Watch the 30th Annual Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Parade!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/KJCK1079/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PARADE</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;(The livestream will begin around 5:45 P.M. when the parade nears Heritage Park.) -&nbsp;We are streaming the parade live on 107.9 FM / 1420 KJCK Radio Facebook Page.

** To watch the parade you must click on the link and be logged into your Facebook account.&nbsp;

* The parade route begins at 6th Street and Eisenhower. They will parade down 6th Street and meet in Heritage Park for the Tree Lighting following the parade.&nbsp;

This year's theme for the Christmas Parade is Elves on the Loose: Santa's Secret Helpers.&nbsp;

WATCH LIVE: 30th Annual Junction City Chamber Christmas Parade

The 30th annual Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade attracted 56 entries Friday night

"Elves on the Loose: Santa's Secret Helpers," served as the theme for the parade.

---Mayor's Award $200 - IHOP - Award sponsor Central National Bank

---Chamber Award $150 - Walmart - Award sponsor JC Area Chamber of Commerce

---County Commission Award $150 - Geary County Sheriff's Community Involvement Team - Award sponsor Geary County CVB

---Founders award $150 - Geary County Rural Fire Department - Award sponsor DEL Motors

---Youth Award - $150 - Next Step Dance Studio - Award sponsor Junction City YMCA

The Tree Lighting Ceremony in Heritage Park followed the parade. Then Santa and Mrs. Claus met with children in the park.

Christmas Parade ushers in the holiday season

With Thanksgiving behind us, all eyes are now set on Christmas! Tonight in Junction City, the Chamber of Commerce will host their 30th annual Christmas Parade followed by a Tree lighting Ceremony in Heritage Park.&nbsp;

This year's theme for the Christmas Parade is Elves on the Loose; Santa's Secret Helpers. The Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. and will proceed down 6th street and end up in Heritage Park.&nbsp;

We will be livestreaming the Parade on the 107.9 FM / 1420 AM KJCK Radio Facebook Page. We will begin the Livestream around 5:45, once the parade nears Heritage Park. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KJCK1079/">Click here to watch the parade.&nbsp;</a>

As mentioned above, the Parade ends in Heritage Park where Santa will be present, and Junction City Mayor Pat Landes will flip the switch to light up the new 20 ft tree.&nbsp;

United Way of Junction City / Geary County will be providing free hot chocolate in the park.&nbsp;

Junction City Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting will be Tonight

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at JC Post, 107.9 and 1420 KJCK Radio and all of our Eagle Media Team!&nbsp;

If you are looking for a Thanksgiving Meal, there are two local free options in Junction City. 

1. The First Presbyterian Church in Junction City is hosting a Thanksgiving Day Meal today from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at their church - 113 W. 5th Street, in Junction City. (The Thanksgiving Meal Flyer is posted below.)

2. The Marker Family is hosting a Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Rosebud's Bar in Junction City. The address is 215 East 8th Street, in Junction City. Doors open at Noon, and dinner will be served from 2:00-6:00 P.M. (The Thanksgiving Meal flyer is posted below.)

We hope you all have a great Day celebrating this Thanksgiving Holiday!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Free Community Meals are being offered Today

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Kansas-based chapters of nonprofit organizations focused on wildlife conservation or promoting hunting and fishing have a special fundraising opportunity thanks to the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission. Through the Commission’s Big Game Permit program, administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), eligible organizations can enter a random drawing for one of seven special big game hunting permits, which may then be sold to raise funds for conservation projects. Applications are due by December 26, 2025.

Each year, the program offers up to seven Commission Big Game permits (no more than one elk and one antelope, and up to seven deer permits), depending on the applicants’ preferences. Deer permits are either-species/either-sex and are valid statewide during any season with the legal equipment for that season; and they do not count against other big game permits the license holder may obtain.

“Organizations that win a Commission Big Game Permit typically raffle or auction it, which does two important things,” said&nbsp;Sarah Navarro, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ chief of licensing. “It helps them raise funds for its mission, and it generates dedicated dollars for a mutually agreed-upon conservation project that KDWP and the organization approve together.”

Winning organizations keep 15 percent of their sale price of the Commission Big Game Permit to support their missions. The remaining 85 percent is held by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks until a mutually agreed-upon conservation project is approved. (If Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry is drawn, they may keep 85 percent of their sale price in order to offset donated deer processing fees.) Organizations may not win a Commission Big Game Permit more than once in a three-year period.

