By WILL WEISSERT, JOSH BOAK and NICOLE WINFIELD&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump refused to apologize to Pope Leo XIV on Monday after criticizing the pontiff for his opposition to the war in Iran — and he sought to explain away a now-deleted social media post depicting himself as Jesus by saying he had thought the image was of him as a doctor.

Trump was asked about his comments toward the U.S.-born head of the Catholic Church, as well as the post depicting himself as a healer, in a hastily called question-and-answer session with reporters at the White House.

“He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran. Pope Leo would not be happy with the end result,” Trump said, adding, “I think he’s very weak on crime and other things so I’m not” going to apologize.

“He went public," the Republican president added. "I’m just responding to Pope Leo.”

That response followed Leo pushing back on Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pope-leo-iran-war-relationship-criticism-8473f1d8b8127a77ef94ba2f4ad378fb">broadside against him</a>&nbsp;the previous evening, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.

“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” Leo told The Associated Press aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria. “And I’m sorry to hear that, but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today.”

The back-and-forth between the world's two most influential Americans served to deepen a burgeoning schism as the U.S. war in Iran stretched into its seventh week.

History’s first U.S.-born pope stressed that he was not making a direct attack against Trump or anyone else with his general appeal for peace and criticisms of the Iran war and other conflicts around the world.

“I’m not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what the Church works for," said Leo, who said he had a different perspective on foreign policy than elected officials.

“I will continue to speak out strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems,” he said.

Trump speaks to his much-criticized social media post

The image posted by the president Sunday night showed Trump wearing a biblical-style robe and laying hands on a bedridden man as light emanates from his fingers — while a soldier, a nurse, a praying woman and a bearded man in a baseball cap all look on admiringly. The sky above is filled with eagles, an American flag and vaporous images.

“I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and it had to do with the Red Cross,” Trump said. “It’s supposed to me as a doctor, making people better. And I do make people better. A lot better.”

He blamed the “fake news” for any confusion over the image, though it drew criticism from a wide range of people, including some of Trump's own evangelical supporters, who objected to the notion that Trump was likening himself to Christ. Even Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, assailed the “desecration of Jesus" while also speaking up to defend the pope.

The post was deleted from Trump's account late Monday morning. Trump didn't provide details on how that happened.

Trump had charged that Leo is not ‘doing a very good job’

The president criticized the pope in a lengthy social media post while flying back to Washington from Florida on Sunday night. He kept up the denunciation after deplaning, telling reporters, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo."

Leo said Saturday during an evening prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-usisraeli-war-iran-7309c5df6c7312b942e0510ea65502cb">“delusion of omnipotence”</a>&nbsp;was fueling the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">U.S.-Israel war in Iran</a>. The comments came the same day that the United States and Iran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-trump-lebanon-april-11-2026-2be904aee3f804892336730279e054b9">began face-to-face negotiations</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan during a fragile ceasefire.

The pope had earlier named Trump directly and expressed optimism that the president would seek “an off-ramp” in Iran. An even stronger condemnation came after Trump warned of mass strikes against Iranian power plants and infrastructure, writing on social media that “an entire civilization will die tonight.” Leo described that as a “threat against the entire people of Iran” and said it was “truly unacceptable.”

While it’s not unusual for popes and presidents to be at cross purposes, it’s exceedingly rare for the pope to directly criticize a U.S. leader — and Trump’s stinging response is equally uncommon.

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” the president wrote in his post, adding, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon."

Leo, who began an 11-day trip to Africa on Monday, has previously said that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.” He's also referred to an Old Testament passage from Isaiah, saying that “even though you make many prayers, I will not listen — your hands are full of blood.”

Still, in his comments on Monday, as in his Sunday night social media post, Trump went far beyond the war in Iran in criticizing Leo.

“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do." His post also claimed that Leo was only elected pontiff “because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”

“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote, adding, “Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”

In his comments to reporters after stepping off Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said of Leo, “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess,” adding, “He’s a very liberal person.”

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, also said he was “disheartened” by Trump’s comments.

“Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician," Coakley said in a statement. “He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.”

Winfield reported from aboard the papal plane.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1776122240391.png" alt="From President Trump's Truth Social account-The post has been deleted" />
 <figcaption>From President Trump's Truth Social account-The post has been deleted</figcaption>
 </figure>By WILL WEISSERT, JOSH BOAK and NICOLE WINFIELD&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump refused to apologize to Pope Leo XIV on Monday after criticizing the pontiff for his opposition to the war in Iran — and he sought to explain away a now-deleted social media post depicting himself as Jesus by saying he had thought the image was of him as a doctor.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;[Bishop Robert Barron] now says you owe Pope Leo an apology. Will you apologize?&quot; President Trump: &quot;No, I don&#39;t. Because Pope Leo said things that are wrong. He was very much against what I&#39;m doing with regard to Iran.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/XrdkFXN38O">pic.twitter.com/XrdkFXN38O</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2043736361627164801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Q: &quot;Did you post that picture of yourself depicted as Jesus Christ?&quot; President Trump: &quot;I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/1kwM0Ac8C4">pic.twitter.com/1kwM0Ac8C4</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2043734091099418978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump was asked about his comments toward the U.S.-born head of the Catholic Church, as well as the post depicting himself as a healer, in a hastily called question-and-answer session with reporters at the White House.“He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran. Pope Leo would not be happy with the end result,” Trump said, adding, “I think he’s very weak on crime and other things so I’m not” going to apologize.“He went public," the Republican president added. "I’m just responding to Pope Leo.”That response followed Leo pushing back on Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pope-leo-iran-war-relationship-criticism-8473f1d8b8127a77ef94ba2f4ad378fb">broadside against him</a>&nbsp;the previous evening, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” Leo told The Associated Press aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria. “And I’m sorry to hear that, but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today.”The back-and-forth between the world's two most influential Americans served to deepen a burgeoning schism as the U.S. war in Iran stretched into its seventh week.History’s first U.S.-born pope stressed that he was not making a direct attack against Trump or anyone else with his general appeal for peace and criticisms of the Iran war and other conflicts around the world.“I’m not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what the Church works for," said Leo, who said he had a different perspective on foreign policy than elected officials.“I will continue to speak out strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems,” he said.<h2>Trump speaks to his much-criticized social media post</h2>The image posted by the president Sunday night showed Trump wearing a biblical-style robe and laying hands on a bedridden man as light emanates from his fingers — while a soldier, a nurse, a praying woman and a bearded man in a baseball cap all look on admiringly. The sky above is filled with eagles, an American flag and vaporous images.“I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and it had to do with the Red Cross,” Trump said. “It’s supposed to me as a doctor, making people better. And I do make people better. A lot better.”He blamed the “fake news” for any confusion over the image, though it drew criticism from a wide range of people, including some of Trump's own evangelical supporters, who objected to the notion that Trump was likening himself to Christ. Even Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, assailed the “desecration of Jesus" while also speaking up to defend the pope.The post was deleted from Trump's account late Monday morning. Trump didn't provide details on how that happened.<h2>Trump had charged that Leo is not ‘doing a very good job’</h2>The president criticized the pope in a lengthy social media post while flying back to Washington from Florida on Sunday night. He kept up the denunciation after deplaning, telling reporters, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo."Leo said Saturday during an evening prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-usisraeli-war-iran-7309c5df6c7312b942e0510ea65502cb">“delusion of omnipotence”</a>&nbsp;was fueling the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">U.S.-Israel war in Iran</a>. The comments came the same day that the United States and Iran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-trump-lebanon-april-11-2026-2be904aee3f804892336730279e054b9">began face-to-face negotiations</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan during a fragile ceasefire.The pope had earlier named Trump directly and expressed optimism that the president would seek “an off-ramp” in Iran. An even stronger condemnation came after Trump warned of mass strikes against Iranian power plants and infrastructure, writing on social media that “an entire civilization will die tonight.” Leo described that as a “threat against the entire people of Iran” and said it was “truly unacceptable.”While it’s not unusual for popes and presidents to be at cross purposes, it’s exceedingly rare for the pope to directly criticize a U.S. leader — and Trump’s stinging response is equally uncommon.“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” the president wrote in his post, adding, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon."<h2>Leo's opposition to war irked Trump</h2>Leo, who began an 11-day trip to Africa on Monday, has previously said that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.” He's also referred to an Old Testament passage from Isaiah, saying that “even though you make many prayers, I will not listen — your hands are full of blood.”Still, in his comments on Monday, as in his Sunday night social media post, Trump went far beyond the war in Iran in criticizing Leo.“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do." His post also claimed that Leo was only elected pontiff “because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote, adding, “Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”In his comments to reporters after stepping off Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said of Leo, “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess,” adding, “He’s a very liberal person.”Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, also said he was “disheartened” by Trump’s comments.“Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician," Coakley said in a statement. “He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.”___Winfield reported from aboard the papal plane.

