WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-justice-department-interview-053ad2ae16f31b9d7300340d5f9349c5">Jeffrey Epstein's imprisoned former girlfriend</a>&nbsp;repeatedly denied to the Justice Department witnessing any sexually inappropriate interactions with Donald Trump, according to records released Friday meant to distance the Republican president from the disgraced financer.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/maxwell-interview">Click here</a> to listen to and or read the transcripts

The Trump administration issued hundreds of pages of transcripts from interviews that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted with Ghislaine Maxwell last month as the administration was scrambling to present itself as transparent amid a fierce backlash&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-pam-bondi-03fbcd024f631440f7ed62b3c6927db3">over an earlier refusal to disclose a trove of records from the sex-trafficking case.</a>

The records show Maxwell repeatedly showering Trump with praise and denying under questioning from Blanche that she had observed Trump engaged in any form of sexual behavior. The administration was presumably eager to make such denials public at a time when the president has faced questions about a long-ago friendship with Epstein and as his administration has endured continued scrutiny over its handling of evidence from the case.

The transcript disclosure represents the latest Trump administration effort to repair self-inflicted political wounds after failing to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracy-theories-bondi-bongino-fbi-a143076353acbc1193cb9697e7fc4a90">deliver on expectations that its own officials had created</a>&nbsp;through conspiracy theories and bold pronouncements that never came to pass. By making public two days worth of interviews, officials appear to be hoping to at least temporarily keep at bay sustained anger from Trump’s base even as they send Congress evidence that they had previously kept from view.

“I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting,” Maxwell said, according to the transcript. “I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way. The President was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.”

Maxwell recalled knowing about Trump and possibly meeting him for the first time in 1990, when her newspaper magnate father, Robert Maxwell, was the owner of the New York Daily News.

She estimated that she hadn’t seen Trump since the mid-2000s, again in a social setting. Asked if she ever heard Epstein or anyone else say Trump “had done anything inappropriate with masseuses” or anyone else in their orbit, Maxwell replied, “Absolutely never, in any context.”

Maxwell, a onetime socialite who was convicted in 2021 of helping lure teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, was interviewed over the course of two days last month by Blanche at a Florida courthouse.

Blanche prefaced the interview by saying Maxwell had been given limited immunity, allowing her to speak freely without fear of prosecution for anything she said. The only exceptions, he said, were if she lied or gave statements inconsistent with what she’d previously said.

After her interview,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-prison-27d53cd22f8c53d9f2b5012cea32eb5e">Maxwell was moved from the low-security federal prison in Florida</a>&nbsp;where she had been serving a 20-year sentence to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas. Neither her lawyer nor the federal Bureau of Prisons have explained the reason for the move.

The Epstein case had long captured public attention in part because of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-documents-prince-andrew-harvey-weinstein-1e20f426af0c610db7963cdaf85c209f">wealthy financer’s social connections over the years to prominent figures</a>, including Prince Andrew, former President Bill Clinton and Trump, who has said his relationship with Epstein ended years before. Epstein was arrested in 2019 on sex-trafficking charges, accused of sexually abusing dozens of teenage girls, and was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">found dead a month later in a New York jail cell in what investigators described as a suicide.</a>

The saga has consumed the Trump administration over the last month following an abrupt two-page announcement from the FBI and Justice Department that Epstein had killed himself despite conspiracy theories to the contrary, that a “client list” that Attorney General Pam Bondi had intimated was on her desk did not actually exist and that no additional documents from the high-profile investigation were suitable to be released.

The announcement produced outrage from conspiracy theorists, online sleuths and Trump supporters who had been hoping to see proof of a government coverup. That expectation was driven in part by comments from officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Dan Bongino, who on podcasts before taking their current positions had repeatedly promoted the idea that damaging details about prominent people were being withheld.

Patel, for instance, said in at least one podcast interview before becoming director that Epstein’s “black book” was under the “direct control of the director of the FBI.”

The administration had an early stumble in February when far-right influencers were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-files-pam-bondi-trump-1a6af3e9fa1cfb6d267985a971a4929a">invited to the White House in February</a>&nbsp;and provided by Bondi with binders marked “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” and “Declassified” that contained documents that had largely already been in the public domain.

After the first release fell flat, Bondi said officials were poring over a “truckload” of previously withheld evidence she said had been handed over by the FBI and raised expectations of forthcoming releases.

But after a weekslong review of evidence in the government’s possession, the Justice Department said last month that no “further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.” The department noted that much of the material was placed under seal by a court to protect victims and “only a fraction” of it “would have been aired publicly had Epstein gone to trial.”

Faced with fury from his base, Trump sought to quickly turn the page, shutting down questioning of Bondi about Epstein at a White House Cabinet meeting and deriding as “weaklings” supporters who he said were falling for the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.”

The kerfuffle also created bitter divisions within the administration, as Bondi and Bongino angrily clashed at a White House meeting last month. Bongino was uncharacteristically silent on social media for several days after that.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755895048179.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-justice-department-interview-053ad2ae16f31b9d7300340d5f9349c5">Jeffrey Epstein's imprisoned former girlfriend</a>&nbsp;repeatedly denied to the Justice Department witnessing any sexually inappropriate interactions with Donald Trump, according to records released Friday meant to distance the Republican president from the disgraced financer.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/maxwell-interview">Click here</a> to listen to and or read the transcriptsThe Trump administration issued hundreds of pages of transcripts from interviews that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted with Ghislaine Maxwell last month as the administration was scrambling to present itself as transparent amid a fierce backlash&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-pam-bondi-03fbcd024f631440f7ed62b3c6927db3">over an earlier refusal to disclose a trove of records from the sex-trafficking case.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704416234390.png" alt="FILE — Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell AP Photo/John Minchillo" />
 <figcaption>FILE — Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell AP Photo/John Minchillo</figcaption>
 </figure>The records show Maxwell repeatedly showering Trump with praise and denying under questioning from Blanche that she had observed Trump engaged in any form of sexual behavior. The administration was presumably eager to make such denials public at a time when the president has faced questions about a long-ago friendship with Epstein and as his administration has endured continued scrutiny over its handling of evidence from the case.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump on Epstein Files: &quot;The whole Epstein thing is a Democrat hoax...Bill Clinton was on his plane and went to the island supposedly 28 times. I don&#39;t want to bring that up, frankly.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Mb9PZBT6lI">pic.twitter.com/Mb9PZBT6lI</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1958949953629200668?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The transcript disclosure represents the latest Trump administration effort to repair self-inflicted political wounds after failing to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracy-theories-bondi-bongino-fbi-a143076353acbc1193cb9697e7fc4a90">deliver on expectations that its own officials had created</a>&nbsp;through conspiracy theories and bold pronouncements that never came to pass. By making public two days worth of interviews, officials appear to be hoping to at least temporarily keep at bay sustained anger from Trump’s base even as they send Congress evidence that they had previously kept from view.“I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting,” Maxwell said, according to the transcript. “I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way. The President was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.”Maxwell recalled knowing about Trump and possibly meeting him for the first time in 1990, when her newspaper magnate father, Robert Maxwell, was the owner of the New York Daily News.She estimated that she hadn’t seen Trump since the mid-2000s, again in a social setting. Asked if she ever heard Epstein or anyone else say Trump “had done anything inappropriate with masseuses” or anyone else in their orbit, Maxwell replied, “Absolutely never, in any context.”Maxwell, a onetime socialite who was convicted in 2021 of helping lure teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, was interviewed over the course of two days last month by Blanche at a Florida courthouse.Blanche prefaced the interview by saying Maxwell had been given limited immunity, allowing her to speak freely without fear of prosecution for anything she said. The only exceptions, he said, were if she lied or gave statements inconsistent with what she’d previously said.After her interview,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-prison-27d53cd22f8c53d9f2b5012cea32eb5e">Maxwell was moved from the low-security federal prison in Florida</a>&nbsp;where she had been serving a 20-year sentence to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas. Neither her lawyer nor the federal Bureau of Prisons have explained the reason for the move.The Epstein case had long captured public attention in part because of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-documents-prince-andrew-harvey-weinstein-1e20f426af0c610db7963cdaf85c209f">wealthy financer’s social connections over the years to prominent figures</a>, including Prince Andrew, former President Bill Clinton and Trump, who has said his relationship with Epstein ended years before. Epstein was arrested in 2019 on sex-trafficking charges, accused of sexually abusing dozens of teenage girls, and was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">found dead a month later in a New York jail cell in what investigators described as a suicide.</a>The saga has consumed the Trump administration over the last month following an abrupt two-page announcement from the FBI and Justice Department that Epstein had killed himself despite conspiracy theories to the contrary, that a “client list” that Attorney General Pam Bondi had intimated was on her desk did not actually exist and that no additional documents from the high-profile investigation were suitable to be released.The announcement produced outrage from conspiracy theorists, online sleuths and Trump supporters who had been hoping to see proof of a government coverup. That expectation was driven in part by comments from officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Dan Bongino, who on podcasts before taking their current positions had repeatedly promoted the idea that damaging details about prominent people were being withheld.Patel, for instance, said in at least one podcast interview before becoming director that Epstein’s “black book” was under the “direct control of the director of the FBI.”The administration had an early stumble in February when far-right influencers were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-files-pam-bondi-trump-1a6af3e9fa1cfb6d267985a971a4929a">invited to the White House in February</a>&nbsp;and provided by Bondi with binders marked “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” and “Declassified” that contained documents that had largely already been in the public domain.After the first release fell flat, Bondi said officials were poring over a “truckload” of previously withheld evidence she said had been handed over by the FBI and raised expectations of forthcoming releases.But after a weekslong review of evidence in the government’s possession, the Justice Department said last month that no “further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.” The department noted that much of the material was placed under seal by a court to protect victims and “only a fraction” of it “would have been aired publicly had Epstein gone to trial.”Faced with fury from his base, Trump sought to quickly turn the page, shutting down questioning of Bondi about Epstein at a White House Cabinet meeting and deriding as “weaklings” supporters who he said were falling for the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.”The kerfuffle also created bitter divisions within the administration, as Bondi and Bongino angrily clashed at a White House meeting last month. Bongino was uncharacteristically silent on social media for several days after that.

