Idaho ditches registration stickers, introduces 2 new license plates starting July 1

KIFI on June 26, 2026

Curtis Jackson

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho drivers will have new license plate options and significant changes to vehicle registration requirements beginning July 1, 2026. These updates include eliminating physical registration stickers and removing the mandatory 10-year license plate replacement cycle, aiming to offer convenience and cost savings.

The elimination of registration stickers, passed through House Bill 533 during the 2026 legislative session, is projected to save approximately $300,000 annually in materials and production costs for the Idaho Transportation Department. These savings will be reinvested to enhance DMV services for Idaho residents. Drivers will no longer need to apply new stickers for renewals, nor pay sticker fees for replacement registration documents, while still being required to maintain active vehicle registration.

Two new license plate designs will be available to Idaho drivers. ITD updated the Idaho Agriculture plate, which features a sunrise over farm fields, grazing cattle, and Idaho crops. Its tagline is “Harvest the Future.” Proceeds from this specialty plate support “Idaho Ag in the Classroom” with agricultural education and outreach.

The second option is a new standard white-and-black Idaho plate, which offers high-contrast lettering for improved readability and a minimalist design. Both plate options can be obtained at county offices and through the Idaho Transportation Department’s DMV portal.

Although registration stickers will no longer be required, drivers must still carry active vehicle registration and present related documents if requested by law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies can use multiple electronic systems to verify a vehicle’s current, valid registration status. ITD has informed local, state and other jurisdictions about this change, noting that law enforcement agencies nationwide can access the department’s database to confirm registration.

Drivers are not required to remove any registration stickers currently on their license plates. After July 1, 2026, individuals can choose to remove existing stickers if they prefer.

House Bill 577 eliminated the requirement to replace license plates every 10 years, allowing plates to remain in use as long as they are readable and legible. This change allows car owners to delay replacement costs until new plates are genuinely needed. A license plate will require replacement if it is stolen, damaged to the point it cannot be properly displayed, or is no longer clearly legible. The base fee to replace license plates is $11.80.

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Child injured by bison in Yellowstone National Park

KIFI on June 26, 2026

Curtis Jackson

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK(KIFI) – A 12-year-old was injured by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on Friday, June 26, 2026.

Park officials said the incident happened near Mud Volcano, just north of Fishing Bridge, at around 9:15 a.m. They said the visitor sustained injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. They did not disclose the 12-year-old’s gender.

Park officials are still investigating the incident.

The incident is a reminder to stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals, including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes, and at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves, and cougars.

Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal, park officials said in a new release. They are unpredictable, can run three times faster than humans, and will defend their space when threatened.

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Charges filed in Pinkel DWI case from July 2025

KMIZ on June 26, 2026

Steven Lambson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office filed one count of driving while intoxicated against former Mizzou football coach Gary Pinkel on Friday, according to court records.

Pinkel was arrested on July 7, 2025, but no charges had been filed until now.

According to the probable cause statement, Pinkel flagged down a state trooper while the latter was on patrol in Lake Ozark. Pinkel and his vehicle were in a business parking lot at the time, and Pinkel told the trooper his SUV had lost a tire and he needed a ride home.

The trooper saw the vehicle did have a blown back tire, and that the vehicle had driven for “a significant distance” on the rim, based on the damage. When the trooper asked Pinkel what happened, he said Pinkel stuttered and slurred while explaining events. The trooper also reported smelling alcohol on Pinkel’s breath.

During the conversation, Pinkel reportedly said it had been a few hours since he had a drink, but later admitted to drinking “a very small drink” before driving. The trooper administered several field sobriety tests, including a breath test, in which Pinkel’s blood alcohol content registered at .128, according to the probable cause statement.

Pinkel has an initial appearance scheduled for Camden County court on June 29.

In 2011, Pinkel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DWI charge and served a two-year probation sentence.

Pinkel served as head coach of the Mizzou Tigers football team from 2001-2015.

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Sexual Assault Reported Near UC Santa Barbara’s West Campus

KEYT on June 26, 2026

Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – UC Santa Barbara students, staff, and residents of Isla Vista are asked to be on alert following a sexual incident report received Wednesday.

