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JEWELL COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Thursday in Jewell County.

The Kansas Highway. Patrol reported a 2025 Volvo semi driven by Eric Nolte, 49, Commerce City, Colorado, was westbound on U.S. 36 one mile east of 260 Road. The wind blew the vehicle into the south ditch.

EMS transported a passenger in the sleeper identified as Chad&nbsp;Camasta, 42, Colorado Springs, Colorado, to the Mankato Hospital. Nolte was properly restrained and not injured, according to the KHP.

1 hospitalized after wind blows semi into north central Kan. ditch

The Kansas Department of Transportation has reopened both directions of I-70 between Goodland and Colby. The route was previously closed due to low visibility and blowing dust.

For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.kandrive.gov%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019b332fdb89-5ac1b766-85c7-4fb6-8bba-8e9f9373a42e-000000/seC0zR7dZlUceBVZIXYFNWttNRwKUwpMXiwnAtR-0SQ=436">kandrive.gov</a>, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.

UPDATE: I-70 between Goodland and Colby reopens after two closures 

Kansas Department of Transportation/Kansas Highway Patrol&nbsp;

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) are launching a new safety campaign, sharing safety guidance for western Kansas drivers traveling through areas with blowing dust and high winds.

A public service announcement (PSA) highlighting dangers in dust storms was created as part of the safety campaign. 

Please watch PSA by clicking <a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FDoDWPzY_kRM%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019b2ce082e1-8e1138f2-12ce-4aab-8794-1b73f3fd7caa-000000/CWPb2LV9no8AosSnIlk5GoE_uoe5xA0zKcnMEdcmwQg=436">here</a>.&nbsp;

Dust storms often occur from December to April.

The region’s flat plains, open agricultural fields, ongoing drought conditions and strong wind patterns create an environment where hazardous dust storms can develop rapidly.

“In Kansas, a windy day can turn dangerous fast. Knowing how to react properly can save lives,” said&nbsp;Technical Trooper Tod Hileman.

Drivers are urged to prioritize safety over speed when encountering high winds or sudden reduced visibility. The high winds can create sudden gusts and cause larger vehicles, including large trucks, RVs and trailers, to sway or lose control.

Blowing dust adds another layer of danger, with visibility capable of dropping to zero within seconds. These sudden “brownout” conditions increase the likelihood of multi-vehicle crashes.

“It’s important to remember what to do in these situations, because these steps may be the difference between safety and disaster. We want the traveling public to be knowledgeable, so they can respond when visibility is low,” said&nbsp;KDOT Director of Safety Troy Whitworth.

The Pull Off, Lights Out campaign outlines several critical safety steps for motorists involving dust storms, which include:

Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather alerts and be aware of rapidly changing conditions throughout the region. For current road conditions and traffic information before you leave, visit Kandrive.gov or call 511.

Pull Off, Lights Out: KDOT, KHP launch Kansas dust storm safety campaign

With the current strong windy weather across central Kansas, Saline County Emergency Management issues warnings and I-70 between Colby and Goodland are reportedly closed.&nbsp;

Saline County Emergency Management statement:

Northwest winds will increase and persist through the afternoon, with sustained speeds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts approaching 60 mph. These conditions will create widespread hazards throughout Saline County.

The combination of strong winds and very dry conditions will result in extreme fire danger. Any grass fire that starts could spread rapidly and be difficult to control. Blowing dust may also reduce visibility, particularly along and west of Salina near I-70.

Kansas Department of Transportation statement:

KDOT has closed both directions of I-70 between Goodland and Colby due to reduced visibility from blowing dust as of 10:22 am on Thursday.

This statement comes after the freeway reopened at around 5:00 am, when it was closed late Wednesday evening.

Motorists are advised to delay non-essential travel until conditions improve.

For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.kandrive.gov%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019b32451255-66bf87ed-2388-4d16-a916-7ad1cd6cb05e-000000/-WTaKRS3IZhaitvuvGXNomZD2QUr6_IU549OuSP-qyY=436">kandrive.gov</a>, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.

Salina Post will provide updates on the reopening of the freeway.

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

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>.

Windy weather and road closures: Saline Co. Emergency Management issues warning, I-70 between Colby & Goodland closed

Salina Police arrest driver on multiple requested charges for traffic violation, searching for passenger after fleeing on foot 

A woman is out $7,000 after a scammer deceived her to be a Saline County Sheriff's Office employee (SO), advising her to pay a bond for "warrants."

