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

Stan Razak remembers Gerald Lilly as one of the first people he knew as a young boy.

"I knew Gerald quite well; he knew me longer than I knew him," Razak said. "My dad started school (at Kansas Wesleyan) in 1952, and we lived out in Mentor where all the Lillys lived so I've really known Gerald my whole life."

Their relationship deepened through their association as devoted fans and longtime contributors to the university. Lilly was a fixture at all things KWU as was Razak until his sons then grandsons started competing in middle and high school athletics. Even then he remained a frequent face in the stands, press box and at the scorer's table.

Lilly passed away in 2016 after 68 years as an ardent Coyote supporter. In recognition of his devotion KWU established the Gerald Lilly Award. Fittingly, Razak and his wife Kathy are the 2025 recipients.

The Razaks met while attending Wesleyan in the early 1970s. Stan played basketball, tennis and competed in track while Kathy earned a degree in English education.

"It really touches my heart because I've known Gerald for so long and we lived in 'Lillyville,'" Stan said of his time in Mentor with the Lillys. "One of his brothers lived right in our backyard, the other brother lived nearby so we've known the Lilly family forever.

"It's a big, big honor to get this. It feels like you've accomplished something even though I've just been doing what I enjoy doing - going to ballgames."

"It's an honor because the Lilly family has always been important," said Kathy who works with the KWU Auxiliary. "Gerald was a good friend of Stan's and so that's what makes it special."

Stan said he cannot remember when he became a Coyote fan.

"Supposedly, I went to my first basketball game down in Memorial Hall when I was less than three weeks old so basically, I've been a Coyote my entire life," he said.

After graduating from KWU in 1973 Stan went to work for the Solomon school district and taught sixth grade for more than 30 years. He was a longtime assistant varsity basketball coach at Solomon High School and resides in Solomon.

"My favorite coach to be," he said of his coaching role. "I didn't have to do the paperwork; I didn't have to make schedules; I didn't have to schedule the bus. I just showed up and I enjoyed that very much."

Razak kept the scorebook, ran the time clock and scoreboard and was the announcer for Solomon High basketball games after he left coaching and before retiring from teaching. He performs some of the same duties today at KWU.

"You have the best seat in the house," he said. "You're inside, you don't have to worry about the rain, and they feed you so it's always enjoyable ... except for basketball.

"Everybody thinks that sitting at that scorer's table is the best seat in the house but it's really not because you're so close to the action that you've got the officials in front of you, the coaches in front of you. We're constantly saying, 'who did that, could you see it?'"

Kathy, who hails from Tescott, coordinates the Auxiliary's popular survival kits given to students near the end of the fall semester as they prepare for and take their final exams.

She taught at Ellsworth and Abilene Middle Schools, worked for School Specialty, the district court in Abilene and spent 19 years with the USD Natural Resources Conservation Service before retiring in 2011.

"Wesleyan was an important part of my life because I met Stan, but I've also got some lifelong friends that you just can't beat," she said. "I think this small school and living in the dormitory and all that was what made it special."

Stan says KWU athletics has vastly improved through the years.

"I think it's just gotten better and better as far as the coaches," he said. "The athletes, of course, are much better than they were when I played here - I was a 6-foot big man - and the facilities have gotten a lot better.

"When I played basketball, we didn't even have a gym. We played our games at Sacred Heart (High School), and we practiced out at Schilling (Air Force Base). We just hoped we got back to the cafeteria in time before it closed so we could get supper."

Not surprisingly basketball is his favorite sport but "I enjoy any of them."

Much the same as Lilly who was in attendance regardless of which team was competing. And his fandom went well beyond KWU.

"It was Wesleyan and the surrounding high schools," Razak said. "It wasn't just Wesleyan, and it wasn't just (Salina) Central or (Salina) South, it was anybody. That was his life.

Razaks thrilled to received award named in honor of longtime friend Gerald Lilly

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —On Tuesday, the Ellsworth County Sheriff reported his office continues investigating a shooting that sent a central Kansas teen to the hospital last month.

