After the recent candidate forums that have occurred in Salina for the City Commission and the USD 305 school board, more forums are set to occur before the general election (local offices) on November 4.

Here is a list of locations for the upcoming candidate forums:&nbsp;

- Trinity United Methodist Church (901 E. Neal Ave.)&nbsp;Thursday, September 18 at&nbsp;6:00 pm.

- Stiefel Watson Room (151 S. Santa Fe Ave.) Sunday, October 12 at&nbsp;2:00 pm.

- Red Fern Booksellers (106 S. Santa Fe Ave.) Saturday, October 18 "Meet &amp; Greet" at 9:00 am.

The top two vote getters in November will receive 4-year terms, with the third-place finisher&nbsp;receiving a 2-year term.&nbsp;

The candidates for Salina City Commission are:&nbsp;

Johnnie Keller, Commissioner Dr. Trent Davis, Keith Cooper, John Price, Dean Klenda, Randall Hardy, Mayor Greg Lenkiewicz, Commissioner Bill Longbine and Doug Rempp.

The candidates for Salina USD school board are:

Bonnie Schamberger, Gabe Grant, Amy Freelove,&nbsp;Rebecca (Becky) Lynn Norlin and Dana Johnson.

A full list of candidates, including candidates for city councils in the Saline County communities of Assaria, Brookville, Gypsum, New Cambria and Smolan, as well as school boards for USD 306 Southeast of Saline and USD 307 Ell-Saline, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.salinecountyks.gov%2Fmedia%2FElection%2520Office%2Felection%2FCG2025%2520Candidate%2520Filings.pdf%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNzJKQnZwRjBoOHBsdFVSNwEeQR8Y_phuB5462OH89Jz7wQ42mP2Us-F2a_BMVeEBZQcVqCC3G73gUaFEbpc_aem_GoJ6ncAq9XnpcbXTJDtVTA&amp;h=AT1sFVf10UOSzzMhpwxIhbVmh1wOMPKNkBmo25afeIQPO-S0dVxdCVRhgg9RfKvHFc0Zzvm_aDhyg7yiN-8If6vUvlA6tX6bCzRQxZjca2ZoTGzQVQASKBQRP76gUpCQ_WVBSEUNIfT1jqeiJulezw&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT1DOmW8ZtTFUOe4DyXsgGGTkkT0RdF5UizXFP55bHAqUUeIznlJ3YzPoNvXVTKgmzyyHyfRjlsnAdaBoJFicM_swBTUeQIczFmTAsNSlGDDm1Y-R8ODuGFgcP_it3ueobCSXigmMpOsaG7jEWI0e_g7GMW5TuOBGgnyDrfXUPxa3KPJsXNBbNFr7SOdFw" target="_blank">https://www.salinecountyks.gov/.../CG2025%20Candidate...</a>

More local candidate forums set to occur in Salina

Another bid for a new splash pad at Jerry Ivey Memorial Park is looking to be proposed at the next Salina Commission meeting.

After Salina Commissioners rejected a proposed&nbsp;$1.5 million project for upgrades to Jerry Ivey Park back in January, which included a new splash pad, plans for a new proposal is looking to be presented next Monday, September 22.&nbsp;

According to Parks &amp; Recreation Director Jeff Hammond, the plan for the new splash pad and other alternatives went out for bid in July, but received 0 bids.

Parks &amp; rec staff consulted with City Manager, Jacob Wood about moving forward with the new splash pad. Afterwards, staff then met and gave proposals to manufacturers for an opportunity to make a design for the splash pad.

On August 28th, park &amp; rec staff received a total of 10 proposals from 6 different vendors (one vendor proposing more than 1 bid). According to Hammond, staff is determining these bids based on experience, design, number of features, layout and warranties.

According to Hammond, the budget for the splash pad is $650,000 and all proposals they received were under that total.

Next Monday, parks &amp; rec staff is expected to present to Commissioners a potential project for the proposal that scored highest on the splash pad.

“We are motivated to move forward and getting it done,” said Hammond.

If the Commission accepts the new proposal for the splash pad, Hammond hopes the new splash pad at Jerry Ivey Park will be installed by the summer of 2026.

