PPEP TEC High School in San Luis holds first 9/11 memorial stair climb

KYMA on September 10, 2026

Moses Femino

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Students at PPEP TEC High School’s Cesar Chavez Learning Center in San Luis took part in the school’s first-ever 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, honoring the lives lost during the September 11 attacks and the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The event was held in partnership with the San Luis Police and Fire Departments and was designed to give students an opportunity to learn about an important moment in American history while connecting with the public safety officials who serve their community.

Paulina Gonzalez Gastelum, an English Language Development teacher at PPEP TEC, said organizers wanted students to recognize the sacrifices made by first responders and build a stronger relationship with local public safety officials.

“We’re hoping that after this experience, after having the connection with the police department and the fire department, they’re more open to him and to everyone in the community,” Gonzalez Gastelum said. “We want them to be able to recognize the sacrifice of others. We wanted them to thank our first responders.”

Many of the students at the school are new to the United States, making the memorial an opportunity to introduce them to the history and significance of 9/11.

San Luis Police Chief Nigel Reynoso said it was important to continue sharing the story of 9/11 with younger generations.

“It’s something that we want to continue to remember,” Reynoso said. “A lot of people, especially the students at the school, they weren’t alive that day. So it’s something that we need to make sure we let our new generations that were never part of it, aware of what happened on that day.”

For Reynoso, the anniversary also carries a personal connection. He was serving in the Marines and stationed in Okinawa when the attacks happened. He said the military quickly went from preparing for war to being at war.

San Luis Fire Chief Angel Ramirez said the tragedy can also serve as a lesson about unity.

“I know it was a terrible event that happened in the United States, but use it as a teachable moment,” Ramirez said. “Where just because we had that tragedy, we can learn from it and become more together. Become one. Because if we all come together, we can achieve more.”

School officials hope the first memorial stair climb can become an annual tradition, continuing to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11 while strengthening the relationship between students and the first responders who serve San Luis.

Click here to follow the original article.

Local organization raises funds to support victims in Calexico

KYMA on September 10, 2026

Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A local organization is helping women who have been victims of violence in Calexico.

The event is called “Sobre Ruedas,” which means “on wheels” in English, and it is organized by the Calexico Neighborhood House.

It is held on the second Thursday of every month, and they sell secondhand clothing for $1, along with food.

Already, it’s had a positive impact on the community.

“We have in our central are funds for our shelter or shelter help women and children running away from domestic violence. We keep it confidential,” said Marcela Gallardo with the Calexico Neighborhood House. “We don’t publicize where the shelter is, but those events are the three support or shelter.”

The next sale will take place October 8 at Rockwood Plaza in Calexico.

Click here to follow the original article.

How classroom struggles may signal vision problems in children

KIFI on September 10, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – As children adjust to their school schedules, parents may notice another issue affecting their child: their vision.

In class, teachers may notice students having trouble reading the board or hear complaints about blurry text.

“Teachers don’t know how to diagnose it necessarily because they’re not a doctor, but it is nice that they can see the underlying issues,” Rick Fletcher, the Idaho Falls Eyemart Express General Manager, said.

In school, kids usually need to look to the front of the classroom to read what’s on the board, which could reveal vision issues they didn’t have to confront before. In response, they may strain their eyes or decide it’s not worth the effort to pay as much attention.

“A lot of times it’s the focus,” Fletcher said. “A lot of teachers come in here and I talk to them and say, ‘what are you seeing when your students are in the classroom?’ And they say, ‘it’s always a non willingness to pay attention to the board and just not being able to see because they don’t have the vision.'”

When Fletcher was is school, his parents discovered his need for glasses in Kindergarten.

“I just didn’t pay attention and wasn’t focused,” Fletcher recalled. “And teachers were like, ‘hey, we don’t know what’s going on with him. But he’s not able to focus and he’s complaining about not being able to see what we’re writing on this board.’ And then this was a way for me to go in and get my eyes checked. And now I’ve had glasses since Kindergarten.”

