Spencer Sacks
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — For Friday evening’s Pet Pals segment, the Humane Society of Central Oregon brought by Elsa, a two month old Domestic Shorthair/Mix. She’s described as a very lovely girl, who enjoys getting pets. Elsa is in need of a forever home. Could she be your new family member?
David Pace
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – In one of the closest, contested races in Idaho Falls, firefighter Connor Cook is challenging incumbent Barbara Ehardt in a race for Legislative District 33 Seat A.
The contest has generated heightened activity – with major endorsements and Political Action Committee (PAC) involvement on both sides.
Ehardt is endorsed by the Professional Firefighters of Idaho and Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, while Cook is endorsed by the Idaho Falls Firefighters PAC and the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police.
The distinctions betwen the two are stark – with differences on social issues, budgets, taxes and immigration.
Barbara Ehardt: “I’ve absolutely been out there fighting for families, fighting for parental rights, putting families first. When you have strong families, that’s when you have strong communities, and that’s when you’re going to have a strong state. The next [major issue] would probably have to be about reducing our taxes, particularly our property taxes.”
Connor Cook: “My top priority getting in there is just to stop the bleeding, stop the divisiveness, try and stop the political purity tests, to stop the culture wars and to just focus on Idaho – … having a robust education system, getting our statewide budget back on track and making sure we’re recruiting and retaining state troopers.”
The two have differing priorities when it comes to Idaho’s budget.
Connor Cook: “Honestly, the state of Idaho is run lean. It’s run efficiently, and they’re very tactical with their dollars. If we continue to have this cut mindset, what will we have, right? That’s the thing I’m trying to go beyond. Instead of cut, let’s stabilize. Let’s stabilize the budget. I don’t think we need to come in every year with, ‘Where can we cut? Where can we cut?'”
Barbara Ehardt: “There’s a lot of people struggling just to make ends meet, just to pay their property taxes. I had introduced House Bill 961, which would eliminate property taxes for one’s primary place of residence and would instead replace it with an increase in the sales tax. The Tax Commission – it took them about three months – but said that they would need to replace that with about $932 million, or an increase of sales tax from 6 percent to 7.75 percent.”
They also addressed their differences on social issues.
Barbara Ehardt: “Certainly a big discussion in our debates would have been our stances on protecting women and children, such as the bathroom bills. I think I’ve already explained that I feel strongly that it is government’s role to protect the rights of the people. We have gone to such a place that we are bending over backwards, putting women and children in danger.”
Connor Cook: “If we continue on the same trajectory, I feel like we will become the most authoritative state under this kind of ruse of freedom, right? We became the most authoritative state in the country as far as who goes to the bathroom. We are forcing minutes of silence on kids in schools. We were close to forcing religion on kids in schools, and to me, that’s a clear delineation of church and state.”
Watch our full, in-depth interviews with both candidates below to help inform as you make your own decision who to vote for on Tuesday.
Barbara Ehardt election interview.
Connor Cook election interview.
Euphenie Andre
MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Randolph County community came together Friday to offer mental health support and healing resources for those grieving the loss of 16-year-old Kayla Huff.
The first “Day of Healing” comes as the Randolph County Prosecutor’s Office announced new charges in the case. Twenty-year-old Alayna Mason and 19-year-old Hunter Ames are now both charged with first-degree murder in connection to Huff’s death. Two others are charged with kidnapping and tampering with evidence.
Licensed counselors, social workers and a crisis incident team from the state shared their services at the church throughout the day.
The Rev. Randy Paxton, of Immanuel Baptist Church, said the idea for the event “Day of Healing” began during the community’s search for Kayla.
As hundreds of people searched for the missing teen, Paxton said he could see the emotional toll it was taking on friends, families and even strangers across the community.
“They needed something.” Paxton said. “Whether it was a shoulder to cry on, whether somebody to talk too just somebody to wrap their arms around them and let them feel loved,”
Family friends said Immanuel Baptist Church was like a second home to Kayla. Now, it has become a place where people are gathering to grieve together and support one another through heartbreak.
Huff’s best friend, Christina Wilson, said she learned about her death Thursday.
“I did what any person would do,” Wilson said. “I started crying, and I was like, this can’t be real.”
Wilson said as the hours turned into days during the search for Kayla, she began to feel something was wrong. She said she stopped sleeping and lost her appetite while hoping her friend would be found safe.
