RILEY OUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.

A 34-year-old woman, a 56-year-old woman, a 24-year-old man and a 60-year-old man are listed as victims in connection with an incident on Tuesday in the 100 Block of Griffith Driver in Manhattan.

Just before 11a.m. Tuesday, police arrested 33-year-old&nbsp;Austin Cody Edge of Junction City, on requested charges that include two counts of violating a protection order, two counts of stalking, and one count each for criminal trespass, interference with a law enforcement officer, assault of a law enforcement officer and attempted battery of a law enforcement officer.

Edge was issued no bond and remains confined in the Riley County Jail at the time of this report.

Anyone with information about a crime can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753303997634.jpeg" alt="Edge from an earlier arrest in Geary County" />
 <figcaption>Edge from an earlier arrest in Geary County</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY OUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.A 34-year-old woman, a 56-year-old woman, a 24-year-old man and a 60-year-old man are listed as victims in connection with an incident on Tuesday in the 100 Block of Griffith Driver in Manhattan.Just before 11a.m. Tuesday, police arrested 33-year-old&nbsp;Austin Cody Edge of Junction City, on requested charges that include two counts of violating a protection order, two counts of stalking, and one count each for criminal trespass, interference with a law enforcement officer, assault of a law enforcement officer and attempted battery of a law enforcement officer.Edge was issued no bond and remains confined in the Riley County Jail at the time of this report.Anyone with information about a crime can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Junction City man jailed for alleged stalking, assault of police officer

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man arrested by police after a standoff in Hutchinson for killing a man in Wichita was to return to court Wednesday.

Andrew Presley, 31, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing in the courtroom of Judge Christopher Magana. The hearing was postponed early Wednesday, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.&nbsp; The preliminary hearing for Presley in January was also rescheduled.

He was charged with second degree murder in the death of 32-year-old Kelly Black. He is also charged with criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.&nbsp;

On July 15, police in Hutchinson arrested Presley after a brief standoff, according to a media release from the Wichita Police Department.

Just before 6p.m. July 13, police&nbsp;responded to a shooting in the 7000 block of E. Lincoln in Wichita.. First responders found&nbsp; Black lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced dead.

Presley remains jailed on bond totaling over&nbsp;$1,000,000.00, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752662206536.png" alt="Presley photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Presley photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man arrested by police after a standoff in Hutchinson for killing a man in Wichita was to return to court Wednesday.Andrew Presley, 31, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing in the courtroom of Judge Christopher Magana. The hearing was postponed early Wednesday, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.&nbsp; The preliminary hearing for Presley in January was also rescheduled.He was charged with second degree murder in the death of 32-year-old Kelly Black. He is also charged with criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.&nbsp;On July 15, police in Hutchinson arrested Presley after a brief standoff, according to a media release from the Wichita Police Department.Just before 6p.m. July 13, police&nbsp;responded to a shooting in the 7000 block of E. Lincoln in Wichita.. First responders found&nbsp; Black lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced dead.Presley remains jailed on bond totaling over&nbsp;$1,000,000.00, according to online jail records.

Hearing postponed for Kan. murder suspect arrested after standoff

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities on Tuesday released&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-us-wrongful-detention-taliban-9dbca837b09f51f06aeb776bb24d1982">American academic Dennis Coyle</a>&nbsp;after holding him for over a year, with the Foreign Ministry saying the release came on the occasion of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/islam-eid-al-fitr-celebration-ramadan-ce78168c35b35af56ef5ee1ff8b3fef1">Eid al-Fitr</a>, the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

(click below to watch Coyle greeted by family)

A statement from the ministry said the academic researcher had been released in Kabul, the country’s capital, following an appeal from his family and after Afghanistan’s Supreme Court “considered his previous imprisonment sufficient.”

Coyle was detained in January 2025. Afghan authorities accused him of violating laws, but never specified which ones.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the release.

“President (Donald) Trump is committed to ending unjust detentions overseas – Dennis joins over 100 Americans who have been freed in the past 15 months under his second term in office,” Rubio said in a statement. “While this is a positive step by the Taliban, more work needs to be done,” he added.

Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-state-department-hostages-un-13ca1e3fb7b54a6c3fa912ae0a6084bb">designation of Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;as a sponsor of wrongful detention, accusing it of engaging in “hostage diplomacy.” Afghanistan joined Iran as countries singled out by the United States for detaining Americans in hopes of extracting policy concessions.

Afghanistan rejected U.S. allegations that it detains foreigners to obtain leverage over other countries, saying Afghan authorities arrest people for violating laws not to make a deal.

The State Department said earlier this month that the Taliban was believed to hold at least four U.S. nationals, including Coyle and Mahmood Habibi, an Afghan American businessman who worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company.

The FBI and Habibi’s family have said they believe he was taken by Taliban forces in 2022, but Afghan authorities have denied holding him.

Habibi’s brother, Ahmad Habibi, welcomed Coyle’s release but said in a statement that “we hope that our family will soon have the same feeling of relief, when Mahmood is returned home to us.”

Rubio also mentioned another American, Paul Overby, who is listed on the FBI’s missing persons website as having disappeared in eastern Afghanistan’s Khost province in mid-2014 while conducting research for a book he was writing.

“We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans,” Rubio said. “The Taliban must end their practice of hostage diplomacy.”

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said his country “has not arrested citizens of any country to achieve political goals,” according to a statement released by the ministry. Coyle, he said, had been released “after going through the judicial process as a result of violating the laws.”

Both Rubio and Muttaqi thanked the United Arab Emirates for helping mediate the release, and mentioned Qatar had also played a role. The foreign ministry said Muttaqi had met in Kabul with former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad ahead of the release.

Afghanistan released Coyle “based on humanitarian sympathy and goodwill, and believes that such steps can further strengthen the atmosphere of trust between countries,” the Foreign Ministry said in its statement, adding that Kabul “also expresses the hope that both countries will find solutions to the remaining problems through understanding and constructive dialogue in the future.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taliban-takeover-afghanistan-what-to-know-1a74c9cd866866f196c478aba21b60b6">Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021</a>&nbsp;in the wake of the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops, nearly 20 years after they were ousted from power in a U.S.-led invasion following the 9/11 attacks in the United States.

Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece and Tucker from Washington DC

