This edition of&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/salina-sees-you">Salina Sees You</a>, brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://local.demandforce.com/b/visionsource-drscoleandcooper">Drs. Cooper &amp; Banninger, LLC Family Vision Care</a>&nbsp;(1000 E. Cloud) presents:

Krista Wiss, who tells her story about finding her passion for mental health care, and starting one of the only clinical providers in Salina that uncovers and treats the root causes of mental health conditions.

Krista Wiss comes from Clay Center and started her own business in Salina that provides a functional approach to mental health care.&nbsp;

Wiss moved to Salina with 16 years of healthcare experience. Ten of those being a nurse and graduating nursing school, before going to Ohio where she worked as an in-patient psych nurse.

This is where she found her passion of how the brain and body functions together.

She then earned a Master's degree in nursing and became a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Wiss founded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mypsynergy.com/">Psynergy Mental Wellness</a>&nbsp;in Salina this year, where she takes a functional approach to mental health care, meaning she uncovers and treats the root causes of mental health conditions.

Her clinic provides&nbsp;<a href="https://www.spravato.com/what-is-spravato/">SPRAVATO®&nbsp;(esketamine)</a>, an&nbsp;FDA approved nasal spray for ages 18 and older, who suffer from treatment resistant depression, or major depressive disorder with suicidal ideations. Spravato is provided for patients, when two or more oral antidepressants have evidently not worked.

According to Wiss, Spravato works differently than oral antidepressants by acting on person's glutamate system. She explained the glutamate system is very abundant in neurotransmitters (“chemical messengers"), playing a key role in neuroplasticity and mood regulation.

Neuroplasticity,&nbsp;is the brain’s capacity to continue growing and evolving in response to life experiences, according to <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/neuroplasticity">Psychology Today</a>.&nbsp;

"Essentially, we can think of Spravato as like the 'Miracle Grow' for the brain," Wiss said. "It is very exciting."

This edition of Salina Sees You is brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://local.demandforce.com/b/visionsource-drscoleandcooper">Drs. Cooper &amp; Banninger, LLC Family Vision Care</a>&nbsp;(1000 E. Cloud). Call&nbsp;(785) 823-6391&nbsp;or visit today, to make an appointment.

Wiss added throughout the process of neuroplasticity, it protects the brain and creates new synapses, which means it helps to transform the brain.

"By adjusting glutamate activity, Spravato helps 'reset' brain connections that have become disrupted by chronic depression," she said. "This can lead to meaningful improvements in mood and mental clarity often within weeks."

According to Spravato, after 8 treatments, over 50% of people have achieved clinical remission. Wiss sees patients taking Spravato for 2 times a week over the 1st month of treatment.&nbsp;

"So in one month, people have spent a lifetime taking oral antidepressants with no to partial relief, are clinical remission within a month (taking Spravato)," she said. "It's probably the most innovative thing we have in mental health right now."

The Salina area is known to not have a mental health clinic like Wiss' that provides such treatment. She said her patients drive an hour, sometimes more to receive this kind of treatment.

"Residents of Salina and the surrounding area are driving an hour, sometimes more, for this treatment. For a treatment that includes a two hour observation period, this isn't sustainable," she said. "This treatment not only works, but does so in an expeditious&nbsp;way bringing rapid relief to those who may have had a lifetime of little to none."

Wiss shared some personal testimonies of patients she has treated.&nbsp;

"I have heard some things, that it is life changing," she said. "One person said, they have had a lifetime feeling like this and now they don't have to feel this way anymore. That alone is a reason to do it, even one time."

"By maintaining REMS certification, I can ensure patient's are treated not only with care and personalized treatment, but with the highest regard to safety," Wiss said. "I am beyond excited to bring this to Salina and I hope to help patients achieve lasting relief"

Wiss specializes in depression, anxiety, PTSD/trauma and ADHD. She also sees patients ages 6 and older.