🎥President Trump explains controversial post amid pope feud

By WILL WEISSERT, JOSH BOAK and NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV pushed back Monday on President Donald&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pope-leo-iran-war-relationship-criticism-8473f1d8b8127a77ef94ba2f4ad378fb">Trump’s broadside against him</a>&nbsp;over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.

“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” Leo told The Associated Press aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria. “And I’m sorry to hear that but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today.”

History’s first U.S.-born pope stressed that he was not making a direct attack against Trump or anyone else with his general appeal for peace and criticisms of the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the Iran wars and other conflicts around the world.

“I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’” Leo said.

“I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel and inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, and looking for ways to avoid war any time that’s possible”

Speaking to other reporters, he added: “I have no fear of the Trump administration.”

Trump says Leo is not ‘doing a very good job’

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;delivered an extraordinary broadside against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-leo-xiv">Leo</a>&nbsp;on Sunday night, saying he didn't think the U.S.-born global leader of the Catholic Church is “doing a very good job” and that “he's a very liberal person," while also suggesting the pontiff should “stop catering to the Radical Left.”

Flying back to Washington from Florida, Trump used a lengthy social media post to sharply criticize Leo, then kept it up after deplaning, in comments on the tarmac to reporters.

“I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” he said.

Trump's comments came after Leo suggested over the weekend that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-usisraeli-war-iran-7309c5df6c7312b942e0510ea65502cb">“delusion of omnipotence”</a>&nbsp;is fueling the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">U.S.-Israel war in Iran</a>. While it’s not unusual for popes and presidents to be at cross purposes, it’s exceedingly rare for the pope to directly criticize a U.S. leader — and Trump’s stinging response is equally uncommon, if not more so.

Italian politicians across the spectrum showed their solidarity with Leo. Premier Giorgia Meloni sent a message of support for his peace mission while the leader of the main opposition party, Elly Schlein, was more direct, calling Trump’s attacks “extremely serious.”

Trump repeated that sentiment in comments to reporters, saying, “We don’t like a pope who says it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon.”

Later, Trump posted a picture suggesting he had saint-like powers akin to those of Jesus Christ. Wearing a biblical-style robe, Trump is seen laying hands on a bedridden man as light emanates from his fingers, while a soldier, a nurse, a praying woman and a bearded man in a baseball cap all look on admiringly. The sky above is filled with eagles, an American flag and vaporous images.

All of that came after Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, the same day the United States and Iran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-trump-lebanon-april-11-2026-2be904aee3f804892336730279e054b9">began face-to-face negotiations</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan during a fragile ceasefire. The pope didn’t mention the United States or Trump by name, but his tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.

Leo, who is on an 11-day trip to Africa starting Monday — has previously said that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.” He's also referenced an Old Testament passage from Isaiah, saying that “even though you make many prayers, I will not listen — your hands are full of blood.”

Before the ceasefire, when Trump warned of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-power-plants-civilian-war-crimes-88b8ca1bc8e5cc8adabaf6c34e93e597">mass strikes against Iranian power plants and other infrastructure</a>&nbsp;and that “an entire civilization will die tonight,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-iran-trump-threat-unacceptable-332059536d7c4d6071c8f5abb35d8c8d">Leo described such sentiments</a>&nbsp;as “truly unacceptable.”

In his social media post on Sunday night, however, Trump went far beyond the war in Iran in criticizing Leo.

The president wrote, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States.” That was a reference to the Trump administration having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-mining-bill-foreign-investors-ef9087b82cc9623bff68744fb66973c6">ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in January.

“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” Trump added, referencing his 2024 election victory.

He also suggested in the post that Leo only got his position “because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”

In his subsequent comments to reporters, Trump remained highly critical, saying of Leo, “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess” and adding, “He’s a very liberal person.”

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement saying he was “disheartened” by Trump's comments.

“Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls,” Coakley said.

In the 2024 election, Trump won 55% of Catholic voters, according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. But Trump's administration also has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-united-states-government-407fc27d402145ab9dcb62cc0d4bf40c">close ties</a>&nbsp;to conservative evangelical Protestant leaders and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pete-hegseth-pentagon-christian-worship-service-30db48b6ceb8af5e6172fb3ba2eafaa0">claimed heavenly endorsement</a>&nbsp;for the war on Iran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Americans to pray for victory “in the name of Jesus Christ.” And, when Trump was asked whether he thought God approved of the war, he said, “I do, because God is good — because God is good and God wants to see people taken care of.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747670120049.png" alt="Vice President JD Vance met with the Pope in May of 2025- photo office of Vice President" />
 <figcaption>Vice President JD Vance met with the Pope in May of 2025- photo office of Vice President</figcaption>
 </figure>By WILL WEISSERT, JOSH BOAK and NICOLE WINFIELD Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV pushed back Monday on President Donald&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pope-leo-iran-war-relationship-criticism-8473f1d8b8127a77ef94ba2f4ad378fb">Trump’s broadside against him</a>&nbsp;over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/yUa2xx0ZtS">pic.twitter.com/yUa2xx0ZtS</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2043495736323568070?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I don&#39;t think he&#39;s doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess... I&#39;m not a big fan of Pope Leo. He&#39;s a very liberal person — and he&#39;s a man that doesn&#39;t believe in stopping crime.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Aim0xeALzu">https://t.co/Aim0xeALzu</a> <a href="https://t.co/oUSJsmJBwU">pic.twitter.com/oUSJsmJBwU</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2043500971079209273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” Leo told The Associated Press aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria. “And I’m sorry to hear that but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today.”History’s first U.S.-born pope stressed that he was not making a direct attack against Trump or anyone else with his general appeal for peace and criticisms of the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the Iran wars and other conflicts around the world.“I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’” Leo said.“I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel and inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, and looking for ways to avoid war any time that’s possible”Speaking to other reporters, he added: “I have no fear of the Trump administration.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1776076420713.png" alt="President Trump posted this to his Truth Social account overnight" />
 <figcaption>President Trump posted this to his Truth Social account overnight</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Trump says Leo is not ‘doing a very good job’</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;delivered an extraordinary broadside against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-leo-xiv">Leo</a>&nbsp;on Sunday night, saying he didn't think the U.S.-born global leader of the Catholic Church is “doing a very good job” and that “he's a very liberal person," while also suggesting the pontiff should “stop catering to the Radical Left.”Flying back to Washington from Florida, Trump used a lengthy social media post to sharply criticize Leo, then kept it up after deplaning, in comments on the tarmac to reporters.“I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” he said.Trump's comments came after Leo suggested over the weekend that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-usisraeli-war-iran-7309c5df6c7312b942e0510ea65502cb">“delusion of omnipotence”</a>&nbsp;is fueling the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">U.S.-Israel war in Iran</a>. While it’s not unusual for popes and presidents to be at cross purposes, it’s exceedingly rare for the pope to directly criticize a U.S. leader — and Trump’s stinging response is equally uncommon, if not more so.“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” the president wrote in his post, adding, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon."Italian politicians across the spectrum showed their solidarity with Leo. Premier Giorgia Meloni sent a message of support for his peace mission while the leader of the main opposition party, Elly Schlein, was more direct, calling Trump’s attacks “extremely serious.”Trump repeated that sentiment in comments to reporters, saying, “We don’t like a pope who says it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon.”Later, Trump posted a picture suggesting he had saint-like powers akin to those of Jesus Christ. Wearing a biblical-style robe, Trump is seen laying hands on a bedridden man as light emanates from his fingers, while a soldier, a nurse, a praying woman and a bearded man in a baseball cap all look on admiringly. The sky above is filled with eagles, an American flag and vaporous images.<h2>Leo's opposition to war irked Trump</h2>All of that came after Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, the same day the United States and Iran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-trump-lebanon-april-11-2026-2be904aee3f804892336730279e054b9">began face-to-face negotiations</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan during a fragile ceasefire. The pope didn’t mention the United States or Trump by name, but his tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.Leo, who is on an 11-day trip to Africa starting Monday — has previously said that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.” He's also referenced an Old Testament passage from Isaiah, saying that “even though you make many prayers, I will not listen — your hands are full of blood.”Before the ceasefire, when Trump warned of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-power-plants-civilian-war-crimes-88b8ca1bc8e5cc8adabaf6c34e93e597">mass strikes against Iranian power plants and other infrastructure</a>&nbsp;and that “an entire civilization will die tonight,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-iran-trump-threat-unacceptable-332059536d7c4d6071c8f5abb35d8c8d">Leo described such sentiments</a>&nbsp;as “truly unacceptable.”In his social media post on Sunday night, however, Trump went far beyond the war in Iran in criticizing Leo.The president wrote, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States.” That was a reference to the Trump administration having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-mining-bill-foreign-investors-ef9087b82cc9623bff68744fb66973c6">ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in January.“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” Trump added, referencing his 2024 election victory.He also suggested in the post that Leo only got his position “because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote, adding, “Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”In his subsequent comments to reporters, Trump remained highly critical, saying of Leo, “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess” and adding, “He’s a very liberal person.”Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement saying he was “disheartened” by Trump's comments.“Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls,” Coakley said.In the 2024 election, Trump won 55% of Catholic voters, according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. But Trump's administration also has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-united-states-government-407fc27d402145ab9dcb62cc0d4bf40c">close ties</a>&nbsp;to conservative evangelical Protestant leaders and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pete-hegseth-pentagon-christian-worship-service-30db48b6ceb8af5e6172fb3ba2eafaa0">claimed heavenly endorsement</a>&nbsp;for the war on Iran.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Americans to pray for victory “in the name of Jesus Christ.” And, when Trump was asked whether he thought God approved of the war, he said, “I do, because God is good — because God is good and God wants to see people taken care of.”——Winfield reported from aboard the papal plane.

