Author: KYMA

Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma native who has gained global attention for groundbreaking brain technology shared his story with students at Arizona Western College (AWC).

Noland Arbaugh spoke on campus about his journey following a life-changing spinal injury in 2016 that left him paralyzed.

In 2024, he became the first person to receive a Neuralink brain implant. A device that allows him to control digital devices through bluetooth. The implant reads the neurons that fire in his brain and translate it to the screen.

The technology has opened new doors for independence, allowing him to complete everyday digital tasks without physical movement.

While the science behind the implant draws interest, Arbaugh emphasized a deeper message during his talk.

“I want people not only to see that this technology is incredible and it’s going to change so many people’s lives. That it’s going to help so many people,” Arbaugh said. “But more than just the technology. I want people to understand how important perseverance is in their lives.”

His message resonated with those in attendance. AWC staff said the impact was immediate, with some becoming emotional as they reflected on their own challenges.

“I had a gentleman while we were still asking questions, go out and tell me his story and what he said. It hit him and he was, you know, tearing up,” Jeff Kleinwachter, a Military and Veteran Services Specialist at AWC, said. “Being able to share that story, you know, and I think that’s a big part of it all.”

Arbaugh has since returned to school at AWC, where he is continuing his education with the goal of becoming a neuroscientist.

He said the implant not only changed how he interacts with the world, but also how he views himself.

“Being able to do things on my own, it’s empowering, and it just makes me feel that I can be useful again,” Arbaugh said. “I don’t feel like a burden like I used to.”

Arbaugh told those in attendance he hopes his story encourages others to push beyond their own perceived limitations.

He wants everyone to recognize what’s possible through perseverance and innovation.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local man says his fight with the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) has reached the Arizona Court of Appeals.

The local, Jason Lujan, says the DES’s actions have caused him significant harm.

“It’s just really shocking that this happened to me and it caused me real life harm. Nobody should have to go through what I had to go through because they made an unlawful decision,” Lujan explained.

During the pandemic, emergency rental assistance program benefits were administered, and some people suddenly lost their benefits without warning or receiving the rest of their funding.

That left residents without income and at risk for homelessness.

“The purpose of that program was defeated by the DES. The government sent out money during that time to prevent everything that happened to me and they didn’t do that. They didn’t honor it,” Lujan said.

Lujan says the court granted his application for appeal and is ordering a briefing on whether DES exceeded its statutory authority by creating eligibility restrictions that he argues contradict federal law.

We have reached out to DES for comment and are still waiting to hear back.

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Dillon Fuhrman

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – San Luis Frontera Rotary Club is hosting Wild West Casino Night later this week.

The event, in collaboration with Onvida Health, is taking place Friday, May 1, 2026 at 780 N. Cesar Chavez Street in San Luis, Arizona from 8 p.m. to midnight.

During the event, there will be craps, roulette and blackjack, along with one free drink, playing chips and heavy appetizers.

The cost to participate is $77, with the proceeds benefitting their scholarship fund. To purchase tickets, click here.

To learn more about the upcoming event, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County are invited to attend an event in honor of National Day of Prayer.

The event is taking place Thursday, May 7, 2026 at the Healing House of Yuma, located at 2055 S. Arizona Avenue, next to the Yuma Sun, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

During the event, there will be coffee, doughnuts and lunch provided, and those who attend are encouraged to bring a friend.

The theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer is based on 1 Chronicles 16:24, “Glorify God among the nations, seeking Him in all generations.”

FTS Automotive & Diesel Center, Yuma Farmers Market and Gill Family Farms are sponsoring the event.

For more information, call Jackie Alves at 760-457-6520 or 602-663-4534.

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Andrea Turisk

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) says their students in Drawing I, II and II at the San Luis Learning Center are hosting a special gallery event.

The event is taking place Wednesday at the San Luis Learning Center from 10 a.m. to 11:40 a.m., and will showcase a variety of projects which includes artwork inspired by Gustav Klimt and Old Master studies.

“We would love to invite the community to attend and experience the artistic talent present in San Luis, Arizona, and Yuma,” said drawing professor Violeta Isaacs.

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

AWC says there will also be an art piece honoring Dr. Daniel Corr’s ten years as the college’s president.

In addition, there will be several murals representing “summative course project that challenged students to incorporate multiple elements from assignments throughout the semester and demonstrate mastery in their own unique style.”

“My plan was to design the murals as a direct reflection of the course objectives,” Isaacs shared. “These artistic pieces serve not only as creative expressions but also as visual evidence of student understanding and the fulfillment of the course.”

Drawing students showcase artwork at San Luis gallery eventDownload

26-Art Gallery SLLC-SMDownload

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Lynette Niebla

(KYMA) – On April 23, the Department of Justice announced it was easing the restriction on state-licensed medical marijuana, reclassifying the substance from a Schedule I drug, the highest level of regulation, to a Schedule III. 

