First District Geary County Commissioner Trish Giordano will not run for another term.

"I am deeply honored to serve as a Geary County Commissioner, a role I accepted because I saw a need for change and wanted to make a difference in our community. I would like to announce that I will not be seeking reelection in November.

I believe the public should be informed when elected positions will be coming open. My seat represents District 1, which covers the north and west portions of Geary County. A district map is available on the Geary County website.

When my current term ends in January 2027, I will have completed 34 years of public service, including my time in law enforcement and look forward to my next chapter. I believe strongly in term limits and never intended to serve more than the two terms I have completed.

I am proud of the accomplishments achieved by the Commission and our county staff during my tenure. One of the most significant undertakings was partnering with Stormont Vail Health to take over our struggling county hospital which was an essential step to ensure quality healthcare remains close to home for our residents. Another major improvement was the hiring of a Finance Director. While Geary County taxes remain high, we have completely revamped our financial structure to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the use of taxpayer dollars.

There is still important work to be done, and I hope the individual who fills my seat continues to prioritize fiscal responsibility.

If you are interested in running for the District 1 seat, please feel free to reach out to me or contact the Geary County Clerk for information on the filing process. The filing deadline is June for candidates filing with a political party and August for independent candidates."

Commissioner Giordano will not seek reelection

The Geary USD 475 Board of Education has elected Dr. Beth Hudson to serve as the President of the Board for the next year. This will be the second consecutive term for Hudson in that role.

Tbe Board has elected Ron Johnson to serve as Vice President for the next year.

USD 475 Board of Education elects officers for the coming year

RILEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 12:30p.m. January 9, in Riley County.

According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, a 2023 Jeep Compass driven by Glen Milheim, 77, of Junction City, struck a pedestrian on a bicycle, Nataniel Ervin, 54, of Ogden,&nbsp;at the intersection of Anderson Ave. and Waters Street. 

EMS transported Ervin to Irwin Army Community Hospital for his injuries. Milheim was issued a citation for failing to yield at a stop sign.

Junction City driver cited after Jeep struck pedestrian

Geary County Commisioners have elected Kathy Tremont to serve as the Chair of the governing body for the coming year. Trish Giordano will be the Vice Chair.

For individual appointments to public boards:

--Keith Ascher will serve on the Public Building Commission, Solid Waste Management Planning Committee, Chamber of Commerce Board, MPO Board, Local Emergency Planning Committee and the County Risk Management Committee.

--Trish Giordano will be on the Militaryy Affairs Council, ATA Bus Board, Flint Hills Regional Council, the CVB Committee and the Community Corrections Committee. She will also serve as an alternate for the MPO Board.

--Kathy Tremont will serve on the EDC, the North Central Regional Juvenile Detention Center Board and the Pawnee Mental Health Board.

Commissioners reappointed John Moyer to a three year term on the County Public Building Commission.

County Commission reorganizes for 2026

The Geary County CVB has listed a number of America 250 activities.

JAN 24:&nbsp;Eagle Day @Milford Nature Center - Tour, Crafts, Refreshments

APRIL 17-18:&nbsp;History ALIVE! Historic reenactments,&nbsp;18-foot tipis, tomahawk throwing and archery lessons, Ojibwe dancers, gunfighters, a Territorial Marshal and more.

JUNE 6:&nbsp;Mud Bog 2026: Thunder on the Avenue (info to come @&nbsp;freedomfestjc.com)

﻿JUNE 13: Junction City JUNETEENTH Celebration in Heritage Park

JULY 1-5:&nbsp;FREEDOM FEST Junction City: Celebrating America's 250! Free entertainment and live music; merchant vendors, beer and food vendors, carnival, fireworks, and more!&nbsp;freedomfestjc.com

JUNE-JULY:&nbsp;Junction City Brigade Baseball at the historic Rathert Field - plan a trip to enjoy America's Pasttime!&nbsp;jcbrigade.com

Celebrate AMERICA 250  ﻿in Geary County

MARION COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Sunday in Marion County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Focus driven by Sharon Sumner, 70, Florence, was eastbound on U.S. 50 at 5th Street in Florence one half mile south of the U.S. 77 junction. The driver was blinded by headlights of westbound traffic. The car traveled into the ditch and struck a culvert.

