CLAY CENTER - A nursing home in Clay Center has been evacuated by the state of Kansas and has left more questions than answers.

In the middle of August 2025, residents of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>&nbsp;were evacuated by the <a href="https://www.kdads.ks.gov/">Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)</a> due to quality of living issues. According to Cara Sloan-Ramos of KDADS, residents were 'successfully moved' from the nursing home.

"We can confirm that residents were successfully moved from the Advena nursing home in Clay Center, and we are working to make sure they are well cared for in their new locations," said Sloan-Ramos.

Reasons have as to why residents were removed remain unknown. Many speculations from the public have stated there were possibilities of 'mold in the air ducts' and even residents being 'neglected of care.'

Sloan-Ramos stated that KDADS takes such allegations seriously and are investigated accordingly.

"KDADS takes all allegations of abuse and neglect seriously and operates a hotline to receive such reports," she said. "If and when such allegations are received, they are investigated accordingly. The results of those investigations are confidential and are only made available to the parties directly involved in the case."

Sloan-Ramos also said KDADS could not answer any questions as to why the residents were evacuated. She stated these questions are to be directed towards the administration of Advena.

"We cannot provide details at this time because the process is not yet complete and the information is not public," she said. "Questions about where patients were transferred or whether any legal action has been filed would need to be answered by the facility."

Salina Post has reached out to the administrative team of Advena several times, but has not received a response.

According to a <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/KSOG/bulletins/3d63358">press release</a> from KDADS, on March 10, 2025&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>&nbsp;received funding from the state and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/">Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services</a> (CMS) after approval to implement the 'SNF Clinic quality improvement program in 43 nursing homes across Kansas.' The purpose of the funding was to enhance&nbsp;staff training, improve resident care and elevate overall facility performance through an advanced electronic learning management system (eLMS).

SNF Clinic is a web-based platform that provides nursing home staff with easy access to essential education and care resources. The program ensures residents receive high-quality, person-centered care by equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and tools.

“The implementation of SNF Clinic in Kansas nursing homes represents a significant investment in the well-being of our elderly population,” KDADS Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Program Manager Rebecca Hedrick said. “By prioritizing education and quality improvement, we ensure that staff members are fully prepared to provide exceptional care to residents.”

Members of Clay Center have spoken about the situation and speculated as to what may have happened.

"It is pretty sad, where are you going to put all those people?"

"There may have been a building or water problem."

"I heard the state had to evacuate the residents because of mold, but no one is talking about it and I do not know what is going on."

According to <a href="https://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes/area/ks/advena-living-of-clay-center-175351">reviews</a> of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>, the nursing home had a below average rating for "Short-term rehabilitation" and "Long-term care." The rating for Short-term rehab evaluates a nursing home's quality of post-acute care for patients recovering from a hospital stay, such as instances that include strokes, heart attacks, infections or accidental injuries. The rating for Long-term care evaluates&nbsp;a nursing home's ability to care for residents who need daily assistance with medical needs, such as administering medications and non-medical needs such as dressing, eating and using the bathroom.

According to a standard inspection report conducted on April 9, 2025 from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/">The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>&nbsp;had potentials of actual harm with many residents being affected to provide services such as:

 Infection Control Deficiency,&nbsp;Nutrition and Dietary Deficiency and Administration Deficiency (determine what resources are necessary to care for residents).

Few patients were affected as far as the&nbsp;Quality of Life and Care Deficiency and Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiency&nbsp;

However, Advena Living of Clay Center had no reports of any actual harm with minimal potentiality when it came to&nbsp;Nursing and Physician Services Deficiency.

See the full report <a href="https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/inspections/pdf/nursing-home/175351/health/health-inspection?date=2025-04-09">here</a>.

Salina Post will continue to stay in contact with KDADS and follow up with the administration of Advena.

