High School Sports LIVE STREAMS

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

South and Central have shared Salina since 1863, but the city has never felt big enough for the two of them.

For over 150 years, fierce battles between the Mustangs and the Cougars have delighted Salina on the gridiron, the court, and the diamond, and tonight, the next chapter in this storied rivalry will be written.

In week one of the high school football season, Central defeated South 31-21 to claim the Mayor’s Cup for a fifth-straight year.

When the Cougars finished the regular season 1-7, few around the 5A world could have fathomed that the two would meet in the state quarterfinals, but despite the odds, that’s exactly where we stand.

Central’s path to this moment has been one of triumph.&nbsp;

On the heels of a disappointing 4-5 campaign, the Mustangs rallied behind junior quarterback Griffin Hall and bruising tailback Cooper Reves to right the ship and post a 7-1 record in the regular season against an identical schedule.

The Mustangs picked up right where they left off in the first two rounds of the playoffs, dominating Topeka West 68-22 and doing the same to Goddard 62-32 to reach the sectional round.

For South, this run has been rightfully defined as one of destiny.

The Cougars had won just four games in the five seasons leading up to this one, and won just one contest, a lopsided affair against a hapless Campus team, to finish the 2025 regular season at 1-7.

Then, the pieces that had spent the entire season floating around their intended targets began to snap into place.

South needed to play their best football to survive against an Andover team that just three weeks prior rolled over the Mustangs 48-21.

They did just that, holding the Trojans well under their averages in a stunning 24-20 upset.

The Cougars would have to play another nearly-perfect game of football on the road at Liberal the following week, and yet they found a way, handing the Redskins their third loss of the season in a thrilling 22-16 victory.

Those four wins for two schools have led us here, to the first postseason meeting between South and Central football since 2005.

Anyone who has lived in Salina for long knows the story, but there was an era where the road to a 5A state title ran through Salina.

From 1999-2005 the Mustangs and Cougars met in six-straight playoffs with the winner appearing in the state championship game every year, and a champion from Salina being crowned in five of those six seasons.

Now, for the first time in 20 years, that road will be re-paved in Salina’s quest for a return to immortality.

Central’s stars will be on full display today, led by quarterback Griffin Hall and tailback Cooper Reves, who combined have accounted for over 4,300 yards of total offense, 53 touchdowns, and just three turnovers.

That tandem will need to outpace a South passing attack anchored by sophomore standout Izzy Telles, who has over 2,000 yards passing and 22 touchdowns, thanks in large part to a combination of star wideouts Jaxon Myers and Jae Curtis.

This game has everything, from a made-for-Hollywood script with primetime-level stars to a title-starved community eager to show out and support their teams at the top of their game.

Tonight’s game will be streamed live on Salina Post and on the Salina Post YouTube page 100% free to the public. This game will also be available to watch back on-demand any time.

You can tune in tonight in the window below.

🏈 South and Central square off in quarterfinal clash for the first time in 20 years 

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.

NAME:&nbsp;Briscoe, Haiden Geraldine

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Desmornes, Medjine Amanie

REQUESTED CHARGES: Agg assault; w/ deadly weapon; Agg battery; Knowingly cause angry phys contact; Criminal threat; Cause terror, evacuation or disruption; Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose misd warrant

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Return for court testimony

NAME:&nbsp;Shinn, Jonathan Steven

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose felony warrant; Aggravated burglary; Vehicle; to commit felony, theft, domestic violence or sexually motivated crime; Crim damage to prop;w/o consent &lt;$1K; Theft of prop/services:Value less than $1,500

NAME:&nbsp;Williams,Katie Angel Lee

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

Saline County Jail Bookings, November 14

OCCK Inc. Transportation invites the public to upcoming Public Forums to discuss the approaching 81 Connection route changes, officially launching on December 1st, 2025.

