Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau

Manhattan, KS / Philadelphia, PA — Internationally recognized orchid authority Arthur Chadwick, owner of Chadwick &amp; Son Orchids and author of the acclaimed book First Ladies and Their Orchids, will present a major feature exhibit at the 2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, running February 28 through March 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Now in its 197th year, the Philadelphia Flower Show is the largest and longest-running horticultural event in the world, welcoming more than 250,000 visitors annually and drawing global attention for its immersive floral installations, world-class plant competitions, and innovative design.

Chadwick’s exhibit, titled “First Ladies and Their Orchids,” brings to life the historic relationship between America’s First Ladies and the iconic Cattleya orchid—a floral symbol long associated with elegance, diplomacy, and state affairs. The installation traces ten consecutive First Ladies, from Edith Wilson through Patricia Nixon, who embraced orchid corsages as part of their signature style.

Adding a strong Kansas presence to the international event is Sara Larson of Manhattan, Kansas, owner and lead designer of Wild &amp; Blooming Floral &amp; Events, who was selected by Chadwick to serve as the exhibit’s floral design collaborator.

Larson, whose studio is based in the heart of the Flint Hills, is known for refined, story-driven floral design and thoughtful event styling. Her work spans weddings, large-scale installations, and editorial projects throughout the Midwest and beyond. In 2024, Larson was also selected as a floral designer for the White House Christmas decorations, contributing to the nationally televised holiday showcase in Washington, D.C.

To bring the exhibit to life, Chadwick and Larson have collaborated closely on the design and curation, incorporating rare and historically significant orchids from Chadwick’s private collection. Together, they also worked directly with First Families to procure authentic memorabilia for the installation, including a special piece from the collection of Mamie Eisenhower, loaned by her granddaughter, Mary Jean Eisenhower.

The exhibit is an adaptation of Chadwick’s book of the same name and follows the success of his recent appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show in London, where his work earned a prestigious Silver-Gilt award and a visit from Queen Camilla.

The installation has received endorsements from the National First Ladies Museum &amp; Library, the Edith Bolling Wilson Foundation, and the National First Ladies Day Commission.

“Orchids were more than fashion accessories—they were symbols of grace, romance, and prestige,” said Chadwick.

Abilene resident, Mary Jean Eisenhower echoed that sentiment, noting, “My grandmother felt she would be underdressed if she wasn’t wearing an orchid corsage.”

For Larson, the project represents both a professional milestone and a point of pride for her hometown.

“Collaborating on this exhibit has been a rare opportunity to blend living history with floral design at the highest level,” Larson said. “To represent Kansas—and especially Manhattan—on an international stage like the Philadelphia Flower Show, following my experience designing for the White House, is incredibly meaningful.”

The exhibit will be centrally located within the show’s 2026 theme, “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening,” which explores how American history, culture, and horticulture intersect.

The Philadelphia Flower Show is open to the public, with VIP and group tours available.

Kansas florist selected to co-design major exhibit at 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show

Following is recent booking activity for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/Sheriff-Office/Online-search/Booking-Activities">Saline County Jail</a>, 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;Aggravated burglary; Dwelling for felony, theft, domestic violence, or sexually motivated crime; Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose felony warrant

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 22

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; No Proof Of Insurance; Outside warrant/NCIC hit

NAME:&nbsp;Chaca,Shane Christopher

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; Driving while habitual violator; No Proof Of Insurance

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGE: Driving While Suspended

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 21

Kansas Department of Transportation

Kansas’ first express lanes, built as part of the U.S. 69 Expansion and Modernization project (69Express), will open to traffic by 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 in Overland Park. The project included reconstruction of U.S. 69 between 103rd and 151st Streets, widening the highway with one northbound and one southbound express lane and interchange improvements at U.S. 69/167th Street.

The 69Express lanes allow the Kansas Department of Transportation to manage congestion on the highway using tolls that vary based on traffic levels and time of day to keep express lane trips congestion-free. Drivers can choose to pay a toll to use the express lanes for a more reliable travel time through the corridor. The two general-purpose lanes in each direction on U.S. 69 will remain toll-free.

