The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce officially unveiled a new community brand as part of the Community Marketing Initiative (CMI), marking a major step forward in telling Salina’s story and positioning the community for long term growth.&nbsp;

The new brand, developed by Chamber staff in collaboration with community partners, reflects Salina’s authentic character, momentum, and potential. It is designed to strengthen local pride while reshaping how Salina is perceived by visitors, job seekers, families, and businesses across the region&nbsp; and beyond.&nbsp;

Key elements of the new branding, such as logo, fonts, and colors, will be utilized prominently for a new website (set to launch in the spring) and future digital marketing materials highlighting Salina and&nbsp; Saline County.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Good, bad, or indifferent, communities have reputations just like individuals and businesses do,”&nbsp; said Renee Duxler, President &amp; CEO of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. “This initiative is about clearly defining who we are today, celebrating what makes Salina unique, and intentionally sharing that story in a way that builds pride locally and curiosity externally.”&nbsp;

The Community Marketing Initiative is a comprehensive, long-term digital marketing effort focused on three primary goals:&nbsp;

• Attracting visitors and new residents, particularly young professionals and families.

• Supporting workforce recruitment and economic development.

• Increasing resident pride and community engagement.

The initiative emphasizes authentic storytelling, data-driven strategy, and collaboration with local businesses, organizations, and institutions throughout Saline County.

At the heart of the CMI is a robust digital strategy that will include:&nbsp;

• The development and launch of a new SEO-optimized community website in spring 2026.

• Targeted digital and Google advertising campaigns.

• Ongoing social media storytelling and community-focused content.

• A comprehensive photo and video library showcasing Salina’s people, places, and quality of life.

• Blog content designed to improve search visibility and share real stories from the community.

“This is about meeting people where they are, on their screens, while staying true to who we are,”&nbsp; Duxler said. “A strong brand and consistent digital presence are critical tools for recruitment,&nbsp; retention, tourism, and long-term economic vitality.”&nbsp;

The new brand and marketing initiative are designed with not only external audiences in mind, but residents as well. By highlighting Salina’s arts scene, downtown growth, career opportunities, public spaces, and quality of life, the initiative aims to foster a sense of ownership and belonging among those who already call Salina home.&nbsp;

“When residents believe in the brand and see themselves in it, they become our best ambassadors,”&nbsp; Duxler added. “That word-of-mouth advocacy is incredibly powerful.”&nbsp;

The CMI will begin rolling out the new brand across digital platforms and community materials, with phased marketing campaigns launching throughout 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information about the Community Marketing Initiative, contact Marketing Director Marcus Petty at 785-827-9310 or email mpetty@salinakansas.org.&nbsp;

Chamber of Commerce announces new community brand, "building pride from the inside out"

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.

NAME:&nbsp;Huffman,Warren Raymond

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Theft by deception:Value $1,500 to $25,000

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 8

Dr. Steve Hoekstra, professor of Psychology at Kansas Wesleyan University, will join local psychologist Dr. Paula Fried in presenting “What’s Your Type? The History, Promise, and Limits of Personality Typing” at the Salina Art Center (242 S. Santa Fe Ave.) on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 6-7 p.m.

The presentation will focus on the popular Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and explore the history of personality typing, its uses, its limitations and more.&nbsp;

“People instinctively want to classify people into groups and to use that knowledge to predict what people might do,” said Hoekstra.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Many personality tests are also used for workgroups or to judge relationship compatibility. We’re going to explore how personality forms, whether it can change, and how it is or isn’t useful in everyday life.”

The event is free to the public and will be located in the Salina Art Center’s gallery.

Additional information can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://salinaartcenter.org/galleries">salinaartcenter.org/galleries</a>.

KWU Psychology professor to explore Personality Typing in presentation at Salina Art Center

NAME:&nbsp;Coble,Matthew James Wayne

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGE: Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit; Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor; No Proof Of Insurance; Operate a MV w/o a valid license; Transporting an open container

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Transmit/commun false info to req emerg srvc

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 7

The Salina Arts &amp; Humanities Foundation has approved over $30,000 in Horizons Grants for one local artist and five non-profit organizations. The Foundation also authorized an additional $7,000 for Enrichment Grant applications in 2026.

