Central Oregon athletes gear up for Special Olympics USA Games

KTVZ on June 19, 2026

Spencer Sacks

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon athletes are preparing to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, following a send-off celebration recently held in Redmond. Team Oregon qualified for the national competition by winning the 2024 state championship. The games are scheduled from the 20th through the 26th of this month.

The send-off event in Redmond gathered community members, law enforcement and local officials to celebrate more than a dozen athletes and their families heading to the games.

More than a dozen athletes, accompanied by their families, will join a larger delegation for the Special Olympics USA Games. The event will bring together more than 3,000 athletes and thousands of volunteers and fans, all participating to celebrate sports and inclusion.

The send-off party took place at the Comfort Suites in Redmond. During the event, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was present, allowing athletes to learn about the vehicles and equipment used daily by the sheriffs.

Christian Schoen, a forward for the High Desert Devils, expressed his appreciation for the community’s support. “Oh, I love it. The community, the sheriff’s department, police, fire trucks. I’ve never seen so much love for Special Olympics. It’s crazy,” Schoen said.

Lt. Jay Minton of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office shared his perspective on supporting the athletes. “I know it fills my heart to see them excited to go do what they’ve trained to do. And then also just to be here to to support them and see them off. So it just fills my heart,” Minton said.

The community showed up for the athletes, with attendees including family, friends, the Redmond Fire Department and local officials. Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch and Councilwoman Kathryn Osborne also shared words of support with the athletes.

Coach Josh Nordell of the High Desert Devils, who also works as a special education teacher in Sisters, spoke about the deep bonds within the team. Nordell noted that many of the athletes have known each other for decades since high school.

“What’s remarkable about a lot of these athletes is that we serve them in our local high schools. I’m a special ed teacher in Sisters and we’ve known a lot of these athletes have known each other for over decades, like and now they’re adults. And to see them come together and be a group for multiple years as a result of winning the state championship in 2024. And now to go to the USA games. What an honor,” Nordell said.

KTVZ news will provide updates throughout the Special Olympics USA Games.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jackson County judge’s ruling strikes down several abortion restrictions in state

KMIZ on June 19, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Several of Missouri’s abortion restrictions were shut down in a Thursday ruling in Jackson County.

Judge Jerri Zhang’s 20-page ruling struck down a number of restrictions that were in place that were determined to be in violation of 2024’s Amendment 3, a voter-approved measure that enshrined abortion rights within the Missouri Constitution.

A lawsuit was filed immediately after voters passed the measure and has been in a legal back-and-forth since, with the state’s Supreme Court sending it back down to Jackson County last year.

Among those restrictions struck down included the restrictions on medical abortions and specific licensing requirements at facilities that provide abortions.

Missouri’s Attorney General Catherine Hanaway opposed the ruling in statement sent on Thursday night.

“My heart is broken by today’s ruling. This is exactly the Pandora’s box we warned of, and the women of Missouri will pay the price,” Hanaway’s statement says.

State lawmakers are asking voters again to give their insight on abortion rights this fall with the new Amendment 3. Its passage would increase restrictions. A group that supports abortion rights “No on 3, Stop the Ban” agreed with Thursday’s ruling.

“Today’s ruling guaranteeing access to medication abortion is a direct result of the passage of the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment in 2024 when a majority of Missourians voted to end the politicians’ harmful abortion ban and protect reproductive freedom,” the group’s statement says.

2416-CV31931JUDGMENTDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Idaho teacher preparation programs earn top national marks for reading instruction

KIFI on June 19, 2026

Par Kermani

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho’s teacher preparation programs are receiving national recognition for how they train future elementary school teachers to teach reading.

A newly released report from the National Council on Teacher Quality found all seven of Idaho’s elementary teacher preparation programs earned an “A” rating in the organization’s Reading Foundations Review, with four programs receiving the highest designation of A+.

The review evaluates how well colleges and universities prepare future teachers to teach reading using the science of reading, an evidence-based approach that focuses on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

The report examined nearly 700 teacher preparation programs nationwide. According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, just over half provided adequate instruction aligned with the science of reading.

“The positive assessment of these programs is wonderful to see — and not at all surprising,” Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield said. “Idaho recognized early on that the science of reading could transform student outcomes. We made a commitment to implementing those practices, and we’re seeing the results.”

The teacher preparation programs receiving top marks include:

• Boise State University — A+• Brigham Young University-Idaho — A• Idaho State University — A• Lewis-Clark State College — A• Northwest Nazarene University Undergraduate Program — A+• Northwest Nazarene University Graduate Program — A+• University of Idaho — A+

State officials say the recognition comes as Idaho continues to see improvements in early literacy. The Idaho Department of Education points to gains on the Idaho Reading Indicator and continued professional development opportunities focused on science of reading instruction.

