How schools protect students from drugs inside and outside the classroom

KIFI on May 18, 2026

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Following an arrest of a suspected drug dealer that was taken into custody last week in connection with a Sugar City student’s overdose earlier this year, Local News 8 learned about how schools across eastern Idaho are working to prevent drug use among students both on and off campus.

RELATED: Madison County Deputies arrest suspect in connection to juvenile overdose

Sargent Daniel Sperry has worked as a resource officer for Bonneville High School since 2013. He’s seen the ups and downs that students face every day.

“We start off with prevention. So we’re we work with the kids. In elementary age, for instance, our DARE program, we teach them decision-making skills, how to make healthy choices, and we talk about choosing good friends and how to avoid dangerous situations,” Sperry said.

Education Over Punishment

According to Sperry, the most common issues schools encounter involve nicotine, marijuana, and alcohol. Rather than focusing only on punishment, schools are increasingly turning to education and intervention programs to help students make better choices.

“When a student is caught with, let’s say, nicotine for the first time, instead of just writing a citation or giving them a fine for it, we’ll provide cessation classes,” Sperry said. “We’ve worked closely with East Idaho Public Health to provide cessation classes to that student to help them stop so that they don’t go further on into the next step of other drugs or other poor choices.”

District 93 schools and several local charter schools have also added preventative tools on campus, including vape detectors installed in secondary school restrooms.

“All of the secondary schools here in District 93 and a lot of the charter schools in the area have vape detectors in the restrooms,” Sperry said, “we also bring in drug K-9s on occasion as well.”

Schools also work with law enforcement K-9 units to conduct periodic searches on school property. One of those dogs, Duke, is trained to detect drugs ranging from THC to heroin.

“Schools will even randomly ask us to schedule the canines to come into the school,” Sperry said. “We’ll do searches of parts of the school, lockers, classrooms, and parking lots.”

A Network of Support

Sperry says schools also partner with juvenile probation officers and the Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office to connect students with additional resources outside the classroom.

“We all come together and discuss the incoming cases and discuss the individual needs of that student,” Sperry said. “That way, we can get the resources for that student to get them on a good trajectory.”

Sperry says one of his favorite lessons teaches students the importance of building a support system. In the activity, students write their name in the center of a piece of paper and surround it with circles filled with the names of trusted adults they can turn to if they feel pressured, unsafe or need help. He says the goal is for students to continue adding names as they grow older, creating a larger network of support over time. Sperry says the exercise reminds students that even during difficult moments, they are never truly alone and always have people they can rely on.

“I also encourage them to, as they grow up, to live their life in a way where they’re on somebody else’s trust network,” Sperry said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, mental health challenges, or a crisis, help is available. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

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The Clock is Ticking: Portneuf Health ‘committed’ to securing Regence deal ahead of June 15 deadline

KIFI on May 18, 2026

Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The clock is ticking for thousands of southeast Idaho residents who could lose in-network access to Portneuf Medical Center and its affiliates by June 15, as contract negotiations between Portneuf Health and Regence BlueShield of Idaho remain at a standstill.

If a new agreement is not reached, patients with Regence insurance will face significantly higher out-of-pocket costs for non-emergency services, forcing many to either pay premium rates to keep their doctors or find other care options.

Portneuf: “Disruptive Practices” Blamed for Delay

Portneuf Health issued a press update on Monday, May 18, stating its commitment to securing a fair agreement that ensures continuous in-network access for Regence members. Portneuf has proposed a modest increase as part of a longer-term agreement, aiming to provide stability for patients and employers.

However, the healthcare provider indicated that key issues remain unresolved, including Regence’s “disruptive practices” that lead to delayed and unpaid claims. In addition, the hospital says Regence’s parent company — Cambia Health — owes Portneuf more than $30 million in unpaid claims.

Katie Damron Quayle, Director of Marketing for Portneuf Health, detailed the ongoing issues in the press release. “In addition to delayed and unpaid claims, Regence continues disruptive practices including denials, down-coding and repeated claim reprocessing that interfere with timely patient care and create unnecessary administrative burdens that increase costs,” Quayle said.

Quayle added that these practices directly threaten Portneuf’s ability to sustain local access to care. The hospital also notes that Regence currently reimburses Portneuf substantially less than other major insurers in the market and less than it pays other Idaho health systems.

