Wanted suspect, 53, arrested in Coachella

KESQ on August 8, 2026

City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – A 53-year-old wanted suspect was arrested today in Coachella.

Deputies with the Gang Task Force found the suspect at 11:07 a.m. Friday in the area of Cesar Chavez Street and Bagdad Avenue, according to Lt. Deirdre Vickers of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

He was taken into custody without incident, Vickers said.

Details about why the man was wanted were not immediately known. His city of residence was not provided.

He has not been formally charged.

The investigation was ongoing.

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No injuries reported in electrical fire at lab in southeast Columbia

KMIZ on August 8, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No injuries were reported after an accidental electrical fire occurred Friday at a lab in the 4000 block of Discovery Parkway, a Columbia Fire Department social media post says.

Firefighters were called at 4:58 p.m. to a fire inside the building. Employees were evacuating when firefighters arrived. Smoke was seen coming from the building.

The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes, the post says.

The post says damage was limited to “to a device inside a single laboratory room.”

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Yuma County continues fight against illegal dumping

KYMA on August 8, 2026

Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County officials are continuing efforts to reduce illegal dumping through expanded cleanup initiatives, free disposal resources and strict enforcement.

Yuma County Public Works says illegal dumping remains a persistent issue, particularly in remote desert areas throughout the county.

“Illegal dumping has been a big issue for Yuma County,” Michael Herrera, Public Works Waste Management Supervisor said. “It’s more in the deserts, here in South County especially. This has been the reason why we have free transfer sites for residents.”

To address the problem, Public Works has spent more than a year working through its “Desert Strong, Yuma Clean” campaign.

The initiative is supported by a nearly $80,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, helping fund cleanup projects, community outreach and expanded disposal options for residents.

While county officials say education and public awareness are important, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office says enforcement also plays a critical role.

“The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) does have a zero tolerance policy for illegal dumping,” Tania Pavlak, Public Affairs Specialist for YCSO said. “If somebody is caught illegal dumping, they can face anywhere from a misdemeanor up to a felony charge. And those penalties can range up to $150,000 in fines and up to two years in prison.”

To help residents dispose of waste legally, Yuma County currently operates five free transfer stations, allowing residents to bring one load of household waste per day at no cost.

“We got five free transfer stations now with this one just being established for Yuma County,” Herrera said. “There shouldn’t be really that much of an issue of people going out there and wanting to dump in deserts. Call Yuma County if you guys have any concerns, any issues about where to dispose of your waste.”

County officials encourage residents to use the free transfer stations, report illegal dumping when they see it and volunteer during community desert cleanup events as part of the ongoing effort to keep Yuma County’s deserts clean.

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Alexis Rangel runs for Calexico City Council

KYMA on August 8, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – With the general election happening in a few months, News 11 is introducing a candidate running for the Calexico City Council.

Alexis Rangel, a former member of the Calexico Police Advisory Traffic and Code Enforcement Commission, has officially filed for a position on the Calexico City Council.

One of her main focuses is bringing businesses back to the downtown area.

“Regarding downtown, I think that’s where public safety is important also,” Rangel shared. “I know we don’t have that much money to be spending. That’s a reality. But at the same time, police officers on the, on the beat over there deters a lot, could deter a lot of the crime.”

One project she is focused on is a recreation center.

“We need to start talking about that recreation gym for the Recreation Department,” Rangel spoke. “There’s a lot of revenue there we could bring into the city with that, but we’re nor really moving on it.”

Meantime, the City of Calexico is weighing a ban on data centers within city limits.

“I don’t want a data center in my backyard. I completely sympathize with people who don’t want a data center in their backyard…have kids here and I worry about what the potential health concerns are. They’re fairly new…We don’t know,” Rangel expressed. “Maybe down the road we will know. So I definitely want to get the facts before I give a statement on that.”

Candidate filing is open through Friday at 5 p.m., with an extension to August 12 for offices where an incumbent does not seek reelection.

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Despite sports betting bump from World Cup, Missouri sees second-lowest monthly total in taxable revenue

KMIZ on August 8, 2026

Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri schools are finally starting to see money from the state’s sports betting industry, which was legalized in December.

According to Liz Hoffman of the Missouri Gaming Commission, $1.084 million was transferred to the Sports Wagering Education Fund on June 9, marking the first distribution to education since sports betting was legalized.

An additional $2.129 million was transferred Thursday, bringing the total amount allocated to education to $3.213 million during the 2026 fiscal year.

After seeing a drop in sports wagering in January, Missouri Gaming Commission Commissioner Mike Leara told ABC 17 News in March the state was expecting to see a wagering spike during the World Cup.

