Salina Police are currently investigating a burglary that took place at a local business.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Saturday, September 20, an employee from Salina Movement Therapy (100 block of S. Santa Fe) reported an unknown suspect(s) burglarized the business.

Reportedly, an unknown suspect(s) entered the business and stole a Silver Surface Pro laptop ($3,000) sometime between Friday, September 19 at 3:30 pm - Saturday at noon.

SPD is currently investigating the crime.

Noon, 100 block s santa fe (salina movement therapy)

Investigation ongoing after reported business burglary 

A proposal to build a new hotel in downtown Salina was brought forth to City Commissioners, which sparked some interest.

According to City Manager Jacob Wood, <a href="https://www.lighthousepropertieshotels.com/https://www.lighthousepropertieshotels.com/">Lighthouse Properties</a>&nbsp;has been in conversation for the past several weeks about constructing a brand new hotel in 200 block of S. 7th Street (behind the Old Chicago restaurant). Guy Walker, representing Lighthouse Properties proposed the new hotel to Commissioners on Monday.

According to Walker, the new hotel would be called "Springhill Suites" by Marriott. This proposed hotel would include 80 rooms (could be changed) and a parking garage of about 380 spaces. Comparable to the current "Homewood Suites" (115 E Mulberry St.), is smaller in square feet, room size and meeting space.&nbsp;

"Our goal would be to build this one (Springhill Suites) for less money than we did for Homewood, and be able to have rates come in the range of $20-$30 per night," said Walker.

Walker stated that placing another hotel in downtown would "increase the potential customer base." Additionally, Walker and his staff planned to place the new hotel in the proposed location to have "easy access to downtown."

"Hopefully the idea would be to spread those guests out amongst the downtown restaurants and stores, to increase the overall economic impact," said Walker.

Moreover, the location being close to the Homewood Suites helps with 'staffing' and increases 'the ability for guests in both hotels to use the meeting space that is currently in the Homewood Suites' according to Walker.

Given the fact that this proposed hotel would take place at a city owned parking lot, the City of Salina would have obligations.&nbsp;

According to Wood, City staff would have to figure out 'transfer of property and ownership of the site for the hotel.' Since the hotel's parking garage would be public, city staff would have to 'bond finance of the garage' for approximately $13 million.

Wood presented different funding sources that would be used for the expenses of the parking garage. Those include:

- Portion of TIF (Tax Increment Financing) generated in the Downtown TIF.

*TIF (Tax Increment Financing) is a&nbsp;financing method used to fund development costs by borrowing against the future increase in property taxes, generated by a specific development project.*

- Portion of TIF generated in the new parking garage/hotel TIF.

- There is potential for<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/star-bonds/"> STAR Bond</a>&nbsp;proceeds to cover a portion of the cost.

- CID (Community Improvement District) on hotel.

*CID&nbsp;(Community Improvement District), is when property owners in a designated area voluntarily tax themselves to fund improvements and services within the district, or area of proposed building.*&nbsp;

Wood stated the parking garage would generate $0 in property taxes.&nbsp;

Commissioners are highly interested and plan on moving forward with the proposal of the hotel.

City Commission interested in new hotel for downtown Salina

The proposal for the installation of a new splash pad at Jerry Ivey Memorial Park was approved by Salina Commissioners.

ORIGINAL:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/63842de7-8ca7-4af6-971b-cad3f2444815">Revised plan for new splash pad at Jerry Ivey Park to be presented at next commission meeting</a>

During the Salina City Commission meeting on Monday, Parks &amp; Recreation Director Jeff Hammond presented a new proposal for the splash pad to be constructed at Jerry Ivey Park. The proposal was a bid totaling $709,165 from <a href="https://athcollc.com/about/">Athco LLC</a>.&nbsp;

Athco LLC's scope of work would include:

- Excavation for splash pad 60' diameter and MecH2O (mechanical building)

- 5' outer perimeter sidewalk with an all concrete light broom finish

- Digiwall Panel for artwork on 1 side of the MecH20

- Low voltage wiring from start switch to MecH2O

- Site restoration to rough grade w/ seed &amp; straw

A comment from the City Commission meeting packet stated, "The proposal&nbsp;has a very good balance of value within the budget for the number of features.&nbsp;Additionally, they showed adequate experience, will provide support after installation, provide the manufacturer’s warranty and can meet the proposed timeline.”

