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

NAME:&nbsp;Macias-Ruedas, Cesar Arturo

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;DUI; 4th/subseq. conv.; Incapable of safe driving; Driving While Suspended; Improper driving on laned roadway; No Proof Of Insurance

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Crim poss. weapon by felon; Juvenile offender

*No photo for&nbsp;Miller, James Dean*

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Perez Cortes, Juan Carlos

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Contribute to a child misconduct; Encourage to commit traffic infraction; Indecent liberties with child; 14 &lt; 16 YOA; Lewd fondling; Indecent liberties w/ child; 14&lt;16 YOA; Solicit to engage

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746822696649.jpeg" alt="Macias-Ruedas, Cesar Arturo" />
 <figcaption>Macias-Ruedas, Cesar Arturo</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Macias-Ruedas, Cesar ArturoREQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;DUI; 4th/subseq. conv.; Incapable of safe driving; Driving While Suspended; Improper driving on laned roadway; No Proof Of Insurance<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746822833654.jpeg" alt="McGowan, Deron Malcolm" />
 <figcaption>McGowan, Deron Malcolm</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;McGowan, Deron MalcolmREQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Crim poss. weapon by felon; Juvenile offender*No photo for&nbsp;Miller, James Dean*NAME:&nbsp;Miller, James DeanREQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746822988686.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Moore, Eugene GregoryREQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746823103683.jpeg" alt="Perez Cortes, Juan Carlos" />
 <figcaption>Perez Cortes, Juan Carlos</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Perez Cortes, Juan CarlosREQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746823162292.jpeg" alt="Renteria, Mark Anthony" />
 <figcaption>Renteria, Mark Anthony</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Renteria, Mark AnthonyREQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Contribute to a child misconduct; Encourage to commit traffic infraction; Indecent liberties with child; 14 &lt; 16 YOA; Lewd fondling; Indecent liberties w/ child; 14&lt;16 YOA; Solicit to engage<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746823256145.jpeg" alt="Weaver, Lisa Marie" />
 <figcaption>Weaver, Lisa Marie</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Weaver, Lisa MarieREQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

Saline County Jail Bookings, May 9

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp; a man&nbsp;following a bizarre and violent encounter with officers at the Casey’s General Store in the 1700 block of W. 6th Street in Lawrence, according to a social media report from police.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police called to the store for a report of a transient man in the store bathroom, with a dog, refusing to leave. Officers entered the bathroom and discovered the man naked and performing a sexual act on himself. 

Officers attempted to arrest the man after he refused to stop, but he began fighting the officers, who radioed for emergency assistance. The man was tased twice but continued to fight. 

Eventually, officers were able to get the man in handcuffs, but he continued to resist being restrained, and while still in the cramped bathroom, the man bit onto his dog’s ear and neck, refusing to let go. 

As more officers arrived on scene, they were able to subdue the man and assisted LDCFM in transporting him to the hospital for evaluation. Once released, the man will be transported to the Douglas County Correctional Facility and booked on a litany of charges after he is identified. 

Multiple officers suffered minor injuries during the scuffle, including an officer who was treated at the hospital for a puncturing bite wound from the suspect. 

Officers transported the dog to the Lawrence Humane Society for treatment and evaluation of minor injuries.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp; a man&nbsp;following a bizarre and violent encounter with officers at the Casey’s General Store in the 1700 block of W. 6th Street in Lawrence, according to a social media report from police.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police called to the store for a report of a transient man in the store bathroom, with a dog, refusing to leave. Officers entered the bathroom and discovered the man naked and performing a sexual act on himself. Officers attempted to arrest the man after he refused to stop, but he began fighting the officers, who radioed for emergency assistance. The man was tased twice but continued to fight. Eventually, officers were able to get the man in handcuffs, but he continued to resist being restrained, and while still in the cramped bathroom, the man bit onto his dog’s ear and neck, refusing to let go. As more officers arrived on scene, they were able to subdue the man and assisted LDCFM in transporting him to the hospital for evaluation. Once released, the man will be transported to the Douglas County Correctional Facility and booked on a litany of charges after he is identified. Multiple officers suffered minor injuries during the scuffle, including an officer who was treated at the hospital for a puncturing bite wound from the suspect. Officers transported the dog to the Lawrence Humane Society for treatment and evaluation of minor injuries.

Police: Naked man bit dog, injured officers at Kan. gas station

Salina Unified School District (USD) 305 are providing free meals for all children ages 1 - 18 this summer with no signup, eligibility or paperwork required.&nbsp;

According to USD 305, starting June 2nd children and adults are invited to participate in the Summer Food Program. This program includes:

Breakfast and lunch with activities, provided by the Salina Educators. The Salina Area United Way will also provide book giveaways during the program.

Adults are also welcome to eat breakfast for $3.25 and lunch for $5.25.&nbsp;

The Summer Food Program will run from June 2nd - June 19th.&nbsp;

Central High School on 650 E. Crawford St. from&nbsp;7:45 am - 8:15 am

Heusner Elementary on 1300 Norton St. from&nbsp;7:45 am - 8:15 am

Schilling Elementary on 3121 Canterbury Dr. from&nbsp;7:45 am - 8:15 am

Central High School from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Heusner Elementary&nbsp;from&nbsp;12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Schilling Elementary from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Salina Fieldhouse on 140 N. 5th St. from&nbsp;12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Heartland Early Education on 700 Jupiter Ave. from&nbsp;12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.usd305.com/">www.usd305.com</a>&nbsp;and click on the Summer Food Program banner to view menus, activities and other information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584738604512.jpeg" alt="USD 305 Photo Courtesy" />
 <figcaption>USD 305 Photo Courtesy</figcaption>
 </figure>By: NICOLAS FIERROSalina Unified School District (USD) 305 are providing free meals for all children ages 1 - 18 this summer with no signup, eligibility or paperwork required.&nbsp;According to USD 305, starting June 2nd children and adults are invited to participate in the Summer Food Program. This program includes:Breakfast and lunch with activities, provided by the Salina Educators. The Salina Area United Way will also provide book giveaways during the program.Adults are also welcome to eat breakfast for $3.25 and lunch for $5.25.&nbsp;The Summer Food Program will run from June 2nd - June 19th.&nbsp;<h2>The list of locations for breakfast:</h2>Central High School on 650 E. Crawford St. from&nbsp;7:45 am - 8:15 amHeusner Elementary on 1300 Norton St. from&nbsp;7:45 am - 8:15 amSchilling Elementary on 3121 Canterbury Dr. from&nbsp;7:45 am - 8:15 am<h2>For lunch:</h2>Central High School from 11:00 am - 1:00 pmHeusner Elementary&nbsp;from&nbsp;12:00 pm - 1:00 pmSchilling Elementary from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pmSalina Fieldhouse on 140 N. 5th St. from&nbsp;12:00 pm - 1:00 pmHeartland Early Education on 700 Jupiter Ave. from&nbsp;12:00 pm - 1:00 pmVisit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.usd305.com/">www.usd305.com</a>&nbsp;and click on the Summer Food Program banner to view menus, activities and other information.

USD 305 Starts Summer Food Program This Summer

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement investigating a fatal gun fight in February have a third suspect in custody.

Sedgwick County arrest records show deputies booked 20-year-old Jerry Johnson into jail Wednesday afternoon on requested charges of first-degree murder.

Just before 6p.m. Feb. 11, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of S. Bleckley in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesperson Brad Wright.

Officers arrived at the scene and found 23-year-old Manuel Roach with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a disturbance occurred involving Roach and three unidentified men dressed in all black. Following the incident, the suspects departed the scene in a white SUV before law enforcement arrival. The exact circumstances that led up to the shooting are still under investigation, according to Wright. Police do believe this was a targeted incident between individuals known to each other.

Later on Feb. 11, an 18-year-old identified as Sergio Clement arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Through the investigation, it was discovered that Clement and 21-year-old Alan Griffin, Jr. were involved in the fatal shooting of Roach. As a result, both were arrested and booked into Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;

The Wichita Police Department asked the public for information on the whereabouts of&nbsp; Johnson. On February 14, Johnson was charged by the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office in reference to his involvement the homicide.

