BARTON COUNTY —A Kansas school resource officer continues to receive recognition for his courage.

On social media Wednesday, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wrote, "<br>Congratulations to SRO Paul Millard of the Great Bend Police Department, named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Wichita Metro Crime Commission."

"While off duty, he heard gunshots and acted immediately to stop the threat until Wichita Police arrived."&nbsp; 

"Thank you, Officer Millard, for your bravery and dedication to protecting Kansans."

Around 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, Millard and his wife were leaving Towne East Mall after a day of shopping when they heard gunshots in the parking lot. Taking immediate action, Millard rushed over to the scene, restrained a suspect and stopped the threat until the Wichita Police arrived.

With 27 years of service at the Great Bend Police Department, Millard has spent the past decade as the SRO for the USD 428 School System. He also leads the department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) program and has been member of the bike patrol unit and SWAT team, as well as a supervisor throughout his extensive career.

&nbsp;Millard also received national recognition as SRO of the Month by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) in August.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754967933271.jpeg" alt="School Resource officer Paul Millard -photo by Mike Courson Great Bend Post" />
                        <figcaption>School Resource officer Paul Millard -photo by Mike Courson Great Bend Post</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BARTON COUNTY —A Kansas school resource officer continues to receive recognition for his courage.</p><p>On social media Wednesday, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wrote, "<br>Congratulations to SRO Paul Millard of the Great Bend Police Department, named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Wichita Metro Crime Commission."</p><p>"While off duty, he heard gunshots and acted immediately to stop the threat until Wichita Police arrived."&nbsp; </p><p>"Thank you, Officer Millard, for your bravery and dedication to protecting Kansans."</p><p>Around 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, Millard and his wife were leaving Towne East Mall after a day of shopping when they heard gunshots in the parking lot. Taking immediate action, Millard rushed over to the scene, restrained a suspect and stopped the threat until the Wichita Police arrived.</p><p>With 27 years of service at the Great Bend Police Department, Millard has spent the past decade as the SRO for the USD 428 School System. He also leads the department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) program and has been member of the bike patrol unit and SWAT team, as well as a supervisor throughout his extensive career.</p><p>&nbsp;Millard also received national recognition as SRO of the Month by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) in August.</p>

Another honor for brave Kansas school resource officer 

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after finding credit card skimmers on gas pumps at a station in Salina.

On Tuesday, police were dispatched to Flying J gas station, 2250 N. Ohio in Salina for the report of a card skimmer found on one of the diesel pumps, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On February 13, a business in Salina reported they used the diesel pump and noticed fraudulent charges on their credit card.&nbsp;

Officers confirmed of finding the skimmer on the diesel pump. Police warned the public if they have used any of the pumps within the last month to be aware of any fraudulent charges.

Skimmers are an illegal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=covert+device&amp;rlz=1C5GCEA_enUS1174US1174&amp;oq=what+are+skimmers&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyDwgAEEUYORiRAhiABBiKBTINCAEQABiRAhiABBiKBTIMCAIQABgUGIcCGIAEMg0IAxAAGJECGIAEGIoFMg0IBBAAGJECGIAEGIoFMgwIBRAAGBQYhwIYgAQyBwgGEAAYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyBwgJEAAYgATSAQk0MTgyajBqMTWoAgywAgHxBbxQeFLqQdoj&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiRs6zdjvWSAxWaL0QIHfgMD5IQgK4QegYIAQgAEAY">covert device</a>&nbsp;installed over, or inside, genuine card readers at ATMs, fuel pumps and point-of-sale terminals to steal credit/debit card data.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772040372270.png" alt="The left picture is of the electronics board that goes above the keyboard and has a camera to see any pins along with a memory card. It is only attached with double sided tape.&nbsp;<b>The pin hole above the number two is the camera hole</b>. According to Salina PD, a technician indicated the suspects then inserted a small item into the credit card slide that would be the magnetic strip reader. Photo Salina Police Department" />
                        <figcaption>The left picture is of the electronics board that goes above the keyboard and has a camera to see any pins along with a memory card. It is only attached with double sided tape.&nbsp;<b>The pin hole above the number two is the camera hole</b>. According to Salina PD, a technician indicated the suspects then inserted a small item into the credit card slide that would be the magnetic strip reader. Photo Salina Police Department</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after finding credit card skimmers on gas pumps at a station in Salina.</p><p>On Tuesday, police were dispatched to Flying J gas station, 2250 N. Ohio in Salina for the report of a card skimmer found on one of the diesel pumps, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>On February 13, a business in Salina reported they used the diesel pump and noticed fraudulent charges on their credit card.&nbsp;</p><p>Officers confirmed of finding the skimmer on the diesel pump. Police warned the public if they have used any of the pumps within the last month to be aware of any fraudulent charges.</p><p>Skimmers are an illegal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=covert+device&amp;rlz=1C5GCEA_enUS1174US1174&amp;oq=what+are+skimmers&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyDwgAEEUYORiRAhiABBiKBTINCAEQABiRAhiABBiKBTIMCAIQABgUGIcCGIAEMg0IAxAAGJECGIAEGIoFMg0IBBAAGJECGIAEGIoFMgwIBRAAGBQYhwIYgAQyBwgGEAAYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyBwgJEAAYgATSAQk0MTgyajBqMTWoAgywAgHxBbxQeFLqQdoj&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiRs6zdjvWSAxWaL0QIHfgMD5IQgK4QegYIAQgAEAY">covert device</a>&nbsp;installed over, or inside, genuine card readers at ATMs, fuel pumps and point-of-sale terminals to steal credit/debit card data.</p>

Police report card skimmer on gas pumps central Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger offered a sharp contrast to President Donald Trump’s depiction of the nation as being in a “golden age” during his State of the Union, arguing in her Democratic rebuttal that costs remain high for many Americans more than a year into his second term.

Her message, that families are still struggling under Trump’s policies, is one Democrats plan to carry nationwide ahead of the midterm elections. Party leaders point to Spanberger’s double-digit victory in Virginia last November as validation of a disciplined, cost-focused campaign they now hope to replicate across the country.

“Democrats across the country are laser-focused on affordability in our nation’s capital and in state capitals and communities across America,” said Spanberger. “In the most innovative and exceptional nation in the history of the world, Americans deserve to know that their leaders are focused on addressing the problems that keep them up at night.”

Spanberger asks Americans whether life is better under Trump

Spanberger was flanked by American flags as she delivered the speech from Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum with restored 18th-century buildings, invoking the site’s role at the heart of Virginia’s early opposition to British rule.

“As we celebrate 250 years since America declared our independence from tyranny, I can think of no better place to speak to you,” Spanberger said.

Spanberger said she wanted to “plainly and honestly” speak to people watching at home. She structured her speech around a series of direct questions: “Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the president working to keep Americans safe, both at home and abroad? Is the president working for you?”

She contrasted those questions with what she described as the reality under Trump, saying he “has sent poorly trained federal agents into our cities, where they have arrested and detained American citizens and people who aspire to be Americans.” She added that Trump seeks to “pit us against one another” while “enriching himself, his family, his friends.”

“This is not what our founders envisioned. Not by a long shot,” said Spanberger. “So I’ll ask again: Is the president working for you? We all know the answer is no.”

Spanberger had a fraction of Trump’s record-breaking time

Spanberger had far less time than the Republican president to make her case, speaking for around 13 minutes. Trump’s address to Congress stretched for just over an hour and 48 minutes, the longest in history, and ran late into the night.

In his speech, Trump described a nation with lower costs than when he took office, declaring, “This is the golden age of America.”

He also goaded the Democratic side of the House chambers throughout the speech for not standing, increasing his insults throughout the speech and calling his opponents “crazy.” But Democrats inside the chamber largely didn’t react, sitting silently. Texas Rep. Al Green was removed from the chamber barely two minutes into the president’s address after holding a protest sign reading “Black People Aren’t Apes!”

Outside the chamber, Democrats who had skipped the speech responded at counterprogramming events, including a “People’s State of the Union” featuring Democratic lawmakers alongside state and local leaders and celebrities.

“We know our state of the union. We know it is under attack,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said at the event.'

Democrats look toward November’s midterms

Democrats believe the political environment is shifting in their favor. Spanberger’s win in Virginia was followed by other high-profile Democratic victories, including a special election this month in Texas, where a Democrat flipped a reliably Republican state Senate district that Trump carried by 17 percentage points in 2024.

In California Sen. Alex Padilla’s Spanish-language response to Trump’s address, he described the nation as “living a nightmare that divides and destroys our communities” and urged viewers to “prepare, starting today, for your voice to reverberate this November.”

Padilla, who was forcefully removed from a Homeland Security news conference in Los Angeles last year while questioning immigration raids, referenced the moment in his remarks.

“They may have knocked me down for a moment, but I got right back up,” he said. “As our parents taught us: If you fall seven times, get up eight. I am still here. Standing. Still fighting.”

Spanberger, meanwhile, sought to tie Republicans in Congress closely to Trump as Democrats aim to flip the House and Senate in November. She warned that additional tariffs would raise costs “and Republicans in Congress, they remain unwilling to assert their constitutional authority to stop him.”

“They’re making your life harder. They’re making your life more expensive,” she said.