Matt Cline represented Athco LLC at the meeting, and spoke with City Commissioners about what the company is and has done. Athco is a&nbsp; landscape company based in Kansas that has supplied playground, athletic and recreational equipment since 1952.

Cline has been with Athco since September 2011 and is originally from Salina.

Learn more about Athco LLC:&nbsp;<a href="https://athcollc.com/about/">https://athcollc.com/about/</a>

The City's responsibilities for the splash pad would be:

- Ensure the excavated site meets required compaction

- Ensuring the electrical service and sanitary sewer meets splash pad requirements

"This is an upgrade over the first one," said Commissioner Dr. Davis.

Projected completion date is set for mid-April or beginning of May, 2026 (weather permitting).

For more information about the proposal, go to item 5.1 at:&nbsp;<a href="https://agendasuite.org/iip/salina/meeting/details/1180">https://agendasuite.org/iip/salina/meeting/details/1180</a>

UPDATE: New splash pad approved for Jerry Ivey Park

The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) maintains national law enforcement, academy and communications accreditation through the Commission on Law Enforcement for Accreditation (CALEA). 

As a part of this process, an opportunity is provided to citizens of Kansas for public feedback via the&nbsp;CALEA&nbsp;Portal which can be located here:

<a href="https://kansashighwaypatrol.gov/about-us/calea-law-enforcement-accreditation/">https://kansashighwaypatrol.gov/about-us/calea-law-enforcement-accreditation/</a>

The purpose of this public portal is to receive comments regarding the KHP's compliance with&nbsp;CALEA&nbsp;standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services and overall candidacy for accreditation status. These comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns. 

The overall intent of the accreditation process is to provide KHP with information to support continuous improvement, as well as foster the agency's pursuit of professional excellence.

It is important to know that&nbsp;CALEA&nbsp;is not an investigatory body and subsequently, the public portal should not be used to submit information for such purposes. 

Additionally, there will be no response other than acknowledgment to submissions. However, the information will be considered in context to its relevance to compliance with standards and the tenets of&nbsp;CALEA® Accreditation.

KHP seeking public input regarding their overall performance in services

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.

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>.

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

MANHATTAN - McCain Auditorium is cranking up the volume on Tuesday, October 7, welcoming rock icon Melissa Etheridge and power duo "Indigo Girls" to the McCain Performance Series lineup for a night of unforgettable folk-rock fun.

Etheridge, a masterful singer-songwriter and guitarist, has topped charts with hit songs like “I'm The Only One” and “Come to My Window.” Amy Ray and Emily Saliers — together as Indigo Girls —&nbsp;have been taking the stage since the 1980s, known for their blending of Appalachian, pop and rock music. 

Both legendary, Grammy Award-winning performers, their collaborative performances take folk-rock to new heights.

In summer 2024, Etheridge and Indigo Girls duo teamed up for the “Yes We Are” tour, bringing soulful, electrifying folk-rock energy to stages across the U.S. and Canada. McCain Auditorium will host one of the tour’s final stops, giving audiences a powerhouse show filled with classic hits and fan favorites brought to life.

For discount details, contact the box office. 

Visit the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/">McCain Performance Series website</a>&nbsp;for additional information.

Amped up: Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls to bring ‘Yes We Are’ tour to McCain Auditorium

A Lindsborg woman was medically transported, after a single-vehicle crash in Saline County.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, September 16 at around 4:30 am, it was reported that a 50-year old woman from Lindsborg, crashed her white 2017 Honda Civic on Burma road (north of Parsons road in Saline County).

Reportedly, the woman was headed northbound on Burma when she swerved after a skunk crossed the roadway. The vehicle hit a guardrail on the left and hit another rail to the right, before coming to a rest on its wheels.&nbsp;

The driver identified as Robin Comes suffered non-life threatening injuries, and was transported by EMS to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment.

