A man faces several charges after assaulting a woman and possessing multiple illegal drugs.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Saturday, October 11 at around 5:00 pm, a 39-year old male and a 44-year old female in a relationship, got into an argument behind Sky Trampoline Park on&nbsp;1820 S. 9th St. 

The couple then left the area and went to their home in West Salina, where the argument continued. During the argument, the man allegedly assaulted the woman and broke her cellphone.

Afterwards, the woman left the home and arrived to her relative's house. SPD were then notified about the incident and went to where the woman was located. Once officers spoke with her, it was determined she needed medical treatment and was medically transported.

According to SPD, officers arrived to the home where the suspect was, but were not able to engage, due to needing a search warrant.

The following day, officers went back to the home with a search warrant and arrested the suspect identified as, Aron Hinojos. 

During the search, law enforcement found 1,200 grams of Marijuana, 25 grams of Cocaine, 44 THC cartridges, 15 containers of THC wax and significant amounts of Drug Paraphernalia.

Hinojos was booked into the Saline County Jail on the following requested charges:

Aggravated Battery, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat, Criminal Damage of Property, Distribution of Marijuana, Distribution of Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Certain Narcotics, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent to distribute and Drug Tax Stamp Violation.

The victim was later was released from Salina Regional Health Center after treatment.

Assailant of woman faces numerous assault and illegal drug charges

RILEY COUNTY—Four people were injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Monday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Nissan Sentra driven by Ella R.&nbsp;Thalmann, 20, Palmer was eastbound on U.S. 24 just&nbsp;west of Lasita Road.

The car came upon a a 2014 Ford Focus driven by Brian L.&nbsp;Shane, 61, Alta Vista and a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Paden G. Taylor, 21, Clay Center who were stopped to turn left onto Lasita Road. The Sentra rear-ended the Ford. The Mitsubishi was also involved in the crash, according to KHP dispatch.

After impact the Sentra bounced off the Ford and struck a westbound 2012 Dodge Ram driven by Trevor A. Clark, 33, Manhattan.

EMS transported Thalmann to&nbsp;Ascension Via Christi Hospital. EMS transported Shane and a passenger in the Ford Jacque L. Shane, 58, Alta Visa, to Stormont Vail in Topeka. EMS transported Taylor and a passenger in the Mitsubishi Martin R. Dylan, 23, Clay Center, to the Clay County Medical Center. Clark was not injured. All six were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

5 hospitalized after 4-vehicle crash

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

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

1.&nbsp;Consider approval of the minutes of the September 22, 2025, regular meeting.

2.&nbsp;Consider approval of Resolution No. 25-8314 appointing members to the Salina-Saline County Opioid Settlement Grant Review Committee and the Arts and Humanities Commission.

3.&nbsp;Consider approval of Change Order No. 3 to Project Number 20029, Phase 2, Project Rise Centennial Road and Arnold Avenue Improvements

4.&nbsp;Consider approval of Resolution 25-8313 appointing members of the Planning Commission to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Heritage Commission.

1.&nbsp;Consider approval of, and authorize the Mayor to sign, the Second Amendment to the Agreement with Salina Baseball Enterprises relating to Wilbur Field and James Matson Field.

2.&nbsp;Consider authorizing the Mayor to execute an amendment to the agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to remove the KDOT funding upper limit from the Magnolia Road Trail project from Ohio Street to 9th Street.

3.&nbsp;Consider amending the Agreement with DIEHL Enterprises, Inc. for removal of sediment and tree debris in the Smoky Hill River in Bill Burke Park to an amount not to exceed $1,212,169.75.

4.&nbsp;Consider approval of Ordinances 25-11258 and 25-11259 required to transition from a Contracted City Attorney to an In-House City Attorney and a Resolution approving an amendment to the Staffing Table.

Residents are invited to share their comments with the commission.

For more information about each item listed, click <a href="https://agendasuite.org/iip/salina/meeting/details/1255">here</a>.

