Federal SNAP cuts could increase demand across the valley

KESQ on August 1, 2026

Hernán Quintas

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Federal cuts in health care and food assistance in last year’s Big Beautiful Bill Act are starting to be felt across the country and right here at home.

New work requirements are now in effect, and some people are losing benefits. Our Telemundo anchor Hernan Quintas explains how the FIND Regional Food Bank is stepping up to try and help those in need.

For a list of Family Resource Centers in Riverside County, visit https://rccfc.org/about-family-resource-centers

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SEC, Big Ten give endorsement of ‘Protect College Sports’ Act

KMIZ on August 1, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Southeastern and Big Ten conferences gave a joint endorsement of a piece of federal legislation that will regulate college sports.

The “Protect College Sports” Act was introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) on June 2 and has Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) as cosponsors. The bill gives outlines for new rules and regulations to college sports in regards to name, image and likeness payments and transferring schools.

“The Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference support the Protect College Sports Act as currently drafted, following detailed and productive negotiations with Senates Cruz, Cantwell and Schmitt,” the statement reads. “We appreciate the substantial work that has gone into this effort.”

Joint statement from the Big Ten & SEC Presidents and Chancellors on the Protect College Sports Act: pic.twitter.com/zxJmsOz9lN

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) August 1, 2026

The bill currently says schools, conferences and the NCAA are barred from restricting students from entering NIL agreements “subject to specified limitations.”

Athletes must report NIL compensation larger than $600, if the bill passes. It also requires agents to register with a state and caps agent endorsement contract fees at 5%, the bill says. The bill would also cap athlete transfers to just one without losing any eligibility.

It also “restricts football personnel from becoming the head football coach at a different institution during the same season.” That stipulation comes after LSU head coach Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss last season heading into the playoffs.

Schools will also be banned from “providing athletes with compensation that circumvents the limit on sharing revenue with student athletes established under the House settlement.”

A limited antitrust exemption is created for schools and conferences “that form joint agreements to transfer their sports telecasting rights to a third party,” the bill says That agreement would need participation from at least three-quarters of schools in the FBS.

Schmitt spoke well of the bill in a Friday night statement.

“College sports are in complete chaos due to unlimited transfers, a lack of eligibility rules, and an unsustainable arms race that will mean fewer teams, scholarships, and opportunities for athletes,” Schmitt’s statement says. “Over the past several months, and throughout this Congress, we’ve worked extensively with athletes, coaches, and conferences to draft legislation that will protect college sports for future generations.”

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FEMA approves grant for Akawa Butte fire while denying others

KTVZ on August 1, 2026

Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved Fire Management Assistance Grant status for the Akawa Butte fire while denying the same federal assistance for the Rowe Creek Complex and East Evans Creek fires. This determination comes as more than 1 million acres have burned across Oregon during the current fire season.

The Fire Management Assistance Grant, known as FMAG, provides significant financial relief by covering 75% of the costs associated with a wildfire. The state remains responsible for the remaining 25% of the expenses. This federal support is considered vital for maintaining fiscal balance, as costs for the Akawa Butte fire alone have risen to more than $1 million per day.

KTVZ’s Spencer Sacks spoke with State Rep. Emerson Levy. Sacks will have a full report tonight on KTVZ News at 10 on Fox and 11 on NBC

To be eligible for Fire Management Assistance Grant status, a fire or fire complex must meet specific federal criteria. These include threats to lives and improved property, such as critical infrastructure and watersheds. FEMA also evaluates the availability of state and local firefighting resources, high fire danger and the potential for major economic impact.

State officials have prepared for wildfire expenses by setting aside $86 million in dedicated funds. Oregon also maintains additional revenue streams to address firefighting costs. However, the lack of federal assistance for certain large fires has drawn criticism from local lawmakers.

