TOPEKA, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation shared the results of the statewide marijuana enforcement operation conducted in Kansas, between Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, according to a media release from the agency.

KBI agents, with support from local law enforcement, executed search warrants at 18 separate vape shops and CBD dispensaries in Wichita, Topeka, Salina, Great Bend, McPherson, Independence, Pratt, Abilene, Ulysses, Concordia and Sedan.

Marijuana products that are prohibited by Kansas law, or were suspected to contain unlawful amounts of THC, were seized. The preliminary results of items seized during the operation include:

Flower, also known as marijuana bud, (weight in ounces and pounds): 5,494 ounces or 343.38 pounds

THC pre-rolls, also called pre-rolled joints, (number of items): 43,867

THC and&nbsp;psilocybin&nbsp;edibles&nbsp;(number of packages): 84,481

Additionally, two subjects were arrested on Oct. 2, in Ulysses, for moving illegal THC products in order to evade law enforcement detection.

Gregory Reese, 63, of Ulysses, was arrested around 12:15 p.m., at N. Stubbs Road and E. Road 9 in rural Grant County. He was arrested for possession with the intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement, and no Kansas drug tax stamp.

Tammy Reese, 59, of Ulysses, was arrested for distribution of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, interference with law enforcement, criminal use of a weapon, and no Kansas drug tax stamp. She was arrested at Reese’s Enterprises at 119 W. Oklahoma, in Ulysses, at around 12:30 p.m.

Around 5 p.m., on Oct. 2, the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped a 20-foot box truck on U.S. Highway 400, near Fredonia. The truck was transporting THC products that were removed from the shelves of 19 Kansas shops. KBI agents seized the truck and its contents, and are investigating what occurred.&nbsp;

Evidence from these cases is being tested. The investigations are ongoing.

KBI shares results of the statewide marijuana enforcement operation

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

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

NAME:&nbsp;De Santiago Contreras, Julian

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity; Improper driving on laned roadway

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor; Following too close; No Proof Of Insurance; Reckless Driving

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Domestic Battery: rude physical contact; Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor; Transporting an open container

NAME:&nbsp;Lawrence, Trevor James

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

NAME:&nbsp;Studabaker, Christopher James

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit; Violate offender reg. act; 1st conv; person

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Driving While Suspended; Driving while habitual violator; No Proof Of Insurance; Failure to appear (2 requested charges)&nbsp;

Saline County Jail Bookings, October 12

Many local organizations collaborate to hold a Fall Repair Cafe event dedicated to repairing items, sewing projects and small woodworking tasks.

On Saturday, October 18 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Salina Art Center Warehouse (149 S. 4th Street), volunteers will be ready to serve you with electrical repairs, flat tires on bicycles, fixing jewelry, sewing projects and small woodworking tasks.

This event is in collaboration with North Salina Community Development, Community Resilience Hub at Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina Art Center Warehouse Education Studio and Crossroads Church Men’s Group.&nbsp;

Please note, only small items will be services at this event.

For more information contact&nbsp;Barb Young,&nbsp;byoungkst8er@gmail.com or&nbsp;(785) 452-5272.

Upcoming event features local volunteers set to repair personal items for free

OCCK has announced they will host the 35th Annual Employment Expo, the region’s largest and longest-running job fair, on Thursday, October 16, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center.

This free event is designed to connect you directly with hiring employers from across North Central Kansas. Dozens of companies representing a wide range of industries will be on hand with immediate openings, providing job seekers a unique opportunity to explore careers, hand out resumes, and showcase their resumes.

· Direct access to hiring managers ready to meet and set up interviews

· A variety of job openings in healthcare, manufacturing, retail, customer service and more

· A chance to learn about training programs and community resources to support long-term employment success

“Job seekers appreciate the chance to meet with area employers face-to-face, ask questions and explore opportunities. Employers return each year not only to share their current openings but also to connect with people about future possibilities!”, said Shanna Sowers, Director of OCCK’s Workforce Solutions

The Employment Expo is open to anyone looking for work. Whether just entering the workforce, seeking a career change, or rejoining after time away. No registration is required. Job seekers are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resume, dress for success, and come ready to connect. 