Members to be appointed for Opioid Settlement Committee at Salina City Commission Oct. 13 meeting

A male driving recklessly and allegedly under the influence, crashed into a man before his arrest.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on the evening of Saturday, October 11, police received various calls concerning a driver operating a 2002 Cadillac DeVille was potentially under the influence. 

The driver reportedly was traveling at a high rate of speed on S. 9th Street and eventually collided with a Ford Mustang. The driver of the Mustang, a 22-year old man, was hit off the road into an area of drainage culverts around Belmont and 9th.

According to SPD, he did not suffer any significant injuries.

Officers arrived to the scene and arrested 22-year old Jaymie Hicks. Hicks was booked into the Saline County Jail for the requested charges of:

DUI, No Proof of Insurance, Reckless Driving and Following too Close.

Reckless driving ends in crash and suspect facing DUI charge

<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>.

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 13 - October 15

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;Aggravated battery; Recklessly cause great bodily harm/disfigurement; Criminal Damage to Property; Value Unknown; Criminal threat; Unknown circumstance; Distribute marijuana; 450 grams - &lt; 30 kilograms; Distribute certain stimulant; 3.5 - &lt; 100 grams; Domestic Battery: rude physical contact; Use/poss drug paraphernalia/human body; Poss para w/intent to manuf contr subst; Poss of marijuana; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or cont substance

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Domestic Battery: rude physical contact; Interfere w/ LEO; unknown circ; misd

Saline County Jail Bookings, October 13

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.

Recent obituaries and service times

Born and raised in the KC Metro, I graduated from the public school system before venturing off to Denver for college. When my husband and I were looking for a place to raise our family, we needed a place we both felt comfortable with him being from Western Kansas and me from the KC metro. Salina checked all the boxes. We chose to make Salina our home over ten years ago, drawn by its sense of community and friendly people. Since then, we’ve put down deep roots and become fully invested in the future of our town, schools and neighborhoods. When my oldest started kindergarten, I wanted to support our schools after seeing how much teachers give each day. I began substitute school nursing for USD 305 in the fall of 2022.

These days, you can find me working part time in the community as a nurse and substitute school nurse, volunteering my time at school, church and the local arts organizations, and running all over town with pick ups and drop offs.

As both a healthcare professional and a parent, I understand the importance of supporting the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. My background gives me a unique perspective on the challenges families face and the value of creating safe, inclusive, and high-quality learning environments.

When a mentor suggested I serve on the school board a few years ago, I thought I was neither qualified nor was my experience and perspective needed. Since then, I now understand that strong schools are led by strong leaders and strong school boards.

As a parent of children in USD 305 and active volunteer in our schools, I would bring a unique perspective to the board. Presently, no board members are parents of current students. While not every board member needs to be a parent, I believe the voice of a current parent plays a vital role on the board. This allows me to have my finger on the pulse of our student, parent, and teacher needs.

I believe my strongest preparation for serving on the school board comes from my daily life being a parent with two children currently in our schools. I see every day how decisions made at the board, from district calendars and school events to test scores and teacher emails, affect families through conversations at my dinner table. This is my daily experience.

Beyond that, my experience as a substitute school nurse for USD 305 has given me a unique perspective on the health, safety, and well-being of students and staff across the district. I’ve seen the challenges our kids face, like mental health needs and food and clothing insecurities, and how important it is that we support the whole child. Each student must be given the resources and opportunities to be successful. I will ensure that the academic, physical, and mental health needs as well as socioeconomic and family support system differences are considered when making each decision.

My years of volunteering in many different school roles has shown me how hard our teachers and staff work every day, and how much families want to be part of the team. Those experiences have taught me the value of listening, building relationships, and solving problems together—skills I’ll carry into every board discussion as I work hard to strengthen USD 305.