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774443867974.png" alt="Image from CSPAN video" />
 <figcaption>Image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
 </figure>KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities on Tuesday released&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-us-wrongful-detention-taliban-9dbca837b09f51f06aeb776bb24d1982">American academic Dennis Coyle</a>&nbsp;after holding him for over a year, with the Foreign Ministry saying the release came on the occasion of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/islam-eid-al-fitr-celebration-ramadan-ce78168c35b35af56ef5ee1ff8b3fef1">Eid al-Fitr</a>, the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.(click below to watch Coyle greeted by family)<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">American national Dennis Coyle returns -- held since January 2025 by Afghanistan Taliban government <a href="https://t.co/hdSJZjhUc6">pic.twitter.com/hdSJZjhUc6</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/2036787276710092890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A statement from the ministry said the academic researcher had been released in Kabul, the country’s capital, following an appeal from his family and after Afghanistan’s Supreme Court “considered his previous imprisonment sufficient.”Coyle was detained in January 2025. Afghan authorities accused him of violating laws, but never specified which ones.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the release.“President (Donald) Trump is committed to ending unjust detentions overseas – Dennis joins over 100 Americans who have been freed in the past 15 months under his second term in office,” Rubio said in a statement. “While this is a positive step by the Taliban, more work needs to be done,” he added.Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-state-department-hostages-un-13ca1e3fb7b54a6c3fa912ae0a6084bb">designation of Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;as a sponsor of wrongful detention, accusing it of engaging in “hostage diplomacy.” Afghanistan joined Iran as countries singled out by the United States for detaining Americans in hopes of extracting policy concessions.Afghanistan rejected U.S. allegations that it detains foreigners to obtain leverage over other countries, saying Afghan authorities arrest people for violating laws not to make a deal.The State Department said earlier this month that the Taliban was believed to hold at least four U.S. nationals, including Coyle and Mahmood Habibi, an Afghan American businessman who worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company.The FBI and Habibi’s family have said they believe he was taken by Taliban forces in 2022, but Afghan authorities have denied holding him.Habibi’s brother, Ahmad Habibi, welcomed Coyle’s release but said in a statement that “we hope that our family will soon have the same feeling of relief, when Mahmood is returned home to us.”Rubio also mentioned another American, Paul Overby, who is listed on the FBI’s missing persons website as having disappeared in eastern Afghanistan’s Khost province in mid-2014 while conducting research for a book he was writing.“We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans,” Rubio said. “The Taliban must end their practice of hostage diplomacy.”Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said his country “has not arrested citizens of any country to achieve political goals,” according to a statement released by the ministry. Coyle, he said, had been released “after going through the judicial process as a result of violating the laws.”Both Rubio and Muttaqi thanked the United Arab Emirates for helping mediate the release, and mentioned Qatar had also played a role. The foreign ministry said Muttaqi had met in Kabul with former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad ahead of the release.Afghanistan released Coyle “based on humanitarian sympathy and goodwill, and believes that such steps can further strengthen the atmosphere of trust between countries,” the Foreign Ministry said in its statement, adding that Kabul “also expresses the hope that both countries will find solutions to the remaining problems through understanding and constructive dialogue in the future.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taliban-takeover-afghanistan-what-to-know-1a74c9cd866866f196c478aba21b60b6">Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021</a>&nbsp;in the wake of the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops, nearly 20 years after they were ousted from power in a U.S.-led invasion following the 9/11 attacks in the United States.___Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece and Tucker from Washington DC

🎥American held more than a year by Taliban in Afghanistan arrives home

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces charges in connection with a homicide that occurred earlier this month.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2832/WilliamsDante---Combined-Warrant-Packet-1">Dante Williams</a>, 21, is charged with 2nd Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

On March 15, according to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to an intersection and located a female victim suffering gunshot wounds to the head. She was pronounced deceased at a nearby hospital a few days later.

Detectives reviewed surveillance videos and observed the victim exiting a truck and walking to an alleyway. She reappeared and walked toward a gas station.&nbsp;

A man wearing a cowboy hat, sweatshirt, and cowboy boots walked into the gas station and then exited. The man interacted with the victim and they both start walking down the street. Detectives used a still image captured from the video to identify the man as Williams.

After the shooting,&nbsp; Williams was caught on camera walking back to the gas station from the crime scene, throwing gloves away and appearing to wipe something off his hands.&nbsp;

When Williams was arrested, he was wearing the same cowboy hat, sweatshirt, and boots as he was on the day of the homicide. Detectives also retrieved a firearm from the defendant during his arrest that matched the same firearm the victim was shot with.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774021688890.png" alt="Williams-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces charges in connection with a homicide that occurred earlier this month.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2832/WilliamsDante---Combined-Warrant-Packet-1">Dante Williams</a>, 21, is charged with 2nd Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.On March 15, according to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to an intersection and located a female victim suffering gunshot wounds to the head. She was pronounced deceased at a nearby hospital a few days later.Detectives reviewed surveillance videos and observed the victim exiting a truck and walking to an alleyway. She reappeared and walked toward a gas station.&nbsp;A man wearing a cowboy hat, sweatshirt, and cowboy boots walked into the gas station and then exited. The man interacted with the victim and they both start walking down the street. Detectives used a still image captured from the video to identify the man as Williams.After the shooting,&nbsp; Williams was caught on camera walking back to the gas station from the crime scene, throwing gloves away and appearing to wipe something off his hands.&nbsp;When Williams was arrested, he was wearing the same cowboy hat, sweatshirt, and boots as he was on the day of the homicide. Detectives also retrieved a firearm from the defendant during his arrest that matched the same firearm the victim was shot with.

KC homicide suspect identified by his cowboy hat 

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations. On March 20,&nbsp; sheriff's deputies arrested Randy Lee Hyatt Jr., 34 and Lisa Colleen Graffius, 39, both of Topeka, and booked them into the Jackson County Jail.

The couple was arrested on Jackson County District Court warrants that stemmed from a multi-month drug investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine into Jackson County.&nbsp; The investigation led to a search warrant being served on January 6, 2026, at 12975 222nd&nbsp;Road, near Holton. Hyatt Jr. and Graffius previously lived at the residence.

Hyatt Jr. is in custody on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Graffius was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774128202634.png" alt="Hyatt photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Hyatt photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations. On March 20,&nbsp; sheriff's deputies arrested Randy Lee Hyatt Jr., 34 and Lisa Colleen Graffius, 39, both of Topeka, and booked them into the Jackson County Jail.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774128178086.png" alt="Graffius photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Graffius photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The couple was arrested on Jackson County District Court warrants that stemmed from a multi-month drug investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine into Jackson County.&nbsp; The investigation led to a search warrant being served on January 6, 2026, at 12975 222nd&nbsp;Road, near Holton. Hyatt Jr. and Graffius previously lived at the residence.Hyatt Jr. is in custody on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.Graffius was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kansas couple jailed after drug sales investigation

MCPHERSON&nbsp;COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the McPherson County Sheriff's Office have made an arrest connected to the January 31, death of Joshua Soden.&nbsp;

KBI agents and investigators determined that attendees of a house party, held southwest of Inman, had a disagreement after consuming alcohol. Two groups of partygoers left in separate pickup trucks, but then met on a rural road approximately two miles from the party, near 4th Avenue and Arapaho Road, according to the KBI.

A physical altercation occurred between two adult males. During the fight, Joshua Soden, 19, of McPherson, was shot and killed. Soden was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The 18-year-old who shot Soden called 911 to report the incident. He then drove to the Inman Police Department where he was questioned by police, but had not been arrested. Several witnesses were also interviewed.

Just after 5p.m. March 23, KBI agents and McPherson County Deputies arrested Daniel T. Hawkinson, 18, of McPherson.&nbsp; Hawkinson was arrested on a warrant for voluntary manslaughter. He was then booked into the McPherson County Jail.&nbsp;

The McPherson County Attorney is expected to prosecute the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774366554258.png" alt="Hawkinson-photo McPherson County" />
 <figcaption>Hawkinson-photo McPherson County</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON&nbsp;COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the McPherson County Sheriff's Office have made an arrest connected to the January 31, death of Joshua Soden.&nbsp;KBI agents and investigators determined that attendees of a house party, held southwest of Inman, had a disagreement after consuming alcohol. Two groups of partygoers left in separate pickup trucks, but then met on a rural road approximately two miles from the party, near 4th Avenue and Arapaho Road, according to the KBI.A physical altercation occurred between two adult males. During the fight, Joshua Soden, 19, of McPherson, was shot and killed. Soden was pronounced deceased at the scene.The 18-year-old who shot Soden called 911 to report the incident. He then drove to the Inman Police Department where he was questioned by police, but had not been arrested. Several witnesses were also interviewed.Just after 5p.m. March 23, KBI agents and McPherson County Deputies arrested Daniel T. Hawkinson, 18, of McPherson.&nbsp; Hawkinson was arrested on a warrant for voluntary manslaughter. He was then booked into the McPherson County Jail.&nbsp;The McPherson County Attorney is expected to prosecute the case.