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger offered a sharp contrast to President Donald Trump’s depiction of the nation as being in a “golden age” during his State of the Union, arguing in her Democratic rebuttal that costs remain high for many Americans more than a year into his second term.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WATCH: Full Democratic Response from Gov. Abigail Spanberger (<a href="https://twitter.com/GovernorVA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovernorVA</a>): &quot;This is not what our founders envisioned, not by a longshot.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Vu2GetqNlq">pic.twitter.com/Vu2GetqNlq</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026517803209982241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Her message, that families are still struggling under Trump’s policies, is one Democrats plan to carry nationwide ahead of the midterm elections. Party leaders point to Spanberger’s double-digit victory in Virginia last November as validation of a disciplined, cost-focused campaign they now hope to replicate across the country.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trump is lying. <br><br>Coffee is up 18.3%<br>Ground beef is up 17.2%<br>Cereal is up 6.2<br>Bananas are up 5.4%<br>Fish is up 5.1%<br>Cookies are up 5%</p>&mdash; Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/2026491842481500211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>“Democrats across the country are laser-focused on affordability in our nation’s capital and in state capitals and communities across America,” said Spanberger. “In the most innovative and exceptional nation in the history of the world, Americans deserve to know that their leaders are focused on addressing the problems that keep them up at night.”</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I just finished hearing from <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> – here are my thoughts. <a href="https://t.co/fKnJLZc897">pic.twitter.com/fKnJLZc897</a></p>&mdash; Rep. Sharice Davids (@RepDavids) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDavids/status/2026512699652186202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gov. Abigail Spanberger (<a href="https://twitter.com/GovernorVA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovernorVA</a>): &quot;In his speech tonight, the president did what he always does, he lied, he scapegoated and he distracted and he offered no real solutions to our nation&#39;s pressing challenges...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xnGu3ZkNn8">pic.twitter.com/xnGu3ZkNn8</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026513929053081958?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Democratic Rep. Al Green was escorted from the chamber at the beginning of President Trump&#39;s State of the Union address after he unfurled a sign of protest that read “Black People Aren’t Apes!” The sign appeared to be a reference to a racist video the president posted.… <a href="https://t.co/2YREck19UA">pic.twitter.com/2YREck19UA</a></p>&mdash; The Associated Press (@AP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AP/status/2026511986788348094?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight, I boycotted the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU26</a>. <br><br>Instead, I joined the People’s State of the Union — because our democracy belongs to the people, not to billionaires. <br><br>Tonight I stood with working families, with our students, with our elders, &amp; with everyone who stands against hate. <a href="https://t.co/dXk0WMaCA6">pic.twitter.com/dXk0WMaCA6</a></p>&mdash; Melanie Stansbury (@MelanieforNM) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelanieforNM/status/2026509696962822164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>Spanberger asks Americans whether life is better under Trump</h2><p>Spanberger was flanked by American flags as she delivered the speech from Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum with restored 18th-century buildings, invoking the site’s role at the heart of Virginia’s early opposition to British rule.</p><p>“As we celebrate 250 years since America declared our independence from tyranny, I can think of no better place to speak to you,” Spanberger said.</p><p>Spanberger said she wanted to “plainly and honestly” speak to people watching at home. She structured her speech around a series of direct questions: “Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the president working to keep Americans safe, both at home and abroad? Is the president working for you?”</p><p>She contrasted those questions with what she described as the reality under Trump, saying he “has sent poorly trained federal agents into our cities, where they have arrested and detained American citizens and people who aspire to be Americans.” She added that Trump seeks to “pit us against one another” while “enriching himself, his family, his friends.”</p><p>“This is not what our founders envisioned. Not by a long shot,” said Spanberger. “So I’ll ask again: Is the president working for you? We all know the answer is no.”</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We cannot normalize Trump’s shredding of our Constitution, his attacks on our democracy, and his serial lying. <br><br>That’s why I was proud to join true patriots at the People’s State of the Union where people gathered to speak up and stand up for the country we love, and called… <a href="https://t.co/zE28evzOaK">pic.twitter.com/zE28evzOaK</a></p>&mdash; Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisVanHollen/status/2026516777023221814?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>Spanberger had a fraction of Trump’s record-breaking time</h2><p>Spanberger had far less time than the Republican president to make her case, speaking for around 13 minutes. Trump’s address to Congress stretched for just over an hour and 48 minutes, the longest in history, and ran late into the night.</p><p>In his speech, Trump described a nation with lower costs than when he took office, declaring, “This is the golden age of America.”</p><p>He also goaded the Democratic side of the House chambers throughout the speech for not standing, increasing his insults throughout the speech and calling his opponents “crazy.” But Democrats inside the chamber largely didn’t react, sitting silently. Texas Rep. Al Green was removed from the chamber barely two minutes into the president’s address after holding a protest sign reading “Black People Aren’t Apes!”</p><p>Outside the chamber, Democrats who had skipped the speech responded at counterprogramming events, including a “People’s State of the Union” featuring Democratic lawmakers alongside state and local leaders and celebrities.</p><p>“We know our state of the union. We know it is under attack,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said at the event.'</p><h2>Democrats look toward November’s midterms</h2><p>Democrats believe the political environment is shifting in their favor. Spanberger’s win in Virginia was followed by other high-profile Democratic victories, including a special election this month in Texas, where a Democrat flipped a reliably Republican state Senate district that Trump carried by 17 percentage points in 2024.</p><p>In California Sen. Alex Padilla’s Spanish-language response to Trump’s address, he described the nation as “living a nightmare that divides and destroys our communities” and urged viewers to “prepare, starting today, for your voice to reverberate this November.”</p><p>Padilla, who was forcefully removed from a Homeland Security news conference in Los Angeles last year while questioning immigration raids, referenced the moment in his remarks.</p><p>“They may have knocked me down for a moment, but I got right back up,” he said. “As our parents taught us: If you fall seven times, get up eight. I am still here. Standing. Still fighting.”</p><p>Spanberger, meanwhile, sought to tie Republicans in Congress closely to Trump as Democrats aim to flip the House and Senate in November. She warned that additional tariffs would raise costs “and Republicans in Congress, they remain unwilling to assert their constitutional authority to stop him.”</p><p>“They’re making your life harder. They’re making your life more expensive,” she said.</p>

🎥Democrat lawmakers respond to Trump's State of the Union

MCPHERSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Tuesday in McPherson County.

The McPherson County Sheriff's office reported a UTV was northbound on 12th Avenue at Moccasin Road. The UTV struck a westbound Suzuki SUV in the intersection and overturned. After impact the UTV driver was ejected and he was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

The female driver of the SUV was transported to the hospital in McPherson for treatment.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release names of the drivers.

<p>MCPHERSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Tuesday in McPherson County.</p><p>The McPherson County Sheriff's office reported a UTV was northbound on 12th Avenue at Moccasin Road. The UTV struck a westbound Suzuki SUV in the intersection and overturned. After impact the UTV driver was ejected and he was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;</p><p>The female driver of the SUV was transported to the hospital in McPherson for treatment.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release names of the drivers.</p>

Kansas man dies after UTV, SUV crash

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Tuesday spoke on the Senate floor to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and emphasize the importance of continued support for Ukraine from the United States and its allies as Russia’s ongoing aggression reaches its fifth year.

“Vladimir Putin believed his so-called military operation would be over in two weeks, but as the fifth year of the war begins, Russian forces have fought Ukraine longer than they fought the Germans in World War II,”&nbsp;<b>said Sen. Moran.</b>&nbsp;

“Because of the bravery and innovation of the Ukrainians, aided by American and European support, Vladimir Putin’s objective to conquer and control the Ukrainian government remains unobtainable. His war is a strategic failure.”“Ukrainians are coming out of the most difficult winter yet, with temperatures at the most frigid of the war, and the Russian bombing campaigns aimed at energy infrastructure have taken a toll. Instead of being convinced to sue for peace on Putin’s terms, Ukrainians remain unwavering in their commitment to remain an independent and sovereign nation,”&nbsp;<b>continued Sen. Moran.</b>

<b></b>&nbsp;“We must commit to share in their resolve. I say that again: we must commit to share in their resolve and support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.”Sen. Moran today joined Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) in introducing a bipartisan Senate resolution to mark the four-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Full text of the resolution can be found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/DAV26310.pdf">here</a>.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772036551568.jpg" alt="Image courtesy Pixabay" />
                        <figcaption>Image courtesy Pixabay</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Tuesday spoke on the Senate floor to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and emphasize the importance of continued support for Ukraine from the United States and its allies as Russia’s ongoing aggression reaches its fifth year.</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nDkvoJVlyX0?si=yLhfG29we6ufV5sQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>“Vladimir Putin believed his so-called military operation would be over in two weeks, but as the fifth year of the war begins, Russian forces have fought Ukraine longer than they fought the Germans in World War II,”&nbsp;<b>said Sen. Moran.</b>&nbsp;</p><p>“Because of the bravery and innovation of the Ukrainians, aided by American and European support, Vladimir Putin’s objective to conquer and control the Ukrainian government remains unobtainable. His war is a strategic failure.”“Ukrainians are coming out of the most difficult winter yet, with temperatures at the most frigid of the war, and the Russian bombing campaigns aimed at energy infrastructure have taken a toll. Instead of being convinced to sue for peace on Putin’s terms, Ukrainians remain unwavering in their commitment to remain an independent and sovereign nation,”&nbsp;<b>continued Sen. Moran.</b></p><p><b></b>&nbsp;“We must commit to share in their resolve. I say that again: we must commit to share in their resolve and support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.”Sen. Moran today joined Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) in introducing a bipartisan Senate resolution to mark the four-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Full text of the resolution can be found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/DAV26310.pdf">here</a>.</p>

🎥Kan. U.S. Senator marks 4th anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A suspect accused in a deadly Labor Day weekend robbery, killing is due back in court Wednesday.

