Local leader steps up to support Yuma nonprofits with new role at ACF

KYMA on August 13, 2026

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) has named longtime Yuma resident Lisa Ball as the new Regional Director for its Yuma office.

Ball brings years of leadership experience to the role, including 14 years with Special Olympics Arizona.

She says her decision to take on the position comes from wanting to give back to the community.

“At some point, you just realize it’s not about yourself anymore,” Ball said. “They’ve embraced us. And I think it’s time to give back.”

ACF supports local nonprofits and manages more than $30 million in charitable funds for Yuma.

Ball says one of her priorities will be listening to the community and helping connect donors with the areas where support is needed most.

She says she hopes to see a lasting impact from her work over the next five years.

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Prosecutor responds to Choi: ‘Our sentencing outcomes have trended stronger’

KMIZ on August 12, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson has responded to criticism from University of Missouri System President Mun Choi.

Emails given to ABC 17 News by a university spokesman on Tuesday showed that Choi has criticized city leaders following multiple high-profile incidents this summer that have occurred on Walnut Street.

Choi has sent multiple emails to city leaders since April 19, demanding the city hire more police officers while calling a portion of Walnut Street “a danger zone.” 

Choi sent emails to Seewood, Buffaloe, all City Council members and Johnson on July 27, the day after a brawl occurred on Walnut and Ninth streets that led to seven people being arrested. At least one person was charged with a felony.

That email shows Choi addressing Johnson directly and criticized the prosecutor of giving “violent perpetrators a slap on the wrist” while including five links to local media reporting on sentences for various crime stories.

Johnson gave a statement on Choi’s criticism on Tuesday through email, saying sentences have “trended stronger.”

“We exercise judgment in every case based on the facts and the law, and we stand behind those decisions. The outcome in a courtroom isn’t ours alone to decide — plea agreements, judges, juries, and witnesses all play a role,” Johnson’s statement says. “Overall, our sentencing outcomes have trended stronger, with increased sentences in violent crime and drug cases. We will continue to aggressively pursue serious offenses and seek strong sentences.”

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Grace Man arrested following Mackay home invasion shooting

KIFI on August 12, 2026

Curtis Jackson

UPDATE:

MACKAY, Idaho (KIFI) — A Grace man has been arrested in connection with a home invasion and shooting that took place early Tuesday morning in Custer County.

Douglas A. Flagg was taken into custody on August 13 on an outstanding warrant stemming from the August 11 incident in the Mackay area. Flagg has been charged with felony aggravated assault, attempted burglary, and malicious injury to property.

According to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received a 911 call around 3:16 a.m. on August 11 from a 47-year-old man who reported he had been shot. Deputies responded to the home, while Mackay Ambulance crews staged nearby until the scene was secured.

Flagg was treated at the scene, transported to a nearby hospital for further care, and later released.

Investigators say Flagg was shot while attempting to force his way into the home. Deputies said that Flagg and the homeowner knew each other, but have not released details about their relationship or what led up to the incident.

ORIGINAL:

MACKAY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Custer County Sheriff’s Office has released new details about a shooting reported early Tuesday morning, saying an intruder was shot at a home in the Mackay area.

Dispatchers received a call at about 3:16 a.m. on Aug. 11 from a 47-year-old man who reported he had been shot. Deputies responded to the home, while Mackay Ambulance crews staged nearby until the scene was secured.

Investigators say the man was shot while attempting to force entry into the residence. Deputies said the people involved knew each other, but have not released details about their relationship or what led up to the incident.

The man was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital. He was later released.

So far, the sheriff’s office has not made any arrests or announced any charges. Investigators are continuing to look into exactly what happened.

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Blanca Morales runs for Calexico City Council

KYMA on August 12, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The candidate pool for Calexico City Council is quickly filling up with another name added to the mix.

Blanca Morales has qualified for the November election, with her sights set on a council seat.

Morales has a background in healthcare and business, and wants to see a revitalization of the downtown area.

“The biggest issue that I see is just starting with the simple things such as the streets, the sidewalks that is a huge liability with the city and it has been, has not been worked on consistently,” Morales explained.

She said she would like to see more businesses investing in Calexico rather than moving to other cities in the Imperial Valley.

“Downtown business improvement. The merchants and how we can work with our new border and having those conversations at the federal level,” she said.

As of now, there are eight qualified candidates for two open seats in Calexico.

The midterm election is Tuesday, November 3.

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Yuma woman facing eviction after SSDI were cut following overpayment

KYMA on August 12, 2026

Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma native says she is being forced out of her home after her Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits were cut, leaving her unable to keep up with rent.

Dana Clark and her dog, Diesel, now have just four days to pack up and leave the home they have lived in since 2019.

Clark says she has received SSDI benefits since 2009 after suffering head injuries in a motorcycle accident.

According to Clark, her benefits were cut after the Social Security Administration (SSA) determined she had been overpaid.

She believes the overpayment determination stemmed from earning just over the allowable amount while participating in the SSA’s Ticket to Work program, which helps disability beneficiaries transition into employment.