Portneuf’s negotiations are being led by its Tennessee-based parent company, Ardent Health.

Regence: Hospital Demanding “Unreasonable” Rate Increases

On the other side of the negotiations, Ryan Pharis, Vice President of Contracting for Regence BlueShield of Idaho, stated that the insurer is actively working towards an agreement.

Ryan Pharis, Vice President of Contracting for Regence, said the insurer is actively working toward a resolution but claims Ardent Health’s financial demands are unrealistic.

“We’re meeting regularly on a weekly basis with the teams over there to try to get a deal done,” Pharis said in an interview with Local News 8 earlier this month. “We are really working to provide access to affordable care for the people of Pocatello. [But] when Ardent Health is asking for rate increases twice the cost of inflation, despite its financials showing that they’re making double-digit margins, that makes it really tough.”

What’s Next for Patients?

While Portneuf remains hopeful an agreement can still be reached, the healthcare provider has encouraged Regence members to visit portneuf.org/network-update for information about coverage options, continuity of care resources, and additional updates.

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Pocatello denies Conditional Use Permit for AI Data Center at Former Hoku Plant

KIFI on May 18, 2026

Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello Hearing Examiner has denied the Conditional Use Permit application to build a proposed AI Data Center on the former Hoku polysilicon plant site.

According to an official Facebook post, the application by Lex Developments, an Arizona-based company that purchased the property, “does not meet the standards for approval under Chapter 17.02.130 D of the Pocatello Municipal Code.”

This decision follows a tense public hearing at City Hall in Pocatello, which saw more than 300 residents gather to voice their opinions on the project. The majority were in opposition to the proposed data center, expressing concerns that the data center would pull water from state agriculture and Pocatello’s resources.

RELATED: Tensions Rise at Public Hearing for Pocatello AI Data Center Proposal

Lex Development, however, has claimed the project would work on a “closed loop system,” using around 80-95% less water than traditional data centers.

Why the Permit Was Denied

According to official meeting minutes, the Hearing Examiner ruled that the developer failed to prove the project would not negatively impact the community. Specifically, the application did not “adequately address that the project would not be detrimental to the public interests, health, safety, or welfare of the city.”

Furthermore, the Hearing Examiner stated that Lex Developments must conduct comprehensive impact analyses before submitting any future applications.

“These studies should include at a minimum: wastewater discharge quantities; identification of pretreatment systems if needed; potential chemical discharge; water demand calculations; long term electrical infrastructure requirements and environmental impacts related to emissions, water utilization and wastewater discharge.”

Under the City code, all parties now have 14 days to file an appeal. For more information, click HERE.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide additional information throughout the evening.

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Central Oregon youth in crisis seek temporary host homes

KTVZ on May 18, 2026

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Cascade Youth & Family Center, a program of J Bar J Youth Services, is seeking community members across Central Oregon to provide temporary host homes for youth ages 11 to 17 who are experiencing a moment of crisis.

Through the Host Home Program, volunteers offer short-term, safe housing, typically for up to 21 days, to young people navigating family conflict or housing instability. Hosts receive $45 per night per youth, along with training and ongoing support from program staff.

These homes aim to offer youth stability, care and breathing room while program staff work with families toward reunification and longer-term solutions.

Audrey Scott, a representative for Cascade Youth & Family Center/J Bar J Youth Services, emphasized the immediate impact of host homes.

“Sometimes what a young person needs most is a calm, safe space and someone who shows up with care,” Scott said. “Host homes give youth that pause – a chance to reset and feel supported while we work together to find the best path forward.”

The need for host homes currently exceeds availability throughout the region and community members willing to step in can have a lasting impact, even for a short period.

Cascade Youth & Family Center provides a holistic continuum of care for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, crisis and instability across Central Oregon. This includes services such as emergency shelter, street outreach, crisis intervention, transitional living, independent living support and other housing programs.

To learn more about the Host Home Program or to apply, interested individuals can visit the Cascade Youth & Family Center website at https://cascadeyouthandfamilycenter.org/get-involved/host-home/.

