Kansas Wesleyan University will host “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy,” a traveling exhibition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, from February 7 – March 8 in KWU’s Student Activities Center.

The Kansas tour of “Declaration 1776” is presented by Humanities Kansas.&nbsp;

“Declaration 1776” uses primary sources to illustrate how Americans and people across the world have been inspired by the Declaration in their pursuit of equality and self-determination. The Kansas “Declaration 1776” traveling exhibition includes a section called “Kansas 1776,” which looks at what was happening on the land that would become the state of Kansas 250 years ago.&nbsp;

“‘Declaration 1776’ is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Kansas communities to participate in the national commemoration of America’s 250th right in their own hometowns,” said Julie Mulvihill, Humanities Kansas executive director. “We look forward to robust community conversations about America’s founding document and its impact on the world.”&nbsp;

KWU is one of 46 Kansas venues hosting “Declaration 1776” in 2026, and the only scheduled venue in Salina. The exhibit is open, free of charge, during standard times that the building is open.&nbsp;

“It’s a great opportunity for KWU, and for our community, to have this exhibit on campus,” said Dr. Tonia Compton, assistant professor of History and organizer of KWU’s participation. “We look forward to seeing not only members of the Coyote community, but students from around the region and others coming to campus to participate.”

The “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy” traveling exhibition is made possible in Kansas with support from the Kansas Arts Commission and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. For a full schedule of locations and dates, visit humanitieskansas.org.&nbsp;

For more information about “Declaration 1776” at Kansas Wesleyan, please contact Compton by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:tonia.compton@kwu.edu">tonia.compton@kwu.edu</a>.&nbsp;

KWU readying to host National Declaration of Independence exhibition

Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an elegant dinner at the Historic Seelye Mansion, offered on Friday, February 13, or&nbsp;Saturday, February 14. This special experience invites couples to enjoy a memorable evening inside &nbsp;Abilene’s most treasured historic home.

The evening begins at 6:00 pm with a champagne toast in the grand ballroom, followed by a plated dinner at 6:30 pm. The menu, catered by Lucinda Kohman, features baby spinach and strawberry salad, Parmesan chicken, stuffed flank steak, roasted baby potatoes, green beans almondine, a dinner roll, and chocolate sweetheart cake. Tables will be beautifully set with the mansion’s Haviland china.

Each table will include a long-stemmed rose and chocolate favors for guests to enjoy and take home. Seating is limited to 60 guests each evening, creating an intimate and welcoming dining experience. Proceeds from the event will support the continued preservation of the Historic Seelye Mansion.

Mary Jean Eisenhower, board member of the Historic Seelye Foundation, shared the significance of the evening. 

“The Seelye Mansion holds a special place in Abilene’s story, and this Valentine’s dinner is a wonderful way to experience its elegance while helping ensure its future for generations to come,” said Eisenhower. 

She also noted that her grandparents, Dwight D. Eisenhower&nbsp;and Mamie Eisenhower, were engaged on Valentine’s Day in 1916, adding another heartfelt connection to the celebration.

Tickets are $80 per person. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 785-263-1084.

Guests are encouraged to reserve early and enjoy a Valentine’s Day celebration that supports one of Abilene’s cherished landmarks.

Valentine’s Day dinner at the historic Seelye Mansion

Following is recent booking activity for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/Sheriff-Office/Online-search/Booking-Activities">Saline County Jail</a>, 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;Aggravated battery; Recklessly cause great bodily harm/disfigurement; Endangering a child; No Proof Of Insurance; Racing on Highways; Reckless Driving; No seat belt (18+)Speeding; maximum limits

*No image available for&nbsp;Davis,Joanna Lynn (54)*

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Domestic battery: Knowing/reckless bodily harm

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;No Proof Of Insurance; Operate a MV w/o a valid license; Unlawful acts: vehicle registration violation; Outside warrant/NCIC hit

*No image available for&nbsp;Garrett,David Lee (42)*

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Criminal damage to property; Felony; Driving While Suspended; Driving while habitual violator; Improper driving on laned roadway

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

NAME:&nbsp;Luginbill,Caleb Exavior

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit; Domestic battery: Knowing/reckless bodily harm

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Aggravated battery; Recklessly cause great bodily harm/disfigurement; Endangering a child; Racing on Highways; Reckless Driving; Speeding; maximum limits

Saline County Jail Bookings, January 31

High School Sports LIVE STREAMS

<a href="https://www.replaysportscards.com/">Replay Sports Cards&nbsp;</a>(“Replay”), America’s first national franchise dedicated exclusively to the hobby, has signed a new franchise agreement&nbsp;with&nbsp;Andrea&nbsp;Deatrich&nbsp;to bring a location to Salina.