Lafayette J. Washington, 21, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in&nbsp;Judge Jeffrey Goering's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The judge will determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward.

In September, Washington was charged with First degree murder, theft of property and criminal possession of a firearm in the shooting death of 23-year-old D’Andre Rubio of Wichita, according to a media release from Wichita Police.

The shooting occurred&nbsp; just after 1:30 a.m. September 1, in the 100 block of Rock Island in Wichita. Officers arrived and found Rubio suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Detectives have learned that a disturbance took place before the shooting.&nbsp;

Washinton is being held on bond of over $1 million dollars.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756982176005.png" alt="Washington-photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Washington-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A suspect accused in a deadly Labor Day weekend robbery, killing is due back in court Wednesday.</p><p>Lafayette J. Washington, 21, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in&nbsp;Judge Jeffrey Goering's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The judge will determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward.</p><p>In September, Washington was charged with First degree murder, theft of property and criminal possession of a firearm in the shooting death of 23-year-old D’Andre Rubio of Wichita, according to a media release from Wichita Police.</p><p>The shooting occurred&nbsp; just after 1:30 a.m. September 1, in the 100 block of Rock Island in Wichita. Officers arrived and found Rubio suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.</p><p>Detectives have learned that a disturbance took place before the shooting.&nbsp;</p><p>Washinton is being held on bond of over $1 million dollars.</p>

Preliminary Hearing for Kansas Labor Day robbery, killing

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a><br><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/29/kansan-returns-to-the-catholic-church-as-the-states-first-woman-priest/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a>

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids said ahead of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday she was concerned about his promises of lower costs, stability and support for American families.

“Instead we are seeing the opposite of that,” the Kansas Democrat said during a virtual press conference. “We’re seeing rising grocery bills. We’re seeing tariffs that have forced small businesses to close. We’re seeing cuts to health care that are, frankly, going to devastate families.”

Davids said her State of the Union guest, Nick Levendofsky, will bring Kansas voices to the forefront. Levendofsky,&nbsp; the executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union and secretary of the Minneapolis-based research nonprofit Institute for Agriculture &amp; Trade Policy, has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s tariff policies and advocate for broader protections for Kansas farmers.

Davids said she is hoping for solutions from Trump rather than partisan rhetoric.

“I have to be honest here. I am not necessarily holding my breath for that,” she said.

The State of the Union address follows Friday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/20/repub/us-supreme-court-rules-against-trumps-tariffs-in-6-3-opinion-dealing-blow-to-trade-agenda/">U.S. Supreme Court decision</a>, which deemed certain tariffs illegal.

Trump’s tariffs have been detrimental to Kansas farmers, according to Levendofsky.

He said farmers across the country have lost tens of billions of dollars because of tariffs, and crop markets have become stressed or entirely lost. When farmers aren’t making money, they aren’t spending money, he said.

“I hate to say it, but we’ve become less reliable when it comes to trade and what we can offer to the world,” Levendofsky said.

He believes that Congress should address tariffs by exerting its checks and balances authority and intervening in the ongoing trade war.

Also top of mind for Davids and Levendofsky while in D.C. this week is a farm bill that will govern agriculture and food issues for the next several years.

Davids wants to see amendments to the bill that end current trade war policy, protect food assistance programs and address adequate staffing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan.

She said she will not support a final product that ignores what Kansans need to stay competitive.

Levendofsky favors updates to the legislation that address climate change issues, attracting new farmers to the profession, supporting underserved farmers, boosting research, promoting rural mental health services and establishing food assistance programs.

“If you eat, you are involved in agriculture,” Levendofsky said.

Kansas is the country’s eighth-largest agriculture producer, exporting more than $7 billion in beef, wheat, soybeans and other grains.

The state lost 700 farms in 2025, according to a USDA study, and 11 Kansas farms filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The White House has promoted Trump’s first year in his second term in office as a major success. In a statement released Tuesday gouging Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who is set to deliver Democrats’ rebuttal following Trump’s address, the White House said, “Americans deserve better than the Radical Left’s vision of higher taxes, weaker borders, and divisive ideology.”

“Tonight, while President Trump highlights the successes of his America First agenda in slashing costs, revitalizing manufacturing, securing our borders, and delivering real relief — Spanberger’s response will only underscore her party’s commitment to the failed lunacy Americans rejected,” the statement said.

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, said while appearing Monday on Newsmax said Trump has made American families safer, borders more secure, the military more successful and the economy more prosperous. He said record-low murder rates, missions in Iran and Venezuela and lower utility costs are worth celebrating.

Marshall called the U.S. Supreme Court’s tariff decision disappointing. Trump’s tariffs have served as a leverage tool to be used for diplomacy, national security and forceful trade deals, he said. He also said manufacturing jobs have moved back to Kansas from overseas as a result of tariff policy.

“This big ship we call America is now moving in the right direction,” he said, “so there’s lots to celebrate.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772019756193.png" alt=" U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat, and Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union, are set to attend President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address. They appear on a video call with reporters on Feb. 24, 2026, from Washington, D.C. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids video call)" />
                        <figcaption> U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat, and Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union, are set to attend President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address. They appear on a video call with reporters on Feb. 24, 2026, from Washington, D.C. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids video call)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a><br><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/29/kansan-returns-to-the-catholic-church-as-the-states-first-woman-priest/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><p>TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids said ahead of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday she was concerned about his promises of lower costs, stability and support for American families.</p><p>“Instead we are seeing the opposite of that,” the Kansas Democrat said during a virtual press conference. “We’re seeing rising grocery bills. We’re seeing tariffs that have forced small businesses to close. We’re seeing cuts to health care that are, frankly, going to devastate families.”</p><p>Davids said her State of the Union guest, Nick Levendofsky, will bring Kansas voices to the forefront. Levendofsky,&nbsp; the executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union and secretary of the Minneapolis-based research nonprofit Institute for Agriculture &amp; Trade Policy, has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s tariff policies and advocate for broader protections for Kansas farmers.</p><p>Davids said she is hoping for solutions from Trump rather than partisan rhetoric.</p><p>“I have to be honest here. I am not necessarily holding my breath for that,” she said.</p><p>The State of the Union address follows Friday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/20/repub/us-supreme-court-rules-against-trumps-tariffs-in-6-3-opinion-dealing-blow-to-trade-agenda/">U.S. Supreme Court decision</a>, which deemed certain tariffs illegal.</p><p>Trump’s tariffs have been detrimental to Kansas farmers, according to Levendofsky.</p><p>He said farmers across the country have lost tens of billions of dollars because of tariffs, and crop markets have become stressed or entirely lost. When farmers aren’t making money, they aren’t spending money, he said.</p><p>“I hate to say it, but we’ve become less reliable when it comes to trade and what we can offer to the world,” Levendofsky said.</p><p>He believes that Congress should address tariffs by exerting its checks and balances authority and intervening in the ongoing trade war.</p><p>Also top of mind for Davids and Levendofsky while in D.C. this week is a farm bill that will govern agriculture and food issues for the next several years.</p><p>Davids wants to see amendments to the bill that end current trade war policy, protect food assistance programs and address adequate staffing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan.</p><p>She said she will not support a final product that ignores what Kansans need to stay competitive.</p><p>Levendofsky favors updates to the legislation that address climate change issues, attracting new farmers to the profession, supporting underserved farmers, boosting research, promoting rural mental health services and establishing food assistance programs.</p><p>“If you eat, you are involved in agriculture,” Levendofsky said.</p><p>Kansas is the country’s eighth-largest agriculture producer, exporting more than $7 billion in beef, wheat, soybeans and other grains.</p><p>The state lost 700 farms in 2025, according to a USDA study, and 11 Kansas farms filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.</p><p>The White House has promoted Trump’s first year in his second term in office as a major success. In a statement released Tuesday gouging Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who is set to deliver Democrats’ rebuttal following Trump’s address, the White House said, “Americans deserve better than the Radical Left’s vision of higher taxes, weaker borders, and divisive ideology.”</p><p>“Tonight, while President Trump highlights the successes of his America First agenda in slashing costs, revitalizing manufacturing, securing our borders, and delivering real relief — Spanberger’s response will only underscore her party’s commitment to the failed lunacy Americans rejected,” the statement said.</p><p>U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, said while appearing Monday on Newsmax said Trump has made American families safer, borders more secure, the military more successful and the economy more prosperous. He said record-low murder rates, missions in Iran and Venezuela and lower utility costs are worth celebrating.</p><p>Marshall called the U.S. Supreme Court’s tariff decision disappointing. Trump’s tariffs have served as a leverage tool to be used for diplomacy, national security and forceful trade deals, he said. He also said manufacturing jobs have moved back to Kansas from overseas as a result of tariff policy.</p><p>“This big ship we call America is now moving in the right direction,” he said, “so there’s lots to celebrate.”</p>

Kansas congresswoman, farm leader emphasize agriculture’s importance to State of the Union

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating an altercation that led to an arrest during a student&nbsp; protest in Olathe have made another arrest.

Just after 2p.m. February 20, police were dispatched to a reported fight in the area of College Boulevard and South Lone Elm Road in Olathe, according to Police Sergeant John Moncayo.

