Oregon students reminded of potential SNAP food benefit eligibility

KTVZ on September 30, 2026

Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — As college students return to campuses across Oregon, state officials are reminding them they may qualify for SNAP food benefits.

The Oregon Department of Human Services says student eligibility rules can be complicated, and students shouldn’t assume they don’t qualify.

Some exemptions include working at least 20 hours a week, participating in work-study, receiving unemployment or TANF benefits, or caring for a young child.

Benefits Navigators are also available at Oregon’s public colleges and universities to help students find resources.

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Bend police invite public to National Coffee with a Cop Day next week

KTVZ on September 30, 2026

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Officers with the Bend Police Department are inviting the community to grab a cup of coffee and chat.

National Coffee with a Cop Day is next Wednesday, October 7th.

Bend police invite public to National Coffee with a Cop Day next week

Officers will be at Junction Roastery and Social Club on Ninth Street in Bend from 9-10:30 a.m.

The event is open to the public and gives residents a chance to meet local officers and ask questions.

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Captain Preston Prosser retires from Bend Fire after 24 years of service

KTVZ on September 30, 2026

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After 24 long and rewarding years of serving the community of Bend, Fire Captain Preston Prosser is hanging up the uniform in a celebratory fashion. 

Prosser is retiring after more than two decades as a first responder, working as a fire captain and advanced EMT.

Bend firefighters say he’s a beloved captain and team member, and that, “Today is a day in which Bend Fire will never be the same.”

Prosser was gifted a custom Bend Fire & Rescue surfboard to commemorate the good years.

From all of us here at KTVZ News, thank you for your years of dedication and service to our community!

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Judge dismisses case brought by losing 5th district primary candidates

KMIZ on September 30, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Cole County judge on Wednesday dismissed a case that was filed by the losing candidates of a primary election.

Brett Hueffmeier, Micah Beebe, Jana Morris, Michael Morris and Peter Smedile filed a lawsuit on earlier this month against Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, candidate Rick Brattin and the state’s Republican party after Hoskins told county clerks to use a 2022 congressional map after a year-long back and forth in the courts.

The primary election used a map drawn in 2025 known as the “Missouri First” map that was said to give Republicans an advantage in a district held by a Democrat.

The U.S. Supreme Court mandated the use of the 2022 congressional map last week.

Judge Daniel Green ruled on Wednesday “that all issues are statutorily time barred.”

JUDGMENT 9-30Download

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Cellphone ban at Cole County Courthouse starts Thursday

KMIZ on September 30, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Beginning Thursday, cellphones will no longer be allowed in the Cole County Courthouse for most members of the public.

An order from Aug. 24 that is shared on the county’s website says exceptions are made for attorneys in good standing, state and county employees on court business, law enforcement personnel, jurors, bondsmen in good standing, Cole County Treatment Court team members, members of the press and “any other person the Court may authorize.”

Those who are allowed to carry a phone need to have it turned off when entering a courtroom, according to the order.

AO2026-05 – COURTHOUSE ELECTRONIC DEVICES-CELL PHONE POLICY 10.01.2026 PREPDownload

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Better Business Bureau: How to avoid the riskiest scams

KYMA on September 30, 2026

Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Which contact method is most successful for scammers: Phone, text, email or through social media?

When you’re contacted on social media, which platform do scammers use most successfully: Facebook, Instagram or Tik Tok?

The 2025 BBB ScamTracker Risk Report found scammers used phone calls most successfully in taking money, followed closely by email, then text message, website and social media.

Scammers were also most successful approaching people through social media, when they used Facebook.

The report looks at which groups are most susceptible to which scams.

Investment/cryptocurrency and employment scams remained the top two riskiest scams in 2025, according to a report from the Better Business Bureau. 

More than 77% of those targeted by investment/crypto scams reported losing money.

The scam type had the highest reported median dollar loss. 

Reports of employment scams rose from 14.4% of published scams in 2024 to 15.8% in 2025. 

The tactics used to perpetrate employment scams have expanded over the past few years.

Employment was the biggest scam for the 18-34 age range.

There is some great information about how the biggest scams work and how to prevent losing money in the BBB ScamTracker Risk Report.

