The Salina Police Department (SPD) have provided more details regarding the injury accident that occured on Sunday along Centennial Road.

Original: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aa02f259-6fa3-4ab1-8a48-3ad28cd2da33">Ongoing investigation: Injury accident on Centennial Road causes road closure</a>

On Sunday just before 11:00 am, SPD responded to a three-vehicle crash in the 2000 block of Centennial Road. Based on the investigation conducted by SPD's Traffic Unit, it was determined that a 2001 Honda Accord driven by 20 year-old Brayden Brown, was traveling northbound and attempted to pass a 2023 Buick Envision driven by 26 year-old Cesareo Morales Jr. 

The Buick Envision also contained two juvenile children under the age of 14.&nbsp; 

At the same time, a 2007 Ford Edge driven by 26 year-old Falon Deherrera was driving southbound on Centennial as the Honda was attempting to pass the Buick.&nbsp; 

During the passing maneuver, it was reported the Honda clipped the Buick. As a result, the Buick left the roadway going through a fence and flipped onto its roof.&nbsp; 

The Honda started to leave the roadway as well, then over-corrected back onto the roadway, crossing over to the southbound lanes of traffic. It was then struck by the southbound Ford causing significant damage to the Honda.&nbsp; 

Brown was ejected from the Honda and transported to Salina Regional Health Center (SRHC) for minor injuries.&nbsp; 

All occupants from the Buick were transported to Salina Regional Health Center with minor injuries and the driver of the Ford, was transported to SRHC and later airlifted to a Wichita hospital.&nbsp;

Centennial Road from Cloud Street was closed for a period of time, but is now open.

UPDATE: Three-vehicle crash on Centennial road results in multiple people hospitalized 

Following is recent booking activity for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/Sheriff-Office/Online-search/Booking-Activities">Saline County Jail</a>, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Interfere w/ LEO;False report FELONY by LEO for action

Saline County Jail Bookings, January 5

Salina Regional Health Center went into lockdown protocol on Sunday, after receiving a shooting threat via phonecall.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Sunday at around 2:00 am, Salina Regional went into lockdown protocol after receiving the threat from a man who called and said he was going to shoot up the hospital.

Officers arrived to the scene and there were no indications of a shooter present at Salina Regional. The hospital also confirmed there was not an active shooter, and no person with a gun was found on site.

Salina Regional also confirmed there was additional security that was called in to perform a sweep of the facility, and it was determined the treat was not credible.

"We took the phone call seriously and initiated a lockdown,"&nbsp;stated John Berggren, Public Relations Coordinator of Salina Regional Health Center. "These measures were taken with safety as a top priority."&nbsp;

The investigation is currently ongoing and SPD has suspected the man to be from outside city limits, because he mispronounced "Salina" on the phone. 

Salina Regional goes into lockdown protocol after receiving shooting threat via phone

A 28-year old man was arrested on several requested charges of assault on a woman at a west Salina home.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on December 31st at around 11:30 pm, officers were dispatched to a west Salina home for the report of a domestic disturbance.

Reportedly, a 33-year old female victim stated when she arrived home, a male who lived with her became irate and forcefully grabbed her. SPD stated the man was under the influence of alcohol.

The victim managed to leave the home, but the man followed and dragged her back into the residence.

Moreover, The man had his arm around her neck and began choking her. As a result, the victim's glasses were damaged.&nbsp;

Afterwards, the victim was able to call SPD and when officers arrived they met the woman outside the home, as the suspect remained inside.

When the suspect would not come out, officers proceeded to force entry into the home and arrested him. Officers&nbsp;had enough probable cause to enter into the residence.

Arrested was Dennis Wright (28) of Salina. He was booked into the Saline County Jail on the requested charges of:

 Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery and Criminal Damage to Property.

SPD did not confirm whether the victim received medical treatment, but had visible signs of injuries on her neck along with indications of blood.

Salina man arrested on several requested charges of assault on a woman at a residence

The Salina Police Department (SPD) are currently investigating a theft that occured at a convenience store on W. Crawford.

According to SPD on Saturday at around 10:00 pm, a theft occurred at a convenience store on 2140 W. Crawford. 

It was reported that a male suspect wearing a dark mask over his face entered the store during operating hours, broke into a game machine and stole an undisclosed amount of money from it.

SPD have obtained surveillance footage of the crime and are currently searching for the suspect.

Law enforcement investigating theft at convenience store in west Salina

The preliminary hearing for a woman who was arrested after fatally crashing head-on to a couple in Saline County, has been rescheduled to March.