Salina Public Forum&nbsp;- November 20, 11:00 am, OCCK Inc. Transportation Building, 340 N. Santa Fe, Salina

Concordia Public Forum -&nbsp;November 21, 11:00 am, OCCK Inc. Building, 1502 Lincoln St., Concordia

During these sessions, OCCK Transportation staff will outline the upcoming route changes, answer questions, and provide resources including travel training information and updated ride guides.

“These forums are an important opportunity for riders and community members to learn what’s changing and share feedback before the new route goes into effect,” said Trell Grinter, OCCK Transportation Director.&nbsp; “Everyone is welcome – bring your questions.”

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

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

OCCK inviting community to public forums discussing 81 Connection route changes

The&nbsp;Salina Fire Department (SFD) has announced they be hosting their Holiday Open House and Honor Guard Fundraiser.

On Saturday&nbsp;November 22, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Fire Station 1 (222 W Elm St.), SFD will be holding their open house and fundraiser.

The open house and fundraiser is meant for the community to view their&nbsp;new fire apparatus, a chance to meet the fire crews and accepting donations for new uniforms and equipment.

Coffee, hot chocolate and snacks will be provided as well.

Salina FD to host community holiday open house and fundraiser

The Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Salina (BGCS) has announced they are officially hiring Vision Leaders and accepting AmeriCorps applicants for their brand new site at Oakdale Elementary in Salina.

According to BGCS Vision Leaders will work approximately 15 hours per week, helping guide and mentor youth through engaging, meaningful programs focused on Academic Success, Character &amp; Leadership, Health &amp; Well-Being, and Life &amp; Workforce Readiness.

AmeriCorps members will serve approximately 25 hours per week supporting programs in the priority areas of education and youth development and mentoring.

“This is an incredible opportunity for anyone passionate about working with youth,” shared Site Director Heather Neuhofel-Tracy. “It’s a great way to begin a journey in youth development or education—and a fun, rewarding second job for those already in the field.”

Both positions offer a rewarding opportunity to help shape the future of young people in Salina while gaining valuable professional experience.

To learn more or apply, visit <a href="http://bgchutch.com/s/careers">bgchutch.com/s/careers</a>.

Newly Boys & Girls Club of Salina seeking for Vision Leaders  

<a target="_blank" href="http://salina.ksu.edu/">Kansas State University Salina</a>&nbsp;student pilots recently took to the skies in St. Louis, MO, to demonstrate their aviation skills, and thanks to a valiant team effort, they'll soon be competing for a national title.

The K-State Salina Flight Team's success at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association, or NIFA, Region 6/7 competition has qualified them for the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nifa.aero/safecon">NIFA SAFECON</a>&nbsp;national competition in May 2026 — the K-State team's 12th national qualification in the last 15 years.

For the regional competition, the team flew against eight other colleges. With outstanding individual and team performances in the flying events that tested the preparation and skills of the collegiate pilots, K-State's team finished in third place.

"We had an internal goal as a team to improve from our fourth-place finish in regionals from last year, so to finish third and be so close to the top two teams was very exciting," said Michael Einwich, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Bel Aire, and team captain. "There is a lot of studying and preparation that goes into being able to perform well in these events, and the team really put in a lot of work to compete well. We also appreciated the support from the K-State Salina campus; the aviation administration really helped get us the resources we needed to be successful in competition."

On top of the excellent team performance, many K-State Salina student pilots had fantastic individual performances.

Isaac Smith, senior in professional pilot, Salina, took home the Top Pilot award — the competition's top individual award — and won the Short Field award; Einwich finished in third place for the Top Pilot award, fifth in the Short Field competition and second in the SCAN event; Daniel Novovesky, sophomore in professional pilot,&nbsp;Overland Park, placed fifth for the Top Pilot award; and Mary Barbour, junior in aviation maintenance management,&nbsp;Quakertown, Pennsylvania, won the AMT Test award.Other notable performances included strong finishes in the Unlimited NAV event: Novovesky and Gavin Bowman, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Wichita, teamed up to place third; and a team of Einwich and Claire Trapp, junior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Green Lake, Wisconsin, finished in fourth place.

