The unofficial results for the 2025 Saline County general election, revealed new elects and re-elects.

ORIGINAL: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/21d0ca6a-d1f4-4427-93ab-38a8018970c4">Unofficial results for 2025 Saline County election</a>

According to the 2025 General Election unofficial final results, incumbents Commissioner Dr. Trent Davis (3,156) and Mayor Greg Lenkiewicz (2,875) were elected for Salina City Commission as the top two voters. New elect, Doug Rempp finished third with 2,709 votes.

Both Davis and Lenkiewicz will be guaranteed a 4-year term, as Rempp will be guaranteed a 2-year term.

Incumbent, Bill Longbine finished 6th in the race with 2,370 and will no longer serve as Commissioner, once the Commission updates.

Three seats were up for election for the USD 305 School Board and&nbsp;Amy Freelove, Dana Johnson and Gabe Grant (incumbent) were elected.

Freelove had the most votes with&nbsp;4,206. Johnson with&nbsp;3,956 and Grant with&nbsp;3,754.

Incumbent, Bonnie Schamberger finished 4th with&nbsp;3,405 and will no longer be on the school board, once the board updates.

On Thursday, November 13,&nbsp;the Saline County Commission will set a&nbsp;Canvass meeting to review the ballots.&nbsp;

Click <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/21d0ca6a-d1f4-4427-93ab-38a8018970c4">here</a>&nbsp;to view the full unofficial results of the 2025 Saline County General Election.

Salina Post will provide the final results once published by Saline County.

UPDATE: Unofficial results reveal new elects and re-elects after 2025 Saline County general election

The Kansas Legislature have approved a bill that would end the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots to be accepted, three days after an election.

Back in 2017, the Kansas Legislature approved a three-day grace period for mail-in ballots that were sent before Election Day and to be received by a local county office 3 days after the election.

However, earlier this year during a legislative session, the Legislature passed&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb4/">Senate Bill 4</a> (SB4) to eliminate the three-day grace period.

According to <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li_2024/b2023_24/members/rep_sanders_clarke_1/#:~:text=Representative%20Clarke%20Sanders%20%7C%20Legislators%20%7C%20Kansas,Home%20%E2%80%A2">Saline County House Rep. Clarke Sanders</a>, the new law that will come into effect January 1, 2026 will be for anyone who votes by mail are to submit their ballots at an election office by 7:00 pm on Election Day.&nbsp;

Any ballots received after that, will not be counted.&nbsp;

Sanders added the leading factor of why SB4 was approved.

“Anytime you have ballots lingering, there is greater possibility of fraud,” he said. “This makes it fair and the same for everybody.”

According to Sanders, the mail-in ballots that come in after the three-day grace period do not necessarily change the results of the election significantly.

“There is not going to be that many ballots that come in (after the election). Generally speaking, the margins are wide enough that the number of ballots that come in after Election Day, probably are not going to affect the results of the election of who is first, second and third place,” said Sanders.

Back on March of this year, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed SB4. 

According to a <a href="https://www.governor.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/585/56">press release from the Governor’s office</a>, her reason was to “ensure that all Kansans had their votes counted, no matter where they lived.”

“Not only will removing the three-day grace period for mail ballots disenfranchise thousands of Kansas voters, but it also shows a lack of understanding of our elections in Kansas,” said Gov. Kelly. "Implementing this will create confusion among county election officials, who will have to update policies and procedures on handling of mail ballots in a higher turnout election year.”

The Legislature however, overrode the veto.

Sanders stated three Kansas organizations (Kansas Appleseed, Loud Light and Disability&nbsp;Rights Center of Kansas) have sued the legislature over concerns that SB4 is&nbsp;“unconstitutional.”

“At some point there has to be deadline,” he said. "We in the legislature thought that the deadline ought to be consistent and the ballots be held to the same standard, as the ballots that are casted the day of the election. The standard needs to be the same.”

Delays of mail-in ballots are also a concern with SB4. 

