‘Rural speed limit’ increase signed into law by Kehoe

KMIZ on July 13, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe on Monday signed a slew of bills into law, including one that can increase the speed limit on rural roads.

Kehoe’s office announced in a Monday press release that the governor signed Senate Bill 1408. The bill allows the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and the Missouri Department of Transportation to raise speed limits from 70 miles per hour to 75 mph on rural interstates and freeways.

JoDon Chaney with the Department of Revenue confirmed to ABC 17 News that Kehoe signed SB 1408 in its original form, which only covered the speed limits. Additional provisions added later, but not included in the final verson, would have cut requirements for safety inspections and extend the option to buy five-year registration tags for $45. Previously, tags were capped at two years.

A later version of the bill also included a provision regarding drivers and language proficiency. That provision was not in the version signed Monday. It said commercial motor vehicle operators must “be able to read and 2 speak the English language sufficiently to: (1) Converse with the general public; (2) Understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language; (3) Respond to official inquiries; and (4) Make entries on reports and records.”

The provision stated a driver who is in violation of the language proficiency requirements will be prohibited from driving a commercial vehicle in the state. The provision was debated after a high-profile wrong way driver incident occurred in Lincoln County.

A further provision not included in the signed version of SB 1408 would have stopped new Kansas City Chiefs plates from being issued in the state.

Editor’s Note: this story has been updated to correct the version of SB 1408 which Gov. Kehoe signed Monday.

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Las Cruces man charged for alleged aggravated assault with box cutter

KVIA on July 13, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A 56-year-old man faces an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge after allegedly chasing someone with a box cutter in Las Cruces, according to documents ABC-7 obtained Monday.

It happened July 4. Documents said the victim told police he had allegedly been assaulted by Scott Heiple in a Downtown Las Cruces alley near Rad Retrocade on N Main Street.

The victim said he was in the area trying to use a public restroom and noticed Heiple “acting belligerent,” according to documents.

The victim said he had previous issues with Heiple. He alleged Heiple constantly threatened him, documents said.

Documents said the victim tried to walk away from the area to avoid conflict, and Heiple allegedly followed and yelled at him.

At one point, the victim alleged he saw Heiple run at him with a box cutter with the blade out, documents said. Heiple allegedly yelled he was going to kill the victim.

The victim tried to leave the area and yelled for nearby security to help him, documents said.

Police later found Heiple near Rad Retrocade with a box cutter in his pocket, documents said. They arrested him.

(Courtesy: DACDC)

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Rolla man charged with first-degree sodomy, several counts of child abuse

KMIZ on July 13, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Rolla man was charged with 11 felonies after a child was reported to have several serious injuries when they were brought to a Phelps County hospital on Jan. 14, 2025.

Devin McCollum was charged with one count of first-degree sodomy of a child younger than 12 years old and 10 counts of child abuse. A criminal summons was issued on Monday. An arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8.

The probable cause statement says the victim stayed with McCollum and another person from Jan. 10-14, 2025. When the youth’s parents picked them up on Jan. 14, they brought the child to a hospital because of their injuries. The child was then sent to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis due to the extent of their injuries, the statement says.

Court documents listed a large number of injuries, including cracked ribs, cuts to their liver, a bite mark, bruising that was described as “too numerous to count,” and more.

McCollum allegedly told authorities on Jan. 23, 2025, the child was injured after they tripped over a dog on Jan. 12, the statement says. But authorities wrote that they found video footage of the youth in public the next day without any noticeable injuries.

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Zoo Idaho to Reveal Name of Rescued Cougar Kitten Friday

KIFI on July 13, 2026

Par Kermani

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Zoo Idaho will officially reveal the name of its rescued cougar kitten during a special event Friday afternoon.

Pocatello Mayor Mark Dahlquist is scheduled to announce the kitten’s name at noon at Zoo Idaho. The event will also mark the cougar’s first public appearance in her newly renovated habitat.

The cougar arrived at the zoo with two other orphaned kittens from Wyoming after the animals lost their mother.

Shortly after arriving, all three kittens were diagnosed with feline panleukopenia, a highly contagious and often deadly viral disease. Zoo officials said only one of the kittens survived despite extensive veterinary care.

“Every animal at Zoo Idaho has a story, and this cougar’s story is one of resilience,” said Zoo Idaho Manager Peter Pruett. “She overcame tremendous odds, and thanks to the support of our community, she’ll now have a beautiful new habitat to call home. We’re excited to welcome everyone as we reveal her name and celebrate this remarkable chapter.”

Following a public naming contest that generated more than 500 suggestions, zoo staff narrowed the choices to three finalists: Roxanne, Purrsephane and Clawdia.

Community members were then invited to vote for their favorite name through online donations. According to Zoo Idaho, the campaign received more than 600 votes and raised more than $3,000 to support renovations to the cougar’s habitat.

Zoo officials say the event will celebrate both the cougar’s recovery and the community support that helped fund improvements to her exhibit.

The naming ceremony will take place Friday, July 17, at noon at Zoo Idaho, located at 3000 S. Second Ave. in Pocatello.