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Deschutes County Fair adds parking crews, extra police to ease traffic after past congestion

KTVZ on August 1, 2026

Campbell Porter

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Fairgrounds has contracted a private parking personnel company to manage traffic and congestion for this year’s event.

A team of 25 people is dedicated to directing vehicles entering and leaving the fairgrounds. Additionally, the Redmond Police Department has assigned two units for traffic patrol to assist with the flow of vehicles in the surrounding area.

The decision to hire outside help was a deliberate response to attendee feedback, according to Jeff Curtis, Deschutes County Fair director. Curtis said the fair administration aims to ensure guests can enter and leave the grounds efficiently.

“Our efforts on parking this year are very deliberate,” Curtis said. “We listen to feedback that people want to get to the fair, have a good time and they want to get out in an efficient way. So we are attempting to make it an even better experience overall and getting them parked efficiently, filling the fairground’s parking lot, and doing it in a timely fashion is our mission.”

Curtis noted that the primary mission of the contracted staff is to fill the fairgrounds parking lot in a timely fashion. These efforts are expected to continue throughout the duration of the fair.

The Redmond Police Department has coordinated its efforts with the fairgrounds to manage the increased volume of vehicles. Officers are paying extra attention to the areas surrounding the fairgrounds specifically when the event closes for the day.

The changes come after traffic problems during last year’s FairWell Festival, when long backups and congestion prompted city officials to revise traffic plans for the remainder of the event. Those adjustments included opening additional exits, adding traffic control measures and encouraging drivers to use alternate routes.

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More than 5,300 vote early in Boone County

KMIZ on August 1, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than 5,300 people have voted early in the Aug. 4 election in Boone County as of 11 a.m. Friday.

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon told ABC 17 News in an email on Friday that more than 4,000 people have voted since no-excuse absentee voting opened on July 21.

Residents are able to vote early in the election by sending in a mailed-in absentee ballot or by voting in person. Lennon said more than 500 people have cast their ballots in the past two days.

Residents can vote in person at the Boone County Government Center from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.

The county will hold additional in-person voting events this weekend, the first of which being from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Southern Boone Public Library and Centralia Public Library. Voters can also cast their ballot from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at the Columbia/Boone County Health Department.

Lennon is expecting a 40% voter turnout.

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Banning man who used children for porn facing 50 years to life in prison

KESQ on August 1, 2026

City News Service

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – An Aug. 28 sentencing hearing was confirmed today for a 21-year-old Banning man who sexually assaulted two young boys and made videos of the acts.

John Edward Lario pleaded guilty in May to two counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 years old and sentence-enhancing allegations of targeting more than one minor in a sex crime. Under his pretrial agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, seven related charges were dismissed in exchange for Lario’s admissions.

During a status hearing at the Banning Justice Center Friday, Superior Court Judge Sylvia Luttrell conferred with the prosecution and defense about a prospective sentencing date, and both sides agreed that the end of August would work best.

The stipulated sentence under the plea deal calls for 50 years to life in state prison.

Lario is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility.

He was arrested in 2024 following an investigation by the multi-agency Riverside County Child Exploitation Team, or RCCET.

According to prosecutors, the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs contacted U.S. Homeland Security Investigations in early September 2024 after overseas law enforcement personnel discovered internet-based child pornography traceable to a local resident.

HIS and RCCET coordinated efforts to identify the party responsible for circulating the obscene matter and ultimately connected it to Lario, compiling sufficient evidence to procure a search warrant, which was served at his Charles Street home on Sept. 3, 2024, when he was taken into custody without incident.

“That led to the identity of the (first) victim, an 8-year-old boy,” according to the D.A.’s office.

Additional investigative work turned up a second boy who had been similarly abused, according to the criminal complaint.

Court papers indicated the latter child was repeatedly assaulted, beginning in the fall of 2022 and continuing until early September 2024.

It was unclear how the victims originally came into contact with Lario, or how many of the encounters were videotaped and disseminated.