However, Sanders stated these delays can be avoided by voters filing a provisional ballot.&nbsp;

Provisional voting was introduced in Kansas back in 1996, which allows voters the opportunity to vote in the event questions arise on their eligibility.

According to the <a href="https://sos.ks.gov/Pubs/Elections/Guides/Provisional-Voting-Guide.pdf">provisional voting guide</a>, the reasons where an individual may be provided with a provisional ballot include:

For this case, Sanders stated people can fill in a provisional ballot in the event and individual’s mail-in ballot does not arrive at their local election office after they have called to check the status.

“We cannot determine if your mail-in ballot is going to be delayed, but if it is then you need figure out a way to get down to the election office and cast a provisional ballot,” said Sanders. “Now if in the meanwhile, your ballot arrives then your provisional ballot is thrown out and the original ballot you casted by mail would be  counted.”

Kansas Rep. for the 41st District and Chair for the Elections Committee, Pat Proctor (who is currently running for Secretary of State), brought forward SB4.

KS Legislature approves bill ending three-day grace period for mail-in ballots accepted after Election Day

KSU Salina is inviting the next generation of aviators for an event, meant for inspiration and learning purposes.

The annual event,&nbsp;Girls in Aviation Day is set to occur Saturday, November 8 @&nbsp;9:00 am at KSU-Salina (2310 Centennial Road).

According to KSU Salina, this event is open to boys &amp; girls ages 6-18, where each attendee can explore the aviation profession through&nbsp;hands-on activities, interactive demonstrations, aircraft tours, flight simulators and the chance to meet professional aviators from across the industry.

Registration is required and click <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/girls-in-aviation-day-salina-ks-tickets-1854811905339?aff=oddtdtcreator&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawN4ZqNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFGbnR4eWRkaFQ2RkxlVGVIc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHp9_Er-zGndMC2acs0TA5_QImnuQ2ysPDjfSkxhGRnu_FigILca6bmWh1Z_L_aem_drfgzoNPVnhOkkcnLkimXA">here</a> to reserve your spot.

KSU Salina inviting next generation of aviators to learn and experience the flight profession in event

TOPEKA — The former CEO and founder of the Beneficient investment firm that was granted a unique bank charter on orders of the Kansas Legislature was arrested and jailed Tuesday following indictment for an alleged scheme to loot more than $150 million from a company forced into bankruptcy.

Brad Heppner, who was taken into custody at his home by the Irving Police Department in Texas, was indicted in federal court in New York on counts of securities fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, making false statements to auditors, and falsification of records. Prosecutors say he misled investors and auditors, and they said he obstructed an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

He has for years been at the center of a flurry of civil lawsuits alleging financial misconduct. The criminal case was worked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with the SEC.

“Heppner abused his role as a public company executive to loot the company and to funnel money into his own pockets,” said Jay Clayton, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. “When executives like Heppner lie and cheat to enrich themselves at the expense of everyday investors, they corrupt the integrity of our public markets.”

Interest in Heppner’s business activities has been relevant to Kansans because Beneficient, the company he founded, has held a Kansas banking license since 2021.

Heppner was accused in the indictment, unsealed Tuesday, of misappropriating at least $150 million from the publicly traded, now-bankrupt GWG Holdings through a series of self-serving transactions tied to Beneficient and Highland Consolidated Limited Partnership. He was simultaneously chairman of GWG and Beneficient, and secretly controlled HCLP, according to the indictment.

“Though Heppner repeatedly described HCLP as an independent entity, it was, in fact, a shell company controlled by Heppner and operated for his benefit,” the indictment said. “Once Heppner exhausted his ability to siphon GWG’s assets for himself, he separated himself from GWG. GWG filed for bankruptcy shortly thereafter, causing losses exceeding $1 billion to thousands of investors and bondholders.”

Financial damage resulting from the catastrophe at GWG primarily fell on retail investors, “many of them retirees,” the indictment says.