Just before 10p.m. on&nbsp;September 28, the Ellsworth County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call stating a shot had been fired and a man was down on the ground at 1341 Avenue F, according to Sheriff&nbsp;Kenny M. Bernard.

Responding officers arrived and found 18-year-old Holden Slaight lying on the floor in the kitchen area suffering from what appeared to be a non-self-inflicted single gunshot wound to the upper area of his right leg. 

EMS treated and transported Holden to Ellsworth County Medical Center where he was then air-lifted to Wichita.

Sheriff IDs central Kansas teen air lifted to hospital after shooting

To tell you a bit about myself, I come from a family of teachers as my grandma and mom both taught in the one room schoolhouse. I have a bachelors and masters in education and have taught in the public school system for 15 years as well as have substituted in our district before retiring. My two sons married&nbsp;teachers and I have ten beautiful grandchildren.

Having&nbsp;been a teacher most of my life, I know that education is very important for the building of a society and a nation as well as providing the students with the skills to learn and lead a productive life. With the district, parents and community working together, we can help educate our children to be all they can be and to help them find their gifts and talents.

&nbsp;As we come alongside our students, they can be given the tools they need to be able to read, do math, discover science, communicate with others, love their country and give them the opportunity to be the best they can be. I've seen that it takes a team effort and vision to keep improving and reaching goals in our education system here in Salina.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This past term I have encouraged people to become volunteers or foster grandparents in our schools.&nbsp; Community involvement can&nbsp;make a huge difference in a child's life. Knowing, caring, listening and responding can help a child's self image and encourage them to keep trying.&nbsp;

Also since there is a lack of funding for the Special Ed program, I have talked to legislators and others about fully financing this program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

I am running for re-election as I believe&nbsp;in the vision and mission of our district. Having been an educator in the public schools, I believe my experience as a teacher helps bring insight to the board to help make decisions and to see our district through an educator's eyes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Meet USD 305 School Board Candidate: Bonnie Schamberger

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

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.

The shutdown has disrupted routine operations at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-2025-travel-impacts-22cde31b6c9567b3c46c5aedeb872373">some airports, leading to flight delays</a>. Democrats say any deal to reopen the government has to address their health care demands, and Republicans say they won’t negotiate until they agree to fund the government. Some medical insurance premiums would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire Dec. 31.

In the video, Noem says the TSA’s “top priority” is to help make travel pleasant and efficient while keeping passengers safe.

“However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” she continues.

The TSA falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Roughly 61,000 of the agency’s 64,130 employees are required to continue working during the shutdown.

A spokesperson for DHS responded to a request for comment restating some of the message from Noem’s video.

“It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship. Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government,” spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said.

DHS said Friday that the video is being rolled out to airports across the country.

In Columbus, Ohio, the video was not being aired at John Glenn International Airport as of Tuesday. Spokesperson Breann Almos said it is under legal review but did not provide a timeline.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, said it would not air the videos, citing rules against “politically partisan messages.”

Near the border with Canada, travelers won’t see the video at Buffalo Niagara International Airport or Niagara Falls International Airport. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said its “long-standing” policy and regulations prohibit “partisan messaging” in its facilities.

The Chicago Department of Aviation said advertising and public service announcements must follow guidelines that “prohibit content that endorses or opposes any named political party.” In Florida, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport said it has a policy that doesn’t allow political messaging to be displayed in its facility. Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas said it had to “remain mindful of the Hatch Act’s restrictions.”

“Per airport regulations, the terminals and surrounding areas are not designated public forums, and the airport’s intent is to avoid the use of the facility for political or religious advocacy,” the airport’s statement said.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said the county north of New York City won’t play the video at its local airport. In a statement, he called the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials,” and said its tone is “unnecessarily alarmist” as it relates to operations at Westchester County Airport.

“At a time when we should be focused on ensuring stability, collaboration and preparedness, this type of messaging only distracts from the real issues, and undermines public trust,” he said.