Application Period for Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission Big Game Hunting Permits Now Open

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug allegations.

Just before 4:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 54-year-old&nbsp;Dean Garvin of Ogden in the 3200 block of Kimball Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp; 

He is being held on a $50,000 bond on requested charges that include&nbsp;. two counts of distribution of opiate/opium/narcotic/certain stimulant 3.5 grams but less than 100 grams; two counts of distribution/possession with intent to distribute heroin/certain stimulants/fentanyl 3.5-100 grams; two counts of use/possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; distribution of a controlled substance with a dosage 10 to 100 units, two counts of possession of marijuana; one count of distribution or possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use; ; one count of driving while suspended/cancelled/revoked; ; one count of possession of opiate/opium/narcotic/certain stimulant; and one count of use of communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation.&nbsp; County Jail at the time of this report.

Garvin has a previous drug conviction in Dickinson County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. felon accused of selling fentanyl, other drugs in Riley County

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State fans coming to Manhattan on Saturday for the Wildcats’ Senior Day contest against Colorado are alerted to a partial closure of Anderson Avenue through the weekend.

The closure zone on Anderson is from Connecticut Avenue to Canfield Drive. Only local access will be available to Timberlane Drive and Bellehaven Road residents, emergency vehicles and those with driveways in the work zone.

 K-State Fans Alerted to Anderson Avenue Closure

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Paul Goodman, Domestic battery, arrested 11/25

Geary County Booking Photos Nov. 26

Jerry Petty, soldier, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker/Patriot Realty and member of the JC Breakfast Optimist Club. “I am not in real estate sales for the money, but to give back to the community – especially the kids”, he said.

From October until December 20, Jerry is donating a portion of his commission after selling a house to the JC Breakfast Optimist Club. By November 25, Jerry had completed the sale of two houses and donated $600.00 to the Club. The money will be used in the Club’s support of 15 different Geary County youth organizations and 3 scholarships.

Jerry stated that “My wife and I have fallen in love with the community and want to give back.” Jerry’s wife works at the Central Kitchen in USD 475.

Optimists Receive Donation

&nbsp;Donna Porter, Library Director

The Dorothy Bramlage Public Library will be closed on Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th for the Thanksgiving holiday. The outside book drop will remain open during the closure. Also, the digital library is always open! Libby and Hoopla will be available for you to checkout material anytime the library is closed.

Questions? Contact the Director at 785-238-4311.

Dorothy Bramlage Public Library closed this Thursday and Friday

WICHITA — Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days in this country for the chance of a cooking fire to happen in someone’s home.

Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44% of all home fires in the United States.&nbsp;The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas offers safety steps everyone can follow if they will be preparing their family’s Thanksgiving feast.

“Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths,” said Jane Blocher, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Greater Kansas. “Most happen because people leave cooking food unattended. We want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable holiday, so don’t leave the kitchen while you’re cooking.”

COOKING SAFETY TIPS&nbsp;Follow these safety tips and visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cisionone-email.us.redcross.org/c/eJwsy0uO6yAQheHVwAyLR1HAgEEm2UaEqSJB15Zzweqoe_WtRD39zvkpa89QquRsArqUEKKXj4wtrIlWMMU2j9QogQvJVowmrT6S7BmTheAcok5gbwbXSBFBA7MAPTvxv_5f7aVvPKYK1VNF3wjU_uMRlvcgt_w4z6dwF2Gvwl5fr9cymOo45lyOcRf22vpguTP1ogZvXCarTvkDtz8Q7mKiCcnIkR_lez6PeQrQXO4bf45LPXY5z8G8v2PfmkFnQa26JAXBokquNRUTe6uJI4KRX9n-BgAA__96VFX5">redcross.org/fire</a>&nbsp;for more information, including a fire escape plan to practice with your family.

Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year. If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cisionone-email.us.redcross.org/c/eJwsy01uwyAQxfHTwA6LjwHDgkU2uUaEmSFGxXUKbq309FWibn_v_TFKS5Ayp6hmZ0Jw4C1fY1gWGSBLKAGtQV_8okCinlUykMHzGl3QMBvjnAygb8otHr0DCUQM5KhIH_VLbKk26kPM2WJ2tiCI7dc6mF4Db3E9jsdg5sL0lenreZ5TJ8x9H2Pa-53pa6mfKJ77dxdtz6mJvKbHQX1aj63xjbAm0alRGiQqxjfc_oGZi_JqDor3uKbneOzjYCAp3Ru9j1PeNz6OTrS9YluKckaDWGQKAmbtRDClCB_IaonkHSj-E_VfAAAA___Z1l9J">local Red Cross</a>&nbsp;for more information.