Revised plan for new splash pad at Jerry Ivey Park to be presented at next commission meeting

A local hip-hop artist and studio engineer seeks to make the hip-hop/rap scene in the Salina area bigger, by inspiration and service to other artists.

Devon James, aka "Dee Eazy" is a 32-year old Salinan that has written and produced 4 studio albums and is not looking back. James has been around in the music scene for awhile and first started singing songs as early as 5-years old. When he entered high school, he was heavily involved in sports, but continued freestyling with his teammates and friends on bus rides to games and at each other's houses.

After high school, he chose music over sports and pursued a career in hip-hop by moving to Kansas City. James found a deeper love for music in KC and realized he can become a studio engineer to maintain a long career in the industry.

James moved back to Salina after his time in KC and currently rents out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Studio-1117/100064352452700/">Studio 1117</a>&nbsp;to record his own and produce music for other local artists.&nbsp;

Performance at River Festival prompts upcoming event

When Dee Eazy performed at the 2025 Smoky Hill River Festival, he stated that he got 'hungrier' after performing at a big stage in front of a big crowd. He then wanted to continue performing his songs, while brining other artists with him to showcase their talent in front of crowds.

James decided to plan a listening party and is inviting the local community to attend. On&nbsp;Saturday, September 20 James&nbsp;will host a party for his 4-part album series, “Road to Riches." This party will be held at&nbsp;The Back Alley (1820 S. 9th St.) and will also double as a birthday celebration for James. Doors open at&nbsp;8:30 pm, with the show starting at&nbsp;9:00 pm.General Admission&nbsp;is&nbsp;$5,&nbsp;$25&nbsp;for&nbsp;VIP, or&nbsp;$100 for Group VIP (for 6).

In addition, the party will feature special guest DJ Cash Hollistah, along with live performances by Salina artists Jon’nea Soul, Laylo Holmes, Sick ’N Twisted, South City, Yaple, GQ Baby, L.O.D., Black Santa, and Lawrence rapper Los Loco.&nbsp;

"I have been doing music in Salina for a very long time and I feel like in Kansas the opportunities can sometimes be hard when it comes to hip-hop, so I want to be able to give everyone an opportunity," said James. "I just want to make the hip-hop scene bigger here and let people know that we are here."

He hopes this event will start to push the hip-hop/rap to a much bigger scale in the Salina area.

James explained his music portrays a message of 'chasing your dreams and grinding towards your own path of success.' His album series named, "Road to Riches" is inspired by his message.

"Everyone has their own journey and I believe that everyone should be who they truly are, as they head towards their own road to riches," he said. "My listeners and my family motivate me the most."

James has toured for his music in the past and opened concerts for well-renowned artists such as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Hurricane Chris, Three 6 Mafia, Twista, Nappy Roots, Devin the Dude, Trinidad James and Paul Wall.

You can listen to Dee Eazy's music on all streaming platforms under: Dee Eazy.

Follow Dee Eazy on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/deeeazyhimself">Facebook</a>.

Local artist seeks to make the hip-hop/rap scene bigger in the Salina area by inspiration and service

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Salina Post obituary policy (subject to change)

Salina Post understands the importance of honoring the deceased and welcomes all submissions of obituaries with a full summary of their life, survivors, services, website of the funeral home and a photo.

Salina Post accepts all obituaries&nbsp;free of charge&nbsp;and you can email all obituaries:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;and will be posted on the website within 24 business hours.

If you have an issue outside of business hours, if your obituary has not been published within 24 business hours, or if have any questions, please email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

The Kansas Department of Commerce (KDOC) announced that the agency has awarded $75,000 in Rural Mural funding to support 12 public art projects in rural communities across the state.

“Our rural communities are the backbone of what makes our state so great — they’re rich in culture, resilience and unique identity,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Investing in these large-scale public art pieces allows communities to signal not only hometown pride but a commitment to harnessing creativity to drive economic growth across Kansas.”