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) a 46-year old female came in contact with a scammer claiming to be "Lt. Jason Richard" from SO.

The scammer told the woman she missed a court date and that a warrant is being issued for her arrest. In order for her to resolve this, the scammer advised her she needed to pay a bond for the warrants of $3,500 each.

Furthermore, the scammer remained on the phone with her as she withdrew money from an ATM and to transfer it to a bitcoin machine. She then entered $2,000 at the bitcoin machine and was then directed to make another deposit of $1,500.&nbsp;

Once she did this, the bitcoin machine jammed and the scammer told her to go to another ATM so she can make a deposit of $3,600. 

As she was on the way to SO to show the receipts that she paid "Lt. Jason Richard,"&nbsp;the scammer on the phone became agitated and threatened if she arrived there, she would be arrested.&nbsp;

However, the woman went to SO and spoke with records as they told her she had been scammed. The woman then reported this to SPD.

She is currently out $7,000 and SPD is further investigating this incident.

SPD is warning the public that no government agency will ever advise you to go to a bitcoin machine to send money electronically. If you get on of these calls, please hangout and calle your local law enforcement agency to confirm the validity of the call.

Woman out $7,000 after scammer acts as a Saline County Sheriff staff member advising her to pay a bond for "warrants"

A contract worker was arrested after intentionally starting a fire inside a Dillons grocery store.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) at around 9:45 pm on Wednesday, officers and Salina Fire Department were dispatched to the Dillons on Cloud Street for the report of a fire inside the store's storage room.

Upon arrival, first responders and officers found a pallet containing laundry detergent and toilet paper products on fire, before it was extinguished.

After viewing surveillance video, SPD stated they identified a contract worker set the pallet on fire with a lighter. The suspect was later identified as 19-year old, Justin Burgess from Sedgewick.

Burgess started the fire during operating hours, which caused the store to close early. He was booked into the Saline County Jail on the following requested charges:

Aggravated Arson and Criminal Damage to Property.

Man arrested for intentionally starting fire inside Dillons 

Kansas State University is transforming Kansas' manufacturing workforce pipeline by expanding access to high-quality training, strengthening STEM teaching and providing personalized advising in rural school districts.

Through a $1 million grant from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pattersonfamilyfoundation.org/">Patterson Family Foundation</a>, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/kscac/">Kansas State College Advising Corps</a>, or KSCAC, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/stem-career-education/">Rural Education Center</a>&nbsp;in the College of Education&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://imse.k-state.edu/">Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering</a>&nbsp;will collaborate on the project, Fabricating Futures: A Comprehensive Approach for Building Rural Kansas' Skilled Trades Workforce Through Coaching, Technical Training, and Advising.

The project establishes a supported pipeline for students in rural communities to transition from high school into high-skill, advanced manufacturing and engineering careers. Over two years, the project will directly impact more than 1,500 students and 14 teachers.

The project will supply fully equipped FabLabs to seven rural high schools, which will include robotics, laser and advanced manufacturing technologies. Engineering faculty members will provide technical expertise, while education and computer science faculty members specializing in STEM teaching and learning will coach teachers, alongside small teams of high school students, to build confidence and knowledge and effectively integrate the equipment into instruction.

"This project bridges technology, expertise and guidance to ensure students are prepared to take on the future of Kansas manufacturing and teachers are supported to use the technology and see themselves as STEM doers and teachers," said Karen Eppley, director of the Rural Education Center, associate professor of education and lead principal investigator of the project.

Skilled trade workforce and postsecondary development

KSCAC advisors will provide one-on-one career counseling that includes information on manufacturing careers. The advisors will also create direct partnerships with local manufacturers for internships and apprenticeships for all students, whether they are college-bound, exploring technical programs or planning to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.

"Rural students have the talent for advanced careers but lack the guidance to see these opportunities," said Chris Beggs, KSCAC executive director. "By embedding full-time advisors in high schools, we're creating tangible pathways from classroom to career."

According to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2023/a-look-at-manufacturing-jobs-on-national-manufacturing-day.htm">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, more than 169,000 Kansans work in manufacturing industries, but worker shortages persist. According to the 2025&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nrea.net/wrm-2025/">Why Rural Matters</a>&nbsp;report co-authored by Eppley, rural Kansas students experience a ratio of one school counselor per every 254 students. The team aims to close this gap not only by helping students with postsecondary readiness through information about career options, especially in the manufacturing sector, but also through assistance with college applications and financial aid, Beggs said.

