Diarrhea-causing-illness cases rise in Mid-Missouri as cause remains unclear

KMIZ on July 20, 2026

Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cases of cyclosporiasis, a diarrhea-causing foodborne illness, are on the rise in Missouri, with cases in Mid-Missouri increasing over the weekend, and the cause of the outbreak is still unknown.

The Columbia/Boone County Health Department reported 37 cases of cyclosporiasis as of Monday, which is seven more since Friday.

The Cole County Health Department reported five cases of the parasite Monday, after choosing not to provide the case counts Thursday because it was smaller and releasing that information could identify the sick person.

Statewide cases have increased fivefold over the past week. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports 216 cases total for 2026 after reporting just 43 cases as of last week.

DHSS epidemiologist Nathan Koffarnus said cases could continue to rise because symptoms, on average, take a week to come on. He also said people are getting tested more often for cyclosporiasis because it’s being talked about so often.

Health officials are still investigating the cause after the FDA issued a “false positive” statement on Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce Sunday.

Taylor Farms also issued a statement, saying the FDA apologized for the confusion. Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce products.

Koffarnus said that the recall is still in effect and people should avoid eating those products. He added that the FDA is still investigating Taylor Farms as the possible contaminant.

“These are very targeted investigations, and so they would not have been at that producer in the first place if there wasn’t some really solid epidemiological data that kind of pointed them in that direction,” Koffarnus said.

The University of Missouri said last week that it has pulled iceberg lettuce from its dining halls in response to a recall.

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri spokesperson, Katie Adkins, said the food bank’s supply was spared from any known voluntary recalls, but partner agencies could have some items.

“We’ve asked our partner agencies to review their inventories and let us know if they have any affected Taylor Farms products,” Adkins wrote in an email to ABC 17 News.

Walmart also took four bagged lettuce bags branded as Marketside off shelves in 27 states, including Missouri, according to a statement from the company.

“Although there is no indication that products sold in our stores are affected by the current Cyclospora investigations,” spokesperson Rachel Simmons said in an email. “There have been no confirmed illnesses associated with these products at this time. We are working closely with our supplier and took immediate steps to remove the products from sale.”

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Evacuation orders remain in place for Ohio fire near Hailey

KIFI on July 20, 2026

Curtis Jackson

UPDATE: People who were evacuated from their homes near the Ohio are now allowed to return home, but should be ready to evacuate again at a moments notice.

The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office updated their evacuation orders Monday night as fire conditions have calmed. The fire has burned an estimated 2,035 acres and is 60% contained. The sheriff’s office said no structures have been damaged from the fire.

Only residents will be allowed in the Indian Creek Road and Heatherlands area.

Ohio Gulch Road, the transfer station and the Valley Club will be open to the public. Ohio Gulch and Indian Creek are closed for public recreation as fire crews continue to work in the area.

Other areas, including the Hiawatha Zone and the East Fork-Triumph Zone, will remain in “Set” status.

HAILEY, Idaho (KIFI)—Evacuation orders remain in place for homes near the Ohio Fire burning northeast of Hailey.

Fire managers report the fire has burned an estimated 2,035 acres with only 10% containment. The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office said based on current conditions and fire danger assessment, all evacuation orders and statuses will remain in place for Monday.

Evacuation Areas

The evacuation area includes the Heather-Ohio-Valley zone and the Indian Creek Zone. Check here for current evacuation map.

The Heather-Ohio-Valley zone includes the Ohio Gulch neighborhood, the dump, and Wynn’s Compost, the Heatherlands, and the Valley Club.

The Indian Creek Zone includes all homes in the Indian Creek subdivision and the Indian Creek drainage area.

Homes in the Hiwatha Zone and East Fork-Triumph Zone are in the set status, meaning residents should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at Life Church, 931 N. River St. in Hailey, for those who need assistance.

The fire started Saturday afternoon. Authorities have not said what caused the fire.

Fire crews made steady progress on Sunday with securing fire lines, and extinguishing hot spots. Aircraft also helped support firefighters on the round by dropping fire retardant and water.

Fire managers say you may see more smoke during the late afternoon as temperatures climb. Officials also remind people to stay out of the fire area and to keep their drones grounded.

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Roving Rabbis returns – with the opportunity to observe Shabbat

KIFI on July 20, 2026

Stephanie Lucas

UPDATE:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A group of Roving Rabbis, part of a global initiative to bring Jewish learning and presence to rural communities, is returning to East Idaho this week.

Rabbi Yossi Bistritzky of the Chabad Jewish Center says the group will be in the Idaho Falls and Pocatello area for about two weeks. There will be two opportunities to observe Shabbat, the weekly holy day of rest, with the Roving Rabbis.