Horizons Grants support initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to artistic excellence and community involvement by engaging audience members as active participants. Applicants are also encouraged to develop strategic partnerships to strengthen the reach of their local activities.

Organizational Project grants funded for 2026 are:

Salina Art Center, $6,000 for Tell Me What You Think of Me

Salina Art Center seeks funding for a new exhibition, “Tell Me What You Think of Me,” by Ann Resnick and curated by Dr. Ksenya Gurschtein, which will explore how we perceive and evaluate one another through a combination of art, psychology, and community participation. The funds will support artist honorariums, travel, lodging, marketing, and programming costs.

The Land Institute, $6,000 for Prairie Festival 2026

The Horizons grant will support community-centered arts programming for Prairie Festival 2026, The Land Institute’s 50th-anniversary gathering in Salina. Funding will help activate artist-led installations and gathering spaces through a call for proposal process curated by Prairie Festival Fellow and artist Kelly Yarbrough, fostering engagement between attendees, artists, and the Kansas landscape. In collaboration with regional partners, this project will expand opportunities for local residents and visitors to experience place-based art and dialogue about humanity’s relationship with the land.

Salina Symphony, $6,000 for Rach &amp; Rhapsody

The Salina Symphony will present a concert titled “Rach &amp; Rhapsody” in November of 2026 at the Stiefel Theatre. The program will feature Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Michael Schachter’s “Being

and Becoming: Rhapsody for Piano &amp; Orchestra,” both featuring guest artist Nachito Herrera. The Symphony will collaborate with McPherson College to broaden the project’s reach and strengthen its impact across the region. Herrera will serve as Guest Clinician for the McPherson College Jazz Festival and will perform a free Friday evening recital at McPherson College in partnership with the Lingenfelter Artist Series.

Salina Innovation Foundation, $3,000 for The Temple’s Historic Elevator Reimagined Sculpture Project

The Temple’s Historic Elevator Reimagined Sculpture Project will commission local artist Bob Peck to transform the Temple’s original 1927 elevator car into a permanent, interactive educational sculpture. The work will invite hands-on engagement—pressing buttons, turning the wheel, and discovering stories about the building’s history and its transformation. By preserving and reimagining this distinctive artifact rather than retiring it, the project advances its mission to honor the Temple’s legacy while engaging the community in its future. Grant funds will support artist commissioning, design and fabrication, and installation.

Salina Media Connection, $6,000 for Legacy on the Hill, The Marymount College Story

The project will tell the story of Marymount College, the campus, its students, its programs, their impact, and the College's legacy. Tom Fleming and Greg Stephens are the executive producers through Salina Media Connection, formerly Access Television of Salina, in collaboration with Method Productions. They plan to take photos of the buildings, interview alumni, research and use media artifacts, and include drone photography in the final production. When completed, we will screen the documentary at the Salina Art Center Cinema, show it at selected retirement/assisted living centers, and present it at the Sisters of St. Joseph Mother House in Concordia.

Lana Jordan Developing Artist grants funded for 2026 are:

Morgan Allred, $3,000 for Froze in Poetic Prose: an Anthological Production

Froze in Poetic Prose; an Anthological Production will be a short film that captures the spirit, struggles, and hopes of this era through the voices of Kansas poets. The project will bring together a local cinematographer, four Kansas poets, and Morgan as a poet and narrator, weaving everyone’s work into a visual anthology. This film will serve as both a cultural timepiece and an innovative exploration of poetry on screen, using cinematic storytelling to preserve and amplify Kansas voices for future generations.

Enrichment Grants available for application – February 1 through November 15:

The Salina Arts &amp; Humanities Foundation approved funding for Enrichment Grants for artists and organizations in Saline County, Kansas, in 2026. Salina Arts &amp; Humanities staff review Enrichment Grant applications on a rolling basis from February 1 through November 15 each year. For 2026, artist applicants may apply for up to $1,000 to support the presentation of work, study, training, artistic promotion, purchase of equipment, or travel. Non-profit organizations

are eligible to apply for up to $500. Enrichment Grant guidelines and applications are available online, <a href="https://www.salinaarts.com/horizons-grants-program/">https://www.salinaarts.com/horizons-grants-program/</a>.

