Geary County Commissioners received two options for a new or improved Detention Center facility during their meeting on Monday. Option one would involve retention of the south or newest side of the existing jail and stretching north for the rest of the bkock. There would be 162 beds. The second option with 188 beds would run east to the juvenile dtetention center. Ninth Street would be closed at that location and both options would require finding additional parking.

Shawn Harding of HMN Architects said the commission wanted an option looking at the existing site. "So after evaluating the building and determining that the two older portions had structural issues that had problems that were just insurmountable we kept the south, newer addition as the anchor. " They then planned all new space to the north and tried&nbsp; to incorporate spaces requested by the Sheriff's Department that would be more staff efficient.&nbsp;

Option two would include the current parking lot between the County Office Building, the Junction City Police Department building and the existing jail. "What that does is displace some parking. We thought we could recoup that if we tear down the old jail." The administrative portion of the structure would separate the juvenile facility from adult housing, " said Harding. There would be an alley between the two buildings.&nbsp;

Harding explained that the second option does include closing a portion of Ninth Street and there would need to be a determination on a method of making a dropoff to satisfy the current police department facility and a receiving area for the new jail.

County officials are not close to making any final decisions right now. Commissioner Trish Giordano said this will be a large project. She had one suggestion.&nbsp; "Maybe having some public involvement would be appreciated because this is going to be a huge undertaking."

Giordano noted that during the remodel housing of inmates would have to be considered, and what would the County do with the employees for an 18-monyh period. Construction design would take an estimated five months and the construction 16 months. Harding estimated that the facility could be completed and up and running in the 2029 - 2030 time frame

Commission Chairman Keith Ascher commented,"This going to take some real thinking through."

No cost estimate is available right now but it could be expected to be in the millions. Bond or sales tax elections would be a strong possibility.

County hears options on new jail

By&nbsp;K-State News and Communications Services

Division of Communications and Marketing



MANHATTAN —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/band/about/staff/associatedirector.html">Alex Wimmer</a>, assistant professor and associate director of bands at Kansas State University, has been appointed as the director of bands effective June 7, 2026.&nbsp;As director of bands, Wimmer will provide visionary leadership and management for K-State’s comprehensive band program, including directing the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/band/ensembles/marchingband/">Pride of Wildcat Land</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;the Kansas State University Marching Band.&nbsp;“Dr. Wimmer’s leadership is defined by excellence, humility and a genuine investment in students’ growth as musicians and people,” said Bryan&nbsp;Pinkall, director of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/mtd/">School of Music, Theatre, and Dance</a>. “He understands the responsibility of stewarding our storied program while ensuring it continues to innovate and lead at the highest level.”&nbsp;

A native of Gretna, Nebraska, Wimmer has already devoted 13 years to the K-State band program as a graduate student, assistant director of bands and associate director of bands. He directs the Wind Symphony, Cat Band, Volleyball Band and&nbsp;assists&nbsp;with the Pride of Wildcat Land, along with Pub Crawl Bands. He instructs undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting, wind band arranging, and marching band techniques, and also serves as the faculty sponsor for Kappa&nbsp;Kappa&nbsp;Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. &nbsp;“I am incredibly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to continue the legacy that has meant so much to generations of K-Staters,” said Wimmer. “Dr.&nbsp;Frank&nbsp;Tracz’s mentorship over the past 13 years has helped me become the musician,&nbsp;teacher&nbsp;and human being I am today. The foundation he built over his 33-year career is why the K-State&nbsp;band program is&nbsp;still as&nbsp;strong and successful now."&nbsp;

Wimmer received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a Master of Music degree&nbsp;in education&nbsp;with an emphasis in&nbsp;wind conducting&nbsp;and a Doctorate in Philosophy in&nbsp;curriculum and instruction&nbsp;from Kansas State University. 

K-State’s band program is nationally recognized for excellence in both athletic and concert ensembles and has been led by Frank Tracz for the last 33 years. The acclaimed&nbsp;Pride of Wildcat Land&nbsp;Marching Band,&nbsp;comprising&nbsp;more than 425 members, received the prestigious Sudler Trophy in 2015. The Wind Ensemble, K-State’s premier concert band, has been invited to perform at the American Bandmasters Association&nbsp;Conference, two regional&nbsp;College Band Directors National Association&nbsp;conferences, and a National Association for Music Education&nbsp;Conference, as well as at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and on&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;national and international tours.&nbsp;

 Wimmer to lead K-State band program 

FORT RILEY, Kansas – It was a bittersweet moment when Lt. Col. Jon Ryder and Command Sgt. Maj. Damir Hodzic placed a canvas sleeve over the colors of the 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment during a ceremony held at King Field House Dec. 10.

As part of the Army Transformation Initiative, the Army is inactivating its Air Cavalry Squadrons, including the 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, in accordance with guidance from Headquarters, Department of the Army. Soldiers from 1-6 CAV will be transferred across Fort Riley to fill vacancies and increase operational readiness across the formation. Equipment is being transferred in the same fashion.