The indictment says Heppner used the money for personal expenses, including $40 million for renovation of a Dallas mansion and a ranch in Montalba, Texas. He allegedly spent $10 million on upkeep, expansion and IT services on those properties as well as $10 million to cover credit card debt and private aviation expenditures. He purportedly used $20 million to pay tax expenses and bought jewelry valued at more than $500,000.

The indictment seeks to force Heppner to surrender ill-gotten cash as well as the properties in Dallas and Montalba.

Heppner, 59, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on the fraud, false statement and false record counts. The conspiracy count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

In June, Heppner resigned from Dallas-headquartered Beneficient rather than cooperate with an audit committee looking into financial irregularities. In 2021, Heppner left GWG and structurally separated Beneficient from GWG. GWG filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2022.

Dan Callahan, a spokesperson representing Beneficient, issued a company statement in wake of the indictment: “Beneficient parted ways with Mr. Heppner earlier this year, immediately after learning facts related to his alleged fraud on the company and others. Beneficient will continue to pursue its own claims against Mr. Heppner on behalf of its shareholders. Beneficient has and continues to cooperate with the government’s investigation of Mr. Heppner.”

Heppner was the face of Beneficient before and after it landed a Kansas banking charter for a Beneficient subsidiary. Legislation that guaranteed Beneficient received the charter was championed by Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican now in the midst of a campaign for governor. Masterson made the motion in support of the charter during a 2021 interim legislative committee hearing. The legislation was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

While lobbying Kansas legislators in pursuit of a bank charter, Heppner allegedly continued with the covert effort to hide the funneling of $150 million from GWG to Beneficient and to HCLP.

Beneficient made financial contributions to the campaigns of Republicans and Democrats in Kansas. It’s unclear whether those donations were made with cash Heppner allegedly transferred from GWG.

David Herndon, the Kansas state banking commissioner, opposed the charter for Beneficient and repeatedly urged the Legislature to repeal the law allowing Beneficient to anchor its asset-swap business to Kansas.

The business linked to the state charter was designed to allow Beneficient to work with investors to cash out or trade for stock their illiquid assets, including venture capital and private equity. To entice Kansas to deliver the charter, Beneficient agreed to funnel money into a Kansas foundation that was to help revitalize Hesston and support economic development in other rural communities. Heppner grew up in Kansas.

Former Beneficient CEO who acquired unique Kansas bank charter indicted on fraud charges

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;Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity

REQUESTED CHARGE: Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Uebelher, Christopher Joseph

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

Saline County Jail Bookings, November 5

HAYS - The Kansas Highway Patrol&nbsp;(KHP)&nbsp;held a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 22 commemorating the recent completion of a&nbsp;KHP&nbsp;aircraft hangar facility at the Hays Regional Airport.

This 6,800 square foot hangar facility was completed in May 2025 and includes hangar space, offices for the trooper pilots, and a conference room for training and flight planning. This project was a collaborative effort between the City of Hays and&nbsp;KHP, where the city managed construction and&nbsp;KHP&nbsp;assumed ownership of the facility at a cost of $1.7 million. The hangar will house multiple law enforcement aircraft and serve as a staging location for joint agency air support operations within the region. Hays is a strategic location for&nbsp;KHP’s&nbsp;Air Support Unit. In conjunction with aircraft bases in Wichita and Topeka, the Hays base affords statewide coverage.

“We would like to extend our appreciation to those who committed so much of their time and talent to making this partnership a reality,” said Colonel Erik Smith,&nbsp;KHP&nbsp;Superintendent. “The project is a model for interagency and intergovernmental cooperation.”

“Regional airports such as Hays provide vital and critical resources to local communities that reach far beyond air travel, especially when assisting with emergency response. These efforts often go unnoticed,” said Jamie Salter, Hays Regional Airport Director. “The collaborative nature of this project highlights the importance of partnership between governmental agencies to best service our communities.”

“The capabilities that&nbsp;KHP&nbsp;provides to local law enforcement is critical to rural communities like Hays,” said State Representative Ken Rahjes (Agra, Kansas). “We are grateful for the service of State Troopers in Western Kansas.”

