Suspects in Winterhaven murder appear in court

KYMA on June 8, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The defendants charged in the torture and murder of a Yuma man in Winterhaven were back in an Imperial County courtroom Monday.

42-year-old Gabriel Mills Sr., 21-year-old Gabriel Mills Jr., 35-year-old Daniel Martinez and 21-year-old Sadie Hiatt faced Judge Monica Lepe-Negrete for a scheduled pre-trial hearing.

They were arrested following the November 2024 murder of 23-year-old Jacob Sims, and have pleaded not guilty back in March of this year.

The case was continued because the defense is still waiting for additional evidence to be turned over to them from prosecutors.

The defendants are expected back in court on July 21 for a possible trial setting hearing.

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Christopher Ave named city’s new communications director

KMIZ on June 8, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Christopher Ave will start a new role later this month.

The Director of the University of Missouri’s media relations and public affairs will become the City of Columbia’s communication director on June 22, the city announced in a Monday press release.

Ave was one of three finalists announced by the city last month and will make $150,000 per year in his new role, the city confirmed with ABC 17 News. The city hired a firm for $28,000 to find its new director after Sydney Olsen left earlier this year for a similar position at Central Bank, previous reporting shows.

The other two finalists for the role included Rob Jones and Shayne Martin. The city held an event last month for residents to meet the finalists.

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to lead communications and engagement efforts for the world-class city of Columbia,” Ave was quoted in the city’s press release.

He has more than 30 years of experience working in journalism and strategic communications, the release says. Ave has also worked as the director of communications with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and was previously an editor at The St. Louis Post Dispatch, the release says. He has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, according to the release.

“Christopher’s extensive experience in journalism and strategic communications makes him an outstanding addition to our team,” City Manager De’Carlon Seewood was quoted in the release. “We are excited to welcome him to the City and look forward to his leadership in strengthening communication and engagement with our community.”

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Level 3 sex offender: Harrison Jody

KYMA on June 8, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) has issued a notification regarding a Level 3 sex offender in the Somerton community.

YCSO says 47-year-old Harrison Jody told them he is living in the area of E. Spring Street, near Columbia Avenue, in Somerton.

Jody is described as six-feet tall, weighing 200 pounds, has brown hair and brown eyes, and is not wanted by YCSO at this time.

In February of 2013, Jody was found guilty of one count of sexual abuse in the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, where he was sentenced to lifetime probation, YCSO says.

However, in December of that year, Jody’s probation was revoked and he was sentenced to serve over two years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, with credit for 302 days for pre-sentence incarceration, according to YCSO.

Jody is considered a Level 3 sex offender with a high risk to reoffend.

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Level 3 sex offender: Jose Quintero-Cervantes

KYMA on June 8, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) has issued a notification regarding a Level 3 sex offender in the Yuma community.

YCSO says 72-year-old Jose Quintero-Cervantes told them he is living in the area of S. May Avenue, near the West Main Canal, in Yuma.

Quintero-Cervantes is described as five-feet, five-inches tall, weighing 220 pounds, has white hair and brown eyes, and is not wanted by YCSO at this time.

In October of 1991, YCSO says Quintero-Cervantes pleaded no contest and was found guilty of one count of attempted molestation of a child in the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, where he was sentenced to one year in the Maricopa County Jail, followed by lifetime probation.

However, in January of 1994, his probation was revoked and he was sentenced to serve 10 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections with credit for 452 days prior to sentencing, according to YCSO.

In June of last year, Quintero-Cervantes pleaded guilty to one count of attempted failure to register as a sex offender in the Yuma County Superior Court, and was sentenced to 36 months of supervised probation.

However, in October of that year, he pleaded guilty to one count of failure to register as a sex offender in the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, was sentenced to 15 years of supervised probation and is under the supervision of Yuma County Adult Probation.

Quintero-Cervantes is considered a Level 3 sex offender with a high risk to reoffend.

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Pentagon reverses course, updates religious classification list following outcry from Utah and Idaho lawmakers

KIFI on June 8, 2026

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Following backlash from political leaders and religious communities, Pentagon officials have officially revised a newly proposed religious classification list, after excluding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the “Christian” umbrella.

The controversy began last week when a list of simplified faith codes revealed that the military had separated the LDS Church from mainstream Christian denominations. According to a memorandum signed by Anthony Tata, performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the initial purpose of the shift was to “streamline the Department of Defense’s collection of religious preferences for service members to enhance the delivery of targeted religious support from the Chaplaincy.”

“The new list will provide chaplains with clear, readily available information that will better enable them to anticipate the religious support needs of service members and to provide religious support activities that align with service members’ personal faith and practices,” Tata wrote in the original memo obtained by Military.com.