To book an appointment or learn more about Psynergy Mental Wellness, click <a href="https://www.mypsynergy.com/">here</a>.

Salina Sees You: Krista Wiss

The Salina Family YMCA is partnering with the Kansas Wesleyan University Women’s Flag Football team to host a girls only flag football camp.

On Sunday, October 26 from 1-3pm,&nbsp;this camp will be open to girls ages 5–18. The camp is designed to teach football fundamentals, build confidence, and encourage teamwork in a fun, supportive environment.

The camp is $25 for YMCA members and $35 for non-members, with all participants receiving guidance from experienced coaches and KWU athletes.

Register today, by going <a href="http://www.salinaymca.org/sports/sports-camps">here</a>.

YMCA partners with KWU Women's Flag Football to hold girls only flag football camp, registration open

The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/304759803960474">Granny Brigade</a> will be hosting an informative meeting, on how to protect yourself and avoid being a victim of fraud.

On Tuesday, October 21 at the Carver Center (315 N. 2nd) at 7:00 pm, George McCurey will be speaking on what to look for in the case you come across a fraud and/or scam.&nbsp;

McCurey is from one of the divisions of the Kansas Attorney General's office.

This event is free and open to the public.

Granny Brigade hosting informative meeting on protection from fraud & scams

The decision for the ongoing Cozy Inn lawsuit has been delayed to next month, as October's status conference meeting has been rescheduled.

ORIGINAL: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6d8186cb-63fa-4dc4-bcfc-db8976339e2d">UPDATE: Bench trial canceled for Cozy Inn lawsuit, in-person status conference scheduled</a>

According to PACER reports from the US District Court, District of Kansas, the status conference that was initially set for October 22, 2025&nbsp; has been rescheduled for November 19, 2025.

The status conference will be held at Frank Carlson Federal Building in Topeka&nbsp;(444 SE Quincy St.)&nbsp;in courtroom 401, before District Judge Toby Crouse.

The attorneys representing Cozy Inn during this conference was Samuel MacRoberts and Jeffrey Shaw. Attorneys representing the City of Salina was Todd Messenger, Amanda Jokerst and Aaron Martin.

On February 19, 2024, the Cozy Inn sued the City of Salina.

Click <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/fc7ed532-a1ba-46b6-85c3-4ed867abb15a">here</a> for more information about this ongoing case

UPDATE: Status conference rescheduled to November for Cozy Inn lawsuit

The Saline County Sheriff's Office have announced the retirement of a K9 that served for 7 years.

K9 Maggie was partnered with Deputy Craig Norris and she served the citizens of Saline County from March of 2018 to June of 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Maggie assisted several outside agencies during her years of service. She is credited with several drug seizures, U.S. Currency seizures, arrests and the seizure of several firearms.&nbsp;&nbsp;

423 – deployments for exterior air sniffs (vehicle sniffs)&nbsp;

Maggie was a certified dual purpose K9 through the Heart of America Police Dog Association and won a 1st place Patrol Dog trophy in 2021. 

She was also awarded Patrol Dog Case of the Year through the Heart of America Police Dog Association in 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Maggie was forced to retire in June of 2025 due to arthritis in her back legs. She retired into the care&nbsp; of her handler.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saline County K9 retires after 7 years of service

SALINE COUNTY —On Monday, the Salina Police Department was made aware of a parking incident which occurred a week prior, on Monday October 6, with a marked Salina Police Department patrol car parking in a handicapped designated parking space at a south Salina business. This matter was brought to the Department’s attention by a private citizen and was not raised by anyone associated with that business, according to Salina Police&nbsp;Lt. Andrew Zeigler.

"The Salina Police Department takes complaints from citizens very seriously as we see it as an opportunity to examine our day-in-and-day-out operations and provides us the perspective and concerns of the community. This incident has given us the opportunity to look into the concerns of our citizens internally and operationally. The matter has been looked into to understand all the circumstances around it, including speaking with the employees of the private business."