🎥Pope Leo pushes back after criticism from President Trump

<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&nbsp;the&nbsp;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><a href="https://salinapost.com/category/local">local</a><a href="https://salinapost.com/category/weather">weather</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1776025877122.png" alt="Three day weather forecast Salina, April 13 - April 15 - US National Weather Service" />
 <figcaption>Three day weather forecast Salina, April 13 - April 15 - US National Weather Service</figcaption>
 </figure><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&nbsp;the&nbsp;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><a href="https://salinapost.com/category/local">local</a><a href="https://salinapost.com/category/weather">weather</a>

Three day weather forecast Salina, April 13 - April 15

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas public school students raising their voices in protest during school hours will need parental permission to leave school grounds to attend a rally or protest event after legislative action Friday.&nbsp;

The House and Senate overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s line-item veto in the budget bill to enact a proviso that will punish youth for skipping school to attend a protest.&nbsp;

In early March, both chambers passed&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/03/03/kansas-senate-votes-to-subvert-students-first-amendment-right-to-join-public-protests/">legislation</a>&nbsp;to clamp down on public school protests by requiring students to receive parental permission before participating and hitting school districts with penalties as high as $100,000 per day if they’re complicit in organizing or encouraging the events or if they don’t enforce restrictions. Fines would go to the state general fund.

In addition, students must make up an instructional day if they walk out for a protest.&nbsp;

Sen. Silas Miller, D-Wichita, said he had concerns that people who didn’t agree with the reason for the protest might file complaints, which could result in bounty-like situations in which schools are fined.&nbsp;

“The next thing you know, there’s a bunch of money being spent on investigations and people getting in trouble, even if the students did get their parental consent,” he said.&nbsp;

Many legislators spoke about freedom of speech rights and the importance of protest in the United States’ history.&nbsp;

Both Kelly in her veto and Democratic lawmakers on the House floor noted it was ironic that Republicans uniformly supported&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/04/09/kansas-legislature-overturns-veto-to-pass-free-speech-bill-honoring-charlie-kirk/">a bill honoring slain activist Charlie Kirk</a>&nbsp;and students’ rights to free speech, then penalized school districts and students if they exercise those rights.&nbsp;

Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, said the legislature was giving mixed signals in its treatment.&nbsp;

“We, on one hand, are passing legislation to protect the freedom of our students, whether at the university level and our public schools, and on the other hand, saying, ‘But no, we don’t like the way you’re talking right now or how you’re behaving right now, so we’re going to do just the opposite,’” she said.

Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat who is running for governor, said a student called to ask her if this bill would have been introduced if students had walked out to protest Kirk’s death. Instead, several school walk-outs protested Immigrations and Customs Enforcement activities.&nbsp;

“I hope people ponder that question. Who are we protecting free speech for and who are we penalizing?” she said. “Free speech rights do not end at the schoolhouse door.”

Rep. Rui Xu, a Westwood Democrat, spoke directly to any students who might be listening.&nbsp;

“They want you to just sit down and be quiet,” he said. “You are not troublemakers. Like our forefathers, you are being engaged citizens. The moment that the government starts writing laws that silence the youngest voices is the moment that your voices become the most important ones in the room.”

Proponents agreed that Kansas students have the right to free speech, but said they need to express themselves outside school hours.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1775944294259.png" alt=" Kansas public school students will need to get parental permission before they can leave school to attend a protest after the Legislature pushed through legislation by overturning the governor's veto on April 10, 2026. Here, Lawrence High School students and residents protested U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 27, 2026, Lawrence, across the street from the school. (Photo by Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas public school students will need to get parental permission before they can leave school to attend a protest after the Legislature pushed through legislation by overturning the governor's veto on April 10, 2026. Here, Lawrence High School students and residents protested U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 27, 2026, Lawrence, across the street from the school. (Photo by Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas public school students raising their voices in protest during school hours will need parental permission to leave school grounds to attend a rally or protest event after legislative action Friday.&nbsp;The House and Senate overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s line-item veto in the budget bill to enact a proviso that will punish youth for skipping school to attend a protest.&nbsp;In early March, both chambers passed&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/03/03/kansas-senate-votes-to-subvert-students-first-amendment-right-to-join-public-protests/">legislation</a>&nbsp;to clamp down on public school protests by requiring students to receive parental permission before participating and hitting school districts with penalties as high as $100,000 per day if they’re complicit in organizing or encouraging the events or if they don’t enforce restrictions. Fines would go to the state general fund.In addition, students must make up an instructional day if they walk out for a protest.&nbsp;Sen. Silas Miller, D-Wichita, said he had concerns that people who didn’t agree with the reason for the protest might file complaints, which could result in bounty-like situations in which schools are fined.&nbsp;“The next thing you know, there’s a bunch of money being spent on investigations and people getting in trouble, even if the students did get their parental consent,” he said.&nbsp;Many legislators spoke about freedom of speech rights and the importance of protest in the United States’ history.&nbsp;Both Kelly in her veto and Democratic lawmakers on the House floor noted it was ironic that Republicans uniformly supported&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/04/09/kansas-legislature-overturns-veto-to-pass-free-speech-bill-honoring-charlie-kirk/">a bill honoring slain activist Charlie Kirk</a>&nbsp;and students’ rights to free speech, then penalized school districts and students if they exercise those rights.&nbsp;Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, said the legislature was giving mixed signals in its treatment.&nbsp;“We, on one hand, are passing legislation to protect the freedom of our students, whether at the university level and our public schools, and on the other hand, saying, ‘But no, we don’t like the way you’re talking right now or how you’re behaving right now, so we’re going to do just the opposite,’” she said.Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat who is running for governor, said a student called to ask her if this bill would have been introduced if students had walked out to protest Kirk’s death. Instead, several school walk-outs protested Immigrations and Customs Enforcement activities.&nbsp;“I hope people ponder that question. Who are we protecting free speech for and who are we penalizing?” she said. “Free speech rights do not end at the schoolhouse door.”Rep. Rui Xu, a Westwood Democrat, spoke directly to any students who might be listening.&nbsp;“They want you to just sit down and be quiet,” he said. “You are not troublemakers. Like our forefathers, you are being engaged citizens. The moment that the government starts writing laws that silence the youngest voices is the moment that your voices become the most important ones in the room.”Proponents agreed that Kansas students have the right to free speech, but said they need to express themselves outside school hours.

Kansas students to face punishment for protests after lawmakers override veto

The views and opinions expressed in this editorial article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Salina Post or Eagle Media.&nbsp;The&nbsp;editorial is intended to stimulate critical thinking and debate on issues of public interest and should be read with an open mind. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple sources of information and to form their own informed opinions.

President of North Salina Community Development

After more than 30 years working, volunteering, and building partnerships in Salina, I’ve learned one thing for certain: strong communities don’t happen by accident. They’re built through collaboration, persistence, and a willingness to listen to neighbors who also live and work here every day. As president of North Salina Community Development, I’ve seen firsthand both the challenges and the potential in our neighborhoods, especially in areas that have too often been overlooked.

That’s why the recent Prairie Talks conversation in Salina stood out to me. It brought together neighbors, local leaders, and community organizations to talk openly about affordability, housing, the cost of living, and future development in our region.

