For years the Junction City Brigade dominated the Mid Plains League with multiple summer collegiate baseball championships. But in 2025 they moved to the much stronger Jayhawk League and still finished in second place. Brigade General Manager Cecil Aska said, "We were able to compete."

With six returning players the 2026 season looks promising. The new head coach is Nicholas ( Nick )&nbsp; George, who served as an assistant in 2025. He'll be joined by another returning assistant, Tyler Ross.The Brigade will field a team based on speed, which worked well last season

&nbsp;A 36 game regular season schedule, which will include 20 home games, has been unveiled. The season will begin May 29 in Augusta, Kansas against the Kansas Cannons.The home opener will be against the Cannons on May 30.

This will be the 13th season for the Brigade.

During the annual Brigade banquet Thursday night a number of different topics were touched on.

--Rathert Field is 89 years old this year. For the 90th birthday in 2027 Aska wants to celebrate the history of the field.

--Jim Clark Chevrolet has been a sponsor of the Brigade for all 13 seasons.

--Raquel Cinco serves as the Host Family Coordinator for players.

--The team spends more than $3,100 per year on baseballs.

--Head Coach Nicholas George is a native of Canada and also coaches at Fort Hays State University.

--A&nbsp; total of 5,414 fans attended games at Rathert Field in 2025, an average of 250 per game.

--Four percent of Brigade fans travel from more than 40 miles away.

--One goal in 2026 is to get more businesses and oranizations to have their special nights at the ballpark. If you atend a game expect to find more variety of food available. Beer is a staple at Rathert Field.

-Cecil Aska wants to provide a family friendly carnival type atmosphere at the ballpark.

Brigade baseball continues to roll

K-State Research and Extension will host a series of regional Local Food Producer Workshops in February and March, offering farmers and small food businesses practical guidance on expanding their reach in local markets.

The annual workshops are held in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture &amp; Alternative Crops. They are designed to help producers learn more about selling through farmers markets, direct-to-consumer channels, and other local food market opportunities, while also providing a forum to connect with peers and share best practices.

According to organizers, the workshops focus on improving business success for local food producers by combining educational sessions with networking opportunities. Each workshop location will offer free scale certification and lunch. Select locations will also include training for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program; participants are encouraged to review the agenda for their chosen location to confirm available topics.

The workshops are organized through K-State Research and Extension, the statewide outreach arm of Kansas State University.

Additional details, including dates, locations, and agendas, are available online through K-State Research and Extension’s workshop page.

K-State Research and Extension to host local food producer workshops across Kansas

On Friday night inside the Blue Jay Event Center, Junction City High School hosted the Topeka Trojans in boys and girls action. Topeka swept the Blue Jays, winning big in the girls game and an overtime thriller in the boys game.

Girls recap – Topeka High 63, Junction City 29

Topeka High jumped out to an early lead and led 16–5 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, it was all T-High as well, as they extended their lead to 24 points, leading 35–11 at halftime. Junior Ahsieryrhuajh ("Shy") Rayton had 22 first-half points.

T-High continued to roll and went on to win the game 63–29. With the victory, Topeka earned its first win in Centennial League play and is 4-6 on the season. Junction City falls to 1-8 on the year.

For Junction City, the main highlight again was sophomore Aniyah Henry-Rivers. She finished the game with 17 points. *Aniyah Henry-Rivers was named the Blu Restaurant Player of the Game. For being selected as Player of the Game, she receives a $20 free meal coupon from Blu Restaurant in Junction City, located at 602 North Washington Street.

Boys recap - Topeka High 72, Junction City 69 (OT)

In boys action, Topeka High got out to a quick start, as they led Junction City early by a score of 13–2. Coach Easton Burgardt burned an early timeout to get his team fired up. The Trojans then led 18–7 at the end of the first quarter after a sluggish start from Junction City.

The Trojans expanded that lead to 27–11, leading by 16, which was their largest lead of the game. Junction City junior Trevon Briley then pulled down a big defensive rebound and scored on the offensive end, followed by another takeaway to spark the Blue Jays on both ends of the floor. Junction City ended the half on a 20–5 run and trailed the Trojans 32–31 at halftime.