The shop is targeting an opening in&nbsp;late spring, introducing Replay’s modern, community-driven card shop experience to a market underserved by traditional sports card retail.

The Salina agreement&nbsp;represents&nbsp;another step in Replay’s strategic franchise growth, as the brand continues to partner with operators who combine business acumen with a passion for the hobby and community engagement.

“Our goal is to build a shop that feels welcoming, educational, and fun for collectors of all ages,” said&nbsp;Deatrich.&nbsp;“Replay gives us the structure, credibility, and support to open a business that can grow with the community while staying true to what makes the hobby special.”

After&nbsp;identifying&nbsp;an opportunity to bring a modern card shop experience to Salina,&nbsp;Andrea, alongside her husband David,&nbsp;selected Replay as the right platform to launch their business.

A&nbsp;Family-Driven Approach to the Hobby&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Deatrichs&nbsp;were drawn to Replay after bonding over collecting with their son, Dylan. They saw an opportunity to turn that shared passion into a long-term business that connects collectors and families throughout the Salina community.&nbsp;The couple plans to make Replay a hub for collectors through trade nights, live breaks, grading services, and community-focused events.

“Replay’s franchise model stood out because of its national reach and collaborative network,” said&nbsp;David Deatrich.&nbsp;“The ability to tap into shared inventory, systems, and expertise gives us a strong foundation to build a sustainable local business.”

The&nbsp;Deatrichs&nbsp;are currently vetting a general manager and&nbsp;additional&nbsp;staff to oversee day-to-day operations and deliver Replay’s customer-first experience in Salina.

Replay Sports Cards continues to expand through franchising, offering entrepreneurs a proven system that modernizes the traditional card shop while preserving the heart of the hobby.&nbsp;The agreement reflects continued demand for Replay’s franchise model, which blends modern retail systems with a community-driven approach to the hobby.

“Andrea brings the leadership, perspective, and community-first mindset we look for in Replay franchisees,” said&nbsp;Mike&nbsp;Martin,&nbsp;Co-Founder of Franchising for Replay Sports Cards. “We’re excited to welcome Andrea and David to the Replay family and support the launch of Replay Sports Cards in Salina.”

<a href="https://www.replaysportscards.com/">Go here for more information about Replay Sports Cards.</a>

National sports cards business signs franchise agreement with local woman to build location in Salina

The Salina Family YMCA is welcoming new families to its Early Learning Centers (ELC), with openings available at all three of their Salina locations. 

Designed for children ages 6 weeks - 5 years, the YMCA’s early education programs go far beyond basic childcare — offering a nurturing, development-focused environment rooted in the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

At the YMCA, licensed childcare professionals provide enriching, age-appropriate activities that support social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. 

From arts and crafts and language development to social-emotional learning and school readiness preparation, each child is encouraged to grow with confidence and curiosity. The YMCA’s comprehensive preschool curriculum helps prepare children for the transition into kindergarten, giving them a strong foundation for future learning.

“With openings at all of our early learning locations, now is a great time for families to explore what the Y has to offer,” said Marti Higdon, Senior Director of Youth Development. “Our early learning classrooms are more than childcare, they’re a safe, supportive place where children can build foundational skills, make friends, and thrive in a community that cares about their growth.”

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/d2008eab-3d44-4b42-b4f1-35c5151c474d">The Salina Family YMCA’s Early Learning Centers are Praesidium Accredited</a>, reflecting the Y’s ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of every child in its care. This accreditation means the YMCA meets the highest standards in abuse prevention, staff training, screening, and program monitoring. For families, Praesidium accreditation provides added peace of mind, knowing their children are learning and growing in an environment built on trust, accountability, and proactive safety measures.

Enrollment is open now, and families interested in learning more or reserving a spot are encouraged to <a href="http://salinaymca.org/programs/child-care">visit the website</a> or contact Constance Zimmerman at czimmerman@salinaymca.org or 785.404.4031 for assistance.