For more information, visit <a href="http://occk.com/service/employment-expo">occk.com/service/employment-expo</a>

OCCK hosting 35th annual Employment Expo at TPEC

The City of Salina will host its second Accessibility Seminar on Thursday, October 16, from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm at OCCK&nbsp;(1710 W. Schilling). The free event is sponsored by OCCK, Inc.

The seminar is a half-day educational opportunity to understand accessibility issues that individuals with disabilities face and resources available in the Salina area. 

Guest speakers include: Karen Chapman of KSDS Assistance Dogs., Inc. and Craig Knutson of Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns. The seminar will also have a panel featuring local agencies that assist individuals with disabilities gain employment.

The event is free to attend with limited seating. 

Those who wish to attend should complete the online registration at <a href="http://Salina-KS.gov/ADA">Salina-KS.gov/ADA</a> or contact the Community Relations Division at community.relations@salina.org.

For more information, call (785) 309-5745 or visit <a href="http://www.salina-ks.gov/ADA">www.salina-ks.gov/ADA</a>.

For needed accommodations, call the Community Relations Division between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Every effort will be made to accommodate known disabilities with at least 5 business day notice of needed accommodations prior to the event.

City of Salina to host 2nd annual Accessibility Seminar 

Project Salina is informing the community of needing assistance to find a new location for their food collection efforts.

According to Board Member/Secretary for Project Salina, Yvonne Davis the warehouse they have been using will no longer be available after "Souper Bowl of Hope" in January 2026. Project Salina is reaching out to the community for help in finding them a new location.

Davis added, they need warehouse space for approximately 10 days in June 2026 for Project Salina and three weeks in January 2027 for the Souper Bowl of Hope drive.

- Large enough to store 20 pallets w/ room to maneuver a pallet jack.

- 24-hour access for Project Salina board members during use.

- Enclosed, weatherproof and lockable to safeguard donated food.

"The space doesn’t need to be fancy, just functional and secure.&nbsp;Thank you for your support in helping us continue our mission to feed our community," said Davis.

If you know of a location that may work, please check with your agency leadership and send Project Salina the&nbsp;the contact information for any potential spaces.

You can contact Project Salina at:&nbsp;projectsalina@gmail.com

Project Salina seeking community assistance for acquiring new warehouse

*No image available for&nbsp;Batesel, Abryann Dannielle*

NAME:&nbsp;Batesel, Abryann Dannielle

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;DUI; 2nd conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Harass by telecom device; Transmit comment/image/text to abuse/threat/har

NAME:&nbsp;Lawrence, Trevor James

NAME:&nbsp;Shepherd, Kiera Kaleese

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit; Probation Violation; Return for court testimony

NAME:&nbsp;Wise-Jayne, Tyler Allen

Saline County Jail Bookings, October 11

Project Salina has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the&nbsp; Kansas Masonic Foundation, in partnership with Salina Lodge 60. Representatives from the&nbsp; Finance and Charity Committees of Salina Lodge 60 presented the check to Project Salina board members on Wednesday, October 8.&nbsp;

As the philanthropic arm of Kansas Masons, the Kansas Masonic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening Kansas communities and supporting fellow Masons and their families. Since its inception, the foundation has invested more than $50 million in Kansas communities and individuals through academic, scientific, and charitable initiatives. Salina Lodge 60 has been an active part of the Salina community since 1867. So far this year, the lodge has contributed more than $16,000 in donations to local scholarships and community organizations.&nbsp;

Founded in 1990 by Jack Parr and Jane Kramer, Project Salina is a local nonprofit committed to&nbsp; fighting hunger in Salina. Recognizing that food donations often peak during the holidays but decline in the summer—when demand for food assistance is highest—Project Salina works to&nbsp; fill that gap. The organization partners with six agencies: the Emergency Aid Food Bank, the Salvation Army, the Salina Rescue Mission, the Ashby House, DVACK, and Salina Grace.&nbsp;

Each year from May 1 to May 31, Project Salina collects cash and food donations to purchase food for its partner agencies. When supplies run low, agencies turn to Project Salina, which uses&nbsp; donated funds to keep their shelves stocked.&nbsp;

