UPDATE: Engineers were able to fix the issue and get KWBW's AM signal back on the air Wednesday at 6:04 p.m.

KWBW is experiencing issues with our AM transmitter.&nbsp; Because of that the over the air signal at 1450 AM is off the air.&nbsp;

Engineers are working to restore the signal, but in the meantime you can still hear KWBW over the air at 98.5 FM or via our KWBW app available on the Apple App Store or Google Play.&nbsp;&nbsp;

You can also hear it at <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">KWBWRadio.com</a>.

Transmitter issues cause loss of KWBW AM signal 

KIM BALDWIN &nbsp;McPherson County farmer and rancher

My family recently celebrated the life of my husband’s grandmother. We were incredibly lucky to have Grandma Irene in our lives for so many years. 

I don’t know a lot of people who knew a great-grandparent, but our son and daughter are old enough to remember her. While she lived three hours from us, she was very much aware of what we were all doing between our visits by keeping up with us on Facebook or through reading this column in her local paper. 

She kept us up-to-date by writing letters that she’d put into cards and send to arrive just in time for birthdays and holidays. You always knew to be on the lookout for an envelope in the mailbox from her a few days before those special days.

Sometimes Grandma Irene would send a handwritten letter just because and include a news clipping or pages from her daily devotionals that reminded her of us.

She had raised her family on a farm as well and knew what living in the country and raising crops and kids entailed. She loved seeing pictures of her great-grandkids holding lambs, working cattle, riding in a tractor or enjoying a meal in the field during harvest.

A handful of years ago, she moved into an assisted living facility in her small town in Southeast Kansas. She’d write us letters telling us about her days.

She stayed busy with her sewing and piano playing and eating out with family on Sundays. She’d write about the games she and the other residents would play and would mention on occasion that she’d outlived another one of her friends.

Regardless of the topic of her letters, we always knew she was staying active within her church and social circle. We also knew she was always praying for us and loved us immensely.

Her funeral was well attended for a woman who had outlived so many of her friends. Aside from family, the seats were filled with those who knew her from church or the community. 

At one point during her funeral, those in attendance were encouraged to share their memories of her. It took quite a while for the microphone to be passed around. 

It was evident that Grandma Irene loved a lot of people. Whether it was memories of her helping with 4-H projects, sewing quilts or gifting dish scrubs, writing letters, serving in her church or keeping a stash of cinnamon flavored candy and oatmeal cream pies in the pantry for her grandkids, the shared memories truly celebrated her and the work she did.

This is the time of the year when I’d normally find a blue, yellow or purple envelope in our mailbox containing a card and personalized handwritten letter inside letting us know she was thinking of us as we prepared for all of the spring work required on the farm.

I’ll miss those letters from Grandma Irene. They were simple, yet intentional, acts that let her loved ones know that she was thinking of them from afar. Those simple, intentional acts are what will remind me of Grandma Irene and the life she lived loving others.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Insight: Letters from Grandma

Developers, State Officials Highlight Data-Center Opportunities for Rural Kansas at Hutchinson Forum

Rural communities like Reno County could play a significant role in the rapidly expanding artificial-intelligence infrastructure industry, according to speakers at a data-center development forum held Wednesday in Hutchinson.

The event brought together technology developers, state economic-development officials and utility representatives to discuss how growing demand for artificial-intelligence computing could shape economic development across Kansas.

Sergi Gerasymovych, founder of AI infrastructure developer Ramiform AI, said demand for computing power has surged as artificial intelligence becomes integrated into everyday technology.

AI data centers, he explained, are large facilities filled with powerful computers that process and store massive amounts of data, allowing users to access AI tools through phones, computers and other connected devices. The facilities operate continuously and require significant electrical power and cooling systems.

Gerasymovych said investment in AI infrastructure has accelerated dramatically since the rise of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. He noted that major technology companies collectively committed roughly $500 billion toward AI infrastructure projects in 2025 alone, with additional growth expected in the coming years.

For communities that attract data-center development, he said the projects can create a wide range of economic benefits.

Large data-center campuses can generate thousands of temporary construction jobs and dozens to more than 100 permanent technical positions. Those jobs often pay $80,000 or more annually.

The facilities also typically operate for decades and sign long-term power agreements with utilities, generating property-tax revenue that can support schools, infrastructure and other local services.