Drivers will be able to enter and exit the express lanes at three points on 69Express: 103rd&nbsp;Street, Blue Valley Parkway and 151st Street. Dynamic messaging signs at these entry points show the current toll rate to the driver’s destination. Rates shown on the sign apply to drivers with two-axle vehicles and a KTAG or compatible transponder. These drivers will pay the lowest toll rate on 69Express — expected to range from a baseline of $0.35 during low-traffic periods to approximately $1.50 during peak congestion — which is 50% lower than the rate for vehicles without a KTAG.

Express lanes will be separated from the general-purpose lanes by a 4-foot-wide buffer marked with solid white lines. Drivers should never cross the solid, double-white lines and should only enter or exit the express lanes at designated points marked with dashed white lines. Overland Park police will continue to enforce speed limits, unsafe lane changes, unlawful entering or exiting of the express lanes, distracted driving and other citable traffic violations on U.S. 69.

The Kansas Turnpike Authority is KDOT’s tolling partner for 69Express. Drivers are encouraged to visit DriveKS.com, Kansas’ toll payment system, to set up their accounts and order a free KTAG for use on 69Express and all other Kansas toll facilities, as well as on compatible systems in Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and Florida.

Additional information about using the express lanes is available on the 69Express project website,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2F69express.ksdot.gov%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019c7be3e1bc-e05a971d-2c02-4bbf-921b-0e145490a515-000000/4EWvxMcB8AcFzfPmyQS8E1boXEoRSo_mPdS5y-oQmTE=445">69express.org</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F69ExpressKS%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019c7be3e1bc-e05a971d-2c02-4bbf-921b-0e145490a515-000000/eXVSnzsDhD_MJ-Mtn4dZbjrPX5IBwOBWVWv7yDaD_Go=445">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2F69ExpressKS%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019c7be3e1bc-e05a971d-2c02-4bbf-921b-0e145490a515-000000/_OMdBZMAy6BJJpyO7Fkbyui_qVGaogLtTLDeZcqTFsk=445">X</a>.

Kansas’ first express lanes officially open to traffic 

CLOUD COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Friday in Cloud County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chey Silverado driven by Sarah Jane&nbsp;Taylor, 69, Clyde was westbound on Rock Road at 260th The pickup slowed, but the driver failed to come to a complete stop, entered the intersection and struck a southbound 2010 Chevy Equinox driven by Steven Louis&nbsp;Sorrell, 76, Clyde.

EMS transported Sorrell to&nbsp;North Central Kansas Medical. Taylor was not injured. The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Kansas man hospitalized after SUV, pickup crash

High School Sports LIVE STREAMS

According to the US National Weather Service, light snow will impact much of the central Kansas area Friday evening.&nbsp;Between 1-2 inches of snow is expected across central Kansas, with locally higher amounts possible.&nbsp;

Salina is in the area where it could receive 1 - 2 inches of snow. 

Use extra caution if traveling tonight as slick spots are possible, especially on elevated surfaces.

Additionally, wind chills are are expected to be in the single digits across central Kansas. 

Salina's chills could get as low as 5, with a 23 degree low temperature.

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>.

Single digit wind chills, light snow across central Kansas Friday evening 

Lindsborg Old Mill &amp; Swedish Heritage Museum

LINDSBORG - Vintage and “throwback” foods are a popular trend, but the story behind a new product coming from the Lindsborg Old Mill &amp; Swedish Heritage Museum is like no other.

On March 21, the Museum will release “Smoky Valley Best Traditional Pancake Flour” to coincide with Lindsborg’s Swedish “Våffeldagen” waffle festival. It is based on an approximately 80-year-old recipe believed lost until only recently.

Adam Pracht, Marketing and Communications Director, said he was excited for the completion of this project that’s been in the works for years.

“We had no idea these decades-old recipes still existed anywhere,” he said. “Ever since we learned otherwise, it’s been a dream to bring this special mix back to the public.”

Operating from 1898 - 1955, the Smoky Valley Roller Mills on the banks of the Smoky Hill River in Lindsborg, Kansas, was central to the life of “Little Sweden, USA.” The last owners of the Old Mill - Clarence and Arthur Runbeck - ran the mill 1934-1955, and some of their most popular items were a variety of baking mixes, including for a Self-Rising Pancake Mix.

After the mill closed, it remained cold and dark until reopening in 1962 as part of a county museum. The Old Mill was restored to operable condition by 1981. Today the Mill - owned by an independent nonprofit in the Lindsborg Old Mill &amp; Swedish Heritage Museum - is the only historic flour mill of its kind in the Midwest with all its machinery fully operable. Guided tours are available the first Saturday every May as part of Millfest.