Openings and registration open at Salina YMCA’s preschool & Early Learning Centers

The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/267396805154598/">Salina Jeepers Club</a>&nbsp;are collaborating with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068315317205">Thursday Night Cruisers of Salina</a>&nbsp;to put together a dream vintage parade &amp; car show for a man in hospice care to fulfill his "last wish."

On January 31, the car show &amp; parade will occur in Buhler, KS from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. The show will be held Buhler, KS near Sunshine Meadows Retirement Home on 400 S Buhler Rd.

Sunshine Meadows Retirement Home in Buhler serves the man who is in hospice care.

There is no entry fee and the parade/car show is open to anyone wishing to participate.

The Salina Jeepers Club has been active for over seven years and their mission is to bring community, positivity and connection.

"We proudly attend local events and fundraisers to support meaningful causes, but we also believe that simply showing up and spreading joy matter just as much," said Samantha Cook of Salina Jeepers Club. "At the core of our group is the belief that life can be hard, but there should always be something to look forward to. Through fun, kindness and community involvement, we aim to remind people that positivity still exists and that small moments can make a big impact."

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/267396805154598">To join the group or learn more about Salina Jeepers Club, go to their Facebook page.</a>

Salina car groups holding vintage parade & car show for man in hospice care to fulfill his "last wish" 

Saline County Sheriff's Office are seeking tips after a trailer burglary resulted in over $9,000 of items were stolen.

Original: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/19c2da51-8d2c-4951-a32f-d5a5fa7c25d9">Unknown suspect(s) steals over $9,000 worth of items from container</a>

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office sometime between&nbsp; December 18, 2025 and January 8, 2026, an unknown suspect(s)&nbsp;forced entry into a white box trailer located in west Saline County (north of Hedville)

Reportedly, the suspect(s) gained access by cutting the lock and forcing the door open causing approximately $120 in damage to the trailer. 

Once entry was gained into the trailer, the following items were stolen:

Puma 8008GHE portable air compressor, a Pit Bull 14 Fusion machine with three sets of dies, and miscellaneous hand tools. 

The estimated loss in tools and equipment is approximately $9303.

If you have any information concerning who attempted to commit this crime, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637).&nbsp;

You may receive a cash reward of up to $1000 and you are not required to give your name.

UPDATE: Saline Co. Sheriff seeking tips after trailer burglary, over $9,000 of stolen items 

NAME:&nbsp;Khamdalanikone,Khamphun

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

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor; Liquor; Purch/poss/consume 18-20 yrs; unkn conv

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

Saline County Jail Bookings, January 30

Here is the lineup for the Saturday Morning Show with Dave Foor &amp; Nicolas Fierro on&nbsp;910 AM/107.5 FM KINA for&nbsp;January 31, 2026:

Rev. Shay Craig - Christ Cathedral Episcopal Church; moving to North Dakota to become 1st woman as Bishop of the Diocese

Juan Maldonado - Central Kansas United Fútbol Club

Susan Hawksworth - Smoky Hill Museum; 165th Kansas birthday

All episodes are recorded and uploaded on the&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?CFID=05fb1ecb-7d68-4542-adb3-9b7c11d9b5e5&amp;CFTOKEN=0&amp;stationCallSign=KINA&amp;onDemandAutoStart=true&amp;p92136680=true&amp;relocateURL=true">910 AM and 107.5 FM KINA website</a>, under the 'KINA Saturday Mornings'&nbsp;tab.

Saturday Morning Show lineup with Dave Foor & Nicolas Fierro, January 31, 2026

<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, January 30 - February 1

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 28 - January 30

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 26 - January 28

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 23 - January 25

Saline County Emergency Management&nbsp;

The National Weather Service in Wichita reports an&nbsp;Arctic outbreak and winter weather&nbsp;will impact Saline County&nbsp;beginning Friday and continuing through Monday morning, bringing&nbsp;dangerous cold, hazardous travel conditions, and&nbsp;accumulating snow.

Arctic air is expected to move into the area early Friday morning and persist through the weekend, with&nbsp;dangerous wind chills between -10°F and -20°F&nbsp;likely from Friday morning through Monday morning. The coldest conditions are expected during the overnight and early morning hours.

