The Saline County Sheriff's Office has released Salina's Most Wanted list for October 2025.&nbsp;

All photos provided are courtesy of the Saline County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The current&nbsp;arrested number is 3,931.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Poss. Opiate

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Criminal Threat / Agg. Domestic Battery

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony Bond Violation / Poss. Opiate / Poss. Para.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony FTA / Burglary / Theft / Trespassing

NAME:&nbsp;Dyson, Michael Dewayne Jr.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Poss. Opiate / Interfere w/ LEO / Contribute to Child Misconduct x2 / Poss. Marijuana / Poss. Para.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Violate Off. Reg. Act x2

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony FTA / Theft / DMG to PROP. / Theft by Decept. / False Info. / Poss. Opiate / Poss MJ / Poss. Para. / Inter. w/ LEO

NAME:&nbsp;Golde, Thomas Lee-Arthur III

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Poss. Opiate s x2 / Conspiracy Agg. Escape from Custody

NAME:&nbsp;Harwell, Richard Preston

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony Bond Viol. / Poss. Opiate / Poss. Para. / No Drug Tax Stamp / Recruit Gang Member / Crim. Threat / Int. w/ LEO

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Att Distribution of Methamphetamine / Paraphernalia / Possess Hydrocodone / Possess Marijuana / Use of cell phone in Felony / No drug tax stamp

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Forgery / Att. Forgery / Theft / Att. Theft

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony Bond Viol. / Flee &amp; Elude / Int. w/ LEO /Poss. MJ / Poss. Para. / Crim. DMG to Prop. / DWS / Duty to Report Acc.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Poss. Opiate x2 /Poss. Marijuana / Interfere w/ LEO

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Forgery / Att. Theft of Prop.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Att. Agg. Burglary

NAME:&nbsp;Murdoch, Johnny Anthony

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony FTA / Criminal Threat / Battery

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Burglary / Theft / Damage to Property

NAME:&nbsp;Stebbins, Christopher Joel

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Burglary / Theft / Crim. Damage to Property

Saline County Sheriff's Office Most Wanted — October 2025

A witness report of a man acting&nbsp;suspiciously when entering a vehicle, results in arrest.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Saturday, October 4 at around 8:00 pm, a witness reported of a man acting suspiciously as he was getting into a white 2005 Honda CRV in the 100 block of S. 5th.

After the report, an officer in the area located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as 27-year old, Buddy Redding and he was arrested without incident.

SPD contacted the owner of the vehicle (64-year old female) and she stated that Redding was not supposed to be operating it.

The victim stated the key fob was accidentally left inside the vehicle before it was stolen.

Redding was booked into the Saline County Jail for the requested charges of Attempted Theft, Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia.

Stolen vehicle in North Salina results in arrest 

Salina Police are currently investigating a vehicle theft from a Ford dealership.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Friday, October 3 employees from the Long McArthur Ford dealership reported that between 10:50 am and 11:00 pm on Sunday, September 28, a used&nbsp;red 2013 Camaro was stolen.

SPD added the Camaro possibly had an unknown dealer tag. Loss of value is $44,900.

The suspect appeared to be a male from surveillance footage.

High in value Camaro stolen from Salina Ford dealership, investigation ongoing

DOWNS - The Kansas Storytelling Festival is set to host a Tall Tales contest in Downs, which is known as the "Storytelling Capital of Kansas."

This storytelling event begins at 7:00 pm on Saturday, October 11, at the Zion Lutheran Church (1019 Blunt St.).&nbsp;Everyone is welcome to attend this free storytelling event and hear some outrageous and semi-true whoppers. The audience will help select the winner by voting for their favorite story told throughout the night.

If you’ve ever thought about telling a Tall Tale in public, there’s still time to enter. This Tall Tales contest is open for anyone interested in being one of the 4 finalists who will perform at the 2026 Kansas Storytelling Festival, April 24-25, 2026 in Downs. This is the 3rd&nbsp;and final qualifying contest this year. The first qualifier was held in Tonganoxie, KS where Larry Brown (Columbia, MO) became the first finalist. Matthew Kitchen (Derby, KS) won the second qualifying contest in Wichita, KS. The last two finalists will be selected on Saturday.

A tall tale is a unique form of American storytelling, which the narrator usually has a part in the story. Telling a Tall Tale uses exaggerated detail describing things larger than they really are.&nbsp; A tall tale is a story based on a fact, or facts, and filled with unbelievable elements told as if they were true and factual. A tall tale has just enough truth to make a good story and to incite the imagination. 