Comes was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Lindsborg woman was medically transported after single-vehicle crash

Farm house in rural Saline County, valued at around $10,000 was destroyed after a fire.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on Saturday, September 20 at around 3:00 am, deputies and Rural Fire District (RFD) 3, were dispatched to an unoccupied farm house that was on fire in the 4000 block of N. Brookville Rd.

RFD 3 quickly extinguished the fire, but the farm house was completely consumed. Total loss was valued between $10,000 - $15,000.

The owner of the home, nor anyone was inside when the fire occurred.

The cause of fire is unknown at this time, but was possibly electrical related.

Farm house in Saline County valued around $10,000 destroyed after fire

Salina Police arrested a male suspect, after he allegedly broke and forcibly stole a female victim's glasses.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Saturday, September 20 at around 2:00 am, a 25-year old woman reported that her and a friend (male) were at bar in Salina, when a man began yelling at her. She stated she knew the man yelling, who is identified as 35-year old, Oscar Gloria-Calderon. 

Both her and the friend left the scene afterwards.

Gloria-Calderon then followed them when they left, and drove to a residence in the 1300 block of Derby. Both the woman and her friend were sitting in the vehicle, parked outside the home. Reportedly, Gloria-Calderon approached and opened the passenger door of the vehicle, where he snatched the woman's glasses and broke them, before the leaving the scene.

Later that same day, law enforcement located Gloria-Calderon inside a vehicle in the 700 block of Greenbriar. Officers arrested him and found the victim's broken glasses inside his vehicle, after a conducted search warrant.

Gloria-Calderon was booked into the Saline County Jail on the following requested charges:

Robbery, Domestic Battery, Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia.

Salina Police arrest a man after he broke and forcibly stole a woman's glasses

Victim of domestic violence calls police several days after the incident, resulting in arrest of the suspect.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Friday, September 19 at around 4:00 pm, a 46-year old woman reported she was assaulted by a man several days earlier on September 14th.

Reportedly, at an apartment complex in the 100 block of N. 8th, the woman arrived home at around midnight on the 14th. When she arrived, her acquaintance identified as 50-year old James Blundell, was inside the apartment and became 'aggressive,' threatening her.&nbsp;

SPD stated that drugs and alcohol were believed to be a factor.

Moreover, the woman tried to leave the apartment, but Blundell blocked her from leaving and threatened to kill her if she called 9-1-1. Allegedly, Blundell grabbed the woman and threw her. She suffered injuries to her arm and finger. 

SPD said, the woman did not call police that night 'for fear of her life.' However, the woman was able to leave the apartment.&nbsp;

On the 19th, she reported the incident to SPD. Later that same day, law enforcement located and arrested Blundell in the 200 block of W. Crawford. He was booked into the Saline County Jail on the following requested charges:

Criminal Threat, Criminal Restraint, Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness, Domestic Battery, Possession of a Hallucinogenic Drug, Possession of an Opiate and Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Suspect of domestic violence arrested after victim calls several days later 

The Salina City Commission will hold its regular meeting on September 22, 2025. The meeting will begin at 4:00 pm inside Room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street.

For those who cannot attend the meeting, you can watch the livestream today on YouTube at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas">https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas</a>.

1. Consider approval of the minutes of the September 8, 2025, regular meeting.

1. Consider a project authorization for the design, purchase and installation of a splash pad for Jerry Ivey Memorial Park in the amount of $709,165.00 and authorize the City Manager to authorize the purchase and installation of a splash pad upon the fulfillment of all prerequisites under the purchasing policy.

- Go to:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/63842de7-8ca7-4af6-971b-cad3f2444815">Revised plan for new splash pad at Jerry Ivey Park to be presented at next commission meeting</a>&nbsp;for the full story on <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/63842de7-8ca7-4af6-971b-cad3f2444815">salinapost.com</a>

2. Consider authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Axon Master Service and Purchasing Agreement with Axon, Inc. for the purposes of consolidating separate existing contracts.

1. Aero Plains Development Agreement Amendment and MIH-ARPA Grant Agreement Amendment (a) Consider approval of Resolution No. 25-8311 adopting Amendment No. 3 to the Building Kansas, LLC Development Agreement.