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Moniteau County man accused of hitting father in head with hatchet

KMIZ on July 13, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A California, Missouri, man was charged with three felonies after he was accused of hitting his own father with a hatchet on Sunday night.

Dustin Coffelt, 40, was charged in Cooper County with second-degree domestic assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held at the Cooper County Jail on a $20,000 bond. A court date has not been set.

Deputies were called to a trailer just before 10 p.m. Sunday after Coffelt allegedly hit the victim in the head with a hatchet, the probable cause statement says. The victim heard banging on his trailer, went outside and saw Coffelt with a hatchet, the statement says.

Coffelt allegedly swung the hatchet at the left side of the victim’s forehead and the deputy noted the injury in the probable cause statement. The hatchet then broke off the handle and Coffelt allegedly tried to attack the victim with the handle and a struggle over it ensued, court documents say.

Coffelt is on probation for a drug possession charge he pleaded guilty to in 2022, court filings show. A seven-year suspended sentence was included in that case.

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New Fulton police chief named

KMIZ on July 13, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Dall Hedges will be the new chief of police in Fulton on Aug. 3, the city announced in a Monday afternoon press release.

The announcement comes after the city announced the retirement of Chief Bill Ladwig on Friday. His last day will also be Aug. 3.

The release says Hedges was picked for the role after “the city conducted an internal interview process.” Hedges joined the Fulton Police Department in 2011 as a lieutenant and was eventually promoted to deputy chief in 2022, the release says.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the police department in the town I grew up in,” Hedges was quoted in the release.

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Fire in remote southern Idaho burns 2,000 acres

KIFI on July 13, 2026

Curtis Jackson

ONEIDA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI)— A brush fire burned over 2,000 acres near I-84 on Sunday evening.

According to BLM reports, the fire started around 2:15 pm, near the Juniper Rest Area. The cause of the fire is unknown.

The fire is currently reported to be as zero percent contained.

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Woman charged for allegedly kicking Las Cruces EMS workers, police officer

KVIA on July 13, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A 20-year-old woman faces two felony charges of battery after allegedly kicking two emergency healthcare workers and a police officer in Las Cruces, according to court documents.

According to documents, Las Cruces Police responded to a crash July 4. Viviana Ramos, a passenger in the vehicle, was put into an ambulance for medical treatment.

An officer said she suddenly saw the ambulance doors swing open and saw Ramos allegedly kick a Las Cruces Fire Department emergency medical technician. Documents alleged Ramos kicked another medical technician in the face and upper body while they tried to restrain her.

An officer said she removed Ramos from the ambulance and tried to handcuff her, documents said. Ramos allegedly grabbed the officer’s chest under her vest.

A second officer tried to help secure Ramos, which led them on the pavement, documents said.

While on the pavement, an officer alleged Ramos grabber her right arm and felt her nails dig into her skin through her shirt, documents said.

Documents said Ramos started kicking the officer while she tried to calm and secure her.

A sergeant helped an officer secure Ramos, documents said.

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Cole County deputies arrest man wanted for murder in Franklin County

KMIZ on July 13, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cole County deputies arrested a man on Monday who is wanted for murder in Franklin County, a press release from the Cole County Sheriff’s Office says.

Jacob T. Davis, 30, was arrested at 11:30 a.m. Monday in the 700 block of Cliff Street on suspicion of second-degree murder and first-degree drug trafficking. Charges have not appeared on Casenet.

The release says Davis was brought to the Cole County Jail and was awaiting extradition to Franklin County. He is listed on the Cole County Jail roster, though a mugshot was not available on Monday evening.

The release says deputes were assisted by the MUSTANG Drug Task Force and members of the Operation Relentless Pursuit Task Force.

Check back for updates

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EPCC professor appointed to Mesoamerican research team at Harvard

KVIA on July 13, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An El Paso Community College professor is one of just 12 researchers from around the world selected for a research team at Harvard University. Monday, EPCC said Manuela Alejandra Gomez will work as an advisor and research associate of the Moses Mesoamerican Archive and Research Project (MMARP).

MMARP preserves more than 40 years of research produced by archaeologists, historians, anthropologists and scholars, EPCC said. Research includes excavations at Templo Mayor and Teotihuacan.

At EPCC, Gomez is a professor of philoshophy.

According to MMARP leadership, Gomez’ work in Mexican American philosophy, borderland education and public humanities caught its eye.

“My work as a U.S.-Mexico border philosopher and educator aligns closely with MMARP’s mission to promote dialogue and collaboration across the humanities,” Gomez said in a statement. “I learned English at EPCC when I was a little girl. This is how far education can get us.”

She has more than 20 years of teaching experience in the U.S. and Mexico, EPCC said. Her work touches on philosophy, education, journalism, public service, and the cultural traditions of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.

EPCC said Gomez’ forthcoming book, “Intersecting Worlds in Mexican American Philosophy: Teaching and Learning from the Border,” explores identities at the border. She also developed “Desenterrando Conocimientos” (Unearthing Knowledge), which recognizes community-based epistemology and intellectual labor as central to Mexican American philosophy.

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