The recipe for the Runbecks’ special pancake mix, however, was lost to time. Or, at least, that is what everyone connected with the museum reasonably thought.

Then in January 2024, workers at a home restoration in Lindsborg found a threadbare notebook and brought it to the museum for donation. Its contents were a huge surprise - multiple flour mix recipes in industrial measurement sizes by the Runbeck Brothers from approximately the 1940s, including the Traditional Pancake Flour.

Museum staff knew that in order to bring back the recipe for the public to purchase, they would need to find a manufacturing partner. The Old Mill is operable but not FDA approved (Millfest is a “dry run” without grain), so it did not have the capacity to produce the mix itself. After a long search, museum staff found that Sunflower Food Co. out of Lenexa, Kansas, could produce custom

mixes to order. After working in partnership with Sunflower Food through the last few months to adapt the recipe to what’s possible with modern available ingredients, the museum will soon be able to make Smoky Valley Best Traditional Pancake Flour available for sale again!

Lauren Miller, vice president of Sunflower Food Co., said the opportunity to bring back the historic mix represented a bridge to the past.

“When Adam came to me with a vintage, handwritten pancake mix recipe, I was very excited to help the mill bring this recipe back to life,” Miller said. “These are the fun projects that really connect us back to our roots and remind me of the joy the kitchen brings. You will love the old-world inspired pancakes and waffles produced by this flour mix! Try one (or two!) for yourself.”

Customers will be able to buy 1 lb. packages of mix directly from the Museum gift shop in-person at 120 E. Mill St. in Lindsborg (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Saturday) or through the online gift shop at www.oldmillmuseum.org/gift-shop, starting during the Våffeldagen festival on Saturday, March 21 for $9.95, plus sales tax. The mix will also be available at multiple partner retail locations in Lindsborg and the surrounding region, as well as pancakes and waffles made with the mix being potentially added to the menus of select area restaurants.

During the Våffeldagen festival only, the Museum will also be selling fresh-cooked waffles made with the new mix for $3 each to festival attendees in the Museum gift shop!

A significant portion of each sale directly supports the Lindsborg Old Mill &amp; Swedish Heritage Museum, which is a private nonprofit museum and not publicly owned or operated. This premium mix - with all-natural ingredients and an 18-24 month shelf life - represents common business priorities that encourage consumers to “Buy Local” and “Buy Kansas.”

By using Sunflower Food Co., the Museum is prioritizing offering this unique product revival as a “Made in the USA” product with a trusted and experienced manufacturer, staying true to its historical local Kansas roots.

The museum is still seeking to expand its retail, restaurant, and café partnerships for the product, so please contact the museum at 785-227-3595 or oldmillmuseum@gmail.com if interested in learning more about carrying this unique pancake flour mix product for sale. Businesses will only be able to acquire the flour mix wholesale via the Museum, and it is only being produced in small limited-run batches at a time.

Pracht emphasized that of all the ways to support this unique smalltown USA Museum, buying the newly revived Smoky Valley Best Traditional Pancake Flour is probably the most delicious.

“Museum staff and our families have been our in-house taste-testers while we brought this historic recipe into the modern day,” he said. “We knew we had our final version in round four when we spread butter on the fresh pancakes and drizzled it with syrup. Everyone trying it immediately made some version of a ‘Yummy’ noise and commented on how good they were. We hope people give them a try; we think they’ll agree these pancakes and waffles were worth waiting for.”

Learn more about the museum at <a href="http://www.oldmillmuseum.org">www.oldmillmuseum.org</a>

Lindsborg museum to release pancake, waffle flour based on historical 80-year old Smoky Valley recipe

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;February 21, 2026:

Megan Rico - Saline County Health Department; Food System Assessment &amp; "Community Health Matters"

Rolling Hills Zoo&nbsp;- Birth of Southern White Rhino Calf and updates

Bob Sears -&nbsp;&nbsp;Salina Senior Theatre Project; "Dinner at Seven, Panic at Nine" upcoming auditions

Salina Central Theatre&nbsp; - "Clue" performance selected to be presented at International Thespian Festival in Indiana&nbsp;

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, February 21, 2026

Salina Area United Way is honoring the life and service of longtime Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteer Phil Bowman, who dedicated more than 12 years to helping local families navigate tax season through VITA.

Out of respect, VITA Intake will be closed on Monday, February 23.