- (b) Consider approval of Resolution No. 25-8312 recommending and supporting an amendment to the Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grant agreement between Kansas Housing Resource Corporation and the City regarding Building Kansas, LLC.

2. Consider approval of Resolution No. 25-8310 authorizing the mayor to execute a License Agreement with Building Kansas, LLC for installation of a sign in the center island located at the intersection of Centennial Road and Lindbergh Lane.

3.&nbsp;Consider approval of Resolution No. 25-8309 proclaiming support for an application by KC Development, LLC to submit a Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credit (KHITC) application for properties in the Stone Lake Addition.

4. Consider an amendment to the Pioneer Presidents’ Place Planned Development District (PDD) to make the following changes:

- Repeal the limitation that all dwellings must be occupied by elderly people (ages 55+) to allow residents of all ages to occupy the apartment complex.

- Allow two (2) ground signs (one sign for each building).

- Modify the number of off-street parking spaces required for the apartment complex from 102 off-street parking spaces to 58 off-street parking spaces. 

- Amend and update the landscape planting plan.

Residents are invited to share their comments with the commission.

New bid for splash pad at Jerry Ivey Park to be proposed Salina City Commission Sept. 22 agenda

<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>

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 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

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 19 - September 21

Showers and thunderstorms expected to continue today and into Thursday throughout the Central Kansas region.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms have impacted central and north-central Kansas this morning. Locally heavy rainfall will be the primary hazard. However, activity should tend to gradually dissipate as the morning progresses.

A few strong to marginally severe thunderstorms are possible after 4:00 pm today, mainly along the west of Flint Hills.&nbsp;

These showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue into Thursday.

Showers and thunderstorms expected to continue into Thursday, heavy rainfall anticipated

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 17 - September 19

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 15 - September 17

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 12 - September 14

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 10 - September 12

The US National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Saline County, that has officially taken into effect now and will remain until Wednesday of this week.

According to Saline County Emergency Management, water levels for rivers and creeks have continued to rise from Monday's heavy rainfall. It was estimated between 4 to 10 inches of rain have already fallen across the county, leading to&nbsp;flooded roadways in Brookville&nbsp;and&nbsp;many rural routes that are waterlogged or impassable.

Additional rainfall is expected to occur late tonight (Monday, September 8) into Tuesday morning.&nbsp;Scattered showers and storms are possible, mainly east of Saline County.

Moreover, additional showers and storms are expected to develop from the west on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, bringing extra heavy rainfall.

Then late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, another round of storms are possible.

Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, allow extra time for commutes and use alternate routes where needed.

Expected to crest at 26.5 feet late tonight into Tuesday afternoon (Moderate Flood Stage). At this level, widespread agricultural flooding is expected. If high flow continues on the Saline River, water could back up on Mulberry Creek, flooding properties including the KOA campground.

Expected to crest at 26.6 feet late Wednesday morning or early afternoon (Minor Flood Stage).

UPDATE: Flood warning issued through Wednesday in Saline County

The vast majority of autism researchers understand that there is not a singular cause of autism. Our collective body of global research going back decades means that we have encyclopedic knowledge about the risks for autism, its possible causes, and the highly variable experience of autistic individuals. &nbsp;

The September 22 press conference held by U.S. Health and Human Services alarms us researchers who committed our entire careers to better understanding autism. The data cited do not support the claim that Tylenol causes autism and leucovorin is a cure, and only stoke fear and falsely suggest hope when there is no simple answer.

In brief response to this report, <a href="https://www.coalitionofautismscientists.org/members">the Coalition of Autism Scientists </a>makes the following points:

Regarding a possible link between acetaminophen and autism:

