After a Facebook video that expressed concerns on the maintenance of a half mile trail that is part of the Smoky Hill River Renewal Project (SHRRP), the City of Salina and Friends of the River Foundation have addressed the concerns with a plan.

The 1/2 mile trail that was installed two years ago (October 28, 2023) behind the Salina Family YMCA, has seemingly not been well-maintained according to some public concerns.

Salina Parks &amp; Recreation Director Jeff Hammond stated when the trail was installed, they were looking to achieve a 'prairie grass concept and flowers' on both sides and throughout the path of the trail. The goal for the concept is to have 'minimal maintenance.'

"So far we have not achieved that," said Hammond when discussing the goal for the prairie grass and flowers concept. "It is going to take a couple more years to get that prairie concept that we are trying to go for."

The trail is being funded by the City in partnership with the&nbsp;Friends of the River Foundation.

Jane Anderson from the&nbsp;Friends of the River Foundation, stated the concept of the look can be compared to the trail at Indian Rock Park. She commented on the maintenance situation as well.

"This did get out of hand and it is going to be mowed to a low level, but the hope is that when the grasses really take hold, it will only need to be mowed several times a year," she said. "This is because the prairie grasses are supposed to be tall and are not all one species. A good example of the tallgrass prairie is in the back of Lakewood Park and parts of Indian Rock Park."

Anderson also stated they are actively working with the city's parks &amp; recreation department for mowing schedules and are creating an environment that better suits birds and wildlife as well.

"We are really trying to create a more sustainable mowing schedule for parts of the trail for the parks department, as well as creating an environment that is better for the birds and wildlife," Anderson commented.

The 1/2 mile trail behind the YMCA is part of the ongoing SHRRP, and is only the beginning of a 6.8 mile trail that will run through the&nbsp;Old Smoky Hill River Channel.

Hammond stated they plan on mowing the area of the trail starting next week.

🎥 City and Friends of the River address maintenance concerns for River Renewal Project trail

The Saline County Sheriff's Office have made an arrest from the&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/40a222d9-891c-48f4-8d5a-7152beb5d5d0">Most Wanted for August.</a>

According to the Sheriff's Office Most Wanted suspect, Gauge Peterson was arrested. Peterson&nbsp;was taken into custody for the following requested charges:

Flee or Attempt to Elude Law Enforcement Officer.

View&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/40a222d9-891c-48f4-8d5a-7152beb5d5d0">Saline County's Most Wanted list for August 2025</a>

Sheriff's announce arrest made from Saline County Most Wanted list

Kansas Department of Transportation

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is hosting a career fair on Wednesday, August 20, specifically geared for equipment operator positions in north central Kansas.

This career fair will run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the KDOT office located at 3825 Yost Drive in Salina.

The event also includes facility and equipment tours, where a current KDOT equipment operator will be available to discuss the function and use of each piece of equipment.

KDOT offers a starting wage of $19.65 per hour for those without a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and $21.13 per hour after obtaining a CDL.

KDOT provides CDL training at no up-front cost. 

Additional benefits include first-day insurance coverage, immediate enrollment in the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) and work-life balance with annual and sick leave accrual starting during the first pay period.

Equipment operators are part of KDOT’s progression program, which allows for learning and skill advancement as well as promotion opportunities.

For more information- email,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KDOTHQ.jobapps@ks.gov">KDOTHQ.jobapps@ks.gov</a>.

KDOT to host equipment operator career fair in Salina

The Kansas Impact Coalition (KIC) has announced the launching of a "Giving Campaign" that supports an upcoming Community Pop-Up Health event. The Giving Campaign is currently running now until Tuesday, September 16.

This campaign is meant to collect&nbsp;supplies and donations to provide essential support at the&nbsp;Community Pop-Up Health event that will happen on Monday, September 29 at St. John's Missionary Baptist Church (215 S. Chicago St.) from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

During this event, the Salina Family Healthcare Center (SFHC) mobile unit will be in attendance for people to tour, get screened for a purple card on-site, receive a free blood-pressure check, obtain bus passes and have chances to make future appointments.

A purple card provided by SFHC, is a&nbsp;resource for patients seeking assistance with various healthcare-related needs. No insurance needed, but patients wishing to be screened will need to provide documentation.