🎙Read, listen to the DOJ interview with Epstein's girlfriend

<a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Salina&amp;state=KS&amp;site=ICT&amp;lat=38.8158&amp;lon=-97.6178">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.

For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755869736433.png" alt="Weather forecast for August 22 - August, 24 2025 in Salina; according to the US National Weather Service" />
 <figcaption>Weather forecast for August 22 - August, 24 2025 in Salina; according to the 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 the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 22 - August 24

Matthew Bradley Moxter, 42, of Topeka (formerly of Salina), passed away Sunday, August 17, 2025. &nbsp;He was born in Salina, Kansas on April 12, 1983, to Bradley J. Moxter and Kelly A. Wills. &nbsp;He attended Salina Central High School and graduated in 2001. &nbsp; He attended Washburn University and then joined the United States Marine Corp and served for four years. &nbsp;He worked at Cable Dahmer Car Dealership in Topeka. &nbsp;Matthew was an avid sports fan, you could find him cheering for the San Fransico 49ers, Kansas State Wildcats and the Kansas City Royals. &nbsp;He loved attending concerts and listening to music, especially Michael Jackson. &nbsp;

He is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Robert and Emerald “Loraine” Wills; paternal grandparents, Lawrence and Helen Moxter; and special companion, Teddy.

Left to mourn his passing are his parents, Bradley J. Moxter and Kelly A. Wills; siblings, Dustin Moxter (Juaacklyn Jackson), Andrew Moxter (Mai), and Kandice Moxter; niece and nephews, Aiden, Naomi, Braxton, Ahlony, Alayna, and Ayrie. &nbsp;

Matthew was always willing to help a friend in need. &nbsp;He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2025, at Roselawn Memorial Heights Chapel. &nbsp;

A celebration of life will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Roselawn Memorial Heights Chapel, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401. &nbsp;

Memorials may be made to Tunnels to Towers, in care of Heier Scott Mortuary and Cremations, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of&nbsp;Matthew Bradley Moxter, please&nbsp;<a href="https://www.roselawnsalina.com/obituary/matthew-moxter/flowers?campaign=obituaryThemed-flowers-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our sympathy store</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755817575383.jpeg" alt="Matthew Bradley Moxter" />
 <figcaption>Matthew Bradley Moxter</figcaption>
 </figure>Matthew Bradley Moxter, 42, of Topeka (formerly of Salina), passed away Sunday, August 17, 2025. &nbsp;He was born in Salina, Kansas on April 12, 1983, to Bradley J. Moxter and Kelly A. Wills. &nbsp;He attended Salina Central High School and graduated in 2001. &nbsp; He attended Washburn University and then joined the United States Marine Corp and served for four years. &nbsp;He worked at Cable Dahmer Car Dealership in Topeka. &nbsp;Matthew was an avid sports fan, you could find him cheering for the San Fransico 49ers, Kansas State Wildcats and the Kansas City Royals. &nbsp;He loved attending concerts and listening to music, especially Michael Jackson. &nbsp;He is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Robert and Emerald “Loraine” Wills; paternal grandparents, Lawrence and Helen Moxter; and special companion, Teddy.Left to mourn his passing are his parents, Bradley J. Moxter and Kelly A. Wills; siblings, Dustin Moxter (Juaacklyn Jackson), Andrew Moxter (Mai), and Kandice Moxter; niece and nephews, Aiden, Naomi, Braxton, Ahlony, Alayna, and Ayrie. &nbsp;Matthew was always willing to help a friend in need. &nbsp;He will be greatly missed.Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2025, at Roselawn Memorial Heights Chapel. &nbsp;A celebration of life will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Roselawn Memorial Heights Chapel, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401. &nbsp;Memorials may be made to Tunnels to Towers, in care of Heier Scott Mortuary and Cremations, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.To send a flower arrangement in memory of&nbsp;Matthew Bradley Moxter, please&nbsp;<a href="https://www.roselawnsalina.com/obituary/matthew-moxter/flowers?campaign=obituaryThemed-flowers-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our sympathy store</a>.

Matthew Bradley Moxter

WICHITA - A new book from Wichita State University President Rick Muma, “Student Centered, Innovation Driven,” offers a behind-the-scenes look at the forward-thinking strategies and innovative vision that helped transform a regional institution into a national model of applied learning, industry collaboration and student success.&nbsp;

Published by the University Press of Kansas, Muma’s warts-and-all narrative traces Wichita State’s decade-long evolution, capturing the challenges and pivotal decisions that shaped the university’s trajectory to become a nationwide leader in applied learning, student success, business and industry partnerships and research.&nbsp;&nbsp;

From launching major initiatives like the Innovation Campus and Wichita Biomedical Campus to rethinking how universities align with workforce demands, Muma shares the story of an institution unafraid to challenge convention in pursuit of meaningful impact.&nbsp;

“Wichita State’s transformation didn’t happen overnight,” Muma writes. “It happened because we listened to students, built trust with our community and refused to let outdated systems hold us back.”&nbsp;

In a time of increasing skepticism about the value of higher education, “Student Centered, Innovation Driven” makes a compelling case for what’s possible when universities prioritize access and collaboration. 

The book is both a chronicle of Wichita State’s rise and a model for other institutions looking to reinvent themselves from the inside out.&nbsp;

"Student Centered, Innovation Driven" is available Tuesday,&nbsp;August 26 wherever books are sold.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755798495080.jpeg" alt="WSU President Rick Muma holding new book "Student Centered, Innovative Driven." Release date is Tuesday, August 26 across bookstores. Courtesy of Wichita State University" />
 <figcaption>WSU President Rick Muma holding new book "Student Centered, Innovative Driven." Release date is Tuesday, August 26 across bookstores. Courtesy of Wichita State University</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita State University&nbsp;WICHITA - A new book from Wichita State University President Rick Muma, “Student Centered, Innovation Driven,” offers a behind-the-scenes look at the forward-thinking strategies and innovative vision that helped transform a regional institution into a national model of applied learning, industry collaboration and student success.&nbsp;Published by the University Press of Kansas, Muma’s warts-and-all narrative traces Wichita State’s decade-long evolution, capturing the challenges and pivotal decisions that shaped the university’s trajectory to become a nationwide leader in applied learning, student success, business and industry partnerships and research.&nbsp;&nbsp;From launching major initiatives like the Innovation Campus and Wichita Biomedical Campus to rethinking how universities align with workforce demands, Muma shares the story of an institution unafraid to challenge convention in pursuit of meaningful impact.&nbsp;“Wichita State’s transformation didn’t happen overnight,” Muma writes. “It happened because we listened to students, built trust with our community and refused to let outdated systems hold us back.”&nbsp;In a time of increasing skepticism about the value of higher education, “Student Centered, Innovation Driven” makes a compelling case for what’s possible when universities prioritize access and collaboration. The book is both a chronicle of Wichita State’s rise and a model for other institutions looking to reinvent themselves from the inside out.&nbsp;"Student Centered, Innovation Driven" is available Tuesday,&nbsp;August 26 wherever books are sold.&nbsp;

WSU President to release book about strategies that produce institutional success

Jean Walls, age 78, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on July 10, 2025. Born to Charles and Gladys Nelson in Chateauguay, New York, Jean’s life was marked by love, service, and grace. She spent her childhood in upstate New York, surrounded by her large extended family. She cherished berry picking, lake days at the Fish Camp, and the strong bonds that shaped her.

As a devoted military spouse, Jean managed her home with care and intention; raising 4 children and completing multiple moves across the United States. Her journey of faith began in Alaska, where she gave her life to Christ, a decision that brought her peace and purpose. Her faith would guide her lifelong service to others.

For over 22 years, Jean worked with the Anchorage School District, earning a reputation as a beloved and trusted presence among children, families, and educators. Beyond her career, she volunteered joyfully in churches as a nursery worker, Sunday School teacher, VBS leader, and children’s church camp counselor.

Jean’s talents were as abundant as her heart: a gifted hostess, quilter, home decorator, and organizer. Her hobbies included gardening, cooking, scrapbooking, and tending to flowers. Her hands were always busy, whether crafting, cleaning, comforting, or creating beauty for others. Even in her final days, her petite hands, though withered and changed, held tightly to the promises of her Heavenly Father.

Later in life, Jean married Roger Walls, with whom she shared 16 loving years. Together, they served in ministry, traveling, and building deep relationships. Roger brought sunlight back into Jean’s life, and their shared work made an impact on countless lives.

Jean was active in her local church, Women’s Missionary Union, Christian Women’s Association, quilting groups, Eastern Star, and the Social Order of Beauceant. Through all her civic and church involvement, her greatest passion remained her ministry to children and those in need.

Jean loved to laugh, read, shop, spend time with her family and savored coffee and chocolate. She was exceptionally photogenic with warm smiling eyes. Jean was a true lady; gentle and patient, with a rare softness and hidden strength. She was generous with her time, affection, forgiveness, and a listening ear. She was a wonderful person and universally loved. Jean’s life was a testament to quiet strength and selfless service. Her family and all who knew her are grateful for her love and the example she set.

She is survived by her husband, Roger Walls and brother Russell Nelson; her children Lori Shepherd, Carol Jessee, Crystal Smith, Scott Hoff and their spouses, 16 grandchildren and spouses, and 2 great-grandchildren. Stepchildren Rita Troxel, Roger Jr., Richard, Patrick, and John Walls. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Gladys and brother Timothy Nelson and 3 grandchildren, Phinehas, Zarah and Raphael Smith.