"The on duty Salina Police Officer was conducting follow-up on an ongoing criminal investigation at the time of the incident and parked in the only available parking space at the business." according to&nbsp;Lt. Zeigler

A photograph was taken of the patrol car. The photograph was later forwarded on and was eventually passed on to the Police Department. The Salina Police Officer who was driving the patrol car at the time was contacted and is being addressed as an internal matter. The Salina Police Department is also taking steps internally to ensure all officers are following Kansas traffic codes as it pertains to police operations as well as Salina Police Department and City of Salina policies.

"The Salina Police Department thanked the community members for raising their concerns with us and we strive to review our actions on a daily basis to do better and always provide the highest standard of service to the City."

Why Salina officer was parking in handicapped only space 

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Salina Post obituary policy (subject to change)

Salina Post understands the importance of honoring the deceased and welcomes all submissions of obituaries with a full summary of their life, survivors, services, website of the funeral home and a photo.

Salina Post accepts all obituaries&nbsp;free of charge&nbsp;and you can email all obituaries:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;and will be posted on the website within 24 business hours.

If you have an issue outside of business hours, if your obituary has not been published within 24 business hours, or if have any questions, please email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

Cedarhurst Senior Living residents recently brought new life into their community by hatching baby chicks together.

For the second year in a row, Cedarhurst residents came together for the incubation, hatching and first few weeks of life for new chicks. The now annual tradition started when Cedarhurst Life Enrichment Director, Justis Taddiken brought in a handful of eggs from Trow Homestead Farm. 

The residents observed as the eggs incubated on site and some even witnessed the hatching of baby chicks. After the success of the first batch, Taddiken brought in 30 eggs for residents to care for.

"It's fantastic just to see one of God's creations," said Ernie Vanhorn. "To take this egg and turn it into a chick."

Ernie Vanhorn is one of the many residents who participated in the activity. For both years, Vanhorn has been involved with the hatching, even being one of the first residents to notice the different breeds of the hatchlings. 

Vanhorn recalled the joy that he and other residents felt while 'candling' the eggs. 

Candling is the process where a person can check the embryo within an egg by shining a light inside the egg inside a dark room. Residents would crowd inside a restroom and shine a light in the eggs to check the growth of the chicks inside.

Of the 30 eggs in the initial incubator, 14 hatched healthy chicks. The chicks remained at Cedarhurst for two weeks after hatching, giving the residents time to play with them. The incubation process and the chicks proved to be a useful tool to encourage residents to participate in group activities.&nbsp; 

Overall, this program increased resident involvement at Cedarhurst across the board.

After two weeks at Cedarhurst, the chicks were moved to&nbsp;nursery at Trow Homestead Farm. There, the chicks will grow and eventually will produce the eggs for next years incubation and hatching at Cedarhurst.

For more information on Cedarhurst Senior Living, click <a href="https://www.cedarhurstliving.com/cedarhurst-salina-ks">here</a>.

To view Salina Post's last visit to Cedarhurst Senior Living, click <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/0b35f960-76d4-4052-9f73-f59a8206980e">here.</a>

Residents hatch chickens at Cedarhurst Senior Living

<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.

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>.

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 15 - October 17

Two people were arrested after reportedly stealing a vehicle, with more arrests anticipated.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) at around 5:00 am on Wednesday, the owner of a gray 2015 Ford Edge reported their vehicle was stolen from the 500 block of Prescott.

Reportedly, the spare key was left in the car before it was stolen.

An officer on patrol spotted the vehicle around the Hawthorne Apartments (715 N. 9th St.), just 30 minutes after the owner's report. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the driver did not comply and fled.

A vehicle pursuit ensued and shortly after, the vehicle crashed in the area of North and 10th Street. After the crash, multiple people exited the vehicle and ran away.&nbsp;

SPD stated 24-year old, Jordan Hatfield of Ark City and a 17-year old male were apprehended. Both suspects were charged with Obstruction.