Those wishing to be screened at the event will need to provide the following documentation:

Proof of Income for ALL Household Members:

Complete and current tax return if filed.

Last 3 months of proof of self-employment income OR at least 1 month's worth of current paycheck stubs (including overtime) for ALL family members in the household.

Photo ID or Birth Certificate for all Family Members in the Household.

Prior Year Tax Return: Your most recent tax return.

Medicaid Denial Letter: If you are pregnant or under 19, you may need a denial letter from SRS (now the Kansas Department for Children and Families or DCF) for Medicaid. Exceptions may be made for college students unlikely to qualify for a Medicaid card. 

Gift cards to local vendors (grocery stores, gas stations, etc.), lunch meat, bread, cheese slices, bags of apples or oranges, healthy snacks and bottled water.

The Community Pop-Up event will offer free sack lunches and gift cards to the first attendees, depending on available donations. KIC aims to serve 20 individuals and connect them with critical health and transportation resources.

Organizations that serve the Salina community are welcome to include printed materials or resources to be handed out at the event. 

OCCK will also be in attendance, offering bus passes and service information to community members.

You are welcome to email or call Miranda Bachman to coordinate drop-off or delivery of donations.

Email:&nbsp;mirandaks.impact@gmail.com

Items may also be mailed or donated through the KIC website:&nbsp;<a href="http://kansasimpactcoalition.com">kansasimpactcoalition.com</a>

<a href="https://www.kansasimpactcoalition.com/about">Statement from Kansas Impact Coalition</a>:

We at Kansas Impact Coalition are dedicated to empowering our community by providing essential resources, education, support, and health initiatives. We engage the community of Salina through the power of volunteering and partnership.&nbsp; We aim to create a strong and inclusive society where we all have a chance to thrive.&nbsp; Together we can build hope, inspire change, and transform lives for a better tomorrow.

Local coalition launches campaign to support community event that offers health check-ups and screenings

Across Kansas, individuals, businesses and communities are navigating a rapidly changing world. Whether searching for child care options, broadband access or economic development opportunities, Kansans need resources they can trust and tools that meet them where they are.

<a target="_blank" href="https://allthingskansas.k-state.edu/">All Things Kansas</a>, an online platform developed by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/">Kansas State University</a>, is helping residents, business owners and local leaders make more informed decisions — faster.

The site serves as a centralized hub for county-specific data. It highlights everything from demographic and health statistics to workforce insights, education levels and infrastructure access.

The real value of All Things Kansas goes beyond numbers and charts.

"This isn't a top-down data tool — it was built with Kansans, for Kansans," said Jessica Gnad, K-State's director of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/engagement/innovation-and-partnerships/economic-development/">Economic Development</a>. "We work with K-State Extension, our academic experts, and community leaders to ensure it reflects needs and real use cases across the state."

At its core, All Things Kansas is a free interactive website that offers a county-by-county overview of key indicators affecting local growth and quality of life.

The platform includes intuitive graphics and easy-to-navigate dashboards powered by publicly available datasets. Users can explore and compare population trends, educational attainment, workforce participation, income levels and more across all 105 counties.

For Jennifer Tidball, communications director for K-State Economic Development, the tool exemplifies the university's mission of making data accessible.

"All Things Kansas has access to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://allthingskansas.k-state.edu/map-data-list/">more than 34,000 data layers from more than 120 state and national sources</a>," Tidball said. "You could go to several different websites and find all this content yourself, but this tool saves people time by making it a one-stop shop."

The platform's design supports the university's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/next-gen/">Next-Gen K-State</a>&nbsp;strategic plan and reflects its commitment to advancing community vitality through engagement and innovation.

One of the platform's greatest strengths is its ability to lower the barrier of entry for users, said Greg Erickson, enterprise business intelligence and data analyst in K-State's Office of the President.

"All Things Kansas takes data that might require multiple searches across different databases and makes it as simple as typing into a search box, just like you would on Google," he said.

For the Clay Center native, the project's impact is personal.

"It just seemed like a really good project to try to get involved with," Erickson, a Clay Center native, said. "There's a shared desire to help people, help our neighbors."

This ease of use opens the door to a wide range of users—from policymakers and entrepreneurs to nonprofit leaders and grant writers.