Johnson is now being held in the Sedgwick County Jail on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Police have not reported details of the arrest.&nbsp; He is due to make a&nbsp; &nbsp;court appearance on Thursday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739989718610.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement investigating a fatal gun fight in February have a third suspect in custody.Sedgwick County arrest records show deputies booked 20-year-old Jerry Johnson into jail Wednesday afternoon on requested charges of first-degree murder.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746700121329.png" alt="Johnson photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 6p.m. Feb. 11, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of S. Bleckley in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesperson Brad Wright.Officers arrived at the scene and found 23-year-old Manuel Roach with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Preliminary investigation indicates that a disturbance occurred involving Roach and three unidentified men dressed in all black. Following the incident, the suspects departed the scene in a white SUV before law enforcement arrival. The exact circumstances that led up to the shooting are still under investigation, according to Wright. Police do believe this was a targeted incident between individuals known to each other.Later on Feb. 11, an 18-year-old identified as Sergio Clement arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Through the investigation, it was discovered that Clement and 21-year-old Alan Griffin, Jr. were involved in the fatal shooting of Roach. As a result, both were arrested and booked into Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;The Wichita Police Department asked the public for information on the whereabouts of&nbsp; Johnson. On February 14, Johnson was charged by the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office in reference to his involvement the homicide.Johnson is now being held in the Sedgwick County Jail on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Police have not reported details of the arrest.&nbsp; He is due to make a&nbsp; &nbsp;court appearance on Thursday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

After nearly 3 months wanted Kan. murder suspect captured

NAME:&nbsp;Fortner, Steven Mitchell

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Use/poss drug paraphernalia/human body; Poss of stimulant; 1 prior conviction; Taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or cont substance

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;&nbsp;Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose misd. warrant; Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746710763627.jpeg" alt="Fortner, Steven Mitchell" />
 <figcaption>Fortner, Steven Mitchell</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Fortner, Steven MitchellREQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746710862042.jpeg" alt="Gugenhan, Alivia Grace" />
 <figcaption>Gugenhan, Alivia Grace</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Gugenhan, Alivia GraceREQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Use/poss drug paraphernalia/human body; Poss of stimulant; 1 prior conviction; Taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or cont substance<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746710967310.jpeg" alt="Hahn, Jerrod Luke" />
 <figcaption>Hahn, Jerrod Luke</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Hahn, Jerrod LukeREQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;&nbsp;Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose misd. warrant; Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746711054376.jpeg" alt="Price, Jerry Dean" />
 <figcaption>Price, Jerry Dean</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Price, Jerry DeanREQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746711125105.jpeg" alt="Roney, Tanner Lee" />
 <figcaption>Roney, Tanner Lee</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Roney, Tanner LeeREQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

Saline County Jail Bookings, May 8

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is tapping Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer with close ties to Health and Human Services Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-autism-medicare-medicaid-0507cd8117f299a50bc20b9ea8569048">Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.</a>, as his nominee for surgeon general after withdrawing his initial pick for the influential health post.

Trump said in a social media post Wednesday that Means has “impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials” – referring to the “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-vaccines-food-additives-pharmaceuticals-trump-797750f5f141161778792e84602b57c8">Make America Healthy Again</a>&nbsp;” slogan – and that she will work to eradicate chronic disease and improve the health and well-being of Americans.

“Her academic achievements, together with her life’s work, are absolutely outstanding,” Trump said. “Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History.”

In doing so, Trump withdrew former Fox News medical contributor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-trump-marty-makary-34424f5fefcbbc334c1983b025523aad">Janette Nesheiwat</a>&nbsp;for U.S. surgeon general, marking at least the second health-related pick from Trump to be pulled from Senate consideration. Nesheiwat had been scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Thursday for her confirmation hearing.

Means and her brother, former lobbyist Calley Means, served as key advisers to Kennedy’s longshot 2024 presidential bid and helped broker his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-trump-speech-arizona-a2638f89ddcb5de03edbe4574ca17d45">endorsement of Trump</a>&nbsp;last summer. The pair made appearances with some of Trump’s biggest supporters, winning praise from conservative pundit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fox-news-tucker-carlson-ailes-bill-oreilly-7aff2465fe2779930ebf6882e085f9c6">Tucker Carlson</a>&nbsp;and podcaster&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-criticism-musk-rogan-portnoy-ackman-7ee3cda2fe172d707af93e042e2009dd">Joe Rogan</a>. Calley Means is currently a White House adviser who appears frequently on television to promote restrictions on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/food-banks-campaign-against-hunger-snap-pantry-665c19251b5d83bbed45a29958f79609">SNAP benefits</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-water-cdc-kennedy-02d931af8f025877a9e3d332bf215c69">removing fluoride</a>&nbsp;from drinking water and other MAHA agenda items.

Casey Means has no government experience and dropped out of her surgical residency program, saying she became disillusioned with traditional medicine. She founded a health tech company, Levels, that helps users track blood sugar and other metrics. She also makes money from dietary supplements, creams, teas and other products sponsored on her social media accounts.

In interviews and articles, Means and her brother describe a dizzying web of influences to blame for the nation’s health problems, including corrupt food conglomerates that have hooked Americans on unhealthy diets, leaving them reliant on daily medications from the pharmaceutical industry to manage obesity, diabetes and other chronic conditions.

Few health experts would dispute that the American diet — full of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ultraprocessed-foods-healthy-diet-0501eb985016149541e6cc727e55dfea">processed foods</a>&nbsp;— is a contributor to obesity and related problems. But Means goes further, linking changes in diet and lifestyle to a raft of conditions including infertility, Alzheimer’s, depression and erectile dysfunction.

“Almost every chronic health symptom that Western medicine addresses is the result of our cells being beleaguered by how we’ve come to live,” Means said in a 2024 book co-written with her brother.

Food experts say it’s overly simplistic to declare that all&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c06a1200807c4b82a03452d08d480692">processed foods</a>&nbsp;are harmful, since the designation covers an estimated 60% of U.S. foods, including products as diverse as granola, peanut butter and potato chips.

“They are not all created equal,” said Gabby Headrick, a nutrition researcher at George Washington University’s school of public health. “It is much more complicated than just pointing the finger at ultra-processed foods as the driver of chronic disease in the United States.”

Means has mostly steered clear of Kennedy’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-election-vaccines-2ccde2df146f57b5e8c26e8494f0a16a">controversial and debunked views on vaccines</a>. But on her website, she has called for more investigation into their safety and recommends making it easier for patients to sue drugmakers in the event of vaccine injuries. Since the late 1980s, federal law has shielded those companies from legal liability to encourage development of vaccines without the threat of costly personal injury lawsuits.

She trained as a surgeon at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stanford-u-of-california-justice-department-probe-77f7c2c66cf27daf60442121c6ba71bf">Stanford University</a>&nbsp;but has built an online following by criticizing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-director-cohen-trump-weldon-kennedy-ec9b1b69fa9e3f61b4033fd095c20ab9">medical establishment</a>&nbsp;and promoting natural foods and lifestyle changes to reverse&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-common-is-obesity-us-5663c0388b19009eae3834d695710bc4">obesity</a>, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

If confirmed as surgeon general, Means would be tasked with helping promote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-things-to-know-explained-who-is-hhs-5288a4a7277d1a0b4a7ede8f57a971ce">Kennedy’s sprawling MAHA agenda</a>, which calls for removing thousands of additives and chemicals from U.S. foods, rooting out conflicts of interest at federal agencies and incentivizing healthier foods in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lunchables-removed-national-school-lunch-program-a4a97b8c85932ba28fb9de22f1f82abe">school lunches</a>&nbsp;and other nutrition programs.

Nesheiwat, Trump's first pick, is a medical director for an urgent care company in New York and has appeared regularly on Fox News to offer medical expertise and insights. She is a vocal supporter of Trump and shares photos of them together on social media. Nesheiwat is also the sister-in-law of former national security adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-waltz-national-security-signal-db2443f6fed98e4067edd57f26f23603">Mike Waltz</a>, who has been nominated to be Trump's ambassador to the United Nations.

But she had recently come under criticism from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-laura-loomer-trump-national-security-council-f7bc493ae99014362875e5d390769477">Laura Loomer</a>, a far-right ally of Trump who was instrumental in ousting several members of the president’s National Security Council. Loomer posted on X earlier this week that “we can’t have a pro-COVID vaccine nepo appointee who is currently embroiled in a medical malpractice case and who didn’t go to medical school in the US” as the surgeon general.

Independent freelance journalist Anthony Clark reported last month that Nesheiwat earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten, despite saying that she has a degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine.

“I am looking forward to continuing to support President Trump and working closely with Secretary Kennedy in a senior policy role to Make America Healthy Again! My focus continues to be on improving the health and well-being of all Americans, and that mission hasn’t changed,” Nesheiwat wrote on social media Wednesday.

The surgeon general, considered the nation’s doctor, oversees 6,000 U.S. Public Health Service Corps members and can issue advisories that warn of public health threats.