A Shabbat dinner will be held in Pocatello on Friday, July 24, and in Idaho Falls on Friday, July 31, for a chance to “relax, connect, and welcome Shabbat together,” says Rabbi Yossi Bistritzky.

The Rabbis would prefer that attendees for Shabbat reach out personally at www.rovingrabbis@jewishidaho.com to obtain times and locations for the Shabbat dinner.

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Man shot by Randolph County deputy charged with five felonies

KMIZ on July 20, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Randolph County man was charged with five felonies, including assault a law enforcement officer, after a deputy shot him during a confrontation at a mobile home park last week.

Thomas D. Crewse Jr., 36, was shot by a deputy after he pointed a gun at law enforcement officers Friday at Tallman’s Trailer Court in Huntsville, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Prosecutors charged him Monday with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and one count of resisting arrest.

Deputies were sent to the trailer park at about 8 a.m. Friday after the landlord complained of a person illegally staying on a lot. Crewse came out of a fifth-wheel camper on the lot with a long gun pointed at an officer, who then shot Crewse, according to a probable cause statement.

Deputies gave Crewse medical aid after forcing him to the ground and handcuffing him, according to the statement.

A no-bond warrant has been issued for Crewse’s arrest. He was hospitalized after the shooting.

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Gov. Kotek seeks applicants for Union and Wallowa County Circuit Court vacancy

KTVZ on July 20, 2026

Adrielle Hasara

Salem, ORE. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek announced today that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Union and Wallowa County Circuit Court. This opening in the 10th Judicial District follows the upcoming retirement of Judge Thomas B. Powers.

Judge Powers is scheduled to retire on Dec. 1, 2026. Gov. Kotek stated she will fill the position by appointment, emphasizing her commitment to selecting judges based on merit and encouraging applications from lawyers with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Applications for the judicial vacancy must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Interested applicants should address their completed forms to Richard A. Lane, General Counsel, Office of the Governor. Forms must be submitted via email to Shevaun Gutridge at shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov, as mail or hand delivery will not be accepted.

Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements as outlined in ORS 3.041 and 3.050. At the time of appointment to the court, the individual must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Oregon and a member of the Oregon State Bar. Additionally, ORS 3.041(two) mandates that the person filling the vacancy must either reside in or maintain a principal office in the judicial district or an adjacent judicial district.

For any questions regarding the appointment process, or to request an interest form, individuals can contact Shevaun Gutridge directly at 503-378-6246 or via email at shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov. The judicial interest form is also available online.

Judge Powers’ retirement takes effect Dec. 1, 2026 and Gov. Kotek will fill the position by appointment.

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Columbia man charged with assault after gun goes off during fight

KMIZ on July 20, 2026

Melissa Houston

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)

The Boone County Prosecutor’s Office filed criminal charges against a Columbia man on Monday after a gun went off during a fight outside an apartment complex.

Lorenzo Toledo-Vara, 22, will remain in the Boone County Jail without bond after his hearing Monday.

The Columbia Police Department responded to a call around 2 a.m. Sunday of shots fired in the 10 block of Old Highway 63, outside Cliffside Manor apartments.

The probable cause statement states the 26-year-old victim was taken to the hospital with minor head injuries.

The victim told officers that Toledo had a gun and threatened to kill him, according to the statement. The victim allegedly told police that the gun went off as he and the victim were fighting, and he felt pain like a bar hitting him in the head and believed he had been shot.

However, the statement doesn’t explicitly say the victim’s wound was from a bullet.

Toledo told police that the victim had been “trolling” him and that the gun was fired accidentally during the struggle, according to the statement. A bullet hit the window of a vehicle when the gun went off.

Toledo is set to appear for his arraignment in court at 1 p.m. Monday.

Crimes against persons are seeing a slight downward trend, according to a graph from the Columbia Police Department.

It shows that from January to July 2025, 1,037 crimes have been reported, compared to 1,027 crimes so far this year.

At court on Monday, Lorenzo Toledo-Vara appeared via Zoom for his hearing. The judge went over his charges and said Toledo-Vara is facing up to 8 to 30 years in jail for the combined charges.

For felony assault, it is 5 to 15 years, and armed criminal action is 3 to 15 years.

Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Johnson said a case like this could take a while because the investigation is still ongoing.

“And so in a case like this, it could be many months before we would be ready to move forward to trial,” Johnson said.

According to the probable cause documents, there was one charge Toledo-Vara did not officially get charged with in court. That charge was unlawful use of a weapon.

Johnson said that because there are many factors that go into a court investigation, the charges will get dropped and added as they begin to unveil evidence.

“In any case, the investigation continues while the cases pending and it’s very typical for charges to be amended or changed as the case goes forward,” Johnson said.