A Memorial Services for Jean will be 11 A.M., Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home. Family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7-9 P.M., at the funeral home. Family suggests memorials be given to Clay Center Chapter of the Easter Star; Abilene Home Health &amp; Hospice; Wichita Chapter of SOOB (Social Order Of Beauceant or Benevolent Lodge of Abilene. Memorials may be dropped off or mailed to Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW Third St., Abilene, Kansas 67410. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755792231299.jpeg" alt="Jean Lillian Walls " />
 <figcaption>Jean Lillian Walls </figcaption>
 </figure>Jean Walls, age 78, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on July 10, 2025. Born to Charles and Gladys Nelson in Chateauguay, New York, Jean’s life was marked by love, service, and grace. She spent her childhood in upstate New York, surrounded by her large extended family. She cherished berry picking, lake days at the Fish Camp, and the strong bonds that shaped her.As a devoted military spouse, Jean managed her home with care and intention; raising 4 children and completing multiple moves across the United States. Her journey of faith began in Alaska, where she gave her life to Christ, a decision that brought her peace and purpose. Her faith would guide her lifelong service to others.For over 22 years, Jean worked with the Anchorage School District, earning a reputation as a beloved and trusted presence among children, families, and educators. Beyond her career, she volunteered joyfully in churches as a nursery worker, Sunday School teacher, VBS leader, and children’s church camp counselor.Jean’s talents were as abundant as her heart: a gifted hostess, quilter, home decorator, and organizer. Her hobbies included gardening, cooking, scrapbooking, and tending to flowers. Her hands were always busy, whether crafting, cleaning, comforting, or creating beauty for others. Even in her final days, her petite hands, though withered and changed, held tightly to the promises of her Heavenly Father.Later in life, Jean married Roger Walls, with whom she shared 16 loving years. Together, they served in ministry, traveling, and building deep relationships. Roger brought sunlight back into Jean’s life, and their shared work made an impact on countless lives.Jean was active in her local church, Women’s Missionary Union, Christian Women’s Association, quilting groups, Eastern Star, and the Social Order of Beauceant. Through all her civic and church involvement, her greatest passion remained her ministry to children and those in need.Jean loved to laugh, read, shop, spend time with her family and savored coffee and chocolate. She was exceptionally photogenic with warm smiling eyes. Jean was a true lady; gentle and patient, with a rare softness and hidden strength. She was generous with her time, affection, forgiveness, and a listening ear. She was a wonderful person and universally loved. Jean’s life was a testament to quiet strength and selfless service. Her family and all who knew her are grateful for her love and the example she set.She is survived by her husband, Roger Walls and brother Russell Nelson; her children Lori Shepherd, Carol Jessee, Crystal Smith, Scott Hoff and their spouses, 16 grandchildren and spouses, and 2 great-grandchildren. Stepchildren Rita Troxel, Roger Jr., Richard, Patrick, and John Walls. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Gladys and brother Timothy Nelson and 3 grandchildren, Phinehas, Zarah and Raphael Smith.A Memorial Services for Jean will be 11 A.M., Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home. Family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7-9 P.M., at the funeral home. Family suggests memorials be given to Clay Center Chapter of the Easter Star; Abilene Home Health &amp; Hospice; Wichita Chapter of SOOB (Social Order Of Beauceant or Benevolent Lodge of Abilene. Memorials may be dropped off or mailed to Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW Third St., Abilene, Kansas 67410. Online condolences may be sent to <a href="http://www.martinbeckercarlson.com">www.martinbeckercarlson.com</a>

Jean Lillian Walls 

By MIKE CATALINI and HOLLY MEYER Associated Press

Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/94982d52cefc48babc242fb0e3853a43">James Dobson</a>, a politically influential child psychologist who started a radio show counseling Christians on how to be good parents, founded the conservative ministry Focus on the Family and was long a campaigner against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, died on Thursday. He was 89.

His death was confirmed by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.

Born in 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dobson started a radio show counseling Christians on how to be good parents and in 1977 founded Focus on the Family. At its peak, the organization had more than 1,000 employees and gave Dobson a platform to weigh in on legislation and serve as an adviser to five presidents.

He became a force in the 1980s for pushing conservative Christian ideals in American politics alongside fundamentalist giants like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. He campaigned for bringing religious conservatives into the political mainstream, and in 1989, Falwell called Dobson a rising star. Decades later, he served on a board of evangelical leaders that advised President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in 2016. He supported Trump in all three of his presidential campaigns.

He celebrated the 2022 overturning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;— including Trump’s conservative appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court credited with the landmark decision that allowed states to ban abortion.

“Whether you like Donald Trump or not, whether you supported or voted for him or not, if you are supportive of this Dobbs decision that struck down Roe v. Wade, you have to mention in the same breath the man who made it possible,” he said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.drjamesdobson.org/broadcasts/a-historic-victory-for-life-dr-dobson-reacts-to-the-reversal-of-roe-v-wade-part-1/">ministry broadcast</a>.

Dobson left Focus on the Family in 2010 and founded the institute that bears his name. He continued with the Family Talk radio show, which is nationally syndicated and is carried by 1,500 radio outlets with more than half a million listeners weekly, according to the institute.

“Dr. Dobson’s impact endures through the many lives he touched, the families he strengthened, and the unshakable faith he proclaimed,” his family said in a statement announcing his death.

Gary Bauer, a senior vice president at Dobson’s institute, called him a “pioneer” who helped families in a world of shifting values. Dobson interviewed President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office in 1985, thanking him for concentrating on issues important to families.

Dobson's radio program promoted guests who said they abandoned their homosexuality and instead embraced Christianity.

Dobson was not just an influential voice that helped lead the rise of the Christian, conservative movement to today, where such a large portion of Republican voters consider themselves evangelical conservatives. He was also mentor to today’s leading Christian conservative voices.

Dobson, as a board member on Family Research Council, approached Tony Perkins, then a Louisiana state legislator, to become president of the organization. That was after Perkins grew up in his family church, watching Dobson’s films and following his lead with his own work in the Louisiana Legislature.

In Perkins’ first week as president, he and Dobson stood on the steps of the Alabama Supreme Court to support the installation of a monument to the Ten Commandments in the building. The action led to a court case and the monument’s removal.

Dobson belongs on the “Mount Rushmore” of the Christian conservatives, Perkins said, notably for leading an evangelical church-driven counter-movement to a family and parenting ethos of the 1960s embodied in the progressive teachings of Dr. Benjamin Spock.

“Very few people have had such a positive impact in the shaping of the American family, from what we would describe as a biblical standpoint,” said Perkins, who remains the group’s president. “While his passing is sad and it leaves a vacancy, he has a legacy that will live on.”

After developing a following of millions, Dobson considered running for president in the 2000 election, following in the footsteps of former television minister Pat Robertson’s surprise success in 1988.

“He had a big audience. He was not afraid to speak out. He became a very important voice and there was even talk that he might run for president,” said Ralph Reed, a Christian conservative political organizer and lobbyist who founded the Faith and Freedom Coalition. “If Jim had decided to run, he would have been a major force.”

Reed’s organization presented Dobson with a lifetime achievement award in 2017.

Despite their close association later in life, Reed’s enduring memory was as a younger political organizer traveling through rural America with Dobson’s voice as his sole companion.

“I’d be out there somewhere, and I could go to the AM dial and there was never a time, day or night when I couldn’t find that guy,” Reed said. “There will probably never be another one like him.”

An anti-pornography crusader, Dobson recorded a video interview with serial killer Ted Bundy the day before his January 24, 1989, execution in Florida. Bundy told Dobson that exposure to pornography helped fuel his sexual urges to a point that he looked for satisfaction by mutilating, killing and raping women.

At the time, Dobson’s Focus on the Family program was broadcast daily on 1,200 radio stations.

Months after the execution, Bundy’s attorney James Coleman downplayed the Dobson exchange in an interview with The Associated Press.

“I think that was a little bit of Ted telling the minister what he wanted to hear and Ted offering an explanation that would exonerate him personally,” Coleman told The Associated Press in 1989. “I had heard that before and I told Ted I never accepted it.”

Dobson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley, as well as their children, Danae and Ryan, daughter-in-law Laura, and two grandchildren, his family's statement said.