The agency will again accept Organizational Project and Developing Artists Grant applications in November 2026. All grant guidelines and applications are available at <a href="http://salinaarts.org">salinaarts.org</a>.

Horizons Grants are made possible by private contributions from more than 50 individuals, foundations, and businesses in partnership with the Salina Arts &amp; Humanities Foundation. The Foundation has provided more than one million dollars in support of more than 550 Horizons Grants since 1986. Salina Arts &amp; Humanities staff provide grant oversight and administration for Saline County artists and organizations.

For questions about Horizons Grants, please call Anna Pauscher Morawitz at Salina Arts &amp; Humanities at 785-309-5770 between 8:00 am - Noon and 1:00 – 5:00 pm. or email anna.pauscher@salina.org.

Salina Arts & Humanities announces 2026 Horizons Grants recipients and opens enrichment grant applications

The State of Kansas ends&nbsp;January&nbsp;2026&nbsp;with total tax collections at $988.2 million. That is $12.2&nbsp;million, or&nbsp;1.2%,&nbsp;above&nbsp;the estimate. Total tax collections were&nbsp;up 4.8% from&nbsp;January&nbsp;2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Over the past few years, the Legislature has spent more than Kansas has been taking in, creating a structural imbalance of&nbsp;hundreds of millions of dollars,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly.&nbsp;“My final budget puts Kansas on a&nbsp;path to rectify that unsustainable balance over time.”&nbsp;

Individual income tax collections were $542.3 million. That is $7.3 million, or 1.4% above the estimate. Individual income tax collections were up 8.4% from January 2025. Corporate income tax collections were $86.2 million. That is $16.2 million, or 23.2% above the estimate, and up 18.1% from January 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $337.8&nbsp;million, which is&nbsp;$12.2 million,&nbsp;or 3.5%&nbsp;below&nbsp;the estimate, and down 3.2% from January 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2026%2F02%2F02%2Ffile_attachments%2F3541384%2F07_January_Revenue_FY2026_02-02-2026_Final.pdf/1/0101019c1ff64862-250d433d-791a-4172-9978-84812d3ee4dc-000000/6UbRePf6aIiYq1nNQkg_5W_7uRuNNQYxocZv62rtmnI=442">here</a>&nbsp;to view the&nbsp;January&nbsp;2026&nbsp;revenue numbers.&nbsp;

January total tax collections at $988.2 Million; 1.2% above estimate

LINCOLN COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Friday in Lincoln County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chevy Camaro driven by Natina L.&nbsp;Mitchell, 28, Thedford, Nebraska, was westbound on Interstate 70 near the&nbsp;Beverly,&nbsp;Carneiro exit.&nbsp; The Camaro rear-ended a 2002 Chevy Silverado driven by Aaron M. Gray, 48, Russell.&nbsp; Both vehicles then pulled off onto the right shoulder.

EMS transported&nbsp; Gray and a passenger in the pickup Deanna J. Gray, 54, Russell, to the Ellsworth County Medical Center.&nbsp; Mitchell was not injured. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas couple hospitalized after I-70 rear-end crash

High School Sports LIVE STREAMS

Nex-Tech Wireless generously donated eleven up-to-date laptops to the Salina Area United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the 2026 tax season.

Nex-Tech and Salina Area United Way have been in partnership for 20 years, and this donation continues to further their partnership.

"Supporting the VITA program was an easy decision," said Dustin Schlaefli, VP of Customer Experience at Nex-Tech. "The Salina Area United Way gives so much back to the communities we serve, and we are proud to provide this equipment at no cost to help further their mission."&nbsp;

The <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/81ec4bb3-031f-4df3-8517-63f0582f734d">VITA program started on February 2,</a> and volunteers have already taken 150 tax returns. <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/da1e5685-8480-48b2-82fd-03f3b074a193">Last year's total tax returns were 830</a> for local individuals and families.

VITA intake will run through April 8, 2026, at The McKenzie Center (308 W Elm St., Salina, KS).

Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and no appointments are made by phone — clients must come in person during intake hours.

<a href="https://unitedwaysalina.org/vita">Visit here for more information about the VITA program</a>&nbsp;or call (785) 827-1312.

