Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information (LMI) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.8% in September. This is unchanged from 3.8% in August and unchanged from 3.8% in September 2024. The labor force participation rate for Kansas increased to 67.1% in September, according to a media release from KDOL.

The unemployment rate in Saline County is down from 3.8 percent in August to 3.2 percent in September. The rate in Dickinson County was up in August at 4.4 percent but dropped to 3.5 percent in September.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 300 from August. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 2,000 over the month, while government increased by 1,700. The largest job gains in the private sector were in&nbsp;financial activities&nbsp;(+600 jobs). The largest decrease was in professional and business services&nbsp;(-2,300 jobs).

Since September 2024 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have decreased by 1,700. This change is due to a decrease of 2,500 private sector jobs and an increase of 800 government jobs.

Technical Note: This statement includes nonfarm jobs and labor force estimates for September 2025, which are produced using data from two monthly surveys. Data for nonfarm job estimates is collected through a survey of employers while the main input for labor force estimates is a survey of households. Data collected for this report references the week including September 12.&nbsp;

Due to the lapse in federal funding during the federal government shutdown, all Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) operations were suspended from Oct. 1, 2025, through Nov. 12, 2025. As a result, KDOL will not publish a separate report for the October 2025 Kansas Labor Report.

Jobless rate down in Saline County and across the region

Red Fern Booksellers and Salina Art Cinema is inviting the community to a screening of the 1940 Pride and Prejudice film.

The showing is on&nbsp;Tuesday, December 16,&nbsp;6:00 pm at Salina Art Cinema (150 S Santa Fe Ave).

Tickets are&nbsp;$8 for everyone.

All guests are entered into a drawing for a gift basket featuring:

- Collector’s vinyl from the 2005 movie

To purchase tickets, click <a href="https://prod5.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=543436~324e763b-503c-450c-8c59-54007b851949&amp;epguid=94c71b64-6119-436a-8b50-a5728e102d44&amp;mdy=12/16/2025">here</a>.

Red Fern Booksellers & Salina Art Cinema inviting public to screening of "Pride and Prejudice"

The Salina Tuba Christmas band put on yet another great show, playing fan favorite Christmas carols for the 2025 season.

The band consisted of 40 players, which was the largest since it started 15 years ago at the Central Mall. 

Players came from Augusta High School, Fort Hays State University, Kansas Wesleyan University, K-State Salina, Lincoln High School, Thomas-Moore Prep and Concordia High School to name a few.&nbsp;

Check out the Salina Brass Choir Christmas concert Saturday, December 20 at the Central Mall, starting at 12:30 pm.

For those wanting to join the band can message Conductor/Director, Steven Lueth on Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/steven.lueth">here</a>.

🎥 Salina Tuba Christmas put on another show for 2025, next performance Brass concert Dec. 20

All of our LIVE sports streams are FREE to watch for everybody!!!

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Kansas Wesleyan University (KWU) honored its fall graduates on Friday, December 12 during its annual Fall Graduation Recognition Ceremony, held in Sams Chapel. 

Graduates present were recognized and Barbara Marshall-Nickell, former KWU professor and last year’s university exemplary teacher, delivered the evening’s keynote address.&nbsp;

The following is a list of students who were eligible for fall graduation at either the bachelor’s or master’s degree level:&nbsp;

Joshua King-Bradley (Mont Belvieu, Texas)

Rhadarious Lomax-Spivey (Naperville, Ill.)

Santiago Pagnutti (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

For more information on Kansas Wesleyan University, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kwu.edu/news">www.kwu.edu/news</a>.&nbsp;

KWU honors fall graduates at recognition ceremony in Sams Chapel

From weeknight ground beef to special-occasion steaks, consumers continue to see higher prices at the meat case. At its core, the beef market runs on supply and demand like everything else — but when you factor in production cycles, global trade uncertainty and a persistent U.S. taste for beef, that simple model gets complicated fast.

Supply and demand are ideally balanced when the available quantity aligns with consumer demand. Prices decrease when supply is abundant and demand is lower.

For consumers feeling the pinch, the reasons behind high beef prices are complex and shaped by rising costs, improved quality, changing eating habits and market uncertainty.

"Beef prices are higher because demand is strong and supply is tight," said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ageconomics.k-state.edu/about/people/directory/faculty_directory/tonsor/">Glynn Tonsor</a>, professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University. "You have to understand both sides of that equation."

The U.S. cattle herd is currently at historically low levels. Fewer cows typically means less beef, but improvements in breeding, animal health and feed quality mean that each animal now yields more and better-quality beef than in the past.