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New Mexico launches website for resources on New World screwworm

KVIA on May 18, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

ALBUQUERQUE (KVIA) — The state of New Mexico launched an informational website about New World screwworm, the state’s Department of Agriculture said Monday. The site tells users how to identify infestations, protect people, animals and report suspected cases.

NWS is a parasitic fly. Larvae infest open wounds, which can be fatal if untreated, and mostly affect livestock. NMDA said it can affect humans in rare cases.

“Be alert, not alarmed — early detection and strong communication are vital to protecting animals and public health,” New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff White said.

The website includes information on the animal health and economic risks the parasite could bring.

You can find information and resources on NWS using the new website.

In July 2025, NWS shut down the Santa Teresa livestock crossing, which hurt local cattle importers financially.

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‘We got here because we fell behind horribly’: Columbia officials make case for 1% public safety sales tax after council approval

KMIZ on May 18, 2026

Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) 

After delaying a vote earlier this month, holding hours of discussion and hearing concerns from several residents, the Columbia City Council unanimously approved placing a proposed 1% sales tax for public safety on the August ballot.

Monday marked the City Council’s final opportunity to approve the proposal in time for the August ballot after council members voted 4-3 on May 4 to table the issue. The council ultimately approved the measure Monday night following more than an hour of discussion that included presentations from Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude, Columbia Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer and Chief Financial Officer Matthew Lue.

With the council’s approval, voters will now see this question on the August ballot:

“Shall the municipality of Columbia, Missouri impose an additional citywide sales tax at a rate of one percent, solely for the purpose of providing revenues to improve public safety for the city, which shall be limited to expenditures on equipment, salaries and benefits, and facilities for police and fire departments?”

If approved, the ordinance would add a 1% general sales tax, with the revenue generated going solely to the Columbia Police Department and Columbia Fire Department. 

According to Monday’s council memo, the city estimates that the 1% sales and use tax dedicated to public safety will produce $38 million in revenue. 

But Schaeffer said that with the proposal now approved by the council, the hard work begins: convincing voters to support it in August. Both CPD and CFD say that they plan on launching an educational campaign to help show voters how the money would be used. 

“Now, the real work starts.  We have an educational campaign where we have to go out and engage with the public and help them understand the real tangible benefits of their hard-earned money into making Columbia a safer community,” Schaffer told ABC 17 News. “We got here because we fell behind, horribly behind by not increasing public safety staff staffing in accordance with the growth of the city. So we need to have that wiggle room so we can go, okay, how much did we grow this year?  How much more capacity do we need?  We’ve never had that approach in this city, and that is vital to staying caught up with us. “

The goal of the ordinance is to help both departments increase staffing, cover facility upgrades, and buy new equipment. Specific priorities listed by the city under the proposed sales tax include: 

Increase CPD staffing to 50 officers over four years

Increase CFD staffing to 40 firefighters over four years

Build a new Police Facility

Purchase new police vehicles and equipment 

Build two new fire stations with apparatus 

Renovate three current fire stations

Develop a police and fire technology plan

Maintain competitive wages 

Schulde says that the most glaring need is staffing. 

“We’ve got to get some relief for our folks.  We’ve got to get to a sufficient number of people, resources to respond to the things we’re being asked to respond to in a city of this size.  And as some of the council members alluded to, this isn’t a problem that just started a year or two years ago.It’s compounded over well over 20 years.  And so now we’re trying to dig out of that hole and hopefully stay out of it with this type of funding,” Schulde said. 

Schlude added that the additional revenue would help both departments keep pace, saying the city has relied on reserve funds in recent years, a strategy she said is not sustainable as officials work to address current staffing and infrastructure needs. However, Schulde acknowledged that convincing voters to pay more in taxes is going to be a tough challenge. 

“Our building is old. He’s [Schaffer’s] got fire stations sinking into the ground.  Just really making that very real for people and helping them to understand that this need isn’t going to stop,” Schulde said. 

“We have a unique, really unique system here in Columbia because the city government does so much, “ Schaffer added. “We have a train bus system.  We run our own utility. That isn’t normal for a majority of the Midwest.  We’ve taken on a lot, and it’s put a lot of pressure on our general fund. So we need to have solutions like that.”

CPD also said that they have had difficulties getting some of the modern technology they need, which is why Schulde said part of the funds would go toward a technology plan. 