Recipients of the Rural Mural grant include:&nbsp;

City of Belle Plaine ($7,424):&nbsp;A vibrant mural celebrating the city’s history, small-town charm and community spirit through colorful, whimsical art

City of Halstead ($7,424):&nbsp;A mural designed with community input to warmly welcome visitors and reflect local identity

City of Herington/Visit Herington! CVB ($3,124): An automotive-themed mural and painted locomotive sculptures by local artists

City of Jewell ($5,979):&nbsp;Expansion of buffalo public art installations celebrating the region’s natural and cultural history

Decatur County Area Economic Development Corporation ($3,924):&nbsp;A festive mural capturing the joy and nostalgia of community carnivals

Genesis Inc. of Coffeyville ($6,808):&nbsp;A public art project symbolizing growth, renewal, and community transformation

Linger Gig Lab ($7,424):&nbsp;A creative logo mural representing the organization’s identity and mission in Cimarron

Mo-Kan Regional Council ($4,697):&nbsp;A mural project showcasing the spirit and resilience of small-town life in Wathena.

Phillips County Community Foundation&nbsp;($7,424):&nbsp;A mural project highlighting&nbsp;the interdependence of the local agriculture community

Sabetha Chamber of Commerce ($7,424):&nbsp;A downtown mural designed to promote civic pride and enhance community aesthetics

South Central Community Foundation ($5,924):&nbsp;IMPACT Pratt’s community-driven mural project enriching a local park with vibrant imagery

Wabaunsee County Historical Society ($7,424):&nbsp;A mural on Main Street in Maple Hill honoring the region’s ranching roots and rural traditions

“We’re thrilled to be able to support 12 more murals and public art projects across the state,”&nbsp;Director of the Office of Rural Prosperity Trisha Purdon said. “These works of art will not only beautify and revitalize underutilized spaces but also foster a sense of pride and belonging through these new vibrant gathering spaces.”

The Rural Mural funds are one of the many resources provided by the Department of Commerce that work to support rural communities in Kansas. See all of the grant programs&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fgrantscalendar%2F/1/0101019958c6d4b1-6c7ee3ca-4cae-4ca9-9f99-541f9c061ecc-000000/CGs5LN_04CZEo_3O8MZZyQgq_2sZEZNCrx_FYTXXiyM=423">here</a>.

To learn more about the Rural Murals program, click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Forp%2Fkansas-rural-mural%2F/1/0101019958c6d4b1-6c7ee3ca-4cae-4ca9-9f99-541f9c061ecc-000000/0b4WAp_Qs7jZIsfhd-IKgo1PHwTs15Kcw0NWbEgQbh4=423">here</a>.

$75,000 of funding awarded to 12 rural communities for support in public art and economic growth

TESCOTT - The Tescott Fire Department (TFD) is set to host their 4th annual ranch rodeo this late September.

On Saturday, September 27 at the Perry Ranch (437 N. 60th Rd.) a&nbsp;calcutta (auction-style betting on participants) will kickoff the ranch rodeo at 5:30 pm, with the ranch rodeo starting at 6:00 pm.&nbsp;This&nbsp;rodeo is expected to host 20 teams of 4 contestants. Entry fee is $400 per team.

According to Assistant Fire Chief for TFD Cory Connelly, there are about 14 teams who have already signed up for the rodeo. In the past, there have been contestants come from out of state to compete in the ranch rodeo.

For those attending the event, a gate fee of $5 and children 5 and under get in for free. Concessions will be available along with raffles and a calf and boot scramble.

More information is on the flyer attached above.

Tescott Fire Department to host annual ranch rodeo late September

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.

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.

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

<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/">weather.gov</a>.

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 17 - September 19

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 CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit; Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose felony warrant; Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Poss of marijuana; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

NAME:&nbsp;Carmichael, Adrian Fred

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Interference with LEO; knowingly flee by means other than motor vehicle for misdemeanor case

NAME:&nbsp;Cottrell, Dakota Anthony Keith

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Failure to appear

NAME:&nbsp;Evilsizer, Barbara Lynn

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Poss of marijuana; Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

Saline County Jail Bookings, September 17

DICKINSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged school threat in Dickinson County.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of an altercation that occurred between students at Solomon School in the 400 Block of Pine Street in Solomon, according to a social media report from the Dickinson County Sheriff's office.&nbsp; Since then, the Sheriff’s Office was made aware of possible threats of violence to occur at the school on Wednesday. 