KBI: Kan. teen arrested for death after house party disagreement

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged threat against the Mayor of Wichita and have made an arrest.

On Monday, police confirmed the alleged threat. "We are aware of the threats made against Mayor Lily Wu. Our investigators have been in contact with the Mayor and police are working closely with the mayor and her staff.”

According to the Sedgwick County booking report 50-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=763462">Griffin K. Cornejo,</a> was arrested at 1021 West 31st S in Wichita and booked into jail just before 8pm. Monday on requested charges of criminal threat, cause terror, evacuation or disruption, according to booking records.

"Wichita Police in an email said, "As a matter of safety and policy, we do not discuss or disclose security measures, protective details, or tactical responses."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704822303495.png" alt="Wichita Mayor Lily Wu-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Wichita Mayor Lily Wu-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged threat against the Mayor of Wichita and have made an arrest.On Monday, police confirmed the alleged threat. "We are aware of the threats made against Mayor Lily Wu. Our investigators have been in contact with the Mayor and police are working closely with the mayor and her staff.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774350277141.png" alt="Cornejo -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Cornejo -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>According to the Sedgwick County booking report 50-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=763462">Griffin K. Cornejo,</a> was arrested at 1021 West 31st S in Wichita and booked into jail just before 8pm. Monday on requested charges of criminal threat, cause terror, evacuation or disruption, according to booking records."Wichita Police in an email said, "As a matter of safety and policy, we do not discuss or disclose security measures, protective details, or tactical responses."

Police: Man jailed for alleged threat against Mayor of Wichita

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/markwayne-mullin">Markwayne Mullin</a>&nbsp;as homeland security secretary late Monday, approving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;nominee to take over the embattled department after the firing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kristi-noem">Kristi Noem</a>&nbsp;during a public backlash over the administration's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">immigration enforcement</a>&nbsp;and mass deportation operations.

Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma known for his close&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/markwayne-mullin-dhs-secretary-trump-oklahoma-1774e7e6754ef67f56104c8dd0066fb2">friendship with Trump</a>, has tried to present himself as a steady hand, saying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-mullin-noem-trump-immigration-31793ccf13e914583b9ddad430349570">his goal as secretary</a>&nbsp;would be to get the department off the front page of the news. He takes over at a difficult time as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atlanta-airport-tsa-federal-immigration-agents-4cfb93f7d2ff5a1ccb87d1bdbf54b959">Trump has ordered ICE agents</a>&nbsp;to bolster airport security during a budget standoff in Congress. And he tangled with the Republican chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, who questioned Mullin's character and temperament during last week's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rand-paul-markwayne-mullin-dhs-confirmation-hearing-6c05a260b9f2fa4d730749213b3f4663">combative confirmation hearing</a>.

Senators confirmed him on a largely party-line vote, 54-45. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.

Routine funding for the Department of Homeland Security has lapsed since Feb. 14, leading to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-tsa-workers-920577c153ffd1877f59dfb8f8efed39">long waits at U.S. airports</a>&nbsp;as Transportation Security Administration agents call out rather than work without pay. Democrats are demanding the Trump administration make changes in immigration enforcement operations following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-alex-pretti-border-patrol-shooting-investigation-9d8ac8531f0d195ada3374c86a9deb21">deaths of two U.S. citizens</a>&nbsp;during protests this year in Minneapolis. Trump has refused the latest proposal, and talks have stalled.

While the senator comes to the position after more than a dozen years in Congress, and with the management experience of running an expanding family plumbing business in Oklahoma, he has not been seen as a key force in immigration issues.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/markwayne-mullin-dhs-secretary-trump-oklahoma-1774e7e6754ef67f56104c8dd0066fb2">former mixed martial arts fighter</a>&nbsp;and collegiate wrestler who has led early-morning workout sessions in the members-only House gym, he became close with members of both parties and is often seen as a negotiator in partisan Washington.

It is his loyalty to Trump that landed him the job, and he’s not expected to sway from the president’s approach. Mullin was a strong supporter of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-data-numbers-deportations-000a289890193c94474f19b877eb37d1">Trump’s immigration agenda</a>&nbsp;and ICE officers before being tapped for the DHS job.

“I can have different opinions with everybody in this room, but as secretary of homeland I’ll be protecting everybody,” Mullin said during his confirmation hearing.

Immigration enforcement at center of funding stalemate

Mullin’s first challenge will be to restore routine funding to the department that has been blocked since mid-February as Democrats demand tighter restraints. They want immigration officers to identify themselves and not wear masks; refrain from enforcement operations around schools, churches, hospitals and other sensitive locations; wear body cameras; and obtain a judge's approval on warrants before entering people's homes or private spaces.

At his confirmation hearing last week, Mullin sought to portray himself as a steady hand at a pivotal time for the agency — an image that was challenged by the committee chairman, Republican Sen. Rand Paul, in a heated exchange. Democrats are also skeptical, seeing him as a loyal executor of Trump’s agenda.

Paul voted against Mullin during the committee vote, and again Monday. Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico joined the other Republicans in voting to confirm the nominee.

“Markwayne Mullin is ready to lead," said Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the No. 2 ranking Republican. He said Mullin will “serve with seriousness and character. He will be a leader who makes our country safer.”

Mullin comes into office at a time when public support for the president’s immigration agenda has fallen after a year of high-profile operations in multiple American cities. Under Noem’s leadership, officers were accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-immigration-enforcement-congress-training-trump-466a19105e6dfd4990a9b58361b6963d">using force to arrest immigrants</a>, detaining them in squalid conditions and bypassing due process to rapidly deport immigrants.

Mullin did walk back some of his comments&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-confirmation-hearing-mullin-95ba35e6feff8473661ccf3dac66fd3a">during his confirmation hearing,</a>&nbsp;saying he was wrong to malign protester Alex Pretti after he was shot and killed by an ICE officer. He said that as secretary he would refrain from making judgments before an investigation is carried out.

He shed light on other ways he might influence policy when it comes to immigration. For example, he said officers would be required to use a warrant signed by a judge — not the administrative warrants now used by ICE officers — to enter a house except in rare circumstances.

He acknowledged the concerns some communities have over building massive ICE detention facilities in their neighborhoods and said cutting off federal funds to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that don’t work with ICE would be a last resort.

But ultimately, it is the White House that sets the agenda when it comes to how Trump’s vision for immigration enforcement is carried out, and Mullin is expected to follow its lead. Trump faces a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mass-deportations-agenda-dhs-noem-mullin-cce52a9f2009ef645ceffe4e44cb4def">strong lobby within the GOP</a>&nbsp;pushing him to make good on his promise to deport 1 million people a year.

Mullin will also have his hands full charting a new course at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has come under scrutiny as it delivers disaster aid to parts of the country hard-hit by hurricanes and other natural disasters.

A growing number of critics, even fellow Republicans, said Noem’s policy of personally approving contracts over $100,000 slowed disaster response, and the department still doesn’t have a full-time administrator.