If the teacher notices, they will likely bring it to the parents’ attention, but parents should also watch for signs such as frequent headaches, sitting too close to the TV, covering one eye to see better, and tilting their head.

You can speak with your child’s general practitioner to discuss next steps.

Click here to follow the original article.

H. Davis Salon offers $20 dry haircuts this Saturday to benefit food bank

KIFI on September 10, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) – H. Davis Salon in Ammon is hosting a benefit event this Saturday, Sept. 12, offering discounted haircuts to raise money for the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket.

The salon will offer $20 dry haircuts with no appointments or reservations required. All money earned from the discounted haircuts will be donated directly to the local food bank.

The fundraising event takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 3544 East 17th Street, Suite 101, in Ammon. Walk-ins are welcome throughout the day for dry haircuts, which do not include washing or styling.

Charlotte Finck, the salon’s lead hairstylist, emphasized why they’re doing it.

“It’s amazing to be able to financially help in that way because the dollar goes a really long way with this charity,” Finck said. “We love that we are able to give back with our talents. You know, we are all career hairdressers here, but it’s so important to give back when we can and give our gifts back to the community.”

Along with the discounted haircuts, the salon is holding multiple raffles featuring various local goods. All money collected from raffle ticket sales will also go to the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket.

The grand prize for the raffle is an electric guitar autographed by all members of the all-women glam metal band Vixen. The signed guitar was donated by the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel.

Electric guitar signed by Vixen, courtesy H.Davis Salon

“So we have really ramped up our raffle baskets this year with some very, very generous donations from the community,” Finck said. “Our star donation this year was an electric guitar signed by the glam rock band Vixen. So generously donated by the Shoshone Bannock tribe and we were so excited to have it. So that is our star donation this year.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Peter Rodriguez runs for El Centro City Council

KYMA on September 10, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Peter Rodriguez said his main priorities are providing resources for first responders and assistance for seniors. Rodriguez is one of eight candidates running to fill two seats on the council.

He has been outspoken against the planned data center in Imperial County, speaking at several board meetings.

“I’m against the data center totally because I’ve seen the harm it’s going to do in the future if it isn’t solved. I’ve seen the lack of leadership from our own county Board of Supervisors,” the candidate said in an interview.

Rodriguez hopes Measure T, a half-cent local sales tax increase, will help tackle homelessness, and support youth and seniors among other things.

“No seniors should be concerned about starving. Where’s my next meal gonna come to? A lot of them are on fixed income. And they depend on that meal. A lot of them because the cost of rent, have moved in with their sons and daughters,” Rodriguez said.

“When they talk about measure T. It’s not a single person living by himself. That’s what they advertise. They, they forget the nuclear family and extended members that live in the family because the cost of rent has gone ridiculously high,” he explained.

When asked about his past track record in leadership, Rodriguez stated he took part in several big projects.

“I’d like to mention that from 2008 to 2016, I was the chairman of the Community Service Commission. And part of that, what I did with grant funding, not general fund funding, was a senior center. The senior center, east side, splash pad behind,” Rodriguez answered.

He also mentioned that the skate park and Martin Luther King Jr. Pavilion were all grant-funded.

For a list of other candidates running for El Centro City Council, and other candidates running in different races, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Construction projects complete in downtown Pocatello, Center Street and Benton Bridge expected to finish in 2026

KIFI on September 10, 2026

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Drivers and pedestrians have navigated orange cones, cranes and lower speeds through the historic downtown district in Pocatello all summer. Yesterday, the city announced two of the projects are complete, with two others expected to wrap up before the end of the year.

The City of Pocatello has undertaken several major construction projects this year, all in the hopes of providing long-term safety for visitors. The projects support the City’s Comprehensive Plan 2040, a series of construction updates to the downtown infrastructure that more easily connects the community.

The Downtown Safety Improvement Project is now complete, with tangible differences in city sidewalks, crosswalks, and ramps. The project focused along North Main Street and North Arthur Ave and provides new curb extensions and ramps for enhanced accessibility.

