Judge for Charlie Kirk shooting case holds prosecutor in contempt, keeps death penalty on the table

KIFI on June 26, 2026

CNN

Originally Published: 26 JUN 26 11:26 ET

Updated: 26 JUN 26 12:02 ET

By Andi Babineau, Nicki Brown, CNN

(CNN) — A Utah judge in the case against the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk ruled Friday to hold a prosecutor in civil contempt for violating a pretrial publicity order but opted to leave the death penalty in place as a possible outcome in his murder trial.

The defense’s contempt motion stemmed from comments prosecutor Christopher Ballard, also a spokesperson for the Utah County Attorney’s Office, made to several media outlets this spring about an inconclusive ballistics report mentioned in a defense filing.

While attempting to clarify the results of the report to the media, Ballard also included comments referencing the strength of the state’s case against Tyler Robinson.

“Those additional public statements possessed a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing the proceedings by communicating the prosecutor’s assessment of the defendant’s guilt,” Judge Tony Graf said while issuing his ruling Friday.

Still, Graf stopped short of granting a defense request that he prohibit the state from seeking the death penalty should Robinson be convicted.

Graf said he would consider additional measures during jury selection to address any potential effects Ballard’s comments could have on the jury pool. The defense will also be allowed to recoup legal fees related to the contempt proceedings, he said.

The decision to keep the death penalty on the table was a blow to Robinson, who faces charges of aggravated murder, felony use of a firearm, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and committing a violent act in the presence of a child in connection with the fatal shooting of Kirk, a high-profile conservative activist, on a Utah college campus last September.

Robinson has yet to enter pleas.

Graf’s decision was initially expectedMonday, when he ruled on separate motions related to the admissibility of hearsay evidence during Robinson’s upcoming preliminary hearing and a motion to quash a subpoena for a key out-of-state witness the defense wanted to call.

At the start of Monday’s hearing, Graf said because both parties had “submitted additional briefing” on the matter following a June 12 evidentiary hearing, “the court requires additional time to complete this thorough review.”

The documents filed related to the defense’s request during that hearing for Graf to eliminate the death penalty in the case if he found prosecutors in contempt for speaking to the media about ballistics evidence.

Prosecutors filed a written objection to the request, calling it “grossly disproportionate to the alleged misconduct.”

“To the extent the Court finds that the prosecution could have made a better statement, it certainly is not a misstep that warrants the drastic and never-before-imposed remedy of reducing the aggravated murder charge to a first-degree felony,” the document says.

Robinson’s defense fired back a day later, calling the state’s objection “uninvited” and saying the court did not request nor authorize “any written post-hearing briefing.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Museum of Idaho unveils exhibit to honor America’s 250th anniversary

KIFI on June 26, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) —The Museum of Idaho is marking America’s 250th birthday in a very historic way. 

The museum has a new display titled “The Saga of the American Revolution”. 

The Museum of Idaho wants to fully capture the spirit of the American Revolution with various pieces of history to explore.  From copies of the Declaration of Independence to the museum’s lesser-known treasures.

“There are a series of Bible pages. The German Bible that Sauer printed was known as the Gunshot Bible because they got into the warehouse and they were using it to create cartridges,” Rod Hanson, Director of Exhibitions, said.

The goal is to have museum go-er’s experience the lifestyle of people in this time period.

“There are some pieces here from what is now known as Independence Hall, a reproduction of the ink. Well, there are a couple of pieces of the gavel that were made from wood from what’s known as Independence Hall. There are a few pieces there and just an interesting representation of that period and sort of what they were going through,” Hanson said.

And the museum didn’t have to look far for many of the exhibit’s artifacts. 

“Most of the pieces in here are from a private collection from southeast Idaho. A gentleman by the name of Todd Crump was gracious enough to loan us some of these pieces. There are a few pieces from the museum and a few independent collectors, but for the most part, this all came from his collection, which is extraordinary that it came West, this far, and helps us to tell the story as much as we can,” Hanson said.

Hanson hopes the exhibit will help people open a door to our country’s past ahead of this year’s Fourth of July. 

The exhibit will be open during the Museum of Idaho’s regular hours. 

You can visit their website at https://museumofidaho.org/.

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PCE Inflation Hits Three-Year High as Price Pressures Intensify

CNN Newsource on June 26, 2026

By Juliegrace Brufke | Quincy News Correspondent

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    Washington (Quincy News) — U.S. inflation climbed to its highest level in more than three years in May, the federal government reported Thursday, as higher energy prices continued to filter through the broader economy.

The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index rose 4.1% since this time last year, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported, up from 3.8% in April and the third consecutive month the number moved higher. Core PCE, which strips out food and energy and serves as the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation benchmark, climbed 3.4% year over year, its fastest pace since late 2023. The Fed’s inflation target is 2%, a level headline PCE has remained above for roughly five years.