Mullin presented a fresh approach on federal emergency management&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fema-markwayne-mullin-trump-dhs-senate-hearing-1207fc540505f06428ef0028305cd1a4">during his Senate confirmation hearing</a>, rejecting the idea of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/federal-emergency-management-agency">eliminating FEMA</a>&nbsp;and saying he would revoke Noem’s contract approval rule.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773931515961.png" alt="<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/markwayne-mullin">Markwayne Mullin</a>&nbsp;during his confirmation hearing photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/markwayne-mullin">Markwayne Mullin</a>&nbsp;during his confirmation hearing photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/markwayne-mullin">Markwayne Mullin</a>&nbsp;as homeland security secretary late Monday, approving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;nominee to take over the embattled department after the firing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kristi-noem">Kristi Noem</a>&nbsp;during a public backlash over the administration's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">immigration enforcement</a>&nbsp;and mass deportation operations.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">U.S Senate confirms Markwayne Mullin to be Secretary of Homeland Security, 54-45. <a href="https://t.co/clwZiWTzHT">pic.twitter.com/clwZiWTzHT</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2036239376540377195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma known for his close&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/markwayne-mullin-dhs-secretary-trump-oklahoma-1774e7e6754ef67f56104c8dd0066fb2">friendship with Trump</a>, has tried to present himself as a steady hand, saying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-mullin-noem-trump-immigration-31793ccf13e914583b9ddad430349570">his goal as secretary</a>&nbsp;would be to get the department off the front page of the news. He takes over at a difficult time as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atlanta-airport-tsa-federal-immigration-agents-4cfb93f7d2ff5a1ccb87d1bdbf54b959">Trump has ordered ICE agents</a>&nbsp;to bolster airport security during a budget standoff in Congress. And he tangled with the Republican chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, who questioned Mullin's character and temperament during last week's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rand-paul-markwayne-mullin-dhs-confirmation-hearing-6c05a260b9f2fa4d730749213b3f4663">combative confirmation hearing</a>.Senators confirmed him on a largely party-line vote, 54-45. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.Routine funding for the Department of Homeland Security has lapsed since Feb. 14, leading to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-tsa-workers-920577c153ffd1877f59dfb8f8efed39">long waits at U.S. airports</a>&nbsp;as Transportation Security Administration agents call out rather than work without pay. Democrats are demanding the Trump administration make changes in immigration enforcement operations following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-alex-pretti-border-patrol-shooting-investigation-9d8ac8531f0d195ada3374c86a9deb21">deaths of two U.S. citizens</a>&nbsp;during protests this year in Minneapolis. Trump has refused the latest proposal, and talks have stalled.<h2>MMA fighter takes on Homeland Security</h2>While the senator comes to the position after more than a dozen years in Congress, and with the management experience of running an expanding family plumbing business in Oklahoma, he has not been seen as a key force in immigration issues.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/markwayne-mullin-dhs-secretary-trump-oklahoma-1774e7e6754ef67f56104c8dd0066fb2">former mixed martial arts fighter</a>&nbsp;and collegiate wrestler who has led early-morning workout sessions in the members-only House gym, he became close with members of both parties and is often seen as a negotiator in partisan Washington.It is his loyalty to Trump that landed him the job, and he’s not expected to sway from the president’s approach. Mullin was a strong supporter of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-data-numbers-deportations-000a289890193c94474f19b877eb37d1">Trump’s immigration agenda</a>&nbsp;and ICE officers before being tapped for the DHS job.“I can have different opinions with everybody in this room, but as secretary of homeland I’ll be protecting everybody,” Mullin said during his confirmation hearing.<h2>Immigration enforcement at center of funding stalemate</h2>Mullin’s first challenge will be to restore routine funding to the department that has been blocked since mid-February as Democrats demand tighter restraints. They want immigration officers to identify themselves and not wear masks; refrain from enforcement operations around schools, churches, hospitals and other sensitive locations; wear body cameras; and obtain a judge's approval on warrants before entering people's homes or private spaces.At his confirmation hearing last week, Mullin sought to portray himself as a steady hand at a pivotal time for the agency — an image that was challenged by the committee chairman, Republican Sen. Rand Paul, in a heated exchange. Democrats are also skeptical, seeing him as a loyal executor of Trump’s agenda.Paul voted against Mullin during the committee vote, and again Monday. Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico joined the other Republicans in voting to confirm the nominee.“Markwayne Mullin is ready to lead," said Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the No. 2 ranking Republican. He said Mullin will “serve with seriousness and character. He will be a leader who makes our country safer.”Mullin comes into office at a time when public support for the president’s immigration agenda has fallen after a year of high-profile operations in multiple American cities. Under Noem’s leadership, officers were accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-immigration-enforcement-congress-training-trump-466a19105e6dfd4990a9b58361b6963d">using force to arrest immigrants</a>, detaining them in squalid conditions and bypassing due process to rapidly deport immigrants.Mullin did walk back some of his comments&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-confirmation-hearing-mullin-95ba35e6feff8473661ccf3dac66fd3a">during his confirmation hearing,</a>&nbsp;saying he was wrong to malign protester Alex Pretti after he was shot and killed by an ICE officer. He said that as secretary he would refrain from making judgments before an investigation is carried out.He shed light on other ways he might influence policy when it comes to immigration. For example, he said officers would be required to use a warrant signed by a judge — not the administrative warrants now used by ICE officers — to enter a house except in rare circumstances.He acknowledged the concerns some communities have over building massive ICE detention facilities in their neighborhoods and said cutting off federal funds to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that don’t work with ICE would be a last resort.But ultimately, it is the White House that sets the agenda when it comes to how Trump’s vision for immigration enforcement is carried out, and Mullin is expected to follow its lead. Trump faces a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mass-deportations-agenda-dhs-noem-mullin-cce52a9f2009ef645ceffe4e44cb4def">strong lobby within the GOP</a>&nbsp;pushing him to make good on his promise to deport 1 million people a year.<h2>FEMA and federal disaster aid in flux</h2>Mullin will also have his hands full charting a new course at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has come under scrutiny as it delivers disaster aid to parts of the country hard-hit by hurricanes and other natural disasters.A growing number of critics, even fellow Republicans, said Noem’s policy of personally approving contracts over $100,000 slowed disaster response, and the department still doesn’t have a full-time administrator.Mullin presented a fresh approach on federal emergency management&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fema-markwayne-mullin-trump-dhs-senate-hearing-1207fc540505f06428ef0028305cd1a4">during his Senate confirmation hearing</a>, rejecting the idea of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/federal-emergency-management-agency">eliminating FEMA</a>&nbsp;and saying he would revoke Noem’s contract approval rule.

Kan. U.S. Senators help confirm former MMA fighter as new DHS Secretary

RICE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects arrested after a car crash in Rice County.

Just after 8a.m. Monday, sheriff's deputies responded to an injury accident in the 1800 block of Kansas Highway 14, according to a social media report from the Rice County Sheriff.

While on patrol, deputies came upon a vehicle on its side. One occupant was still inside the vehicle and exited through the rear window. Both occupants were evaluated on scene by EMS and were released without transport.

Following further investigation, both occupants were taken into custody on requested charges that included Driving Under the Influence, possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, firearms violations, and traffic-related offenses.

Both individuals were transported to the Rice County Detention Center for booking and are currently being held on bond. The sheriff's office did not release their names.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774310380227.png" alt="Photos Rice County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Rice County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>RICE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects arrested after a car crash in Rice County.Just after 8a.m. Monday, sheriff's deputies responded to an injury accident in the 1800 block of Kansas Highway 14, according to a social media report from the Rice County Sheriff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774310325943.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>While on patrol, deputies came upon a vehicle on its side. One occupant was still inside the vehicle and exited through the rear window. Both occupants were evaluated on scene by EMS and were released without transport.Following further investigation, both occupants were taken into custody on requested charges that included Driving Under the Influence, possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, firearms violations, and traffic-related offenses.Both individuals were transported to the Rice County Detention Center for booking and are currently being held on bond. The sheriff's office did not release their names.

