Nine people displaced after early morning fire in Santa Barbara

KEYT on August 19, 2026

Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara County Fire Department and Montecito Fire crews put out a house fire at the 300 block of North Alisos Street just before 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

Crews contained the fire within 30 minutes and prevented any injuries from the incident, according to the Santa Barbara City Fire Department.

The Red Cross is helping nine people displaced from the fire and the cause is still under investigation, according to the SBCFD.

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Deschutes County Courthouse expansion adds new space as Central Oregon grows

KTVZ on August 19, 2026

Lance Campbell

BEND, Ore. — A major expansion of the Deschutes County Courthouse in downtown Bend is nearing completion, adding courtroom space and security improvements as the county’s justice system works to keep pace with a growing Central Oregon.

The $46.8 million project includes a new three-story, 50,933-square-foot addition to the existing courthouse. The expansion includes two sets of courtrooms, jury deliberation rooms, judges’ chambers and support staff offices.

The new space also includes a more accessible entrance, an expanded and upgraded court security checkpoint, public service counters, a lobby and reception area, secure staff parking and a sallyport for transporting people in custody.

The project was developed after two additional judges were appointed to the Deschutes County Circuit Court in 2022, creating a need for additional courtroom space.

Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone said the expansion gives the court system additional room to operate.

“We didn’t have enough courtrooms for the number of judges,” DeBone said. “Now we do, and we have extra room.”

DeBone said the expanded facility also provides a more modern environment for people coming to the courthouse.

“It’s a really bright, modern facility,” DeBone said. “Justice is going to be served. It’s welcoming for all parties.”

The $46.8 million project cost includes the design and construction of the new addition as well as remodeling of the existing main courthouse.

Improvements to the existing courthouse include a new hearing room, meeting spaces, a security office and court administration offices.

The expansion comes as Deschutes County and the rest of Central Oregon continue to grow, increasing demands on the region’s justice system.

For many people, a courthouse is a place they hope they never have to visit. But what happens inside affects victims, defendants, families and the broader community. The expansion is designed to give Deschutes County’s justice system additional space and infrastructure to serve the community for years to come.

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Allan Hancock College Starts New Year with Enrollment Increase

KEYT on August 19, 2026

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Monday marked the beginning of the new 2026-27 school year for Allan Hancock College (AHC).

According to the school, there are just over 11,300 students enrolled this year in both credit and non-credit courses.

“Things are up a little bit,” said Kevin Walthers, AHC Superintendent/President. “I’ve been walking around this morning and every classroom is full. It’s super exciting.”

This year’s enrollment number marks a slight increase from the previous year, and continues a slow and steady increase each year following the Covid-19 pandemic, when student counts suffered a sharp decline.

“We’re up about 2%” said Walthers. “We’re capturing a lot of the local students, and that’s what we want to do, is we want to make sure local students know this is the place to come. The (Hancock) Promise program is still going for those students. When I go into a classroom, I ask how many Promise students are in there and almost all the hands go up.”

In addition to the start of the new school year, the fall semester also marks the beginning of a new campus program called “First Year Experience.”

“We have over 300 students enrolled in a cohort based program where they will get some special incentives, and they’ll all progress through their program together so that that’s going to be great for incoming freshmen,” said Walthers. “It’s a voluntary deal. We had originally planned for 225, and we ended up with almost 100 more for that, so we’re really excited about the First Year Experience program.”

Walthers added Hancock College is also starting another new program with Cal Poly this year.

“Our Cal Poly partnership, the 2+2 program, we’re starting the first Cal Poly business program this year,” said Walthers. “We have the ongoing sociology program, so that’s going to be fantastic, where we’ve got students going to Cal Poly right here on campus, and then they get to graduate with their college up in San Luis (Obispo), so that’s going to be fantastic.”

While class may have started on Monday, Walthers pointed out there is still time to enroll if anyone is still interested in attending the college.

“If people want to come and take classes, or if they just want to come to the community education programs, they can come and do pottery classes, and painting classes, and embroidery, and clothes construction, they can do all those kind of things as part of our community editor program as well,” said Walthers.

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Opposing sides react as Federal Judge Blocks key portions of Idaho’s Abortion Ban

KIFI on August 19, 2026

Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — State leadership and advocacy groups are reacting after a U.S. District Judge ruled key portions of Idaho’s near-total abortion ban unconstitutional, blocking major parts of the law from being enforced.

In an 81-page decision, U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruled that the 14th Amendment protects a “narrow but fundamental right to abortion” when a pregnancy threatens a woman’s life, physical health, or poses a severe risk of self-harm.