Should Salinans choose me to serve on the USD 305 School Board, I will focus my efforts in three areas: recruitment and retention, communication and engagement, and strategic budgeting.

First, teacher recruitment and retention issues are not unique to Salina. The USD 305 School Board has focused on this in the past, but must continue to focus its efforts towards attracting and retaining the best teachers and staff. Our students can thrive with improved educator continuity when our best educators are appropriately resourced and valued and choose to stay in our district.

Second, parent and community communication and engagement is vital to the success of our district. Clear and consistent communication at all levels builds community and trust. This trust and communication will help us avoid similar divisions in the community we saw over the past few years.

Third, budgets in any organization are often a hot topic, and public education is no different. The funding sources, at both the state and federal level, have been changing in recent years, and we should expect those changes to continue. Our district must be prepared to navigate the challenges ahead and make bold and strategic choices when necessary. Perhaps most important, funding and budget decisions directly affect student to teacher ratios. Student to teacher ratios have direct impacts on test scores, classroom management, and graduation rates.

Teacher satisfaction, parent engagement, and funding management impact our families’ lives and our Salina community daily. Fulfilled and balanced teachers are able to show up consistently, create a positive learning environment, and build relationships with students. Teacher retention builds community within a school when families can share positive experience of past years with rising students.

Meet USD 305 School Board Candidate: Dana Johnson

LINDSBORG - The Lindsborg community prepares to celebrate its biennial Svensk Hyllningsfest this weekend.

Svensk Hyllningsfest celebrates the history of the Swedes who moved to the Smoky Valley area from 1868-1869. 

This event is planned by a committee of 26 people, and an additional group of more than 200 volunteers help make the festival a reality. The festival is held on odd numbered years and hosts a variety of events to immerse locals and visitors in Swedish culture. From the Grand Parade to the dance performances, there is something for everyone to enjoy.&nbsp;

"I think what's cool about this festival is that it's truly for all ages," said Tessa Peters. "We have a kids area called 'Swedes at Play', but then we also have a beer garden, so it attracts all ages and is family friendly."

Tessa Peters and Avery Dauer are co-chairs of this years Svensk Hyllningsfest committee. Peters came to Bethany College and stayed in the Lindsborg community since. Dauer is a Lindsborg local and grew up attending the festival.

"It's different seeing the other side of it, but it's all familiar to me," Dauer commented. "It's nice to be able to experience both sides, and that's been helpful to know what to plan for."

This years&nbsp;Svensk Hyllningsfest has events planned running from Friday, October 17th to Saturday, October 18th. During these days, Lindsborg will prove why it is called "Little Sweden USA."

For more information on&nbsp;Svensk Hyllningsfest, visit the official website for the event by clicking <a href="https://www.svenskhyllningsfest.org/">here</a>.

Lindsborg to celebrate 2025 Svensk Hyllningsfest

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

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

NAME:&nbsp;De Santiago Contreras, Julian

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity; Improper driving on laned roadway

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor; Following too close; No Proof Of Insurance; Reckless Driving

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Domestic Battery: rude physical contact; Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor; Transporting an open container

NAME:&nbsp;Lawrence, Trevor James

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

NAME:&nbsp;Studabaker, Christopher James

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit; Violate offender reg. act; 1st conv; person

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Driving While Suspended; Driving while habitual violator; No Proof Of Insurance; Failure to appear (2 requested charges)&nbsp;

Saline County Jail Bookings, October 12

Many local organizations collaborate to hold a Fall Repair Cafe event dedicated to repairing items, sewing projects and small woodworking tasks.

On Saturday, October 18 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Salina Art Center Warehouse (149 S. 4th Street), volunteers will be ready to serve you with electrical repairs, flat tires on bicycles, fixing jewelry, sewing projects and small woodworking tasks.

This event is in collaboration with North Salina Community Development, Community Resilience Hub at Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina Art Center Warehouse Education Studio and Crossroads Church Men’s Group.&nbsp;

Please note, only small items will be services at this event.