Professional storytellers can not compete. 

Information and rules for the Tall Competition are posted at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kansasstorytellingfestival.com/">kansasstorytellingfestival.com</a>&nbsp;

The Kansas Storytelling Festival began in 1994 in Downs, KS. Next spring will be it’s 32nd&nbsp;year of celebrating storytelling. Several years later, a Tall Tales contest began and continues at the Festival on Friday evening with 4 finalists trying to win the travelling trophy – a shovel. The highlight of the festival’s Friday night performance is the Tall Tales Contest.

For more information or to register for this event, please contact Jeri at (785) 454-1177 or go to the Kansas Storytelling Festival website&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasstorytellingfestival.com/">https://www.kansasstorytellingfestival.com/</a>&nbsp;or the Kansas Storytelling FaceBook page&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasStorytellingFestival">https://www.facebook.com/KansasStorytellingFestival</a>.

Stories must be between 5 and 7 minutes long. Family friendly stories only.

Tall Tale stories contest set to occur Saturday in Downs

<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 6 - October 8

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;Crim discharge of firearm;land/water no permiss

NAME:&nbsp;Magenheimer, Maredith Ann

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Meckling, Bart Mikhail

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; No Proof Of Insurance; Fail to yield at stop or yield sign

Saline County Jail Bookings, October 6

DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on child sex crime allegations.

On Sunday, deputies with the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Matthew Jordan Schaecher, 29, of Herington, Kansas on a warrant for Internet trading in child pornography, aggravated Internet trading in child pornography, and sexual exploitation of a child.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office began the investigation after receiving tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 

During the investigation, a search warrant was executed at a residence in the 800 Block of W Day Street, Herington, Kansas on Sunday. The Herington Police Department assisted in the execution of the search warrant at the residence. Additional search warrants were executed and the warrant was then issued for his arrest. Schaecher was booked into the Dickinson County Detention Facility.

Sheriff: Kan. man accused of internet trading in child porn

Kansas students and adults considering college will soon have a special opportunity to apply for free to dozens of institutions across the state.

Kansas Apply Free Days will be held October 6–8, 2025, giving all Kansas residents—regardless of age or income—the chance to apply at no cost to any of the state’s 7 public universities, 19 community colleges, 6 technical colleges, and 21 private institutions that are members of the Kansas Independent College Association.

During these three days, eligible applicants can submit free applications for certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree programs. Graduate or mid-degree program applications are not included.

Students are encouraged to prepare their applications in advance, but they must wait until Monday, October 6 to submit in order to qualify for the waived fees. Only applications submitted between October 6 and 8 will be free. Any sent before or after that window will not be eligible for refunds.

Applicants using the Common Application should contact the admissions office of their chosen schools or review the official Apply Free Days Application Instructions for details.

All Kansas residents applying to undergraduate programs are eligible, including: •&nbsp;&nbsp;First-time freshmen •&nbsp;&nbsp;Transfer students •&nbsp; Returning students •&nbsp;&nbsp;Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree

Applicants for graduate programs are not eligible.

Some institutions—including Pittsburg State University, Washburn University, and Emporia State University—and all Kansas community colleges already offer free applications year-round.

After applying, students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. They can also explore options through the Kansas State Scholarship Program for additional aid opportunities.

Kansas Apply Free Days are part of the broader Apply Kansas Month, a statewide effort each October to help high school seniors complete applications and take the next step in their education.

State officials say the program aims to reverse a decade-long decline in college attendance. In 2021, only 59.5% of Kansas high school graduates pursued higher education, and fewer than half completed a FAFSA—a key indicator of college enrollment.

By removing application fees, organizers hope to make higher education more accessible and encourage Kansans to pursue the degrees or technical training needed to thrive in today’s workforce.

Additional resources, flyers, and social media materials are available online through the Kansas Apply Free Days campaign.

Kansas apply free days begin today

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Agg endangering a child; Reckless &lt;18; Duty of driver to report accident with an unattended vehicle/property; 1st conv

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalia/human body; Poss of marijuana; Theft of prop/services;Value $25,000 to $100,000

Saline County Jail Bookings, October 5

The City of Salina and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are scheduled to hold a public meeting on the Old Smoky Hill River Channel Restoration Project.

