March 21 is National Down Syndrome Day. On this occasion, we spoke with Max and Terry Bringle about their daughter Kelli’s journey.

Kelli was born 40 years ago with a bleak prognosis.

“That physician, on the very first day, started listing all the things she’d never be able to do,” Terry recalled. “They told us we’d be able to keep her home for a while, but eventually, she would have to go to an institution.”

As first-time parents, it was devastating news.

“The thing that parents of children with Down syndrome need immediately is support,” Max said. “You don’t know what direction to turn. You’re in a labyrinth.”

With support from the medical community and organizations like TECH, Kelli has thrived.

“The infant child program at TECH started working with us when she was 6 weeks old,” Terry said. “We had a speech therapist, a physical therapist, and a teacher come to our house once a week. They showed Max and me what to do—how to help her walk, exercises for her mouth to teach her to keep her tongue in. Without TECH, we wouldn’t have known how to do any of it.”

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/3e32f937-3b42-44fd-9a49-d70c599d6264">LINK: BW Morning Show Interview: Max and Terry Bringle, World Down Syndrome Day&nbsp;</a>

The Bringles emphasize the importance of early intervention, advocacy, and community support. They highlighted Kelli’s achievements and struggles, including open-heart surgery at 14 months old.

“She did have a heart condition and had surgery at 14 months,” Terry said. “But we were fortunate—she’s never needed heart medication or restricted activity.”

That active lifestyle led to her involvement in the Special Olympics.

“She’s been competing in Special Olympics for 25 years,” Terry said. “She’s participated in all the sports offered in our area and has been recognized as the most inspirational athlete for the state of Kansas. She’s in the Special Olympics Kansas Hall of Fame and was named Big 12 Special Olympics Athlete of the Year.”

Max and Terry encourage parents to seek early help and not accept limitations.

“We found out we had to be advocates for her,” Max said. “And by advocating, we realized we could make decisions—decisions people often take for granted. People tend to just listen to their doctor, but we learned we could fire doctors.

“We could have intense conversations with them, demand information before a test, and question procedures,” he continued. “There are different forms of Down syndrome, and understanding that is important.”

For those seeking support or resources, here are two organizations that can help:

Kelli’s Story: A family’s journey with Down syndrome

At approximately 7:30 PM on 03/20/25 Reno County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to an injury accident just west of the Turon city limits on Sun City Rd. 

Reno County EMS and Reno County Fire District 7 were also dispatched to the accident. Upon arrival of the first responders, they found the accident involved a single vehicle. 

A 2000 Dodge Dakota pick-up collided with a bridge railing and continued past the bridge. 

The truck was occupied by 3 people, 2 of which had minor to no injuries. The 3rd occupant, a juvenile, was found to be deceased at the scene. 

The names of those involved are being withheld at this time. This accident is still under investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Accident near Turon leaves juvenile dead, two others with minor injuries 

The Hutchinson Fire Department battled a house fire early Friday morning.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The fire is in the 200 block of West Fifteenth Avenue.&nbsp;

We are working to get details and will pass more information along as it becomes available.&nbsp;&nbsp;

HFD battles house fire

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Hutchinson Community College will be hosting its annual Career Connections Job Fair Thursday, April 3 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Nearly 200 employers have registered to attend seeking employees for full-time, part-time and internship opportunities. A list of the employers currently registered is available at <a href="http://www.hutchcc.edu/careerfair">www.hutchcc.edu/careerfair</a>. The event is free and open to the public.

To help job-seekers prepare, many free resources are available at CareerZone - <a href="http://www.collegecentral.com/hutchcc">www.collegecentral.com/hutchcc</a>. This resource is available not only to HutchCC students but to all community members as well. Current HutchCC students attending the fair who complete a survey are eligible to win one of several prizes, including a 55” Smart TV, Apple Airpods, a Playstation V, Beats Headphones and more.

The Job Fair is made possible through support from these sponsors: Hutchinson Community College, Radio Kansas, Superior Boiler, First National Bank of Hutchinson, Wald Family Foods and Westlake Pipe and Fittings.