The $5,000 grant from the Kansas Masonic Foundation will directly support this mission, helping to keep food supplies strong so local agencies can continue serving individuals and&nbsp; families in need. Learn about how you can help Project Salina at:&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.projectsalina.com/">https://www.projectsalina.com/&nbsp;</a>

For more information about the Kansas Masonic Foundation, visit:

<a href="https://kansasmasonicfoundation.org">https://kansasmasonicfoundation.org</a>.&nbsp;

Kansas Masonic Foundation awards $5,000 grant to Project Salina 

The Salina Senior Theatre Project will close its 5th season with&nbsp;"An Evening Of One Acts"&nbsp;featuring four performances titled "Blue Sky With Approaching Storm," "Bank Robbery ?," "You Know Your Old When"&nbsp;and "Just The Facts Ma'am."

The shows will be presented Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25 at 7:00 pm at the Salvation Army Chapel&nbsp;(1137 N Santa Fe). The cast includes local talents such as, Danton McDiffett, Stephanie Silcott-McDiffett, Temprance Schreiner, Jan Oberle, Bethanny Carter,&nbsp;Amanda Lynn, Bob Hunter, Bob Sears, Wally Hitchcock, Terri Levin, Carol Bragg and Don Ratzlaff.&nbsp;

Tickets will go on sale Monday, October 13.&nbsp;

Tickets will be $10 in advance at the Salvation Army front desk (785)-823-2251 or at the door the night of each performance.

Refreshments will be provided and drawing for door prizes.&nbsp;Half of the proceeds received will go toward the Salvation Army Repair Fund.

Salina Senior Theatre Project closes 5th season with 4 performances

Red Fern Booksellers has announced their third local Authors Fair will occur, for another chance to meet authors from across the state.

On Sunday, October 19 from&nbsp;3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Red Fern Booksellers (106 S. Santa Fe Ave), Kansan&nbsp;authors expected to make an appearance include: Jamie Bosse, Willa R. Finnegan, Tim (T.D.) Keane, Sherry Krehbiel, Mary L. Schmidt, Julie Stielstra, Michael Travis and Randall Weber.

Each of these authors will have their books available for purchase. Several genres will be represented at this fair, including Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Poetry, and General Fiction.&nbsp;

Click <a href="https://redfernbooksellers.com/">here</a> for the Red Fern Booksellers website.

Red Fern hosting 3rd local Authors Fair Oct. 19

On Thursday, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a grand opening event for Dacus Auto Body and Collision Repair.

&nbsp;Co-owners Chris and Kena Dacus started Dacus Auto Body in McPherson 11 years ago. This past May, Dacus purchased Crossroads Collision from the previous owners, who were looking to retire. Located at&nbsp;1334 N Ohio, Dacus Auto Body and Collision Repair uses the same production staff as Crossroads Collision while also bringing in new workers to the site.&nbsp;

"I have a lot of connections to Salina from my childhood," said Kena Dacus. "It's been really welcoming and really nice."

Kena Dacus also announced that among the 17 OEM certifications Dacus Auto Body already holds, they recently received certification for Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer. Dacus hopes to continue to grow and provide new services to the Salina community.

For more information about&nbsp;Dacus Auto Body and Collision Repair, click <a href="https://www.dacusauto.com/#SalinaLocationHome">here</a>.

Chamber of Commerce celebrates body shop grand opening

<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 10 - October 12

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 8 - October 10

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 6 - October 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 3 - October 5

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 1 - October 3

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 29 - October 1

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 26 - September 28

For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weathe</a>

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 24 - September 26

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

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mark-sanchez-stabbing-felony-779e3e7c8a746b6218dfda8fcdb8d153">NFL quarterback and sports analyst Mark Sanchez</a>&nbsp;was released from custody Sunday, about a week after police said he was stabbed during a fight with a truck driver outside an Indiana hotel.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Sanchez's release. He faces a felony battery charge, along with several misdemeanor charges, for what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mark-sanchez-stabbing-felony-779e3e7c8a746b6218dfda8fcdb8d153">prosecutors have said was a fight over parking.</a>

A police affidavit says the 38-year-old Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted 69-year-old Perry Tole, who had backed his truck into a hotel’s loading docks in downtown Indianapolis on Oct. 4. Tole claims in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mark-sanchez-stabbing-lawsuit-fox-3b1baf3a3bd68770857fbcbfcd6e478b">lawsuit filed Monday</a>&nbsp;that Sanchez entered the truck without permission, then physically blocked and shoved Tole, who then doused Sanchez with pepper spray.