Salina Area Technical College opens new facility with donors and supporters

<a href="https://vktowebbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001EG_NshyjOeK39hNUNUhitMZGf_zTkuPH9bi4_cmDo2afKk_HQ8KQ2GohJt3yzMk_7z_y65Wx-P016QDo80Ke0niitpI-nLCULAj4PwvsuldFSX5a5aabZXypfsrI9GsRR5SP0pgzR2rdmlDw_ObmdgS_-tACNhWp&amp;c=ggQR1lAHVM7esNhjvmkYeJU5WVEicrmg2WXbgHhapxduhC3cDtkiHQ==&amp;ch=N2blGUKvYPO-Z8imWIjhMV1Iv2ew4rw1oCOPPpqKUWJiusJJ1Y7M5g==">Saline County</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://vktowebbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001EG_NshyjOeK39hNUNUhitMZGf_zTkuPH9bi4_cmDo2afKk_HQ8KQ2JiDVjE6HU93I0CqB8NjLSpECPPFIPQ7wNr1SSV673re2dpEr6E6ToOX769kqZttHHHvkRVyeNSl1QoKQM8SufVhmqgxz3LaC3uUfCI1jgJj&amp;c=ggQR1lAHVM7esNhjvmkYeJU5WVEicrmg2WXbgHhapxduhC3cDtkiHQ==&amp;ch=N2blGUKvYPO-Z8imWIjhMV1Iv2ew4rw1oCOPPpqKUWJiusJJ1Y7M5g==">City of Salina</a>&nbsp;are planning to partner to invest opioid settlement dollars back into the community.

These settlements were reached between state attorneys general and manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids in recognition of their role in fueling the epidemic of addiction.

As a result, Kansas and its local governments receive annual funding that must be used for approved purposes—such as&nbsp;prevention, treatment, recovery,&nbsp;and law enforcement responses—to ensure funds are directed where they are needed most to address the local impacts of substance use and addiction.

As part of this work, the County and City are planning to establish a Grant Review Committee. This volunteer group will review nonprofit applications and make recommendations for funding. Three members will be appointed by the County and four by the City.

An online application to serve on the committee will be available on the Saline County website beginning&nbsp;Friday, September 12, 2025.

Nonprofit organizations will be able to apply for grants this fall, with awards expected to be announced in December 2025 and contracts beginning January 1, 2026.

Grant applications must address at least one of the four priorities identified in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://vktowebbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001EG_NshyjOeK39hNUNUhitMZGf_zTkuPH9bi4_cmDo2afKk_HQ8KQ2JiDVjE6HU93P4TZkGRZHrMV1T4mz75J5f-s7A_R0tVH7KHqV3IVj7PL6TChmKWJwNTPuyFhRd-0M2fmiBswnAG83DBr-Q3emkKWxOMqgtDCCrb-Bf8pkPmvPpWAxOcTXVM5ulb49N1WfuMvlkqnLY-97wCsVFfPkYU2DMO-CUJsHaqeebniMKE-GyVSS5A5BBp11FkCaytXwZcX1xQ1e_p_BRYbCbYOYeu6oIOTWvhly0oTWmj9j9-TVDQtRg1QhA==&amp;c=ggQR1lAHVM7esNhjvmkYeJU5WVEicrmg2WXbgHhapxduhC3cDtkiHQ==&amp;ch=N2blGUKvYPO-Z8imWIjhMV1Iv2ew4rw1oCOPPpqKUWJiusJJ1Y7M5g==">2025 Saline County Opioid Community Needs Assessment</a>:

Community members interested in serving on the Grant Review Committee should complete the online application form beginning September 12.

To get on the opioid grant mailing list, click <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/PuOqWkk?source_id=6ab3ee0c-4ea1-44b9-86e3-75204d9d3aaf&amp;source_type=em&amp;c=ggQR1lAHVM7esNhjvmkYeJU5WVEicrmg2WXbgHhapxduhC3cDtkiHQ==">here</a>.

Saline County and Salina partner to invest in opioid settlement grant program

Possibilities of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to occur throughout Central Kansas this evening.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), these storms will gradually increase from the west later tonight and persist through early to mid-evening on Friday. Pockets of heavy rainfall are likely, with a few isolated storms capable of dime to nickel size hail.

