Rare $3,600 sculpture stolen from Palm Desert business recovered, suspect arrested in Los Angeles

KESQ on July 23, 2026

Tommy Gallegos

PALM DESERT, Calif. (July 23, 2026) — A suspect accused of stealing a rare sculpture valued at approximately $3,600 from a Palm Desert retail business has been arrested following a multi-agency investigation that led authorities from the Coachella Valley to Los Angeles County.

The theft was reported on June 18, 2026, when deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to the 72000 block of Dinah Shore Drive after a business owner discovered the sculpture had been stolen. Deputies met with the victim and launched an investigation into the missing artwork.

The case was taken over by the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station’s Business District Team (BDT) and Robbery Burglary Suppression Team (RBST), who worked together to identify the suspect through investigative leads.

According to investigators, surveillance footage and public safety cameras played a key role in the case.

On July 17, 2026, investigators served a search warrant at a residence in the 1800 block of North Wilton Place in Los Angeles. The suspect was located and taken into custody without incident.

Authorities also served a second search warrant at a property in the 67000 block of Paletero Road in Cathedral City, where the stolen sculpture was recovered.

The artwork has since been returned to the Palm Desert business, where it has been placed back on display for sale. According to the business, proceeds from the sculpture will support a charitable cause.

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New Idaho law promotes AI literacy as Micron helps prepare teachers and students

KIFI on July 23, 2026

KIVI Staff

By: Sahana Patel

Originally Posted 5:35 PM, Jul 22, 2026

SOUTHEAST BOISE, Idaho — A new Idaho law is putting guidelines in place for how schools approach artificial intelligence, and Micron is helping educators and students learn to use the technology responsibly.

Idaho lawmakers passed a law earlier this year aimed at expanding AI literacy and preparing students for a quickly changing technology landscape. The Idaho Department of Education said partnerships with companies like Micron are helping make that happen by supporting teachers and expanding AI learning opportunities for students.

While AI is already part of everyday work at Micron, many educators across Idaho are still learning how to use it.

“The conversation is more about where is that balance because we don’t want students to go from one class to another with completely different attitudes towards AI,” said Cathy Ammirati, who works on global budget and operations on Micron’s social impact and community engagement team.

Micron offers camps for both teachers and students, along with online lessons educators can use in the classroom. One of those programs is Chip Camp, which I got a look inside in June.

“The students will take a role and they are going to play part of a computer,” Ammirati said. If everybody can have a better understanding about the underlying workings of how AI is impacting our lives and how it works, then they can go forward and use it more intelligently.”

Micron is also working with teachers by providing training, AI curriculum and mentorship opportunities in schools across Idaho.

“They didn’t have that training, but you can still teach the concepts without having a degree in AI or a degree in data science,” Ammirati said.

RELATED | Micron’s Chip Camp at Boise State introduces middle schoolers to AI and semiconductor technology

As part of the White House’s AI Commitment to America’s Youth, Micron pledged to empower 40,000 learners and educators by 2029.

“We have set every single one of our grants, if there is a STEM component, science, technology, engineering, and math, then we want an AI lesson taught there as well. So we will train the grantee on how to teach that AI lesson,” Ammirati said.

Ammirati said 25 years ago, the focus was teaching computer science. Today, she said that conversation has shifted to AI, and students who don’t learn how to use it responsibly could be at a disadvantage in the future.

You can find more about Micron’s AI educator program here.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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AG says locals have asked about LGBTQ+-themed story time

KMIZ on July 23, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri’s attorney general wrote to a local library board saying that “residents” have requested her office make sure that an LGBTQ+-themed story time is “conducted in a manner consistent with Missouri law.”

A library spokeswoman told ABC 17 News that the event is family friendly.

The letter was dated Thursday and released publicly by Attorney General Catherine Hanaway on social media platforms.

Hanaway, in her letter, reminded the Daniel Boone Regional Library that providing minors with pornography is illegal, as is displaying sexually explicit material in a public location. She also wrote that libraries jeopardize their state funding if they hold events that are not designated for the proper age group.