Hatfield was booked into the Saline County Jail and the teen was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center in Junction City.

More arrests are anticipated and the investigation is ongoing.

Stolen vehicle report results in two arrests with more anticipated

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.

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

NAME:&nbsp;Donahue, William Victor

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Disorderly conduct; Brawling or fighting; Use/poss drug paraphernalia/human body; Poss of marijuana

*No image available for&nbsp;Hatfield, Jordan River*

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose misd warrant

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Criminal Damage to Property; Misdemeanor

NAME:&nbsp;Johnson, Raymon Naquan

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Agg battery; Knowingly cause great body harm

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; Failure to appear

NAME:&nbsp;Southern, Drew Michael

Saline County Jail Bookings, October 15

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 13 - October 15

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 10 - October 12

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 8 - October 10

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 6 - October 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 3 - October 5

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 1 - October 3

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 29 - October 1

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 26 - September 28

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/">weathe</a>

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 24 - September 26

BARBER COUNTY—On Tuesday, the&nbsp;Barber County Sheriff Office was dispatched to found skeletal human remains, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

 Upon arrival the sheriffs office contacted KBI, County Coroner and the Kansas Unmarked Burial Site Preservation Board. 

&nbsp;Barber County Sheriff Office worked with the Kansas Unmarked Burial Site Preservation Board. They voted to rebury the remains and leave them in place and to avoid further work in the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The sheriff's office did not release details on where the remains were found or additional information.

Sheriff: Human remains found in rural Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect arrested in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video this week in Wichita is being held on multiple allegations including a hold for Immigration and Custom Enforcement, according to online jail records.

Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested&nbsp;22-year-old Daniel T. Espitia Guevara in relation to the doorbell surveillance case, according to a media release.

At 10:38p.m. police booked him into Sedgwick County jail where he is being held without bond on requested charges of&nbsp;Aggravated domestic battery, domestic battery, criminal restraint and hold for ICE, according to online jail records.

Just after 3 p.m. Tuesday Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify in the case. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview.

Investigators identified the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. At this stage of the investigation, police believe this incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman did not have any significant injuries.

Suspect in Kan. door camera abduction video wanted by ICE

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that he has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela and said he was weighing carrying out land operations on the country.

The acknowledgement of covert action in Venezuela by the U.S. spy agency comes after the U.S. military in recent weeks has carried out a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-drug-cartels-4f7f66714cf303fcaf2c4bb2fc30a9a0">series of deadly strikes</a>&nbsp;against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean. U.S. forces have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-drugs-venezuela-boat-strike-af1a784864268707a76755a98615563e">destroyed at least five boats</a>&nbsp;since early September, killing 27 people, and four of those vessels&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-boat-strikes-warships-6ffd9e6f4eb738048c816c6d8257a6ef">originated from Venezuela</a>.

Asked during an event in the Oval Office on Wednesday why he had authorized the CIA to take action in Venezuela, Trump affirmed he had made the move.

“I authorized for two reasons, really,” Trump replied. “No. 1, they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America," he said. "And the other thing, the drugs, we have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela, and a lot of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-strike-caribbean-drug-trafficking-trump-1061debe2f983ef7bc9666d3f002b3a0">Venezuelan drugs</a>&nbsp;come in through the sea.”

Trump added the administration “is looking at land” as it considers further strikes in the region. He declined to say whether the CIA has authority to take action against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">President Nicolás Maduro</a>.

Trump made the unusual acknowledgement of a CIA operation shortly after The New York Times published that the CIA had been authorized to carry out covert action in Venezuela.

On Wednesday, Maduro lashed out at the record of the U.S. spy agency in various conflicts around the world without directly addressing Trump’s comments about authorizing the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela.

“No to regime change that reminds us so much of the (overthrows) in the failed eternal wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and so on,” Maduro said at a televised event of the National Council for Sovereignty and Peace, which is made up of representatives from various political, economic, academic and cultural sectors in Venezuela.