Red Cross offers steps to help avoid a Thanksgiving cooking fire

President Donald Trump said Friday he will try to reverse any law, pardon or still-in-effect executive order that former President Joe Biden signed with an autopen, though it wasn’t immediately clear how that would work or whether it would be legal.&nbsp;

Trump declared in&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115629010097815862" target="_blank">a social media post</a>&nbsp;that any documents Biden signed with the autopen are “hereby terminated, and of no further force or effect.”

“I am hereby cancelling all Executive Orders, and anything else that was not directly signed by Crooked Joe Biden, because the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally,” Trump alleged. “Joe Biden was not involved in the Autopen process and, if he says he was, he will be brought up on charges of perjury. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The White House press office didn’t immediately respond to a request for the list of documents Trump believes he has the ability to rescind based on the manner they were signed.

States Newsroom also asked the Trump administration if officials believe the president would need to sign an executive order in order to implement his social media post.&nbsp;

Experts dismissed earlier autopen challenge&nbsp;

The post was similar to one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/legal-experts-quash-trump-argument-biden-pardons-signed-autopen-are-void" target="_blank">Trump published in March</a>&nbsp;when he claimed any pardons Biden signed with the autopen were void, something legal experts said at the time was “absurd” and a “red herring.”

Trump brought up his frustration with autopen use again in June&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-opens-investigation-biden-autopen-use" target="_blank">when he ordered</a>&nbsp;the White House legal counsel and U.S. attorney general to investigate when and why Biden administration staff used an autopen.&nbsp;

Trump said during an Oval Office appearance at the time he hadn’t found any evidence Biden aides violated the law.

“No, but I’ve uncovered the human mind,” Trump said. “I was in a debate with the human mind and I didn’t think he knew what the hell he was doing. So it’s one of those things, one of those problems. We can’t ever allow that to happen to our country.”

Biden and spokespeople working for him have repeatedly said he knew what official documents were being signed in his name and rejected claims that White House staff used the autopen without his authorization or knowledge.&nbsp;

Biden released a statement in June following the Trump memorandum, saying the investigation “is nothing more than a distraction by Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans who are working to push disastrous legislation that would cut essential programs like Medicaid and raise costs on American families, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.”

“Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations,” Biden wrote at the time. “Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.”

While presidents have regularly rescinded their predecessors executive orders, usually within their first few days or weeks in office, Congress would very likely need to act in order to alter or eliminate any laws that Biden signed with an autopen. Trump seeking to overturn a law, or part of a law, unilaterally would likely lead to a lawsuit over whether he holds that power.&nbsp;

It also wasn’t immediately clear what legal authority Trump believes he has as president to undo pardons if Biden used an autopen to sign the documents.&nbsp;

David Super, a constitutional and administrative law professor at Georgetown University, told States Newsroom in March that “the Constitution does not require signatures for pardons. It simply says the president has the power to pardon.”

“So if President Biden wanted to simply verbally tell someone they’re pardoned, he could do that. It wouldn’t have to be in writing at all,” he said. “Administratively, of course, we want things in writing. It makes things a lot simpler, but there’s no constitutional requirement.”

Ashley Murray contributed to this report.&nbsp;

Trump social media post claims to void Biden orders

SEWARD COUNTY– The U.S. Marshals are seeking the public’s help and offering a reward of up to&nbsp;$5,000&nbsp;for information leading to the arrest of a Guatemalan man wanted in Seward County on multiple counts of crimes against children, according to a media release.

Juan Ralios-Batz, (estimated age) 30, is wanted on three counts of rape of a child, one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated human trafficking, and one count of abuse of a child.