Junction City started the second half with the ball and scored on the opening possession to take a 33–32 lead, completing the comeback. Topeka High quickly responded, as the Trojans went on a big run of their own and led 55–45 at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, much like the second quarter, the Junction City Blue Jays responded and came back once more. They trailed by 13 points but ultimately tied the game late and then led 60–59 with under a minute to go. The Blue Jays had a chance to win it in regulation, but a straightaway three-pointer by Khaliel Walker was no good, sending the game to overtime.

In overtime, the Blue Jays fell behind but had a chance to tie the game with two free throws by senior Lovell Autry. He made one of two, and Junction City trailed by one with less than 10 seconds to go. The Blue Jays then fouled and Topeka hit both free throws. JC had a chance to tie it late, but Autry’s three-pointer was off the mark, and Topeka High won the game in overtime, 72–69. Autry finished the game with a career high 29 points.

The Blue Jays fall to 0–3 in Centennial League play and 5–5 overall. *Our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game tonight was Brody Boeckman, who finished with 15 points. For being our Player of the Game, Boeckman receives a $20 free meal coupon from Blu Restaurant of Junction City, located at 602 North Washington Street.

Next up for Junction City, the Blue Jays will play three games in the Spring Hill Invitational Tournament on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Topeka High sweeps Junction City on Friday night in the Blue Jay Event Center

Centennial League play continues Friday night at Junction City High School. The Blue Jays and Lady Jays host the Topeka High Trojans. You can hear both games live on 107.9 FM / 1420 AM KJCK Radio. You can also <a href="https://streamdb9web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KJCKAM">listen live by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

Girls tip-off at 6:00 p.m. - You can listen live on the radio or watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/au_9mZyAMYc?si=9xxqptWSaMYoeAkk">livestream provided by BlueJayMedia by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

Boys tip-off around 7:30 p.m. - You can listen live on the radio or watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/Jb7-7i18tBA?si=qrL3a6ocLZctZPei">livestream provided by BlueJayMedia by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

🏀WATCH/LISTEN LIVE: Junction City hosts Topeka Trojans

RILEY COUNTY— An elementary school was briefly evacuated on Friday due a fire.

Just before noon Friday, crews responded to a small fire at Marlatt Elementary School,&nbsp;2715 Hobbs Drive in Manhattan, according to a social media report from the Manhattan Fire Department.. Before 1p.m. the fire was extinguished and students&nbsp; allowed back into the building. No injuries were reported.&nbsp; The fire department has not released details on what cause the fire ore additional information.

Manhattan elementary school evacuated due to fire

There will be no trash/garbage pick-up by the City of Junction City on Monday, January 19th due to the Martin Luther King Holiday.

However, trash/garbage pick-up will be picked up the next workday as follows:

Monday’s pickup day will be Tuesday, January 20th

Tuesday’s pickup day will be Wednesday, January 21st

Wednesday’s pickup day will be Thursday, January 22nd

Thursday’s pickup day will be Friday, January 23rd

Friday’s pickup day will be Saturday, January 24th

City sanitation schedule

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks to Leslie Grant with Wichita State University's Community Education program to discuss their free lifelong learning program.

For more details go to the web site Wichita.edu/lifelonglearning&nbsp; &nbsp;Or call the office 316-978-3731

🎙 Forward Ever: Leslie Grant with WSU's Community Education Program

TOPEKA, Kan. – 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,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David 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,-2026/1/0101019b9e563bde-3582bec5-c4b5-4a92-b26a-425ebfb89d80-000000/AcS4yBb1tab0tbPVNUe0q3N2geF3QYIdyaodDh0okxU=439">here</a>.

State to hold first virtual job fair of the year

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 6p.m. Thursday, police arrested 21-year-old Jessica Urbina of Manhattan, in the 300 block of Twelfth Street in Ogden on a Riley County District Court warrant for probation violation. 

This arrest stems from original charges of possession of fentanyl, hydrocodone/drug paraphernalia. Urbina was issued a total bond of $15,000 and remains confined in the Riley County Jail at the time of this report.

Manhattan woman accused of fentanyl possession

Geary County offices will be closed Monday due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. So the Geary County Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Couny Office Building.

The governing body holds one night meeting each month.