All scheduled morning appointments will be rescheduled, and the United Way office will reopen at 1:00 pm. 

Staff and volunteers will be attending his funeral to pay their respects.

“Phil’s commitment to serving others made a lasting impact on our community,” said Christina Small, Executive Director of Salina Area United Way. “We are incredibly grateful for his years of dedication.”

For additional information about VITA services or to reschedule an appointment, please contact the Salina Area United Way office at 785-827-1312 or visit <a href="http://unitedwaysalina.org">unitedwaysalina.org</a>.

United Way honors life and longtime volunteer of income tax assistance program

The VFW Post 1432 in Salina (1108 W. Crawford) will host a gun, knife and ammo show and 100% of funds collected will support local veterans.

This two-day event will be on Saturday, February 21, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm &amp; Sunday, February 22, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Admission is $5.00 each day and ages 12 - under w/ adult get in for free.

If anyone has any questions and wanting additional information, please reach out to Show Coordinator, Bob at: (785) 577-4819

VFW Post 1432 hosting gun show, 100% funds support local veterans

<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, February 20 - February 22

Thursday's cold front is expected to cause flurries and wintry mix for Friday across Kansas.

According to the US National Weather Service, light snow or flurries will impact central Kansas Friday night with a rain/snow mix further south. 

Snow accumulations up to a dusting are possible as well.

Furthermore, the cold front that moved across the region Thursday will lead to much cooler temperatures and even a chance for some light snow. Friday's highs will generally be in the 40s and lows in the upper teens and 20s.

Weather: Cold front expected to cause flurries and wintry mix across Kansas 

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 18 - February 20

Gusty winds and dry conditions throughout central Kansas resulting in extreme grassland fire danger on Tuesday

According to the US National Weather Service, these gusty southwest winds will result in extreme grassland fire danger in the afternoon and evening throughout central Kansas.

Salina is in the area of the extreme grassland fire danger.

West winds are expected to increase late in the day gusting to around 45 mph at times in the region. 

However, clouds may limit fire weather concerns further east in south central and southeast Kansas although a very high grassland fire danger is still expected.

Gusty winds and dry conditions causing extreme grassland fire danger in central Kansas

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 16 - February 18

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 13 - February 15

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 11 - February 13

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 9 - February 11

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 6 - February 8

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tariffs-trump-0485fcda30a7310501123e4931dba3f9">Supreme Court on Friday struck down</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-economy-liberation-day-d3458da225c1fdfade97ed494b23e868">biggest and boldest tariffs</a>. But the justices left a $133 billion question unanswered: What's going to happen to the money the government has already collected in import taxes now declared unlawful?

Companies have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/costco-tariffs-supreme-court-trump-illegal-86203801e7a0f690d333c087b9db844f">lining up for refunds</a>. But the way forward could prove chaotic.

When the smoke clears, trade lawyers say, importers are likely to get money back — eventually. “It’s going to be a bumpy ride for awhile," said trade lawyer Joyce Adetutu, a partner at the Vinson &amp; Elkins law firm.

The refund process is likely to be hashed out by a mix of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, the specialized Court of International Trade in New York and other lower courts, according to a note to clients by lawyers at the legal firm Clark Hill.

"The amount of money is substantial," Adetutu said. "The courts are going to have a hard time. Importers are going to have a hard time.’’

Still, she added, “it’s going to be really difficult not to have some sort of refund option’’ given how decisively the Supreme Court repudiated Trump’s tariffs.

In its 6-3 opinion on Friday, the court ruled Trump’s attempt to use an emergency powers law to enact the levies was not valid. Two of the three justices appointed by Trump joined the majority in striking down the first major piece of his second-term agenda to come before them.

At issue are double-digit tariffs Trump imposed on almost every country in the world last year by invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Supreme Court ruled that the law did not give the president authority to tax imports, a power that belongs to Congress.

The U.S. customs agency has already collected&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ieepa-tariffs-supreme-court-12487645072a1e1a387db60081509f3c">$133 billion in IEEPA tariffs</a>&nbsp;as of mid-December. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-refunds-81432b8fecf6c3183f3aba84a0c07edb">consumers hoping for a refund</a>&nbsp;are unlikely to be compensated for the higher prices they paid when companies passed along the cost of the tariffs; that's more likely to go to the companies themselves.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh dinged his colleagues for dodging the refund issue: “The Court says nothing today about whether, and if so how, the Government should go about returning the billions of dollars that it has collected from importers.’’