Snow&nbsp;is expected to begin late Friday afternoon or Friday evening and continue through Saturday night, with&nbsp;slick roads&nbsp;and&nbsp;hazardous travel&nbsp;possible. While higher snowfall totals are more likely south of Saline County, confidence is high that snow will affect the area.&nbsp;Travel impacts are expected&nbsp;due to&nbsp;reduced visibility, slick roads,&nbsp;and&nbsp;prolonged cold conditions.

A&nbsp;Winter Storm Watch&nbsp;remains in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday night, and an&nbsp;Extreme Cold Watch&nbsp;has been issued for the entire forecast area through Monday morning. Confidence is high in the timing and severity of the cold, with medium confidence in exact snowfall amounts due to potential shifts in the heaviest snow band.&nbsp;

<a href="https://files.constantcontact.com/55d47694801/2b6fb17f-1676-4697-ac6f-7c32ed6b5928.pdf?rdr=true">Click here to view the full packet of the upcoming severe weather</a>

Arctic outbreak & winter weather to impact Saline Co. Friday - Monday

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 21 - January 23

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 19 - January 21

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 16 - January 18

High wind gusts are expected to make its way through Salina and central Kansas on Friday.

According to the US National Weather Service, gusty&nbsp;northwest winds are forecasted during the day on Friday. Wind gusts are expected to range from 40-50 mph.

This is also paired with dry conditions, which there will be a very high grassland fire danger in the afternoon.

Russell is expected to have the highest speed of wind gusts with the range being 45-50 mph.

High temperatures for Salina is 41 degrees.

Stay updated with local weather on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSWichita">US National Weather Service Wichita Kansas</a>&nbsp;Facebook page.

High wind gusts and grassland fire danger expected throughout central Kansas, Salina on Friday

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 14 - January 16

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rio-yamat">RIO YAMAT</a> &nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/ap-airlines">AP Airlines</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/travel-writer">Travel Writer</a>

That little star on your U.S. driver’s license is about to save you $45.

Beginning Sunday, air travelers in the U.S. without a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/real-id-may-required-air-travel-flying-d3c748cae8c2f496f2b496b53aab6724">REAL ID</a>&nbsp;or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, are subject to a new fee.

It isn't a penalty or a fine — it's payment for non-compliant travelers to use the Transportation Security Administration's new alternate identity verification option called ConfirmID. But the process takes extra time, and paying the fee doesn’t guarantee you’ll make your flight.

The Department of Homeland Security says most U.S. travelers are already compliant and that the fee is meant to encourage the rest — those without a star-marked REAL ID — to obtain one.

Still, the new fee may catch some passengers off guard, so here's a breakdown:

It is a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that meets enhanced requirements mandated in the aftermath of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/september-11-attacks">Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks</a>.

Obtaining the ID means taking more documents to the motor vehicle agency than most states require for regular IDs. It was supposed to be rolled out in 2008, but the implementation was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/when-do-i-need-real-id-7911495d6643b02c205d496a9af4e322">repeatedly delayed</a>.

The updated ID is indicated by a white star in a yellow circle in most U.S. states. It has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/real-id-travelers-tsa-when-deadline-f0923fe95923e9675d556ee7e08df326">required since May</a>, but travelers without it — and without another TSA-accepted ID — were still allowed through security with extra screening and a warning. That changes Sunday.

Travelers 18 and older flying domestically without proper identification on them will have to pay $45 to verify their identity at the airport through the ConfirmID process. If approved, the verification covers a 10-day travel period.

Paying the fee, however, does not guarantee access to U.S. air travel, and passengers whose identities cannot be verified may be turned away at airport security.

“This fee ensures that non-compliant travelers, not taxpayers, cover the cost of processing travelers without acceptable IDs,” said Adam Stahl, acting TSA deputy administrator.

The service fee is paid online at tsa.gov/ConfirmID. Travelers will have to enter their legal name and the start date of their travel. Accepted payment methods include debit and credit cards, Venmo and PayPal.

Someone other than the traveler can make the payment, according to TSA, but the traveler’s information must be entered correctly.

Passengers will then receive an emailed payment receipt from pay.gov.

At the airport checkpoint, show a government-issued ID and a digital or printed copy of the receipt to begin the verification process.