During the hearing, Toledo-Vara asked the Judge if it was possible to give him house arrest and court fines because he said it was his first time ever getting in trouble.

No motion was made to grant his request.

Toledo-Vara is filling out the application for a lawyer and will have a bond hearing to try and make changes on July 28 at 1 p.m.

Johnson said he noticed the decrease in crime rates this year and believes it is due to the combined efforts of agencies working to keep Columbia safe.

“I could say overall that I think you’ll see a continued decrease in violent crime as the number of police officers on the street goes up,” Johnson said. ” We’ve been successful in cooperating with our federal partners, especially  the Boon County Sheriff’s Department and Columbia Police Department, combining their efforts with federal agencies  to get some guns off of the street.”

Johnson expects to see a decline in crime rates as more police officers continue to patrol the streets.

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Deputies arrest man after Canutillo stabbing

KVIA on July 20, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

CANUTILLO, Texas (KVIA) — Monday, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said it arrested a 20-year-old man for an alleged stabbing in Canutillo. Adam Fierro faces an aggravated assault charge.

At 1:48 a.m. Sunday, deputies went to the 600 block of Joe Angel Road in Canutillo for an assault report, EPCSO said. It happened in a neighborhood near the Outlet Mall.

Deputies found a 21-year-old man with multiple stab wounds. Deputies gave first aid until a fire crew and ambulance arrived and transported the victim to a hospital.

An investigation revealed the stabbing happened after a dispute between neighbors escalated into violence. Deputies found a knife believed to have been used, EPCSO said.

After the investigation, deputies obtained an arrest warrant for Fierro, who was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury.

Fierro’s bond was set at $75,000.

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Allies in Hope’s 4th Annual Hope for Houston Ball Makes High Fashion a Force for Hope

CNN Newsource on July 20, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    July 20, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston has never needed permission to dress boldly, give generously or turn a grand entrance into a meaningful statement. On Saturday, November 14, 2026, those signature Houston qualities will share the spotlight when Allies in Hope presents its 4th Annual Hope for Houston Ball at The Revaire, 7122 Old Katy Road. Beginning at 7 p.m., the black-tie evening will place fashion, philanthropy and purpose on the same runway under a fitting theme: “The Category Is… High Fashion.”

This is not simply another beautiful night on Houston’s crowded social calendar. It is Allies in Hope’s premier annual fundraising gala, gathering business leaders, philanthropists, advocates, civic champions and community visionaries to support programs serving individuals and families affected by HIV and related social challenges.

The evening will feature a cocktail reception, a VIP lounge for select guests, an elegant seated dinner, live entertainment, inspiring stories of hope and resilience, live and silent auction experiences, and fashion-centered surprises. In other words, guests should prepare to serve a look—and help serve the community.

Leading this year’s celebration are Honorary Chairs Mrs. Kristen and Rev. Dr. Alexander E.M. Johnson. Kenneth Gayle, Salvador “Sal” Serrano and Nicolas Serrano will serve as Co-Chairs, lending their influence, networks and commitment to an event designed to make generosity both visible and transformational. Their leadership reinforces the gala’s larger message: style may command attention, but compassion creates impact.

Returning once again as an official media sponsor, Houston Style Magazine (HSM) is proud to support the 4th Annual Hope for Houston Balland the life-changing mission of Allies in Hope. Through its print, digital and social media platforms, HSM will help amplify the evening’s message of compassion, community and action—encouraging Houstonians to attend, sponsor, donate and stand together in the effort to end the HIV epidemic across Greater Houston. This continued partnership reflects HSM’s longstanding commitment to highlighting organizations that transform generosity into hope and create healthier, stronger communities.

That impact rests upon more than four decades of Houston history. Founded in 1982 as AIDS Foundation Houston, the organization was Texas’ first AIDS service organization. It launched a community hotline in 1983, opened its first residential housing program in 1984, established the Stone Soup food bank in 1985 and began Camp Hope in 1996.

In 2023, AIDS Foundation Houston became Allies in Hope, adopting a name intended to reduce stigma, remove barriers to care and reflect a future in which people living with HIV can receive treatment, dignity and support without being defined by an outdated diagnosis. The new name also speaks to solidarity—the belief that Houston can stand together, in hope, until the epidemic is ended.

Today, Allies in Hope works toward a clear mission: ending the HIV epidemic in Greater Houston while advancing a vision of a community where HIV is rare, stigma-free and met with equitable access to care. Its services reach far beyond a clinic door, including HIV and STI testing, PrEP care, rapid-start treatment, prevention education, prison outreach and reentry assistance, supportive housing, food access, youth programming and case management.