According to the Saline County Attorney's office, a two-day hearing for Kayla Errebo (33) will occur on March 10 &amp; 11 at the&nbsp;Salina-Saline&nbsp;County building&nbsp;(300 W Ash St).

This decision was made on December 15, as part of a joint motion from both the defense and state attorneys, for the reason of needing more time to prepare for an accident reconstruction report.&nbsp;

Initially, Errebo's hearing was scheduled for January 5.

Errebo was arrested back on Friday, August 8th for a&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/3e716804-4732-43e4-a3cf-086e2bdc9859">head-on collision</a>&nbsp;into Mark Sommerfeld (61) and Deanna Sommerfeld (55) on a rural Saline County road.&nbsp;Errebo fled from the crash site, but deputies located and arrested her at an address in Ellsworth with her grandfather, Dennis Katzenmeier.&nbsp;

Deanna Sommerfeld&nbsp;was pronounced dead at the scene.

Read more: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/3e716804-4732-43e4-a3cf-086e2bdc9859">Woman accused of second degree murder after fatality crash in Saline County</a>

Katzenmeier (78) will have a court hearing on January 12. He was arrested on August 16 for obstructing apprehension or prosecution in the case of Errebo.&nbsp; 

Errebo is booked into the Saline County Jail and is currently facing requested charges of:

Murder in the second degree, Failure to report an injury accident, Circumvention of ignition interlock device and Probation violation.

Errebo also plead guilty back on October 2024 for&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/fca0f97b-593e-429a-8d0d-ebba84210fe7">fleeing and eluding law enforcement, driving under the influence (DUI) and leaving the scene of an accident.</a>

Court hearing rescheduled to March for woman accused of second degree murder after fatality crash

<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, January 5 - January 7

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 (subject to change)&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, how to submit an obituary

CLOUD COUNTY—A Kansas woman is accused of a violent attack on employees at a fast food restaurant in north central Kansas.

Just after 3p.m. Sunday, On January 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM, the Concordia Police Department was dispatched to McDonald’s, 1420 Lincoln Street in Concordia for a report of a battery in progress, according to a media release.

Police determined that a customer identified as 44-year-old Christina Messerschmidt of Wichita, was throwing hot fry grease on employees and punching employees. 

Police arrested Messerschmidt and transported her to the Cloud County Corrections. She was booked on requested charges of aggravated battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass.

Police: Kansas woman attacked fast food restaurant employees

The Salina Police Department (SPD) is currently investigating an injury accident that occurred in the area of the 2000 blk of Centennial Road, which has caused a road closure.

Centennial Road from Cloud Street will remain closed for a period of time. 

SPD is asking our community members to plan travel accordingly. The reopening of the road will be announced via the Salina Police Department Facebook page.

Ongoing investigation: Injury accident on Centennial Road causes road closure

NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Stein, Zachary Matthew

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

NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Clifford, Abigail Edith

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Criminal damage to property; Felony and Criminal restraint

NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Harwell, India Ramonda

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body, Failure to appear and Poss of marijuana

NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;McGaha, Taren Marie

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp; &nbsp;Failure to appear

NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Meyer, Joshua Robert

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Interfere w/ LEO; unknown circ; misd

NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Rothrock, Alexander James

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp; &nbsp;Criminal Deprivaton of Property and Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose misd warrant

NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Stewart, Calvin Richard

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp; &nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body, Poss of marijuana Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant and Taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or cont substance

Saline County Jail Bookings, January 4

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 2 - January 4

Three day weather forecast Salina: New Years Eve & Day, Jan 2.

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 29 - New Years Eve

As Sunday's heavy snow activity has ended in Salina, light snow is expected to continue throughout central Kansas

Original:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/b3728be6-8a12-4850-9531-978104a03ede">Be vigilant: Activity of snow has arrived throughout central Kansas</a>

According to the US National Weather Service, moderate to heavy snow has quickly come to an end, and only pockets of light snow are expected over the next couple of hours throughout the region. 

Even with road conditions improving quickly, continue to exercise caution as roads could be slick through tonight.

Areas of snow will remain through the late afternoon for locations generally along and just southeast of the Kansas Turnpike with little if any accumulation anticipated.

  Some locations may see visibility reduced to less than 3 miles at times.  There maybe a few slick spots on bridges and overpasses.

Salina is under a wind advisory until 6:00 pm Sunday.