For more information, please e-mail <a href="http://CareerZone@hutchcc.edu">CareerZone@hutchcc.edu</a> or visit <a href="http://www.hutchcc.edu/careerfair">www.hutchcc.edu/careerfair</a>.

Annual Career Connections Job Fair to be held on April 3

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/wyatte-grantham-philips">WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner abruptly resigned from his top post at the U.S. passenger railroad this week.

Wednesday’s announcement signaled that the leadership change came down to Amtrak maintaining support from U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement, Gardner said he was stepping down “to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration.”

A successor for Gardner was not immediately named.

Gardner’s departure also arrives just weeks after billionaire Elon Musk&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/elon-musk-says-post-office-amtrak-should-be-privatized-2025-03-05/" target="_blank">floated</a>&nbsp;the idea of privatizing Amtrak, as well as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-postal-service-doge-agreement-daf3bf54fa0718908791fcb368b4d9d8">U.S. Postal Service</a>, at a Morgan Stanley tech conference earlier this month.

Musk, who has been at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-doge-lawsuits-9f6cb9e7f695ee3ad7fa97743a6bf2de">forefront of the Trump administration’s</a>&nbsp;aggressive push to downsize the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/05/business/musk-usps-amtrak-privatization/index.html" target="_blank">reportedly</a>&nbsp;called Amtrak “kind of embarrassing” — while comparing the U.S. carrier to passenger rails seen in other countries, such as bullet trains in China.

When reached for comment on Thursday, the Transportation Department did not provide further details specific to Gardner’s resignation. A statement from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took aim at Amtrak’s Washington D.C. operations — calling on Amtrak’s leadership to “clean up Union Station” and “rid of our nation’s treasures of homelessness and crime.”

Citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, Reuters&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-passenger-railroad-amtrak-ceo-abruptly-steps-down-2025-03-19/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Wednesday that Gardner was asked to step down at the request of Trump, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-amtrak-7036ffa8c0c64118b9deed5a979d94e2">previously sought</a>&nbsp;to cut Amtrak’s budget in his first term.

When reached Thursday, Amtrak declined to comment on whether Gardner was asked to resign. But in Wednesday’s announcement, the Amtrak board stated that it looked forward to “working with President Trump and Secretary Duffy as we build the world-class passenger rail system this country deserves.”

Gardner first got his start with Amtrak as an intern back in the 90s. He later returned and worked at the rail service for the past 16 years, holding the title of CEO since January 2022.

Amtrak struggled during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — with the railroad seeing plummeting ridership as people across the country stopped traveling and stayed home. But passenger numbers have recently rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

For the 2024 fiscal year, Amtrak reported an all-time&nbsp;<a href="https://media.amtrak.com/2024/12/amtrak-sets-all-time-ridership-record-in-fiscal-year-2024/" target="_blank">ridership record</a>&nbsp;of 32.8 million customer trips. That’s up 15% from 2023 — and surpasses Amtrak’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-lifestyle-health-business-coronavirus-pandemic-d924a925609b179dfc6ec5e7f4f02e16">previous record</a>&nbsp;of 32.4 million passengers in 2019.

Ticket revenue for the 2024 fiscal year totaled $2.5 billion, a 9% jump from 2023. And Amtrak posted an adjusted operated loss of $705.2 million, also a 9% improvement year-over-year.

Amtrak CEO abruptly resigns from the nation’s passenger railroad

Kingman County K-State Research and Extension is holding a Cover Crop Meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 6 p.m.   The meeting will be held at the Hangar, 126 North Main in Kingman.   

Presenters at the meeting will be: •Logan Simon, Assistant Professor and Southwest Area Agronomist - discussing Productivity and Water Use • Augustine Obour, Associate Professor in Soil Science – Discussing Soil Health • Jaymelynn Farney, Extension Beef Systems Specialist – Discussing Grazing Cover Crops and Cattle Performance

A complementary meal will be provided but a RSVP is requested for a number of attendees.   

Contact Grace Schneider at Kingman County Research and Extension at 620-532-5131 or via email at gschnei@ksu.edu to RSVP or if you have any questions.  Please RSVP by March 28.  

