The Food Pantry of Geary County moved to a new and larger facility at 700A West 7th Street in 2025. Director Debbie Johns observed, "I think the most amazing thing is seeing how the community supported the Food Pantry." That support came in the form of money and donations from churches and schools.

The new building doubled the size of the Food Pantry. In 2025 there was also a large increase in the number of people served. Some of that increase occurred during the federal government shutdown.

To obtain food clients need a photo ID, proof of Geary County residency and they need to fill out an intake form. If one of those items is missing there is an alternate way to get food. "They're always welcome to come to our food hub and get some items out of there,"said Johns, who added that no one is turned away without food.

In November the Food Pantry served 2,900 people and there were 382 new clients. A total of 652 children were served.

Due to the holidays the facility was closed Dec. 24 and will be Dec. 25 -26, along with Dec. 30-Jan..1. 

Normal hours during the week are Monday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until noon, Tuesday from 5:30 -&nbsp; 6:30 p.m. and there is Fresh Food Friday at 9:45 a.m. until the food is gone. School Night at the Pantry is scheduled the first Thursday of the month when families can also get food.

Big year for the Food Pantry of Geary County

RILEY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Tuesday in Riley County

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage driven by John Franklin&nbsp;Harris, 68, St. George, was northbound on Tuttle Creek Boulevard crossing the intersection of Bluemont Street. The car struck a pedestrian identified as Thalonda Marie&nbsp;Lashley, 45, Junction City,&nbsp;who was wearing dark clothing and walking north in the driving lane of Tuttle Creek Boulevard.

Lashley was transported to&nbsp;Via Christi-Manhattan where she was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; Harris was not injured and properly restrained, according to the KHP.

RILEY COUNTY —The Kansas HIghway Patrol is investigating a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred just after 9:30p.m. Tuesday in Riley County.

The Patrol reported a vehicle was northbound on Tuttle Creek Boulevard crossing the intersection of Bluemont Street. The vehicle struck a pedestrian who was wearing dark clothing and walking north in the driving lane of Tuttle Creek Boulevard.

The Patrol released no additional details early Wednesday. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

KHP: Junction City woman killed after struck by a car 

The Army has announced Winter Holiday hours at Fort Riley Access Control Points and Visitor Control Center:

--VCC: Holiday hours 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Dec 24-26&nbsp;&nbsp;

Winter holiday hours for Fort Riley Access Control Points

DICKINSON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Tuesday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Chevy Equinox driven by Benjamin John&nbsp;Shafer, 26, Abilene, was&nbsp;&nbsp;westbound on Kansas 18 one half mile east of Mink Road.

The SUV rear-ended a 2017 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp;Hock, Matthew Warren Hock, 43, Abilene, who was&nbsp;slowing to turn north into a driveway.

EMS transported Shafer to Memorial Health System. Hock was not injured. Shafer was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man hospitalized after rear-end crash

Geary County officials have dealt with numerous topics in 2025, including the planning for a potential new jail. County Commission Chairman Keith Ascher noted that two options are under consideration but there has not been any final decision. "What do we need for an adequate jail that is safe for inmates, as well as safe for the employees, the staff?" The sites being considered are in the Ninth, Tenth and Franklin Street area in Junction City near the current jail site and County Office Building parking lot.

Ascher feels that a working group or task force from the public will probably be put together to help with the project. A bond issue could be necessary and the proposal would probably have to go to an election. He estimated that a&nbsp; jail could be finished in the 2029 - 2030&nbsp; time frame.

Other county highlights cited by Ascher for 2025 included the seating of&nbsp; Commissioner Kathy Tremont and Sheriff Nate Boeckman, completion of an updated comprehensive plan, the Sheriff's and Public Works Departments were nearly fully staffed, the annual county budget preparation and the beginning of the I-70 - K-18 interchange project.

There is also an effort to put cameras in public works equipment for safety and production. You will be able to see how the County is doing on snow removal, snow routes that have been bladed and where they're headed next.

Recapping 2025 for Geary County

DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TUESDAY NIGHT TO 11 AM CST WEDNESDAY...* 

Geary County Emergency Management passed along information from the National Weather Service. WHAT...Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central, and  northeast Kansas.* WHEN...From midnight Tuesday night to 11 AM CST Wednesday.* 

IMPACTS...Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leaveplenty of distance ahead of you.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dense Fog Advisory

Due to cost increases with waste disposal, customers of the Geary County Transfer Station will see a price increase effective January 1, 2026. 