“Standing in front of you today is the oldest serving cavalry regiment in the United States Army,” said Col. Eric Megerdoomian, commander of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. He lauded the 164-year history of the unit, the dedication of its soldiers, and the pride and esprit de corps they’ve carried throughout their past.

The guest speaker for the ceremony was retired Major Gen. Lonnie Hibbard, senior mentor for the Mission Command Training Program at Fort Leavenworth. Among his many assignments, Hibbard served as the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade Commander and as a member of the 6th Cavalry Regiment.

Hibbard spoke on the many accolades the Fighting Sixth has received from Antietam and Gettysburg to Normandy and the Ardennes, the jungles of Vietnam, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. “The only constant in the Army is change, everything is evolving and nothing is truly static,” he said, adding that adaptation is the name of the game.

He highlighted the metamorphosis of cavalry units, from horse mounted, to armored, to rotary wing, cavalry squadrons were present in every conflict the U.S. Army has fought in, “… providing rapid movement, reconnaissance, scouting, and shock attacks.”

As Ryder took to the podium to deliver his final remarks as commander of 1-6 CAV, he reflected on the solemn significance of casing the colors of the storied unit, while expressing confidence in the enduring legacy and future of the cavalry.

“The Fighting Sixth is a unit being deactivated during this time in our Army’s history, but you cannot case the cavalry mind set,” Ryder intoned. He spoke on the history and significance of the cavalry swag, the Stetson and Spurs, and what earning those tokens of achievement meant to the men and women who completed their spur rides. He signed off the net with confidence, knowing when America needs her cavalry units back, the Fighting Sixth will be ready.

Following the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Monté Rone, 1st Infantry Division Commander, highlighted the importance of recognizing excellence and dedication throughout the formation. “Today we thank every Soldier and Family who stood behind 1-6 Air Cavalry Squadron. Your service, resilience and support built a legacy that will endure.”

Rone added, “Although the squadron is deactivating, the lessons learned, the bonds formed, and the missions flown live on in the units and leaders past and present. The story of 1-6 ACS remains part of BRO history, and we honor each of you for writing it. The Fighting Sixth will always be CAV tough!”

Fort Riley - 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment cases colors at Marshall Army Airfield

Board of Regents selects Matthew Baker, a Kansas native and K-State graduate

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a>

TOPEKA — A 30-year higher education administrator at Northwest Missouri State University will return to Kansas for the opportunity to serve as president of Emporia State University.

Matthew Baker, who grew up in Kansas and earned a psychology degree at Kansas State University, has been vice president of student affairs at NMSU in Maryville, Missouri, for the past 14 years. Baker is expected to begin leadership duties at ESU in March. He holds a master’s degree from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a doctorate in educational leadership from University of Missouri in Columbia.

“It is the honor of my career to return to Kansas to serve as the university’s next president,” Baker said. “I will forever be grateful to Northwest for all it has done for me and my family. It is because of the experiences Northwest provided me that I am able to step into this role.”

Blake Benson, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said Baker was a “proven leader with extensive experience developing and implementing initiatives designed to help students succeed in college and after graduation.” The Board of Regents unanimously voted to hire Baker.

Baker replaced Ken Hush, who became ESU president in 2021 and was an unusual appointee due to his lack of a graduate degree. Hush received an undergraduate degree from ESU and had a lengthy career in the private sector, including work with Koch Industries.

Benson, on behalf of the Board of Regents, said Hush “consistently exhibited an unwavering commitment to serving ESU’s students and has worked hard to improve affordability and student success.”

Hush invited controversy by deciding in 2022 to fire about 30 tenured or tenure-track faculty and to eliminate a cluster of academic programs, which exacerbated&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/02/emporia-state-university-continues-enrollment-slide-while-other-kansas-universities-post-gains/">the university’s enrollment decline</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/12/emporia-state-university-president-defends-cuts-firings-in-bid-to-recast-higher-education-culture/">Hush’s unilateral dismissal of</a>&nbsp;personnel prompted a wave of lawsuits, which have yet to be fully resolved.

During Hush’s time at ESU, the Kansas Legislature earmarked tens of millions of dollars in special funding to stabilize the university. In addition, an attorney employed by ESU led an effort to persuade the Legislature to retroactively undermine faculty tenure statewide.

Hush, who plans to retire this month from ESU, said he would donate $1.4 million, or the equivalent of his four years of salary at ESU, to the university. The money would be used over three years for student recruitment, scholarships and campus operations, officials said.

“This gift is in appreciation for the meaningful impact ESU has had on our community and on me, both as a student and in my role as president,” Hush said.