The event is being sponsored by Heartland Soil Service, Kingman County Farm Bureau and Famers Cooperative Equity Company.  

Cover Crop Meeting to be held in Kingman on April 2

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University and the Kansas Forest Service have announced plans to build a $5 million shared facility to boost current efforts to provide critical training and equipment for firefighters and state-of-the-art instructional space for academic and regional workforce development programs.

The construction process will begin soon on the Kansas Rural Fire and Workforce Development Center, which will be shared by the state's forest service and K-State's department of communications and agricultural education.

The 13,268-square-foot facility will include: • A modernized shop for fire equipment. • A teaching lab for classes about emergency response, modern agricultural technology and mechanics. • A multipurpose classroom and lab for teaching and workforce training and development.

State Forester Jason Hartman said the new building will address "critical space limitations" faced by the Federal Excess Property Program, which acquires excess property from the Department of Defense and other federal sources, retrofits the equipment and then provides it on loan to local fire departments.

Jason Ellis, head of K-State's department of communications and agricultural education, said the facility also creates an applied learning space for faculty to train future teachers and provide continuing education for the state's 300-plus agricultural educators.

"This new facility will allow us to support our key stakeholders in the state by providing high-demand education, professional development and resources," Ellis said.

Ellis hailed the joint effort between the Kansas Forest Service and K-State's College of Agriculture, saying the building's dual program focus is built on the university's vision of becoming the nation's premier land-grant university, as it will be Kansas-centered and learner-focused.

Kansas State University received a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for this project. Hartman added that the forest service's collaboration with the Flint Hills Regional Council was essential to helping secure funding for this project.

K-State, Kansas Forest Service building facility to support state's rural fire and agricultural education initiatives

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The Hutchinson Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 300 block of West 16 Avenue on Wednesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Initial responding crews found a small fire in the attic space of a single-story home.&nbsp; Crews were able to make entry into the attic and extinguish the fire with no issues.&nbsp;

The home was occupied at the time of the call and the occupants were alerted of the issue by their smoke detectors.&nbsp; No injuries were reported.&nbsp;

Damage was contained to the attic and ceiling. The cause of the fire is under investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

HFD fights attic fire on Wednesday 

Britton is an adorable orange tabby who is a medium hair sweetie! 

 This cutie was born in the middle of the cold winter here and has been shy around people but guess what...&nbsp;&nbsp;

Shelter staff have been helping him learn that people are wonderful and provide pets, belly rubs and chin scratches! He now loves to be held and has the strongest little purring motor! &nbsp; 

You can see Britton and all the other kities at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hutchinsonanimalshelter">Hutchinson Animal Shelter</a>, located at 1501 South Severance Street. &nbsp;Their hours are Tuesday through Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Other times are by appointment. &nbsp;You can reach them by phone at 620-694-1924.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Adopt a Furry Friend: Britton

The Fertilizer Institute is happy with President Donald Trump for signing an Executive Order that continues his recognition for the importance of fertilizers to farmers.&nbsp; 

By signing the order, Canadian and Mexican imports of fertilizers will not be subject to any duty or tariffs.&nbsp; 

It will also deem that potash imports from Canada and Mexico will come with a reduced import tariff of 10% percent

You can hear todays Ag Minute in the player below.&nbsp;

Ag Minute: Fertilizer supply 

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end&nbsp;Charles Omenihu is returning for another season following a 1-year, $7 million deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Omenihu has played in 17 games over the past two seasons for the Chiefs, accounting for 34 tackles, five tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.

He became a free agent after the 2024 season. Omenihu only appeared in six games during the 2024 season after returning in late December following a torn ACL in the previous year's AFC Championship Game.

Omenihu, 27, is a former fifth-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2019. He was in the third year of his four-year, $2,815,280 rookie contract when he was traded to the 49ers for a late-round pick in 2021.

🏈 Chiefs re-sign edge rusher Omenihu

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Jonas Aidoo scored 22 points to help 10th-seeded Arkansas to a 79-72 opening-round&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament</a>&nbsp;victory over No. 7 seed Kansas on Thursday night in the latest meeting between two of college basketball’s winningest coaches.