According to the City, on Tuesday, October 7 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the Chamber Annex (218 N. 7th St.) will be the location of the meeting.

The City and USACE has completed its draft feasibility report on the Smoky Hill Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project, which is part of the Smoky Hill River Renewal Project.

The draft report concludes that the restoration project would not result in significant degradation to the environment.  The project will be overseen by USACE and includes dredging of built-up silt from the Old River Channel, reconstruction of the channel to include riffles, pools, runs and glides, construction of wetlands around Lakewood Lake and connecting the lake to the Old River Channel, trail improvements at Lakewood Lake, removal of the Western Star Mill weir and replacement with five step pools, and other improvements.

Public input will be received and are welcomed.

The draft study and associated documents may be viewed <a href="https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Planning-Public-Notices/Article/4308865/smoky-hill-draft-feasibility-study-and-integrated-environmental-assessment-ea-a/">here</a>.&nbsp;

If you cannot attend the meeting in-person, live video coverage will be available on the City of Salina’s YouTube channel at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/CityofSalinaKansas." target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/CityofSalinaKansas.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

The recording will be available to view after the event, and will also be shown several times on SalinaTV, Cox Cable Channel 20.

Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://salina-tv.com/" target="_blank">https://salina-tv.com/</a>&nbsp;for Channel 20 schedule information.

In addition to taking public comment at the meeting, USACE will accept comments via email and US Mail. &nbsp;

Please send comments via email to&nbsp;Katherine.E.Lynch@usace.army.mil, or mail comments to: US Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, ATTN: Planning Branch Environmental Resources Section (PMP-R), 601 East 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106.

Smoky Hill River Renewal Project public meeting scheduled 

Several Salina arts organizations invite the public to join them in celebrating their anniversaries through an engaging free community activity: “Passport to the Arts" from October 6 - 31st.

Participants are encouraged to visit the Salina Symphony, Theatre Salina, Salina Arts &amp; Humanities and the Smoky Hill Museum. 

By engaging with each organization, community members will collect unique hole punches on a designated punch card—each representing a successful visit to these cultural organizations.

Completion of the punch card enters you into a drawing for one of four exclusive gift packages. Each package contains special items or event tickets from two of the participating organizations, ensuring winners enjoy a variety of cultural experiences.

Each organization will draw a winner from the completed punch cards on November 5th. Must be 18+ to win. Winners will be announced and contacted shortly thereafter.

Addresses to each participating organization:

- Salina Symphony: 151 S Santa Fe Ave, Office Entrance, Second Floor, Salina, KS

- Theatre Salina: 303 E Iron Ave, Salina, KS

- Salina Arts &amp; Humanities: 211 W Iron Ave, Second Floor, Salina, KS

- Smoky Hill Museum: 211 W Iron Ave, Salina, KS

This activity provides an opportunity to deepen community engagement with Salina’s rich arts scene while celebrating the shared milestones of these storied organizations. The activity is also a celebration of National Arts &amp; Humanities Month (NAHM), a collective recognition of the importance of culture in America. Embrace the arts, explore shared history, and join the celebration!

If you have additional questions about the activity, please email sah@salina.org or call (785) 309-5770.

For needed accommodations, please call Salina Arts &amp; Humanities at (785) 309-5770,&nbsp;Monday – Thursday between the hours of 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. Every effort will be made to accommodate known disabilities. For material or speech access, please call at least five working days prior to the event.

Salina organizations celebrate anniversaries with free community event

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

As Tuesday morning's showers continue throughout Central Kansas,&nbsp; flooding remains a possibility.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) the severity remains low for these scattered showers and storms throughout the region on Tuesday. However, heavy rainfall amounts and flooding are a possibility.&nbsp;

Please stay alert on the roadways and be safe while driving.

Flooding remains possible with Tuesday morning's showers 

The US National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita forecasts severe thunderstorms are expected to develop after midnight tonight and continue into Tuesday morning across Central Kansas.

According to NWS Wichita, these storms are likely to produce high rainfall rates, which may lead to flooding. Storms are expected to move in from the west after midnights, with most locations in Saline County after 3:00 am. The heaviest rainfall is likely between 4:00 am and noon Tuesday.

Saline County Emergency Management stated there is slightly lower confidence on how large hailstones may get, but the confidence is in the heavy rainfall and flooding potential has been increasing.

