Ameren seeks electric rate increase

KMIZ on July 2, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Ameren Missouri is seeking to raise electric rates, according to a Wednesday press release from the Public Service Commission.

Ameren filed tariff sheets with the PSC on June 26 “seeking a net increase in annual electric base rate revenues of approximately $343 million,” or about $13 per month for the average customer, the release says.

The PSC set July 15 as the deadline for the public to intervene.

“Applications to intervene should be filed with the Secretary of the Missouri Public Service Commission at P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102-0360 or through the Commission’s Electronic Filing and Information System (EFIS),” the release says.

Local public hearings will be scheduled. Customers can also give comments at: :

P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102;

telephone number 800-392-4211;

email pscinfo@psc.mo.gov; or

online via EFIS at https://efis.psc.mo.gov/PublicComment/EmailForm.

Comments should use related submission number ER-2026- 0291. the release says.

Click here to follow the original article.

‘Idaho Unites for Venezuela’: Local community rallies to send aid following deadly earthquakes

KIFI on July 2, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Thousands of people are in dire need after a rare double earthquake struck Venezuela over the weekend, but the Eastern Idaho community is already stepping up to help.

As the official death toll continues to climb, a local group of volunteers has gathered to support earthquake victims and the exhausted search-and-rescue teams on the ground.

Idaho Unites for Venezuela is actively collecting donations and emergency supplies to send directly to the hardest-hit areas. Organizer Javier Hurtado says the community response has been immediate, with hundreds of supplies already pouring in from residents and local businesses alike.

“We just received some donations from Health Healthcare of Medicine…” Hurtado said. “A lot of volunteers showed up today, and we are already receiving so many donations from the community.”

According to CNN, at least 2,295 people have been confirmed dead, with thousands more still feared trapped in the rubble.

To help, the group is gathering critical items for First aid kits, along with essential supplies:

Medical & First Aid

Bandages, gauze, and medical tape

Antiseptics and rubbing alcohol

Disposable gloves and face masks

Basic over-the-counter medications

Infant & Personal Care

Powdered milk and baby formula

Diapers (both baby and adult sizes)

Baby wipes and personal hygiene items

Emergency Food & Shelter

Non-perishable food items

Flashlights and batteries

Blankets and sleeping bags

New or gently used clothing

Volunteers will be collecting donations tomorrow, Thursday, July 2nd, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Cherry Glass / AdvantaServ on 2695 N. 25th E. in Idaho Falls. For more information, click HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

4th suspect in Young Park mass shooting in court

KVIA on July 2, 2026

Carpio Griego

DONA ANA COUNTY, New Mexico (KVIA) — The trial for the last of the four teens accused of a mass shooting that left three dead began Wednesday afternoon. Gustavo Dominguez was 17 years old at the time and faces three counts of first-degree murder.

The mass shooting happened at Young Park on March 21, 2025, three teen died as a result. 16-year-old Andrew Madrid, 17-year-old Jason Gomez, and 18-year-old Dominick Estrada. The shooting also injured more than a dozen people who were attending an unsanctioned car show at the park.

Prosecutors showed bodycam footage from Las Cruces Police Sergeant Derek Duran. He said it was “chaos” when he arrived at the shooting scene as everyone tried to leave at the same time either by car or by foot.

The video showed a man who yelled, “It was the Riveras! I know it!”

Bodycam video also showed Duran and another officer treating gunshot wounds.

In February, brothers Tomas and Nathan Rivas were convicted of three counts of first-degree murder.

In April, the third and youngest suspect, Josiah Ontiveros, was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and not guilty on conspiracy charges.

Click here to follow the original article.

Boil advisory issued for several Fulton homes

KMIZ on July 1, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A boil advisory was issued for about 80 homes in Fulton after water was shut off to repair an emergency water leak.

The city made the announcement about the repairs on Tuesday night and told residents online on Wednesday morning that five streets were affected.

The affected streets include Singer Lane, Penny Lane, Julian Lane, Dixie Avenue and Randall Lane.

The post says notices would be placed on the affected homes.

Click here to follow the original article.

Indio announces its 3rd annual Veterans Day Run/Walk

KESQ on July 1, 2026

Haley Meberg

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Indio announced its 3rd Annual Veterans Day Run/Walk, set to take place in November with a new, exciting 10K race option.

The annual event sets out to honor local veterans while also supporting the Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation and American Legion Post 739, who aid in serving the military community.

The Veterans Day tradition will take place at the Empire Polo grounds in Indio on November 11 with tickets ranging from $38 for the 5k race to $54 for the 10k race. Children under the age of 10 can participate for free and veterans will receive a $25 discount.

The ceremony will commence at 8:00 a.m. with the race taking off at 8:30 a.m. and will ultimately conclude with awards for the top three finishers in both races. “Early bird” registration is open now at Indio Veterans Day 5K & 10K Run/Walk

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Yuma County expands Public Health building

KYMA on July 1, 2026

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Public Health Services building just got easier for residents to navigate.

The expansion of the Public Health building was designed to streamline services for residents, making them more efficient and accessible.

Additional clinical rooms, expanded educational areas accessible to the public, privacy screens, and an enhanced WIC area are just some of the changes meant to improve the experience for residents.

The $20 million project adds 20,000 square-feet to the building and renovated 80% of its interior.

Click here to follow the original article.

American Veterans Service Organization celebrates 15 years

KYMA on July 1, 2026

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The American Veterans Service Organization is celebrating 15 years of serving Veterans in the Yuma community.

The group helps local Veterans secure disability compensation, access health care guidance and connect with a range of other services.

Staff say their goal is to make sure Veterans and their families get the support they’ve earned.

“We’ve been around for 15 years, which is phenomenal in itself. We’ve helped over 50,000 Veterans and their families get their benefits, and that’s such a phenomenal number,” said Michale Condon with the organization.