Even in red states, airports weren’t showing the video for various reasons. Salt Lake City International Airport wasn’t playing it because state law prohibits using city-owned property for political purposes, said airport spokesperson Nancy Volmer.

The airport in Billings, Montana, “politely declined” even though it has screens that could show the video with audio, assistant aviation director Paul Khera said Tuesday.

“We don’t want to get in the middle of partisan politics,” Khera said. “We like to stay middle of the road, we didn’t want to play that video.” ___

Yamat reported from Las Vegas. Associated Press writers Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colorado; Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio; and Claire Rush in Portland contributed to this report.

🎥 The controversial video some airports in the region refuse to play

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Prosecutors have charged a suspect in connection with a murder in March.

On October 6, U.S. Marshals apprehended the 21-year-old Rene Najera of Kansas City, Kansas for homicide that occurred on March 26 in the 1600 block of Ridge Avenue, according to a statement released Tuesday from Kansas City, Kansas Police.

The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office has charged him with felony first-degree murder,&nbsp; aggravated battery and aggravated assault in the shooting death of 19-year-old Anderson Murcia-Cartagena

Najera is being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

After 7-months, U.S. Marshals catch Kansas man wanted for murder

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Trump won't rule out a U.S. strike on Venezuelan soil.

The president said of U.S. strikes against boats off of Venezuela, “We are certainly looking at land now.”

A series of recent U.S. strikes have sunk vessels the White House says were carrying drugs from Venezuela. Asked if such attacks may eventually target mainland Venezuela, Trump said, “I don’t want to tell you, exactly.”

But he suggested that land attacks were an option “because we’ve got the sea well under control.”

The president also said he’d authorized the CIA to operate in Venezuela.

Asked if the agency could “take out” Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump was noncommittal, saying it was “a ridiculous question” for him to answer.

🎥Trump won’t rule out US strikes on Venezuelan soil

WASHINGTON (AP) — The ongoing government shutdown is delaying the announcement of the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-social-security-administration">Social Security</a>&nbsp;cost-of-living adjustment for tens of millions of beneficiaries.

Originally scheduled for Wednesday, the 2024 Social Security COLA announcement will now be Oct. 24. It is timed to the September Consumer Price Index, which also has not yet been released.

The agency adjusts its benefits every year based on inflation. The postponement of the announcement is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-effects-economy-c67b521f7d74d597313feaefd8ccf420">most recent example</a>&nbsp;of how the government shutdown, entering its third week and with little progress made toward a resolution, has made it more difficult for people to plan out their finances.

Projections by Senior Citizens League and the AARP&nbsp;<a href="https://seniorsleague.org/tscl-cola-projection-8-25-2/" target="_blank">anticipate a COLA</a>&nbsp;increase of roughly 2.7%. About&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/chartbooks/fast_facts/2023/fast_facts23.html" target="_blank">70.6 million</a>&nbsp;people, including retirees, disabled people and children, get Social Security benefits.

Social Security Administration beneficiaries have voiced concerns that next year’s increase will not be enough to counter rising costs.

Sue Conard, a 75-year-old retired nurse from La Crosse, Wisconsin, and SSA recipient, recently traveled to the U.S. Capitol with other retiree members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union to lobby for meaningful progress towards gaining health care protections to end the shutdown, as well as changes to Social Security benefits.

She said she wants lawmakers to change the calculation on how the COLA is determined since the standard CPI gauge, which includes a market basket of consumer goods and services, doesn’t take into account many costs typical for older Americans.

“The issue of how the COLA is determined is flat-out wrong because health care is not factored into the CPI,” said Conard, speaking on the front steps of the Longworth House Office Building.

Some lawmakers have proposed legislation that would make SSA use a different index, called the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), to calculate the cost-of-living increase that measures price changes based on the spending patterns of older people on things such as health care, food and medicine.

A collection of Democratic lawmakers has proposed legislation to change the CPI calculation for COLA benefits to the CPI-E. Last session, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., proposed a law that would change the COLA calculation, but that never got a hearing in the Senate Finance committee.