Nex-Tech generously donates several laptops to further mission of United Way VITA program

Salina Area Technical College is kicking off Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month® with a major win for students and workforce development. 

Through the latest Congressional Appropriations bill, Salina Tech has secured $200,000 in federal funding to support the college’s Industrial Maintenance and Automation (IMA) program.

The funding will be used to enhance hands-on training opportunities and help meet the growing demand for skilled workers in manufacturing and automation.

The announcement aligns with the national celebration of CTE Month® this February and highlights the college’s role in preparing a highly skilled workforce for Kansas's evolving manufacturing landscape.

Following the bill’s passage, U.S. Kan. Senator Jerry Moran personally contacted Salina Tech President Dr. Greg Nichols to confirm the funding. The college appreciates Senator Moran’s support and recognition of the importance of modern workforce development in the region’s economic growth.

“Congratulations to our staff and students who will benefit from this added funding,” said Dr. Greg Nichols. “This support helps us continue strengthening our programs, responding to workforce needs, and preparing students for successful careers in manufacturing right here in our community.”

While the IMA facility itself opened last fall, this federal funding supports the tools and resources that enhance hands-on learning within the program. The IMA center was designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application and includes advanced lab spaces and a 120-seat auditorium.

As regional manufacturers continue to adopt advanced automation and robotics, Salina Tech is evolving its curriculum and facilities to meet those demands. This investment further strengthens the college’s ability to prepare students for careers in a modern industrial environment.

For more information about the <a href="http://SalinaTech.edu">IMA program or other technical education opportunities, visit here</a>.

Salina Tech secures $200,000 in federal funding to support IMA program

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged theft.

Just after 4p.m. Thursday police arrested 38-year-old&nbsp;Kelli Wilson of Salina in the 400 block of E. Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Wilson was arrested on a Pottawatomie County District Court warrant for one count of theft by threat; $1,500 or less from three businesses in 72 hours. 

This arrest stems from an original report filed in November 2025. Wilson is being held in the Pottawatomie County Jail.

Salina woman accused of theft from 3 businesses in 72-hours

<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, February 6 - February 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 4 - February 6

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 1 - February 3

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

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The urgent investigation into the apparent kidnapping of 84-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;continued Sunday, a week after the mother of “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>&nbsp;was reported missing in Arizona.

Savannah&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Guthrie</a>&nbsp;solemnly told the potential kidnappers in a social media video released Saturday that the family was prepared to pay for her safe return. Flanked by her siblings, Guthrie said “we received your message” and that: “This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

An FBI spokesman said Savannah Guthrie was referring to a message that was sent to the Tucson-based television station KOLD on Friday. The station declined to share details about the message’s contents as the FBI conducted its review.

Detectives and agents continued to perform follow-up work at multiple locations as part of the investigation, according to an email Sunday from the Pima County Sheriff's Department. The agency said in the email to media that it would not yet provide details about that work.

“Investigators have not identified any suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles connected to this case,” read the email.

Two marked sheriff’s cars and another vehicle arrived at Nancy Guthrie’s house around midday Sunday and at least two people went to the back of the home for more than 20 minutes before leaving without comment.

Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-6c7b78d17d7b647c64f71f64ecaecf8b">taken against her will</a>&nbsp;last weekend from her home just outside Tucson. DNA tests showed blood on Guthrie’s front porch was a match to her, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said.

Multiple press outlets have received alleged ransom letters during the past week. At least one letter made monetary demands and established Thursday evening and Monday evening as deadlines. Law enforcement officials declined to affirm that the letters were credible but said all tips were being investigated seriously.

The disappearance of the well-known TV host's mother has fixated Americans over the past week. Candles remained lit early Sunday near Nancy Guthrie's home, next to a sign expressing support for the family.

The White House said President Donald Trump called and spoke with Savannah Guthrie last week. The president told reporters on Friday that there are clues in the case "that I think are very strong.”

Authorities say they have growing concerns about Nancy Guthrie’s health because she needs daily medication. She is said to have a pacemaker and has dealt with high blood pressure and heart issues, according to sheriff’s dispatcher audio on broadcastify.com.