"One-on-one career counseling is often key to helping students build successful careers. Equipping schools with state-of-the-art technology makes workforce training possible," Beggs said, "and with career advisors to point students toward these opportunities, we're providing the human connection that changes lives. KSCAC is the bridge between classroom learning and career success."

In addition to Eppley and Beggs, the project includes J. Spencer Clark, professor of curriculum and instruction; Meng Zhang, associate professor, and Shuting Lei, professor, both in industrial and manufacturing systems engineering.

Fabricating futures: Growing rural Kansas' skilled trades workforce

OCCK, Inc. Transportation will have closures and reduced hours for the Christmas and New Year holidays this year.&nbsp;

Regional Paratransit – reduced trips.

Regular hours will resume on Saturday, December 27.

All services will also be closed on Thursday, January 1 for New Year’s Day.&nbsp;

Regular hours will resume on Friday, January 2.

For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.occk.com/">www.occk.com</a>.&nbsp;

For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.salinacitygo.com/">www.salinacitygo.com</a>. Or, contact the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.

OCCK announces closure and reduced hours schedule for upcoming holidays

Saline County Jail Bookings, December 18

Very strong northwest winds and a grassland fire danger are expected to occur Thursday morning most of western and central Kansas.

According to the US National Weather Service, wind gusts in the 50 to 60 mph range will commonly occur throughout the central Kansas region.

Strong winds will combine with dry conditions to elevate the grassland fire danger into the extreme category on Thursday with peak timing from around 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Any fires that start will be difficult to control.

Moreover, some locations may see visibility reduced which may result in dangerous driving conditions, especially along Interstate 70 west of Salina.

Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph and grassland fire danger expected Thursday 

<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>

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 17 - December 19

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 15 - December 17

Four day weather forecast Salina, December 12 - December 15

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 10 - December 12

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 8 - December 10

Four day weather forecast Salina, December 5 - December 8

According to the US National Weather Service, there is a slight chance of snow flurries for Wednesday afternoon and into the evening in Salina.

A chance of sprinkles before 4:00 pm, then a chance of sprinkles and flurries.&nbsp;Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a north wind 18 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

A chance of flurries before 10pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 15. North northeast wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Slight chance of flurries in Salina Wednesday evening

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 3 - December 5

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A man who is suspected of killing two and wounding several others at Brown University has been found dead in a New Hampshire storage facility, a law enforcement official and a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

The man was found dead Thursday evening. He is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the person familiar with the matter said.

Investigators believe the man is responsible for both the shooting at Brown and the killing of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor who was fatally shot in his Brookline home Monday, the official said. Authorities have not formally confirmed a connection between the two shootings.

The official and the person familiar with the matter could not publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and both spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

Two people were killed and nine were wounded in the mass shooting Saturday at Brown University. The investigation had shifted Thursday when authorities said they were looking into a connection between the Brown mass shooting and an attack&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mit-shooting-nuno-fg-loureiro-portugal-f310824e354180816c33c9f40c0c5195">two days later</a>&nbsp;near Boston that killed MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro.

The FBI previously said it knew of no links between the cases.

It has been nearly a week since the shooting at Brown. There have been other high-profile attacks in which it took days or longer to make an arrest, including in the brazen New York City sidewalk killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO last year, which took five days.

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-attack-investigation-a79661656428a4952920fd72a8ca21bc">frustration mounted in Providence</a>&nbsp;that the person behind the attack managed to get away and that a clear image of their face hadn't emerged.

Although Brown officials say there are 1,200 cameras on campus, the attack happened in an older part of the engineering building that has few, if any, cameras. And investigators believe the shooter entered and left through a door that faces a residential street bordering campus, which might explain why the cameras Brown does have didn’t capture footage of the person.

What can be learned from past investigations?

In such targeted and highly public attacks, the shooters typically kill themselves or are killed or arrested by police, said Katherine Schweit, a retired FBI agent and expert on mass shootings. When they do get away, searches can take time.

In the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, it took investigators four days to catch up to the two brothers who carried it out. In a 2023 case, Army reservist Robert Card was found dead of an apparent suicide two days after he killed 18 people and wounded 13 others in Lewiston, Maine.

