Dillon Fuhrman
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma High School (YHS) says they are hosting a band registration next month.
YHS says the registration is taking place Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the school from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
While instrument availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis, registration is open to all students and no experience is necessary.
For more information on the registration, email jramos@yumaunion.org.
Courtesy: Yuma High School
Adrik Vargas
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County are sharing their reaction to a U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) immigration ruling Thursday.
In a 6-3 decision, SCOTUS says the White House can restart its controversial asylum policy, which aims to curb the number of migrants processed at the southern border who claim to be fleeing political, racial or religious persecution in their home country.
The policy would turn them back before they ever step foot on U.S. soil.
The ruling has drawn strong reaction from people in Yuma County, with some saying they support stronger rules at the border while others are concerned about how it could impact people seeking safety.
“My thoughts are if they do it legally…to come to the United States legally,” said Rachel Baker, a Yuma resident.
“This country is made from people coming in from all over the world and all over the places, and this is why it’s called Great America, and we’re here to serve everybody,” said Agustin Samson, another Yuma resident.
The ruling could have long-term implications for how asylum cases are handled at the border, but for some in the community, the issue is sparking a broader debate about immigration and fairness.
This was one of two cases SCOTUS ruled on, with the other being a case dealing with temporary protection status.
Lauren Duffel
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – It’s called the Remembrance Tree, and it holds a special meaning for local fallen Veterans.
The Remembrance Tree memorial represents the lives, service, and memories of the Veterans who once lived at the Arizona State Veterans Home.
Shanen Aranmor, owner of Weld Like a Girl, said, “The tree was built by Veterans, sons of Veterans, and granddaughters of Veterans. There was no one who worked on this tree that wasn’t somehow involved in the military.”
The tree was welded together with Veterans’ dog tags and other symbols of honor and service incorporated into the memorial.
Aranmor described one of her favorite parts of the project, saying, “One of my favorite things is a copper thread that goes up through the tree and branches off into all six branches of the military into a smaller branch, because we are all working together for the same thing.”
Each name attached to the respective branch of service the veteran served in belongs to someone who served our country and became a resident at the Veterans Home.
Scott Reynolds, a Marine Corps Veteran, said he is proud to be part of the project.
“I’m proud they let me come in and help out, and to see people have it mean something to them—that other people aren’t forgetting about them when they come to live here,” he explained.
The Remembrance Tree stands as a beautiful reminder of those who have served our country and fought for our freedom.
Adrik Vargas
YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Candidates in the race for Arizona’s 23rd Legislative District are outlining their priorities as they try to win over voters ahead of upcoming elections.
Democratic candidate Emilia Cortez says her background in business, community service on local boards, and her work as an economic development specialist for the Quechan Tribe have prepared her for the role.
She describes District 23 as a rural region made up of border communities, working families, and a large Latino population she says hasn’t always felt represented.
Cortez says that’s part of why she decided to run.
Affordability is one of the biggest issues she says she’s hearing about from people across Yuma.
She points to how much the cost of living has changed over time, saying housing in the area used to be far more accessible than it is today.
If elected, Cortez says her top priorities would include early childhood development, Colorado River water rights, and healthcare, an issue she says has affected her personally.
She says her own experience advocating for a family member helped shape her views on the healthcare system, adding that insurance doesn’t always work for every family and can leave some people paying out of pocket for care.
Cortez also says she supports expanding access to healthcare for people with limited income.
She adds that growing up as the daughter of a farmer taught her values of integrity, community, and hard work qualities she says she would bring to the job if elected.
The top two candidates in the race will advance to the general election in November.
Abraham Retana
WASHINGTON (KYMA) – During a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) pressed Postmaster General David Steiner on the lack of home mail delivery in San Luis, Arizona.
The city’s only post office, according to a press release obtained by KYMA, “has been overwhelmed by decades of explosive population growth and worsened by congestion at the nearby border crossing.”
“In San Luis, Arizona, the Postal Service does not provide home or mail delivery. That means residents are forced to retrieve mail from a P.O. box at a local post office. Forty years ago, San Luis was 2,000 people. It is now 35,000 people,” said Sen. Gallego. “As a result, San Luis’s sole post office is heavily congested and running out of space and capacity.”
The press release says the senator has heard from those affected by the lack of delivery service, which includes residents “working multiple jobs and disabled veterans waiting on their benefit checks.”
“We’ve been asking the post office for almost generations now. Do you think that the post office can find the time, the money, and the focus to actually add more home delivery in this booming town of 35,000?” Gallego expressed.
Postmaster General Steiner responded to the senator’s question, saying “We can do whatever you want. We will do whatever you want. Who’s going to pay?”
Steiner also said he was “glad to personally take a look at the situation,” noting he has to weigh individual cases against the Postal Service’s broader network of 170 million delivery points yearly.
KYMA spoke to some locals who say home mail delivery is much needed because it not only more convenient, but it will also improve their quality of life.
“It will be more convenient if a receive the mail at home because it’s hot to bring my kids with me, and I got a of things to do,” said Claudia Avina, a San Luis resident.
“Sometimes we lose our bills, or are past due because we can’t come everyday. We try to come twice a week, but when we missed important letters, that’s when we are in trouble,” said Rafael Leon, another San Luis resident.
Steiner agreed to continue the conversation with Gallego to find a solution to the San Luis Post Office situation.
To watch the hearing, see attached video.
Abigahil Padilla
SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Arizona primary election is heating up in San Luis, Arizona, where several candidates are running for City Council.
