State auditor claims Morgan County violated state law when giving sheriff $37k in raises

KMIZ on July 16, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released his audit of Morgan County on Thursday and gave it a “fair” rating.

“The good news is the county doesn’t show any signs of excessive waste or fraud, but it does have several areas lacking controls and procedures, which can lead to inefficiency and increase the possibility that fraudulent activity could occur,” Fitzpatrick wrote in a press release.

Among possible issues included “mid-term salary increases” for its sheriff totaling $37,437 as of 2024, the report says. Fitzpatrick claims the salary increases violated the Missouri Constitution.

The report shows the county responded, saying it disagreed with Fitzpatrick’s assertion and cited a Cole County court case that it believes supports its decision to give the raise. Fitzpatrick in the report argued that the case did not address sheriff pay.

Another claim in the report accused the county commission of not adequately monitoring its “budget-to-actual receipts and disbursements.”

“Actual disbursements exceeded the county’s budgeted disbursements by nearly $3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024,” the report says.

The county responded in the report saying, “At the beginning of 2026 during the budget process, the Morgan County Commissioners decided they would begin doing a mid-year budget review and then monthly after that.”

Morgan County auditDownload

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2 Las Cruces teens charged in connection to overnight crime spree

KVIA on July 16, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Las Cruces police apprehended and charged two teenage boys suspected in an overnight crime spree that resulted in three stolen vehicles and a burglary of a cannabis shop Thursday.

The Las Cruces Police Department said it was dispatched to an attempted burglary at Pecos Valley Production, a cannabis shop, on north Roadrunner Parkway at about 2 a.m.

The teenagers allegedly successfully burglarized another cannabis shop, Top Crop, on east Lohman Avenue, police said. They allegedly tried to burglarize another Pecos Valley Production location on south Locust Street.

Police said security bars stopped the teens from being able to enter the Pecos Valley Production stores.

Investigators believe the teens stole at least three Hyundai vehicles during the night and tried to access a fourth, police said. One vehicle, a Hyundai Santa Fe, was found abandoned near Pecos Street and Foster.

Officers established a perimeter and detained the two teens with the use of a K-9 unit, police said.

Police said merchandise from Top Crop was inside the vehicle and two backpacks near where the teens were apprehended.

The teens face two counts of attempted commercial burglary, one count of non-residential burglary, three counts of criminal damage to property, one count of larceny, one count of possession of a stolen vehicle and seven counts of conspiracy, police said.

Police are still investigating and said additional charges are possible.

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Lawsuit filed in federal court over new Missouri hemp law

KMIZ on July 16, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A lawsuit was filed on Thursday in federal court that challenges Missouri’s recently passed hemp restrictions.

Gov. Mike Kehoe on April 23 signed House Bill 2641 into law, which effectively banned the sale of THC seltzers and other intoxicating hemp products at convenience stores, bars and restaurants. It would require those products to be sold at licensed dispensaries.

It also reclassified certain products, including some sold as CBD, as marijuana if they meet specific criteria, subjecting them to stricter oversight.

The law was met with pushback from the Missouri Hemp Trade Association, who filed the lawsuit against the state in the Western District Court of Missouri, along with Lifted Liquids LLC and MNG 2005 Inc.

The petition accuses the law of violating the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, violating the dormant commerce clause and claims it is preempted by the Farm Bill.

The plaintiffs are seeking for a judgement that declares the law unconstitutional.

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2 teens charged with evading arrest after brief pursuit

KVIA on July 16, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Several El Paso County law enforcement agencies worked together to apprehend an 18-year-old and 16-year-old after a pursuit Tuesday, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said.

According to the sheriff’s office, at 4:25 p.m., a deputy tried to conduct a traffic stop on a Cadillac after noticing the license plate was registered to a different vehicle. Joaquin Velarde, 18, allegedly drove the Cadillac.

Velarde reportedly failed to yield and kept driving. EPCSO said he reached a dead end on Narciso Drive. Velarde and a passenger — a 16-year-old — got out of the Cadillac and allegedly left and went into the desert.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, Clint Police, Socorro Police and Horizon City Police Departments helped the sheriff’s office establish a perimeter and apprehended both people after a brief chase, EPCSO said.

Investigators learned the suspect Cadillac hit another vehicle before leaving the scene. No injuries were reported.

EPCSO said the 16-year-old passenger was referred to juvenile authorities on an evading arrest or detention charge.

Velarde was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $46,000 bond.

