DICKINSON COUNTY - Dr. Marilee McBoyle-Wiesner's pioneering career in surgery began with a childhood experience that would guide her life's purpose. At age 7, growing up on a farm in Dickinson County, she underwent a tonsillectomy performed by a woman - uncommon at the time.

"This was in 1959, and she also had daughters at home," McBoyle-Wiesner said. "She made a great impression on me."

That moment inspired her path. She found the perfect place to begin that journey at Emporia State University.

"I just thank the Lord because ESU was the right school for me," she said. "It was big enough that I could do everything and then some, but I wasn't sitting in chemistry classes of 300 or 400."

Active in band, vocal ensemble and a pre-med group, she also found mentorship from faculty who supported her through medical school admissions. "It was a celebration when I got into medical school," she said.

In 1977, she became the first woman accepted into the surgery residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita (KUSM-Wichita), later becoming Kansas' first female board-certified general surgeon. She would go on to serve as a medical director, clinical professor and surgical educator, earning national recognition for her work.

KUSM-Wichita named its surgical skills lab in her honor - a tribute to her influence.

Now retired in Wichita, she still supports future physicians through the Marilee McBoyle Pre-Medical Scholarship and has served on the ESU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Dickinson Co. native and trailblazing surgeon honored at Emporia State University

Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery&nbsp;

LINDSBORG - Four new exhibitions open at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery on November 2, 2025, and continue through January 11, 2026. They feature a memorial exhibition of paintings by Maleta Forsberg; works by Lester Raymer, tattoo samples from regional shops; and the annual&nbsp;Holiday Gift Show. The opening reception for the exhibitions will be on Sunday, November 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. with exhibition talks beginning at 2:30.

Lindsborg artist Maleta Forsberg passed away in August of this year and the Gallery is honored to be able to present a special exhibition of her paintings. Maleta grew up and went to school in Colony, Kansas. As an artist, she was primarily self-taught – taking classes at the Kansas City Art Institute, and workshops with other artists throughout her life. She was a dedicated painter, did innumerable commissions, and has works in homes and collections throughout the United States and overseas. Maleta once said, “Being an artist is an ongoing learning process. There is always something new to try.” Additionally, she gave art lessons and helped many artists with their technique over the years.

Maleta also served in many leadership roles in community groups and art associations. She and her husband Wayne restored the Olive Springs Schoolhouse on their property and used it as a gallery for her art. They also renovated the Plaza Theater in Lindsborg and turned it into The Courtyard, now a Lindsborg landmark. She had a life filled with art and this exhibition demonstrates her versatility and command of her mediums.

Lester Raymer (1907-1991) was born in Alva, Oklahoma and also spent time growing up in Colorado. He completed academic courses at Northwestern University in Alva, and studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, graduating in 1935. After meeting his future wife, Ramona, in the 1930s, they married in the 1940s and lived in her hometown of Lindsborg. There he became a fulltime studio artist, working in a variety of media that included painting, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture – examples of which will be on display in the exhibition. In 1946-47 he taught art at Bethany College following Birger Sandzén’s retirement.

After a very successful career, he died in June of 1991, leaving to the Raymer Society the task of promoting his life, exhibiting his art, and developing the Red Barn Studio Museum in Lindsborg.

Marked: Art That Lives on the Skin, features tattoo designs from True Love Tattoo and Rogue Collective Tattoos &amp; Piercings in Salina, along with selections from Tenfold Tattoo in Wichita. In the last couple of decades,&nbsp;tattoos have shifted from symbols of rebellion and exclusiveness to an accepted form of individual expression. They have become mainstream, with a much greater acceptance by society.&nbsp;They also have a rich and colorful history that dates back to the earliest traces of human civilization - transitioning from tribal symbols to exquisitely rendered imagery that showcases some of the most elaborate art being made today. This exhibition will give viewers a small sampling of tattooing’s possibilities.

The Gallery's popular&nbsp;Holiday Gift Show&nbsp;completes the selection of new exhibitions. The work of over 40 invited artists are represented in the show and include paintings, prints, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, mixed media pieces, and more.