What we heard that evening reflected what many of us see every day. Families are working hard but still struggling to keep up with rising housing costs. Access to affordable, healthy food remains a challenge for some neighborhoods, and in parts of our community, economic opportunities don’t always reach the people who need them most. For example, North Salina is a food desert characterized by low to moderate-income families having limited access to a supermarket, with most of the area more than a mile away from a grocery store. Others from Ashby House, Salina Emergency Aid-Food Bank, Central KS Mental Health, United Way, and the USD 305 Adult Education programs also elaborated on the homeless population, food insecurity, mental health, the shortage of child care, and the need for adult education programs.

These aren’t abstract issues. They’re about whether families can stay in their homes, whether children have access to nutritious food, and whether neighborhoods have the opportunity to grow and thrive. When businesses, nonprofits, volunteers, and city leaders work side by side to invest in a shared vision, we’ve seen what’s possible. Progress doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen when communities stay committed.

All the nonprofits shared their solutions, which included: North Salina Community Development, improving access and updating amenities for a North Salina community garden; Ashby House, working toward additional shelter space and transitional housing updates; Salina Emergency Aid-Food Bank, their community garden success and reclaiming 560,000 lbs of food; Central KS Mental Health, becoming embedded with the Salina Police Department and now a certified behavioral health clinic; United Way, expanding resources available to child care providers to increase access; and Salina Adult Education, being involved with HR directors and growing community outreach to reach more students.

These conversations need to continue, not just in Salina, but across Kansas. Every community deserves the opportunity to be heard and to shape its own future and I encourage our federal officials to participate in future events. Reducing the cost of living and growing our community are challenges we can meet, but only if we meet them together. That starts with pulling up a chair and listening, to build stronger communities for the next generation.

You can send us your opinions/letters to the editor, along with your name, city and or county location to&nbsp;newstips@salinapost.com

The views and opinions expressed in this editorial article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Salina Post or Eagle Media.&nbsp;The&nbsp;editorial is intended to stimulate critical thinking and debate on issues of public interest and should be read with an open mind. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple sources of information and to form their own informed opinions.By: BARB YOUNG<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771354314910.jpeg" alt="Salina, Kansas " />
 <figcaption>Salina, Kansas </figcaption>
 </figure>President of North Salina Community DevelopmentAfter more than 30 years working, volunteering, and building partnerships in Salina, I’ve learned one thing for certain: strong communities don’t happen by accident. They’re built through collaboration, persistence, and a willingness to listen to neighbors who also live and work here every day. As president of North Salina Community Development, I’ve seen firsthand both the challenges and the potential in our neighborhoods, especially in areas that have too often been overlooked.That’s why the recent Prairie Talks conversation in Salina stood out to me. It brought together neighbors, local leaders, and community organizations to talk openly about affordability, housing, the cost of living, and future development in our region.What we heard that evening reflected what many of us see every day. Families are working hard but still struggling to keep up with rising housing costs. Access to affordable, healthy food remains a challenge for some neighborhoods, and in parts of our community, economic opportunities don’t always reach the people who need them most. For example, North Salina is a food desert characterized by low to moderate-income families having limited access to a supermarket, with most of the area more than a mile away from a grocery store. Others from Ashby House, Salina Emergency Aid-Food Bank, Central KS Mental Health, United Way, and the USD 305 Adult Education programs also elaborated on the homeless population, food insecurity, mental health, the shortage of child care, and the need for adult education programs.These aren’t abstract issues. They’re about whether families can stay in their homes, whether children have access to nutritious food, and whether neighborhoods have the opportunity to grow and thrive. When businesses, nonprofits, volunteers, and city leaders work side by side to invest in a shared vision, we’ve seen what’s possible. Progress doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen when communities stay committed.All the nonprofits shared their solutions, which included: North Salina Community Development, improving access and updating amenities for a North Salina community garden; Ashby House, working toward additional shelter space and transitional housing updates; Salina Emergency Aid-Food Bank, their community garden success and reclaiming 560,000 lbs of food; Central KS Mental Health, becoming embedded with the Salina Police Department and now a certified behavioral health clinic; United Way, expanding resources available to child care providers to increase access; and Salina Adult Education, being involved with HR directors and growing community outreach to reach more students.These conversations need to continue, not just in Salina, but across Kansas. Every community deserves the opportunity to be heard and to shape its own future and I encourage our federal officials to participate in future events. Reducing the cost of living and growing our community are challenges we can meet, but only if we meet them together. That starts with pulling up a chair and listening, to build stronger communities for the next generation.You can send us your opinions/letters to the editor, along with your name, city and or county location to&nbsp;newstips@salinapost.com

Op-Ed: When we listen to our neighbors, we find better solutions: Prairie Talks highlights this.

Great Bend Police Chief Steve Haulmark Joined Eagle Media's Steve Webster on the AM Great Bend Show Friday Morning at 7:45 am. Chief Haulmark provided and update on the investigation involving the murder of a 14-year-old girl whose body was found on&nbsp; Thursday.

Click below to listen to the replay from the Friday morning interview&nbsp;

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a missing Great Bend girl and have made an arrest.

Just&nbsp; 8:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police responded to a call of a missing 14-year-old girl, according to a media release from Great Bend Police. The girl was last reported to have been attending a class at Holy Family School located at 4200 Broadway Avenue in Great Bend.

Great Bend Police Officers fielded multiple calls regarding potential locations and areas where the missing girl could possibly be located, but she was not found.

Just after 9a.m. Thursday, Great Bend Police Officers responded to the 4700 block of 17th Street Terrace in Great Bend where the body of a girl was located behind a large dirt pile. She was determined to be deceased and has been positively identified.

Her identity is being withheld currently to allow for notification of family members. Investigators and Officers processed the crime scene, conducted numerous interviews, and executed multiple search warrants.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested and transported to the Barton County Detention Center on requested charges of 1st Degree Murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1775782313490.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Thursday in Great Bend- Great Bend Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Thursday in Great Bend- Great Bend Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend Police Chief Steve Haulmark Joined Eagle Media's Steve Webster on the AM Great Bend Show Friday Morning at 7:45 am. Chief Haulmark provided and update on the investigation involving the murder of a 14-year-old girl whose body was found on&nbsp; Thursday.Click below to listen to the replay from the Friday morning interview&nbsp;<div><iframe title="REPLAY: Breaking News: Great Bend Police Chief Steve Haulmark" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=3jizb-1a9605d-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a missing Great Bend girl and have made an arrest.Just&nbsp; 8:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police responded to a call of a missing 14-year-old girl, according to a media release from Great Bend Police. The girl was last reported to have been attending a class at Holy Family School located at 4200 Broadway Avenue in Great Bend.Great Bend Police Officers fielded multiple calls regarding potential locations and areas where the missing girl could possibly be located, but she was not found.Just after 9a.m. Thursday, Great Bend Police Officers responded to the 4700 block of 17th Street Terrace in Great Bend where the body of a girl was located behind a large dirt pile. She was determined to be deceased and has been positively identified.Her identity is being withheld currently to allow for notification of family members. Investigators and Officers processed the crime scene, conducted numerous interviews, and executed multiple search warrants.A 14-year-old boy was arrested and transported to the Barton County Detention Center on requested charges of 1st Degree Murder.

🎧Police Chief on the murder of 14-year-old in Great Bend

By TISA MASON FHSU president

The plains of Western Kansas are known for being wide and flat. But in the small community of Liebenthal, something big breaks up the horizon. Rising from the prairie is the St. Joseph’s Parish complex, a stunning display of Gothic architecture crafted from the very earth it stands upon.

For decades, these "Post Rock" limestone buildings have served as the heartbeat of Liebenthal. Now, thanks to the dedicated work of Fort Hays State University graduate student Trevor Yocum, their significance is finally being cemented into the official record of Kansas history.

Earlier this year, the Kansas Historical Society (KSHS) Board officially designated the St. Joseph’s complex, including the church, school, and rectory, as a state historic site. It was a unanimous decision that didn’t just stop at the state line; the board also voted to forward the application to the National Register of Historic Places. While the designation is a triumph for the community, it is a major achievement for the student who led the work.

The journey to the registry began in November 2023, when Earl Legleiter, a local advocate for the site’s preservation, submitted a preliminary questionnaire to the state. When the KSHS confirmed that the property’s unique architecture and its connection to the Volga German settlement made it a prime candidate for the registry, Legleiter knew he needed a researcher who could turn local stories into hard facts.

He reached out to Dr. Kim Perez, a professor of history at FHSU, who saw a perfect match in Trevor Yocum. A Graduate Teaching Assistant with a passion for public history, Trevor was looking for a project that felt real.