“By banning health-preserving abortion, Idaho attempts to deny this fundamental right on the basis that the threat of harm comes from a fetus, which depends on the woman for survival,” Winmill wrote. “But a pregnant woman’s health is not a state resource to be allocated at the legislature’s whim.”

Reactions to the Decision

The Christian-based Idaho Family Policy Center (IFPC)—which originally drafted Idaho’s abortion restrictions, known as the Heartbeat Law and the Defense of Life Act—quickly denounced the decision.

However, the organization highlighted that the court order denied attempts by abortion advocates to expand legal access in cases involving pregnancies with twins or triplets or for babies with disabilities.

“It’s important to recognize that the civil cause of action in the Heartbeat Law still remains in effect—meaning that any physician who performs an abortion that is prohibited by the Heartbeat Law can still be liable for breaking the law,” said Blaine Conzatti, president of the Idaho Family Policy Center. “And doctors should take note: The IFPC Legal Center stands ready to hold doctors accountable who illegally perform abortions.”

On the campaign trail, Idaho Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terri Pickens argued the ruling illustrates why further action is needed at the ballot box, pointing to the upcoming Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act initiative.

“While I appreciate Judge Winmill’s ruling that doctors should be allowed to save women’s lives by providing abortion care–in a narrow set of circumstances likely to be debated and eventually prescripted by the same legislators who bully librarians, outlaw science in classrooms, and attack public school teachers–this moment highlights just how deeply into our personal decisions state government has reached,” stated Pickens.

Pickens urged residents to take their concerns to the voting booth, noting that Idaho’s attorney general has already signaled plans to appeal Judge Winmill’s ruling.

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Columbia looks to expand downtown rideshare zones

KMIZ on August 19, 2026

Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia is looking to expand designated rideshare and taxi zones downtown in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety, according to the city.

The proposed ordinance would expand the amount of dedicated curb space downtown while giving rideshare drivers and customers more clearly defined locations for pickups and drop-offs.

Under the proposed ordinance, the city would:

Increase designated taxi and rideshare spaces from 34 to 66.

Start operating the zones at 9 p.m. instead of 11 p.m.

Include food and package delivery drivers.

Limit loading and unloading to 15 minutes.

Allow emergency-services parking to be designated in the areas while the ordinance is in effect.

The proposed zones would operate from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

According to the city, the proposed rideshare zones would include several locations throughout downtown:

East Walnut Street: About eight spaces.

East Broadway: About six spaces in front of FieldHouse, seven in front of Pickleman’s, six in front of India’s House, and six in front of Wynsome.

Cherry Street: The entire block in front of Pizza Tree would be dedicated to rideshare pickups and drop-offs.

North Ninth Street: About eight spaces.

South 10th Street: About eight spaces.

The Columbia Police Department began looking at the issue in Aug. 2025 after noticing an increase in traffic violations and congestion involving rideshare drivers and customers during overnight hours.

Police said part of the problem was a lack of designated areas for rideshare pickups and drop-offs.

The Akerson sisters use rideshare services about twice a week to get downtown. They said they’ve experienced some of those challenges firsthand.

“Sometimes, like, it can be in the middle of the street when there’s no parking,” Ruby Akerson, a rideshare rider, said. “Then they try to drop you off on the street. That can be a safety concern with other cars around and stuff not being able to pull over to the side.”

Akerson said expanding the designated areas could make rideshare pickups and drop-offs safer and easier.

“I think it’s definitely a good idea,” Akerson said. “Just like they have places to park, and it’s easier for pickup and drop-off for them because so many people are using it. So expanding it would be more beneficial to the people.”

Last fall, the city tested out five additional rideshare locations in an effort to help keep traffic moving.

The city said they tested potential solutions during two Mizzou football weekends last fall.

In Sept. 2025, the city temporarily blocked off metered parking to create a rideshare pull-off area. In October, officials again restricted metered parking and worked with Uber and Lyft to test designated pickup and drop-off locations.

During the October pilot, Uber and Lyft directed customers to the designated locations through their smartphone apps.

According to the police department, both pilot programs resulted in a significant reduction in traffic violations and an overall improvement in pedestrian safety.

Officials also gathered feedback from rideshare drivers and customers. Police said the response was positive, with drivers reporting that the designated pickup and drop-off areas made it safer and easier to serve customers.

However, ABC 17 spoke with rideshare drivers who said navigating the area during that time was still difficult.