The Sandzén Gallery is located at 401 North First Street in Lindsborg. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Docent tours for groups are available by two-week advance appointment. 

For more information about Birger Sandzén, the Gallery, and these exhibitions visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sandzen.org/" target="_blank">www.sandzen.org</a>&nbsp;or phone (785) 227-2220.

New exhibitions set to open at the Sandzén Gallery in November

Salina Presbyterian Manor invites you to a long standing tradition that helps seniors in the community.

Join Salina Presbyterian Manor for the 45th Annual "Soup Supper" to benefit their Good Samaritan Program, which provides assistance to residents who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own.

The event will occur at at Yaya’s Euro Bistro (251 S. Santa Fe)&nbsp;from 11:00 am - 10:00 pm on Tuesday, October 28.&nbsp;

No tickets are needed. Simply dine in during the hours listed above, 15% of the proceeds will go towards the Good Samaritan program.

Those who can’t make it to the supper can still support the program. Click <a href="https://www.presbyterianmanors.org/give-now/">here</a> to make a donation any time.

Salina Presbyterian Manor invites community to help support residents financially with event

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Contempt of Court; Direct

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Sadler, Steven Michael

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalia/human body; Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity; Poss of marijuana

REQUESTED CHARGES: (2 requested charges) Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+; Possess of firearm while under the influence; Transporting an open container

Saline County Jail Bookings, October 25

An encore showing of “Prairie Prophecy” will be presented at 1:00 pm Sunday, October 26, in Sams Chapel on the Kansas Wesleyan campus, as part the 2025 Homecoming celebration.

“Prairie Prophecy” is a feature-length documentary about alumnus Wes Jackson ’58, a KWU professor emeritus and co-founder of <a href="https://landinstitute.org/">The Land Institute. </a>

Jackson was instrumental in developing <a href="https://landinstitute.org/our-work/perennial-crops/kernza/#:~:text=Kernza%20has%20a%20unique%2C%20nutty%20flavor%20and,as%20an%20appealing%20new%20ingredient%20for%20markets.">Kernza</a>, which has been introduced as a sustainable alternative to annual grain crops and can be used much as wheat.

The documentary, which was produced by Perennial Films, had its world premiere in Salina in April.

The screening is free and open to the public. 

It is sponsored by KWU’s Community Resilience Hub and Kansas Wesleyan.

KWU encoring Wes Jackson documentary "Prairie Prophecy" on Sunday

Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau

ABILENE - The national morning show&nbsp;Fox &amp; Friends&nbsp;featured Abilene on Friday morning in its&nbsp;Main Street U.S.A.&nbsp;segment, sharing with more than 1.3 million viewers why Abilene continues to shine as one of America’s Best Small Towns to Visit.

Former Abilene resident and&nbsp;Fox &amp; Friends&nbsp;co-host, Steve Doocy returned home to highlight the people, places and pride that make Abilene special.

More than 200 residents lined the streets for the live broadcast, which showcased the community’s historic downtown, locally owned businesses, and patriotic spirit.

Filming began at Little Ike Park and followed a route along NW 3rd Street and Buckeye Avenue, wrapping up at Amanda’s Bakery &amp; Bistro. Viewers were introduced to several Abilene businesses, including RHV Do It Best Hardware, Cypress Bridge Candle Co., Great Plains Manufacturing, Rawhide Portable Corral, Thunder Struck Bumpers, Holm Automotive Center, Robson Oil Company and the National Greyhound Association—plus a few four-legged stars, the greyhounds themselves.

Adding to the excitement, 54 members of the Abilene High School Marching Band performed on their day off from school, helping Abilene sound its best. Mary Jean Eisenhower, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s granddaughter, joined the celebration and presented Doocy with a Key to the City.

“This morning’s broadcast was an incredible opportunity to share Abilene’s story with a national audience,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Director of the Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau. “The energy was contagious and reminded me just how special our town truly is. The best part? We’re already receiving requests for visitor information, and local businesses are getting calls and orders for products!”

