Wildfire burns near Palisades Reservoir

KIFI on May 2, 2026

Curtis Jackson

SWAN VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI)-Firefighters were called to a wildfire burning near Palisades Reservoir on Friday afternoon. 

Fire crews were called around 5 o’clock to the 4700 block of Swan Valley Highway, about 10 miles west of Alpine. 

Swan Valley firefighters say the fire is burning in heavy timber and is just over an acre in size. 

Some nearby structures are threatened, but they feel they can keep them safe. 

Crews from several agencies are assisting Swan Valley crews in fighting the fire. 

They said the fire was human-caused from a burning slash pile, a pile of debris left over from a logging operation.

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El Pasoan hosting nearly a dozen BTS fans who couldn’t find hotels, Airbnb

KVIA on May 2, 2026

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Astrid Lind is a local El Paso resident who kindly made an El Paso miracle for nearly a dozen BTS fans coming from different parts of Mexico.

Lind found a Facebook page where several BTS fans were looking for a place to stay this weekend in El Paso for the two BTS concerts happening at the Sun Bowl, and she received a lot of inquiries, according to her.

People were even willing to pay more just to stay in her living room.

“I kept seeing on the Facebook pages people saying, ‘oh my gosh, help me, my hotel canceled, my Airbnb just canceled,’ other people posting because I don’t know where to stay, please help me,” Lind said. “I’m thinking, well, I’m going to be alone this weekend, I have a big house, I have five extra bedrooms, and I said, well, maybe I can help some of these girls.”

Astrid started finding ladies of all ages and did FaceTime with all of them to show them her house so they would feel safe and comfortable staying there. She posted that her house was available for females only, and it started getting a lot of posts and inquiries.

“I did have a lot of people that I had to say no to, and I feel terrible because I know there’s nothing out there, and I even had four girls who reached out to me, and I said, I have nothing to offer you, but I can put our mattresses in the upstairs living room, and they actually said okay,” Lind said. “I have some that won’t actually get a bed, but at least they’ll be safe.”

Lind says she was disappointed to see several Airbnbs priced in the thousands of dollars, some even listed at over $38,000, because it is the time to show that these big events can come to El Paso, along with fans from around the globe.

“They’re worried (the fans), they’re scared, there are so many people that don’t have a place to stay still, and desperation is definitely something that I feel for them,” Lind said.

With her family out of town this weekend, her daughters out in college, she wanted to help those who couldn’t find a spot to stay this BTS concert weekend.

“I want to show the girls a good time, I want to show them El Paso hospitality like it should have been since the beginning, so I do have plans to take them to the mall and take them to good places; I’m excited to show them what El Paso is all about,” Lind added. “I’m so excited they came to El Paso, and that’s why I want to show them a good time; this is our chance to show all these people who have never been here what our city is about.”

One of those BTS fans staying with her is Marilyn Pereira. She is from Peru but has lived in Mexico with her husband and kids for nearly a year now, and she has been a fan since 2017 and has been to different BTS concerts in other countries.

“The experience was completely different. Seeing them in Latin America is a bit difficult because, for instance, there are no assigned seats there, so, if you manage to secure a spot in the standing-room area down front, it’s very hard to actually see them; it gets incredibly crowded—absolutely packed and it’s even hard to breathe,” Pereira said. “The whole experience is just entirely different, that is why, from that moment on, I decided to follow them in the United States or Mexico, places where it’s much easier to watch them from a seated section, since, after all, many of us aren’t exactly young anymore.”

Marilyn wasn’t able to get BTS tickets for El Paso on her first try; a friend of hers who lives in Dallas gave them to her and was very excited for the opportunity.

Before she met Astrid on social media, she couldn’t find any place to stay for the weekend, which is why she’s very grateful to her for welcoming them at her house.

“I said to her, please, practically begging, because I couldn’t find anything,” said Pereira. “I felt very certain that she was a woman, and above all because of the kindness she showed us in opening her home, since I couldn’t find anything else, she was my salvation.”

Pereira, along with other ladies staying at Astrid’s house, will go to both BTS concert dates in El Paso and have high hopes and expectations about the event.

“I feel blessed; God brought me here for a reason. Through BTS being a part of my life, I met Astrid. I feel safe; I’ve made new friends, for instance, women who are married just like me, and whose husbands support them just as mine supports me. That kind of connection happens only rarely in life. That is exactly how I feel: blessed and grateful for everything, for Astrid, and for God allowing me to be here, feeling safe while watching my favorite band, and surrounded by friends who share this same experience. I am certain that this is something we will cherish for a lifetime,” Pereira added.