Recent figures from the Missouri Gaming Commission show sportsbooks accepted $258.3 million in wagers in June, which included the World Cup and NBA Finals.

Of that total, $21 million came from soccer wagers, a roughly 900% increase from May. Overall wagering increased from $252.5 million in May, but June still marked the second-lowest monthly total since sports betting was legalized.

Despite the increase in wagering, taxable revenue fell sharply. Missouri generated $20 million in taxable revenue in May, compared with $13.6 million in June after $244.5 million was deducted for player winnings, promotional wagers and federal taxes.

However, Ryan Butler, a senior news analyst at Covers.com, said promotional and free World Cup bets were not the only reason taxable revenue declined in June. Financial disclosures also showed bettors had a particularly strong month on DraftKings and FanDuel, as several heavy favorites, including Argentina, England, France and Spain, advanced to the semifinals.

“The bettors did very well. A lot of favorites did very well. The U.S., especially we’re talking June before the collapse, but everyone just bet on the U.S. No one bet against them. So them winning helped a lot, especially when they played so well early on. And then just favorites kept on winning, which is a huge deal,” Butler said. “Traditionally and almost always, when favorites and overs hit, that is bad for the sportsbooks good for the bettors. Bettors just love to bet on favorites and they love to bet overs.”

Butler added the NBA Finals also worked against sportsbooks, particularly with the New York Knicks attracting significant betting interest.

“We also had the NBA Finals, and you have the Knicks, now maybe not as big a deal in Missouri, but still there’s more Knicks fans than Spurs fans. A lot of people are betting on the Knicks. Them, winning absolutely hurts as well,” he said.

DraftKings accounted for the largest share of wagering volume, with $103.4 million in gross revenue in June. The sportsbook generated $5.7 million of the state’s $13.6 million in taxable revenue.

When sports betting appeared on the ballot in Missouri, one of its most-vocal supporters was the group Winning for Missouri Education. The group estimated the measure would generate about $100 million in tax revenue over five years.

Under the amendment, a 10% tax is applied to sports betting revenue and directed toward education. However, operators are allowed to deduct certain expenses and must also contribute to the compulsive gambling prevention fund before taxable revenue is calculated. The ballot language also allows for the possibility that no money would go to schools if taxable revenue is too low.

Butler warned that the final months of summer will likely bring some of the lowest sports betting volume of the year. However, he said Missouri could see a smaller drop than other states with legal sports betting because of the state’s two MLB teams.

While Butler expects betting volume to dip in July and August, he projects Missouri could see some of its highest numbers to date beginning in the fall.

“Football is going to be huge. September will be the biggest month ever for Missouri sports betting, besides maybe December, which is a little bit of an abnormality because of all the launches. September is going to be absolutely huge,” Butler said. “October is going to be even bigger. November, December will also be big. Again, December 2025 will always be an outlier. But in those four months coming up September, October, November, December will be the four-biggest months for betting in Missouri history.”

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More road closures, traffic changes coming to Boone, Callaway counties

KMIZ on August 8, 2026

Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Drivers in Boone and Callaway counties should prepare for several road closures and traffic changes as construction projects continue across Mid-Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced Friday that crews will make several changes to traffic patterns beginning this week.

While drivers will have to navigate more construction, there is some good news ahead. MoDOT said the St. Charles Road Bridge is expected to reopen next week after it was demolished in April.

I-70 traffic changes in Callaway County

Drivers traveling on I-70 through Callaway County will see a new traffic pattern starting on Friday night.

Eastbound traffic will shift into the newly paved median between Callaway County Route M and Highway in Kingdom City. The shift will allow crews to begin reconstructing the existing eastbound lanes.

Eastbound I-70 will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Lanes will be narrowed to 10 feet, and the speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph.

Drivers should also expect limited access to Exits 144 and 148 for the next several months, MoDOT announced. The ramp from Exit 144 to eastbound I-70 will close during the traffic shift. The eastbound I-70 ramp to Exit 148 will also be closed for about two months, per MoDOT.

For some Mid-Missouri drivers, the continued construction has become part of their daily commute. Brooklyn Strickland, who travels through several Mid-Missouri communities for work, said the construction can be stressful.

“Especially having a job that you have eight counties that you have to travel to,” Strickland said. “So I’m going in between Jeff City, Kingdom City, Audrain and Mexico,” she said.

Route H is closed west of Fulton to replace the bridge deck over Middle River. MoDOT said drivers should use Route J and Highway 54 to get around the closure. The project is scheduled to be completed next month.

North Outer Road 70 is closed at Cedar Creek, west of Route J near mile-marker 136.6. Signs are posted ahead of the closure to alert drivers and direct them to use an alternate route. The closure is expected to remain in place through January.