"I am proud of the efforts of our student pilots at the Region VI event," said Tysen Pina, K-State Salina aviation department head. "These students showcased the whole range of skills that go into being an excellent pilot, including the flight, planning and safety skills that we teach every day at K-State. Like with any challenge or competition, there comes adversity, but as is an emphasis in our program, the students were able to overcome it like the professionals they are."

Competitions like NIFA SAFECON allow K-State Salina pilot students to showcase their skills, experience instruction outside of a traditional classroom or daily flight instruction, and pilot and experience different flying conditions from what is typical in Kansas. Students also have the opportunity to network with fellow aviation students from around the country.

Fourteen K-State Salina students competed on Flight Team at the regional competition:

Michael Einwich, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Bel Aire; Daniel Novovesky, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Overland Park; Alex Mercy, sophomore in professional pilot, and Isaac Smith, senior in professional pilot, both from&nbsp;Salina; Luke Dufort, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Shawnee; and Gavin Bowman, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Wichita.From out of state: Logan Dobransky, freshman in professional pilot,&nbsp;Goodyear, Arizona; Timothy Mallari, freshman in professional pilot,&nbsp;Denver, Colorado; Mac Doser, sophomore in professional pilot,&nbsp;Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Matthew Tirella, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Littleton, Colorado; Nathan Wallace, junior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Omaha, Nebraska; Mary Barbour, junior in aviation maintenance management,&nbsp;Quakertown, Pennsylvania; Claire Trapp, junior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Green Lake, Wisconsin; and Lauren LaFountain, freshman dual majoring in aviation management and professional pilot,&nbsp;New Berlin, Wisconsin.

KSU Salina pilot students set to compete for national title  

Salina Police are currently seeking tips for a burglary crime that occurred at a convenience store, where an unknown suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash.

ORIGINAL: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/af74f0f8-3d84-4fe8-a73a-76e299bbd64c">Undisclosed amount of cash stolen from convenience store in Salina, investigation ongoing</a>

On the early morning hours of Monday, November 10 an unknown suspect broke into Casey's (1100 E. Iron) and stole an undisclosed amount of cash from a safe.

A female employee upon arrival to open the store, found the front door unsecure.&nbsp;She then went inside and the store's alarm went off.

Afterwards, she found the safe that had been broken into and trash spread out on the floor. The employee then contacted police and officers arrived to the scene.

The concern became how the alarm didn't sound off, before the employee arrived and found the store to have appeared to be burglarized.

Surveillance video (screenshot above) showed the suspect was wearing brown overalls, gloves and had their face covered.

Coins stolen from the safe were recovered behind the business. 

The suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of currency.

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 2025-30518.

UPDATE: Salina Police seeking tips for suspect stealing undisclosed amount of cash from convenience store

<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, November 14 - November 17

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="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;and will be posted on the website within 24 business hours.

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

Recent obituaries and service times

It's official, the&nbsp;Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum will reopen its doors Friday, November 14 at 9:00 am, following the reopening of the US Federal Government.

ORIGINAL:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/bbd098b0-9176-4934-89e0-12ad07d2d1d7">No confirmation yet on Eisenhower Library &amp; Museum reopening after end of record-long Gov. shutdown</a>

"The Ike Library team is back, and we are excited to open the doors starting Friday morning at 9 a.m. central! Please come visit us!" said the&nbsp; Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum staff.

For more information on the library &amp; museum, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/">https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/</a>

UPDATE: Eisenhower Library & Museum officially reopening its doors

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 12 - November 14

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 10 - November 12

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 7 - November 10

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 5 - November 7

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 3 - November 5

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 31 - November 2

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 29 - October 31

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 27 - October 29

Four day weather forecast Salina, October 24 - October 27

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged violent crime.