Salina has a 68% chance of showers and thunderstorms for tonight.

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>.

Another round of thunderstorms anticipated throughout Central Kansas tonight

The State of Kansas ends August 2025 with total tax collections at $692.3 million. That is $26.2 million, or 3.9%, above the estimate. Total tax collections were up 4.0% from August 2024.&nbsp;

“This month’s stronger-than-expected tax collections highlight the strength of Kansas’ work to attract business investment and workforce development, evidenced by reported withholdings up 13.7% over August of 2024,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “However, even if these better-than-expected revenues continue, I remain concerned about the reckless budget’s impact on the long-term fiscal health of the state and the risk of departing from the course of fiscal responsibility we have been on.”

Individual income tax collections were $361.2 million, which is $16.2 million, or 4.7% above the estimate. Individual income tax collections were up 9.7% from August 2024. Corporate income tax collections were $18.2 million, which is $1.8 million, or 9.0% below the estimate, and down 9.7% from August 2024.&nbsp;

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $294.2 million, which is $11.2 million, or 4.0% above the estimate, and down 0.1% from August 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2025%2F09%2F04%2Ffile_attachments%2F3378251%2F02_August_Revenue_FY2026_09-02-2025_Final.pdf/1/0101019915ac0fea-2de043bc-57f9-41bb-9e13-15bc8f2e7ded-000000/PxW39ichoUcdiKvYlp4EF_jnWxTDHq2rZE887v-5PEg=421">here</a>&nbsp;to view the August 2025 revenue numbers.

State of Kansas: August total tax collections at $692.3 Million; 3.9% above estimate

MANHATTAN - Kansas State University's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/">McCain Performance Series</a>&nbsp;presents award-winning musicians "Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives" at 7:30 pm&nbsp;Thursday, September 18.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Mississippi, Stuart got his start in bluegrass legend Lester Flatt's band at age 13. By 21, he was recording and touring with Johnny Cash. 

During his more than 40-year solo career, Stuart has released more than 20 major label albums, earning platinum sales, hit singles and numerous honors, including five Grammy Awards and an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.Known for their honky-tonk and rockabilly edge, Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives — guitarist Kenny Vaughan, drummer Harry Stinson and bassist Chris Scruggs — are all Musicians Hall of Fame inductees.

Tickets are available online at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/">mccain.k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or at the ticket office in the McCain lobby from noon to 4:00 pm Wednesday through Friday.

Tickets are also available by phone at (785) 532-6428 during the same hours. Discounts are available for bundling seven or more events as a package or purchasing as a group of 10 or more.

Additional discounts are available for youth, military, seniors and Kansas State University faculty and staff. Call the ticket office for more information regarding available discounts.

For more information, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mccain@k-state.edu">mccain@k-state.edu</a>.

Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives to perform at KSU's McCain Auditorium, tickets available

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

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 CHARGES:&nbsp;Assault; Criminal threat; Cause terror, evacuation or disruption; Domestic battery: Knowing/reckless bodily harm; Domestic Battery: rude physical contact; Kidnapping; Inflict bodily harm or terrorize the victim

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity; Poss. of marijuana

NAME:&nbsp;Forristal, Michael Dean

REQUESTED CHARGE: Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance

NAME:&nbsp;Friedlander, Nathan Todd

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Use/poss. drug paraphernalia/human body; Poss. of marijuana; 1 prior conviction

NAME:&nbsp;Gamache, Brandon Michael

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Contempt of Court; Direct; Viol. protection order; Pre-trial order

NAME:&nbsp;Haroldson, Jamie Clarence

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Poss. of stolen property; Value $1,500 to $25,000; Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Phillips, Chelsea Nicole

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Domestic Battery: Know/reckless body harm 3rd/subs.

REQUESTED CHARGE: Probation Violation&nbsp;

REQUESTED CHARGES: Probation Violation; Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Domestic Battery: rude physical contact

Saline County Jail Bookings, September 4

MCPHERSON COUNTY —A dangerous storm with very large hail up to baseball size and damaging winds up 70mph moved through portions of central and southeastern Kansas Wednesday evening.