Officers learned there was a planned anti-ICE protest near Olathe Northwest High school when they confronted and started a fight with students who were counter protesting them. During the incident, approximately four students were injured.&nbsp;

Numerous officers responded and stabilized the incident. As a result of the investigation, one juvenile male was taken into custody.

Following the investigation, an additional 18-year-old girl was taken into custody. A 15-year-old boy and 17-year-old boy were also cited and released.

"The Olathe Police Department supports the community’s right to engage in peaceful protest and lawful assembly. We are committed to protecting those rights while also ensuring public safety. Violence, property damage, or threats to people will be addressed appropriately to protect the community."

&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.&nbsp;

<p>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating an altercation that led to an arrest during a student&nbsp; protest in Olathe have made another arrest.</p><p>Just after 2p.m. February 20, police were dispatched to a reported fight in the area of College Boulevard and South Lone Elm Road in Olathe, according to Police Sergeant John Moncayo.</p><p>Officers learned there was a planned anti-ICE protest near Olathe Northwest High school when they confronted and started a fight with students who were counter protesting them. During the incident, approximately four students were injured.&nbsp;</p><p>Numerous officers responded and stabilized the incident. As a result of the investigation, one juvenile male was taken into custody.</p><p>Following the investigation, an additional 18-year-old girl was taken into custody. A 15-year-old boy and 17-year-old boy were also cited and released.</p><p>"The Olathe Police Department supports the community’s right to engage in peaceful protest and lawful assembly. We are committed to protecting those rights while also ensuring public safety. Violence, property damage, or threats to people will be addressed appropriately to protect the community."</p><p>&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.&nbsp;</p>

Another arrest in student-led Kan. anti-ice protest and fight

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump delivers the State of the Union address followed by Democratic Response by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA)– LIVE on C-SPAN <a href="https://t.co/DApNgV5M16">https://t.co/DApNgV5M16</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026450145991159994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771983502857.png" alt="The President and First lady leave the White House prior to the State of the Union-image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>The President and First lady leave the White House prior to the State of the Union-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771983937423.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (center) enteres the House Chamber ahead of the State of the Union-image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (center) enteres the House Chamber ahead of the State of the Union-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771984850293.png" alt="First Lady Melania Trump enters the House Chamber-image from White House video." />
                        <figcaption>First Lady Melania Trump enters the House Chamber-image from White House video.</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771985786112.png" alt="Taking a selfie with a member of Congress-Image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>Taking a selfie with a member of Congress-Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771984888960.png" alt="Ivanka and Barron Trump image from White House video" />
                        <figcaption>Ivanka and Barron Trump image from White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771985705524.png" alt="President Trump greets Chief Justice John Roberts-image from White House video" />
                        <figcaption>President Trump greets Chief Justice John Roberts-image from White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771986025877.png" alt="-The House Sergeant at Arms approached and escorted Texas Congressman Al Green, who stood as Trump began speaking with a sign reading “Black People Aren’t Apes!” from the chamber barely two minutes into the address.&nbsp;Two Trump allies, Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas and Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, had approached the area where Green was sitting before Capitol Police escorted him out.-image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>-The House Sergeant at Arms approached and escorted Texas Congressman Al Green, who stood as Trump began speaking with a sign reading “Black People Aren’t Apes!” from the chamber barely two minutes into the address.&nbsp;Two Trump allies, Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas and Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, had approached the area where Green was sitting before Capitol Police escorted him out.-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772026424425.png" alt="In the background, Rep. Al Green holds up a sign that reads: "Black People Aren't Apes"-image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>In the background, Rep. Al Green holds up a sign that reads: "Black People Aren't Apes"-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepAlGreen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepAlGreen</a> speaks to the media following his removal from the State of the Union address: &quot;Tonight, I wanted him to have a person confront him and let him know that Black people aren&#39;t apes.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MYbBVsAwpF">pic.twitter.com/MYbBVsAwpF</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026492623985242114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771986189330.png" alt="Image from White House video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771986702680.png" alt="-In a rare display of bipartisanship, members of the Men’s Olympic Hockey team received a standing ovation as they entered the House chamber after a shoutout from Trump.&nbsp;Members of the team stood in the gallery seats overlooking the House floor after Trump praised them. Several smiled and waved at the crowd.&nbsp;Trump then gave a shoutout to the women’s team, who also received a standing ovation despite not being in attendance. Both teams won gold at the Winter Olympics in Milan. Image from White House video" />
                        <figcaption>-In a rare display of bipartisanship, members of the Men’s Olympic Hockey team received a standing ovation as they entered the House chamber after a shoutout from Trump.&nbsp;Members of the team stood in the gallery seats overlooking the House floor after Trump praised them. Several smiled and waved at the crowd.&nbsp;Trump then gave a shoutout to the women’s team, who also received a standing ovation despite not being in attendance. Both teams won gold at the Winter Olympics in Milan. Image from White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771986834280.png" alt="Trump announced that he will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Team USA hockey goalie&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/connor-hellebuyck-team-usa-goalie-443ee4a3f28807aa7c4028ed489ecbd4">Connor Hellebuyck</a>. Trump said the award has been given to “many athletes over the years.” Image from CSPAN video" />
                        <figcaption>Trump announced that he will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Team USA hockey goalie&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/connor-hellebuyck-team-usa-goalie-443ee4a3f28807aa7c4028ed489ecbd4">Connor Hellebuyck</a>. Trump said the award has been given to “many athletes over the years.” Image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gold medal winning Team USA men&#39;s hockey team at the State of the Union.<br><br>President Trump announces goalie Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU2026</a> <a href="https://t.co/nsxOgWYJLL">pic.twitter.com/nsxOgWYJLL</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026488449721675809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771988604102.png" alt="Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of Michigan wearing a button critical of ICE-image from CSPAN video" />
                        <figcaption>Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of Michigan wearing a button critical of ICE-image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771989049837.png" alt="Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota shouts at the President during the address-image from CSPAN video-" />
                        <figcaption>Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota shouts at the President during the address-image from CSPAN video-</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump: &quot;You should be ashamed of yourself.&quot;<br><br>Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN): &quot;You have killed Americans.&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU2026</a> <a href="https://t.co/K1ggMjaGSU">pic.twitter.com/K1ggMjaGSU</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026495922394349593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">America 250: George Washington’s gavel is in the House chamber for the State of the Union. It was used in a 1793 ceremony to lay the U.S. Capitol cornerstone. <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a> is the first House Speaker in history to display Washington’s gavel during the President’s State of the… <a href="https://t.co/ybfYQgRsc8">pic.twitter.com/ybfYQgRsc8</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026474063535706464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump criticizes Supreme Court on tariffs: &quot;So despite the disappointing ruling, these powerful, country-saving...peace-protecting...will remain in place under fully approved and tested alternative legal statutes...&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU2026</a> <a href="https://t.co/Xq4aB1DTQg">pic.twitter.com/Xq4aB1DTQg</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026491348124107074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771991422220.png" alt="Andrew Wolfe Awarded Purple Heart during State of the Union.-image from CSPAN video" />
                        <figcaption>Andrew Wolfe Awarded Purple Heart during State of the Union.-image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andrew Wolfe and late Sarah Beckstrom Awarded Purple Heart during State of the Union.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU2026</a> <a href="https://t.co/xyFzHxDXYM">pic.twitter.com/xyFzHxDXYM</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026502118140485883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771991582456.png" alt="Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover received the Congressional Medal of Honor-image from CSPAN video" />
                        <figcaption>Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover received the Congressional Medal of Honor-image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/USArmy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USArmy</a> Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover receives the Congressional Medal of Honor at the State of the Union address. <a href="https://t.co/V0sHuDQcS7">pic.twitter.com/V0sHuDQcS7</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026509552661700891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">World War II <a href="https://twitter.com/USNavy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USNavy</a> Pilot Captain Royce Williams receives the Congressional Medal of Honor at the State of the Union address. <a href="https://t.co/ZMidsnuB6R">pic.twitter.com/ZMidsnuB6R</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026509581019381982?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771991789955.png" alt="WWII Navy Pilot Royce Williams received the Congressional Medal of Honor image from CSPAN video" />
                        <figcaption>WWII Navy Pilot Royce Williams received the Congressional Medal of Honor image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump concludes his State of the Union address. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU26</a> <a href="https://t.co/F83NAmrzcu">pic.twitter.com/F83NAmrzcu</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026511856542605480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Highlights of President Trump's State of the Union address

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the body found December 30 is that of 25-year-old&nbsp;Kaden Zubler, according to Topeka Police.

Just after 5:30p.m. December 30, police responded to a report of a deceased individual in the area of NE U.S. 24 Highway and NE Calhoun Bluff Road, according to a media release. Upon arrival, officers discovered human remains. Kaden Zubler's identification was confirmed through dental records. He was reported missing in May of 2025.

At this time, foul play is not suspected but police continue to investigate.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771980386112.png" alt="Kaden Zubler" />
                        <figcaption>Kaden Zubler</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the body found December 30 is that of 25-year-old&nbsp;Kaden Zubler, according to Topeka Police.</p><p>Just after 5:30p.m. December 30, police responded to a report of a deceased individual in the area of NE U.S. 24 Highway and NE Calhoun Bluff Road, according to a media release. Upon arrival, officers discovered human remains. Kaden Zubler's identification was confirmed through dental records. He was reported missing in May of 2025.</p><p>At this time, foul play is not suspected but police continue to investigate.</p>

Police confirm body was Kansas man missing since May

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of fire in an apartment building in Topeka.

