From mailbox to ballot box: A look inside the voting process ahead of May election

KTVZ on April 23, 2026

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding comments from Deschutes County Clerk)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With the May primary election fast-approaching, Deschutes County voters are being reminded that not all ballots will look the same — and an upcoming deadline could impact what you see.

Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison says Oregon’s closed primary system means voters must be affiliated with a major political party to vote in that party’s races.

“If a voter wants to participate in a primary election for either of the two major parties, they need to be affiliated with one of those two major parties,” Dennison said.

The deadline to register to vote or update your party affiliation is April 28. Missing that deadline means partisan races may not appear on your ballot.

Once ballots are returned, Dennison says a detailed verification process begins.

Ballots are collected from drop boxes by two-person teams, then sealed, tracked and transported to the clerk’s office. From there, each signature is hand-reviewed by trained staff.

“Our staff are all trained by forensic handwriting specialists. We know what your signature looks like,” Dennison said.

If a signature is missing or doesn’t match, the ballot is flagged and the voter is contacted with an opportunity to fix the issue. About 4% of ballots are challenged each election and are only counted if corrected.

Any suspected voter fraud is referred to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office for investigation and possible prosecution.

Dennison also emphasized the security of the county’s voting system.

“That voting system is not connected to the internet. It’s not connected to the county network. It’s not connected to Wi-Fi,” he said. “That is not susceptible to hackers because it’s not connected to anything.”

From ballot collection to signature verification and auditing, Dennison says multiple safeguards are in place to ensure accuracy and transparency.

“There are checks and balances in place, secure transport and chain of custody, and we’re following the law,” he said.

Dennison encourages voters with questions or concerns to contact the Deschutes County Clerk’s Office, saying understanding the process can help build confidence in local elections.

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Conley Road Walmart to reopen after all-clear; customers say bomb threat led to evacuation

KMIZ on April 23, 2026

Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Employees went back inside the Conley Road Walmart on Thursday afternoon after spending close to two hours outside after an apparent threat was made.

The Columbia Police Department responded to a reported bomb threat at a Walmart shortly after 1 p.m., prompting a full evacuation of the store and surrounding property.

Police taped off the whole Walmart property from the public early Thursday afternoon. According to police, officers conducted a search of the building with the assistance of a K-9 unit. Nothing suspicious was found, and the store was cleared to reopen around 3:30 p.m.

Customers told ABC 17 News that customers inside the store at the time said they were shopping when an announcement came over the intercom warning of a bomb threat and instructing everyone to evacuate immediately.

Witnesses described the evacuation as calm and orderly.

Employees told ABC 17 they were told to stay on site. Even workers who weren’t scheduled to start until later still had to come in. One employee said they were told to show up in uniform and meet at a designated area outside.

As the situation stretched on, some customers arrived at the store were unaware of the closure. One shopper Miguel Rodriguez said they came to run errands, only to find the store shut down when he arrived.

The Columbia Police Department wrote in a Thursday evening social media post that initial information “indicated pipe bombs had been planted inside of a business.” A K-9 unit and bomb technicians searched the building and no explosives were found, police wrote.

On top of Thursday’s threat Columbia Police Lt. Steven Kaneaster said the there have been numerous bomb threats reported across the country that could be connected to Thursday’s incident.

“I was also notified of recent threats like this with other Walmart locations in other states in the country. Again, I don’t know the scope of that or necessarily the full time frame. But it sounds like it might be relevant to what we’re looking into here,”

Lt. Kaneaster added there was a separate bomb threat reported on university property that campus police responded to.

According to university spokesman Christopher Ave, MUPD received a forwarded call reporting a potential threat to campus.

“The department quickly determined the threat was not credible.” Ave said in an email. “Based on the location involved, no evacuation was required. The matter remains under investigation, and no additional information can be released at this time, as it could interfere with the investigation.”

The Columbia Police Department later posted on social media that its officers were responding to a “threat” in the 400 block of Conley Road.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw Walmart employees in the Firestone Tire store on Conley Road while police investigated. At least 50 people were seen in the parking.

According to Lt. Kaneaster, at least 20 officers were on the scene, along with personnel from the Ashland Police Department and Boone Health.

ABC 17 News is working to learn more information. Please check back for updates.