 An investigation was conducted Tuesday evening.  There will be a law enforcement presence in the area Wednesday as the investigation into the altercation continues.

  The Sheriff’s Office does not believe there is a threat to the safety of the students, staff, or community in Solomon as the information and evidence obtained does not support that a school threat was made

Sheriff investigating alleged threat after fight at school

Governor Laura Kelly recently appointed Allie Burris of Salina to a judgeship position in the 28th&nbsp;Judicial District. Burris will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Rene Young.

“Allie Burris has significant experience in the field of criminal law and a robust involvement in her community that will serve the 28th&nbsp;Judicial District well,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“I look forward to her continued contributions to her community as a district court judge.”&nbsp;

Burris is currently an attorney at Blackwell &amp; Struble and serves as an appointed defense counsel in drug court. She is active in the Salina community and is a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina and the Salina Child Care Association.

“I am truly honored by the opportunity to serve my community in this capacity. The 28th&nbsp;Judicial District has cultivated not only my personal development, but my professional one as well,”&nbsp;said Allie Burris. “Service to my community is what lead me to the legal profession, and I intend to carry that sentiment with me in this new role.”

District court judges in the 28th&nbsp;Judicial District are appointed by the governor and selected from among nominees chosen by a district nominating commission. Judges in nominating commission districts are subject to retention elections every four years. The two other nominees selected by the district nominating commission were Michelle Martin and Brad Sutton.

Allie Burris fills vacant position in the 28th judicial district 

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

Storms from this morning throughout Central KS are expected to now continue past noon.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) the scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout Central KS are expected to now continue past noon on Monday.

The National Weather Service also expects a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms to occur tonight in Salina.

Please be aware of the roads as localized flooding is possible.

UPDATE: Central KS storms continue past noon

W. Old 40 Highway between S. Reese and S. Wyman roads in Saline County, are reportedly closed due to flooding.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has placed road-closed barricades on W. Old 40 Highway between S. Reese and S. Wyman due to flooding.

The Sheriff's Office will update Salina Post once the highway reopens.

Flooding causes Saline County highway to close

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 8 - September 10

Cold temperatures are expected during the evening hours this weekend, with lows in the 40s.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), after a cold front passed through Central Kansas on early Friday morning, evening lows for tonight and Saturday evening are expected to be from 48-56 degrees.

Temperatures tonight and Saturday evening drop 20-25 degrees below normal, with highs in the 60s for Friday.

Temperatures dropping to the 40s during the evening hours this weekend

CASS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with a three vehicle accident near Kansas City.

Just before 5:30 p.m. Sept 15, sheriff deputies responded to the area of 195th Street on Route D in Belton regarding a three-vehicle accident, according to the Cass County Sheriff.

The driver of a pickup truck had struck a semi and another vehicle. The vehicles sustained heavy damage. Deputies conducted standardized field sobriety tests for the driver of the pickup truck. He was placed into custody --- and has been identified as 37-year-old Justin Sherman of Amoret, Missouri.

 Sherman has been charged with two felony counts of Property Damage - 1st Degree, a felony for Leaving the Scene of an Accident - Property Damage Exceeding $1,000 and a misdemeanor for Driving While Intoxicated. 

Sherman is being held on a$50,000 bond, according to the sheriff's office.

Driver charged with felony for leaving 3-vehicle crash near KC

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an incident in northeast Kansas.

Just before 10a.m. September 10, a sheriff's&nbsp;deputy was on routine patrol and noticed plywood scattered on U.S. 36 highway just south of Hiawatha that appeared to have been lost off of a vehicle going to the landfill, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.&nbsp;

&nbsp; A vehicle description was passed on to landfill employees by the deputy , and the suspect vehicle and occupants were made available for questioning when the deputy arrived.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Upon conclusion of the investigation, the driver of the vehicle, 31-year-old&nbsp; Edubiel Vega Gonzalez of&nbsp; Dawson, Nebraska was arrested on requested charges of Driving While License Cancelled, Suspended or Revoked&nbsp; and also cited for&nbsp; Littering&nbsp; The passengers in the Gonzalez vehicle were directed to clean the debris from the roadway.