Baseball size hail was reported in portions of Saline County northwest of Smolan; Marion County near Lost Springs; McPherson County near Moundridge; Harvy County near Halstead and in portions of Wichita, according to the National Weather Service.

&nbsp;Elyria Christian School in McPherson is closed Thursday due to the storm damage and some of the sports activities were postponed. On social media the school wrote, 'while there is damage, we are so thankful for the many hands that showed up to help clean up the outside."

Late summer storm brought large hail to portions of Kansas

The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at Gills Point S Tires grand opening Wednesday.&nbsp;

Located on South Front street, Gills Point S Salina is the newest in twelve different Gills locations in the state of Kansas. 

Formerly Peerless Tires, Eric Gill, owner of the Gills brand, purchased the prior chain of Peerless in 2024. With this purchase, the store underwent a complete remodel. The opening marks the finished facility.

Present at the opening were both Area Manager for Gills, Matt Rook, and current store manager, Adam McMillin. Previously the manager for Peerless Tires, McMillin kept his staff in the transition to Gills Point S Tires, of which has a collected more than fifty years of experience in tire service.

The Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new business to the local community with the cutting of the red ribbon, performed by McMillin.

Chamber of Commerce celebrates grand opening of new tire shop

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SaltandLightHomestead/">Salt &amp; Light Homestead</a>, a local vegetable produce and farm from Saline County is inviting the community to attend a fun-filled, pumpkin patch event full of activities every Saturday for the month of October.

Starting Saturday, October 4 and then every Saturday for the month, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SaltandLightHomestead/">Salt &amp; Light Homestead</a>&nbsp;will host their inaugural "Pumpkin Patch" from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm on their farm at 4325 E. Humbargar Rd.&nbsp;This event will consist of a kids petting zoo, corn pit, pumpkin launcher, hay rides and much more. Concessions will be set up as well.

Pumpkins and mums will be up for sale during the event. Some of the pumpkins will be grown by Salt &amp; Light Homestead, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jirakbros/">Jirak Brothers Produce</a>&nbsp;providing the bulk of them.

Owner, Daniel Miller anticipates a couple thousand people to attend the event throughout the course of October. He commented on starting this event due to the support from the community.&nbsp;

"We have really been blessed to get a good connection with the community," said Daniel.

He added that Salt &amp; Light Homestead has about 3,000 local customers.

"I am hoping those people we have been meeting and getting to know with the produce, will be seen again at the pumpkin patch and they get to experience something different," he said.

Daniel has been dreaming big, as he and his wife, Lauren plan to expand their local produce farm in the future. Daniel stated he plans to upgrade the Miller farmland when possible.

Both Kansas Wesleyan and K-State Salina's agriculture programs have toured the Miller's farm in the past. Daniel hopes to start an internship program with the universities as part of the expansion.

After the pumpkin patch concludes, Daniel aims to makes this an annual event and add more to it. But before this even becomes a reality, 'humble beginnings' must take place.

"The best way I can summarize this event is humble beginnings, but I would like to see it grow depending on the community interest," said Daniel.&nbsp;

Admission is $20 a vehicle (family present).

Salt &amp; Light Homestead is a locally grown vegetable produce farm, that specializes in growing tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and more.&nbsp;

Follow Salt &amp; Light Homestead on Facebook at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SaltandLightHomestead/">https://www.facebook.com/SaltandLightHomestead/</a>

Local farmers host inaugural pumpkin patch starting every Saturday in October 

A round of severe storms are expected to occur later this evening on Wednesday, September 3 in Salina.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), widely scattered storms are anticipated to occur in Salina from the hours of 4:00 - 7:00 pm. These storms reportedly are expected to develop in Central Kansas, move south and east throughout the evening and nighttime hours.