The video released Saturday was the third this week that pleaded with potential kidnappers.

Investigation continues a week after 'Today' host's mother reported missing

KEARNY—One person died in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Sunday in Kearny County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Hummer H3 driven by Dylan C. Knoll, 31, Holcomb, was eastbound on Road 250 approximately six miles north of U.S. 50.&nbsp; The driver failed to yield at the stop sign at Road AA. The SUV collided with a northbound 2004 F150 pickup driven by Dakota J.&nbsp;Mcinnis, 32, Deerfield. The impact caused both vehicles to roll and Mcinnis was ejected from the pickup.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mcinnis was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Garnand Funeral Home.&nbsp; EMS transported Knoll to Wesley Medical and a teen passenger in the SUV to Kearny County Hospital. Mcinnis was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after ejected in SUV, pickup crash

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/maria-sherman">MARIA SHERMAN</a> Associated Press

The sun hung low when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bad-bunny">Bad Bunny</a>&nbsp;emerged in Puerto Rico’s sugar cane fields during his halftime show, surrounded by jíbaros in pavas (rural farmers in traditional straw hats), viejitos playing dominos (an affectionate term for older men) and a piragua stand (shaved ice) — undeniable symbols of Puerto Rico.

From a small Caribbean island with a complicated colonial history, to the world: The artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio brought Puerto Rican culture to the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, for his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">2026 Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;halftime show in what was always going to be&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/why-bad-bunnys-super-bowl-show-will-be-a-landmark-moment-for-puerto-rico/" target="_blank">a landmark moment for Latinos.</a>

He started with his huge reggaeton-and-then-some hits, “Tití Me Preguntó” moving into “Yo Perreo Sola,” as he remerged on top of the casita (“little house”) from his Puerto Rican residency —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/cardi-b">Cardi B</a>&nbsp;was a guest at his pari de marquesina (“house party.”)

Then he crashed through the roof — Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” played for a moment, clearly an acknowledgement and celebration of the Puerto Rican artists who laid the path for his career to go global.

“Mi nombre es Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio,” he introduced himself to the crowd in Spanish. “Y si hoy estoy aquí en el Super Bowl 60, es porque nunca, nunca dejé de creer en mí y tú también deberías de creer en ti, vales más de lo que piensas.”

In English: “My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and if I’m here today at Super Bowl 60 it’s because I never, ever stopped believing in myself and you should also believe in yourself, you’re worth more than you think.”

The strings of his song “Monaco” played — then, a surprise Lady Gaga emerged at a wedding scene, singing her portion of “Die with a Smile,” her collaboration with Bruno Mars, joined by a salsa band. Her dress featured a maga, Puerto Rico’s national flower.

It gave Benito time for a fashion change — rocking a white suit like a classic salsero — for “Baile Inolvidable” and “NuevaYol,” with a block party set where he took a shot with Tonita, owner of one of the last Puerto Rican social clubs in New York City, Brooklyn’s Caribbean Social Club.

Ricky Martin, one of Puerto Rico’s greatest crossover artists, performed “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii,” (“What Happened to Hawaii”), a rallying cry for Puerto Rico’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-songs-2025-6a4712aa815b7554790ff28fbdff220b">cultural autonomy</a>&nbsp;in an era of neocolonialization. He sat in a plastic chair in front of a plantain tree; a scene that mirrored the cover of Bad Bunny’s 2025 album&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-debi-tirar-mas-fotos-review-856f8e4f89e48e6ab104a491ae3dbcde">“Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”</a>

Behind Martin, jíbaros in pavas climbed power poles that exploded, symbolic of Puerto Rico’s frequent blackouts and failing power grid. It queued up a moving performance of Bad Bunny’s 2022 song “El Apagón” (“The Blackout”), in reference to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-maria">Hurricane Maria,</a>&nbsp;its aftermath and the continued anger and frustration over persistent,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/puerto-rico-blackout-power-outage-causes-6b1f71e33136a3f97b8238568cd664ea">chronic power outages</a>.

He held a Puerto Rico flag in red, white and baby blue — reflective of the Puerto Rican independence movement.

For around 13 minutes during the halftime show sponsored by Apple Music and Roc Nation, all eyes on the field — and around the world — were on Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio.