“We installed some bulb outs, it’s a traffic calming device and it gives an island for pedestrians to stand,” said Tom Kirkman, Public Works Director for the City of Pocatello. “It helps with visibility as well as safety as they cross the road.”

Crosswalk with newly installed “bulbs” near Pocatello High School in Downtown Pocatello, Sept. 10

The Urban Forestry Improvements Project is also finished in historic downtown which inlcluded tree removals, pruning and replanting. The project was possible thanks to the Urban and Community Forestry Grant awarded in 2023.

“Some of the trees adjacent to the decorative light poles in downtown were in need of some help, some were in rough shape and some had died,” Kirkman explained. “We were able to use a grant that we got to go in and install new trees.”

Two other projects remain in the works that continue to effect driver and pedestrian traffic into historic downtown. The Portneuf River Bridge Replacement on West Benton Street has reached a new phase of construction, with crews focusing on the bridge deck.

They have installed all nine beams to form the structural framework of the bridge, and will make the bridge deck before final roadway improvements can reopen the road.

The Benton Bridge is expected to complete by October.

Benton Bridge project work, Sept. 10

“We got a bridge bundle grant and it was a little over two million,” Kirkman said. “It has been totally excavated and the new girders are in. So it’s moving along and now they’re going to start putting decking and concrete down.”

The Center Street Underpass project has also reached a new phase, reopening to pedestrian traffic. This is the largest and most significant of the current Pocatello improvement projects. Crews have successfully completed a sidewalk along the south side of the underpass for pedestrians to use while they shift focus to the north side.

“We’re hoping to have a year end completion, there have been delays in the process,” Kirkman said. “We’ve got the walls all poured and a new sidewalk on the south side which is now open for pedestrian traffic. We’re very optimistic that it’s picking up some speed.”

Work on Center Street Underpass, Sept. 10

The city is also encouraging people to stay informed throughout the construction process on the remaining two projects through their website pocatello.gov/projects.

“We’re hoping with these new improvements and the reconstruction that we’ll get another hundred years out of the underpass and we appreciate all the patience from everyone,” Kirkman said. “We know it’s inconvenient, but we want to encourage everybody to support historic downtown.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Locals across Yuma County react to Charlie Kirk’s death one year later

KYMA on September 10, 2026

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County are sharing their reaction to the one year anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s death Thursday.

Kirk was shot and killed while taking part in a Turning Point USA outdoor event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.

His death sparked days of remembrances and vigils by people across the country, including one in Yuma, along with President Donald Trump mourning his loss.

Members of the community are now reflecting on the impact Kirk left behind.

“He was interested in the truth, and that’s what he was striving to have conversations about. It wasn’t to convince. It was asking people to consider a different perspective. And i think we need more of that in this day,” said Jonathan Lines, District 3 Supervisor for Yuma County.

“He was a very giving person, close to God…just wanting everybody to follow their beliefs in their hearts,” said Cindy Sloane, a Kirk supporter.

One year later, Kirk’s death continues to prompt conversations about faith, unity and political discourse.

Click here to follow the original article.

YFD to host 9/11 Stair Climb

KYMA on September 10, 2026

Lauren Duffel Reporter Lauren Duffel spoke with the fire captain and shares exactly how they will remember the lives lost that day.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) is hosting a stair climb Friday to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

More than 2,000 people died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a day that changed America forever.

Twenty-five years later, YFD is honoring the victims and first responders who sacrificed their lives to save others.

This is a free community event that everyone is welcome to attend Friday morning, with the first climb taking place at 6 a.m. while the second climb of the day will take place at 6:30 a.m.

Participants will walk 19 laps up and down the stairs at the PNG Building on 16th Street and Fourth Avenue, equaling the 110 floors of the Twin Towers.

“It gives us a time to come together as a community and to walk a little bit of the steps of what it might have been like that day,” said Fire Capt. Aaron Wonders with YFD.

Capt. Wonders said this event is a great way to honor the brave men and women who risked their lives to save others 25 years ago.