Gerasymovych addressed common concerns raised by communities considering data-center projects, including electricity demand, water usage and grid reliability. He said many modern facilities rely on closed-loop cooling systems designed to limit water consumption and include backup power systems to prevent outages from affecting surrounding communities.

He also emphasized that data centers do not necessarily need to be located in large metropolitan areas and can be built on larger tracts of land outside city limits.

Kansas, he said, offers several advantages for developers, including available land, strong wind-energy resources and access to regional electric-transmission infrastructure.

“If a data center doesn’t come here, it will go somewhere else,” Gerasymovych said. “Communities that prepare for it have the opportunity to capture the investment, the jobs and the infrastructure that comes with it.”

Paul Hughes, who works on large-scale development projects for the Kansas Department of Commerce, said communities considering data-center recruitment should first understand how the industry operates.

Unlike traditional economic-development projects that are measured by building size or number of employees, data centers are typically defined by the amount of electricity they consume.

Smaller facilities may operate at five to 10 megawatts of power, while “hyperscale” centers operated by companies such as Google, Meta and Oracle can require significantly more.

Kansas currently has about 20 data centers statewide, Hughes said. That number trails states such as Texas and Virginia, which have spent years building infrastructure and workforce pipelines designed to attract the industry.

However, interest in Kansas has increased recently as the state upgrades its electric-transmission system and adopts policies aimed at attracting data-center investment.

Hughes pointed to Senate Bill 98, which provides a sales-tax exemption for equipment used in qualifying large facilities and created an intelligence-fusion process designed to review potential operators and protect the state’s electric grid.

Water consumption is often one of the first concerns raised when communities evaluate potential projects, Hughes said. While traditional evaporative cooling systems can require several million gallons of water per day for a large facility, newer air-cooled and liquid-cooling technologies can reduce those needs significantly.

Construction of a data center can temporarily boost local economies through construction employment and spending at hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Once operational, Hughes said the facilities typically employ fewer workers but offer highly technical positions paying roughly $60,000 to more than $100,000 annually.

He added that Kansas law requires developers of large projects to pay for the electric-infrastructure upgrades needed to serve their facilities, meaning those costs cannot be passed on to residential customers.

Hughes encouraged communities to plan ahead by identifying industrial areas that could accommodate large projects and working with utilities to understand where power capacity exists. The Kansas Department of Commerce also offers free cost-benefit analyses to help communities determine whether a proposed project would provide a positive economic impact.

“Sites that meet all the requirements for data centers are difficult to find,” Hughes said. “Communities ultimately decide whether they want to pursue them.”

Growing interest from data centers and other large industrial users is also reshaping energy planning across Kansas and the Midwest.

Jason Klindt, senior director of external affairs for Evergy, said requests from companies seeking large amounts of electricity have increased sharply in recent years.

Projects requiring at least 10 megawatts of power have doubled annually since the early 2000s, he said, reflecting broader economic shifts such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductor production and companies relocating supply chains to the United States.

“We’re seeing more and more large users,” Klindt said. “What used to be a rare project is now something we’re tracking constantly because of the number and size of requests.”

Evergy serves approximately 1.5 million residential customers, 200,000 commercial customers and about 6,100 industrial users across Kansas and Missouri. Hutchinson and Reno County are part of the utility’s Kansas Central service area.

Klindt said the electric industry is undergoing a major transition. While coal once dominated Evergy’s power portfolio, the company now relies on a mix of resources that includes wind, natural gas and nuclear power generated at the Wolf Creek station near Burlington.

Maintaining a diverse portfolio is critical for reliability, he said, noting that severe winter storms have affected nearly every type of energy source.

“We had problems with nearly every fuel type during winter storms,” Klindt said. “That’s why it makes sense to have a mix of resources rather than relying on one.”

Evergy currently has about 10 gigawatts of potential projects in its development pipeline — roughly equal to the electricity needed to power the entire Evergy system today.

To prepare for that demand, the company is expanding generation capacity with new natural-gas facilities in Kansas and additional solar projects.

Klindt said large power users such as data centers can also generate significant revenue for communities through franchise fees, which cities collect as a percentage of electricity sales.

“These projects can generate tens of millions of dollars in new revenue for cities through the franchise fee alone,” he said.

To protect existing customers from higher costs, Evergy recently implemented a special “large load” tariff for customers requiring 75 megawatts or more of electricity. Those customers pay premium rates that are 15 to 20 percent higher than standard industrial rates and commit to long-term contracts lasting up to 17 years.