Sheriff: Suspects jailed on multiple allegations after Kansas crash

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest in Atchison.

Just after 9a.m. Friday, police responded to a residence in the 1300 block L Street in Atchison to investigate a report of a man beating a dog with a board, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Officers arrived to find 51-year-old Paul Widner and the injured dog outside the residence. During a confrontation with Widner he made threatening and aggressive movements towards the officers with the board and a knife. 

He was taken into custody. The injured dog was taken by animal control to a vet clinic for treatment. 

Widner is being held on requested charges of cruelty to an animal and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.&nbsp; He remains jailed on a $2,500 bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774218732970.png" alt="Widner-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Widner-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest in Atchison.Just after 9a.m. Friday, police responded to a residence in the 1300 block L Street in Atchison to investigate a report of a man beating a dog with a board, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.Officers arrived to find 51-year-old Paul Widner and the injured dog outside the residence. During a confrontation with Widner he made threatening and aggressive movements towards the officers with the board and a knife. He was taken into custody. The injured dog was taken by animal control to a vet clinic for treatment. Widner is being held on requested charges of cruelty to an animal and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.&nbsp; He remains jailed on a $2,500 bond, according to online jail records.

Police: Kansas man accused of beating a dog

Strong House GOP support for 22-year-old program melts during negotiations

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature’s bill repealing a law offering in-state tuition rates at public colleges or universities to students who immigrated to the United States and live in Kansas without proper documentation continues a bizarre journey through the political process.

The Senate passed a bill in January that would end the tuition program created decades ago by a bipartisan coalition of legislators and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. The House, after bypassing the normal committee vetting process, responded in February by approving a version of the bill preserving the in-state tuition option for immigrant students who attended a Kansas high school for three years, earned a diploma and applied for citizenship.

The Senate and House were at loggerheads for six weeks, until House Republicans surrendered.

Rep. Tom Kessler, the Wichita Republican leading negotiations on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb254_02_031026.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Bill 254</a>&nbsp;for the House, said he made a deal with the Senate to repeal the immigrant tuition program at public colleges and universities in Kansas. In exchange, the Senate agreed to drop legislation denying bond to people who were arrested but unable to prove they were lawfully in the United States.

There were bipartisan objections in the House to Kessler waiving a white flag.

Republican Rep. Chuck Smith, a retired teacher from Pittsburg, said the state ought to continue offering educational opportunities to Kansans, including children brought to this country years ago by their parents.

“Let these kids go to school on in-state tuition,” he said. “If you charge them the out-of-state tuition, they don’t get to go to school.”

Undergraduate in-state tuition at Kansas State University in the 2025-2026 academic year was $11,200, but out-of-state tuition at K-State for a full year was $28,500.

“I think we need to hold our position against the Senate,” said Rep. Heather Meyer, D-Overland Park.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260319095933_895621/" target="_blank">House voted 78-46 to affirm the bargain</a>&nbsp;on Thursday. The 78 House votes for the deal was six short of a two-thirds majority that would be necessary to override a potential veto by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

The Senate has yet to vote on the latest incarnation of SB 254, which also would declare in state law that people without legal authority to be in the United States couldn’t receive city, county or state public benefits unless otherwise mandated by the federal government. Opposition to the tuition law appeared greatest in the Senate, which defeated an amendment by Sen. Tim Shallenburger, R-Baxter Springs, to block elimination of the program.

“Why on earth are you, Kansas Legislature, providing a benefit to illegal aliens that you do not provide to Americans,” said Sen. Virgil Peck, R-Havana.

In January, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260128161948_076318/" target="_blank">Senate had passed 30-9 the original version of SB 254</a>. It forbid insufficiently documented immigrants from qualifying for in-state tuition at state universities, community colleges, technical colleges and municipal universities.

The House in February flipped the script and approved by a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260205130152_580540/" target="_blank">vote of 86-36 a distinctly different version</a>&nbsp;of the bill that preserved the in-state tuition program.

“We have complete innocents who are being harmed,” said Rep. Bob Lewis, R-Garden City.

Lewis was among a significant number of House Republicans who initially supported retention of the tuition law and ultimately voted for its demise.

Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican and longstanding critic of the in-state tuition law, argued failure by Kansas to eliminate the tuition program could prompt President Donald Trump’s U.S. Department of Justice to file a lawsuit against Kansas on the tuition issue. Kobach says Kansas’ immigrant tuition break violated federal law.

“The Trump Department of Justice is cracking down on states that have been violating that specific law banning in-state tuition for illegal aliens,” Kobach said in a nonbinding legal opinion issued in February. “Kansas legislators would do well to bring Kansas into compliance with the law rather than being sued by the federal government.”

Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican and chairman of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, said action should be taken to erase the tuition benefit because “Kansas has been in violation of federal now for 22 years.”

Bitter opposition to Kansas’ in-state tuition program for immigrant children was evident decades ago. Then-state Rep. Scott Schwab had the deadly Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States in mind when he explained his “no” vote against House Bill 2145 during the 2004 legislative session. Some of the terrorists received flight training in the United States before they hijacked commercial airliners used to kill nearly 3,000 people.

“We Kansans are very benevolent,” said Schwab, the current Kansas secretary of state and a GOP candidate for governor, in 2004. “If terrorists come to get a pilot’s license at a Kansas university, at least we gave them in-state tuition before they use it against us.”

Rep. Rui Xu, D-Westwood, said loss of the tuition program for immigrant children would weaken the idea of the United States as a land of educational opportunity.

Xu said his parents, who earned college degrees in China and Switzerland, moved to the United States when he was 2 years old. Their quest was to give their children, Xu and his sister, the chance to earn an education in America, he said.