“There were days my mom would tell me, ‘You’re drained, kid. Get some sleep,’” Wilson said. “But I couldn’t. I just wanted to find Kayla.”
Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Luntsford said the case has deeply affected the community because Huff reminds people of someone they know, a daughter, a friend or the girl next door.
“It hits home,” Luntsford said. “Something like this happened in our own backyard.”
Ann Elliot and Dana Woods were among those providing mental health services Saturday. Woods said the Crisis Intervention Team deployed counselors and crisis intervention services to Huff’s school to support both students and staff.
“Not only the children but the staff, because the staff are kind of in autopilot right now, and they’re going to need somebody to kind of be there to help them deal with the situation,” Woods said.
The “Day of Healing” will continue 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Immanuel Baptist Church. Organizers said they expect an even larger turnout as more people are able to attend after school and work. A vigil honoring Huff is also scheduled for 7 p.m.
“People can write messages to Kayla, or actually this will go to her parents, to show how much people cared about her and the impact she made in her young life, especially in this church,” Elliot said.
Mitchell Kaminski
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Around 6 p.m. Friday, lawmakers threw their papers in the air and began filing out of the House chamber after the Missouri General Assembly wrapped up its 2026 legislative session.
Missouri lawmakers passed 100 bills during the session, the highest total since 2019 and a sharp increase from the 81 bills approved during the 2025 session. The total includes 42 House bills, 41 Senate bills, and 17 appropriations bills.
Bills that passed Friday include SB 1408, which cleared the House by a 93-46 vote. The bill will allow officials to increase the speed limit to 75 miles per hour on rural, divided highways where the limit is currently 70 mph.
Another bill that passed Friday with overwhelming bipartisan support was SB 1135, also known as “Bentley and Mason’s Law.” Of the 129 votes cast in the House, only two lawmakers voted against it.
The bill requires courts to order anyone convicted of a DWI crash that kills a child’s parent to make child maintenance payments within one year after being released from prison.
The House also passed SB 1421, which automatically expunges misdemeanors after one year and nonviolent felonies after three years. The bill also places restrictions on flying drones and unmanned aircraft over stadiums.
One of the most significant measures to advance during the 2026 session was a proposed constitutional amendment that would ask Missouri voters in August or November whether to eliminate the state income tax.
Supporters say the proposal could attract new businesses to Missouri and leave more money in residents’ pockets. Critics, however, argue it would shift the tax burden onto lower- and middle-income Missourians through expanded sales taxes.
Following the end of the session, Missouri House Democrats held a press conference, while House Republicans did not. Much of Democrats’ media availability focused on Gov. Mike Kehoe’s income tax proposal, which was advanced by Republican lawmakers.
“We’re confident that when the GOP sales tax hike goes on the statewide ballot, voters will overwhelmingly reject it and punish Republican candidates who supported it,” House Minority Leader Ashley Aune said.
Aune also added she believes Democratic voter turnout will be the highest the state has seen in years.
However, Aune did praise some of the bipartisan legislation passed during the session, highlighting a bill that was signed into law by Kehoe that prohibits pregnancy from preventing a divorce from being finalized.
Carpio Griego
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Fans had the opportunity to get to Southwest University Park early before Friday’s Banana Ball game between the Texas Tailgaters and Firefighters. Players signed autographs while music and merch booths kept fans entertained.
Tailgater staff made fan engagement a priority, having several mini dance contests, passing around inflatable popsicle toys and even awarding a “Top Tailgater.”
The Tailgaters’ two step team even directed choreography for the fans to incorporate dancing into the pregame festivities.
Banana Ball seems to draw in new fans as soon as they see it according to the fans that shared their story of discovering the league.
Fans like Dennis McGregory, who told ABC-7 his first time watching at the gym was enough to peak his interest and says he got his tickets through a lottery draw.
“One day I was at the gym and I saw it on TV, and I was like man this is cool, what is this,” McGregory said. “I heard they were coming to town and heard about the lotto, so I put my name in and that was it.”
Another fan, Alexander Smith, said his first exposure to the style of Banana Ball was on social media, and the fun of it drew his interest.
“I’ve always wanted to see it, it’s a different type of baseball,” Smith said. “It seems more entertaining and fast paced.”
McGregory had a similar sentiment, comparing Banana Ball to the Harlem Globetrotters.