“Trevor’s project was an ideal, authentic, place-based education opportunity,” Legleiter said. “It was a joy to work with Trevor and Dr. Perez on this project and to know that we are helping to conserve a bit of Kansas history.”

For Trevor, the project was a chance to really get to know the people and the history of Liebenthal. While many churches in the West were built in a simpler style, the builders of St. Joseph’s, mostly local church members, had bigger plans. They quarried limestone out of the ground just outside Liebenthal and shaped the blocks by hand to create a masterpiece.

“Faith was a core part of their community. It’s incredible,” Trevor says. “They started having church in a field outside somebody’s house, built their first tiny church, and then decided they needed to go bigger. So, they built the church.”

But the research required more than just admiring the stone. Trevor spent months digging through digital records and local archives. He explored the site’s importance to the Volga Germans, who brought their traditions and hard work to Rush County in the late 1800s.

Beyond the paperwork, Trevor was welcomed by the people of Liebenthal. He listened to stories of weddings, funerals, and community parties that had taken place within those limestone walls for over a hundred years.

“I found the Liebenthal community to be very close-knit,” Trevor noted. “The church was used as a center for everyone around it. It was cool to read about it, but even better to hear it from the people who live there.”

While student research is common at FHSU, what Trevor accomplished is far from ordinary.

“This is a big deal because these applications are usually written by professional historians,” explains Dr. Kim Perez. “Students rarely get this kind of experience before they start their careers.”

In her Local History course, Dr. Perez’s students often study old buildings, but Trevor’s work is the first time a student’s research has led to a completed and accepted state nomination. Dr. Perez was a huge help, guiding Trevor through the many state rules and difficult paperwork needed for the project.

The highlight of Trevor’s hard work came during Rush County’s 150th birthday celebration. Standing before the community, Trevor shared what he had found, giving the buildings' history back to the people who still cherish them. The project was finished in 2025, leading to the official state honor on February 7, 2026.

For Trevor, this wasn't just an assignment; it was the start of his career. The experience helped him decide that he wants to work in public history, protecting historic sites and working in museums.

While many young professionals move to big cities, Trevor’s heart is in Kansas. A native of St. Mary's, he plans to stay in the state after graduation. “Kansas is my home,” he says simply.

His success shows the power of FHSU’s history program. Dr. Perez notes that her students have gone on to be city planners and museum experts, but Trevor’s achievement sets a new bar for what a student can do for Kansas history.

The new status for St. Joseph’s Parish is more than just a title. It helps the community secure grants and funding to ensure the buildings stand for another hundred years. For the people of Liebenthal, it honors the hard work of their ancestors.

Now, the buildings are on their way to being listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This means the church is recognized as an important part of the American story. Trevor’s work ensures these limestone walls will remain for a long time, helping future Kansans remember where they came from.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761318630494.jpeg" alt="Tisa Mason" />
 <figcaption>Tisa Mason</figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON FHSU presidentThe plains of Western Kansas are known for being wide and flat. But in the small community of Liebenthal, something big breaks up the horizon. Rising from the prairie is the St. Joseph’s Parish complex, a stunning display of Gothic architecture crafted from the very earth it stands upon.For decades, these "Post Rock" limestone buildings have served as the heartbeat of Liebenthal. Now, thanks to the dedicated work of Fort Hays State University graduate student Trevor Yocum, their significance is finally being cemented into the official record of Kansas history.Earlier this year, the Kansas Historical Society (KSHS) Board officially designated the St. Joseph’s complex, including the church, school, and rectory, as a state historic site. It was a unanimous decision that didn’t just stop at the state line; the board also voted to forward the application to the National Register of Historic Places. While the designation is a triumph for the community, it is a major achievement for the student who led the work.The journey to the registry began in November 2023, when Earl Legleiter, a local advocate for the site’s preservation, submitted a preliminary questionnaire to the state. When the KSHS confirmed that the property’s unique architecture and its connection to the Volga German settlement made it a prime candidate for the registry, Legleiter knew he needed a researcher who could turn local stories into hard facts.He reached out to Dr. Kim Perez, a professor of history at FHSU, who saw a perfect match in Trevor Yocum. A Graduate Teaching Assistant with a passion for public history, Trevor was looking for a project that felt real.“Trevor’s project was an ideal, authentic, place-based education opportunity,” Legleiter said. “It was a joy to work with Trevor and Dr. Perez on this project and to know that we are helping to conserve a bit of Kansas history.”For Trevor, the project was a chance to really get to know the people and the history of Liebenthal. While many churches in the West were built in a simpler style, the builders of St. Joseph’s, mostly local church members, had bigger plans. They quarried limestone out of the ground just outside Liebenthal and shaped the blocks by hand to create a masterpiece.“Faith was a core part of their community. It’s incredible,” Trevor says. “They started having church in a field outside somebody’s house, built their first tiny church, and then decided they needed to go bigger. So, they built the church.”But the research required more than just admiring the stone. Trevor spent months digging through digital records and local archives. He explored the site’s importance to the Volga Germans, who brought their traditions and hard work to Rush County in the late 1800s.Beyond the paperwork, Trevor was welcomed by the people of Liebenthal. He listened to stories of weddings, funerals, and community parties that had taken place within those limestone walls for over a hundred years.“I found the Liebenthal community to be very close-knit,” Trevor noted. “The church was used as a center for everyone around it. It was cool to read about it, but even better to hear it from the people who live there.”While student research is common at FHSU, what Trevor accomplished is far from ordinary.“This is a big deal because these applications are usually written by professional historians,” explains Dr. Kim Perez. “Students rarely get this kind of experience before they start their careers.”In her Local History course, Dr. Perez’s students often study old buildings, but Trevor’s work is the first time a student’s research has led to a completed and accepted state nomination. Dr. Perez was a huge help, guiding Trevor through the many state rules and difficult paperwork needed for the project.The highlight of Trevor’s hard work came during Rush County’s 150th birthday celebration. Standing before the community, Trevor shared what he had found, giving the buildings' history back to the people who still cherish them. The project was finished in 2025, leading to the official state honor on February 7, 2026.For Trevor, this wasn't just an assignment; it was the start of his career. The experience helped him decide that he wants to work in public history, protecting historic sites and working in museums.While many young professionals move to big cities, Trevor’s heart is in Kansas. A native of St. Mary's, he plans to stay in the state after graduation. “Kansas is my home,” he says simply.His success shows the power of FHSU’s history program. Dr. Perez notes that her students have gone on to be city planners and museum experts, but Trevor’s achievement sets a new bar for what a student can do for Kansas history.The new status for St. Joseph’s Parish is more than just a title. It helps the community secure grants and funding to ensure the buildings stand for another hundred years. For the people of Liebenthal, it honors the hard work of their ancestors.Now, the buildings are on their way to being listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This means the church is recognized as an important part of the American story. Trevor’s work ensures these limestone walls will remain for a long time, helping future Kansans remember where they came from.

Three day weather forecast Salina, April 10 - April 12

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1775602741830.png" alt="Three day weather forecast Salina, April 8 - April 10 - US National Weather Service" />
 <figcaption>Three day weather forecast Salina, April 8 - April 10 - US National Weather Service</figcaption>
 </figure><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&nbsp;the&nbsp;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><a href="https://salinapost.com/category/local">local</a><a href="https://salinapost.com/category/weather">weather</a>

Three day weather forecast Salina, April 8 - April 10

Just months&nbsp;after&nbsp;her graduation from Kansas Wesleyan’s Department of Nursing, Molly Bradbury ’25 received an international prize, the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Bradbury is a medical-surgical RN, caring for a wide variety of different patients, at the Medical Center of the Rockies, a Level I Trauma Center in Loveland, Colo. She noticed one of her Comfort Care patients with incontinence was releasing surprisingly little fluid. Even though the patient had not complained, a bladder scan revealed the patient was retaining an alarming amount of urine. Bradbury’s gentle communication and reassurance helped the patient agree to a catheter, bringing immediate relief.

The hospital’s newsletter wrote, “Even during a busy shift, Molly listened to her instincts and took the time to look deeper, recognizing that something wasn't right. Her empathy, vigilance and unwavering dedication truly exemplify the heart of nursing.”

Bradbury is used to being busy and getting things right. She’d taken some general education courses straight out of high school but realized she wasn’t ready for that.

When she started at Kansas Wesleyan in the fall of 2018, she took classes part time and took a full-time job as a custodian for KWU Plant Operations, until her senior year. At that point, she attended classes full time because KWU’s Nursing is such a demanding program.