In a Timely Warning, UC Police say on June 24th they received a report from a victim of fondling and stalking that occurred at West Campus, an unnamed paved access road located between Slough Road and West Campus Lane.

Around 11:30am Wednesday, the victim was walking along this road when they were passed by a man on a bicycle. The department says over the next 15 minutes, the victim was approached by the man three separate times. He asked questions the first two times, and during the third interaction, the man struck the victim on the buttocks before fleeing on his bike.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic or Middle Eastern male adult, about 35-years-old and standing around 5 feet 8 inches tall. He has a thin build, shaved head, brown eyes, clean-shaven to scruffy facial hair.

He was last seen around Tierra De Fortuna Park wearing a tank top or cut-off grey t-shirt, shorts, and a black backpack, and riding a bicycle.

Anyone with information that might assist in the investigation, please contact the UC Santa Barbara Police Department at (805) 893-3446, or report crime information anonymously.

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Calexico school board renames Cesar Chavez Elementary School

KYMA on June 26, 2026

Lynette Niebla

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – An elementary school in Calexico has a brand new name following a unanimous school board vote.

Calexico Unified School District (CUSD) voted to rename Cesar Chavez Elementary School to Desert Valley Elementary School Thursday night.

CUSD says the title is intended to celebrate the unique landscape and natural beauty of southeastern California’s desert region.

More than 1,000 community members, students and staff voted in a survey to help pick the geographic option.

“You know, very few of us will ever have an opportunity to be part of something like this to name a school, so…if there’s a silver lining on the positive side, our students had an incredible opportunity to be part of history,” said Arturo Jimenez, Superintendent for CUSD.

The change is happening this upcoming school year.

CUSD is now working with the California Department of Education to finalize the formal name change process.

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YFD rolls out fast-acting treatment for heat-related emergencies

KYMA on June 26, 2026

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A new way to treat heat-related emergencies has been rolled out by the Yuma Fire Department (YFD).

YFD says the Titan Rapid Cooling Bags are a safe and effective way to treat victims of extreme heat.

The Cooling Bags are filled with ice and cold water, reducing body temperature up to eight times faster than traditional methods.

“So the rapid cooling therapy is a really aggressive way to get those patients who are suffering from heat stroke. Core temperatures really cool down really quickly, so it’s a safe and effective way to do that,” said Daniel Espino, EMS Division Chief.

YFD says they’ve responded to four heat-related emergencies so far this summer.

“With the heat setting in, I think we have some rough projections of around 30 times this summer, although I hope a lot less,” Division Chief Espino said.

With temperatures continuing to rise in the Desert Southwest, it’s important to remember to hydrate and stay out of direct sunlight.

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Teton County Search and Rescue Urges Caution After Two Recent River Rescues

KIFI on June 26, 2026

News Team

DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) — Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue is urging caution after responding to two river rescues in the past week.

On Wednesday, June 24th, TCISAR received a distress call from a group of kayakers trapped in a strainer, a dangerous obstruction formed by fallen trees or debris, on the Teton River. Volunteers successfully rescued all individuals from the river and transported them safely to the Bates Boat Ramp.

Sadly, the dog involved in the incident did not survive, despite wearing a life vest.

“Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased dog—we know dogs ARE family too,” stated the agency on Facebook.

Search and rescue volunteers stress that even the seemingly calm, mild stretches of the Teton River can hide serious hazards.

To ensure a safe trip on the water, TCISAR is stressing that everyone recreating on the river wear a life vest and be aware.

“And if you get in trouble, call 911, we will be there to help you,” states the post.

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Rape convict Nicholas Rossi dies after choosing to discontinue medical treatment

KIFI on June 26, 2026

ABC4

By: Ava Hart

Originally Published: Jun 26, 2026 / 10:04 AM MDT

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Nicholas Rossi, the man who was extradited from Scotland to Utah and found guilty of rape twice, has died.

Rossi, whose legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian, is convicted of faking his death to escape rape charges in Salt Lake County and Utah County. Rossi insisted that prosecutors had the wrong man, and that he was actually a man named Arthur Knight. Nicholas Rossi sentenced to five years to life in second rape case

In October 2025, Rossi was found guilty of first-degree felony rape of a 24-year-old woman. He was sentenced in Salt Lake County to five years to life in prison.