“No to the coups carried out by the CIA, which remind us so much of the 30,000 disappeared,” a figure estimated by human rights organizations such as the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo during the military dictatorship in Argentina (1976-1983). He also referred to the 1973 coup in Chile.

“How long will the CIA continue to carry on with its coups? Latin America doesn’t want them, doesn’t need them and repudiates them,” Maduro added.

The objective is “to say no to war in the Caribbean, no to war in South America, yes to peace,” he said.

Speaking in English, Maduro said: “Not war, yes peace, not war. Is that how you would say it? Who speaks English? Not war, yes peace, the people of the United States, please. Please, please, please.”

In a statement, Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday rejected “the bellicose and extravagant statements by the President of the United States, in which he publicly admits to having authorized operations to act against the peace and stability of Venezuela.”

“This unprecedented statement constitutes a very serious violation of international law and the United Nations’ Charter and obliges the community of countries to denounce these clearly immoderate and inconceivable statements,” said the statement, which Foreign Minister Yván Gil posted on his Telegram channel.

Early this month, the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants</a>&nbsp;and pronounced the United States is now in an “armed conflict” with them, justifying the military action as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.

The move has spurred anger in Congress from members of both major political parties that Trump was effectively committing an act of war without seeking congressional authorization.

On Wednesday, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said while she supports cracking down on trafficking, the administration has gone too far.

“The Trump administration’s authorization of covert C.I.A. action, conducting lethal strikes on boats and hinting at land operations in Venezuela slides the United States closer to outright conflict with no transparency, oversight or apparent guardrails,” Shaheen said. "The American people deserve to know if the administration is leading the U.S. into another conflict, putting servicemembers at risk or pursuing a regime-change operation.”

The Trump administration has yet to provide underlying evidence to lawmakers proving that the boats targeted by the U.S. military were in fact carrying narcotics, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

The officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the administration has only pointed to unclassified video clips of the strikes posted on social media by Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and has yet to produce “hard evidence” that the vessels were carrying drugs.

Lawmakers have expressed frustration that the administration is offering little detail about how it came to decide the U.S. is in armed conflict with cartels or which criminal organizations it claims are “unlawful combatants.”

Even as the U.S. military has carried out strikes on some vessels, the U.S. Coast Guard has continued with its typical practice of stopping boats and seizing drugs.

Trump on Wednesday explained away the action, saying the traditional approach hasn't worked.

“Because we’ve been doing that for 30 years, and it has been totally ineffective. They have faster boats,” he said. ”They’re world-class speedboats, but they’re not faster than missiles."

Human rights groups have raised concerns that the strikes flout international law and are extrajudicial killings.

Trump: The CIA is conducting covert operations inside Venezuela

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 7:30a.m. Wednesday, crews&nbsp;were dispatched to a reported house fire in the 1300 &nbsp;block of Ewing, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

Crews reported smoke and fire from the vacant 1-story residence. An offensive fire attack was initiated with two hose lines being advanced into the structure. Searches of the residence came back all clear. The fire was placed under controlat 7:35 a.m. No injuries were reported.&nbsp;

Cause of Kansas City house fire under investigation

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting have made a second arrest.

Just after 11:30pm.&nbsp; July 6, police responded to a local hospital in reference to a victim suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. A short time later, the victim identified as Destiny Voss, 28, of Topeka, succumbed to his injuries.

Through the investigation, police identified a suspect and on August 6, arrested Avant Chambers, 18 of Topeka. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Murder in the First Degree and distribute certain depressants.

On Tuesday, police arrested Aaron K. Hurla, 18, Topeka, and took him to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections where he was booked on requested charges of Murder in the First Degree.

Police determined that the incident occurred in the 3200 block of SW Randolph in Topeka. This is the city’s 9th homicide investigation of 2025.