Police said the earlier start time reflects a change in how people use rideshare services. Officials said rideshare trips are increasingly being used to arrive downtown earlier in the evening, rather than primarily leaving downtown at the end of the night.

The earlier hours would also give police an opportunity to address parking violations sooner.

The Community Improvement District previously provided positive feedback on an earlier version of the ordinance, and a majority of the CID supports updating the current rules.

Police said the proposed changes are based on observations from officers, feedback from the pilot programs and heat-map data provided by Uber and Lyft.

One rideshare driver told officials that drivers primarily need clearer direction on how to operate downtown.

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Police investigating accident at First and Evergreen in Idaho Falls

KIFI on August 19, 2026

Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Idaho Falls Police are investigating a two-car accident with injuries at the intersection of First Street and Evergreen Drive in Idaho Falls.

The accident is blocking a portion of First Street, and police are asking drivers to avoid the area.

No other details are available.

This is a developing story and will be updated when we get more information.

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Highway patrol urges caution as students return to Missouri roads

KMIZ on August 19, 2026

Melissa Houston

As Columbia Public Schools begin class on August 25, the Missouri Highway Patrol is warning motorists and parents to prepare their students for road safety as student drivers return to morning commutes.

According to a press release from MSHP, the state had 834 traffic crashes involving a school bus in 2024. Of those crashes, seven people were killed and 345 were injured.

MSHP’s Troop F Sergeant Kyle Green said the buses themselves are generally not the source of road dangers, but rather the drivers and pedestrians around them.

“The buses themselves really don’t, are not dangerous,” Green said. “It’s just the fact that people are not paying attention around them.”

Green said that most crashes occur when distracted drivers hit stopped buses or fail to stop when children run into traffic near bus stops. He is advising drivers to leave earlier, reduce speeds in rural areas where buses may be stopped past hills or curves, and follow state laws requiring cars to stop for buses picking up or dropping off passengers.

A 2025 report done by ConsumerAffairs ranked Missouri as the fourth-worst in the nation for teen drivers, reporting a teen driver fatality rate of 22.9 per 100,000. This is nearly double the national average. This report also ranks Missouri as the second-worst in the nation for fatal crashes involving teens speeding.

Green said that with inexperienced teen drivers on the roads, parents should speak with their students about the dangers of the roadway and be vigilant during morning and afternoon school commutes.

“Often kids don’t understand some of these things and they don’t understand the severity of the consequences, if they make a mistake,” Green said. “The parents really need to spend time to make sure that these children, whether they’re younger kids or even a little bit older, are paying attention to those things.”

Green adds that student drivers may also need time to adjust to the new schedule.

“They [students] find themselves in a hurry to get to class and of course, then speed on the way there,” Green said.

Green is asking that parents ensure teenagers get adequate sleep, leave with enough time to avoid rushing, and avoid cell phone distractions while behind the wheel.

“We want to encourage them to make sure all of their attention is focused on the task at hand, which is driving and not trying to make a phone call to their friends or update the social media account or something like that,” Green said.

Columbia parent Erin Innes said that while she is in favor of adding additional safety measures for younger students, her local school buses have taken precautions to ensure the safety of the children in her neighborhood.

“I can agree that the buses should have the seatbelts for kindergarten to maybe third grade,” Innes said. “I live in a trailer park, so when our bus does, they back up in it, or they pull into it, so the kids are getting on the bus in the park and not on the road.”

Green advises all motorists to remain alert in school zones, allow extra travel time during peak pickup and drop-off hours, and follow Missouri’s hands-free driving laws.

“We want, obviously, our kids to get there safely, but they’ve got to know what to do when they approach an intersection,” Green said. “A signal, you know, making sure that the indicator says walk, you know, before they walk, or when it says stop, that they stop.”

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Mid-Missouri patrol leader gets promoted to headquarters

KMIZ on August 19, 2026

Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) –

The head of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop F is getting a promotion.

The patrol announced Monday morning that Capt. Jason Crites would become a major in the department, and begin leading the Executive Services Bureau. That branch oversees services like records, budget, research and the governor’s security.

Crites started his career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 1998, where his first assignment was covering Howard and Cooper counties in Mid-Missouri’s Troop F. Crites then went to his native southeast Missouri in 2001, where he worked until 2015. Crites moved back to Troop F territory before becoming the head of the patrol’s research division in 2020.

Crites then transferred to lead Troop F in September 2022. The troop covers much of Mid-Missouri, including Columbia, Jefferson City and the Lake of the Ozarks.

Troop F spokesperson Sgt. Kyle Green told ABC 17 News that a new Troop F leader had been selected and will start Sept. 1. Green said a news release announcing that decision would come later this month.