Johnell Davis added 18 points, including some crucial late free throws, to help John Calipari to his first tournament victory as Razorbacks coach. Freshman standout Boogie Fland played for the first time since having right thumb surgery in January and scored six points in 24 minutes.

Arkansas will get either No. 2 seed St. John’s or No. 15 Omaha in the second round of the West Region on Saturday.

Zeke Mayo had 18 points for Kansas (21-13), which has made 35 straight NCAA Tournaments and hadn’t lost in the first round since 2006. AJ Storr&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/1902876748573790487" target="_blank">finished</a>&nbsp;with 15 points and Hunter Dickinson added 11 points and nine rebounds.

Thursday’s matchup was the third March Madness meeting between two of the four active win leaders in men’s college basketball. Calipari is second (876), with Bill Self of Kansas fourth (831) on the list. Both previous meetings were in the national championship game, with each winning once.

Kansas erased what was an 11-point, second-half deficit and nudged ahead 65-64 on a follow shot by Storr with less than six minutes remaining.

The Jayhawks kept the lead until Aidoo connected on a pair of free throws to put the Razorbacks back in front. Arkansas got a stop on the other end and then got a 3-pointer by Davis that gave it a 71-67 cushion with less than two minutes on the clock.

Arkansas’ edge was down to 71-69 before Davis dropped in a pair of free throws. Dickinson missed a 3 on Kansas’ next trip and Arkansas added two more free throws.

The Jayhawks got it back down to 75-72 on a 3-pointer by Rylan Griffen with 13 seconds left. The Razorbacks called back-to-back timeouts trying to get the ball inbounds. They finally did and Davis calmly sank two free throws to help close it out.

Arkansas: Posted its first tournament victory since reaching the Sweet 16 in 2023 under former coach Eric Musselman.

Kansas: Kansas fell to 47-6 record in first-round games all-time.

🏀 KU loses to Arkansas for first round of 64 loss since 2006

Dan Israel, the longtime executive producer of the Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network passed away on Thursday morning after a battle with cancer.

Israel, 60, had worked every Chiefs game the team has played since 1990. He was diagnosed with colon cancer ten years ago and according to reports, the cancer had recently spread to his lungs.

Israel is credited with building up the Chiefs Radio Network into the largest radio network in the National Football League with affiliates in 12 states.

96.5 The Fan, the flagship station for the Chiefs in Kansas City broke the news on Thursday afternoon

Voice of the Chiefs, Mitch Holthus, also released a statement following the passing of his friend and coworker.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Chiefs released the following statements:

"My family and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Dan Israel. Dan was an integral part of our organization for 35 seasons, and his work as executive producer of the Chiefs Radio Network helped bring the game to life for millions of listeners across Chiefs Kingdom. Dan was dedicated, he was kind, and he brought joy into our building each day. Through his battle with cancer over the past ten years, these qualities served as an inspiration to his coworkers and Chiefs fans alike. We will certainly miss him, and we will keep his family in our prayers."

I was heartbroken to hear about the loss of Dan Israel. Over the last several years, I watched Dan battle this disease with strength and a positive attitude. Dan was the first person I would interview with after games. No matter how he was feeling, he always put that aside to get that interview in with a positive spin for our fans. He was a huge part of the Chiefs Radio Network and the Chiefs football team. I loved Dan Israel, and he will be missed by the Chiefs organization but never forgotten.

"I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dan Israel this morning. Danny was part of every Chiefs game of my entire career, and I consider it a great privilege to have been able to watch him work as part of the Chiefs Radio Network. He was a model of professionalism, commitment, and kindness, and he brought a passion to his work that was unmatched, even as he privately battled health conditions for years. Chiefs Kingdom was lucky to have Danny be part of their football lives for 35 seasons, and I am forever grateful to have learned so much from him in my time here. All of Chiefs Kingdom will miss Danny, and I extend my thoughts and prayers to his family."

🏈 Chiefs broadcaster Dan Israel dies after battle with cancer

🏀 KU faces Arkansas in NCAA Tournament opener this evening

🏀 NCAA Men's Tournament: Day 1 schedule

Capsules of American League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:

2024: 92-69, first place, lost to Yankees in AL Championship Series.