State Board of Education President Kurt Leibich said the results reflect collaboration between Idaho’s colleges, universities and K-12 schools.

“When teacher preparation programs are grounded in evidence-based instruction, students benefit from the very first day they walk into the classroom,” Leibich said.

Gov. Brad Little also praised the findings, calling them evidence that Idaho’s investments in literacy and teacher development are producing results for students.

Click here to follow the original article.

Community response grows after Fulton building collapse

KMIZ on June 19, 2026

Mitchell Kaminski

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) 

Downtown Fulton businesses remain closed and a block of Nichols Street is expected to stay shut down through the weekend after part of a historic building collapsed Wednesday morning, exposing a second-floor apartment and forcing evacuations.

No injuries were reported in the collapse, but businesses remain displaced and the residents who lived in the apartment above lost their home.

In an update on Thursday, the Fulton Fire Department said property owners are working to secure a structural engineer to conduct a detailed assessment and determine what caused the collapse.

For safety reasons, officials said the 500 block of Nichols Street will remain closed throughout the weekend. Police have asked people to avoid the area and stay outside barricaded zones.

Fulton Police Chief Bill Ladwig said the street could reopen early next week, depending on the results of the structural review.

Ladwig also said firefighters rescued “two or three” cats Thursday from the apartment affected by the collapse.

Property records identify the building owner as Ravelo Commercial Rentals LLC. County records show the building was constructed in 1900, making it 126 years old.

The collapse sent debris into a coffee shop below, Hitchin’ Java, that was set to open this week and exposed a second-floor apartment.

Businesses surrounding the collapse continued to assess damage Thursday.

Jazzy’s Sweets N Treats announced in a Thursday morning social media post that it expects to remain closed for at least two weeks while waiting for a structural engineer’s assessment.

In the post, the business thanked customers for support and said neighboring businesses including Hitchin’ Java and Makeup & Esthetics by Sylv were also impacted.

The business also said a woman who lived in the apartment lost all of her belongings in the collapse.

Hitchin’ Java previously said equipment inside the storefront, including an espresso machine and generator, was damaged, delaying the coffee shop’s planned opening.

But despite the collapse, one business owner says that they remain confident in the future of downtown. 

Seth Weinger, part-owner of Fulton Untethered on Clark Street, said he and his partners purchased their building about two-and-a-half years ago and held a soft opening in January. Fulton Untethered leases office space and bedrooms for people looking to work in Fulton.

Weinger said he does not believe the age of the building alone explains the collapse, adding that most of the infrastructure in Fulton has “good bones.”  

Officials have not identified a cause of the collapse. But both Weinger and Audra Grey, who was living in the apartment that caved in, said that crews were working on repairs on the lower level. 

Weinger said building upkeep is part of maintaining historic downtown properties and does not believe the old buildings pose a risk. 

“We’ve eaten breakfast in that building for a long time. There was some things that needed to be done, like any building, you got to keep up with the bricks. You got to keep up with the floors. You got to make sure you spray for bugs,” Weinger said. “Accidents happen. That’s an anomaly.”

As recovery efforts continue, Weinger said community members and business owners have stepped in to support those affected.

The Fulton Brick District also issued a statement Thursday saying it was thankful no one suffered serious injuries and it remains in contact with affected businesses and residents to provide assistance.

The organization thanked emergency responders, the City of Fulton, Glove Con, Inc., and Rhad Baker Construction LLC for helping secure the area following the collapse.

Weinger said he hopes attention remains on the broader momentum downtown rather than the collapse itself.

“I’ve always loved living in smaller communities. And it’s just it’s a shame that when people see something about a community that they see the bad news,” Weinger said. “That’s not what Fulton is. Fulton vibrant. It’s coming back. There’s life happening.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Palm Desert looks to extend outdoor patio regulations for restaurants

KESQ on June 19, 2026

Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Palm Desert is looking to extend it’s guidelines for outdoor dining patios, after public outcry to keep the additions.

Local restaurants have feared changes to the city’s regulations on the covid-era patios, as they neared a June 30th deadline.

“It makes a big impact on sales, on our servers and guests if we don’t have an outdoor patio when the weather’s beautiful, we don’t get a lot of action,” Kitchen 86 general manager Travis Morgan said.

After a city council meeting last week, city officials now say they’ll extend the guidelines for a year, while looking into more permanent regulations to keep the outdoor dining spaces.

“Existing compliant operators just have to resubmit application making sure that they’re going to continue to the exact same thing and get property owner approval on it,” Carlos Flores, Deputy Director of Development Services for Palm Desert said.

For some, it comes too late, with Kitchen 86’s patio one of the last standing on El Paseo.

“Last summer when they decided to do the construction, they used that opportunity to basically take all outdoor dining away. Mama Gina’s, Armando’s, Daily Grill, which again changed the whole face of El Paseo,” Morgan said.