The Emergency&nbsp;Accident Reporting Plan the Salina Police Department issued earlier on Sunday has been cancelled as well.

Monday's weather in Salina is expected to have a morning wind chill in the single digits to around zero. Afternoon highs are forecasted to be in the low 30s.

Stay updated with local weather on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSWichita">US National Weather Service Wichita Kansas</a>&nbsp;Facebook page.

&nbsp;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>.

UPDATE: Heavy snow ends in Salina, pockets of light snow expected throughout central Kansas

Be aware, take precaution on the roads and prepare, as a fast band of snow has worked its way quickly through Salina and central Kansas.&nbsp;

According to the US National Weather Service, snow will combine with strong winds to reduced visibility to less than a mile at times. Those traveling along I-70 should expect rapid reductions in visibility as they head west.

Those traveling between Wichita and Salina need to be prepared for rapidly deteriorating conditions along I-135 and surrounding roadways. Slick spots on elevated surfaces and visibility under 1/2 mile are anticipated.

The National Weather Service expects the snow to continue until 3:00 pm on Sunday.&nbsp;

Moreover, a cold front will move across the area bringing strong northwest winds. Wind gusts in the 45 to 55 mph range will be common across the region.

Be sure to secure any loose outdoor items.

Salina has been issued to be under a wind advisory until 6:00 pm on Sunday.

SPD implements Emergency Accident Reporting Plan

The Salina Police Department has announced that the Emergency Accident Reporting Plan has been implemented due to severe weather and/or hazardous driving conditions, as the number of motor vehicle accidents exceeds the Department’s ability to respond in a timely manner.

Any non-hit and run, non-personal injury motor vehicle accident that does not require towing, and does not involve alcohol or drugs.

 Exchange personal information with the other driver(s) involved or property owner. 

Complete an Emergency Accident Reporting Plan accident report form as completely as possible and mail or deliver the completed report to the Salina Police Department within 48 hours.

Emergency Accident Reporting Plan forms are available at the Salina Police Department. They are also available online <a href="https://www.salina-ks.gov/media/Police%20Department%20doc/Downloadable%20Forms/Emergency_Accident_Report.pdf">here</a>.

On Monday, it is expected Salina to have a morning wind chill in the single digits to around zero. Afternoon highs on Monday are forecasted to be in the low 30s.

Visit this article periodically to view updates if the snow will continue past 3:00 pm today.

Be vigilant: Activity of snow has arrived throughout central Kansas

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 fo

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 26 - December 28

With Salina under a Dense Fog Advisory until noon on Christmas Eve, the US National Weather Service is advising the public to be cautious on the roads.

Visibility on Wednesday morning has dropped rapidly in many locations across central Kansas, with less than 1/4 of a mile of visibility range.

Dense fog will gradually dissipate from south to north by around midday on Wednesday, with more dense fog developing again this evening and tonight.

The&nbsp;US National Weather Service advises the public to slow down when traveling, and use low beam headlights.

Dense fog advisory for Christmas Eve in central Kansas, US National Weather Service cautions public

Christmas Eve & Day, Dec. 26 Salina weather forecast

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 22 - December 24

KANSAS CITY —Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced charges against a Kansas City man in connection with two local business burglaries that occurred last week.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2788/Ozga-REDACT-COMP">Ryan V. Ozga</a>, 37,&nbsp;faces two counts of 2nd Degree Burglary. * Each count carries up to seven years in prison.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2789/Ozga-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police responded to a business break-in on Dec. 22 in Midtown. The door and window were broken and a black cash box and two tills in the cash register were taken.&nbsp;

An hour later, police responded to another break-in at a business in Westport. The window of the business was broken, and the cash register was stolen. &nbsp;

The estimated damages and stolen items total more than $1,400.&nbsp;

Ozga was captured on surveillance footage breaking into both businesses and later taken into custody. He admitted to breaking into both locations and stealing the cash registers from inside.

The defendant is currently on probation with a four-year back-up sentence. The state intends to revoke his probation.&nbsp;

A Jackson County judge set the defendant’s bond at $20,000/10%.&nbsp;

KC man admits stealing cash registers from 2 businesses 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is seeking assistance from the public to identify witnesses involving an injury crash that occurred at approximately 5:40 pm on December 30, according to a media release from the agench.

 This crash occurred on northbound Interstate 635 near Swartz Road in Wyandotte County.