Even so, Tonsor said the increased efficiency hasn't been enough to fully offset the decline in herd size.

"Over the next couple of years, we expect less beef to be produced in the U.S. than in the past," Tonsor said. "That tightening supply supports higher prices."

The cost to maintain a single cow has risen by at least $200 in just the last five years, driven by inflation in feed, labor, fuel and equipment. Labor availability in agriculture has also worsened, making herd expansion more difficult.

Uncertainty adds another layer of pressure. Trade policy, export markets and long-term business conditions remain unpredictable, which can slow investments and limit herd growth.

"Anywhere you have elevated risk, most producers and&nbsp;<a>business people</a>&nbsp;more generally tend to get a little more conservative," said Tonsor. "If you add uncertainty and risk, the tendency is to hold the cards close to the chest and be less willing to make a 20-year investment in that arena."

Even when ranchers choose to increase their herd sizes, the beef industry's multiyear production cycle means that larger herds do not lead to an immediate increase in supply. When a rancher keeps a heifer instead of selling it for market, there is a short-term reduction in beef supply.

In 2024, Americans consumed more beef than the year before and spent more on it, even after adjusting for inflation. Tonsor said this combination signals growing demand.

A significant driver of that demand is quality. During the past 10 to 20 years, the quality of beef produced has significantly improved. Higher-quality beef tastes better to consumers.

"Taste is the most important factor in deciding whether someone buys beef," Tonsor said. "More cattle are grading prime and choice, leading to a better eating experience and greater willingness among consumers to pay more."

Tonsor leads the K-State&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://agmanager.info/livestock-meat/meat-demand/monthly-meat-demand-monitor-survey-data">Meat Demand Monitor</a>, which tracks U.S. consumer preferences, views and demand for meat, providing the agricultural industry with vital consumer insights. The monthly survey is conducted online with more than 2,000 respondents reflecting the national population. This project is funded in part by the Beef Checkoff and the Pork Checkoff.

The meat demand project is finding that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksumeatdemandmonitor.shinyapps.io/MDMapp/">diet trends</a>&nbsp;are also playing a role. Protein-focused eating has gained momentum across age groups. The rise of GLP-1 medications has further accelerated this shift, as many users reduce their carbohydrate intake and increase their protein consumption.

Even outside that group, younger generations are placing greater emphasis on protein for fitness and health, which strengthens demand for beef.

Looking ahead, Tonsor expects beef prices to remain elevated through at least 2026, assuming consumer income and confidence remain stable. Tight supply combined with steady demand will continue to put upward pressure on prices.

"I think it's macroeconomic in nature," Tonsor said. "If consumer incomes, the job and market environment, and so forth stay the same or better, I'm confident we're going to have higher beef prices."

Despite historic demand, beef supply remains low, and prices stay high: Here's why

Three scammers work together in persuading a Salina man to send $200,000.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) back on May, a 77-year old male came in contact with two people via phone claiming he won a "MegaMillions lottery ticket and brand new vehicle.”

The scammers told the man he needed pay a price for "legal fees and other reasons.”

The man then sent $500 increments on various cash cards. As time passed, the man was then contacted by another individual stating the previous two callers were scammers.

However, the caller told the man he needed to send money in order to recover the $500 previously sent.

The victim then sent an undetermined amount of money through cash cards to the scammer. The scammer then persuaded him to purchase a new vehicle and selling it. He was advised to then take the cash from the sold vehicle, and place it into a bank account.

As a result, the man could not find the money in the account after following through with the scammer’s instructions.

SPD would like to remind the public to never believe anyone from a sudden phonecall, stating you have won a lottery ticket and new a vehicle. It is a scam.

Additionally, if a caller informs you that the previous call was a scam and further states you need to send money to recover the funds you sent, it is a scam.&nbsp;

It is a common scheme for scammers to work together to successfully follow through with the crime.&nbsp;

Three scammers collaborate in persuading a Salina man to send $200,000

A north Salina business was reportedly burglarized, resulting in $10,000 worth of items missing.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD), Young Builders&nbsp;(260 Smithers)&nbsp;was reportedly burglarized sometime between Wednesday, 3:00 pm and Thursday morning at 7:30 am.

An employee of the business upon opening up on Thursday morning, found the garage door was opened.

The employee discovered several items were missing, which included:

Car audio speakers, tools, alcohol and a blue 2007 GMC Sierra pickup truck. 

Damage and loss was valued at approximately $10,000.

SPD are currently investigating for surveillance video and no suspect description has been made at this time.