According to Klindt, the additional revenue helps offset system costs and reduce pressure on rates for residential and small-business customers.

“Those large users are paying a premium, and that helps protect everyone else on the system,” he said.

Speakers at the forum said the growing demand for digital infrastructure is likely to continue reshaping economic-development strategies nationwide — and could create new opportunities for rural and mid-sized communities willing to prepare for the industry.

Developers, state officials highlight trends in data-center devlopment

Kansas lawmakers heard testimony this week on a proposal that would eventually eliminate property taxes statewide and replace them with a new surcharge on retail purchases.

The Kansas Senate Tax Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 488, known as the Kansas Property Tax Freedom Act of 2026, which would phase out property taxes over several years and replace lost revenue through a statewide “fair share purchase surcharge.”

Under the proposal, property tax mill levies would be cut in half in 2026 and reduced to 25% of current levels in 2027. Beginning in 2028, property taxes on real and personal property would be eliminated entirely if voters approve a related constitutional amendment.

To offset the loss of property tax revenue, the bill proposes a new surcharge beginning in 2027. Purchases under $20 would be subject to a 7.6% surcharge, while purchases of $20 or more would carry a flat $1.60 fee per transaction. Retailers would collect the surcharge at the point of sale and remit it to the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Revenue from the surcharge would be distributed among several recipients, including 48% to school districts, 35% to cities, counties and other local governments, 12% to the state general fund, and 5% to a new Property Tax Freedom Reserve Fund. The reserve fund would help offset revenue losses during the transition and could eventually provide rebate payments to Kansas taxpayers if the fund exceeds $500 million.

Sen. Michael Murphy, a proponent of the bill, told committee members property taxes remain one of the most common concerns he hears from constituents.

“Every time I knock doors, property tax is a problem,” Murphy said. “I think we need to get out of the box and look at something that goes forward.”

Murphy acknowledged the proposal is not finalized but said the bill is intended to spark discussion on ways to provide meaningful property tax relief.

Several citizens and former lawmakers testified in support of the concept, arguing that rising property valuations and tax bills are putting financial pressure on homeowners and farmers.

Former state Rep. Carrie Barth told the committee property taxes are one of the biggest affordability issues facing Kansans.

“Property tax is the number one issue for our state,” Barth said. “People should not be taxed out of their homes.”

Other supporters said eliminating property taxes could attract new residents and businesses to Kansas while lowering the cost of homeownership.

Opponents and neutral conferees raised concerns about the proposal’s financial impact and implementation. Dave Trabert of the Kansas Policy Institute said the bill would require significant changes to the state’s school finance system and could reduce funding for local governments.

Trabert also noted the state lacks the transaction data needed to determine whether the proposed surcharge would generate enough revenue to replace property taxes.

Committee Chair Sen. Caryn Tyson said the proposal appears to require more development before moving forward. Lawmakers did not take immediate action on the bill following the hearing.

For the proposal to take effect, Kansas voters would first need to approve a constitutional amendment prohibiting property taxes, which could appear on the ballot in a future statewide election.

Lawmakers hear testimony on property tax bill

 Area students will have an opportunity this summer to complete driver’s education through a program offered by Buhler USD 313.

The USD 313 Summer Driver’s Education course will run June 1 through June 30, with online coursework completed during that time and behind-the-wheel driving scheduled throughout June and July.

The program is open to all area students, not just those enrolled in Buhler USD 313 Schools.

To participate, students must be at least 14 years old and must either already have a valid instructional permit or take the permit test through the program.

According to program information, the course will feature fully online classroom instruction, allowing students to complete coursework from anywhere. Participants will also receive private driving instruction as part of the program.

Enrollment forms are available in school offices at Buhler High School, Prairie Hills Middle School, Hutchinson High School, Hutchinson Middle School–8, Trinity Catholic Jr/Sr High School, and Central Christian School.

Parents or students seeking more information can contact Abby Thompson at <a>athompson@usd313.org</a> or by phone at (620) 662-6027

USD 313 to offer summer drivers education

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will begin an overlay project on K-251 in Sedgwick County the week of March 16, conditions permitting. The project will improve the road surface, extending the pavement’s service life.