Before trusting any business, check out reviews, complaints and for trusted Accredited Businesses at BBB.org and visit BBB’s Scam Tracker.

Check out BBB scam warnings at joeknowsbetter.com.

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Former Fulton cop pleads guilty to federal child porn charges

KMIZ on September 30, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A former Fulton police officer pleaded guilty to federal charges related to child sex abuse materials, according to a Wednesday press release from the Department of Justice.

Jimmy Joe Culbertson, 68, of Columbia, pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child sex abuse materials and one count of possessing child sex abuse materials. He is currently being held at the Boone County Jail.

Culbertson served as a police officer for 24 years, according to the release. Culbertson admitted to photographing his abuse of two children and possessed more than 150 files showing child sex abuse, the release says.

He faces up to 70 years in prison in that case. He is also currently charged in Boone County with eight counts of statutory sodomy of a child younger than 12 years old.

According to previous reporting, a victim reported to law enforcement that Culbertson sexually assaulted them several times. Court documents in previous reporting say Culbertson allegedly admitted to a Boone County deputy that he sexually assaulted the victim before Culbertson held a gun and threatened to shoot himself. He was then arrested.

A hearing in that case is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 2027.

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YFD responds to house fire on S. Arena Drive

KYMA on September 30, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to a house fire early Wednesday morning.

YFD said the fire happened in the area of S. Arena Drive and W. 11th Street, near the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley – Yuma Branch, at around 3:15 a.m.

Upon arrival, YFD said fire crews found heavy fire “involving the front porch and carport of a” single-story home, and said the fire also spread to the attic.

This prompted firefighters to quickly attack the fire from the outside, YFD said, “before entering the home to to extinguish the remaining fire in the attic” while crews worked “to protect neighboring homes from the fire.”

After the fire was brought under control, YFD said firefighters searched the home to confirm that all occupants had safely evacuated.

While no injuries were reported, YFD said several cats were found dead from smoke inhalation.

Firefighters remained on scene to check the home and ensure that there wasn’t any remaining hot spots, YFD said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

021 Arena Dr. FireDownload

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New Arizona law means some motorcycle violations could lead to reckless driving charge

KYMA on September 30, 2026

Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – A new Arizona law means some motorcycle violations could now lead to a reckless driving charge.

This includes riding between lanes of traffic, known as lane splitting, and passing another vehicle while staying in the same lane.

Both were already illegal, but now they can lead to reckless driving charges.

A first offense is a Class 2 misdemeanor, with a second offense within 24 months bumping up to a Class 1 misdemeanor.

“It is dangerous and it’s hazardous. So please avoid doing it because you can cause an even bigger accident,” said Sgt. Lori Franklin with the Yuma Police Department (YPD).

YPD said riders should know their limits, pay attention to the cars around them, and always drive defensively. They also said if they are not comfortable with a move, don’t do it.

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Desert Hot Springs students get hands-on look at aviation careers

KESQ on September 30, 2026

Kiera McKinney

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)- Desert Hot Springs High School students got a firsthand look at aviation careers Wednesday through a program with Palm Springs Unified School District and the Palm Springs Air Museum.

Nine students are taking part in the aviation and aeronautics career exploration program. Five took part in discovery flights Wednesday, riding with a pilot and getting a closer look at how an aircraft operates.

For student Arleth Velazquez, the experience marked her first time on a plane. She said aviation had already been in the back of her mind, and the program has introduced her to career options she had not considered before.

Students are learning that aviation careers go beyond becoming a pilot. The program also introduces jobs in air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, machining and other parts of the industry.

During Wednesday’s flights, students heard communications between the aircraft and the control tower, learned about weather information and saw how the aircraft’s controls work.

Flight Operations Volunteer Dirk Ellis said students are able to get a basic introduction to the controls and see what happens during a flight from takeoff to landing.

The goal is to give students a chance to experience aviation firsthand and decide whether it is a field they may want to continue exploring.

Four more Desert Hot Springs High School students are expected to take part in discovery flights next Wednesday. The program is also being offered to students from other Palm Springs Unified high schools this year.

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