The County reported that the new tipping fee rate will be $76.00 per ton. The minimum fee of 500 pounds or less will increase to $19.00.The cost for commercial tree trimming companies for the disposal of trees and brush will remain the same at $15.00 per ton. One ton minimum.

Please contact their office if you have any questions at 785-238-3612 or visit our website at <a href="https://www.gearycounty.org/183/Transfer-Station?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExUVF0eWtJU2F2S0gyY3l6YXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5tsw26OzDNDc8JC14zhpyFpUYZ2IsEdRqupA7XBns34q2rpqr0POe-8xqEMA_aem__gpRSID8tXeP-J_53Pb5AQ" target="_blank">https://www.gearycounty.org/183/Transfer-Station</a> for more information&nbsp;&nbsp;

Price increase will go into effect at the Couny Transfer Station in 2026

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (Dec. 23, 2025) – To ensure patients receive timely care during the holiday season, Stormont Vail Health is adjusting hours for its Walk-in Services in Junction City, located inside the Flint Hills Rural Health Clinic, 1102 St. Marys Rd.. 

Modified 2025 Holiday Hours: • Christmas Eve (12/24): 8 a.m.–12 p.m. • Christmas Day (12/25): CLOSED • New Year’s Day (1/1): CLOSED Flint Hills Campus Lab Services • Christmas Eve (12/24): Regular business hours • Christmas Day (12/25): CLOSED • New Year’s Day (1/1): CLOSED Stormont Vail.

&nbsp;Stormont Vail encourages patients to plan ahead for their care needs. In case of an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.&nbsp;

Stormont Vail Health Announces Holiday Hours for Flint Hills Campus Walk-in, Lab Services 

<i>&nbsp;Donna Porter, Library Director</i>

The Dorothy Bramlage Public Library will be closed December 24-26 as well as December 31st and January 1st for the winter holidays.

During the winter closing, the book drop attached to the wall on the north (parking lot) side of the building will remain open. As always, our digital library is open and patrons can checkout material with Libby and/or Hoopla, even when the library is closed.

Questions? Contact the Donna Porter, Library Director at 785-238-4311.

Dorothy Bramlage Public Library - Holiday 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.

Gary Glacken, Failure to appear, arrested 12/19

Jordan Thiem, Aggravated indecent liberties with a child; Intercourse with child 14 &lt; 16 years of age, arrested 12/19

Cinderella Jackson, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 12/19

Tommy Clements, Failure to appear, arrested 12/20

Chassidy Vieira, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, arrested 12/20

Christopher Wood, Unlawful damage to property; Domestic battery, arrested 12/20

Laura Wood, Criminal deprivation of property; Domestic battery, arrested 12/20

Jordan Thiem, Aggravated indecent liberties with a child; Intercourse with child 14 &lt; 16 years of age, arrested 12/20

Evan Booker, Unlawful restraint; Domestic battery, arrested 12/20

Sadid Pagan, Failure to appear, arrested 12/20

Javon Bailey, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license, arrested 12/20

Dalton Jurgens, Assault; Battery; Physical contact in rude, insulting, angry manner; Stalking; Reckless conduct causing fear to person or family, arrested 12/21

Cameron Muller, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 12/21

Christina Murphy, Failure to appear, arrested 12/21

Tamia Moses, Failure to appear, arrested 12/22

Geary County Booking Photos Dec. 20-23

The Army announced that due to the 1st Infantry Division’s block leave period, pharmacy operations at Farrelly Health Clinic will temporarily consolidate staff to the Irwin Army Community Hospital Main Pharmacy. 

As a result, the Farrelly Health Clinic pharmacy will be closed from Dec. 22, 2025 through Jan. 2, 2026, and will reopen on Jan. 5, 2026.

• All active-duty servicemembers should fill prescriptions at the IACH Main Pharmacy.

• All other ancillary services and outpatient care at Farrelly Health Clinic will remain open and available as scheduled.

This temporary consolidation ensures continued pharmacy support for the Fort Riley community during the block leave period.

Pharmacy Update on Post

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.&nbsp;

Just after&nbsp; 7:00 a.m. Dec. 18, a Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives served a search warrant at the residence of 16399 R. Road, just north of the City of Mayetta, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse. In October law enforcement responded to a shooting at the same address.