“Denying these students in-state tuition doesn’t fix our immigration system,” Xu said. “It doesn’t hold a single politician in Washington, D.C., accountable. All it does is punish children who are already here, already contributing and trying to build a future.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774298522784.png" alt=" Rep. Tom Kessler, a Wichita Republican and chairman of the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, convinced House members to reverse course and adopt a compromise with the Kansas Senate to repeal a 22-year-old state law granting in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities for qualified students who live in Kansas and remain in the United States without legal status. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Tom Kessler, a Wichita Republican and chairman of the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, convinced House members to reverse course and adopt a compromise with the Kansas Senate to repeal a 22-year-old state law granting in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities for qualified students who live in Kansas and remain in the United States without legal status. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Strong House GOP support for 22-year-old program melts during negotiations</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature’s bill repealing a law offering in-state tuition rates at public colleges or universities to students who immigrated to the United States and live in Kansas without proper documentation continues a bizarre journey through the political process.The Senate passed a bill in January that would end the tuition program created decades ago by a bipartisan coalition of legislators and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. The House, after bypassing the normal committee vetting process, responded in February by approving a version of the bill preserving the in-state tuition option for immigrant students who attended a Kansas high school for three years, earned a diploma and applied for citizenship.The Senate and House were at loggerheads for six weeks, until House Republicans surrendered.Rep. Tom Kessler, the Wichita Republican leading negotiations on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb254_02_031026.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Bill 254</a>&nbsp;for the House, said he made a deal with the Senate to repeal the immigrant tuition program at public colleges and universities in Kansas. In exchange, the Senate agreed to drop legislation denying bond to people who were arrested but unable to prove they were lawfully in the United States.There were bipartisan objections in the House to Kessler waiving a white flag.Republican Rep. Chuck Smith, a retired teacher from Pittsburg, said the state ought to continue offering educational opportunities to Kansans, including children brought to this country years ago by their parents.“Let these kids go to school on in-state tuition,” he said. “If you charge them the out-of-state tuition, they don’t get to go to school.”Undergraduate in-state tuition at Kansas State University in the 2025-2026 academic year was $11,200, but out-of-state tuition at K-State for a full year was $28,500.“I think we need to hold our position against the Senate,” said Rep. Heather Meyer, D-Overland Park.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260319095933_895621/" target="_blank">House voted 78-46 to affirm the bargain</a>&nbsp;on Thursday. The 78 House votes for the deal was six short of a two-thirds majority that would be necessary to override a potential veto by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.The Senate has yet to vote on the latest incarnation of SB 254, which also would declare in state law that people without legal authority to be in the United States couldn’t receive city, county or state public benefits unless otherwise mandated by the federal government. Opposition to the tuition law appeared greatest in the Senate, which defeated an amendment by Sen. Tim Shallenburger, R-Baxter Springs, to block elimination of the program.“Why on earth are you, Kansas Legislature, providing a benefit to illegal aliens that you do not provide to Americans,” said Sen. Virgil Peck, R-Havana.In January, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260128161948_076318/" target="_blank">Senate had passed 30-9 the original version of SB 254</a>. It forbid insufficiently documented immigrants from qualifying for in-state tuition at state universities, community colleges, technical colleges and municipal universities.The House in February flipped the script and approved by a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260205130152_580540/" target="_blank">vote of 86-36 a distinctly different version</a>&nbsp;of the bill that preserved the in-state tuition program.“We have complete innocents who are being harmed,” said Rep. Bob Lewis, R-Garden City.Lewis was among a significant number of House Republicans who initially supported retention of the tuition law and ultimately voted for its demise.Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican and longstanding critic of the in-state tuition law, argued failure by Kansas to eliminate the tuition program could prompt President Donald Trump’s U.S. Department of Justice to file a lawsuit against Kansas on the tuition issue. Kobach says Kansas’ immigrant tuition break violated federal law.“The Trump Department of Justice is cracking down on states that have been violating that specific law banning in-state tuition for illegal aliens,” Kobach said in a nonbinding legal opinion issued in February. “Kansas legislators would do well to bring Kansas into compliance with the law rather than being sued by the federal government.”Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican and chairman of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, said action should be taken to erase the tuition benefit because “Kansas has been in violation of federal now for 22 years.”Bitter opposition to Kansas’ in-state tuition program for immigrant children was evident decades ago. Then-state Rep. Scott Schwab had the deadly Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States in mind when he explained his “no” vote against House Bill 2145 during the 2004 legislative session. Some of the terrorists received flight training in the United States before they hijacked commercial airliners used to kill nearly 3,000 people.“We Kansans are very benevolent,” said Schwab, the current Kansas secretary of state and a GOP candidate for governor, in 2004. “If terrorists come to get a pilot’s license at a Kansas university, at least we gave them in-state tuition before they use it against us.”Rep. Rui Xu, D-Westwood, said loss of the tuition program for immigrant children would weaken the idea of the United States as a land of educational opportunity.Xu said his parents, who earned college degrees in China and Switzerland, moved to the United States when he was 2 years old. Their quest was to give their children, Xu and his sister, the chance to earn an education in America, he said.“Denying these students in-state tuition doesn’t fix our immigration system,” Xu said. “It doesn’t hold a single politician in Washington, D.C., accountable. All it does is punish children who are already here, already contributing and trying to build a future.”

Kansas House, Senate strike deal to end in-state college tuition for qualified immigrant students

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas teen accused of injuring a police detective during an arrest made his first court appearance on Friday.

A judge charged 18-year-old Dayten Pollard of Wichita with aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement, burglary and theft.

Just after 7a.m. March 16, a 911 caller reported a light blue Mercedes-Benz C300 stolen after it had been left running to warm up.

A Wichita Police detective located the vehicle at a nearby motel in the 1400 block of N. Broadway. Patrol officers responded to assist, and officers initiated a traffic stop.

When officers attempted to arrest Pollard he resisted. During the arrest, a detective suffered a serious injury to his face. EMS transported the detective to a local hospital. The injury is not considered life-threatening.

Officers arrested<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=758843">&nbsp;Pollard</a>&nbsp;at the scene and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail where he remains a $75,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773828963827.png" alt="Pollard photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Pollard photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas teen accused of injuring a police detective during an arrest made his first court appearance on Friday.A judge charged 18-year-old Dayten Pollard of Wichita with aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement, burglary and theft.Just after 7a.m. March 16, a 911 caller reported a light blue Mercedes-Benz C300 stolen after it had been left running to warm up.A Wichita Police detective located the vehicle at a nearby motel in the 1400 block of N. Broadway. Patrol officers responded to assist, and officers initiated a traffic stop.When officers attempted to arrest Pollard he resisted. During the arrest, a detective suffered a serious injury to his face. EMS transported the detective to a local hospital. The injury is not considered life-threatening.Officers arrested<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=758843">&nbsp;Pollard</a>&nbsp;at the scene and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail where he remains a $75,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.

Teen who injured Kan. detective during arrest faces a judge

KANSAS CITY —Officers from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Rapid Deployment Squad were among others that worked with the Missouri State Highway Patrol overnight to safeguard Kansas City streets, according to a social media report from KCPD.


"This proactive approach resulted in a total of 25 felony and city/misdemeanor arrests, including a suspected bank robber. There were four DUI arrests and two stolen vehicles recovered."

"This teamwork will continue in Kansas City."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774183958465.png" alt="Photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Officers from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Rapid Deployment Squad were among others that worked with the Missouri State Highway Patrol overnight to safeguard Kansas City streets, according to a social media report from KCPD.
"This proactive approach resulted in a total of 25 felony and city/misdemeanor arrests, including a suspected bank robber. There were four DUI arrests and two stolen vehicles recovered.""This teamwork will continue in Kansas City."

Bank robber among 25 arrests Saturday night in Kansas City

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Saturday he will order federal immigration officers to take a role in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-tsa-workers-920577c153ffd1877f59dfb8f8efed39">airport security</a>&nbsp;starting Monday unless Democrats agree on a bill to fund the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-homeland-security">Department of Homeland Security</a>.

In a series of social media posts, Trump said he was making plans to put officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in airports if the congressional standoff continues. After the Senate failed to find a resolution at a rare weekend session, Trump appeared resolute in his plan: “ICE is ready to go on Monday,” he said.

He made the announcement as a partial shutdown contributes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tsa-security-wait-times-airport-shutdown-b9388ba9664d96e65677a6631de614a5">long lines</a>&nbsp;to pass through screening at some of the nation’s largest airports.

The Republican president said ICE agents would bring the administration’s immigration crackdown into the nation’s airports, promising to arrest “all Illegal Immigrants.”

“I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, ‘GET READY.’ NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!” Trump wrote while spending the weekend in Florida.

The move appears to be a pointed effort to expand the type of immigration enforcement that has become a sticking point in Congress. Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-democrats-homeland-security-funding-government-shutdown-f727fa0f3865990f191d4d5770e04752">pledged to oppose</a>&nbsp;funding for DHS unless changes were made in the wake of a crackdown in Minnesota that led to the fatal shootings of two protesters. Democrats are asking for better identification for federal law enforcement officers, a new code of conduct for those agencies and more use of judicial warrants, among other measures.

