Author: KYMA

Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is hosted a town hall during her visit to Yuma Thursday.

During the town hall, which is took place at the Yuma Civic Center from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Attorney General Mayes is hearing from Yuma residents regarding their concerns about bio-solids.

The issue became a hot topic this year, garnering reaction from locals as well as county leaders.

Mayes is currently running for reelection, and will face off against Republican candidate Warren Petersen in the November midterm election.

The Civic Center was packed with locals to address the situation with Agtech biosolids.

From long time citizens of yuma to newcomers, many who spoke told Mayes that the fly situation has gotten out of hand to where their animals and loved ones are getting ill from it.

“At a minimum, it cannot be used for something that harms a very Arizona’s who the state trust lands are supposed to benefit,” Mayes said.

Mayes had each person tell how many miles they lived from the biosolids.

“The flies are unbearable,” one person said.

“I think the bottom line on the biohazard solid situation is get it out,” another said.

Many AgTech workers attended the town hall including AgTech operations manager Kevin Good who has been with the company for over 20 years.

Good says he hopes the community does their research concerning biosolids before listening to the rumors.

“I would really appreciate it if everybody could be open minded about what we do. Our job is to be part of the community. Be another farmer. And the rumors just really need to stop,” Good said.

The event was originally scheduled for 90 minutes but it went longer as many questions were left unanswered.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) visted Yuma Thursday afternoon to rally supporters.

During her visit, Gov. Hobbs stopped at and toured the Chile Pepper, where she spoke with the owners “about how rising costs brought on by Washington, D.C. policies have affected their day-to-day operations and their ability to thrive.”

The governor then attended the grand opening of the Yuma Copper State Victory Office, where she was joined by Charlene Fernandez, chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, and Yuma County Board of Supervisors Chairman Martin Porchas.

Hobbs, who is running for reelection, will face off against Republican candidate Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) in the November midterm election.

To watch the livestreams of both events, see attached videos.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local clinic has closed its doors across Yuma County following allegations against a well-known Yuma doctor.

In a sign posted on its doors, Bio Family Clinic wrote in part, “Due to circumstances beyond our control and caused by the Attorney General’s Office, we are having to close our doors.”

The clinic’s closure comes as Dr. Irfan Fazil was arrested and charged last month with fraudulent schemes, illegal control of an enterprise, theft, conspiracy and drug-related charges.

Earlier this month, a judge denied Dr. Fazil‘s attorneys request to “$50 million cash bond or release him to house arrest.”

Some patients say they were surprised by the closure and are now trying to figure out how to continue their medical care, including getting their records and finding a new provider.

Hal Wilson, a former patient of Bio Family Clinic, says he’s trying to figure out where to go next.

“I’m trying to see if I can get our records or find out where our doctor went to,” Wilson said. “That’s the same with other people here. You know, just out of luck, I guess.”

Clarissa Almos, a Foothills resident, says she feels for patients who are now searching for care.

“We trust the doctors to provide the best care that they can give us since, you know, we pay, and then people that are in health care are just there for the vulnerable because they need help,” Almos said.

Fazil is currently being held in the Yuma County Detention Center on a bond of $50 million, and will be back in court Friday for a case management conference.

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Skylar Heisey

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – A series of earthquakes shook Imperial County overnight, with the strongest centered just south of Brawley.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said three earthquakes struck the area early Thursday morning, the first measuring a magnitude 3.1 just after midnight.

It was followed about 15 minutes later by a 3.6-magnitude quake, the strongest of the series. Then, just before 2 a.m., a third tremor, measuring 3.4, shook the same area.

The quakes were felt in Brawley, Holtville, Heber, and parts of Mexico, and officials said there have been no reports of injuries or damage.

USGS says the quakes produced only weak shaking, which is common for earthquakes of this size.

The Brawley area sits in one of California’s most active seismic zones, where small earthquakes are frequent due to the movement of tectonic plates.

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Dillon Fuhrman

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Calexico Police Department (CPD) is investigating a shooting from over the weekend.

CPD says the shooting happened Saturday, July 18, inside an abandoned home, located in the area of Giles Avenue and Fifth Street, after 7 p.m.

Police heard gunshots east of the home at around 7:20 p.m., prompting them to request mutual aid from law enforcement agencies to help with the investigation and search the area.

An hour later, CPD says officers then heard a second round of gunfire south of the home.

While no injuries were reported, the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call CPD at 760-768-2140.

To learn more about the shooting, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

Press Release Shots Fired InvDownload

Press Release Shots Fired SpanishDownload

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – With the Arizona primaries concluding, the race is set between Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and Incumbent Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.).

Locals had mixed reaction for this November showdown between Rep. Biggs and Gov. Hobbs.

Almost four years ago, Hobbs won the election by less than 20,000 votes. Now in 2026, both parties are making it a priority that every vote matters.

Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines hopes everyone goes out to vote in November and looks at the bigger picture.

“You know, they offered two contrasting visions. And I hope that voters will consider the last four years and maybe think back to the eight years under Gov. Ducey. We were able to attract more businesses to Arizona,” Lines said.

Yuma residents have had mixed reactions between both candidates. One resident, Gilbert Garcia, said he’ll be voting for Hobbs again because of her work during her first term.