Accordingly, +2 inch sized hail and 60-70 mph wind gusts are possible.&nbsp;

The US National Weather Service advises you to a plan ahead if you have outdoor activities late this afternoon or early this evening of Wednesday.

Severe storms expected Wednesday evening in Salina

<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>

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 3 - September 5

A series of showers and possible thunderstorms, along with mild temperatures are expected for this week.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) showers are expected to occur throughout the morning of Tuesday, September 2nd, Wednesday, Thursday evening and into the morning of Friday.

Mild temperatures are anticipated as well. The hottest day of the week being Wednesday with highs ranging from 83-90 degrees. 

Highs of 72-80 are expected for Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Series of showers along with mild temperatures expected for this week

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 1 - September 3

Labor Day weekend weather forecast Salina, August 29 - September 1

Cool weather and isolated showers are expected to occur this Labor Day weekend in Central Kansas.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), the highs for this upcoming Labor Day weekend are only expected to reach 80 degrees in Central Kansas. Friday, August 29th is looking to only be around 75-79, with Saturday - Monday being 77-83 degrees.

Rain chances are anticipated to occur on Saturday and last into the start of next week.

Cool weather and isolated showers expected Labor Day weekend 

The US National Weather Service has issued a "Flood Watch" throughout parts of Central Kansas until Thursday afternoon.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), many locations in Central Kansas are expected to see heavy rainfall tonight (Wednesday, August 27) and into Thursday morning, with some areas likely observing over 2 inches.

Salina is listed to have a 77% chance of rainfall over 1 inch and low chance for it to be over 2 inches.

Wichita is listed to have 62% chance, while Hutchinson a 47% chance of rainfall to be over 2 inches.&nbsp;

Saline County Emergency Management is informing county residents to prepare for at least two rounds of thunderstorms. The first round this Wednesday afternoon is expected to be less severe. 

However, a stronger system is forecast to move in late tonight (Wednesday) through Thursday morning with a higher risk of heavy rainfall and localized flooding.

Safety tips by Saline County Emergency Management include:&nbsp;

"Flood Watch" issued throughout Central Kansas: Heavy rainfall expected Wednesday night into Thursday

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 27 - August 29

Fall-like temps, along with isolated and scattered showers are expected to occur this week throughout Central Kansas.

Temperatures are listed to drop this week, along with isolated and scattered showers in Central Kansas. According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), the best chances for rainfall will be on Wednesday, August 27 and into Thursday, August 28, after Monday's showers.

Severe weather is not expected, but there are possibilities some of the weather could produce brief periods of heavy rainfall.&nbsp;

Temperatures drop this week, along with isolated and scattered showers throughout Central Kansas 

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man who pleaded guilty in connection with the 2023 shooting death of a man in Wichita is going to prison.

On Wednesday, Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced 21-year-old James Sawyer to more than 31-years in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for the murder of 34-year-old Daniel McPherson during an attempted robbery,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In July, Sawyer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.

On Dec. 6, 2023, the Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County Dispatch, reporting a shooting investigation involving two individuals including Sawyer and 18-year-old Phillip Walls who had entered a Blackwell hospital, with one of them sustaining a gunshot wound, according to Officer Andrew Ford.

Following discussions with the subjects, Blackwell Police shared information with Sedgwick County Dispatch. Consequently, the Wichita Police Department was alerted to respond to the Hydraulic and MacArthur area based on information suggesting that the shooting victim, 34-year-old Daniel McPherson, would be found there.

Upon arrival, officers discovered McPherson with a gunshot wound to his head. He&nbsp;was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide investigators were dispatched to conduct the investigation and later traveled to Blackwell, Oklahoma where Walls and Sawyer were in custody.&nbsp;

In May of 2024, Walls pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the shooting and&nbsp;was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison, according to the district attorney's office.

21-year-old Kan. man going to prison for robbery, murder

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., facing pointed bipartisan questioning at a rancorous three-hour Senate committee hearing on Thursday, tried to defend his efforts to pull back COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and explain the turmoil he has created at federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/health">health</a>&nbsp;agencies.