AARP CEO Myechia Minter-Jordan said the COLA “isn’t just a source of income — it’s a lifeline of independence and dignity, for tens of millions of older Americans.” But even with an adjusted COLA, a majority of Americans still face challenges covering basic expenses, she said.

Vanessa Fields, a 70-year-old former social worker and AFSCME member from Philadelphia, said she pays roughly $1,000 per month for groceries, more than in previous years. The COLA doesn’t keep up with rising costs, she said, “and we’re going to be in bad shape if lawmakers don’t act.”

The agency is expected to begin notifying recipients about their new benefit amount starting in early December. A spokesperson for Social Security who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the COLA said retirement and Supplemental Security Income benefits would be adjusted beginning Jan. 1, 2026, without any delay despite the current government lapse in appropriations.

The delayed COLA announcement comes as the national social insurance plan faces a severe financial shortfall in the coming years and as the agency has seen substantial workforce cuts.

The annual Social Security and Medicare trustees report&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-medicare-trust-fund-trump-74e13292f510739724a555d7ded7c1a3">released in June</a>&nbsp;said the program’s trust fund will be unable to pay full benefits beginning in 2034, instead of last year’s estimate of 2035. If the trust fund is depleted, the government will be able to pay only 81% of scheduled benefits, the report said.

Why your Social Security COLA announcement is delayed 

WASHINGTON– The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has obtained credible intelligence indicating that Mexican criminals, in coordination with domestic extremist groups have placed targeted bounties on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel, according to a statement from the agency.

These criminal networks have issued explicit instructions to U.S.-based sympathetics, including street gangs in Chicago, to monitor, harass, and assassinate federal agents. Specific details from ongoing investigations include:&nbsp;

In Portland and Chicago, Antifa groups have provided logistical support such as pre-staged protest supplies, doxxing of agent identities, and on-the-ground interference to shield cartel-linked individuals from deportation.&nbsp;

“These criminal networks are not just resisting the rule of law, they are waging an organized campaign of terror against the brave men and women who protect our borders and communities,”&nbsp;said Secretary Kristi Noem. “Our agents are facing ambushes, drone surveillance, and death threats, all because they dare to enforce the laws passed by Congress. We will not back down from these threats, and every criminal, terrorist, and illegal alien will face American justice.”

DHS will not be deterred by these threats and calls on sanctuary state and local leaders to cease policies that embolden criminals. The public is urged to report suspicious activities—such as rooftop surveillance or organized protests blocking federal operations—to the DHS Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or via the ICE website.&nbsp;

DHS: Mexican gangs offering bounties for ICE agent assassinations

Senate president disavows both activists, attorney general fires Hendrix

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>

TOPEKA — The chairman and vice chairman of the Kansas Young Republicans took part in encrypted chats with political peers that were laced with violent, racist and antisemitic rhetoric and blended with references to white supremacy and suppression of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

On Tuesday, the chairman of the Kansas Republican Party said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146" target="_blank">the Politico article</a>&nbsp;disclosing the commentary prompted immediate deactivation of the Kansas Young Republicans organization.

Politico, a digital news company specializing in coverage of U.S. politics, reported Kansas Young Republicans chair Alex Dwyer and vice chair William Hendrix took part in the Telegram group chat.

In 2,900 pages of chat text, Hendrix praised the Missouri Young Republicans because leaders in that state didn’t like LGBTQ+ people. He repeatedly used racial slurs to refer to Black people, including words such as “n–ga” and “n–guh.” In a July conversation in the thread about African-Americans, he said, “Bro is at a chicken restaurant ordering his food. Would he like some watermelon and Kool-Aid with that?”

He was fired from a communications job in the office of Attorney General Kris Kobach as Politico prepared its report on Hendrix’s role in the chat.

“The comments in the chat are inexcusable,” Kobach said. “As soon as the office learned of those messages, Will Hendrix’s employment was terminated.”

In the chat threads, Dwyer and others delved into discussions of how GOP operatives could tarnish a political candidate by linking the individual to white supremacists. The idea was dismissed, Politico said, because the plan could backfire in a place such as Kansas where “Young Republicans could end up becoming attracted to that opponent.” Subsequently, a person in the chat asked others to guess what room number they had a hotel.