The man accused of killing conservative political figure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooter-search-utah-governor-21ba12bbf01579fd2fbcdbe1da03dae5">Charlie Kirk</a>&nbsp;in September turned himself in about a day and a half after the attack on Utah Valley University's campus. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-suspect-c68d0328f278d85fcf201ae89f634098">Luigi Mangione</a>, who has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan last year, was arrested five days later at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania.

MIT mourns the loss of an esteemed professor

Loureiro, who was married, joined MIT in 2016 and was named last year to lead the school's Plasma Science and Fusion Center, where he worked to advance clean energy technology and other research. The center, one of MIT's largest labs, had more than 250 people working across seven buildings when he took the helm. He was a professor of physics and nuclear science and engineering.

He grew up in Viseu, in central Portugal, and studied in Lisbon before earning a doctorate in London, according to MIT. He was a researcher at an institute for nuclear fusion in Lisbon before joining MIT, the university said.

“He shone a bright light as a mentor, friend, teacher, colleague and leader, and was universally admired for his articulate, compassionate manner,” Dennis Whyte, an engineering professor who previously led MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, told a campus publication.

Loureiro had said he hoped his work would shape the future.

“It’s not hyperbole to say MIT is where you go to find solutions to humanity’s biggest problems,” Loureiro said when he was named to&nbsp;<a href="https://news.mit.edu/2024/nuno-loureiro-named-director-mit-plasma-science-fusion-center-0501">lead the plasma science lab</a>&nbsp;last year. “Fusion energy will change the course of human history.”

Suspect in shooting at Brown University found dead 

Legislators will consider public funding package in hopes of luring the NFL team to Kansas. The Royals will not be discussed Monday, leaving the MLB team’s future uncertain.

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/peggylowe/">Peggy Lowe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">Sherman Smith</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/stevekraske/">Steve Kraske</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflecto</a>r

Kansas legislative leaders will meet Monday to take one of the final steps toward luring the Kansas City Chiefs across the state line, floating bonds worth hundreds of millions so the team can build a domed stadium and an entertainment district.

With a year-end deadline looming, the Legislative Coordinating Council will consider approving Sales Tax and Revenue Bond agreements with the Chiefs. Monday is the council’s last scheduled meeting of the year.

With the bonds’ approval, the Kansas City Chiefs could move closer to uprooting six decades of NFL history in Missouri and relocate to Kansas. The deal is said to call for placing the new stadium near the Legends, a regional shopping mall and commercial area in the Village West development in Kansas City, Kansas.

The council will not consider any deals with the Kansas City Royals on Monday.

Legislative and state leaders refused to offer specifics about the meeting and would say only that the Chiefs will be on the agenda. Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican running for governor, said he has worked diligently to explore the change to bring the Chiefs to Kansas without raising taxes.

“He remains fully committed to these efforts and will continue working tirelessly up to and through the upcoming Legislative Coordinating Council meeting to facilitate this exciting opportunity for Kansas,” said Megan Stookey, Masterson’s spokesperson.

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said she was told the council, which is composed of legislative leadership from both parties, would be talking about the Chiefs on Monday — but not the Royals.

“We will be talking about the Chiefs,” Sykes said. “It sounds like there is some proposal that we will be looking at.”

The Kansas Department of Commerce, which handles such deals, posted on Facebook that the state is in active discussions with the Chiefs about “building a new stadium and other facilities in Kansas.”

“No final agreement has been reached, but this would be a massive economic win for Kansas and benefit Kansans for generations to come,” the statement said. “We are aggressively pursuing this opportunity.”

The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t return an email seeking comment.

In an interview Tuesday, Gov. Laura Kelly declined to say whether the Chiefs or Royals were coming to Kansas.

“You really think I’m going to answer that question?” Kelly said.

Missouri Gov, Mike Kehoe said his team remains in frequent communication with the Royals and the Chiefs and wants to keep the teams in Missouri.

“He believes Missouri is the best home for both teams and continues working with the teams to make the right decision to grow and invest in the Show-Me State,” said his communications director, Gabby Picard.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas issued a statement Thursday saying the city doesn’t negotiate in public.

“As the city and our Missouri partners continue discussions with our long-term partners at the Chiefs and the Royals, we remain steadfast in working toward an arrangement in the best interest of our community and the greatest success of our teams on and off the field,” Lucas said.