Consumer outlays rose 0.7% in May, ahead of the 0.6% analysts had projected. Personal income climbed by the same amount, well above the 0.4% forecast and the personal saving rate nudged up to 3%.

David Mitchell, professor of economics and director of the Bureau of Economic Research at Missouri State University, said the numbers weren’t surprising.

“Inflation has not been tamed,” Mitchell said. “It builds upon itself. Once people get into the psyche that prices are going up, they respond differently than if prices are relatively stable.”

Oil and gas prices began spiking in late February as U.S. military operations against Iran escalated, and Mitchell argued those costs had months to filter into goods and services well beyond the pump.

“There’s been plenty of time for those increases in gas and oil prices to start filtering into the broader economy,” he told Quincy News in an interview. “It’s a continual problem that will continue to get worse until the Fed starts taking it much more seriously.”

The report landed a week after the Fed wrapped up its June policy meeting, where officials dropped expectations for rate cuts this year and signaled they were prepared to raise rates if inflation remained elevated.

Policymakers lifted their full-year inflation forecasts to 3.6% for headline PCE and 3.3% for core. The Federal Open Market Committee pledged in its post-meeting statement to deliver price stability after missing its own goal for five consecutive years.

Markets were largely unmoved following the report with stocks holding steady and Treasury yields dipping modestly. Traders still expect a rate hike before year’s end, with September seen as the most likely window.

Mitchell questions whether the Fed has a viable plan.

“It doesn’t look like they’re doing much of anything to address it,” he said. “They’re just hoping the problem goes away on its own, and it’s not going to. It becomes its own self-feeding monster.”

He pointed to the 1970s as a warning, adding that inflation ran for years before the Fed finally acted aggressively under Chair Paul Volcker in the early 1980s, pushing the economy into a painful recession. It worked, and the lower inflation that followed lasted for decades.

“They spent roughly 40 years trying to squeeze inflation out of the economy,” Mitchell said. “It’s almost like they’re throwing away 40 years’ worth of work by letting it creep back.”

The next PCE report is scheduled for July 30, 2026.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Oregon State Parks reminds visitors to leave the fireworks at home this 4th of July weekend

KTVZ on June 26, 2026

Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Oregon State Parks is reminding visitors to leave the fireworks to the professionals this 4th of July.

Fireworks and explosives are banned in all Oregon State Parks and along the entire ocean shore because of the wildfire risk and potential danger to people, wildlife, and park resources.

Park officials say just one stray spark can start a wildfire, especially with dry vegetation and windy conditions.

They’re also asking visitors to clean up after holiday celebrations. Last year, volunteers picked up hundreds of pounds of trash from oregon beaches after the fourth of July.

Rangers say they’ll focus on educating visitors but can issue citations for fireworks violations. Parkgoers are also encouraged to check local fire restrictions before heading out for the holiday weekend.

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Stover woman seriously injured in Camden County accident

KMIZ on June 26, 2026

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Stover woman was seriously injured during an accident in Camden County on Thursday morning.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 65-year-old Stover woman was driving in a 2010 Dodge Nitro southbound on Missouri Highway 5 north of Harvest Road.

Troopers said the vehicle blew a tire and skidded off the right side of the road. The vehicle went back on the road before going off the left side and striking a concrete bridge rail.

The woman was taken to Lake Regional Hospital by Mercy Ambulance. The woman was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to the report.

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Summer program helps visually impaired students explore careers in technology and cybersecurity

CNN Newsource on June 26, 2026

By Kelsey Jones

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    RICHMOND, Virginia (WTVR) — A unique summer program in Richmond is helping visually impaired students discover what is possible in the world of technology.

Twenty-one students from across Virginia are participating in the 10th annual Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired’s Cyber Space Program. Students are building websites from scratch, learning cybersecurity fundamentals, and exploring AI. For many, it is their first introduction to coding.

Kaleb Calhoun, 19, has albinism — a genetic condition that affects pigmentation and can cause low vision. He attended the Cyber Space Program three years ago as a student. Now a student at William and Mary, he has competed in AI competitions and helped develop AI imaging technology. This year, he returned to the program as an instructor and mentor, helping other visually impaired students discover opportunities he never knew existed.

“Without this program I would have not gone the steps I’ve taken now towards this cybersecurity career and pathway,” Calhoun said.

Calhoun said his visual impairment has never defined what he can accomplish.

“No matter what condition you have, no matter what disability, if you try hard and with determination and with opportunities and connections, you can get almost anywhere you want to go,” Calhoun said.

