickname. It’s a term of endearment, I promise. She bore a resemblance to the main character in the show ‘Bewitched,’ and my grandpa always said that she had a knack for knowing that he was doing something wrong when he was doing it, so she got the moniker super witch. It’s always been in the family and my grandma passed away about six months before I started the business, and it just felt like the right thing to do. She was always that person that was on my side, no matter what. I could have done basically anything, and she would have been behind me, so I thought it’d be a great tribute to her,” Barrios said.

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.

Community bids farewell to fallen Ohio airman killed in refueling mission over Iraq

CNN Newsource on April 3, 2026

By Giacomo Luca

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    WILMINGTON, Ohio (WLWT) — Burial services will take place on Friday morning for Captain Curtis Angst, an Ohio airman killed in a plane crash during Operation Epic Fury.

Captain Curtis Angst, 30, with the Ohio Air National Guard, was one of six crew members killed when their plane went down over Iraq.

“Curtis was doing what he loved most—flying and serving alongside the men and women he cared so deeply about,” the Kettering City School District wrote. “His life was defined by service, generosity, and a genuine love for people.”

Mindy McCarty-Stewart, Angst’s mother-in-law, serves as superintendent at Kettering City Schools.

He grew up in Wilmington, Ohio, in a family with deep roots in aviation.

There will be a nine-mile procession from the Edgington Funeral Home at 97 W. Locust Street in Wilmington beginning at 9:15 a.m. Friday. The procession will run to the Roberts Centre, where a celebration of life will take place at 123 Gano Road.

His father was a private pilot and mechanic, and his mother was a flight attendant. They told NBC News their son had loved airplanes ever since he was a baby.

That passion led him to the University of Cincinnati, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in aerospace engineering.

His military career began while studying in Cincinnati. He first served as a mechanic with the 123rd Air Control Squadron in Blue Ash.

Angst went on to pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi, rising to the rank of captain while flying the KC-135 refueling aircraft.

His loss is being felt in his hometown and across the nation, along with the 12 other U.S. service members killed in the 34 days since the U.S. launched its war against Iran.

“It’s so painful when you think about it because you can relate to your own families, and it could have been anybody, but unfortunately, it was Curtis, and our hearts are just broken for him,” said Wilmington Mayor Patrick Haley.

During his first national address this week on the war with Iran, President Donald Trump honored the sacrifice of the U.S. service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“I’m pleased to say that these core strategic objectives are nearing completion,” Trump said. “As we celebrate this progress, we think especially of the 13 American warriors who have laid down their lives in this fight to prevent our children from ever having to face a nuclear Iran.”

Captain Angst had nearly 900 hours of experience in the cockpit when his refueling plane went down in friendly airspace over western Iraq on March 12, killing all six crew members.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, but did say another aircraft was involved and landed safely. CENTCOM is now investigating the cause.

Captain Curtis Angst will be laid to rest this morning during a private ceremony at Dayton National Cemetery with full military honors. He leaves behind a devoted wife, his parents, and his sister.

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.

Federal jury rules city of Moore to pay $126M in case of deadly crash involving off-duty officer

CNN Newsource on April 3, 2026

By Jonathan Greco

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    MOORE, Oklahoma (KOCO) — A federal jury ruled in favor of the family of an 18-year-old girl who was killed in a crash involving an off-duty Moore police officer in late 2019.

What Happened

On Dec. 14, 2019, Kyle Lloyd, who was a sergeant with the Moore Police Department, hit a car driven by Emily Gaines near Southeast 134th Street and Sooner Road in Oklahoma City. Gaines, a Moore High School senior, was on her way to take the ACT when she was hit.

The prosecutor said Lloyd was driving almost 100 mph when he crashed into Gaines’ car, saying he was speeding to pick up keys to a squad car for a “Shop with a Cop” event. She said this was a “deliberate, conscious choice to disregard the law,” adding that it brings her no joy to prosecute a member of law enforcement – but the law is the law.

Lloyd pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in 2021 and was sentenced to 18 years, but he will effectively spend nine years in prison.

Federal Jury Ruling

This week, a federal jury awarded Gaines’ family $36 million in a lawsuit against the city of Moore. The estate was also awarded $90 million on a civil rights claim.

City of Moore Statement

“Emily Gaines death is a tragedy. The City of Moore respects the jury’s verdict holding Kyle Lloyd liable for his negligence. While a portion of the verdict applies to the City, those damages are limited by statute. The City disagrees that Kyle Lloyd was acting within the scope of his employment and is considering its options, including appeal,” Moore City Manager Brooks Mitchell said in a statement.

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.

Assistance League Bend empowers volunteers to make a difference in the community

KTVZ on April 3, 2026

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — At Assistance League Bend, volunteers don’t just fill roles, they stretch beyond them.

“We do. I mean, that’s what you get with an all-volunteer organization,” said Lisa Sarmiento, the assistant treasurer. “Everybody’s pitching in, and maybe they’re out of their comfort zone. I’ve learned a ton about how to work on websites. I never expected to know how to do web anything.”

Assistance League Bend volunteers

That spirit of adaptability fuels a nonprofit that runs a wide array of programs serving Deschutes County and beyond. From youth-focused initiatives to outreach for seniors, volunteers power nearly every aspect of the organization.