Bad Bunny performed entirely in Spanish — as all of his music is recorded in the language, though he has collaborated with English-language artists. The only English singing came from Gaga. That changed at the end of the set, when he said, “God Bless America,” and then named countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America. “And my motherland, mi patria, Puerto Rico, seguimos aquí.” In English, “My homeland, Puerto Rico, we are still here.”

Behind him, a screen read “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” in English text, a direct reference to one of his recent speeches at the 2026 Grammys.

He ended with “DtMF” as he walked out of the stadium, joined by musicians with güiros (a percussive instrument made of a hollow gourd) and panderetas (tambourines, a symbol of plena.)

For years, Bad Bunny has been one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spotify-wrapped-2025-bad-bunny-taylor-swift-fb021e2387d6aff7e4d8353a067f1664">most-streamed artists on the planet.</a>&nbsp;And on Sunday, he made it clear that his global popularity translates seamlessly to the biggest stage in the U.S. (Though he is no stranger to it. He previously appeared during the halftime show at Super Bowl LIV in 2020 alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jennifer-lopez">Jennifer Lopez</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/shakira">Shakira.</a>&nbsp;He sang in Spanish alongside two artists whose bilingual hits helped usher in a crossover era for Latin music in the ’00s.)

Consider Bad Bunny’s 2026 halftime performance the cherry on top of a huge moment for the 31-year-old global superstar, who just 10 years ago was working at an Econo supermarket in Puerto Rico.

Last week, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-grammys-2026-a20c758dd63542bd665d24e61269aa72">took home album of the year</a>&nbsp;at the 2026 Grammys for his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-debi-tirar-mas-fotos-review-856f8e4f89e48e6ab104a491ae3dbcde">“Debí Tirar Más Fotos,”</a>&nbsp;an album that marries folkloric tradition in local Borinquen genres like bomba, plena, salsa and música jíbara with contemporary styles like reggaeton, trap and pop. It marked the first time an all-Spanish language album won the top prize.

Like most headliners, Bad Bunny kept details of his halftime performance under wraps ahead of time,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-show-preview-f3b3f090beb4b74e958dfbe77c96222f">though many theorized</a>&nbsp;there would be some kind of political performance. He’s been critical of President Donald Trump in the past and at the Grammys last Sunday, said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2026-grammy-awards-4d631de5d968b51276a8f06b76580e20">“ICE out”</a>&nbsp;while accepting a televised award. Bad Bunny’s latest tour skipped the continental U.S.; in an interview he said it was at least partially inspired by concerns that his fans could be targeted by immigration agents.

At a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-show-f441549a00166a39309233f689163105">press conference on Thursday,</a>&nbsp;Bad Bunny told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden viewers could expect a huge party — and joked that while viewers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-super-bowl-spanish-halftime-show-7d0c6576f832f371409bdd9e43fc3184">didn’t need to learn Spanish</a>&nbsp;to enjoy his set; they should learn to dance.

“I want to bring to the stage, of course, a lot of my culture,” he said at the time. “I don’t want to give any spoilers. It’s going to be fun.”

Of course, he delivered on just that — with a message of hope and a reminder of Puerto Rico’s resiliency.

For more on the Super Bowl, visit&nbsp;https://apnews.com/hub/super-bowl

Review: Bad Bunny Super Bowl show; President Trump weighs in 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man arrested in Missouri for a&nbsp;deadly shooting in Wichita is now in a Kansas Jail.

On Thursday, 27-year-old Donny J. Harris of Springfield, Missouri was booked into the Sedgwick County jail, according to online jail records. He made his first court appearance and is charged with first degree murder.

Just after 8a.m. Jan. 26., police were dispatched to the&nbsp;the 900 block of East Indianapolis in Wichita&nbsp;for a reported welfare check after receiving information about a man down, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Wichita police officers and detectives conducted a thorough and comprehensive investigation, working through challenging weather conditions and utilizing multiple departmental resources.

Officers from multiple WPD sections, Crime Scene Investigators,&nbsp;K-9 Mantra, and&nbsp;Flock technology&nbsp;were utilized to canvass the area, locate evidence, and develop investigative leads.&nbsp;K-9 Mantra located multiple shell casings in the snow during the search.

