Fresh Start is starting off 2026 with a new Night Shelter Program that will house the homeless overnight. Individuals and families can make a reservation for the Night Shelter Program by calling the Shelter at 785-390-0102 between the hours of 8:00AM and 5:00PM. Access will be granted based upon a client’s homeless status as per HUD’s definition of homelessness, passing background checks, and bed availability. The Night Shelter Program runs seven nights, with clients able to make additional reservations each week, but is first-come, first-served. Those seeking shelter are required to call before 5:00pm to check on availability for that night’s shelter. Once a reservation is made, clients must come in for intake between 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Dinner will be available.

Clients are required to check out the following morning by 8:00am and can return between 6:00pm-7:00pm. A waitlist will be available, and any Client that does not return by 7:00pm will forfeit their room which will be available for the next person on the wait list. For more details or questions, contact Fresh Start at 785-390-0102 or email the Director atdirector@freshstartes.org.

Fresh Start Emergency Services Announces new Night Shelter Program beginning in 2026

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

MANHATTAN — The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/">American Legion Boys State of Kansas</a>&nbsp;is accepting applications for its 2026 session. The event is set to be held Sunday, May 31, through Saturday, June 6, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This will be the program’s 34th consecutive session at KSU and 88th overall.

Traditionally, Kansas&nbsp;Boys State&nbsp;has been for individuals who will complete their junior year of high school in the spring just prior to the start of each session. However, the ALBSK program will again expand the pool of applicants for this year’s session to also include those who will complete their sophomore year of high school this spring.

The American Legion&nbsp;Boys State&nbsp;of Kansas program provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community,&nbsp;state&nbsp;and nation.&nbsp;Boys State&nbsp;is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the&nbsp;state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government, and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.

The cost to attend the&nbsp;Boys State&nbsp;of Kansas&nbsp;program is $375; however, in many instances, sponsors pay the majority of the fees, with the delegate or his family paying $50. Those wishing to attend the 2026 session should visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/">ksbstate.org</a>&nbsp;to apply. The deadline to apply for the 2026 program is Thursday, April 30; applications are accepted after that date, but on a space-available basis. In addition, those who register by Saturday, Jan. 31, will receive a KBS sweatshirt or polo. Furthermore, delegates who are returning for a second year have the opportunity to attend the 2026 session for just $50 total, provided they get at least three people from their school (or another school) to attend.

Kansas Boys State attendees are eligible to receive a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/collegecredit/">three-hour course credit</a>&nbsp;(Introduction to Political Science [POLSC 110-C]) through Kansas State University at a 72% discount, as well as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/scouts/">earn merit badges</a>&nbsp;to attain the Eagle Scout rank through Boy Scouts of America. Additionally, attendees can&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/our-program/samsung-scholarship/">apply to win a Samsung American Legion Scholarship</a>. The American Legion Department of Kansas finalist is guaranteed a $1,250 scholarship, with the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 as a national scholar.

Potential sponsors, such as American Legion posts, civic organizations, businesses, clubs and interested individuals should visit&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ksbstate.org/sponsor">ksbstate.org/sponsor</a>. Questions? Contact the ALBSK at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@ksbstate.org">info@ksbstate.org</a>&nbsp;or (785) 550-6492.&nbsp; For complete information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas program, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksbstate.org/">ksbstate.org</a>.

For information about the 2026 American Legion Auxiliary Sunflower Girls State, which will be held Sunday, May 31, through Friday, June 5, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksgirlsstate.org/">ksgirlsstate.org</a>.

Applications open for 2026 Kansas Boys State in Manhattan

Girls recap — Hays 63, Junction City 17

The Hays High Lady Indians jumped out to an early lead over the Junction City Lady Jays and won big on Friday night inside the Blue Jay Event Center. Hays led 20-2 at the end of the first quarter and 41-7 at halftime. Junction City had just one first-half basket, coming from sophomore Aniyah Henry-Rivers with two minutes to go in the half.

Third-quarter action was similar, with Henry-Rivers scoring another basket, but the Lady Indians led 57-9. In the fourth quarter, the JC girls managed to get a couple of shots to go in, including baskets on the final two possessions of the game by sophomore Isabel Pruitt.

Hays won the game 63-17 and improved to 5-0 on the season.

With the loss, the JC Lady Jays fall to 1-2 and will host Dodge City on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.