Additional closures in Boone County

Drivers in Boone County should also be aware of additional road closures.

I-70 Drive Southeast is closed from just west of Woodridge Drive to Glenstone Drive while crews work on a new underpass. The project is expected to continue into January 2027. The entrance to Woodridge Drive from I-70 Drive Southeast is also closed.

MoDOT says the westbound I-70 ramps at Exit 117 — which connect to Routes J and O — are also closed. Those ramp closures are expected to remain in place through the end of November. MoDOT is advising drivers to use alternate routes and plan for additional travel time while the construction is underway.

Peyton Cooper recently moved to Columbia and said navigating the city has required him to stay more alert while driving.

“I haven’t known Columbia without the construction, so I can’t really talk about what it was like before,” Cooper said. “But coming from where I came from, I do have to pay attention a lot more, and it always seems like there’s some kind of hold-up or detour.”

The agency also said it still plans to reopen the Providence Road Bridge by late October.

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YPD hiring 911 emergency dispatchers

KYMA on August 8, 2026

KYMA News Team

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Residents seeking a career in emergency services can now apply for full-time 911 dispatcher positions that offer a starting pay of $24.52 per hour, according to the Yuma Police Department (YPD).

Recruitment for the roles, which act as the primary connection between the public and emergency responders, opened Thursday.

Applications are being accepted through late Sunday night for the positions, which carry a salary range of up to $31.86 hourly.

YPD is looking for candidates to handle both emergency and non-emergency calls for local police, fire and medical services.

Staff in the 911 center are responsible for entering call information into the Computer Aided Dispatch database. The system allows dispatchers to manage data for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services. The role also involves assisting animal control and other area agencies to coordinate help for the general public.

While the current hiring effort is focused on full-time employees, the recruitment process may also be used to fill part-time positions as needed.

Officer Hayato Johnson, who released the recruitment information, stated the position serves as the primary link during emergency situations.

The application window closes this Sunday, August 9, at 11:59 p.m. Arizona time. Residents must complete the formal application process by the deadline to be considered for the current hiring round.

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New principal eager to lead El Centro alternative high schools

KYMA on August 8, 2026

Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – As summer break officially wraps up and local classrooms prepare to reopen, two El Centro campuses are starting the new school year under a leadership.

Monica Martinez has been named the new principal of Desert Oasis High School and Phoenix Rising High School.

Martinez is a highly familiar face within the Central Union High School District, having dedicated the last 22 years to local schools.

Her professional journey within the district began as an instructional aid, eventually moving up to roles as a classroom teacher, site instructional coach, and most recently, the district’s director of instruction and technology.

Reflecting on her multi-decade career path, Martinez credits her professional growth to the continuous learning environment provided by the district.

“As I go back and I take a look, it’s all about the continued learning that was very important,” Martinez said. “I didn’t really come in here with a plan to say I’m gonna do all of this, but it’s just those opportunities presented themselves, and I’ve seen how all of that has helped me to continue exploring different opportunities.”

Both Desert Oasis and Phoenix Rising operate as alternative high schools, offering non-traditional students a flexible, personalized path toward earning their high school diplomas. Martinez notes that her deep connection to this specific student demographic was forged during her early days in the classroom.

“I really connected here when I was here as a teacher. I got to know the students, I’ve seen their potential, and trying to understand how to best support them,” she explained. “So I guess that’s kind of what led me to say like, ‘Yes, I’m gonna move forward with this opportunity.'”

Martinez shares that her educational philosophy is heavily driven by her dual perspective as both an educator and a mother.

When she was teaching, she strove to treat every student with the same standard of advocacy and care she expected for her own child.

“I guess I always saw it of course from the lens of a teacher, but also from the lens of a parent,” Martinez said. “And I wanted my daughter to make sure that she had the best that she can get, so I’m like, ‘I’m gonna try to be that teacher for whatever reason their parents, or whatever there was something missing there.’ As a parent, that’s what I want for my daughter and for all kids.”

Now occupying the top leadership position at both campuses, Martinez aims to unify her faculty around a shared vision: Combining strong emotional and social support with rigorous academic expectations. She believes alternative education should never mean a compromise on a student’s future potential.

“We want to make sure that all our kids see that we care, that we know them, but at the same time keep the expectations high so that they work towards that and they could see their own potential,” Martinez emphasized. “That we’re here to help them, but at the same time push them to want more and not to see where they’re at.”

Fortunately, she won’t be starting from scratch. Because of her long history in the district, she already shares an established trust with the educators she will now lead.