Baker has worked at the public, four-year Northwest Missouri State for more than 30 years. He began in 1993 as the university’s residence hall director. He was off campus from 1996 to 1998 while completing a master’s degree in higher education administration in Arkansas. He returned to Northwest Missouri State and moved through several administrative jobs before being named dean of students in 2008.

Baker said he would conduct a listening tour to better understand the needs of Emporia State. He said ESU would be marked, under his tenure, by “shared governance, enhance(d) communication.”

He said he would rely on data to chart ESU future, because benchmarks on student retention or recruitment would reveal “where our opportunities are, where our successes are, what we celebrate.”

Emporia State turns to Mo. higher education administrator to lead university

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating alleged child sex crimes in Riley County have made an arrest.

Just after 5p.m. December 12,&nbsp;Dakota Garner, 34, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for three counts aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

This arrest stems from a report filed on July 5, 2025. Garner is being held on a $300,000 bond. The RCPD released no additional details.

RCPD: Suspect arrested for alleged child sex crimes 

"Thank you so much for what you do" and "you are a testament to providing good service" were comments of Geary County Commissioners Keith Ascher and Kathy Tremont to Geary County rural firefighters Sunday night. The occasion was the annual dinner for the Rural Fire Department, held at the 4-H / Senior Center.

Lt. Timothy Dokken and Firefighter Galen Hansen were named Firefighters of the Year while Wally Mitchell Was honored as the Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year.

Rural firefighters have responded to 15 more calls in 2025 than one year ago at this time.&nbsp;

Accomplishments ranged from obtaining $711,000 grant which will help support Grandview Plaza and Milford to outfitting a fire truck purchased in 2024. There was also an extensive amount of firefighter training this year.

Santa Claus made an appearance during the meeting to visit with children.

Rural firefighters are recognized during a banquet

At 1:43 a.m. on Monday Geary County Fire was dispatched to the 7100 block of Old Milford Road for a detached garage fire. While enroute, they were advised that the fire had spread to an adjoining shed. It was threatening a residential structure along with another shed. 

Geary County Fire responded with 3 engines, 1 tanker, and two staff vehicles.Assistance from Junction City Fire and Ft. Riley Fire was requested and received.  The fire was brought under control in about 40 minutes. 

&nbsp;There were no injuries.An investigator with the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office has been asked to respond to assist the local investigator.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rural firefighters respond to early morning blaze

On Friday, December 12, the Junction City Retired School Personnel met at the Zion United Church of Christ to celebrate&nbsp;the season.&nbsp; &nbsp;A potluck meal of soups, salads and desserts were provided by designated members.&nbsp; &nbsp;The JC Singers from Junction City High School performed seasonal music and sang Christmas carols with the JCARSP members.&nbsp; 

Caps and gloves were donated to the USD 475 Early Childhood program.&nbsp;

Junction City Retired School Personnel Celebrate and Give To Early Childhood

The Junction City area had slightly above normal rainfall for the month and well above normal temperatures. In fact, if it hadn’t cooled off the last week of the month, November would have been the second warmest on record. As it was, the month did get into the top ten warmest Novembers, but couldn’t break into the top five!     

 The average daily high during November was 58.9, 4.6 degrees above normal. The average overnight low was 37.6, 5.1 degrees above normal. This resulted in a monthly mean temperature of 48.3, 4.9 degrees above normal. The highest temperature for the month was 77 degrees on the 13th. The coldest temperature for the month was the low on the 30th of 14 degrees. There were no temperature records set during the month, but the overnight low of 47 on the 25th tied the record high low temperature for that date which was set in 2011. The warmest November on record was in 1999 with a monthly mean temperature of 51.8. The coldest November was in 1985 when we had a chilly monthly mean temperature of 35.2.      

The overnight low of 25 on November 9th was the first official freezing temperature for the fall season and officially ended the 2025 growing season. That is nearly three weeks later than the average first frost date of October 20th. The growing season (number of days from last frost of spring to first frost of fall) for 2025 was 216 days. The long-term average is 189 days, however the 30-year moving average is 195 days. Over the last 40 years the first frost date has moved almost a week later, and the average growing season has increased by over ten days. This is also due in part to average last frost dates in the spring occurring earlier. The first fall frost date of November 9th tied 2025 with 1986 for the fourth latest first frost. The latest first frost was in 2021 when we didn’t reach the freezing mark until November 13th.&nbsp;      

After a very dry first 20 days of November, precipitation finally arrived with enough rain to move us above average for the month. Long term average November rainfall is 1.42 inches, and Milford Lake received 1.68 inches for the month. Year to date we have received 33.27 inches of precipitation. Long term average is 32.40 inches. Cold weather did bring us our first official snowfall of the season with two tenths of an inch recorded on the 30th. Long term November average is one inch.      