For more information contact&nbsp;Barb Young,&nbsp;byoungkst8er@gmail.com or&nbsp;(785) 452-5272.

Upcoming event features local volunteers set to repair personal items for free

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 10 - October 12

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 8 - October 10

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 6 - October 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 3 - October 5

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 1 - October 3

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 29 - October 1

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 26 - September 28

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

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 24 - September 26

As Tuesday morning's showers continue throughout Central Kansas,&nbsp; flooding remains a possibility.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) the severity remains low for these scattered showers and storms throughout the region on Tuesday. However, heavy rainfall amounts and flooding are a possibility.&nbsp;

Please stay alert on the roadways and be safe while driving.

Flooding remains possible with Tuesday morning's showers 

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) today announced the successful closure of a wildlife poaching case involving the illegal harvest of a trophy deer in Kansas, according to the KDWP. The investigation, led by KDWP Game Wardens, concluded with a guilty plea from a Tennessee man who admitted to unlawfully taking the deer.

While investigating&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-ks%2Fpr%2Fhunting-show-host-receives-lifetime-hunting-ban-kansas/1/01010199dec03fdf-e9455897-83a5-461b-a66d-17bf4c81807a-000000/Bwdvb9fZzYEQA2sH8GGlrlQ2Zvi-G3H1mBWKQS_cqog=426">an unrelated poaching case</a>&nbsp;in early 2024, Kansas Game Wardens learned&nbsp;that a trophy deer had been killed in Miami County, Kansas before being later tagged in Missouri.

Following this discovery, Game Wardens obtained a warrant for the suspect’s phone records, which confirmed his presence in Kansas during the timeframe of the photo. In late summer 2024, Kansas Game Wardens traveled to the Nashville area, where they seized the deer and later received a phone confession from the individual, who admitted to killing the deer in Kansas with a rifle and without a valid permit.

The suspect was prosecuted in Miami County, Kansas, and recently pled guilty to charges related to the illegal take. He was fined $5,000 and must also pay $3,960.50 in restitution and $108 in court costs.

KDWP’s Special Investigations Unit led the case, with support from the Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The successful resolution underscores the department’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting wildlife crimes, including complex cases that may span multiple jurisdictions and take years to conclude.

“Kansas Game Wardens are dedicated to protecting our state’s wildlife resources,” said Colonel Greg Kyser. “Most hunters respect the law and play a vital role in conservation. Unfortunately, bad actors undermine that trust and make it harder for everyone. This case demonstrates the persistence and professionalism of our officers, who work tirelessly to hold violators accountable and uphold the integrity of our hunting laws.”

KDWP enforces state and federal fish and wildlife regulations, boating laws, and public land rules across both private and public lands. Game Wardens also support emergency response efforts and collaborate with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Through education and outreach, KDWP promotes safe, ethical outdoor recreation and works to preserve Kansas’s natural heritage for future generations.

Kan. game wardens close investigation into trophy deer poaching case

NEW YORK (AP) — And back up goes Wall Street. U.S. stocks rallied Monday after President Donald Trump said ”&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115362196088273474">it will all be fine</a>,” just days after he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-ai-f2c8bcc1f46043ab504cf4b0281e3401">sent the market reeling</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-xi-china-cc47e258cfc6336dfddcc20fa67a3642">threatening much higher tariffs on China</a>.

The S&amp;P 500 jumped 1.6% in its best day since May and recovered just over half its drop from Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 587 points, or 1.3%, and the Nasdaq composite leaped 2.2%.

“Don’t worry about China,” Trump said on his social media platform Sunday. He also said that China’s leader, Xi Jinping, “doesn’t want Depression for his country, and neither do I. The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it!!!”

It was a sharp turnaround from the anger Trump displayed on Friday, when the S&amp;P 500 tumbled to its worst drop since April after he accused China of “&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115351840469973590">a moral disgrace</a>&nbsp;in dealing with other Nations.”

