KRDO13 speaks with first evacuees to return home in the ‘Aspen Acres’ wildfire in Pueblo County

KRDO on July 7, 2026

Scott Harrison

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — A weeklong ordeal has ended for dozens of people forced to evacuate during the “Aspen Acres” fire, now in its ninth day.

Evacuees in parts of Colorado City, along Highway 165 and east of Interstate 25, began returning home Monday night and Tuesday morning.

→ Check KRDO’s full coverage of the “Aspen Acres” wildfire here 

A checkpoint manned by the Colorado National Guard and Pueblo County deputies at the intersection of Highway 165 and Cologne Way verified whether incoming drivers had proof of residency before being allowed in.

Among those turned around was a driver who refused to give his name and said that he lives in nearby Rye, which remains under a mandatory evacuation.

“Still not on their list,” he said. “I hope they update it because where I live, most of us immediately to the west are out of fire danger.”

A block west of the checkpoint is Applewood Drive, where neighbors evacuated for the second time in two weeks after a previous fire damaged or destroyed 11 homes there.

“We evacuated last Tuesday night and came back yesterday afternoon,” said David Hill, who lives in Applewood Estates. “We stayed in motels and Airbnbs. Me, my wife, and my mother-in-law.”

Another resident, Kameron Jordan, is thankful to still have the home he’s lived in for 17 years.

“I have a family of four,” he said. “My mom, dad, and sister. We stayed in our van at the Circle K. I’m glad that I had my family. We freaked out. We thought we were going to lose our home.”

As we celebrate the evacuees who are coming home, our thoughts and prayers continue for evacuees who still can’t return, or even have homes destroyed in the fire.

Click here to follow the original article.

California launches first “FireSat” satellites to revolutionize wildfire detection

KESQ on July 7, 2026

Tommy Gallegos

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California has launched the first three FireSat satellites, marking the start of a new space-based wildfire detection system designed to identify fires in near real time.

Launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, the satellites are part of a partnership between CAL FIRE, the Earth Fire Alliance (EFA), Muon Space, and other technology partners. After a three-month commissioning period, the satellites will begin providing wildfire data to fire agencies.

🛰️ Three satellites just reached orbit, and they’re watching for wildfires.

Earlier this morning, the first three FireSat satellites launched into orbit, marking the beginning of a new space-based wildfire detection system designed to help identify fires in near real time.… pic.twitter.com/V1cKbSn4Wx

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) July 7, 2026

Once the full constellation of more than 50 satellites is deployed by 2030, FireSat will be able to detect fires as small as 5 by 5 meters anywhere on Earth and provide updated observations every 20 minutes or less, helping firefighters respond before small fires become major incidents.

Governor Gavin Newsom called the launch a major step in protecting communities through innovation, “FireSat is about more than satellites in the sky; it’s about protecting families, firefighters, and communities that live with the fear of wildfire every summer,” Newsom said.

California helped develop the FireSat program through early testing with CAL FIRE before the Earth Fire Alliance was formally established. Officials say the technology will improve real-time wildfire intelligence and strengthen emergency response worldwide.

FireSat builds on California’s broader investments in wildfire technology, including the ALERTCalifornia camera network, the Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS), drone and satellite monitoring, wildfire forecasting tools, and statewide LiDAR mapping. The state has also nearly doubled its annual fire protection budget to $3.8 billion while investing more than $2.5 billion in wildfire resilience and forest health projects.

With operations expected to begin later this year, FireSat is designed to give firefighters earlier detection, better situational awareness, and faster response capabilities as wildfire seasons continue to intensify.

Click here to follow the original article.

El Paso City Council to advocate for state funding of new behavioral health facility

KVIA on July 7, 2026

Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – Tuesday, El Paso City Council unanimously voted to advocate for sustainable state funding for the Emergence Health Network (EHN) new Behavioral East Campus. It will provide crisis behavioral health care for youth and adults and include the first space of its kind for kids in the city.

The funding would support the facility’s operations, staffing and services. It would also help expand crisis behavioral health care for youth and adults and ensure the long-term sustainability of the facility.

City Council member Ivan Niño proposed the item.

“We often talk about how important it is to prioritize public safety, affordability, quality of life components including economic mobility. However, I’ve also shared how all of these priorities are defined differently by many different individuals based on our perspective districts. You know, currently in the far east of El Paso or in district five, within district five, there is no direct access or branch,” Niño said in Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

He said the new behavioral health center in Far East El Paso (District 5) would change that. EHN was able to secure state funding for the full construction of the project, nearly $50 million from the state legislature, according to Niño.