Sheriff: Suspect with no drivers license dumped trash on Kan. highway

NEW YORK (AP) — ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely beginning Wednesday after comments that he made about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-suspect-things-to-know-dcde3f792f4d6636d44fb9f4fa53569c">Charlie Kirk's killing</a>&nbsp;led a group of ABC-affiliated stations to say it would not air the show.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jimmy-kimmel">Kimmel, the veteran late-night comic</a>, made several comments about the reaction to Kirk's assassination on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Monday and Tuesday nights, including that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.”

ABC, which has aired Kimmel's late-night show since 2003, moved swiftly after Nexstar Communications Group said it would pull the show starting Wednesday. Kimmel's comments about Kirk's death “are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar's broadcasting division. Nexstar operates 23 ABC affiliates.

There was no immediate comment from Kimmel, whose contract is up in May 2026. ABC's statement did not cite a reason for why his show was preempted.

President Donald Trump celebrated ABC's move on the social media site Truth Social, writing: “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”

He also targeted two other late-night hosts, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, and said they should be canceled too, calling them “two total losers.” In July,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-late-show-cbs-end-8bad9f16f076df62c0ffc50e9c8adbab">after CBS canceled “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,”</a>&nbsp;Trump wrote on his social media platform: “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!” Like Colbert, Kimmel has been consistently been critical of Trump and many of his policies.

In his monologue on Monday, Kimmel said that “we hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

Authorities say Tyler Robinson, 22, who is charged with killing Kirk, grew up in a conservative household in southern Utah but was enmeshed in “leftist ideology.” His parents told investigators he had turned politically left and pro-LGBTQ rights in the last year.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/charlie-kirk-shooting-news#00000199-3e68-d49f-a99f-3fef75fe0000">Utah records</a>&nbsp;show he was registered as a voter, but not affiliated with either political party. His voter status is inactive, meaning&nbsp;<a href="https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title20A/Chapter2/20A-2-S505.html?v=C20A-2-S505_2025050720250507">he did not vote</a>&nbsp;in two regular general elections. He told his transgender partner that he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred.”

Kimmel's show pulled as audience waited for taping

An audience was lined up outside the theater where “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” tapes when they were told Wednesday’s show was canceled.

“We were just about to walk in — interestingly enough, they waited to pull the plug on this right as the studio audience was about to walk in,” Tommy Williams, a would-be audience member from Jacksonville, Florida, told The Associated Press outside the theater. “They didn’t tell us what had happened. They just said that the show was canceled.”

Williams said he was worried someone had been injured — until he saw that ABC had announced nearly at the same time online that the preemption was indefinite. Williams hadn’t been aware of Kimmel’s comments on Kirk, but sought them out after the announcement.

“They didn’t really seem to justify the means. It seemed to be a bit extreme. And it wasn’t like insulting to, it really had nothing to do with Charlie Kirk at all. He didn’t even mention anything ill about Charlie Kirk — it was about the shooter,” Williams said.

What Kimmel said on his show and reaction to it

Kimmel said that Trump's response to Kirk's death “is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish, OK?” He also said that FBI chief Kash Patel has handled the investigation into the killing “like a kid who didn't read the book, BSing his way through an oral report.”

He returned to the topic on Tuesday night, mocking Vice President JD Vance's performance as guest host for Kirk's podcast.

He said Trump was “fanning the flames” by attacking people on the left. “Which is it, are they a bunch of sissy pickleball players because they're too scared to be hit by tennis balls, or a well-organized deadly team of commandos, because they can't be both of those things.”

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, called Kimmel’s comments on Kirk some of the “sickest conduct possible” in an interview Wednesday morning with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson.

“There are calls for Kimmel to be fired. I think you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this,” Carr said.

Carr said it appeared to be an “intentional effort” to mislead the public that Charlie Kirk’s assassin was a right-wing Trump supporter.

The conservative group interest group Center for American Rights cited Carr’s comments in lodging a complaint Wednesday against ABC in addition to a prior complaint from early September accusing ABC of political bias. They wrote in the complaint that Kimmel showed a “reckless indifference or willful defiance of facts” and asked the commission to take ABC off air, if ABC did not take Kimmel off air first.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the administration for “using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression” in a post on X.