He’s Here: 1B Carlos Santana, RHP Luis Ortiz, RHP Paul Sewald, RHP Jakob Junis, LHP John Means

He’s Outta Here: 1B Josh Naylor, 2B Andrés Giménez, CF Myles Straw, RHP Nick Sandlin, LHP Matthew Boyd, RHP Alex Cobb

Top Hitters: 3B José Ramírez (.279, 39 HRs, 118 RBIs, 41 SBs, .872 OPS), LF Steven Kwan (.292, 14, 44, .793 OPS), 1B Carlos Santana (.238, 23, 71, .749 OPS with Minnesota).

Projected Rotation: RH Tanner Bibee (12-8, 3.47 ERA), RH Ben Lively (13-10, 3.81), RH Luis Ortiz (7-6, 3.92 with Pittsburgh), RH Gavin Williams (3-10, 4.86), RH Triston McKenzie (3-5, 5.11)

Key Relievers: RH Emmanuel Clase (4-2, 0.61 ERA, 47/50 saves, 8.0 Ks/9 IP), RH Cade Smith (6-1, 1.91, 1 save), RH Hunter Gaddis (6-3, 1.57), RH Paul Sewald (1-2, 4.31, 16/20 saves with Arizona), LH Jakob Junis (4-0, 2.69, 1 save with Milwaukee and Cincinnati).

Outlook: With Ramírez leading the way on offense and one of baseball’s top bullpens, the Guardians should contend for their sixth AL Central title since 2016. However, there remain concerns about the rotation and the middle of the batting order. Bibee will be the staff’s ace until Shane Bieber returns later this season after having Tommy John surgery last year. The final two rotation spots are questionable after Williams and McKenzie struggled last season. While Ramírez and Kwan provide plenty of offense at the top of the order, the rest of the lineup needs to keep pace. This could be a pivotal year for catcher Bo Naylor, who had 13 home runs but batted only .201 last season.

2024: 86-76, second place AL Central, lost ALDS to Guardians.

Opening Day: March 27 at Los Angeles Dodgers.

He’s Here: 2B Gleyber Torres, RHP Jack Flaherty, RHP John Brebbia, RHP José Urquidy, RHP Tommy Kahnle, RHP Alex Cobb.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Shelby Miller, LHP Joey Wentz, RHP Alex Faedo, OF Mark Canha, 3B Gio Urshela.

Top Hitters: LF Riley Greene (.262, 24 HRs, 74 RBIs), RF Kerry Carpenter (.285, 18, 57), 1B Colt Keith (.260, 13, 61), OF/IF Matt Vierling (.257, 16, 57), Torres (.257, 15, 63), SS Javier Báez (.184, 6, 37).

Projected Rotation: LH Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39 ERA, 228 Ks in 192 IP), RH Jack Flaherty (13-7, 3.17 in 28 starts), RH Reese Olson (4-8, 3.53 in 22 starts), RH Jackson Jobe (0-0, 2 Ks in 4 IP), RH Casey Mize (2-6, 4.49).

Key Relievers: RH Jason Foley (3-6, 3.15 ERA, 28 saves), RH Will Vest (3-4, 2.82, 69 games), RH Tommy Kahnle (0-2, 2.11 in 50 games with New York Yankees, LH Tyler Holton (7-2, 2.19 in 66 games), RH John Brebbia (0-6, 5.86 in 59 games with Atlanta and Chicago White Sox).

Outlook: The Tigers are expected to contend for a spot in the playoffs, a year after a late-season surge ended a decade-long postseason drought. They kept their top players and made some key additions, signing a two-time All-Star (Torres) and bringing back Flaherty as a free agent to rejoin a rotation led by the AL Cy Young and Triple Crown winner (Skubal). Injuries may be a concern in the outfield with Vierling, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Perez and Akil Baddoo already banged up and oft-injured Cobb ailing again. If DH Spencer Torkelson can get in a groove at the plate, it would be a big boost for the lineup.