Catalini reported from Trenton, New Jersey, and Meyer from Nashville, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Tom Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755787184722.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE CATALINI and HOLLY MEYER Associated PressDr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/94982d52cefc48babc242fb0e3853a43">James Dobson</a>, a politically influential child psychologist who started a radio show counseling Christians on how to be good parents, founded the conservative ministry Focus on the Family and was long a campaigner against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, died on Thursday. He was 89.His death was confirmed by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">For nearly five decades, his voice championed life, marriage, and the truth of God’s Word. As we grieve, we also give thanks — for his life, his legacy, and the mission that lives on through the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. <a href="https://t.co/TEBn59Fesy">pic.twitter.com/TEBn59Fesy</a>&mdash; Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (@DrJamesDobsonFT) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrJamesDobsonFT/status/1958497811453886630?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Born in 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dobson started a radio show counseling Christians on how to be good parents and in 1977 founded Focus on the Family. At its peak, the organization had more than 1,000 employees and gave Dobson a platform to weigh in on legislation and serve as an adviser to five presidents.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today we remember a hero of the faith. Our Founder, Dr. James C. Dobson, passed away this morning. Although we&#39;re sorrowful over this loss, we are thankful for his legacy of family ministry that will live on for future generations, and rejoice that he is now in the presence of… <a href="https://t.co/H8sSsXssos">pic.twitter.com/H8sSsXssos</a>&mdash; Focus on the Family (@FocusFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/FocusFamily/status/1958532943464268014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He became a force in the 1980s for pushing conservative Christian ideals in American politics alongside fundamentalist giants like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. He campaigned for bringing religious conservatives into the political mainstream, and in 1989, Falwell called Dobson a rising star. Decades later, he served on a board of evangelical leaders that advised President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in 2016. He supported Trump in all three of his presidential campaigns.He celebrated the 2022 overturning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;— including Trump’s conservative appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court credited with the landmark decision that allowed states to ban abortion.“Whether you like Donald Trump or not, whether you supported or voted for him or not, if you are supportive of this Dobbs decision that struck down Roe v. Wade, you have to mention in the same breath the man who made it possible,” he said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.drjamesdobson.org/broadcasts/a-historic-victory-for-life-dr-dobson-reacts-to-the-reversal-of-roe-v-wade-part-1/">ministry broadcast</a>.Dobson left Focus on the Family in 2010 and founded the institute that bears his name. He continued with the Family Talk radio show, which is nationally syndicated and is carried by 1,500 radio outlets with more than half a million listeners weekly, according to the institute.“Dr. Dobson’s impact endures through the many lives he touched, the families he strengthened, and the unshakable faith he proclaimed,” his family said in a statement announcing his death.Gary Bauer, a senior vice president at Dobson’s institute, called him a “pioneer” who helped families in a world of shifting values. Dobson interviewed President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office in 1985, thanking him for concentrating on issues important to families.Dobson's radio program promoted guests who said they abandoned their homosexuality and instead embraced Christianity.Dobson was not just an influential voice that helped lead the rise of the Christian, conservative movement to today, where such a large portion of Republican voters consider themselves evangelical conservatives. He was also mentor to today’s leading Christian conservative voices.Dobson, as a board member on Family Research Council, approached Tony Perkins, then a Louisiana state legislator, to become president of the organization. That was after Perkins grew up in his family church, watching Dobson’s films and following his lead with his own work in the Louisiana Legislature.In Perkins’ first week as president, he and Dobson stood on the steps of the Alabama Supreme Court to support the installation of a monument to the Ten Commandments in the building. The action led to a court case and the monument’s removal.Dobson belongs on the “Mount Rushmore” of the Christian conservatives, Perkins said, notably for leading an evangelical church-driven counter-movement to a family and parenting ethos of the 1960s embodied in the progressive teachings of Dr. Benjamin Spock.“Very few people have had such a positive impact in the shaping of the American family, from what we would describe as a biblical standpoint,” said Perkins, who remains the group’s president. “While his passing is sad and it leaves a vacancy, he has a legacy that will live on.”After developing a following of millions, Dobson considered running for president in the 2000 election, following in the footsteps of former television minister Pat Robertson’s surprise success in 1988.“He had a big audience. He was not afraid to speak out. He became a very important voice and there was even talk that he might run for president,” said Ralph Reed, a Christian conservative political organizer and lobbyist who founded the Faith and Freedom Coalition. “If Jim had decided to run, he would have been a major force.”Reed’s organization presented Dobson with a lifetime achievement award in 2017.Despite their close association later in life, Reed’s enduring memory was as a younger political organizer traveling through rural America with Dobson’s voice as his sole companion.“I’d be out there somewhere, and I could go to the AM dial and there was never a time, day or night when I couldn’t find that guy,” Reed said. “There will probably never be another one like him.”An anti-pornography crusader, Dobson recorded a video interview with serial killer Ted Bundy the day before his January 24, 1989, execution in Florida. Bundy told Dobson that exposure to pornography helped fuel his sexual urges to a point that he looked for satisfaction by mutilating, killing and raping women.At the time, Dobson’s Focus on the Family program was broadcast daily on 1,200 radio stations.Months after the execution, Bundy’s attorney James Coleman downplayed the Dobson exchange in an interview with The Associated Press.“I think that was a little bit of Ted telling the minister what he wanted to hear and Ted offering an explanation that would exonerate him personally,” Coleman told The Associated Press in 1989. “I had heard that before and I told Ted I never accepted it.”Dobson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley, as well as their children, Danae and Ryan, daughter-in-law Laura, and two grandchildren, his family's statement said.___Catalini reported from Trenton, New Jersey, and Meyer from Nashville, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Tom Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed.

Legendary evangelical leader Dr. James Dobson dead at 89

Cooler temperatures are looking to transpire with isolated storms for this upcoming weekend in Central Kansas.

According to the&nbsp;US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) after Friday, August 22, temperatures are expected to drop, starting Saturday - Monday. Isolated storms are anticipated to occur in the event of the cooler weather this weekend.

Monday, August 25 is listed as the coolest day with highs only reaching to the mid 70's.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755782818498.png" alt="Central Kansas forecast for Thursday, August 21 - Monday, August 25. Courtesy of US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS)" />
 <figcaption>Central Kansas forecast for Thursday, August 21 - Monday, August 25. Courtesy of US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS)</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina PostCooler temperatures are looking to transpire with isolated storms for this upcoming weekend in Central Kansas.According to the&nbsp;US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) after Friday, August 22, temperatures are expected to drop, starting Saturday - Monday. Isolated storms are anticipated to occur in the event of the cooler weather this weekend.Monday, August 25 is listed as the coolest day with highs only reaching to the mid 70's.Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

Cooler temps with isolated storms expected for the weekend in Central Kansas

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jeff-amy">JEFF AMY</a> Associated Press

Jamel Bishop is seeing a big change in his classrooms as he begins his senior year at Doss High School in Louisville, Kentucky, where cellphones are now banned during instructional time.

In previous years, students often weren’t paying attention and wasted class time by repeating questions, the teenager said. Now, teachers can provide “more one-on-one time for the students who actually need it.”

Kentucky is one of 17 states and the District of Columbia starting this school year with new restrictions, bringing the total to 35 states with laws or rules limiting phones and other electronic devices in school. This change has come remarkably quickly:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-schools-cell-phone-ban-social-media-89b0c8bdad325fb9a776f4384602a1a1">Florida became the first state</a>&nbsp;to pass such a law in 2023.

Both&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-school-cellphone-phone-ban-tennessee-utah-f633d3001a9d634269aa68db258184ee">Democrats and Republicans</a>&nbsp;have taken up the cause, reflecting a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-cell-phone-ban-extracurricular-afterschool-4d89f5b7fd7c8f1d5903f8c04f26da54">growing consensus</a>&nbsp;that phones are bad for kids’ mental health and take their focus away from learning, even as some researchers say the issue is less clear-cut.

“Anytime you have a bill that’s passed in California and Florida, you know you’re probably onto something that’s pretty popular,” Georgia state Rep. Scott Hilton, a Republican, told a forum on cellphone use last week in Atlanta.

Phones are banned throughout the school day in 18 of the states and the District of Columbia, although Georgia and Florida impose such “bell-to-bell” bans only from kindergarten through eighth grade. Another seven states ban them during class time, but not between classes or during lunch. Still others, particularly those with traditions of local school control, mandate only a cellphone policy, believing districts will take the hint and sharply restrict phone access.

For students, the rules add new school-day rituals, like putting phones in magnetic pouches or special lockers.

Students have been locking up their phones during class at McNair High School in suburban Atlanta since last year. Audreanna Johnson, a junior, said “most of them did not want to turn in their phones” at first, because students would use them to gossip, texting “their other friends in other classes to see what’s the tea and what’s going on around the building.”

That resentment is “starting to ease down” now, she said. “More students are willing to give up their phones and not get distracted.”

But there are drawbacks — like not being able to listen to music when working independently in class. “I’m kind of 50-50 on the situation because me, I use headphones to do my schoolwork. I listen to music to help focus,” she said.

In a survey of 125 Georgia school districts by Emory University researchers, parental resistance was cited as the top obstacle to regulating student use of social and digital media.

Johnson’s mother, Audrena Johnson, said she worries most about knowing her children are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-school-shooting-cellphone-bans-cb68f601be5193bfeb62e9fd065978a1">safe from violence at school</a>. School messages about threats can be delayed and incomplete, she said, like when someone who wasn’t a McNair student got into a fight on school property, which she learned about when her daughter texted her during the school day.

“My child having her phone is very important to me, because if something were to happen, I know instantly,” Johnson said.

Many parents echo this — generally supporting restrictions but wanting a say in the policymaking and better communication, particularly about safety — and they have a real need to coordinate schedules with their children and to know about any problems their children may encounter, said Jason Allen, the national director of partnerships for the National Parents Union.

“We just changed the cellphone policy, but aren’t meeting the parents’ needs in regards to safety and really training teachers to work with students on social emotional development,” Allen said.

Some researchers say it’s not yet clear what types of social media may cause harm, and whether restrictions have benefits, but teachers “love the policy,” according to Julie Gazmararian, a professor of public health at Emory University who does surveys and focus groups to research the effects of a phone ban in middle school grades in the Marietta school district near Atlanta.

“They could focus more on teaching,” Gazmararian said. “There were just not the disruptions.”

Another benefit: More positive interactions among students. “They were saying that kids are talking to each other in the hallways and in the cafeteria,” she said. “And in the classroom, there is a noticeably lower amount of discipline referrals.”

Gazmararian is still compiling numbers on grades and discipline, and cautioned that her work may not be able to answer whether bullying has been reduced or mental health improved.

Social media use clearly correlates with poor mental health, but research can’t yet prove it causes it, according to Munmun De Choudhury, a Georgia Tech professor who studies this issue.

“We need to be able to quantify what types of social media use are causing harm, what types of social media use can be beneficial,” De Choudhury said.

Some state legislatures are bucking the momentum.

Wyoming’s Senate in January rejected requiring districts to create some kind of a cellphone policy after opponents argued that teachers and parents need to be responsible.

And in the Michigan House in July, a Republican-sponsored bill directing schools to ban phones bell-to-bell in grades K-8 and during high school instruction time was defeated in July after Democrats insisted on upholding local control. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, among multiple governors who made restricting phones in schools a priority this year, is still calling for a bill to come to her desk.