After a ping-pong of public-financing proposals offered by the two states, the Chiefs face a decision on&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li_2024s/b2023_24/measures/hb2001/" target="_blank">Kansas’ deal</a>, which could&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/07/07/kansas-lawmakers-extend-deadline-for-chiefs-royals-to-accept-stadium-incentives/">cover up to 70% of the project</a>&nbsp;through bonds. Missouri’s plan offered 50%.

Missouri hit a wall in its bid to keep the Chiefs after voters rejected a sales tax extension in April 2024, throwing in jeopardy a plan that would have helped fund a new $2 billion downtown ballpark for the Royals and $800 million in renovations to Arrowhead Stadium. That’s when Kansas lawmakers aggressively stepped in, authorizing STAR bonds to finance 70% of development projects with a minimum investment of a billion dollars.

Kansas Sen. David Haley, a Democrat from Wyandotte County, said Thursday he’s hearing talk that the team is headed to the Legends.

The site of the new stadium could be west of the Kansas Speedway, at the junction of Interstate 435 and Interstate 70. The potential entertainment district surrounding the stadium would be placed near other existing businesses, like Legends Outlets, the Hollywood Casino, and Sporting KC’s soccer stadium.

The Kansas Legislature during a special session last summer created a financial incentive package designed to lure the Chiefs and Royals across state lines. The law allows for STAR bonds to pay for 70% of a development project with a minimum investment of a billion dollars. The bonds would be paid through liquor sales and retail sales tax revenue in the development area, with a window up to 30 years.

Reaching a deal now could allow a stadium to open by 2031, when the team’s leases with Jackson County, Missouri, expire.

The Chiefs began playing in Kansas City in 1963 after owner Lamar Hunt moved the franchise from Dallas. The team first played at Municipal Stadium, at 22nd Street and Brooklyn Avenue, then moved to Arrowhead in 1971. The Truman Sports Complex, on the city’s east side, is also home to the Royals and the teams share parking lots.

The Chiefs sold naming rights in 2021 to the Government Employees Health Association and the official name became&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-home-field-now-geha-field-at-arrowhead-stadium" target="_blank">GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium</a>.

The Chiefs’ negotiations with Kansas intensified last month when the team floated a request for proposals from firms to design a domed stadium, which would be available for use during the Super Bowl and other winter events. The team was said to be&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2025-11-11/chiefs-kansas-stadium-speedway-rfp" target="_blank">negotiating with NASCAR&nbsp;</a>for land near the Speedway.

Five months earlier, in June, the<a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2025-06-27/chiefs-kansas-stadium-extension" target="_blank">&nbsp;Chiefs requested an extension</a>&nbsp;to a deadline for a stadium financing package from the state of Kansas, which was an indication the NFL franchise’s move across the state line was a real possibility.

But that same month, Missouri’s Kehoe called lawmakers into a special session to offer a competing stadium financing deal, hoping for something that could keep both the Chiefs and the Royals on that side of the state line. The Missouri Legislature approved the plan, which authorized bonds covering up to half of the cost of new or renovated stadiums, plus up to $50 million in tax credits for each stadium and more aid from local governments.

Kan. legislators to meet Monday about deal to bring KC Chiefs across the state line

BOONE COUNTY —Authorities in Missouri canceled an Amber Alert Thursday afternoon after two missing children were located and safe.

Just after 4p.m., the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued the Alert for&nbsp; a blue 2005 Lincoln Aviator with Missouri license plate GL7B2S. The vehicle was believed to be driving westbound on Interstate 70.

The suspect identified as 24-year-old Joy Ariel Smith was taken into custody at 4:42 p.m., according to the Patrol. Authorities

Patrol: Amber Alert suspect captured, children are safe

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/stephen-groves">STEPHEN GROVES</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats released several dozen more photos Thursday from the estate of the convicted sex offender&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>, showing his associations with the rich and famous, as the Department of Justice faces a deadline to release many of its case files on the late financier by the end of the week.