Batz and his sister are alleged to have sponsored a 13-year-old unaccompanied alien child and, over a two-year-period, Batz allegedly raped the child and forced the child to do manual labor. &nbsp;The child eventually became pregnant and has a child with Batz. When Batz became aware of his wanted status, his family allegedly helped him escape to Fremont, Nebraska, to evade the charges against him. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Batz is a white or Hispanic man, stands 5-feet-1 inch and weighs approximately 115 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair and a tattoo of the letter J on his right arm.&nbsp;

Batz, who is in the U.S. illegally, is known to use multiple aliases, including Juan Ralios, Juan Batz, Randy Guerro, Juan Ramos-Batz, Juan Ramos and Omar Gonzalez.&nbsp;

Anyone with information regarding his location is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals at&nbsp;1-877-WANTED-2&nbsp;or send tip information via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/submitting-a-tip">USMS Tips App</a>.

Still at large: Man in U.S. illegally is wanted for child sex crimes in Kansas

Project’s origins tied to 2024 pitch by Pennsylvania company for exclusive contract

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature’s special budget committee revealed the attorney general’s office continues to work toward awarding a $10 million contract to a private vendor for deployment of artificial intelligence and use of security cameras to spot gun-wielding intruders in public schools.

Gov. Laura Kelly signed a budget bill in April that included funding for technology that promised to identify unconcealed firearms in school buildings so alerts could be forwarded to school staff and law enforcement officers. In October, three companies submitted bids through the Kansas Department of Administration. On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Kris Kobach said a contract hadn’t been issued.

Under state law, the attorney general’s office was directed to make certain the system was installed in schools by the end of December and operational at the close of February.

Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, said the initiative was embraced by the Legislature at the same time a popular program offering state-funded school-security grants to districts was dropped.

“We no longer have funding in the Department of Education for safe and secure schools,” Pettey said. “But we do have this funding source … but nothing has been appropriated? Schools would like to have safe and secure funds, but they don’t have any option now except through this program.”

Bids on the Kansas firearm-identification contract were submitted by Gades Sales Co. of Wichita; CIS Data Services of Springfield, Missouri; and ZeroEyes of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Financial details of those company proposals haven’t been made public.

The idea of relying on AI to pinpoint unconcealed weapons in schools and possibly thwart mass shootings has been debated in Kansas since ZeroEyes hired lobbyists last year to convince legislators to award it the contract to operate an enhanced security system for benefit of Kansas schools.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/05/09/kansas-bill-dangles-cash-to-persuade-k-12-school-districts-to-hire-a-specific-gun-detection-vendor/">Lobbyists for ZeroEyes pitched the idea</a>&nbsp;of directly earmarking state funding to ZeroEyes or establishing contract provisions matching ZeroEyes’ marketing materials so rival venders would have difficulty landing the contract.

Kieran Carroll, chief strategy officer for ZeroEyes, told a Kansas House committee in February 2024 that covering 1,300 school buildings in Kansas with ZeroEyes’ technology and delivering 24-hour monitoring of two dozen cameras in each school would cost the state $8.5 million annually.

In May 2024, Gov. Laura Kelly used line-item authority to veto the budget measure dedicating $5 million to a gun-identification initiative that favored ZeroEyes. The bill limited dollar-for-dollar matches from the state to school districts that signed up with ZeroEyes.

The governor said the result would have been “a no-bid contract” that wrote ZeroEyes’ technology into state law without proper consideration of alternative companies.

The Republican-led Legislature responded during the 2025 session by authorizing expenditure of $10 million for a firearm-detection program available to all Kansas public school districts. This version of the AI funding plan wasn’t vetoed by Kelly and led to the ongoing contract bidding process.

Kansas looking at three bidders for $10 million contract relying on AI to find guns in schools

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with a domestic incident in Shawnee County

Just after 12:30 p.m., November 24, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center was notified of a second domestic disturbance at a residence in the 6700 block of SW Fieldwood Drive, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The first was reported around 11:30 a.m.

Shaun L. Kendall, 40, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of&nbsp;Criminal possession of a weapon by felon and Stalking; reckless conduct causing fear person/family. He remains in custody on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Kan. felon jailed after 2nd domestic incident within an hour

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;– The Cheney Police Department reported that 76-year-old Martha Brenneis was located and is in good condition. The statewide silver alert is now canceled.

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;– The Cheney Police Department requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Cheney woman, according to a media release from the KBI.

The whereabouts of 76-year-old Martha Brenneis are unknown, and public assistance is requested to help locate her.

Brenneis is likely driving a black 2019 Dodge Caravan bearing Kansas tag 1207ACD. She was last seen at her residence in Cheney on Nov. 27, at approximately 8 a.m.