Associated Press writers Isabella Volmert in Lansing, Michigan, and Dylan Lovan in Louisville, Kentucky, contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679496400146.jpg" alt="Photo Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Photo Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jeff-amy">JEFF AMY</a> Associated PressJamel Bishop is seeing a big change in his classrooms as he begins his senior year at Doss High School in Louisville, Kentucky, where cellphones are now banned during instructional time.In previous years, students often weren’t paying attention and wasted class time by repeating questions, the teenager said. Now, teachers can provide “more one-on-one time for the students who actually need it.”Kentucky is one of 17 states and the District of Columbia starting this school year with new restrictions, bringing the total to 35 states with laws or rules limiting phones and other electronic devices in school. This change has come remarkably quickly:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-schools-cell-phone-ban-social-media-89b0c8bdad325fb9a776f4384602a1a1">Florida became the first state</a>&nbsp;to pass such a law in 2023.Both&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-school-cellphone-phone-ban-tennessee-utah-f633d3001a9d634269aa68db258184ee">Democrats and Republicans</a>&nbsp;have taken up the cause, reflecting a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-cell-phone-ban-extracurricular-afterschool-4d89f5b7fd7c8f1d5903f8c04f26da54">growing consensus</a>&nbsp;that phones are bad for kids’ mental health and take their focus away from learning, even as some researchers say the issue is less clear-cut.“Anytime you have a bill that’s passed in California and Florida, you know you’re probably onto something that’s pretty popular,” Georgia state Rep. Scott Hilton, a Republican, told a forum on cellphone use last week in Atlanta.Phones are banned throughout the school day in 18 of the states and the District of Columbia, although Georgia and Florida impose such “bell-to-bell” bans only from kindergarten through eighth grade. Another seven states ban them during class time, but not between classes or during lunch. Still others, particularly those with traditions of local school control, mandate only a cellphone policy, believing districts will take the hint and sharply restrict phone access.<h2>Students see pros and cons</h2>For students, the rules add new school-day rituals, like putting phones in magnetic pouches or special lockers.Students have been locking up their phones during class at McNair High School in suburban Atlanta since last year. Audreanna Johnson, a junior, said “most of them did not want to turn in their phones” at first, because students would use them to gossip, texting “their other friends in other classes to see what’s the tea and what’s going on around the building.”That resentment is “starting to ease down” now, she said. “More students are willing to give up their phones and not get distracted.”But there are drawbacks — like not being able to listen to music when working independently in class. “I’m kind of 50-50 on the situation because me, I use headphones to do my schoolwork. I listen to music to help focus,” she said.<h2>Some parents want constant contact</h2>In a survey of 125 Georgia school districts by Emory University researchers, parental resistance was cited as the top obstacle to regulating student use of social and digital media.Johnson’s mother, Audrena Johnson, said she worries most about knowing her children are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-school-shooting-cellphone-bans-cb68f601be5193bfeb62e9fd065978a1">safe from violence at school</a>. School messages about threats can be delayed and incomplete, she said, like when someone who wasn’t a McNair student got into a fight on school property, which she learned about when her daughter texted her during the school day.“My child having her phone is very important to me, because if something were to happen, I know instantly,” Johnson said.Many parents echo this — generally supporting restrictions but wanting a say in the policymaking and better communication, particularly about safety — and they have a real need to coordinate schedules with their children and to know about any problems their children may encounter, said Jason Allen, the national director of partnerships for the National Parents Union.“We just changed the cellphone policy, but aren’t meeting the parents’ needs in regards to safety and really training teachers to work with students on social emotional development,” Allen said.<h2>Research remains in an early stage</h2>Some researchers say it’s not yet clear what types of social media may cause harm, and whether restrictions have benefits, but teachers “love the policy,” according to Julie Gazmararian, a professor of public health at Emory University who does surveys and focus groups to research the effects of a phone ban in middle school grades in the Marietta school district near Atlanta.“They could focus more on teaching,” Gazmararian said. “There were just not the disruptions.”Another benefit: More positive interactions among students. “They were saying that kids are talking to each other in the hallways and in the cafeteria,” she said. “And in the classroom, there is a noticeably lower amount of discipline referrals.”Gazmararian is still compiling numbers on grades and discipline, and cautioned that her work may not be able to answer whether bullying has been reduced or mental health improved.Social media use clearly correlates with poor mental health, but research can’t yet prove it causes it, according to Munmun De Choudhury, a Georgia Tech professor who studies this issue.“We need to be able to quantify what types of social media use are causing harm, what types of social media use can be beneficial,” De Choudhury said.<h2>A few states reject rules</h2>Some state legislatures are bucking the momentum.Wyoming’s Senate in January rejected requiring districts to create some kind of a cellphone policy after opponents argued that teachers and parents need to be responsible.And in the Michigan House in July, a Republican-sponsored bill directing schools to ban phones bell-to-bell in grades K-8 and during high school instruction time was defeated in July after Democrats insisted on upholding local control. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, among multiple governors who made restricting phones in schools a priority this year, is still calling for a bill to come to her desk.___Associated Press writers Isabella Volmert in Lansing, Michigan, and Dylan Lovan in Louisville, Kentucky, contributed.

Students face new cellphone restrictions in 17 states as school year begins

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jim-vertuno">JIM VERTUNO</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/nicholas-riccardi">NICHOLAS RICCARDI</a>

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Republicans on Wednesday took the first step toward approving new congressional maps that would give their party as many as five new seats in the House of Representatives, spurring what’s likely to be a national battle over redistricting.

The approval by the Texas House of Representatives came at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-house-republicans-texas-redistricting-d18e8280a32872d9eefcbb26f66a0331">urging of President Donald Trump</a>, who pushed for the extraordinary mid-decade revision of congressional maps to give his party a better chance at holding onto the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections. The maps need to be approved by the GOP-controlled state Senate and signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott before they become official.

But the Texas House presented the best chance for Democrats to derail the redraw.

Democratic legislators delayed the vote by two weeks by fleeing Texas earlier this month in protest, and they were assigned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-california-redistricting-battle-dc42d64df69e6d8e922a0aa72fb0a2d8">round-the-clock police monitoring</a>&nbsp;upon their return to ensure they attended Wednesday’s session.

The approval of the Texas maps on an 88-52 party-line vote is likely to prompt California’s Democratic-controlled state Legislature this week to approve of a new House map creating five new Democratic-leaning districts. But the California map would require voter approval in November.

Democrats have also vowed to challenge the new Texas map in court and complained that Republicans made the political power move before passing legislation responding to deadly floods that swept the state last month.

Texas Republicans openly said they were acting in their party’s interest. State Rep. Todd Hunter, who wrote the legislation formally creating the new map, noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed politicians to redraw districts for nakedly partisan purposes.

“The underlying goal of this plan is straight forward: improve Republican political performance,” Hunter, a Republican, said on the floor. After nearly eight hours of debate, Hunter took the floor again to sum up the entire dispute as nothing more than a partisan fight. “What’s the difference, to the whole world listening? Republicans like it, and Democrats do not.”

Democrats said the disagreement was about more than partisanship.

“In a democracy, people choose their representatives,” State Rep. Chris Turner said. “This bill flips that on its head and lets politicians in Washington, D.C., choose their voters.”

State Rep. John H. Bucy blamed the president. “This is Donald Trump’s map,” Bucy said. “It clearly and deliberately manufactures five more Republican seats in Congress because Trump himself knows that the voters are rejecting his agenda.”

Redistricting becomes tool nationwide in battle for US House

The Republican power play has already triggered a national tit-for-tat battle as Democratic state lawmakers prepared to gather in California on Thursday to revise that state’s map to create five new Democratic seats.

“This is a new Democratic Party, this is a new day, this is new energy out there all across this country,” California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said on a call with reporters on Wednesday. “And we’re going to fight fire with fire.”

A new California map would need to be approved by voters in a special election in November because that state normally operates with a nonpartisan commission drawing the map to avoid the very sort of political brawl that is playing out. Newsom himself backed the 2008 ballot measure to create that process, as did former President Barack Obama. But in a sign of Democrats’ stiffening resolve, Obama Tuesday night&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-newsom-redistricting-texas-democrats-house-midterms-26ef7d0ccb44e57a5ddc36ff99f7de9c">backed Newsom’s bid to redraw the California map</a>, saying it was a necessary step to stave off the GOP’s Texas move.

“I think that approach is a smart, measured approach,” Obama said during a fundraiser for the Democratic Party’s main redistricting arm.

The incumbent president’s party usually loses seats in the midterm election, and the GOP currently controls the House of Representatives by a mere three votes. Trump is going beyond Texas in his push to remake the map. He’s pushed Republican leaders in conservative states like Indiana and Missouri to also try to create new Republican seats. Ohio Republicans were already revising their map before Texas moved. Democrats, meanwhile, are mulling reopening Maryland’s and New York’s maps as well.

However, more Democratic-run states have commission systems like California’s or other redistricting limits than Republican ones do, leaving the GOP with a freer hand to swiftly redraw maps. New York, for example, can’t draw new maps until 2028, and even then, only with voter approval.

In Texas, there was little that outnumbered Democrats could do other than fume and threaten a lawsuit to block the map. Because the Supreme Court has blessed purely partisan gerrymandering, the only way opponents can stop the new Texas map would be by arguing it violates the Voting Rights Act requirement to keep minority communities together so they can select representatives of their choice.

Democrats noted that, in every decade since the 1970s, courts have found that Texas’ legislature did violate the Voting Rights Act in redistricting, and that civil rights groups had an active lawsuit making similar allegations against the 2021 map that Republicans drew up.

Republicans contend the new map creates more new majority-minority seats than the previous one. Democrats and some civil rights groups have countered that the GOP does that through mainly a numbers game that leads to halving the number of the state’s House seats that will be represented by a Black representative.