TSA recommends that travelers pay the fee before arriving at the airport to save on time, as the verification process alone could take up to 30 minutes.

TSA&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/apple-iphone-travel-passport-ae7ab15d6a32e6005d9c85def4e39737">accepts digital IDs</a>&nbsp;through platforms such as Apple Wallet and Google Wallet at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tsa.gov/digital-id/participating-states">more than 250 airport checkpoints</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.

The agency has a full list of acceptable IDs&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification">on its website</a>. They include:

— Trusted traveler cards, such as Global Entry or NEXUS

— Photo IDs from federally recognized tribal nations

No REAL ID yet? You can still fly, but it may cost you extra starting now 

LEAVENWORTH—On Saturday at approximately 12:15 a.m., Leslie Bruce Larcade was found unresponsive at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Leavenworth in Leavenworth, Kansas, according to a statement from the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

<a>Responding employees&nbsp;</a>initiated life-saving measures.&nbsp; Emergency medical services (EMS) were requested while life-saving efforts continued.&nbsp;

Larcade was subsequently pronounced deceased by EMS personnel. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified. No employees or other incarcerated individuals were injured,&nbsp;and at no time was the public in danger.

Larcade was a 61-year-old&nbsp; who was sentenced in the Western District of Arkansas to a 360-month sentence for Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping.&nbsp; 

He had been in custody at FCI Leavenworth since August 12, 2025.&nbsp;

In 2012, Leslie Bruce Larcade and Chrystal Lynn Larcade appeared in federal court for arraignment on charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping resulting in death, according to a statement from the FBI.

Leslie Larcade, 47, and his wife Chrystal Larcade, 37, both of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Harry F. Barnes who scheduled trial for April 18, 2012. If convicted of the conspiracy charge Leslie and Chrystal Larcade face up to life imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines and if convicted of kidnapping resulting in death, Leslie and Chrystal Larcade face punishment of life imprisonment or death. A federal grand jury returned the indictment in this matter on January 25, 2012.

The indictment alleges that on August 13, 2011, the defendants handcuffed the victim, placed him in a vehicle, and drove him from McCurtain County, Oklahoma to Miller County, Arkansas. It is also alleged that the defendants placed a noose around the neck of the victim causing various injuries to the victim which resulted in his death. The indictment further alleges that the defendants dumped the body of the victim at the Texarkana Speedway in Miller County, Arkansas.

In April of 2014, Larcade and his wife were sentenced to 30-years in prison.

Man serving time in kidnapping death found dead in Federal prison in Kansas

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/meg-kinnard">MEG KINNARD</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/kevin-freking">KEVIN FREKING</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-budget-immigration-trump-homeland-security-39fd7917e39aaf9e4e78e89f3449a587">partial government shutdown</a>&nbsp;that started Saturday is vastly different from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-reopen-update-house-returns-5771f2befb15f4ab45e327369f2e98d9">record closure</a>&nbsp;in the fall.

That is mostly because the shutdown may not last long.

The House will try to pass funding legislation quickly when lawmakers return Monday, and that would end the shutdown. Congress already has passed half this year’s funding bills, ensuring that several important federal agencies and programs continue to operate through September. Nutrition assistance programs, for example, should be unaffected.

Funding will lapse, at least temporarily, for the Pentagon and agencies such as the departments of Homeland Security and Transportation. Essential functions will continue, but workers could go without pay if the impasse drags on. Some could be furloughed.

The government funding process had been going smoothly, with key lawmakers in the House and Senate finding bipartisan agreement. But the shooting deaths this month of two U.S. citizens,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-ice-fbi-alex-pretti-immigration-65a963816603a08bbc9db83961dd173f">Alex Pretti</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renée Good</a>, by federal agents in Minneapolis, changed the dynamic.

Democrats were incensed after Pretti’s killing and demanded that one of the six remaining funding bills, for DHS and its associated agencies, be stripped from the package&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-government-funding-bills-d7ca791c2d1aa81d2982239f81bc86be">passed by the House</a>. They said the bill must include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-partial-shutdown-ice-funding-homeland-security-35abc94e6579e701f03d9c18ca5a7c44">changes to immigration enforcement</a>, including a code of conduct for federal agents and a requirement that officers show identification.