Brenneis is a white female who is around 5 foot 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds. She has white hair and light hazel eyes.&nbsp;

If you see Brenneis, or her vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about her whereabouts, please call the Cheney Police Department at (316) 542-3173.

Statewide Silver Alert canceled; missing Kansas woman is safe

WASHINGTON (AP) —Democratic state attorneys general are suing the Trump administration to keep&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-how-it-works-cards-e061c2af0f3cc997b69a24296238783c">SNAP food aid</a>&nbsp;from being taken away from groups of permanent residents in the U.S., including people granted asylum or admitted as refugees.

The top state government lawyers from 21 states and the District of Columbia say in Wednesday’s suit that the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued guidance to states in October calling for groups to be denied help from the food aid program even though&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/food-stamps-snap-states-trump-2c604216d26a9edf84fe502136be6d6f">Trump’s sweeping tax and policy law</a>&nbsp;this summer didn’t specifically exclude them.

The states say the penalties for providing the benefits to excluded groups are so severe that they put states in danger of shutting down their SNAP programs entirely.

The filing in federal court in Oregon is the latest chapter in a battle over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which the administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-shutdown-reopening-food-aid-a11b6c83934d9c718cc413fc1f9435d3">tried to pause</a>&nbsp;during the government shutdown.

States sue to keep SNAP benefits for some lawful immigrants

By Barbara Ortutay and Matt O'Brien&nbsp; &nbsp;Associated Press

They’re cute, even cuddly, and promise learning and companionship — but artificial intelligence toys are not safe for kids, according to children’s and consumer advocacy groups urging parents not to buy them during the holiday season.

These toys, marketed to kids as young as 2 years old, are generally powered by AI models that have already been shown to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-chatbot-teens-congress-chatgpt-character-ce3959b6a3ea1a4997bf1ccabb4f0de2" target="_blank">harm children and teenagers</a>, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://fairplayforkids.org/pf/aitoyadvisory" target="_blank">advisory published Thursday</a>&nbsp;by the children’s advocacy group Fairplay and signed by more than 150 organizations and individual experts such as child psychiatrists and educators.

“The serious harms that AI chatbots have inflicted on children are well-documented, including fostering obsessive use, having explicit sexual conversations, and encouraging unsafe behaviors, violence against others, and self-harm,” Fairplay said.

AI toys, made by companies including Curio Interactive and Keyi Technologies, are often marketed as educational, but Fairplay says they can displace important creative and learning activities. They promise friendship but disrupt children’s relationships and resilience, the group said.

“What’s different about young children is that their brains are being wired for the first time and developmentally it is natural for them to be trustful, for them to seek relationships with kind and friendly characters,” said Rachel Franz, director of Fairplay’s Young Children Thrive Offline Program. Because of this, she added, the trust young children are placing in these toys can exacerbate the types of harms older children are already experiencing with AI chatbots.

<a href="https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ai-ratings/ai-chatbots-for-mental-health-support" target="_blank">A separate report Thursday</a>&nbsp;by Common Sense Media and psychiatrists at Stanford University’s medical school warned teenagers against using popular AI chatbots as therapists.

Fairplay, a 25-year-old organization formerly known as the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, has been warning about AI toys for years. They just weren’t as advanced as they are today. A decade ago, during an emerging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/70165102258e4d18aabc5247e284058a" target="_blank">fad of internet-connected toys</a>&nbsp;and AI speech recognition, the group helped lead a backlash against Mattel’s talking Hello Barbie doll that it said was recording and analyzing children’s conversations.

This time, though AI toys are mostly sold online and more popular in Asia than elsewhere, Franz said some have started to appear on store shelves in the U.S. and more could be on the way.

“Everything has been released with no regulation and no research, so it gives us extra pause when all of a sudden we see more and more manufacturers, including Mattel, who recently partnered with OpenAI, potentially putting out these products,” Franz said.

It’s the second big seasonal warning against AI toys since consumer advocates at U.S. PIRG last week called out the trend in its annual “&nbsp;<a href="https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/trouble-in-toyland-2025-a-i-bots-and-toxics-represent-hidden-dangers/" target="_blank">Trouble in Toyland</a>&nbsp;” report that typically looks at a range of product hazards, such as high-powered magnets and button-sized batteries that young children can swallow. This year, the organization tested four toys that use AI chatbots.