Work will take place on the entire length of K-251, a little less than 4 miles. K-251 runs between U.S. 54/400 and Cheney Lake State Park. Traffic will be guided through the area with flaggers and a pilot car. Motorists should be prepared to slow down and stop and expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

Pearson Construction, of Wichita, is the prime contractor on the $3.4 million project. The project is expected to be completed by the end of summer, conditions permitting. For current road conditions, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kandrive.gov%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019cd9b10960-07e736e9-e657-462f-a5ea-7c2c3082ecc4-000000/d6bkXvWLfAZBQ5jOj0tX2oTYsQ4qI--I9-But0-blIM=448">kandrive.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 511. For updates on construction projects in South Central Kansas, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.ksdot.gov%2Fsouthcentralnews%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019cd9b10960-07e736e9-e657-462f-a5ea-7c2c3082ecc4-000000/xVUIS4tdU8xHIJKm0UT6Yg_pfTsnrb0NwNgkHH43eQo=448">ksdot.gov/southcentralnews</a>.

KDOT to begin overlay work at Cheney Lake

A night of stand-up comedy and music is coming to Hutchinson later this month as organizers prepare for “Haha Hutch,” a comedy event featuring Hutchinson native Brett Riley.

The show is scheduled for Friday, March 27, and will be held at the 1861 Club as part of the venue’s Liquid Aloha concert series. Organizers say Riley, a Hutchinson High School graduate, has been building a following on the West Coast comedy circuit and will be returning home for what is believed to be his first performance in Hutchinson.

Riley will headline the evening with a stand-up performance, and the entertainment will continue after the show with a DJ providing music for the remainder of the night. Organizers say the goal is to create a full evening of entertainment where attendees can enjoy comedy and stay afterward to socialize and enjoy the music.

Tickets for “Haha Hutch” are available online through the 1861 Club website at 1861club.com, which links to the same ticketing platform used for Kansas State Fair events.

“Haha Hutch” is expected to draw both comedy fans and community members interested in supporting a hometown performer returning to the stage in Hutchinson.

'Haha Hutch' to feature Hutchinson native

The second Legislative Forum of the 2026 Kansas legislative session is scheduled for Saturday, March. 14, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Hutchinson Community College Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th Ave.

Reno County legislators invited to participate include Sen. Michael Murphy, Rep. Joe Seiwert, Rep. Paul Waggoner, Rep. Kyler Sweely and Rep. Kevin Schwertfeger.

Written questions will be accepted the morning of the forum. Questions may also be submitted in advance through the advocacy page of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce website.

The forum is presented by AT&amp;T, with supporting sponsorship from Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, and is organized by the Chamber’s Public Policy Committee.

There is no cost to attend. Chamber members and the general public are encouraged to participate.

Second legislative forum to be held Saturday

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries">Click&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners</a>.

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/35522b08-cd30-49e1-93e0-85962282628b">PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW OBITUARY POLICY.</a> Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="http://hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">hutchpost@eaglemedia.com&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a>

Recent obituaries and service times

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ——————————————

Cole	Alexander	3/10/2026 3:45&nbsp;PM	Robbins		Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Poss of marijuana; 1 prior conviction,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Joshua	Aaron	3/10/2026 6:37&nbsp;PM	Milleson		Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction),					Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede Breathing by Pressure to Throat, Neck or Chest,					Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede Breathing by Pressure to Throat, Neck or Chest

Stephen	Gilmore	3/10/2026 8:17&nbsp;PM	Washington		Failure to Appear

Joshua	Adam	3/10/2026 9:03&nbsp;PM	Boyd		Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (1st conviction)

Michael	David	Cunningham		3/10/2026 11:05&nbsp;PM	DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+,					Poss of marijuana,					Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant,					Alcohol; Illegal Transportation of Alcoholic Beverage,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Possession of a Firearm Under the Influence

Kelly	Lynette	Pitchford		3/10/2026 11:29&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Daily Bookings

Community members will have an opportunity to learn about the growing role of data centers and digital infrastructure during a public forum scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, at the Stringer Fine Arts Center.

The event, titled “Trends in Data Center Development,” will begin at 11 a.m. at the Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th Ave. in Hutchinson. The program will feature a panel of industry leaders discussing the future of data center development and its potential impact on communities like Hutchinson and the broader region.