In March, the White House pulled from consideration the nomination of former Florida GOP Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dave-weldon-cdc-director-9a3d061832e2f0f644f2c58fbae36965">Dave Weldon</a>&nbsp;to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His skepticism on vaccines had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-director-david-weldon-senate-hearing-f4c6b6deb5bed31e74d11cf25f8e92d3">raised concerns from key Republican senators</a>, and he withdrew after being told by the White House that he did not have enough support to be confirmed.

The withdrawal was first reported by Bloomberg News.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746656010439.png" alt="Casey Means from her popular Instagram page" />
 <figcaption>Casey Means from her popular Instagram page</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is tapping Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer with close ties to Health and Human Services Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-autism-medicare-medicaid-0507cd8117f299a50bc20b9ea8569048">Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.</a>, as his nominee for surgeon general after withdrawing his initial pick for the influential health post.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/CaseyMeansMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CaseyMeansMD</a> on her nomination as Surgeon General! This is an excellent choice by President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>. Dr. Means’ commitment to Making America Healthy Again will inspire a healthier nation, and I look forward to working with her on this movement. She is a… <a href="https://t.co/kRKralN71K">pic.twitter.com/kRKralN71K</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1920222714305958055?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump said in a social media post Wednesday that Means has “impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials” – referring to the “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-vaccines-food-additives-pharmaceuticals-trump-797750f5f141161778792e84602b57c8">Make America Healthy Again</a>&nbsp;” slogan – and that she will work to eradicate chronic disease and improve the health and well-being of Americans.<div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCXt3_myk9B/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCXt3_myk9B/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCXt3_myk9B/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Casey Means, MD (@drcaseyskitchen)</a></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>“Her academic achievements, together with her life’s work, are absolutely outstanding,” Trump said. “Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History.”In doing so, Trump withdrew former Fox News medical contributor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-trump-marty-makary-34424f5fefcbbc334c1983b025523aad">Janette Nesheiwat</a>&nbsp;for U.S. surgeon general, marking at least the second health-related pick from Trump to be pulled from Senate consideration. Nesheiwat had been scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Thursday for her confirmation hearing.Means and her brother, former lobbyist Calley Means, served as key advisers to Kennedy’s longshot 2024 presidential bid and helped broker his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-trump-speech-arizona-a2638f89ddcb5de03edbe4574ca17d45">endorsement of Trump</a>&nbsp;last summer. The pair made appearances with some of Trump’s biggest supporters, winning praise from conservative pundit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fox-news-tucker-carlson-ailes-bill-oreilly-7aff2465fe2779930ebf6882e085f9c6">Tucker Carlson</a>&nbsp;and podcaster&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-criticism-musk-rogan-portnoy-ackman-7ee3cda2fe172d707af93e042e2009dd">Joe Rogan</a>. Calley Means is currently a White House adviser who appears frequently on television to promote restrictions on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/food-banks-campaign-against-hunger-snap-pantry-665c19251b5d83bbed45a29958f79609">SNAP benefits</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-water-cdc-kennedy-02d931af8f025877a9e3d332bf215c69">removing fluoride</a>&nbsp;from drinking water and other MAHA agenda items.Casey Means has no government experience and dropped out of her surgical residency program, saying she became disillusioned with traditional medicine. She founded a health tech company, Levels, that helps users track blood sugar and other metrics. She also makes money from dietary supplements, creams, teas and other products sponsored on her social media accounts.In interviews and articles, Means and her brother describe a dizzying web of influences to blame for the nation’s health problems, including corrupt food conglomerates that have hooked Americans on unhealthy diets, leaving them reliant on daily medications from the pharmaceutical industry to manage obesity, diabetes and other chronic conditions.Few health experts would dispute that the American diet — full of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ultraprocessed-foods-healthy-diet-0501eb985016149541e6cc727e55dfea">processed foods</a>&nbsp;— is a contributor to obesity and related problems. But Means goes further, linking changes in diet and lifestyle to a raft of conditions including infertility, Alzheimer’s, depression and erectile dysfunction.“Almost every chronic health symptom that Western medicine addresses is the result of our cells being beleaguered by how we’ve come to live,” Means said in a 2024 book co-written with her brother.Food experts say it’s overly simplistic to declare that all&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c06a1200807c4b82a03452d08d480692">processed foods</a>&nbsp;are harmful, since the designation covers an estimated 60% of U.S. foods, including products as diverse as granola, peanut butter and potato chips.“They are not all created equal,” said Gabby Headrick, a nutrition researcher at George Washington University’s school of public health. “It is much more complicated than just pointing the finger at ultra-processed foods as the driver of chronic disease in the United States.”Means has mostly steered clear of Kennedy’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-election-vaccines-2ccde2df146f57b5e8c26e8494f0a16a">controversial and debunked views on vaccines</a>. But on her website, she has called for more investigation into their safety and recommends making it easier for patients to sue drugmakers in the event of vaccine injuries. Since the late 1980s, federal law has shielded those companies from legal liability to encourage development of vaccines without the threat of costly personal injury lawsuits.She trained as a surgeon at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stanford-u-of-california-justice-department-probe-77f7c2c66cf27daf60442121c6ba71bf">Stanford University</a>&nbsp;but has built an online following by criticizing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-director-cohen-trump-weldon-kennedy-ec9b1b69fa9e3f61b4033fd095c20ab9">medical establishment</a>&nbsp;and promoting natural foods and lifestyle changes to reverse&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-common-is-obesity-us-5663c0388b19009eae3834d695710bc4">obesity</a>, diabetes and other chronic diseases.If confirmed as surgeon general, Means would be tasked with helping promote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-things-to-know-explained-who-is-hhs-5288a4a7277d1a0b4a7ede8f57a971ce">Kennedy’s sprawling MAHA agenda</a>, which calls for removing thousands of additives and chemicals from U.S. foods, rooting out conflicts of interest at federal agencies and incentivizing healthier foods in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lunchables-removed-national-school-lunch-program-a4a97b8c85932ba28fb9de22f1f82abe">school lunches</a>&nbsp;and other nutrition programs.Nesheiwat, Trump's first pick, is a medical director for an urgent care company in New York and has appeared regularly on Fox News to offer medical expertise and insights. She is a vocal supporter of Trump and shares photos of them together on social media. Nesheiwat is also the sister-in-law of former national security adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-waltz-national-security-signal-db2443f6fed98e4067edd57f26f23603">Mike Waltz</a>, who has been nominated to be Trump's ambassador to the United Nations.But she had recently come under criticism from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-laura-loomer-trump-national-security-council-f7bc493ae99014362875e5d390769477">Laura Loomer</a>, a far-right ally of Trump who was instrumental in ousting several members of the president’s National Security Council. Loomer posted on X earlier this week that “we can’t have a pro-COVID vaccine nepo appointee who is currently embroiled in a medical malpractice case and who didn’t go to medical school in the US” as the surgeon general.Independent freelance journalist Anthony Clark reported last month that Nesheiwat earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten, despite saying that she has a degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine.“I am looking forward to continuing to support President Trump and working closely with Secretary Kennedy in a senior policy role to Make America Healthy Again! My focus continues to be on improving the health and well-being of all Americans, and that mission hasn’t changed,” Nesheiwat wrote on social media Wednesday.The surgeon general, considered the nation’s doctor, oversees 6,000 U.S. Public Health Service Corps members and can issue advisories that warn of public health threats.In March, the White House pulled from consideration the nomination of former Florida GOP Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dave-weldon-cdc-director-9a3d061832e2f0f644f2c58fbae36965">Dave Weldon</a>&nbsp;to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His skepticism on vaccines had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-director-david-weldon-senate-hearing-f4c6b6deb5bed31e74d11cf25f8e92d3">raised concerns from key Republican senators</a>, and he withdrew after being told by the White House that he did not have enough support to be confirmed.The withdrawal was first reported by Bloomberg News.

Kan. U.S. Senator pleased with Trump's choice for surgeon general

WICHITA, Kan. – Following a series of events that commenced on the evening of Sunday, May 4, involving a stolen vehicle and an aggravated battery on a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy, authorities have successfully located and arrested the suspect, Thomas Torrez.

On Tuesday, May 6, after extensive efforts by the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Investigations Division and Fugitive Warrant Section, deputies identified Torrez at a multi-family housing unit in the 2500 block of N. Park Place, a location previously associated with him. Entry was made into the residence, where Torrez was found barricaded inside a refrigerator.

Despite multiple commands to surrender, Torrez refused to comply. A Sheriff's Office K-9 unit was deployed, which facilitated his apprehension. Following medical treatment, Torrez was booked into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility.