On the KJCK Radio broadcast, Morgan Nabus was named the Blu Restaurant Player of the Game. (For being named Player of the Game, Morgan receives a free meal voucher of up to $20 from Blu Restaurant in Junction City.)

Boys recap — Hays 58, Junction City 49

The game started out well for the Junction City Blue Jays, as they went on a 7-0 run in the first minute and 20 seconds of game action. Hays quickly called a timeout and regrouped. Hays big man Dawson Ruder went on his own 8-0 run to give the Indians a one-point lead. The teams traded baskets throughout the remainder of the quarter, and Hays led 14-9 after one.

The Indians began the second quarter on a 10-5 run and stretched their lead to 10. Similar to what Hays did to start the game, JC called a timeout, regrouped, and then went on its own 7-0 run. A couple of made three-pointers cut the deficit to three, but Hays extended the lead right before halftime and led 28-22 at the break.

Third-quarter action saw the Blue Jay offense finally come alive, but Izaac Fox also got going for the Indians, as Hays extended its lead to eight, 42-34, after three quarters. In fourth-quarter action, the Indians grew their lead and held on for a 58-49 win.

Junction City was led in scoring by senior point guard Lovell Autry, who finished with 21 points. Senior Jet Thompson added 10, and they were the only two JCHS players in double figures.

On the KJCK Radio broadcast, Lovell Autry was named the Blu Restaurant Player of the Game. (For being named Player of the Game, Lovell receives a free meal voucher of up to $20 from Blu Restaurant in Junction City.)

With the loss, the Blue Jays fall to 1-2 on the season and will host Dodge City on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at the Blue Jay Event Center.

🏀Hays Indians sweep Junction City on the hardwood Friday night

Junction City boys and girls basketball back in action tonight in Junction City. Both teams are hosting the Hays Indians. Girls tip off at 6:00, boys follow at 7:30.&nbsp;

Listen 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>

You can watch and listen live to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/eYvgQZdAUUo">girls game by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

You can watch and listen live to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/kAe4x19NUmc">boys game by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

🏀 WATCH/LISTEN LIVE: Junction City basketball teams hosts Hays

Fort Riley has announced that facial recognition lanes are coming to Fort Riley’s Ogden and Henry gates. Drivers of single occupant vehicles with registered biometrics in the Automated Installation Entry (AIE) system may use the facial recognition lanes. 

Those who have a CAC, Dependent ID, Retiree ID, AIE card or paper pass, Veteran Health ID Card, or registered REAL ID driver’s license may travel through the gate without stopping to show ID. 

 The expected date of initial operation is Friday, December 19, 2025. For more information visit the Fort Riley website.



Facial recognition lanes are coming to a pair of Fort Riley gates

&nbsp; Sunset Zoo staff found an early Christmas present the morning of Sunday, December 7 when they discovered Kivuli, the black-and-white colobus monkey, had given birth overnight. When Kivuli started showing signs of impending birth, zookeepers installed cameras and started “baby watch.” Footage revealed that Kivuli gave birth around 1:30 a.m.

Mother and baby are both doing well. Kivuli is proving to be a very attentive first-time mom, providing the level of care keepers expect to see at this stage. Bobby, the father, is also protective, demonstrating territorial behavior of his troop and their space. The other female in the troop, Azizi, is also helping with baby care and will hold the baby for Kivuli for short periods.Sunset Zoo Director Scott Shoemaker remarked, “We are very excited about the birth of this baby colobus monkey. Every birth is a significant achievement, and we are very proud to be able to add to the population of this charismatic primate.”

Interim Zoo Curator, Madison Brandon, added, "Kivuli is our shiest Colobus. With a lot of patience, her care team was able to build up her trust throughout her pregnancy. Kivuli now approaches keepers to accept food items, now toting baby along as well. Her favorite food items are mulberry leaves, avocado, potato, and primate biscuits."&nbsp;The Ballard Indoor Primate Viewing Gallery has been closed for the past week to give them time to bond in a quiet environment. The Gallery will reopen on Saturday, December&nbsp; 13, with limited hours of 2 – 5 pm to reduce potential noise and stress for the family as they adjust to public viewing with their new addition. 