"This data tool is now a part of the conversation when Kansans walk into congressional offices," Gnad said. "It gives decision-makers a clearer view of local challenges and opportunities — and that helps tell a more complete story of our state's economic potential."

All Things Kansas is not a static site. It's a living platform, built to grow alongside the state it serves.

Community visits and user feedback have shaped new features, added data layers and guided ongoing development, Tidball said.

"Every time we go out to communities and do demo sessions, people say, 'Hey, we have great data we'd love to add,'" Tidball said. "And we do."

Thanks to its collaborative infrastructure with the University of Missouri's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/cares">Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems</a>, the site is updated regularly with the most current data available. K-State's team works with partners like&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ks.childcareaware.org/">Child Care Aware of Kansas</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.khi.org/">Kansas Health Institute</a>&nbsp;to visualize local challenges and opportunities.

"It's about helping Kansans make better decisions," Tidball said. "Whether you're expanding your business, applying for a grant or trying to understand broadband gaps, we want this tool to give you clarity."

The platform's flexibility makes it a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Tidball shared an example of how users can explore population trends, workforce statistics, housing markets and infrastructure to identify the best location for a new business or support an expansion.

"We even have&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://allthingskansas.k-state.edu/map-room/?bbox=-11400721.45%2C4397310.86%2C-10461965.17%2C4903145.55&amp;fs=1&amp;l=%5B%7B%22id%22%3A%22arcgis-light-gray%22%2C%22v%22%3A1%2C%22lb%22%3A1%2C%22b%22%3A1%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%2261193%22%2C%22op%22%3A0.7%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%2261192%22%2C%22op%22%3A0.7%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%2261197%22%2C%22op%22%3A0.7%2C%22v%22%3A1%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%22r2%22%2C%22v%22%3A1%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%22r8%22%2C%22op%22%3A0.4%2C%22v%22%3A1%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%22r3%22%2C%22op%22%3A0.8%2C%22v%22%3A1%7D%2C%7B%22id%22%3A%22r6%22%2C%22op%22%3A0.9%7D%5D">a map that shows business births and deaths over time</a>," she said. "It gives you an economic snapshot of what's happening in the state."

While traditional spreadsheets may leave users overwhelmed, All Things Kansas turns complex information into interactive visuals. It includes maps, dashboards and downloadable reports that are easy to use and share.

"People don't just want access to data — they want help making sense of it," Gnad said. "Our job is to turn information into action, so that Kansans can use it to grow businesses, strengthen local communities and plan for the future."

Grant writers are among the platform's most active users. According to Tidball, the ability to export custom maps and compare county reports side by side is especially powerful for rural leaders who often juggle multiple responsibilities.

"If you're one economic development director covering a whole region, you may not have time to create graphics for every grant," Tidball said. "This tool does it for you."

Beyond individual use, All Things Kansas is fostering a sense of connection across Kansas. When demonstrating the platform across Kansas, Tidball said she has seen it spark moments of community recognition and pride.

"You show a map and people say, 'Yes, that's what we're experiencing,'" she said. "It empowers them to be solution-oriented and connect with other communities doing well in that area."

And the more Kansans who use it, the more powerful the platform becomes.

"It's free. It's current. And it's built to keep growing," Tidball said. "Because when Kansans have access to the right information, we all make better decisions."

Through its many layers of customizable and comparable data, All Things Kansas doesn't just highlight challenges, Gnad said.

"It confirms the best parts of your community or challenges assumptions," Gnad said. "It helps Kansans see themselves more clearly and see each other."

Whether helping a business owner explore new markets, assisting a policymaker in identifying broadband gaps or giving a parent insights into child care supply, All Things Kansas offers a unifying solution across a diverse state.

"This is K-State showing up in those spaces to be agile and responsive to the needs of Kansans," Gnad said. "We're creating another tool in our land-grant university toolbox as we bring K-State expertise and resources directly to Kansas communities."