Just before 4p.m. Monday, crews responded to an apartment building fire at 400 SW WesternAvenue in Topeka, according to a media release.

&nbsp;Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy black smoke coming from the first floor of a two-story apartment building. All residents had self-evacuated prior to firefighters arriving on scene.

Fire crews conducted a systematic search of the structure and safely retrieved one dog, which was returned safely to its owner.

Firefighters located the origin of the fire on the first floor and initiated an interior fire attack. Crews extinguished the fire, which had extended into the ceiling space between the first and second floors.

Smoke detectors were found in the structure. There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771981110641.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of fire in an apartment building in Topeka.</p><p>Just before 4p.m. Monday, crews responded to an apartment building fire at 400 SW WesternAvenue in Topeka, according to a media release.</p><p>&nbsp;Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy black smoke coming from the first floor of a two-story apartment building. All residents had self-evacuated prior to firefighters arriving on scene.</p><p>Fire crews conducted a systematic search of the structure and safely retrieved one dog, which was returned safely to its owner.</p><p>Firefighters located the origin of the fire on the first floor and initiated an interior fire attack. Crews extinguished the fire, which had extended into the ceiling space between the first and second floors.</p><p>Smoke detectors were found in the structure. There were no injuries reported.</p>

Dog rescued after Kansas apartment fire

CHEROKEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8p.m. Tuesday in Cherokee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Ford Fusion driven by Braxon M.&nbsp;Gough, 19, Joplin, Missouri, was westbound on SE 110th Street three miles north of Galena.&nbsp;The car crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a tree.

Gough was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics. The KHP did not have seat belt usage details due to the fire.

<p>CHEROKEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8p.m. Tuesday in Cherokee County.</p><p>The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Ford Fusion driven by Braxon M.&nbsp;Gough, 19, Joplin, Missouri, was westbound on SE 110th Street three miles north of Galena.&nbsp;The car crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a tree.</p><p>Gough was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics. The KHP did not have seat belt usage details due to the fire.</p>

KHP: Teen driver dies after car crash into tree and fire

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a home invasion burglary and have made an arrest.

Just after 1a.m. February 20, sheriff's deputies responded to a reported assault and robbery at a residence in the 2600 block of NE Calhoun Bluff Road in rural Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Chrisstian.

Initial investigation indicates that the suspect, Mason P. Schnegelsiepen, 35, of Topeka, allegedly forced entry into the 69-year-old victim’s residence. 

Schnegelsiepen is accused of battering the victim into unconsciousness, stealing cash, and fleeing the scene. 

The victim sustained significant facial trauma and was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The suspect was gone prior to the deputies’ arrival.

Deputies tracked Schnegelsiepen to a residence in the 2900 block of SW Lane Street. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Shawnee County Law Enforcement Center for further questioning. Schnegelsiepen was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges: of Aggravated Battery. He is no longer in custody.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771933838874.png" alt="Schnegelsiepen photo Shawnee Co." />
                        <figcaption>Schnegelsiepen photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a home invasion burglary and have made an arrest.</p><p>Just after 1a.m. February 20, sheriff's deputies responded to a reported assault and robbery at a residence in the 2600 block of NE Calhoun Bluff Road in rural Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Chrisstian.</p><p>Initial investigation indicates that the suspect, Mason P. Schnegelsiepen, 35, of Topeka, allegedly forced entry into the 69-year-old victim’s residence. </p><p>Schnegelsiepen is accused of battering the victim into unconsciousness, stealing cash, and fleeing the scene. </p><p>The victim sustained significant facial trauma and was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The suspect was gone prior to the deputies’ arrival.</p><p>Deputies tracked Schnegelsiepen to a residence in the 2900 block of SW Lane Street. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Shawnee County Law Enforcement Center for further questioning. Schnegelsiepen was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges: of Aggravated Battery. He is no longer in custody.</p>

Sheriff: Kan. man hospitalized after home invasion burglary

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah judge on Tuesday declined to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-hearing-187d3d4f1b2166232f9d2362001074d5">disqualify the local county attorney’s office</a>&nbsp;from prosecuting the accused shooter in Charlie Kirk's killing after the defense argued there was a conflict of interest because a prosecutor's daughter was present when Kirk was shot.

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, 22, who is charged with aggravated murder in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">Sept. 10 shooting</a>&nbsp;of the conservative activist on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-valley-university-police-charlie-kirk-d7d464c949ec9d4abad0eb3910d6a96b">Utah Valley University</a>&nbsp;campus in Orem. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.

Robinson’s attorneys urged the judge to remove the Utah County Attorney’s Office because they allowed a deputy county attorney to work on the case despite knowing that his adult daughter was in the audience when Kirk was shot.

The defense also argued in court documents that prosecutors were quick to announce their intent to seek the death penalty, which they said was evidence of “strong emotional reactions” that merited disqualifying the entire team.

State District Judge Tony Graf ruled Tuesday that there is “not a significant risk” that Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander's loyalty to his daughter will affect his work or interfere with Robinson's rights.

“Prosecutors need not be immune to the emotional response of others to prosecute a case,” Graf said.

An estimated 3,000 people were at the outdoor rally to hear Kirk when he was struck while taking questions. A co-founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-turning-point-trump-cf2a68e4303c5628299ffe383d09c1e9">helped mobilize young people</a>&nbsp;to vote for President Donald Trump.

Grunander’s daughter, whose identity has not been disclosed to news media covering the case, testified in court that she did not record video of the shooting or the aftermath. She was looking at the crowd and did not learn until after she ran to safety that it was Kirk who had been shot, she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-biased-jurors-robinson-video-40d48c3427590c45c8b5e67517a117ef">told the court</a>&nbsp;earlier this month.

Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray testified this month that he thought about seeking the death penalty before an arrest had been made in the case, and his colleague’s daughter in no way influenced the decision.

Graf found that the daughter's presence did not factor into Gray's decision.

Messages seeking comment were left Tuesday for attorneys with the defense and prosecution.

The director of a state council that trains prosecutors said Graf’s ruling was appropriate given the circumstances.

“Chad Grunander’s daughter is not going to be a witness. She didn’t actually see Mr. Kirk killed. She was facing away,” Utah Prosecution Council Director Robert Church said.

The judge has been weighing other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-biased-jurors-robinson-video-40d48c3427590c45c8b5e67517a117ef">issues of fairness</a>&nbsp;for Robinson, should he go to trial.

Full video recordings of Kirk’s shooting have not been shown in court after defense attorneys objected out of concern that the footage would undermine Robinson’s right to a fair trial.

Defense attorneys also seek to keep TV cameras and photographers out of the courtroom, arguing that “highly biased” news outlets risk tainting the case. Prosecutors, attorneys for news organizations and Kirk’s widow have urged Graf to keep the proceedings open.

The defense request to exclude cameras was classified by the court as private and has not been released.

On Monday, Graf granted a request from a coalition of news organizations including The Associated Press to allow attorneys for the media to view defense requests to classify documents in the case. Graf said without access to those motions, media attorneys could not meaningfully argue against closing parts of the case from public view.

Associated Press writers Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colorado; and Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765490146270.jpeg" alt="File photo Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, Pool)" />
                        <figcaption>File photo Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, Pool)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah judge on Tuesday declined to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-hearing-187d3d4f1b2166232f9d2362001074d5">disqualify the local county attorney’s office</a>&nbsp;from prosecuting the accused shooter in Charlie Kirk's killing after the defense argued there was a conflict of interest because a prosecutor's daughter was present when Kirk was shot.</p><p>Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, 22, who is charged with aggravated murder in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">Sept. 10 shooting</a>&nbsp;of the conservative activist on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-valley-university-police-charlie-kirk-d7d464c949ec9d4abad0eb3910d6a96b">Utah Valley University</a>&nbsp;campus in Orem. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.</p><p>Robinson’s attorneys urged the judge to remove the Utah County Attorney’s Office because they allowed a deputy county attorney to work on the case despite knowing that his adult daughter was in the audience when Kirk was shot.</p><p>The defense also argued in court documents that prosecutors were quick to announce their intent to seek the death penalty, which they said was evidence of “strong emotional reactions” that merited disqualifying the entire team.</p><p>State District Judge Tony Graf ruled Tuesday that there is “not a significant risk” that Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander's loyalty to his daughter will affect his work or interfere with Robinson's rights.</p><p>“Prosecutors need not be immune to the emotional response of others to prosecute a case,” Graf said.</p><p>An estimated 3,000 people were at the outdoor rally to hear Kirk when he was struck while taking questions. A co-founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-turning-point-trump-cf2a68e4303c5628299ffe383d09c1e9">helped mobilize young people</a>&nbsp;to vote for President Donald Trump.</p><p>Grunander’s daughter, whose identity has not been disclosed to news media covering the case, testified in court that she did not record video of the shooting or the aftermath. She was looking at the crowd and did not learn until after she ran to safety that it was Kirk who had been shot, she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-biased-jurors-robinson-video-40d48c3427590c45c8b5e67517a117ef">told the court</a>&nbsp;earlier this month.</p><p>Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray testified this month that he thought about seeking the death penalty before an arrest had been made in the case, and his colleague’s daughter in no way influenced the decision.</p><p>Graf found that the daughter's presence did not factor into Gray's decision.</p><p>Messages seeking comment were left Tuesday for attorneys with the defense and prosecution.</p><p>The director of a state council that trains prosecutors said Graf’s ruling was appropriate given the circumstances.</p><p>“Chad Grunander’s daughter is not going to be a witness. She didn’t actually see Mr. Kirk killed. She was facing away,” Utah Prosecution Council Director Robert Church said.</p><p>The judge has been weighing other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-biased-jurors-robinson-video-40d48c3427590c45c8b5e67517a117ef">issues of fairness</a>&nbsp;for Robinson, should he go to trial.</p><p>Full video recordings of Kirk’s shooting have not been shown in court after defense attorneys objected out of concern that the footage would undermine Robinson’s right to a fair trial.</p><p>Defense attorneys also seek to keep TV cameras and photographers out of the courtroom, arguing that “highly biased” news outlets risk tainting the case. Prosecutors, attorneys for news organizations and Kirk’s widow have urged Graf to keep the proceedings open.</p><p>The defense request to exclude cameras was classified by the court as private and has not been released.</p><p>On Monday, Graf granted a request from a coalition of news organizations including The Associated Press to allow attorneys for the media to view defense requests to classify documents in the case. Graf said without access to those motions, media attorneys could not meaningfully argue against closing parts of the case from public view.</p><p>___</p><p>Associated Press writers Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colorado; and Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed.</p>