Featured speakers include Paul Hughes, Headquarters and Megaprojects Business Development for the Kansas Department of Commerce; Sergi Gerasymovych, founder of Ramiform AI; Jason Klindt, senior director of external affairs for Evergy; Don Whitman, president and CEO of Superior Boiler LLC; and Dwayne Corcoran, vice president of operations and co-founder of Cormor Inc.

The discussion will focus on trends shaping the rapidly growing data center industry, including infrastructure needs, energy demands, economic development opportunities and how communities can prepare for potential projects.

The program will conclude with an interactive question-and-answer session moderated by the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, allowing attendees to engage directly with the panelists.

Organizers say the forum is designed to help local residents, business leaders and policymakers better understand how data center development could influence the region’s economic future.

Panelists named for data center development forum

WICHITA, Kan. —&nbsp;The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office is issued an urgent warning to the public regarding a sophisticated text messaging scam (known as "smishing") currently targeting residents. Scammers are impersonating the Kansas Department of Vehicles (DOV) to steal sensitive personal and financial information.

The scam begins with an unsolicited text message claiming that the recipient’s driver’s license is at risk of suspension due to "unpaid traffic citations" or "unresolved violations." To create a sense of panic, the message often includes a strict deadline (e.g., "by the end of the day") and threatens additional 35% processing fees or legal action.

Once a user clicks the link, they are directed to a fraudulent site that uses official logos, fonts, and layouts to mirror the legitimate DOV website. The site prompts users to enter their:

The fraudulent website (shown first below)vs. the official website, (shown 2nd below)&nbsp; Note the slight differences in the URL.

What To Do If You Receive This Text

If you have already provided financial information to a suspicious site, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to freeze your accounts and monitor for unauthorized charges.

Text scam targets Kan. drivers with fake license suspension threats

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Trump says he will tap the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve to try to 'bring gas prices down."

During an interview Wednesday with WKRC Local 12 in Cincinnati, Trump was asked about tapping the reserve and said, “Well, we’ll do that and then we’ll fill it up.”

He added, “Right now we’ll reduce it a little bit, and that brings the prices down.” He didn’t specify how many barrels of oil the U.S. would release.

Trump frequently criticized the administration of former President Joe Biden for tapping the reserve to try and bring down gas prices.

🎥President Trump's good news on gas prices and Strategic Petroleum Reserve

SALINE COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Wednesday in Saline County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Hyundai Elantra driven by&nbsp; Joseph Doss, 15, Junction City, was actively fleeing law enforcement in a stolen vehicle. The teen driver turned northbound onto Ohio from the Interstate 70 westbound entrance.&nbsp; The car continued northbound on Ohio one half mile North of Thatcher Road, where the asphalt turns to gravel. The driver&nbsp; lost control of the car. It traveled off the the roadway to the right, struck an embankment and rolled onto its&nbsp; top in the roadway.

EMS transported&nbsp;&nbsp;Doss and a passenger Landon L.&nbsp;Alexander, 18, Junction City, to Salina Regional Health Center. The driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The Patrol did not report possible charges the teens face.

Kan. teens hospitalized after police chase, crash in stolen car

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 5p.m. Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri.

&nbsp;A blue Harley-Davidson Sportster was eastbound on Coal Mine Road, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. The driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road just before Winchester. The motorcycle traveled off the roadway to the left, struck multiple trees, and ramped through a wooded area before coming to rest. 

The driver was ejected from the motorcycle and transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased by medical staff. 

This marks fatality #15 for 2026, compared to #11 at the same time last year, according to Gonzalez.

KCPD: Motorcyclist killed after crash into wooded area

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas town known for its prisons is allowing a shuttered private prison to reopen and house immigrants detained for living in the U.S. illegally after a nearly yearlong legal fight amid a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-detention-louisiana-trump-3db72b138d1a6ee8a7bb5388669a1666">massive national push for new detention centers.</a>

The City Commission in Leavenworth on Tuesday approved a permit to private prison operator CoreCivic. Members voted 4-1 to approve a three-year permit with conditions that set minimum staffing levels, ban the housing of minors and provide for a city oversight committee.

“If they don’t follow those guidelines, we can pull the permit,” Mayor Nancy Bauder said before the vote.

The 1,104-bed Midwest Regional Reception Center is 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of the Kansas City International Airport. CoreCivic, one of the nation’s largest private prison operators, said the center will generate $60 million annually once it’s fully open.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/leavenworth">Leavenworth, Kansas</a>, sued CoreCivic after it tried to reopen the shuttered prison without city officials signing off on the deal.