This effort moves medical marijuana away from the same classification as heroin and into a new category that acknowledges the drug as one for medical use and a low potential for abuse.

Begun under President Joe Biden, and following President Donald Trump’s Dec. 18 executive action, the reclassification creates many benefits for California and Arizona.

This is a major step forward towards legitimizing the industry, especially in California, the nations largest legal cannabis market. 

The reclassification is also a huge relief for businesses of California and Arizona. Before, medical marijuana operators and dispensaries were subject to IRS tax law 280E, prohibiting them from deducting normal business expenses in their taxes.

No longer bound by this law, businesses will now save millions in federal taxes and product prices for consumers can potentially drop.

Nationwide, this action opens the door for medical marijuana and CBD research, an action previously taking scientists years to authorize and complete.

Prior to reclassification, researches faced numerous hurdles in the filed, needing approval from several agencies, rigorous security requirements and funding limitations.

Now, this reclassification simplifies the process for researchers and allows for validated scientific data on the drug.

To learn more about this, read the press release below.

4.23.26 Rescheduling News AzNORMLDownload

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The man accused of murdering a missing teen is back in court Tuesday for his preliminary hearing.

51-year-old Abraham Feinbloom pleaded not guilty in connection to the disappearance and death of 17-year-old T’neya Tovar.

Tuesday’s court appearance is said to determine if there is enough evidence to establish probable cause and hold him for trial.

According to our reporter, the hearing was transferred from the criminal courthouse to the regular courthouse.

Our reporter says both sides are ready, with Feinbloom‘s attorney, Melanie Roe, saying she has a private investigator as a witness, but says she doesn’t know if she will call on him to testify.

Meanwhile, the prosecution has 11 witnesses, according to our reporter, which includes three Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) deputies, an ICSO investigator and someone from the FBI.

During the hearing, the three deputies took the stand describing what they found during the investigation,

Deputy Austin Rodriguez of the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office searched the interior of Feinbloom’s home, describing it as “unconventional.”

Deputy Rodriguez said there was a bed in the living room surrounded by mirrors, and said he recalled seeing a pink and purple cell phone case and a pink hair dryer.

He noticed the house was boarded up and there were padlocks on the windows from the outside.

He also said he observed a fire pit in the back yard. He noticed part of a drum set in Feinbloom’s living room.

The drum set was allegedly seen in a Snapchat video that Tovar’s mother handed over to investigators.

Another deputy recalled the serach for Tovar’s body. He was called to the Salton City area after a man walking his dog noticed what appeared to be a human leg.

The deputy said he called in the forensics team to collect the remains. He said the leg looked like it was cleanly cut at the knee.

A man said to have driven Tovar to Feinbloom’s home a couple of times lost contact with Tovar after dropping her off at the home before she went missing.

All 11 witnesses are expected to testify this week, and Judge Poli Flores is presiding over the hearing.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is investigating a shooting which left one person dead.

According to a press release, the shooting happened in the area of S. 15th Avenue and W. Fifth Street before 8 p.m. Sunday.

Upon arrival, YPD says officers found an unresponsive man on the ground and performed life-saving measures.

YPD says a white four-door sedan arrived in the area, shot multiple rounds, with one of them hitting the victim, identified as 18-year-old Valentin Morales, and then drove away.

YPD then says Morales was taken to Onvida Health where he later died, and witnesses say there were at least three suspects, described as Black or Hispanic, in the vehicle.

The victim’s family has created a Gofundme to help during this time.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call 928-783-4421, or 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Homicide 26-29650Download

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Jalen Fong

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The only movie theater in Calexico is permanently closing its doors.

Calexico City Manager Benjamin Martinez confirmed the closure of the Calexico 10 Theatres through a press release.

The decision, according to the press release, points to an unsustainable financial situation.

Calexico 10 Theatres was the city’s only movie theater and was a gathering place for families along the border.

It survived the 2010 Easter Sunday earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The last day of operations is Sunday, May 3, 2026. To learn more about the theater’s closure, click here.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Are you worried about expensive energy bills this summer? If you’re an IID customers and looking for ways to save, you’re in luck.

The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) has officially launched a new set of programs that will help customers manage their electricity use and lower their monthly bill.

The 2026 Summer Savings Initiative provides many ways customers can save. One being a new program, Shift & Save!, that offers a $250 prepaid Mastercard to customers who enroll in IID’s optional Time-of-Use rate.

This requires customers to lower their electricity use during peak hours of 4pm-9pm.

Another is EnergyFlex, a voluntary program that encourages customers to reduce their energy use during periods of high demand. 

The Imperial Irrigation District offers a multitude of other programs that customers can apply for to receive other types of discounts on their monthly bill. 

To learn more about the initiative, click here.

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