State Rep. Ron Reynolds noted the country just marked the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act’s passage and warned GOP members about how they’d be remembered if they voted for what he called “this racial gerrymander.”

“Just like the people who were on the wrong side of history in 1965, history will be looking at the people who made the decisions in the body this day,” Reynolds, a Democrat, said.

Republicans spent far less time talking on Wednesday, content to let their numbers do the talking in the lopsided vote. As the day dragged on, a handful hit back against Democratic complaints.

“You call my voters racist, you call my party racist and yet we’re expected to follow the rules,” said State Rep. Katrina Pierson, a former Trump spokesperson. “There are Black and Hispanic and Asian Republicans in this chamber who were elected just like you.”

House Republicans’ frustration at the Democrats’ flight and ability to delay the vote was palpable. The GOP used a parliamentary maneuver to take a second and final vote on the map so it wouldn’t have to reconvene for one more vote after Senate approval.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced as debate started that doors to the chamber were locked and any member leaving was required to have a permission slip. The doors were only unlocked after final passage more than eight hours later. One Democrat who refused the 24-hour police monitoring, State Rep. Nicole Collier, had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-texas-nicole-collier-capitol-protest-10f8e3f721a507237d5272ccd1b2f81b">confined to the House floor since Monday night</a>.

Some Democratic state lawmakers joined Collier Tuesday night for what Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez dubbed “a sleepover for democracy.”

Republicans issued civil arrest warrants to bring the Democrats back after they left the state Aug. 3, and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott asked the state Supreme Court to oust several Democrats from office. The lawmakers also face a fine of $500 for every day they were absent.

Riccardi reported from Denver. John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, and Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755030421448.png" alt="Texas new Congressional District map" />
 <figcaption>Texas new Congressional District map</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jim-vertuno">JIM VERTUNO</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/nicholas-riccardi">NICHOLAS RICCARDI</a>AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Republicans on Wednesday took the first step toward approving new congressional maps that would give their party as many as five new seats in the House of Representatives, spurring what’s likely to be a national battle over redistricting.The approval by the Texas House of Representatives came at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-house-republicans-texas-redistricting-d18e8280a32872d9eefcbb26f66a0331">urging of President Donald Trump</a>, who pushed for the extraordinary mid-decade revision of congressional maps to give his party a better chance at holding onto the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections. The maps need to be approved by the GOP-controlled state Senate and signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott before they become official.But the Texas House presented the best chance for Democrats to derail the redraw.Democratic legislators delayed the vote by two weeks by fleeing Texas earlier this month in protest, and they were assigned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-california-redistricting-battle-dc42d64df69e6d8e922a0aa72fb0a2d8">round-the-clock police monitoring</a>&nbsp;upon their return to ensure they attended Wednesday’s session.The approval of the Texas maps on an 88-52 party-line vote is likely to prompt California’s Democratic-controlled state Legislature this week to approve of a new House map creating five new Democratic-leaning districts. But the California map would require voter approval in November.Democrats have also vowed to challenge the new Texas map in court and complained that Republicans made the political power move before passing legislation responding to deadly floods that swept the state last month.<h2>Texas maps openly made to help GOP</h2>Texas Republicans openly said they were acting in their party’s interest. State Rep. Todd Hunter, who wrote the legislation formally creating the new map, noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed politicians to redraw districts for nakedly partisan purposes.“The underlying goal of this plan is straight forward: improve Republican political performance,” Hunter, a Republican, said on the floor. After nearly eight hours of debate, Hunter took the floor again to sum up the entire dispute as nothing more than a partisan fight. “What’s the difference, to the whole world listening? Republicans like it, and Democrats do not.”Democrats said the disagreement was about more than partisanship.“In a democracy, people choose their representatives,” State Rep. Chris Turner said. “This bill flips that on its head and lets politicians in Washington, D.C., choose their voters.”State Rep. John H. Bucy blamed the president. “This is Donald Trump’s map,” Bucy said. “It clearly and deliberately manufactures five more Republican seats in Congress because Trump himself knows that the voters are rejecting his agenda.”<h2>Redistricting becomes tool nationwide in battle for US House</h2>The Republican power play has already triggered a national tit-for-tat battle as Democratic state lawmakers prepared to gather in California on Thursday to revise that state’s map to create five new Democratic seats.“This is a new Democratic Party, this is a new day, this is new energy out there all across this country,” California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said on a call with reporters on Wednesday. “And we’re going to fight fire with fire.”A new California map would need to be approved by voters in a special election in November because that state normally operates with a nonpartisan commission drawing the map to avoid the very sort of political brawl that is playing out. Newsom himself backed the 2008 ballot measure to create that process, as did former President Barack Obama. But in a sign of Democrats’ stiffening resolve, Obama Tuesday night&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-newsom-redistricting-texas-democrats-house-midterms-26ef7d0ccb44e57a5ddc36ff99f7de9c">backed Newsom’s bid to redraw the California map</a>, saying it was a necessary step to stave off the GOP’s Texas move.“I think that approach is a smart, measured approach,” Obama said during a fundraiser for the Democratic Party’s main redistricting arm.The incumbent president’s party usually loses seats in the midterm election, and the GOP currently controls the House of Representatives by a mere three votes. Trump is going beyond Texas in his push to remake the map. He’s pushed Republican leaders in conservative states like Indiana and Missouri to also try to create new Republican seats. Ohio Republicans were already revising their map before Texas moved. Democrats, meanwhile, are mulling reopening Maryland’s and New York’s maps as well.However, more Democratic-run states have commission systems like California’s or other redistricting limits than Republican ones do, leaving the GOP with a freer hand to swiftly redraw maps. New York, for example, can’t draw new maps until 2028, and even then, only with voter approval.<h2>Texas Democrats decry the new maps</h2>In Texas, there was little that outnumbered Democrats could do other than fume and threaten a lawsuit to block the map. Because the Supreme Court has blessed purely partisan gerrymandering, the only way opponents can stop the new Texas map would be by arguing it violates the Voting Rights Act requirement to keep minority communities together so they can select representatives of their choice.Democrats noted that, in every decade since the 1970s, courts have found that Texas’ legislature did violate the Voting Rights Act in redistricting, and that civil rights groups had an active lawsuit making similar allegations against the 2021 map that Republicans drew up.Republicans contend the new map creates more new majority-minority seats than the previous one. Democrats and some civil rights groups have countered that the GOP does that through mainly a numbers game that leads to halving the number of the state’s House seats that will be represented by a Black representative.State Rep. Ron Reynolds noted the country just marked the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act’s passage and warned GOP members about how they’d be remembered if they voted for what he called “this racial gerrymander.”“Just like the people who were on the wrong side of history in 1965, history will be looking at the people who made the decisions in the body this day,” Reynolds, a Democrat, said.<h2>Republicans hit back at criticism</h2>Republicans spent far less time talking on Wednesday, content to let their numbers do the talking in the lopsided vote. As the day dragged on, a handful hit back against Democratic complaints.“You call my voters racist, you call my party racist and yet we’re expected to follow the rules,” said State Rep. Katrina Pierson, a former Trump spokesperson. “There are Black and Hispanic and Asian Republicans in this chamber who were elected just like you.”House Republicans’ frustration at the Democrats’ flight and ability to delay the vote was palpable. The GOP used a parliamentary maneuver to take a second and final vote on the map so it wouldn’t have to reconvene for one more vote after Senate approval.House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced as debate started that doors to the chamber were locked and any member leaving was required to have a permission slip. The doors were only unlocked after final passage more than eight hours later. One Democrat who refused the 24-hour police monitoring, State Rep. Nicole Collier, had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-texas-nicole-collier-capitol-protest-10f8e3f721a507237d5272ccd1b2f81b">confined to the House floor since Monday night</a>.Some Democratic state lawmakers joined Collier Tuesday night for what Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez dubbed “a sleepover for democracy.”Republicans issued civil arrest warrants to bring the Democrats back after they left the state Aug. 3, and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott asked the state Supreme Court to oust several Democrats from office. The lawmakers also face a fine of $500 for every day they were absent.___Riccardi reported from Denver. John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, and Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, contributed to this report.

Texas lawmakers approve redistricting map favoring Republicans

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755699667271.png" alt="Weather forecast for August 20 - August, 22 2025 in Salina; according to the US National Weather Service" />
 <figcaption>Weather forecast for August 20 - August, 22 2025 in Salina; according to the 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 the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 20 - August 22

MIDLAND, Texas (August 19, 2025)—Ben Ross totals four RBI in a 10-4 Wichita Wind Surge win over the Midland RockHounds at Momentum Bank Ballpark. 

The Wind Surge scored six runs in the first and nine straight to start the night on the way to winning their fourth in a row.&nbsp;Wichita sent 11 men to the plate and put up a six-spot in the top of the first on five hits to open the ballgame. 

For the big blows, Ross hit his 11th home run of the year, a two-run shot, and Jake Rucker drove in a pair on a double that stayed fair inside of third and trickled toward the left field corner.&nbsp;Three more runners scored for the Wind Surge over the next two frames on a sacrifice fly by Ross, an infield single by Rubel Cespedes, and a bases-loaded walk from Ross for a 9-0 lead. Ross attained all four of his RBI over his first three plate appearances.&nbsp;

Tommy White and Clark Elliott hit consecutive RBI singles to right field to get Midland on the scoreboard in the home half of the third. 

Brayan Buelvas belted a line drive homer into the RockHounds bullpen in right field in the following frame to make the score 9-3 Wichita through four innings.&nbsp;

Maddux Houghton, who made his Wind Surge debut as a pinch runner in the top of the first, tallied his first RBI with Wichita on a knock to left center in the top of the seventh.&nbsp;

Brayan Buelvas brought a run in on a sac fly to center in the bottom of the eighth to make the score 10-4 Wichita. That would be the eventual final as Mike Paredes gave up just two hits and two walks with a strikeout over three innings to notch his third save of the year.