KHP&nbsp;is the only entity in Kansas operating tactical law enforcement aircraft, providing vital support to local public safety agencies. The agency acquired its first aircraft in 1961 to patrol state highways and first established an aircraft base in Hays in 1979. In 2024,&nbsp;KHP&nbsp;flight crews in Hays were requested to assist local law enforcement agencies with numerous missions, including 17 manhunts, 23 vehicle pursuits, 19 searches for missing or endangered people, and three hazardous weather events involving endangered motorists.

KHP celebrates completion of aircraft hangar facility at Hays airport

<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, November 5 - November 7

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="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@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;&nbsp;<a href="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

Precincts Reporting 27 of 27

Precincts Reporting 34 of 34

Precincts Reporting 1 of 1&nbsp;

Precincts Reporting 10 of 10

Unexpired Term Position #2 USD 307 &amp;#5

Unofficial results for 2025 Saline County election

A two-vehicle crash results in a Salina woman being hospitalized.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) a 2014 Honda Accord driven by Tashayla Francois (30) of Salina, was at the stop sign of the I-135 Southbound ramp and Schilling Road. A 2014 Buick Encore operated by Susana Torres (33) of Salina, was heading westbound on Schilling.

Reportedly, Francois pulled out from the stop sign and struck Torres.

After the crash, Francois was medically transported to Salina Regional Health Center for a suspected minor injury she sustained.

Torres was not hospitalized and there were no reports of any injuries she suffered.

There were no reports of any passengers that were in the vehicles.

Two-vehicle crash results in Salina woman hospitalized

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with law enforcement agencies nationwide safely disposed and&nbsp;removed 571,054 pounds of unneeded/expired medications at 4,317 collection sites on October 25th, during the 29th&nbsp;National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.&nbsp;

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/39c35fdf-5857-4dae-acfc-6666c2824fc7">The Saline County Sheriff's Office</a> participated in the national event by collecting and safely disposing of tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs that are unneeded, unwanted or expired at various locations in Salina.

“Take Back Day not only provides community members with a safe place to dispose of unneeded prescription medications, but it also serves as a conversation starter for families,” DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis said. “We encourage you to use this opportunity to open dialogue with your friends and family about the consequences that can come from prescription misuse and abuse.”

Since its inception in 2010, more than 20 million pounds of medication have been collected at DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The removal of these medications from homes nationwide helps prevent prescription drug misuse and reduces the potential for accidental overdoses and poisonings.&nbsp;

For those unable to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are nearly 16,500 pharmacies, hospitals and businesses, in addition to numerous police departments, that offer safe medication disposal year-round. For information on permanent drop-off locations, please visit DEA’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.dea.gov/everyday-takeback-day">Every Day is Take Back Day</a>&nbsp;website.

Complete results for DEA’s fall National Prescription Drug Take Back Day are available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.dea.gov/TakeBackDay">www.dea.gov/TakeBackDay</a>.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day results in over 500,000 pounds of unneeded medications safely disposed

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 3 - November 5

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 31 - November 2

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 29 - October 31

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 27 - October 29

Four day weather forecast Salina, October 24 - October 27

The US National Weather Service has announced events of showers and thunderstorms are expected to return this weekend in Salina and throughout Central Kansas.

Accordingly, showers and thunderstorms will overspread the area starting Thursday night, with the greatest coverage in southern Kansas. Temperatures will drop into the upper 40s and 50s throughout the area.

Forecast depicts that showers and thunderstorms are likely to occur throughout the span of this weekend, and into Monday, October 27.

Showers and thunderstorms expected to return to Salina this weekend

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 22 - October 24

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 20 - October 22

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 17 - October 19

CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been arrested for allegedly making a threat to kill President Donald J. Trump.

Trent Schneider, 57, of&nbsp;Winthrop Harbor, Ill., is charged with making a threat in interstate commerce to injure a person, according to the United State's Attorney. Schneider was arrested Tuesday morning and made an initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey T. Gilbert in Chicago.&nbsp; Schneider was ordered to remain detained in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Nov. 6, 2025.