Just before noon Nov. 9, just before noon, police were dispatched to a residence in the 2500 block of McBride Parkway in Great Bend in reference to a domestic battery and a stolen vehicle, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim, who advised that she had been struck and choked by Jerome Maravilla, 67, who had left the residence in the victim's vehicle. 

The victim's vehicle was located a short time later, and officers gained information that Maravilla was hiding inside of a detached garage. Maravilla was taken into custody and booked into the Barton County Jail on charges of Aggravated Battery and Theft.

The Barton County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted in the arrest.

Kan. man accused of attack on a woman was hiding in garage

WASHINGTON (AP) —A House committee released thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-emails-trump-house-democrats-db7df1042a73e610fb5deddf2f90bd3a">documents related to Jefferey Epstein</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday, many of them emails the convicted sex offender sent to his rich or influential friends, or to reporters, over many years.

<a href="https://oversight.house.gov/release/oversight-committee-releases-additional-epstein-estate-documents/">Click here to read the files</a>

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee initially released three emails where Epstein mentioned President Donald Trump. Republicans on the committee responded by disclosing the bigger trove of documents and accused the Democrats of cherry-picking a few messages out of context in an effort to make Trump look bad.

Epstein served about a year in jail after pleading guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from someone under age 18 but then went on to renew relationships with many influential figures in business, academics and politics.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">Epstein killed himself</a>&nbsp;in jail in 2019, a month after his arrest on sex trafficking charges.

Here’s some takeaways from the documents released Wednesday.

Epstein said Trump ‘knew about the girls,’ but it’s unclear what he meant

Trump and Epstein were friends for years but at some point had a falling out, even before underage girls started to come forward to accuse Epstein of sexual abuse.

Journalists sometimes reached out to Epstein, perhaps hoping he might have dirt to spill on Trump. One of those writers was Michael Wolff, who has written extensively about Trump. In a 2019 email to Wolff, Epstein mentioned that one of his best-known accusers, Virginia Giuffre, had worked at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club.

“She was the one who accused Prince Andrew,” Epstein wrote.

Giuffre, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-roberts-giuffre-obit-778c4fdd6fac2522133ca3d79244bccd">died by suicide earlier this year</a>, had said that Epstein’s longtime companion Ghislaine Maxwell recruited her from Mar-a-Lago to give sexualized massages to Epstein. And Trump had long claimed that he banned Epstein from coming to Mar-a-Lago.

Epstein said in an email to Wolff that Trump hadn’t asked him to resign from the club, because he hadn’t been a member.

“Of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop,” Epstein added.

In July, Trump said he had banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago because his one-time friend was “taking people who worked for me,” including Giuffre.

Before her death, Giuffre said that she only met Trump once and that he was not among the people who abused her. She didn’t think Trump knew of Epstein’s misconduct with underage girls.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Democrats had leaked select emails to “create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.”

In lawsuits and interviews, Giuffre accused Epstein and Maxwell of pressuring her into sexual encounters with Britain’s former Prince Andrew, starting when she was 17 years old. Those allegations eventually cost Andrew — now known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-hyphen-royal-family-name-d539eec7b21fe80f7a30f22941eb6c55">Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor</a>&nbsp;— his official titles and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-prince-andrew-strips-royal-titles-7fad76a46a211ae24b605cbd24e80748">his royal residence</a>&nbsp;near Windsor Castle.

In 2011, Epstein emailed a reporter and attacked Giuffre’s credibility.

“Yes she was on my plane, and yes she had her picture taken with Andrew as many of my employees have,” wrote Epstein, before arguing that “this girl is a total liar.”

Epstein wrote that he’d ask if then-Prince Andrew’s “people” would cooperate with the reporter for a story.

Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied Giuffre’s allegations.

That same year, Epstein, whose writing paid little heed to grammar or spelling, also mentioned Giuffre and Trump in an email that Epstein sent to Maxwell.

“i want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is trump.. virignia spent hours at my house with him,, he has never once been mentioned,” Epstein wrote.

“I have been thinking about that,” Maxwell responded.