All Things Kansas: One powerful tool to understanding the Sunflower State

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

NAME:&nbsp;Greer, Savannah Cynthia-Sierra

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Failure to appear (2 requested charges)

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

NAME:&nbsp;Kilat, Christopher Opio

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Agg. Domestic Battery: impede breathing/choke; Criminal Damage to Property; Misdemeanor; Criminal restraint; Domestic Battery: rude physical contact; Kidnapping; Inflict bodily harm or terrorize the victim

NAME:&nbsp;Rothrock, Alexander James

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Intimidation of witness/victim; Prevent reporting; Viol. protection order; Abuse order

Saline County Jail Bookings, August 14

“Bioharmonics,” a digital art display will open Aug. 18 at The Gallery, at Sams Hall of Fine Arts on the Kansas Wesleyan campus.

Andrew Baker, assistant professor of Graphic Design, enjoys blending traditional photography with the possibilities offered by modern digital tools.

He discovered his passion for art at a young age through his early training as a violinist, and he participates in the KWU String Orchestra.

Baker researches how visual design metaphors can teach musical concepts. The exhibit includes graphic visualizations of core musical elements, such as pitch, dynamics, tempo, rhythm, texture, form, timbre and harmony — using sign theory as a framework in the exhibit.

Baker earned his Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics, Photography and Ceramics/Sculpture from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.

This past year, he has had work displayed at The Holy Art Gallery in Paris, France; Manifest in Cincinnati; Camelback Gallery in Scottsdale, Ariz., Part Crowd Art Gallery in Toronto, and Black Box Art Gallery in Portland, Ore.

“Bioharmonics” runs from Aug 18 to Sept. 18. A reception for Baker will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12. The Gallery is free and open to the public.

For more information on Kansas Wesleyan, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kwu.edu/news">www.kwu.edu/news</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

New digital art display opening Aug. 18 at KWU

The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/304759803960474/">Granny Brigade</a>&nbsp;has announced they will be hosting four speakers that will each discuss their charitable organizations.

On Tuesday, August 19 at 7:00 pm inside the Carver Center (315 N. 2nd), four guest speakers will be in attendance to inform audience members about their charitable organization and their current needs/requests, volunteers or supplies.

Brenda Miller - Birthright of Salina

Rosie Walters - Salina Senior Center

Chad Young - Salina Rescue Mission/Salina Grace

Granny Brigade hosting four guest speakers discussing their local charitable organizations

The Kansas Highway Patrol, as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for the Nonprofit Security Grant Programs (NSGP) announces a “call for applications” to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/nonprofit-security">FY2025&nbsp;State&nbsp;NSGP&nbsp;funding opportunity</a>.

This funding opportunity is for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities for nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist attack. It also seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts, such as enhancing the protection of crowded areas.

The&nbsp;FY2025&nbsp;target allocation for the state of Kansas is $2,100,000. As always, this will be a very competitive process.&nbsp;

Each organization can request up to $150,000 per facility, with up to three facilities for a maximum of $450,000. If submitting for multiple facilities, each facility must fill out its own Investment Justification (IJ) and self-risk assessment.&nbsp;

Training and application resources can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://datacounts.net/nsgp/">https://datacounts.net/nsgp/</a>&nbsp;to help your organization achieve the best score possible.

Applications for the 2025&nbsp;NSGP&nbsp;must be submitted through the Astra System at&nbsp;<a href="https://nsgp.astrakansas.com/">https://nsgp.astrakansas.com/</a>.&nbsp;Additional functions include:

Eligible organizations are tax-exempt nonprofits as described by the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exempt-purposes-internal-revenue-code-section-501c3">IRS under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC)</a>. Nonprofits can be registered 501(c)(3) organizations, or could be described as tax-exempt under <a href="https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/life-cycle-of-an-exempt-organization#:~:text=Organizations%20that%20meet%20the%20requirements%20of%20Internal,corporations%20are%20deductible%20under%20Code%20section%20170.">501(a) of the IRC.</a>

For more information on the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and reference materials, please go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datacounts.net/nsgp">https://www.datacounts.net/nsgp</a>.

Contact:&nbsp;Lieutenant Edna Murphy, Homeland Security/Emergency Operations<a href="mailto:NSGP.KHP@KS.GOV">NSGP.KHP@KS.GOV</a>

KHP opens applications for Nonprofits to apply for federal security grant program

After the horrific details of a<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/3e716804-4732-43e4-a3cf-086e2bdc9859"> head-on crash </a>that occurred on Friday, August 8th, a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-mark-and-sons-after-tragic-loss?attribution_id=sl:2fcd1cd9-fb62-4e9f-9f17-0891a643f033&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1755028317&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp13_c&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=facebook">GoFundMe</a> has been set up for the victim's family.

