Strict burn ban goes into effect in Madison County

KIFI on July 15, 2026

Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A new burn ban with stricter rules went into effect today, July 15, 2026, in Madison County, Idaho, prohibiting all open burning activities. This includes campfires, fireworks, and burning yard debris.

The ban comes amid an already active fire season where local firefighters battled two large, multi-day brush fires. Shortly after the Independence Day Holiday, Madison County Fire crews responded to a massive brush fire burning off Hwy. 33 near the Unified Sportsmen’s Club. While crews from multiple agencies battled the fire, it still burned more than 1000 acres before it could be fully contained.

RELATED: More than 1,300 acres burned west of Rexburg

The ban applies to all open fires located within and in the unincorporated areas of Madison County. However, residents of Madison County can still use residential barbecue grills and enclosed fireplaces on their own property.

The ban is set to stay in effect through Sept. 30, 2026. Violators could face fines and may be held responsible for fire suppression costs if a fire starts.

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Warsh Makes First Congressional Appearance as Fed Chair, Signals Independent Path

CNN Newsource on July 15, 2026

By Tom LoBianco | Quincy News Correspondent

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    Washington (Quincy News) — Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh gave few hints during two days of congressional testimony on whether or when the Fed may raise interest rates, but back-to-back reports released this week showed inflation dropping in June, giving the central bank new breathing room.

June’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) pointed to sharp drops in inflation as gas prices fell during a temporary ceasefire that eased tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. But that easing could be temporary, as hostilities, and subsequent oil price hikes, resumed this month.

Over two days of testimony before Congress, Warsh offered few clues about the future path of interest rates while reaffirming the Fed’s commitment to returning inflation to its longstanding 2% target.

Tuesday and Wednesday marked Warsh’s first return to Congress since his Senate confirmation, which coincided with the Trump administration’s investigation of former Fed Chair Jerome Powell and its unsuccessful effort to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud.

While the state of the economy and the Fed’s next policy moves dominated much of the week’s hearings, lawmakers also pressed Warsh on whether he would stand his ground if President Trump pushed for interest rate cuts. Warsh did not directly mention Trump but promised to maintain the central bank’s independence.

“We’re honored to be independent,” Warsh said Tuesday. “My commitment to you is to follow the law and follow the data.”

The Supreme Court reinforced the Federal Reserve’s independence last month, narrowly ruling that the president cannot arbitrarily end a Fed governor’s term without following the proper process.

Warsh testified shortly after the release of June’s CPI, which showed an easing with a drop in gas prices amid a tentative ceasefire in Iran.

The CPI fell 0.4% in June, the largest monthly decline since April 2020, lowering the annual inflation rate from 4.2% to 3.5%. But “core CPI,” which excludes energy and food prices, stayed steady last month and rose 2.6% from a year earlier.

The PPI, released Wednesday, showed the sharpest one-month drop since April 2025, down 0.3% last month, as well as a downward revision in May’s PPI number. Similar slowdowns in job growth for June and May added to the tempered optimism.

But June’s relief could prove short-lived as renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran have pushed oil prices higher again, raising the risk that inflation will accelerate in July.

“Most of this relief in the CPI was basically because of the gas prices – most of that has already been erased,” said David Mitchell, professor of economics and director of the Bureau of Economic Research at Missouri State University.

“Once again, I think the rates should have gone up a long time ago,” Mitchell told Quincy News, arguing that the pain of bringing inflation down from 4% to 2% is far less than the long-term cost of reducing inflation once it reaches 6% or higher.

Pressure for a rate increase has been building within the Federal Open Market Committee following three consecutive rate cuts at the end of 2025. Typically, new Fed chairs are given a honeymoon period after taking office, but minutes from the committee’s June meeting revealed that a few participants already saw a case for raising rates, while others anticipated higher rates later this year.

“Inflation is wiping out wage gains for many. Grocery prices also continue to rise,” wrote Heather Long, chief economist for Navy Federal Credit Union, on X.com. “But the picture did look slightly better in June than in April or May. The decline in gas prices, along with declines in electricity, apparel and medical care help.”

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.

Southern Colorado man suing hospital he says switched him at birth

CNN Newsource on July 15, 2026

By Rachel Ramsey

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    PUEBLO, Colorado (KKTV) — A Southern Colorado man says he was switched at birth, and the man he says he was switched with and their parents are suing the hospital where the two men were born.

Jeremy Morrison said the discovery was made on an ancestry website.

His aunt gave DNA, and a man by the name of Kyle Bylin matched as her nephew.

Morrison said he does not have any cousins, though.