December brings us the start of meteorological winter (December 1) and astronomical winter (December 21) and on average is our second coldest month of the year, and winter, with only January being colder. Average daily highs during December range from 46 on the 1st to 39 on New Year’s Eve. Overnight lows start the month at 26 and by the time we close out the old year, they have dropped to 20. December is our third driest month of the year with only 1.17 inches of liquid precipitation being recorded on average. 

While average December snowfall is 3.7 inches, it is unlikely that we will have a white Christmas. On average we have less than a 25% probability of having one inch of snow on the ground on December 25th which is the definition of a White Christmas.

November 2025 Junction City Area Weather Summary

&nbsp; Chapman, KS — Downtown Dance, Tumbling &amp; Aerial Arts along with the City of Chapman is proud to announced that they been awarded a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to support the creation of an expanded upper-level aerial arts and tumbling facility. This project will not only provide much-needed space for the studio’s rapidly growing programs, but will restore the second floor of the building—originally the historic Buhrer Opera House—to its intended purpose as a multifunctional community space.

The studio partnered with the Flint Hills Regional Council to prepare and submit the grant application. Their guidance and expertise were instrumental in securing this funding for Chapman’s downtown district.The renovated upper level will serve as a training facility for aerial arts and tumbling students, offering expanded class capacity, upgraded equipment, and enhanced safety features. 

Beyond supporting the studio’s continued growth, the restored opera hall will also function as a dual-use event space, opening the door for: Dance, tumbling, and aerial arts conventions,Community gatherings,Workshops and special events, Performances and visiting entertainment groups.

&nbsp; The lower level of the building already serves as a vibrant community hub. One side houses an active dance studio, while the other includes the welcoming lobby for Downtown Place Spa Suites &amp; Event Space, home to Massage by Sway, Downtown Nail Nook, and Downtown Tanning. The addition of the restored upper level will further enhance the building’s role as a cornerstone of local activity and small-business collaboration.

“We are incredibly grateful for this grant and excited to bring new life to such a historic part of Chapman,” said Victoria Woods, owner of Downtown Dance, Tumbling &amp; Aerial Arts. “This project will allow us to meet the needs of our growing student base while creating a space that our entire community can enjoy. It honors the building’s past while investing in Chapman’s future.”

Community Development Block Grant supports a Chapman project

The City of Junction City has announce with temperatures expected to drop into the single digits, Fresh Start Emergency Shelter will open as a Warming Center on Saturday, December 13 at 6:00 p.m. through Sunday, December 14 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon).

 Location: 136 W 3rd St, Junction City, KS

 Questions? Contact Fresh Start at 785-390-0102 Intake Details:• Guests may check in from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.• After 9:00 p.m. or before 8:00 a.m., individuals must arrive with law enforcement or Fire/EMS escort.• ID is requested but not required if known by local agencies.• Individuals under the influence cannot be admitted for safety reasons.Please help share this information so those who need shelter know



Shelter from the cold Saturday night

CRAWFORD COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent to women to the hospital.

Just after 2a.m. December 14, 2025, at 2:14 a.m., the Pittsburg, Kansas, Police Department dispatch center received a call about two victims who were shot and were being driven to the hospital by personal vehicle, according to a media release.

 While this call was received, another call came into dispatch about gunshots being heard in the area of west 20th Street in Pittsburg. Officers responded to the area of west 20th Street as well as Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg.   

Officers at the hospital located a 22-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman suffered gunshot wounds. Both victims began receiving treatment and were later flown to KU Medical Center in Kansas City for additional treatment.  Both victims are currently listed as being in stable condition. 

Officers were informed that the shooting incident occurred in the alley of the 300 block of west 20th Street.  Officers located evidence related to the shooting in the alley and secured the crime scene.  Three individuals who drove the victims to the hospital were transported to the police department to be interviewed.  Detectives from the police department responded to assist with the investigation.   

After interviewing the witnesses, officers were able to determine that an altercation took place between the two victims and one of the subjects from the vehicle.  During the altercation, another occupant of the vehicle who was not involved in the altercation, shot the two women.

As a result, 23-year-old Walter Herrera Alvarez, of Pittsburg, was placed under arrest.  The other individuals were released after being interviewed.   

&nbsp;Alvarez was transported to the jail located at the Crawford County Sheriff’s office for booking and he is being held without bond on requested charges that include two counts of Aggravated Battery.&nbsp;

Police: 2 Kansas woman injured in shooting during an alley fight 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said Monday that it attacked three boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing a total of eight people as scrutiny over the boat strikes is intensifying in Congress.

The military said in a statement on social media that the strikes targeted “designated terrorist organizations,” killing three people in the first vessel, two in the second boat and three in the third boat. It didn’t provide evidence of their alleged drug trafficking but posted a video of a boat moving through water before exploding.