In other emails, Epstein strategized how to respond to Giuffre’s stories, which included an account of meeting former President Bill Clinton on Epstein’s island in the Caribbean.

“Presidents at dinner on caribean islands. ( clinton was never ever there, easy to confirm ). Sharing a bath with a Prince ( bathtub too small even for one adult ). sex slave being paid thousands of dollars. ( while at the exact same time, she was working as a hostess in a burger bar ).”

Clinton has acknowledged traveling on Epstein’s private jet but has said through a spokesperson that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-trump-congress-subpoena-clintons-a02749e1fe6f0de0c385c7fac186d3ba">Clinton has not been</a>&nbsp;accused of wrongdoing by any of the women who say Epstein abused them, including Giuffre.

Many of the documents were email exchanges between Epstein and journalists he had longstanding relationships with, or who solicited his insights on financial markets and Trump.

He was asked, typically off the record, to weigh in on everything from the president’s relationships with foreign leaders to the impact of oil prices on wealthy families in Saudi Arabia.

Epstein offered to broker introductions between journalists and powerful people numerous times. He also contested the accusations against him.

In a 2016 email to a reporter, Epstein denied ever spending time with former President Bill Clinton or Vice President Al Gore on his island.

“You can also add, fresh politcal juice by stating that Clinton was never on the island,” Epstein wrote. “I never met Al Gore. No diners on the island either, no matter how much detail has been in the press.”

Associated Press reporters Eric Tucker in Washington, D.C. and Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this report.

Read the files: Takeaways from the newly released Epstein documents

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d">20th strike on a boat</a>&nbsp;accused of transporting drugs has killed four people in the Caribbean Sea, the U.S. military said Friday, coming as the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-ford-aircraft-carrier-drugs-military-trump-a86ddc6f5f51e12c87cbd9c55978c911">escalates its campaign</a>&nbsp;in South American waters.

The latest strike happened Monday, according to a social media post on Friday by U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in the Caribbean and Latin America. The latest strike brings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-boat-strikes-drugs-cocaine-trafficking-95b54a3a5efec74f12f82396a79617ea">the death toll</a>&nbsp;from the attacks that began in September to 80, with the Mexican Navy suspending its search for a survivor of a strike in late October after four days.

Southern Command's post on X shows a boat speeding over water before it's engulfed in flames. The command said intelligence confirmed the vessel “was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics.”

Southern Command's post marked a shift away from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's practice of typically announcing the attacks on social media, although he quickly reposted Southern Command's statement.

Hegseth had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drug-boats-strikes-hegseth-trump-a31326b981ad622b53e918c11b2ecac5">announced the previous two strikes</a>&nbsp;on Monday after they had been carried out on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is expanding the U.S. military's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-buildup-caribbean-venezuela-ships-troops-810f6181371f53536c723ea562c5277c">already large presence</a>&nbsp;in the region by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-carriers-trump-venezuela-middle-east-a458b9c4f1a5690e19d7c532dd6b7fd7">bringing in the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier</a>. The nation's most advanced warship is expected to arrive in the coming days after traveling from the Mediterranean Sea.

Hegseth on Thursday formally named the mission “Operation Southern Spear,” emphasizing the growing significance and permanence of the military’s presence in the region. Once the Ford arrives, the mission will encompass nearly a dozen Navy ships as well about 12,000 sailors and Marines.

The Trump administration has insisted that the buildup of warships is focused on stopping the flow of drugs into the U.S., but it has released no evidence to support its assertions that those killed in the boats were “narcoterrorists.” The strikes have targeted vessels largely in the Caribbean Sea but also have taken place&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-drug-boat-strike-ffb1b720fa018336316238463924b78a">in the eastern Pacific Ocean</a>, where much of the cocaine from the world’s largest producers is smuggled.