Trump pointed to “an extremely hostile letter” from China describing curbs to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-earths-exports-trump-dad99d532f858f04d750d0b8c50e5ed6">exports of rare earths</a>, which are materials used in the manufacturing of everything from personal electronics to jet engines. Trump said at the time that he may place an additional 100% tax on imports from China starting on Nov. 1.

For its part,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-trump-tariff-threat-trade-talks-cc4bd30c3b1bcf2eb2676bc0e66efba0">China urged the United States</a>&nbsp;to resolve differences through negotiations instead of threats. “We do not want a tariff war but we are not afraid of one,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement posted online.

Hours later, Trump posted his less confrontational talk about China on Truth Social. The backtrack in anger, which also came before trading began on Wall Street, raised hopes that the world’s two largest economies could find a way to allow global trade to continue smoothly.

The down-and-up moves for the market echoed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bear-market-stocks-market-tariffs-trump-sp-500-c5d106a80666c0ff4f0e71624d525158">its manic swings</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-trump-721a3a5971f1b254981d32f4acb9eb17">April</a>. That’s when Trump shocked investors with his “Liberation Day” announcement of worldwide tariffs, only to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-stock-market-china-recession-deals-e8e54a68397e6829e1d27552a1d7bfb9">eventually relent on many</a>&nbsp;to give time to negotiate trade deals with other countries.

If this time ends up similarly, potentially even after a sharp drop for stock prices, subsiding trade tensions and uncertainty could allow for a rolling recovery to continue into 2026, according to Morgan Stanley strategists led by Michael Wilson.

To be sure, the U.S. stock market may have been primed for a drop. It was already facing criticism that prices had shot too high following a torrid 35% run for the S&amp;P 500 from a low in April. The index, which dictates the movements for many 401(k) accounts, is still near its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-gold-ai-yen-3b5d8a978d326c59cbf484a14868ce66">all-time high</a>&nbsp;set last week.

Not only did Trump’s backdown from tariffs help stocks soar since April, so did expectations for several cuts to interest rates by the Federal Reserve to help the economy.

Critics say&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-rates-records-shutdown-earnings-ai-251fefd075ac658ce498c9d1953efc70">the market looks too expensive</a>&nbsp;now after prices rose much faster than corporate profits. Worries are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-bubble-warnings-bank-of-england-imf-b15e54f6d06992371ee39b27f4e6da3a">particularly high about companies in the artificial-intelligence industry</a>, where pessimists hear echoes of the 2000 dot-com bubble that imploded.

Broadcom jumped 9.9% for one of Monday’s biggest gains in the S&amp;P 500 after announcing a collaboration with OpenAI. Broadcom will help develop and deploy custom AI accelerators that the maker of ChatGPT will design.

For stocks broadly to look less expensive, either prices need to fall, or companies’ profits need to rise.

That’s raising the stakes for the upcoming earnings reporting season, with big U.S. companies lined up to say how much profit they made during the summer. JPMorgan Chase, Johnson &amp; Johnson and United Airlines are some of the big names on the calendar this coming week.

Fastenal tumbled 7.5% for the largest loss in the S&amp;P 500 after the maker of fasteners and safety supplies reported a profit for the latest quarter that was slightly weaker than analysts expected.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 102.21 points to 6,654.72. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 587.98 to 46,067.68, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 490.18 to 22,694.61.

At Bank of America, strategist Savita Subramanian is optimistic that S&amp;P 500 companies can deliver a bigger overall profit than analysts expected. Besides reports showing a resilient U.S. economy, she also pointed in a BofA Global Research report to how the U.S. dollar’s weakening against other currencies boosts the value of big U.S. companies’ sales made overseas.

In stock markets abroad, indexes edged higher in Europe following losses in Asia, which had their first opportunity to react to Trump’s threat from Friday of additional tariffs on China.