A motorcycle, occupied by a driver and passenger, was involved in a crash. An occupant was then struck by a dark-colored sedan. This vehicle did not stop at the scene. The occupant who was struck was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

If anyone has information regarding witnesses or knowledge of this crash, please contact Kansas Highway Patrol Communications at&nbsp;<a href="tel: 7858273701">785-827-3701</a>.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is grateful to the public for their assistance to help with our cases. There have been numerous witnesses and vehicles which have been successfully located, thanks to help from our citizens. We thank you and truly appreciate any help you can provide.

KHP asks for help to locate sedan that fled injury accident

OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations.

Just before 2:30a.m. January 3, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop at 5th and Topeka Avenue in Lyndon for a traffic violation, according to Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells.

 During the stop, illegal narcotics were located. Two subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility.

Antionette D. Latif, 60, Topeka is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;Distribution of cocaine, Driving while under the influence, Possession of controlled substance, Possession of a firearm while under the influence, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Transporting an open container and No drug tax stamp.

Orman H. Jones, 49, Topeka, is being held on requested charges of , Distribution of cocaine, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Transporting an open container and No drug tax stamp.

Sheriff: Kansas couple accused of selling cocaine

ELLIS COUNTY —Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident in Hays.

Just before 6p.m. Saturday, police responded to the report of an injury accident in the 1400 block of Hall Street in Hays, according to a media release. Officers arrived to find citizens assisting a pedestrian that had been struck by a car while crossing Hall Street.

According to police, the preliminary investigation indicates that a vehicle traveling northbound on Hall Street struck the pedestrian, an 82-year-old Hays resident, while he was crossing Hall Street in the crosswalk near 15th Street.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle remained on scene and cooperated with law enforcement.

The pedestrian received emergency treatment at the scene and was transported to HaysMed, 2220 Canterbury Drive. He was later air-lifted to a Wichita trauma center. He died during the transport, according to police.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is encouraged to contact Hays Police Department Detective Dave Gillan at (785) 625-1030.

82-year-old Kan. man dies after struck by car in crosswalk

NEW YORK (AP) — A defiant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-trump-military-operation-85041a1ec03bafe839b785a95169d694">Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;declared himself "the president of my country” as he protested his capture and pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking charges that the Trump administration used to justify removing him from power in Venezuela.

“I was captured,” Maduro said in Spanish as translated by a courtroom reporter before being cut off by the judge. Asked later for his plea to the charges, he stated: "I’m innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country.”

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1422326/dl">Click here to read the new indictment</a>&nbsp;against Maduro and his wife

The courtroom appearance, Maduro's first since he and his wife were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-presidential-palace-blowtorches-7969152ae48510003fe9cbde92f3c102">seized from their home</a>&nbsp;in a stunning middle-of-the-night military operation, kicked off the U.S. government’s most consequential prosecution in decades of a foreign head of state. The criminal case in Manhattan is unfolding against a broader diplomatic backdrop of an audacious U.S.-engineered regime change that President Donald Trump has said will enable his administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-trump-military-operation-85041a1ec03bafe839b785a95169d694">to “run” the South American country.</a>Pro

Maduro was led into court along with his co-defendant wife just before noon for the brief legal proceeding. Both put on headsets to hear the English-language proceeding as it was translated into Spanish.

The couple was transported to the Manhattan courthouse under armed guard early Monday from the Brooklyn jail where they've been detained since arriving in the U.S. on Saturday.

As a criminal defendant in the U.S. legal system, Maduro will have the same rights as any other person accused of a crime — including the right to a trial by a jury of regular New Yorkers. But he’ll also be nearly — but not quite — unique.

The stakes were made clear from the outset as Maduro, who took copious notes throughout the proceedings and wished a Happy New Year to reporters in court, repeatedly pressed his case that he had been unlawfully abducted.

“I am here kidnapped," Maduro said. “I was captured at my home in Caracas.”

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a 92-year-old jurist who was appointed to the federal bench in 1998 by Bill Clinton, interrupted him, saying: “There will be time and place to go through all of this." Hellerstein added that Maduro’s attorney could do so later.

“At this time, I just want to know if you are Nicolás Maduro Moros,” which Maduro confirmed that he was.

Maduro’s lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as head of state. Barry Pollack, a prominent Washington lawyer whose clients have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/julian-assange">included WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange</a>, said Maduro is "head of a sovereign state and entitled to the privilege” that the status ensures. He also said the defense would raise “questions about the legality of his military abduction.”