However, the distinct categorization of Latter-day Saints sparked immediate backlash, particularly from lawmakers in Utah and Idaho—the states with the nation’s largest Latter-day Saint populations. The Gem State alone boasts a sizeable Latter-day Saint population, serving as home to more than 480,000 members who meet across roughly 1,300 congregations, according to the faith. There are around 18 million members of the faith worldwide, with around 7 million residing in the United States.

In a statement published to X, the Department of Defense’s Rapid Response account confirmed the turnaround.

“Last week, a proposed list of simplified faith codes was released to the media. The Pentagon list included redundant and unnecessary labeling, and the mistake has been fixed. The goal of this effort is to simplify a previously out-of-control ‘belief’ coding system… In order to clarify the work of chaplains, and simplify the work of commanders, the Pentagon has consolidated and simplified the list to roughly thirty codes — using the previously used labels for faiths.”

Utah Senator John Curtis, who was among the voices calling for a correction, took to social media to applaud the Department of Defense’s quick pivot.

“The Pentagon’s job is not to adjudicate theological debates, but instead to ensure sincerely held faith is respected and encouraged in our ranks,” Senator Curtis wrote on X. “Thank you to the [Department of Defense] for listening to our concerns, engaging thoughtfully and respectfully with my office on this issue, and for delivering a swift correction.”

Idaho Senator Jim Risch had also joined the chorus of criticism over the weekend, emphasizing the importance of accurate representation for service members.

The Consolidated Faith Codes

The newly consolidated Pentagon list features 31 distinct religious preference codes. Despite the revision of the Latter-day Saint designation, the updated list still excludes several minority faith and worldview groups—including Atheists, Humanists, Unitarian Universalists, Wiccans, and Pagans, among others.

The finalized codes are detailed below:

Code
Faith / Worldview Name

AN
Agnostic

AG
Assemblies of God

BH
Baha’i

BA
Baptist

BR
Brethren

BU
Buddhism

CA
Christian (Non-Denominational)

ND
Church of God

SC
Christian Science

CC
Church of Christ

CG
Church of God

CJ
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

CN
Church of the Nazarene

EA
Episcopal / Anglican

EV
Evangelical

HI
Hindu

IS
Islam

JW
Jehovah’s Witness

JU
Judaism

LU
Lutheran

ME
Methodist

OX
Orthodox Christian

PE
Pentecostal

PR
Presbyterian

QU
Quaker

RE
Reformed

SA
Seventh-day Adventists

SI
Sikh

NR
No Religion

OR
Other Religions

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El Paso sees first day of a triple-digit temperature stretch

KVIA on June 8, 2026

Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso remains under an ABC-7 First Alert for triple-digit temperatures ABC-7’s StormTrack Weather Team is tracking throughout this week.

The borderland is no stranger to the summer heat, with some playgrounds the one at Crestmont Park having covers over them to limit sun exposure.

Earlier today one El Pasoan in the area told ABC-7 about his experience living in the Borderland for years and dealing with the heat.

Willie Newberry has lived in El Paso for the last 47 years. He’s experienced heat exhaustion before. 

“I was working out inside. And the heat kind of overwhelmed me a little bit, and I got dizzy. So therefore, I went back to the house and setting the tone. You know, kind of went away like that.”

Not once, but twice!

“I had no water with me, so, I start sweating a lot and i kind of got dizzy then, too, so I knew I had to stop, so I stopped. Got to sat while I cooled off. I walked back to where I was going, back to my destination,” said Willie about his second experience.

For anyone spending time outside when temperatures pass 100 degrees, willie says — don’t! He has simple tips to stay cool. 

“I stay in the pool or stay in the house, and the air conditioning. I try to prevent being out here in the heat.”

With temperatures expected to continue to climb this week, it’s important to protect yourself from the sun, take cover when you can and stay hydrated.

Heat exhaustion can set in within 30 minutes of direct sun exposure at these temperatures and symptoms can including dizziness, nausea and heavy sweating.

Heat stroke is when the body stops sweating and internal temperature hits 104° F or higher. It becomes a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical attention.

The elderly, young children, outdoor workers and people without functioning air conditioning are at the highest risk during this first triple-digit stretch.

Overnight lows in El Paso are only dropping to the mid-70s. That means there’s little relief for homes without air conditioning, leaving heat stress to accumulate around the clock.

The city could activate cooling centers if we reach triple digit temps today. Extended activation to keep cooling centers open later and open on Sundays will not be triggered unless there’s three consecutive days at or above 103° F.