Dwyer responded: “1488.” That figure is a form of shorthand among white supremacists when making reference to their beliefs. It refers to the 14 words of text in the slogan, “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” The “88” stands for “Heil Hitler,” with the H marking the eighth letter of the alphabet.

At another juncture, Dwyer touched on controversy involving release of government files on Epstein, the convicted sex offender. Republicans and Democrats in Congress have sought public release of files to either exonerate or incriminate President Donald Trump or other prominent individuals.

“Trumps too busy burning the Epstein files,” Dwyer wrote on Telegram.

Dwyer didn’t respond to a request for an interview. Hendrix, who ran unsuccessfully for Topeka City Council in 2021, couldn’t be reached for comment.

Before Politico’s disclosure of the Young Republicans’ commentary, Dwyer and Hendrix were photographed at a campaign event with Senate President Ty Masterson, the Andover Republican who is a 2026 candidate for governor. A social media post of the picture, taken at Masterson’s campaign announcement event, shows both of them holding signs touting Masterson’s campaign for governor.

The Masterson campaign released a statement after the Senate president landed in Washington, D.C., for meetings Wednesday with White House officials. In that statement, Masterson blamed political opponents for “shopping around a photo, with deceitful intentions, in efforts to disparage” him.

“I categorically deny any association with William Hendrix or Alex Dwyer, as neither is current, nor has ever been, on staff or volunteered for my campaign for governor,” Masterson said. “Anyone suggesting otherwise is either lying or misinformed.”

In addition, Masterson said, he was guided by deep Christian faith and possessed a record of condemning hateful and violent rhetoric.

“I am personally disgusted by the comments attributed to individuals in the article, as such behavior is utterly counter to Christ’s message that life is valuable and we are all equal in God’s eyes, and my unwavering commitment to these values has not changed,” the statement said.

A collection of Kansas Republicans and a Democratic candidate for governor denounced contents of this trove of Telegram messages logged under “RESTOREYR WAR ROOM,” or Restore Young Republicans.

The communications chronicled by Politico covered a period between January and August, and involved state Republican leaders in Kansas, Vermont, Arizona and New York. Included in the thousands of comments was this insight: “If we ever had a leak on this chat, we will be cooked.”

“The viewpoints expressed in this chat are not representative of Kansans. Period,” said former Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor. “Our state was founded on the belief that all of us are created equal under God — and anyone who mocks those principles dishonors the very spirit of Kansas.”

Vicki Schmidt, the state’s insurance commissioner and a Republican candidate for governor, said Dwyer and Hendrix should formally resign from their Young Republicans positions because “their actions are disgusting and disgraceful and they tarnish the reputation of Kansas nationally.”

Sen. Cindy Holscher, a Johnson County Democrat also running for governor, said she was disgusted by messages shared by Kansas GOP political operatives that promoted overt racism, extremism, antisemitism and sexual violence. She said the extremist language was encouraged from the top down by politicians who seek to divide voters rather than bring them together.

“Let’s be clear: These aren’t kids joking around,” Holscher said. “These are 20- and 30-something adults with leadership roles in the Republican Party. The chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, who participated in these messages, is nearly 30 years old. Unfortunately, this type of rhetoric is not isolated. For too long in Kansas, the Republican Party has been dominated by extremists who see no room for moderation or bipartisanship, let alone unity or mutual respect.”

Danedri Herbert, chair of the Kansas Republican Party, said the organization’s leadership was disgusted by comments by young Kansas Republicans contained in the Politico story. In March, Herbert was elected state party chair. She is Black.

“Their comments do not reflect the beliefs of Republicans and certainly not of Kansas Republicans at large,” she said. “Republicans believe that all people are created in the image of God.”

She said the state party platform stated: “We welcome Kansans of every ethnicity into our party as we work together to preserve our heritage of political equality, religious freedom and strong moral values. We strive to eliminate racism and we condemn all racist acts and groups.”

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