The Zoo asks guests to be conscientious when visiting the colobus habitat by using quiet voices and calm behavior. Kivuli will continue to have access to her behind-the-scenes den throughout the day and may choose to remain out of public view. The family will not have access to their outside habitat until the baby is larger.

. Naming the newborn will wait until after the sex is determined and caretakers get a sense of its personality.Black-and-white colobus monkeys are native to the forests and woodlands of equatorial Africa. They are sometimes called “skunk monkeys” because of their distinctive coloration. Newborn colobus monkeys are born totally white and gradually develop the black and white coloration of their parents.&nbsp;

Colobus Monkeys at Sunset Zoo Welcome Baby! 

The&nbsp;5th Engineer Battalion patching ceremony will be held at King Field House, Fort Riley at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 16. This event will celebrate the reflagging of the 5th Engineer Battalion under the 1st Infantry Division

The Army announced the restructuring to meet force requirements in the Army 2030 Design which necessitated the realignment of 5th Engineer Battalion from 36th Engineer Brigade to 1st Infantry Division. In keeping with Fort Riley and Big Red One tradition, the commanding general is hosting the 5th Engineer Battalion patching ceremony to fully welcome the battalion and its family members to the 1st Infantry Division.

As part of the Army 2030 initiative, the 5th Engineer Battalion Headquarters and its associated companies will relocate from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to Fort Riley by October 2026. This will bring nearly 250 Soldiers and their families to the Flint Hills region and more combat power to the Big Red One.

The 5th Engineer Battalion traces its history back to 1861, with the establishment of "Battalion of Engineer Troops" supporting the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. Their lineage is inlaid in the history of the U.S. Army, serving in World War I, World War II, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.&nbsp;

The First Division is honored to add the legacy of the Fighting Fifth to the 108 years of service the Big Red One patch signifies.

5th Engineer Battalion joins the Big Red One

This past week, the Junction City Noon Kiwanis group celebrated two long standing members for their years of service. Mike Rhodes and Gary Berges have been members of the JC Noon Kiwanis Club for 40 years. 

In a release the Club announced that their dedication and involvement within the community&nbsp;is greatly appreciated. These men have served the group well and continue to be shining examples of leadership among members.&nbsp;

Noon Kiwanis Club celebrates two longtime members

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an online scam in Manhattan.

Just before noon Wednesday, officers in Manhattan&nbsp;filed a report of theft, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

 A 34-year-old woman reported she was a victim of a text and email scam. The total estimated loss associated with this case is $9,500

Manhattan woman lost $9,500 in online scam

Dr. Richard Lochamy is retiring after 35 years of practice. There was a steady stream of visitors during his retirement reception on Thursday at the C.L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City.

"I have a lot of personal plans coming up. At the end of the year I'll be going to Antartica. And I can say when I get back that I've been to all seven continents on this good planet. "

Lochamy noted with his previous office staff he had been to six&nbsp; out of seven original Wonders of the World. The single missing piece was the Great China Wall, which has now been arranged. "So after the summer I can say&nbsp; that I have been to all seven original Wonders of the World."

Lochamy enjoyed visiting with numerous former patients during the reception. He plans to continue living in Geary County.

Rerirement reception for Dr. Richard Lochamy

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man who admitted he stole and desroyed a decorative cannon from the Spanish American War Memorial in Riverside Park in Wichita is going to prison.

On Friday, a Sedgwick County District Pro Tem Judge sentenced 38-year-old Gordon Pierce to 53 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; In October he pleaded guilty to felony theft and aggravated criminal damage to property, according to the district attorney's office.

On April 3, police were notified of the theft of the decorative cannon from the Spanish American War Memorial in Riverside Park in Wichita, according to Officer Brad Wright.

Wichita Police immediately notified&nbsp; Patrol Officers, Property Crimes Task Force Officers and Detectives. Around 5:00pm police located the cannon at a residence in the 2000 Block of N Woodland. The cannon was significantly damaged.&nbsp;&nbsp;This cannon was gifted to the City in 1900 and was a priceless fixture in the community.

The investigation led to the identification of Pierce as the suspect and he was arrested in the 2300 block of N Amidon in Wichita without incident.&nbsp;

In addition to the more than four years in prison he is also required to&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;pay $320,500 in restitution to the City of Wichita.

Prison for Kan. man who stole and destroyed priceless cannon

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A shooting in the engineering building at Brown University on the second day of final exams left at least two people dead and eight injured and in critical but stable condition Saturday, Providence's mayor said. The Ivy League school issued an active shooter alert and urged students and staff to take shelter.