--6:15-6:20 Garry Berges, Emergency Management Director, Approve and signing of the Fireman Relief Association document

--6:20-6:30 Crystal Malchose, Human Resources Director, Weekly Update

--6:30-7:00 Executive Session, Non-elected personnel / dept head evaluation

--7:00-7:30 Jeremie Myers, Public Works Administrator, Bi-Weekly Report

--7:30-8:00 Charles Martinez, Health Department Director, Monthly Report

County Commission will meet Tuesday night

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Geary USD 475 announced that Laura Thompson has been named the 2026 Kansas Association of Special Education Administrators Special Education Professional of the Year. "This recognition reflects our collective commitment to student success, and I am proud to work alongside these amazing professionals,” said Thompson.

Thompson, a speech language pathologist at Ware Elementary, began working in the district in 2010. During her tenure she has excelled in numerous roles, including currently serving as the department head for speech language pathologists, while also being a key member of USD 475’s Special Education Leadership Team. Thompson, who is a member of the Kansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association, also supports the district's MTSS process by developing and training on student intervention team processes for general education interventions. Finally, she is currently a member of the Professional Educational Leadership Academy with Kansas State University and has served on the state of Kansas’ SEAC committee.

Thompson will be recognized and honored at the 2026 KASEA Winter Conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 in Wichita.

Thompson Named Special Education Professional of the Year

USD 465 is celebrating an extraordinary act of generosity that is making a meaningful difference for students and families across the district. During the January 12 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Tricia Reiser shared the exciting news that the district received an unexpected donation totaling $15,432.00, which fully eliminated outstanding debt for unpaid student lunches.

“This generous gift directly supports our families and ensures that students can focus on learning without the burden of meal debt,” said Reiser. “We are incredibly grateful.”

According to Elizabeth Smith, USD 465 Business Manager and Board of Education Treasurer, families will now see negative balances removed from their school meal accounts. Every student in our district will start off the spring semester with a clean slate for their lunch accounts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“This donation is truly a blessing,” Smith said. “We thank and bless the person who chose to help our students and families in such a meaningful way.” Smith states, “Every student in the district regardless of whether or not they have a negative balance has the opportunity to be provided a meal; possibly an alternative meal depending on the grade level.&nbsp; We want to ensure every student is fed.”

This year, 1,136 USD 465 students qualify for free or reduced meals, based on family income. This represents more than half of the district’s total enrollment. The donation specifically impacts approximately 450 students who were carrying meal debt. In some cases, the debt may have accrued prior to a student qualifying for free or reduced meals.

Parents are encouraged to apply for free/reduced price meals.&nbsp; KSDE's guidelines to qualify for a family of 5 for free meals are families that earn less than $48,945 and to qualify for reduced less than $69,653.&nbsp; Each additional person in the household adds $7,150 to the earnings to qualify for free and $10,175 to qualify for reduced. USD 465 encourages families to remember that if their financial situation changes at any point during the school year, they may apply or reapply for free or reduced price meal benefits at that time. Applications and assistance are available through the District Office.

USD 465 extends its heartfelt gratitude to the anonymous donor for their compassion and commitment to supporting students and families in the Winfield community.

Anonymous donor pays off Kan. district's school-lunch debt 

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday night in east Wichita during a reported home invasion robbery.

At 7:30 p.m., officers assigned to Patrol East heard several gunshots and then received a Gunshot Detection System (GSD) alert in the 5300 block of E. Funston, according to a media release from Wichita Police. Officers arrived before 911 calls came in.

When officers arrived, they found a 22-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers began life-saving measures until Sedgwick County EMS arrived. EMS transported the man to a local hospital, where he remains in serious but stable condition.

“ Our officers heard the gunshots, and our Gunshot Detection System immediately pinpointed the area before the first 911 calls came in. That combination helped us get to the exact location fast, start medical aid right away, and get EMS there quickly. It potentially saved the suspect’s life. And it also allowed us to secure the scene, take the suspect into custody, and move this case forward. Technology like this continues to strengthen our ability to respond quickly and protect our community.”&nbsp;

Three people, later determined to be victims, were detained for interviews. After speaking with investigators, all three were released.

Detectives learned a 21-year-old Wichita woman was inside her home in the 5300 block of E. Funston when three armed suspects kicked in the door and robbed her.

During the incident, her boyfriend, a 23-year-old Wichita man, arrived with a 22-year-old friend.