The legal battle played out in state and federal courts, with the Department of Justice siding with CoreCivic in legal filings. The department argued that the city was engaged in an “aggressive and unlawful effort” to “interfere with federal immigration enforcement.”

It appears to be the only such legal battle nationally to delay a private prison from opening amid President Donald Trump’s push for mass deportations. The city argued that requiring a permit would prevent future problems, while CoreCivic maintained that it didn’t need a permit and the process would take too long.

Leavenworth was an unlikely foe because the GOP-leaning city’s name alone evokes a shorthand for serving hard time. Prisons employ hundreds of workers locally at two military facilities, the nation’s first federal penitentiary, a Kansas correctional facility and a county jail, all within 6 miles (10 kilometers) of city hall.

CoreCivic stopped housing pretrial detainees for the U.S. Marshals Service in its Leavenworth facility in 2021 after then-President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-prisons-coronavirus-pandemic-c8c246f00695f37ef2afb1dd3a5f115e">called</a>&nbsp;on the Justice Department to curb the use of private prisons. The American Civil Liberties Union and federal public defenders said inmates’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-890c5ae1e78e46629d1b36a4373fbfdb">rights had been violated</a>&nbsp;and there were stabbings, suicides and even one homicide.

The city’s lawsuit described detainees locked in showers as punishment and accused CoreCivic of impeding city police force investigations of sexual assaults and other violent crimes.

Almost four dozen people spoke in opposition to the permit before the commission’s vote. Bauder admonished the crowd several times for being too noisy, and police removed a protester who yelled vulgar comments.

“We, we the people of Leavenworth, are not fooled and we don’t care about their money,” David Benitez, a city resident, told the commission.

Some backers of the permit cited the potential boost to the local economy. Two CoreCivic employees argued for approval, and one of them, Charles Johnson, of Kansas City, Kansas, said his job gave him purpose and allowed his family to get off of state assistance.

“The people I work alongside are caring, professional and committed to doing things the right way,” he said, his comments drawing boos from critics outside the commission’s meeting room.

City Commissioner Holly Pittman said because the city “stood firm,” it could negotiate conditions on the permit. She said denying it would risk a potentially expensive lawsuit.

“I will not gamble the financial stability of this city,” she said before voting yes. “Let me be clear: Approval does not mean endorsement.”

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas.

Leavenworth relents, will allow prison to reopen and house ICE detainees

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

Just after 2p.m. Tuesday, officers executed a search warrant in the 1700 block of Winne Drive, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

After their investigation, police arrested 25-year-old&nbsp;DeShell Patterson of Manhattan, was arrested at approximately 5:05 p.m. on requested charges that include three counts of possession of opiate/opium/narcotic or certain stimulant and one count each for distribution/possession with intent to distribute heroin/certain stimulants/fentanyl (3.5-100 grams), distribute material containing fentanyl, distribute or possess with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use, use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, and aggravated endangering of a child.

&nbsp;Patterson is being held on a bond of $75,000.

Kansas man accused of selling pills with fentanyl

JOHNSON COUNTY —Fire crews responded to a house fire during a hail storm Tuesday night.

Just after 9p.m. firefighters at a “lightning strike investigation” found a fire in the basement near 172nd Place and Hall Street in Olathe, according to a social media report.

 The fire was quickly stopped. Damage to the home’s electrical system is significant. There were no injuries. Two people and their dogs are temporarily displaced.

🎥Crews fight Kansas house fire during hail storm

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man was taken into custody on Wednesday after driving his van into a security barrier outside the White House, authorities said.

The Secret Service said the man crashed into the temporary security barrier just before 6:30 a.m. He was immediately arrested by officers from the Secret Service’s uniformed division, the agency said.

The man, whose identity was not immediately released, was being interviewed by investigators. Criminal charges were pending, the Secret Service said.

A police bomb squad was called to the scene, checked the vehicle and determined it to be safe.

Van crashed into security gate outside White House, driver arrested

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the area of 55th and Chestnut Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

When officers arrived, they located a man lying in a grassy area, unresponsive, and suffering from gunshot trauma. The victim was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. Officers on scene were updated later he was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Detectives continue working to determine what led up to the shooting. Police have not reported an arrest and did not release the name of the victim.