“It’s very important for us to pay honor and respect to what happened that day, to the civilian lives that were lost, and to all of the first responders who fell,” Wonders shared. “There were 343 firefighters who fell that day.”

If anyone is interested in attending the event, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Missouri districts could see 2025 data tied to A-F grading plan by end of September

KMIZ on September 10, 2026

Ellyse Edwards

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri school districts could get their first look at 2025 performance data connected with the state’s proposed A-F grading framework by the end of this month, a Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education official said Thursday.

Jocelyn Strand, DESE assistant commissioner for the Office of Quality Schools, led the department’s final public feedback session on the proposed system Thursday.

Strand said the department wants to give districts up to a couple of weeks to examine the data and determine how to explain the information to parents. She said the estimated end-of-September timeline is tentative.

DESE is still working through parts of the proposed formula and is considering changes based on the feedback it has received.

“I think a lot of what we’re looking at is how we include the growth to proficiency and the literacy and whether or not that caps,” Strand said. “We’ve heard a lot of concerns about that.”

Strand said the department is also still evaluating how the formula will account for differences among schools, including poverty, student mobility, available resources and student populations. She also said one number cannot include every characteristic of a school or district.

“A number isn’t the complete story of a district, and there are any number of other characteristics that parents and families and other stakeholders look at when they are talking about the performance of their district,” Strand said.

DESE plans to provide documents explaining what is included in the calculations and why each measure is important. Strand said the grade cards would also include links to district websites so families can find additional information about their schools.

Strand said the letter grades would not affect a district’s accreditation. She said the school-grading framework would have the same type of appeals window as Missouri’s annual performance report.

The next step is presenting the framework to the Missouri State Board of Education. Strand said DESE will continue seeking input from education stakeholders and parent organizations as it develops the remaining details.

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 26-01 in January, directing the State Board of Education and DESE to develop an annual A-F grading framework for public schools, charter schools and districts.

26-01Download

The order calls for each school and district to receive an overall A, B, C, D or F rating based on a 100-point scale.

Elementary and middle school grades would include academic achievement, value-added growth and growth toward proficiency in English language arts, literacy, mathematics and science. The order defines growth toward proficiency as whether a student with two consecutive years of Missouri Assessment Program results is on track to reach grade-level proficiency within three years.

High school grades would include academic achievement, value-added growth, Success Ready Graduate measures and the four-year graduation rate.

A school or district that tests fewer than 95% of its students on required state assessments would have its rating lowered by one letter grade. Private schools could choose to participate by opting into state assessments.

The executive order also urges the State Board of Education to increase the thresholds for earning each letter grade by five points the following year if 65% of schools receive an A or B.

Jason Anderson, executive director of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, called that provision a “moving target.”

“If 65% of the schools are getting an A or a B, that means the cut scores are too low,” Anderson said. “And so they’re going to raise those standards. That makes zero sense. It’s a moving target.”

Anderson said the association does not support the proposed system.

“Reducing a school to a single letter grade does not make information more meaningful simply because it is easier to understand,” Anderson said.

The Missouri State Teachers Association also opposes assigning individual letter grades to schools and districts.

“I think that the approach for letter grades is flawed, and we’ve seen other states that have moved away from single letter grades,” said Matt Michaelson, who is the association’s director of government relations. “And they’ve looked toward what the department is currently doing with a full dashboard that gives a better picture of what districts are doing.”

Michaelson said the final feedback session showed that questions remain about the timeline and what the grades would represent.

Several people who attended Thursday’s session also spoke against the proposal and questioned whether a single grade would give parents an accurate understanding of a school.

Click here to follow the original article.

Bull moose spotted in American Falls backyard, residents told to stay inside

KIFI on September 10, 2026

Curtis Jackson

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Power County Emergency Management Office warned residents in American Falls to remain indoors after a bull moose was spotted in a residential backyard on Thursday.

The moose was spotted early afternoon near the hospital.

Idaho Fish and Game officers were called in to help and captured the moose and have relocated it to a safer area.

No other details have been released.

Click here to follow the original article.