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Seniors Gain Valuable Services at a Special Expo in Goleta

KEYT on April 23, 2026

John Palminteri

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – The growing number of seniors on the South Coast has lead to a growing need for services including the latest in housing, technology and health care.

It all came together with the 4th Goleta Senior Expo in the Goleta Community Center. Those showing up included adults, families, caregivers, and community members with valuable resources, services, and opportunities. Many were non-profits that support healthy, engaged, and independent living.

The Senior Expo had attendees going one on one to experts at a wide variety of informational booths, activities, and anyone improving quality of life for older adults.

Goleta Resident Alison Tamminga said she was there because, “I am getting closer. And so perhaps I should come and find out some information. I’m looking for possible, home care. Should we actually need to activate long term care there are several organizations that can provide that.”

Some found services they were not aware of and others had specific tables they went .

We also learned today that from meals on wheels program will be expanding for the first time to Goleta in the next month.

Many tables had giveaway items like these shoelaces fro Cottage Trauma Services that help you get noticed at night. Mayra Vazquez says “they can put these on their shoes, that way they can be seen by bicycles and e-bikes and some motor vehicles as they are walking. “

The American Red Cross had information on someone coming over to help you with your smoke detectors and also materials that can keep you prepared for the next big emergency or even a power outage.

Gaylen Ramsey with the American Red Cross held up a special emergency page and said, “if you don’t know everybody’s phone number that you need to know, there’s a card you can write phone numbers down if your phone goes dead.”

The Senior Expo coordinators say the event focused on:

Access to Essential Resources: including services related to health care, wellness, housing, recreation, transportation, and more.

Promoting Healthy Aging: with practical tips and tools to support physical, mental, and social well-being.

Building Community Connections: by meeting new people, strengthen social networks, and engage with organizations that serve Goleta’s senior population.

Supporting Caregivers and Families: with support for those caring for older adults.

Celebrating Active Lifestyles: highlighting the importance of staying active, engaged, and connected.

For more information go to: www.CityofGoleta.org/SeniorProgram or seniorprogram@cityofgoleta.gov.

(More details, photos and video will be added here later today.)

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Los Alamos Community Helps Couple Adopt Twins, Due On Same Day as Grandma’s Passing

KEYT on April 23, 2026

Jarrod Zinn

LOS ALAMOS, Calif. (KEYT) – People are helping raise funds for a Los Alamos couple adopting fraternal twins due for birth in about a month.

There are some incredible parallels in this story.

A Spotfund page was put together by a friend of Nick and Cassie Conforti of Los Alamos.

“She wanted us to share our story and give us this amazing opportunity,” says Cassie.

Nick and Cassie had been unsuccessful at having children and were thinking about adopting when Cassie’s sister got in touch.

“We have always kind of had a heart for adoption, but it wasn’t something that we were actively looking into,” says Nick Conforti. “Cassie’s sister is in a tough position and found out she was pregnant with fraternal twins. Boy and girl.”

Cassie says her sister told her she considered an abortion in the very early stages, but decided to reach out for help instead.

The twins have an estimated due date of June 4th.

Nick and Cassie will adopt them at birth.

“We weren’t necessarily prepared for something like this,” says Nick. “And it’s a life changing situation, but we believe we are called to do this and, to give these kids a good life as best we can.”

The twist: Nick’s mother Lynne was adopted when she was young and in her thirties was re-united with her siblings, including a fraternal twin brother.

Lynne died June 4th, 2025 of cancer.

“We got some great time with my mom, and we know she would be fully on board with this,” says Nick.

Cassie’s sister’s twins are expected one year to the day after lynne’s passing.

“It doesn’t seem like a coincidence,” says Cassie.

Anyone is welcome to donate, and their SpotFund page can be found by clicking this link.

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SLO Film Festival kicks off in recently reopened Fremont Theater

KEYT on April 23, 2026

Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The 32nd Annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival begins Thursday night with a pair of shows inside the recently reopened Fremont Theater.

The popular event will run for six days through Tuesday, April 28 and include more than 100 narrative features, short films, documentary features and shorts, music videos and festival favorites from over 25 countries.

As in the past, the historic Fremont Theater on Monterey Street in downtown San Luis Obispo will be the showcase venue.