“Our program is very hard,” Bradbury said. “I wondered, can I really do this? If you do need that one-to-one help, they (the faculty) are there. They help you learn more critical thinking before you’re in the field.”

The attention to detail and critical thinking skills paid off for her patient.

Andrea Picklesimer, KWU associate professor of nursing education, said that receiving the DAISY Award is an incredible achievement for someone so early in her career. She saw those same skills in Bradbury as a student, though.

“The DAISY reflects her clinical skills and her dedication and commitment to patient-centered care,” Picklesimer said. “She was exactly the same as a student, very dedicated, very determined.”

Bradbury was a quiet leader,&nbsp;who earned&nbsp;the&nbsp;respect of her peers and faculty alike, said&nbsp;Picklesimer. She was given the Nursing Leadership Award at the pinning ceremony as part of Commencement in May.

A Salina native, Bradbury also has family in Colorado, and the state had always fascinated her, so that’s where she moved after graduation.

“Learning everything and setting a foundation as a new nurse, it’s good to be on nights,” she said. “We have a good team.”&nbsp;

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses honors nurses internationally in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Nurses are nominated for the compassionate contributions they make every day going above and beyond expectations in science and sensitivity.

Along with the award come lifetime benefits for Bradbury, including opportunities for free or reduced costs of further education and access to online information, memberships in nursing organizations, and stress-relieving programs.

“Sometimes the little things that we think go unnoticed or aren’t that big of a deal are life-changing to others,” Bradbury posted when she received the award. “I am so grateful to get the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. I can’t wait to see where I go in my career, and I am thankful to be surrounded by such amazing human beings.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1775497749845.jpeg" alt="Molly Bradbury Daisy Award 2026 - Courtesy photo " />
 <figcaption>Molly Bradbury Daisy Award 2026 - Courtesy photo </figcaption>
 </figure>By: JEAN KOZUBOWSKIJust months&nbsp;after&nbsp;her graduation from Kansas Wesleyan’s Department of Nursing, Molly Bradbury ’25 received an international prize, the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.Bradbury is a medical-surgical RN, caring for a wide variety of different patients, at the Medical Center of the Rockies, a Level I Trauma Center in Loveland, Colo. She noticed one of her Comfort Care patients with incontinence was releasing surprisingly little fluid. Even though the patient had not complained, a bladder scan revealed the patient was retaining an alarming amount of urine. Bradbury’s gentle communication and reassurance helped the patient agree to a catheter, bringing immediate relief.The hospital’s newsletter wrote, “Even during a busy shift, Molly listened to her instincts and took the time to look deeper, recognizing that something wasn't right. Her empathy, vigilance and unwavering dedication truly exemplify the heart of nursing.”Bradbury is used to being busy and getting things right. She’d taken some general education courses straight out of high school but realized she wasn’t ready for that.When she started at Kansas Wesleyan in the fall of 2018, she took classes part time and took a full-time job as a custodian for KWU Plant Operations, until her senior year. At that point, she attended classes full time because KWU’s Nursing is such a demanding program.“Our program is very hard,” Bradbury said. “I wondered, can I really do this? If you do need that one-to-one help, they (the faculty) are there. They help you learn more critical thinking before you’re in the field.”The attention to detail and critical thinking skills paid off for her patient.Andrea Picklesimer, KWU associate professor of nursing education, said that receiving the DAISY Award is an incredible achievement for someone so early in her career. She saw those same skills in Bradbury as a student, though.“The DAISY reflects her clinical skills and her dedication and commitment to patient-centered care,” Picklesimer said. “She was exactly the same as a student, very dedicated, very determined.”Bradbury was a quiet leader,&nbsp;who earned&nbsp;the&nbsp;respect of her peers and faculty alike, said&nbsp;Picklesimer. She was given the Nursing Leadership Award at the pinning ceremony as part of Commencement in May.A Salina native, Bradbury also has family in Colorado, and the state had always fascinated her, so that’s where she moved after graduation.She likes working nights.&nbsp;“Learning everything and setting a foundation as a new nurse, it’s good to be on nights,” she said. “We have a good team.”&nbsp;The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses honors nurses internationally in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Nurses are nominated for the compassionate contributions they make every day going above and beyond expectations in science and sensitivity.Along with the award come lifetime benefits for Bradbury, including opportunities for free or reduced costs of further education and access to online information, memberships in nursing organizations, and stress-relieving programs.“Sometimes the little things that we think go unnoticed or aren’t that big of a deal are life-changing to others,” Bradbury posted when she received the award. “I am so grateful to get the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. I can’t wait to see where I go in my career, and I am thankful to be surrounded by such amazing human beings.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Former KWU nursing student receives extraordinary award, months after graduation

Ronald “Ron” James Hubka, 66, of Wilson, Kansas, passed away on March 31, 2026, at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas.

Ron was born on September 7, 1959, at Ellsworth County Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth, Kansas, to Winslow F. and Frances A. (Kacirek) Hubka. He grew up in Wilson and graduated from Wilson High School in 1977. He later attended Salina VoTech in 1980, earning a degree in auto mechanics. Ron dedicated over 30 years of his career as a screen press operator with Eschbaugh Advertising.

On August 29, 1981, Ron married Virginia “Ginny” Lawrence in Wilson.

Ron will be remembered for his big heart, great sense of humor, and his natural ability to bring people together wherever he went. A true outdoorsman, he enjoyed setting trot lines and spending time by the water. He had a passion for pickups, muscle cars, NASCAR, football and basketball, and could spend hours talking about history with anyone willing to listen. In his younger years, he was known for his unforgettable pranks that left everyone laughing—a playful spirit he carried throughout his life.

He also found great joy in cooking and hosting BBQs, where friends and family gathered for good food, laughter, and storytelling. Ron was often the life of the party, making sure everyone felt welcome and included. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Ron proudly served his community as a member of the Wilson Fire Department for over 25 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Housing Development Board, where he assisted with low-income housing grants.

Survivors include his wife, Ginny, of Wilson; sons, Jeremy (Nicole Kathleen) Hubka of Wilson and Toby Hubka of Akron, Iowa; son-in-law, Dustin Vopat of Russell, KS; brother, Vance (Sherry) Stinnett of Lawrence, KS; sister, Diane Hubka of Salina; five grandchildren, Landon Hubka, Liam Hubka, Bailey Vopat, Sydney Vopat and Lynley Vopat.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Darcy Lynn Hubka-Vopat on January 11, 2025.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the funeral home in Wilson. Words of Committal will be held on Thursday, April 9th at 2:00 PM at the American Legion in Wilson. Private family graveside will follow at the Wilson City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church – Dorrance, KS or Wilson Czech Egg and sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO Box 533, Wilson, Kansas 67490.

Online condolences may be sent to <a href="http://www.plumeroverlease.com">www.plumeroverlease.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1775496369766.png" alt="Ronald “Ron” James Hubka" />
 <figcaption>Ronald “Ron” James Hubka</figcaption>
 </figure>Ronald “Ron” James Hubka, 66, of Wilson, Kansas, passed away on March 31, 2026, at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas.Ron was born on September 7, 1959, at Ellsworth County Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth, Kansas, to Winslow F. and Frances A. (Kacirek) Hubka. He grew up in Wilson and graduated from Wilson High School in 1977. He later attended Salina VoTech in 1980, earning a degree in auto mechanics. Ron dedicated over 30 years of his career as a screen press operator with Eschbaugh Advertising.On August 29, 1981, Ron married Virginia “Ginny” Lawrence in Wilson.Ron will be remembered for his big heart, great sense of humor, and his natural ability to bring people together wherever he went. A true outdoorsman, he enjoyed setting trot lines and spending time by the water. He had a passion for pickups, muscle cars, NASCAR, football and basketball, and could spend hours talking about history with anyone willing to listen. In his younger years, he was known for his unforgettable pranks that left everyone laughing—a playful spirit he carried throughout his life.He also found great joy in cooking and hosting BBQs, where friends and family gathered for good food, laughter, and storytelling. Ron was often the life of the party, making sure everyone felt welcome and included. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.Ron proudly served his community as a member of the Wilson Fire Department for over 25 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Housing Development Board, where he assisted with low-income housing grants.Survivors include his wife, Ginny, of Wilson; sons, Jeremy (Nicole Kathleen) Hubka of Wilson and Toby Hubka of Akron, Iowa; son-in-law, Dustin Vopat of Russell, KS; brother, Vance (Sherry) Stinnett of Lawrence, KS; sister, Diane Hubka of Salina; five grandchildren, Landon Hubka, Liam Hubka, Bailey Vopat, Sydney Vopat and Lynley Vopat.He was preceded in death by his daughter, Darcy Lynn Hubka-Vopat on January 11, 2025.A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the funeral home in Wilson. Words of Committal will be held on Thursday, April 9th at 2:00 PM at the American Legion in Wilson. Private family graveside will follow at the Wilson City Cemetery.Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church – Dorrance, KS or Wilson Czech Egg and sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO Box 533, Wilson, Kansas 67490.Online condolences may be sent to <a href="http://www.plumeroverlease.com">www.plumeroverlease.com</a>

Ronald James Hubka

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1775435936232.png" alt="Three day weather forecast Salina, April 6 - April 8 - US National Weather Service" />
 <figcaption>Three day weather forecast Salina, April 6 - April 8 - US National Weather Service</figcaption>
 </figure><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&nbsp;the&nbsp;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><a href="https://salinapost.com/category/local">local</a><a href="https://salinapost.com/category/weather">weather</a>

Three day weather forecast Salina, April 6 - April 8

A former St. John's Military School student has been approved to receive the U.S. Military's highest decoration for his bold and courageous efforts in combat.

