Salina Police discover a stolen UHaul van from Las Vegas and make a single arrest.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Thursday, August 14th at around 8:30 am, the police department received a FLOCK alert (camera detecting a vehicle associated with a crime) about a stolen UHaul van from Las Vegas, NV that entered the city.

Shortly after the alert, officers located the UHaul in the 100 block of N. Broadway. Officers then conducted a traffic stop and found three people occupying the van.&nbsp;

Officers arrested 51-year old Larry Paul from Denver, CO. During the arrest, authorities found meth amphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Paul was accused for Felony possession of stolen property, possession of meth&nbsp;amphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

SPD stated the other two occupants in the van were women, but were not arrested.

The value of the UHaul was valued at $35,000.

Stolen UHaul from Las Vegas found by Salina PD

The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scsmprs">Saline County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol and Rescue Squad</a> announced on Facebook their addition of a brand new squad vehicle.

After the Mounted Patrol had its <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/e80187e7-26c8-4639-9cf6-19f648661958">2002 Chevy Suburban</a> totaled when it was stationary earlier this year, they have now replaced it with a brand new squad vehicle.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JRAUDIOKS">JR Audio Inc. Emergency Vehicle Division </a>built the new vehicle for the Mounted Patrol.

Follow the Saline County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol and Rescue Squad on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scsmprs">Facebook</a>.

Saline Co. Sheriff's Mounted Patrol replaces totaled squad vehicle with new truck

OCCK Transportation is pleased to announce the continuation of the Fall Pass for the CityGo “Get On &amp; Go” program for Salina area youth ages 7-18.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Youth ages 7-18 will be able to purchase a Get On &amp; Go Fall Youth Bus Pass for $10.&nbsp; The pass will be good for unlimited rides on Salina CityGo from September 1 to November 30.&nbsp;

Youth must show the drivers their “Get On &amp; Go” pass when they board the buses.&nbsp; Face masks and social distancing policies will be followed as needed.

The Get On &amp; Go Fall Bus Pass is available for purchase online on August 15, 2025, at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.salinacitygo.com/">www.salinacitygo.com</a>&nbsp;and Buy A Pass, with options for pick up.&nbsp;

They will also be available at the OCCK Transportation office, 340 N. Santa Fe, starting August 15, 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Fall Pass will also be available digitally in the Token Transit app.&nbsp; All OCCK Transportation services have a digital fare option.

“We’re proud to keep growing the Get On &amp; Go program,” said Trell Grinter, Transportation Director for OCCK, Inc.&nbsp; “It’s giving kids more than just a ride – it’s helping them explore Salina, stay active in the community, and build confidence and independence through public transit.”&nbsp;

For more information call OCCK Transportation at (785) 826-1583 or go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.salinacitygo.com/">www.salinacitygo.com</a>.

Fall pass for the CityGo “Get On & Go” program now available for purchase

Here is the preview for the Saturday Morning Show with Dave Foor on&nbsp;910 AM/107.5 FM KINA Salina for&nbsp;August 16th:

9:00 am - Miranda Bachman, Kansas Impact Coalition

- "Giving Campaign" for Community Pop-Up Health event with the Salina Family Healthcare Center

9:30 am - Josh Gardner, GM Sky Trampoline, The Back Alley &amp; Salina Smash

10:00 am - Linda Henderson, Rolling Hills Zoo

10:30 am - Henry Diehl, Immanuel Lutheran Church

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 preview, August 16

A fire destroys skid steer, valued over $74,000 in rural Saline County.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, August 14th at around 3:00 pm, a skid steer was reportedly on fire on 4396 N. Woodward Rd.&nbsp;

The Sheriff's Office stated 27-year old, Trevor Karber of Gypsum was using the skid steer to load round bales on a trailer when it caught on fire.

A Sheriff deputy and Saline County Rural Fire District 5 arrived to the scene and extinguished the fire. 

Loss of value was determined to be $74,500.&nbsp;

Skid steer valued over $74,000 destroyed after fire in rural Saline County

The Saline County Sheriff's Office have notified the public and are seeking tips regarding a stolen UTV and trailer.