Torrez was taken into custody on original felony warrants for failing to register as an offender and a probation violation related to criminal possession of a weapon. He also faces new charges related to the incidents on May 4 and May 6, including aggravated burglary, kidnapping, attempting to elude law enforcement, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement officers, and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.

Additionally, he was booked on three outstanding municipal warrants from the City of Wichita. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. 

Once all relevant information is compiled, the case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging decisions.

Just after 1a.m. Sunday, Wichita Police officers were recovering a stolen vehicle in the 4800 block of E. 21st Street North. During the recovery, Torrez—an occupant of the vehicle—fled the scene in the stolen car. He was not located during the initial incident.

Just before 8p.m., a Sedgwick County deputy spotted the same stolen vehicle using a Flock license plate reader at a McDonald’s drive-thru in the 4800 block of S. Broadway. Torrez was behind the wheel with a female passenger.

The deputy positioned his patrol vehicle to block the stolen car, but Torrez accelerated, ramming the patrol unit. He then reversed into the building, drove over a curb and landscaping, and fled onto 47th Street. The deputy’s vehicle was disabled from the impact, and he was unable to pursue. The deputy sustained minor injuries as a result.

The deputy was “put out in trouble,” and charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer were broadcast to responding units.

While responding with lights and sirens, a second deputy collided with a civilian vehicle at the intersection of 47th Street and Hydraulic. The civilian vehicle was carrying five people—a 37-year-old man, a 29-year-old woman, and three children ages 6, 8, and 10. All suffered minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital. No officers were actively pursuing the stolen vehicle at the time of the crash. This deputy sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention.

Shortly after fleeing McDonald’s, the female passenger escaped the vehicle near Laura Street, north of 47th. She was located by officers and cooperated with the investigation. According to her statement, she tried to surrender during the initial stop and attempted multiple times to exit the vehicle, even using mace on Torrez.

Torrez later abandoned the stolen vehicle near 44th and Pattie and fled on foot. He then stole a second vehicle from a mobile home park in the 1000 block of E. MacArthur and led deputies on a brief pursuit, driving off-road in the area of O.J. Watson Park.

During his escape, Torrez caused a hit-and-run crash near Harry and McLean. The victim followed him to the area of Water and Zimmerly, where Torrez ditched the second vehicle and fled on foot.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746467676255.png" alt="&nbsp;Torrez is accused of ramming a patrol vehicle as he attempted to flee a fast-food drive through Sunday -Photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Torrez is accused of ramming a patrol vehicle as he attempted to flee a fast-food drive through Sunday -Photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. – Following a series of events that commenced on the evening of Sunday, May 4, involving a stolen vehicle and an aggravated battery on a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy, authorities have successfully located and arrested the suspect, Thomas Torrez.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746612189134.png" alt="Torrez photo Sedgwick Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Torrez photo Sedgwick Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>On Tuesday, May 6, after extensive efforts by the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Investigations Division and Fugitive Warrant Section, deputies identified Torrez at a multi-family housing unit in the 2500 block of N. Park Place, a location previously associated with him. Entry was made into the residence, where Torrez was found barricaded inside a refrigerator.Despite multiple commands to surrender, Torrez refused to comply. A Sheriff's Office K-9 unit was deployed, which facilitated his apprehension. Following medical treatment, Torrez was booked into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility.Torrez was taken into custody on original felony warrants for failing to register as an offender and a probation violation related to criminal possession of a weapon. He also faces new charges related to the incidents on May 4 and May 6, including aggravated burglary, kidnapping, attempting to elude law enforcement, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement officers, and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.Additionally, he was booked on three outstanding municipal warrants from the City of Wichita. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. Once all relevant information is compiled, the case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging decisions.-----------Just after 1a.m. Sunday, Wichita Police officers were recovering a stolen vehicle in the 4800 block of E. 21st Street North. During the recovery, Torrez—an occupant of the vehicle—fled the scene in the stolen car. He was not located during the initial incident.Just before 8p.m., a Sedgwick County deputy spotted the same stolen vehicle using a Flock license plate reader at a McDonald’s drive-thru in the 4800 block of S. Broadway. Torrez was behind the wheel with a female passenger.The deputy positioned his patrol vehicle to block the stolen car, but Torrez accelerated, ramming the patrol unit. He then reversed into the building, drove over a curb and landscaping, and fled onto 47th Street. The deputy’s vehicle was disabled from the impact, and he was unable to pursue. The deputy sustained minor injuries as a result.The deputy was “put out in trouble,” and charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer were broadcast to responding units.While responding with lights and sirens, a second deputy collided with a civilian vehicle at the intersection of 47th Street and Hydraulic. The civilian vehicle was carrying five people—a 37-year-old man, a 29-year-old woman, and three children ages 6, 8, and 10. All suffered minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital. No officers were actively pursuing the stolen vehicle at the time of the crash. This deputy sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention.Shortly after fleeing McDonald’s, the female passenger escaped the vehicle near Laura Street, north of 47th. She was located by officers and cooperated with the investigation. According to her statement, she tried to surrender during the initial stop and attempted multiple times to exit the vehicle, even using mace on Torrez.Torrez later abandoned the stolen vehicle near 44th and Pattie and fled on foot. He then stole a second vehicle from a mobile home park in the 1000 block of E. MacArthur and led deputies on a brief pursuit, driving off-road in the area of O.J. Watson Park.During his escape, Torrez caused a hit-and-run crash near Harry and McLean. The victim followed him to the area of Water and Zimmerly, where Torrez ditched the second vehicle and fled on foot.

Kan. offender who rammed patrol car was hiding in refrigerator 

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, signalling that no pope had been elected as 133 cardinals opened the secretive, centuries-old ritual to choose a new leader of the Catholic Church.

The cardinals participating in the most&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-cardinal-d01b3bfd056836e89560e3b40337b89e">geographically diverse conclave</a>&nbsp;in the faith’s 2,000-year history took just one round of voting Wednesday evening. After failing to find a winner on the first ballot, they retired for the night and will return to the Sistine Chapel on Thursday morning to try to find a successor to Pope Francis.

They had opened the conclave Wednesday afternoon, participating in a rite more theatrical than even Hollywood could create, a wash of red-robed cardinals, Latin chants, incense and solemnity that underscored the seriousness of the moment.

Outside in St. Peter’s Square, the scene was festive, as thousands of people flocked to the piazza to watch the proceedings on giant video screens, applauding when the Sistine Chapel’s doors slammed shut and the voting began. They waited for hours, watching screens that showed just a skinny chimney and occasional seagull. After the vote dragged on to dinnertime, some left in frustration, but those who stayed cheered when the smoke finally billowed out.

“My hope is that cardinals will choose a man who can be a peacemaker and could reunify the church,” said Gabriel Capry, a 27-year-old from London.

Hailing from 70 countries, the cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/francis-election-conclave-pope-vatican-catholics-87fcd94f759575b8744a4d2899371275#:~:text=VATICAN%20CITY%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The,the%20world's%201.3%20billion%20Catholics.">were sequestered</a>&nbsp;Wednesday from the outside world, their cellphones surrendered and airwaves around the Vatican jammed to prevent all communications until they find a new pope.

Francis named 108 of the 133 “princes of the church,” choosing many pastors in his image from far-flung countries like Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga that had never had a cardinal before.

His decision to surpass the usual limit of 120 cardinal electors and include younger ones from the “global south” — often marginalized countries with lower economic clout — has injected an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-pope-b4883723cbbba159b0264dd76526b55d">unusual degree of uncertainty</a>&nbsp;in a process that is always full of mystery and suspense.

Many cardinals hadn’t met until last week and lamented they needed more time to get to know one another, raising questions about how long it might take for one man to secure the two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots, necessary to become the 267th pope.

“Wait and see, a little patience, wait and see,” said Cardinal Mario Zenari, the Vatican’s ambassador to Syria.

The cardinals had entered the Sistine Chapel in pairs, chanting the meditative “Litany of the Saints” as Swiss Guards stood at attention. The hymn implores the saints to help the cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conclave-pope-francis-cardinals-43cf0a0099c8866f358a7e0d78eb1877">find a</a>&nbsp;leader of the 1.4 billion-strong church.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the 70-year-old secretary of state under Francis and himself a leading contender to succeed him as pope, assumed the leadership of the proceedings as the senior cardinal under age 80 eligible to participate.

He stood before Michelangelo’s vision of heaven and hell, “The Last Judgment,” and led the other cardinals in a lengthy oath. Each one followed, placing his hand on the Gospel and promising in Latin to maintain utmost secrecy.