EMS transported Sumner to&nbsp;Newton Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman hospitalized after car strikes a culvert

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall spent Friday visiting with Fort Riley leaders about Irwin Army Community Hospital.

Marshall noted that he and his staff learned in December of 2024 that the Department of Defense was considering the closure of the hospital, "probably making it into an urgent care clinic." Since then they have been engaged with the Department of Defense to keep the hospital open.

"We expect the VA System to come in here next week. By opening up the hospital and facilities here to more veterans. There are some 17,000 veterans here in the service area. That would give IACH more numbers."The Senator added that VA will be at Fort Riley this next week to hopefully sign some final documents.

Marshall is hopeful that veterans can begin getting healthcare in March at Irwin Amy Community Hospital.

Senator Marshall’s visit comes after months of advocacy and coordination with the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), following reports that the hospital could be downgraded to an acute care clinic — threatening emergency, surgical, and maternity care options in the North Central Flint Hills Region.

During a Fort Riley visit last summer, DHA leadership emphasized their commitment to strengthening IACH’s future and keeping the hospital at full capacity.

Sen. Marshall works to preserve Irwin Army Community Hospital

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for available talent to take part in this year’s first Virtual Statewide Job Fair, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, January 22.

“The new year is all about new doors opening and new opportunities on the horizon,” Toland said. “And what better way to kickstart your new year than exploring the wide array of fulfilling career opportunities available in Kansas.”

The Virtual Job Fair format allows anyone searching for a new job to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.

This month’s Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as they might be asked to engage in an interview.

Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodation by contacting their nearest workforce center at 877-509-6757 prior to the event.

Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fapp.premiervirtual.com%2Fevents%2F4fa13887-56f5-4f70-8a8e-15ad40a883d7%2Fkansasworks-virtual-statewide-job-fair-january-22,-2026/1/0101019b9e565055-72d4cf41-20e4-4c41-9820-f0a8bc7fed66-000000/v50bB3OSjtVIxQCAmWqClvLzUIj5ESUlPUK-Dr4ubFE=439">here</a>.

Commerce hosts first Virtual Job Fair of new year with new opportunities

The Junction Cigh School KAY&nbsp; Club will work to support the homeless shelter, Fresh Start. They will sponsor a food drive Jan. 13 - 16. Donations may be dropped off at the JCHS Event Center during the basketball games on Jan. 13 and Jan. 16.

Food items that will be accepted include cereal, peanut butter, jelly, canned meats, crackers and non-perishables.

KAY Club will conduct a food drive

The Geary USD 475 Board of Education will elect officers for the coming year when they meet Monday evening at the Devin Center.&nbsp;

The Board will elect a President and Vice President.

In other business they will consider a staff recommendsation that they approve the Fort Riley Middle School HVAC upgrade project at a total cost of approximately $6,400,000.

BOE is scheduled to elect officers Monday evening

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.

Bailey Collier, Failure to appear, arrested 01/08

Geary County Booking Photos Jan. 9, 2026

Annual session begins with questions about congressional redistricting, property taxes and more

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">Anna Kaminski</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">Sherman Smith</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 2026 session of the Kansas Legislature burst to life Monday as Republicans and Democrats staked out public policy priorities, welcomed members to fill unexpired terms of the departed and awaited the upcoming final State of the State speech by Gov. Laura Kelly.

Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, gaveled in the Senate and House in what could be the final legislative session for both. Masterson is competing in a crowded field for the GOP nomination for governor, while Hawkins tossed his hat into the ring in the race for state insurance commissioner.

In brief remarks with reporters, Masterson said his mind was on finding ways to control rising property taxes, embracing the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump and, possibly, redrawing the state’s congressional district boundaries for benefit of Republican candidates for Congress.

“A constitutional amendment to cap property tax, at least authorizing the ‘big, beautiful bill’ and parental freedom in education. Like to do a little tort reform. Obviously, get a budget passed,” Masterson said.

In terms of redistricting, the Senate president said he would “love to” advance a bill that shifted boundaries of the state’s four U.S. House districts to give GOP candidates a distinct edge over Democratic candidates. The idea would be to make it difficult for U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, to win reelection.

