INL hosts ribbon cutting for pilot plant supporting domestic antimony production

KIFI on July 30, 2026

News Release

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (INL Media Release)– The United States is one step closer to securing a domestic supply of antimony trisulfide, a critical mineral essential to national security, with the commissioning of a new modular mineral processing plant at the Idaho National Laboratory.

The plant will initially process ore mined from Perpetua Resources’ Stibnite Gold Project to characterize and separate out antimony. The U.S. currently relies on foreign sources for antimony, an essential component in Army munitions, creating a vulnerability in the critical materials supply chain that could threaten national security. The plant will operate 24 hours a day, processing approximately one ton of material per day.

“From the mountains of central Idaho to the national laboratories advancing America’s defense and energy capabilities, today’s milestone shows what’s possible with industry, government, and scientific innovation work together on practical domestic solutions,” said Jon Cherry, president & CEO of Perpetua Resources. “As construction advances at the Stibnite Gold Project, this pilot plant extends that momentum downstream by helping establish the capabilities needed to produce military-grade antimony materials here in America. Together, these investments are laying the foundation for a secure, end-to-end domestic supply chain that strengthens national security while creating long-term economic opportunity.”

INL experts in critical minerals and materials processing and separation will operate the plant, ensuring the equipment runs smoothly and the material produced meets specifications. The project also demonstrates INL’s growing role in strengthening domestic critical mineral supply chains through pilot-scale testing and advanced process development.

INL employees train to operate the controls of a new modular pilot plantthat will process ore from Perpetua Resources’ Stibnite Gold Project. The plant will helpdemonstrate domestic production of antimony materials used in U.S. Army munitions.

“Proving we can process these materials reliably, efficiently and economically for domestic industry is exactly the kind of work national laboratories are uniquely positioned to do,” INL Laboratory Director John Wagner said. “We’re proud to be part of this effort and look forward to the progress it will enable.”

Funded through the U.S. Department of Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium, the opening of the pilot plant marks a significant milestone in a multiyear collaboration. Since receiving the major components in June, INL staff have installed, powered and brought them online for operator training.

“This pilot plant is more than a demonstration facility. It’s an investment in the nation’s critical mineral future,” Wagner said. “The data and operational experience generated here will help advance domestic antimony production while demonstrating how national laboratories, industry and government can work together to strengthen America’s supply chains and national security.”

Speakers at the ribbon cutting included U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho; Wagner; Cherry; and INL Directorate Fellow Robert Fox.  

“We’ve worked to rebuild America’s critical mineral supply chains because our national security depends on them,” said Simpson. “Today’s ribbon cutting is a significant milestone in that effort. By bringing together Perpetua Resources, the Idaho National Laboratory and the U.S. Army, this project demonstrates how Idaho is helping strengthen our nation’s defense, expand domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce our reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals. I’m proud to have supported this partnership from the beginning, and I look forward to seeing the important role it will play for our country.”

To learn more about INL’s critical minerals and materials research, visit https://inl.gov/integrated-energy/critical-materials/.

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ProAction Emergency Services Institute offers life-saving ‘Stop the Bleed’ training to El Paso community

KVIA on July 30, 2026

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- Emergency situations can occur anywhere, including in places we generally consider safe, such as schools, places of worship, and community centers.

The ProAction Emergency Services Institute, a licensed provider, aims to help people react quickly when it matters most. It provides STOP THE BLEED training for high school students and for the wider community.

You can get signed up by clicking on this link:

Contact Us

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Lightning-caused Lake Channel fire grows to 1,500 acres near Massacre Rocks

KIFI on July 30, 2026

Seth Ratliff

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Emergency crews are actively battling a fast-moving wildfire that sprang up Wednesday night near Massacre Rocks, just off Interstate 86 west of American Falls.

As of midnight on Thursday, July 30, the lightning-caused blaze—dubbed the Lake Channel Fire—has grown to an estimated 1,500 acres.

First reported around 5:40 p.m. on Wednesday, the fire quickly spread through dry brush and grass. Firefighters from multiple agencies are on scene, including crews from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS), the U.S. Forest Service (Caribou-Targhee National Forest), the American Falls Fire Department, and the Power County Sheriff’s Office.

Despite the large response, the USWFS says firefighting efforts are being challenged by inaccessible terrain, along with gusty and shifty winds.