North Salina business burglarized, resulting in $10,000 of items missing

Here is the lineup for the Saturday Morning Show with Dave Foor &amp; Nicolas Fierro on&nbsp;910 AM/107.5 FM KINA for&nbsp;December 13:

Amy Adams - Salina Public Library, Youth Services Remodel

Amy Paden - Packages for Warriors, Letter to the USA

Shawn Paul- Saline County Emergency Management, Disaster Training

All episodes are recorded and uploaded on the&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?CFID=05fb1ecb-7d68-4542-adb3-9b7c11d9b5e5&amp;CFTOKEN=0&amp;stationCallSign=KINA&amp;onDemandAutoStart=true&amp;p92136680=true&amp;relocateURL=true">910 AM and 107.5 FM KINA website</a>, under the 'KINA Saturday Mornings'&nbsp;tab.

Saturday Morning Show lineup with Dave Foor & Nicolas Fierro, December 13

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

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor; Speeding; maximum limits

NAME:&nbsp;Kolb, Christopher William

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Domestic Battery: rude physical contact

NAME:&nbsp;Marfise, Morgan Elizabeth

REQUESTED CHARGE: Probation Violation

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

NAME:&nbsp;Sierminski, Lawrence Nelson

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Agg battery; Knowingly use deadly weapon; Criminal threat; Cause terror, evacuation or disruption

REQUESTED CHARGE: Failure to appear

Saline County Jail Bookings, December 12

Salina Police are seeking tips regarding a burglary that occurred at a Salina vape business, resulting in loss and damage over $2,000.

ORIGINAL: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/ab67353f-9984-41d8-be4b-02d6eddebda6">Two suspects sought after burglarizing Salina vape lounge</a>

According to Salina Police on Tuesday, December 9 at about 1:00 am, officers were dispatched to an alarm at Juicy’s Vapor Lounge, 2316 Planet Ave.

 It was determined a large rock had been used to break out the front window of the business.

Surveillance video showed two suspects entering the business after breaking the window. The suspects then damaged two display cases and placed the items into a trash bag, before fleeing from the business. 

The suspects fled north through the parking lot.

Estimated loss and damage was valued at $3000.

If you have any information concerning this incident or identification of the individual involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS.

You can also make an online tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>.

You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, case 2025-33078.

UPDATE: Tips are sought regarding burglary at Salina vape business

<a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Salina&amp;state=KS&amp;site=ICT&amp;lat=38.8158&amp;lon=-97.6178">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.

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

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.

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.

Slight chance of flurries in Salina Wednesday evening

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 3 - December 5

What a way to start December, as accumulated snow has touched down in Salina and several areas throughout central Kansas.

KDOT webcams (See above) showing accumulated snow on roadways at Russell and Great Bend in central Kansas early this morning. This will create hazardous travel conditions during the morning commute.

Salina is under a winter weather advisory until 6:00 pm on Monday. The high for today is 28, and the low is 14.

The US National Weather Service has provided winter travel safety tips for those who are will be traveling on the roads for the holidays.

- Share your travel plans with friends or family.

- Frequently check weather forecasts in your area.

Accumulated snowfall throughout Salina and central Kansas kicks off month of December

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 1 - December 3

Traces of snowfall have touched down in Central Kansas, with more snow expected for Monday, plus cold air throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Throughout Central Kansas, colder air will spread southward across the region for Saturday along with strong and gusty northwest winds. Wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph are likely.

Rain will change to snow briefly over parts of central Kansas through mid-morning on Saturday. Minor accumulations on elevated and grassy surfaces are possible.

Low of 7 degrees is expected for Sunday, with a high of 30 in Salina.

Salina is also under a wind advisory until 6:00 pm for Saturday.

According to the US National Weather Service, light to moderate snow is expected to move-in from the west on Monday and provide many locations with the first measurable snow of the season. 

 Snow will start around or shortly after sunrise and continue through the Monday afternoon hours with travel impacts likely, especially across central and northeast Kansas.

Highs are expected to be between 27-32 degrees, with the low expected to be around 14 degrees throughout the region.

Traces of snow have touched down in Central Kansas, more snow expected for Monday

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 28 - December 1

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement in southwest Kansas are investigating a deadly shooting in Ford County.

Just before 6p.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to a home north of Dodge City, according to a media release. First responders including Dodge City Police and Ford County EMS found a man dead from a gunshot wound.

Investigators are questioning those who were inside the home. The sheriff's office has not reported an arrest or additional details including the name of the victim.