That project will include a crisis center and an outpatient space. According to Niño, it will include:

16 diversion adult chairs

16 extended observation beds

16 residential crisis beds

8 beds for kids

The center will include the first beds for this type of care for kids in El Paso. Niño said that was important for him.

“This space is going to have eight beds for kids, which is going to be something that is going to be super impactful for our entire community and for the Far East side of Paso, specifically, how fast it’s grown and it continues to grow,” Niño said in the meeting.

Now that state funding has been secured for the building, Niño said it’s important for the council to advocate to ensure EHN has operational cost to provide services for the entire city and county.

“This will be the first dedicated youth crisis observation and stabilization service in the county. This will also directly support law enforcement officers, including CIT teams, by giving them a dedicated place to bring someone in crisis,” EHN Chief Operating Officer Crystal Davis said in the council meeting.

Davis said the facility means instead of a person in crisis being routed to jail or the emergency room, they will be met with clinical staff. She said that means less waiting times in emergency rooms and faster return in the community for officers.

EHN is asking for the city to advocate for sustainable funding to support the facility operation and staffing long-term, according to Davis. The request is detailed in this item:

Item 23: Discussion and action to direct the City Manager, in coordination with the City Attorney, to amend the City of El Paso’s 90th Session State Legislative Agenda to include advocacy for sustainable state funding during the upcoming biennium to support the operational costs, staffing, and service delivery of the recently announced Behavioral Health East Campus, a community-based crisis behavioral health facility to be operated by Emergence Health Network (EHN) and located within the City of El Paso. Such advocacy shall support the expansion of crisis behavioral health services for youth and adults and help ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the facility.

The item passed unanimously.

ABC-7 has reached out to Emergence Health Network for comment.

Click here to follow the original article.

Junior law enforcement camp opens doors for local girls in Redmond

KTVZ on July 7, 2026

Tracee Tuesday

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new Junior Law Enforcement Camp for Women in Redmond is giving local girls a hands-on look at careers in criminal justice, far beyond the traditional image of a police officer. The camp was created by Redmond Police Lieutenant April Huey, a 20-year veteran of the department, to help young women see themselves in a wide range of public safety roles.

Huey said the idea is to introduce participants to the many different areas of law enforcement, including patrol, dispatch, parole and probation, police records and forensics. She shared that her own career started in police records, and she wants students to understand that there are multiple pathways into the field, whether or not they ever put on a badge.

During the camp, the girls rotate through stations that highlight different parts of the job. At one point, they step into a mock dispatch center, where they listen to and practice the kind of rapid, coded communication that helps keep officers and the public safe. In one training scenario, an officer and dispatcher trade information about a stolen car and share identification numbers over the radio, giving campers a feel for how precise and fast those interactions need to be.

The camp also emphasizes the physical demands of law enforcement work. Participants are asked to complete a dummy drag, a common part of law enforcement physical fitness testing. Huey explains and demonstrates how to safely lift or drag the dummy from one point to another, and notes that every participant in this academy has successfully passed the test. She said seeing the girls accomplish that challenge gives her “forward momentum” and reinforces why the camp matters.

For some campers, the interest in law enforcement started with a television character or episode that made the job look compelling. One participant, 12-year old Alisyah, said she was inspired by seeing a character on a show and thought, “That character is so cool.” Now, instead of just watching from home, she and other local girls are getting real-world experience in Redmond, with mentors who work in the field every day.

The camp also introduces students to forensics, where evidence collection and analysis play a key role in solving crimes. From learning how information moves through dispatch, to seeing how physical and digital evidence are handled, organizers say they hope the experience helps Central Oregon girls imagine themselves in these roles and consider law enforcement as a future career close to home.

Lieutenant Huey encourages anyone interested in learning more about the Junior Women’s Law Enforcement Academy to contact her directly at april.huey@redmondoregon.gov.

Reported: July 7, 2026; 11:56 am

Teen girls in Central Oregon are stepping into the world of law enforcement this week through a unique, hands-on academy designed to inspire the next generation.

The Junior Women’s Law Enforcement Academy in Redmond is giving participants a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to serve, with interactive activities led entirely by women in the field. From high-intensity scenarios to real-world demonstrations, organizers say the experience is about more than just skills — it’s about building confidence and opening doors.

The free two-day camp runs July 7 and 8 and brings together local agencies to mentor and guide young women curious about careers in criminal justice.

KTVZ’s Tracee Tuesday will have a full report tonight during our 6 PM newscast on our NBC affiliate.

Click here to follow the original article.