Judge makes significant decision in Charlie Kirk murder case

Kansas Representatives Sharice Davids, Ron Estes and Derek Schmidt voted in favor of the bill. Kansas First District Representative Tracey Mann voted against it, according to the report from the House Clerk.

By JOSH FUNK <br>AP Transportation Writer

The House failed to approve a bill Tuesday that was crafted after last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b">tragic midair collision</a>&nbsp;near Washington, D.C., to require all aircraft flying around busy airports to have key locator systems to prevent such crashes. The collision of an airliner and an Army helicopter killed 67 people in January 2025.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been recommending such Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast systems to be installed since 2008. The bill that already passed the Senate would have required aircraft to be equipped with a system that can receive data about the locations of other aircraft. The complementary ADS-B Out system that broadcasts an aircraft’s location is already required.

The families of the victims who died when an American Airlines jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter strongly supported the measure. But the Airlines for American trade group, the military and the major general aviation groups that represent business jets and small plane owners backed a competing and more comprehensive House bill that was just introduced last week.

Tim Lilley, whose son Sam was the first officer on the airliner, said he’s really disappointed, but he and the other families will continue to press for meaningful reforms and stronger requirements in the House bill. And he hopes that will happen before the next tragedy.

“We’re going to end up back here having the same conversation because of another midair (collision) is what’s going to happen. Hopefully — fingers crossed — that doesn’t,” Lilley said.

Under the special process that was used to fast-track the bill, the ROTOR Act needed to receive more than two-thirds support to pass the House. It received 264 votes, but 133 other representatives voted against it. ROTOR stands for “Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform.”

House Transportation &amp; Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves pledged to continue working with the families and the Senate to address the aviation safety concerns exposed by last year’s collision. He said that the House bill could be marked up in committee as soon as next week. That bill is designed to address&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-army-helicopter-ntsb-cause-c2ebc159a163068b782dd4824097b00b">all 50 of the recommendations the NTSB made</a>, not just the locator technology, but NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy has said the House bill falls short of accomplishing that.

Lilley said the bill Graves helped write needs to be improved.

“They’ve had 18 years to get it right. He’s talking about getting it right and he’s not even close on the collision avoidance piece,” he said.

The cost of the ADS-B In mandate has been a concern. It’s not clear exactly how much it would cost partly because the systems haven’t yet been designed for every aircraft, but Homendy testified in Congress that American Airlines was able to equip more than 300 of its Airbus a321s for $50,000 apiece, and general aviation pilots have the option of using a portable receiver that costs about $400 and works with an iPad.

One of the key researchers who helped develop these locator systems, Fabrice Kunzi, said a plane’s dashboard shouldn’t have to be overhauled to add a new display because the system is designed to give pilots an audible warning about nearby traffic with details of their locations if there is a risk of a collision.

House and Senate bills took a different approach

The key difference between the bills is that the House version would not require both kinds of the proven Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast systems to be installed. Instead, the House bill would require the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate what technology might be best as part of a lengthy rulemaking process before requiring a solution. The House bill also covers many more aspects of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ntsb-dc-plane-crash-midair-collision-helicopter-a08cded88e1d7582fb8d242204d6aeff">the systemic failures</a>&nbsp;the NTSB identified as causing the crash last Jan. 29.

The bipartisan group of Senate leaders behind the ROTOR Act — led by Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Maria Cantwell — had argued their bill would be a good first step before drafting additional legislation.

Cruz pledged to keep working to pass his bill, which earned bipartisan support Tuesday, because it would require all aircraft to play by the same set of rules. “We will succeed, and ROTOR Act will become the law of the land," he said. "The families and the flying public deserve nothing less.”

The main Families of Flight 5342 group had said that while the House bill includes a number of good reforms that should be considered, they can’t support it as written because it doesn’t clearly require ADS-B In equipment. Everyone aboard the helicopter and the American Airlines jet flying from Wichita, Kansas, including the parents of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-figure-skating-naumov-2ec81e1ab8f5a8f73a268e221e6fa2d6">Olympic figure skater Maxim Naumov</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">26 other members of the figure skating community</a>, died when the aircraft collided and plummeted into the icy Potomac River.

Sara Nelson, who is the president of the Association of Flight Attendants, said her union will keep pushing for changes because bill that failed “was the clearest and most direct way to avoid midair collisions.”

Doug Lane said that as he learned more about the crash that killed his wife and young figure-skating son, he couldn’t understand why airplanes aren’t already equipped with this technology.

“It was inconceivable to me that in the age of GPS-enabled smartphones in every pocket that there was no way for pilots flying aircraft with price tags in the tens of millions of dollars to see visually whether other aircraft in the airspace were on a collision course,” Lane said ahead of the vote Tuesday.

Any plane flying around a major airport is already required to have an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-hawk-crash-night-faa-helicopter-286319ac01bee91e4992c95e7946063e">ADS-B Out system</a>&nbsp;that continually broadcasts an aircraft’s location and speed installed. ADS-B In systems that can receive those signals and be used to create a display showing pilots where all air traffic is located around them are not standard on airliners, though many general aviation pilots already use a portable receiver to display that information on an iPad.