The organization currently reports serving more than 6,000 community members, with 3,966 patients receiving testing, PrEP or other health services. Its published impact also includes 285 residents affordably housed, 1,671 people served through the Stone Soup Food Pantry, 186 youth-camp participants and a 98 percent participation rate from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Wall Talk, an education initiative addressing HIV, sexually transmitted infections and sexual violence.

Those numbers explain why the Hope for Houston Ball matters. A ballroom may sparkle for one evening, but the funds raised can support testing, treatment, housing stability, food assistance and the human reassurance that no neighbor should face a health challenge alone. The gala transforms glamour into an instrument of care—proof that a tuxedo, a gown and a generous heart can belong in the same ensemble.

Guests and supporters have several ways to step into the story. Individuals may join the Host Committee and become ambassadors who help expand attendance, ticket sales and community engagement. Businesses, family foundations and civic partners may become sponsors, receiving event visibility, VIP benefits and seating opportunities while investing directly in essential community programs. Supporters unable to attend may still make a tax-deductible donation through the official fundraising campaign.

Houston, the assignment is clear: arrive elevated, give boldly and remember that hope is always in season. At the 4th Annual Hope for Houston Ball, the category may be high fashion—but the cause is human dignity, healthier families and a future where HIV no longer defines or divides our community. Event Details Saturday, November 14, 2026 • 7 p.m. The Revaire 7122 Old Katy Road Houston, Texas 77024 Official Hope for Houston Ball Information Purchase Tickets • Join the Host Committee • Become a Sponsor

Make a Donation Learn More About Allies in Hope

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.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
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Beyond the viral video: Photographer, recovering grandfather reveal untold details of Yellowstone bison attack

KIFI on July 20, 2026

Maile Sipraseuth

YELLOWSTONE (KIFI) — A 65-year-old grandfather is on the mend after a viral encounter with a 2,000-pound bison in Yellowstone National Park, an ordeal bystanders say he survived by putting himself directly in harm’s way to save his young grandson.

It’s been over a week since Carl McDaniel was charged and launched into the air by the massive animal. Now recovering, McDaniel and the bystander who caught the attack on video are sharing the untold details of the split-second decisions and the strangers who came together to save his life.

A Split-Second Sacrifice

The incident was captured on camera by Mike McCleod, a nearby camper and photographer with a degree in wildlife biology. McCleod had initially started recording because he noticed a bison rolling in the dirt right next to McDaniel’s campsite.

“I’m taking video at this point because it’s pretty funny—the juxtaposition of the domestic picnic table and tent, and this huge 2,000-pound animal,” McCleod recalled. “But you could tell he was already in an aggravated state for whatever reason.”

McCleod later noted that a nearby pickup truck honked its horn shortly before the attack, which McDaniel believes may have further provoked the animal.

When the bison suddenly charged toward McDaniel’s 13-year-old grandson, McDaniel made an immediate choice to draw the animal’s attention toward himself.

“Carl led the bull in the opposite direction to protect his grandson,” McCleod said. “As he said to me later, ‘[He] is 100% my responsibility.’ Classic grandfather move.”

Strangers Step Up

After McDaniel was launched by the bison, the surrounding campers didn’t hesitate to step up. A group of campers rushed the aggressive animal, scaring it off before it could cause further harm.

“I had maybe a dozen campers rushing behind me,” McCleod said. “The bison thought, ‘Hey, I’m out of here,’ so it turned and ran. At that point, we ran up to Carl, and everybody just kind of assigned themselves a role—whatever needed to be done.”

McDaniel recovered from the attack at Bozeman Health in Montana, where, on July 17, he spoke with the marketing team. Despite the traumatic event, McDaniel stated, “I always felt safe and secure. I wasn’t ever terrified.”

The Road to Recovery

Park officials confirmed in a report to TMZ that the bison involved will not be euthanized. Meanwhile, McDaniel is making steady progress toward recovery, celebrating a major milestone on Friday by walking 175 feet for the first time since the attack.

Both McCleod and McDaniel have stayed in touch since the incident. McCleod revealed that McDaniel is deeply involved in his community, often playing Santa Claus. McCleod joked, “I will henceforth be known as the photographer who saved Santa.”

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Jackson man arrested after high-speed chase through town square

KIFI on July 20, 2026

News Team

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — A 47-year-old Jackson man was arrested Thursday night after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through downtown in a stolen vehicle.

Aaron Feuerstein faces several charges, including fleeing law enforcement, resisting arrest, and reckless driving, according to court documents.

Details surrounding the chase are limited at this time. Video obtained from SeeJH.com shows the stolen vehicle speeding past the Town Square’s iconic elk antler archway with a convoy of sheriff’s vehicles with lights blaring following closely behind.

The Jackson Police Department is continuing to investigate the vehicle theft, and police expect to release more details this week. Additional charges against Feuerstein remain possible, according to the sheriff’s office.

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