While several structures in the area are currently threatened, crews worked through the night using ground tactics to establish containment lines, states USWFS. Multiple air resources have been ordered for Thursday morning to assist ground personnel.

“Firefighter and public safety is the highest priority,” the USWFS said in a Facebook update. “Please avoid the area and give the firefighters room to work.”

Officials are also issuing a strict warning regarding unauthorized drone activity in the area, reminding the public that private drones pose a severe hazard to firefighting aircraft.

“If you fly, we can’t,” the agency stressed. “Remember that if you fly a drone over a fire, critical air operations get suspended.”

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide updates as we learn additional details.

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Registration opens for Boys & Girls Clubs after-school programs

KTVZ on July 30, 2026

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon is hosting three community enrollment events in August to help families register for after-school programming. The events are scheduled to take place in Bend and La Pine between Aug. 11 and Aug. 13.

Families attending the events can meet club staff, ask questions about programming and complete enrollment for the upcoming school year. The organization is also opening its newest club location in La Pine to expand services for youth in south Deschutes County.

The sessions in Bend will take place at Orchard Park, located at 2001 NE 6th St., and Al Moody Park at 2225 NE Daggett Ln. The La Pine event is scheduled for the La Pine Parks & Recreation facility at 16405 1st St. All three events will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The after-school program is designed for school-aged youth and includes access to healthy meals, snacks and homework help. Participants can also engage in sports, recreation, arts, STEM and leadership programs with adult mentors.

Financial assistance is available for families through the support of community partners and donors. Staff will be available at the events to answer questions regarding transportation, membership and these assistance programs to ensure all children have the opportunity to attend.

Families can learn more and complete registration online at www.bgcco.org. Enrollment assistance will also be provided on-site during the community events in Bend and La Pine.

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Two Semi Crash Shuts Down Highway 86 and Airport Boulevard near Thermal

KESQ on July 30, 2026

María García

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) — A crash involving two semi-trucks closed Airport Boulevard and Highway 86 early Thursday morning after one big rig overturned and debris covered the freeway.

CHP diverted traffic off the freeway at Airport Boulevard and directed drivers to use State Route 111 while Caltrans and tow crews cleared the scene.

According to CHP, one person was taken to the hospital with back and neck injuries.

News Channel 3 has reached out to officials for more information.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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Traffic impacts increase as water main replacement project continues in Colorado Springs

KRDO on July 30, 2026

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — If you’ve driven lately through the area where South Circle Drive meets Lake Avenue near the Interstate 25 interchange, you’ve noticed long traffic backups on eastbound Lake that can stretch for a mile during peak periods.

The reason is that, to meet city traffic requirements, Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) recently extended closures from three lanes to one, farther west on eastbound Lake.

“It’s just to give more room for motorists to merge before they actually get to the work area,” said Cassie Melvin, a CSU spokesperson. “So, it’s for motorists’ safety, crews’ safety.”

Crews are replacing a water main that was installed in 1971, and they want to remove the old infrastructure before it leaks, breaks, or causes other problems.

Construction began in April at the Circle/Hancock Expressway interchange, and required temporarily closing the Hancock exit ramp on southbound Circle.

In early June, work continued at the Circle/Janitell Road intersection; for eastbound Circle drivers, it’s a tight squeeze between the sidewalk and the barriers separating traffic from the work zone.

The traffic jams occasionally make entering or exiting the Culver’s restaurant difficult, and frustration leads some drivers to make illegal U-turns through the median.

“I wasn’t aware of that,” Melvin said. “But again, this was a city traffic requirement, and we do that for safety precaution purposes. We know it’s frustrating, so we just ask that people be patient with us.”

Other traffic changes have included prohibiting left turns from eastbound Circle onto Janitell, and closing one of two left turn lanes on the southbound I-25 exit ramp.

CSU expects to finish the project this fall, at a cost of $7.5 million.

The city plans to repave the south end of Circle later this season as part of the 2C expanded paving program.

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Indian food festival returns to Colorado Springs with wide variety of Indian cuisine

KRDO on July 30, 2026

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The fourth-annual Indian Food Festival returns to Liberty High School on Saturday with regional cuisine that goes beyond your go-to dishes.