Submit Your Vote for “Best Tri-Tip in the 805” at California Wine Festival

KEYT on July 7, 2026

Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The annual California Wine Festival is coming to Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara and features a BBQ competition that will have everyone struggling to cast their vote!

Each competitor will serve tri-tip and the winner will be awarded “Best Tri-Tip in the 805.”  Each guest to the festival will receive a wristband up entry with a voting tab to vote, once trying the selection of delicious tri-tip competitors, attendees can submit their vote. Voting ends at 3 p.m.

The Morning News was joined by one of the competitors Chef Sean Conway of Costa Kitchen and Barn.

Costa is located at the Mar Monte Hotel in Santa Barbara.

If you want to try Chef Sean Conway’s tri-tip and cast your vote, tickets are still available!

The event is July 18th from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Chase Palm Park. You can use code KEYT for a discount at checkout or click the link.

Click here to follow the original article.

Estrella del Paso accuses the Trump administration of refusing to pay reimbursements; litigation is ongoing

KVIA on July 7, 2026

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Estrella del Paso, a local immigration legal clinic that operates as a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso, is accusing the federal government, specifically the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, of not paying them around $765,000 owed in reimbursements for the past six months.

These reimbursements come under the Unaccompanied Children program, in which Estrella del Paso has hundreds of pending cases.

Melissa M. Lopez, the executive director of EDP, says it is a frustrating situation because they need to look for other means to provide those legal services to the migrant children they are currently representing.

ABC-7 reported that last year, the federal government tried to terminate the program for unaccompanied children to keep them from receiving legal representation, in which Estrella Del Paso, along with other plaintiffs, went into court last year to fight this termination.

“This feels like another form of trying to terminate the program now by not paying us money that we’ve earned under this contract,” executive director Lopez said. “The way this contract works is we provide the services, we provide proof of that to the government, and then they reimburse us, so then they pay us the money that we’re owed based on the services that we provided.”

The last time the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families paid Estrella Del Paso was late last year and it has been operating for six months without those reimbursements.

“We’re definitely struggling financially because when we don’t have the cash flow coming in, then it makes it hard for us to be able to meet the obligations that we have, whether that be bills that need to be paid, but also paying salaries for staff, so we are struggling financially and that’s why we’re trying to do what we can to raise funds as quickly as possible to avoid a possible worst case scenario and avoid coming to that,” she added.

“It is getting to a critical point where it’s getting harder and harder to make that work and that’s why we’re we’re making this plea for financial donations to the community and also to our philanthropic partners to try and increase our cash flow so that we will get to a point where we can focus on the work that we need to do, which is really difficult as it is,” Lopez also said.

For Estrella Del Paso, this only affects all the people they serve and represent, because if they don’t have the resources the legal clinic offers, they face immediate deportation.

“I have tried to be as transparent with the entire team as I can be in terms of what’s going on and sharing with them information as I have it, especially critical information, because I would hate for them to find out about something important through the media or because somebody mentioned something to them, so I’ve tried to be as transparent with them as I can as to where we are right now and the circumstances and what we’re facing,” Lopez also said.

The ongoing lawsuit is limited exclusively to this program, given that it receives federal funding and the government can decide whether or not to award the grant to another organization.

“For us, the bottom line is making sure that these children receive legal representation; that’s the most important part,” Lopez added. “If the program were to be given to somebody else, which would be essentially what could happen if we aren’t successful in the lawsuit and as long as children are receiving the services that they’re entitled to, that’s really what we’re fighting for.”

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar posted a response on social media Tuesday to the Trump administration’s alleged refusal to pay more than $765,000 owed to Estrella del Paso.

Congresswoman Escobar issued the following statement on Instagram:

“Estrella del Paso has been a lifeline for immigrant families in our community, providing the legal support that makes our justice system fairer and more accessible. The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold funding for unaccompanied minors has placed that mission in jeopardy, created unnecessary uncertainty for the people who depend on it, and deliberately attacked due process. Every day these funds remain frozen puts essential legal services for children and the future of Estrella del Paso at greater risk – reimbursements should be released now.”

ABC-7 reached out to the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for comment.

HHS provided us with the following statement:

“The Administration for Children and Families does not comment on matters subject to ongoing litigation.”

Executive Director Lopez says they have several hundred unaccompanied children cases pending and some have lasted years, so for them, they still have a legal obligation to those children and want to find the means to be able to keep representing all of them moving forward.

Estrella Del Paso invites those who wish to donate to programs for unaccompanied children to do so; for more information, you can click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

RV fire damages trailer at Windhaven RV Park

KYMA on July 7, 2026

Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) is investigating an RV fire that damaged a trailer.