Police did not immediately release details about the number of victims, their conditions or the circumstances of the shooting.

University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody, before later saying that was not the case and that police were still searching for a suspect or suspects, according to alerts issued through Brown’s emergency notification system.

“We’re still getting information about what’s going on, but we’re just telling people to lock their doors and to stay vigilant,” said Providence Councilmember John Goncalves, whose ward includes the Brown campus. “As a Brown alum, someone who loves the Brown community and represents this area, I’m heartbroken. My heart goes out to all the family members and the folks who’ve been impacted.”

The reported shooting occurred near the Barus &amp; Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the university’s School of Engineering and physics department. According to the university’s website, the building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices.

Engineering design exams were underway in the building when the shooting occurred.

President Donald Trump said late in the afternoon that he has been briefed on the shooting.

“God bless the victims and the families of the victims!” he said on his social media site.

Students were urged to shelter in place as police responded to the scene, and people were told to avoid the area. A police officer warned media to take cover in vehicles because the area was still an active scene.

Officials cautioned that information remained preliminary as investigators worked to determine what had occurred.

Police were actively investigating and still gathering information from the scene, said Kristy DosReis, the chief public information officer for the city of Providence. The FBI said it was assisting in the response.

Brown is a private institution with roughly 7,300 undergraduate students and more than 3,000 graduate students. Saturday was the second day of final exams for the fall semester.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Multiple people were shot Saturday in the area of Brown University, police said, as the school issued an active shooter alert and urged students and staff to take shelter during the second day of final exams.

Police did not immediately release details about the victims’ conditions or the circumstances of the shooting.

Students were urged to shelter in place as police responded to the scene, and people were told to avoid the area. Officials cautioned that information remained preliminary as investigators worked to determine what had occurred.

Police were actively investigating and still gathering information from the scene, said Kristy DosReis, the chief public information officer for the city of Providence.

Brown is a private, nonprofit Ivy League institution with roughly 7,300 undergraduate students and more than 3,000 graduate students. Saturday was the second day of final exams for the fall semester.

Multiple victims reported in shooting at Brown University

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Two U.S. service members and one American civilian were killed and three other people wounded in an ambush on Saturday by a lone member of the Islamic State group in central&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/syria">Syria</a>, the the U.S. military’s Central Command said.

The attack on U.S. troops in Syria is the first to inflict casualties since the fall of President Bashar Assad a year ago.

Central Command said in a post on X that as a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with Department of Defense policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.

U.S. Defense Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pete-hegseth">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;posted on X: “Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.”

The shooting took place near historic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/syria-palmyra-ruins-historic-site-heritage-8f47dbe20c64a3de99cec50ad2a06680">Palmyra</a>, according to the state-run SANA news agency, which earlier said two members of Syria’s security force and several U.S. service members had been wounded. The casualties were taken by helicopter to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-base-syria-drone-attacks-0909cb5b2717963dfd6c4e93522c5ae8">al-Tanf garrison</a>&nbsp;near the border with Iraq and Jordan.

SANA said the attacker was killed, without providing further details.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the attacker was a member of the Syrian security force.

The U.S. has hundreds of troops deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-caliphate-10th-anniversary-iraq-syria-e25a9ca36ef9c0ed8f743ac9584d50f9">Islamic State</a>&nbsp;group.

Last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-coalition-islamic-state-79ceed4666aef43465221734fca899d5">Syria joined</a>&nbsp;the international coalition fighting against the IS as Damascus improves its relations with Western countries following the ouster of Assad&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-anniversary-assad-fall-a22746c8b8351b02d77cb62a6260c87e"></a>when insurgents captured his seat of power in Damascus.

The U.S. had no diplomatic relations with Syria under Assad, but ties have warmed since the fall of the five-decade Assad family rule. The interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, made a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-syria-sharaa-first-visit-cf01c5d6c9af7e47ec0bae585634d845">historic visit</a>&nbsp;to Washington last month where he held talks with President Donald Trump.

IS was defeated on the battlefield in Syria in 2019 but the group’s sleeper cells still carry out deadly attacks in the country. The United Nations says the group still has between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-fighters-syria-iraq-875d5ee8a0978f3b28aeec210b33cd5f">5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq</a>.