The move comes as the president, his administration and political party have stepped up their effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kirk-trump-cancel-culture-assassination-4d69649e382ea46d8dcf794150a1d3c9">police speech about Kirk’s death.</a>&nbsp;Vance earlier this week urged Americans to turn in fellow citizens who mocked the assassination. It is also the latest effort by the administration to use its power to lean on the media. Carr has launched investigations of outlets that have angered Trump and the president has sued numerous media organizations for negative coverage.

CBS said this past summer that it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-late-show-cbs-end-8bad9f16f076df62c0ffc50e9c8adbab">canceling Colbert’s show</a>&nbsp;at the end of this season for financial reasons, although some critics have wondered if his stance on Trump played a role. Soon after the cancellation, the FCC approved CBS parent company Paramount's long-pending deal with Skydance. ABC parent company Disney is currently awaiting regulatory approval for ESPN's acquisition of the NFL Network.

ABC suspends Kimmel's late-night show over remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death

WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s public health system is headed to a “very dangerous place” with Health Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;and his team of anti-vaccine advisers in charge, fired Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief Susan Monarez warned senators on Wednesday.

Describing extraordinary turmoil inside the nation's health agencies, Monarez and former CDC Chief Medical Officer Chief Debra Houry described exchanges in which Kennedy or political advisers rebuffed data supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

Monarez, who was fired after just 29 days on the job following disagreements with Kennedy, told senators deadly diseases like polio and whooping cough, long contained, are poised to make a comeback in the U.S.

“I believe preventable diseases will return, and I believe we will have our children harmed by things they don’t need to be harmed by,” Monarez said before the Senate health committee.

Monarez said she was ordered by Kennedy to resign if she did not sign off on new vaccine recommendations, which are expected to be released later this week by an advisory panel that Kennedy has stocked with medical experts and vaccine skeptics. She said that when she asked for data or science to back up Kennedy’s request to change the childhood vaccination schedule, he offered none.

She added that Kennedy told her “he spoke to the president every day about changing the childhood vaccination schedule.”

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who chairs the powerful health committee, listened intently as Monarez and Houry described conversations with Kennedy and his advisers.

“To be clear, he said there was not science or data, but he still expected you to change schedule?” Cassidy asked.

Cassidy carefully praised President Donald Trump for his commitment to promoting health policies but made it clear he was concerned about the circumstances surrounding Monarez's removal.

Houry, meanwhile, described similar exchanges with Kennedy's political advisers, who took an unprecedented role in preparing materials for meetings of the CDC's advisory vaccine panel.

Ahead of this week's meeting of the panel, Houry offered to include data around the hepatitis B shot that is administered to newborns to prevent spread of the deadly disease from the mother. She said a Kennedy adviser dismissed the data as biased because it might support keeping the shots on the schedule.

"You’re suggesting that they wanted to move away from the birth dose, but they were afraid that your data would say that they should retain it?" Cassidy asked.

During the Senate hearing, Democrats, all of whom opposed Monarez's nomination, also questioned Kennedy's motives for firing Monarez, who was approved for the job unanimously by Republicans.

“Frankly, she stood up for protecting the well-being of the American people, and for that reason she was fired,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats.

Monarez said it was both her refusal to sign off on new vaccination recommendations without scientific evidence and her unwillingness to fire high-ranking career CDC officials without cause that led to her ousting.

Kennedy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-senate-cdc-3a5a090fc9d9f547377203fe5c61ffa2">has denied</a>&nbsp;Monarez’s accusations that he ordered “rubber-stamped” vaccine recommendations but has acknowledged he demanded firings. He has described Monarez as admitting to him that she is “untrustworthy,” a claim Monarez has denied through her attorney.

While Senate Republicans have been mostly loath to challenge Trump or even Kennedy, many of them have expressed concerns about the lack of availability of COVID-19 vaccines and the health department’s decisions to scale back some childhood vaccines.

Others have backed up Kennedy’s distrust of the nation’s health agencies.

Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, a doctor, aggressively questioned Monarez about her “philosophy” on vaccines as she explained that her decisions were based on science. Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville said Trump was elected to make change and suggested Monarez's job was to be loyal to Kennedy.