The Southern Coloradan said he has always felt different from his family.

“I didn’t have anyone that looked like me in my family,” Morrison continued. “I was that blonde-haired kid that stood out in a family full of brown-haired people. ”

Two years ago, at age 36, Morrison finally found out why he felt that way when he took a DNA test, and the results came back showing his parents are not his parents.

“I know I definitely wouldn’t be here in Colorado today if I went home with the right parents.” Morrison continued. “I would have been working the farm with my older brother that I never knew I had.”

Morrison said the man he was switched at birth with, Kyle Bylin, was born just hours before him on January 26, 1988, at the same hospital in Grafton, North Dakota.

“I believe we were the only babies born that day,” said Morrison.

Morrison, Bylin and their parents are suing Unity Medical Center, saying the hospital switched the two men as babies.

Litigation records show the hospital denies the allegation and provided 11 News with the following statement:

Unity Medical Center has been honored to serve the people of this region for more than 100 years. Throughout that time, our commitment has remained the same, to provide compassionate, high-quality care while keeping the well-being of our patients and their families at the center of everything we do.

We are currently working to better understand a highly unusual situation involving two men who apparently were separated from their biological parents at some point during their lives. Both men were born at our hospital on the same day in 1988, and we recognize the profound impact this discovery has had on them and their families.

Unfortunately, because of the passage of nearly four decades, the medical and staffing records that might have provided additional clarity no longer exist, and no members of the delivery team from that time are still employed by the hospital. While we deeply sympathize with the men and their families, we have found no evidence to support claims that Unity Medical Center or its staff were responsible for what occurred.

As caregivers, our hearts go out to both men and to everyone affected by this difficult situation. We can only imagine the range of emotions they and their loved ones are experiencing.

Morrison said he never would have guessed this would happen to him.

“Me and Kyle didn’t grow up in the same area; we couldn’t have gotten switched at daycare or anything like that,” said Morrison.

Morrison said he is spreading awareness so people know this can happen.

“If you feel like you look different than everyone else, there might be a reason for it,” said Morrison.

Both sets of parents have met their biological sons, but the two men have not met each other yet.

The families’ attorney said the lawsuit was made public just the other week.

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.

Homeownership: is it still worth it?

KESQ on July 15, 2026

Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A new study suggests the path to homeownership is getting longer for many Californians.

According to a report from SmartAsset, the average Californian now needs nearly 14.7 years to save for a down payment on a home — about a year and a half longer than it took a decade ago. For minimum wage workers, that timeline stretches to more than 40 years, highlighting the growing affordability challenges facing prospective buyers.

Despite rising home prices and higher mortgage interest rates, financial experts say buying a home may still be a worthwhile long-term investment, depending on a person’s financial situation and goals.

News Channel 3 spoke with Simon Hobbs, Wealth Advisor with California Financial Partners, about whether homeownership is still attainable, if renting can sometimes make more financial sense, and whether buyers should wait for interest rates to fall before entering the market.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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Pikes Peak Avenue bridge undergoes repairs through late October

KRDO on July 15, 2026

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — For the third time since last fall, a bridge over Shooks Run Creek, on the eastern edge of downtown Colorado Springs, is getting repair work.

The bridge is on Pikes Peak Avenue, and although it was built just 23 years ago, it has a variety of routine maintenance needs.

One lane in each direction will be closed during the project, which began last week and is scheduled to be completed in late October.

Concrete barriers are in place to close the eastbound and westbound right lanes, as well as the westbound sidewalk.

A crew will repair the concrete bridge deck and cover it with a polyester material to protect it from weathering; address broken and missing stones on the bridge pillars; and restore cracked and broken sidewalks.

The city says that one sidewalk will remain open during construction, and the lane closures will occasionally shift.

Use of the Shooks Run Trail under the bridge won’t be affected by the project.

A city bus stop in the area will close late next month and won’t reopen until the project ends.

Because of the tight squeeze for drivers through the lane closures, officials advise drivers to slow down, expect traffic delays, and allow extra time to get through — especially during rush hour periods.

Workers will be on duty between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays.

Sales tax revenue from the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority is covering the project cost of nearly $924,000.

Two previous repairs to bridges over the creek were an emergency repair last month on Uintah Street, and routine maintenance work on Cache La Poudre Street; both bridges are more than a century old.

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Arkansas girl swept into storm drain during heavy rain rescued safely

CNN Newsource on July 15, 2026

By Adam Roberts

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    BRYANT, Arkansas (KHBS, KHOG) — A 9-year-old girl in Bryant, Arkansas, is recovering after being swept into a storm drain during heavy rain on Wednesday evening, an incident that has prompted city officials to take immediate safety measures.