Some observers say the aircraft carrier is a big new tool of intimidation against Venezuelan President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">Nicolás Maduro</a>, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the U.S. Experts disagree on whether American warplanes may bomb land targets to pressure Maduro to step down.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. doesn’t recognize Maduro, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-election-tally-sheets-actas-oas-carter-center-41d1000926d0ab99e522e53bf6c2b916">widely accused of stealing last year’s election</a>, as the leader of Venezuela and has called the government a “transshipment organization” that openly cooperates with those trafficking drugs toward the U.S.

Maduro has said the U.S. government is “fabricating” a war against him. Venezuela’s government this week touted a “massive” mobilization of troops and civilians to defend against possible U.S. attacks.

Trump has justified the attacks by saying the United States is in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">“armed conflict” with drug cartels</a>&nbsp;and claiming the boats are operated by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-foreign-terrorist-organizations-eb35567b69fc66f13f7f79fb90906a50">foreign terror organizations</a>&nbsp;that are flooding America’s cities with drugs.

Lawmakers, including Republicans, have pressed for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-boat-strikes-trump-cartels-democrats-briefing-40cd5b30897ba97de824af7b76f22b46">more information on who is being targeted</a>&nbsp;and the legal justification for the strikes.

Rubio and Hegseth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-congress-6163b24e940dd74005fc3cb78751f92a">met with a bipartisan group of lawmakers</a>&nbsp;who oversee national security issues last week, providing one of the first high-level glimpses into the legal rationale and strategy behind the strikes.

Senate Republicans voted a day later to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-strikes-congress-6c0061bf5a9c417e66f76fcc6ee57405">reject legislation that would have put a check</a>&nbsp;on Trump’s ability to launch an attack against Venezuela without congressional authorization.

🎥US military's 20th strike on alleged drug-running boat kills 4 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person was injured and seven head of cattle died in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Friday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Peterbilt semi pulling a cattle trailer and driven by Jason J. Suggs, Abilene, Texas, was southbound on Interstate 35 near&nbsp;Hydraulic Avenue. The driver had a mechanical failure in the steering. The vehicle traveled off the roadway to the right and overturned.&nbsp; Wichita police reported they did not know if all cattle had been accounted for and urged residents to call 911 if they saw any loose cattle in the area.

EMS transported Suggs to Wesley Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Seven head of cattle died or had to be put down as a result of the accident, according to KHP dispatch.

Driver injured, cattle killed after truck overturns on Kan. highway

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 — Kansas Sen. Mary Ware announced her retirement from the state Senate on Thursday, leaving open a Wichita-area seat ahead of the 2026 legislative session.

Ware, a Democrat, did not cite a reason, and her retirement was effective immediately.

“Serving our state and representing the 25th District has been an incredible privilege. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by my constituents and for the opportunity to work on meaningful legislation,” Ware said in a news release through Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes’ office.

Ware, a retail store owner, replaced Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers in 2018 in a precinct committee election. She won reelection in 2020 and 2024 and is departing halfway through her term.

“Mary has been focused on creating a full and safe future for our children since joining the Senate,” Sykes said. “Her commitment to collaboration and progress have made our team stronger. We will miss her dynamic and compassionate leadership. Our caucus wishes her the very best in retirement.”

Ware was the ranking Democrat on Senate committees on commerce and agriculture and natural resources. She also sat on the Assessment and Taxation Committee.

In 2025, she sponsored legislation to require the state library to provide services to people who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind or print disabled. It was introduced but never heard by a committee.

“While my time in the Senate is at an end, I will remain an involved private citizen and an advocate for the people of Wichita in this next era of my life,” Ware said.

Kan. state senator retires, opening Democratic seat ahead of legislative session

EDWARDS COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6:30a.m. Friday in Edwards County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder driven by&nbsp; Rebecca Oberley, 44, Kinsley was&nbsp; eastbound on U.S. 50 highway just north of 110th Avenue. The SUV struck a deer and came to a stop on the eastbound shoulder of the of the highway.&nbsp; Oberley got out to check the damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was in reverse, the driver tripped and the SUV ran over her.