Severe storms with heavy rainfall amounts expected after midnight in Central Kansas

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 22 - September 24

Scattered storms are possible to develop this evening across Central Kansas.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), these storms have a chance of occurring late tonight with stronger storms capable of producing hail up to quarter size. However, the severity is marginal and chances are low throughout the region.

Scattered storms possible to occur late tonight in Central Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — A monumental&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;term begins Monday with major tests of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-weaponizing-government-second-term-54ab244ccb2328d116a498bbaeb680ef">presidential power</a>&nbsp;on the agenda along with pivotal cases on voting and the rights of LGBTQ people.

The court's conservative majority has so far been receptive, at least in preliminary rulings, to many of President Donald Trump's aggressive assertions of authority. Liberal Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ketanji-brown-jackson">Ketanji Brown Jackson</a>&nbsp;invoked the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/25a103_kh7p.pdf#page=16">Calvin and Hobbes comic strip</a>&nbsp;after one such decision allowing the cut of $783 million in research funding.

"This is Calvinball jurisprudence with a twist,” Jackson wrote. “Calvinball has only one rule: There are no fixed rules. We seem to have two: that one, and this administration always wins.”

The conservative justices could be more skeptical when they conduct an in-depth examination of some Trump policies, including the president's imposition of tariffs and his desired restrictions on birthright citizenship.

If the same conservative-liberal split that has marked so many of Trump's emergency appeals endures, "we are in for one of the most polarizing terms yet,” said Irv Gornstein, executive director of the Supreme Court Institute at Georgetown University’s law school.

The justices will pass judgment in the next 10 months on some of Trump's most controversial efforts.

3 major cases on presidential power are on the docket

The justices are hearing a pivotal case for Trump’s economic agenda in early November as they consider the legality of many of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-d1d0dd6ddd83e2c1df1598e468b839f5">sweeping tariffs</a>. Two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-court-ruling-trade-1c5a02ad38597c3629eff5977490813a">lower courts</a>&nbsp;have found the Republican president does not have the power to unilaterally impose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tariffs">wide-ranging tariffs</a>&nbsp;under an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45618">emergency powers law</a>.

States and small businesses argue Trump cannot usurp Congress’s taxation powers by declaring national emergencies and using tariffs to address them.

The administration, though, says the law does give the president the power to regulate importation, and that includes tariffs. Four dissenting judges on a federal appeals court in Washington bought that argument, mapping out a possible legal path at the high court.

In December, the justices will take up Trump's power to fire independent agency members at will, a case that probably will lead the court to overturn, or drastically narrow,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/humphreys-executor-supreme-court-trump-independent-agencies-8facfe6107fa94b28f391734d1620fe4">a 90-year-old decision</a>. It required a cause, like neglect of duty, before a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1900-1940/295us602">president could remove</a>&nbsp;the Senate-confirmed officials from their jobs.

The outcome appears to be in little doubt because the conservatives have allowed the firings to take effect while the case plays out, even after lower-court judges found the firings illegal. The three liberal justices have dissented each time.

Another case that has arrived at the court but has yet to be considered involves Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/">executive order</a>&nbsp;denying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-6d282d34b7aa1e992390499504ad5c7d">birthright citizenship</a>&nbsp;to children born in the United States to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-trump-executive-order-immigrants-fc7dd75ba1fb0a10f56b2a85b92dbe53">parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily</a>.

The administration has appealed lower-court rulings blocking the order as unconstitutional, or likely so, flouting more than 125 years of general understanding and an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/169us649">1898 Supreme Court ruling</a>. The case could be argued in the late winter or early spring.

The court could hand Republicans significant victories on voting rights and campaign finance

The future of electoral districts with majorities of Black, Hispanic or Native American voters hangs in the balance in a case about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-louisiana-redistricting-majority-black-districts-ea09df430fa850d4eb7497ae1be9667d">congressional redistricting in Louisiana</a>&nbsp;that will be argued in mid-October.

The Republican-led state has abandoned its defense of a political map that elected two Black members of Congress. Instead, Louisiana wants the court to reject any consideration of race in redistricting in a case that could bring major changes to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-act-60th-anniversary-supreme-court-d2bf2ff47a6c1b574e6e351d1fb46528">Voting Rights Act</a>.

Chief Justice John Roberts and the other five conservative justices have been skeptical of the consideration of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-affirmative-action-college-race-f83d6318017ec9b9029b12ee2256e744">race in public life</a>, including a decision in 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions.