One of the candidates is Ernesto Bermudez, who is a lifelong resident of San Luis, whose platform is focused on community improvement, public safety and economic development.
Bermudez says his priorities include parks with playgrounds, improving lighting in dark areas and supporting local businesses.
“Supporting small businesses with funding and public spaces could also help address the major problem of unemployment,” Bermudez explained.
He also proposes a shelter for people in need, traffic improvements and additional mail service locations in residential areas to reduce congestion at the city’s main post office.
The Arizona primary election is Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and early voting began Wednesday.
Lauren Duffel
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen was in Yuma Tuesday night, where he spoke to voters about his candidacy for Arizona attorney general.
Petersen (R) was at the Yuma Community Food Bank, where he shared why he’s fighting for Arizona’s rule of law.
He also says he wants to keep the state safe, defend the Second Amendment and protect the Women’s Sports Act.
“I love Arizona. I want to keep it great. I don’t want it to turn into California. I’m running to keep Arizona safe, free and prosperous,” Petersen expressed.
Petersen says he wants to lead the Arizona Attorney General’s Office with a focus on safety, accountability and keep the state moving forward.
Lynette Niebla
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County Public Health and fire officials are urging community members to take immediate action to protect themselves as a dangerous combination of soaring temperatures and high winds triggers an Extreme Heat Watch across the region.
Local first responders are already on high alert following a sharp spike in wildfire activity throughout the county over the past week.
Imperial County Fire Department Deputy Chief Cedric Ceseña stated that crews are utilizing multi-agency intelligence resources at the local, state, and federal levels to track incoming weather patterns and position resources ahead of time.
“We know when those things are coming,” Chief Ceseña said. “When it’s gonna be hot and windy, it’s gonna be potentially busy.”
Fire crews warn that dry vegetation and sparks from outdoor power tools create a volatile mix in these severe conditions.
To prevent accidental blazes and avoid heat illnesses, Ceseña emphasizes that heavy outdoor labor needs to wait until temperatures drop, warning that the absolute hottest hours fall between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“You want to make sure that you either work early in the morning and stop working by 10 o’clock, or you begin working after 4 or 5 o’clock and then take advantage of the evening hours,” Ceseña advised.
For those who absolutely must be outside, public health experts say preparation is critical. Residents are advised to wear loose and lightweight clothing, eat balanced meals, and practice “pre-hydration” by drinking plenty of water before stepping into the elements.
“It doesn’t just get hot slowly,” Ceseña added. “We kind of go from no heat to a lot of heat, so it’s always important to hydrate ahead of time.”
Without proper preventative measures, the risk of severe heat-related illnesses spikes dramatically. Officials note that a rapid onset of heat stroke is a true medical emergency, and knowing the visual warning signs can save a life.
According to Ceseña, critical red flags include:
Skin that is hot to the touch
Bright, red skin
A decreased level of consciousness
Disorientation or severe confusion
“Those are extreme signs of heat stroke and that’s a true emergency,” Ceseña warned. “Somebody should call 911 right away.”
If these symptoms are present, bystanders should immediately call emergency services, move the individual into the shade, and work to cool them down fast.
Ceseña reminded the community that preventing a fatal medical crisis relies heavily on looking out for one another, especially vulnerable populations.
To aid in the community-wide defense against the elements, free cooling centers are opening their doors across the Imperial Valley. These sites cater to a diverse cross-section of local residents seeking immediate relief from the dangerous temperatures.
“Typically, we see a mix of a variety of different people,” said Jorge Torres, Health Promotion Manager. “Some of these individuals are unhoused. Some of these individuals just may be there because their air conditioning does not work at home and they need somewhere to cool off, especially during the hottest parts of the day.”
These relief stations are operated by a network of county staff, site employees, and local non-profits. Because these centers provide a vital safety net, organizers are actively seeking extra community backing to keep them running efficiently.
“I know that nonprofits are sometimes looking for volunteers,” Torres said. “We do look for any type of assistance, maybe getting some donations for water.”
Adding to the region’s emergency resources, officials announced that cooling centers run directly by the Imperial County Fire Departments are scheduled to officially open on July 1.
To ensure maximum safety, these fire department-run stations will be fully manned by personnel specifically trained to identify, treat, and assist anyone actively suffering from heat stroke or severe heat exhaustion.
You can find an updated, complete list of open cooling centers, operating hours, volunteer opportunities, and localized safety resources by clicking HERE.
Dillon Fuhrman
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) says their Visual and Performing Arts Department is hosting the 1776-2026 Semiquincentennial Concert.
The concert is taking place Thursday, July 2, 2026 at the Schoening Conference Center at 6 p.m., and it is to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
“During this event, we will recognize those that have served and continue to serve this county faithfully,” said Professor Deltrina Grimes. “We will share some familiar music and a few pieces that may not be as familiar.”
Courtesy: Arizona Western College
AWC says there will be performances of “Star Spangled Banner,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Armed Forces – The Pride of America,” which is said to represent each branch of the U.S. military.
While there will be reserved seating for Veterans, those who attend are encouraged to email deltrina.grimes@azwestern.edu by next Tuesday in order to reserve a seat.
For more information about the concert, which is free to attend, read the press release below.
Dillon Fuhrman
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Paradise Casino is inviting the Yuma community to attend their 3rd of July Celebration.
The event is taking place at the casino, located at 450 Quechan Drive, Friday, July 3, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
During the event, there will be food and drink vendors, live entertainment, a motorcycle stunt team, a face painter and a fireworks show taking place at 9:30 p.m.
The event is free and everyone is welcome. To learn more about the event, call 888-777-4946.