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Luigi Mangione’s state murder trial effectively postponed

KMIZ on August 19, 2026

CNN Newsource

By Kara Scannell, CNN

(CNN) — The New York judge overseeing the state murder case against Luigi Mangione has effectively postponed his September trial by giving prosecutors nearly two months to contest defense claims their client will be unlawfully prosecuted under double jeopardy grounds should it proceed.

In an order Monday, Judge Gregory Carro ordered Manhattan prosecutors to respond by October 9 to Mangione’s motion to dismiss the state murder case on double jeopardy and constitutional grounds. He scheduled the next court hearing for December 10.

On Friday, Mangione pleaded guilty to two federal counts of stalking and admitted to fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson. His attorneys immediately filed a motion to dismiss the state case, in which he faces second-degree murder and weapons charges.

The guilty plea came less than one month before jury selection was scheduled to begin in the state trial on September 8. Judge Carro’s order doesn’t explicitly adjourn the trial but it can’t go forward until a decision on the motions is made.

The next court hearing, which may signal when the judge will issue his decision on the motions, is eight days before Mangione will be sentenced on the federal charges.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office said they would continue to litigate the issues around double jeopardy and they remain committed to seeking justice for Thompson’s family.

Carro’s eventual ruling on the constitutional and legal issues could be appealed.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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The Art of Swifties: local Taylorville show contributes to Idaho Falls growing arts scene

KIFI on August 19, 2026

Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Taylor Swift herself may not be taking the stage in Idaho Falls, but a touring tribute show is giving local Swifties a chance to experience some of the spectacle closer to home.

Taylorville, an unofficial live Taylor Swift tribute band, is performing Friday at the Colonial Theater as the Idaho Falls Arts Council continues working to bring a wider variety of touring entertainment to Eastern Idaho.

For Arts Council Executive Director Gray Augustus, performances like Taylorville are about more than filling the theater for one night.

Augustus said bringing different types of touring acts to Idaho Falls can introduce people to the arts who may not otherwise think about attending a show at the historic Colonial Theater.

“If we can bring acts like Taylorville that are going to be geared towards a demographic of even 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-year-olds, we’re offering a gateway for someone who may have not given us a shot or wanted to come to the theater before,” Augustus said.

He said those first experiences can lead audiences to come back for other performances and explore more of what Idaho Falls’ arts community has to offer.

The demand for arts and entertainment has also grown alongside the city, Augustus said.

The Idaho Falls Arts Council was formed in 1999, and Augustus said interest in the arts has steadily increased since then. He pointed to the growth of the region, improved access to Idaho Falls and the expansion of local entertainment options as factors helping the community attract more performers.

“Our airport has done a fantastic job and our city is growing at a great rate,” Augustus said. “We’ve grown up a little bit over the years, and that’s made it easier.”

Rising costs still make touring in more rural areas challenging for performers, Augustus said, but growing demand and additional venues are helping create more opportunities throughout the region.

“Right now we have a really vibrant art scene in Idaho Falls,” Augustus said. “And it’s just at its infancy. It’s really starting to take off.”

For Taylorville lead singer Sinead Angele, smaller communities can provide something that larger venues sometimes cannot: a closer connection between performers and their audience.

“The small towns are really fun,” Angele said. “The smaller the stage, the closer it is to the people, the better for us.”

Angele said smaller shows allow the band to interact directly with fans through high fives, heart hands and even friendship-bracelet exchanges during performances.

That connection can be especially meaningful for some of Taylorville’s youngest fans.

Angele said children as young as 4, 5 and 6 attend the shows dressed as their favorite Taylor Swift era, and for some, Taylorville becomes their first concert.

“We are a lot of people’s first concert,” Angele said. “So it’s cool to know that we’re that core memory.”

Angele is also an indie singer-songwriter and said the performers behind tribute acts bring their own musical backgrounds to the production.

She said Taylorville has invested heavily in lighting, a video wall, costumes and other production elements. Angele herself has classical and jazz training, and the band rehearsed twice a week for about three months before its first show. She now makes eight or nine costume changes during a performance.

The goal, she said, is to give audiences the feeling of experiencing the different eras of Swift’s career — particularly those who never had an opportunity to attend Swift’s Eras Tour.

“I hope that it takes them back to that because it was such an iconic concert,” Angele said. “To be able to keep that alive is really cool.”

The production is an independent tribute and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Taylor Swift or her affiliated entities.

And if the growing demand is any indication, Idaho Falls may be becoming Taylor-made for the arts.

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