President Donald Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">justified the attacks</a>&nbsp;as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and asserted the U.S. is engaged in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">“armed conflict” with drug cartels</a>. But the Trump administration is facing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-pete-hegseth-venezuela-9f46a5f074b5b3c979ee41082949b196">increasing scrutiny from lawmakers</a>&nbsp;over the boat strike campaign, which has killed at least 95 people in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-petro-colombia-drugs-us-aid-c3955b2ce351737119920741178e0567">25 known strikes</a>&nbsp;since early September, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-strike-video-footage-boat-caribbean-3cf2ca9cbe4523978e935b99c2979caa">a follow-up strike that killed two survivors</a>&nbsp;clinging to the wreckage of a boat after the first hit.

The latest boat strikes come on the eve of briefings on Capitol Hill for all members of Congress as questions mount over the Trump administration’s military campaign.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top national security officials are expected to provide closed-door briefings for lawmakers in the House and Senate.

The campaign has ramped up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-indictments-armed-forces-united-states-miami-d82797206561db03851e47df125c243f">charged with narcoterrorism</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. In a sharp escalation last week, U.S. forces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tanker-seized-venezuela-maduro-0a148ba01684fc6ce1a228dd276732c0">seized a sanctioned oil tanker</a>&nbsp;that the Trump administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-oil-trump-sanctions-maduro-a2ef5b45b48365861e0a724d8c27dce3">accused of smuggling illicit crude</a>. Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from office.

The U.S. military has built up its largest presence in the region in decades and launched a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-pentagon-drug-boats-pacific-35a60ce3bc018e5f66c18b2d18b49c35">deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Trump says&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-maduro-colombia-petro-boats-559a73dbfcbdc9245494f441be1aad39">land attacks are coming soon</a>&nbsp;but has not offered any details on location.

🎥US military conducts more drug boat strikes killing 8

COWLEY COUNTY —One Kansas school district is starting holiday break early due to sickness across the district.

On their social media page USD 471 Dexter wrote, "we are going through a tremendous amount of sickness right now and it seems to be spreading at a very high rate."

"Due to a high number of students and staff illnesses and the rate at which it continues to climb the school dismissing for the semester Monday afternoon." "All scheduled end of the semester activities, extra curricular activity competitions, and classes starting Tuesday will be postponed, canceled, and/or rescheduled for a later date in the 2nd Semester."

  Not only are we concerned with student and staff sickness now we don't want to continue to spread the sickness and end up with students taking it to their extended families over the holiday break. 

"We appreciate your understanding as we work to keep our students, staff, and school community healthy.' The community is located approximately 70 miles southeast of Wichita.

Kan. school district starts winter break early due to spread of illness

The Powerball® jackpot has surged to an estimated $1.25 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing, giving players nationwide another chance to dream big this holiday season. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $572.1 million, according to a statement from the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Wednesday’s jackpot is the second-largest Powerball prize this year, behind the $1.787 billion prize won on Sept. 6 in Missouri and Texas. This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has generated back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots.

“Powerball has only seen back-to-back to billion-dollar jackpots twice, and this one has arrived just in time for the holidays,” said Matt Strawn, Iowa Lottery CEO and Powerball Product Group Chair. “While it’s exciting to see the jackpot climb to this level, please remember to play responsibly. A single $2 ticket gives you a chance to win, while also supporting good causes in your community.”

The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 23, 35, 59, 63, 68 and red Powerball 2. The Power Play® multiplier was 4.

Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully to see if they have won any cash prizes.

Two tickets, sold in Arizona and California, matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The drawing also produced 43 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 14 tickets that won $200,000 prizes.

Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

Wednesday’s drawing will be the 44th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

The only other time the Powerball game generated back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot won on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won by players in California.

If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.25 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $572.1 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

<a href="https://www.powerball.com/">Powerball</a>

Merry Christmas: Powerball jackpot surges to $1.25 billion

JOHNSON COUNTY —A woman who was reported missing early Sunday morning near a golf course in Lenexa has been found dead, according an online state from Lenexa police.

Just before 6a.m. Sunday, Amber J. Foster was last seen in the area of W. 87th Street Parkway and Winchester in Lenexa (17300 block of W. 87th Street Parkway)

She was described as wearing an orange t-shirt, over a long-sleeve white shirt, and blue jeans. Amber’s vehicle was located in a nearby parking garage, and she was last seen on foot walking towards the Canyon Farms Golf Course.&nbsp;

Just after 11:30a.m. Monday her body was found near W. 86th and Haven Street.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Police: Missing Kansas woman found dead near a golf course

WICHITA, KAN. – An Arizona man was sentenced to 272 months in prison for his part in a drug trafficking ring that transported large amounts of fentanyl into Kansas, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Rafael Turner, 35, of Phoenix, Arizona, and formerly of Wichita, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Beginning on a date unknown and continuing through March 2023, Turner conspired with other people to distribute fentanyl.&nbsp;

“Turner was part of a criminal organization that injected both fentanyl and illegal drug proceeds into our communities,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Special Agent in Charge William Steenson, St. Louis Field Office. “We’re more committed than ever to using our financial expertise to help disrupt these drug trafficking organizations and bring the criminals who run them to justice.”