&nbsp;This incident is being investigated as a homicide at this time and is ongoing.&nbsp;

If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

KCPD looking for witnesses in man's shooting death

WASHINGTON (AP) — Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday that the Senate will consider a bill to impose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/midterms-voting-laws-photo-id-citizenship-republicans-feecb51a6efa41cf32d18fe4b15c08ce">strict new proof-of-citizenship requirements</a>&nbsp;in elections, but says “the votes aren’t there” to pass it through a marathon talking filibuster sought by President Donald Trump.

Trump has said he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gop-save-bill-citizenship-id-filibuster-744071b0a3c86ef64aa19aeb3b552509">won’t sign any other legislation</a>&nbsp;until the bill — known as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-save-act-citizenship-voting-elections-a37c139461d11eb5f82086680b67ffe7">Safeguard American Voter Eligibility</a>&nbsp;or SAVE America Act — is passed. But it faces unified opposition from Democrats, meaning that the Senate can’t pass it unless Republicans change the rules and eliminate the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-filibuster-shutdown-congress-2b46e610460d1c2448c3c7c816454de6">filibuster</a>.

Thune has said there aren’t enough votes to do that, or to launch a talking filibuster that would force Democrats to hold the floor indefinitely to block the bill.

“That is just a function of math,” Thune told reporters on Tuesday, making his strongest statements yet after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-bill-citizenship-senate-thune-trump-3709f2bd02d2c841e16d501529ec9198">weeks of discussions</a>&nbsp;among GOP senators. “For better or worse, I’m the one who has to be a clear-eyed realist about what we can achieve here.”

Republican senators are discussing, instead, voting on the legislation as soon as next week under regular procedure — meaning it will likely fail. Thune said that Republicans are “going to have a fight on the floor” and will force Democrats to vote on “whether they think noncitizens should vote in American elections.”

Trump’s aggressive effort to dictate Senate procedure has put Thune in an awkward position as he has tried to appease the president and increasingly angry base voters who have called for Republicans to do whatever they can to pass it ahead of the midterm elections. But most Republican senators appear to be backing Thune’s approach.

“There’s been enough dithering,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.. “It’s time to go and let the chips fall where they may.”

Trump has made the SAVE America Act a priority ahead of the midterm elections, arguing that Republicans need it to win — even as his party&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-trump-election-certification-capitol-b8284b9b6b22f78ab7f23f8c8b3c3da3">won the presidency</a>&nbsp;and congressional majorities in 2024 without it. Federal law already requires that voters in national elections be U.S. citizens.

“It’ll guarantee the midterms,” he told House Republicans Monday at their annual retreat at his Florida golf club. “If you don’t get it, big trouble.”

But Trump's push is running into the realities of the Senate, where minority Democrats can filibuster any piece of legislation and force Republicans to find 60 votes when they only hold 53 seats. Democrats uniformly oppose the legislation, arguing that it would disenfranchise some 20 million American voters who don’t have birth certificates or other documents readily available.

Republicans could change the rules and eliminate the filibuster to pass it, or they could attempt the talking filibuster. But Thune says they don’t have enough support within the GOP conference to do either.

Even if they did, a talking filibuster would not guarantee passage. Supporters of that approach say that Democrats would eventually tire of speaking or allow the legislation to pass. But Democrats would also be allowed to bring up an indefinite number of amendments on any subject, forcing Republicans to take hard votes in an election year and delaying the process even more.

“We can’t find a piece of legislation in history that’s been passed that way,” Thune said this week.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who has led the talking filibuster push with Trump, posted on X Tuesday that the “Senate should do everything it can in an effort to pass” the bill.

“While passage isn’t guaranteed, we can be certain that failure will be the outcome if we don’t try," Lee wrote.

But leaving a GOP conference meeting on Tuesday, several senators said it was time to move on the legislation, even if they couldn’t accommodate the president’s procedural demands.

“I think we just go ahead and try to get on the bill,” said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas.

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson suggested that they should debate the bill on the floor for an extended time. There should not be a “one and done vote,” he said.

“Our base would scream about that and that wouldn’t be smart,” Johnson said.

There was little anger at Thune, as many of his GOP colleagues agree that eliminating the filibuster would be unwise and the talking filibuster would be risky. Republicans have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-filibuster-resistance-senate-thune-shutdown-e2facc2a1a32811d294b1bd16853f307">long pushed back on efforts to “nuke” the filibuster</a>, arguing that minority rights need to be preserved for legislation.