Sheriff investigating deadly shooting in southwest Kansas

The billion-dollar Powerball® jackpot is on the rise. The jackpot has reached an estimated $1.1 billion for Monday night’s drawing, with an estimated cash value of $503.4 million, according to a statement from the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Monday’s jackpot ranks as the sixth largest in Powerball history.

“This jackpot streak is bringing people together to dream big during this festive time of year,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “Please play responsibly. Just one $2 Powerball® ticket gives you a chance to win this jackpot while also supporting good causes in your community.”

The Powerball jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 1, 28, 31, 57, 58 and red Powerball 16. The Power Play® multiplier was 2X.

Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many may still have won cash prizes.

Nationwide, seven tickets won cash prizes worth $1 million or more in last night’s Powerball® drawing. Five tickets, sold in California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia, matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes.

Two tickets, sold in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, matched all five white balls and, because the players added the Power Play® option for $1 more, the $1 million prize increased to $2 million for each ticket.

The drawing also produced 49 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 12 tickets that won $100,000 prizes.

Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets, sold in Colorado and North Carolina, each won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.

Monday’s Powerball drawing will be the 43rd in the current jackpot run, setting a game record for most consecutive drawings in a single jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

If a player wins Monday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.1 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $503.4 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

Powerball jackpot grows to 6th largest in history after Saturday drawing

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</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 Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A southwestern Kansas county plans to sue the state for more than $2 million after nearly a decade of mistaken payments, mounting concern for democratic processes.

Voters in Morton County, which borders the Oklahoma panhandle and Colorado, approved a countywide sales tax in 2015 that directed funds to their local hospital. But an early administrative error that the county tried to fix resulted in the Kansas Department of Revenue sending checks to the county’s cities, which spent the money.

The hospital was short more than $1.8 million over those nine years, and the county took on new debt as it tried to cover the struggling hospital’s missing costs, according to the commissioners. In addition to the misappropriated payments, the county is suing the revenue department for an additional $295,000 to pay for the interest and legal fees from the new debt.

Morton County’s board of commissioners decided Monday it “will not compromise on recovering the full $2,152,421.36 and ensuring the financial future of our hospital,” the board said in a Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://mtcoks.com/" target="_blank">announcement</a>.

“The liability rests with the state of Kansas,” said the board, which comprises commissioners Ed Anderson, Jim Tucker and chairman J.W. Finn.

The revenue department declined to comment because of the involvement of litigation, said Zach Denney, a department spokesperson.

At a Dec. 2 legislative hearing in Topeka, the department’s chief counsel, Ted Smith, said the department fixed the sales tax revenue’s appropriation earlier this year, following an opinion from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office that underlined the voters’ intent to give funds to the hospital.&nbsp;

The hospital began receiving full checks after ten years of partial funds.&nbsp;

The Morton County attorney, David Thompson, tried at the hearing to make a claim against the state to recover the funds through a legislative process. But lawmakers did not immediately accept. The committee arrived at two options. Legislators said they could forward the issue to a larger group of lawmakers, who would take it up in January, or the county could take legal action.&nbsp;

The county had yet to file a lawsuit as of Thursday.

As passed, Morton County voters approved a general sales tax provision instead of one specifically for health care services because of a clerical error. The question on voters’ ballots cited the wrong subparagraph in state law. As it was voted on, Smith said, the department was bound by statute to formulaically distribute the sales tax revenue to Morton County and its three cities.

The county fixed the error within months, passing ordinances to divert the sales tax revenue to the county, which would then be passed along to the local hospital.

But the department continued to send checks as was dictated by the initial wording. The county gave the money it received to the hospital, but the cities, who have not been involved in the county’s efforts to reclaim the funds, spent their checks.&nbsp;

The board of commissioners emphasized unity over conflict between the county and its cities — Elkhart, Rolla and Richfield — which the board said “were simply the unintended recipients of checks sent monthly by the state agency.”

“The county views our municipalities as essential partners, not as adversaries,” the board said.

The department had known about the mistake a decade ago.&nbsp;

Thompson, the county attorney, said at the legislative hearing that it was staff at the state revenue department who advised the county on how to fix its initial error. But the department said it must abide by the statute to which an issue is tied, as a matter of policy.

“The result of this policy can be classified as nothing less than administrative voter nullification and is repugnant to our democratic processes,” the county commissioners said.

In hindsight, Smith said, the county should have taken the issue to court in 2015.

“If anything unfortunate happened back in 2015, (it) is when Morton County and the Department of Revenue (were) dealing with this issue after the vote,” Smith said. “I think both parties sort of just shrugged their shoulders.”