Stocks fell 1.5% in Hong Kong and 0.2% in Shanghai.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-trade-trump-tariffs-exports-4d65b77167ed9193244942923f0eef8d">China reported</a>&nbsp;its global exports rose 8.3% in September from a year earlier, the strongest growth in six months and further evidence that its manufacturers are shifting sales from the United States to other markets.

Wall Street back up big after Trump softens his criticism of China

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/maria-sherman">MARIA SHERMAN</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — That’s show business for you!&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift’s</a>&nbsp;12th studio album,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-life-showgirl-music-review-d2681b9f07592d96f336ef7e8438ef74">“The Life of a Showgirl,”</a>&nbsp;has officially sold 4.002 million equivalent album units — which includes album sales and streaming activity — in its first week in the U.S. That is the biggest first week in modern music history; at least, according to Luminate, the industry data and analytics company that began tracking sales in 1991.

Swift broke the record set by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faeee2b6622b4205b5acd6f8fc67b393">Adele’s “25,”</a>&nbsp;which sold 3.378 million copies in its first week in 2015 in the U.S.

“The Life of a Showgirl” was released Oct. 3. In its first week, pure album sales totaled 3,479,500 copies.

She’s also become the solo artist with the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, with 15. She was previously tied with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/drake">Drake</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jay-z">Jay-Z,</a>&nbsp;who each have 14.

Swift is now just behind&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/the-beatles">The Beatles,</a>&nbsp;who boast of 19 No. 1 albums.

She is no stranger to breaking records, and when it comes to “The Life of a Showgirl,” the history-making started immediately. In its first day of release, the album sold 2.7 million copies in traditional album sales, breaking her record for most first week sales...&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-life-of-a-showgirl-sales-ccbff586e3ac2e59ef1ce6708fb53917">in one day.</a>

Her last album, 2024’s “The Tortured Poets Department,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-chart-59cf23c8056e05768b41a0594be984cc">amassed 2.61 million</a>&nbsp;equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week.

Also, according to Luminate, “The Life of a Showgirl” broke the record for the most copies of a vinyl album sold in a single week in the U.S., with 1.2 million copies in its first day.

The previous record holder was “The Tortured Poets Department,” which sold 859,000 copies on vinyl in its first week.

One of the reasons Swift has seen so much success is that she released her record in several different variants. Those include multiple editions specific to Target — three CDs titled “It’s Frightening,” “It’s Rapturous” and “It’s Beautiful,” as well as an exclusive vinyl release, “The Crowd Is Your King.”

There are a number of other vinyl variants as well: “The Tiny Bubble in Champagne Collection,” “The Baby That’s Show Business Collection,” “The Shiny Bug Collection,” and the standard LP and cassette, in “sweat and vanilla perfume&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-life-showgirl-orange-color-0a7e40dd51b4aae99ca1a67fbb5e7f89">Portofino orange vinyl.”</a>

New Disney+ projects will keep Swift at the top

The news of Swift’s record-breaking sales arrived just after “Good Morning America” revealed Monday that she’ll have two new projects at Disney+. That’s a six-episode, behind-the-scenes docuseries about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-numbers-2-billion-118a7f5ea4609c5d3072a29152e387bb">her landmark “Eras Tour”</a>&nbsp;titled “Taylor Swift ' The Eras Tour ' The End of an Era.”

The first two episodes of her docuseries will premiere Dec. 12.

And that is not to be confused with the second, titled “Taylor Swift ' The Eras Tour ' The Final Show,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-review-2f409c638d2a9ea827f72c61b6b0d60a">a concert film</a>&nbsp;now with the inclusion of “The Tortured Poets Department” section. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-eras-tour-293d90acd670d6d19c294a0e6085829a">2024 album was incorporated</a>&nbsp;into her three-and-a-half-hour performance following its release. It was filmed in Vancouver.