According to the&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff's Office on Sunday, February 16th deputies learned that an unknown suspect(s) had stolen a red 2009 Titan 26-foot Gooseneck Livestock Trailer and a 2011 Polaris Ranger 800.&nbsp;

The Sheriff's Office stated the trailer and UTV were stolen from the 7000 block of S. Solomon Rd. 

It was determined sometime between&nbsp;Friday, February 7th and the date of the report on Feb. 16, that the crime happened.

Total estimated loss is approximately $15,000.

If you have any information concerning who attempted to commit this crime, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit <a href="http://www.pd.salina.org">www.pd.salina.org</a> and follow Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip.

You may receive a cash reward of up to $1000 and you are not required to give your name.

Sheriff's Office notify public and are seeking tips regarding a stolen UTV and trailer

High temperatures and breezy winds are expected to occur throughout Central Kansas this weekend and into Monday, August 18.&nbsp;

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), heat indices are expected to reach as high as 105 in Central Kansas this weekend. Breezy conditions are anticipated to occur as well.

Hot and dry weather will remain through the weekend before chances rain return moving into next week on Monday.

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>.

High temps returning this weekend with breezy conditions, rain expected on Monday  

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

Salina Post obituary policy (subject to change)

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

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

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

Recent obituaries and service times

<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, August 15 - August 17

OTTAWA COUNTY - The Ottawa County Sheriff has announced to the public to be aware of ongoing search for a suspect who fled from authorities.

According to Ottawa County Sheriff, Russell Thornton on Wednesday,&nbsp;August 13&nbsp; at around 11:30 pm, a vehicle pursuit led by The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) entered into Ottawa County.

Ottawa County deputies then assisted the chase when the suspect into the county and eventually ended at Frontier Road West of 180th road, which is about two miles from the city of Bennington. The suspect's vehicle failed to cross a bridge and ended up wrecking. The suspect then exited the vehicle and fled on foot into the creek. 

Thornton stated that law enforcement used a drone and a K9 to track the suspect in the creek. 

However, they were unable to locate the suspect.

Ottawa County deputies stayed around the area throughout the night and morning checking the surrounding area. Several officers from the KHP assisted Ottawa County deputies and continued the search on Thursday morning.

The suspect is unknown, but Thornton said they are possibly looking for a male Hispanic or Asian with black and facial hair, wearing a white t-shirt and that he may be barefoot.&nbsp;

Both agencies are asking the public to be alert, call in any unusual activity or people that are unfamiliar to the area. Do not approach, but instead notify law enforcement and call 9-1-1.

Ottawa County deputies searching for suspect after vehicle pusuit

Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday over $32.5 million in state grants to maintain and enhance services for adult and child survivors of crime. 

The state general funds were granted to nonprofit organizations providing services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence as well as child abuse and neglect.&nbsp;

“I support this use of state funds to ensure survivors of crime receive the services they need from critical organizations,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Crime is not just a safety issue – it’s a public health and a quality-of-life issue. We must do our part to build a safer and more resilient Kansas together.”&nbsp;

Three categories of organizations received awards: organizations providing services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, Children’s Advocacy Centers, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs.&nbsp;

The 2026 grants for domestic violence and sexual assault services provide critical funding to organizations offering support services, outreach, and training for those serving survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Funding also supports vital organizational needs including transportation, shelter maintenance and improvements, and sustaining adequate staffing levels. 25 organizations received grants totaling&nbsp;$26,493,242.&nbsp;

Children’s Advocacy Centers are child-focused programs that bring together professionals to investigate and respond to child abuse. The grant program supports hiring and training staff to provide child-sensitive forensic interviews, advocacy for victims and non-offending caregivers, and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams to improve outcomes and services across systems. 20 organizations received grants totaling&nbsp;$4,836,840.&nbsp;

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs recruit and train volunteers to advocate in court for abused and neglected children. These funds support staffing and volunteer training to help ensure judges have the information needed to make informed decisions for each child. 21 organizations received grants totaling&nbsp;$1,242,574.&nbsp;

The county, organization name, and grant award for each awardee are below:&nbsp;

SGF for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Grant Awards by County

Children's Advocacy Centers Grant Awards by County

Court Appointed Special Advocate Programs Grant Awards by County

DVACK & CAPS of Salina among statewide nonprofits receiving grants to enhance its services

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 13 - August 15

After isolated scattered storms until Wednesday, heat indices are expected to reach back up to the 100's from Thursday and into the weekend in Central Kansas.