The Minnesota operation was tied in part to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-fraud-immigration-enforcement-somali-76e246b70d582f1dd42f1242cf7d7a66">allegations of fraud involving Somali residents</a>. On Saturday, Trump said ICE officers sent to airports would focus on arresting immigrants from Somalia who are in the United States illegally. Repeating his criticism on Somalis, he said they “totally destroyed” Minnesota.

“If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before,” Trump said.

Trump’s posts did not offer detail on how ICE would take a role in airport security and what it meant for the Transportation Security Administration, which screens passengers and luggage for hazardous items.

The vast majority of TSA employees are considered essential and continue to work during the funding lapse, but they are doing so without pay. Call-out rates have started to increase at some airports, and DHS said at least 376 have quit since the partial shutdown began Feb. 14.

On Saturday, the Senate rejected a motion by Democrats to take up legislation to reopen TSA and pay workers who are now going without paychecks. Republicans argue that they need to fund all parts of the DHS, not just certain ones. A bill to fund the Cabinet department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tsa-airports-immigration-homeland-security-570088e5f8cb5f53233d5fea3322e86c">failed to advance</a>&nbsp;in the Senate on Friday.

There were signs of progress, though, with the restarting in recent days of stalled talks between Democrats and the White House. On Saturday, Republican and Democratic senators were set to meet for a third consecutive day with White House officials behind closed doors as Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York spoke of “productive conversations.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., urged the bipartisan group to act quickly. He has said repeatedly that Democrats and the White House need to find compromise as lines at airports have grown.

“If that group that’s meeting can’t come up with a solution really quickly, things are going to get worse and worse,” Thune said Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773338448525.jpeg" alt="Photo TSA" />
 <figcaption>Photo TSA</figcaption>
 </figure>WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Saturday he will order federal immigration officers to take a role in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-tsa-workers-920577c153ffd1877f59dfb8f8efed39">airport security</a>&nbsp;starting Monday unless Democrats agree on a bill to fund the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-homeland-security">Department of Homeland Security</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/v9WyVx8v2G">pic.twitter.com/v9WyVx8v2G</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2035412666613669960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/XbKdRsh711">pic.twitter.com/XbKdRsh711</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2035480352488100256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a series of social media posts, Trump said he was making plans to put officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in airports if the congressional standoff continues. After the Senate failed to find a resolution at a rare weekend session, Trump appeared resolute in his plan: “ICE is ready to go on Monday,” he said.He made the announcement as a partial shutdown contributes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tsa-security-wait-times-airport-shutdown-b9388ba9664d96e65677a6631de614a5">long lines</a>&nbsp;to pass through screening at some of the nation’s largest airports.The Republican president said ICE agents would bring the administration’s immigration crackdown into the nation’s airports, promising to arrest “all Illegal Immigrants.”“I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, ‘GET READY.’ NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!” Trump wrote while spending the weekend in Florida.The move appears to be a pointed effort to expand the type of immigration enforcement that has become a sticking point in Congress. Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-democrats-homeland-security-funding-government-shutdown-f727fa0f3865990f191d4d5770e04752">pledged to oppose</a>&nbsp;funding for DHS unless changes were made in the wake of a crackdown in Minnesota that led to the fatal shootings of two protesters. Democrats are asking for better identification for federal law enforcement officers, a new code of conduct for those agencies and more use of judicial warrants, among other measures.The Minnesota operation was tied in part to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-fraud-immigration-enforcement-somali-76e246b70d582f1dd42f1242cf7d7a66">allegations of fraud involving Somali residents</a>. On Saturday, Trump said ICE officers sent to airports would focus on arresting immigrants from Somalia who are in the United States illegally. Repeating his criticism on Somalis, he said they “totally destroyed” Minnesota.“If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before,” Trump said.Trump’s posts did not offer detail on how ICE would take a role in airport security and what it meant for the Transportation Security Administration, which screens passengers and luggage for hazardous items.The vast majority of TSA employees are considered essential and continue to work during the funding lapse, but they are doing so without pay. Call-out rates have started to increase at some airports, and DHS said at least 376 have quit since the partial shutdown began Feb. 14.On Saturday, the Senate rejected a motion by Democrats to take up legislation to reopen TSA and pay workers who are now going without paychecks. Republicans argue that they need to fund all parts of the DHS, not just certain ones. A bill to fund the Cabinet department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tsa-airports-immigration-homeland-security-570088e5f8cb5f53233d5fea3322e86c">failed to advance</a>&nbsp;in the Senate on Friday.There were signs of progress, though, with the restarting in recent days of stalled talks between Democrats and the White House. On Saturday, Republican and Democratic senators were set to meet for a third consecutive day with White House officials behind closed doors as Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York spoke of “productive conversations.”Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., urged the bipartisan group to act quickly. He has said repeatedly that Democrats and the White House need to find compromise as lines at airports have grown.“If that group that’s meeting can’t come up with a solution really quickly, things are going to get worse and worse,” Thune said Saturday.

Will ICE officers help with airport security starting this week?

PAWNEE COUNTY– Lucas Brown, 39 of Haysville, and Zachery Jacobs, 25 of Great Bend, appeared via tele-video in custody Friday morning in the Pawnee County District Court before Magistrate Judge Kenneth Schmidt for formal First Appearances, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

Brown is charged with&nbsp; Possession of 23.1 Grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Distribution of Fentanyl,&nbsp; Possession of an Opiate Drug;&nbsp; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to Distribute a Controlled Substance; Unlawful Use of a Telecommunication Device; Unlawful Possession of a Benzodiazepine Drug,&nbsp; Possession of Marijuana; Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance and 9 Transporting an Open Container.

Jacobs is charged with Possession of 3.7 Grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; and Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance.

The charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department resulting in the execution of search warrant at a Larned residence on March 13, 2026. The distribution of Fentanyl is alleged to have occurred on or about March 1, 2026.

Preliminary Hearings have been scheduled for April 1, 2026.

Both defendants were arrested without incident at the time of the search warrant and are being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $75,000 cash or surety bond.

According to McNett, law enforcement does not have any evidence at this time to support that Lucas Brown’s charge of Distribution of Fentanyl alleged to have occurred on March 1, 2026, resulted in the overdose death on March 3, 2026, mentioned in the Sheriff’s media post.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774028088355.png" alt="Jacobs photo Pawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Jacobs photo Pawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY– Lucas Brown, 39 of Haysville, and Zachery Jacobs, 25 of Great Bend, appeared via tele-video in custody Friday morning in the Pawnee County District Court before Magistrate Judge Kenneth Schmidt for formal First Appearances, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774028034590.png" alt="Brown-photo Pawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Brown-photo Pawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>Brown is charged with&nbsp; Possession of 23.1 Grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Distribution of Fentanyl,&nbsp; Possession of an Opiate Drug;&nbsp; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to Distribute a Controlled Substance; Unlawful Use of a Telecommunication Device; Unlawful Possession of a Benzodiazepine Drug,&nbsp; Possession of Marijuana; Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance and 9 Transporting an Open Container.Jacobs is charged with Possession of 3.7 Grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; and Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance.The charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department resulting in the execution of search warrant at a Larned residence on March 13, 2026. The distribution of Fentanyl is alleged to have occurred on or about March 1, 2026.Preliminary Hearings have been scheduled for April 1, 2026.Both defendants were arrested without incident at the time of the search warrant and are being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $75,000 cash or surety bond.According to McNett, law enforcement does not have any evidence at this time to support that Lucas Brown’s charge of Distribution of Fentanyl alleged to have occurred on March 1, 2026, resulted in the overdose death on March 3, 2026, mentioned in the Sheriff’s media post.