 The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received information late Tuesday evening reporting a domestic altercation and criminal damage to a vehicle at the location.&nbsp; On Wednesday, deputies served the search warrant taking two men into custody.

Deputies arrested 22-year-old Cody M. Smith and 21-year-old Cole Alexander Thompson both of Mayetta.

Deputies seized cocaine and weapons from the residence. Smith was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thompson was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, domestic battery and criminal damage to property.

Sheriff: Suspects were selling cocaine from Kansas home

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 33-year-old Johntrel L Vickers, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

just before 4:30a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the intersection of Admiral and Paseo on a reported shooting, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

First responders found Vickers lying in the street near the intersection, unresponsive, and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. EMS responded to the scene&nbsp; and pronounced him deceased.

There is no preliminary information indicating what led up to the shooting and a subject of interest has not been identified.

Police ID homicide victim found on Kansas City street

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed higher and reached more records Wednesday on a holiday-shortened trading day.

The S&amp;P 500 index rose 22.26 points, or 0.3%, to 6,932.05. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 288.75, or 0.6%, to close at 48,731.16, and the Nasdaq composite added 51.46, or 0.2%, to 23,613.31

Trading was extremely light as markets closed early for Christmas Eve and will be closed for Christmas Thursday. Roughly 1.8 billion shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, which is roughly a third of the average trading day.

Markets will reopen for a full day of trading on Friday; however volumes are expected to remain light this week with most investors having closed out their positions for the year.

The S&amp;P 500 is up more than 17%&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wall-street-stocks-bonds-crypto-tariffs-ai-539ae5ec338d19f52116e97d38300c28">this year</a>, as investors have embraced the deregulatory policies of the Trump administration and been optimistic about the future of artificial intelligence in helping boost profits for not only technology companies but also for Corporate America. Some of the strongest performers this year include Nvidia and Micron Technologies, both companies that make chips or other components that power the proliferation of data centers across the country.

Much of the focus for investors for the next few weeks will be on where the U.S. economy is heading and where the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-economy-inflation-jobs-442de589de9b99bb811f76e402b00948">Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;will move interest rates. Investors are betting the Fed will hold steady on interest rates at its January meeting.

The U.S. economy grew at a surprisingly strong 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter, the most rapid expansion in two years, driven by consumers who continue to spend in the face of ongoing inflation. There have also been recent reports showing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-55a603a497c5885745b87de8fc5f7821">shaky confidence among consumers</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-economy-inflation-groceries-costs-trump-affordability-d27635d279b27e5e2c19700c006ebb1d">worried about high prices</a>. The labor market&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-trump-unemployment-federal-reserve-cf1280a8466d92fbbc1b5ace7b80bffc">has been slowing</a>&nbsp;and retail sales&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retail-industry-inflation-cd9c68bb96ea0f1bfc6a3c0be6be1a90">have weakened</a>.

The number of Americans applying for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-ba15107bd53911c23c1a694c3dd09f18">unemployment benefits</a>&nbsp;fell last week and remain at historically healthy levels despite some signs that the labor market is weakening.

U.S. applications for jobless claims for the week ending Dec. 20 fell by 10,000 to 214,000 from the previous week’s 224,000, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. That’s below the 232,000 new applications forecast of analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet.

Dynavax Technologies soared 38.2% after Sanofi said it was acquiring the California-based vaccine maker in a deal worth $2.2 billion. The French drugmaker will add Dynavax’s hepatitis B vaccines to its portfolio, as well as a shingles vaccine that is still in development.

Novo Nordisk's shares rose 1.8% after the weight-loss drug company got approval from U.S. regulators for a pill version of its blockbuster drug Wegovy. However, Novo Nordisk shares are still down almost 40% this year as the company has faced increased competition for weight-loss medications, particularly from Eli Lilly. Shares of Eli Lilly are up 40% this year.

European markets moved between slight gains and losses. Asian markets were also quiet, with Hong Kong moving up 0.2% while Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.1%

US stocks drift to more records on a holiday-shortened day of trading

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/john-hanna">JOHN HANNA</a><br>Associated Press

The University of Oklahoma has fired an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-oklahoma-gender-bible-essay-demonic-0fd51985c123737cd372ba609b730541">a failing grade</a>&nbsp;on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”

The university said in&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/UofOklahoma/status/2003209457195741653" target="_blank">a statement</a>&nbsp;posted Monday on X that its investigation found the graduate teaching assistant had been “arbitrary” in giving 20-year-old junior Samantha Fulnecky zero points on the assignment. The university declined to comment beyond its statement, which said the instructor had been removed from teaching.