“To be honest, I don’t know what I would have done. I think, perhaps, I would have stayed in Juárez. That was one of the options a friend suggested to me: ‘You stay in Juárez and then cross over.’ But being a foreigner, it was my first time here, I had no idea how I was supposed to cross: whether to cross on foot, by taxi, by car, or by bus,” Pereira said. “For me, no, I had no other option but to stay there, and the last thing my husband said to me was, ‘Well, are you staying here, or are you leaving? I want you to be safe, but if not, you’ll have to give those tickets to someone else.’ But I said no, because it would break my heart.”

Now, Marilyn hopes to have a good time, without any mishaps and for BTS to see that they have ‘ARMYs’ all over the world.

“Astrid, I love you very much. Astrid, you have my heart and my lifelong gratitude; I will never forget, I will never forget how we met and how wonderfully you treated me when I came to see BTS. I will never forget it, never,” Pereira said. “And to the people of El Paso: give yourselves the chance to get to know us, the BTS fans. We ARMYs are well-behaved, and we want to share the message that BTS embodies: a message of self-acceptance, acceptance of who you are. We come from different cultures, different races, different generations, and different age groups; we are a community that embraces everyone, aren’t we? And that is what we hope for from you as well, not just to see you, but to accept you and to enjoy this moment together—to enjoy your company.”

“Thank you to my husband; I love him for staying home with our children and allowing me to fulfill my dream,” Pereira added.

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Elevation Bend rebrand launches alongside new weekly farmers market

KTVZ on May 2, 2026

Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new weekly farmers market opened today at Elevation Bend, formerly known as Bend Factory Stores. The market, which wraps around the entire side of the outlets, will operate every week until October.

The farmers market is part of the rebranding of Bend Factory Stores to Elevation Bend. Organizers intend for the market to be an easily accessible gathering place for the community.

Events Director Ashtyn Ryan for Northwest Assets, noted the convenient parking available at the new location. “A lot of people feel discouraged going to the markets because they don’t find the parking. Here we have lots of parking. It’s just super laid back, super chill. It’s all just about coming together as a community and supporting your local vendors,” Ryan said.

The market features a wide variety of local vendors, selling items such as crafts, fresh produce and home goods. New vendors will rotate through the market each week.

Beyond shopping, the market also includes a kid zone with bounce houses. Adults can enjoy live music and spirits.

The weekly market is scheduled to continue through October, offering a consistent community event in Bend.

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Missouri lawmakers say proposed speed limit increase reflects reality on rural interstates

KMIZ on May 2, 2026

Mitchell Kaminski

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) 

Supporters of a bill that could raise Missouri’s rural interstate speed limits to 75 miles per hour say it reflects modern driving habits, despite concerns that it could lead to more dangerous crashes. 

Senate Bill 1408 would allow the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and the Missouri Department of Transportation to raise speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on rural interstates and freeways.

The Missouri House approved the proposal on Thursday by an 82-53 vote. Because the House added amendments, the Senate must vote on the measure again before it can head to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk.

State Rep. John Voss (R-Cape Girardeau), who handled the bill in the House, claims the measure is about flexibility, not forcing drivers to go faster.

“It just respects individual rights. Again, we’re not making anyone go faster,” Voss told ABC 17 News. “We already have statutes that we did not touch that prevent in excess of 60,000 (populations) on urbanized areas. So this would allow an increase from 70 to 75 in populations of less than 50,000,  which would primarily benefit our rural areas.” 

Voss also pointed to ongoing improvements on Missouri roadways, including the widening of Interstate 70.

“All the major interstates are having work done on them right now. So I-70 will be three lanes,  border to border of brand new concrete, and so I think we’ll have road conditions on 70 at least that would support an increase of five miles per hour,” Voss said.  “We’ve got surrounding states that are also at the 75-mile-an-hour speed limit, and I  just believe it reflects what  drivers are currently doing today.”

However, Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia), who voted against the bill, argues that while he is not against the increase, the current construction is one of the reasons that now is not the time to pass it. 

“I don’t think it’s a terrible idea, but now is really not the best time. One, we’ve got a lot of road construction going on,” Smith said. “Maybe we should revisit this in a few years and see how the data plays out  with what happened in some of the other states.” 

Sen. Jamie Burger (R-Benton), the bill’s sponsor, argued that since surrounding states have already moved in that direction, Missouri should follow.

“I got a friend that does a lot of work in Little Rock, Arkansas, and he’s from Missouri. And he’s always told me ever since I moved, it’s been up to 75  miles per hour in Arkansas. The flow of traffic is better. I think it just tends to be that way,” Burger said. “It’s just time for us to think like the states around us and move to 75 mph.” 

Neighboring states, Kansas and Nebraska, each approved similar speed increases. In 2011, Kansas raised its maximum speed limit from 70 mph to 75 mph, but saw a 27% increase in the total number of crashes that occurred on freeways.

Nebraska followed in 2018, increasing the speed limit on divided expressways from 65 mph to 70 mph, and recorded 45 more traffic deaths in the five years after increasing speed limits compared with the five years before the change.