The original plan was to convene a special session of the Legislature in November to consider a new congressional map. The required two-thirds majority in the Senate signed a petition calling a special session, but Hawkins was unable to convince two-thirds of Republican peers in the House to sign a special-session petition.

“If we get it from the House, we’re going to take it up,” said Masterson, who would appear to have the easier task of securing enough votes to thwart a veto by Kelly.

The first order of business Monday was for Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen to swear into office the Senate’s newcomers. Sen. Scott Hill, R-Abilene, and Sen. Silas Miller, D-Wichita, were drafted from the House to fill vacancies in the Senate. Hill replaced Sen. J.R. Claeys, a Salina Republican who went to work for the Trump administration. Miller took the seat left open by Sen. Mary Ware, who&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-senator-from-wichita-retires-opening-democratic-seat-ahead-of-legislative-session/" target="_blank">announced her retirement</a>&nbsp;in November.

At the front of the Senate chamber, Rosen turned to Hill and began reciting the oath: “Do you, Silas Miller …”

The gaffe was noted, and Rosen affirmed: “Not a good start.” He replaced Miller’s name in the script with Hill’s, and the perfunctory ceremonies for both were completed.

House and Senate committees begin meeting Tuesday. Kelly, a Democrat in the final year of her two terms as governor, is scheduled to deliver the annual State of the State speech to a joint session of the Legislature at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Hawkins, a Republican insurance executive, marked his “last first day” of the session after 14 years in the House and three years as speaker. While he’s running for insurance commissioner, all 125 seats in the House will be up for election in November. The Senate won’t do likewise until 2028.

“The first day of the session is always a happy day,” Hawkins said to an almost full chamber. “I tried for the House to be the best House there ever was, and I think, for the most part, we have done just that.”

He said he strived to promote mutual respect in the House “so that we listen, hopefully, more than we talk.”

Hawkins encouraged spirited debate on the House floor that avoided personal jabs.

“Be engaged, and put everything you have into this session. But don’t leave wishing you would have done something,” he said.

Ahead of the House’s more ordinary first-day business, Rosen swore in Rep. Abi Boatman, a Wichita-area Democrat, Air Force veteran and advocate who replaced Miller.

Boatman, who is Kansas’ second-ever transgender legislator, worked in advocacy and civic engagement for the past decade. She said her first moments in the Legislature were fast-paced as she received a warm welcome. She said the Legislature felt like “the next natural step.”

Rep. Steve Brunk, a Wichita Republican who served in the House from 2003 to 2015, was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Rep. Patrick Penn, who took a job in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During the interim period, Brunk lobbied for a conservative policy organization opposed to abortion.

After checking with Capitol security at the visitor center to make certain the state’s conceal-carry gun law hadn’t changed in his absence, he discussed his reasons for returning to the House.

“I just felt like there was unfinished business here. I always liked the process,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat running for state insurance commissioner, said one of her top priorities would be to approve a refundable child tax credit. In the past, proposals have been made to offer a $25 to $600 per child income tax credit for low- and middle-income households to help families deal with escalating costs. She said it was unlikely the GOP-led Legislature would approve the bill.

“I would love to see child tax credits passed through, but I don’t think there’s a possible way for that,” Sykes said.

She said the Legislature ought to extend the existing K-12 school finance formula — due to expire in mid-2027 — for another year. That would allow the 2027 Legislature to craft a new formula that wouldn’t be implemented until 2028, she said.

Sen. Cindy Holscher, a Democrat seeking the party’s nomination for governor along with Sen. Ethan Corson, said she would take on a defensive mindset in an attempt to disrupt GOP legislation that she would view as harmful to the state’s most vulnerable people.

“I am always focused on things that will help the people,” she said. “We’ve been pushing things like Medicaid expansion for years. I’m going to look for ways to bring things good forward and push back against the bad stuff.”

After the House adjourned for the day, House Democrats gathered with reporters at the Capitol to highlight an agenda designed to benefit working families.

House Democrats proposed raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, allowing renters to get 15% of their rent back in a tax rebate, providing universal school meals and addressing access to and the cost of child care. They also wanted to exempt $125,000 of a home’s value from the state property tax. The current threshold is $75,000.