U.S. troops, which have maintained a presence in different parts of Syria — including Al-Tanf garrison in the central province of Homs — to train other forces as part of a broad campaign against IS, have been targeted in the past. One of the deadliest attacks occurred in 2019 in the northern town of Manbij when a blast killed two U.S. service members and two American civilians as well as others from Syria while conducting a patrol.

Trump responds on Isis ambush that killed US soldiers in Syria

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rod-mcguirk">ROD MCGUIRK</a>

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Riley Allen, a 15-year-old schoolboy living on an Outback sheep ranch, doesn’t know how he’ll keep in touch with his circle of far-flung friends once Australia’s world-first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-children-1abadf5445418c8c14f5f68cf76b38d0">social media ban</a>&nbsp;takes effect on Wednesday.

Riley’s family lives 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Wudinna, a community of just over 1,000 in South Australia state. But some of his school friends live as far as 70 kilometers (43 miles) away.

“I don’t think the impact will be very positive for us. We don’t have a lot out here to get in contact with each other,” Riley said.

“I’m not sure how we’re going to keep in touch over the holidays with each other,” he said, referring to the Southern Hemisphere summer break that starts on Thursday.

Riley and others younger than 16 will be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-reddit-kick-e6ae0be8c6b2571edd94d0318f47cb14">banned</a>&nbsp;by law from holding accounts with Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube and Twitch from Wednesday. The platforms face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32.9 million) if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove the accounts.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads, was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-media-ban-children-australia-334458608b809a26cc07ea74e39b9b7b">first tech giant to react</a>, beginning to exclude suspected young children from last week.

Riley holds accounts with most of the age-restricted platforms and had been asked by some to verify that he is at least 16. But by Monday, he had not been ousted by any.

Mom won’t help 15-year-old son bypass social media ban

Riley’s schoolteacher mother, Sonia Allen, said she wouldn’t help her son get around the ban, but suspects other parents will.

“I wouldn’t. I do know there are other people that would. If the rule is there, the rule is there. But I know what kids are like, and I’ve been a kid before, and they’re going to get around it if they can,” she said.

While the law allows parents no discretion to allow their children to hold social media accounts, Allen said there was a role for parents in regulating their children’s social media use.

A year ago, she banned Riley from social media for several weeks.

“In the past with Riley, we’ve had to take measures to limit his usage because we found him on social media at midnight and he wasn’t getting his homework done and things like that. We ended up taking it off him for a couple of months,” Allen said. “From that, he’s learned to use it a more responsibly.”

Riley, who turns 16 in April, said he understood the ban’s objectives, but there are other ways to achieve them. He suggested a 10 p.m. enforced social media curfew for young children to prevent them losing sleep.

Teens challenge the ban in Australia’s highest court

Riley has an ally in Australia’s largest city, Sydney: schoolboy Noah Jones, who turns 16 in August.

Noah is one of two 15-year-old plaintiffs in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-children-social-media-ban-court-challenge-5c85493f58c2869505431f101af17f35">constitutional challenge</a>&nbsp;to the law in the High Court. The other in the case brought by the Sydney-based rights group Digital Freedom Project is schoolgirl Macy Neyland.

They claim the law improperly robs 2.6 million young Australians of a right to freedom of political communication implied in Australia’s constitution.

The Australian government is committed to defeating the challenge on behalf of what they say is an overwhelming majority of parents who demand government action against social media harms.

Many restricted children have told media they welcome their exclusion from platforms with design features that encourage them to spend more time on screens while also serving up content that can harm their health and well-being.

The parents’ group Heaps Up Alliance, which lobbied for the social media age restriction, backs the theory behind the blanket ban that “when everybody misses out, nobody misses out.”

Before Parliament passed the ban last year, more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/young-and-resilient/news/in_media/young_and_resilient_research_centre_joins_chorus_of_nearly_150_australian_and_international_experts_opposing_social_media_ban_for_u16s" target="_blank">140 Australian and international academics</a>&nbsp;with expertise in fields related to technology and child welfare signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese opposing a social media age limit as “too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively.”

Noah said the ban would lead to young Australians swapping from age-restricted platforms to more dangerous, less regulated options.