Despite the early hour and rain, Abilene’s enthusiasm never faded. Residents and visitors filled sidewalks, waved flags and signs, and proudly showed why Abilene is known for its charm and patriotic pride.

The Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau coordinated the event in partnership with&nbsp;Fox &amp; Friends&nbsp;producers, community volunteers and local businesses. The&nbsp;Main Street U.S.A.&nbsp;feature adds to Abilene’s growing list of national accolades, including recognition from&nbsp;USA TODAY&nbsp;as one of the Best Historic Small Towns,&nbsp;True West Magazine&nbsp;as a Top 10 True Western Town, and&nbsp;Newsweek&nbsp;as the #1 Best Presidential Attraction for the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.

Plan your visit at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.abilenekansas.org/">www.AbileneKansas.org</a>&nbsp;and discover why America likes Abilene.

“Fox & Friends” Main Street U.S.A. segment shines national spotlight on Abilene

GREAT BEND - The Great Bend Fire Department has officially opened ticket sales for its 50/50 raffle and is inviting the public to its third annual Holiday Extravaganza on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Great Bend Events Center.

Tickets for the 50/50 raffle run $5 per entry and can be purchased now until the Extravaganza by contacting the fire department at (620) 793-4145 or emailing sedwards@greatbendks.net. The winner of the 50/50 raffle does not have to be present at the Extravaganza to win. All proceeds benefit the fire department’s social and charity fund which provide scholarships, Christmas presents for those in need, honor flights to veterans and donations to organizations such as Kans 4 Kids.

"This event helps our social and charity fund give back too many local organizations throughout the city," said GBFD Engineer/AEMT Skyler Edwards. "Without this fundraiser, these donations would not be possible, so we really appreciate all who participate in our 50/50 raffle and come out and support our Extravaganza. We are excited and look forward to hosting another successful event this year."

Doors open for the Extravaganza at 5 p.m. beginning with a social hour and cash bar serviced by Dry Lake Brewery. Tickets for raffle prizes will be also available to purchase for $1 each during this time. Boots Style BBQ will serve dinner at 6 p.m. where attendees will have their choice of pulled pork, pulled chicken or brisket to dine on with sides of cheesy potatoes and green beans. Live music will begin at 7 p.m. with the Colorado Keys Dueling Pianos playing until the end of the night.&nbsp;

Tickets for the event run $40 per person and can be purchased&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gbfdsocialcharity/1846873">online</a>&nbsp;or at the door. Attendance is capped at 600, so buying ahead of time is advised to secure a spot.&nbsp;

For those interested in purchasing a whole table, please contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jelliott@greatbendks.net">jelliott@greatbendks.net</a>&nbsp;for sales and availability. A table for 10 is $500 and a table of eight is $400 which includes special incentives such as priority in the food line, $10 in free raffle tickets and a free advertisement out of appreciation.&nbsp;

There is no dress code, but recommended attire includes ugly Christmas sweaters or matching Christmas pajamas. Formal wear is also welcomed.&nbsp;

For any additional questions regarding the Holiday Extravaganza, please contact GBFD at 620-793-4140.

Great Bend FD kicks off 50/50 raffle ahead of 3rd annual Holiday Extravaganza

The Salina Symphony’s "Fireworks" concert will light up the Stiefel Theatre Sunday, November 9, at 4:00 pm with brilliant color and vibrant energy.

"Rainbow Body" by Christopher Theofanidis opens this colorful program with its gorgeous melodies and shimmering textures, leading into the profound journey of Strauss’ poignant “Death and Transfiguration.”

Be among the first to experience the vibrant energy of Carolina Calvache’s new “Hojarasca for Trombone and Orchestra,” showcasing principal trombonist Dan Hinman. The piece was co-commissioned by the Salina Symphony and premiered in March by the Jackson (Mich.) Symphony Orchestra.

The concert will conclude with the hypnotic crescendo of Ravel’s captivating “Bolero,” promising an unforgettable concert experience.