“I’m familiar with the majority of the staff, so that’s definitely going to be helpful, and the staff is great. They’re extremely caring,” she said. “They understand the alternative population, and we’re here to provide them with opportunities and get them to high school graduation, with the chances of them continuing, whether they’re gonna go to college or going into the workforce, but having options available to them moving forward.”

Looking ahead to the immediate future, the new principal says her primary objective is supporting her team to ensure every individual student’s needs are met.

“I’m excited to work with the students. I’m excited to work with staff. So my role is, of course, to support students, but of course to support staff. We have a lot of services that we provide, so I’m excited to see how that continues to help our students as far as their social-emotional health, but also academically.”

Classes for the entire Central Union High School District officially head back into session this Monday.

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President Trump announces over $100 million investments in mining schools, including UTEP

KVIA on August 8, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Friday, the Department of War announced more than $180 million has been invested into schools of mines and metallurgy. President Trump also led a press conference explaining the investment. The University of Texas at El Paso will get part of that grant, according to the school’s president, Heather Wilson.

“We’re putting our miners back to work and we’re reclaiming America’s rightful place as the minerals superpower of the world, which is what we are. People just didn’t know that for a while,” the president said.

The money will help build technology innovation hubs, project-focused partnerships between students and defense industry, prototypes and certifying students with degrees in mining, geology and metallurgy, the DOW said.

According to the DOW, resources are provided through the Office of the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment.

University of Texas at El Paso President Heather Wilson attended a press conference in Washington Friday as President Donald Trump spoke about the investment.

Wilson said there are only 14 mining schools left in the U.S. Upon UTEP’s mining engineering program launch in 2027, UTEP will be the 15th.

“It’ll be the only mining engineering school in Texas, but it will be making a significant contribution to the nation,” Wilson said.

Wilson said the goal is to graduate 100 about students from UTEP with mining engineering each year. she said last year, less than 200 graduated with the degree in the entire country.

The DOW listed proposals of where the investment will go:

$32.7 million (proposed) to the Colorado School of Mines for a Critical Minerals Innovation & Commercialization Hub to enable pilot-scale tech development, materials qualification and workforce-industry integration.

$25 million (proposed) to the South Dakota School of Mines for Critical Minerals Merit Scholars Consortium establishing four integrated workforce development programs across three leading mineral-STEM institutions (South Dakota School of Mines, University of Kentucky and Missouri S&T University).  

$23.6 million (proposed) to Johns Hopkins University founding a multi-material recycling innovation hub connecting an emerging technology developer (AGILEWorks) for scrap sourcing, process innovation, testing, qualification and integration into existing defense platforms

The investment is part of President Trump and the DOW’s commitment to solidify the country’s role as a global leader in mineral production and processing.

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New faces of Mizzou football settling in after first week of camp

KMIZ on August 8, 2026

Collin Anderson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Head coach Eli Drinkwitz brought in 30 new transfers to his squad ahead of the 2026 season.

With all of that change across both sides of the ball, the biggest challenge won’t be strictly performance based, but a question of how well they integrate into the system.

“We have a big group of new players coming in,” new quarterback Austin Simmons said on Friday. “So just building that chemistry over time, getting connected to all the players, including the offensive linemen.”

You can watch Friday’s full press conference with Simmons and the rest of the players in the video player above.

That offensive line is one of the most-consistent groups on the roster, returning several players from last year’s unit. However just because there is that consistency, doesn’t mean they’re not still mentoring the guys set to take their spots in the future.

Senior Dominick Giudice moved to center in the offseason and is now in complete control of the front five. He is focused on making sure the Tigers have the best O-line in the country.

“I think the biggest thing is just the comfortability and being able to trust each other,” Giudice said. “There’s no doubt in our capabilities and what we could do. We all know what we could do, and we all know what we’re looking to do this year: Be the best offensive line. So we’re pushing each other each and every day to get to that.”

Having a talented roster is one thing, but ensuring that this team can come together as a unit and compete at the highest level is a whole different thing. Senior safety Santana Banner is taking many of those new pieces in the secondary under his win and is teaching them how to be a part of the Mizzou system.

“[I’m] just making sure I hold them to the standard we have up here,” Banner said. “We hold everybody to it no matter who you are. Like we say every day, come in the building with your cool suit off. Make sure you’re humble and got your head on straight.”

With fewer than four weeks until season opener, there is still plenty of time for the new transfers to fully adapt to the new system. But according to the returners, they already look like seasoned vets.

“They came in dialed in, it’s like it’s their second year here the way they’re locked in,” senior edge rusher Darris Smith said. “Especially the DB room, I feel like that’s my favorite, those guys came in, they locked in, they’re just ready to go.”

Up Next – The Tigers open their season against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 at Faurot Field.

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