Central Oregon Labor Day Picnic

KTVZ on September 7, 2026

Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Labor groups and local unions across Central Oregon gathered at Alpenglow Park on Monday for their annual Labor Day picnic. The event focused on worker solidarity and labor rights.

Union members joined with community organizations, including “Health care for All” and local mutual aid groups. They celebrated the holiday with hot dogs, live music and outdoor activities.

Dustin Fanning-Painter serves as the vice president of AFSCME Local 3997. During the gathering, Fanning-Painter spoke about the benefits secured through being part of a union.

“The biggest thing to like, workers rights, you know, especially like, if there is an economic downfall, like keeping our jobs around, increasing pay, making sure we can actually afford to live here and keep up with the prices of everything that are going up,” Fanning-Painter said.

Click here to follow the original article.

Columbia’s new public safety sales tax will brings sales tax rates to nearly 10% in all special taxing districts

KMIZ on September 7, 2026

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council is scheduled to formally adopt a 1% public safety sales tax passed by Columbia voters in August at its meeting on Tuesday. The tax would then take effect on Jan. 1.

City leaders project the tax to generate an additional $38 million each year to support police and fire services. It passed by a mere 85 votes in August, with the first round of revenue expected to come in March.

The city monitor the first three months of revenue to see whether collections are meeting expectations. Across Columbia, sales tax will range from a little under 9% to nearly 10% after the increase.

The city has 19 special taxing districts, including multiple Transportation Development Districts, Community Improvement Districts and a Recreation Taxing District. Out of the 19 total districts, 15 are TDD’s, three are CID’s and one is a regional recreation district for the Boone County Fairgrounds.

According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, when added to current sales tax rates, areas of Boone County that aren’t shopping centers or districts will have the lowest sales tax set at around 8.97%.

The highest sales tax rates will be seen in areas like the Shoppes at Stadium, Columbia Mall, or Discovery Parkway and Grindstone Plaza, with the transportation districts sales tax bumping to 9.97%. That means a consumer is paying nearly $10 on every $100 spent.

Downtown Columbia and the Business Loop area won’t be far behind with the Community Improvement Districts now having a sales tax rate of 9.47%.

Each time a person buys something in one of these districts, the taxed percentage is going back to fund projects or expenditures in the community they may not even realize at the time of their purchase. For example, the Conley Road TDD helps fund the extension of the existing Business Loop 70 to be able to serve as an I-70 outer road through to a new connection to Conley Road near the Broadway Marketplace.

In 2025, Columbia’s Downtown CID brought in $828,964 in sales tax revenue.

The highest sales tax rate in Missouri is at 12.23% in parts of St. Louis County.

With the funds generated by the tax, Columbia Fire Department plans to hire 42 additional firefighters, build two new fire stations and renovate three existing stations. The Columbia Police Department wants to boost its staffing numbers and convert a city-owned building on Lemone Industrial Boulevard into a new $35 million police headquarters.

Click here to follow the original article.

Remembering the loved ones who haven’t come home: Missing Persons Day 2026

KIFI on September 7, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The family of Amber Hoopes and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office invite the community to assemble at the Bonneville County Courthouse this Saturday for Missing Persons Day, an annual event raised to bring attention to all active missing persons cases across Idaho. The statewide movement was first established following Hoopes’ disappearance 25 years ago.

The annual tradition began in 2005 when Audra Burgener, Hoopes’ aunt, petitioned the Idaho Legislature to designate September 14 as Missing Persons Day to honor her niece, who disappeared four years prior.

“It’s going to be a great event this year,” Audra Burgener, the event’s original creator and Amber Hoopes’ aunt, said. “We’re going to have some musical numbers and Sergeant Lovell will open up the program.”

Currently, there are 183 active missing persons cases across Idaho, leaving nearly 200 families searching for answers. Nationally, the National Crime Information Center reports more than 83,000 open missing persons cases.

Sergeant Bryan Lovell, Public Information Officer with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and original investigator on the Hoopes case, will speak on the event’s importance to law enforcement and the community. And he isn’t the only speaker making an appearance.

“Amber’s mom and dad will be speaking, and they haven’t spoken for 20 years,” said Audra. “And then the young lady that was taken off of her trampoline, she’ll be speaking for the first time publicly.”

It has been 25 years since Hoopes disappeared from her grandparents’ home in the middle of the night. Although the primary suspect died by suicide during a police standoff, Hoopes has never been found. Her family still holds out hope that new information will surface.

“We don’t want her to be forgotten,” Audra said. “I just believe somebody knows something. And it’s a way to remember not just Amber, but all of the missing people that are out there.”