“America needs better than this,” Tuberville said.

The Senate hearing was taking place just a day before the vaccine panel starts its two-day session in Atlanta to discuss shots against COVID-19, hepatitis B and chickenpox. It’s unclear how the panel might vote on the recommendations, though members have raised doubts about whether hepatitis B shots administered to newborns are necessary and have suggested COVID-19 recommendations should be more restricted.

The CDC director must endorse those recommendations before they become official. Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jim-oneill-cdc-kennedy-trump-vaccines-58fd24f678bf46ea6ec96a2b09f85ff4">Jim O’Neill</a>, now serving as the CDC’s acting director, will be responsible for that.

“I'm very nervous about it,” Monarez said of the meeting.

Associated Press writers Mike Stobbe in New York and Lauran Neergaard in Washington contributed.

🎥 Kan. U.S. Senator admonished fired CDC Chief: “You are the problem.”

Kansas City Chief All-Pro Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is celebrating a milestone birthday.&nbsp; On social media, the Chiefs sent a special message from his friends and family.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point Wednesday and projected it would do so twice more this year as concern grows at the central bank about the health of the nation's labor market.

The move is the Fed’s first cut since December and it lowered its short-term rate to about 4.1%, down from 4.3%. Fed officials, led by Chair Jerome Powell, had kept their rate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-rates-99d90bab1ba2faa0fc5d4a6106125da7">unchanged this year</a>&nbsp;as they evaluated the impact of tariffs, tighter immigration enforcement, and other Trump administration policies on inflation and the economy.

Yet the central bank’s focus has shifted quickly from inflation, which remains modestly above its 2% target, to jobs, as hiring has grounded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-unemployment-trump-firing-f686eab61f7d6b702ca10b12b0250498">nearly to a halt</a>&nbsp;in recent months and the unemployment rate has ticked higher. Lower interest rates could reduce borrowing costs for mortgages, car loans, and business loans, and boost growth and hiring.

“In this less dynamic and somewhat softer labor market, the downside risks to employment appear to have risen,” Powell said at a press conference following the Fed's two-day meeting.

Fed officials also signaled that they expect to reduce their key rate twice more this year, but just once in 2026. Before the meeting, investors on Wall Street had projected five cuts for the rest of this year and next. Stocks wavered a bit as Powell took questions from reporters. The S&amp;P 500 ticked down 0.1% as of 3:40 p.m. ET.

Just one Fed policymaker dissented from the decision: Stephen Miran, who President Donald Trump appointed and was confirmed by the Senate in a rushed vote late Monday just hours before the meeting began. Miran preferred a larger half-point cut, but Powell told reporters there wasn't “very much support” for the bigger-size cut among Fed officials.

Many economists had forecast there would be additional dissents, and the meeting's outcome suggests that Powell was able to patch together a show of unity from a committee that includes Miran and two other Trump appointees from his first term, as well as a Fed governor, Lisa Cook, whom Trump is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-cook-trump-e9933d518af5155250bebbdc29fd3f2b">seeking to fire</a>.

Still, there were still significant differences among the 19 officials on the Fed's rate-setting committee about where the Fed should go next. Seven policymakers indicated they don't support any further cuts, while two supported just one more and 10 favor at least two more. One official — likely Miran — indicated that they would support several large cuts to bring the Fed's rate to 2.9% by year's end. Fed officials submit their forecasts of future rate moves anonymously.

Powell said the wide divergence reflects the uncertain outlook for the economy, given that inflation remains stubborn even as hiring has stumbled.

“There are no risk-free paths now,” Powell said. “It's not incredibly obvious what to do.”

The Fed is facing both a challenging economic environment and threats to its traditional independence from day-to-day politics. At the same time that hiring has weakened, inflation remains stubbornly elevated. It rose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-trump-federal-reserve-fabecefa501709184895bf73b3dc698a">2.9% in August</a>&nbsp;from a year ago, according to the consumer price index, up from 2.7% in July and noticeably above the Fed’s 2% target.

It’s unusual to have weaker hiring and elevated inflation, because typically a slowing economy causes consumers to pull back on spending, cooling price hikes. Powell suggested last month that sluggish growth could keep inflation in check even if tariffs lift prices further.

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