Jaylen Nowlin earned his fourth win of 2025 with the Wind Surge after giving up an earned run on two hits and a walk over an inning and two-thirds following Wichita starter Ricky Castro.&nbsp;

Wichita continues the series with the Midland RockHounds on August 20 at 6:30 PM at Momentum Bank Ballpark. The Wind Surge return to Equity Bank Park for their final homestand of the season, starting with a series against the Arkansas Travelers on August 26. You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM and&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/" target="_blank">windsurge.com</a>&nbsp;or watch online at&nbsp;<a href="http://milb.tv/" target="_blank">MiLB.TV</a>&nbsp;and Bally Sports Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/tickets" target="_blank">windsurge.com/tickets</a>.

MIDLAND, Texas (August 19, 2025)—Ben Ross totals four RBI in a 10-4 Wichita Wind Surge win over the Midland RockHounds at Momentum Bank Ballpark. The Wind Surge scored six runs in the first and nine straight to start the night on the way to winning their fourth in a row.&nbsp;Wichita sent 11 men to the plate and put up a six-spot in the top of the first on five hits to open the ballgame. For the big blows, Ross hit his 11th home run of the year, a two-run shot, and Jake Rucker drove in a pair on a double that stayed fair inside of third and trickled toward the left field corner.&nbsp;Three more runners scored for the Wind Surge over the next two frames on a sacrifice fly by Ross, an infield single by Rubel Cespedes, and a bases-loaded walk from Ross for a 9-0 lead. Ross attained all four of his RBI over his first three plate appearances.&nbsp;Tommy White and Clark Elliott hit consecutive RBI singles to right field to get Midland on the scoreboard in the home half of the third. Brayan Buelvas belted a line drive homer into the RockHounds bullpen in right field in the following frame to make the score 9-3 Wichita through four innings.&nbsp;Maddux Houghton, who made his Wind Surge debut as a pinch runner in the top of the first, tallied his first RBI with Wichita on a knock to left center in the top of the seventh.&nbsp;Brayan Buelvas brought a run in on a sac fly to center in the bottom of the eighth to make the score 10-4 Wichita. That would be the eventual final as Mike Paredes gave up just two hits and two walks with a strikeout over three innings to notch his third save of the year.Jaylen Nowlin earned his fourth win of 2025 with the Wind Surge after giving up an earned run on two hits and a walk over an inning and two-thirds following Wichita starter Ricky Castro.&nbsp;POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>Kala’i Rosario is up to a 16 Game On Base Streak.</li><li>Jacob Wosinski strikes out three men over two two-hit innings of relief.</li><li>Maddux Houghton wraps up his Wind Surge debut with a 4-for-5 line, along with three runs and an RBI.</li><li>Ben Ross collects four RBI for the second time this year with Wichita.</li><li>Five hitters in the Wind Surge lineup finish with multiple hits.</li>
 </ul>Wichita continues the series with the Midland RockHounds on August 20 at 6:30 PM at Momentum Bank Ballpark. The Wind Surge return to Equity Bank Park for their final homestand of the season, starting with a series against the Arkansas Travelers on August 26. You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM and&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/" target="_blank">windsurge.com</a>&nbsp;or watch online at&nbsp;<a href="http://milb.tv/" target="_blank">MiLB.TV</a>&nbsp;and Bally Sports Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/tickets" target="_blank">windsurge.com/tickets</a>.

Wichita Scores Six First Inning Runs, Wins Fourth Straight Game

Saline County Food Action Community Team

The Saline County Food Action Community Team (FACT) is reminding residents that two community listening sessions will take place&nbsp; Wednesday, August 20&nbsp;as part of the effort to create Saline County’s first comprehensive food system assessment.

The sessions are open to all community members and will help shape the future of food access, food security, and local food systems in the county.

Light refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome to attend. No registration is required.

“This is your chance to make your voice heard about food in Saline County,” said Michelle Coats, Chair of FACT. “Whether you’ve struggled with food access, use a food pantry, grow your own food, or just care about healthy food in our community, we want to hear from you.”

These sessions are the final step in building the Saline County Food Assessment, following a county-wide survey and a series of stakeholder interviews. Insights gathered will be included in the final report later this year.

This project is made possible through the generous support of the Salina Regional Health Foundation and the Kansas Health Foundation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Saline County Food Action Community Team (FACT)&nbsp;is a coalition of local organizations, businesses, and community members dedicated to improving food access and security in Saline County. FACT works collaboratively to identify food system challenges, support local food initiatives, and develop strategies that ensure all residents have access to healthy, affordable food. Through partnerships, advocacy, and community-driven solutions, FACT aims to strengthen the local food network, reduce food insecurity, and promote sustainable food practices across the county.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.eatwellsalinecounty.com/">www.eatwellsalinecounty.com</a>&nbsp;or email the Saline County Food Action Community Team at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:salinecountyfact@gmail.com">salinecountyfact@gmail.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754489742465.png" alt="Saline County Food Action Community Team hosting two community listening sessions on Wednesday, August 20." />
 <figcaption>Saline County Food Action Community Team hosting two community listening sessions on Wednesday, August 20.</figcaption>
 </figure>Saline County Food Action Community TeamThe Saline County Food Action Community Team (FACT) is reminding residents that two community listening sessions will take place&nbsp; Wednesday, August 20&nbsp;as part of the effort to create Saline County’s first comprehensive food system assessment.The sessions are open to all community members and will help shape the future of food access, food security, and local food systems in the county.Listening Session Details – Choose One<ul>
 <li>Afternoon Session: 1:30 p.m. at the Salina Public Library’s Prescott Meeting Room, 301 W. Elm</li><li>Evening Session: 6:30 p.m. at Church of the Cross, 1600 Rush Street</li>
 </ul>Light refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome to attend. No registration is required.“This is your chance to make your voice heard about food in Saline County,” said Michelle Coats, Chair of FACT. “Whether you’ve struggled with food access, use a food pantry, grow your own food, or just care about healthy food in our community, we want to hear from you.”These sessions are the final step in building the Saline County Food Assessment, following a county-wide survey and a series of stakeholder interviews. Insights gathered will be included in the final report later this year.This project is made possible through the generous support of the Salina Regional Health Foundation and the Kansas Health Foundation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The&nbsp;Saline County Food Action Community Team (FACT)&nbsp;is a coalition of local organizations, businesses, and community members dedicated to improving food access and security in Saline County. FACT works collaboratively to identify food system challenges, support local food initiatives, and develop strategies that ensure all residents have access to healthy, affordable food. Through partnerships, advocacy, and community-driven solutions, FACT aims to strengthen the local food network, reduce food insecurity, and promote sustainable food practices across the county.&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.eatwellsalinecounty.com/">www.eatwellsalinecounty.com</a>&nbsp;or email the Saline County Food Action Community Team at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:salinecountyfact@gmail.com">salinecountyfact@gmail.com</a>

Saline County Food Action hosting two community listening sessions on Wednesday

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, as far as the injuries go, Felix (Anudike-Uzomah) strained that hamstring, most likely is going to go on IR here, this evening or this afternoon. Jack Cochrane has a knee bone bruise; he won’t practice today. (Ethan) Driskell won’t practice. Mike Edwards with a hamstring strain, he won’t practice. Nazeeh Johnson had a shoulder strain, he won’t go today. Omarr (Norman-Lott) had the ankle sprain and kind of re-hurt it or something of that sort, and then Jalen Royals has knee tendonitis, and he will be out. Other than that, everyone is going, and we’ll – this will be very similar to an in-season Wednesday practice, now that we’re back here (it) gives you guys a dry run to see how the media schedule goes for an in-season game and also (how) practice goes. Anyways, with that time is yours.”

Q: Do you anticipate the starters playing more in the upcoming preseason game against the Bears?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, they’ll start it off for sure and then we will see how it goes from there.”

Q: Have you seen enough from the young guys in the left tackle position?

REID:&nbsp;“I like how physical they are (Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia) playing for sure. The more reps they get, I mean, the better, I think for them. But I think they are doing a good job over there.”

Q: What went into playing the starters from game two and three?

REID:&nbsp;“I wanted to give the best look we could to these guys. They’re trying to make the team. We’ve got some guys that are right on the border of making it. Give them a shot. I wanted to see the quarterback work the one offensive line.”

Q: If Felix Anudike-Uzomah is placed on IR how disappointing is that for him entering his third year?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, that’s a tough thing. He’s worked hard so we’ll see where it goes. I can’t tell you how long it’s going to be, but any time for that (injury), is disappointing for him, I know, because he works so stinking hard.”

Q:&nbsp;What is your evaluation of Josh Simmons after two preseason games and preparation for the regular season?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, no, listen, I like the way he’s (Josh Simmons) approached it – Herbie (Teope). He’s worked at it. He hasn’t missed a beat here as far as missing a day or any of that. He’s been available and he’s working with (Offensive Line) Coach (Andy) Heck and getting better every day. I like where we’re at right now but we gotta keep going. He’s a young guy, but he’s been working his tail off.”

Q<a>:</a>&nbsp;On&nbsp;Kingsley Suamataia after the past two preseason games.

REID:&nbsp;“I’ll tell you the same thing. Kingsley (Suamataia) has moved into a new position, and those two (Kingsley Suamataia and Josh Simmons), they got a little something going there that you can see it more in the run game right now, where they’re really working well together and then the pass game, both of them are kind of feeling that part out. They’re doing a good job with it. We’ve been able to get some games in there against them. I thought they handled that well last week – some of the blitz stuff. Kingsley had a couple trip ups, where the back stepped up and he tripped over somebody’s foot there, (the) back’s foot. Other than that, he did a pretty good job there.”