Hinman’s performance experience spans a diverse spectrum. He currently serves as principal trombone of the Salina Symphony. In high demand as a performer, he has enjoyed recent performances with the Kansas City Symphony and Wichita Symphony as well as several other regional performances as a soloist and in ensembles.

Hinman is assistant professor of trombone at Kansas State University, where he teaches applied trombone, the KSU Trombone Choir, and other academic music courses.

Recitals Featuring the Trombone Music of Carolina Calvache

Recitals featuring the trombone music of Carolina Calvache will be presented Wednesday, November 5, at 7:30 pm at All Faiths Chapel, 1401 Vattier St., Manhattan and Friday, November 7, at 7:30 pm at Christ Cathedral, 1378 S. 8th St., Salina.

Dan Hinman, tenor trombone; Zachariah Davis, bass trombone; and Amanda Arrington, piano. Both recitals are free and open to the public.

Tickets for Sunday's November 9th concert start at $42 and may be purchased at the Stiefel Theatre Box Office, by calling (785) 827-1998 or online at <a href="http://www.salinasymphony.org">www.salinasymphony.org</a>.

Season tickets may be ordered by phone at (785) 823-8309 or in person at the Symphony Office, located on the second floor of the Stiefel Theatre.

On concert day, join us for a pre-concert talk with Maestro Segal at 3:00 pm Doors will open at 2:45 pm.

The Salina Symphony is dedicated to enriching lives through artistic music performance and education. 

For more information, contact Adrienne Allen at (785) 823-8309 or visit <a href="http://salinasymphony.org">salinasymphony.org</a>.

Salina Symphony & Trombonist set to light up the Stiefel with “Fireworks” concert in November

High School Sports LIVE STREAMS

The 10th annual Fe for a Cure Race/Walk, held September 20, celebrated a&nbsp; “Decade of Hope” and raised a record-breaking $79,183 to support patients at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center. 

Registrations, memorial/honorary ribbon sales, donations and raffle items raised&nbsp; $39,183. A recent matching contribution of $40,000 from an anonymous donor also has been received.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Over the years a total of $400,729 has been raised by Fe for a Cure. Thanks to support from the&nbsp; event’s sponsors, 100% of the funds raised are directed to enhance patient programs and services at the&nbsp; Cancer Center.&nbsp;

Fe for a Cure 2025 also set records for participation with 1,214 registered and 173 volunteers&nbsp; assisting on race day. Runners came from 64 Kansas communities, eight states and one person even registered from Canada.&nbsp;

“You can clearly see the impact cancer has on our community each and every year at Fe for a&nbsp; Cure,” said Marla McElderry, executive director at the Salina Regional Health Foundation. “We’re&nbsp; pleased to see this event continue to grow in support of patients from across the area undergoing&nbsp; treatment at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.”&nbsp;

A Corporate Challenge is held in conjunction with Fe for a Cure that recognizes area Small, Mid-sized and Large businesses with the most participants. Thirty-nine different businesses participated in the Corporate Challenge this year. Winners were Jim’s Formal Wear, Small Business, 23 participants; Blue Beacon, Mid-sized Business, 70 participants; and Great Plains Manufacturing, Large Business, 138 participants.&nbsp;

Pictures, race results and announcements for next year’s race can be found by following Fe for a Cure on Facebook or visiting <a href="http://www.feforacure.com">www.feforacure.com</a>.

2025 Fe For a Cure breaks records of participants and funds, raising over $75,000

Salina man arrested after allegedly assaulting a woman at a home.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Thursday at around 10:45 pm, SPD received a 9-1-1 call from a home address in north Salina, regarding a domestic violence incident.

Allegedly, a 42-year old female reported she was assaulted by a 32-year old man identified as, Nalo Bishop. The victim and Bishop are reportedly acquainted.

SPD stated an argument occurred and Bishop proceeded to throw CD player towards her. As a result, she received injuries to her face.&nbsp;

Police added the woman was pushed to the ground and strangled by Bishop.

Officers arrived after the incident and arrested Bishop. He was booked into the Saline County Jail on the following requested charges of Aggravated Domestic Battery.