“We found some of these toys will talk in-depth about sexually explicit topics, will offer advice on where a child can find matches or knives, act dismayed when you say you have to leave, and have limited or no parental controls,” the report said. One of the toys, a teddy bear made by Singapore-based FoloToy, was later withdrawn, its CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/19/tech/folotoy-kumma-ai-bear-scli-intl" target="_blank">told CNN this week.</a>

Dr. Dana Suskind, a pediatric surgeon and social scientist who studies early brain development, said young children don’t have the conceptual tools to understand what an AI companion is. While kids have always bonded with toys through imaginative play, when they do this they use their imagination to create both sides of a pretend conversation, “practicing creativity, language, and problem-solving,” she said.

“An AI toy collapses that work. It answers instantly, smoothly, and often better than a human would. We don’t yet know the developmental consequences of outsourcing that imaginative labor to an artificial agent — but it’s very plausible that it undercuts the kind of creativity and executive function that traditional pretend play builds,” Suskind said.

Beijing-based Keyi, maker of an AI “petbot” called Loona, didn’t return requests for comment this week, but other AI toymakers sought to highlight their child safety protections.

California-based Curio Interactive makes stuffed toys, like Gabbo and rocket-shaped Grok, that have been promoted by the pop singer Grimes. The company said it has “meticulously designed” guardrails to protect children and the company encourages parents to “monitor conversations, track insights, and choose the controls that work best for their family.”

In response to the earlier PIRG findings, Curio said it is “actively working with our team to address any concerns, while continuously overseeing content and interactions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for children.”

Another company, Miko, based in Mumbai, India, said it uses its own conversational AI model rather than relying on general large language model systems such as ChatGPT in order to make its product — an interactive AI robot — safe for children.

“We are always expanding our internal testing, strengthening our filters, and introducing new capabilities that detect and block sensitive or unexpected topics,” said CEO Sneh Vaswani. “These new features complement our existing controls that allow parents and caregivers to identify specific topics they’d like to restrict from conversation. We will continue to invest in setting the highest standards for safe, secure and responsible AI integration for Miko products.”

Miko’s products are sold by major retailers such as Walmart and Costco and have been promoted by the families of social media “kidfluencers” whose YouTube videos have millions of views. On its website, it markets its robots as “Artificial Intelligence. Genuine friendship.”

Ritvik Sharma, the company’s senior vice president of growth, said Miko actually “encourages kids to interact more with their friends, to interact more with the peers, with the family members etc. It’s not made for them to feel attached to the device only.”

Still, Suskind and children’s advocates say analog toys are a better bet for the holidays.

“Kids need lots of real human interaction. Play should support that, not take its place. The biggest thing to consider isn’t only what the toy does; it’s what it replaces. A simple block set or a teddy bear that doesn’t talk back forces a child to invent stories, experiment, and work through problems. AI toys often do that thinking for them,” she said. “Here’s the brutal irony: when parents ask me how to prepare their child for an AI world, unlimited AI access is actually the worst preparation possible.”

Advocacy groups urge parents to avoid AI toys this holiday season

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Park Service said Tuesday it is going to start charging the millions of international tourists who visit U.S. parks each year an extra $100 to enter some of the most popular sites, while leaving them out of fee-free days that will be reserved for American residents.

The announcement declaring “America-first entry fee policies” comes as national parks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-national-parks-burgum-superintendents-trash-b5109ba06f1cb3baef9370f585650136">deal with the strain</a>&nbsp;of a major staff reduction and severe budget cuts, along with recovering from damage during the recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-reopening-process-df0388b2d685bab9aa61edce0eb51a15">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;and significant lost revenue due to fees not being collected during that time.

The fee change will impact 11 national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

As part of the changes, which are set to take effect Jan. 1, foreign tourists will also see their annual parks pass price jump to $250, while U.S. residents will continue to be charged $80, according to the department's statement.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a post on the social platform X that the changes make sure U.S. taxpayers who support the park service “continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations!”

A White House post on X laying out the increased fees ended with the phrase, “AMERICANS FIRST.”

The announcement follows a July executive order in which President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;directed the parks to increase entry fees for foreign tourists.

“There’s a lot to unpack in this announcement, including many questions on its implementation – all which NPCA will raise with the Department of Interior,” Kati Schmidt, a spokesperson for National Parks Conservation Association, said in an email.

The U.S. Travel Association estimated that in 2018, national parks and monuments saw more than 14 million international visitors. Yellowstone reported that in 2024, nearly 15% of its visitors were from outside the country, which was down from 30% in 2018.