The storm drain on Center Street, now taped off, became the site of a frightening rescue after the girl slipped and fell while playing outside with her cousin, according to Bryant Mayor Chris Treat.

“And her cousin tried to pull her out, but the current was too strong and took her in,” Treat said.

The girl’s family quickly called 911, and Officer Chris Carnley of the Bryant Police Department said search efforts began immediately.

“I saw other officers already basically swimming into the ditch looking for her, which the water is moving really fast, and about that time we realized we needed to find out where that drain came to,” Carnley said.

A call to Bryant Waste Management revealed that the drain led to a creek more than a mile away.

The current was so strong where it carried her about 200 yards. That’s the length of two football fields. She somehow got out and made her way across the street into a neighborhood.

A 911 call from a nearby home brought the news everyone had been hoping for.

“Hi, this is Saline County 911. We just received a call from this number,” the dispatcher said.

“Yes ma’am, a little girl just showed up at our house. She’s soaking wet and she needs some help,” the caller responded.

Carnley described the relief of finding the girl safe.

“They had met me on the front porch and, you know, she had scrapes, all that stuff, and I’ve never received a hug so big in my life,” he said.

Reflecting on the incident, Carnley said, “You kind of think like, oh, what if that was my kid when you walk up and you just see how deep the water was just right here alone. Yeah, it’s gut-wrenching.”

The girl was taken to Arkansas Children’s Hospital for treatment, and Mayor Treat said the city is now focusing on safety improvements.

“So what we’re doing now is we’re just gonna take action, uh, make sure that we put up a brand all-new fence, take care of all this, make sure that it’s safe, uh, and then we’ll deal with the property owners, uh, later,” Treat said.

Police noted that the storm drain’s location is out of compliance, lacking required fencing and warning signs. While the lot is owned by a private LLC, the city is taking immediate action to address the issue.

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.

‘I knew I was going to step into hell’: Mother mourns son who drowned during her birthday party

CNN Newsource on July 15, 2026

By Olivia Hickey

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    EDMOND, Oklahoma (KOCO) — The mother of a 20-year-old man who drowned at Arcadia Lake on Sunday wants her son’s story told after he went swimming and didn’t make it back to shore.

Seth Nash’s family was at the lake for his mother’s birthday party. Seth had helped coordinate the party for her.

“We went to the lake to celebrate me,” Ginger Nash said.

What was supposed to be a day of celebration ended with the last time she would see her son alive.

Ginger said Seth is remembered as a reader, gamer and helper.

“He’s a CNA. He works in nursing homes, and he actually enjoyed it,” Ginger said.

His life was cut short when he went into the lake to swim. Crews responded to what investigators called a “tragic, accidental drowning,” and a dive team pulled him from the water.

“I didn’t even get a picture of me and all my kids. I wanted one,” Ginger said.

She said she was on an inflatable boat, taking turns with the children to make sure no one got hurt, when she heard Seth go under and he didn’t resurface.

“My boyfriend, who tried to help him, told me he was getting pulled under, too. He was afraid that my son was going to pull them both under,” Ginger said. “I would have kept trying no matter what. But then, where would his siblings be without me, too?”

She said she joined the search efforts and prayed, but she said she knew he had been underwater for a long time.

“I knew when I stepped out of that lake, I was going to step into hell, and I was right,” Ginger said.

She said her son was strong, but that wasn’t enough.

“I don’t know what could have been enough in that moment,” Ginger said.

His mother is calling on the community to help give her son a proper farewell. A GoFundMe has been created to help the family with funeral costs.

“I got to kiss him goodbye. But now, I want to do it again,” Ginger said.

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.

Friend of Nolan Wells speaks for the first time since his death

CNN Newsource on July 15, 2026

By Carlos Garcia

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    JACKSON COUNTY, Mississippi (WAPT) — A friend of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, who disappeared on Horn Island, has spoken out for the first time, addressing speculation and sharing his account of the events surrounding Wells’ disappearance.

“I just know I’ve lost my best friend,” said Tracestin Shepherd, who was with Wells the day he disappeared.

Shepherd declined to appear on camera, citing threats he and others on the boat have received.

“We did no wrong here. We all cared and loved Nolan, and nobody wanted to see Nolan die,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd also addressed a viral video that has fueled online speculation. While Wells’ parents believed the video showed their son involved in a confrontation, Shepherd said it was not Wells but himself in the footage.

“That’s the video I’m referring to, and that’s me yelling,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd said that he returned to the mainland later that afternoon, while Wells stayed behind on Horn Island with a girl he had met that day.