Police: Second Kansas teen jailed for murder

JOHNSON COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Gardner Police Department requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Gardner man.

The whereabouts of 95-year-old Robert Stoehr are unknown, and the public's assistance is requested to help locate him.

Stoehr was last seen Wednesday, at approximately 12:37 p.m., in Olathe traveling northbound on Kansas Avenue. He is likely driving a silver 2010 Honda Accord bearing Kansas tag 3248AGL.

Stoehr is a white male who is around 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 155 pounds. He has blue eyes and white hair, and was last seen wearing a yellow hat, blue shirt, blue jeans and black boots.

Stoehr's family reports he experiences undiagnosed memory loss, and are concerned about his safety.

If you see Robert Stoehr, or his vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call the Gardner Police Department at (913) 856-7312.

KBI: Silver Alert for missing 95-year-old Kansas man

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 10p.m. October 13, a Brown County deputy on routine patrol initiated a traffic stop on U.S. 75 highway near 160th in rural Brown County, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

The deputy made contact with the driver identified as 39-year-old Diego Juarez of Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp; The deputy discovered that he did not possess a&nbsp; valid drivers license.&nbsp; Juarez was arrested on a charge of Driving While Cancelled, Restricted or Revoked. While in the Brown County jail it was learned that Department of HomelandSecurity had a detainer on Juarez and he was&nbsp; released to DHS the next morning.

Sheriff: Man deported after Kansas traffic stop arrest

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday appeared ready to gut a key tool of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-act-60th-anniversary-supreme-court-d2bf2ff47a6c1b574e6e351d1fb46528">the Voting Rights Act</a>&nbsp;that has helped root out racial discrimination in voting for more than a half century, a change that would boost Republican electoral prospects, particularly across the South.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2025/24-109_2">Click here to listen to a replay</a> the oral arguments

During 2 1/2 hours of arguments, the court's six conservative justices seemed inclined to effectively strike down a Black majority congressional district in Louisiana because it relied too heavily on race.

Such an outcome would mark a fundamental change in the 1965 voting rights law, the centerpiece legislation of the Civil Rights Movement, that succeeded in opening the ballot box to Black Americans and reducing persistent discrimination in voting.

A ruling for Louisiana could open the door for legislatures to redraw congressional maps in southern states, helping Republican electoral prospects by eliminating majority Black and Latino districts that tend to favor Democrats. Legislatures already are free to draw extremely partisan districts, subject only to review by state courts, because of a 2019 Supreme Court decision.

Just two years ago, the court, by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-redistricting-race-voting-rights-alabama-af0d789ec7498625d344c0a4327367fe">a 5-4 vote</a>, affirmed a ruling that found a likely violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in a similar case over Alabama’s political boundaries. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined their three more liberal colleagues in the outcome.

Roberts and Kavanaugh struck a different tone Wednesday, especially in their questions to civil rights lawyer Janai Nelson.

The chief justice suggested the Alabama decision was tightly focused on its facts and should not be read to require a similar outcome in Louisiana.

Kavanaugh pressed Nelson on whether the time has come to end the use of race-based districts under the Voting Rights Act, rather than “allowing it to extend forever.”

The court's liberal justices focused on the history of the Voting Rights Act in combating discrimination. Getting to the remedy of redrawing districts only happens if, as Justice Elena Kagan said, a court finds "a specific identified, proved violation of law.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-gerrymandering-congress-trump-0af8561b1670032fae3e1d2aec7905f0">A mid-decade battle</a>&nbsp;over congressional redistricting already is playing out across the nation after Republican President Donald Trump began urging Texas and other GOP-controlled states to redraw their lines to make it easier for the GOP to hold its narrow majority in the House.

The court's conservative majority has been skeptical of considerations of race, most recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-affirmative-action-college-race-f83d6318017ec9b9029b12ee2256e744">ending affirmative action in college admissions</a>. Twelve years ago, the court bludgeoned another pillar of the landmark voting law that required states with a history of racial discrimination to get advance approval from the Justice Department or federal judges before making election-related changes.