It was unsure if the victim needed or received medical treatment.

Domestic violence incident results in arrest 

<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, October 24 - October 27

The US National Weather Service has announced events of showers and thunderstorms are expected to return this weekend in Salina and throughout Central Kansas.

Accordingly, showers and thunderstorms will overspread the area starting Thursday night, with the greatest coverage in southern Kansas. Temperatures will drop into the upper 40s and 50s throughout the area.

Forecast depicts that showers and thunderstorms are likely to occur throughout the span of this weekend, and into Monday, October 27.

Showers and thunderstorms expected to return to Salina this weekend

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 22 - October 24

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 20 - October 22

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 17 - October 19

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 15 - October 17

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 13 - October 15

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 10 - October 12

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 8 - October 10

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 6 - October 8

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. —Law enforcement are investigating an officer involved shooting involving a member of the Buckner, Missouri police department, according to a statement from the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control.

Just before 1:30a.m. Sunday, an officer with the Buckner police department reported they were in pursuit of a vehicle westbound on U.S. 24 near Hoover Road. As the suspect vehicle approached Blue Mills Road, it crossed over to the eastbound lanes and briefly&nbsp; traveled in the wrong direction.&nbsp; The suspect vehicle traveled in reverse and then accelerated forward striking the officer's patrol vehicle. The officer fired his duty weapon at the suspect vehicle. 

The driver, whose has not been released, was taken into custody and was found to have a gunshot wound. EMS transported the driver to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury. The officer was not injured.&nbsp; Buckner is located in Jackson County just east of Kansas City, Missouri.

Suspect wounded in KC area officer-involved shooting

HAMILTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 8a.m. Sunday in Hamilton County.

The. Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Ram 2500 driven by Morgan Nikolai&nbsp;Stephens, 36,&nbsp; Burlington, Colorado, was traveling on Kansas 27 Highway just north of Road 15. The truck traveled onto the right shoulder and the driver overcorrected to the left. The vehicle spun clockwise into the ditch and rolled an undetermined amount of times.

Stephens&nbsp; was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to St. Catherine's. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the. KHP.

Man dies after pickup rollover accident on Kansas highway

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/amelia-thomson-deveaux">AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX</a> Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — As legalized&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sports-betting" rel="nofollow">sports betting</a>&nbsp;expands, recent polling suggests that Americans have become increasingly critical of its role in U.S. society and sports — although they’re more tolerant of it for professional sports.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biggest-sports-betting-scandals-0098b62195eab133d4d03f143db42445" rel="nofollow">Betting scandals</a>&nbsp;have multiplied since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4" rel="nofollow">a U.S. Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;in May 2018 struck down a federal law that barred sports betting in most states. That includes a wave of incidents involving athletes and officials. Most recently, dozens of people, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, were arrested in connection with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-terry-rozier-gambling-probe-de98ecb76bb8f13b85f4c5ac62f66221" rel="nofollow">a federal investigation into sports betting and illegal gambling</a>, authorities said Thursday.

In the years since the Supreme Court’s ruling, sports betting has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-sports-betting-taxes-571a3fe28a9986ff8f4a4334f71b783f" rel="nofollow">brought revenue to state governments</a>, but it’s also prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-baseball-coach-fired-bets-bohannon-0471b144a9348caa456a22cab23b9a8b" rel="nofollow">concerns about the potential for wrongdoing</a>, as well as the impact on athletes.

Here’s what Americans think about the impact of legal sports betting, according to recent polling:

More think legal sports betting has a negative impact on sports and society than in 2022

Americans are more skeptical of legal sports betting than they were a few years ago, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/10/02/americans-increasingly-see-legal-sports-betting-as-a-bad-thing-for-society-and-sports/" target="_blank">a Pew Research Center poll</a>&nbsp;conducted over the summer. The survey found that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults say the fact that sports betting is now legal in much of the country is “a bad thing” for society and sports, up from about one-third in July 2022.

Many Americans continue to say sports betting is “neither a good nor bad” thing for sports and society, while few say it’s “a good thing” for either.