Through her attorney, the instructor, Mel Curth, denied Tuesday that she had “engaged in any arbitrary behavior regarding the student’s work.” The attorney, Brittany Stewart, said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press that Curth is “considering all of her legal remedies.”

Conservative groups, commentators and others quickly made Fulnecky’s failing grade an online cause, highlighting her argument that she’d been punished for expressing conservative Christian views. Her case became a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over academic freedom on college campuses as President Donald Trump pushes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-critical-race-theory-colleges-diversity-db8317ad37931558dd5a396cf5ab3d42">end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives</a>, and restrict how campuses discuss&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-compact-higher-education-trump-b883cf9c23eaed7ee1ba9819430d33d8">race, gender and sexuality.</a>

Fulnecky appealed her grade on the assignment, which was worth 3% of the final grade in the class, and the university said the assignment would not count. It also placed Curth on leave, and Oklahoma’s conservative Republican governor, Kevin Stitt, declared the situation “deeply concerning.

“The University of Oklahoma believes strongly in both its faculty’s rights to teach with academic freedom and integrity and its students’ right to receive an education that is free from a lecturer’s impermissible evaluative standards,” the university’s statement said. “We are committed to teaching students how to think, not what to think.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diversity-equity-inclusion-dei-education-379c55d6a9487381d48d8450a639bd13">A law approved this year</a>&nbsp;by Oklahoma’s Republican-dominated Legislature and signed by Stitt prohibits state universities from using public funds to finance DEI programs or positions or mandating DEI training. However, the law says it does not apply to scholarly research or “the academic freedom of any individual faculty member.”

Home telephone listings for Fulnecky in the Springfield, Missouri, area had been disconnected, and her mother — an attorney, podcaster and radio host — did not immediately respond Tuesday to a Facebook message seeking comment about the university’s action.

Fulnecky’s failing grade came in an assignment for a psychology class on lifespan development. Curth directed students to write a 650-word response to an academic study that examined whether conformity with gender norms was associated with popularity or bullying among middle school students.

Fulnecky wrote that she was frustrated by the premise of the assignment because she does not believe that there are more than two genders based on her understanding of the Bible, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qxnVi_yaJ-Fb9u1-A1Vy2vQT3Aiw8Nix/preview" target="_blank">a copy of her essay</a>&nbsp;provided&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/education/2025/11/25/ou-oklahoma-samantha-fulnecky-read-essay-gender-bible/87463858007/" target="_blank">to The Oklahoman</a>.

“Society pushing the lie that there are multiple genders and everyone should be whatever they want to be is demonic and severely harms American youth,” she wrote, adding that it would lead society “farther from God’s original plan for humans.”

In feedback obtained by the newspaper, Curth said the paper did “not answer the questions for the assignment,” contradicted itself, relied on “personal ideology” over evidence and “is at times offensive.”

“Please note that I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs,” Curth wrote.

OU instructor fired after giving failing grade to a Bible-based essay on gender

WICHITA, KAN. –&nbsp;Alex Emillano Jaramillo, 45, a minimum-custody resident of the Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) has been apprehended.

Jaramillo was taken into custody Wednesday morning, December 24, after surrendering to authorities at a local hospital, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. He was arrested without incident.

Jaramillo was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Wednesday, December 24, 2025, from his night job.

Jaramillo is listed a violent Kansas offender and has previous convictions for aggravated assault; use of a deadly weapon, burglary, driving while suspended, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, violation of the offender registration act and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Violent Kan. offender captured after Christmas Eve escape

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Tuesday in Kansas City.

According to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino, a white Mack concrete truck entered the on-ramp for southbound U.S. 71 Highway from eastbound MO 150 Highway at a high rate of speed. 

The driver was unable to maintain the curvature of the entrance ramp and due its height and weight, the truck rolled over. The truck then slid into the concrete retaining wall located along the east side of the ramp before coming to rest. The driver and sole occupant of the truck was pronounced deceased at the scene. This is fatality #67 compared to #92 at this time last year, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; The name of the driver has not been released.