Oberley was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;McKillip Funeral Home. A 14-year-old male passenger in the SUV was not injured.&nbsp;

Kan. woman run over, killed by her SUV after deer collision

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the University of Kansas Medical Center, and local health departments, announced Friday the official end of the tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in the Kansas City, Kansas metropolitan area, according to a statement from the agency.

This milestone reflects nearly two years of coordinated public health response, with no new patients diagnosed with Active TB Disease since April 2025 and all affected individuals successfully completing treatment.

“Marking the end of the TB outbreak in the Kansas City, Kansas metro area is the result of the collaborative efforts of the KDHE staff, the CDC, KU Medical Center and the impacted local health departments,”&nbsp;KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek said.&nbsp;“The state is fortunate to have qualified medical professionals to be able to handle this and future outbreaks.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The outbreak, first detected in early 2024, involved Wyandotte and Johnson counties, resulting in 68 confirmed active TB cases. This made it one of the largest TB outbreaks in the United States in recent decades. Through extensive screening efforts, an additional 91 latent TB infections were identified and treated preventively. More than 650 individuals were evaluated or monitored throughout the investigation.

Response efforts included widespread testing, directly observed therapy to support treatment adherence, and education campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage early reporting. No drug-resistant TB strains were identified, and the risk to the public remained low throughout the outbreak, as TB primarily spreads through prolonged, close contact with someone infectious.

Although the outbreak is over, KDHE continues to encourage vigilance. Kansas reports approximately 50 TB cases annually statewide. Routine surveillance will remain essential to early detection and prevention.

For more information on TB prevention and resources, visit the KDHE Tuberculosis Program’s website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F530%2FTuberculosis-TB-Program%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019a8339878f-93f04bd3-4342-4101-9c6a-9418879c02a8-000000/ml1j7kG5ju43MZpRVaZatysoqgF9zIslbJ0C7LHDuoA=431">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/530/Tuberculosis-TB-Program</a>&nbsp;or contact your local health department.

KDHE: Kansas City, Kan. metro tuberculosis outbreak is over

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted to sex crimes involving a runaway teen will learn his fate on Friday.

Samuel Loredo, 22, will appear in&nbsp;Judge Quentin Pittman courtroom for sentenceing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's ofice.

In October, Loredo pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal sodomy and one count each of indecent liberties with a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and aggravated interference with parental custody, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just after noon November 18, 2024 law enforcement in Murray, Kentucky informed the Wichita Police Department that a 14-year-old runaway may be in Wichita based on their investigation, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.

Wichita police responded to the area of 2300 N Woodlawn in Wichita where it was believed that the child may have been. Patrol and Investigations began working together to find additional information to locate the juvenile and determine the circumstances around their presence in Wichita.

Throughout the afternoon and the evening detectives with the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit worked to conduct additional interviews. Through those interviews, detectives determined that Loredo was communicating with the 14-year-old and arranged for the juvenile to travel to Wichita.

As a result of the investigation, police arrested&nbsp; Loredo, and booked him into Sedgwick County Jail.

Officers with the Wichita Police Department NET team located the juvenile wandering the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sentencing day for Kan. man in sex assault of runaway 14-year-old

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/melania-trump">Melania Trump</a>&nbsp;is spearheading a new initiative aimed at improving career and education opportunities for children raised in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/foster-care">foster care</a>.

Her husband, President Donald Trump, signed an executive order Thursday that creates a “Fostering the Future” program that brings together federal entities, nonprofits, educational institutions and the private sector to develop those opportunities for foster youth.

The order also creates an online hub that would help foster youth connect with key career and educational resources, while increasing access to vouchers and grants to support them in those efforts.

Saying the initiatives in the executive order “gives me tremendous pride,” Melania Trump said the effort is “both empathetic and strategic.”

“I call on leadership from these various organizations, including the private sector, to join my effort,” Melania Trump said from the East Room before an audience that included lawmakers, Cabinet officials and members of the foster-care community.

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