Major, Nicholas "Nick" Dockery from Indianapolis, Indiana has been approved by the U.S. House and Senate to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.&nbsp;

The bill, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7194/text">H.R. 7194</a>&nbsp;has been passed and will authorize President Donald Trump to award the Medal of Honor to Nicholas Dockery for acts of valor as a member of the Army while serving in Afghanistan.

Bob Yates, a former instructor at the Military school in Salina taught Dockery for a year. Dockery was a Sophomore when Yates taught him in 1998

“He was a good cadet and kept his stuff squared away,” Yates said. “He listened real well to instructions, and was one of the ones who never gets recognized by people from Salina,” Yates jokingly said due to a perception of St. John’s having “bad boys.”

In 2012, Dockery had been deployed to Afghanistan's Kapisa province as a platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

According to <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/05/former-military-times-soldier-of-the-year-approved-for-medal-of-honor/">Military Times</a>, in&nbsp;Afghanistan Dockery's unit was ambushed by Taliban forces, while working closely with an Afghan platoon to provide security for the provincial governor's compound.

Reportedly, Dockery risked open ground to move back and forth multiple times as his troops engaged enemy forces.

Word came to him one U.S. Soldier, Staff Sgt. Eric Mitchell had been wounded, and Dockery immediately went to their defense killing one enemy soldier.

Moreover, Military times reported he gathered four soldiers inside the courtyard,&nbsp;Dockery worked to organize a counter-attack to clear the space, even as the enemy countered with heavy fire and called in reinforcements. At one point, he used his own body to shield another soldier from the blast of an enemy grenade. Every soldier in the group sustained wounds in the onslaught.

In a nearby alley, Dockery found a sergeant being dragged away, unconscious, by two Taliban fighters. He charged at the fighters and killed them both, then turned his attention to Hansbro, providing CPR and life-saving first aid.

As the fight continued, Dockery risked the open roof of the compound to signal with smoke grenades to the gunships that would ultimately lay down suppressive fire and save the men.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774980903725.png" alt="Maj. Nicholas "Nick" Dockery - Military Times courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Maj. Nicholas "Nick" Dockery - Military Times courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By: NICOLAS FIERROSalina PostA former St. John's Military School student has been approved to receive the U.S. Military's highest decoration for his bold and courageous efforts in combat.Major, Nicholas "Nick" Dockery from Indianapolis, Indiana has been approved by the U.S. House and Senate to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.&nbsp;The bill, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7194/text">H.R. 7194</a>&nbsp;has been passed and will authorize President Donald Trump to award the Medal of Honor to Nicholas Dockery for acts of valor as a member of the Army while serving in Afghanistan.Bob Yates, a former instructor at the Military school in Salina taught Dockery for a year. Dockery was a Sophomore when Yates taught him in 1998“He was a good cadet and kept his stuff squared away,” Yates said. “He listened real well to instructions, and was one of the ones who never gets recognized by people from Salina,” Yates jokingly said due to a perception of St. John’s having “bad boys.”In 2012, Dockery had been deployed to Afghanistan's Kapisa province as a platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.According to <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/05/former-military-times-soldier-of-the-year-approved-for-medal-of-honor/">Military Times</a>, in&nbsp;Afghanistan Dockery's unit was ambushed by Taliban forces, while working closely with an Afghan platoon to provide security for the provincial governor's compound.Reportedly, Dockery risked open ground to move back and forth multiple times as his troops engaged enemy forces.Word came to him one U.S. Soldier, Staff Sgt. Eric Mitchell had been wounded, and Dockery immediately went to their defense killing one enemy soldier.Moreover, Military times reported he gathered four soldiers inside the courtyard,&nbsp;Dockery worked to organize a counter-attack to clear the space, even as the enemy countered with heavy fire and called in reinforcements. At one point, he used his own body to shield another soldier from the blast of an enemy grenade. Every soldier in the group sustained wounds in the onslaught.In a nearby alley, Dockery found a sergeant being dragged away, unconscious, by two Taliban fighters. He charged at the fighters and killed them both, then turned his attention to Hansbro, providing CPR and life-saving first aid.As the fight continued, Dockery risked the open roof of the compound to signal with smoke grenades to the gunships that would ultimately lay down suppressive fire and save the men.

Former St. John's Military School student approved to receive Congressional Medal of Honor

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1775164630678.png" alt="Three day weather forecast Salina, April 3 - April 5 - US National Weather Service" />
 <figcaption>Three day weather forecast Salina, April 3 - April 5 - US National Weather Service</figcaption>
 </figure><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&nbsp;the&nbsp;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><a href="https://salinapost.com/category/local">local</a><a href="https://salinapost.com/category/weather">weather</a>

Three day weather forecast Salina, April 3 - April 5

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;is casting doubt on President Donald Trump’s restrictions on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-immigration-trump-20919d26029cf0f98ecb0dc7f90a066b">birthright citizenship</a>&nbsp;in a consequential case that was magnified by Trump’s unparalleled presence in the courtroom.&nbsp;

Click below to listen to a replay of the oral argument.

Conservative and liberal justices on Wednesday questioned whether Trump's order declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens comports with either the Constitution or federal law.

Trump, the first sitting president to attend arguments at the nation’s highest court, spent just over an hour inside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supreme-court-hearing-birthright-citizenship-e069e683149d23fe59e4679732c084f5">the courtroom</a>&nbsp;for arguments made by the Republican administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, Solicitor General D. John Sauer. The president departed shortly after lawyer Cecillia Wang began her presentation in defense of broad birthright citizenship.

Trump heard Sauer face one skeptical question after another. Justices asked about the legal basis for the order and voiced more practical concerns.

“Is this happening in the delivery room?” Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson asked, drilling down into the logistics of how the government would actually figure out who’s entitled to citizenship and who’s not.

Justice Clarence Thomas sounded the most likely among the nine justices to side with Trump.

“How much of the debates around the 14th Amendment had anything to do with immigration?” Thomas asked, pointing out that the purpose of the amendment was to grant citizenship to Black people, including freed slaves.

The justices are hearing Trump’s appeal of a lower-court ruling from New Hampshire that struck down&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/">the citizenship restrictions</a>, one of several courts that have blocked them. They have not taken effect anywhere in the country.

The case frames another test of Trump's assertions of executive power that defy long-standing precedent for a court that has largely ruled in the president's favor — but with some notable exceptions that Trump has responded to with starkly personal criticisms of the justices. A definitive ruling is expected by early summer.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/">The birthright citizenship order</a>, which Trump signed the first day of his second term, is part of his Republican administration’s broad&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">immigration crackdown</a>.

Birthright citizenship is the first Trump immigration-related policy to reach the court for a final ruling. The justices previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tariffs-trump-0485fcda30a7310501123e4931dba3f9">struck down global tariffs</a>&nbsp;Trump had imposed under an emergency powers law that had never been used that way.

Trump reacted furiously to the late February tariffs decision, saying he was ashamed of the justices who ruled against him and calling them unpatriotic.

He issued a preemptive broadside against the court on Sunday on his Truth Social platform. “Birthright Citizenship is not about rich people from China, and the rest of the World, who want their children, and hundreds of thousands more, FOR PAY, to ridiculously become citizens of the United States of America. It is about the BABIES OF SLAVES!,” the president wrote. “Dumb Judges and Justices will not a great Country make!”

Trump's order would upend the long-standing view that the Constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/">14th Amendment</a>, ratified in 1868, and federal law since 1940 confer citizenship on everyone born on American soil, with narrow exceptions for the children of foreign diplomats and those born to a foreign occupying force.