“Unfortunately you know your rent doesn’t wait… so for the first couple of months I sold everything…like I sold my dad’s truck,” Clark said. “So I did I made up…I made my payments and then I got some help here and there.”

Clark says losing her monthly disability benefits has made it impossible to afford her housing, ultimately leading to her eviction.

“They failed me. They epically failed me. I lost…I lost my house,” Clark said. “I was evicted yesterday.”

As she prepares to leave her home, Clark says she still struggles to understand what happened.

“It’s hard to admit that you didn’t understand what was going on,” Clark said. “I didn’t realize what they were telling me. And now, I’m still going to lose my house.”

The SSA’s Ticket to Work program allows many SSDI recipients to pursue employment while receiving work supports.

However, beneficiaries remain subject to SSDI work and earnings rules, and in some cases SSA may determine that benefits were overpaid if a recipient is found to have received payments they were not entitled to.

News 11 reached out to the Social Security Administration to learn more about its benefit and overpayment processes, as well as Clark’s concerns.

As of this publication, the agency had not responded to our request for comment.

You can help support Clark here.

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Staying safe from Cyclosporaisis

KYMA on August 12, 2026

Madeline Murray

YUMA Ariz. (KYMA) – As the Cyclospora outbreak continues, health officials are reminding people in Yuma County to take precautions when handling and eating fresh produce.

Local resident Victor Preciavo says he is being careful about the types of lettuce he purchases.

“I try to stay away from lettuce especially if it’s cut lettuce,” Preciavo said. “Especially not if it’s processed form, in the bag, I’ll stay away from that.”

Preciavo also says washing produce is an important part of keeping his family safe.

“You definitely have to wash all vegetables,” he said. “You just can’t eat it off the counter where it’s at.”

Ryan Butcher with the Yuma County Health District says Cyclospora is not always routinely tested for, meaning reported cases may not represent every infection.

“Cyclosporiasis is something we don’t typically test for unless it’s in severe cases,” Butcher said. “Even though the number is really small, it’s just something that we want to be aware of.”

The Health District says the risk remains low, but recommends washing fruits and vegetables and practicing good hand hygiene.

“The risk remains low, but as always, follow good hygiene practice,” Butcher said. “Wash your fruits and vegetables. Wash your hands anytime you use the restroom and typically that is going to be enough to keep you safe.”

Health officials say symptoms can last for weeks, and anyone experiencing prolonged symptoms should contact their primary care provider.

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Pharmacy experts offer help with Idaho student vaccination requirements

KIFI on August 12, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Back-to-school season is in full swing, and many parents are starting to prepare their children for the classroom.

A major factor in back-to-school preparation is ensuring children are up to date on their vaccinations.

With so much already on parents’ back-to-school checklist, access to affordable and convenient vaccines can ease some of the stress. Meeting school vaccine requirements can be as simple as a quick stop at the grocery store.

“It makes it way more convenient for parents with school age kids,” WanNell White, a pharmacist at Fred Meyers in Idaho Falls,said. “You can come get your school supplies, do that kind of thing, and stop and get your vaccines at the same time. And if you’re not sure which vaccines you need, stop and talk to a pharmacist. We actually have the accessibility to look online and see which vaccines you’ve had if they were in Idaho.”

Idaho law requires students attending preschool and grades K-12 of any public, private, or parochial schools to meet the minimum vaccine documentation requirements upon admission.

An overview of vaccination requirements by grade level administered:

Preschool – 6th Grade:

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

Polio

Hepatitis A & B

Varicella

7th – 11th Grade

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Booster

Meningococcal (MenACWY)

12th Grade

Meningococcal (MenACWY) follow up

You can find more information about the requirements here.

One of these required vaccinations is going to look a little different. On Monday, President Donald Trump announced an executive order to separate the MMR vaccine into three separate shots.

The announcement was just made this week, so your local Pharmacy may not have changed its vaccinations to this separate order. The MMR is still a safe vaccine for children to receive.

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Tickets for Robin Thicke’s performance at Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival on sale Friday

KESQ on August 12, 2026

City News Service

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Tickets for singer-songwriter Robin Thicke’s headlining performance at this year’s Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival will go on sale Friday.

The multi-platinum recording artist was scheduled to perform at last year’s festival, but it was canceled due to severe weather conditions.

General admission tickets will go on sale online Friday starting at $35, which will grant access to all festival events. Presale tickets for subscribers who registered in advance was on sale as of Wednesday.

Thicke’s performance will be held on Nov. 21 at the Community Amphitheater, at 68526 Avenida Lalo Guerrero.

The “Blurred Lines” singer and son of the late actor Alan Thicke is a five-time Grammy-nominated singer and record producer. He has written for numerous artists, including Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Mary J. Blige.

The 12th annual festival will take place Nov. 20-22, with events featuring hot air balloon launches, weather permitting, a festival balloon glow and drone light show.

Officials said some city residents will be able to pick up complimentary tickets to Thicke’s performance, with additional details to be announced at a later date.

Tickets and other details can be found at cchotairballoonfest.com.