Eager to avoid another shutdown, President Donald Trump’s White House struck a deal with Democrats to temporarily fund DHS at current levels for two weeks while the negotiations play out.

The Senate passed the five-bill funding package Friday, but it must pass the House again before becoming law. The House is not returning until Monday, ensuring funding will lapse for parts of the government, at least temporarily.

Have there been previous brief or weekend shutdowns?

Yes, and typically the effects were not very visible to anyone hoping to use government services.

There were a couple of these in Trump’s first administration.

In January 2018, a dispute over immigration protections resulted in a weekend shutdown. Some federal workers were furloughed or worked without pay. Benefits such as Social Security and Medicare were uninterrupted, many people did not notice the shutdown and federal offices reopened the following Monday after a deal was in place.

In February 2018, the shortest shutdown in U.S. history lasted about nine hours, overnight, and most people did not notice any impact. While agencies technically shut down after funding lapsed, it was so brief that furlough notices were not all sent out, and nothing was closed during business hours.

The funding lapse affects the Pentagon and agencies such as the Transportation Department and DHS, which includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Experts have said FEMA should have enough money to respond to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/frigid-temperatures-arctic-air-us-south-tennessee-61cd5b29f15322cc4dcae374d7b78c7e">massive winter storm</a>&nbsp;still affecting large swaths of the country. FEMA would have about $7 billion to $8 billion in a fund for disaster response and recovery efforts and the staff who work on them. An extended shutdown could put more pressure on that fund, especially if FEMA must respond to new disasters.

Other FEMA operations, such as the ability to write or renew&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-flood-insurance-program-nfip-government-shutdown-fema-bc5fb2154d39fd80217bc7a7e60454aa">National Flood Insurance Program policies</a>, would pause, as they did during last year’s 43-day shutdown.

That shutdown took a toll on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-airlines-b708727c3a548ba14635e0dfa42274f8">traveling public</a>&nbsp;as delays and cancellations mounted, and there is now a risk of air travel disruptions again: One of the spending bills awaiting House passage covers the Department of Transportation, which is responsible for the air traffic control system and its workforce.

Air traffic controllers would still report for duty, but would be doing so without pay until a funding bill is passed.

At the State Department, the shutdown will not have a significant effect for the general public, in the United States or abroad.

Department employees were sent a 73-page memo late Friday that said passport and visa services and processing will continue and that embassies and consulates will remain open. Some functions, including nonemergency consular notifications and website updates, may be affected. But the memo said that 18,946 of the department’s 27,206 direct hire American employees are exempted from potential furloughs if the shutdown continues.

Will SNAP and other food assistance programs be affected?

No. That is a major change from the fall shutdown, when many people had to do with little-to-no assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the final weeks of the government closure. The bill to end that shutdown funded the Department of Agriculture and the programs that it administers through the remainder of the budget year, which ends Sept. 30.

That means full SNAP benefits will continue now.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-how-it-works-cards-e061c2af0f3cc997b69a24296238783c">The federal food program</a>&nbsp;serves about 42 million people, about 1 in 8 Americans, in lower-income households. They receive an average of around $190 monthly per person.

Another key program fully funded for the year is the federal supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children, known as WIC. It provides pregnant women and young children with healthy food and nutrition counseling.

Kinnard reported from Columbia, S.C., and can be reached at

What's included in the partial government shutdown

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect who admitted setting a fire near the historic Orpheum Theatre,&nbsp;200 N Broadway Street, in Wichita is going to prison.

On Friday Judge Seth Rundell sentenced 34-year-old Jeremy Wycoff of Wichita to 30 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;In September, Wycoff pleaded guilty to aggravated arson.

On the evening of April 10, 2025, crews responded to report of a fire near the 102-year-old theatre that is undergoing renovations.&nbsp;

"Thanks to the quick response of Wichita Fire Department, the situation was contained before it caused any major damage to our building or our neighbors along First Street," the theatre announced on their social media page.

Three days after the crime, police arrested Wycoff and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail where he remained jailed on a bond of just over $100,000.