Panamanian strongman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3fe8263a03504924b32f09b7fb0db0e6">Manuel Noriega</a>&nbsp;unsuccessfully&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maduro-noriega-prosecution-legal-immunity-venezuela-panama-c0df9b1ecda36e9e1912729fa7ebf9e4">tried the same immunity defense</a>&nbsp;after the U.S. captured him in a similar military invasion in 1990. But the U.S. doesn’t recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate head of state — particularly after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-presidential-election-maduro-machado-edmundo-5ce255ae90614162590bfe1207d2e1d0">much-disputed 2024 reelection</a>.

Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty on Monday. She had bandages on her forehead and right temple, and her lawyer said had she suffered “significant injuries” during her capture.

<a href="https://apnews.com/interactive/us-indicts-venezuela-maduro/">A 25-page indictment</a>&nbsp;accuses Maduro and others of working with drug cartels to facilitate the shipment of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maduro-indictment-justice-department-trump-bondi-25a6fbd922472296c744eb5111cd914c">thousands of tons of cocaine</a>&nbsp;into the U.S. They could face life in prison if convicted.

Among other things, the indictment accuses Maduro and his wife of ordering kidnappings, beatings and murders of those who owed them drug money or undermined their drug trafficking operation. That included a local drug boss’ killing in Caracas, the indictment said.

Outside the courthouse, police separated protesters of the U.S. military action from pro-intervention demonstrators. Inside the courtroom, as Maduro stood to leave with federal officers, a man in the audience stood and began speaking forcefully at him in Spanish, calling him an “illegitimate” president.

The man, 33-year-old Pedro Rojas, said later that he had been imprisoned by the Venezuelan regime. As deputy U.S. marshals led Maduro from the courtroom, the deposed leader looked directly at the man and shot back in Spanish: “I am a kidnapped president. I am a prisoner of war.”

The U.S. seized Maduro and his wife in a military operation early Saturday, capturing them in their home on a military base. Trump said Saturday the U.S. would “run” Venezuela temporarily and reiterated Sunday night that “we're in charge,” telling reporters aboard Air Force One that “we're going to run it, fix it.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had tried to strike a more cautious tone on Sunday morning talk shows, saying the U.S. would not govern the country day-to-day other than enforcing an existing ”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-maduro-oil-tankers-625a7c9a3106e316c97ceb68a42a1cb5">oil quarantine</a>.”

Before his capture, Maduro and his allies claimed U.S. hostility was motivated by lust for Venezuela’s rich oil and mineral resources.

Trump has suggested that removing Maduro would enable more oil to flow out of Venezuela, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-venezuela-trump-gas-67c87db7e47d15e3bf01df7fe4d560b2">oil prices</a>&nbsp;rose a bit more than 1% in Monday morning trading to roughly $58 a barrel. There are uncertainties about how fast oil production can be ramped up in Venezuela after years of neglect, as well as questions about governance and oversight of the sector.

Venezuela’s new interim leader,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-interim-president-rodriguez-maduro-chavez-b352b5af17deb0ab78684b8398045179">Delcy Rodríguez</a>, has demanded that the U.S. return Maduro, who long denied any involvement in drug trafficking — although late Sunday she also struck a more conciliatory tone in a social media post, inviting collaboration with Trump and “respectful relations” with the U.S.

Rodríguez was sworn in on Monday by her brother, National Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez.

“I come with sorrow for the suffering inflicted upon the Venezuelan people following an illegitimate military aggression against our homeland,” she said with her right hand up. “I come with sorrow for the kidnapping of two heroes."

Maduro’s son and Venezuelan congressman Nicolás Maduro Guerra warned on Monday that his father's capture could set a dangerous precedent globally and demanded that his parents be returned.

“If we normalize the kidnapping of a head of state, no country is safe. Today it’s Venezuela. Tomorrow it could be any nation that refuses to submit. This is not a regional problem. It is a direct threat to global political stability,” Maduro Guerra said

Also Monday, the United Nations Security Council&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-united-nations-maduro-trump-waltz-1433e10bbb800fb41b21a70c7501ad88">held an emergency meeting</a>, with the top U.N. official warning that America may have violated international law with its unilateral action. The world body also spotlighted the profound humanitarian needs in Venezuela. Its people have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-black-friday-maduro-trump-drug-strikes-dcca2242e7326865419d45eb48a0ca1b">endured a yearslong, complex economic crisis</a>.

Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, Megan Janetsky in Mexico City, Farnoush Amiri and Jennifer Peltz at the United Nations, Josh Boak in Baltimore, Maryland, Darlene Superville aboard Air Force One and Joshua Goodman in Miami contributed to this report.