House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, D-Lenexa, said Democrats were exploring ways to pay for their wish list. Legalizing recreational marijuana was on the table, he said, along with raising taxes for millionaires.

However, he said, cost of living was the No. 1 issue on Kansans’ minds. But their proposals would need support from Republicans to reach the minimum 63 votes for passage in the House.

“In the superminority, we have to go find friends, right?” Woodard said. “There’s only 37 of us, so we have to find 26 members that will work with us. The idea of coming up with our own agenda allows us to, one, tell Kansans what we stand for, but also, these are going to be floor amendments that you see on any of the bills that are introduced by Republicans.”

Rep. Dan Osman, D-Overland Park, said Kansas should be a place where growing families could afford child care, seniors could live in their homes on a fixed income, and young people could see a future instead of looking to other states.

“Families are doing everything right, working hard, budgeting correctly, planning for our future. Yet too many are still feeling squeezed,” Osman said.

Kansas Legislature jolts to life with newcomers and generation of new policy agendas

&nbsp;Protests across Iran are escalating and may turn violent, resulting in arrests and injuries.&nbsp;Increased security measures, road closures, public transportation disruptions, and internet blockages are ongoing.&nbsp;The Government of Iran has restricted access to mobile, landline, and national internet networks.&nbsp;Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran, with several suspending service until Friday, January 16.

U.S. citizens should expect continued internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Türkiye.

U.S.-Iranian dual nationals&nbsp;must&nbsp;exit Iran on Iranian passports. &nbsp;The Iranian government does not recognize&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Ftravel.state.gov%2Fen%2Finternational-travel%2Fplanning%2Fpersonal-needs%2Fdual-nationality.html/1/0101019bb41844ac-eebb16c6-5ecb-42fe-8769-e4b2bec38e1c-000000/UFwE19dzLrxqMM2owcWBVy91WFujudbOfFb7r85b8-Q=439" target="_blank">dual nationality&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;and will treat U.S.-Iranian dual nationals solely as Iranian citizens.&nbsp;U.S. nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran.&nbsp;Showing a U.S. passport or demonstrating connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone.

The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety if you choose to depart using the following options.&nbsp;You should leave only if you believe it is safe to do so.

As of Monday, January 12, the Armenian land border at Agarak/Norduz&nbsp;remains open.&nbsp;U.S. citizens entering Armenia from Iran need a valid U.S. passport and may stay for up to 180 days visa-free. &nbsp;U.S. citizens who require assistance&nbsp;should send the following to the&nbsp;U.S. Embassy Yerevan American Citizens Services Unit at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ACSYerevan@state.gov">ACSYerevan@state.gov</a>:

As of Monday, January 12, Turkish land border crossings with Iran remain open (Gürbulak/Bazargan, Kapıköy/Razi, and Esendere/Serow). &nbsp;For U.S. citizens seeking to depart Iran by land via these border gates:&nbsp;

U.S.-Iranian dual nationals who plan to enter Türkiye on Iranian or Turkish passports do not require advance approval.&nbsp;U.S. citizens who plan to enter Türkiye using their U.S. passports&nbsp;and those who lack a valid travel document should send the following to the U.S. Embassy Ankara American Citizens Services Unit at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Ankara-ACS@state.gov">Ankara-ACS@state.gov</a>:

As of Monday, January 12, Turkmenistan’s land borders are open, but U.S. citizens need special authorization from the Government of Turkmenistan before approaching the border.&nbsp;&nbsp;U.S. Embassy Ashgabat must facilitate this approval. &nbsp;U.S. citizens who plan to request entry into Turkmenistan should send the following to the U.S. Embassy Ashgabat American Citizens Services Unit at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:AshgabatUScitizen@state.gov">AshgabatUScitizen@state.gov</a>:

U.S. citizens with an urgent need to depart Iran via Azerbaijan should be aware that entry into Azerbaijan from Iran has been restricted for U.S. citizens during periods of heightened tension, such as the June 2025 conflict between Iran and Israel.&nbsp;U.S. citizens should consider alternative routes for departure from Iran.&nbsp;U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan, Iraq, or the Pakistan-Iran border area.