“Look at things like the flock program, other safety programs  I’ve been very open about. I think we need to look at drones as first responders. It’s another huge safety and workforce multiplier.  All those things cost money and up to now, every time something new comes out that we feel could help not only the officers or the firefighters but the community, we have to come with our hand out to the council and they have to make these really hard decisions about where that money’s going to come from,” Schulde told ABC 17 News. “Frankly, sometimes it’s coming while the time has come from reserves.  So having a dedicated funding source to help keep up with those technology assets  is so important because I don’t think it’s technology’s not going to stop in our profession.” 

The current sales tax rate for Columbia sits at nearly 8% (7.975%), with 4.2% coming from the state, 2% from the city, and 1.75% from Boone County. The 2% from the City of Columbia currently includes a 1% general sales tax, 0.5% transportation sales tax, 0.25% capital improvement sales tax and 0.25% park sales tax.

Council Votes To Pause Potential Data Center Projects, Prohibit Gaming Machines

The city council also approved an ordinance that will pause the acceptance and processing of permits for new or expanding data center projects for one year.

The proposal follows an April decision to create a new zoning definition for data centers and classify them as a conditional use in the General Industrial district. The move requires Planning and Zoning Commission review and final approval by the council.

According to city staff, the temporary delay will give the city time to develop additional use-specific standards and clearer evaluation criteria for data center proposals. Officials have raised concerns about the potential impacts of data centers, including heavy demands on electrical and water infrastructure and possible effects on surrounding land uses that may require additional buffering or screening.

Staff initially recommended a six-month pause but now suggest a one-year delay, citing the need for community engagement and a full regulatory review process.

A similar ordinance was passed in Camdenton earlier this month.

The city council also voted unanimously to add an ordinance prohibiting electronic gaming machines in city limits. Council members moved ahead with the approval, while recognizing it essentially duplicates a statewide ban on the machines. At Monday’s meeting, Schlude said of all the businesses officers have visited, machines had either been removed or were still there but not powered on. The ordinance says a violation is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine.

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Court document claims men broke into Stover home, dragged victim out of bed to choke and hit him

KMIZ on May 18, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A probable cause statement filed by the Stover Police Department details a violent assault that allegedly occurred just after midnight on Saturday morning.

Details of the assault appeared in the probable cause statement for Austin Beckmann, who was charged in Morgan County on Monday with first-degree burglary. A warrant was issued and a $5,000 was set.

Court documents allege Beckmann was one of three men who broke into a home on Saturday that led to an assault. Charges were not filed against the other men on Monday and their names were redacted in the probable cause statement.

The victim allegedly awoke to two men standing over him before getting choked and punched by both, the statement says. The victim was allegedly dragged out of bed and into a hallway while the assailants put him in a continued choke hold, court documents say.

The victim allegedly told police that he thought he was going to die from the attack “due to his airway being restricted and experiencing tunnel vision,” court documents say. The victim was eventually able to break free of the choke hold and ran away, which is when the three men supposedly left, the statement says.

Beckmann was one of the three men identified by the victim and witnesses. The witnesses allegedly told law enforcement that they were watching television when Beckmann and the other men entered the residence. They allegedly yelled that they wanted the victim before running to the back of the home and breaking down a bedroom door, the statement says.

The witnesses described seeing the latter part of the assault that matched the victim’s description, the statement says.

Police noted that they were told Beckmann allegedly “was not observed physically assaulting” the victim.

The victim was brought to St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City by a private vehicle, the statement says.

All three men were allegedly detained and put on 24-hour holds, but would not speak with police, the statement says. Beckmann was not listed on the jail’s online roster on Monday afternoon.

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Everything Old is New Again: Yellowstone’s historic Westgate Theatre gets a major facelift

KIFI on May 18, 2026

Jeff Roper

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Montana (KIFI) — Good family entertainment is officially back for the summer! After months of intensive construction, the legendary Westgate Theatre is finally ready to reopen its doors, proving that everything old can indeed be new again.

Located at 29 Madison Avenue in West Yellowstone, Montana, the theater is scheduled for its grand reopening on June 4th.

For owner Kyle Benson, his brothers, and their families, the project is more than just a business venture—it’s the continuation of a longstanding family tradition.