One month later, in November 2025, Rossi was sentenced to five years to life in prison for a second rape conviction in Utah County, to be served consecutively with his first conviction.

The Utah Department of Corrections confirmed that Rossi died in a local hospital on June 25, 2026, at 8:32 p.m. at age 38. He passed away from complications of an existing medical condition after choosing to discontinue medical treatment.

Rossi was serving a cumulative sentence of 10 years to life for two counts of First-Degree Felony Rape.

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Big Bear’s Fourth of July fireworks spark debate over beloved bald eagles

KESQ on June 26, 2026

Tommy Gallegos

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. — As Independence Day approaches, a growing debate has emerged in Big Bear Lake over whether the community’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular should proceed amid concerns about its potential impact on the region’s famous bald eagle family.

An online petition calling for the cancellation of the fireworks display has attracted thousands of supporters who fear the event could disturb Jackie, Shadow, and their surviving eaglet, Sandy. The eagles have become internationally recognized through the popular Big Bear Eagle Cam set up by Friends of Big Bear Valley, drawing millions of viewers who have followed the birds’ nesting seasons in recent years.

Petition supporters argue that loud fireworks could cause unnecessary stress to the eagles and other wildlife during a critical time of year. They are urging local officials to explore quieter alternatives, such as drone or laser light shows, that would allow the community to celebrate Independence Day while minimizing impacts on wildlife.

In response to the growing public concern, Visit Big Bear released a statement acknowledging the deep connection many people have formed with the eagles while reaffirming that the July 4 Fireworks Spectacular will move forward as planned.

“Visit Big Bear recognizes the deep passion people have for Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, Luna, and the bald eagles that have become such an important part of Big Bear’s identity,” the organization said. “We also recognize that people across the country have formed a meaningful connection to Big Bear through the eagle cam.”

The tourism organization emphasized that the decision was made after careful consideration and cited the event’s longstanding importance to the local economy.

According to Visit Big Bear, the fireworks celebration supports local hotels, restaurants, recreation providers, retail businesses, and seasonal workers during one of the community’s busiest weekends of the year. Officials noted that after another low-to-no snow winter, many businesses are relying on summer tourism to help recover financially.

“This is not a choice between caring for wildlife and caring for local families,” the statement said. “We believe Big Bear can and must do both.”

Visit Big Bear also outlined several measures intended to reduce potential impacts on wildlife. The fireworks display will be professionally managed from a barge on Big Bear Lake, approximately two miles from the Jackie and Shadow nest, according to a Google Earth measurement reviewed by the organization.

Officials said the show will last less than 30 minutes, will comply with all required fire safety regulations, and that organizers are working with the fireworks provider to reduce the loudest explosive effects where possible.

Wildlife advocates, however, continue to question whether distance alone is sufficient to prevent disturbance, citing research showing that loud, unexpected noises can affect birds even when they originate miles away.

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Longtime MU professor and administrator Jim Spain to retire

KMIZ on June 26, 2026

Steven Lambson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jim Spain, a faculty member and administrator at the University of Missouri for more than three decades, will retire.

According to the university, Spain joined the MU faculty in 1990 as an extension dairy specialist, before starting service as the vice provost for undergraduate studies in 2007.

At a meeting of the University of Missouri Board of Curators on Thursday, University President Mun Choi recognized Spain for his years of service.

“When I go around the state and talk to parents of students that graduated from our university, they bring up one name consistently,” Choi said. “It’s about how Jim Spain made an impact to students regardless of their discipline.”

Spain earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from North Carolina State University, and both a master’s degree and doctorate from Virginia Tech in dairy science.

“Many of the student success metrics that I shared at Mizzou, we can credit to Jim and his team,” Choi said.

“When you’re around him, you can tell he cares. He’s interested in human beings. He wants to connect to you, he wants to understand what you’re trying to do,” curator John Raines said at the meeting.

Choi said Spain intends to retire to North Carolina and spend time with his family.

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