As the boyfriend approached the home, one suspect exited through the front door, pointed a gun at him, and ordered him to get on the ground. A struggle over the firearm followed. As the 22-year-old friend got out of the vehicle, an exchange of gunfire occurred, and the 22-year-old suspect was shot. The other two suspects fled the scene and remain at large.

The suspect who was shot remains in police custody at the hospital. Once released, he will be booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated assault. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration.

Kan. home invasion robbery suspect wounded in gunfight

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/07/kansas-lawmakers-want-statewide-k-12-cell-phone-ban-by-next-school-year/">Kansas bill</a>&nbsp;that aims to implement a bell-to-bell cellphone ban beginning next school year would override local rules and establish one of the nation’s most restrictive policies.&nbsp;

The bill already has garnered a two-thirds supermajority of&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/07/kansas-lawmakers-want-statewide-k-12-cell-phone-ban-by-next-school-year/">support</a>&nbsp;from the Kansas Senate, as well as the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/13/full-transcript-of-kansas-gov-laura-kellys-2026-state-of-the-state-speech/">support</a>&nbsp;of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.&nbsp;

Supporters of the bill say students would be mentally and physically safer, while opponents argue it’s an overreach of power that asks too much of students and schools.&nbsp;

More than 20 people testified on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb302/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 302</a>&nbsp;on Thursday before the Senate Education Committee, including Timothy Graham from the Kansas National Education Association, which represents 22,000 educators.&nbsp;

“Our members are all over the place on this issue,” Graham said. “Understandably so.”

Ngoc Vuong, a school board member for Wichita Public Schools and a community psychology PhD candidate, told the committee he researches the academic effects of cellphones in schools.

“While multiple factors are responsible for causing and exacerbating the ongoing youth mental health, literacy, and numeracy crises, the evidence increasingly points to the advent and proliferation of a screen-based childhood, the immense power and influence of Big Tech companies over our society, culture, and education system, and the unhealthy relationships many children and adolescents have with smartphones and social media as central drivers of these problematic outcomes,” Vuong said.&nbsp;

In his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_s_ed_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_s_ed_1_20260115_13_testimony.html" target="_blank">written</a>&nbsp;testimony, Vuong linked cellphone use to poor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1524645/full" target="_blank">academic performance</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/5592994" target="_blank">attention</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763424000411?via%3Dihub" target="_blank">executive functioning</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032724014265?via%3Dihub" target="_blank">sleep</a>, and physical and mental health.&nbsp;

Gretchen Shanahan, a parent from Overland Park, referenced a National Association of School Resource Officers statement supporting a bell-to-bell cellphone ban.&nbsp;

“Access to phones during the school day reduces student safety in normal and especially emergency situations,” Shanahan said. “During an emergency such as a school shooting, students must be completely focused on lifesaving instructions. Phones can easily distract students from hearing, understanding and reacting appropriately — even when students use the phones to communicate with their parents.”

Kevin Cronister, a retired detective with the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, said that based on his experience, a cellphone ban would mitigate the risk of predators contacting students. Cronister said predators often target students during the school day, when they are away from their parents, and may ask students to introduce them to classmates.&nbsp;

Several proponents criticized the Kansas State Board of Education’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/12/13/kansas-board-of-education-accepts-policy-report-recommending-phone-bans-sends-to-local-districts/">directive</a>&nbsp;allowing each school district to craft its own policies around cellphone use, urging lawmakers to instead adopt a statewide ban.

Cathy Hopkins and Beryl New, legislative liaisons for the Kansas State Board of Education, testified neutrally on the bill. They pointed to the Blue Ribbon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksde.gov/Portals/0/Commissioner/Blue-Ribbon-Task-Force-on-Student-Screen-Time-Report.pdf?ver=2024-12-12-131410-427" target="_blank">Task Force</a>&nbsp;on Screen Time in 2024 that led to the state board’s directive, and said districts that developed policies in collaboration with their community have seen the strongest results.&nbsp;

Topeka Democrat Ann Mah, a former state representative, served on the board of education when it sent out the directive allowing for local control.&nbsp;

“It should be clear that these discussions belong at (the district) level,” Mah said. “It should also be clear the Legislature has no role here. When you have school districts that range from fewer than one hundred students to more than 45,000 students, there is no way the Legislature can create a one-size-fits-all solution.&nbsp;