As a result of this coordinated effort, detectives were able to quickly identify a suspect identified as Harris and establish probable cause. An arrest warrant was issued for first-degree murder.

Working in close coordination with the Springfield Police Department, Harris was located and arrested on the evening of Jan. 26, in Springfield, Missouri.&nbsp;

Harris is being held on a $500,000 bond. Police have not released the name of the victim.

Missouri man accused of murder is now in a Kansas jail

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State men's basketball team overcame a stellar performance by freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa to beat 16th-ranked BYU 99-92 on Wednesday night. Now the Oklahoma State University is facing a reprimand from the Big 12 Conference.&nbsp;

On Sunday, the conference announce on their social media account, "in accordance with the Big 12 Conference Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship, the Conference has issued Oklahoma State University a $50,000 fine following its investigation into inappropriate chants which referenced the Mormon religion that occurred during Wednesday’s men’s basketball game."

"The Big 12 Conference will not tolerate any behavior that targets or demeans others."

Big 12 Conference fines school for chants which referenced Mormons 

RENO COUNTY —Authorities investigating a fatal accident that occurred just after 10a.m. Saturday in Reno County have identified the victims.

According to the Reno County Sheriff's Office, preliminary information indicates that a silver Jeep Liberty driven by 59-year-old Adam Arevalo of Hutchinson was northbound on Kansas 14 Highway one half mile north of US 50.&nbsp; The Jeep and a southbound Chevy Malibu driven by 27-year-old Cecil Chandler IV of Hutchinson, were involved in a collision. Both drivers were pronounced deceased by emergency medical personnel.

A passenger from the Malibu identified as 19-year-old Shyann Cullison of Hutchinson was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was later transferred to a Wichita hospital, where she remains in serious condition.

The cause of the crash remains under active investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sheriff IDs victims in double-fatal Kansas crash

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/ken-sweet">KEN SWEET</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/cora-lewis">CORA LEWIS</a>

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Rent can eat up an entire paycheck at the start of the month, so a growing number of renters are turning to a financial product that promises relief by letting them split the bill — for a price.

So-called “rent now, pay later” services have emerged over the past few years as&nbsp;<a href="https://f5411012e10fa78d0257c137e60c1be3/" target="_blank">housing costs climb</a>&nbsp;and paychecks grow less predictable, particularly for lower-income and gig-economy workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, rents have jumped nearly 28% in past five years.

Companies such as Flex, Livble and, more recently, Affirm, say breaking rent into multiple payments can help renters manage cash flow. But consumer advocates warn the products typically function like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buy-now-pay-later-missed-payments-regulation-f7fd30f2a0e900460919fad76a1e0dbf">short-term loans</a>, layering fees onto already strained budgets and, in some cases, carrying triple-digit effective interest rates — raising questions about whether they ease financial pressure or deepen it.

Kellen Johnson, 44, started using Flex to split up his rent payments about two years ago. Instead of paying the whole $1,850 of his rent on the first of the month, Johnson would pay $1,350 on that date, and $500 on the 15th. For the service, Flex collected a $14.99 monthly subscription fee, as well as 1% of the total rent, which for Johnson was $18.50, bringing his monthly charges for the app to more than $33.

Johnson said he was willing to pay the extra costs in part because he worked as an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/work-side-jobs-security-salaries-layoffs-df229576002b9b99cf4149b3978e937c">independently contracted delivery person</a>&nbsp;for Amazon at the time, and his paychecks could vary.

“It was an expense that I was incurring, but I went ahead as it was more convenient,” said Johnson, who now works as a driver for senior citizens in Sacramento, California.

Roughly 109 million Americans, or about 42.5 million households, are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/realpage-doj-lawsuit-settlement-rent-data-4d8985a50c28b6322b8f82a2fbb5c79e">renters in the United States</a>. The Census Bureau estimated in 2024 that a large share of those households pay 30% or more of their monthly income on rent. The bureau considers such households to be “cost burdened,” meaning rent consumes so much of their income that they have less ability to plan for future expenses or build wealth.