When Sanchez advanced after being sprayed, Tole pulled a knife to defend himself, authorities said.

Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, according to a police affidavit. A picture of Tole circulating online shows him in a neck brace on a hospital bed, covered in blood with a deep slash to the side of his face.

Sanchez was in Indianapolis for Fox’s coverage of last Sunday’s game between the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sanchez had a 10-year NFL career before retiring in 2019. He spent four seasons with the New York Jets and also appeared in games with Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington.

He appeared on ABC and ESPN for two years before joining Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021.

A defense attorney for Sanchez didn't immediately respond to a telephone message seeking comment.

 Ex-NFL QB released from custody after knife fight over parking

FORD COUNTY —Three people died in a fire Sunday in Dodge City.

Just after 9:30a.m., the Dodge City Fire Department received a call&nbsp; regarding a structure fire in the area between McArtor Road and Agnes Street, according to a media release from the fire department.

Firefighters found two trailer homes and three vehicles involved in the fire, with one trailer home already fully engulfed in flames.

Crews worked quickly to contain and extinguish the fire, preventing it from spreading further. Fhree fatalities resulted from the incident. The Dodge City Police Department is currently interviewing family members to gather additional information to help identify those in the fire.

Although the fire is out, a Dodge City Fire Department engine remains on scene to monitor for any potential flare-ups and to assist the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office once they arrive to conduct a full investigation on the cause of the fire.

Three found dead in southwest Kansas fire

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

Fewer choices may be on the menu again as Medicare patients shop for prescription coverage this fall.

The number of available, stand-alone drug plans has fallen for a few years, and that trend will continue for 2026. Most markets will still have several choices, but some options are becoming particularly sparse for shoppers with low-income subsidies. And help may be harder to find because some insurers no longer pay brokers commissions for new business.

Shoppers have from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 to find new coverage that starts in January.

Here’s who needs a Medicare Part D plan

Regular Medicare, which most people qualify for after turning 65, does not come with prescription coverage, known as Part D. People must choose that separately.

About 23 million people with regular Medicare have this standalone coverage, according to the non-profit KFF, which studies health care.

Another roughly 34 million people have Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately run versions of Medicare that often come with prescription coverage.

A typical shopper will be able to choose a standalone drug plan from among eight to 12 options for 2026, according to KFF Medicare expert Juliette Cubanski. That’s down from 12 to 16 options in 2025.

Shoppers had nearly 30 choices as recently as 2021, according to the Commonwealth Fund’s Gretchen Jacobson.

Depending on the state, a range of one to four plans will be available at no premium to people who qualify for low-income subsidies, according to KFF. Eight were available in 2021.

Some insurers are reducing their presence in standalone Part D plans, while the Blue Cross-Blue Shield carrier Elevance is leaving the market entirely. Insurers and analysts who follow the industry note that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-climate-health-tax-law-economy-inflation-f112d7c78abaa724d22964317d213deb">the Inflation Reduction Act</a>, which will cap annual out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,100 in 2026, puts more financial pressure on insurers. The same law now allows patients to spread the cost of prescriptions over the year.

There are still many Medicare Part D options

Most markets will have several choices. But experts say Medicare Part D customers don’t like to shop, especially if they already have a plan that covers their medications. Finding affordable coverage for multiple prescriptions can be tricky.

“I think there’s a lot of inertia and, frankly, people may be concerned that if they switch, they’re going to end up worse off,” Cubanski said.

More people are being pushed to shop. Nearly 11% of those with standalone prescription drug coverage lost their plan in 2024, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2834155?guestaccesskey=945ba919-ae7d-4e09-9372-d5c7ba67e606&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=postup_jn&amp;utm_campaign=article_alert-jama&amp;utm_content=etoc-tfl_&amp;utm_term=072225" target="_blank">research</a>&nbsp;published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Before 2023, that figure was often under 1%, said Dr. Christopher Cai, one of the researchers involved in the study.