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Police arrest armed suspect near Purple Heart Highway, Liberty

KVIA on June 8, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (2:40 p.m.) — Fort Bliss said military police blocked traffic onto the 375 as El Paso police responded to the armed person report.

El Paso police took the suspect into custody.

EPPD Detective Judy Oviedo said the call about the armed person came after a crash. An officer went up to the person’s car and saw the weapon.

EPPD said the person hit a barricade.

A K9 bit the suspect, according to Detective Oviedo. The suspect went to a local hospital for treatment.

All lanes have reopened, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso police reported a person with a weapon in the area of Purple Heart Memorial Highway (Loop 375) and Liberty Expressway near Biggs Field Monday.

Police learned about it at 10:43 a.m. The incident is near the William Beaumont Army Medical Center.

The area around Liberty and Exit 31 is shut down. Police said people should avoid the area.

This is a developing story. ABC-7 is going to the scene to learn more.

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New Mexico ranchers prepare for New World screwworm impact

KVIA on June 8, 2026

Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The USDA confirmed New Mexico’s first screwworm case Monday. NMSU Assistant Entomology Professor Dr. Caleb Hubbard says ranchers in the area need to be vigilant to prevent the spread.

“You know, we all have to recognize that we in moments like this, we all have to come together,” Dr. Caleb Hubbard said. “Because if you’re not inspecting your animals and they’re infested, well, then that’s going to move from one producer to another producer, and then that’s how it’s going to spread.”

The threat is forcing clients of a local livestock auction house to consider prevention efforts as a new business expense.

“It is a lot of money for ranchers to have to do and a lot more and a lot of time and effort for them to do. But, you know, we have to keep our food source going,” Landmark Mercantile Livestock Auction spokesperson Jaden McClure said.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins held a press conference Monday to explain Texas’ response to New World screwworm.

Gov. Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to active Texas’s emergency response to a Level 2, or an escalated response, Monday.

“The protection of our ranchers, livestock producers, deer breeders, and the Texas economy from this pest is a top priority,” Gov. Abbott said in a news release.

The USDA has confirmed four cases in Texas as of Monday.

“Sterile flies are the well-established solution to the spread of the New World screwworm,” said Gov. Abbott. “The USDA is importing and dispersing those flies across South Texas and will recalibrate to deploy those sterile flies wherever needed. Texas is resilient. It is critical to stay vigilant and stay informed.”

New world screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs on open wounds of livestock. These wounds can become fatal if left untreated. The state plans on combatting it with a new sterile fly production facility in Edinburg.

You can report suspected New World Screwworm cases in livestock to the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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YPG reflects on D-Day legacy

KYMA on June 8, 2026

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – As the nation marks the anniversary of D-Day, Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) is remembering its role in preparing Soldiers for one of World War II’s (WWII) most significant operations.

During the war, thousands of troops trained in the Desert Southwest, including at Camp Laguna, which was located within what is now YPG.

Seven of the 20 divisions that trained in the region later took part in the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

Yuma also contributed to the war effort through equipment testing. The Army’s M2 Treadway Bridge and improvements to the Bailey Bridge system were tested here before helping Allied forces advance across Europe.

Today, YPG remains the last active Army installation in Arizona connected to the historic Desert Maneuver Area.

Officials say the site’s legacy lives on through the Soldiers who trained in the desert and helped secure victory during WWII.

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Molly Johnson named new Principal of Greenacres Elementary School

KIFI on June 8, 2026

News Release

The following is a news release from Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25:

POCATELLO, Idaho — The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 is pleased to announce that Molly Johnson has been selected as the new Principal of Greenacres Elementary School.

Johnson brings 10 years of experience serving learners, staff, and families in Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25. Most recently, she served as Assistant Principal at Alameda Middle School and previously as the Department Chair of Special Education at Pocatello High School.

Molly earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a Master of Educational Administration from Idaho State University. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to learner success through a variety of leadership roles, including new teacher mentor, department chair, member of the Building Leadership Team (BLT), and active participant on the district’s special education committee.

Johnson looks forward to joining the Greenacres Elementary community and building upon the school’s tradition of learner success, innovation, and strong family engagement.

“Molly has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, a commitment to educational excellence, and a passion for supporting learners and staff,” said PCSD 25 Superintendent Dr. Douglas Howell. “Her experience as both an educator and administrator has prepared her well for this role, and we are excited to see her build strong partnerships with learners, staff, and families as she leads the Greenacres Elementary community and continues the school’s tradition of success.”

Johnson is replacing Dr. Joel Wilson, who has served as Principal of Greenacres Elementary School since July 2022. Wilson is relocating to accept a position as superintendent of another Idaho school district.

The administrative change will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

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