To celebrate the milestone, the group also hosted a buffet to give back to the community for their help. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Missing Child Alert: ODHS seeks help in locating Jaylynn Rose O’Hara, believed to be in danger

KTVZ on July 1, 2026

Claire Elmer

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division, is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 16-year-old, Jaylynn Rose O’Hara, who is believed to be in danger.

Jaylynn Rose O’Hara went missing from Eugene near Alton Baker Park on June 29th. She is suspected to be in the areas of Eugene, Corvallis, or Springfield. If you have any information, please call 911 or contact your local law enforcement immediately.

O’Hara is reportedly 5’7″ tall, weighs 220 pounds, with dark brown hair and blue eyes.

The full press release with additional details is below:

“The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Jaylynn O’Hara, age 16, who went missing from Eugene near Alton Baker Park on June 29. They are believed to be in danger. 

ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Jaylynn O’Hara and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see Jaylynn. 

Jaylynn O’Hara is suspected to be in the Eugene area but may also be in Springfield or Corvallis. 

Sometimes when a child is missing, they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child. 

Report suspected child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. 

Child Legal Name: Jaylynn O’Hara

Child Preferred Name: Jaylynn

Pronouns: She/her

Age: 16

Height: 5-foot-7

Weight: 220 pounds

Hair color: Dark brown

Eye color: Blue 

Specific Identifying Characteristics: piercings: Industrial left ear, septum, nose both nostrils, upper lip snake bite

Eugene Police Dept. Report #26-09846

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Report #:  2093355

Date Missing: 6/29/26

Suspected and/or frequented location(s):  Eugene-Station 7, New Roads, Hosea Youth Shelter, 7-11 on 8th and HWY 99, Skinner’s Butte”

Click here to follow the original article.

Part of Columbia’s Opportunity Campus opens ahead of schedule as overnight cooling shelter

KMIZ on July 1, 2026

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Part of Columbia’s new Opportunity Campus will be open on Wednesday night due to extreme heat in the area.

ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Alert Days are in effect through the weekend as the heat index looks to hit triple digits.

New Day Columbia will operate the overnight cooling center at 1304 Bowling St. in Columbia from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. for those unable to escape the elements. Wednesday is the first night a portion of the Opportunity Campus will operate as an overnight shelter. The location started operating as a daytime center on Monday.

“It’s just getting people indoors,” said Darren Morton, New Day Columbia Executive Director. “We have the seats set up, they can watch a movie and then whenever you get tired or lights out is at 9:15, 9:30, they go to their cot and just get rested for the next day.”

The Opportunity Campus is made up of two buildings— the Cindy Mustard Resource Center and The Hub. The cooling center will be located in The Hub on the building’s east side.

The $18.6 million facility built to support people experiencing hardship and homelessness is set to open its doors fully in mid-to-late July.

According to Columbia’s 2025 State of Homelessness Report, 309 people experienced homelessness last year. The city’s homeless population has hovered around the 300 mark for at least three years, with 323 reported in 2024 and 270 in 2023. 

 On Wednesday, the formation of a Steering Committee was also announced by the city. The committee tasked with creating “a Strategic Plan focused on actionable steps to address homelessness in Columbia,” according to a press release from the city.

A news release from the city said the committee will consider primary and secondary data, community needs and feasibility. The committee will collect input from individuals with lived experience, related organizations, business owners, higher education institutions and more.

The release says the public will have an opportunity to be involved in the process through focus groups and a community survey.

The Steering Committee will be assisted in the process by City of Columbia staff members and facilitators from contractor BerryDunn. Some notable committee members include Ward 6 Councilwoman Betsy Peters, Columbia Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer, Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude and Boone County Northern District Commissioner Janet Thompson.

Click here to follow the original article.

Columbia Fire Department traffic training helps keep first responders safe at highway scenes

KMIZ on July 1, 2026

Melissa Houston

COLUMBIA, Mo. (Kmiz)

The Columbia Fire Department held a Traffic Incident Management training session on Wednesday to review safety protocols for road incidents.

Firefighters gathered at the Columbia Fire Training Academy for the training led by Battalion Chief Roger Mertenmeyer.

The entire department has completed this course, which is offered a few times a year. The training is open to dispatchers, media, tow truck companies and any personnel who work with accident scenes.

The course teaches emergency personnel vehicle placement strategies and methods to keep traffic flowing and reduce the risk of any secondary crashes.

“Training is solely geared around roadway incidents and the safety of responders for one, and then the general public passing through it,” Mertenmeyer said.

According to data from the 2015 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted Report and the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 10 officers, four firefighters and an estimated 40 to 60 towing and recovery professionals are killed each year from being struck at a scene. Mertenmeyer also said that on-site responders are highly susceptible to being hit by moving traffic and distracted drivers.

An example took place in Boone County in 2021, when Boone County Fire District Assistant Chief Bryant Gladney was struck and killed while responding to a tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 70.

Mertenmeyer also said that traffic backups, especially in construction zones, make the area even more dangerous for responders because of high-speed traffic approaching stopped vehicles.

“Anytime we’re on the roadway, it’s dangerous, and so when we extend that time period we’re on the roadway, it extends the amount of exposure we have to moving traffic,” Mertensmeyer said.

The safety of the responders is Mertensmeyer’s main goal in these trainings, and he urges the public to stay alert when driving, especially near a roadside incident.

“Everyone seems to want to look and see what’s going on on our emergency scenes as they go by, and I understand that for a lot of people, they don’t get to see that all the time,” Mertensmeyer said. “However, when you take your eyes off where you’re supposed to go, then that’s what causes you to drift and perhaps hit another vehicle next to you or hit one of our responders.”

Click here to follow the original article.