Borrowing a word that Justice Amy Coney Barrett — who sided with the majority — used during the court’s November hearing on the case, Kavanaugh warned that “the refund process is likely to be a ‘mess.’"

“I guess it has to get litigated for the next two years,” Trump told reporters at a press conference Friday, in which he decried the court's decision and said he was “absolutely ashamed” of some justices who ruled against his tariffs. "We’ll end up being in court for the next five years.''

The end of the IEEPA tariffs could help the economy by easing inflationary pressures. The tariff refunds — like other tax refunds — could stimulate spending and growth. But the impacts are likely to be modest.

Most countries still face steep tariffs from the U.S. on specific sectors, and Trump intends to replace the IEEPA levies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-ieepa-a3e43fe91fa8335eac383921bed55f7e">using other options</a>. The refunds that do get issued will take time to roll out — 12 to 18 months, estimates TD Securities.

The U.S. customs agency does have a process for refunding duties when importers can show there’s been some kind of error. The agency might try to build on the existing system to refund Trump’s IEEPA tariffs, said trade lawyer Dave Townsend, a partner with the law firm Dorsey &amp; Whitney.

And there has been a precedent for courts making arrangements to give companies their money back in trade cases. In the 1990s, the courts struck down as unconstitutional a harbor maintenance fee on exports and set up a system for exporters to apply for refunds.

But the courts and U.S. customs have never had to deal with anything like this — thousands of importers and tens of billions of dollars at once.

“Just because the process is difficult to administer doesn’t mean the government has the right to hold on to fees that were collected unlawfully,″ said trade lawyer Alexis Early, partner at the law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.

Ryan Majerus, a partner at King &amp; Spalding and a former U.S. trade official, said it's hard to know how the government will deal with the massive demand for refunds. It might try to streamline the process, perhaps setting up a special website where importers can claim their refunds.

But Adetutu warns that “the government is well-positioned to make this as difficult as possible for importers. I can see a world where they push as much responsibility as possible onto the importer’’ — maybe forcing them to go to court to seek the refunds.

Many companies, including Costco, Revlon and canned seafood and chicken producer Bumble Bee Foods, filed lawsuits claiming refunds even before the Supreme Court ruled, essentially seeking to be at the head of line if the tariffs were struck down.

There are likely to be more legal battles ahead. Manufacturers might, for example, sue for a share of any refunds given to suppliers that jacked up the price of raw materials to cover the tariffs.

“We may see years of ongoing litigation in multiple jurisdictions,’’ Early said.

Consumers, though, are unlikely to enjoy a refund windfall. The higher prices they’ve had to pay would likely be hard to attribute to a specific tariff. Should they pursue refunds anyway? Early wouldn’t advise wasting money on legal fees, but said: “In America, we have the ability to file a lawsuit for anything we want.’’

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat and Trump antagonist, is demanding a refund on behalf of his state's 5.11 million households. In a letter addressed to Trump and released by Pritzker's gubernatorial campaign, the governor said the tariffs had cost each Illinois household $1,700 — or $8.7 billion. Pritzker said failure to pay will elicit "further action.''

Nevada Treasurer Zach Conine submitted a payment request to the federal government for $2.1 billion to recoup the costs of the tariffs, his office announced Friday.

“As Nevada’s chief investment officer, I have a responsibility to try to recoup every single dollar that the Trump Administration takes from Nevada families," Conine said in a statement.

What about refunds after Supreme Court tariffs decision 

KANSAS CITY—Kansas City , Missouri police know some heroes have four legs.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, police responded to a call for a toddler found wandering barefoot on the street, according to a social media report from KCMO Police.. While trying to figure out the toddler’s identity and family, a dog kept nudging at the officers.

To officers, the dog was trying to tell them something. When the dog walked away, the officers followed their instincts and the dog.

The dog led officers to a house. That house was the toddler’s home.

The toddler was reunited with family, though there is an investigation as to what happened.

🎥Dog helps Kansas City police find wandering toddler's home 

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/sam-mednick">SAM MEDNICK</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/samy-magdy">SAMY MAGDY</a>

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Arab and Muslim nations on Saturday sharply condemned comments by the U.S. ambassador to Israel,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-huckabee">Mike Huckabee</a>, who said Israel has a right to much of the Middle East.