Monika Celly started the festival three years ago. She is from Punjab, India, the northern city responsible for Indian staples popular across the U.S. today. But Celly soon realized it was difficult to find restaurants serving her favorites from other regions of the country.

Celly started the Indian Food Festival to fill the void. She hopes introducing Southern Colorado to different kinds of Indian Cuisine will show that India has much more to offer than Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala.

Liberty High School will be packed with 20 food and non-food vendors, along with authentic cultural performances.

The festival is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance costs $12.50 before 12 p.m. It’s free to get in from 12 p.m. through the end of the festival. A reservation is required for both paid and free tickets. You can find those here.

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New winery uses solar power and innovative technology to build a more sustainable future

CNN Newsource on July 30, 2026

By Victoria Rodriguez

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    CANYON COUNTY, Idaho (KIVI) — A new winery taking shape in Idaho’s historic Sunnyslope Wine Region is blending tradition with technology.

Gem 73 Winery, expected to open in August, is incorporating renewable energy and innovative vineyard practices designed to reduce energy use, conserve water and protect its grapes—all while minimizing its impact on the surrounding environment.

Owners Joel and Cindy Poppen invited Idaho News 6 to tour the facility, which is still under construction. While the winery will soon welcome visitors, much of its technology is already hard at work in the vineyard.

The vineyard uses sensors to monitor soil moisture and temperature, allowing a drip irrigation system to deliver only the amount of water each vine needs. Poppen says the approach helps conserve water while improving efficiency.

To naturally manage pests, the vineyard also features owl and kestrel nesting boxes. The birds of prey help control rodent populations without the need for additional intervention.

New Sunnyslope winery uses solar power and innovative technology to build a more sustainable future As grapes begin to ripen, another piece of technology takes over.

Three solar-powered laser systems sweep across the vineyard, reflecting light off strategically placed strips to deter birds from feeding on the fruit.

“It hits little reflective strips. Those little pings of light scare away the birds,” Poppen said. “It doesn’t harm them at all. It just makes it unpleasant for them to be around, so they go other places.”

Rather than covering the vineyard with costly bird netting, the lasers provide a wildlife-friendly alternative that protects the harvest while allowing birds to remain part of the area’s natural landscape.

Innovation extends beyond the vines.

The winery itself is built into a hillside, providing natural insulation that helps reduce heating and cooling demands. Its roof is covered with 210 solar panels capable of generating about 86 kilowatts of electricity—enough, Poppen says, to power the facility during peak operating season and potentially send excess energy back to Idaho Power.

For the Idaho Wine Commission, projects like Gem 73 represent the future of Idaho’s wine industry.

“I think it’s so great. It’s progressive,” said Moya Delaney with the Idaho Wine Commission. “It’s using the resources that we have to maximize to be better.”

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KIVI 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.

Woman teams up with tattoo shop to raise money for fire departments battling wildfires

CNN Newsource on July 30, 2026

By Allie Jennerjahn

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    LAKEWOOD, Colorado (KMGH) — A Colorado woman, who has spent much of her life under the threat of wildfires, is channeling that experience into action — teaming up with a Lakewood tattoo shop to raise money and collect donations for fire departments across the state.

Alyssa Rose grew up on a ranch in Conifer and has been evacuated or put on notice at least 10 times due to wildfires. She said the repeated threat has left her feeling “hyperfixated” on what she can do to help those battling the fires.

“My parents are very elderly, and my mom was in a car accident when I was in seventh grade that left her paralyzed from the chest down,” Rose said. “Because of that, and definitely because of their age, mobility and like kind of being on top of things and being ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice is not easy for them.”

It was at True Blue Tattoo in Lakewood where Rose shared those thoughts with shop owner Russ Pearson. He asked her what he could do to help — and a fundraiser was born.

“I am a teacher here in Colorado, and I don’t really have a way to change the entire world or change even maybe outside of Colorado, but my hope is to get people to come in and support this event,” Rose said.

On August 15, the community is invited to come to True Blue Tattoo and choose a small pre-drawn tattoo for $40. The event runs from noon to 7 p.m., and Pearson said he hopes to get a couple hundred people through the door. The designs are Colorado-themed.