Deanna Sommerfeld, passed away after a two-vehicle crash that occurred on the early morning of August 8th.

Her husband, Mark was also a victim of the crash and suffered serious injuries. Mark was transported to Salina Regional Health Center after the crash.

Deanna left her husband and two sons,&nbsp;David and Quinton.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-mark-and-sons-after-tragic-loss?attribution_id=sl:2fcd1cd9-fb62-4e9f-9f17-0891a643f033&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1755028317&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp13_c&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=facebook">Link to support the "Mark and Sons after tragic loss"</a>

GoFundMe set up for family after fatal crash

The Salina Art Center invites the community to step back in time and end the summer in style.

The community is invited to attend "The Summer Speakeasy," a prohibition-era inspired fundraiser on Saturday, August 30 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Salina Art Center (242 S. Santa Fe Ave).

Guests will sip handcrafted vintage cocktails, take a turn on the dance floor and enjoy the smooth sounds of Jazz Tangent. The evening begins with a cocktail hour, jitterbug dance lesson, followed by open dancing with Jazz Tangent. Vintage attire is encouraged—dress to dazzle.

All proceeds from&nbsp;The Summer Speakeasy&nbsp;will directly support the Salina Art Center’s programs and operations, including its Galleries, Cinema and Warehouse Education Studio. 

Guests will also have the opportunity to make additional contributions during the evening to further support the Art Center’s mission. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, contributions may be tax-deductible.

Whether attending to dance, mingle, or simply soak up the atmosphere, The Summer Speakeasy with Jazz Tangent promises a night of music, movement, and memories—all in support of the arts.

Take a stroll back in time with fun event at Salina Art Center 

<a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Salina&amp;state=KS&amp;site=ICT&amp;lat=38.8158&amp;lon=-97.6178">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 13 - August 15

After isolated scattered storms until Wednesday, heat indices are expected to reach back up to the 100's from Thursday and into the weekend in Central Kansas.

According to the US National Weather Service, isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms will remain possible areawide on Tuesday and over southeast Kansas till Wednesday. 

A return to triple digit heat indices is expected by Thursday and persisting through at least the weekend.

For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

Central Kansas Weather Forecast: August 12 - August 16

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 11 - August 13

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 8 - August 10

Temperatures are ramping back up after a dropdown last week in Central Kansas.

According the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), heat indices throughout the Central Kansas region are expected to reach over 100 degrees. 

Areas such as Salina, Russell, Hutchinson, Wichita, Harper and Winfield are under a heat advisory for Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8. 

Additional areas include Emporia, Eureka, Chanute and Coffeyville for Friday

US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) advises everyone to take precaution during these times.

Temperatures ramping back up in Central Kansas with heat indices over 100

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 6 - August 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 4 - August 6

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 1 - August 3

Three day weather forecast Salina

PAWNEE COUNTY—&nbsp; Avian Rincones, 35 of Great Bend, Kansas, appeared Wednesday afternoon in the Pawnee County District Court before District Judge Bruce Gatterman to determine whether he is competent to stand trial, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

Rincones is charged with two counts of Aggravated Criminal Oral Sodomy of a Child under the age of 14 and one count of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child under the age of 14.

After hearing the testimony of the court-assigned forensic evaluator and arguments of counsel, Judge Gatterman found Rincones not competent to stand trial. Gatterman further found that due to the nature of the defendant’s mental defect there was not a substantial probability of him attaining competency to stand trial in the foreseeable future. Based on this finding, the Court entered an order directing the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services to commence involuntary commitment proceedings against the defendant.

Under Kansas law, a person is “incompetent to stand trial” when such person is charged with a crime and, because of mental illness or defect is unable: (1) To understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings against such person; or (2) to make or assist in making such person's defense.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Larned Police Department regarding an alleged incident at the Larned City Pool on July 11, 2024. Rincones was interviewed at the scene, but no arrest was made at the time due to concerns with the suspect’s mental capacity. Agencies assisting with the investigation included the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the Child Advocacy Center.

