Category: kyma-local-news

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma is launching a regional holiday food drive challenge to support the Yuma Community Food Bank.

The food drive runs from now until December 19, and includes participation from Yuma County, the City of San Luis, the City of Somerton, and the Town of Wellton.

The Cocopah Tribe will also be collecting donations. Each jurisdiction will collect non-perishable food donations and deliver them to the Yuma Community Food Bank.

“The challenge is going to be which organization can collect the most food, and we base it on pound, so it’s the heaviest, and we’re going to really determine that by the number of employees. So if we have 1,200 employees with the city of Yuma, we’ll divide it by the pounds,” said Deputy City of Yuma Administrator Jennifer Reichelt.

The Yuma Community Food Bank serves thousands of homes each month and sees increased need during the holiday season.

“One of the things that they ask for right now are canned foods…nonperishable things that are going to be like staple fresh that won’t go bad for a long period of time,” said Reichelt.

The city collected over 700 pounds of holiday food items for the food bank for last month’s Frozen Turkey and Ham Drive, and they hope this challenge will help even more.

“This challenge was just for us to kind of get all together and do a meaningful impact for the community. And once our community gets together, we truly make a big difference,” said City of Yuma Public Information Officer Christian Magana.

If you’d like to help, you can drop off nonperishable food items at municipal facility donation boxes around Yuma County, like Yuma City Hall, or donate directly to the food bank.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Arizona Board of Regents announced Thursday it will give regents grant worth $3,000,000 to the local branches of Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University.

“I want all three working together because they all bring complimentary expertise,” said Paul Brierley, Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

They will award $1,000,000 a year for the next three years.

This new hub will prioritize tri-university agriculture research and collaboration. This grant is meant to advance resilient and sustainable farming practices.

“There’s a real threat to agriculture from the water cutbacks and everything else, and how can we keep agriculture sustainable and productive, and so that’s the challenge here with this opportunity statement,” Brierley says.

Arizona State Senator Tim Dunn (R) says it’s all about continuing to advance AG in our area.

“[The] grant is one thing, but actually getting the research and making sure that we’re continuing to improve our soils and the ability for us to ship and provide Americas safe produce,” said Sen. Dunn.

Brierley explains how and why Yuma can be the future of AG not just for the state, but for the nation.

“The three universities all have a presence here, AWC is here as a great partner, it has the broadband network that’s connecting all the farm fields with high speed broadband, it has progressive farmers that are really interested in the newest and latest technology,” Brierley says.

The meeting highlighted how Yuma’s agro-business continues to develop.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Thursday, December 4, State Superintendent Tom Horne visited the academy to recognize their excellent academic performance.

He toured the school and its classrooms and gave several speeches to the children in class. He considered these children future leaders of Arizona’s education and commended them for their successes.

The academy’s math rate is 56%, nearly double the state average of 31. For Language Arts, their average is 66% compared to the state average of 40%.

Horne presented the school with an Exemplary Academic Achievement Award plaque, recognising progress, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.

Arizona State Superintendent Tom Horne presents Gowan Science Academy Principal Alissa Guevara with an award.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The “Hams for Heroes” drive encourages people to donate hams that will go to firefighters, police, Veterans, and anyone else who’s a hero.

The event is being put on by the “K-9 OPS Foundation,” and the foundation’s president, KC Hoffman, says they are here to support local heroes.

“What we want to do is give them the chance to either keep them for their family or give them to someone that they feel needs it more than they do,” Hoffman says.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Blackwell, the General Manager of Z93 and and Outlaw Country Radio, shares why it is important to help out those who consistently help others.

“Our heroes give so much of themselves to each of us every single day and a lot of ways we never realize and it’s important that we think of them, the holidays can be difficult, and this is one way where they really might feel appreciated,” said Blackwell.

The drive is happening next Monday, December 8,  from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the Foothills Walmart. We’re a proud sponsor of this drive, along with  Z-93 and Outlaw Country. 

For more information on the drive, you can reach out HERE.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Tuesday’s homegrown report, we are previewing the upcoming Farm Film Festival in Downtown Yuma.

The festival is set to highlight Yuma’s massive impact on the world’s agricultural landscape.

People will be able to learn more about the technology and this driving economic industry.

It will also show how Yuma supplies over 90% of America’s leafy greens during the winter months, and other important statistics.

The festival will take place on Thursday, December 11th at the Historic Yuma Downtown Theater.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” changed multiple requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP.

One of the main changes is raising the age limit from 54 to 64 for people who must work, train, or volunteer at least 80 hours a month.

Julie Tay, a Yuma local, says that’s not possible for some people. 

“A lot of people aren’t able to keep working till they’re 64 and can collect social security and stuff, they’re trying to make it with minimal income,” says Tay.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has also threatened to cut  federal funding from democrat led states.

Secretary Rollins says it’s because of their alleged refusal to share SNAP program data with the Trump administration.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobb’s press secretary, Liliana Soto, released this statement:

“This latest threat from Secretary Rollins is a dangerous attack on Arizonans…The Trump administration is yet again weaponizing food assistance for political gain. Instead of focusing on political games, the administration should prioritize making sure people don’t go hungry,” says Soto.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – 13 On Your Side and the Crossroads Mission are holding a blanket and clothing drive this Friday to help locals stay warm as temperatures drop.

Volunteers at the mission say warm items are running low, and donations can make an immediate impact.

The mission will be collecting blankets, coats, socks, pants, and any other items that will help during the winter season.

Crossroads Mission Director Sassa Culver shared how the drive will work.

“The blankets and the clothing will go directly to the homeless. We will be giving them out on the three days of Christmas. And the impact that a donation can make will last until next season,” Culver explained.

Mission leaders say community support during drives like this helps them stay prepared for the coldest weeks ahead, making sure they can reach as many people as possible before temperatures drop even further.

We will be out at the Yuma Palms Mall roundabout, right by Harkins Theatres, this Friday, December 3, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., taking your donations.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Help put a smile on kids’ faces this holiday season with our Holiday Magic Toy Drive.

Toy donations are down this year, potentially leaving hundreds of children in need without a gift from Santa.

That’s why we’re teaming up with the Salvation Army to make Christmas a little brighter. We need your help collecting new toys.

“We’re looking to bless 750 kids, and we could definitely use these toys to just meet the ever growing need,” said Yuma Salvation Army Corps Officer Lt. Johnathan Herzog.

The Holiday Magic Toy Drive is sponsored by Karnas Law Firm.

The toy drive will be next Friday, December 12 from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Pacific Avenue Walmart. We’ll see you there!

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of fatally stabbing a Yuma man at a convenience store was back in court Wednesday.

27-year-old Angel Witrado is charged with first degree murder. Police say Witrado killed 37-year-old Justin Arviso outside of a Circle K in Yuma last October.

In court, the victim’s brother spoke out, saying he believes Witrado is coherent despite Witrado claiming insanity.

Witrado has already been seen by a doctor who deemed him coherent, but will now be seeing a different doctor, paid for by the Public Defender’s Office, to be re-evaluated before returning to court early next year.

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Marcos Icahuate

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The 18th annual Tamale Festival returns on December 20, 2025.

The festival is known to bring over 20 tamale booths and more vendors with different food.

Live music, a tamale eating contest and family-friendly entertainment is included.

The Arizona State University El Diablito Alumni Chapter will be sponsoring the 2025 festival.

Proceeds will be going towards local sponsorships for students expecting to attend Arizona State University.

For more information on the Tamale Festival, you can check out the official website here.

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