Just down the street at Little Bar, owner Skip Paige says he’s facing new obstacles to renewing his permit.

Paige claims criteria passed in October now requires his landlord’s approval of the deck, making them financially responsible for any damage on the public property. It’s a barrier he worries could take away the beloved addition.

“They do have a permit and an agreement that they need to sign off on. There are terms within their in terms of liability if there is an incident or if there’s anything that their infrastructure does on our property,” Flores said.

Still, the city says public outcry is pushing them to find long-term solutions.

Click here to follow the original article.

Quechan Casino Resort to hold Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience

KYMA on June 19, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA) – Quechan Casino Resort says Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience is taking place later this year.

The resort says Caputo, who is known as the “Long Island Medium,” will be at their Pipa Event Center Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 8 p.m., with the doors opening at 7 p.m.

During the show, Caputo, according to the resort, will bring an evening “filled with personal stories, humor, and emotional moments as she connects with audience members and delivers messages from loved ones.”

“The Experience isn’t about believing in mediums. It’s about seeing something life-changing,” says Caputo. “It’s witnessing first-hand spirit communication.”

To learn more about Caputo, click here. To purchase tickets for the show, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

OneFuture conference helps students beyond scholarships

KESQ on June 19, 2026

Kiera Seapy

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)- More than 250 scholars from across the Coachella Valley gathered at the UCR Palm Desert for the OneFuture student leadership conference.

“OneFuture is focused on students finishing their degrees and then moving on to the career or even graduate school. That is their dream. And so for us to be able to help students do that, we provide, yes, the money. But as importantly, and maybe even more important is what’s called holistic support services” said Sheila Thornton, the president and CEO of OneFuture Coachella Valley.

The support includes mentorship, leadership training, and career guidance that is designed to help students not onlt enter college but also complete their degree and move into the future.

Janelly Martinez-Sanchez, a OneFuture Scholar and a master’s student says “It means a lot just because money is very tight. It really does help me and my education.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Impact Grant: Pathfinder Ranch

KESQ on June 19, 2026

Peter Daut

MOUNTAIN CENTER, Calif. (KESQ) – News Channel 3 and the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation presented another Impact Grant to improve lives and help those in need. A $25,000 charitable gift was awarded to Pathfinder Ranch to support camp scholarships for Coachella Valley children, as well as the camp’s horse program.

Nestled in the mountains of Mountain Center, Pathfinder Ranch is giving children a chance to unplug, explore nature, and create lifelong memories.

The summer camp, which serves children ages 7 to 14, offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including rock climbing, horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, archery, and more.

Ten-year-old camper Abigail Fargo said being surrounded by nature is one of her favorite parts of the experience.

“I love it,” Fargo said. “I love nature, and I love going on hikes and playing outside. It’s really fun.”

Pathfinder Ranch is dedicated to helping children from diverse backgrounds build confidence, develop new skills, and form lasting friendships through outdoor experiences.

Camper Iker Ayon said he has already learned several new activities during his time at camp.

“I learned how to rock climb, I learned how to do archery in the archery range,” Ayon said. Although he initially struggled with some of the activities, he said he eventually figured them out and had fun in the process.

Founded in 1964, Pathfinder Ranch was originally created to provide Coachella Valley children with an escape from the desert heat. Over the decades, it has grown into a year-round destination offering summer camps, outdoor education programs, and retreats, while remaining focused on its mission of connecting people with nature and one another.

“It is a key opportunity for kids to strike out on their own socially and be away from parents,” said Chris Fife, executive director of Pathfinder Ranch. “They’re still in a safe environment where they’re observed, supervised, and guided, but they’re learning a lot of soft skills. Camp provides a different environment than school for that kind of growth.”

That mission recently received a boost thanks to a $25,000 Impact Grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and News Channel 3.

The grant will fund camp scholarships for children from the Coachella Valley and help support horse care and equestrian programs at the ranch.

Fife said the funding comes at a critical time as camp operating costs continue to rise.

“It’s a huge help,” Fife said. “The camp, like everything else, is getting more expensive these days, and it’s harder for us to make those scholarship dollars stretch. With this grant, we’re going to be able to add another 29 full scholarships, and that’s 29 kids who probably wouldn’t be able to make it here.”

For Fargo, the grant means more children will have the opportunity to enjoy the same experiences she has had this summer.

“I’m really excited because kids also get to have fun like us this summer,” she said.

In addition to its summer sleepaway camp, Pathfinder Ranch operates outdoor education programs that serve students from across Southern California.

More information about Pathfinder Ranch can be found at pathfinderranch.com

Click here to follow the original article.