“It’s fun, they make everything fun,” McGregory said. “Everything goes by pretty fast and gets the whole family involved, its cool. It’s like the Globetrotters of baseball, that’s why I like it.”
McGregory hesitated, but even said he prefers Banana Ball over regular baseball.
Smith agreed, saying it was more entertaining but also said regular baseball was more competitive.
“Personally, Banana Ball is more fun to watch,” Smith said. “Baseball, I think, is more competitive. I would prefer Banana Ball.”
The fan experience was shown to be a big part of the evening as Tailgaters players performed stage for the fans to entertain them before the first pitch.
Smith said it’s good for the growth of baseball as a sport that Banana Ball can exist at the same time as regular baseball.
“I think it is good for baseball, but it’s good that it’s separate. There’s normal baseball and there’s more fun Banana Ball.”
“The passion that they have for the game and that they’re out here playing it for the fun of what baseball really is. Brings you back to when you were a kid,” Banana Ball fan Yolie Zapata told ABC-7.
Watch how fans enjoyed the pregame experience on ABC-7 at 10.
Sayra Sanchez
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Community College’s Nursing Program celebrated the graduation of 81 Associate Degree of Nursing graduates, marking their official entry into the profession with a pinning ceremony held on Thursday.
The pinning ceremony, a significant tradition for nursing graduates, traces its origins back to Florence Nightingale, EPCC said. She awarded her graduates “badges of courage” to recognize their commitment to caring for the sick and the suffering.
Nightingale earned the nickname “The Lady with the Lamp” because she walked her rounds each night, her path illuminated by the glow of her lamp.
Angelina Sanchez received the EPCC Daisy Award as the outstanding student. Anna Favela was honored with the EPCC Daisy Award for faculty.
Many graduates also wore a teal and white cord, symbolizing nursing as a second career. This cord recognizes the unique courage required to pivot from a previous life path to answer a new calling in health care.
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Several roadwork projects in Columbia are set to begin Monday, according to several press releases from the City of Columbia and the Missouri Department of Transportation.
I-70 ramp work
The westbound on-ramp to Interstate 70 from Range Line Street and the off-ramp at Providence Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday-2 a.m. Tuesday, according to MoDOT.
Rollins Street west of South College Avenue
Ameren will begin replacing a 6-inch gas main under Rollins Street, just west of the intersection.
Crews will excavate across Rollins Street and will require a road closure from Monday through Friday, June 5, according to a press release from the city.
Additionally, the crosswalk on the west side of South College Avenue will be closed.
West Rollins Road
On Monday, city crews will close the westbound lane of West Rollins Road near the intersection with South Scott Boulevard, according to a release from the city.
A closure will occur that day from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. to repair two traffic islands adjacent to 4208 West Rollins Road, the release says. Lane closures should be expected.
Eighth and Walnut Garage
Crews on Monday will begin a summer maintenance project at the parking garage at Eighth and Walnut streets.
The project, which is expected to last through early August, includes, “cable repairs, concrete repairs, and sealant and expansion joint replacement work throughout the garage,” the release says.
The garage will be restricted to permit parking only. Hourly public parking will not be available.
Juror parking for the courthouse will be moved to the Fifth and Walnut parking garage, the release says.
South Sixth Street, East Stewart Road
Parts of South Sixth Street and East Stewart Road will be closed to traffic, parking and pedestrians beginning Monday “pedestrians to accommodate construction of the University’s new Engineering Innovation Center,” the release says.
Short- and long-term closures are scheduled.
Short-term closures: May 18-Aug. 14:
South Sixth Street to through traffic between Elm Street and Conley Avenue.
East Stewart Road between South Fifth Street and South Sixth Street.
The sidewalk on the east side of South Sixth Street between Elm Street and East Stewart Road.
Parking closed on the west side of South Sixth Street between Elm Street and East Stewart Road.
Parking closed on the north side of East Stewart Road between South Fifth Street and South Sixth Street.
Long-term closures: May 18, 2026-March 31, 2028
South Sixth Street between Elm Street and East Stewart Road.
The sidewalk on the east side of South Sixth Street between Elm Street and East Stewart Road.
Parking closed on the west side of South Sixth Street between Elm Street and East Stewart Road.
Gabrielle Lopez
DONA ANA COUNTY, New Mexico (KVIA) — After an emergency meeting Friday, the Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the county and YesCare Corporation to provide past-due wages owed to employees working at the county detention center.