Earlier in the day, the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, presided over a morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica urging the voters to set aside all personal interests and find a pope who prizes unity. He prayed for a pope who could awaken the conscience of the world.

He reminded the cardinals that the awesomeness of the Sistine Chapel’s frescoes is meant to remind the cardinals of the weighty responsibility they bear. In his regulations for the conclave, Re recalled, St. John Paul II wrote that in the Sistine Chapel, “everything is conducive to an awareness of the presence of God.”

After the cardinals took their oaths, the master of papal liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, called out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-glossary-3f34cfc8bda3570b9ecf0602d20990fb">“extra omnes,”</a>&nbsp;Latin for “all out” and anyone not eligible to vote left before the chapel doors closed. An elderly cardinal remained to deliver a meditation, but after he finished, he too, had to leave since he was too old to vote.

While cardinals this week said they expected a short conclave, it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting. For much of the past century, it has taken between three and 14 ballots to find a pope. John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days in 1978 — was elected on the fourth ballot. His successor, John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013.

The cardinals are supposed to resist any “secular” influences in their choice of pope, but such lobbying abounded in Rome in the days before the conclave as various groups reminded cardinals of what ordinary Catholics want in a leader.

Young Catholics penned an open letter reminding cardinals that there is no church without young people, women and the laity. Conservative Catholic media slipped cardinals copies of a glossy book containing their assessments of contenders. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse warned cardinals that they would be held accountable if they failed to find a leader who will crack down on decades of abuse and cover-up.

Advocates for women’s ordination sent pink smoke signals Wednesday over the Vatican to demand that women be allowed to be priests and participate in a conclave.

Even the White House got involved, posting a photo of President Donald&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pope-francis-conclave-ai-image-bishops-9d88286886c350c4465f7c2afb7a5e41">Trump dressed as a pope</a>. Trump said it was a joke, but the gesture was denounced by former Italian Premier Romano Prodi as “indecent” political interference in matters of faith that hark back to times when secular rulers intervened in conclaves.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, said there was also plenty of lobbying going on among cardinals themselves.

“You invite each other out,” Dolan said on SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel before the conclave began. “And you’re pretty blunt. Now, we’re not, you know, we’re not horse trading here. We’re saying, ‘Tell me about this guy. You’re from Latin America. Go through the list of bishops. Tell me some of these fellas. Am I right to be enchanted by this guy?’”

Lisette Herrera, a 54-year-old tourist from the Dominican Republic, was deeply moved to find herself by chance in Rome as the conclave began. She decided Wednesday morning to skip the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain and pray instead in St. Peter’s Square.

“I’m praying to the Holy Spirit for a young pope who would stay with us for a long time,” she said. “I don’t believe in conclave politics, I just feel that the Holy Spirit is here and that’s all we need to know.”

Many&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-challenges-lgbtq-women-sex-abuse-e73199910f1723282b91984f207ad5a0">challenges</a>&nbsp;await the new pope and weigh on the cardinals — above all whether to continue and consolidate Francis’ progressive legacy on promoting women, LGBTQ+ acceptance, the environment and migrants, or roll it back to try to unify a church that became more polarized during his pontificate. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-abuse-pope-b882375878b2f33c5a53c1dc9e345356">clergy sex abuse scandal</a>&nbsp;hung over the pre-conclave talks.

Since Francis chose 80% of the voters, continuity is likely, but the form it might take is uncertain and identifying front-runners has been a challenge.

But some names keep appearing on lists of “papabile,” or cardinals having the qualities to be pope. In addition to Parolin, they include:

— Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, a top candidate to be history’s first Asian pope. He headed the Vatican’s evangelization office responsible for the Catholic Church in much of the developing world.

— Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, the archbishop of Budapest, is a leading candidate representing the more conservative wing of the church.

For AP’s full coverage of the conclave, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/papal-conclave">https://apnews.com/hub/papal-conclave</a>&nbsp;___

AP reporters Giada Zampano and Vanessa Gera contributed.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, signalling that no pope had been elected as 133 cardinals opened the secretive, centuries-old ritual to choose a new leader of the Catholic Church.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Black smoke. No pope. Conclave continues Thursday. <a href="https://t.co/yn6p1ct9ve">pic.twitter.com/yn6p1ct9ve</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1920193635967963540?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The cardinals participating in the most&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-cardinal-d01b3bfd056836e89560e3b40337b89e">geographically diverse conclave</a>&nbsp;in the faith’s 2,000-year history took just one round of voting Wednesday evening. After failing to find a winner on the first ballot, they retired for the night and will return to the Sistine Chapel on Thursday morning to try to find a successor to Pope Francis.They had opened the conclave Wednesday afternoon, participating in a rite more theatrical than even Hollywood could create, a wash of red-robed cardinals, Latin chants, incense and solemnity that underscored the seriousness of the moment.Outside in St. Peter’s Square, the scene was festive, as thousands of people flocked to the piazza to watch the proceedings on giant video screens, applauding when the Sistine Chapel’s doors slammed shut and the voting began. They waited for hours, watching screens that showed just a skinny chimney and occasional seagull. After the vote dragged on to dinnertime, some left in frustration, but those who stayed cheered when the smoke finally billowed out.“My hope is that cardinals will choose a man who can be a peacemaker and could reunify the church,” said Gabriel Capry, a 27-year-old from London.<h2>A diverse group of cardinals</h2>Hailing from 70 countries, the cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/francis-election-conclave-pope-vatican-catholics-87fcd94f759575b8744a4d2899371275#:~:text=VATICAN%20CITY%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The,the%20world's%201.3%20billion%20Catholics.">were sequestered</a>&nbsp;Wednesday from the outside world, their cellphones surrendered and airwaves around the Vatican jammed to prevent all communications until they find a new pope.Francis named 108 of the 133 “princes of the church,” choosing many pastors in his image from far-flung countries like Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga that had never had a cardinal before.His decision to surpass the usual limit of 120 cardinal electors and include younger ones from the “global south” — often marginalized countries with lower economic clout — has injected an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-pope-b4883723cbbba159b0264dd76526b55d">unusual degree of uncertainty</a>&nbsp;in a process that is always full of mystery and suspense.Many cardinals hadn’t met until last week and lamented they needed more time to get to know one another, raising questions about how long it might take for one man to secure the two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots, necessary to become the 267th pope.“Wait and see, a little patience, wait and see,” said Cardinal Mario Zenari, the Vatican’s ambassador to Syria.<h2>The oath and “Extra omnes”</h2>The cardinals had entered the Sistine Chapel in pairs, chanting the meditative “Litany of the Saints” as Swiss Guards stood at attention. The hymn implores the saints to help the cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conclave-pope-francis-cardinals-43cf0a0099c8866f358a7e0d78eb1877">find a</a>&nbsp;leader of the 1.4 billion-strong church.Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the 70-year-old secretary of state under Francis and himself a leading contender to succeed him as pope, assumed the leadership of the proceedings as the senior cardinal under age 80 eligible to participate.He stood before Michelangelo’s vision of heaven and hell, “The Last Judgment,” and led the other cardinals in a lengthy oath. Each one followed, placing his hand on the Gospel and promising in Latin to maintain utmost secrecy.Earlier in the day, the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, presided over a morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica urging the voters to set aside all personal interests and find a pope who prizes unity. He prayed for a pope who could awaken the conscience of the world.He reminded the cardinals that the awesomeness of the Sistine Chapel’s frescoes is meant to remind the cardinals of the weighty responsibility they bear. In his regulations for the conclave, Re recalled, St. John Paul II wrote that in the Sistine Chapel, “everything is conducive to an awareness of the presence of God.”After the cardinals took their oaths, the master of papal liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, called out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-glossary-3f34cfc8bda3570b9ecf0602d20990fb">“extra omnes,”</a>&nbsp;Latin for “all out” and anyone not eligible to vote left before the chapel doors closed. An elderly cardinal remained to deliver a meditation, but after he finished, he too, had to leave since he was too old to vote.While cardinals this week said they expected a short conclave, it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting. For much of the past century, it has taken between three and 14 ballots to find a pope. John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days in 1978 — was elected on the fourth ballot. His successor, John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013.<h2>Lobbying before the conclave</h2>The cardinals are supposed to resist any “secular” influences in their choice of pope, but such lobbying abounded in Rome in the days before the conclave as various groups reminded cardinals of what ordinary Catholics want in a leader.Young Catholics penned an open letter reminding cardinals that there is no church without young people, women and the laity. Conservative Catholic media slipped cardinals copies of a glossy book containing their assessments of contenders. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse warned cardinals that they would be held accountable if they failed to find a leader who will crack down on decades of abuse and cover-up.Advocates for women’s ordination sent pink smoke signals Wednesday over the Vatican to demand that women be allowed to be priests and participate in a conclave.Even the White House got involved, posting a photo of President Donald&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pope-francis-conclave-ai-image-bishops-9d88286886c350c4465f7c2afb7a5e41">Trump dressed as a pope</a>. Trump said it was a joke, but the gesture was denounced by former Italian Premier Romano Prodi as “indecent” political interference in matters of faith that hark back to times when secular rulers intervened in conclaves.Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, said there was also plenty of lobbying going on among cardinals themselves.“You invite each other out,” Dolan said on SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel before the conclave began. “And you’re pretty blunt. Now, we’re not, you know, we’re not horse trading here. We’re saying, ‘Tell me about this guy. You’re from Latin America. Go through the list of bishops. Tell me some of these fellas. Am I right to be enchanted by this guy?’”Lisette Herrera, a 54-year-old tourist from the Dominican Republic, was deeply moved to find herself by chance in Rome as the conclave began. She decided Wednesday morning to skip the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain and pray instead in St. Peter’s Square.“I’m praying to the Holy Spirit for a young pope who would stay with us for a long time,” she said. “I don’t believe in conclave politics, I just feel that the Holy Spirit is here and that’s all we need to know.”<h2>Challenges facing a new pope</h2>Many&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-challenges-lgbtq-women-sex-abuse-e73199910f1723282b91984f207ad5a0">challenges</a>&nbsp;await the new pope and weigh on the cardinals — above all whether to continue and consolidate Francis’ progressive legacy on promoting women, LGBTQ+ acceptance, the environment and migrants, or roll it back to try to unify a church that became more polarized during his pontificate. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-abuse-pope-b882375878b2f33c5a53c1dc9e345356">clergy sex abuse scandal</a>&nbsp;hung over the pre-conclave talks.Since Francis chose 80% of the voters, continuity is likely, but the form it might take is uncertain and identifying front-runners has been a challenge.But some names keep appearing on lists of “papabile,” or cardinals having the qualities to be pope. In addition to Parolin, they include:— Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, a top candidate to be history’s first Asian pope. He headed the Vatican’s evangelization office responsible for the Catholic Church in much of the developing world.— Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, the archbishop of Budapest, is a leading candidate representing the more conservative wing of the church.___For AP’s full coverage of the conclave, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/papal-conclave">https://apnews.com/hub/papal-conclave</a>&nbsp;___AP reporters Giada Zampano and Vanessa Gera contributed.___