Forty-five other individuals were prosecuted as part of this overall investigation, which included individuals in Kansas. &nbsp;Across the country, individuals have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing. Included among them are Clifton Ray Weatherspoon, 33, and Antonio Dawayne Knight, 27, both of Wichita, who were each convicted of one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Weatherspoon was sentenced to 300 months in prison. Knight was sentenced to 150 months in prison.&nbsp;

In February 2023, Weatherspoon and Knight traveled by plane from Wichita to Phoenix, Arizona, to purchase 300,000 fentanyl pills. They packed the pills into two suitcases, checked the luggage under their names, and flew back to Wichita. Pursuant to a federal search warrant, law enforcement officers seized one of the bags before it reached the baggage claim area. They x-rayed and searched the luggage and discovered 15 bags stuffed inside containing 150,000 fentanyl pills. Agents arrested Weatherspoon and Knight, who had by then retrieved the second suitcase from baggage claim. A search of that bag showed it also contained approximately 150,000 fentanyl pills.

“Over the past few years, the federal government has partnered with state and local governments as well as community groups to curtail the fentanyl crisis. The prosecution of this large drug conspiracy was part of that work. However, we are not done in these efforts. While we try to save lives by raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, criminals seek to undermine that hard work” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Fentanyl dealers have little to no regard for human life and are willing to let children get ahold of this poison in efforts to turn a profit. We are grateful to law enforcement agents whose investigations keep this toxic substance off our streets.”

Man transported large amounts of fentanyl into Kansas.

&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the death of a 4-year-old&nbsp; made his hit first appearance in court on Friday.

A Sedgwick County Judge charged 34-year-old Daniel Martin with&nbsp; first degree murder and child abuse in the death of Tiuri Blunt-Porrata, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 3:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp; responded to a medical call regarding an unresponsive 4-year-old child in the 2600 block of South Topeka in Wichita, according to police department spokesman Andrew Ford. The child identified as Tirui Blunt-Porrata, according to an online fundraiser, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and was pronounced deceased at 4:07 p.m.

Police booked Martin,&nbsp; into the Sedgwick County Jail where he remains on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records.

In the online fundraise, Nathaniel Porrata, " I’m Tiuri’s father. I recently moved to a new city to help restart my family’s life, hoping it would bring us a brighter future." 

"I had just landed a new job, and our finances were finally starting to recover. My soon to be ex-wife and our children were planning to join me at the beginning of 2026, and we were looking forward to being together again as a family."

"Tragically, on Monday, November 8th, 2025, my 4 year old son, Tiuri Blunt-Porrata, became the victim of a horrible crime and passed away. The investigation is still ongoing, so I am unable to share more details at this time."

"My world has been turned upside down. I am struggling to process the pain and shock of losing Tiuri so suddenly."<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-tiuri-bluntporratas-memory"> Click here to view</a> the fundraiser.

Kan. suspect in abuse death of 4-year-old faces a judge

NEW YORK (AP) —Anthony Geary, who rose to fame in the 1970s and ‘80s as half the daytime TV super couple Luke and Laura on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-hospital-60-years-soap-opera-120ba44b08ac517a56b94257b294a678">“General Hospital,”</a>&nbsp;has died. He was 78.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Anthony Geary, whose portrayal of Luke Spencer helped define General Hospital and daytime television,” ABC said in a statement confirming his death.

Geary died Sunday in Amsterdam of complications from a surgical procedure three days prior.

“The entire ‘General Hospital’ family is heartbroken over the news of Tony Geary’s passing,” Frank Valentini, executive producer of the ABC show, said in a statement Monday. “Tony was a brilliant actor and set the bar that we continue to strive for.”

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Geary earned eight Daytime Emmy awards as Luke Spencer after joining the soap in 1978. Luke’s pairing with Genie Francis’ Laura Webber Baldwin (as she was known at the time) propelled the two onto magazine covers and into the cultural mainstream.

The 1981 wedding of Luke and Laura was a pop culture phenom done in two parts, drawing guest appearances that included Elizabeth Taylor. A record 30 million viewers watched.

“He was a powerhouse as an actor. Shoulder to shoulder with the greats. No star burned brighter than Tony Geary. He was one of a kind. As an artist, he was filled with a passion for the truth, no matter how blunt, or even a little rude it might be, but always hilariously funny,” Francis said in a statement.

In addition to his role as Luke, Geary had numerous TV and stage credits, including stints on other soaps: “The Young and the Restless” and “Bright Promise.” Geary played Luke on and off until 2015, though he returned for a cameo in 2017.

He lived a quiet life with husband Claudio Gama in Amsterdam.