Q:&nbsp;Are the challenges on the offensive line going to be more technical or is it the communication piece?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, they’ve (Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia) been working double time on that, so we’ll see how it goes with the game part of it and that. But then, talking through everything. They’re going to see some new things from both of them and how they handle that we’ll see. We’ll see how it goes when we get there with it.”

Q: When you get into a season with a rookie left tackle, with a guy who has never played in the NFL, was this just part of the process you knew was going to be part of the process?

REID: “Yeah, so you’re in this thing long enough, you’re going to have changeover, and you’re going to have you’re going to have young guys that have got to step up and they got to play. So, he’s (Josh Simmons) a talented kid and wants to be good and is working at it – both (Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia) of them are that way. Both of them are high draft picks, so you got to get in and you got to go, and you’re going to live with a few things, but you expect to see constant growth as you go, and similar to what we did with the secondary a few years ago. A lot of young guys and early it wasn’t quite as pretty as it was at the end.”

Q: What are you seeing from Kingsley Suamataia in meetings and attitude wise for this challenge at the left tackle position?

REID: “Kingsley (Suamataia) is a sharp guy, he’s quiet, but a sharp guy. He’s welcomed in this left tackle (position) and they’re trying to work that thing together and at the same time, him doing his job, moving from tackle to guard, but I like the way he handles himself in meetings. He’s grown up in that area, just attention to detail, all those things. I think it was good for him last year to get in there and play a little bit and so we’ll see how it goes here.”

Q: Have you heard from the league on Rashee Rice’s suspension? How do you prepare for this unknown information?

REID: “Well we know, we’ve heard about the hearing part of it, other than that, they’ve got to work all that out. I don’t know the details of it. I don’t think anyone does right at this minute. We’ll see where it all goes. We just, when we hear, we’ll do what we have to do.”

Q: What would you like to see from Hollywood Brown this week? Will he be able to play in this final preseason game?

REID: “Hollywood (Brown) did a little work yesterday, which is good. He’ll get a little bit more today. And then we’ll just see. We’ll see how he progresses through this thing. But he wants – it’s not a matter of wanting to be out there, he wants to do it, its just taking it slow because we don’t want any setbacks with this thing (injury) going forward here.”

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesAugust 18, 2025HEAD COACH ANDY REIDOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, as far as the injuries go, Felix (Anudike-Uzomah) strained that hamstring, most likely is going to go on IR here, this evening or this afternoon. Jack Cochrane has a knee bone bruise; he won’t practice today. (Ethan) Driskell won’t practice. Mike Edwards with a hamstring strain, he won’t practice. Nazeeh Johnson had a shoulder strain, he won’t go today. Omarr (Norman-Lott) had the ankle sprain and kind of re-hurt it or something of that sort, and then Jalen Royals has knee tendonitis, and he will be out. Other than that, everyone is going, and we’ll – this will be very similar to an in-season Wednesday practice, now that we’re back here (it) gives you guys a dry run to see how the media schedule goes for an in-season game and also (how) practice goes. Anyways, with that time is yours.”Q: Do you anticipate the starters playing more in the upcoming preseason game against the Bears?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, they’ll start it off for sure and then we will see how it goes from there.”Q: Have you seen enough from the young guys in the left tackle position?REID:&nbsp;“I like how physical they are (Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia) playing for sure. The more reps they get, I mean, the better, I think for them. But I think they are doing a good job over there.”Q: What went into playing the starters from game two and three?REID:&nbsp;“I wanted to give the best look we could to these guys. They’re trying to make the team. We’ve got some guys that are right on the border of making it. Give them a shot. I wanted to see the quarterback work the one offensive line.”Q: If Felix Anudike-Uzomah is placed on IR how disappointing is that for him entering his third year?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, that’s a tough thing. He’s worked hard so we’ll see where it goes. I can’t tell you how long it’s going to be, but any time for that (injury), is disappointing for him, I know, because he works so stinking hard.”Q:&nbsp;What is your evaluation of Josh Simmons after two preseason games and preparation for the regular season?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, no, listen, I like the way he’s (Josh Simmons) approached it – Herbie (Teope). He’s worked at it. He hasn’t missed a beat here as far as missing a day or any of that. He’s been available and he’s working with (Offensive Line) Coach (Andy) Heck and getting better every day. I like where we’re at right now but we gotta keep going. He’s a young guy, but he’s been working his tail off.”Q<a>:</a>&nbsp;On&nbsp;Kingsley Suamataia after the past two preseason games.REID:&nbsp;“I’ll tell you the same thing. Kingsley (Suamataia) has moved into a new position, and those two (Kingsley Suamataia and Josh Simmons), they got a little something going there that you can see it more in the run game right now, where they’re really working well together and then the pass game, both of them are kind of feeling that part out. They’re doing a good job with it. We’ve been able to get some games in there against them. I thought they handled that well last week – some of the blitz stuff. Kingsley had a couple trip ups, where the back stepped up and he tripped over somebody’s foot there, (the) back’s foot. Other than that, he did a pretty good job there.”Q:&nbsp;Are the challenges on the offensive line going to be more technical or is it the communication piece?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, they’ve (Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia) been working double time on that, so we’ll see how it goes with the game part of it and that. But then, talking through everything. They’re going to see some new things from both of them and how they handle that we’ll see. We’ll see how it goes when we get there with it.”Q: When you get into a season with a rookie left tackle, with a guy who has never played in the NFL, was this just part of the process you knew was going to be part of the process?REID: “Yeah, so you’re in this thing long enough, you’re going to have changeover, and you’re going to have you’re going to have young guys that have got to step up and they got to play. So, he’s (Josh Simmons) a talented kid and wants to be good and is working at it – both (Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia) of them are that way. Both of them are high draft picks, so you got to get in and you got to go, and you’re going to live with a few things, but you expect to see constant growth as you go, and similar to what we did with the secondary a few years ago. A lot of young guys and early it wasn’t quite as pretty as it was at the end.”Q: What are you seeing from Kingsley Suamataia in meetings and attitude wise for this challenge at the left tackle position?REID: “Kingsley (Suamataia) is a sharp guy, he’s quiet, but a sharp guy. He’s welcomed in this left tackle (position) and they’re trying to work that thing together and at the same time, him doing his job, moving from tackle to guard, but I like the way he handles himself in meetings. He’s grown up in that area, just attention to detail, all those things. I think it was good for him last year to get in there and play a little bit and so we’ll see how it goes here.”Q: Have you heard from the league on Rashee Rice’s suspension? How do you prepare for this unknown information?REID: “Well we know, we’ve heard about the hearing part of it, other than that, they’ve got to work all that out. I don’t know the details of it. I don’t think anyone does right at this minute. We’ll see where it all goes. We just, when we hear, we’ll do what we have to do.”Q: What would you like to see from Hollywood Brown this week? Will he be able to play in this final preseason game?REID: “Hollywood (Brown) did a little work yesterday, which is good. He’ll get a little bit more today. And then we’ll just see. We’ll see how he progresses through this thing. But he wants – it’s not a matter of wanting to be out there, he wants to do it, its just taking it slow because we don’t want any setbacks with this thing (injury) going forward here.”Chiefs Player QuotesAugust 18, 2025P MATT ARAZIAQ:&nbsp;What did you do during the offseason to improve your hangtime and pooch punts?ARAZIA:&nbsp;“Both of them were understanding different contact points, trying different things, finding what works, finding what adjustments I can make. Kind of tinkering if that makes sense.”Q:&nbsp;How did you feel about having an additional punter and how did that challenge you?ARAZIA:&nbsp;“Yeah it was good. Competition always pushes me, that’s how I’ve always been; and now it’s (been) three times that I’ve had competition in the NFL and all three have gone my way, I do think that it pushes me and elevates me.”Q:&nbsp;Is calling for the different holds similar to calling for different pitches? Like do you have to hold number one, hold number two, etc.?ARAZIA:&nbsp;“Kind of yeah. We have a little language going and yeah, it’s good. It’s been good to, obviously my first year, get that experience down and now (having) a ton of confidence in it. Holding is definitely something I take pride in. Coming out, coming from the draft it was something that, you know, was a big downside because I never did it in college. So, it was a big question mark, people thought I couldn’t do it. It’s definitely something I take pride in and work at a lot.”T JOSH SIMMONSQ: How do you feel after your first two preseason games, and does the NFL feel different now than what you were thinking a couple of weeks ago?SIMMONS:&nbsp;“Yeah, for sure. It’s a great piece that you can take to practice every week and kind of build off of. I think it’s great for a rookie because you don’t know what the speed of the NFL is, like the preseason is still different from Week 1. So, if I could just take the little baby nuggets that I’m getting in the preseason and work on it for Week 1, we’ll be good.”Q: Are there any specific things you want to work on and improve going forward?SIMMONS:&nbsp;“Absolutely, I think just really right now, (with) me being as fresh as I am in here, I’m just working on everything. No matter if it’s like, something (like) athleticism, hand striking, (I) just work on everything.”Q: How important is communication between the offensive line and Patrick Mahomes?SIMMONS:&nbsp;“I’m doing more of my communication usually with Kingsley (Suamataia) or Creed (Humphrey) and stuff like that, but usually it’s vital. It’s like you need that. Without that, you won’t win any games or move any d-lineman if you can’t communicate cause then you’re not going in the right direction.”CB JAYLEN WATSONQ:&nbsp;On what it was like playing through all the injuries last season.WATSON:&nbsp;“It’s pretty challenging. Like I said last time, (I’m) just trying to get out there and fight for my teammates. (We) had one shot to make history, came (up) short but I wouldn’t change it.”Q:&nbsp;What differences have you noticed from WR Xavier Worthy going from year one to year two?WATSON:&nbsp;“He’s super twitchy, on top of his speed, which is hard to guard. His intermediate and short routes have grown a lot. That’s big.”Q:&nbsp;On what the additions of Nohl Williams and Kristian Fulton bring to the defensive back room.