“Any time people want to pass legislation, the first thing they do oftentimes, they’ll say ‘Look at what other states are doing,’ and they use that as evidence for why we should be doing something,” Smith said. “That has merit, but I don’t think it really has any bearing on what we should do, what other states are doing. I mean, in Kansas, as you know, got rid of a lot of taxes and they almost went bankrupt.” 

Opponents also warn that raising the posted limit could encourage even faster driving, in a state that is already prone to speeding. According to the National Road Safety Foundation, speeding is a factor in 29% of fatal crashes nationwide. In Missouri, that number is even higher, with speeding involved in 34% of fatal crashes.

“People tend to go above what the speed limit is,” Smith said. “So if you go up to 75 (mph), you’re going to have people going 80 or 85.”

However, Burger believes the advancements in vehicle safety technology, from airbags to crash alerts, make higher limits less concerning than in past decades. 

“Look how far we’ve come in the technology of automobiles,” Burger said, “ I don’t think speed is as much of a problem as distracted driving.” 

Voss echoed the sentiment, adding that law enforcement can help curb some of the dangerous driving habits. 

“It’s not going to become Talladega or NASCAR by any stretch of the imagination. And we remain with very tough enforcement penalties,” Voss said. “In addition to the speed limit, there’s also careless and imprudent driving. So there’s still ways that if a law enforcement officer believes that this is just not appropriate, they can ask you to slow down.”

Beyond speed limits, Senate Bill 1408 also includes a wide range of transportation policy changes, including ending requirements for all passenger vehicles to receive a vehicle inspection, requiring MoDOT to publish awarded project cost estimates online, allowing motorcycles to use multicolored lights, giving school districts the option to offer driver education programs, and closing a loophole tied to enforcement of Missouri’s hands-free driving law.

Voss said he expects the Senate to take the bill back up and pass it before the session ends later this month.

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There’s Good News: Bend High student qualifies for national welding competition

KTVZ on May 2, 2026

Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) Nikolas Tone, a student at Bend Senior High, has qualified for the Project MFG National Welding Competition this month in San Diego, Calif. Tone is one of just 24 students nationwide selected to compete in the event.

The national competition selected 24 students from a field of 410 competitors across 154 schools. The winner could receive up to 10,000 dollars.

Tone will also be featured on the television show “Clash of the Trades” as part of his participation in the competition.

Tone will compete this month in San Diego, Calif., for the Project MFG national title and the prize of up to 10,000 dollars.

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May Day Protest In Idaho Falls

KIFI on May 2, 2026

Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A nationwide protest called “May Day Strong” brought together a small group in Idaho Falls.

Organized through social media, the post described the protest as a “day of action” focused on workers’ rights and economic issues.

“We’ve become more and more of a corporatist society and and more of an oligopoly and oligarchy. And so as that’s starting to rise, the worker is being left behind. And it’s important to remember the worker and and to remember that together we’re strong collectively.” said Chance Marshall a May Day Rally Speaker.

In Idaho Falls, a few dozen people gathered at the Japanese Friendship Garden to take part in the demonstration.

According to the group’s website, organizers are calling for policies that include higher taxes on the wealthy, opposition to immigration enforcement by ICE, an end to war efforts, and limits on what they describe as unchecked federal power.

The local event included speeches and music as participants voiced their concerns and shared messages tied to the national movement.

Similar events were held in cities across the United States as part of May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day.

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Jefferson City man accused of assaulting elderly woman on bus

KMIZ on May 1, 2026

Steven Lambson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man has been charged after police said he hit a woman on a city bus on Friday morning.

Demetrius Jamason, 39, of Jefferson City, was charged on Friday in Cole County with third-degree assault and misdemeanor elderly abuse. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. A court date has not been set.

According to the probable cause statement, the victim allegedly told police Jamason had been sitting a row away from her on the bus, and that without and conversation or argument, he hit her in the face and the side of the head.

A witness allegedly told police they turned around after the victim screamed and saw Jamason hit her on the back of the head, the statement says.

During questioning, police said Jamason allegedly told them he had an injury to his right shoulder, and that it frequently has spasms, court documents say. Jamason claimed he had a spasm that caused him to hit the victim, court documents allege. When asked to show evidence of the shoulder injury, police wrote that Jamason showed his shoulder, but officers couldn’t see any indication of an injury.

The probable cause statement says video showed Jamason stand up “aggressively with his arm ‘reared back'” and hit the victim in the face and then the back of her head.

Jamason is currently on probation and parole for a domestic assault conviction.

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‘Chaos’: Police investigating shooting outside King Soopers

KRDO on May 1, 2026

Mackenzie Stafford

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – On Thursday, April 30, the Pueblo Police Department (PPD) was called to the King Soopers off of W. Northern Avenue. PPD tells KRDO13 it was around 6:50 p.m. when it responded to a shooting in the parking lot.