Missing Persons Day 2026 will be this Saturday, Sept. 12th, at 12 noon and will be held in front of the Bonneville County Courthouse, 605 N. Capital Avenue, Idaho Falls, ID.

Click here to follow the original article.

A look inside a Coachella Valley taproom on National Beer Lover’s Day

KESQ on September 7, 2026

Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – This Monday, September 7th marks more than just Labor Day; it’s National Beer Lover’s Day, too!

As you relax for the holiday, you might be reaching into your fridge for an ice-cold beer. It’s the world’s most consumed alcoholic drink.

There’s a number of breweries around the valley perfecting their craft beer. To name a few: La Quinta Brewing Company, Luchador Brewing Company, Desert Beer Company, and Coachella Valley Brewing Company.

CV Brewing Co. first opened its doors in 2013. Its main hub is in Thousand Palms, but it also has a Palm Springs restaurant and taproom in downtown Palm Springs.

“For me, every day is a day to celebrate beer,” said manager Wesley Gainey with a chuckle. “If you want to celebrate a beer, go buy local, get adventurous and take some chances.”

Gainey said each batch they brew typically produces 20 barrels. It takes about 700 pounds of grains.

The brewing process takes about three weeks, the bulk of which comes from fermenting. Before that step, though, are several rounds of boiling, mixing, separating, and breaking down grains and sugars. Coachella Valley uses a unique “high-efficiency brewing system” – or H.E.B.S. – which helps the brewery be more sustainable. It says on its website it reduces water use by 60% and uses 65% less grain.

The waste products that are created are given to local farms to be used as animal feed. More information on sustainable brewing can be found here.

Between the various moving parts, Gainey estimated it’s a multi-million dollar undertaking. Still, he called it a labor of love. “When [customers] are out there at the store or deciding where to go, you know, [or they’re] right here chugging along, we’re making good stuff,” he said, pointing at the operation.

He encouraged more people to get out and try more of their local craft breweries.

“Aside from, you know, you’re supporting local, you also tend to get a wider variety of flavors and different opportunities that you can get with with independent beers.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Idaho Liberty Bell to tour Eastern Idaho starting Tuesday

KIFI on September 7, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – A piece of American History will be at area schools and parks starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.

The Idaho Liberty Bell Tour is making its way to Rexburg and many other Southeastern Idaho locations to give Idahoans the opportunity to see the historic symbol.

The Idaho Liberty Bell was modeled after the original, cracked Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Idaho’s Liberty Bell was one of the many to be cast.

“The bell will be at the middle school,” Mayor Jerry Merrill, Rexburg’s Mayor said. “And time wise, it’s a little flexible because it’s got to make some stops along the way. But we think it’ll be around 10:30. It’ll be at the middle school, so the school kids can go out and see it and take pictures and look at it. Parents can come and the public is invited. There’ll be some parking available there at the middle school. And so that’ll be a fun event.”

The original Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is a national symbol of the American Revolution because legend claims it rang on July 4th, 1776, to announce the Continental Congress’s adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Although there is no evidence to support the legend, the bell remains a beloved American icon.

Although the reason behind the crack is unknown, it remains a part of the Bell’s design. When repairs attempted to fix the crack, they silenced it forever.

Here is the Liberty Bell’s arrival schedule, though times could change.

Tuesday, September 8th:

Rigby:

Harwood Elementary, 8:30-9 a.m.

Rexburg:

Madison Middle School, 9:45-10:15 a.m.

St. Anthony:

Rotary Park, 11-11:30 a.m.

Ashton:

Museum, 12:45–1:15 p.m.

Driggs:

Teton High School, 2:30-3 p.m.

Victor:

City Park, 3:45-4:15 p.m.

Swan Valley:

American Legion, 5:15-5:45 p.m.

Ririe:

City Shop, 6:45-7:15 p.m.

Wednesday, September 9th:

Mud Lake:

Terreton Elementary, 9-10 a.m.

Arco:

Science Center Park, 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Mackay:

Mackay Jr./Sr. High School, 1:45-2:15 p.m

Challis:

Common Gathering Area, 3:45-4:15 p.m.

Salmon:

Veterans Memorial Park, 5:45-6:30 p.m.

Click here to follow the original article.

Workers ‘celebrate’ Labor Day working

KYMA on September 7, 2026

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – While most of the people are coming back from a holiday weekend, or resting at home, others “celebrated” Labor Day actually working.

Some workers News 11 spoke to said they are happy to have a job, especially in Yuma County, where the unemployment rate is almost 19%, the second highest in the country.

“To tell you the truth, I love to work, and I’m blessed to have a job and that I have to work,” said Caty Anaya, a department store worker.

Meanwhile, El Centro is number one nationwide in unemployment rate with 19.7%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Click here to follow the original article.