KCPD: Driver killed after concrete truck rollover crash

A Christmas Eve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/powerball-lottery-players-dream-big-as-jackpot-reaches-1-6-billion-6ff5647e15794b4c890f1fd5d3e111a5">Powerball drawing</a>&nbsp;could add new meaning to holiday cheer as millions of players hope to cash in on the $1.7 billion prize, which comes after months without a jackpot winner.

The United States'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ec46e188305c9425cb555eef00a89d37">4th-largest jackpot</a>&nbsp;on record comes after 46 consecutive draws without someone claiming to have all six numbers. The last contest with a jackpot winner was on Sept. 6. The game’s long odds have people decking the halls and doling out $2 — and sometimes more — for tickets ahead of Wednesday night's live drawing at 10:59 p.m. EST.

It's a sign the game is operating as intended. Lottery officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-iowa-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-f3d841745b774492a03983e8f4bdc719">made the odds tougher</a>&nbsp;in 2015 as a mechanism for snowballing jackpots, all the while making it easier to win smaller prizes.

The Christmas holiday is not expected to impact the drawing process should there be a winning ticket, a Powerball spokesperson said.

Here is what to know about Wednesday’s drawing:

That ticket placed in a stocking or under the tree could be worth a billion bucks — but with some caveats.

Powerball is played in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Most of those areas require players to be 18 or older, though some states have steeper requirements. In Nebraska, players have to be at least 19 years old, and in Louisiana and Arizona, people can't buy tickets until they are 21.

Winning tickets also must be cashed in the states where they were bought. And players can't buy tickets in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada or Utah.

Other than that, lottery officials argue there is a chance a lucky Powerball ticket could be a gift that keeps on giving.

Charlie McIntyre, the New Hampshire Lottery's executive director, said Tuesday: “Just think of the stories you can tell for generations to come about the year you woke up a billionaire on Christmas.”

Wednesday's $1.7 billion jackpot has a cash value of $781.3 million.

A winner can choose to be paid the whole amount&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-annuity-vs-cash-0e741f164106c0f4dba89707c5763c99">through an annuity</a>, with an immediate payment and then annual payments over 29 years that increase by 5% each time. Most winners, however, usually choose the cash value for a lump sum.

The odds are high for the top prize, but there are smaller prizes players can reap.

At the last drawing, players in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin each won $1 million. There are also prizes outside the jackpot, ranging from a few dollars to $2 million.

One woman told Powerball officials that she already made plans for her $1 million win: “We’re going to pay off our cars and credit cards and get a bigger house!”

And Thomas Anderson of Burlington, North Carolina, said he intended to use his $100,000 Powerball win from earlier this month to go back to school, according to Powerball.

Long odds for the billion-dollar jackpots

Lottery officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">set the odds</a>&nbsp;at 1 in 292.2 million in hopes that jackpots will roll over with each of the three weekly drawings until the pool balloons so much that more people take notice and play.

The odds used to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-iowa-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-f3d841745b774492a03983e8f4bdc719">notably better</a>, at 1 in 175 million. But the game was made tougher in 2015 to create the out-of-this-world bounties. The tougher odds partly helped set the stage for back-to-back record-breaking sweepstakes this year.

The last time someone won the Powerball pot was on Sept. 6, when players in Missouri and Texas won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-drawing-winner-4261a3909c9e01dacc0869c50030e198">$1.787 billion</a>, which was the second-highest top prize in U.S. history.

The U.S. has seen more than a dozen lottery jackpot prizes exceed $1 billion since 2016. The biggest U.S. jackpot ever was $2.04 billion back in 2022.

It’s hard to explain what odds of 1 in 292.2 million mean. Even if halved, they remain difficult to digest.

In the past, one&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-lottery-jackpot-b2471a4d796af84fc8628b2c3fa4f4e2">math professor</a>&nbsp;described the odds of flipping a coin and getting heads 28 straight times.

Tim Chartier, a Davidson College math professor in North Carolina, on Monday compared the odds of a winning lottery ticket to selecting one marked dollar bill from a stack 19 miles (31 kilometers) high.

“It’s true that if you buy 100 tickets, you are 100 times more likely to win. But in this case, ‘100 times more likely’ barely moves the probability needle,” Chartier said. “Using the time analogy, buying 100 tickets is like getting 100 guesses to name that one chosen second over nine years. Possible — but wildly improbable.”

Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reportforamerica.org/">Report for America</a>&nbsp;is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Powerball’s jackpot could make Christmas Eve unforgettable for a winner

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/wyatte-grantham-philips">WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS</a><br>Associated Press

This&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/holidays">holiday season</a>, many U.S. drivers are getting the gift of lower gas prices.

According to data from motor club AAA, December has been the cheapest month for prices at the pump this year. The national average for unleaded gasoline has stayed below the $3 mark since Dec. 2, falling to its lowest level of about $2.85 a gallon on Monday.

That figure has inched up slightly since, sitting at closer to $2.86 a gallon Tuesday — but overall, consumers hitting the road ahead of the Christmas holiday will likely continue to see mild prices.

As always, some states have cheaper averages than others, due to factors ranging from nearby refinery supply to local fuel requirements. Hawaii had the highest average of about $4.44 a gallon on Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/" target="_blank">per AAA</a>&nbsp;— followed by $4.30 in California and $3.92 in Washington. Meanwhile, Oklahoma had the lowest average at about $2.30 per gallon, followed by nearly $2.42 in both Arkansas and Iowa.

Still, nationwide, unleaded gasoline is down more than 18 cents than it was at this time last year, and 21 cents from a month ago. So far, AAA says that prices seen this month mark the cheapest December for gas prices since 2020, when the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/covid-19-pandemic">COVID-19 pandemic</a>&nbsp;roiled the economy.

The travel organization notes that this month’s cheaper prices arrive as supply remains strong. Crude oil, the main ingredient in gasoline, has also been at a relatively mild level — with West Texas Intermediate remaining below the $60 per barrel mark for most of December.

Relief at the pump is welcome for consumers who have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-economy-inflation-groceries-costs-trump-affordability-d27635d279b27e5e2c19700c006ebb1d">feeling higher prices</a>&nbsp;in other parts of their budgets — as worries about the costs of goods ranging from groceries to holiday gifts rise amid ongoing inflation and U.S. President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tariffs">tariffs</a>&nbsp;on foreign imports.

Government data actually showed that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-consumer-prices-economy-trump-tariffs-e26c4b6ee05533fd6686555e125b2e53">consumer prices cooled</a>&nbsp;in November, rising at just 2.7% from a year earlier. But year-over-year inflation still remains well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target — and economists quickly warned that last month’s numbers were suspect because of delays and possible distortions from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">43-day federal shutdown</a>.

Most Americans have continued to express anger and frustration about the high cost of living — as well as an uncertain job market. On Tuesday, the Conference Board said that its consumer confidence index&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-55a603a497c5885745b87de8fc5f7821">fell in December</a>&nbsp;to its lowest level since April.

US drivers getting gift of lower gas prices this holiday season

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating after two adults were found deceased inside a home in the 1600 block of North Glendale Monday morning.

Just before 9:30a.m. EMS responded to the residence for a medical call involving a 46-year-old man reporting chest pain. He was transported to Wesley Medical Center in stable condition, according to a media release.

A short time later, a neighbor became concerned after realizing the man taken to the hospital did not live at the residence. The neighbor entered the home and discovered an adult man and an adult woman unresponsive in the basement. The neighbor called 911 at 9:53 a.m.

Officers arrived and located the two individuals. EMS pronounced both deceased at 10:04 a.m. The deceased have been identified as 45-year-old Eric Taylor,&nbsp;who lived in the home, and 38-year-old Regina Reynolds.

The case is currently being treated as an overdose investigation. Detectives are continuing to gather information.

Police ID two found dead at Kansas home

FINNEY COUNTY—With just a day before Christmas, a crash involving an alleged DUI ensured one "driver’s spot on the naughty list," according to a social media report from Garden City Police.

Just before 11p.m. Dec. 18, Police, Fire, and EMS responded to an injury accident in the 1300 block of N. 13th Street in Garden City. First responders found that a garage and a parked pickup truck in the driveway had been struck. The suspected vehicle, a Toyota Camry, was located across the street with extensive front‑end damage.

The driver, identified as Nickolas Asebedo, 23, ran from the crash as Officers arrived, jumping several fences to escape the area. 

Officers located Asebedo at his home, and further investigation determined he was driving under the influence and registered a blood alcohol content nearly twice the legal limit. 