The letter is in response to the Columbia Public Library’s “Rainbow Story Time” event scheduled for 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday in the Children’s Program Room.

“Join us for a queer-led story time with an LGBTQ+ theme. We’ll share stories, sing songs and do an activity with time to meet new friends at the end,” the event description on the library website states. The page states the event is meant for families, toddlers and preschoolers.

Library spokeswoman Mitzi St. John wrote in an email that the 30-minute event includes readings of “Rainbowsaurus” and “Big Wig.”

“Neither include sexual content,” St. John wrote.

Boone Regional Library in Columbia is hosting a “queer-led story time” directed to toddlers and preschoolers, with time to “meet new friends” afterwards.

We’ve sent a notice to the library reminding them that providing pornography or sexual material to minors is against Missouri… pic.twitter.com/67CVG65Hm8

— Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway (@AGCHanaway) July 23, 2026

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Valley Hope opens new outpatient addiction treatment center in Columbia

KMIZ on July 23, 2026

Ellyse Edwards

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Valley Hope has opened an outpatient addiction treatment center in Columbia, offering continued care for people with substance-use disorders who do not require overnight treatment.

The center provides an intensive outpatient program that includes group therapy, education and individual counseling. Patients can continue living at home and going to work or school while receiving treatment.

Missouri recorded 1,461 drug overdose deaths in 2024, according to final data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state’s age-adjusted overdose death rate was 23.7 deaths per 100,000 people. West Virginia leads the nation with 48.9 deaths per 100,000 people, the CDC reports.

Valley Hope CEO Patrick Hall said the organization opened the Columbia location after seeing a need for continued treatment among patients in the area. Valley Hope also operates a residential treatment facility in Boonville.

Hall said Valley Hope previously provided outpatient services online but wanted to establish an in-person location in Columbia.

“Because of the demand and the need to keep patients in treatment for as long as possible to improve their recovery outcomes, we had a mission to open an outpatient location here in person,” Hall said.

Hall said the intensive outpatient program generally includes nine hours of treatment each week, divided into three-hour sessions on three days. Unlike residential care, patients do not stay overnight at the facility.

Carrie Harris, Valley Hope’s alumni coordinator, received treatment through the organization in 2008 and 2009. Harris said she did not initially believe she had an alcohol problem because she was employed, had a car and continued paying her bills.

“With the education that they provided me at Valley Hope, I came to know that my life was unmanageable and I really did have an issue with alcohol,” Harris said.

Harris said substance-use disorders can affect people from any background.

“What I want people to know about addiction is that it doesn’t discriminate,” Harris said. “It affects every class, every race, every religion. None of us are exempt.”

She said having a treatment center in Columbia could make care more accessible for people balancing recovery with work, school or family responsibilities.

Angi Allphin, Valley Hope’s executive director and clinical expert, said substance-use disorder is a disease and should not be viewed as a failure of willpower.

“Some of the strongest people I’ve ever met in my career are people who have substance-use disorders because they know that struggle,” Allphin said. “They are now reaching out and saying, ‘I can’t do this alone anymore.’ Those are the strong people.”

Allphin said intensive outpatient treatment can help people transition back into their normal routines after completing detoxification or residential care. She said returning home can expose patients to familiar situations, habits and cravings while they are still adjusting to recovery.

The Columbia program offers morning and evening groups, with both in-person and telehealth options. Allphin said telehealth can reduce barriers for patients who lack reliable transportation or cannot regularly travel to the center.

Valley Hope leaders said the outpatient center is intended to provide continued support as patients move through different stages of treatment and recovery.

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Power restoration process underway for affected spaces at Niland RV Park

KYMA on July 23, 2026

Lynette Niebla

NILAND, Calif. (KYMA) – Sections of the Lark Spa Mobile Home & RV Park are entering their eleventh consecutive day without electricity following a safety-related power shutdown.

The outage impacts only a portion of the property, affecting 27 of the park’s residential spaces.

Park management and Imperial County officials have both released statements outlining the initial safety inspections, the emergency support provided to residents, and the ongoing construction timeline to restore power.