That differs from 2023’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-concert-films-a284a04596c6b71b3de7a9bcf9c83b7b">“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” film</a>, which was compiled from several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-611d9cc54aed258fc7d9e071e97868aa">Swift shows at SoFi Stadium</a>&nbsp;in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles and arrived ahead of “The Tortured Poets Department.”

Taylor Swift's ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ makes more history

By COLLIN BINKLEY AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new round of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-federal-worker-firings-0439e8d0979d9a32e021c5c851fea1cf">layoffs</a>&nbsp;at the Education Department is depleting an agency that was hit hard in the Trump administration’s previous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-layoffs-job-cuts-linda-mcmahon-ce9f6a8a63972aede0d8fbdf057ab788">mass firings</a>, threatening new disruption to the nation’s students and schools in areas from special education to civil rights enforcement and after-school programs.

The Trump administration started laying off 466 Education Department staffers on Friday amid mass firings across the government meant to pressure Democratic lawmakers over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">federal shutdown</a>. The layoffs would cut the agency’s workforce by nearly a fifth and leave it reduced by more than half its size when President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20.

The cuts play into Trump’s broader plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-shutdown-b1d25a2e1bdcd24cfde8ad8b655b9843">shut down the Education Department</a>&nbsp;and parcel its operations to other agencies. Over the summer, the department started handing off its adult education and workforce programs to the Department of Labor, and it previously said it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-scotus-layoffs-student-loans-f24637f2a1d57432f6dc24d082e95b9b">negotiating an agreement</a>&nbsp;to pass its $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department.

Department officials have not released details on the layoffs and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. AFGE Local 252, a union that represents more than 2,700 department workers, said information from employees indicates cuts will decimate several offices within the agency.

All workers except a small number of top officials are being fired at the office that implements the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a federal law that ensures millions of students with disabilities get support from their schools, the union said. Unknown numbers are being fired at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-trump-civil-rights-disability-54c4b4a228b4b30e6a6751ec745b3915">Office for Civil Rights</a>, which investigates complaints of discrimination at the nation's schools and universities.

The layoffs would eliminate or heavily deplete teams that oversee the flow of grant funding to schools across the nation, the union said. It hits the office that oversees Title I funding for the country’s low-income schools along with the team that manages&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-grants-after-school-summer-211451212c377321fad4c751da3eb9df">21st Century Community Learning Centers</a>, the primary federal funding source for after-school and summer learning programs.

It will also hit an office that oversees TRIO, a set of programs that help low-income students pursue college, and another that oversees federal funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

In a statement, union president Rachel Gittleman said the new reductions, on top of previous layoffs, will “double down on the harm to K-12 students, students with disabilities, first generation college students, low-income students, teachers and local education boards.”

The Education Department had about 4,100 employees when Trump took office. After the new layoffs, it would be down to fewer than 2,000. Earlier layoffs in March had roughly halved the department, but some employees were hired back after officials decided they had cut too deep.

The new layoffs drew condemnation from a range of education organizations.

Although states design their own competitions to distribute federal funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the small team of federal officials provided guidance and support “that is absolutely essential,” said Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance.

“Firing that team is shocking, devastating, utterly without any basis, and it threatens to cause lasting harm,” Grant said in a statement.

The government’s latest layoffs are being challenged in court by the American Federation of Government Employees and other national labor unions. Their suit, filed in San Francisco, said the government’s budgeting and personnel offices overstepped their authority by ordering agencies to carry out layoffs in response to the shutdown.

In a court filing, the Trump administration said the executive branch has wide discretion to reduce the federal workforce. It said the unions could not prove they were harmed by the layoffs because employees would not actually be separated for another 30 to 60 days after receiving notice.

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

New Education Dept. layoffs hit special education and civil rights enforcement

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a burglary at a home in Manhattan.

Just after 1p.m. Sunday, officers filed a report of burglary in the 400 block of Walters Drive, according to the Riley County Poice Department activity report.