While a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://secure-web.cisco.com/12-p9UShCUEOIYXv2znxa0aqkVuAlW2WK3T38wkoNTPgfKSx8WnvjIoTnqn05j82eTwnFO4qRQvfyvd056Wr8P4Vlm8GIHFKVQHGel7LOPtCJLNfJI9EIU7vrL6GibpF7n9sfqgI19H1VoN9hAWeYdLeyuMoBqjSYdNqdyHBVvnUJIv3YuKY5ptdZMUb8gQgRlFDz3dsRFH8XhC3EJBdTAFec4qFO9ywpwg28skFd07aPu5nPXsGbfUp4haQYLVw39r4w4kcTCLkW3pMw2MezeD8ih7YHQrRBeSGMBRKLZ_-RJv1dKo-UBUKG6PDZLMkw0-y1JKaSVDvDljRNpextllv8v2NiGDw-RwBIZLTmdSH09TSedfSa-qtxgWfHDINtQpxL_F2zHvJxRfawXgWmmvhvDcS-8UFTSGm3Dk3dsnCckVfAFE7xE90UBNOGTMXvlHGJCCDbYMr4FzQLvF2rpQ/https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F40804730%2F__%3B%21%21BZ50a36bapWJ%21phJNivUOy1QcmpRhRfW5EkPBp-NTRftfdwl71wwXMMaSTNweKlOdlsJZvlbcFh-0bx189_kHfJ6DukAILqduukZ_FQ3NRiSr_uM%24" target="_blank">summary analysis</a>&nbsp;found some evidence for a weak association, it does not evaluate the quality of the studies informing the analysis. Importantly, these studies fail to address the fact that fevers during pregnancy are known to increase risk for autism, and that’s why mothers take acetaminophen in the first place. Rather, the most recent,&nbsp;<a href="https://secure-web.cisco.com/1F-SP49beOizPL4WGm4SdputO84cITRjShoz9_K0m0WWU4EvEzee34XX1qNQWDuCpynga2ZOFdwTHCy3hWo33WVKUBBPgKXZmqoTfxm0nikIaS8p1c6tQOWOxF1hGG_vXQd2cTnxxz8s3nUwHT2a2VjHVdUXkp0xEJGg1WlETiE6G0orDiwTmftf6KTEybadFVVFq2igmfcxf2teI3v2sIHjbxoPFm9ZBLxv-RIRBqFuOBQmtivm-T8eWbk3MSOWUCUK7Ee249S5k8sBRV7s6JTSvAGs0LZCjqyimjy-p4LmEiu3ZGpFGaCcbqo0dQQZc4UwW4IhVMSCPSSQnw_vX8DlccbMZTQiD6maZBUSqohurPhf2xjA4nUBhuAz1nMpqcJuro-Uz3T9zSVWkh2mYGO9hXtDWrEWVA63CUBdKBQtXyHxybYbdiM516h9Jm3N1FZtnNmzQ7H8r9khuuN0KQQ/https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F38592388%2F__%3B%21%21BZ50a36bapWJ%21phJNivUOy1QcmpRhRfW5EkPBp-NTRftfdwl71wwXMMaSTNweKlOdlsJZvlbcFh-0bx189_kHfJ6DukAILqduukZ_FQ3NbyKdUAo%24" target="_blank">rigorous study</a>&nbsp;that controlled for unmeasured familiar risks found that acetaminophen did not cause autism.

Given that use of acetaminophen during pregnancy&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2817406" target="_blank">&nbsp;has not increased</a>&nbsp;(Ahlqvist VH, et al., Fig 2A in reference) over the past two decades alongside rates of autism, it’s clearly not the cause of the increased diagnoses of autism and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.acog.org/news/news-articles/2021/09/response-to-consensus-statement-on-paracetamol-use-during-pregnancy" target="_blank">American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists agrees.</a>

There are only a handful of clinical trials of leucovorin and evidence connecting treatment to improvements in outcomes is very weak. (See references) All of them are very small, and the study designs and approaches to statistical analyses of the data are not all of high quality.&nbsp; &nbsp;It is premature to claim that leucovorin is an effective treatment for autism and add autism as a secondary indication. &nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coalitionofautismscientists.org/" target="_blank">Coalition of Autism Scientists</a>&nbsp;reviewed these studies and found that the researchers aren’t using high quality study designs or statistical analysis. Most of these studies test many outcomes, without statistically adjusting for the fact that they are doing so along the way. Some of them use statistics that are inappropriate for a randomized trial (e.g., showing that there is statistically significant change in the intervention group but not in the control group, without actually comparing the groups). Others attempt to conduct analyses separately for children that they say have a gene or antibody that would suggest that they have folate deficiency, meaning that they are conducting the analysis on even smaller groups.