After sustaining major damage to its iconic tower sign during a storm in mid-February, the theater was closed for several weeks, casting doubt on its availability for the film festival.

However, the theater was allowed to reopen on April 8 after the City of San Luis Obispo reinstated the building’s Certificate of Occupancy.

“It was it was very timely to get it reopened for the film festival,” said Fremont Theater owner Rob Rossi. “I think everyone was working hard to achieve that and we’re pleased. We look forward to a very, beneficial film festival this year.”

In addition to the Fremont Theater, the Palm Theatre, Downtown Downtown Centre Cinemas and SLO Masonic Lodge will also serve as venues for the event.

This year’s film lineup, is led by the Opening Night selection of the documentary about tennis legend Billy Jean King, Give Me The Ball!, and Power Ballad, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, as the Closing Night selection.

Also showing at the festival includes the annual Surf Nite, the popular Central Coast Filmmaker Showcase, Cal Poly Short Cuts, Music Video Showcase, Community of Skate, as well as many other short films.

For more information about the 32nd Annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, click here to visit the official SLOIFF website.

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Journalist files lawsuit against Imperial County over records request

KYMA on April 23, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The First Amendment Coalition has filed a lawsuit on behalf of freelance investigative reporter Joey Scott, seeking the release of records related to the county’s dealings with federal immigration agencies.

The lawsuit was filed after the county refused to provide documents requested by Scott under the California Public Records Act.

According to the complaint, Scott submitted records requests while reporting on the the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s activity in Imperial County.

One request sought financial documents from 2018-February 2026, including contacts, purchase orders, invoices, and statements. A second request sought emails discussing the use of county facilities to house prisoners and youth detainees.

County officials reportedly declined to provide the requested records, citing the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the Comity doctrine as reasons for withholding the information.

The Supremacy Clause State states that courts and officials are bound by the Constitution and federal laws, overriding any contrary provisions in state law.

Attorneys with the First Amendment Coalition argue that the county cannot refuse to disclose public records simply because federal agencies may prefer the information remain confidential. California residents are entitled to transparency regarding local government actions and financial relationships.

“The fact that you can get those records potentially from another agency is not a legal ground to decline to release them.So we sent a letter to the county. Did not receive a response to that. And that’s why we went ahead and filed a lawsuit,” David Loy, Legal Director of First Amendment Coalition told KYMA in an interview.

“This is the first time I have ever encountered an agency citing a supremacy clause in any of my public records request,” Scott told KYMA.

Loy said this is a matter of transparency.

“Every time the Public Records Act is enforced, the public will benefit. The public interest is served,. Transparency is the oxygen of accountability at all public levels,” he said.

He said the county has started releasing some documents following the filing of the suit, and he hopes will continue to cooperate.

Scott noted that there are some documents, particularly those regarding minors, that he understands may not be able to be released, due to privacy and protection.

“Whatever gets released here in the future will help clarify and clear up what’s going on in Imperial County,” he said.

Scott said that outside of journalists, the public has access to this type of information, and citizens have the right to request them.

As the parties move forward, and more documents are released, Loy hopes that the case will resolve itself, and no further actions are needed.

“Technically the government has, I think 30 days from when the complaint is formally served to file a formal answer. We may potentially extend that time if things are moving in a positive direction,” Loy said.

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Local law enforcement/Upper Valley SAFE Initiative to Youth Digital Safety Workshop Saturday

KIFI on April 23, 2026

Bailee Shaw

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — As digital threats evolve, local law enforcement and community volunteers are joining forces to ensure parents aren’t left behind.

On Saturday, April 25, the Upper Valley SAFE Initiative will host a specialized workshop at Madison Junior High from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to teach parents how to keep kids safe with modern technology. Founded by Dean and Kristin Coleman, SAFE (Safety, Awareness, Freedom, and Education) is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to helping families understand what’s really happening online—and what to watch for.

The workshop will feature representatives from the Rexburg Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Officers will share insights from local cases to illustrate the tactics used by online predators—tactics that officials say would surprise even tech-savvy parents.

Through a Facebook post with the Upper Valley SAFE initiative, Chief Josh Rhodes warned that the true risk is often hidden in plain sight: Direct Messaging (DM).