“Besides that, I’m fairly certain that the 2,000 or so locally elected school board members are in a better position than you to make that call. What message are you sending your local board members? They likely already have a policy, but you think you know better? Seriously?”&nbsp;

Kailey Howell, a senior at Spring Hill High School, said her cellphone has never distracted her from schoolwork.&nbsp;

“While I understand that this is not the case for all students, I am confused as to why I am now having to bear the weight of consequences that were never meant for me,” Howell said. “Education has always been what students choose to make of it. Students with positive attitudes and a desire to learn will do so. Students who purposely avoid learning at every cost will not learn. Removing phones doesn’t change a student’s attitude. It only gives them another avenue to find another distraction.”

In his neutral testimony, Graham from the Kansas National Education Association — who also mentioned that teachers are divided on this bill — brought up the lack of funding.&nbsp;

Multiple proponents acknowledged that schools would need dedicated storage for cellphones. Along with the storage, Graham said, districts would need to train staff, enforce compliance, and report to the state — all without additional funding.&nbsp;

Eighteen&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/states-banning-cellphones-schools/story?id=125515186" target="_blank">states</a>&nbsp;— including Washington, D.C., and the Virgin Islands — have banned cellphones and other wireless communication devices for the entire instructional day, the bell-to-bell policy.&nbsp;

Neighboring&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/13/gov-pillen-ne-lawmakers-take-aim-at-social-media-and-school-time-cell-phone-use-by-youths/" target="_blank">Nebraska</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-lawmakers-pass-ban-on-cell-phones-in-public-school-classrooms/" target="_blank">Missouri</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/05/06/oklahoma-governor-signs-mandatory-one-year-school-cellphone-ban-into-law/" target="_blank">Oklahoma</a>&nbsp;are part of that mix, and pushed similar bills forward last year.&nbsp;

Preliminary data shows that strict school cellphone bans, like what’s being proposed in Kansas, have led to more more focused students, according to a University of Pennsylvania&nbsp;<a href="https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/angela-duckworth-over-20000-educators-share-insights-school-cell-phone-policies" target="_blank">survey</a>&nbsp;of 20,000 teachers.&nbsp;

Florida was the first state to entirely ban cellphones in schools in 2023. A National Bureau of Economic Research&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w34388" target="_blank">paper</a>&nbsp;found there was an adjustment period in 2024, the first year the ban took effect, with an increase in suspensions in the short-term — especially among Black students. By the second year, suspensions had dissipated, test scores increased, and there were fewer unexcused absences.

Kansas legislators hear divided testimony on proposed school cellphone ban

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/hannah-schoenbaum">HANNAH SCHOENBAUM</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/matthew-brown">MATTHEW BROWN</a>

PROVO, Utah (AP) — The Utah man charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-suspect-things-to-know-dcde3f792f4d6636d44fb9f4fa53569c">killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk</a>&nbsp;returned to court Friday as his attorneys seek to disqualify prosecutors because an adult child of a deputy county attorney involved in the case attended the rally where Kirk was shot.

Defense attorneys say the relationship represents a conflict of interest after prosecutors said they intend to seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson for aggravated murder.

Robinson, 22, has pleaded not guilty in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">Sept. 10 shooting</a>&nbsp;of Kirk on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-valley-university-police-charlie-kirk-d7d464c949ec9d4abad0eb3910d6a96b">Utah Valley University</a>&nbsp;campus in Orem, just a few miles north of the Provo courthouse.

The 18-year-old child who attended the event -- and whose name was redacted from court filings -- later texted with their father in the Utah County Attorney’s Office to describe the chaotic events around the shooting, the filings from prosecutors and defense lawyers state.

Robinson’s attorneys say that personal relationship is a conflict of interest that “raises serious concerns about past and future prosecutorial decision-making in this case,” according to court documents. They also argue that the “rush” to seek the death penalty against Robinson is evidence of “strong emotional reactions” by the prosecution and merits the disqualification of the entire team.

Defense attorney Richard Novak urged Judge Tony Graf on Friday to bring in the state attorney general’s office in place of Utah County prosecutors to address the conflict of interest. Novak said it was problematic for county prosecutors to litigate on behalf of the state while defending their aptness to remain on the case.