<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=interviews+with+Tony+Geary&amp;rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1053US1054&amp;oq=interviews+with+Tony+Geary&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQIRiPAtIBCDM3OThqMGo3qAIIsAIB8QUmeU6L-Rg5lfEFJnlOi_kYOZU&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&amp;vld=cid:79c41a52,vid:3YNGiHX9_sc,st:0" target="_blank">In a 1993 interview</a>, Geary spoke of the many highs and lows of playing Luke.

“I felt like I had to be Luke 24 hours a day or people would be disappointed,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, they are mythic creatures. They come from two sides of the universe together and have a mutual connection, which is basically lust and appreciation for individuality. They love the eccentricity in each other.”

Geary’s Luke began as a small-time hitman recruited to dismantle the relationship of Laura and her first husband, Scotty Baldwin. Their story arc turned darker when Luke sexually assaulted Laura. The assault led to a redemption trail for Luke, who evolved into a hero and even served as mayor of the show’s small town, Port Charles.

“He was not created to be a heroic character,” Geary&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/anthony-geary-reflects-37-years-playing-dark-dangerous/story?id=32619755" target="_blank">told</a>&nbsp;ABC’s “Nightline” in 2015. “He was created to be an anti-hero, and I have treasured the anti-side of the hero and pushed it for a long time. ... He’s not a white hat or a black hat, he’s all shades of grey. And that has been the saving grace of playing him all these years.”

Geary was born to Mormon parents in Coalville, Utah. He was discovered while attending the University of Utah and performing on stage. He joined a touring company of “The Subject was Roses,” which brought him to Los Angeles.

Over the years, he appeared frequently in stage productions alongside his screen work.

Geary’s first appearance on TV was as Tom Whalom on an episode of “Room 222.” He went on to appear in “All in the Family,” “The Partridge Family,” “The Mod Squad,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “The Streets of San Francisco” and “Barnaby Jones.”

'General Hospital' star Anthony Geary of Luke and Laura fame dies at 78

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Monday blamed Rob Reiner’s outspoken opposition to the president for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rob-reiner-dead-9a87be595a7da742394829afc6f1132e">actor-director’s killing</a>, delivering the unsubstantiated claim in a shocking post that seemed intent on decrying his opponents even in the face of a tragedy.

The statement, even for Trump, was a shocking comment that came as police were still investigating the deaths of the director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, as an apparent homicide. The couple were found dead at their home Sunday in Los Angeles. Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and the couple’s son Nick Reiner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/rob-michele-reiner-dead-updates">was in police custody early Monday</a>.

Trump has a long track record of inflammatory remarks, but his comments in a social media post were a drastic departure from the role presidents typically play in offering a message of consolation or tribute after the death of a public figure. His message drew criticism even from conservatives and his supporters and laid bare Trump’s unwillingness to rise above political grievance in moments of crisis.

Trump, in a post on his social media network, said Reiner and his wife were killed “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”

He said Reiner “was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness.”

The president did not mention his personal connection to Reiner’s wife, who was a photographer. Peter Osnos, the original publisher of “The Art of the Deal,” confirmed Monday that Michele Singer took the cover image of Trump’s 1987 bestseller.

Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who has bucked much of his party’s lockstep agreement with the president, criticized Trump for the comment.

“Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered,” Massie wrote in a post on X. “I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they’re afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican whom Trump branded a “traitor” for disagreeing with him, responded to Trump’s message by saying, “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”

Republican Reps. Mike Lawler of New York and Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma, who are not known for pushing back on the White House, also criticized Trump’s message.

Reiner — a director of beloved films like “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally” — was one of the most active Democrats in the film industry and regularly campaigned on behalf of liberal causes and hosted fundraisers. He was a vocal critic of Trump, calling him in a 2017 interview with Variety “mentally unfit” to be president and “the single-most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States.”

The White House, which shared the president’s post, did not respond to a message about the criticism it was receiving and calls for Trump to take it down.

Speaking at the White House to reporters later Monday, Trump doubled down on his criticism of Reiner when he was asked if he stood by his post. Using the third person, Trump said Reiner “was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.”

“I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way shape or form,” Trump said. “I thought he was very bad for our country.”

The unsympathetic message was the latest example of Trump’s unsparing prism through which he views those he perceives as enemies.

He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-revenge-bolton-military-deployments-aa2b977621bce563770b60dade581f79">made retribution against political enemies</a>&nbsp;a prime focus of his campaign for the White House last year. And he has in the past made light of violence when it’s befallen those on the other side of the political aisle.

When Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">attacked by an intruder looking for the former House speaker</a>&nbsp;at the family’s San Francisco home in 2022 and beaten over the head with a hammer, Trump later mocked the attack.

That’s despite his comments after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk</a>&nbsp;earlier this year. Trump said Kirk’s killing was “the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree.”

His administration then sought consequences for people who were critical of Kirk or even celebrated his killing.