“I’m against this social media ban because as young Australians, we’ll be completely silenced and cut off from our country and the rest of the world,” Noah said. “We’ve just grown up with this our entire lives, and now it’s just being taken away from us all of a sudden. We wouldn’t even know what else we could do.”

His mother, Renee Jones, is also involved in the court case as her son’s litigation guardian, because as a child he can’t make legal decisions himself.

She considers herself a relatively strict parent on social media, and never allowed Noah or his two older brothers to take devices into their bedrooms. But she supports Noah’s stance.

“My parents would never have dreamed that my children could be so fortunate to have this library of knowledge,” Jones said.

“But I really credit Noah as a young person who recognizes the dangers of social media. It’s not all sunshine and lollypops,” she added.

A plaintiff says tech giants’ money would be welcome

Digital Freedom Project president John Ruddick, who is also a state lawmaker for the minor Libertarian Party, said he had initially intended to apply for a court injunction in a bid to prevent the ban taking effect on Wednesday. But his lawyers advised against it.

A directions hearing will be held in late February to set a hearing date for the constitutional challenge that will be heard by the full bench of seven judges.

Ruddick said the case wasn’t funded by any tech giant, but they would be “extremely welcome” to make a financial contribution.

Ruddick expected children would get around the ban by means including using virtual private networks to make them appear to be offshore.

“They’re going to get around it so they’re then going to be on an underground social media and, to make it worse, without parental supervision,” Ruddick said.

“It’s much better for it to be out in the open and for parents to play a very, very active role … in monitoring what they’re doing on social media,” he added.

World-first social media ban leaves teen worried about losing touch with friends

CHEROKEE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 6a.m. Saturday in Cherokee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1994 Chevy Blazer driven by Meredith&nbsp;Wagner, 19, Columbus, was westbound on U.S. 400 two miles east of Baxter Springs. The SUV traveled off the road to the left. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle crossed over U.S. 400 off&nbsp; the road to the right, rolled and the driver&nbsp; was ejected.&nbsp;

Wagner was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Derfelt Funeral Home. She was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman killed after ejected in rollover accident

MCPHERSON COUNTY —Law enforcement in McPherson are investigating alleged child abuse and have made two arrests including a school teacher.

On Thursday morning, police in McPherson arrested 36-year-old Abby Bradstreet, an elementary school teacher in USD 418 McPherson, on requested charges of attempted aggravated endangering a chid; reckless situation involving a child under age 18 and abuse of a child; knowingly torture/cruelly beat; strike; kick a child between the age of 6 and 18, according to online jail records. Just after 12:30p.m. Thursday, Bradstreet, met the requirement of a $12,500 bond and was released, according to online jail records.

On Thursday afternoon, police also arrested 26-year-old Brady Burr, an employee of the McPherson Fire Department, on requested charges of aggravated endangering a child; reckless situation to a child under the age of 18 and for abuse of a child; knowingly torture/cruelly beat; strike; kick a child between the age of 6 and 18, according to online jail records. Burr was&nbsp;released 90 minutes after his arrest after he met the requirement of a $12,500 bond, according to online jail records.

Police released no additional details. The McPherson County Attorney will determine formal charges against them.

Kansas elementary school teacher among two accused of child abuse

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mead-gruver">MEAD GRUVER</a>

Getting trapped in quicksand is a corny peril of old movies and TV shows, but it really did happen to one unfortunate hiker in Utah’s Arches National Park.

The park famous for dozens of natural, sandstone arches gets over 1 million visitors a year, and accidents ranging from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arches-national-park-hiker-dies-fall-0a2f0d4de9dd246c7ae95cec87195ce8">falls</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-hiker-dead-heat-stroke-arches-utah-c547aacd31b54cebdba5f6b96bc35748">heat stroke</a>&nbsp;are common.

Quicksand? Not really — but it has happened at least a couple of times now.

“The wet sand just kind of flows back in. It’s kind of a never-ending battle,” said John Marshall, who helped a woman stuck in quicksand over a decade ago and coordinated the latest rescue.

On Sunday, an experienced hiker, whose identity wasn’t released, was traversing a small canyon on the second day of a 20-mile (32-kilometer) backpacking trip when he sank up to his thigh, according to Marshall.

Unable to free himself, the hiker activated an emergency satellite beacon. His message got forwarded to Grand County emergency responders and Marshall got the call at 7:15 a.m..