Utah County Attorney Richard Gray replied that Novak’s last-minute request was aimed at delaying the case against Robinson.

“This is ambush and another stalling tactic to delay these proceedings,” Gray said.

The director of a state council that trains prosecutors said he was not aware of any other major case where attorneys had been disqualified for bias.

“I would bet against the defense winning this motion,” Utah Prosecution Council Director Robert Church said. “They’ve got to a show a substantial amount of prejudice and bias.”

Several thousand people attended the outdoor rally where Kirk, a co-founder of Turning Point USA who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-turning-point-trump-cf2a68e4303c5628299ffe383d09c1e9">helped mobilize young people</a>&nbsp;to vote for President Donald Trump, was shot as he took questions from the audience. The adult child of the deputy county attorney did not see the shooting, according to an affidavit submitted by prosecutors.

“While the second person in line was speaking with Charlie, I was looking around the crowd when I heard a loud sound, like a pop. Someone yelled, ‘he’s been shot,’ ” the child stated in the affidavit.

The child later texted a family group chat to say “CHARLIE GOT SHOT.” In the aftermath of the shooting, the child did not miss classes or other activities, and reported no lasting trauma “aside from being scared at the time,” the affidavit said.

Prosecutors have asked Judge Graf to deny the disqualification request.

“Under these circumstances, there is virtually no risk, let alone a significant risk, that it would arouse such emotions in any father-prosecutor as to render him unable to fairly prosecute the case,” county attorney Gray said in a filing.

Gray also said the child was “neither a material witness nor a victim in the case” and that “nearly everything” the person knows about the actual homicide is mere hearsay.

If the Utah county prosecutors were disqualified, the case would likely be picked up by prosecutors in a county with enough resources to handle a big case. That could be Salt Lake City, or possibly even the state attorney general’s office, said prosecution council director Church. The judge would have the final say, he said.

Prosecutors have said text messages and DNA evidence connect Robinson to the killing. Robinson reportedly texted his romantic partner that he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred.”

At the school where the shooting took place, university president Astrid Tuminez announced Wednesday that she will be stepping down from her role after the semester ends in May.

The state university has been working to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-valley-university-police-charlie-kirk-d7d464c949ec9d4abad0eb3910d6a96b">expand its police force</a>&nbsp;and add security managers after it was criticized for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-security-utah-valley-university-85cefc5ef2a64d3c33ebea6a444e0c52">lack of key safety measures</a>&nbsp;on the day of the shooting.

Prosecutors are expected to lay out their case against Robinson at a preliminary hearing scheduled to begin May 18.

Shocking request of judge from accused Charlie Kirk killer  

The Kansas Supreme Court has unanimously affirmed the convictions of a man found guilty of killing two people in Reno County, rejecting arguments that errors during the trial warranted a new proceeding.

A jury previously convicted Hardwick of two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. On direct appeal, Hardwick argued that the Reno County District Court erred by failing to instruct jurors on imperfect self-defense and by allowing evidence related to his post-arrest silence, which he said violated his Fifth Amendment rights.

In a unanimous opinion authored by Melissa Standridge, the court upheld the convictions, concluding that any error related to jury instructions was harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence presented at trial.

The court determined that even if an imperfect self-defense instruction should have been given, the absence of that instruction did not affect the outcome of the case because the evidence supporting the jury’s verdict was substantial.

The justices also rejected Hardwick’s claim regarding his post-arrest silence. The court ruled that the admission of this evidence did not violate constitutional protections because Hardwick “opened the door” through his own testimony by suggesting a willingness to cooperate with law enforcement that was inconsistent with his actual silence after arrest.

Additionally, the court found that prosecutors used the evidence narrowly and appropriately for impeachment purposes, rather than to suggest guilt, which the court said is constitutionally permissible.

As a result of the ruling, Hardwick’s convictions and sentences remain in place.

Hardwick was sentenced in April of 2023 to two consecutive life sentences for the murders of Marion Edward “Ed” Bates, 56, and Phillip “Phil” D. Anstine, 58, both of Hutchinson. Concurrent with his life convictions, Hardwick was sentenced to eight months for his third alternative count of theft and seven months for solicitation of perjury.

Kansas Supreme Court affirms conviction for double murder

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Justice Department is investigating whether Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements they have made, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The investigation focused on potential violation of a conspiracy statute, the people said.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss a pending investigation by name.