With this in mind, we do not support any recommendation from the HHS or FDA regarding increased use of folinic acid. Instead, we call for a well-designed, large scale clinical trial of leucovorin (folinic acid) with all of the rigor needed (biomarkers, proper endpoints) and most importantly a pre-registered analysis plan.

Dozens of studies demonstrate the role vaccination plays to protect individuals, particularly the most vulnerable in our community, against potentially fatal diseases. There is no evidence that routine vaccinations have any connection to autism at all.

Secretary Kennedy is using his position to push forward his well-known anti-vaccination views, which does not align with Americans’ broad support of vaccines. Outbreaks and epidemics are inevitable if access to free, safe vaccines is reduced.

Is HHS wants to speed up autism research, then investment in gold-standard, peer-reviewed research – that which was already in progress before the rulebook suddenly changed – must continue. Regarding the grants awarded as part of the Autism Data Science Initiative (ADSI), the Coalition of Autism Scientists calls for an independent external advisory board of autism scientists and community members to support the ADSI and analyze methodologies, which will facilitate earning the trust of researchers and the public.

The Coalition of Autism Scientists will continue to speak factually and forcefully about the science that should inform our public understanding of autism and support autistic individuals and their families.

Coalition of autism scientists oppose links between Tylenol and Autism; use of Leucovorin

NEW YORK (AP) — ABC will reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show in the wake of criticism over his comments about the assassination of conservative&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a">activist Charlie Kirk</a>, officials with the network said Monday.

"We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday,” ABC said a statement.

ABC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-show-suspended-charlie-kirk-2c79d56fa53779014f2bb2ed9e47da1f">suspended</a>&nbsp;Kimmel indefinitely on Wednesday after comments he made about Kirk, who was killed Sept. 10, in a monologue. Kimmel said “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk” and that “the MAGA gang” was “desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”

Kimmel has hosted “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC since 2003 and has been a fixture in television and comedy for even longer. He is also well known as a presenter, having hosted the Academy Awards four times.

Backlash to Kimmel’s comments was swift.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-kimmel-affiliate-charlie-kirk-8eb9dca5dff2c717fd00a7083982c5c4">Nexstar and Sinclair,</a>&nbsp;two of ABC’s largest affiliate owners, said they would be pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from their stations. Others, including several fellow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-suspended-reaction-03c1ae9d16a4a47481e855de1668def3">comedians</a>, came to his defense.

Sinclair said Monday that it would not air Kimmel's show Tuesday and would broadcast news programming instead. “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show's potential return,” the company said. There was no immediate comment from Nexstar on its plans for Kimmel's return.

Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Kirk and now headed by his widow, posted on X about Kimmel's reinstatement: “Disney and ABC caving and allowing Kimmel back on the air is not surprising, but it's their mistake to make. Nexstar and Sinclair do not have to make the same choice.”

Stephen Colbert joyfully reacted to the news during the opening of his “Late Show,” telling his audience that “our long national, late nightmare is over.”

Colbert, whose late show is being canceled by CBS after this season, said he was happy for his friend and the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” staff. Grabbing his recently-won Emmy Award for outstanding talk series, the comedian could hardly contain his glee. He added, “Once more, I am the only martyr on late night!”

President Donald Trump, one of Kimmel’s frequent targets, posted on social media that Kimmel’s suspension was “great news for America.” He also called for other late night hosts to be fired. He has yet to comment on Kimmel's reinstatement.

Kimmel’s suspension arrived in a time when Trump and his administration have pursued threats, lawsuits and federal government pressure to try to exert more control over the media industry. Trump has reached settlements with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-trump-lawsuit-defamation-stephanopoulos-04aea8663310af39ae2a85f4c1a56d68">ABC</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-media-harris-minutes-paramount-6415042fe910ae60b432dd8c73ef61b2">CBS</a>&nbsp;over their coverage.