The localized disruption began on July 9, 2026, when the Imperial County Planning & Development Services Department inspected the 61-year-old, low-income senior community after receiving a complaint.

The county issued an Attention–Action Required Notice directing the operator to halt the unpermitted work, de-energize the affected line, and secure the necessary permits before making repairs.

County officials emphasized that they did not order a power disconnection for the entire park, only the specific lines flagged as unsafe.

Lark Spa Certified Park Manager Lorinda Grable stated that management complied with the safety order immediately and activated their county-approved Emergency Preparedness Plan.

The park opened its air-conditioned recreation hall as an approved cooling center and overnight shelter, offering cots, water, and refrigerated storage for medication and food.

Grable noted that the park faced administrative hurdles qualifying for expedited repair permits and certain outside aid because their local emergency shelter was already actively operating.

“I’ve been on everything,” Grable said. “I called Red Cross, I called APS, I called everything you can imagine all the way from state all the way down, but I would get the same answer from everybody.”

Management also addressed public statements regarding park conditions and financial requests. Grable clarified that pets were welcome in private air-conditioned rooms and were never forced away from owners.

She added that requests for hotel and fuel reimbursements exceeded the financial capabilities of the nonprofit park, which charges approximately $200 per month for lot rent.

“Lark Spa simply does not have the financial ability or legal obligation to provide those expenses during an emergency,” Grable stated. “We work very hard to keep housing affordable while maintaining the park and complying with State and County requirements.”

According to a press release, the Imperial County Executive Office was notified of the ongoing electricity loss on July 17. Multiple county departments mobilized that same afternoon to coordinate a response.

The Department of Social Services deployed staff to assess conditions and speak directly with residents. Representatives found that most impacted residents had temporarily relocated to hotels or stayed with relatives.

County agencies coordinated the following assistance:

Delivered 20 cots to the property

Assessed residents for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and alternative public benefits

Activated prepared-meal assistance for eligible CalFresh recipients

Initiated wellness follow-ups through Behavioral Health Services and Adult Protective Services

“Once the County Executive Office was notified that residents were without electricity, departments mobilized that same day to assess conditions and connect residents with available assistance,” said Imperial County Executive Officer Kathleen Lang.

Grable expressed appreciation for the county’s involvement, noting, “The county has been great the whole time. We have had a long-standing, for years and years, good standing with the county.”

County officials stated that the park operator remains responsible for hiring a qualified contractor, pulling the required permits, and completing the necessary infrastructure repairs to bring the system into compliance.

Repair permits have been secured, and crews have broken ground on the site utilizing donated conduit materials.

“So this is what they’re doing is hand digging for us so that we can get the conduit, which now has the temporary wire,” Grable explained. “And all we’re waiting on is for it to be hooked up so that we can get the power on for them.”

An electrician is working to execute a temporary hookup under an approved safety plan. Management anticipates that power will be successfully restored to the affected spaces by late Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.

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One dead, several injured in head-on crash near Desert Hot Springs

KESQ on July 23, 2026

Tommy Gallegos

The crash occurred on Mountain View Road north of Club House Drive and involved two vehicles. According to California Highway Patrol, one vehicle crossed into the southbound lanes and collided head-on with another vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle that crossed the centerline, the sole adult male occupant, sustained major injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.

The second vehicle was occupied by four people, including the driver and three juvenile passengers. CHP says the driver, identified by the Riverside County Coroner as Ashley Lopez, 37, of Desert Hot Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene. Of the three juveniles, one suffered minor injuries, while the other two sustained moderate to major injuries and were transported for treatment.Following the impact, both vehicles caught fire. Emergency crews responded to extinguish the flames, treat the injured, and secure the scene.

California Highway Patrol says that after the collision, good samaritans stopped as the vehicles were starting to catch fire, and pulled all occupants out of the vehicle.

Mountain View Road was temporarily closed at the location of the accident near Club House Drive, but has since reopened.

The Riverside County Coroner is on scene of the accident. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Officials have not released the identity of the deceased pending notification of next of kin.

