Hunter Bassler

St. Louis

Digital Desk Reporter and Producer at KSDK-TV (St. Louis, MO)

Pyrojournalist at Wildfire Today

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Articles

‘Aerial Firefighting Enhancement’ act passed by Congress

1 day ago | wildfiretoday.com | Hunter Bassler

A bill that allows old military aircraft to be used for water-dropping firefighting response is headed to President Donald Trump’s desk. The “Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025,” introduced by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), was passed on Tuesday. The bill extended the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996, which authorizes the sale of surplus military aircraft and parts for aerial firefighting usage, through October 1, 2035.
No, FEMA's response to Joplin isn't comparable to St. Louis' historic tornado. Here's why

1 day ago | ksdk.com | Hunter Bassler

History shows the differences in FEMA's response to the two disasters in Missouri had less to do with Obama or Trump. ST. LOUIS — A 22-mile-long path of destruction was carved into St. Louis on May 16, leaving five people dead and over $1.6 billion in damages. The historic EF3 tornado caused the "largest residential destruction since Joplin," Gov. Mike Kehoe said at a press conference after the storm.
Not every Target product has the same return policy, VERIFY team finds

3 days ago | 13newsnow.com | Hunter Bassler

MISSOURI, USA — Nationwide, major retailers are expanding into the "middleman" business, or offering products from third-party vendors on their websites. Sabrina Walters, a 5 On Your Side viewer and frequent Target shopper, asked the VERIFY Team if the retailer's return policy still applies to products from such vendors.
Popular sandwich shop owner in St. Louis stabbed and hospitalized

3 days ago | ksdk.com | Hunter Bassler

The man entered the restaurant, immediately walked behind the counter, and stabbed the owner in the neck and chest, SLMPD said. ST. LOUIS — For 32 years, Tom Coll has run one of the Hill's most popular sandwich shops. That legacy was threatened when he was recently left with severe injuries after a stabbing. Coll was stabbed while working by himself behind the counter of Joe Fassi Sausage and Sandwich Factory on May 28, his family said in a GoFundMe set up for his medical expenses.
Australia braces for unseasonally high wildfire risks

4 days ago | wildfiretoday.com | Hunter Bassler

Wildfire experts in Australia are sounding the alarm during a time that has historically been one of relief. The Australian and New Zealand Council for Fire and Emergency Services, or AFAC, recently released its Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for the region.
Not every Target product has the same return policy, VERIFY team finds

4 days ago | ksdk.com | Hunter Bassler

Target had started allowing third-party vendors to sell products on their website. Here's how to tell what their return policy is. Example video title will go here for this videoExample video title will go here for this videoTo stream 5 On Your Side on your phone, you need the 5 On Your Side app. MISSOURI, USA — Nationwide, major retailers are expanding into the "middleman" business, or offering products from third-party vendors on their websites.
Non-fire forest workers to be deployed during 2025 wildfires, USDA head says

5 days ago | wildfiretoday.com | Hunter Bassler

As the U.S. moves towards peak fire season, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has signed a memo signaling the Department of Agriculture’s approach to wildfire response under the Trump administration. The memo – signed on Tuesday 20 May – directs the Forest Service to take several actions over the next 30 days, including policy changes for when the nation’s fire preparedness level is high.
Canada facing nearly 100 out of control wildfires triggering evacuations, emergency declarations

1 week ago | wildfiretoday.com | Hunter Bassler

Canada’s 2025 wildfire season is off to a busy start as nearly 100 out-of-control fires triggered states of emergency and multiple evacuations on Friday. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center on Friday listed the national preparedness level at 5, the highest possible, signifying significant wildfire activity in one or more jurisdictions, and international firefighter help has been requested.
Europe needs to prepare for worsening wildfires now, report finds

1 week ago | wildfiretoday.com | Hunter Bassler

A new report from a collective of national science academies across Europe calls for collective action to face increasingly disastrous wildfires in the region. The report was recently published by the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council, or EASAC, and estimates that nearly 20% of Southern Europe will experience extreme fire danger every two years by the end of the century.
2 dead in tractor trailer crash near southern Illinois nightclub

1 week ago | ksdk.com | Hunter Bassler

5 On Your Side asked officers whether the crash was the result of a police pursuit. The city's police chief said he couldn't comment. SAUGET, Ill. — Two people are dead after a vehicle crashed into a tractor trailer in southern Illinois on Thursday, police told 5 On Your Side. Sauget Police Chief James Jones said, at around 12:30 p.m., a blue pickup truck was traveling at a high rate of speed near the intersection of Mississippi Avenue and Monsanto Avenue near Oz Nightclub.

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