Here’s how Medicare Part D prices are changing

Monthly premiums, or coverage prices, will fall nearly 10% on average to $34.50, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/medicare-advantage-medicare-prescription-drug-programs-expected-remain-stable-2026" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;last month.

At least one option with a premium of under $20 exists in almost every region of the country, according to the consulting firm Oliver Wyman.

Individual prices will range widely, with premiums for the same plan varying by state, Cubanski noted.

But while plans may provide lower coverage prices, they could also raise deductibles or offer more limited lists of covered drugs, which are called formularies. Shoppers should check these details.

Insurers will be allowed to raise premiums by as much as $50 a month for 2026, up from a $35 increase allowed this year. But Cubanski said only some plans will hit that higher limit and not necessarily in all states.

Where to get help shopping for Medicare Part D plans

Shoppers can use a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/?year=2025&amp;lang=en" target="_blank">federal government website</a>&nbsp;to compare plan prices and coverage.

States also have a State Health Insurance Program created specifically to help people on Medicare find coverage.

Consumers can help themselves by checking their coverage for changes and comparing it with other plans.

Shoppers also should consider whether their pharmacy is in the network covered by any plan they are considering, said Jacobson, Commonwealth’s vice president of Medicare.

Some might also consider switching to Medicare Advantage plans with prescription coverage. But those plans can have more limited networks of covered doctors, which can pose a problem for people with fewer care choices in rural areas.

The enrollment window spans several weeks, but brokers say many people wait until that first week in December to make decisions, often after talking with family during holiday dinners.

That can create a deadline crunch that makes it harder to find help in early December.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Prescription drug coverage options are shrinking for Medicare shoppers

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/sarah-raza">SARAH RAZA</a>

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — When Rob Coverdale started his job in 2023 as superintendent of the K-12 Crow Creek Tribal School in South Dakota, there were 15 unfilled teaching positions.

Within nine months, he had filled those vacancies with Filipino teachers, the majority of whom arrived on the H-1B, a visa for skilled workers in specialty occupations.

“We’ve hired the H-1B teachers because we quite simply didn’t have other applicants for those positions,” Coverdale said. “So they’re certainly not taking jobs from Americans. They’re filling jobs that otherwise just simply we would not get filled.”

Now a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-trump-immigration-explainer-7d5dae2c65b2fa27a7730be3c6833d32">$100,000 fee</a>&nbsp;for H-1B visa applications spells trouble for those like Coverdale in rural parts of the country who rely on immigrants to fill vacancies in skilled professions like education and health care.

The Trump administration announced the fee on Sept. 19, arguing that employers were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-trump-immigration-8d39699d0b2de3d90936f8076357254e">replacing</a>&nbsp;American workers with cheaper talent from overseas. Since then, the White House has said the fee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-changes-trump-cbb0995814cf2c9a3c74a6dcf2b31d72">won’t apply</a>&nbsp;to existing visa holders and offered a form to request exemptions from the charge.

H-1Bs are primarily associated with tech workers from India. Big tech companies are the biggest user of the visa, and nearly three-quarters of those approved are from India. But there are critical workers, like teachers and doctors, who fall outside that category.

Over the last decade, the U.S. has faced a shortage in those and other sectors. One in eight public school positions are vacant or filled by uncertified teachers, and the American Medical Association projects a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-doctors-trump-medical-residents-j1-visa-4d1aafa387086518735b385809bd4e1f">shortage</a>&nbsp;of 87,000 physicians in the next decade. The shortages are often worse in small, rural communities that struggle to fill jobs due to lower wages and often lack basic necessities like shopping and home rental options.

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H-1B and J-1 visas provide communities an option to hire immigrants with advanced training and certification. The J-1s are short-term visas for cultural exchange programs that aren’t subject to the new fee but, unlike the H-1B, don’t offer a pathway to permanent residency.