Young men are particularly likely to have soured on sports betting’s social impact. About half of men under age 30 now say legal sports betting is a bad thing for society, up from 22% in 2022.

At the same time, young men are more likely than older adults to say they’ve bet money on sports in the past year. But 34% of people who have placed a sports bet in the past year still say legal sports betting is bad for society, up from 23% three years ago.

Most say betting should be legal for professional sports but not college

Many Americans distinguish between betting on professional and college sports, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-poll-sports-gambling-40ee6db41bf5446ebc948341116b28da" rel="nofollow">an AP-NORC poll from February</a>.

That survey shows that about 6 in 10 Americans think gambling on professional sports should be legal in their state, but only about 4 in 10 U.S. adults say the same thing about legalized wagering on college sports. More than half oppose legal betting on college sports.

<a href="https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3927" target="_blank">A Quinnipiac poll from June</a>&nbsp;found, similarly, that 60% of U.S. adults think legal betting on college sports is a bad thing, while 47% say this about legal betting on professional sports.

The Pew poll shows that awareness of sports betting has grown over the past few years – 63% say they’ve heard or read “a lot” or “a little” about the fact that sports betting is now broadly legal, up from 56% in 2022. But that hasn’t led to an uptick in support for legalization. Americans are about as likely to say betting on professional or college sports should be legal as they were in 2019, according to the AP-NORC survey.

Younger adults are more likely than older adults to have bet money on sports in the past year, according to the Pew poll, with about 3 in 10 adults under age 30 saying this, compared with only 12% of adults age 65 or older.

Black and Hispanic adults are also more likely than white or Asian adults to have placed a bet, although the gap isn’t as wide.

The AP-NORC poll found that while about 14% of U.S. adults say they “frequently” or “occasionally” place bets on college or professional sports online using betting or fantasy sports websites or apps, it’s more common in casinos. About one-quarter of U.S. adults say they have bet on sports in person at casinos at least “occasionally.”

Billups and Rozier were arrested along with more than 30 other people in two criminal cases alleging sprawling schemes to rake in millions of dollars by rigging sports bets and poker games involving Mafia families, authorities said.

Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Trusty, accused the FBI of aiming for “misplaced glory” by embarrassing the professional athlete with a perp walk, rather than allowing him to self-surrender. He previously told ESPN that Rozier met with NBA and FBI officials in 2023 and was told that an initial investigation determined he did nothing wrong, the sports network reported.

A message seeking comment was left Thursday morning with Billups.

What Americans think about legal sports betting, according to recent polls

A Hutchinson firefighter’s vacation to Florida turned into a lifesaving moment when he jumped into action at Epcot after seeing a woman collapse in line for a ride.

Engineer Jacob Younger, assigned to Hutchinson Fire Department Station 3, was on a long-planned trip with high school friends when he noticed an older woman suddenly grab her chest, her mouth drop open, and her eyes go blank before falling to the ground.

“There were a lot of people around her, so it was hard to tell what was happening,” Younger said. “I told one of the Disney workers, and they said help was on the way. But the more I watched, it didn’t look like she was breathing. Nothing was getting better, so I went back to see if I could help.”

Trained as both a firefighter and EMT, Younger quickly realized the woman had no pulse. “That’s when I jumped in to start CPR,” he said. “I did compressions until the paramedics arrived and kept helping until the fire crew took over.”

Just this past week, Younger’s battalion chief told him that the woman had survived and walked out of the hospital — a rare outcome for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer said, "I proud of the men and women of our department still doing what they do even when they are not on duty."&nbsp;

“The type of guy you want on your team”

Captain Calen Dunn, who works alongside Younger at Station 3, said he wasn’t surprised by his engineer’s quick response — even while off duty.

“I’ve had him since July, when we both got promoted at the same time,” Dunn said. “He’s one of those guys who’ll do anything for you — the type you always want on your team.”

Station 3, located in south Hutchinson, is one of the city’s busiest stations, handling a steady stream of medical and emergency calls. As an engineer, Younger is responsible for safely navigating the fire engine through city streets, positioning it correctly at scenes, and managing water flow during structure fires.