A Major Facelift for a 100-Year-Old Icon

The 100-year-old building has been a staple of family entertainment since 1961, when Kyle’s grandfather, Lynn Benson, alongside partners from Ricks College and family, transformed a rundown West Yellowstone drugstore into a small theater.

Over the decades, it grew to become a landmark destination, treasured not only by residents but also by the more than 12,000 tourists who pass through West Yellowstone annually.

Today, the entire family is getting in on the act to bring it back to life. Kyle says it’s been a major renovation.

“We’ve gutted it down to bare studs. It’s going to get a hefty facelift,” said Kyle.

Built on a Shoestring Budget

While show business might seem glamorous from the outside, the Benson family knows theater’s survival was hard-earned.

“The first ten years were pretty rough,” Benson recalled. “In fact, my grandma would ask my grandfather regularly, ‘Is this going to be our last year? Is this going to continue on?’ And his answer was always, ‘Let’s try it one more time.'”

Kyle says the theater was built on a “shoestring budget,” with Lynn and his partners pitching in around “600 bucks apiece.”

“Granted, it was in the 60s. So I mean, that was some real money back then,” explains Kyle.

Unearthing a Time Capsule

Renovating the century-old building has felt like opening a time capsule for the Benson family. As they took the building down to the studs, they uncovered remnants of the theater’s previous life. One piece that stood out was a handwritten note dated about 1958.

“We think it’s from the pharmacy that was in here before,” said Kyle. “When they moved in, the pharmacy had walked out the door…they walked away, they left a bunch of drugs and bottles and all sorts of stuff. So that was one of the first things they [Lynn and company] had to do was to clean out the remnants from the pharmacy.”

With its rich history preserved and a completely modernized interior, Kyle says tickets are now on sale for this new season in West Yellowstone. For more information, click HERE.

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Sheriff’s Office to enforce ‘Warrant Service Officer Model’ with ICE under Texas’ Senate Bill 8

KVIA on May 18, 2026

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – The El Paso County Commissioners Court received a presentation Monday from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office regarding Texas Senate Bill 8, a state law enforced by the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

SB 8 requires sheriffs in counties with populations over 10,000 to enter into 287(g) agreements with ICE

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People Not Politicians accuses Hoskins of ‘strong-arming clerks’ in new lawsuit involving Congressional map

KMIZ on May 18, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Missouri group behind the push to put a new Congressional map on the ballot has filed another lawsuit involving the mid-decade redistricting efforts.

People Not Politicians filed a lawsuit on Monday in Cole County that demands for Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to decide whether or not the petition to put the map on the ballot for voters is sufficient or not. It also asks that the House bill passed to approve the map be declared illegal.

The group had held a rally on Friday in Jefferson City that demanded the certification to take place.

“Plaintiff von Glahn has an absolute statutory right to challenge Defendant Hoskins’ determination as to the sufficiency of the Referendum but can do so only once Secretary Hoskins has issued the required certificate. § 116.200.1, RSMo,” the lawsuit says.

PNP accused Hoskins and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway of “strong-arming” county clerks following a back-and-forth that occurred last week after Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon wrote a letter stating that she was not able to redraw district lines within the county because the certification process was “not finally determined.”

That came after a state Supreme Court ruling determined submitting a referendum petition did not automatically suspend the bill that created the new map. Hoskins responded to Lennon in a press release indicating the new map would be in effect during the August primary.

Lennon had rebutted Hoskins’ claim that same day, claiming his office had “not made the necessary updates to the statewide voter registration system to let any clerk update their precincts to reflect the new maps.”

That led to Missouri state Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Cass County) to filing a grievance on the debate floor last week, and eventually asked for Attorney General Catherine Hanaway to take action.  

“The Supreme Court of Missouri made it clear there was one path needed to be able to conduct an election that all Missourians can be confident in. We need to take that path,” Richard von Glahn, Executive Director of People Not Politicians said in a Monday press release. “There are more than enough signatures, verified by election authorities, to qualify the referendum. In refusing to admit what is plain to see, Secretary Hoskins is risking conducting an invalid election, a grave injustice to all Missourians, regardless of political party. He is ignoring the pleas of countless county clerks, who only wish to conduct elections their voters can have confidence in. Too much is at stake, the games must stop.”

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