“He really did like her, but that was the only time they ever hung out, at Horn Island on July 4,” Shepherd said.

Investigators believe Wells drowned and have found no immediate signs of foul play. However, Wells’ parents continue to question that conclusion.

Speaking to ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, said they tracked Nolan’s cellphone after he disappeared and believe it returned to the mainland.

“It was showing everywhere the phone had been. I was like, ‘Well, it’s showing he’s back on land,'” Wonsley said.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office stated that the family has not yet turned the phone over to investigators, though their attorney has said they plan to do so.

As the investigation continues, Shepherd expressed his hope that people will remember the friend he lost.

“I think everybody needs to let the investigation continue and let the facts come out,” Shepherd said.

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.

Candidate forum to be held ahead of August elections

KMIZ on July 15, 2026

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A local organization will be holding a candidate forum for the upcoming August election at the Columbia Public Library Wednesday night.

The forum is hosted by Race Matters, Friends and will be open to the public to discuss election issues ahead of the August 4 election day. The forum will be from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. and will include candidates running for Columbia’s 4th Ward City Council seat, Boone County Auditor, Division 9 Associate Circuit Judge and Missouri House District 44.

According to a release from Race Matters, Friends, candidates will be asked a wide range of topics such as judicial philosophy, systemic awareness, transparency, data-driven accountability and more. This forum will feature candidates with their opposing candidate.

As election day approaches, check your local polling location and see if it has changed. You can check by going to your county clerk’s website.

When you arrive at your polling location, you must have a valid ID, which includes:

A non-expired Missouri driver licenses

A Missouri Nondriver’s license that is not expired or does not have an expiration date.

U.S. passport

Military ID

Federal or state-issued document with your photograph and name.

If you do not bring these types of identification with you to the polls, you can still vote by casting a blue provisional ballot. Your vote will be counted if you return to the same polling place before closing with your valid ID or a signature that matches your voter registration.

The last day to request a mail-in ballot will be July 22.

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Kentucky couple working to rescue forgotten animals in rural areas

CNN Newsource on July 15, 2026

By Caleb Barnes

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    ESTILL COUNTY, Kentucky (WLEX) — When animal shelters are near or at maximum capacity, there can still be needs for strays or abandoned animals around central Kentucky – especially in rural areas. With no place for shelter, one Madison County couple is working to meet the needs of animals where they’re at in their communities.

“We don’t know how long it’s been since somebody’s actually lived out here,” said Chris Winters at a property covered in leaves and vines.

Winters was asked to help care for a dog that lived there.

“She’s a senior dog and she’s up here abandoned,” he said.

Another man had previously been visiting the property to feed the dog.

“The guy’s been out here caring for her for some time,” Winters said. “He had a medical condition or crisis that caused him to be hospitalized, but after two days of being in the hospital, he reached out to us and said he cannot come out here anymore to feed her.”

This ‘mountain dog’ living alone is one of the many animals Winters and his girlfriend Dakota Rollins take time to visit.

“We’re field work, we’re a rescue,” he said. “We know where they’re at.”

While Winters is based out of Madison County, he takes calls and makes trips all around central Kentucky to find or respond to needs of animals. Among his stops in Estill County, he checked in on three stray dogs and stopped by to leave food for a number of feral cats.

Winters picked up some medication for another animal, and he visited a foster home hosting puppies that he just helped rescue a few days ago.

“I got a text saying that there was 3 to 5 puppies abandoned off of Red Lick by the bridge,” said Winters. “It was just luck of the draw for somebody to see them and call them before some sort of coyote, wildlife, or the river got them.”

At the stop, Winters found a few more ticks on some of the puppies, and he took turns clipping their nails. He spends most of his time helping animals in need at no cost.

“I didn’t have anybody,” Winters said. “I went from place to place, bounced place to place, group homes, foster homes, psychiatric hospitals, juvenile department corrections, and eventually into prison.”

“My passion comes from being able to relate to them. The animals are left behind. They’re forgotten. That’s how I felt my whole entire life.”

Winters learned how to train dogs, and he said he perfected the skill during his time in prison. He now runs ALPHA Dog Training & Animal Rescue Services, and Winters and Rollins have a GoFundMe to go toward their goal to build a rescue for the animals he’s helping.

“If we had a facility to house these babies, we wouldn’t have to come to the properties and feed them in their place,” Winters said.

Community donations are how Winters and Rollins are able to care for so many animals. They hope to help the rescues they’ve found to end up in homes. You can find more information about the work they do on Facebook.

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.