According to the county, YesCare employees who were supposed to be paid May 8 will get their outstanding wages. The county will pay by deducting the amount from the upcoming payment planned for services for the month of May.
YesCare started providing healthcare and mental health services to the Doña Ana Detention Center when in November 2024. The company filed for bankruptcy May 8. As of Friday, employees haven’t been paid.
The county said it will start an emergency process to find another healthcare provider for the detention center. County commissioners expect an update during their May 26 meeting.
Hadley Bodell
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Springtime in Eastern Idaho means warmer weather and recreational activities in nature for residents. It also means baby animals are out and about, sometimes with no mother in sight. Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) wants to warn people against interfering with nature and the abilities of mother animals to care for their young, recalling an incident last year when a group of citizens dropped off a young fawn in a box at an Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) office.
“The weather is wonderful, and of course we have the chance to see wildlife moms with their babies, which makes it extra fun,” said Jennifer Jackson, Regional Communications Manager for Idaho Fish and Game in Eastern Idaho. “But it’s also a time to be aware of protective mothers and give them space on the trails.”
“Trust that the mom’s going to come back”
While exploring nature areas or unmarked trails, people may encounter baby moose, fawns, goslings, ducklings and more. Residents may also find these species right in their own backyards.
“We’ve had situations where people see a little fawn curled up under a tree and think the mom’s not in the picture,” she said. “They think they need to pick up the animal and take it to Fish and Game. The reality is, much of the time a baby animal has been left where it’s at because the mom put it there.”
Mother animals, particularly deer, may leave their children behind while they forage for food, drawing predators away from the babies. By stealing from nature and grabbing a baby animal, people are taking it away from it’s mother and putting it in more danger.
“If you encounter a situation where you’ve found a little baby, don’t assume it’s orphaned. Rather, keep your distance and trust that mom’s going to come back,” Jackson said.
When Fish & Game Steps In
In some cases, people may have real concerns about the condition of a young animal. For those situations, IDFG encourages you to call their local office so they can investigate the situation.
Jackson said that IDFG has stepped in on special occasions when conditions are met to help save young wildlife. A few years ago, two moose calves were orphaned when the mother moose was hit by a car in southeast Idaho. In collaboration with Zoo Idaho in Pocatello, IDFG was able to transport the calves and locate a facility with the capacity to permanently and properly care for them.
She also said to beware of hiking with your dog, as mother moose and bear can see the dogs as threats to their children and may try to engage or charge. In that situation, it’s best to back up and move away.
“If you do have a concern about a situation you’re seeing, if you think it’s an orphaned animal, just give us a call,” Jackson said. “We deal with wildlife species here in the state of Idaho, and so it’s really under our purview to make those calls.”
She said most times, they’ll tell you to leave the animal where it is, and the mother will likely be back to take care of it, and is aware of its location. By putting it in a box and bringing it to Idaho Fish and Game, it removes the baby from its home and potentially from necessary parental care.
“They’re doing it because they love wildlife. They care about the animals, and they want what’s best for that animal,” Jackson said. “We like to tell them sometimes what’s best is leaving those animals right where they’re at.”
If you’re concerned about an animal situation, call the Southeast Idaho Regional Fish and Game office at 208-232-4703.
Seth Ratliff
DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) — Teton County Fire and Rescue is urging residents to exercise extreme caution this wildfire season after a group of juveniles lighting fireworks sparked a fast-moving grass fire on the outskirts of Driggs Friday morning.
The emergency call came in around 11:20 a.m., May 15th, at the same time TCFR received an alert from two PANO AI wildfire detection cameras atop Fred’s Mountain and Relay Ridge. The fire was located near South Bates Road and Highway 33.
Thanks to the early warning, a crew of seven firefighters arrived within minutes and successfully knocked down the forward progress of the flames before they could spread out of control. The subsequent investigation determined that a group of juveniles had started the fire.
Following the incident, the department took to Facebook to issue a stern reminder about fire safety as summer approaches, highlighting how quickly resources can be stretched thin.
“Tell your kids fireworks are bad on dry/windy days…It is still really dry, and we all need to be smart this summer when working or playing outdoors,” states the post.
TCFR also emphasized that only around 6-7 firefighters protect a large area and around 1,400 residents, highlighting the need for community cooperation when preventing wildfires.
“We need people to use common sense, be safe, and help us help you,” states the post.