Huckabee made the comments in an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that aired Friday. Carlson said that according to the Bible, the descendants of Abraham would receive land that today would include essentially the entire Middle East, and asked Huckabee if Israel had a right to that land.

Huckabee responded: “It would be fine if they took it all.” Huckabee added, however, that Israel was not looking to expand its territory and has a right to security in the land it legitimately holds.

His comments sparked immediate backlash from neighboring Egypt and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States, which in separate statements called them extremist, provocative and not in line with the U.S. position.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry described Huckabee’s comments as “extremist rhetoric” and “unacceptable,” and called for the State Department to clarify its position on them.

Egypt’s foreign ministry called his comments a “blatant violation” of international law, adding that “Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory or other Arab lands.”

“Statements of this nature — extremist and lacking any sound basis — serve only to inflame sentiments and stir religious and national emotions,” the League of Arab States said.

There was no immediate comment from Israel or the United States.

Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has not had fully recognized borders. Its frontiers with Arab neighbors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-borders-history-syria-gaza-war-golan-5fdf8fdbe2ec2cee7b9cf7f78fbb1c8c">have shifted</a>&nbsp;as a result of wars, annexations, ceasefires and peace agreements.

During the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b4f60251019e4716956fdbdaac78593c">six-day 1967 Mideast war</a>, Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem from Jordan, Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt and the Golan Heights from Syria. Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula as part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-egypt-peace-treaty-hamas-war-rafah-46df917a975ed4c4f88d5de01a8508e0">peace deal with Egypt</a>&nbsp;following the 1973 Mideast war. It also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-settlements-disengagement-20th-anniversary-5db86a29bbbe2f41e5bb7059098fd450">unilaterally withdrew from Gaza</a>&nbsp;in 2005.

Israel has attempted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-bank-israel-settlement-palestinians-cabinet-328429d96099bc33275035b85244797a">deepen control</a>&nbsp;of the occupied West Bank in recent months. It has greatly expanded construction in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-west-bank-palestinians-annexation-settlements-b17255e2fbb44a79a4871fafea4dabe8">Jewish settlements</a>, legalized outposts and made significant bureaucratic changes to its policies in the territory. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-israel-gaza-annex-west-bank-284f2db5b5e549cfecb6b24b26d98460">will not allow Israel</a>&nbsp;to annex the West Bank and has offered strong assurances that he’d block any move to do so.

Palestinians have for decades called for an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza with east Jerusalem its capital, a claim backed by much of the international community.

Huckabee has long opposed the idea of a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian people. In an interview last year, he said he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-ambassador-congress-mike-huckabee-trump-gaza-a448937b9550f0f89c6d96d330286f6f">does not believe</a>&nbsp;in referring to the Arab descendants of people who had lived in British-controlled Palestine as “Palestinians.”

In the latest interview, Carlson pressed Huckabee about his interpretation of Bible verses from the book of Genesis, where he said God promised Abraham and his descendants land from the Nile to the Euphrates.

“That would be the Levant, so that would be Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon. It would also be big parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq,” Carlson said.

Huckabee replied: “Not sure we’d go that far. I mean, it would be a big piece of land.”

Israel has encroached on more land since the start of its war with Hamas in Gaza.

Under the current ceasefire, Israel withdrew its troops to a buffer zone but still controls more than half the territory. Israeli forces are supposed to withdraw further, though the ceasefire deal doesn’t give a timeline.

After Syrian President Bashar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-assad-sweida-daraa-homs-hts-qatar-7f65823bbf0a7bd331109e8dff419430">Assad was ousted</a>&nbsp;at the end of 2024, Israel’s military seized control of a demilitarized buffer zone in Syria created as part of a 1974 ceasefire between the countries. Israel said the move was temporary and meant to secure its border.

And Israel still occupies five hilltop posts on Lebanese territory following its brief war with Hezbollah in 2024.

US ambassador causes uproar over statement on Israel 

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/kevinhardy/">Kevin Hardy</a>

Outrage erupted last month when Oklahoma City residents learned of plans to convert a vacant warehouse into an immigration processing facility.

Making&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahomavoice.com/2026/01/27/oklahomans-denounce-potential-ice-processing-center-at-okc-city-council-meeting/" target="_blank">matters worse</a>&nbsp;was the secrecy of the federal government: City leaders received no communication from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement aside from a mandated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.okc.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-manager/ltr-from-dhs-to-okc-about-okc-detention-center.pdf" target="_blank">disclosure</a>&nbsp;related to historic preservation.