The defendant voluntarily turned himself into the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department on July 24, 2024, after his legal guardian was advised charges had been filed and a no-bond arrest warrant issued. Based on the age of the alleged victim, if convicted Rincones faces a mandatory 25 years to life sentence under the Jessica’s Law sentencing provisions. He would also be subject to registration as a sex offender under the Kansas Offender Registration Act.

Pending the civil commitment proceedings, the defendant will remain on a supervised bond in the custody of his legal guardians subject to standard reporting and house arrest conditions.

Judge rules in case of sex assault of child at Kansas public pool

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday struck down two Trump administration actions aimed at eliminating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/diversity-equity-and-inclusion">diversity, equity and inclusion</a>&nbsp;programs at the nation’s schools and universities.

In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Maryland found that the Education Department violated the law when it threatened to cut federal funding from educational institutions that continued with DEI initiatives.

The guidance has been on hold since April when three federal judges&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-public-schools-diversity-equality-inclusion-dei-7d7ad707d91565753263a19ebde044e0">blocked various portions</a>&nbsp;of the Education Department’s anti-DEI measures.

The ruling Thursday followed a motion for summary judgment from the American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-dei-dear-colleague-letter-lawsuit-2d3b5b5d7ce2d68a68bcb24c5744ed29">challenged</a>&nbsp;the government’s actions in a February lawsuit.

The case centers on two Education Department memos ordering schools and universities to end all “race-based decision-making” or face penalties up to a total&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-woke-education-24f864d83e2f5745d12a79ebac0d7cc4">loss of federal funding</a>. It’s part of a campaign to end practices the Trump administration frames as discrimination against white and Asian American students.

The new ruling orders the department to scrap the guidance because it runs afoul of procedural requirements, though Gallagher wrote that she took no view on whether the policies were “good or bad, prudent or foolish, fair or unfair.”

Gallagher, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, rejected the government’s argument that the memos simply served to remind schools that discrimination is illegal.

“It initiated a sea change in how the Department of Education regulates educational practices and classroom conduct, causing millions of educators to reasonably fear that their lawful, and even beneficial, speech might cause them or their schools to be punished,” Gallagher wrote.

Democracy Forward, a legal advocacy firm representing the plaintiffs, called it an important victory over the administration’s attack on DEI.

“Threatening teachers and sowing chaos in schools throughout America is part of the administration’s war on education, and today the people won,” said Skye Perryman, the group’s president and CEO.

A statement from the Education Department on Thursday said it was disappointed in the ruling but that “judicial action enjoining or setting aside this guidance has not stopped our ability to enforce Title VI protections for students at an unprecedented level.”

The conflict started with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-critical-race-theory-colleges-diversity-db8317ad37931558dd5a396cf5ab3d42">Feb. 14 memo</a>&nbsp;declaring that any consideration of race in admissions, financial aid, hiring or other aspects of academic and student life would be considered a violation of federal civil rights law.

The memo dramatically expanded the government’s interpretation of a 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-affirmative-action-college-race-f83d6318017ec9b9029b12ee2256e744">Supreme Court decision</a>&nbsp;barring colleges from considering race in admissions decisions. The government argued the ruling applied not only to admissions but across all of education, forbidding “race-based preferences” of any kind.

“Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon ‘systemic and structural racism’ and advanced discriminatory policies and practices,” wrote Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary of the department’s Office for Civil Rights.

A further memo in April asked state education agencies to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-trump-school-discrimination-federal-funding-7d1025753b9bd924711ace4069fca399">certify</a>&nbsp;they were not using “illegal DEI practices.” Violators risked losing federal money and being prosecuted under the False Claims Act, it said.

In total, the guidance amounted to a full-scale reframing of the government’s approach to civil rights in education. It took aim at policies that were created to address longstanding racial disparities, saying those practices were their own form of discrimination.

The memos drew a wave of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-trump-administration-certification-letter-b79551813a611ba6301f3f48252357ac">backlash</a>&nbsp;from states and education groups that called it illegal government censorship.

In its lawsuit, the American Federation of Teachers said the government was imposing “unclear and highly subjective” limits on schools across the country. It said teachers and professors had to “choose between chilling their constitutionally protected speech and association or risk losing federal funds and being subject to prosecution.”