The money made off the new fees will help support the national parks, including with upgrading facilities for visitors and maintenance, according to the statement.

The “resident-only patriotic fee-free days” next year include Veterans Day, which was one of the parks' eight free days open to everyone in 2025. The Department of the Interior had announced those days by saying they wanted to ensure that “everyone, no matter their ZIP code, can access and enjoy the benefits of green spaces and our public lands.”

National Parks to raise fees for international tourists

JOHNSON COUNTY —Last week, while on patrol, a State Trooper observed a stolen vehicle that had recently failed to stop for the Kansas City Kansas Police Department, according to a social media report from KHP Troop A.

When the Trooper initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle fled, prompting a pursuit. Thankfully, the Trooper was able to successfully conduct a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI), bringing the vehicle to a stop. The driver was then taken into custody on requested charges of felony flee and elude, felony possession of stolen property, misdemeanor interference, driving without a valid license, and a $5,000 fail to appear warrant out of the Johnson County, KS Sheriff's Office

🎥KHP Trooper uses Tactical Vehicle Intervention to stop suspect

KANSAS C ITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a Thanksgiving house fire.

Just before 3:30a.m., crews responded to a reported house fire in the 9500 block of Olmstead Road, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

 On arrival, crews reported heavy smoke and fire through the roof,&nbsp; from a 1-story residence. Interior operations were initiated on an offensive fire attack with 3 hose lines. Companies did encounter a broken natural gas line and power lines down in the rear of the structure and eventually evacuated. 

Moving to a defensive mode, fly piping operations of the structure began. After knocking down the majority of the fire, the aerial was eventually shut down, and the 3 hose lines resumed extinguishing the remaining fire and hot spots. 

Utility crews were on scene and secured their hazards.Searches of the structure were conducted and came back all clear. The fire was brought under control at 4:35 a.m.

One firefighter was briefly evaluated by an ambulance on scene but was not transported. No other injuries or patients have been reported.&nbsp;

Dangerous Thanksgiving Day house fire in Kansas City

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Devon Dampier threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns, Elijah Davis returned an interception 97 yards for another score, and No. 14 Utah came from behind to beat Kansas 31-21 on Friday and keep its slim Big 12 championship hopes alive.

Larry Simmons caught two TD passes, Wayshon Parker ran for 95 yards and Utah (10-2, 7-2, No. 13 CFP) picked off Jalon Daniels three times in the final game of his college career, helping the Utes reach the 10-win mark for the third time in the last five years.

More importantly, the Utes can still play for a conference title. They need Arizona State to beat Arizona on Friday night, then Texas Tech to lose to West Virginia and BYU to beat UCF on Saturday — a long-shot scenario, to be sure, but a reason to turn on TVs.

“We hope 10-2 gets us to what we want to do, but from my standpoint, we were not happy with how last season went," said Dampier, who transferred in from New Mexico after the Utes had finished 5-7 in their first season in the Big 12.

“Just happy it all came together,” he said. “We finished strong, and it was all that work we put in.”

Utah won despite allowing 290 yards rushing, one week after beating Kansas State after allowing 472 on the ground.

“It took a while to get going, and really get into a rhythm. We started to get some things going in the second half,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “We kept finding ways to make plays, stay in the game, and that's kind of the way it went in the end.”

Daniels finished with 187 yards passing and a touchdown, and also rushed for a TD, though his turnovers led to a smattering of boos from Kansas fans, many of whom have endured the QB's highs and lows over the past six seasons.

Daniel Hishaw Jr. had 107 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Jayhawks (5-7, 3-6). Leshon Williams ran for 104.

“Obviously as a team we didn’t play well enough to win the football game,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said.

Utah looked as if it might turn Senior Day into a rout in the opening minutes, but the Kansas defense — which had let Leipold's team down so often this season — finally seemed to find its fight. The Jayhawks bottled up the Utes, who had been averaging 279.6 yards on the ground, and early on Dampier was having little success through the air, twice misfiring on fourth-down attempts.

Utah led just 10-7 at halftime in a game it desperately needed to win.

The Jayhawks briefly pulled ahead after the break, when Whittingham went for it on fourth down rather than kick a field goal on a cold, blustery day. Kansas made a stop, drove 67 yards, and Daniels' scoring sneak gave them a 14-10 advantage.