Supporting Youth and Seniors

Most of the league’s programs are designed for students and youth, but volunteers say their impact extends across generations.

Senior-focused efforts from the nonprofit include providing free personal hygiene items to to seniors in 17 long-term memory care and assisted living facilities throughout Deschutes County.

Assistance League Bend’s Secret Santa

‘Senior Connections’ is another example, where detailed handmade cards, designed and created by members, are delivered year-round.

“When you’re in a facility, you’re so separated from the rest of society,” Sarmiento said. “We just want people to know that they’re not forgotten.”

Signature Programs Make a Difference

Among the organization’s most visible efforts is Cinderella’s Closet, chaired by Dianne Benson. The program offers a boutique-style experience where students can select formalwear at no cost.

“They can get shoes, handbags, jewelry, and just feel like a princess for the night,” Benson said.

Cinderella’s Closet

Another cornerstone program, Operation School Bell, serves roughly 2,700 children each year. Students are invited to shop for new clothing with a set budget, allowing them to choose items that reflect their personal style.

“We want kids to have fewer barriers to their education,” Sarmiento said. “We want them to feel confident and excited about going to school.”

Operation School Bell

In addition, Assistance League Bend provides emergency clothing to children entering or transitioning in the foster care system through a partnership with Every Child Central Oregon, another one of our 21 Cares for Kids partners.

Teaching Life Skills Through Cooking

Beyond clothing assistance, the nonprofit is also helping children build practical skills through ‘These Kids Are Cooking’, which is an after-school initiative led by retired educators.

These Kids Are Cooking

The program goes beyond basic nutrition education: teaching students how to plan meals, prepare ingredients, and cook independently.

“If you don’t know how to cut things or cook things, it doesn’t matter if you know what’s healthy,” Sarmiento said. “It’s taking kids from knowing to actually doing.”

Volunteers Find Purpose and Community

For many volunteers, the work offers both personal fulfillment and connection.

Lisa Sarmiento (left) and Dianne Benson (right) in Cinderella’s Closet

“I don’t have kids in my house anymore, they’re all grown and gone,” Sarmiento said. “This is a way for me to care for children, especially local kids that maybe need a little extra.”

Benson said the reward comes from seeing the impact firsthand.

“Seeing the kids when they come into Cinderella’s Closet or Operation School Bell, to see the looks on their faces when they can go ahead and just be like everyone else. It’s a wonderful, wonderful feeling,” Benson said.

Volunteers also build lasting friendships through their shared mission.

Assistance League Bend empowers volunteers to make a difference in the communityAssistance League Bend volunteers

“You get to meet different people, and you build friendships,” Benson added. “We’re all here for the same thing, to help our community.”

Fundraisers and Community Support

The nonprofit is currently inviting community members to get involved through donations, volunteering, and upcoming events.

One major fundraiser, the Dream Trip Raffle, offers travel prizes with $30 tickets. Proceeds help fund programs like Operation School Bell, with ticket sales closing April 15th and a drawing set for April 17th.

Another highly anticipated event, the Kitchen Kaleidoscope Home Tour, returns June 20th in Eagle Crest. The event features tours of local homes paired with culinary experiences from area chefs.

“You get to meet a local chef, sample some food,” Sarmiento said. “It’s just a fun day out!”

A Growing Need for Help

As the organization expands its reach, the need for volunteers continues to grow.

“We always need volunteers,” Sarmiento said. “Many hands make light work.”

From sewing chemotherapy hats to confidence through clothing, opportunities span a wide range of interests and skills.

“We kind of do it all,” Sarmiento said.

For Assistance League Bend, that all-hands-on-deck approach is exactly what keeps its mission moving forward.

Click here to learn more about Assistance League Bend.

To learn more about our 21 Cares for Kids partners, click here.

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Guides led group into dangerous terrain prior to California’s deadliest avalanche, report says

CNN Newsource on April 3, 2026

By Kurtis Ming

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    California (KCRA) — The Sierra Avalanche Center has released its final report on California’s deadliest avalanche, revealing that guides led a group into avalanche terrain during dangerous conditions on the Feb. 17 trip near Lake Tahoe.

Nine of the 15 people in the group died in the avalanche. The Sierra Avalanche Center’s final report states the slide occurred in an area that was “likely or very likely” to experience an avalanche that day.

For the first time, it has been revealed that some of the people caught in the avalanche had airbag backpacks that were not deployed. These backpacks are designed to create a space to breathe when trapped under snow.

The Sierra Avalanche Center said an equipment problem likely saved the lives of four of the survivors. Two fell behind the rest of the group and then helped dig out two other survivors.

Four guides with Blackbird Mountain Guides led the group on that backcountry trip near Frog Lake. Five guests and one guide survived.

The victims of the deadly avalanche were:

Andrew Alissandratos, 34, from Verdi, Nevada Michael Henry, 30, from Tampa Bay, Florida Nicole “Niki” Choo, 42, from South Lake Tahoe Carrie Atkin, 42, from South Lake Tahoe Liz Clabaugh, 52, from Boise, Idaho Danielle Keatley, 44, from Marin County Kate Morse, 45, from Marin County Caroline Sekar, 45, from San Francisco Kate Vitt, 43, from Marin County

Since 1950, California has experienced 57 fatal avalanches.

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.