The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.&nbsp;The Swiss government, acting through its embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran.

Embassy of Switzerland – Foreign Interests Section in Tehran:

 U.S. State Department issues security alert for Iran

KANSAS CITY—Police are investigating a second homicide this week in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 7:30a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 2500 block of NE 78th Street, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

As officers arrived they located a a man lying in the street, suffering from gunshot wounds. KCFD Medics responded simultaneously and began performing life saving measures. However, the victim was pronounced deceased on scene.

This is being investigated as a homicide. A subject of interest was taken into custody by patrol officers on scene. The preliminary investigation revealed there was a dispute between two individuals that were known to one another. A physical altercation ensued, which led to shots being fired and the victim being struck. Investigator canvassed the area for witnesses, physical evidence, and any possible surveillance footage.

Homicide: Suspect in custody after deadly KC neighborhood fight

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas is suffering from the worst outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the country, with nearly 414,000 birds affected, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.&nbsp;

HPAI, an umbrella term for avian influenza that includes highly contagious strains such as H5 and H7, is considered a low public health risk, although it can pass to humans through birds and dairy products from infected cattle, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with sporadic human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers,” according to CDC.&nbsp;

As of Friday, there are four affected commercial flocks and six affected backyard flocks reported in Kansas,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks" target="_blank">according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>. Avian influenza kills almost 100% of the birds it infects.

The bulk of the infected birds, about 380,000, in Kansas were reported to be in a commercial operation in Pottawatomie County, USDA reports said.

In a map highlighting outbreaks across the nation, Kansas is the only state showing the most severe reports during the past 30 days. It is followed by Indiana, with about 87,000 birds affected, including two commercial flocks and five backyard flocks.&nbsp;

Kansas has not had a reported instance of avian bird flu in a human,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html" target="_blank">according to CDC records</a>. Since 2024, there have been 74 reported bird flu cases in humans and two deaths.

Kansas bird flu outbreak is worst in nation

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office renewed its attempts to access abortion patient records as the state tries to build a case in favor of strict abortion regulations

KANSAS CITY — Attorneys for Missouri’s only abortion provider presented a timeline Monday of two decades of restrictions on the procedure, laid out for a crowded courtroom across four easels.

On the opening day of what promises to be a 10-day trial over which regulations should remain in place under Missouri’s voter-approved abortion rights amendment, lawyers for Planned Parenthood argued the restrictions were “petty, demanding and increasingly aggressive,” and became increasingly so as more anti-abortion lawmakers were elected to the statehouse.

“The most consistent thing about abortion provisions in Missouri is that it’s been inconsistent,” Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which operates clinics in Columbia and the Kansas City area, testified Monday.&nbsp;

As the trial kicked off in a Jackson County courtroom, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office renewed its plea for access to abortion patient records, including patient complaints and ER transfers. So far, a judge has denied the state’s attempt to access these records.

“We’ve had to fight tooth and nail to find smoking gun evidence,” Peter Donohue, an assistant attorney general, said Monday after appealing the court’s decision to allow Planned Parenthood to submit a summary chart of patient complications rather than records.

Vanessa Pai-Thompson, an attorney with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, called the state’s continued efforts “a last-ditch attempt to find a there there.”&nbsp;

Assistant Solicitor General Alexandria Overcash painted for the judge a picture of a hypothetical woman faced with an unintended pregnancy. Maybe she’s young and lacks a strong safety net. Maybe she can’t afford a baby, or is unsure if she is ready to be a mother.

Then Overcash detailed a world where the woman goes to an abortion provider and is shown an ultrasound. A state-mandated informed consent booklet is handed to her with other options and she is required to wait 72-hours before she can get an abortion.&nbsp;

This scenario, Overcash said, exists if the state’s current abortion regulations are upheld as part of a system designed to protect women in “emotionally fraught and medically-risky circumstances.”&nbsp;

But the first two witnesses in the case, called by Planned Parenthood, said dozens of unnecessary restrictions ensure access to abortion remains limited, if not impossible. As a result,<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/05/missouri-abortion-legal-access-hinges-courts-rebuilding/">&nbsp;only a few dozen in-clinic abortions</a>&nbsp;were performed in recent years, as restrictions continued to pile up, compared to more than 20,000 a few decades earlier. Medication abortion remains inaccessible.