Trump has also filed defamation lawsuits against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-wall-street-journal-b006f3ef25e6b4ab910cc3b41c865227">The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-lawsuit-new-york-times-b2a615192ebe2dcec859eb883368dfbb">The New York Times</a>. Republicans in Congress stripped federal funding from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/npr-pbs-public-broadcasting-trump-cuts-73de8fadf32655aa74752690d22a3758">NPR and PBS</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brendan-carr-fcc-chairman-jimmy-kimmel-f1c635a8b2184ccf50ed53d1c8d76518">Brendan Carr</a>, the head of the Federal Communications Commission, issued a warning prior to Kimmel’s suspension that criticized Kimmel’s remarks about the Kirk assassination.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said. “These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

Carr denied on Monday that he threatened to revoke ABC's local station licenses because of Kimmel's remarks.

“Jimmy Kimmel is in the situation he’s in because of his ratings. Not because of anything that’s happened at the federal government level,” Carr said at the Concordia Annual Summit.

Kimmel’s suspension has cast a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-suspended-charlie-kirk-business-interests-fcc-f18546e00ba03980c03b4cda4c576aa8">spotlight on the web of business interests</a>&nbsp;that require approval from the U.S. government. Disney, for instance, needs approval from the Trump administration for ESPN to complete its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-media-espn-a801cc6d355ddbcb98a8700125eed18b">acquisition of the NFL Network</a>, while Nexstar needs the administration’s approval to complete its $6.2 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nexstar-tegna-newsnation-cw-trump-c1743d55103a809ea31c5c7c7c4c0c87">purchase of broadcast rival Tegna</a>. Sinclair has petitioned the FCC to relax rules limiting broadcaster ownership of stations.

The suspension also happened at a time when the late night landscape is shifting. CBS announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-late-show-cbs-end-8bad9f16f076df62c0ffc50e9c8adbab">the cancellation of Colbert’s show</a>&nbsp;over the summer.

Kimmel’s contract with The Walt Disney Co.-owned network had been set to expire in May 2026. His representative did not return a message seeking comment Monday.

Word of the reinstatement came as hundreds of Hollywood and Broadway stars — including Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep — urged Americans “fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights” in the wake of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-suspended-charlie-kirk-business-interests-fcc-f18546e00ba03980c03b4cda4c576aa8">Jimmy Kimmel's suspension.</a>

More than 430 movie, TV and stage stars as well as comedians, directors and writers added their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclu.org/defend-free-speech-letter-kimmel">names to an open letter</a>&nbsp;Monday from the American Civil Liberties Union that argues it is “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.”

Also Monday, ABC's “The View” weighed in on the controversy after not raising it for two episodes after Kimmel was suspended. Co-host Whoopi Goldberg opened the show saying: “No one silences us” and she and her fellow hosts condemned Disney's decision.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said Monday evening he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zohran-mamdani-kimmel-nyc-mayor-bdb4033e7d60d6c81a80d16c8499bfed">willing to appear at a town hall</a>&nbsp;hosted by a local ABC station after earlier canceling his appearance due to Kimmel's suspension.

This story has been updated to correct that last name of Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet.

Some stations refuse to air Kimmel’s return on ABC

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that occurred in the 1300 block of S. Topeka in Wichita and have made an arrest.

Just after 8:30 a.m. Sunday, a 62-year-old male victim from Wichita walked to Fire Station #2 with a gunshot wound to the leg, according to a media release from police. The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and is expected to survive.&nbsp;

Patrol officers responded rapidly and located the suspect, 43-year-old Anthony Irby of Wichita, according to Sedgwick County arrest records. Irby was nearby and attempted to flee on a bicycle. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.

The investigation revealed that the suspect and victim were involved in an argument over property when the shooting occurred. Irby is being held&nbsp; on requested charges of aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon and interference with law enforcement, according to online records.

This is another incident where someone chose violence to resolve a temporary conflict. The Wichita Police Department remains committed to identifying, apprehending, and holding accountable those individuals in our community who choose to commit acts of violence.&nbsp;

Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact WPD Investigations at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="tel:(316)%20268-4407">(316) 268-4407</a>. Those wishing to remain anonymous may submit a tip to Crime Stoppers by calling&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="tel:(316)%20267-2111">(316) 267-2111</a>.

Police: Kansas shooting suspect attempting to flee on a bicycle

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after

Just afater 2p.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;responded to the 1000 block of NE Wabash in Topeka on a report of an individual pouring gasoline in an apartment, according to a media release.