The 14th Amendment was intended to ensure that Black people, including former slaves, had citizenship, though the Citizenship Clause is written more broadly. “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,” it reads.

In a series of decisions, lower courts have struck down the executive order as illegal, or likely so, under the Constitution and federal law. The decisions have invoked the high court's 1898 ruling in Wong Kim Ark, which held that the U.S.-born child of Chinese nationals was a citizen.

The Trump administration argues that the common view of citizenship is wrong, asserting that children of noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States and therefore are not entitled to citizenship.

The court should use the case to set straight “long-enduring misconceptions about the Constitution’s meaning,” wrote Sauer, the solicitor general.

No court has accepted that argument, and lawyers for pregnant women whose children would be affected by the order said the Supreme Court should not be the first to do so.

“We have the president of the United States trying to radically reinterpret the definition of American citizenship,” said Wang, the American Civil Liberties Union legal director who is facing off against Sauer at the Supreme Court.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1775060509877.png" alt="Demonstrators outside the Supreme Court Wednesday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Demonstrators outside the Supreme Court Wednesday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;is casting doubt on President Donald Trump’s restrictions on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-immigration-trump-20919d26029cf0f98ecb0dc7f90a066b">birthright citizenship</a>&nbsp;in a consequential case that was magnified by Trump’s unparalleled presence in the courtroom.&nbsp;Click below to listen to a replay of the oral argument.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RYecNCgwSfE?si=QKxvvEum_I8WNYY8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Conservative and liberal justices on Wednesday questioned whether Trump's order declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens comports with either the Constitution or federal law.Trump, the first sitting president to attend arguments at the nation’s highest court, spent just over an hour inside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supreme-court-hearing-birthright-citizenship-e069e683149d23fe59e4679732c084f5">the courtroom</a>&nbsp;for arguments made by the Republican administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, Solicitor General D. John Sauer. The president departed shortly after lawyer Cecillia Wang began her presentation in defense of broad birthright citizenship.Trump heard Sauer face one skeptical question after another. Justices asked about the legal basis for the order and voiced more practical concerns.“Is this happening in the delivery room?” Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson asked, drilling down into the logistics of how the government would actually figure out who’s entitled to citizenship and who’s not.Justice Clarence Thomas sounded the most likely among the nine justices to side with Trump.“How much of the debates around the 14th Amendment had anything to do with immigration?” Thomas asked, pointing out that the purpose of the amendment was to grant citizenship to Black people, including freed slaves.The justices are hearing Trump’s appeal of a lower-court ruling from New Hampshire that struck down&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/">the citizenship restrictions</a>, one of several courts that have blocked them. They have not taken effect anywhere in the country.The case frames another test of Trump's assertions of executive power that defy long-standing precedent for a court that has largely ruled in the president's favor — but with some notable exceptions that Trump has responded to with starkly personal criticisms of the justices. A definitive ruling is expected by early summer.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/">The birthright citizenship order</a>, which Trump signed the first day of his second term, is part of his Republican administration’s broad&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">immigration crackdown</a>.Birthright citizenship is the first Trump immigration-related policy to reach the court for a final ruling. The justices previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tariffs-trump-0485fcda30a7310501123e4931dba3f9">struck down global tariffs</a>&nbsp;Trump had imposed under an emergency powers law that had never been used that way.Trump reacted furiously to the late February tariffs decision, saying he was ashamed of the justices who ruled against him and calling them unpatriotic.He issued a preemptive broadside against the court on Sunday on his Truth Social platform. “Birthright Citizenship is not about rich people from China, and the rest of the World, who want their children, and hundreds of thousands more, FOR PAY, to ridiculously become citizens of the United States of America. It is about the BABIES OF SLAVES!,” the president wrote. “Dumb Judges and Justices will not a great Country make!”Trump's order would upend the long-standing view that the Constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/">14th Amendment</a>, ratified in 1868, and federal law since 1940 confer citizenship on everyone born on American soil, with narrow exceptions for the children of foreign diplomats and those born to a foreign occupying force.The 14th Amendment was intended to ensure that Black people, including former slaves, had citizenship, though the Citizenship Clause is written more broadly. “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,” it reads.In a series of decisions, lower courts have struck down the executive order as illegal, or likely so, under the Constitution and federal law. The decisions have invoked the high court's 1898 ruling in Wong Kim Ark, which held that the U.S.-born child of Chinese nationals was a citizen.The Trump administration argues that the common view of citizenship is wrong, asserting that children of noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States and therefore are not entitled to citizenship.The court should use the case to set straight “long-enduring misconceptions about the Constitution’s meaning,” wrote Sauer, the solicitor general.No court has accepted that argument, and lawyers for pregnant women whose children would be affected by the order said the Supreme Court should not be the first to do so.“We have the president of the United States trying to radically reinterpret the definition of American citizenship,” said Wang, the American Civil Liberties Union legal director who is facing off against Sauer at the Supreme Court.More than one-quarter of a million babies born in the U.S. each year would be affected by the executive order, according to research by the Migration Policy Institute and Pennsylvania State University’s Population Research Institute.While Trump has largely focused on illegal immigration in his rhetoric and actions, the birthright restrictions also would apply to people who are legally in the United States, including students and applicants for green cards, or permanent resident status.-----------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump arrived at the Supreme Court to sit in on birthright citizenship arguments in first such appearance by a president.------------WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;is taking up one of the term's most consequential cases,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;executive order on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-immigration-trump-20919d26029cf0f98ecb0dc7f90a066b">birthright citizenship</a>&nbsp;declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supreme-court-hearing-birthright-citizenship-e069e683149d23fe59e4679732c084f5">Trump plans to be in attendance</a>.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx">Click here to listen t</a>o the live oral arguments 9a.m. CDTIn arguments Wednesday, the justices will hear Trump’s appeal of a lower-court ruling from New Hampshire that struck down&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/">the citizenship restrictions</a>, one of several courts that have blocked them. They have not taken effect anywhere in the country.A definitive ruling is expected by early summer.Trump will be the first sitting president to attend oral arguments at the nation’s highest court.The case frames another test of Trump's assertions of executive power that defy long-standing precedent for a court that has largely ruled in the president's favor — but with some notable exceptions that Trump has responded to with starkly personal criticisms of the justices.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/">The birthright citizenship order</a>, which Trump signed the first day of his second term, is part of his Republican administration’s broad&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">immigration crackdown</a>.Birthright citizenship is the first Trump immigration-related policy to reach the court for a final ruling. The justices previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tariffs-trump-0485fcda30a7310501123e4931dba3f9">struck down global tariffs</a>&nbsp;Trump had imposed under an emergency powers law that had never been used that way.Trump reacted furiously to the late February tariffs decision, saying he was ashamed of the justices who ruled against him and calling them unpatriotic.He issued a preemptive broadside against the court on Sunday on his Truth Social platform. “Birthright Citizenship is not about rich people from China, and the rest of the World, who want their children, and hundreds of thousands more, FOR PAY, to ridiculously become citizens of the United States of America. It is about the BABIES OF SLAVES!,” the president wrote. “Dumb Judges and Justices will not a great Country make!”Trump's order would upend the long-standing view that the Constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/">14th Amendment</a>, ratified in 1868, and federal law since 1940 confer citizenship on everyone born on American soil, with narrow exceptions for the children of foreign diplomats and those born to a foreign occupying force.The 14th Amendment was intended to ensure that Black people, including former slaves, had citizenship, though the Citizenship Clause is written more broadly. “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,” it reads.In a series of decisions, lower courts have struck down the executive order as illegal, or likely so, under the Constitution and federal law. The decisions have invoked the high court's 1898 ruling in Wong Kim Ark, which held that the U.S.-born child of Chinese nationals was a citizen.The Trump administration argues that the common view of citizenship is wrong, asserting that children of noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States and therefore are not entitled to citizenship.The court should use the case to set straight “long-enduring misconceptions about the Constitution’s meaning,” Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote.No court has accepted that argument, and lawyers for pregnant women whose children would be affected by the order said the Supreme Court should not be the first to do so.“We have the president of the United States trying to radically reinterpret the definition of American citizenship,” said Cecillia Wang, the American Civil Liberties Union legal director who is facing off against Sauer at the Supreme Court.More than one-quarter of a million babies born in the U.S. each year would be affected by the executive order, according to research by the Migration Policy Institute and Pennsylvania State University’s Population Research Institute.While Trump has largely focused on illegal immigration in his rhetoric and actions, the birthright restrictions also would apply to people who are legally in the United States, including students and applicants for green cards, or permanent resident status.___