“I was just rolling out of bed,” Marshall said. “I’m scratching my head, going, ‘Did I hear that right? Did they say quicksand?’”

He put his boots on and rendezvoused with a team that set out with all-terrain vehicles, a ladder, traction boards, backboards and a drone. Soon, Marshall had a bird’s-eye view of the situation.

Through the drone camera he saw a park ranger who’d tossed the man a shovel. But the quicksand flowed back as soon as the backpacker shoveled it away, Marshall said.

The Grand County Search and Rescue team positioned the ladder and boards near the backpacker and slowly worked his leg loose. By then he’d been standing in near-freezing muck, in temperatures in the 20s (minus 6 to minus 1 Celsius), for a couple of hours.

Rescuers warmed him up until he could stand, then walk. He then hiked out on his own, even carrying his backpack, Marshall said.

Quicksand is dangerous but it’s a myth total submersion is the main risk, said Marshall.

“In quicksand you’re extremely buoyant,” he said. “Most people won’t sink past their waist in quicksand.”

Marshall is more or less a quicksand expert.

In 2014, he was a medic who helped a 78-year-old woman after she was stuck for over 13 hours in the same canyon just 2 miles (3 kilometers) from where Sunday’s rescue took place.

The woman’s book club got worried when she missed their meeting. They went looking for her and found her car at a trailhead. It was June — warmer than Sunday but not sweltering in the canyon’s shade — and the woman made a full recovery after regaining use of her legs.

“Both had very happy endings,” Marshall said.

Hiker rescued after mired in quicksand at national park

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged scam that cost a man $200,000 over several months this year.&nbsp;

In May, a 77-year-old Salina man received a phone call claiming he won a "MegaMillions lottery ticket and brand new vehicle," according to Salina Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler on Friday.

The scammers told the man he needed pay a price for "legal fees and other reasons.

The man then sent $500 increments on various cash cards. As time passed, the man was then contacted by another individual stating the previous two callers were scammers. However, the caller told the man he needed to send money in order to recover the $500 previously sent.

The victim then sent an undetermined amount of money through cash cards to the new scammer. The scammer then persuaded him to purchase a new vehicle and then sell it. He was advised to then take the cash from the sold vehicle, and place it into a bank account.

As a result, the man could not find the money in the account after following through with the scammer’s instructions. The total loss resulted in over $200,000, according to Lt. Andrew Zeigler,

Police reminded the public to never believe anyone from a sudden phone call, stating you have won a lottery ticket and new a vehicle. It is a scam.

Additionally, if a caller informs you that the previous call was a scam and further states you need to send money to recover the funds you sent, it is a scam.&nbsp;It is a common scheme for scammers to work together to successfully follow through with the crime.&nbsp;

Police: Kansas man lost $200,000 in phone scam

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-vote-affordable-care-act-obamacare-6ffc1ea9f878c6b3da995589ef8a012c">failed</a>&nbsp;to get anywhere on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-health-tax-credits-affordable-care-act-2b5ae3651ff16783a00e00dc1ce264bf">the health care issue</a>&nbsp;this week. Now it's the House's turn to show what it can do.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Speaker Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;unveiled a Republican alternative late Friday, a last-minute sprint as his party refuses to extend the enhanced tax subsidies for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aca-credits-health-care-subsidies-government-shutdown-7f7a3609bf78dd7e43be9a041a090220">those who buy policies</a>&nbsp;through the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare, which are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-tax-credits-obamacare-shutdown-f1ee636ddba7f65baa5234c55cb0c96e">expiring at the end of the year</a>. Those subsidies help lower the cost of coverage.

Johnson, R-La., huddled behind closed doors in the morning — as he did days earlier this week — working to assemble the package for consideration as the House focuses the final days of its 2025 work on health care.

“House Republicans are tackling the real drivers of health care costs to provide affordable care,” Johnson said in a statement announcing the package. He said it would be voted on next week.

Later Friday, though, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said: “House Republicans have introduced toxic legislation that is completely unserious, hurts hardworking America taxpayers and is not designed to secure bipartisan support. If the bill reaches the House floor, I will strongly oppose it.”

Time is running out for Congress to act. Democrats engineered the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-11-12-2025">longest federal government shutdown ever</a>&nbsp;this fall in a failed effort to force Republicans to the negotiating table on health care. But after promising votes, the Senate failed this week to advance both&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-health-care-insurance-premiums-ee6ccda9ea9df4a8e5a0af351e65afd4">a Republican health care plan</a>&nbsp;and the Democratic-offered bill to extend the tax credits for three years.