Anyone with information about the collision is encouraged to contact California Highway Patrol.

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When prices rise, does theft follow?

KESQ on July 23, 2026

Kiera McKinney

PALM DESERT, CALIF. (KESQ)- A new LendingTree survey found 30% of Americans say they’ve shoplifted, up from 23% in 2024.

Among those who admitted to shoplifting, 90% said inflation or financial hardship played a role, with many saying they stole necessities like food and personal hygiene products rather than luxury items.

Indio police say that they are not seeing a big jump in shoplifting cases. Sgt. Abe Plata said when thefts do happen they involve items that are easy to hide or sell.

“It’s mainly over-the-counter medications, alcohol, clothing, tools, electronics. And other everyday consumer goods. Just simple things that they can quickly maybe sell” said Plata.

For some shoppers, higher prices are making them make tougher choices. The survey found that 28 percent of people who admitted to shoplifting cited financial struggles as a reason.

Steve Davidson, a resident said “It doesn’t surprise me in today’s market because people are, having a hard time, you know, with, with all the inflation and incomes.”

Another resident, Less Franz said “It’s just it’s a tough time to be in this situation.”

The survey also found that 37 percent of people who admitted to shoplifting said they did so within the last year.

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Hiker rescued after suffering medical emergency in Mecca

KESQ on July 23, 2026

City News Service

MECCA (CNS) – A hiker was suffering from an unspecified medical emergency at a trail today in Mecca, prompting a rescue off the trail.

The “inaccessible rescue” call was reported about 12:45 p.m. Thursday at Box Canyon Road and Painted Canyon Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency stated that crews made contact with the hiker, whose name and age was not revealed, via an off-road vehicle and was taken to a local hospital.

It was unclear if the hiker sustained any injuries.

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Lower Valley residents to see lane closures as Cedar Grove waterline work begins: EP Water

KVIA on July 23, 2026

Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Water hosted a community meeting in the Lower Valley Thursday to provide residents and businesses with information on the Cedar Grove Waterline Replacement Project.

A presentation by officials with EP Water was held in both English and Spanish at the Valle Bajo Community Center and Library on Alameda Avenue.

Staff was available to answer questions from concerned members of the community.

In a press release, EP Water said it has a “planned waterline replacement program is a multi-phased project aimed at replacing aging infrastructure and improving the reliability of water services throughout El Paso.”

The Cedar Grove waterline replacement will upgrade six and eight-inch waterlines with new PVC pipe along 11 streets in the Cedar Grove neighborhood, according to the utility.

EP Water has confirmed construction on the project is scheduled to begin Monday, July 27. They are advising drivers and residents to expect temporary lane closures, detours and changing traffic patterns throughout the area.

In addition, 26 fire hydrants will be upgraded or replaced, including sections of a wastewater line will be replaced along with four new manholes planned to be installed.

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Las Cruces police, city council to host town hall to discuss public safety

KVIA on July 23, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Thursday, the Las Cruces Police Department announced it will host a town hall July 29 with interactive sessions with Mayor Eric Enriquez and all six city councilors.

Residents can sit at the table of their council district to talk about public safety.

LCPD Chief Jeremy Story, the department’s deputy chiefs and other staff will answer questions and hear ideas from those attending the town hall.

“These town hall meetings are important for our city and for us as a department,” said Chief Story. “We grow and become better as a community when we come together, share concerns and ideas, and learn from each other.”

The town hall will start at 6 p.m. at City Hall on 700 N. Main St. LCPD said it will be in three conference rooms on the second floor of the north wing.

LCPD said to expect the meeting to last about two hours.

Chief Story will share recent crime statistics, LCPD said.

Here is the list of councilors and their districts:

District 1: Cassie McClureDistrict 2: Bill MattiaceDistrict 3: Michael HarrisDistrict 4: Johana BencomoDistrict 5: Becky CorranDistrict 6: John Muñoz

LCPD encourages those interested in the town hall to arrive early. It said parking is available on the west side of City Hall and in the parking garage on the east side (accessible from Campo Street).

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