Small Kansas county to sue state for $2M meant for local hospital

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Police in Rhode Island said early Sunday that they had a person of interest in custody over the shooting at Brown University campus that killed two people and wounded nine others.

Police spokesperson Kristy dosReis confirmed the information. A news conference was called for 7 a.m. to provide more details.

Hundreds of police officers had been scouring the Brown University campus along with nearby neighborhoods and poring over video in the hunt for the shooter who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-active-shooter-c7c9d1c7da19a76c2a27685c7e63d6da">opened fire in a classroom</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/brown-university-shooting-photos-9b517a673845e52fd9a91eea40ece6e4">The shooting erupted</a>&nbsp;Saturday afternoon in the engineering building of the Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island, during final exams.

Surveillance video released by police shows the suspect, dressed in black, calmly walking away from the scene. His face is not visible and investigators said it wasn't clear whether the suspect is a student.

The suspect was last seen leaving the engineering building and some witnesses told police the suspect, who could be in his 30s, may have been wearing a camouflage mask, Providence Police Deputy Chief Timothy O’Hara said.

University President Christina Paxson said she was told 10 people who were shot were students. Another person was injured by fragments from the shooting but it was not clear if the victim was a student, she said.

The search for the shooter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/deadly-campus-shootings-aea218f6d4d2b1fea4a0fc38160b1c17">paralyzed the campus</a>, the nearby neighborhoods filled with stately brick homes and the downtown in Rhode Island's capital city. Streets normally bustling with activity on weekends were eerily quiet.

Students sheltered in place for hours into the night. Officers in tactical gear led students out of some campus buildings and into a fitness center where they waited. Others arrived at the shelter on buses without jackets or any belongings.

Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom. Outer doors of the building were unlocked but rooms being used for final exams required badge access, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said.

He encouraged people living near the campus to stay inside or not return home until a shelter-in-place order was lifted.

“The Brown community’s heart is breaking and Providence’s heart is breaking along with it,” Smiley said.

Authorities believe the shooter used a handgun, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Democratic Gov. Dan McKee vowed that all resources were being deployed to catch the suspect. Rhode Island has some of the strictest gun laws in the U.S.

Nine people with gunshot wounds were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where one was in critical condition. Six required intensive care but were not getting worse and two were stable, hospital spokesperson Kelly Brennan said.

Engineering design exams were underway when the shooting occurred in the Barus &amp; Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the School of Engineering and physics department. The building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices, according to the university’s website.

Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, was in the building’s lobby working on a final project when she heard loud pops coming from the east side. Once she realized they were gunshots, she darted for the door and ran to a nearby building where she sheltered for several hours.

Former ‘Survivor’ contestant just left the building

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/neurodiversity-alliance-x-games-alex-hackel-survivor-eva-erickson-c86492878ab0a3c774808ce98ec9d290">Eva Erickson</a>, a doctoral candidate who was the runner-up earlier this year on the CBS reality competition show “Survivor,” said she left her lab in the engineering building 15 minutes before shots rang out.

The engineering and thermal science student shared candid moments on “Survivor” as the show’s first openly autistic contestant. She was locked down in the campus gym following the shooting and shared on social media that the only other member of her lab who was present was safely evacuated.

Brown senior biochemistry student Alex Bruce was working on a final research project in his dorm directly across the street from the building when he heard sirens outside.

“I’m just in here shaking,” he said, watching through the window as armed officers surrounded his dorm.

Students in a nearby lab turned off the lights and hid under desks after receiving an alert about the shooting, said Chiangheng Chien, a doctoral student in engineering who was about a block away from the scene.

Mari Camara, 20, a junior from New York City, was coming out of the library and rushed inside a taqueria to seek shelter. She spent more than three hours there, texting friends while police searched the campus.

“Everyone is the same as me, shocked and terrified that something like this happened,” she said.

Brown, the seventh oldest higher education institution in the U.S., is one of the nation’s most prestigious colleges with roughly 7,300 undergraduates and more than 3,000 graduate students. Tuition, housing and other fees run to nearly $100,000 per year, according to the university.

Associated Press journalists Alanna Durkin Richer, Mike Balsamo and Seung Min Kim in Washington, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City, Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota, Martha Bellisle in Seattle and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed.

Person of interest in custody for Brown University deadly shooting

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges for a shooting that took place in a parking lot over the summer.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2779/Marshall-Complaint-Red">Marvillie Marshall</a>&nbsp;,19, is charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and 2nd Degree Assault, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

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