According to the US National Weather Service, isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms will remain possible areawide on Tuesday and over southeast Kansas till Wednesday. 

A return to triple digit heat indices is expected by Thursday and persisting through at least the weekend.

Central Kansas Weather Forecast: August 12 - August 16

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 11 - August 13

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 8 - August 10

Temperatures are ramping back up after a dropdown last week in Central Kansas.

According the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), heat indices throughout the Central Kansas region are expected to reach over 100 degrees. 

Areas such as Salina, Russell, Hutchinson, Wichita, Harper and Winfield are under a heat advisory for Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8. 

Additional areas include Emporia, Eureka, Chanute and Coffeyville for Friday

US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) advises everyone to take precaution during these times.

Temperatures ramping back up in Central Kansas with heat indices over 100

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 6 - August 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 4 - August 6

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 1 - August 3

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks edged back from their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/asia-shares-japan-bessent-wall-street-02e8aa1fa772ad3570249dc81f917325">record levels</a>&nbsp;on Friday in a quiet finish to another winning week.

The S&amp;P 500 slipped 0.3% from the all-time high it set the day before, as it closed its fourth winning week in the last five. The Dow Jones Industrial Average flirted with its own record, which was set in December, before ending just below the mark with a rise of 34 points, or 0.1%. The Nasdaq composite dipped 0.4%, though it’s still near its record set on Wednesday.

The U.S. stock market reached all-time highs this past week as expectations built that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-trump-federal-reserve-10b69ac47322e412d667f3d44ccd62b7">Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;will deliver a cut to interest rates at its next meeting in September. Lower rates can boost investment prices and the economy by making it cheaper for U.S. households and businesses to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-3bba3f6f23c277b000493bdc6bb86f20">borrow to buy houses</a>, cars or equipment, but they also risk worsening inflation.

A disappointing report about inflation at the U.S. wholesale level made traders pare back bets for coming cuts to interest rates on Thursday, but they’re still overwhelmingly expecting them. Such anticipation has sent Treasury yields lower in the bond market, though they inched higher Friday following some mixed updates on the economy.

One said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retail-sales-inflation-economy-4c3fd1a7a82ed2ec52a9dfa3ec569076">shoppers boosted their spending</a>&nbsp;at U.S. retailers last month, as economists expected, while another said that manufacturing in New York state unexpectedly grew. A third said industrial production across the country shrank last month, when economists were looking for modest growth.

Another report suggested sentiment among U.S. consumers is worsening because of worries about inflation, when economists expected to see a slight improvement.

“Overall, consumers are no longer bracing for the worst-case scenario for the economy feared in April,” when President Donald Trump announced his stunning set of worldwide tariffs, according to Joanne Hsu, director of the University of Michigan’s surveys of consumers. “However, consumers continue to expect both inflation and unemployment to deteriorate in the future.”

On Wall Street, UnitedHealth Group jumped 12% after famed investor Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway said it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-lennar-nucor-drhorton-8ded0e379e9e29dab9af66a88dc1e9a2">bought nearly 5 million shares of the insurer</a>&nbsp;during the spring, valued at $1.57 billion. Buffett is known for trying to buy good stocks at affordable prices, and UnitedHealth’s halved for the year by the end of July because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealth-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-0e3cad5d2a9efa01ba9605674a513092">a run of struggles</a>.

Berkshire Hathaway’s own stock slipped 0.4%.

Applied Materials helped lead Wall Street lower with a decline of 14.1% even though it reported better results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The focus was on the company’s forecast for a drop in revenue during the current quarter.

Its products help manufacture semiconductors and advanced displays, and CEO Gary Dickerson pointed to a “dynamic macroeconomic and policy environment, which is creating increased uncertainty and lower visibility in the near term, including for our China business.”