YFD says it happened Monday at Windhaven RV Park, located in the area of 32nd Street near Circle K, before 8 a.m.

Upon arrival, YFD says crews found smoke and flames coming from the rear of the trailer, and firefighters quickly confirmed everyone had evacuated before beginning fire suppression efforts.

YFD says the fire had spread underneath the trailer, but was contained before it could extend to nearby trailers and other structures.

The residents were evaluated at the scene, but declined to be taken to the hospital, and YFD says the American Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced residents.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

016 Windhaven Trailer FireDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

El Paso County to hold special meeting about proposed Ascarate Park improvements, duck pond’s future

KVIA on July 7, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Thursday, El Paso County asked residents to attend a special Commissioners Court meeting at Ascarate Park to share their thoughts about the park’s proposed future improvements. Part of those plans include a proposed removal of the park’s duck pond.

The County said a Capital Improvement Bond voters approved in 2024 will fund the proposed improvements. Nothing has been officially decided yet, and plans are only concepts on how to improve the park.

Other plans include engineering and environmental assessments, the county said. Officials have to look at water quality, algae growth, water loss and other maintenance challenges.

The County wants the public to share their input to guide their plans.

Residents who attend the meeting can ask county staff and project consultants questions and give feedback, according to a news release. Meetings ran through mid-July, with the last one scheduled for Thursday.

The meeting is at 6900 Delta Dr. at the park’s pavilion. It will start at 6 p.m., according to the county.

To sign up for public comment, there will be forms available upon arrival at the meeting to fill out, the county said.

You can also sign up ahead of time to speak in person, through Teams, phone or a written comment through the county’s website.

The county said there won’t be a gate fee to enter the park and attend the meetings.

Click here to follow the original article.

Are you and your car ready for temperatures in the 110s?

KESQ on July 7, 2026

Matthew Pearce

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — Temperatures are on the rise as summer is in full swing. This means vehicle awareness in the heat is more important than ever as temps inside cars can climb by 20 degrees or more in 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.

Not only can these temperatures become dangerous, they can also affect the performance of cars. According to AAA, electric vehicles operating at 95-degree temperatures experience an 8.5% decrease in driving range compared with performance at 75 degrees.

This means EV owners are forced to charge more often, increasing the operating costs of the vehicle.

The U.S. Department of Energy shows California leads the nation in registered EVs. With that, understanding how summer temperatures can change the performance is crucial.

Stay with News Channel 3 to learn what you can do to help your car when temperatures rise, starting at 4 p.m.

Click here to follow the original article.

Palm Springs council to vote on stripping skirts from 2,150 iconic fan palms; land trust urges tree-by-tree approach

KESQ on July 7, 2026

Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) The Palm Springs City Council on Wednesday will consider a plan to remove the natural skirts from roughly 2,150 California fan palms on city property a proposal city staff say is needed to protect public safety, and one a local land trust says would permanently change the look of Palm Springs and destroy wildlife habitat.

Under the proposal, skirts, fruit pods and trunk material would be removed from the city’s California fan palms in pedestrian areas over the next four years at a cost of about $300,000, according to the city staff report.

The report says falling skirts the collars of dried, dead fronds that hang beneath a palm’s crown can weigh more than 1,000 pounds and pose a danger to pedestrians and tree workers below. It also says the dead fronds harbor roof rats and cockroaches, which can carry disease.

In a public alert to supporters, Oswit Land Trust is urging the council to reject the citywide approach in favor of a tree-by-tree, risk-based management plan. The Palm Springs-based nonprofit says the skirts provide habitat for owls, bats, birds and other species, and that the staff report gives little consideration to those ecological benefits.

The group has also said the city conducted no public outreach or workshops on the issue, which first appeared on a council agenda in July 2024. When a similar policy came before the council that year, members postponed a vote and opted to seek additional public input.

The trees at the center of the debate are woven into the city’s history. In 1949, City Councilwoman Ruth Hardy persuaded the city to plant hundreds of fan palms along Palm Canyon Drive as part of a major downtown renovation trees that were dedicated in a ceremony that fall and still line the street today. Ruth Hardy Park in Palm Springs bears her name.

The city’s own report acknowledges Palm Springs is known for one of the world’s largest collections of heritage California fan palms in their natural state. A 2009 city resolution deliberately preserved the skirts on the city’s California fan palms, allowing only light shearing for clearance.

Outlook July 8 2026Download

Click here to follow the original article.