Police evacuated the apartment complex, before entering the suspected unit. One individual, later identified from booking reports as 43-year-old Benjamin Gilbert Brown was taken into custody.

He is being held on requested charges of attempted aggravated arson, aggravated assault, and criminal threat.&nbsp; There were no injured reported&nbsp;and no fire was started. Topeka Fire investigators responded to assist police.

Police: Complex evacuated after Kan. man poured gas in apartment

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday used the platform of the presidency to promote unproven ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism without giving new evidence.

Speaking from the White House, Trump said women should not take acetaminophen, also known by the brand name Tylenol, “during the entire pregnancy.” He said the Food and Drug Administration would begin notifying doctors that the use of acetaminophen “can be associated” with an increased risk of autism, but did not immediately provide any medical evidence for the FDA's new recommendation.

Trump also raised unfounded concerns about vaccines contributing to rising rates of autism, which affects&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/autism-rates-us-rfk-diagnosis-cdc-cb3abd799edd591dc1ea6b63c69a2279">1 in 31 U.S. children</a>&nbsp;today, according to the CDC.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr</a>&nbsp;said that at Trump's urging he is launching an “all-agency” effort to identify all causes of autism, involving the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Scientists, doctors and researchers have attributed increased rates of autism to greater awareness of the disorder and the newer, wide-ranging “spectrum” used to issue diagnoses for people with milder expressions of autism. It’s hard to tell if there may be additional factors behind the increase.

The Trump administration has been under immense pressure from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Kennedy’s</a>&nbsp;diverse Make America Healthy Again movement to provide answers on the causes of the marked increase in autism cases in the U.S. in recent years.

Experts say the rise in cases is mainly due to a new definition for the disorder that now includes mild cases on a “spectrum” and better diagnoses. They say there is no single cause to the disorder and say the rhetoric appears to ignore and undermine decades of science into the genetic and environmental factors that can play a role.

The announcement is the latest step the administration, driven by Kennedy and his supporters, has taken to reshape America’s public health landscape.

Beyond&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-measles-rfk-maha-trump-d863f53a5d370413de8d165d5ab96e65">cutbacks at federal health agencies</a>, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-vaccine-recommendations-data-b4eeba69e03a8d4ed50fb0a12fbcec6e">roiled by disagreements</a>&nbsp;over Kennedy’s vaccine policies. An influential immunization panel stocked by Kennedy with figures who have been critical of vaccines last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-advisers-vaccines-hepatitis-b-covid19-a1fb61ef7e29d93d2828618d890cceb3">changed shot guidance</a>&nbsp;for COVID-19 and other diseases.

Trump on Sunday evening teased Monday’s announcement as a big one, telling reporters, “I think we found an answer to autism.” Experts say that oversells what would be possible from a presidential administration in its first year. They insist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/autism-kennedy-rfk-science-e4a5795275042c29e4a5721b2b163970">more research is needed</a>&nbsp;to conclusively identify whether and how environmental factors may play a role in the disorder.

Kennedy for years has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-trump-health-maha-pharma-autism-55db3f5c14a6e3a2aef2483d21ac679b">promoted debunked theories</a>&nbsp;that vaccines could be responsible for rising rates of autism, which affects&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/autism-rates-us-rfk-diagnosis-cdc-cb3abd799edd591dc1ea6b63c69a2279">1 in 31 U.S. children</a>&nbsp;today, according to the CDC. Scientists, doctors and researchers have attributed that increase instead to greater awareness of the disorder and the newer, wide-ranging “spectrum” used to issue diagnoses for people with milder expressions of autism. It’s hard to tell if there may be additional factors behind the increase.

🎥 Trump, RFK, Jr. link Tylenol with autism, announce action plan

NEW YORK (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/financial-markets-nvidia-trump-xi-314e6fe58119aa66cad01d66cc819ee0">seemingly relentless rally</a>&nbsp;on Wall Street drove U.S. stocks to more records on Monday.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.4% after erasing a modest loss from the morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 66 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.7%. It's the third straight day where all three indexes set an all-time high.

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