Louisiana's position would allow it and other Republican-controlled states in the South to draw new political maps that eliminate virtually all majority Black House districts, which have been Democratic strongholds, voting rights experts say.

The justices failed to decide the case in June after hearing arguments during its last term. The court does not need to go as far as Louisiana wants to reject the congressional map.

But a second round of arguments is a rare occurrence at the Supreme Court, and sometimes presages a major change by the justices. The Citizens United decision in 2010 that led to dramatic increases in independent spending in U.S. elections came after it was argued a second time.

Republicans, including the Trump administration, also are behind a drive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-political-party-spending-a6b43b10ae73e58cc2e7af581b91ec76">to wipe away limits</a>&nbsp;on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president.

The justices are reviewing an appellate ruling that upheld a provision of federal election law that is more than 50 years old. Democrats had asked the court to leave the law in place, and the Supreme Court upheld it in 2001.

But Roberts, who just marked his 20th anniversary as chief justice, has led a court that has struck down one campaign finance regulation after another.

Transgender women and girls face a test over their participation on school sports teams

More than two dozen states have enacted laws barring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-transgender-athletes-title-ix-schools-3871f87d332fb229c07ad16aa3d3cca8">transgender women and girls</a>&nbsp;from participating in certain sports competitions.

The justices are hearing cases from Idaho and West Virginia, where transgender athletes won lower court rulings.

The Supreme Court in June upheld a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-transgender-health-care-trump-79fc6f3bbdab2e92d6f0184201a468a9">ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth</a>, but pointedly did not decide any broader issues about transgender rights.

They quickly agreed to take up the state appeals, which raised questions under the Constitution's guarantee of equal treatment and the federal law known as Title IX that dramatically expanded the participation of girls and women in sports in public schools and colleges.

The court has yet to set an argument date.

Justice Samuel Alito is most likely possible retirement in 2026

Alito turns 76 in April, young by Supreme Court standards. But he might not want to stay around and gamble on the possibility of Democrats flipping the Senate in next year's elections and seeing a Democrat capture the White House two years later.

Retiring next summer would allow Trump to name a similarly conservative but much younger replacement who would almost certainly win confirmation from the Republican-led Senate.

For close watchers of the court, Alito has done only one thing out of the ordinary: signed a contract to write a book that is expected out next year. Even as his junior colleagues have moved quickly to sign book deals. Alito, by contrast, waited nearly 20 years.

He did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Alito is not the oldest justice. Clarence Thomas is 77, but he has shown no signs of leaving, certainly not before he is set to become the longest-serving justice in U.S. history in 2028.

New term: Supreme Court will hear 3 major cases on presidential power 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal 2-vehicle crash that occurred just before 3a.m. Sunday in Wichita.

An SUV driven by an 18-year-old was westbound on Central Avenue through a green light at Hydraulic, according to Wichita Police spokesman Brad Wright. 

A northbound motorcycle ran a red light at Central and struck the SUV’s left rear quarter panel. The collision caused the SUV driver to lose control and overturn.&nbsp; The crash trapped the 18-year-old SUV driver under the vehicle.

Wichita Fire crews extricated him, and he was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead at 2:47 a.m., according to Wright. Two SUV passengers were also taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.The motorcyclist was transported to a medical center for treatment.

Police detained the motorcyclist. Early evidence suggests alcohol may have been a factor. Once testing and evidence collection are complete, the case will be forwarded to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the teen who died.

Police: Alcohol a possible factor in fatal Kan. SUV, motorcycle crash

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/joshua-haiar/">Joshua Haiar</a> <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/">South Dakota Searchlight</a>

SALEM — Spending 12 hours a day in his combine this week, harvesting amber rows of soybeans he planted in the spring, Andrew Streff has time to think — and it’s hard not to think about the ongoing trade dispute with China.

The country is boycotting purchases of U.S. soybeans in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

“China hasn’t purchased any soybeans from the United States this year, thanks to the president,” said Streff, who farms near Salem. “Our beans are the cheapest in the world, by about $2 a bushel, but this trade war is keeping them out of China — our biggest customer.”

Robert Lee is harvesting 300 acres of soybeans on his land near De Smet. He said many farmers are hesitant to blame Trump for bad bean prices.

“But the fact is, China imported 120 million metric tons of soybeans this year and not one bushel came from the U.S.,” Lee said. “That’s a direct result of this trade war.”