Asebedo was arrested and booking into the Finney County Jail on requested charges of DUI, Interference LEO, Tampering with an Ignition Interlock Device, and Duty Upon Striking an Unattended Vehicle. There were no injuries reported from the incident.

"We’ve said it before, and we'll keep saying it - please do not drink and drive and risk lives unnecessarily, not just during the holidays, but at any time of the year.

Police: SW Kansas driver sure to make 'the naughty list'

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Tre White and Flory Bidunga each had 18 points and eight rebounds as No. 17 Kansas used balanced scoring to beat Davidson 90-61 on Monday night.

Six players finished in double figures for the Jayhawks (10-3), including all five starters. Bryson Tiller added 11 points and Jamari McDowell scored 10. Melvin Council Jr. had 10 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

Kohl Rosario provided 13 points off the bench as Kansas shot 58% from the field, including 11 for 21 (52%) on 3-pointers. The Jayhawks had 27 assists on 37 baskets and outrebounded Davidson 42-31. White nabbed four of the team's 13 steals.

Roberts Blums was the only player in double figures for the Wildcats (8-4) with 13 points off the bench. Davidson was limited to 36% shooting from the floor and went 2 for 6 at the free-throw line.

Kansas played its second consecutive game without Darryn Peterson. The freshman star, who missed seven straight games earlier this season due to injury, is averaging 25 points in four games.

Kansas led by 19 before Davidson went on a 10-2 run to trim it to 36-25. The Wildcats hit six straight shots during one stretch, though they never cut the deficit to single digits. When White hit his fourth 3 of the first half, the lead was back up to 46-26.

Kansas went to the locker room with a 51-30 cushion. The Jayhawks were led by White’s 16 points. Bidunga and Council each had 10.

The second half didn't start much better for Davidson, as the Wildcats were outscored 7-2 in the first 2:51, leading coach Matt McKillup to exhaust his timeouts with 17:09 left.

Kansas wasted no time distancing itself from the overmatched Wildcats. When Bidunga threw down an alley-oop dunk with 13:03 left in the opening half, the Jayhawks already had stretched the lead to 17-6. Davidson didn't reach double figures until 10:36 remained in the first half.

Kansas is off until starting Big 12 play Jan. 3 at UCF.

🏀Kansas uses balanced scoring to defeat Davidson 

TOPEKA – Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs&nbsp;today announced that an agreement has been reached to build a domed stadium and a mixed-use entertainment district, as well as a new team headquarters, training facility and mixed-use development in Kansas. The project will be a massive economic win for the state, with the construction phase alone creating over 20,000 jobs and $4.4 billion in economic impact for Kansas. From there, the stadium will bring over $1 billion in annual impact.

The agreement includes two distinct parts: (1) a $3 billion stadium in Wyandotte County, which will open at the start of the 2031 NFL season; and (2) a new Chiefs headquarters and training facility in the City of Olathe in Johnson County. Both sites will have mixed-use developments that could include sports, entertainment, dining, shopping, office, hotel and residential properties.

“This agreement to bring the Chiefs to Kansas takes our state to the next level. With this new stadium, we’re creating thousands of jobs, bringing in tourists from around the world, attracting young people, and most importantly, we’re continuing to make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family,”&nbsp;Gov. Kelly said. “This is a game-changer for Kansas, and it’s a signal to America and the world that our state’s future is very bright.”

The agreement was approved today by the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) with strong bipartisan support.&nbsp; It will be a public-private partnership between the state and the Chiefs organization – and it will require no funds from the current state budget and no new taxes on Kansans. A fact sheet of the agreement and the independent Economic Impact Study can be&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansascommerce.gov/chiefs-media-kit" target="_blank">found here</a>.

“Today is an extraordinary day in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs,”&nbsp;Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt&nbsp;said. “We are excited to partner with the State of Kansas to bring a world-class stadium to our fans. This project represents another step in our legacy of innovation and our fan-first mentality, which started with my father, Lamar Hunt. The stadium, practice facility, and surrounding development will benefit the entire region, and further elevate Kansas City in the eyes of the country and the world.”

“This is a great day for Kansas City Chiefs fans,” said&nbsp;NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “This public-private partnership, the result of a thoughtful and deliberate process, will build upon the Hunts’ generational legacy by boldly investing in one of America’s greatest fan bases. The Chiefs’ new enclosed stadium will be a stage for unforgettable moments, whether it’s playoff games, concerts or championship events. We congratulate the Chiefs and the Kansas City community on this important achievement.”