According to a criminal complaint unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Chicago, Schneider&nbsp;posted a video of himself&nbsp;on Oct. 16, 2025,&nbsp;on Instagram in which he stated, “I’m going to get some guns.&nbsp; I know where I can get a lot of [expletive] guns and I am going to take care of business myself.&nbsp; I’m tired of all you [expletive] frauds.&nbsp; People need to [expletive] die and people are going to die.&nbsp; [Expletive] all of you, especially you Trump.&nbsp; You should be executed.”&nbsp; The video also included a caption that stated, in part: “THIS IS&nbsp;NOT A THREAT!!!&nbsp;AFTER LOSING EVERYTHING and My House Auction date&nbsp;is 11.04.2025 @realDonaldTrump SHOULD BE EXECUTED!!!”

According to the complaint, a concerned citizen in Florida viewed the video and reported it to law enforcement.

The complaint and arrest were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and&nbsp;Dai Tran, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Chicago Field Office.&nbsp; Valuable assistance was provided by the Lake County, Ill. Sheriff’s Office and the Winthrop Harbor, Ill. Police Department.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt.&nbsp; The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.&nbsp; The charge in the complaint&nbsp;is punishable by a&nbsp;maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.&nbsp; If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.&nbsp;

Read the online threat against President Trump that landed man in jail

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect wanted in Buchanan County on drug allegations after a traffic stop.

Just before midnight on Tuesday night an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 1500 block South 7th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The driver of the vehicle, 43-year-old&nbsp; Thomas Nance, was taken into custody on a Buchanan County Missouri warrant for failure to appear in court. 

During the arrest he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the County Jail and is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;failure to appear in court, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kan. man wanted for skipping court caught with meth

KANSAS CITY —A second person has died from injuries that occurred just before 1:30a.m. October 19, in Kansas City Missouri.

A gray Chevrolet Malibu was southbound on Paseo at a very high rate of speed, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. At 16th and Paseo, the car went into a broad slide, continued over the curb through the grass and struck a large tree.

EMS transported the unrestrained driver to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital staff.

The front seat passenger and left rear seat passenger were both transported to local hospitals with critical injuries. 

On Tuesday authorities were notified by the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office that the front seat passenger had been pronounced deceased by hospital staff on Oct. 19,&nbsp; at 3:31 a.m.&nbsp;

The right rear seat passenger was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. . The left rear seat passenger was reported in serious condition and the right rear seat passenger was in stable condition.&nbsp; Police did not release names of those involved.

This is fatality #56 compared to #80 at this time last year.

KCPD: 2nd person die after violent crash into a tree

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/matthew-daly">MATTHEW DALY</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/josh-funk">JOSH FUNK</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rio-yamat">RIO YAMAT</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/federal-aviation-administration">The Federal Aviation Administration</a>&nbsp;announced Wednesday that it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets beginning Friday morning to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown.

The reduction stands to impact thousands of flights nationwide.

The FAA is confronting staffing shortages among air traffic controllers who have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1, with some calling out of work, resulting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-air-traffic-controllers-duffy-delays-9afedfa9e5000510c77465808404c830">in delays across the country</a>.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency would not for a crisis to act, citing growing staffing pressures caused by the shutdown.

Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said they will meet later Wednesday with airline executives to determine how to safely implement the reduction in flights.

“The early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating,” Bedford said.

Both Bedford and Duffy declined at a news conference Wednesday to name the affected markets until they speak with the airlines first. Bedford said a list would be released Thursday.

“If the pressures continue to build even after we take these measures," he said, "we’ll come back and take additional measures.”

There have already been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-delays-cancellations-government-shutdown-5034216cb5bb41bd40e27bb7861b2dd3">numerous delays</a>&nbsp;at airports across the country — sometimes hours long — because the FAA slows down or stops traffic temporarily anytime it is short on controllers. Last weekend saw some of the worst staffing shortages, and on Sunday, flights at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were delayed for several hours.