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College of Eastern Idaho set to unveil new Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech Building

KIFI on August 12, 2026

Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The College of Eastern Idaho is preparing to cut the ribbon on its new Future Tech Building, bringing several of the college’s technology and workforce-focused programs under one roof.

Local News 8 got an early look inside the Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech Building ahead of the ribbon-cutting later this week.

Inside, students will find hands-on learning spaces for programs including cybersecurity, engineering, agriculture technology, energy systems, robotics, and surgical technology.

In the cybersecurity lab, students will be able to build desktop computers from scratch and then use those computers throughout the program.

Agriculture technology is one of the college’s newest programs. The space is designed to give students experience with technology increasingly used in farming, including building and working with robots and drones.

The building also includes “Innovation Alley,” a space equipped with 3D printers and other tools that students and campus clubs can use for projects.

Many of the programs housed in the building are designed around hands-on training that can prepare students to enter the workforce after earning a two-year degree. CEI is also offering a new Associate of Engineering degree designed for students who want to transfer to a four-year university.

The additional space comes as CEI continues to see enrollment growth. The college says its 2026 fall headcount has reached about 1,911 students and is currently 7.7% higher than last year.

While much of the building focuses on STEM and technical education, it will also include traditional classroom space that can accommodate other courses.

The building will also provide additional space for CEI’s surgical technology program. College officials said the program is moving into the building because the school’s existing health care programs have been consistently full.

CEI will hold its ceremonial ribbon cutting Thursday at 1 p.m.

Gov. Brad Little and Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner are among the VIP guests expected to participate in the ceremony.

Following the ribbon cutting, CEI President Lori Barber and representatives from Battelle Energy Alliance/INL and Frontier Credit Union are expected to be available for interviews.

Local News 8 will have continuing coverage of the new facility following Thursday’s ribbon cutting.

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Idaho’s First Cat Cafe coming soon to Pocatello, “Connection without Consumption” and cats for mental health at Caturdays208

KIFI on August 12, 2026

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho is one of only two states left in the U.S. without a cat cafe. Shannon Fox and her fiancé are taking the leap of faith and entrepreneur journey of building “Caturdays208” from scratch: a “two spaces, one roof” business that’s half cafe, half lounge with adoptable cats.

The key is to keep the two sides of the new community destination separate, but cohesive. Fox ensured that no cat hair would be in the food or drinks. Rather, the cats will be in a separate lounge section of the establishment. Customers will be able to enjoy food or drinks from the cafe and interact with adoptable cats.

“It allows a really great partnership with other animal rescue services to provide more spaces for cats, so that way our community can help navigate the overpopulation problems,” Fox said.

She added the inspiration for Caturdays208 came from understanding many people want to interact with animals regularly, but don’t have the capacity to own them. With a background in social work, Fox also said animals are excellent for mental health.

“I want to build a grounding business versus a consumption based business,” she explained. “That means having people come to a place where they can kind of center themselves, have some fun, interact with animals and reduce their stress.”

Pocatello is also known for being a college town, home to thousands of students at Idaho State University. Fox says this makes Pocatello the perfect home for a cat cafe, with many students unable to have their own animals nearby, the cafe will provide a comfortable space to regularly care for cats without the responsibilities of being a pet owner.

Currently, Fox and her team are in the beginning stages of the establishment– looking for the perfect space to transform into the cat cafe. She said they’re aiming for somewhere in between the ISU campus and the historic downtown district. They also have begun raising awareness and funds via their website and social medias.

“We’re currently in the fundraising stage as well, with a three-pronged approach,” Fox said. “We have a Go Fund Me going right now and everyone who donates gets a little free gift. We want to respect everyone who contributes to this idea. Crowdfunding is huge for us.”

Caturdays208 is also selling merch like T-shirts, available on their website to help fund their new business. They’re also running a Kickstarter, a program where donations are accepted for a certain amount of time or it goes back to the donators.

“You must reach the goal that you set for your campaign or else you don’t get any of the funding, so that’s a pretty critical campaign for us,” Fox said. The Kickstarter will begin in September, with a goal of all three fundraising tactics to bring in between $40,000 and $50,000.

Fox also said that Caturdays208 will have reservations and walk-ins available to see the cats. People who want to interact with specific cats or have extended, secure time with the animals can book an appointment in advance. If a customer wants to adopt a cat, Fox said they’ll be working closely with their community partners’ regulations to give the kittens forever homes.

“We want to be an asset to the community instead of creating anything that would harm the rescues currently,” she said.

Caturdays208 is partnering with the Pocatello Animal Services shelter as well as other local rescues to make the cat cafe a reality in the coming months. Fox said they hope to have the lease on a space secured by October, with a grand opening in January 2027.

“The best way to help now is just share and spread the word,” Fox said. “We’re looking to see our merch pop up everywhere as soon as possible and get funds through presale. Just jumping on our website or socials, it’s been really fun to see all the comments and see how excited people are about the idea.”

To donate to Caturdays208 and be part of the original group of supporters for Idaho’s first cat cafe, visit their website at Caturdays208.com. To donate to the GoFundMe, visit gofund.me/base.wall.moon.

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