Micah Davis, 18, is a first-time attendee putting those technology lessons into practice.

“It’s been fun learning how to make websites, learning how AI works, learning about the future,” Davis said.

Davis said the program has given him a new appreciation for the technology people use every day and the work that goes into creating it.

“I didn’t know it was such a process,” Davis said.

Program leaders say the goal goes beyond technology. They hope the opportunity breaks down barriers and exposes students to career paths they may have never considered possible.

“We’re big on empowerment and letting them realize that they are capable of, you know, going into these fields and doing it well,” said Kathy Malone, deputy commissioner of services for the blind and vision impaired.

On Friday, students will showcase their work to family members, mentors, and community leaders.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTVR’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Her son died at swim school. Now she has a message for parents: stay there and watch your children.

CNN Newsource on June 26, 2026

By Melissa Hipolit

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    RICHMOND, Virginia (WTVR) — April Chang will never forget saying goodbye to her son Mitchell when she and her husband left him and his older brother at their swim school in Texas at a date night event in February 2018.

“Every second of it, I do. Every, every look, glance, everything,” Chang said.

Twenty minutes into her meal, her phone rang.

“I got a call on my phone, and the gentleman said that he was from the fire department and that I needed to go to the hospital because my son was injured,” Chang said. “I’m like, okay, well, what type of injury, and he goes, he, he goes, he wasn’t, he wasn’t responsive, he, he wasn’t responsive when he left to go to the hospital.”

Her son died from complications of a near drowning. He was 3 years old.

“When Mitchell drowned, the ratio in this in the pool room was 16 to one. We were told the ratio would be five to one,” Chang said.

“There was a class change out, I guess you could say, like he actually drowned right at the end of his swim group, and the last few minutes the new group came in, they were not trained to do a head count.”

Mitchell’s death devastated his parents and his older brother, who witnessed what happened. But when they learned how unregulated the swim school and swim camp industry is, they decided to take action and push for change — at the very least in Texas.

“We found out this is a very largely unregulated industry, it’s one that few left, actually, that has basically like no safety regulations going on out there, which really surprised us, because in the shopping center, where his swim school was, it was the only business that basically had no regulations,” Chang said.

Chang has been working to get legislation passed in Texas to set some sort of standards, but it has not yet passed.

“It was not a priority on some of the lawmakers,” Chang said.

After the death of 9-year-old King Overton at a swim camp at SwimRVA-North in Henrico County on June 15, CBS 6 asked various state agencies about what type of oversight and regulations exist for swim camps and swim schools in Virginia.

VDOE told us Virginia does not have specific requirements for child-to-adult ratios and swimming instructor certification for summer swim camps. Unless a program that offers swimming is licensed, it does not have to follow any state-mandated ratios or staff qualification standards, according to VDOE.

The Virginia Department of Education said SwimRVA is not licensed.

“When this happens more… wish our story was further. I wish others had heard, so that they more families could be educated to know. I wish that lawmakers, even if it was even national, would take this seriously, because this happens in near drownings. Near drownings happen a whole lot, actually, and it’s going to just because the environment, I wish that this would be taken seriously, because our children are everything,” Chang said.

Investigators are still working to determine exactly what happened that led King Overton to accidentally drown.

A page on SwimRVA’s website showcasing their frequently asked questions about their summer camps does not load. The Wayback Machine, an internet archive, showed their FAQ page from 2021, which indicated they had a staff-to-student ratio at that time of 1 to 10.

Chang believes the ratio should be close to one to four or five. Even so, she says she will never again feel comfortable leaving her child at a swim camp or school without her.

Her message to other parents: stay there and watch them.

“I shouldn’t have left Mitchell. I shouldn’t have done it. I’m his mommy. I was the last one, and I knew he couldn’t swim. Geez, that’s so hard to say, but it’s the truth,” Chang said.

CBS 6 is still trying to get more information from the Virginia Department of Education about why some swim schools and swim camps don’t have to be licensed or follow state requirements, and what exactly the state rules are for swim camps and swim schools.

The Virginia Department of Health said new legislation enacted this year that takes effect July 1 will have requirements related to facility staffing and incident response at public aquatic facilities, but those are still being developed.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTVR’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Virginia man uses art to heal after years in prison, mental health battle

CNN Newsource on June 26, 2026

By Joi Fultz

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    RICHMOND, Virginia (WTVR) — Jerrod Buford first picked up a paintbrush as a kid, never imagining that same creative outlet would carry him through his darkest days in prison.

Buford, who grew up in Williamsburg, was convicted and arrested as a young man and spent almost a decade behind bars. During that time, he struggled deeply.