“Every social media platform has direct messaging, and that is where youth are being targeted,” Chief Rhodes explained. “(They’re) people who are posing as teenagers and fun and outgoing. And those those people are able to connect and they start communicating and direct messaging with the teenagers… As parents, we may overlook and think that they’re just communicating with other teenagers, when in reality there’s a lot of cases where they’re not.”

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Skyline Grad Kenyon Sadiq Drafted by the New York Jets

KIFI on April 23, 2026

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — UPDATE: Kenyon Sadiq was selected 16th overall by the New York Jets.

Original Post:

The energy in Idaho Falls is electric this Thursday as the community prepares for Thursday night’s NFL Draft. The attention of the community is on Kenyon Sadiq, the former Skyline High School standout, who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

A versatile athlete, Sadiq started at Marsh Valley before cementing his high school career as a Skyline Grizzly. Following his Junior year playing for the Oregon Ducks, Sadiq has become one of this year’s most coveted tight end prospects with a record of 560 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns in the 2025 season.

File 2022: Courtesy Kenyon Sadiq/Oregon Ducks

To honor his journey from the Grizzly gridiron to the professional stage, his alma mater is turning tonight’s draft into a community celebration.

The Skyline Grizzlies Alumni Association is hosting a free NFL Draft watch party for all Skyline graduates tonight. Due to maintenance issues at Skyline, the watch party has been moved to the nearby Eagle Rock Middle School.

“We have an opportunity to see Kenyon do the impossible, or what most can’t,” wrote Skyline Athletic Director Wadsworth on the Alumni Association’s Facebook page. “That is being drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Come join the fun!”

Tonight’s celebration will include food, music, trivia, raffles, and draft prediction games for fans. If you’re a Skyline Alumni, click HERE for more information.

While the event is currently on schedule, organizers are monitoring the situation closely. Should any last-minute changes occur, updates will be posted immediately on the Alumni Association Facebook Page.

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Idaho ranks last in per pupil spending, again

KIFI on April 23, 2026

Emma Epperly

By: Emma Epperly

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on April 22, 2026

IDAHO — Idaho spends the least in the country per student in K-12 public schools, according to newly released data from the National Center for Educational Statistics.

The Gem State spent $11,167 per pupil during the 2024 fiscal year, the most recent data available from NCES.

That makes Idaho last in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nationwide, schools spent on average $17,499 per child.

The closest state to Idaho is Utah, which spent $11,299. After that, the per-pupil expenditure jumps up by about $1,000.

In 2022 and 2023, Idaho ranked second-to-last, behind Utah, in per-pupil spending. In 2021, Idaho ranked last. Idaho has occupied a similar bottom-of-the-pile spot for more than a decade.

But even in Idaho, there’s a huge range in the amount spent per child. For example, in Avery, one of the state’s smallest K-8 school districts, about $91,030 was spent per student in 2025, the most in the state. Three Creek, Prairie and Pleasant Valley Elementary school districts — also small — round out the top four.

Some large districts spend more than the state average. Boise spent $14,639 per student in fiscal year 2025. The state’s largest district West Ada spent $8,875, so well under the state average.

The lowest per student spending in the state is often from hybrid or virtual schools. Idaho Home Learning spent $6,408 last year. The statewide average for 2025 was $13,020.

Find out what your district or charter spends. See the most recent state data.

Learn more about what per-pupil expenditure data means.

While Idaho’s statewide average has gone up since 2024, it’s likely that Idaho will continue to fall at the bottom nationally, if the last decade of data is any indicator.

Here’s the data for Idaho’s neighboring states:

Wyoming $20,542

Washington $18,639

Oregon $18,052

Nevada $14,247

Montana $14,202

Utah 11,299

Idaho $11,167

Ed News Data Analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this story.

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Ask the Mayor: Redmond’s Ed Fitch speaks on Elkhorn Avenue extension, water levels for the summer, and more

KTVZ on April 23, 2026

Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — From the future of Elkhorn Avenue to water levels for the summer, Mayor Ed Fitch answers viewer-submitted questions for this month’s Ask the Mayor.

Viewers can submit questions for Mayor Fitch at any time as part of our monthly segment – just click here.

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