The NTSB investigation showed that system would have provided significantly more warning to the pilots involved in the crash and would have allowed them to avoid the collision. A plane equipped with ADS-B In can give the pilot a detailed description of where other aircraft are whereas the current technology can only warn that traffic is in the area.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738703092495.png" alt="FILE The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, working with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USCGMidAtlantic?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USNavy?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Navy</a>&nbsp;Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), as they began wreckage removal operations at the site of the Potomac River Aviation Incident near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Phoso U.S. Army Corps of Engineers" />
                        <figcaption>FILE The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, working with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USCGMidAtlantic?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USNavy?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Navy</a>&nbsp;Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), as they began wreckage removal operations at the site of the Potomac River Aviation Incident near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Phoso U.S. Army Corps of Engineers</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Kansas Representatives Sharice Davids, Ron Estes and Derek Schmidt voted in favor of the bill. Kansas First District Representative Tracey Mann voted against it, according to the report from the House Clerk.</p><p>By JOSH FUNK <br>AP Transportation Writer</p><p>The House failed to approve a bill Tuesday that was crafted after last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b">tragic midair collision</a>&nbsp;near Washington, D.C., to require all aircraft flying around busy airports to have key locator systems to prevent such crashes. The collision of an airliner and an Army helicopter killed 67 people in January 2025.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">U.S. House defeats ROTOR Act, aviation safety legislation introduced in response to last year’s midair collision near DCA airport, requiring all commercial and military aircraft to use certain tracking technology to avoid collisions. The vote, needing two-thirds of those voting… <a href="https://t.co/AkVH9VDHKx">pic.twitter.com/AkVH9VDHKx</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2026400796225466581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The National Transportation Safety Board has been recommending such Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast systems to be installed since 2008. The bill that already passed the Senate would have required aircraft to be equipped with a system that can receive data about the locations of other aircraft. The complementary ADS-B Out system that broadcasts an aircraft’s location is already required.</p><p>The families of the victims who died when an American Airlines jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter strongly supported the measure. But the Airlines for American trade group, the military and the major general aviation groups that represent business jets and small plane owners backed a competing and more comprehensive House bill that was just introduced last week.</p><p>Tim Lilley, whose son Sam was the first officer on the airliner, said he’s really disappointed, but he and the other families will continue to press for meaningful reforms and stronger requirements in the House bill. And he hopes that will happen before the next tragedy.</p><p>“We’re going to end up back here having the same conversation because of another midair (collision) is what’s going to happen. Hopefully — fingers crossed — that doesn’t,” Lilley said.</p><p>Under the special process that was used to fast-track the bill, the ROTOR Act needed to receive more than two-thirds support to pass the House. It received 264 votes, but 133 other representatives voted against it. ROTOR stands for “Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform.”</p><p>House Transportation &amp; Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves pledged to continue working with the families and the Senate to address the aviation safety concerns exposed by last year’s collision. He said that the House bill could be marked up in committee as soon as next week. That bill is designed to address&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-army-helicopter-ntsb-cause-c2ebc159a163068b782dd4824097b00b">all 50 of the recommendations the NTSB made</a>, not just the locator technology, but NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy has said the House bill falls short of accomplishing that.</p><p>Lilley said the bill Graves helped write needs to be improved.</p><p>“They’ve had 18 years to get it right. He’s talking about getting it right and he’s not even close on the collision avoidance piece,” he said.</p><p>The cost of the ADS-B In mandate has been a concern. It’s not clear exactly how much it would cost partly because the systems haven’t yet been designed for every aircraft, but Homendy testified in Congress that American Airlines was able to equip more than 300 of its Airbus a321s for $50,000 apiece, and general aviation pilots have the option of using a portable receiver that costs about $400 and works with an iPad.</p><p>One of the key researchers who helped develop these locator systems, Fabrice Kunzi, said a plane’s dashboard shouldn’t have to be overhauled to add a new display because the system is designed to give pilots an audible warning about nearby traffic with details of their locations if there is a risk of a collision.</p><h2>House and Senate bills took a different approach</h2><p>The key difference between the bills is that the House version would not require both kinds of the proven Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast systems to be installed. Instead, the House bill would require the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate what technology might be best as part of a lengthy rulemaking process before requiring a solution. The House bill also covers many more aspects of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ntsb-dc-plane-crash-midair-collision-helicopter-a08cded88e1d7582fb8d242204d6aeff">the systemic failures</a>&nbsp;the NTSB identified as causing the crash last Jan. 29.</p><p>The bipartisan group of Senate leaders behind the ROTOR Act — led by Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Maria Cantwell — had argued their bill would be a good first step before drafting additional legislation.</p><p>Cruz pledged to keep working to pass his bill, which earned bipartisan support Tuesday, because it would require all aircraft to play by the same set of rules. “We will succeed, and ROTOR Act will become the law of the land," he said. "The families and the flying public deserve nothing less.”</p><p>The main Families of Flight 5342 group had said that while the House bill includes a number of good reforms that should be considered, they can’t support it as written because it doesn’t clearly require ADS-B In equipment. Everyone aboard the helicopter and the American Airlines jet flying from Wichita, Kansas, including the parents of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-figure-skating-naumov-2ec81e1ab8f5a8f73a268e221e6fa2d6">Olympic figure skater Maxim Naumov</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">26 other members of the figure skating community</a>, died when the aircraft collided and plummeted into the icy Potomac River.</p><p>Sara Nelson, who is the president of the Association of Flight Attendants, said her union will keep pushing for changes because bill that failed “was the clearest and most direct way to avoid midair collisions.”</p><p>Doug Lane said that as he learned more about the crash that killed his wife and young figure-skating son, he couldn’t understand why airplanes aren’t already equipped with this technology.</p><p>“It was inconceivable to me that in the age of GPS-enabled smartphones in every pocket that there was no way for pilots flying aircraft with price tags in the tens of millions of dollars to see visually whether other aircraft in the airspace were on a collision course,” Lane said ahead of the vote Tuesday.</p><h2>Improving the collision warning system</h2><p>Any plane flying around a major airport is already required to have an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-hawk-crash-night-faa-helicopter-286319ac01bee91e4992c95e7946063e">ADS-B Out system</a>&nbsp;that continually broadcasts an aircraft’s location and speed installed. ADS-B In systems that can receive those signals and be used to create a display showing pilots where all air traffic is located around them are not standard on airliners, though many general aviation pilots already use a portable receiver to display that information on an iPad.</p><p>The NTSB investigation showed that system would have provided significantly more warning to the pilots involved in the crash and would have allowed them to avoid the collision. A plane equipped with ADS-B In can give the pilot a detailed description of where other aircraft are whereas the current technology can only warn that traffic is in the area.</p>

1 Kan. lawmaker voted against bill supported by families of fatal flight

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. hockey team members met President Trump in the Oval Office Tuesday afternoon.

“I recognize every one of you. I know every one of you,” Trump said as the players entered. “Big guys,” he observed.

Trump stood by his desk and shook hands with the players as each one approached. They wore dark long-sleeved tops with “USA,” the American flag and the Olympic rings on the front and light colored pants.

Their gold medals hung around their necks.

The teammates posed for a photograph on the South Lawn and also took in the collection of presidential portraits Trump installed along a walkway between the White House residence and the West Wing.

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. hockey team members met President Trump in the Oval Office Tuesday afternoon.</p><p>“I recognize every one of you. I know every one of you,” Trump said as the players entered. “Big guys,” he observed.</p><p>Trump stood by his desk and shook hands with the players as each one approached. They wore dark long-sleeved tops with “USA,” the American flag and the Olympic rings on the front and light colored pants.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Matthew Tkachuk has <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> put on his gold medal! <br><br>“I’m not giving it back” 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/QAR03fOzoe">pic.twitter.com/QAR03fOzoe</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/2026413306160844935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Their gold medals hung around their necks.</p><p>The teammates posed for a photograph on the South Lawn and also took in the collection of presidential portraits Trump installed along a walkway between the White House residence and the West Wing.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥 President Trump catered McDONALD’s for Team USA at the White House today, bringing in STACKS of double cheeseburgers 🤣<br><br>All while patriotic songs BLASTED in the background<br><br>There’ll NEVER be another President like Trump 😂 <a href="https://t.co/p2FQqazKqY">pic.twitter.com/p2FQqazKqY</a></p>&mdash; Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) <a href="https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2026541691671310449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Team USA in the Oval Office! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Nq3OURxK5k">pic.twitter.com/Nq3OURxK5k</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/2026400446626005133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The USA Men’s Hockey Team tours the White House colonnade as Free Bird plays 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/tJxwh9sI2s">pic.twitter.com/tJxwh9sI2s</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/2026381439898415506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Team USA arrives at the White House!!! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Iv6XS5q6In">pic.twitter.com/Iv6XS5q6In</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/2026376820166205601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

US hockey team members meet President in the Oval Office

Salina voters were required to turn in their ballots by noon Tuesday in the special election to decide if the City of Salina should repeal its 22-year-old ordinance banning pit bulls.

&nbsp;The unofficial vote total for keeping the Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) pitbull ban&nbsp;5,329&nbsp;and for repealing the ban 4,123, according to the Saline County Election office.&nbsp; The ban will stay in place.

The provisional ballots will be counted on&nbsp;Monday, March 2 at 9:00 am&nbsp;and&nbsp;there are about 270.&nbsp;

Part of the provisional ballots include voters who may have forgotten to sign the ballot. Saline County Clerk, Jamie Doss stated she encourages those who are apart of that to come to the Saline County Election office (300 W. Ash) before March 2nd.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770219299088.png" alt="Image Pixaby" />
                        <figcaption>Image Pixaby</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Salina voters were required to turn in their ballots by noon Tuesday in the special election to decide if the City of Salina should repeal its 22-year-old ordinance banning pit bulls.</p><p>&nbsp;The unofficial vote total for keeping the Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) pitbull ban&nbsp;5,329&nbsp;and for repealing the ban 4,123, according to the Saline County Election office.&nbsp; The ban will stay in place.</p><p>The provisional ballots will be counted on&nbsp;Monday, March 2 at 9:00 am&nbsp;and&nbsp;there are about 270.&nbsp;</p><p>Part of the provisional ballots include voters who may have forgotten to sign the ballot. Saline County Clerk, Jamie Doss stated she encourages those who are apart of that to come to the Saline County Election office (300 W. Ash) before March 2nd.</p>

Results: Special election in Salina to repeal ban on pit bulls

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/will-weissert">WILL WEISSERT</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — They typically start the day as low-profile&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-promises-patel-kennedy-bessent-rollins-b86a6dd08ab08f4b54e1a4d18fce11be">Cabinet secretaries</a>. They end it that way, too, God willing.

But when the rest of the government is gathered together for a big event, like President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-state-union-speech-economy-midterms-affordability-d31fc47a200d159a2d24833bd378ec56">State of the Union address</a>&nbsp;Tuesday night, a designated survivor is kept away to ensure someone in the line of leadership succession stays alive.

Picking a fail-safe in case of a cataclysmic event that wipes out everyone else dates back to the Cold War. It’s been dramatized in novels and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8696f0dd99ec4e008e75a26ffc1d8b9b">an ABC series starring Kiefer Sutherland</a>&nbsp;that aired from 2016 to 2019. When Trump addressed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-congress-immigration-tariffs-guests-93f6107ede260854f90c65c4bde60de8">a joint session of Congress</a>&nbsp;last March, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins was chosen as the designated survivor.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">The president’s</a>&nbsp;pick to sit out this time hasn’t yet been announced.

Taking on the role of designated survivor brings extra adrenaline jolts and humbling thoughts about being unwittingly catapulted into the presidency and unthinkable tragedy — though the minute-to-minute details usually don’t feature the high drama of fictional portrayals, those who have done it say.

“It focuses your mind. It also enhances your prayer that it doesn’t happen to you,” James Nicholson, who was President George W. Bush’s veterans affairs secretary and designated survivor during the 2006 State of the Union, said of possibly becoming president after a cataclysmic event.

Historian and journalist Garrett M. Graff said the concept of a designated survivor has long captivated people because it combines the public’s inherent fascination with danger and the romance of an “everyman” being thrust into the presidency.

“The idea of, you’re just a random Cabinet official, and then something terrible happens and, all of a sudden, you’re president of the United States,” said Graff, author of “Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government’s Secret Plan to Save Itself — While the Rest of Us Die.”