 A 51-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect broke into her home and stole a safe with cash. The total estimated loss associated with this case is $10,150. 

Anyone with information, contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward up to $1,000.

Police: Suspect took safe containing $10,000 in cash from Kan. home

SEDGWICK COUNTY— The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that occurred early Monday near Maize, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.

At about 1:44 a.m., deputies along with Maize and Colwich Police officers responded to an Apple crash alert near 45th Street North and 135th Street West. When a Maize police officer arrived, they found a Pontiac G6 that had struck a tree and was on fire.

Colwich firefighters located one person inside the vehicle, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary findings indicate the Pontiac was traveling west on 45th Street North. Just west of 135th, the roadway transitions from pavement to gravel. Investigators believe the driver lost control on the gravel and hit a tree.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Team is investigating the circumstances leading up to the crash. The Sedgwick County Coroner’s Office is working to confirm the driver’s identity.

Phone alert led deputies to fatal Kan. crash and fire

RALLS COUNTY, Mo. —Law enforcement are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred in Monroe County, Missouri on Sunday, according to a statement from the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control.

Just before 2p.m. Sunday, the Ralls County sheriff requested&nbsp; Randolph County Sheriff's deputies, investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Operation Relentless Pursuit Officers assist with locating a suspect in connection with a homicide investigation.

Law enforcement arrived in Paris, Missouri, in rural Monroe County in an effort to contact the suspect. When law enforcement entered the home, they encountered a man inside who fired a weapon at them. The gunfire struck a Randolph County deputy. Officers returned fire before exiting the residence. The suspect remained inside. EMS transported the wounded deputy to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening wound.&nbsp;

At approximately 2p.m., the Moberly Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics Team responded to make contact with the suspect. Just before 5p.m. the SWAT team entered the residence and found the suspect, later identified as Charles W. Armour, 57,&nbsp; Paris, Missouri,&nbsp; deceased.

The deputy remained hospitalized late Sunday. The patrol released no additional details.

Mo. deputy wounded in exchange of gunfire with homicide suspect

JERUSALEM (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;told Israeli lawmakers on Monday that their country had no more to achieve on the battlefield and must work toward peace in the Middle East after two years of war against Hamas and skirmishes with Hezbollah and Iran.

Although the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-updates-10-8-2025">U.S.-brokered truce</a>&nbsp;between Israel and Hamas remains fragile, Trump is determined to seize an opportunity to chase an elusive regional harmony.

“Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change,” he declared to the Knesset, which welcomed him as a hero.

The Republican president also used the opportunity to settle political scores and thank his supporters, criticizing Democratic predecessors and praising a top donor, Miriam Adelson, in the audience.

In an unexpected detour, Trump also called on the Israeli president to pardon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he described as “one of the greatest” wartime leaders. Netanyahu faces corruption charges, although several hearings have been postponed during the conflict with Hamas.

Trump pressed Israel to look past the war, saying the country “has won all that they can by force of arms.”

“You’ve won. I mean, you’ve won," he said. "Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.”

Trump promised to help rebuild Gaza, which has been devastated during the conflict, and urged Palestinians to “turn forever from the path of terror and violence.”

"After tremendous pain and death and hardship, now is the time to concentrate on building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down.

Trump even made a gesture to Iran, where he bombed three nuclear sites during the country's brief war with Israel earlier this year, by saying “the hand of friendship and cooperation is always open.”

“We merely want to live in peace," he said. "We don’t want any looming threats over our heads.”

Trump is on a whirlwind trip to Middle East

The U.S. president will continue on to Egypt for a summit with more than two dozen other nations, although he was running hours late as speeches at the Knesset continued longer than expected.

"They might not be there by the time I get there, but we’ll give it a shot," Trump joked after needling Israeli leaders for talking so much.

There was a chance that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would join him, and Egypt even announced his attendance. However, Netanyahu’s office said later that he would not be going because the summit was too close to the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.

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