These restrictions came to a head in 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion and Missouri’s trigger law banning nearly all abortions went into effect.&nbsp;

Two years later,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/11/05/missouri-legalized-abortion-1-year-ago-ban/">52% of Missourians voted to add reproductive health care protections</a>, including access to abortion up to the point of fetal viability, into the state constitution. The amendment prevents the state from denying, interfering with or otherwise restricting abortion.&nbsp;

Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Missouri sued the state a day after the vote, asking that a few dozen abortion regulations, commonly referred to as “targeted regulation of abortion providers” or TRAP laws, be struck down as unconstitutional under the new amendment.

The regulations, which will be dissected in court over the next two weeks, include:&nbsp;

If the courts decide to strike down these regulations, Missourians will be able to access abortion closer to home and earlier in pregnancy, Dr. Margaret Baum, chief medical officer with Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, based in eastern Missouri, Springfield and Illinois, testified Monday.

The regulations being challenged in the lawsuit caused frustration for patients and made it difficult to hire and retain staff, Wales testified, especially for providers under the threat of criminalization.&nbsp;

“I felt under a microscope. I felt targeted. This is nothing like what I’ve experienced in a nursing home or hospital,” Wales recalls clinic staff saying.

The trial will resume Tuesday morning, when several more Planned Parenthood employees are expected to testify.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Opening day of Missouri abortion-rights trial focuses on decades of state restrictions

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jesse-bedayn">JESSE BEDAYN</a> Associated Press

A new video shows more of what happened before a federal immigration officer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-ice-shooting-immigration-842b1d92cb93f2326171f139686e8b0f">shot and killed</a>&nbsp;a woman during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis, adding&nbsp;<a href="https://us-immigration-enforcement-minnesota/" target="_blank">context</a>&nbsp;to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-minnesota-ice-shooting-protest-cad39aa94829e1e11468e3e345af2826">shooting</a>&nbsp;that has sparked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/ice-federal-officers-shooting-updates-1-9-2026">national debate</a>&nbsp;on whether the officer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-enforcement-crackdown-woman-shot-1aeabfaf747eff0162c15216bf41c9e7">acted in self-defense or recklessly</a>.

<a href="https://x.com/DHSgov/status/2010367128524730533" target="_blank">The video</a>, which is 3 1/2 minutes long and was filmed by a bystander, was posted Sunday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on X. It shows federal officers and vehicles on a snowy street as a car horn blares on and off, with the sounds of whistles adding to the cacophony.

The camera swings to the left, showing a red SUV sitting perpendicular and blocking part of the road, the woman inside,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>, pressing the horn repeatedly. After over a minute, Good pulled the SUV back slightly, unblocking part of the road and appears to wave at cars to pass. Two vehicles drive past her down the street.

Good’s wife is seen outside the red SUV, but the video doesn’t clearly show where she was in the proceeding minutes. Then, after a blare from sirens, a dark truck with a small flashing light pulls to a stop a few feet from Good’s SUV. Two officers exit the truck and walk toward Good’s car just before the video goes dark.

Bystander videos released last week, shot from multiple angles, show what happened next.

A video filmed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-minnesota-jonathan-ross-b9ce88da676d74ec6a1ab36aa55fbda1">the officer who fired at Good</a>&nbsp;shows one officer ask Good to get out of the car and another tries to open her door. The officer who is filming circles around to the front of the vehicle.

Good reverses briefly, which places the officer who is filming in front of the driver’s side of the vehicle. Good then turns the steering wheel toward the passenger side as an officer says again, “get out of the car.” Almost simultaneously, her wife, standing on the passenger side and trying to open the door, shouts, “drive, baby, drive!”

The SUV pulls forward, the video veers up toward the sky and gunshots are heard.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-minnesota-ice-shooting-protest-cad39aa94829e1e11468e3e345af2826">Other footage</a>&nbsp;of the shooting shows the officer who fired holstering his gun, then a few seconds of silence before Good’s SUV crashes into a parked car.