Major airlines, aviation unions and the wider travel industry have been urging Congress to end the shutdown.

Aviation analytics firm Cirium says flight data showed a “broader slowdown” last Thursday across the nation’s aviation system for the first time since the shutdown began, suggesting staffing-related disruptions were starting to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-delays-cancellations-government-shutdown-5034216cb5bb41bd40e27bb7861b2dd3">become more widespread</a>. That came days after controllers missed their first full paychecks.

Earlier this week, Duffy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-air-traffic-controllers-duffy-delays-9afedfa9e5000510c77465808404c830">warned</a>&nbsp;there could be chaos in the skies next week if the shutdown drags on long enough to keep air traffic controllers from getting their next paychecks on Tuesday.

🎥Government shutdown: FAA reducing air traffic in ‘high-volume’ markets

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach today announced his office filed election fraud charges against Jose Ceballos, the mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, according to a statement form Kobach's office. Ceballos last night was re-elected.

&nbsp;“In Kansas, it is against the law to vote if you are not a U.S. citizen. We allege that Mr. Ceballos did it multiple times,” Kobach said.

&nbsp;Officials from the attorney general’s office filed the charges in Comanche County. Ceballos faces three counts of voting without being qualified and three counts of election perjury. The charges are nonperson felonies, and Ceballos could face more than 5 years in prison.

<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/24666/638979462743160827" target="_blank">Click here to read the complaint&nbsp;</a>

The Coldwater City Council were called in for a Special Meeting by Mayor Joe Ceballos at 12:40p.m. Wednesday to discuss the charges filed by the Kansas Attorney Generals Office.

"At this time, our focus remains on ensuring that city operations continue to run smoothly and that the needs of our community are met. While the recent allegations involving the mayor are understandably concerning, we will allow the proper legal process to take its course before making any further comments. It’s important that we respect both due process and the integrity of our local government,"&nbsp; wrote Britt Lenertz, President Coldwater City Council on the city's social media page/

&nbsp;“I’ve worked with Attorney General Kobach for years on proof of citizenship as a useful tool to root out election crimes. During my time as House Elections Chair, then Secretary Kobach and I fought to pass a proof of citizenship requirement. Instead, we’re left relying on individuals’ word when it comes to verifying citizenship,” Schwab said. “I’m grateful that President Trump implemented the SAVE program to help states and to prevent situations like this.”

&nbsp;When he was Secretary of State, Kobach led the charge to stop noncitizens from voting illegally in Kansas elections. A federal court struck down the Kansas proof-of-citizenship law in 2018. Eight states, including Kansas, have passed laws requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in at least some cases, but the laws have only been implemented in four of those states, including Arizona, New Hampshire, Ohio and Wyoming.

&nbsp;“Voting by noncitizens, including both legal and illegal aliens, is a very real problem. It happens. Every time a noncitizen votes, it effectively cancels out a U.S. citizen’s vote.” Kobach said.

&nbsp;State law generally requires that candidates for elected city office must be a qualified elector, or eligible to vote, and be a resident of the city. However, cities have home rule power. It will be up to the city attorney to decide whether Ceballos is eligible to continue in his role as mayor.

&nbsp;Special Agent Nate Humble and Special Agent in Charge Matt Simpson are investigating the Ceballos case. First Assistant Attorney General Stacy Edwards is prosecuting.

🎥Mayor in Kan. charged with election fraud after his re-election

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/josh-boak">JOSH BOAK</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/will-weissert">WILL WEISSERT</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;got a serious&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-new-jersey-trump-election-democrat-republican-fad109893cfd4be5b49a5bb1b0138d8d">warning from voters</a>&nbsp;that he’s out of touch with their fears about a deteriorating U.S. economy.

Democrats cruised in key races across the country on Tuesday by harnessing some of the same populist fervor that helped get Trump reelected a year ago — but also by focusing on the kitchen table issues the Republican had vowed to fix. Now, as the incumbent, fears about the economy have made Trump the face of much of the public’s discontent.