Centralia minister honors memory of Hunter Hull, shares family’s message after fatal crash

KMIZ on June 19, 2026

Sutton Parker

CENTRALIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Following a fatal crash Wednesday night in Centralia, a local minister is sharing his memories of 17-year-old Hunter Hull, alongside a message from the boy’s family.

The Rev. Justin Danielson is the minister at Parkview Christian Church, where the Hull family are members.

Danielson said his family had just finished a family prayer when his son started receiving messages from friends that stated Hunter had been involved in an accident on Highway 124.

“Hunter’s mom, Lindsey, then called and texted my wife in the Bible study group from church here and asked for prayers,” Danielson said. “And then she called my wife. And then I immediately Mason and I got in the truck and took off to the hospital.”

Dainielson said Hunter was incredibly passionate about basketball, often using the sport as a positive outlet.

“Basketball gave him an outlet, you know, an outlet in life. He’s a very gifted athlete,” Danielson said. “There’s highlights out there of him dunking, and he’s a good 3-point shooter, gets up and down the floor guy. and I think we all need outlets in different ways.”

He added that some of his favorite memories of Hunter were through the sport.

“Well, some of my favorite memories are right here [at the church’s basketball court], getting to train him and my son, Mason, in basketball. They both enjoyed that game, and they both had that passion,” he said.

As his family navigates the loss of a close friend, Danielson said they are turning to their faith for comfort.

“The Lord is what gets us through,” he said. “That’s the only way that we can get through. And one of the verses that really has helped me is Proverbs 34:18: ‘The Lord is near to the broken heart and saves the crushed in spirit.'”

He said while the Hull family continues to grieve, they wanted to pass along a message to the community.

“Make sure kids, you are wearing those seatbelts, and parents and kids, be ok with having Life360 on your phones. It’s good for parents to know where their kids are, and kids, it is ok for your parents to know where you are, so they can help you in these situations,” he said.

The Centralia School District told families Thursday that it will be providing resources to help students with the news of Hunter’s death.

Click here to follow the original article.

Better Business Bureau: How to identify a fake website

KYMA on June 19, 2026

Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Scammers are always creating new and improved lookalike websites to trick you out of your personal information and money.

These websites may have a very similar URL or look nearly identical to the real website you are searching for, which means they can be hard to identify.

Recent examples of this kind of scam include fake streaming service activation prompts, DMV/MVD impostors and fake postal service websites.

Even BBB.org has been impostored, when scammers have tried to look like BBB to collect information fraudulently.

Protect yourself with the following tips to help you spot fake websites set up by scammers:

Look closely at the domain name. One way fake websites trick people is by using a domain name that is extremely close to a real business’ or organization’s domain name. Upon closer examination, you might notice that two letters are swapped or it’s just slightly misspelled. If you find a spelling error in the domain name, you’re not on the official site and it’s best to close the tab. In the case of BBB impostors, if you don’t see BBB.org, it is probably not BBB. If you’re not sure, contact your local BBB.

Watch out for tricky subdomains. Sometimes attackers hope you will confuse a subdomain with the real domain name of their website. For example, a scammer might use the domain name netflix.com.movies.com hoping you won’t notice the real domain name is actually movies.com.

Be careful with links in emails. Phishing scams are extremely common. A scammer might send you an email that looks like it comes from a reputable business in hopes that you’ll click on the links without a second thought. Always hover over links in unsolicited emails and even in emails that come from a brand, business, or person you think you know. If the link doesn’t match the blue text or if it’s a short link and you can’t tell where it leads, don’t click it. If you do, you may end up on a lookalike website where your personal information could be compromised.

Check the design quality. Kaspersky warns that low quality visuals, odd layouts, and poor web design can all be warning signs of a fake website. Before you take action on a site, ask yourself if the design quality measures up to the reputation of the business or person it represents.

Pay attention to contact information and shop policies. Legitimate online stores should provide you with a physical address and working phone number in the contact section. If those elements are missing, it’s best to take your business elsewhere. Return and shipping policies should be clear and easy to understand. If a shop has policies, but you aren’t convinced it’s legitimate, try copying and pasting the policy section into your web browser to see if it’s been copied and pasted from another website.

Do a search for reviews and potential scams. If you still can’t tell if a website is real or fake, try typing the website name along with the word “scam” or “reviews” into your web browser. If other people have been victims of a fake site, you’re likely to find reports when you search for scams. A reputable store should have plenty of reviews for you to examine. Be alert to reviews that are generic, sound robotic or unnatural, or are too brief as these could be fakes.

Try a fake website checker. Website checkers, such as Google’s Safe Browsing tool can also help you decide whether a website is safe to visit.

For more information

Before trusting any website or business, check them out at BBB.org and visit BBB’s Scam Tracker. More scam warnings at joeknowsbetter.com.

Read the BBB Tip: Smart Online Shopping  Report scams at BBB.org/ScamTracker.

Click here to follow the original article.