Planning a major development without city input is antithetical to the in-depth, sometimes arcane permitting, planning and zoning process in Oklahoma City. Mayor David Holt, a former Republican state senator, said those land use decisions are among the most crucial of any municipal government.

“For any entity to be able to open a detention center in our communities, potentially next to neighborhoods or schools, regardless of your views on immigration policy or enforcement, is very challenging, because that’s a very high-impact use, and that’s the kind of thing that we would expect to talk about,” he told Stateline.

Communities across the country are facing similar prospects as ICE undertakes a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/01/21/nx-s1-5674887/ice-budget-funding-congress-trump" target="_blank">massive expansion</a>&nbsp;fueled in large part by the record $45 billion approved for increased immigration detention by Congress last summer.

During President Donald Trump’s second term, ICE is holding a record number of detainees —&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2026/02/05/immigration-detention-passed-70000-in-january/" target="_blank">more than 70,000</a>&nbsp;as of January — across its own facilities as well as in contracted local jails and private prisons. ICE<a href="https://www.governor.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt971/files/inline-documents/merrimack-detention-reengineering-initiative.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;documents</a>&nbsp;from last week show plans for acquiring and renovating 16 processing sites that hold up to 1,500 people each and eight detention centers that hold up to 10,000 each, for a total capacity of 92,600 beds. The agency also has plans for some 150 new leases and office expansions across the country,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/ice-expansion-across-us-at-heres-where-its-going-next/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us" target="_blank">Wired reported</a>.

But ICE’s plans to convert industrial buildings — often warehouses — into new detention facilities have recently faced fierce opposition over humanitarian and economic concerns. From Utah to Texas to Georgia, local governments have sought to block these massive facilities. But with limited legal authority, city and state officials have turned to the court of public opinion to deter private developers and the federal government.

Holt, who is the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a nonpartisan organization representing the more than 1,400 leaders of cities with populations of 30,000 or more, said cities have little legal recourse over the ICE facilities.

“We all have a clear, unified position that really crosses party lines,” he said, “and then we also have a clear understanding of how limited our options are.”

Local leaders often cite the U.S. Constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artVI-C2-1/ALDE_00013395/" target="_blank">supremacy clause</a>, which says federal laws supersede conflicting state laws. That leaves cities with limited influence over projects that could take industrial space off tax rolls, cause new strains on city services and raise serious humanitarian concerns given the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement, including the high-profile killings of two Americans in Minnesota.

Facing bipartisan opposition, the out-of-state owner of the Oklahoma City warehouse ultimately decided to&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahomavoice.com/briefs/proposed-oklahoma-city-ice-facility-is-off-the-table/" target="_blank">end talks</a>&nbsp;of selling or leasing its warehouse to the federal government.

Similar public pressure has proved effective in reversing plans in several other cities: In late January, a Canadian firm said it would not proceed with a planned sale of a Virginia warehouse after it faced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/us/politics/ice-warehouse-detention-canada.html" target="_blank">calls for a boycott</a>&nbsp;from Canadian politicians and businesses. In Mississippi, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker announced the federal government would&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenatorWicker/status/2019820750900002820" target="_blank">“look elsewhere”</a>&nbsp;after he spoke with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversees ICE. Wicker, a Republican who said he supports immigration enforcement, echoed local&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2026/2/wicker-proposed-ice-facility-threatens-byhalia-mississippi-economy-and-infrastructure" target="_blank">economic concerns</a>&nbsp;of a project planned in Byhalia.

Some officials have welcomed the new facilities: Missouri Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Alford has&nbsp;<a href="https://alford.house.gov/uploadedfiles/1.16.2026_ice_facility_letter.pdf" target="_blank">lobbied</a>&nbsp;to land a detention and processing center in his district. And last week, a Maryland county approved a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbaltv.com/article/washington-county-dhs-ice-resolution-hagerstown-detention-center/70300009" target="_blank">resolution</a>&nbsp;expressing its “full support” for ICE, which is considering purchasing a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washco-md.net/news/washington-county-statement-on-u-s-department-of-homeland-security-notice-concerning-proposed-ice-facility/" target="_blank">warehouse</a>&nbsp;there, despite local protests. But most communities have fought them.