Sandisk fell 4.6% despite reporting a profit for the latest quarter that blew past analysts’ expectations. Investors focused instead on the data storage company’s forecast for profit in the current quarter, which came up short of Wall Street’s.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 18.74 points to 6,449.80. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 34.86 to 44,946.12, and the Nasdaq composite sank 87.69 to 21,622.98.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose 0.8% in Shanghai but fell 1% in Hong Kong after data showed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-economy-property-trump-tariffs-65f886fe432f007e02871bf484b28656">China’s economy may have slowed in July</a>&nbsp;under pressure from uncertainty surrounding Trump’s tariffs.

“Chinese economic activity slowed across the board in July, with retail sales, fixed asset investment, and value added of industry growth all reaching the lowest levels of the year. After a strong start, several months of cooling momentum suggest that the economy may need further policy support,” ING Economics said in a market commentary.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.7% after the government said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-tariffs-trump-economy-gdp-4ed873e4162c84dafc3befc81b49c6e6">its economy grew at a better-than-expected pace</a>&nbsp;in the latest quarter.

European stock indexes finished mixed before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-alaska-russia-ukraine-a7b167f17a3e06fbce2f583c93f8bae1">Trump began his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>, which could dictate where the war in Ukraine is heading.

US stocks fade as Wall Street closes out another winning week

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-washington-sandwich-assault-f579ab8649ae0f40d03cd4fdb58ed5e9">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and Russia’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/orthodox-christians-prayers-trump-putin-alaska-dbced54d9faa7d230d3df03405491542">Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;kicked off their Alaska summit with a warm handshake on Friday, greeting each other like old friends before heading into hours of discussions that could reshape the war in Ukraine and relations between Moscow and Washington.

After descending from Air Force One, Trump applauded the Russian leader as Putin approached, walking along red carpets that had been placed for each leader. They gripped hands for an extended period of time, with both men smiling, and Putin eventually grinned and pointed skyward while their hands were still clasped.

Uniformed military members stood at attention nearby at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and B-2s and F-22s — military aircraft designed to oppose Russia during the Cold War — flew over to mark the moment.

Reporters nearby yelled, “President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?” and Putin put his hand up to his ear but didn’t answer. Trump and Putin both climbed in the U.S. presidential limo, with Putin grinning widely as the vehicle rolled past the cameras.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the previously planned one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin is now a three-on-three meeting that will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin will be joined by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov. The change indicates that the White House is taking a more guarded approach than it did during a 2018 meeting in Helsinki, when Trump and Putin first met privately just with their interpreters for two hours.

Putin and Trump are expected to hold a joint press conference at the end of the summit.

The sit-down gives Trump a chance to prove to the world that he is both a master dealmaker and a global peacemaker. He and his allies have cast him as a heavyweight negotiator who can find a way to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">bring the slaughter to a close</a>&nbsp;— something he used to boast he could do quickly.

For Putin, a summit with Trump offers a long-sought opportunity to try to negotiate a deal that would cement Russia’s gains, block Kyiv’s bid to join the NATO military alliance and eventually pull Ukraine back into Moscow’s orbit. Despite having so much at stake, Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://volodymyr%20zelenskyy/">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;and European leaders aren't invited.

There are significant risks for Trump. By bringing Putin onto U.S. soil — America bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for roughly 2 cents per acre — the president is giving him the validation he desires after his ostracization following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-moscow-kyiv-626a8c5ec22217bacb24ece60fac4fe1">his invasion of Ukraine</a>&nbsp;3 1/2 years ago. Zelenskyy's exclusion from Trump and Putin's first meeting is a heavy blow to the West’s policy of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” and invites the possibility that Trump could agree to a deal that Ukraine does not want.

Any success is far from assured because Russia and Ukraine remain far apart in their demands for peace. Putin has long resisted any temporary ceasefire, linking it to a halt in Western arms supplies and a freeze on Ukraine’s mobilization efforts, which are conditions rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies.

"HIGH STAKES!!!" Trump posted shortly before he boarded Air Force One.

On his way to the meeting, Putin stopped in Magadan, in Russia’s Far East, where he visited a factory producing omega-3 fish oil capsules, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. Putin used the flight to review materials on Ukraine, tensions with the U.S., economic cooperation and global affairs, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Russian state TV.