Kennedy said the fired CDC director was untrustworthy, stood by his past anti-vaccine rhetoric, and disputed reports of people saying they have had difficulty getting COVID-19 shots.

Medical groups and several Democrats in Congress have called for Kennedy to be fired, and his exchanges with Democratic senators on the panel repeatedly devolved into shouting, from both sides.

But some Republican senators also expressed unease with his changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-pregnant-women-children-70c358cad726e57d680234c3ecdec926">COVID-19 policies</a>.

The GOP senators noted that Kennedy said President Donald Trump deserved a Nobel Prize for the 2020&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-us-news-international-news-politics-756e5b743058701c4a2ebefd0af1ade4">Operation Warp Speed</a>&nbsp;initiative to quickly develop mRNA COVID-19 vaccines — and that he also had attacked the safety and continued use of those very shots.

“I can't tell where you are on Operation Warp Speed,” said Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis.

Tillis and others asked him why the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was fired last week, less than a month into her tenure.

Kennedy said she was dishonest, and that CDC leaders who left the agency last week in support of her deserved to be fired.

He also criticized CDC recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic tied to lockdowns and masking policies, and claimed — wrongly — that they “failed to do anything about the disease itself.”

“The people at CDC who oversaw that process, who put masks on our children, who closed our schools, are the people who will be leaving,” Kennedy said. He later said they deserved to be fired for not doing enough to control chronic disease.

Democrats express hostility from the start

The Senate Finance Committee had called Kennedy to a hearing about his plans to “Make America Healthy Again,” but Democratic senators pressed Kennedy on his actions around vaccines.

At the start of the hearing, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon tried to have Kennedy formally sworn in as a witness, saying the HHS secretary has a history of lying to the committee. The committee's chair, Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, denied the Democrat's request, saying “the bottom line is we will let the secretary make his own case.”

Wyden went on to attack Kennedy, saying he had “stacked the deck” of a vaccines advisory committee by replacing scientists with “skeptics and conspiracy theorists.”

Last week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-monarez-fired-trump-kennedy-vaccines-science-17fd8a19064e39906bc0125fd81e3525">Trump administration fired</a>&nbsp;the CDC's director — a Trump appointee who was confirmed by the Senate — less than a month into her tenure. Several top CDC leaders resigned in protest, leaving the agency in turmoil.

The ousted director, Susan Monarez, wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/robert-f-kennedy-jr-the-cdc-and-me-b4ca2eaa">in The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;on Thursday that Kennedy was trying to weaken public health protections.

“I was told to preapprove the recommendations of a vaccine advisory panel newly filled with people who have publicly expressed antivaccine rhetoric,” Monarez wrote. “It is imperative that the panel’s recommendations aren’t rubber-stamped but instead are rigorously and scientifically reviewed before being accepted or rejected.”

Kennedy told senators he didn't make such an ultimatum, though he did concede that he had ordered Monarez to fire career CDC scientists.

Kennedy pushed back on concerns raised by multiple Republican senators, including Tillis and Sens. John Barrasso of Wyoming and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. Both Barrasso and Cassidy are physicians.

The health secretary had animated comebacks as Democratic senators pressed him on the effects of his words and actions.

When Sen. Raphael Warnock, of Georgia, questioned Kennedy about his disparaging rhetoric about CDC employees before a deadly shooting at the agency this summer, Kennedy shot back: “Are you complicit in the assassination attempts on President Trump?”

Kennedy called Sen. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico “ridiculous,” said he was “talking gibberish” and accused him of “not understanding how the world works” when Lujan asked Kennedy to pledge to share protocols of any research Kennedy was commissioning into autism and vaccines.

He also engaged in a heated, loud exchanges with Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tina Smith of Minnesota.

“I didn’t even hear your question,” Kennedy replied to Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto as the Nevada Democrat repeatedly asked what the agency was doing to lower drug costs for seniors.

He also told Sen. Bernie Sanders that the Vermont independent was not “making any sense.”

Some senators had their own choice words.