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Albert-Oakland Pool to be closed until weekend

KMIZ on July 16, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Parks and Recreation announced in a Thursday social media post that Albert-Oakland Pool will be closed until Saturday.

The post says maintenance staff found a “cracked fitting in the pump room this morning. This means that the water filtration system is not working properly.”

The announcement comes after the Parks and Rec department announced on Wednesday that the pool will be closed on Mondays for the rest of the summer.

Renovations are planned for after the summer season. The pool was also closed for four days last month after issues arose with its filtration system.

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City council to discuss prohibiting phones during meetings

KVIA on July 16, 2026

Lauren Bly

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– District 8 City Representative Lily Limón put an item on next week’s city council agenda to vote on prohibiting the use of city and personal cell phones during work sessions and council meetings.

The proposal comes after multiple residents criticized council members during public comment for appearing distracted by their phones while constituents were speaking.

“As you look around, you do see many instances that we may just look down at our cell phone,” Limon said. “But prolonged times is a little bit different. The public is demanding, ‘Listen to me.'”

Limon said the issue is about courtesy, professionalism and public trust.

“When we’re having a conversation with someone, we look at them, we listen to them, we respond to them,” she said. “It’s just courtesy, manners, respect, professionalism. That’s what it is all about.”

Limon also cited the Texas Open Meetings Act, saying council members should avoid conducting business on personal devices because communications related to public business could be subject to open records requests.

“Why put ourselves out there? Let’s just focus on the business of the day,” she said.

The city’s Rules of Order already state that during City Council meetings and work sessions, members “shall not use any electronic devices other than the desktop computers provided by the City of El Paso located at their seats.”

Mayor Renard Johnson said in a statement that the emphasis should be on following the rules already in place rather than creating new ones.

“The focus should be on ensuring Council remains engaged, professional, and focused on conducting the public’s business, not on creating rules that already exist,” Johnson said.

Limon, however, said the existing rules are not consistently followed.

Under her proposal, council members would leave their personal phones with staff during meetings. If an emergency arises, staff would notify them.

The City Council is scheduled to consider the proposal at Tuesday’s meeting. Limon said she hopes the measure passes unanimously but is uncertain it will receive unanimous support.

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Tracking Wildfires in Crook County Following Multiple Lightning Strikes

KTVZ on July 16, 2026

Spencer Sacks

UPDATE: Watch Duty – A Level 3 (Go Now) Evacuation has been issued for Zone CRR-7S-M. A Level 2 (Be Set) Evacuation has been issued for Zone CRR-7S-N. Per the Genasys Evacuation Map. These zones are also visible on the Watch Duty map.

The fire has jumped SE Newsome Creek Road and is traveling east.  Please pay attention to your surroundings.

A shelter is available at Eastside Church in Prineville located at 3174 NE 3rd St, Prineville, OR 97754, per Crook County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook. Those in need of any assistance as a result of the evacuation can go to that church.

UPDATE: Watch Duty – Level 3 – GO NOW – Evacuate immediately from SE Conant Basin Road east to SE Newsome Creek Road, from Paulina Highway south. Wildfire Alert from Crook County Sheriff’s Office: Level 3 – GO NOW – Evacuate immediately! – Per a Wireless Emergency Alert from Alert Crook County via PBS Warn.

UPDATE: Watch Duty – Firefighters are responding to the Coyote Fire, burning in Crook County. The fire is burning southeast of the Pilot Fire. Right now, the fire is 300 acres.

UPDATE: Watch Duty – Air Attack is on scene and dropping retardant. Helicopters are also dropping water. More resources are in route. So far there are no changes to the LEVEL 1 evacuation notice, per Crook County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook.

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — LEVEL 1 BE READY evacuation notice has been issued for the area of SE Paulina Hwy from milepost 12 south to approximately milepost 14 for the east side of the highway according to the Crook County Sheriffs Office.

The Pilot fire is up to 25 acres according to watch duty as air assets attack the fire.

This is a developing story. Stay with the digital platforms of KTVZ News for urgent updates.

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National blood emergency highlights need for donations in Central Oregon

KTVZ on July 16, 2026

Lance Campbell

BEND, Ore. — A nationwide blood shortage is raising concerns in Central Oregon, where hospitals depend on a steady supply of donated blood to treat patients every day.

The American Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to give blood as it works to rebuild the national blood supply.

When someone needs blood after a serious crash, during surgery or while undergoing cancer treatment, hospitals depend on donations that were made days or even weeks earlier. Health officials say maintaining a steady blood supply depends on people donating before an emergency happens.