🎥Black smoke from Sistine Chapel chimney signals end of first day of conclave

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The great doors of the Sistine Chapel shut Wednesday after the cry of “extra omnes” — Latin for “all out” — and 133 cardinals began the secretive, centuries-old ritual of electing a new pope to lead the Catholic Church, opening the most&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-cardinal-d01b3bfd056836e89560e3b40337b89e">geographically diverse conclave</a>&nbsp;in the faith’s 2,000-year history.

The red-robed cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel in pairs, chanting the meditative “Litany of the Saints” as Swiss Guards stood at attention. The hymn implores the saints to help the cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conclave-pope-francis-cardinals-43cf0a0099c8866f358a7e0d78eb1877">find a successor to Pope Francis to lead</a>&nbsp;the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state under Francis and himself a leading contender to succeed him as pope, assumed the leadership of the proceedings as the senior cardinal under age 80.

Speaking in Latin, Parolin stood before Michelangelo's vision of heaven and hell, “The Last Judgment,” and led the cardinals in a lengthy oath. Each one followed, placing his hand on the Gospel and promising in Latin to maintain utmost secrecy.

The dramatic ritual was more colorful than even Hollywood could create, a wash of colors, chants, incense and solemnity that underscored the seriousness of the moment. Outside in St. Peter's Square, the scene was almost festive, as hundreds of people watched the proceedings on giant video screens, applauding when the Sistine Chapel's doors shut and the Vatican feed cut off.

They were waiting until later Wednesday to see the first puffs of smoke from the chapel chimney to learn whether a pope had been elected or not.

Hailing from 70 countries, the cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/francis-election-conclave-pope-vatican-catholics-87fcd94f759575b8744a4d2899371275#:~:text=VATICAN%20CITY%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The,the%20world's%201.3%20billion%20Catholics.">have been sequestered</a>&nbsp;from the outside world, their cellphones surrendered and airwaves around the Vatican jammed to prevent all communications until they find a new pope.

He reminded the cardinals that the awesomeness of the Sistine Chapel's frescoes, and Michelangelo's in particular, is meant to remind the cardinals of the weighty responsibility they bear. In his regulations for the conclave, St. John Paul II wrote that in the Sistine Chapel, “everything is conducive to an awareness of the presence of God.”

After the cardinals took their oaths, the master of papal liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, called out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-glossary-3f34cfc8bda3570b9ecf0602d20990fb">“extra omnes,”</a>&nbsp;and anyone not eligible to vote left before the chapel doors closed. An elderly cardinal remained to deliver a meditation, but after it was finished he, too, had to leave.

The cardinals don’t have to take a first vote Wednesday, but they were expected to. Assuming no winner is found, the Vatican said black smoke could be expected out of the Sistine Chapel chimney about 7 p.m.

The cardinals retire for the night and return Thursday morning. They can hold up to two ballots in the morning and two in the afternoon until a winner is found.

While the cardinals are supposed to resist any “secular” influences in their choice, such lobbying abounded in Rome in the days before the conclave as various groups reminded cardinals of what ordinary Catholics want in a leader.

Even the White House got involved, posting a photo of President Donald&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pope-francis-conclave-ai-image-bishops-9d88286886c350c4465f7c2afb7a5e41">Trump dressed as a pope</a>. Trump said it was a joke, but the gesture was denounced by former Italian Premier Romano Prodi as “indecent” political interference in matters of faith that hark back to times when secular rulers intervened in conclaves and habitually wielded religion to stay in power.

“You invite each other out,” Dolan said on SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel before the conclave began. "And you’re pretty blunt. Now, we’re not, you know, we’re not horse trading here. We’re saying, ‘Tell me about this guy. You’re from Latin America. Go through the list of bishops. Tell me some of these fellas. Am I right to be enchanted by this guy?’”

Many&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-challenges-lgbtq-women-sex-abuse-e73199910f1723282b91984f207ad5a0">challenges</a>&nbsp;face the new pope and weigh on the cardinals — above all whether to continue and consolidate Francis’ progressive legacy on promoting women, LGBTQ+ acceptance, the environment and migrants, or roll it back to try to unify a church that became more polarized during his pontificate. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-abuse-pope-b882375878b2f33c5a53c1dc9e345356">clergy sex abuse scandal</a>&nbsp;hung over the pre-conclave talks.

But some names keep appearing on lists of “papabile,” or cardinals having the qualities to be pope, in addition to Parolin.

— Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, is a top candidate to be history’s first Asian pope. He headed the Vatican’s evangelization office responsible for the Catholic Church in much of the developing world.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746637756380.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) — The great doors of the Sistine Chapel shut Wednesday after the cry of “extra omnes” — Latin for “all out” — and 133 cardinals began the secretive, centuries-old ritual of electing a new pope to lead the Catholic Church, opening the most&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-cardinal-d01b3bfd056836e89560e3b40337b89e">geographically diverse conclave</a>&nbsp;in the faith’s 2,000-year history.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Conclave has begun. <a href="https://t.co/dGx6g6Yn21">pic.twitter.com/dGx6g6Yn21</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1920144730597527673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The red-robed cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel in pairs, chanting the meditative “Litany of the Saints” as Swiss Guards stood at attention. The hymn implores the saints to help the cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conclave-pope-francis-cardinals-43cf0a0099c8866f358a7e0d78eb1877">find a successor to Pope Francis to lead</a>&nbsp;the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state under Francis and himself a leading contender to succeed him as pope, assumed the leadership of the proceedings as the senior cardinal under age 80.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Procession of Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel for Conclave to elect new Pope. Full video here: <a href="https://t.co/ebXmpimoBc">https://t.co/ebXmpimoBc</a> <a href="https://t.co/HY2OWdoNVx">pic.twitter.com/HY2OWdoNVx</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1920140346962673860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Speaking in Latin, Parolin stood before Michelangelo's vision of heaven and hell, “The Last Judgment,” and led the cardinals in a lengthy oath. Each one followed, placing his hand on the Gospel and promising in Latin to maintain utmost secrecy.The dramatic ritual was more colorful than even Hollywood could create, a wash of colors, chants, incense and solemnity that underscored the seriousness of the moment. Outside in St. Peter's Square, the scene was almost festive, as hundreds of people watched the proceedings on giant video screens, applauding when the Sistine Chapel's doors shut and the Vatican feed cut off.They were waiting until later Wednesday to see the first puffs of smoke from the chapel chimney to learn whether a pope had been elected or not.“My hope is that cardinals will choose a man who can be a peacemaker and could reunify the church,” said Gabriel Capry, a 27-year-old from London.<h2>A diverse group of cardinals</h2>Hailing from 70 countries, the cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/francis-election-conclave-pope-vatican-catholics-87fcd94f759575b8744a4d2899371275#:~:text=VATICAN%20CITY%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The,the%20world's%201.3%20billion%20Catholics.">have been sequestered</a>&nbsp;from the outside world, their cellphones surrendered and airwaves around the Vatican jammed to prevent all communications until they find a new pope.Francis named 108 of the 133 “princes of the church,” choosing many pastors in his image from far-flung countries like Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga that had never had a cardinal before.His decision to surpass the usual limit of 120 cardinal electors and include younger ones from the “global south” — often marginalized countries with lower economic clout — has injected an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-pope-b4883723cbbba159b0264dd76526b55d">unusual degree of uncertainty</a>&nbsp;in a process that is always full of mystery and suspense.Many cardinals hadn’t met until last week and lamented they needed more time to get to know one another, raising questions about how long it might take for one man to secure the two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots, necessary to become the 267th pope.“Wait and see, a little patience, wait and see,” said Cardinal Mario Zenari, the Vatican’s ambassador to Syria.<h2>A final Mass, then ‘all out’</h2>Earlier in the day, the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, presided over a morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica urging the voters to set aside all personal interests and find a pope who prizes unity. He prayed for a pope who could awaken the conscience of the world.He reminded the cardinals that the awesomeness of the Sistine Chapel's frescoes, and Michelangelo's in particular, is meant to remind the cardinals of the weighty responsibility they bear. In his regulations for the conclave, St. John Paul II wrote that in the Sistine Chapel, “everything is conducive to an awareness of the presence of God.”After the cardinals took their oaths, the master of papal liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, called out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-glossary-3f34cfc8bda3570b9ecf0602d20990fb">“extra omnes,”</a>&nbsp;and anyone not eligible to vote left before the chapel doors closed. An elderly cardinal remained to deliver a meditation, but after it was finished he, too, had to leave.The cardinals don’t have to take a first vote Wednesday, but they were expected to. Assuming no winner is found, the Vatican said black smoke could be expected out of the Sistine Chapel chimney about 7 p.m.The cardinals retire for the night and return Thursday morning. They can hold up to two ballots in the morning and two in the afternoon until a winner is found.While cardinals this week said they expected a short conclave, it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting. For much of the past century, it has taken between three and 14 ballots to find a pope. John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days in 1978 — was elected on the fourth ballot. His successor, John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013.<h2>Lobbying before the conclave</h2>While the cardinals are supposed to resist any “secular” influences in their choice, such lobbying abounded in Rome in the days before the conclave as various groups reminded cardinals of what ordinary Catholics want in a leader.Young Catholics penned an open letter reminding cardinals that there is no church without young people, women and the laity. Conservative Catholic media slipped cardinals copies of a glossy book containing their assessments of contenders. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse warned cardinals that they would be held accountable if they failed to find a leader who will crack down on decades of abuse and cover-up.Advocates for women’s ordination sent pink smoke signals Wednesday over the Vatican to demand that women be allowed to be priests and participate in a conclave.Even the White House got involved, posting a photo of President Donald&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pope-francis-conclave-ai-image-bishops-9d88286886c350c4465f7c2afb7a5e41">Trump dressed as a pope</a>. Trump said it was a joke, but the gesture was denounced by former Italian Premier Romano Prodi as “indecent” political interference in matters of faith that hark back to times when secular rulers intervened in conclaves and habitually wielded religion to stay in power.Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, said there was also plenty of lobbying going on among cardinals themselves.“You invite each other out,” Dolan said on SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel before the conclave began. "And you’re pretty blunt. Now, we’re not, you know, we’re not horse trading here. We’re saying, ‘Tell me about this guy. You’re from Latin America. Go through the list of bishops. Tell me some of these fellas. Am I right to be enchanted by this guy?’”Lisette Herrera, a 54-year-old tourist from the Dominican Republic, was deeply moved to find herself by chance in Rome as the conclave began. She decided Wednesday morning to skip the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain and pray instead in St. Peter’s Square.“I’m praying to the Holy Spirit for a young pope who would stay with us for a long time,” she said. “I don’t believe in conclave politics, I just feel that the Holy Spirit is here and that’s all we need to know.”<h2>Challenges facing a new pope</h2>Many&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-challenges-lgbtq-women-sex-abuse-e73199910f1723282b91984f207ad5a0">challenges</a>&nbsp;face the new pope and weigh on the cardinals — above all whether to continue and consolidate Francis’ progressive legacy on promoting women, LGBTQ+ acceptance, the environment and migrants, or roll it back to try to unify a church that became more polarized during his pontificate. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-abuse-pope-b882375878b2f33c5a53c1dc9e345356">clergy sex abuse scandal</a>&nbsp;hung over the pre-conclave talks.Since Francis chose 80% of the voters, continuity is likely, but the form it might take is uncertain and identifying front-runners has been a challenge.But some names keep appearing on lists of “papabile,” or cardinals having the qualities to be pope, in addition to Parolin.— Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, is a top candidate to be history’s first Asian pope. He headed the Vatican’s evangelization office responsible for the Catholic Church in much of the developing world.— Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, the archbishop of Budapest, is a leading candidate representing the more conservative wing of the church.___

🎥Watch doors to Sistine Chapel close as conclave to elect new pope begins

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; Unsafe turning or stopping - Fail to Signal; FTY to Emergency vehicle; Circumvention of Ignition Interlock device; Poss. of marijuana

NAME:&nbsp;Edwards Wilson, Melynda Lanell

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Agg. Domestic Battery: impede breathing/choke

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746626063757.jpeg" alt="Adams, Angel Messiah&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Adams, Angel Messiah&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME: Adams, Angel MessiahREQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746626079485.jpeg" alt="Lanier, Joshua Cade" />
 <figcaption>Lanier, Joshua Cade</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Lanier, Joshua CadeREQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; Unsafe turning or stopping - Fail to Signal; FTY to Emergency vehicle; Circumvention of Ignition Interlock device; Poss. of marijuana<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746626030436.jpeg" alt="Edwards Wilson, Melynda Lanell" />
 <figcaption>Edwards Wilson, Melynda Lanell</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Edwards Wilson, Melynda LanellREQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746626102022.jpeg" alt="Hassler, Jeramy Ronald" />
 <figcaption>Hassler, Jeramy Ronald</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Hassler,Jeramy RonaldREQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Agg. Domestic Battery: impede breathing/choke

Saline County Jail Bookings, May 7

Two men were hospitalized after an argument over a puppy turned violent.

According to Salina Police Captain James Feldman, on Tuesday, May 6th officers arrived to a residence in the 700 block of N. 8th. Allegedly, a 34-year old man reported that him and his roomate identified as Jeramy Hassler, got into an argument over the care of puppy.

The 34-year old male stated that the argument became violent, when Hassler took him to the ground and started to impede his breathing by applying pressure to his neck. The man was able to grab a nearby rubber mallet and used it to strike Hassler in the head, which released himself.

Afterwards, the 34-year old man called police and upon arrival both men were transported to Salina Regional Health Center for minor injuries.&nbsp;

Further investigation determined that Hassler would be booked into the Saline County Jail for Aggravated Domestic Battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574094885919.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTTwo men were hospitalized after an argument over a puppy turned violent.According to Salina Police Captain James Feldman, on Tuesday, May 6th officers arrived to a residence in the 700 block of N. 8th. Allegedly, a 34-year old man reported that him and his roomate identified as Jeramy Hassler, got into an argument over the care of puppy.The 34-year old male stated that the argument became violent, when Hassler took him to the ground and started to impede his breathing by applying pressure to his neck. The man was able to grab a nearby rubber mallet and used it to strike Hassler in the head, which released himself.Afterwards, the 34-year old man called police and upon arrival both men were transported to Salina Regional Health Center for minor injuries.&nbsp;Further investigation determined that Hassler would be booked into the Saline County Jail for Aggravated Domestic Battery.

Argument Over Puppy Turns Violent 

Job description: Leading the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.