“We learned a lot.” Trump acknowledged on Wednesday. He later posted online that, “Affordability is our goal.”

That followed voters in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-first-female-governor-earlesears-spanberger-01f9854a94fdab6e5719096664ee9be1">Virginia</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mikie-sherrill-jack-ciattarelli-new-jersey-governor-44af948914dd2c6fbe7bb0687c54f99d">New Jersey</a>&nbsp;governor races, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mamdani-new-york-city-86c90b81acdb062de35fd93958fdd4a8">New York City mayoral contest</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-redistricting-prop-50-gavin-newsom-839193bfc2a817086acca7365315f26f">California ballot proposition</a>&nbsp;all citing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-issues-exit-poll-election-2025-ccd2cab49e6f7d6b310173d70ce570f8">economic concerns</a>&nbsp;as the top issue. Democrats swept those elections, and it was difficult to point to any major race, anywhere, where Republicans had a key victory.

The reversal of fortune from a year ago was stark.

Back then, voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">returned Trump to the White House</a>&nbsp;on the promise that he could quickly bring down inflation, jump-start factory hiring and shower the country in newfound wealth from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tariffs">steep tariffs</a>&nbsp;he imposed on U.S. allies the world over.

Instead, voters now are expressing concerns that high prices for groceries, electricity bills and housing are draining their bank accounts. Trump has been defiant in insisting that he’s strengthened the economy, so — his early reactions aside — it’s not clear he’ll internalize the need to take on the same inflationary challenges that became a drag for his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden.

The elections were largely in areas that have recently favored Democrats, so there are limits to interpreting what the results could mean for next year’s broader midterm races. But the size of Democratic margins indicated the degree of frustration with economic conditions under Trump.

There are few signs that the public is putting much confidence in Trump’s claims about an American “golden age,” nor his assertion that inflation has been tamped down into submission. Recently pressed on Americans still worried about high grocery prices, Trump pointed to the stock market.

“Look, 401(k)s. People have 401(k)s,” the president said in an interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes” that was broadcast on Sunday. Trump said grocery prices are falling, but the most recent inflation report shows they’re up 2.7% from a year ago.

Overall consumer prices have risen 3% over the past 12 months, which is higher than the rate going into Trump’s 2024 election win. The Federal Reserve targets inflation at 2%.

‘I don’t think it was good for Republicans’

While&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/investors-401k-what-to-do-bb0663da4643e8c3dbe08a4092482aa5">the stock market is surging</a>&nbsp;and life looks good for tech executives with artificial intelligence investments, hiring slowed sharply this summer in the wake of Trump rolling out his tariffs.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-issues-exit-poll-election-2025-ccd2cab49e6f7d6b310173d70ce570f8">AP Voter Poll</a>&nbsp;showed that anxiety about the economy helped the Democrats on Tuesday.

Roughly half of Virginia voters said “the economy” was the top issue, and about 6 in 10 of these voters picked Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-first-female-governor-earlesears-spanberger-01f9854a94fdab6e5719096664ee9be1">Abigail Spanberger</a>&nbsp;for governor, powering her to a decisive win.

In New Jersey, Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mikie-sherrill-jack-ciattarelli-new-jersey-governor-44af948914dd2c6fbe7bb0687c54f99d">Mikie Sherrill</a>&nbsp;won about two-thirds of voters who called “the economy” the top issue facing the state. Republican Jack Ciattarelli secured about 6 in 10 New Jersey voters who said the top issue was “taxes.”

More than half of New York City voters said the cost of living was the top issue facing the city, and Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mamdani-cuomo-sliwa-nyc-mayor-af8b9790e7cb4e023d0984a0207cbcca">Zohran Mamdani</a>&nbsp;won about two-thirds of this group.