While&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-trump-immigration-explainer-7d5dae2c65b2fa27a7730be3c6833d32">large companies</a>&nbsp;may be able to absorb the new fee, that’s not an option for most rural communities, said Melissa Sadorf, executive director of the National Rural Education Association.

“It really is potentially the cost of the salary and benefits of one teacher, maybe even two, depending on the state,” she said. “Attaching that price tag to a single hire, it just simply puts that position out of reach for rural budgets.”

A coalition of health care providers, religious groups and educators filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-h1b-visa-trump-8afc10165ce911d43a4cd47ade4268e1">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;on Friday to stop the H-1B fee, saying it would harm hospitals, churches, schools and industries that rely on the visa. The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment and referred a query to its website.

Filling classrooms where Americans won’t go

Coverdale said spots like Stephan, where Crow Creek is based, struggle to attract workers in part because of their isolation. Stephan is nearly an hour’s drive from the nearest Walmart or any place that sells clothes, he said.

“The more remote you are, the more challenging it is for your staff members to get to your school and serve your kids,” he said.

Among Coverdale’s hires is Mary Joy Ponce-Torres, who had 24 years of teaching experience in the Philippines and now teaches history at Crow Creek. It was a cultural adjustment, but Ponce-Torres said she’s made friends and Stephan is now a second home.

“I came from a private school,” she said. “When I came here, I saw it was more like a rural area ... but maybe I was also looking for the same vibe, the same atmosphere where I can just take my time, take things in a much slower pace.”

Many immigrants like Ponce-Torres leave their family behind to pursue the experience and higher wages that a U.S. job can provide.

Sean Rickert, superintendent of the Pima Unified School District in Pima, Arizona, said he would stop seeking H-1B teachers if the new fee is imposed. “I just plain don’t have the money,” he said.

Though schools can also use J-1 visas to bring in immigrant teachers, it increases turnover because it is shorter term.

“It’s so important that we find permanent people, people who can buy homes, who can become part of our community,” said George Shipley, superintendent at Bison Schools in the town of Bison, South Dakota. “So the H-1B opens that possibility. It is super important, in my opinion, to actually transition from the J-1 visas to the H-1B.”

Without enough staff, schools may hire uncertified teachers, combine classes, increase caseloads for special education managers or drop some course offerings. Shipley said any future shortage of teachers in Bison would force some classes to move online.

The rural reliance on immigrant teachers is concentrated on harder-to-fill specialties, Sadorf said.

“It’s a lot more difficult to find a high school advanced math teacher that’s qualified than it is to fill a second or third grade elementary class position,” she said.

Closing gaps in the nation’s doctor shortage

The fee could be a “huge problem” for health care, said Bobby Mukkamala, president of the American Medical Association and a doctor in Flint, Michigan. Without enough doctors, patients will have to drive farther and wait longer for care.

One-quarter of the nation’s physicians are international medical graduates, according to the AMA.

“It’s just going to be terrible for the physician shortage, particularly in rural areas,” said Mukkamala, whose parents came to the U.S. as international medical graduates. “The people that do graduate from here, who want to practice medicine, obviously have a choice and they’re going to pick Detroit, they’re going to pick Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco. ... This is kind of where everybody goes.”

Leading medical societies have called on the Trump administration and lawmakers to grant exemptions from the fee to immigrant health care workers.

“Given the staffing and financial challenges our hospitals are already facing, the increased petition fees outlined in the September 19 Proclamation would likely prevent many of them from continuing to recruit essential health care staff and could force a reduction in the services they are able to provide,” the American Hospital Association said in a statement.

Allison Roberts, vice president of human resources at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in Watertown, South Dakota, said the change could be dire for health care in rural America.

“If we end up not being exempt, the variation between what it is now and that $100,000 fee is going to really take your smaller, rural health care institutions out of the picture,” she said.

Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee threatens rural schools and hospitals 

Residents deal with mile-long walks, corner store diets and poorer health as grocers are forced to close unprofitable locations on both sides of the state line

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/thomaswhite/">Thomas White</a>

Phillip Ramsey is a master gardener who’s planting fall produce in one of the community gardens he manages. It’s just two blocks from the Sun Fresh grocery store that operated at 31st Street and Prospect Avenue until it shut down in August.

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