There are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/next-pope-contenders-list-101d68d61be2401a85310e34b45371a9">no official candidates</a>&nbsp;for the papacy, but some cardinals are considered “papabile,” or possessing the characteristics necessary to become pope. After St. John Paul II broke the centurieslong Italian hold on the papacy in 1978, the field of contenders has broadened considerably.

When the cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conclave-definition-what-happens-92a4da4116a62ccc165a63d1ae3c30dc">enter the Sistine Chapel on May 7</a>&nbsp;to choose a successor to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">Pope Francis</a>, the first pontiff from Latin America, they will be looking above all for a holy man who can guide the Catholic Church. Beyond that, they will weigh his administrative and pastoral experience and consider what the church needs today.

Here is a selection of possible contenders, in no particular order. The list will be updated as cardinals continue their closed-door, preconclave discussions.

Position: Vatican secretary of state under Francis

The 70-year-old veteran diplomat was Francis' secretary of state, essentially the Holy See's prime minister.

Though associated closely with Francis' pontificate, Parolin is much more demure in personality and diplomatic in his approach to leading than the Argentine Jesuit he served and he knows where the Catholic Church might need a course correction.

Parolin oversaw the Holy See’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-vatican-agreement-b9cd669a0a91ad3da8fc70fe41611bdb">controversial deal with China</a>&nbsp;over bishop nominations and was involved -- but not charged -- in the Vatican’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/london-europe-voting-rights-business-religion-4abac4eee3bfd02205349c353906fcbf">botched investment</a>&nbsp;in a London real estate venture that led to a 2021 trial of another cardinal and nine others. A former ambassador to Venezuela, Parolin knows the Latin American church well and played a key role in the 2014 U.S.-Cuba detente, which the Vatican helped facilitate.

If he were elected, he would return an Italian to the papacy after three successive outsiders: St. John Paul II (Poland), Pope Benedict XVI (Germany) and Francis (Argentina).

But Parolin has very little pastoral experience: He entered the seminary at age 14, four years after his father was killed in a car accident. After his 1980 ordination, he spent two years as a parish priest near his hometown in northern Italy, but then went to Rome to study and entered the Vatican diplomatic service, where he has remained ever since. He has served at Vatican embassies in Nigeria, Mexico and Venezuela.

He is widely respected for his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-ukraine-white-flag-af55b9a6e3fe1e1bff5f3a07104e52cb">diplomatic finesse</a>&nbsp;on some of the thorniest dossiers facing the Catholic Church. He has long been involved in the China file, and he played a hands-on role in the Holy See’s diplomatic rapprochement with Vietnam that resulted in an agreement to establish a resident Vatican representative in the country.

Parolin was also the Vatican’s point-person in its frustrated efforts to end the wars in Ukraine and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-israel-palestinians-gaza-d837110b8201d7dc6494216ddb812b3f">Middle East</a>. He has tried to make the church’s voice heard as the Trump administration began working to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Let’s hope we can arrive at a peace that, in order to be solid, lasting, must be a just peace, must involve all the actors who are at stake and take into account the principles of international law and the UN declarations,” he said.

Parolin might find the geopolitical reality ushered in by the Trump administration somewhat unreceptive to the Holy See's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-pope-francis-diplomacy-europe-83a98bf40d2c51ba8a1de88e847c6e70">soft power</a>.

Position: Pro-Prefect, Dicastery for Evangelization under Francis

Experience: Former archbishop of Manila, Philippines

Tagle, 67, is on many bookmakers’ lists to be the first Asian pope, a choice that would acknowledge a part of the world where the church is growing.

Francis brought the popular&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-7c1fff5eabfe9b8eb5c3d48769580f02">archbishop of Manila</a>&nbsp;to Rome to head the Vatican’s missionary evangelization office, which serves the needs of the Catholic Church in much of Asia and Africa. His role took on greater weight when Francis reformed the Vatican bureaucracy. Tagle often cites his Chinese heritage — his maternal grandmother was part of a Chinese family that moved to the Philippines.

Though he has pastoral, Vatican and management experience — he headed the Vatican’s Caritas Internationalis federation of charity groups before coming to Rome permanently — Tagle would be on the young side to be elected pope, with cardinals perhaps preferring an older candidate whose papacy would be more limited.

Tagle is known as a good communicator and teacher — key attributes for a pope.

“The pope will have to do a lot of teaching, we’ll have to face the cameras all the time so if there will be a communicator pope, that’s very desirable,” said Leo Ocampo, a theology professor at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

That said, Tagle’s tenure at Caritas was not without controversy and some have questioned his management skills.

In 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-religion-philanthropy-dd48a5818e58a1c416b27b57925b895a">,</a>&nbsp;Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-religion-philanthropy-dd48a5818e58a1c416b27b57925b895a">ousted the Caritas management</a>, including demoting Tagle. The Holy See said an outside investigation had found “real deficiencies” in management that had affected staff morale at the Caritas secretariat in Rome.

— By Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, and Nicole Winfield in Vatican City

Experience: President of the bishops conferences of Africa and Madagascar

The 65-year-old Ambongo is one of Africa's most outspoken Catholic leaders, heading the archdiocese that has the largest number of Catholics on the continent that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-religion-egypt-africa-middle-east-52264c1e130b3fe5b352a1a8c93dbff6">seen as the future of the church</a>.

He has been archbishop of Congo's capital since 2018 and a cardinal since in 2019. Francis also appointed him to a group of advisers that was helping reorganize the Vatican bureaucracy.

In Congo and across Africa, Ambongo has been deeply committed to the Catholic orthodoxy and is seen as conservative.

In 2024, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-lgbtq-blessing-africa-france-12ede13dec72ecdd9f6da1dd1877d7e5">signed a statement</a>&nbsp;on behalf of the bishops conferences of Africa and Madagascar refusing to follow Francis'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-lgbtq-pope-bfa5b71fa79055626e362936e739d1d8">declaration allowing priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples</a>&nbsp;in what amounted to continent-wide dissent from a papal teaching. The rebuke crystalized both the African church's line on LGBTQ+ outreach and Ambongo's stature within the African hierarchy.

He has received praise from some in Congo for promoting interfaith tolerance, especially on a continent where religious divisions between Christians and Muslims are common.

“He is for the openness of the church to different cultures,” said Monsignor Donatien Nshole, secretary-general of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo, who has long worked with Ambongo.

An outspoken government critic, the cardinal is also known for his unwavering advocacy for social justice.

In a country with high poverty and hunger levels despite being rich in minerals, and where fighting by rebel groups has killed thousands and displaced millions in one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises, he frequently criticizes both government corruption and inaction, as well as the exploitation of the country’s natural resources by foreign powers.

“Congo is the plate from which everyone eats, except for our people,” he said last year during a speech at the Pontifical Antonianum University.

Ambongo's criticism of authorities has drawn both public admiration and legal scrutiny. Last year, prosecutors ordered a judicial investigation of him after accusing him of “seditious behavior” over his criticism of the government’s handling of the conflict in eastern Congo.

Current position: Archbishop of Bologna, Italy, president of the Italian bishops conference

Previous position: Auxiliary bishop of Rome

Zuppi, 69, came up as a street priest in the image of Francis, who promoted him quickly: first to archbishop of the wealthy archdiocese of Bologna in northern Italy in 2015, before bestowing the title of cardinal in 2019.

He is closely closely affiliated with the Sant’Egidio Community, a Rome-based Catholic charity that was influential under Francis, particularly in interfaith dialogue. Zuppi was part of Sant’Egidio’s team that helped negotiate the end of Mozambique’s civil war in the 1990s and was named Francis’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-ukraine-pope-0e9ee7e7c9b26b4fa3da2dbebf7b5dfc">peace envoy</a>&nbsp;for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

He traveled to Kyiv and Moscow after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the Holy See for help in winning the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-vatican-pope-children-reunification-24c3931fd9fe3234ddb8e3fdf949f02f">19,000 Ukrainian children taken from their families</a>&nbsp;and brought to Russia during the war. The mission also took him to China and the United States.

After making him a cardinal, Francis made clear he wanted him in charge of Italy’s bishops, a sign of his admiration for the prelate who, like Francis, is known as a “street priest” — someone who prioritizes ministering to poor and homeless people and refugees.

Zuppi would be a candidate in Francis’ tradition of ministering to those on the margins, although his relative youth would count against him for cardinals seeking a short papacy.

In a sign of his progressive leanings, Zuppi wrote the introduction to the Italian edition of “Building a Bridge,” by the Rev. James Martin, an American Jesuit, about the church’s need to improve its outreach to the LGBTQ+ community.