“It takes a lot of skill and attention to detail,” Dunn said. “He’s the one doing the math, making sure everything flows right. That same mindset carries over to medical calls — it’s all about precision and staying calm under pressure.”

Hutchinson firefighters respond to far more medical calls than fires, and all are EMT-certified. Their training allows them to provide life-saving care within minutes — often arriving before EMS.

“The fire department has more stations across town, so we’re often first on scene,” Dunn said. “Everyone on the truck can assess and start treatment. When EMS arrives, we already have vital information and can help speed things along.”

He added that most cardiac arrests aren’t witnessed and that survival rates are low. “To have someone survive like that — it’s incredible. And Jacob didn’t do it for recognition. He just did what was right.”

Younger performed three to four full rounds of compressions without stopping — a physically demanding effort that Dunn said demonstrated both training and endurance. “It’s exhausting work,” Dunn said. “But that’s what we train for. When the department later sent him a challenge coin and told him the person survived, that meant a lot. Challenge coins really mean something in the fire service.”

Both Dunn and Younger said the profession is built on service and integrity, not accolades.

“We’re here because it’s what we’re called to do,” Dunn said. “The pat on the back is nice, but that’s not why we’re here. If someone’s in it for that, they’re probably in the wrong profession.”

For Younger, the reward is simple: “You’re showing up on a stranger’s worst day and making a difference,” he said. “That’s what makes this job so rewarding.”

Kansas firefighter on vacation saves woman's life

By ISABELLA VOLMERT and JOHN HANNA Associated Press

For most of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;second term, Republicans have bent to his will. But in two Midwestern states, Trump's plan to maintain control of the U.S. House in next year’s election by having Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-know-redistricting-states-voting-maps-congress-d3a30328bec161d50a7ab52ac48f23d5">redraw congressional districts</a>&nbsp;has hit a roadblock.

Despite weeks of campaigning by the White House, Republicans in Indiana and Kansas say their party doesn't have enough votes to pass new, more GOP-friendly maps. It's made the two states outliers in the rush to redistrict — places where Republican-majority legislatures are unwilling or unable to heed Trump's call and help preserve the party’s control on Capitol Hill.

Lawmakers in the two states still may be persuaded, and the White House push, which has included an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-redistricting-trump-white-house-eb176b036043caafb923fa30b8ef856d">Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;for Indiana lawmakers and two trips to Indianapolis by Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>, is expected to continue. But for now, it's a rare setback for the president and his efforts to maintain a compliant GOP-held Congress after the 2026 midterms.

Typically, states redraw the boundaries of their congressional districts every 10 years, based on census data. But because midterm elections typically tend to favor the party not in power, Trump is pressuring Republicans to devise new maps that favor the GOP.

Democrats only need to gain three seats to flip House control, and the fight has become a bruising back-and-forth.

With new maps of their own, multiple Democratic states are moving to counter any gains made by Republicans. The latest, Virginia, is expected to take up the issue in a special session starting Monday.

Indiana, whose House delegation has seven Republicans and two Democrats, was one of the first states on which the Trump administration focused its redistricting efforts this summer.

But a spokesperson for state Senate Leader Rodric Bray’s office said Thursday that the chamber lacks the votes to redistrict. With only 10 Democrats in the 50-member Senate, that means more than a dozen of the 40 Republicans oppose the idea.

Bray's office did not respond to multiple requests for an interview.

The holdouts may come from a few schools of thought. New political lines, if&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-gerrymandering-dummymandering-885d3af597621322b10d889fb9a81f96">poorly executed</a>, could make solidly Republican districts more competitive. Others believe it is simply wrong to stack the deck.

“We are being asked to create a new culture in which it would be normal for a political party to select new voters, not once a decade — but any time it fears the consequences of an approaching election,” state Sen. Spencer Deery, a Republican, said in a statement in August.

Deery’s office did not respond to a request for an interview and said the statement stands.

A common argument in favor of new maps is that Democratic-run states such as Massachusetts have no Republican representatives while Illinois has used redistricting for partisan advantage — a process known as gerrymandering.