Prison time for arson fIre near historic Kansas theatre

NEW YORK (AP) — A huge new tranche of files on millionaire financier and sex offender&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;has revealed details of his communications with the wealthy and powerful, some not long before he died by suicide in 2019.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein">Click here t</a>o view the latest files

The Justice Department said it was disclosing more than 3 million pages of documents, as well as thousands of videos and photos, as required by a law passed by Congress. By Friday evening, more than 600,000 documents had been published online. Millions of files that prosecutors had identified as potentially subject to release under the law remain under wraps, however, drawing criticism from Democrats.

The records also have new details on Epstein’s incarceration and suicide

Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019, and found dead in his cell just over a month later.

The latest batch of documents includes emails between investigators about Epstein’s death, including an investigator’s observation that his final communication doesn’t look like a suicide note.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-politics-new-york-business-suicides-4ff27f28f32d446795b65ac7dd8cc4ac">Multiple investigations</a>&nbsp;have determined that Epstein’s death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">was a suicide</a>.

The records also detail a trick that jail staffers used to fool the media gathered outside while Epstein’s body was removed: they used boxes and sheets to create what appeared to be a body and loaded it into a white van labeled as belonging to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The reporters followed the van when it left the jail, not knowing that Epstein’s actual body was loaded into a black vehicle, which departed “unnoticed,” according to the interview notes.

Epstein chatted with Elon Musk and Howard Lutnick about island visits

Billionaire Tesla founder Elon Musk emailed Epstein in 2012 and 2013 about visiting his infamous island compound, the scene of many allegations of sexual abuse.

Epstein inquired in an email about how many people Musk would like flown by helicopter, and Musk responded that it would likely be just him and his partner at the time. “What day/night will be the wildest party on =our island?” he wrote, according to the Justice Department records.

It’s not immediately clear if the island visits took place. Spokespersons for Musk’s companies, Tesla and X, didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment Friday.

Musk has maintained that he repeatedly turned down the disgraced financier’s overtures. “Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED,” he posted on X in 2025

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02152992.pdf">Epstein also invited</a>&nbsp;Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to the island in Dec. 2012. Lutnick’s wife enthusiastically accepted the invitation and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00398721.pdf">said they would arrive</a>&nbsp;on a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02521951.pdf">yacht with their children</a>. The two also had drinks on another occasion in 2011, according to a schedule. Six years later, they e-mailed about the construction of a building across the street from both of their homes.

Lutnick has distanced himself from Epstein, calling him “gross” and saying in 2025 that he cut ties decades ago. He didn’t respond to an e-mailed request for comment on Friday afternoon.

Epstein talked politics with Steve Bannon and an ex-Obama official

The documents show Epstein exchanged hundreds of friendly texts with Steve Bannon, a top adviser to President Donald Trump, some months before Epstein’s death.

They discussed politics, travel and a documentary Bannon was said to be planning that would help salvage Epstein’s reputation.

In March 2019, Bannon asked Epstein if he could&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01615683.pdf">supply his plane</a>&nbsp;to pick him up in Rome.

A couple of months later, Epstein messaged to Bannon, “Now you can understand why trump wakes up in the middle of the night sweating when he hears you and I are friends.”

The context is unclear from the documents, which were released with many redactions and little clear organization.

Another 2018 exchange focused on Trump’s threats at the time to oust Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, whom he had named to the post just the year prior.

Around the same time, Epstein also communicated with Kathy Ruemmler, a lawyer and former Obama White House official. In a typo-filled email, he warned that Democrats should stop demonizing Trump as a Mafia-type figure even as he derided the president as a “maniac.”

Bannon did not immediately respond to a message from the AP seeking comment. Ruemmler said through a spokesperson she was associated with Epstein professionally during her time as a lawyer in private practice and now “regrets ever knowing him.”

New Epstein documents include his emails with wealthy and powerful

MCPHERSON&nbsp;COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is assisting the McPherson County Sheriff's Office in investigating a homicide that occurred early Saturday morning, according to a media release from the agency.

KBI agents and investigators determined that attendees of a house party, held southwest of Inman, had a disagreement after consuming alcohol. Two groups of partygoers left in separate pickup trucks, but then met on a rural road approximately two miles from the party, near 4th Avenue and Arapaho Road.

A physical altercation occurred between two adult males. During the fight, Joshua Soden, 19, of McPherson, was shot and killed. Soden was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The 18-year-old male who shot Soden called 911 to report the incident. He then drove to the Inman Police Department where he was questioned by police, but has not been arrested.

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