Slightly fewer than half of California voters said “the economy” was the top issue facing the state, and roughly two-thirds of those voters backed Prop 50. The measure’s approval allows Democrats to redraw congressional maps more favorable to their party in the nation’s largest state and keep up with Republicans who have moved to add potential new red House seats in Texas and elsewhere.

In the run-up to Tuesday’s elections, Trump focused his messaging on mass deportations of immigrants in the country illegally and a push to reduce crime by deploying National Guard troops to cities with Democratic leadership. But the AP Voter Poll found that few of those casting their ballots considered crime or immigration a top priority.

Trump did not actively campaign for his party ahead of Election Day 2025. With votes still being counted, he was already ducking blame, posting that he “WASN’T ON THE BALLOT.”

The morning after, while hosting Senate Republicans at the White House, Trump was more reflective. “Last night, it was not expected to be a victory,” he said.

“I don’t think it was good for Republicans,” Trump said. “I’m not sure it was good for anybody, but we had an interesting evening, and we learned a lot.”

Later, while traveling to Florida, to lay out what he deems to be his economic successes for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-florida-731bf48a2f3e95cd76fdf9534701bb50">an audience of business leaders and athletes</a>, the president posted another message in which he seemed to reacting to the election’s results.

While insisting “Our Economy is BOOMING” he added, “Affordability is our goal.”

Then, speaking to business leaders in Miami, Trump said, “We have the greatest economy right now. A lot of people don’t see that.”

He suggested his supporters simply needed to talk more about favorable economic statistics and voters would see the economy as improving. That strategy is similar to what the Biden administration deployed without ever turning around public sentiment.

“It’s really easy to win elections when you talk about the facts,” Trump said.

Instead of offering new ideas, however, Trump hit the familiar themes of combating crime, opposing transgender rights and imposing tough immigration policies in his Miami speech. He even added, “We lost a little bit of sovereignty last night in New York” because of Mamdani’s victory.

Reprising his political greatest hits despite Tuesday’s results wasn’t consistent with what Vice President JD Vance suggested might be coming post-election. “We’re going to keep on working to make a decent life affordable in this country, and that’s the metric by which we’ll ultimately be judged in 2026 and beyond,” Vance posted on X.

Offering similar — and so far largely unheeded — advice to his own party was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vivek-ramaswamy">Vivek Ramaswamy</a>, a former Republican presidential candidate and Trump ally now running for Ohio governor in 2026.

“Our side needs to focus on affordability,” Ramaswamy said in a video posted online. “Make the American dream affordable. Bring down costs, electric costs, grocery costs, health care costs and housing costs. And lay out how we’re going to do it.”

What President Trump said about the election results

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/tom-murphy">TOM MURPHY</a>

The fall COVID-19 vaccine season is starting slowly for Pfizer, with U.S. sales of its Comirnaty shots sinking 25% after federal regulators narrowed recommendations on who should get them.

Approval of updated shots also came several weeks later than usual, and Pfizer said Tuesday that hurt sales as well.

Many Americans get vaccinations in the fall, to protect against any disease surges in the coming winter. Experts say interest in COVID-19 shots has been declining, and that trend could pick up this fall due to anti-vaccine sentiment and confusion about whether the shots are necessary.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-vaccines-covid19-shots-b0183766e56b5d0e948904172193c891">stopped recommending</a>&nbsp;COVID-19 shots for anyone, instead leaving the choice up to patients. The government agency said it was adopting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-advisers-vaccines-hepatitis-b-covid19-a1fb61ef7e29d93d2828618d890cceb3">recommendations made</a>&nbsp;by advisers picked by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Before this year, U.S. health officials — following the advice of infectious disease experts — recommended annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. The idea was to update protection as the coronavirus evolves.

But that sentiment started to shift earlier this year when Kennedy,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-senate-cdc-3a5a090fc9d9f547377203fe5c61ffa2">who has questioned the safety of COVID-19 vaccines</a>, said they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-pregnant-women-children-70c358cad726e57d680234c3ecdec926">were no longer recommended</a>&nbsp;for healthy children and pregnant women.

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