Alleged SW Kansas fentanyl dealer faces a judge

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Sheriff's deputies have&nbsp;arrested a Wichita man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred March 15, and claimed the life of 29-year-old Adam Wayne Condit.

On Friday, March 20, detectives arrested Andrew Eugene Fibert, 21, of Wichita in connection with the crash, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department Spokesman Branden Stitt.

At 5:49 p.m., Fibert was booked into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility on one count of failure to stop at an accident resulting in death.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration.

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement have released the name of the pedestrian who died in a hit-and-run crash early Sunday morning near the Sedgwick County Zoo.

Adam Wayne Condit, 29, of Wichita, died after he was struck by a pickup truck shortly after midnight March 15 in the 5800 block of West Windmill Road, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.

The pickup truck deputies were seeking has now been identified. Detectives are continuing to work to identify the driver. No arrests have been made.

The Sheriff’s Office thanks members of the public for the tips that helped investigators identify the vehicle.

The Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Condit

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774051884079.png" alt="Fibert -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Fibert -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Sheriff's deputies have&nbsp;arrested a Wichita man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred March 15, and claimed the life of 29-year-old Adam Wayne Condit.On Friday, March 20, detectives arrested Andrew Eugene Fibert, 21, of Wichita in connection with the crash, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department Spokesman Branden Stitt.At 5:49 p.m., Fibert was booked into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility on one count of failure to stop at an accident resulting in death.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration.------------SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement have released the name of the pedestrian who died in a hit-and-run crash early Sunday morning near the Sedgwick County Zoo.Adam Wayne Condit, 29, of Wichita, died after he was struck by a pickup truck shortly after midnight March 15 in the 5800 block of West Windmill Road, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.The pickup truck deputies were seeking has now been identified. Detectives are continuing to work to identify the driver. No arrests have been made.The Sheriff’s Office thanks members of the public for the tips that helped investigators identify the vehicle.The Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Condit

Sheriff: Suspect arrested in deadly Kansas hit-and-run

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest in Brown County, Kansas.

Just after noon March 17., Brown County deputies assisted the US Marshals in apprehending Cody Tucker 31 Grant City, Missouri, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

Tucker was located at a rural residence in Brown County and taken into custody without incident.&nbsp;&nbsp; Tucker was arrested on a Felony Missouri Department of Corrections Parole Violation No Bond Warrant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774055296035.png" alt="Tucker photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Tucker photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest in Brown County, Kansas.Just after noon March 17., Brown County deputies assisted the US Marshals in apprehending Cody Tucker 31 Grant City, Missouri, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.Tucker was located at a rural residence in Brown County and taken into custody without incident.&nbsp;&nbsp; Tucker was arrested on a Felony Missouri Department of Corrections Parole Violation No Bond Warrant.

U.S. Marshals capture wanted suspect at rural Kansas home

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an aggravated battery that left a woman injured.

 The incident occurred just after noon Thursday. near the 1000 block of North Ridgeview Road in Olathe, according to Police Sergeant&nbsp;John Moncayo,

Officers responded to a report of an armed disturbance and found a 38-year-old woman suffering from a serious injury consistent with a stabbing. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Police took a 27-year-old suspect into custody. They did not release his name or possible requested charges.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an aggravated battery that left a woman injured. The incident occurred just after noon Thursday. near the 1000 block of North Ridgeview Road in Olathe, according to Police Sergeant&nbsp;John Moncayo,Officers responded to a report of an armed disturbance and found a 38-year-old woman suffering from a serious injury consistent with a stabbing. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment.Police took a 27-year-old suspect into custody. They did not release his name or possible requested charges.

Man arrested for alleged knife attack on woman at Kansas home

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mike-schneider">MIKE SCHNEIDER</a> Associated Press

Former reality TV star Joseph Duggar is facing a child molestation charge in Florida, almost five years after his brother Josh, who also starred in the TLC show “19 Kids and Counting,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-entertainment-arkansas-music-f00cacdbe17801f838ba6234c04a2fc7">was convicted</a>&nbsp;of downloading child sexual abuse images.

Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested in Arkansas, where he lives, and was awaiting extradition to Florida on Thursday. Duggar is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a child under 12 years old, according to an arrest affidavit from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Panama City, Florida.

Police officers in Tontitown, Arkansas, on Wednesday contacted deputies in Bay County, saying they had interviewed a 14-year-old girl who told them that Duggar had molested her several times during a family trip to Panama City Beach when she was age 9, according to the affidavit.

The girl’s father confronted Duggar about the abuse this week, and the father said Duggar admitted to it. Police officers in Tontitown had the father call Duggar with a detective on the line, and he again admitted to the actions, the arrest affidavit said.

There was no online court docket in Florida for Duggar so it wasn’t known if he had an attorney. Nobody responded immediately to an inquiry made on the Duggar family media request website.

Police in Tontitown didn’t respond to inquiries made by email and phone.

TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” followed the lives of devout Baptists Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar and their 19 children, all of whose names began with the letter “J.”

TLC canceled the show in 2015 following allegations that Josh Duggar had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter years earlier. Josh Duggar’s parents said he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-reality-tv-megyn-kelly-josh-duggar-c86c3d28bb8446f29bf0e46ef713d169">confessed</a>&nbsp;to the fondling and apologized.

He was sentenced in 2022 to about 12 1/2 years in prison on one count each of receiving and possessing images portraying child sexual abuse.

Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773948863405.png" alt="Washington County Detention Center" />
 <figcaption>Washington County Detention Center</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mike-schneider">MIKE SCHNEIDER</a> Associated PressFormer reality TV star Joseph Duggar is facing a child molestation charge in Florida, almost five years after his brother Josh, who also starred in the TLC show “19 Kids and Counting,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-entertainment-arkansas-music-f00cacdbe17801f838ba6234c04a2fc7">was convicted</a>&nbsp;of downloading child sexual abuse images.Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested in Arkansas, where he lives, and was awaiting extradition to Florida on Thursday. Duggar is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a child under 12 years old, according to an arrest affidavit from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Panama City, Florida.Police officers in Tontitown, Arkansas, on Wednesday contacted deputies in Bay County, saying they had interviewed a 14-year-old girl who told them that Duggar had molested her several times during a family trip to Panama City Beach when she was age 9, according to the affidavit.The girl’s father confronted Duggar about the abuse this week, and the father said Duggar admitted to it. Police officers in Tontitown had the father call Duggar with a detective on the line, and he again admitted to the actions, the arrest affidavit said.There was no online court docket in Florida for Duggar so it wasn’t known if he had an attorney. Nobody responded immediately to an inquiry made on the Duggar family media request website.Police in Tontitown didn’t respond to inquiries made by email and phone.TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” followed the lives of devout Baptists Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar and their 19 children, all of whose names began with the letter “J.”TLC canceled the show in 2015 following allegations that Josh Duggar had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter years earlier. Josh Duggar’s parents said he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-reality-tv-megyn-kelly-josh-duggar-c86c3d28bb8446f29bf0e46ef713d169">confessed</a>&nbsp;to the fondling and apologized.He was sentenced in 2022 to about 12 1/2 years in prison on one count each of receiving and possessing images portraying child sexual abuse.___Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana contributed to this report.