Farmers were similarly affected by trade disputes during Trump’s first term. Congress responded with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IF/PDF/IF11289/IF11289.3.pdf" target="_blank">$28 billion</a>&nbsp;of aid for farmers in 2018 and 2019, according to the Congressional Research Service. The relief paid for farmers’ lost income by providing direct payments in its place.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said during a Sept. 26 public event in Rapid City that the federal government will probably have to help farmers again.

“I have talked to the president about this, because some of this is a result of tariff policies, trade relationships, etc. — China’s not buying soybeans today,” Thune said. “And so I think, inevitably, what’s going to happen is they’ll probably end up doing what we did a few years ago, because of loss of markets.”

Thune said that’s something “none of us want.”

“But I think some of that tariff revenue that’s coming in probably will end up heading in that direction,” he said.

Trump’s tariffs will increase federal tax revenues by an estimated $171 billion this year, according to a Sept. 26 report from the&nbsp;<a href="https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/trump-tariffs-trade-war/" target="_blank">Tax Foundation</a>, a nonpartisan, tax policy research nonprofit.

On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the Trump administration is considering aid to farmers. He said in an<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/02/cnbc-transcript-us-treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-speaks-with-cnbcs-squawk-box-today.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;interview</a>&nbsp;with CNBC that farmers “should expect some news on Tuesday” about “substantial support for our farmers, especially the soybean farmers.”

Jerry Schmitz is the executive director of the South Dakota Soybean Association. He said U.S. soybean prices are down more than a dollar per bushel from last year, from over $11 down to $10, with South Dakota prices another 80 cents to $1.35 lower. Local grain elevators are struggling because exports through the Pacific Northwest into Asian countries have slowed to a trickle.

Based on the number of soybean acres planted this year, Schmitz said a $1 drop in price equates to about $250 million of lost income for South Dakota farmers.

A tariff is a tax paid by importers, with the cost often passed along in prices charged to customers. Schmitz said the impact of tariffs on farmers goes beyond the obvious. An example is a rise in fertilizer prices, “partly due to inflation, but exacerbated by the tariffs.”

Streff, the Salem-area farmer, also works as a commodities broker in Mitchell. He said farmers like him who locked in a price with a grain buyer months before harvest are doing better, but “you were gambling on the future.”

“A lot of farmers were hoping the president learned from the last time around,” he said. “But it didn’t surprise me — he campaigned on doing these tariffs. The U.S. elected someone who likes to pick fights with other countries, and now we’re in the middle of it.”

He said others waited to see how the crop would turn out and if trade relations with China would improve. They haven’t.

Farm leaders and state officials are creating new domestic soybean uses, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/09/09/500-million-soybean-processing-plant-opens-in-mitchell/" target="_blank">$500 million soybean processing plant</a>&nbsp;in Mitchell that will mostly use soybeans to make renewable diesel and livestock feed.

Streff said that’s encouraging, but it won’t replace the demand of a country with 1.4 billion people who like soybean-fed pork.

“It’s not going to solve all our problems,” he said.

It’s a point Thune echoed while in Rapid City.

“We need to get the Chinese market back at some point because we sell a ton,” Thune said. “Sixty percent of our soybeans are exported, mostly to China. And so we’ve got to have those export markets.”

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/10/02/harvest-of-stress-soybean-farmers-await-help-as-tariff-dispute-closes-china-market/" target="_blank">South Dakota Searchlight</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Missouri Independent, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Harvest of stress: Soybean farmers await help as tariff dispute closes China market

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged attack on a bus driver in Lawrence.

Just after 3p.m. Saturday, police were called to 11th and New Hampshire in Lawrence after a bus passenger witnessed a man acting erratically - then shove the bus driver and break out a window with his fist, according to a media release from Lawrence police.

The driver asked the passenger to roll up the window because it wasn’t allowed. When the passenger refused and began disrupting other passengers, the driver pulled the bus over and told the passenger to get off the bus.

The man then shoved the bus driver, ripped the driver’s glasses off his face and punched out the window.   Officers quickly arrived and found the man shirtless and agitated outside the bus and took him into custody.  The driver did not require medical treatment.

Police: Kansas man jailed after attack on bus driver

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 16-year-old&nbsp;Ta’Kori Jones, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just before 5:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 7100 block of Longview Road on a reported shooting, according to DiMartino.

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