Trump said earlier in the week there was a 25% chance that the summit would fail, but he also floated the idea that if the meeting succeeds he could bring Zelenskyy to Alaska for a subsequent, three-way meeting.

Trump has also expressed doubts about getting an immediate ceasefire, but he has wanted a broad peace deal done quickly. That seemingly echoes Putin’s longtime argument that Russia favors a comprehensive deal to end the fighting, reflecting its demands, not a temporary halt to hostilities.

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-washington-sandwich-assault-f579ab8649ae0f40d03cd4fdb58ed5e9">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;arrived in Alaska on Friday for a pivotal summit with Russia’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/orthodox-christians-prayers-trump-putin-alaska-dbced54d9faa7d230d3df03405491542">Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;that could reshape the war in Ukraine and relations between Moscow and Washington.

Trump was scheduled to meet Russia’s president at his plane shortly. A large “Alaska 2025” sign, flanked by four parked fighter jets and red carpets, was placed on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage for the leaders’ arrival. Trump and Putin have shared&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-0237e6b133b14b74acf4a2021272ecec">closely watched handshakes before</a>&nbsp;— but the one they are expected to have Friday will be as scrutinized as any, as will any body language or hints about how each is feeling.

The Kremlin said Trump and Putin will have a one-on-one discussion, followed by the two delegations meeting and talks continuing over “a working breakfast.” The pair are expected to hold a joint press conference.

Trump has offered shifting explanations for his meeting goals

Trump previously characterized the sit-down as “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-strike-575aa4ce590256d50a9d73911f681269">really a feel-out meeting</a>.” But he's also warned of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-8-13-2025">“very severe consequences”</a>&nbsp;for Russia if Putin doesn't agree to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war</a>.

Trump said Friday that his talks with Putin will include Russian demands that Ukraine cede territory as part of a peace deal. He said Ukraine has to decide, but he also suggested Zelenskyy should accept concessions.

“I’ve got to let Ukraine make that decision. And I think they’ll make a proper decision,” Trump told reporters traveling with him to Alaska.

Trump said there’s “a possibility” of the United States offering Ukraine security guarantees alongside European powers, “but not in the form of NATO.” Putin has fiercely resisted Ukraine joining the trans-Atlantic security alliance, a long-term goal for Ukrainians seeking to forge stronger ties with the West.

Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe, is in Alaska to provide “military advice” to Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to a senior NATO military official who wasn't authorized to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. His presence is likely to be welcomed by European leaders who have tried to convince Trump to be firm with Putin and not deal over Kyiv’s head.

On his way to Alaska, Trump sat for an interview on Air Force One with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier. In a clip posted online, he said he thought the meeting would “work out very well — and if it doesn’t, I’m going to head back home real fast.”

“I would walk, yeah,” he added, after a follow up question.

Zelenskyy has time and again cast doubts on Putin's willingness to negotiate in good faith. His European allies, who’ve held increasingly urgent meetings with U.S. leaders over the past week, have stressed the need for Ukraine to be involved in any peace talks.

Political commentators in Moscow, meanwhile, have relished that the summit leaves Ukraine and its European allies on the sidelines.

Dmitry Suslov, a pro-Kremlin voice, expressed hope that the summit will “deepen a trans-Atlantic rift and weaken Europe’s position as the toughest enemy of Russia.”

The summit could have far-reaching implications

Foreign governments will be watching closely to see how Trump reacts to Putin, likely gauging what the interaction might mean for their own dealings with the U.S. president, who has eschewed traditional diplomacy for his own transactional approach to relationships.

The meeting comes as the war has caused heavy losses on both sides and drained resources.

Ukraine has held on far longer than some initially expected since the February 2022 invasion, but it is straining to hold off Russia’s much larger army, grappling with bombardments of its cities and fighting for every inch on the over 600-mile (1,000-kilometer) front line.

Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, said U.S. antagonists like China, Iran and North Korea will be paying attention to Trump's posture to see “whether or not the threats that he continues to make against Putin are indeed credible.”

“Or, if has been the past track record, he continues to back down and look for ways to wiggle out of the kind of threats and pressure he has promised to apply,” said Kendall-Taylor, who is a former senior intelligence officer.

While some have objected to the location of the summit, Trump has said he thought it was “very respectful” of Putin to come to the U.S. instead of a meeting in Russia.

Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin Moscow-based analyst, observed that the choice of Alaska as the summit’s venue “underlined the distancing from Europe and Ukraine.”

Being on a military base allows the leaders to avoid protests and meet more securely, but the location carries its own significance because of its history and location.

Alaska is separated from Russia at its closest point by just 3 miles (less than 5 kilometers) and the international date line.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson was crucial to countering the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It continues to play a role today, as planes from the base still intercept Russian aircraft that regularly fly into U.S. airspace.

Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Jonathan J. Cooper in Washington, Elise Morton in London and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.

Trump and Putin shake hands warmly in Alaska to kick off their summit 

Just after 2p.m. Friday,&nbsp; &nbsp;Wichita police reported 78-year-old Lucy Daniels had been found and was safe. Police released no additional details.

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;– The Wichita Police Department requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Wichita woman.

The whereabouts of 78-year-old Lucy Daniels are unknown, and public assistance is requested to help locate her, according to a media release from the KBI.

Daniels is likely driving a navy blue 2021 Chevrolet Silverado with no license plate, or possibly a temporary tag. She was last seen on Aug. 14, at approximately 10 p.m.

Daniels is a black female who is around 5 foot 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 250 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last known wearing a multi-colored nightgown and a brown head wrap. Daniels has Alzheimer’s and walks with a limp.

If you see Daniels or her vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about her whereabouts, please call the Wichita Police Department at (316) 268-4111.

Police: Silver Alert canceled, missing Kansas woman found

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</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 Reflecto</a>r

TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on Thursday asked a federal court to remove Gov. Laura Kelly from a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s refusal to release grant money to states.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-governor-joins-lawsuit-against-trump-administration-for-federal-funding-losses/">Kelly joined 22 states and the District of Columbia</a>&nbsp;in the lawsuit last month. Kobach, a Republican, said the Democratic governor doesn’t have the authority under Kansas law to represent the state in federal litigation.

“The governor is purporting to represent the state of Kansas and claiming that Kansas demands and wants the federal government to continue spending this money that these federal agencies have deemed to be unnecessary and wasteful,” Kobach told legislative leaders at a meeting Thursday at the Statehouse.

The states sued the Office of Management and Budget over decisions by President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, to terminate billions of dollars in federal funding that had been allocated by Congress. The lawsuit argues those cuts have had a devastating impact on state efforts to combat violent crime, educate students, safeguard public health, protect clean drinking water, conduct medical and scientific research, provide meals for students in school, and ensure access to unemployment benefits.

Olivia Taylor-Puckett, a spokeswoman for Kelly, said the governor joined the lawsuit in her official capacity as governor of the state. The Kansas Constitution vests “supreme executive power” in the governor and makes Kansas governors responsible for “enforcement of the laws,” she said.

“As such, the governor oversees all executive agencies in Kansas and has the power to bring a suit and be sued in her official capacity in fulfilling her constitutional duty,” Taylor-Puckett said. “The attorney general was repeatedly asked to exercise his responsibility to protect the people of Kansas and he refused.”

She said the governor acted to prevent infringement of “states’ rights and the best interests of Kansas.”

When the governor joined the lawsuit, her office said the Trump administration had terminated “millions of dollars used to purchase goods from Kansas farmers, to mitigate natural disasters and to enhance childhood education.”

Kobach appeared before the Legislative Coordinating Council, which consists of five Republicans and two Democrats, to ask for a statement of support in dropping Kansas from the litigation. He said he filed an amicus brief Thursday to inform the Massachusetts federal court of his assertion that state law allows only the attorney general to represent the state in federal litigation.

“Otherwise the court might assume that a governor walking into a federal court might have the authority to represent the state in court, but under Kansas law, that is not the case,” Kobach said.

The council on a party-line vote approved a motion made by House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who is running for state insurance commissioner, that declares the governor is violating Kansas law and should be dropped from the case.

“Even if the attorney general were representing Kansas, doing so would not be in the state’s interest,” Hawkins said.

Kobach said Kelly did ask him to join the lawsuit and that he declined because he believes it is destined to fail. He pointed to the Trump administration’s insistence that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section-200.340" target="_blank">a federal regulation</a>&nbsp;allows agencies to terminate a grant if it no longer effectuates agency priorities.