“Turning to drugs and alcohol to kind of shadow over emotions,” Buford said. “Looking for acceptance, approval. Not just from my parents, but from friends, from, you name it. I mean, I tried to commit suicide, I don’t even know how many times,” Buford said.

It was inside prison walls that art became more than a hobby.

“Throughout my prison time, I learned, the freedom that I desired, I’ve always had it. I got, I found it, in a box,” Buford said.

More than three years after his release, Buford continues to advocate for art as a tool for healing. He describes his work as a gift he feels called to share.

“I received a blessing from God that just allowed me to display what he’s given me,” Buford said.

For Buford, creating art is also a way of processing his past.

“That’s what art has done for me. It’s given me the ability to look at parts of my life, all parts of my life, and find the good and the negative, learn from the negative,” Buford said.

He shares his story and artwork with a wide audience through social media, including live sessions on TikTok, and holds art classes with new communities.

Buford said his mission is to help others find their own path toward healing — whatever form that takes.

“What I strive to do is guide this person to just create, man. Don’t care what people think about your creation, you just need to get it out,” Buford said. “Whether it’s with art, addressing your mental health, getting your life right — just do it.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Possible landspout tornado rips through Los Lunas, damaging homes and cars

CNN Newsource on June 26, 2026

By Aliyah Chavez

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    LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KOAT) — A possible landspout tornado swept through Los Lunas on Thursday afternoon, leaving behind damaged homes, shattered cars, and debris scattered across the village.

Dashcam footage captured it near Interstate 25 around 3:30 p.m., showing its size and sparks erupting as it hit power lines twice.

“Well, everything was going smooth, and all of a sudden, the lights went out. And then we heard, like, a very loud noise,” Maria Gutierrez said, who works nearby.

Gutierrez said pieces of sheet metal flew from an unknown direction and landed on top of a truck in the Del Taco drive-thru. The people inside were trapped and needed to be freed by the Los Lunas firefighters. They were unharmed inside.

Crews were seen across the village cleaning up broken tree limbs, cottonwood branches, and debris scattered in every direction on Thursday evening.

At Los Lunas High School, batting cage nets were twisted high into light poles, showcasing the strength of the winds.

One car was left wrapped in plastic after its windows were blown out, with shattered glass strewn throughout the interior.

“If you guys do see a big storm like this, take shelter. Be safe. Stay in your cars. Run into a building,” one resident said.

Officials with the village of Los Lunas said they have not received any further reports of injuries.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Teen photographer with autism showcases Route 66 centennial with model cars

CNN Newsource on June 26, 2026

By Sasha Lenninger

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    New Mexico (KOAT) — Anthony Schmidt, an 18-year-old photographer with autism, is traveling Route 66 with his mom, capturing the centennial celebration through forced perspective photography of model cars.

At first glance, Schmidt’s photos appear to feature life-sized classic cars. But upon closer inspection, the vehicles are actually model cars, photographed to create the illusion of full-sized vehicles.

“It’s pretty easy, anyone can do it,” Schmidt said.

Using his iPhone, Schmidt began experimenting with photography when he was just six years old.

“I just figured it out on my own,” Schmidt said.

Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age seven, Schmidt has combined his passions for cars and photography, growing his collection to more than 3,500 model cars.

“I also got a ’46 Chrysler and a couple ’20s like an Auburn and Model T. They all have six volts,” Schmidt said.

He has published two books, created calendars, and built a following online. Now, Schmidt is embarking on his biggest project yet.

“It looks good with this Monterey Motel, built in 1946,” Schmidt said.

To celebrate the centennial year, Schmidt is traveling Route 66 with his mom in a 1957 Ford Custom, photographing his model cars at iconic spots along the way.

“It’s got 270 A/C, two windows down at 70 miles an hour,” Schmidt said.

“I always wanted to do it. We’re gonna stop at all historic landmarks,” he added.

From Oklahoma’s Sandhill Curiosity Shop to California’s Wigwam Motel, Schmidt is documenting the journey one photo at a time.

“Really good ones, there’s a couple that I missed. The Blue Swallow was probably our best,” Schmidt said.

During a stop in Albuquerque at the Monterey Motel, Schmidt walked through his process, carefully adjusting angles, shadows, and details to ensure the perfect shot.

“Well, we’re gonna move it back a little bit, open the door, let’s move the car back here,” Schmidt said.

“Here’s how the shot came out,” he said, showcasing the final picture.

Schmidt’s work is more than photography—it’s shifting perspectives on model cars and autism, inspiring others to see possibilities where they may have once seen limitations.

“Always chase your dreams, and if you want to do it, do it. Don’t wait. Life is too short to hesitate and not do things,” Schmidt said.

Through his lens, Schmidt is offering the world a glimpse of Route 66—and his unique perspective.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.