<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/cl62lochkdzdalbzzqgq8/ADJIDEfLD1oQZrKmNeae2So?dl=0&amp;e=2&amp;rlkey=y7529bx9tl7db6zf279jp3cyu&amp;st=8o7kizhr">Click&nbsp;here&nbsp;</a>to view the additional photos

The photos released Thursday were among more than 95,000 that the House Oversight Committee has received after issuing a subpoena for the photos that Epstein had in his possession before he died in a New York jail cell in 2019. Congress has also passed, and President Donald Trump has signed,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-4872c23a3ed03bf3d4c526581d3aed59">a law requiring the Justice Department</a>&nbsp;to release its case files on Epstein, and his longtime girlfriend and confidante Ghislaine Maxwell, by Friday. Anticipation about what those files will show is running high after they have been the subject of conspiracy theories and speculation about his friendships with Trump, former President Bill Clinton, the former Prince Andrew, and others.

House Democrats have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-photos-released-democrats-trump-clinton-andrew-f256bd536bf4d2e63c37e59d50a65304">already released dozens</a>&nbsp;of photos from Epstein’s estate showing Trump, Clinton and Andrew, who lost his royal title and privileges this year amid scrutiny of his relationship with the wealthy financier. The photos released Thursday showed Epstein cooking with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, an Emirati businessman. The photos also include the billionaire Bill Gates and images of a 2011 dinner of notable people and wealthy philanthropists hosted by a nonprofit group. The committee made no accusations of wrongdoing by the men in the photos.

There were also images of passports, visas and identification cards from Russia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, South Africa and Lithuania with personally identifying information redacted, as well as photos of Epstein with women or girls whose faces were blacked out. The committee has said it is redacting information from the photos that may lead to the identity of victims being revealed.

Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the oversight panel, said in a statement that the “new images raise more questions about what exactly the Department of Justice has in its possession. We must end this White House cover-up, and the DOJ must release the Epstein files now.”

See the pics: Dems drop new Epstein photos ahead of DOJ  deadline

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — TikTok has signed a deal to sell its U.S. business to three American investors — Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX — ensuring the popular social video platform can continue operating in the United States.

The deal is expected to close on Jan. 22, according to an internal memo seen by The Associated Press. CEO Shou Zi Chew said in the memo that ByteDance and TikTok have signed binding agreements with the three investors.

TikTok signs deal to sell US unit to American investors

President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that would&nbsp;reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug&nbsp;and open new avenues for medical research, a major shift in federal drug policy that inches closer to what many states have done.

The switch would move marijuana away from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. Cannabis would instead be a Schedule III substance, like ketamine and some anabolic steroids.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to the President's Executive Order and reminded the public, "rescheduling is not the same as legalization."

"The cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana-derived THC products remains illegal under state and federal law, and the KBI will continue to enforce existing laws. "

"The marijuana products sold today are highly potent and pose a direct threat to public health. Rescheduling will allow qualified scientists to conduct reliable research on the long-term impact on the human brain of the use of high-concentration THC products. We believe this will conclusively prove the connection between marijuana use and mental health disorders, especially in children and teens."

"Marijuana products remain just as illegal today as they were yesterday. The KBI will continue our efforts to protect Kansans, especially Kansas children, from those who sell these illegal and dangerous products."

KBI responds to Trump's move to reclassify marijuana

STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Former race driver Greg Biffle and members of his family were among seven people who died in a plane crash Thursday in North Carolina, state police said.

The business jet erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground while trying to land at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte.

Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle.

“Although the post-crash fire prevents us from releasing a definitive list of the occupants at this time, it is believed that Mr. Gregory Biffle and members of his immediate family were occupants of the airplane,” state police said.

Biffle, 55, won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits, including 19 at the Cup Series level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.

Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and family killed in plane crash

Fire crews are working grass fires in many areas across Kansas as the National Weather Service issued high wind and red flag warnings for Thursday.

Early Thursday afternoon, Reno county emergency management was evacuating an area between Plum Street and K 61 and north of 68th Avenue and south of 82nd Avenue.

The Buhler USD 313 evacuated Plum Creek Elementary to Cross Point Church at 1410 East 30th Avenue. The district says parents will need to pick up their students at the church after 2:15pm today, the district says not to go to Plum Creek because of the evacuation process. If you have any questions, you can call the Buhler central office at 620-543-2258.&nbsp;

On his social media page, Trooper Tod Hileman shared video of the wildfire burning in southeast Russell County. He urged the public to avoid the area as firefighters work to contain it.

Due to the wildfire north of Hutchinson, the Kansas State Fairgrounds is accepting horses only for temporary emergency shelter, effective immediately and until further notice.

Horse owners needing shelter may bring animals to the Fairgrounds by entering through Gate 10. Upon arrival, owners must stop at the Stalling Office, located just inside Gate 10 next to the Big Red Barn, to provide contact information and receive directions.