Jenna Ellis, who was one of Trump’s lawyers and worked on his efforts in 2020 to overturn the results of the presidential election, pointed out Trump’s double standard and called his post “NOT the appropriate response.”

“The Right uniformly condemned political and celebratory responses to Charlie Kirk’s death. This is a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency,” Ellis said in a post on X.

When Trump spoke at Kirk’s memorial service, he used his remarks to underline how he views his adversaries.

“I hate my opponent,” the president said.

🎥Trump doubles down on criticizing Rob Reiner after his killing

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting in Ford County have released the name of the victim as&nbsp;27-year-old Blane Enyeart, according to the Ford County Sheriff's office.

Just before 6p.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to a home north of Dodge City, according to a media release. First responders including Dodge City Police and Ford County EMS found Enyeart dead from a gunshot wound.

Investigators questioned those who were inside the home. The sheriff's office has not reported an arrest or additional details on what led to the shooting.

Sheriff releases name of victim in fatal SW Kansas killing

Associate Athletics Director for Communications

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;A seven-year coaching staff member who has tutored Wildcat defensive ends to 10 All-Big 12 honors,&nbsp;Buddy&nbsp;Wyatt&nbsp;will remain on staff to coach the Kansas State defensive line, head coach&nbsp;Collin Klein&nbsp;announced Monday.

Wyatt&nbsp;has coached at K-State since 2019 and guided players to All-Big 12 First Team honors on five occasions.

“I appreciate Collin placing his trust in me,”&nbsp;Wyatt&nbsp;said. “Kansas State has a strong tradition and culture, and I am excited to be a part of this staff. I look forward to helping our players and this program succeed.”

Wyatt&nbsp;worked alongside Klein in each of his first five seasons in Manhattan.

“Buddy&nbsp;has a tremendous track record of developing young men,” Klein said. “I have always admired how he built genuine relationships with players and staff. He is of the highest character, and I am very excited we he will be with us moving forward.”

Wyatt&nbsp;has guided K-State players to three Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year honors over his first seven seasons in Manhattan. In fact, when adding in his time coaching Adam Carriker at Nebraska to the honor in 2006,&nbsp;Wyatt&nbsp;has tutored the most Big 12 Defensive Linemen of the Year in league history.

The latest recipient of the award was Brendan Mott in 2024, who also earned All-Big 12 First Team honors. Mott ranked 26th nationally and was tops in the Big 12 in sacks (0.65 sacks per game), while he tied for fourth in the Big 12 in tackles for loss. He led a defensive unit that finished with a No. 25 national ranking in sacks at 2.69 per game, which was its best ranking since 2015. Of the 35 total sacks on the year, 23 came from&nbsp;Wyatt’s ends.

Wyatt&nbsp;tutored two players to All-Big 12 honors in 2023 with Khalid Duke earning second-team honors in addition to earning votes for the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year award, while Mott was an honorable mention pick.

Wyatt’s unit in 2022 was headlined by Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who earned All-Big 12 First Team honors each of the final two seasons of his career.&nbsp;Wyatt&nbsp;helped Anudike-Uzomah tie for fourth in K-State history in career forced fumbles (8) and sixth in career sacks (20.5).

 Buddy Wyatt to Coach K-State Defensive Line

The Junction City Boys Wrestling Team traveled to Shawnee Mission Northwest for a 10 team dual Tournament. Junction city captured 2nd Place going 4-1 on the day by beating Sumner Academy 75-0 , #5 ranked Shawnee Mission Northwest 51-26  and Leavenworth 36-32. Junction city lost in the finals  to Shawnee Heights 30-42. 

Going Undefeated and 5-0 on the day were (106) Colden Blockolsky, (126) Jayden Melton , (190) Christian Simmers and (215) Chris Coy. Going 4-1  were (113) Riley Luckenbill and Braden Blockcolsky . Going 3-2 were (150) Hudson Bohanan , (157) Tyler Proeitti and (285) Avery Florence.

(&nbsp;Pictured are 106)Colden Blockcolsky, (126) Jayden Melton, (190)Christian Simmer and (215) Chris Coy. )

Blue Jays win four out of five in wrestling

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The final images of the Kansas City Chiefs' postseason pursuit were Patrick Mahomes getting helped to the locker room with what turned out to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chargers-chiefs-injuries-worthy-d7a234e19734abaa95832724ea4c6062?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">torn ACL in his left knee,</a>&nbsp;a white towel draped over his head, and backup quarterback Gardner Minshew throwing an interception to Derwin James that gave the Los Angeles Chargers a win over one of their biggest rivals.

It all happened in the final two minutes of their 16-13 victory Sunday.

Justin Herbert, playing through a broken left hand, had helped the Chargers take the lead with a second-half rally, but Kansas City got the ball back with one more chance. Mahomes was sprinting toward the sideline and throwing the ball away when he was spun to the ground by defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, leaving the two-time MVP grabbing at his left knee.

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