The court has separately given state legislatures wide berth to gerrymander for political purposes. If the Supreme Court now weakens or strikes down the Voting Rights Act's Section 2, states would not be bound by any limits in how they draw electoral districts. Such a result would be expected to lead to extreme gerrymandering by whichever party is in power at the state level.

The court's Alabama decision in 2023 led to new districts there and in Louisiana that sent two more Black Democrats to Congress.

Now, though, the court has asked the parties to answer a fundamental question: “Whether the state’s intentional creation of a second majority-minority congressional district violates the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.”

Louisiana and the Trump administration joined with a group of white voters in arguing to invalidate the challenged district and make it much harder to claim discrimination in redistricting.

The arguments led Justice Sonia Sotomayor to assert that the administration's “bottom line is just get rid of Section 2.”

Justice Department lawyer Hashim Mooppan disagreed and said state lawmakers would have no incentive to get rid of every majority Black district because doing so would create swing districts and imperil some Republican incumbents.

In addition, Mooppan said, only 15 of the 60 Black members of the House represent majority Black districts. “But even if you eliminated Section 2 entirely, fully 75% of the Black congressmen in this country are in districts that are not protected by Section 2.”

In the first arguments in the Louisiana case in March, Roberts sounded skeptical of the second majority Black district, which last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrat-cleo-fields-louisiana-congressional-district-01cbab22601bef1cd8f4463a1ad395ef">elected Democratic Rep. Cleo Fields</a>. Roberts described the district as a “snake” that stretches more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) to link parts of the Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette and Baton Rouge areas.

The court fight over Louisiana’s congressional districts has lasted three years.

The state’s Republican-dominated legislature drew a new congressional map in 2022 to account for population shifts reflected in the 2020 census. But the changes effectively maintained the status quo of five Republican-leaning majority white districts and one Democratic-leaning majority Black district.

Civil rights advocates won a lower-court ruling that the districts likely discriminated against Black voters.

The state eventually drew a new map to comply with the court ruling and protect its influential Republican lawmakers, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-johnson-speaker-vote-donald-trump-ccbe593940ef488019563e8e4b98061e">House Speaker Mike Johnson</a>. But white Louisiana voters claimed in their separate lawsuit that race was the predominant factor driving it. A three-judge court agreed, leading to the current high court case.

The court is expected to rule by early summer in 2026.

🎧Supreme Court appears ready to limit key part of Voting Rights Act

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Airports big and small around the country are refusing to play a video with a message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames Democrats for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">federal government shutdown</a>&nbsp;and its impacts on Transportation Security Administration operations.

Airports in Wichita, Kansas City, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, Seattle and more say the video’s political content goes against their policies or regulations prohibiting political messaging in their facilities.

The Kansas City Aviation Department (KCAD) declined a request from the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) to air the video at MCI, according to Jackson Overstreet in the City Manager's office.&nbsp; "Leadership determined the video did not meet the department’s advertising standard. The work of the KCAD is non-partisan and focused on making travel from MCI&nbsp;as simple as possible for flyers."

According to Jesse Romo, Director of Airports in Wichita, "TSA has approached the Wichita Airport Authority and requested that we play their video. While we deeply value and support our TSA partners and the vital role they play in ensuring the safety of our passengers, we will not be playing Secretary Noem’s latest video as we have policies that prohibit the display of political messages." 

"The TSA team at ICT does an amazing job with providing a great customer experience for our traveling public and we’ll continue to share their messages related to what you can and can’t take through screening."

Various government agencies, in emails to workers and on websites, have adopted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-10-1-2025#00000199-a08e-de91-adfb-b8cf52820000">language that blames Democrats</a>&nbsp;for the shutdown. Some experts argue it could be in violation of the 1939 Hatch Act, which restricts certain political activities by federal employees.

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