Horses will be separated by travel history to protect animal health. Horses that have traveled within the past 15 days will be housed in Barn 1, while horses that have remained local will be placed in Barns 2 and 3.

The Kansas State Fair will provide water. Owners should bring feed, buckets, halters, medications, and any other necessary supplies. Trailers may park in the Midway area.

Kansas elementary school forced to evacuate due to fire

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Quest for November special session fell short, but Republicans may try again in January

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly predicted Tuesday the 2026 Legislature wouldn’t muster enough political support to implement a new congressional district map splitting Johnson County and making it easier to defeat Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the midterm election.

Kelly, the two-term Democrat entering her final year as governor, said the political landscape in Kansas appeared unchanged since House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, conceded in November he lacked enough signatures from Kansas House members to trigger a special session on redistricting.

While Hawkins fell about 10 signatures short of the required supermajority needed to convene in special session, enough Kansas Senate Republicans signed a petition to authorize a special session devoted to congressional mapping. The GOP leadership’s objective has been to implement a Kansas map to oust Davids, the state’s lone Democrat in the federal delegation, without threatening the three incumbent Kansas Republicans in Congress.

The administration of President Donald Trump urged GOP-led states to gerrymander enough districts so Republicans could remain in control of the U.S. House.

Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said their strategy would be to consider redistricting when the 2026 Legislature convened Jan. 12 for its regular session.

“In some ways, I’ll be surprised if they even really bring it up,” Kelly said in an interview with Kansas Reflector. “I don’t think a lot has changed in terms of where legislators stand on the issue.”

Kelly said it was interesting Hawkins couldn’t convince the minimum of 84 House members to sign a special session petition, because her years serving as a state senator demonstrated legislators were more inclined to authorize debate on a topic than to vote for an actual bill. While it would take simple majorities of 63 votes in the House and 21 votes in the Senate to pass a new map, a veto by Kelly would lead to a scramble for 84 votes in the House and 27 votes in the Senate to secure the supermajority required for a veto override of the governor.

“There are times when legislators will vote for a process and then turn around and vote against the action,” Kelly said. “I would be very surprised if they were able to get that passed with the veto-proof majority.”

The governor said the political appetite for mid-decade redistricting in Kansas resembled that of Indiana, where&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/11/repub/indiana-senate-republicans-reject-trumps-plea-for-gerrymandered-maps/">Republicans recently defeated</a>&nbsp;a push by Trump to change that state’s congressional map.

“The people spoke out very loudly there,” Kelly said. “While we haven’t had people in the rotunda discussing redistricting, all the polling has shown that it’s not popular in Kansas. It’s not something people are interested in. People really want the Legislature to deal with the issues that impact them day-to-day.”

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/08/kansas-legislative-leadership-wobbly-on-redistricting-as-january-session-draws-near/">In a recent interview</a>&nbsp;at a meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council, Masterson said he was confident the Legislature would work through redistricting challenges in the upcoming session.

“We’ll have no trouble for sure passing a new map with majorities,” said Masterson, who is a GOP candidate for governor.

Hawkins, who is seeking the GOP nomination for state insurance commissioner, said he was less confident the Legislature would cobble together the GOP coalition necessary to implement a new congressional map.

Davids, a four-term Democrat serving the Kansas City area, has condemned the attempt by Republicans to cave to special interests demanding mid-decade redistricting in Kansas. The current congressional district boundaries in Kansas were changed in 2022 to reflect population shifts and the GOP’s desire to undercut Davids, but the new approach would seek to weaken Davids’ reelection odds by cutting Johnson County in half.

In anticipation of the remapping battle, the Legislature spent $43,000 to acquire software and training to prepare for redrawing to congressional boundaries.

“It’s outrageous that politicians in Topeka secretly used Kansans’ hard-earned tax dollars to silence the very people footing the bill — all for a map folks haven’t seen and a process they’ve been cut out of,” she said.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/daily-headlines/2025-12-08/headlines-for-monday-december-8-2025" target="_blank">told KMUW</a>&nbsp;the tradition of amending congressional maps once each decade to comply with population changes should be retained in Kansas.

“There’s a bit of fairness that I think ought to be preserved about this issue,” Moran told KMUW. “We have a practice that we’ve utilized for a long period of time. We reapportion at that census moment, and that makes sense to me.”

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