What Maduro and wife told the judge during court appearance

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of cutting the number of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-vaccine-trump-science-autism-9b99621b01f11b7f0bdc81e5a0b82d2b">vaccines</a>&nbsp;it recommends for every child — a move that leading medical groups said would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases.

The change is effective immediately, meaning that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-vaccine-recommendations-data-b4eeba69e03a8d4ed50fb0a12fbcec6e">U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>&nbsp;will now recommend that all children get vaccinated against 11 diseases. What's no longer broadly recommended is protection against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-flu-cases-cdc-subclade-k-29cc5a68eb100585c8e0dbd2ec47b3eb">flu</a>, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis or RSV. Instead, protections against those diseases are only recommended for certain groups deemed high risk, or when doctors recommend them in what's called “shared decision-making.”

Trump administration officials said the overhaul, a move long sought by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-vaccine-trump-science-autism-9b99621b01f11b7f0bdc81e5a0b82d2b">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>, won't result in families who want the vaccines losing access to them, and said insurance will continue to pay. But medical experts said the decision creates confusion for parents and could increase preventable diseases.

States, not the federal government, have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren. While CDC requirements often influence those state regulations, some states have begun&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-west-coast-vaccines-trump-fd5ce557532a3c9f37b77ff9f14b07b9">creating their own alliances</a>&nbsp;to counter the Trump administration’s guidance on vaccines.

The change comes as U.S. vaccination rates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-rates-cdc-kindergarten-0d261546a130dc256735d7b1ff8c6a5f?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">have been slipping</a>&nbsp;and the share of children with exemptions has reached an all-time high, according to federal data. At the same time, rates of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-measles-polio-whooping-cough-rubella-af4cd1aef8f408a960601df6372f9c32">diseases</a>&nbsp;that can be protected against with vaccines, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-rates-cdc-kindergarten-0d261546a130dc256735d7b1ff8c6a5f?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">measles</a>&nbsp;and whooping cough, are rising across the country.

Review came at the request of President Trump

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the overhaul was in response to a request from President Donald Trump in December. Trump asked the agency to review how peer nations approach vaccine recommendations and consider revising U.S. guidance accordingly.

HHS said its comparison to 20 peer nations found that the U.S. was an “outlier” in both the number of vaccinations and the number of doses it recommended to all children. Officials with the agency framed the change as a way to increase public trust by recommending only the most important vaccinations for children to receive.

“This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health,” Kennedy said in a statement Monday.

Among those left on the recommended-for-everyone list are vaccines against measles, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, chickenpox and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cervical-cancer-hpv-virus-ae8d7f9d6b6a94dd468f4af665fd0600">human papillomavirus</a>, or HPV. The guidance reduces the number of recommended vaccine doses against HPV from two or three shots depending on age to one for most children.

Medical experts said Monday's changes without what they said was public discussion or a transparent review of the data would put children at risk.

“Abandoning recommendations for vaccines that prevent influenza, hepatitis and rotavirus, and changing the recommendation for HPV without a public process to weigh the risks and benefits, will lead to more hospitalizations and preventable deaths among American children,” said Michael Osterholm of the Vaccine Integrity Project, based at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics said countries carefully consider vaccine recommendations based on levels of disease in their populations and their health systems.

“You can’t just copy and paste public health and that’s what they seem to be doing here,” said O’Leary. “Literally children's health and children's lives are at stake.”

Most high-income countries recommend vaccinations against a dozen to 15 serious pathogens, according to a recent review by the Vaccine Integrity Project, a group that works to safeguard vaccine use.

France today recommends all children get vaccinated against 14 diseases, compared to the 11 that the U.S. now will recommend for every child under the new schedule.

The changes were made by political appointees, without any evidence that the current recommendations were harming children, O'Leary said.

The pediatricians' group has issued its own childhood vaccine schedule that its members are following, and it continues to broadly recommend vaccines that the Trump administration demoted.

O'Leary singled out the flu vaccine, which the government and leading medical experts have long urged for nearly everyone starting at age 6 months. He said the government is “pretty tone deaf” for ending its recommendation while the country is at the beginning of a severe flu season, and after 280 children died from flu last winter, the most since 2009.

Even a disease that parents may not have heard of, rotavirus, could come roaring back if vaccination erodes, he added. That diarrheal disease once hospitalized thousands of children each winter, something that no longer happens.

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