Police say officers located the involved individuals shortly after their arrival.

PPD says there was talk about a shoplifting incident initially, but they were not able to confirm if those involved in the shooting were also suspected of shoplifting. They also could not confirm what led up to the shooting.

Police say one person was shot and taken to the hospital. PPD says that person is in stable condition.

At this time, no one involved is facing any charges, according to PPD. However, PPD says it is still investigating the incident and that charges could be filed as a result.

KRDO13 spoke with Audra Valdez who was walking in to get groceries when everything unfolded.

“This girl came out of this white door and she was holding a white, like, almost like a small white trash can. No bigger than, like 2 or 3 feet, maybe. And she had a bunch of stuff in there,” recounted Audra Valdez.

Valdez said the woman looked like she was in a hurry and that she appeared to have bread in the recepticle.

“And, the security guard, he was already waiting for her, and he grabbed grabbed the stuff out of her hand,” said Valdez.

Valdez tells KRDO13 another man outside of the King Soopers got involved in what appeared to be an altercation.

“And I heard a gunshot ring out, and I’m like, okay, was that like, a taser or something. Is that like a really loud taser? Because I, I mean, I was just so surprised because I never really heard. I never really got that close to a shooting like that,” explained Audra Valdez.

She said she didn’t see who fired the gun, but immediately heard car alarms going off in the parking lot.

“Chaos that just sounded more like chaos. And it actually was because I don’t think people were thinking it was a gunshot, but they didn’t see it, so they didn’t really know what to think,” said Valdez.

Valdez tells KRDO13 she walked inside the store, where many where chattering about what had just occured outside. By the time Valdez walked back out with a few groceries she says she saw multiple police vehicles.

We asked King Soopers if it was their security guard who was injured in the shooting, they said that it wasn’t, and that they’re cooperating with police.

On Friday, yellow police tape is still scattered in some areas of the parking lot.

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Public events announced to honor former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne

KIFI on May 1, 2026

Par Kermani

Boise, Idaho (KIFI) — Public events set to honor the life and legacy of former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne, who died April 24 at the age of 74.

The Governor’s Office announced services will take place May 15 and 16 in Boise, giving the public an opportunity to pay their respects.

Kempthorne will lie in state in the Idaho State Capitol at 10 a.m. Friday, May 15. Gov. Brad Little will preside over a Capitol service, with Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane serving as master of ceremonies. Honors will be given by the Idaho National Guard and the Idaho State Police

Following the service, Kempthorne will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16 providing the opportunity for the public to pay their respects.

On Saturday, Kempthorne will be transferred from the Capitol to the Cathedral of the Rockies at 10 a.m., with a funeral service scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. The service will be open to the public and livestreamed online.

After the funeral, a procession of family members and invited guests, led by the Idaho State Police, will travel to the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery for a private interment ceremony.

A separate celebration of life will be held at a later date in Washington, D.C.

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Tackling AI Challenges in the SBCC Classroom and What it Can’t Replace

KEYT on May 1, 2026

Beth Farnsworth

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A professorial message, “The Power of Human Language in the Age of Generative AI” reigned for 55 minutes at Santa Barbara City College’s 44th Annual Faculty Lecture Thursday afternoon.

Dr. Kimberly Monda, Ph.D., who’s taught English, Composition and Literature at SBCC for decades, wrote and delivered this year’s prestigious address about the impacts artificial intelligence (AI) has had on students in recent years as it transformed from the front-lines of tech and deeper into academia.

“I made the decision that I wanted this lecture to reflect my lived experience as an instructor here for 31 years and the world’s changed a lot in that time. And right now the way it’s changed, the generative AI has invaded all areas of our lives.”

The professor, a married mother of two, would know.

Monda admits AI is a powerful tool but not “relevant” at this particular stage as teenagers and young adults are learning, analyzing and developing critical thinking skills. Curriculum changes include a shift toward writing more in the classroom.

“The “human” is emphasized because AI imitates humanity by sorting through endless texts and situations and juxtaposing that information with what we’ve asked it. It’s incredibly powerful.”

She touched on the unknown for those who become reliant — either intellectually or emotionally. Monda referenced teens turning to ChatGPT for emotional support or, more. And, stressed the need to be “more careful.”

Monda is adamant that AI cannot replace the power of human language which, she says, shapes our reality, our sense of self and, our development. That critical communication link starts at birth and continues.

“It’s about that response in the moment. It’s words but it’s also emotions and energy and what your eyes send to somebody else.”

None of which AI can offer, at any stage in life.

Monda, who is retiring this year, credits her colleagues and the “great” work they’re doing as they assess the ethical use of AI.

“Schools are an incredibly important area for resistance to the corporate spread of artificial intelligence,” said Monda. “We need to think about what we really value in humanity and the use of language as humans.”

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