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/" target="_blank">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/" target="_blank">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Judge blocks Trump plan to curb DEI initiatives at schools

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal pedestrian incident and have a suspect in custody.&nbsp;

On Wednesday afternoon, police responded to the Love's Travel Stop in the 1500 block of East 21st Street North for an injury crash, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. They found 57-year-old Abdelmuttalib Mohammed of Georgia, under a truck. Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services pronounced him dead at 5:32 p.m.

Investigators with the Wichita Police Department determined Mr. Mohammed had been in a verbal altercation with a 46-year-old suspect identified according to the county booking report as Travis Briscoe of Oklahoma.&nbsp; The two men did not know each other, according to Gupilan. During the altercation, Briscoe began backing into a parking stall with his semitractor-trailer striking Mr. Mohammed.

Brisco is being held on a $250,000 bond on a requested charge of 2nd degree murder.

Driver jailed after backing over man at Kan. truck stop

NEW YORK (AP) — Six planets are hanging out in the sky this month in what’s known as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planet-parade-june-mars-saturn-7585ba5b3d34f77d5ced0764e4adf3a4">planetary parade</a>. Catch the spectacle while you can because it’s the last one of the year.

These&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-see-five-planets-align-122576794b81e4f099b276c456a4bbbd">linkups happen</a>&nbsp;when several planets appear to line up in the night sky at once.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/five-planets-align-night-sky-jupiter-mars-d0170eea9fee67680cf2f1bca68a4fcf">Such parades</a>&nbsp;are fairly common, happening around every year depending on the number of planets. At least one bright planet can be spotted on most nights, weather permitting, according to NASA.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-view-january-planetary-parade-e4bc1550777bb93d6dbee21eb8ee23fc">Six planets were visible in January</a>&nbsp;skies and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seven-planets-parade-february-20cb0d141af5b958e46f136022104766">every planet of our solar system was visible in February</a>, but not all could be spotted with the naked eye.

Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and a faint Mercury are visible this month without any special equipment, and the best chances to spot them are over the next week. Uranus and Neptune can only be glimpsed through binoculars and telescopes.

Jupiter and Venus made a close brush earlier this week and are still near each other in the eastern sky, “close together like cat’s eyes,” said Carolyn Sumners at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Mercury will be at its farthest point from the sun on Tuesday morning, making it easier to spot before it disappears into the sun’s glare.

To catch the planets, go out in the morning shortly before sunrise and look east. Try to find Jupiter and Venus clustered together first. Saturn is off to the side and Mercury will be close to the horizon, trying to rise before the sun.

“You’re looking for little tiny pinpoints of light, but they are the brightest ones,” said Justin Bartel with the Science Museum of Virginia. “They don’t really twinkle like the stars do.”

Before heading out, make sure it is a clear, cloudless morning and try to get away from tall buildings that could block the view.

Mercury will hide behind the sun again toward the end of the month, but a crescent moon will then join the parade. The next big planetary hangout is in February.

How to see the 6 planets hanging out in early morning skies this month

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police are investigating a fatal crash at Harry and Rock Road in Wichita that killed 14-year-old Jackson Nzabonimpa.&nbsp;

Around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, a nearby Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in the area saw the aftermath of the accident and saw two men running from a black BMW that had crashed. After a short foot pursuit, both men were apprehended.

The preliminary investigation indicates the BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit a power pole and then a utility box. The impact forced the power pole and utility box into Nzabonimpa, who died on scene from his injuries.&nbsp;

Witnesses at the intersection identified the 19-year-old suspect Gauge Brasher, who fled as the driver. He is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. The investigation indicated that impairment and speed were likely contributing factors in the collision. Brasher was admitted to the hospital for medical treatment and later left the hospital. The passenger is a 24-year-old man who was detained and later released with no charges.&nbsp;

Wichita police are following up on leads to locate and arrest Brasher. 

Wichita Police does not typically identify suspects who have not been formally charged. In this case, police believe the alleged recklessness of Brasher’s actions make him a danger to the&nbsp; community. Wichita Police Accident Follow-Up Unit (AFU) is continuing to investigate what led to this incident. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for charging.

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