The American Red Cross recently declared an emergency blood shortage after the nation’s blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. The shortage comes during the busy summer trauma season, when hospitals often see an increase in serious injuries and other medical emergencies.

While the shortage is being felt nationwide, hospitals in Central Oregon work with regional blood suppliers to ensure patients have access to the blood products they need for traumatic injuries, surgeries, cancer treatment and other medical emergencies.

“We support 63 hospitals with blood products here in the Pacific Northwest,” said Jen Shaw, donor recruitment supervisor for the American Red Cross. “Summer is traditionally a slower time for donations as schools are out, people are traveling and regular routines change.”

Those seasonal declines can leave hospitals with fewer available donations even as the need for blood remains constant.

Blood collection tubes used during the donation process.

Unlike many medical supplies, blood cannot be manufactured and has a limited shelf life. Red blood cells can be stored for up to 42 days, while platelets last only five days, making regular donations critical to maintaining an adequate supply.

St. Charles Health System officials said they continue working closely with regional blood suppliers to help ensure patients receive the blood they need while encouraging eligible community members to donate.

“The blood is there because somebody decided to donate before it was needed,” Shaw said.

Eligible donors can schedule an appointment through the American Red Cross website or the Red Cross Blood Donor app.

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30 women get free lessons alongside wakesurf pros in women empowerment program

KRDO on July 16, 2026

Bradley Davis

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – 30 girls and women of all ages from southern Colorado learned from some of the best professional women in the world today as part of MasterCraft’s nationwide “Let Her Rip” campaign.

The program travels to six different lakes each year. On June 16, they were carving up the wake on the Pueblo Reservoir.

The program’s goal is to empower women and young girls on the water in a male-dominated field.

“This is the best part about being in the industry, just getting to meet new people, traveling to beautiful places like this reservoir. This is absolutely amazing. It’s what we live for, what we dream for. I can’t wait to see the girls rip,” World Champion athlete Ansley Pritchard said.

“We have women of all ages, all backgrounds come to these things, and so it’s just great whether it’s their first time or it’s their 15th time behind the boat. So just to see them either learn or just nail down a trick they’ve been working on forever is really inspiring,” said Ashton Domby with the MasterCraft marketing team.

Pritchard and Domby said they hope to grow the women’s confidence in all facets of watersports, from carving up the surf to feeling empowered to get their boating license.

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Former DESE employee files lawsuit after allegedly being fired over Charlie Kirk meme

KMIZ on July 16, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A lawyer who worked for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has filed a lawsuit against its commissioner.

Lindsey Phoenix, of Columbia, filed a lawsuit against Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger on Monday, claiming retaliatory termination and that her First Amendment rights were violated.

The petition alleges that after the shooting of divisive political commentator Charlie Kirk, Phoenix shared a meme to her private Instagram story on Sept. 10, 2025, “that read something to the effect of, ‘delulu is no longer the solulu. what we need is revolulu. with a side of assassinunu.’”

The lawsuit claims that prior to starting her role as working as legal counsel for DESE, Phoenix was trained on the state’s social media policy.

“The training included how a state employee could safely exercise their First Amendment rights on social media as a private citizen without jeopardizing their public employment,” court documents allege. “As part of the training, Plaintiff was encouraged and told to inform state employees that they could express themselves however they wished on social media as long as they were not representing themselves as part of the agency or State of Missouri.

“The general rule for social media use is that a state employee is free to post their political opinions as long as they are not representing themselves as speaking or representing the State of Missouri,” the petition alleges.

The petition says Phoenix’s account was set to private settings and that her profile did not identify herself as an employee of the state.

“The only group she identifies as explicitly being a member of in her profile is as a ‘full-time Swiftie,’” the petition alleges.

The lawsuit then claims “an acquaintance from high school” reported the meme to Eslinger. The petition alleges that Phoenix’s direct supervisor told her that she was not in violation of the policy and that Eslinger was out of town when the complaint came in.

Phoenix was then fired on Sept. 17, 2025, and was told it was not for performance issues, the statement says.

Following the Kirk killing, a number of people were fired or disciplined over their social media posts mostly around Kirk’s statements, which included a suspension of Hallsville School District employees. National reports claimed several people were targeted by an anonymous doxing website.

Recently, national outlets have reported that a number of the fired employees were getting paid out by their former employers after filing First Amendment retaliation lawsuits. Additionally, a retired police officer in Tennessee who was reportedly jailed over a Charlie Kirk meme was paid $835,000 in an unlawful incarceration case.

DESE wrote in an email to ABC 17 News that it does not comment on pending legal issues.

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