A woman who appears to be Good’s wife runs toward the crash, as the officer who fired walks in the same direction. Bystanders begin screaming.

New video shows the minutes before ICE officer fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis

KANSAS CITY—Officials are investigating the cause of a building fire in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 5p.m. crews responded to a reported commercial fire located in the 3100 block of Troost Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

 Crews reported heavy smoke showing on arrival, and initiated an offensive fire attack with two hand lines advanced into the building. Companies on scene conducted searches throughout the building, which came back all clear.&nbsp;The fire was placed under control at 5:06 p.m. Crews completed overhaul operations and extinguished hot spots through the evening.

 No injuries werfe reported at this incident.&nbsp;The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD. Dangerous Buildings and City Planning has been requested.&nbsp;

Cause of commercial building fire in KC under investigation

KANSAS CITY — Kansas man has been charged for his role in a fatal shooting that occurred on East Interstate 70 Highway in 2022.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2797/Daimon-Benson-Complaint--PC">Daimon Benson</a>&nbsp;faces one count of 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Shoot at/from Motor Vehicle, at Person, Motor Vehicle or Building, Resulting in Death or Injury, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

On October 21, 2022, Kansas City police responded to a shooting on East Interstate 70 at Interstate 29 and located a crashed white Toyota Camry. Officers found a female victim in the driver’s seat suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. She was later pronounced deceased at a nearby hospital, according to court records.

Based on several investigative leads, detectives determined a gray Dodge Charger began chasing the Toyota at a high rate of speed after the Toyota cut off the Charger. An individual in the passenger seat of the Charger, later determined to be Benson allegedly fired into the Toyota. The Toyota crashed and the Charger fled the scene.

Benson told detectives he did not remember having any involvement in the 2022 shooting but estimated to have shot about 400 people. He estimated he has shot about ten people every month from inside a vehicle.&nbsp;

The defendant was a juvenile at the time of the shooting and was certified&nbsp; in Family Court.

He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond. The defendant is a SAVE KC client and did not attend a call-in.&nbsp;

Kansas man shot and killed woman driver on I-70 

MIAMI COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple drug allegations after a drug bust at a property in northeast Kansas.

Just before 8:30a.m. January 8, police executed a narcotics search warrant at 140 14th Street in Osawatomie, according to a media release from police. The residence had been under investigation for several months following reports to law enforcement alleging the sale of narcotics by an individual who lived at the residence.

After establishing probable cause that narcotics were sold on the property, investigators, with their approved search warrant, took 61-year-old Gary L. Burnett into custody. He was living in the detached garage located behind the main residence.&nbsp;

A search of the garage resulted in the seizure of meth, scales, a firearm, drug paraphernalia and additional items related to the&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;pachaging and sale of narcotics.

Barnett is being held in the Miami County Jail on requested charges that include distribution of meth within 1000 feet of a school, using a phone to arrange the sale of narcotics, no drug tax stamp affixed,&nbsp; possession of meth with intent to distribute, felony possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Police: Kan. felon was selling drugs from garage on property

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s feud with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has escalated into a Department of Justice investigation, raising alarm bells among some Republicans in the Senate, where Trump will need broad backing from GOP lawmakers to get his choice for the next Fed chairman approved after Powell’s term ends in May.

Retiring North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who sits on the narrowly divided Banking Committee that will hold hearings on the next nominee, wrote in a statement he won’t approve anyone to fill Powell’s seat if Trump or administration officials try to further erode its independence.&nbsp;

“If there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none,” Tillis wrote. “It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question.”

Tillis added he plans to “oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed—including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy—until this legal matter is fully resolved.”

Trump has criticized Powell repeatedly since retaking the Oval Office in January, pressing him to reduce interest rates faster and signaling he wanted to fire him.&nbsp;

Powell said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/powell20260111a.htm" target="_blank">a video</a>&nbsp;released this weekend that Justice Department officials on Friday “served the Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas, threatening a criminal indictment related to my testimony before the Senate Banking Committee last June.”

Powell alleged the DOJ investigation is not purely about oversight of the multi-year renovation project at the Fed’s offices in Washington, D.C., but “a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president.”