“For decades, Democrat states have gerrymandered in the dark of the night,” Republican state Sen. Chris Garten said on social media. “We can no longer sit idly by as our country is stolen from us.”

Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, who would vote to break a tie in the state Senate if needed, recently called on lawmakers to forge ahead with redistricting and criticized then for not being sufficiently conservative.

“For years, it has been said accurately that the Indiana Senate is where conservative ideas from the House go to die,” Beckwith said in a social media post.

Indiana is staunchly conservative, but its Republicans tend to foster a deliberate temperance.

“Hoosiers, it’s very tough to to predict us, other than to say we’re very cautious," former GOP state lawmaker Mike Murphy said. “We’re not into trends.”

The squeamishness reflects a certain independent streak held by voters in both states and a willingness by some to push back.

Writing in The Washington Post last week, former Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican, urged Indiana lawmakers to resist the push to redistrict. "Someone has to lead in climbing out of the mudhole,” he said.

“Hoosiers, like most Americans, place a high value on fairness and react badly to its naked violation,” he wrote.

In Kansas, Republicans also struggle to find votes

In Kansas, Republican legislative leaders are trying to bypass the Democratic governor and force a special session for only the second time in the state’s 164-year history. Gov. Laura Kelly opposes mid-decade redistricting and has suggested it could be unconstitutional.

The Kansas Constitution allows GOP lawmakers to force a special session with a petition signed by two-thirds of both chambers — also the supermajorities needed to override Kelly's expected veto of a new map. Republicans hold four more seats than the two-thirds majority in both the state Senate and House. In either, a defection of five Republicans would sink the effort.

Weeks after state Senate President Ty Masterson announced the push for a special session, GOP leaders were struggling to get the last few signatures needed.

Among the holdouts is Rep. Mark Schreiber, who represents a district southwest of Topeka,. He told The Associated Press that "did not sign a petition to call a special session, and I have no plans to sign one.” Schreiber said he believes redistricting should be used only to reflect shifts in population after the once-every-10-year census.

“Redistricting by either party in midcycle should not be done,” he said.

Republicans would likely target U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the Democrat representing the mostly Kansas City area 3rd Congressional District, which includes Johnson County, the state’s most populous. The suburban county accounts for more than 85% of the vote and has trended to the left since 2016.

Kansas has a sizable number of moderate Republicans, and 29% of the state's 2 million voters are registered as politically unaffiliated. Both groups are prominent in Johnson County.

Republican legislators previously tried to hurt Davids’ chances of reelection when redrawing the district, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-biden-legislature-c33d92d6b33fc33c524f6b78024f3700">she won</a>&nbsp;in 2022 and 2024 by more than 10 percentage points.

“They tried it once and couldn’t get it done,” said Jack Shearer, an 82-year-old registered Republican from suburban Kansas City.

But a mid-decade redistricting has support among some Republicans in the county. State Sen. Doug Shane, whose district includes part of the county, said he believes his constituents would be amenable to splitting it.

“Splitting counties is not unprecedented and occurs in a number of congressional districts around the country,” he said in an email.

Volmert reported from Lansing, Mich., and Hanna from Topeka, Kan. Associated Press writer Heather Hollingsworth in Lenexa, Kan., contributed to this report.

Redistricting push hits roadblocks in Kansas and Indiana as GOP lawmakers resist

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/alex-veiga">ALEX VEIGA</a>

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes accelerated in September as declining mortgage rates and a pickup in available properties on the market encouraged home shoppers.

Existing home sales rose 1.5% last month from August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. That’s the fastest sales pace since February.

Sales jumped 4.1% compared with September last year. The latest sales figure came in slightly below the roughly 4.07 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.

The national median sales price climbed 2.1% in September from a year earlier to $415,200. That’s the 27th consecutive month that home prices have risen on an annual basis and the highest median sales price for any September on data going back to 1999.

“The home sales in September showed an increase, but I would not characterize (it) as a breakout,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “It does show that consumers do respond to lower mortgage rates.”

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