CBS News first reported the investigation.

In response to reports of the investigation, Walz said in a statement: “Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous, authoritarian tactic.”

Senators Kelly and Slotkin, U.S. senators Arizona and Michigan, are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/slotkin-trump-investigation-democrats-video-illegal-orders-a4714c0008e4b48b2baf260470096812">under investigation</a>&nbsp;from the Trump administration after appearing with other Democratic lawmakers in a video urging members of the military to resist “illegal orders,” while the administration has launched a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-trump-subpoena-bf4fc6c690fa248fbc531bc9bc7f1758">criminal investigation</a>&nbsp;of Powell, the federal reserve chair.

Walz’s office said it has not received any notice of an investigation.

Frey described the investigation as an attempt to intimidate him for “standing up for Minneapolis, our local law enforcement, and our residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our streets.”

“I will not be intimidated,” he added. "My focus will remain where it’s always been: keeping our city safe.

The investigation comes during a weekslong immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and St. Paul that the Department of Homeland Security has called its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-ice-noem-minnesota-somali-db661df6de1131a034da2bda4bb3d817">largest enforcement operation</a>, resulting in more than 2,500 arrests.

The operation has become more confrontational since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">fatal shooting of Renee Good on Jan. 7</a>. State and local officials have repeatedly told protesters to remain peaceful.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Minneapolis did not immediately comment.

In a post on the social media platform X following reports of the investigation,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pam-bondi">Attorney General Pam Bondi</a>&nbsp;said: “A reminder to all those in Minnesota: No one is above the law.” She did not specifically mention the investigation.

State authorities, meanwhile, had a message for any weekend protests against the Trump administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-protests-immigration-agents-crowd-control-policing-ice-dhs-bd9335c2b0b793a3bff5c51287a80819">unprecedented immigration sweep</a>&nbsp;in the Twin Cities: avoid confrontation.

“While peaceful expression is protected, any actions that harm people, destroy property or jeopardize public safety will not be tolerated,” said Commissioner Bob Jacobson of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

His comments came after President Donald Trump backed off a bit from his threat a day earlier to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-act-history-fdr-minneapolis-901631b98c96a425dc0c9b10a041bdac">invoke an 1807 law</a>, the Insurrection Act, to send troops to suppress demonstrations.

“I don’t think there’s any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I’d use it,” Trump told reporters outside the White House.

A Liberian man who has been shuttled in and out of custody since immigration agents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-protests-shootings-minneapolis-portland-3f9db36657dda5bfebf9c240b6011ee5">broke down his door</a>&nbsp;with a battering ram was released again Friday, hours after a routine check-in with authorities led to his second arrest.

The dramatic initial arrest of Garrison Gibson last weekend was captured on video. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-arrest-judge-orders-release-garrison-gibson-0d584d5efa50661ee920fda57a401a2f">ruled the arrest unlawful</a>&nbsp;Thursday and freed him, but Gibson was detained again Friday when he appeared at an immigration office.

A few hours later, Gibson was free again, attorney Marc Prokosch said.

“In the words of my client, he said that somebody at ICE said they bleeped up and so they re-released him this afternoon and so he’s out of custody,” Prokosch said, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Gibson, 37, who fled the civil war in his West African home country as a child, had been ordered removed from the U.S., apparently because of a 2008 drug conviction that was later dismissed. He has remained in the country legally under what’s known as an order of supervision, Prokosch said, and complied with the requirement that he meet regularly with immigration authorities.

In his Thursday order, the judge agreed that officials violated regulations by not giving Gibson enough notice that his supervision status had been revoked. Prokosch said he was told by ICE that they are “now going through their proper channels" to revoke the order.

Meanwhile, tribal leaders and Native American rights organizations are advising anyone with a tribal ID to carry it with them when out in public in case they are approached by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

Native Americans across the U.S. have reported being stopped or detained by ICE, and tribal leaders are asking members to report these contacts.

Democratic members of Congress held a local meeting Friday to hear from people who say they've had aggressive encounters with immigration agents. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, who is Hmong American, said people are walking around with their passports in case they are challenged, and she has received reports of ICE agents going from door to door “asking where the Asian people live.” Thousands of Hmong people, largely from the Southeast Asian nation of Laos, have settled in the United States since the 1970s.