Coroner: Car stereo listening session led to deaths of five immigrants in Phelps County

KMIZ on September 7, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man left a car running in a garage after he had listened to music on its stereo, leading to the deaths of five people in a Rolla residence in June, the coroner’s office wrote in a statement posted to social media Monday.

The carbon monoxide poisoning on June 19 killed a 21-year-old man, a 31-year-old man, two 43-year-old men and an 18-year-old woman, all in the same residence. All five were undocumented immigrants, and their remains have been returned to their countries of origin, the release states.

The Phelps County Coroner’s Office said in June that three of the victims were Honduran nationals, one was a Mexican national and another was a Guatemalan national.

The man who inadvertently left the car running was the first to succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning because his bedroom was the closest to the garage, according to the statement. One person survived because his room was farthest from the garage, his door and vents were closed, and his window was open, the coroner’s office stated.

Carbon monoxide detectors in the residence were unplugged. The coroner’s office stated the residents might have disabled them in their confused state because of the noise.

Click here to follow the original article.

Columbia man killed when hit by tractor-trailer on Interstate 70

KMIZ on September 7, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man died after a tractor-trailer hit him while he was crossing the road late Sunday on Interstate 70 in Saline County.

The 66-year-old man was pronounced dead minutes after the 11 p.m. crash, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. The 2023 Freightliner hit the man on the eastbound interstate at mile marker 70.4, just east of Sweet Springs.

The truck driver, a 26-year-old San Antonio man, tried to avoid the man, who was walking in the right lane, according to the patrol. The driver pulled over onto the shoulder and waited for authorities after the collision, the report states.

The semi-truck suffered moderate damage and was towed from the scene.

The Highway Patrol no longer publishes the names of people involved in crashes.

Click here to follow the original article.

Police locate missing 13-year-old boy in Idaho Falls

KIFI on September 7, 2026

Seth Ratliff

UPDATE 4:40 pm: IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls Police Department said Troy Meyers has been found and is safe. No other details were given.

ORIGINAL STORY

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Police Department is requesting the public’s immediate assistance in locating 13-year-old Troy Meyers, a teen with autism who went missing late Monday morning.

Troy was last seen around 11:30 a.m. at his home near the intersection of John Adams Parkway and South 15th East (St. Clair Road). Troy is 5 ft 4 inches tall and is believed to be wearing a grey hoodie and grey sweatpants and may be riding a bike, according to a post by IFPD.

If you see him or have any information on his whereabouts, call Idaho Falls Police dispatch at 208-529-1200. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Bend snowboarders take center stage in new film “KEVORKIAN”

KTVZ on September 7, 2026

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Some of Bend’s top snowboarders are coming together for a new full-length film celebrating the sport, the people behind it and the Central Oregon community they call home.

“KEVORKIAN”, the debut feature film from Bend-based creative agency and production house 500 Motors, will have its world premiere October 1st at Trailhead Lodge in Bend.

The film features an all-star lineup of professional snowboarders and Oregon riders, including Jared Elston, Parker Szumowski, Curtis Ciszek, Austin Smith, Ian Boll, Charles White, Dustin Craven, Ben Ferguson and Gabe Ferguson.

Directed and edited by longtime filmmaker Jake Price, the film was shot on 16mm and 35mm film and follows riders across resorts and remote backcountry terrain around the world.

But the project is about more than snowboard tricks.

According to 500 Motors, “KEVORKIAN” combines high-level riding with the personalities and experiences of life on the road — including unscripted moments, crashes and the camaraderie that develops among riders.

The film is also described as a tribute to Bend, Oregon, and the professional snowboarders who live there.

The Bend premiere will kick off a series of screenings across the U.S. and Europe, including stops in Salt Lake City, Innsbruck, Seattle, Denver and Portland.

The film’s Bend connection runs deeper than simply being the location of its world premiere.

500 Motors is based in Bend and specializes in creative production, visual arts and analog filmmaking. The company says its work focuses on documenting action sports, fashion and youth culture through hand-produced, analog film.

“KEVORKIAN” is supported by Mt. Bachelor and several other brands, including Smith, Arc’teryx, Arbor, K2, Columbia, 10 Barrel Brewing, Bataleon, DC and others.

The film’s principal cinematography comes from Jonah Elston, Jake Price and Joni Vicorino.

Following the premiere tour, “KEVORKIAN” is scheduled for a digital release on the 500 Motors YouTube channel January 1, 2027.

The “KEVORKIAN” world premiere is scheduled for:

-Thursday, October 1, 2026-Trailhead Lodge-Bend, Oregon

A second film, “QUARTET”, features local riders Elijah Pyle, Griffin Biancucci, Kai Huggin & Haden Mcalister.

Click here to follow the original article.