The defendant has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

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Family loses wrongful death lawsuit surrounding inmate death at Tipton Correctional Center

KMIZ on August 1, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A jury on Wednesday sided with the defendants in a family’s wrongful death case over a man who died years ago at Tipton Correctional Center.

Previous reporting shows Brandon Pace died on April 7, 2023, and Tammy Reed filed a lawsuit in September 2024 against several parties.

Defendants included the Missouri Department of Corrections, former Director Anne Precythe, Acting Director Trevor Foley, three deputy directors, Warden Brock Van Loo, Matt Briesacher, Correctional Supervisor Terry Payne, 11 correctional officers and Centurion Health.

Court filings from Wednesday show the jury ruled in favor of all defendants listed in the case.

Reed alleged a cover-up was done by MoDOC and claims false reports and statements were made about Pace receiving medical treatment. 

Pace allegedly swallowed an illegal substance and documents claimed correctional officers chose to pepper spray him instead of giving medical attention.

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42-year-old man arrested after standoff in Cathedral City

KESQ on August 1, 2026

Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A 42-year-old man was arrested following a standoff in Cathedral City Friday afternoon.

The incident started at around 1:00 p.m. on the 31200 block of Whispering Palms Trail.

Cathedral City Police said the Gang Impact Team attempted to serve an arrest warrant related to an assault with a deadly weapon investigation.

“The suspect refused to exit the residence despite repeated verbal commands. Outside the residence, announcements continued to be made while the suspect began calling 911,” reads a CCPD news release. “A Crisis Negotiator (CNT) responded to the Dispatch center and continued telephone contact with the suspect, however he continued to refuse to surrender.”

The SWAT team was activated, however, the suspect surrendered before their arrival.

There were no additional details available on the original assault investigation. Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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911 lines restored in Palm Springs, Cathedral City

KESQ on August 1, 2026

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – 911 lines have been restored in Palm Springs and Cathedral City following an outage that started Friday afternoon.

The Palm Springs and Cathedral City police departments announced 911 was back shortly after 1:00 a.m. Saturday.

CCPD noted that if you experience any issues when dialing 911, contact your cellular service provider or notify the Cathedral City Police Department through their non-emergency line.

The outage started shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Friday. There was no word on the cause.

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How first responders in Yuma handle the heat

KYMA on August 1, 2026

Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – As Yuma County continues through its longest stretch of extreme heat this summer, first responders and community organizations are taking extra precautions to protect both residents and the personnel responding in dangerous conditions.

With temperatures sitting well into the triple digits, local agencies across Yuma County are preparing for an increase in heat-related illnesses.

At Crossroads Mission, staff members are keeping a close eye on those most vulnerable while working to connect them with medical care if they need it.

“During the Extreme Heat Warnings, we are paying closer attention to the people that are outside,” Sassa Culver, public relations director with Crossroads Mission said. “We’re watching for signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. And if anyone is showing any of the signs or symptoms of that, we are calling our EMTs to come in and assist with their medical needs.”

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is also taking steps to help deputies stay safe while working in the extreme temperatures. Officials say measures have been put in place to help personnel manage the heat while continuing to serve the community.

“The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office does encourage them to stay hydrated,” Tania Pavlak, Public Affairs Specialist for YCSO said. “The office does provide IV fluids. And they also have outer carriers that they’re able to take off. You know, in order for them to stay cool.”

Beyond protecting first responders, YCSO is encouraging residents to recognize the warning signs of heat-related illness and act quickly if symptoms develop.

“We do encourage the community to get familiar with signs of overheating and heatstroke,” Pavlak said. “Listen to your body. Make sure you get somewhere cool. Hydrate. And if you need to, please call 911 if you suspect that there is a medical emergency.”

Officials said early recognition of heat illness, staying hydrated, limiting time in the sun and seeking cooler environments can help prevent heat-related emergencies.

Information about local cooling centers and water distribution sites is available here.

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