The Chiefs announcement adds to the Kelly-Toland administration’s unprecedented streak of winning business investment projects that create jobs and grow Kansas’ economy. Since 2019, Kansas has attracted more than $30 billion committed capital investment and created or retained almost 78,000 jobs.

“Kansas has had a streak of big economic wins, but nothing is bigger than this. This is truly once-in-a-generation,” said&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, who led the state team that negotiated the deal with the Chiefs. “This happened because we brought Democrats and Republicans together to do what was best for Kansas – landing our state a huge economic win, without requiring a single dollar from the state budget or a tax increase on Kansans. This historic win is the latest in a series of major economic wins for Kansas, including the Panasonic headquarters, which all tell the same story: the future for Kansas, its workers and its economy is very exciting.”&nbsp;

“This is an extraordinary economic win for our state thanks to the effort of Governor Kelly and Lieutenant Governor Toland,” said&nbsp;Christal Watson, Mayor &amp; CEO Unified Government of Wyandotte KCK. “All of us in Wyandotte and Kansas City, Kansas are excited to work with the Chiefs and are committed to driving results that strengthen our region and uplift our community.”

“This deal is a once-in-a-generation type of opportunity for our community and region. Having the Chiefs headquarters and training facilities here in Johnson County will be huge for our local economy - and a lot of fun for our families,” said&nbsp;John Bacon, Mayor of Olathe. “We’re eager to get to work, and are committed to ensuring the process – and the result – are first class, something everyone in Olathe – and all across Chiefs Kingdom – can be proud of."

“Today, Kansas won the Super Bowl,” said&nbsp;Senate President Ty Masterson. “This is a huge win for Kansas. Now, we get to watch our beloved Chiefs play right here at home, keeping jobs and tax dollars right here in Kansas. Best of all, this will not cost one more penny for Kansas taxpayers.”

“Here in Kansas, we love the Chiefs, and we also love a good deal for taxpayers. So this is a win-win,”&nbsp;House Speaker Dan Hawkins said.

The project will be financed through a public-private partnership (60% public - 40% private). The public portion is funded through&nbsp;Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund&nbsp;– both funding mechanisms established specifically for this purpose – to ensure that there will be no new state taxes and no impact on the state budget.&nbsp; The STAR bonds were authorized today by a bipartisan vote of the Legislative Coordinating Council. The STAR bonds have two components: (1) It allows the state to designate a portion of new state sales tax revenues generated by this project in neighboring communities to fund this project; (2) It allows Wyandotte County and the City of Olathe to designate a portion of their local sales tax revenue generated by this project to pay for it. For more on STAR bonds,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/star-bonds/">click here</a>.

The Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund was established by the legislature to dedicate revenue generated from iLottery and sports betting to recruit professional sports teams.

The Hunt Family is also committing to $1 billion in additional development, a portion of which can also be incentivized by STAR bonds.&nbsp;

Gov. Kelly and Kansas City Chiefs Announce Agreement On Plans for State-of-the-Art Domed Stadium in Kansas

Wichita State University men’s basketball head coach Paul Mills is sharing a deeply personal story after surviving a life-threatening cardiac emergency earlier this month—an experience he says could have ended very differently had even a few circumstances changed.

Mills explained that two weeks ago, following a road game at Northern Iowa, he began experiencing severe chest pain and difficulty breathing immediately after the final buzzer.

“I realized something wasn’t right,” Mills said. “It felt like my chest had a skeletal fracture, and it was extremely hard to breathe.”

Despite the pain, Mills completed postgame responsibilities before sitting down in the locker room, exhausted and struggling to move. With a winter storm impacting travel plans, the team ultimately boarded a late-night flight rather than returning by bus. Mills said that decision may have saved his life.

After landing shortly after 1 a.m., Mills told his wife he needed to go to the hospital. Doctors immediately performed an EKG and identified abnormalities, admitting him overnight while a cardiac team was called in. Mills said the next thing he remembers is waking up after undergoing emergency cardiac surgery.

Doctors later told Mills his right coronary artery was 100 percent blocked and had gone without blood flow for approximately six hours. Multiple stents were inserted to restore circulation.

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