“We don’t believe that any state has the ability to compel the federal agency to spend the money, and so, purely on legal grounds, we rejected the governor’s request,” Kobach said.

He said the states could get a favorable ruling at the district court level in Massachusetts, where the case was filed, but that their legal claims “are not winners.”

“We’ve all heard in the news there are district judges on every position on the political spectrum, and judicial, ideological, jurisprudential spectrum,” Kobach said. “When this case goes up on appeal, the states seeking the grants are going to lose.”

In the lawsuit, the states argue that the Trump administration is attempting to redefine a regulation that has never before been used to justify an agency withholding grant money “when the agency simply changes its mind.”

The regulation “provides no support for a broad power to terminate grants on a whim based on newly identified agency priorities,” the lawsuit said.

Kobach asks federal court to boot Kansas governor from lawsuit over federal funding cuts

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas home daycare provider who admitted to abuse of a child will learn her fate Friday.

Judge Quinten Pittman will sentence 29-year-old Ija Hall, the ower of His Loving Hands Home Childcare, 357 N. Erie in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In July Hall pleaded guilty to&nbsp;child abuse.&nbsp; In June she told the court she would face a jury but changed her mind.

In September of 2024, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment suspended Hall's day care&nbsp; license after an incident involving a child she was fostering. A protective order was issued during her first court appearance, according to the district attorney's office. She was not to have contact with the victim in the case or any child under the age of 12.

One of her foster children was burned in a bathtub, according to the KDHE. A second foster child had bruises and missing teeth.

Hall is not in custody after meeting the requirement of a $25,000 bond. 

Sentencing Day for Kan. daycare provider who abused children in her care

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident that occurred just after 5p.m. Thursday in Sedgwick County.

Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Eric Slay reported, a Dodge Dart driven by&nbsp;42-year-old Tiffany M. Jones (McKinney) of Wichita was&nbsp;eastbound on 29th Street North and failed to stop at the stop sign at 135th Street W.&nbsp; A southbound&nbsp; Mitsubishi Outlander driven by a 26-year-old woman from Maize struck the Dodge.&nbsp;&nbsp;The impact caused both vehicles to leave the roadway into the field southeast of the intersection.

Jones was pronounced deceased at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by EMS personnel, according to Lt. Slay.&nbsp;

EMS transported the other driver along with three child passengers (ages nine, six and four) to Wesley Hospital for&nbsp;for treatment of&nbsp; serious injuries.

Deputies from the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office crash reconstruction team responded to assist with the investigation.&nbsp; It was determined that Jones was not wearing a seatbelt, according to Lt. Slay. Impairment is not suspected.

Kan. woman killed, adult and 3 children injured in crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police are investigating a fatal crash at Harry and Rock Road in Wichita that killed 14-year-old Jackson Nzabonimpa and still searching for the driver.

Around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, a nearby Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in the area saw the aftermath of the accident and saw two men running from a black BMW that had crashed. After a short foot pursuit, both men were apprehended.

The preliminary investigation indicates the BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit a power pole and then a utility box. The impact forced the power pole and utility box into Nzabonimpa, who died on scene from his injuries.&nbsp;

Witnesses at the intersection identified the 19-year-old suspect Gauge Brasher, who fled as the driver. He is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. The investigation indicated that impairment and speed were likely contributing factors in the collision. Brasher was admitted to the hospital for medical treatment and later left the hospital. The passenger is a 24-year-old man who was detained and later released with no charges.&nbsp;

Wichita police are following up on leads to locate and arrest Brasher.

Wichita Police does not typically identify suspects who have not been formally charged. In this case, police believe the alleged recklessness of Brasher’s actions make him a danger to the&nbsp; community. Wichita Police Accident Follow-Up Unit (AFU) is continuing to investigate what led to this incident. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for charging.

“This was not an accident. It was a series of reckless choices,” Chief Joe Sullivan said. “When you mix extreme speed with suspected impairment, you turn a vehicle into a weapon. We will pursue full accountability for the death of this young man and his family, and the danger brought to our community.”&nbsp;

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