Now, with just days to go, Congress is about to wrap up its work with no consensus solution in sight.

The House Republicans offered a 100-plus-page package that focuses on long-sought GOP proposals to enhance access to employer-sponsored health insurance plans and clamp down on so-called pharmacy benefit managers.

Republicans propose expanding access to what's referred to as association health plans, which would allow more small businesses and self-employed individuals to band together and purchase health coverage.

Proponents say such plans increase the leverage businesses have to negotiate a lower rate. But critics say the plans provide skimpier coverage than what is required under the Affordable Care Act.

The Republicans’ proposal would also require more data from pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, as a way to help control drug costs. Critics say PBMs have padded their bottom line and made it more difficult for independent pharmacists to survive.

Additionally, the GOP plan includes mention of cost-sharing reductions for some lower-income people who rely on Obamacare, but those do not take effect until January 2027.

The emerging package from the House Republicans does not include an extension of an enhanced tax credit for millions of Americans who get insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Put in place during the COVID-19 crisis, that enhanced subsidy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aca-credits-health-care-subsidies-government-shutdown-7f7a3609bf78dd7e43be9a041a090220">expires</a>&nbsp;Dec. 31, leaving most families in the program facing more than double their current out-of-pocket premiums, and in some cases, much more.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has said he believes Republicans are going to figure out a better plan than Obamacare — something he has promised for years — but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-health-care-plan-affordable-care-act-obamacare-97483a1f4d5e844f439c630d74d86ff2">offered few details</a>&nbsp;beyond his idea for providing Americans with stipends to help buy insurance.

“I want to see the billions of dollars go to people, not to the insurance companies," Trump said late Friday during an event at the White House. “And I want to see the people go out and buy themselves great healthcare.”

The president did not comment directly on the House's new plan. He has repeatedly touted his idea of sending money directly to Americans to help offset the costs of health care policies, rather than extending the tax credits for those buying policies through Obamacare. It’s unclear how much money Trump envisions. The Senate GOP proposal that failed to advance would have provided payments to new health savings accounts of $1,000 a year for adult enrollees, or $1,500 for those ages 50 to 64.

It appeared there were no such health savings accounts in the new House GOP plan.

Going Johnson's route has left vulnerable House Republicans representing key battleground districts in a tough spot.

Frustrated with the delays, a group of more centrist GOP lawmakers is aligning with Democrats to push their own proposals for continuing the tax credits, for now, so that Americans don't face&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/millions-face-higher-health-costs-after-senate-rejects-dueling-aca-proposals-bb044bd633d847ef886e41a42bdc78ce">rising health care costs</a>.

They are pursuing several paths for passing a temporary ACA subsidy extension, co-sponsoring a handful of bills. They are also signing onto so-called discharge petitions that could force a floor vote if a majority of the House signs on.

Such petitions are designed to get around the majority's control and are rarely successful, but this year has proven to be an exception. Lawmakers, for example, were able to use a discharge petition to force a vote on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-files-congress-trump-house-297a66ce48bd2a67c571bc643e32ef71">release</a>&nbsp;of the Jeffrey Epstein files held by the Department of Justice.

One petition, filed by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., had signatures from 12 Republicans and 12 Democrats as of Friday afternoon. It would force a vote on a bill that includes a two-year subsidy extension and contains provisions designed to combat fraud in the ACA marketplace. There are also restrictions for PBMs, among other things.

Another petition from Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., has 39 signatures and is broadly bipartisan. It's a simpler proposal that would force a vote on a one-year ACA enhanced subsidy extension and would include new income caps limiting who qualifies for the enhanced credit.

Both discharge petitions have enough Republicans’ support that they would likely succeed if Jeffries encouraged his caucus to jump on board. So far, he's not tipping his hand.

“We’re actively reviewing those two discharge petitions and we’ll have more to say about it early next week,” Jeffries said.

Meanwhile, Jeffries is pushing Democrats' own discharge petition, which has 214 signatures and would provide for a clean three-year subsidy extension. No Republicans have signed onto that one.

And as Republicans made clear in the Senate this week, a three-year extension without changes to the program has no chance of passing their chamber.

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