911 caller: Good was shot ‘point blank’

Minneapolis authorities released police and fire dispatch logs and transcripts of 911 calls, all related to the fatal shooting of Good. Firefighters found what appeared to be two gunshot wounds in her right chest, one in her left forearm and a possible gunshot wound on the left side of her head, records show.

“They shot her, like, cause she wouldn’t open her car door,” a caller said. “Point blank range in her car.”

Good, 37, was at the wheel of her Honda Pilot, which was partially blocking a street. Video showed an officer approached the SUV, demanded that she open the door and grabbed the handle.

Good began to pull forward and turned the vehicle's wheel to the right. Another ICE officer, Jonathan Ross, pulled his gun and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-shooting-lethal-force-ice-vehicle-924518502d8dd9ad3cb03a476a278818">fired at close range</a>, jumping back as the SUV moved past him. DHS claims the agent shot Good in self-defense.

FBI Director Kash Patel said at least one person has been arrested for stealing property from an FBI vehicle in Minneapolis. The SUV was among government vehicles whose windows were broken Wednesday evening. Attorney General Pam Bondi said body armor and weapons were stolen.

The destruction occurred when agents were responding to a shooting during an immigration arrest. Trump subsequently said on social media that he would invoke the Insurrection Act if Minnesota officials don’t stop the “professional agitators and insurrectionists” there.

Minnesota’s attorney general responded by saying he would sue if the president acts.

Richer and Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press reporters Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Ed White and Corey Williams in Detroit; Graham Lee Brewer in Oklahoma City; Jesse Bedayn in Denver; Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu; Hallie Golden in Seattle; and Ben Finley in Washington contributed.

Justice Dept. investigating whether Minnesota Gov. impeded immigration enforcement

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;agreed on Friday to hear an appeal from global agrochemical manufacturer Bayer to block thousands of state lawsuits alleging it failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer.

The justices will consider whether the Environmental Protection Agency's approval of the Roundup weedkiller without a cancer warning should rule out the state court claims.

The Trump administration has weighed in on Bayer's behalf, reversing the Biden administration's position and putting it at odds with some supporters of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-kennedy-trump-health-hhs-maha-5e1e9e3208c42b6a185facad26e3b457">the Make America Healthy Again agenda</a>&nbsp;who oppose giving the company the legal immunity it seeks.

Some studies associate Roundup’s key ingredient, glyphosate, with cancer, although the EPA has said it is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/glyphosate">not likely to be carcinogenic</a>&nbsp;to humans when used as directed.

Bayer disputes the cancer claims but has set aside $16 billion to settle cases. At the same time, it has tried to persuade states to pass laws barring the lawsuits. Georgia and North Dakota have done so.

The high court will take up a case from Missouri, in which a jury awarded $1.25 million to a man who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after spraying Roundup on a community garden in St. Louis.

The Supreme Court in 2022 declined to hear a similar claim from Bayer in a California case that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-environment-and-nature-california-san-francisco-b0ef61238f5e83778fb12e748bc97593">awarded more than $86 million</a>&nbsp;to a married couple.

But Germany-based Bayer, which acquired Roundup maker Monsanto in 2018, contends the Supreme Court should intervene now because lower courts have issued conflicting rulings. In 2024, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Bayer’s favor.

Bayer faces about 181,000 Roundup claims, mostly from residential users. It has stopped using glyphosate in Roundup sold in the U.S. residential lawn and garden market. But glyphosate remains in agricultural products. It’s designed to be used with genetically modified seeds, including corn, soybeans and cotton, that resist the weedkiller’s deadly effect. It allows farmers to produce more while conserving the soil by tilling it less.

Bayer has said it might have to consider pulling glyphosate from U.S. agricultural markets if the lawsuits persist.

"It is time for the U.S. legal system to establish that companies should not be punished under state laws for complying with federal warning label requirements,” Bayer CEO Bill Anderson said in a statement.

Environmental groups said Bayer wants to keep juries out of the lawsuits because it keeps losing in state courts.

"It’s a sad day in America when our highest court agrees to consider depriving thousands of Roundup users suffering from cancer of their day in court,” said Lori Ann Burd, environmental health director at the Center for Biological Diversity.

Local

Region

Sports