“I think she’s done a good job. And she’s pretty open with people. She says what she’s going to do, and she tries to do it. She doesn’t always accomplishment, but at least she tries,” Garcia shared. “And politician nowadays, they only seem to be concerned about keeping their job jobs. She seems to be a little bit more concerned about doing her job.”

Another resident, Chris Bond, said that he will also be voting for Hobbs despite living in Arizona for less than a year, though he said he doesn’t know much, he said that she hopes to continue making Arizona a better place.

“I’ve been here about a year or so. I don’t really know that much. I just know that, I heard a little bit. I heard a little bit about what she’s working on fixing for the state, better place,” Bond said.

Lines made it clear that he will be endorsing Biggs as they are childhood friends.

“He has a vision and the support of the president to be able to turn around Arizona. I am looking forward to being able to support him going into the general election, and I feel like he has a plan primary that coincides with the president’s plan…especially on taxes,” Lines said.

If you want to stay in touch with the governor race, visit the Decision 2026 tab.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Voters in Arizona’s Legislative District (LD) 23 have made their choices in the primary election, setting up the candidates who will compete for two seats in the Arizona House of Representatives this November.

On the Democratic side, Yuma native Emilia Cortez says she’s passionate about representing the district’s Latino community and bringing more voices to the State Capitol.

“We all come with unique stories. We all come with unique ideas that make a pathway to improve our communities. So that’s what I want to do for LD23 is really voice that up,” Cortez said.

On the Republican side, Gary Garcia Snyder says he sees himself as a community-focused candidate who wants to prioritize education and remain accessible to residents.

“We should be working forward for the community that you live in…That you understand the values of the cost, everything that’s going on within our community and being a part of it. And that’s me, just a regular individual that lives the same way and understands what we need to fix,” Snyder said.

Cortez will appear on the November ballot alongside incumbent Democrat Mariana Sandoval, while Snyder will run alongside Republican incumbent Michele Peña.

In a statement, Sandoval said she is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving LD23, adding that her priorities include making Arizona more affordable, strengthening schools, and protecting access to healthcare.

The four candidates will now prepare for the general election in November.

The candidates will compete in November to represent LD23 at the State Capitol, where lawmakers will vote on issues including the state budget, education, healthcare, and public safety.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man convicted of child abuse after the death of a local toddler was sentenced Wednesday to 21 years in prison.

24-year-old Miguel Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse involving domestic violence in May of this year.

As part of the plea, charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body were dismissed.

Investigators say Garcia and the child’s mother, 21-year-old Angelina Vasquez, were involved in abuse and neglect that led to the death of the child, known to many as baby Kano.

Vasquez previously pleaded guilty in April to child abuse involving domestic violence under a separate plea agreement, and was sentenced to 24 years in prison in May.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – First responders are warning Imperial Valley residents that their health is in the direct line of fire as dangerous summer weather patterns intensify.

The number of emergencies for the El Centro Fire Department climbs right along with the temperature.

While actual fire calls do not tend to spike in this weather, emergency medical runs for heat stroke and exhaustion absolutely skyrocket.

To combat the rising number of medical emergencies, fire crews are urging the public to keep essential safety protocols in mind.

Battalion Chief Eddie Ainza emphasizes standard precautions that remain vital year after year:

Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.

Stay continuously hydrated.

Remain in shaded areas as much as possible when outdoors.

Meticulously track your total time spent outside.

Regardless of how resilient a person believes they are to desert conditions, experts warn that the human body has a very strict physical cutoff point.

For individuals whose employment or responsibilities mandate outdoor activity, those shifts must shorten dramatically.

“Depending on how resilient you are to the heat, you want to make sure that you’re only working outside for about 15 to 20 minutes,” Chief Ainza said. “Take a little break. Things are gonna take longer to accomplish, but that’s part of the price we pay for living here.”

The exact same safety protocols enforced for the public apply directly to the first responders themselves. Fighting fires, or responding to medical calls in heavy protective clothing, carries severe risks in triple-digit weather.

“Our personnel are wearing all the personal protective equipment (PPE). It keeps heat out, but it also keeps the heat in,” Ainza explained. “So we have to be very aware of how long they’re working. We really cut down on the amount of time that they work in ratio to the amount of time that they rest.”

This heightened local caution arrives during an exceptionally demanding season for regional emergency services.

Summer marks the peak period where local departments must split their resources to assist neighboring regions.

“Everybody’s kind of on vacation mode, but for us, the work is a little bit more intense,” Ainza noted. “The workload is a little bit higher because we’re not only dealing with what we have here locally, but we’re also responding to mutual aids throughout the state.”

Whether crews are deployed fighting massive wildfires up north or battling heat exhaustion emergencies here at home, regional weather patterns are compounding the danger.

Rising moisture levels are trapping heat near the surface, turning the local climate into a volatile environment.

“It does feel hotter and that’s what causes your body to sweat more,” Ainza said regarding the humidity. “That just amplifies and exacerbates the normal symptoms that you feel.”

To combat this severe public health threat, local officials and emergency management teams have activated resources across the region.

Free air-conditioned cooling centers and public hydration stations are now officially open countywide to provide immediate relief.

Residents seeking an updated map of local cooling shelters, operating hours, and additional hydration resources can find complete information here.

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