“This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation,” Powell said.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-nomination-jerome-powell-chairman-board-governors-federal-reserve-system/" target="_blank">first nominated</a>&nbsp;Powell to be chairman of the Federal Reserve in November 2017 for a four-year term that began in February 2018, writing in a statement that Powell had “demonstrated steady leadership, sound judgment, and policy expertise.”

“Mr. Powell will bring to the Federal Reserve a unique background of Government service and business experience,” Trump wrote. “He previously served as Under Secretary at the Department of Treasury in the administration of President George H.W. Bush. Mr. Powell also has nearly three decades of business experience.”

The Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1152/vote_115_2_00019.htm" target="_blank">voted 84-13</a>&nbsp;in January 2018 to confirm Powell to the role.&nbsp;

President Joe Biden re-nominated Powell in November 2021 for another four-year term that began in May 2022 after the Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1172/vote_117_2_00176.htm" target="_blank">voted 80-19</a>&nbsp;to confirm him for a second time.&nbsp;

Trump hasn’t said publicly whom he will nominate to succeed Powell as Fed chairman, but whoever he picks will need to move past the Senate Banking Committee in order to receive a confirmation vote on the floor and actually take on the role.&nbsp;

The Banking Committee holds 13 Republicans and 11 Democrats, giving Tillis considerable leverage to block any Trump nominee from advancing if all of the Democrats on the panel also vote against reporting that person to the floor.&nbsp;

Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, ranking member on the committee, wrote in a statement that “Trump is abusing the authorities of the Department of Justice like a wannabe dictator so the Fed serves his interests, along with his billionaire friends.”&nbsp;

“As Donald Trump prepares to nominate a new Fed Chair, he wants to push Jerome Powell off the Fed Board for good and install another sock puppet to complete his corrupt takeover of America’s central bank,” Warren wrote. “This Committee and the Senate should not move forward with any Trump nominee for the Fed, including Fed Chair.”

Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., had not released any public statements about the Department of Justice investigation into Powell as of Monday morning.&nbsp;

Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who isn’t on the committee, released a written statement after speaking with Powell on Monday morning, saying “it’s clear the administration’s investigation is nothing more than an attempt at coercion.”&nbsp;

“If the Department of Justice believes an investigation into Chair Powell is warranted based on project cost overruns—which are not unusual—then Congress needs to investigate the Department of Justice,” Murkowski wrote. “The stakes are too high to look the other way: if the Federal Reserve loses its independence, the stability of our markets and the broader economy will suffer. My colleague, Senator Tillis, is right in blocking any Federal Reserve nominees until this is resolved.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote in a statement the Justice Department’s actions represent “the kind of bullying that we’ve all come to expect from Donald Trump and his cronies.”&nbsp;

“Anyone who is independent and doesn’t just fall in line behind Trump gets investigated,” Schumer wrote. “Jay Powell and the Fed aren’t the reason Trump’s economy and his poll numbers are in the toilet. If he’s looking for the person who caused that he should look in the mirror.”

Former Federal Reserve chairmen, Treasury secretaries and White House economic advisers released&nbsp;<a href="https://jointstatement.substack.com/p/statement-on-the-federal-reserve" target="_blank">a written statement</a>&nbsp;that the Fed’s “independence and the public’s perception of that independence are critical for economic performance, including achieving the goals Congress has set for the Federal Reserve of stable prices, maximum employment, and moderate long-term interest rates.”

“The reported criminal inquiry into Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell is an unprecedented attempt to use prosecutorial attacks to undermine that independence,” they wrote. “This is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions, with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly. It has no place in the United States whose greatest strength is the rule of law, which is at the foundation of our economic success.”

​​US Senate Republicans defend independence of the Fed after DOJ launches Powell probe

The Junction City Blue Jays wrestling team won the championship of the Shawnee Heights Tournament on Saturday. Colton Blockcolsky at 106 pounds and Cody Owens at 165 pounds captured first place in their weight classes.

Riley Luckenbill 113, Braden Blockolsky 120, Jayden Melton 126, Tyler Proetti 157 and Christian Simmers 190.

Kayun Herring 138,Blake Proetti 174, Chris Coy 215 and Avery Florence 285.

Local

Region

Sports