But the momentum swung for good on his two red-zone blunders early in the fourth quarter.

First, Daniels was picked off while trying to throw the ball out of the end zone, and Utah needed just four plays to go 80 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. Then, after Kansas marched downfield again, Daniels was picked off by Davis near the goal line, and the junior cornerback returned it 97 yards to give the Utes a 24-14 lead with 7:52 remaining.

Utah wound up scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

“We had two little hiccups throughout the season, but I'm really proud of how our guys have played, bouncing back from adversity, whether it's after a loss or in game,” Utah safety Jackson Bennee said. “It's been a good season. We'll see what happens.”

Utah only ran for 164 yards but finished with 417 in total offense, and that was enough to make Kansas pay for its mistakes.

Kansas started the season 4-2 before a loss to Texas Tech. It wound up losing five of its last six games.

Utah watches how the Big 12 race plays out on Saturday.

Kansas watches bowl season on TV for the second straight year.

🏈 Utah rallies to beat KU and keep slim Big 12 championship hopes alive

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys still face long odds in trying to rally for a spot in the playoffs.

They won't be short on confidence with a win over last season's Super Bowl runner-up just four days after beating the defending champs.

Prescott threw for two touchdowns, Malik Davis sprinted 43 yards for a score and the Cowboys overcame two fourth down TD throws from Patrick Mahomes in a 31-28 Thanksgiving Day victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday.

CeeDee Lamb scored the first Dallas touchdown and finished with 112 yards on seven catches after drops plagued the star receiver in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eagles-cowboys-score-c327c03d384190ed8a067c9936f3cab3">24-21 victory over reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia</a>.

The Cowboys (6-5-1) have won three straight and dropped the defending AFC champion Chiefs (6-6) back to .500 in a matchup of playoff-chasing teams.

Dallas is 3-0 since 24-year-old defensive end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cowboys-kneeland-schottenheimer-04061190c64246d3c8ce90ef025f501b">Marshawn Kneeland</a>&nbsp;was found dead of an apparent suicide during the club's open week. The Cowboys came back from the emotion-filled break with a 33-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

“On top of where we put ourselves right before these games and just the place that we’re in, having to get these wins against two elite teams,” Prescott said. “I mean, two teams that played in the Super Bowl last year. Last year’s last year, but you’re talking about two organizations that obviously know how to win and we just beat them both in two great games.

“On top of everything that we've been through.”

Mahomes had four touchdown passes in his first professional game at the home of the Cowboys, where he played three times for Texas Tech not far from his East Texas roots.

“They’re the same desperation that we are and they play better over four quarters than we did,” said Mahomes, who threw for 261 yards and was sacked three times, twice by Jadeveon Clowney. “So even though we have good plays here and there, we have be more consistent at the end of the day.”

Travis Kelce caught Mahomes' first fourth-down TD toss on a 2-yarder, and Rashee Rice's second scoring catch came on fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter.

Kansas City was down 10 when Mahomes was almost tripped in the backfield by Quinnen Williams but kept his feet and found Xavier Worthy wide-open down the field for 42 yards, setting up a 10-yard scoring toss to Hollywood Brown with 3:27 remaining.

Prescott and company didn't give Mahomes another chance.

After two pass interference penalties gave Dallas first downs, Prescott hit George Pickens for 13 yards and a clinching first down at the two-minute warning. Prescott knelt three times after that.

The Chiefs had five pass interference penalties, one that was declined, and another defensive holding that gave Dallas a first down. Kansas City finished with 10 penalties for 119 yards.

“Bottom line is we’re having too many penalties, and we have to make sure to take care of that,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “No excuses with it. We’re going to clean it up.”

Rice had eight catches for 92 yards, his first score coming on a 27-yard catch-and-run on the sideline two plays after Prescott was intercepted by Jaylen Watson on the first Dallas possession.

Davis had just three carries, but his long run gave Dallas its first lead at 17-14 late in the second quarter. Lead running back Javonte Williams scored on a 3-yard catch early in the fourth quarter, and Pickens' catch on a 2-point conversion put Dallas back in front 28-21.

The Cowboys were 10th in the NFC entering the game, same as the Chiefs in the AFC coming off nine consecutive AFC West titles. The schedule doesn't get much easier, although two of the next four opponents — all playoff teams from a year ago — aren't in the postseason picture at the moment.

Local

Region

Sports