Rent now, pay later services generally operate the same way: The company pays the landlord the full rent when due, and the renter repays the company in two or more installments over the course of the month. Because rent can be such a large expense, the companies argue that spreading payments out can give renters more cash on hand.

Many of these services&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buy-now-pay-later-debt-holidays-0bb6006ddf14077ee5ae83fd43486923">come with fees</a>. The fees can be structured differently but should be generally thought of as cost of credit, consumer advocates warn. In Johnson’s case, he was paying $33.49 for a two-week loan of $500, for an effective annual percentage rate of 172%, when expressed using standard consumer-lending calculations.

“Renters should be skeptical of any financing providers that have partnered with a landlord and be skeptical of anything that sells itself as no fees or no interest,” said Mike Pierce, executive director of Protect Borrowers. Pierce previously worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Launched in 2019, Flex is one of the largest companies focused on splitting rent payments. The company says its 1.5 million customers now send about $2 billion a month in rent through its system, and several of the country’s largest landlords accept Flex as a payment option.

Flex says most of its customers are lower-income renters with weaker credit profiles. The company reports a median credit score of 604 among its users and says about one in three customers works more than one job to make ends meet. A Flex spokesman says the average customer uses the service three to four times a year. Johnson used it every month.

Livble does not charge a subscription, but charges renters a fee ranging from $30 to $40, according to the company’s help page. Depending on how long the renter defers part of the payment, Livble’s fees can translate into effective annual percentage rates of roughly 104% to 139%.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buy-now-pay-later-loans-installments-02852578a991fb0d31879acd0b687e0d">buy now, pay later</a>&nbsp;company Affirm said this month that it is piloting a program allowing some customers to split rent into two payments. The program is being tested in partnership with Esusu, a company that reports rent payments to credit bureaus to help consumers build credit. An Affirm spokesman said the company is not charging renters interest or fees to use the product, but may charge landlords fees. However, to access the Affirm service, renters must subscribe to Esusu Plus or Premium, which cost $35 and $50 a month, respectively.

As another financing option, landlords are increasingly accepting credit cards for rent payments. Bilt, a credit card startup, built its brand around targeting renters when it launched, and some tenants also use credit cards to accumulate rewards or points.

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/credit-card-default-51f76dea3666e9b2d95156b47c8092cd">paying rent by credit card</a>&nbsp;can also be costly. Landlords typically pass the processing fees on to tenants. Depending on the card issuer and payment network, these fees can range from about 2.5% to 3.5% of the rent. For a renter paying $1,500 a month, that translates to roughly $37.50 to $52.50 in fees — a monthly cost comparable to what services like Livble and Flex charge.

Economists and renters’ advocates argue that none of these financing options address the fundamental issue of affordability in the rental market. If credit cards, or flexible rent payment options become more widely used, they worry rents could rise further as landlords start factoring in a potential renters’ weekly cash flow as opposed to the rental market in the area the building is located in.

Merchants already pass along credit card processing costs to customers in the form of higher prices, and advocates worry that the rental market could adopt similar patterns. For example, Livble is owned by RealPage, which last year settled allegations that its algorithm allowed landlords to collude and push rents higher.

Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber contributed from Washington.

Renters use 'rent now, pay later' services to manage monthly payments, but fees raise concerns

NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration on Thursday launched TrumpRx, a website it says will help patients buy prescription drugs directly at a discounted rate at a time when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-government-priorities-health-care-costs-trump-9426742bd09273ec9b67c7321dae8a02">health care</a>&nbsp;and the cost of living are growing concerns for Americans.

<a href="https://trumprx.gov/">Click here to visit the TrumpRx website</a>

“You’re going to save a fortune,” President Donald Trump said at the site’s unveiling. “And this is also so good for overall health care.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://trumprx.gov/">government-hosted website</a>&nbsp;is not a platform for buying medications. Instead, it's set up as a facilitator, pointing Americans to drugmakers’ direct-to-consumer websites, where they can make purchases. It also provides coupons to use at pharmacies. The site launches with over 40 medications, including weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

The site is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to show it's tacking the challenges of high costs. Affordability has emerged as a political vulnerability for Trump and his Republican allies going into November's midterm elections, as Americans remain concerned about the cost of housing, groceries, utilities and other staples of middle-class identity.

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