“You’re interrupting me, and sir, you’re a charlatan. That’s what you are, ” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat. “The history on vaccines is very clear.”

As the hearing neared its end, Kennedy pulled his cellphone from his pocket and then tapped and scrolled as Wyden asked about mifepristone, a drug used for medication abortion.

In May, Kennedy — a longtime leader in the anti-vaccine movement — announced COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, a move opposed by medical and public health groups.

In June,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-cdc-acip-vaccines-3790c89f45b6314c5c7b686db0e3a8f9">he abruptly fired</a>&nbsp;a panel of experts that had been advising the government on vaccine policy. He replaced them with a handpicked group that included several vaccine skeptics, and then shut the door to several doctors groups that had long helped form the committee's recommendations.

Kennedy has voiced distrust of research that showed the COVID-19 vaccines saved lives, and at Thursday's hearing even cast doubt on statistics about how people died during the pandemic and on estimates about how many deaths were averted — statistics produced by the agencies he oversees.

He said federal health policy would be based on gold standard science, but confessed that he wouldn’t necessarily wait for studies to be completed before taking action against, for example, potential causes of chronic illness.

“We are not waiting for everything to come in. We are starting now," he said.

A number of medical groups say Kennedy can’t be counted on to make decisions based on robust medical evidence. In a statement Wednesday, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and 20 other medical and public health organizations issued a joint statement calling on him to resign.

“Our country needs leadership that will promote open, honest dialogue, not disregard decades of lifesaving science, spread misinformation, reverse medical progress and decimate programs that keep us safe,” the statement said.

Many of the nation’s leading public health and medical societies, including the American Medical Association, American Public Health Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have decried Kennedy’s policies and warn they will drive up rates of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Stobbe reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

🎥RFK Jr. rejects criticism, health data in contentious hearing

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

School board responds to public outcry in wake of Kansas Reflector story

COLDWATER — The Comanche County School District’s superintendent landed on paid administrative leave in the wake of a community uprising led by parents angry with how the school board&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/02/a-kansas-student-reported-her-coach-for-harassment-and-touching-school-leaders-kept-it-quiet/">initially responded to allegations</a>&nbsp;he sexually harassed a student.

More than 100 residents of the rural southwest Kansas school district — including some displaying raw, intense emotion — descended on the high school Wednesday night to demand ouster or suspension of superintendent Ty Theurer.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f847ff9e-1975-4706-a9f7-899073ed1d50">Click here to read the earlier story</a>

“How in the world did we get here?” said Zach Ellis, a county commissioner who has children in the district. “Does this board not have a responsibility to the kids of this district to do the right thing? Kids don’t feel safe in this building. You have created a hostile and toxic learning environment as well as a toxic working environment.”

School board president Kelly Herd, who became aware of the student’s harassment complaint four months ago, had resisted punishment of Theurer beyond the warning placed in his personnel file. She had told fellow board members no additional sanction was necessary in response to an allegation that Theurer, while serving as golf coach, advised a female student to hold clubs like she were gripping a penis. The girl had also complained of unwanted touching by Theurer.

Theurer signed a summary of the student’s complaint months ago, which was viewed by the student’s parents as an admission of guilt.

Herd also sent emails to other board members saying Theurer “did not deny nor make excuses” and “has been written up.”

In front of an unusually large crowd, the seven-member board moved in and out of executive session several times before Herd sought a motion to relieve Theurer of administrative duties in the 300-student district. He wasn’t at work Wednesday and didn’t attend the school board meeting after&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/02/a-kansas-student-reported-her-coach-for-harassment-and-touching-school-leaders-kept-it-quiet/">Kansas Reflector published an article</a>&nbsp;Tuesday detailing allegations against the superintendent and the school board’s tepid response.

The school board didn’t discuss publicly the reason for taking action against Theurer at this time. There was no board disclosure about who would temporarily lead the district or for how long.

The board adopted a vague motion to proceed with “next steps” that the board president said had been discussed in executive session. None of that information was shared with the audience.

Local

Region

Sports

Weather