Neither DHS nor ICE responded to Stateline’s questions.

Holt said the discussion resembles other local development concerns where NIMBY — short for Not in My Backyard — is a common description of opponents.

“There are plenty of people who are very law-and-order and supporters of law enforcement who don’t want a jail next to their house,” he said. “That’s why it’s got such broad opposition: NIMBYism is the most powerful force sometimes in American politics and nobody wants a detention center next to their home, their business or their school.”

After learning that ICE planned to take over a vacant warehouse within its city limits, the Kansas City Council in January swiftly approved a five-year ban on nonmunicipal detention facilities.

Kansas City Council member Andrea Bough, who is also a private development attorney, said the move was both political and legal: The city wanted to send a clear signal opposing ICE facilities, but it also wants to exert its local authority over planning and zoning.

She acknowledged the legal hurdle posed by the supremacy clause, but said there was enough ambiguity over the city’s ability to regulate land use that it may take the issue to the courts.

“Some would say local building codes and zoning regulations do not apply to the federal government,” she said. “That’s something I think we would probably in this situation be willing to fight until we had clear guidance on that.”

Following weeks of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/david-hudnall/article314486671.html" target="_blank">pressure</a>, the Kansas City firm that owns the 920,000-square-foot warehouse announced Thursday it was no longer “actively engaged with the U.S. Government or any other prospective purchaser,” the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article314676617.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Jackson County, which includes portions of Kansas City and the potential detention facility, is considering a similar ban. And across the state line, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, is considering a similar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/wyandotte-county/article314647328.html" target="_blank">two-year moratorium</a>.

But there are clear limitations on cities’ ability to stop federal projects, said Nestor Davidson, a professor who teaches land use and local government law at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

“The federal government can assert immunity from certain state and local laws, including zoning, but it’s complicated, and there are nuances,” he said.

Still, Davidson said some case law has shown cities may have stronger legal footing for zoning rules that are broad and not directly targeted at specific federal government projects.

“I expect to see litigation,” he said. “I think you’re going to see these conversations play out as land use fights often do: both in a legal venue and in a political venue.”

Kansas City’s moratorium has sparked interest among local activists who have pressured elected officials in other cities across the country to act. But many local officials are adamant that federal law ties their hands.

In a legal opinion provided to the Orlando City Council in Florida, City Attorney Mayanne Downs rejected “suggestions of actions we can supposedly take,” including moratoriums or using zoning ordinances to block ICE detention centers.

“However well motivated these suggestions are, the law is very clear: ICE, as an agency of our federal government, ICE is immune from any local regulation that interferes in any way with its federal mandate,” Downs wrote to the mayor and city commissioners.

ICE is reportedly&nbsp;<a href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/06/u-s-reps-maxwell-frost-darren-soto-tell-kristi-noem-not-to-open-ice-facility-in-central-florida/" target="_blank">considering</a>&nbsp;a new $100 million processing center in southeast Orlando.

The county commission in Orange County, which includes Orlando, discussed the issue last week after receiving similar legal advice. County Commissioner Nicole Wilson said the board is even more constrained because of a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/180" target="_blank">Florida law&nbsp;</a>limiting certain local governments’ ability to regulate development through 2027.

After being advised against passing a moratorium, the board agreed with Wilson’s follow-up suggestion to draft a resolution expressing its opposition. That will be considered at a future meeting.

“It doesn’t sound like it has the teeth that a moratorium would have, but it essentially gives an awareness that we’ve established a position in opposition to this type of facility in Orange County,” Wilson told Stateline.

An attorney by trade, Wilson said the case law regarding federal projects largely centers on disputes about post offices, which she said is not an appropriate comparison to the massive detention centers currently contemplated.

“A post office has the same water consumption and sewage as probably a lot of other uses,” she said. “If you take a warehouse that was designed for 25,000 widgets and put 15,000 humans in it, you’ve got a very different set of local needs and services that are being used and being taxed and being burdened.”

Communities have often opposed various other federal projects, such as federal courthouses. But the federal government generally takes the time to listen to local concerns and communicate building plans with communities, said Jason Klumb, a former regional administrator with the U.S. General Services Administration, which manages the federal government’s real estate.

“Generally, GSA has had kind of a good neighbor approach, understanding that they have requirements for federal facilities, and some of those facilities may not always be popular,” said Klumb, an Obama appointee.

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