“I have some, almost, like everything pretty much ready to go, so you can just kind of come in and pick it out, and then there’ll be somebody up here kind of taking order in which people walk in,” Pearson explained. “So we’ll just like be in line, grab one, go to the available artist, and get it done, and it should run pretty smoothly. I’m hoping.”

For those who aren’t interested in getting a tattoo, Rose said donations of money, household goods, clothing and non-perishable food items are also welcome.

“I want to help people. I want to help Colorado, and I think that a lot of people also want to help, but don’t know how, don’t have a starting point. And here you go. This is your starting point. I am giving you a place to step up and donate,” Rose said.

To ensure the money reaches fire departments, organizers are partnering with Elk Creek Firehouse to contact and divide contributions among departments in need. Rose has committed to distributing all donations by the end of August.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KMGH 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.

Make-A-Wish grants teen battling brain tumor a new bike

CNN Newsource on July 30, 2026

By Lindsey Belsky

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    BAKERSFIELD, California (KERO) — A limousine pulled up to Action Sports in Bakersfield on Wednesday, and 15-year-old Luis Rodriguez had no idea what was waiting inside.

Luis, a sophomore at Liberty High School, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October 2021 after suffering intense, debilitating head pain. Since then, he has endured 2 brain surgeries and continues to take ongoing medication. Doctors continue closely monitoring his condition through routine MRI scans. The illness has made reading and speaking more challenging, but Luis has made meaningful progress and continues to improve, working hard toward his goals even when exhausted.

Even during his toughest battles, riding a bike gave him strength, freedom, and the chance to build one of the most meaningful friendships of his life.

“Biking got me closer with the first friend that I ever made when I moved over here,” Luis said. He always was a big lover of friendship, and having a bike is a big part of that for him.

When his previous bike was stolen, Luis lost more than a way to get around. He lost the way he often visited friends, spent time outside, and felt more independent. When Make-A-Wish asked what he wanted most, his answer was simple, a bike of his own.

Action Sports found the exact model Luis wanted and added anti-flat sealant, 2 locks, a phone holder, a water pack, and a helmet to help keep him safe on the road with the bike secure.

“He doesn’t want anything. You have to say, ‘Hey, this is for you, so you can pick something.’ And then he’s like, ‘Are you sure? My mom doesn’t have to pay for it?’ He’s just that kid,” Kerry Ryan, owner of Action Sports, said.

Westchester Kiwanis helped bring the wish to life through funds raised at local community events. Natalie Martinez, president of Westchester Kiwanis, said the group rallied quickly once they heard Luis’s story.

“This kid just wants a bike. And then now he can get sunglasses, he can get a helmet, he can get all this stuff. It’s just all the difference in our hearts that makes the difference in the student’s life,” Martinez said.

Crown Limozine, a longtime Make-A-Wish partner for nearly 3 years, provided a special ride for Luis and his family to and from the store as well.

For Make-A-Wish Central Coast and Southern Central Valley, the moment was about more than a new bike, it was about giving Luis new adventures, lasting memories, and more chances to experience the joy of riding alongside his friends.

“I just hope he leaves with hope, strength and joy… and that he is able to make so many memories with his friends while he’s riding his bike,” Laura Corsello, wish coordinator for Make-A-Wish, said.

Corsello, who has worked as a wish coordinator for 10 years after starting as a volunteer with the organization, said Luis left a lasting impression.

“He’s an extremely humble, amazing young man who you wouldn’t know has been through everything he’s been through,” Corsello said.

Pattie Mullins, CEO of Make-A-Wish Central Coast and Southern Central Valley, said the community’s response made the moment possible.

“The power of a wish is at its best when the community comes together like this. Luis is a warrior among us, and this wish celebrates not only his perseverance and courage but also reminds us of the strength of this community when it comes together,” Mullins said.

Luis said his new bike will let him visit his friends without always relying on his mom or sister for a ride. One of the first things he plans to do is hit the road with his friends, a milestone that once felt out of reach.

“To be honest, I was in shock,” Luis said.

Make-A-Wish Central Coast and Southern Central Valley grants wishes for children with critical medical conditions across Kern, Kings, Tulare, Inyo, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Today, more than 200 children in the region are still waiting for their wish experience. The organization is currently holding a Summer of Wishes toy drive and is seeking community partnerships and donations to help make more wishes happen.

For more information or to help grant a wish, visit wish.org/cvs.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KERO 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.