Until the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, designated survivors had more control over where they went outside Washington. President Bill Clinton’s energy secretary, the late Bill Richardson, was picked in 2000 and simply moved up a planned weekend trip to Oxford, Maryland, a waterfront town about 80 miles (130 kilometers) away, so he’d be there during the State of the Union.

When Dan Glickman, Clinton’s agriculture secretary, was tapped during the 1997 State of the Union, his hometown of Wichita, Kansas, was too far away, so he chose New York, where his daughter lived.

“I thought it was kind of exciting. But I wasn’t hyped up from a dangerous perspective,” Glickman said. “I don’t even think anybody told me to be careful.”

Alberto Gonzales, Bush’s attorney general, was the designated survivor during the 2007 State of the Union. He said White House chief of staff Josh Bolten called a few days before and offered a couple of options for where he could hunker down.

Gonzales chose to be in flight, and he arrived at what was then called Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to find “members of every major department and agency” there to ride with him. They carried thick binders stuffed with memos and protocol instructions, just in case.

He recalled a series of briefings that may have stretched right into Bush’s speech, which he watched from the air.

“It was during that time that it sort of suddenly hit me, if something happened in the Capitol and everyone’s killed, that I’d be president,” Gonzales said. “It’s sort of sobering. And you wonder, ‘Would I be up to governing a wounded nation?’”

In “Raven Rock,” Graff details how the designated survivor idea was formalized by the Carter and Reagan administrations amid fears that Soviet subs just off the Atlantic coast could fire nuclear missiles and wipe out Washington with barely 10 minutes’ warning.

Beginning in April 1980, the White House Military Office tasked the Federal Emergency Management Agency with ensuring succession. An aide was directed to recommend to the president who should skip events when all possible successors were together outside the White House.

Officials still prepare for a massive attack or disaster. The military helicopter that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-cebb142d24859ba0c4e0e4fd6c33773f">collided with a regional jet</a>&nbsp;outside Reagan National Airport in January 2025 was on a continuity of government mission — training to keep the federal government functioning in case of catastrophe.

The first time that a Cabinet member being kept away from a presidential speech to Congress was publicly divulged was President Ronald Reagan’s Education Secretary Terrel Bell in 1981. But Bell wasn’t identified until afterward. Today, TV images from the House chamber allow political junkies to spot the missing Cabinet member within minutes.

‘If this awful thing happened, you’d be well fed’

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733831790352.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and Doug &nbsp;Collins during a meeting in January 2024. Collins the VA Secretary was chosen as designated survivor during President Trump's address to Congress last year. - courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and Doug &nbsp;Collins during a meeting in January 2024. Collins the VA Secretary was chosen as designated survivor during President Trump's address to Congress last year. - courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/will-weissert">WILL WEISSERT</a></p><p>WASHINGTON (AP) — They typically start the day as low-profile&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-promises-patel-kennedy-bessent-rollins-b86a6dd08ab08f4b54e1a4d18fce11be">Cabinet secretaries</a>. They end it that way, too, God willing.</p><p>But when the rest of the government is gathered together for a big event, like President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-state-union-speech-economy-midterms-affordability-d31fc47a200d159a2d24833bd378ec56">State of the Union address</a>&nbsp;Tuesday night, a designated survivor is kept away to ensure someone in the line of leadership succession stays alive.</p><p>Picking a fail-safe in case of a cataclysmic event that wipes out everyone else dates back to the Cold War. It’s been dramatized in novels and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8696f0dd99ec4e008e75a26ffc1d8b9b">an ABC series starring Kiefer Sutherland</a>&nbsp;that aired from 2016 to 2019. When Trump addressed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-congress-immigration-tariffs-guests-93f6107ede260854f90c65c4bde60de8">a joint session of Congress</a>&nbsp;last March, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins was chosen as the designated survivor.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">The president’s</a>&nbsp;pick to sit out this time hasn’t yet been announced.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623095759554.jpeg" alt="Former Kansas Congressman Dan Glickman who served as Agriculture Secretary under President Bill Clinton- Photo courtesy Aspen Institute" />
                        <figcaption>Former Kansas Congressman Dan Glickman who served as Agriculture Secretary under President Bill Clinton- Photo courtesy Aspen Institute</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Taking on the role of designated survivor brings extra adrenaline jolts and humbling thoughts about being unwittingly catapulted into the presidency and unthinkable tragedy — though the minute-to-minute details usually don’t feature the high drama of fictional portrayals, those who have done it say.</p><p>“It focuses your mind. It also enhances your prayer that it doesn’t happen to you,” James Nicholson, who was President George W. Bush’s veterans affairs secretary and designated survivor during the 2006 State of the Union, said of possibly becoming president after a cataclysmic event.</p><h2>‘Sort of sobering’</h2><p>Historian and journalist Garrett M. Graff said the concept of a designated survivor has long captivated people because it combines the public’s inherent fascination with danger and the romance of an “everyman” being thrust into the presidency.</p><p>“The idea of, you’re just a random Cabinet official, and then something terrible happens and, all of a sudden, you’re president of the United States,” said Graff, author of “Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government’s Secret Plan to Save Itself — While the Rest of Us Die.”</p><p>Until the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, designated survivors had more control over where they went outside Washington. President Bill Clinton’s energy secretary, the late Bill Richardson, was picked in 2000 and simply moved up a planned weekend trip to Oxford, Maryland, a waterfront town about 80 miles (130 kilometers) away, so he’d be there during the State of the Union.</p><p>When Dan Glickman, Clinton’s agriculture secretary, was tapped during the 1997 State of the Union, his hometown of Wichita, Kansas, was too far away, so he chose New York, where his daughter lived.</p><p>“I thought it was kind of exciting. But I wasn’t hyped up from a dangerous perspective,” Glickman said. “I don’t even think anybody told me to be careful.”</p><p>Alberto Gonzales, Bush’s attorney general, was the designated survivor during the 2007 State of the Union. He said White House chief of staff Josh Bolten called a few days before and offered a couple of options for where he could hunker down.</p><p>Gonzales chose to be in flight, and he arrived at what was then called Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to find “members of every major department and agency” there to ride with him. They carried thick binders stuffed with memos and protocol instructions, just in case.</p><p>He recalled a series of briefings that may have stretched right into Bush’s speech, which he watched from the air.</p><p>“It was during that time that it sort of suddenly hit me, if something happened in the Capitol and everyone’s killed, that I’d be president,” Gonzales said. “It’s sort of sobering. And you wonder, ‘Would I be up to governing a wounded nation?’”</p><h2>The concept dates back decades</h2><p>In “Raven Rock,” Graff details how the designated survivor idea was formalized by the Carter and Reagan administrations amid fears that Soviet subs just off the Atlantic coast could fire nuclear missiles and wipe out Washington with barely 10 minutes’ warning.</p><p>Beginning in April 1980, the White House Military Office tasked the Federal Emergency Management Agency with ensuring succession. An aide was directed to recommend to the president who should skip events when all possible successors were together outside the White House.</p><p>Officials still prepare for a massive attack or disaster. The military helicopter that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-cebb142d24859ba0c4e0e4fd6c33773f">collided with a regional jet</a>&nbsp;outside Reagan National Airport in January 2025 was on a continuity of government mission — training to keep the federal government functioning in case of catastrophe.</p><p>The first time that a Cabinet member being kept away from a presidential speech to Congress was publicly divulged was President Ronald Reagan’s Education Secretary Terrel Bell in 1981. But Bell wasn’t identified until afterward. Today, TV images from the House chamber allow political junkies to spot the missing Cabinet member within minutes.</p><h2>‘If this awful thing happened, you’d be well fed’</h2><p>Nicholson said Bush’s chief of staff Andy Card had asked him a few weeks before the State of the Union to be the designated survivor. He was a natural fit given that his agency played an important role in continuity of government exercises due to its numerous hospitals and clinics nationwide.</p><p>Nicholson flew by helicopter to a destination only divulged once he was in the air and later sat in a command center, where he underwent briefings before watching Bush’s speech.</p><p>He was served a “wonderful” dinner, prepared on-site by personnel from the White House mess, though he said he couldn’t recall if it was T-bone steak or prime rib or something similar. “It made you think that, at least if this awful thing happened, you’d be well fed,” he said.</p><p>“The enormity of that job. You think about, remote as it is, this is something you might have to do,” Nicholson said of becoming president. Nicholson’s wife was attending the State of the Union, meaning that if something happened, she could be among the victims, which only added to the pressure.</p><p>When it was over, Nicholson wasn’t asked to fill in future designated survivors like Gonzales on what to expect.</p><p>“We don’t have a club,” he laughed. “We should.”</p><p>Glickman recalls boarding an Air Force G-3 from Andrews along with Secret Service agents, a military official and a series of advisers not on his usual staff. A three-car motorcade later carried him from LaGuardia Airport to his daughter’s apartment near Union Square.</p><p>She wanted to invite others to watch the speech with them, but Glickman nixed that. “This was not a party,” he said.</p><p>It wasn’t all serious, though. Glickman said he was told he didn’t need to dress up, so he didn’t wear a suit. Instructions not to study up spared him from reading briefing books or memorizing security protocols.</p><p>After the speech, the Secret Service asked if Glickman wanted a ride to the airport. He declined, saying he planned to have dinner with his daughter. It was sleeting when the motorcade left without him, making taxis scarce — and the sudden return to real life especially abrupt.</p><p>“I was the most powerful man on the face of the earth, theoretically,” Glickman remembered joking at the time. “And then I can’t even get a cab.”</p>