2024: 86-76, tied for second place, lost to Yankees in Division Series.

He’s Here: 2B Jonathan India, RHP Carlos Estevez, INF Cavan Biggio.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Brady Singer, INF Adam Frazier, OF Garrett Hampson, 1B/OF Tommy Pham.

Top Hitters: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (MLB-best .332, 32 HRs, 109 RBIs, 31 SBs), 1B Vinnie Pasquantino (.262, 19, 97), C/1B Salvador Perez (.271, 27, 104), 2B Jonathan India (.248, 15, 58), INF/OF Michael Massey (.259, 14, 45), INF/OF Maikel Garcia (.231, 7, 58, 37 SBs).

Projected Rotation: LH Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14 ERA), RH Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.00 in MLB-best 33 starts), RH Michael Wacha (13-8, 3.35), RH Michael Lorenzen (2-0, 1.57), LH Kris Bubic (1-1, 2.67).

Key Relievers: RH Lucas Erceg (2-6, 3.36 ERA, 14 saves with Royals and Athletics), RH Carlos Estevez (4-5, 2.45, 26 saves with Angels and Phillies), RH Hunter Harvey (0-0, 6.35), RH John Schreiber (4-3, 3.66), RH Alec Marsh (9-9, 4.53), LH Angel Zerpa (2-0, 3.86).

Outlook: The Royals went from 106-loss laughingstock in manager Matt Quatraro’s first season to 86 wins, a second-place finish in the AL Central and a wild-card series win over Baltimore last year. The biggest reason for the abrupt turnaround was an almost entirely rebuilt starting rotation, which produced All-Stars in Ragans and Lugo and dependability in Singer and Wacha. Singer was traded to the Reds in the deal that landed on-base machine India to play 2B, but the rotation otherwise returns intact with Bubic, Lorenzen and Kyle Wright in the mix for the open job. The Royals failed to land an offensive upgrade in the corner outfield spots, so they will hope incumbents produce more than last season. They can hardly expect more from Witt, who finished second to the Yankees’ Aaron Judge in AL MVP voting while also winning Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards during his All-Star season. The Royals play in a relatively weak division, so they expect to be in the mix for their first title since 2015, when they went on to beat the Mets for the World Series title.

Manager: Rocco Baldelli (seventh season).

He’s Here: 1B Ty France, OF Harrison Bader, LHP Danny Coulombe.

He’s Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, RF Max Kepler, OF Manny Margot, INF Kyle Farmer, OF Alex Kirilloff, LHP Caleb Thielbar, LHP Steven Okert, RHP Josh Staumont.

Top Hitters: SS Carlos Correa (.310, 14 HRs, 54 RBIs, .905 OPS in 86 games), CF Byron Buxton (.279, 18, 56, .859 OPS in 102 games), 3B Royce Lewis (.233, 16, 47 in 82 games), RF Matt Wallner (.259, 13, 37, .894 OPS in 75 games), C Ryan Jeffers (.226, 21, 64).

Projected Rotation: RH Pablo López (15-10, 4.08 ERA, 198 Ks in 185 1/3 innings), RH Bailey Ober (12-9, 3.98, 191 Ks in 178 2/3 innings), RH Joe Ryan (7-7, 3.60, 0.985 WHIP in 23 starts), RH Chris Paddack (5-3, 4.99 in 17 starts), RH Simeon Woods Richardson (5-5, 4.17).

Key Relievers: RH Jhoan Durán (6-9, 3.64 ERA, 23/25 saves, 66 Ks in 54 1/3 innings), RH Griffin Jax (5-5, 2.03, 10/16 saves, 0.873 WHIP, 95 Ks in 71 innings), RH Cole Sands (9-1, 3.28, 85 Ks in 71 1/3 innings), LH Danny Coulombe (1-0, 2.12 in 29 2/3 innings with Orioles).

Outlook: After losing 27 of their last 39 games to tumble out of a spot in the playoffs, the Twins will try to reset on the field while the franchise remains for sale and fan angst is stronger than it’s been in years. Keeping their best players healthy will be the first place to start, after Correa and Lewis missed long stretches with injuries. Buxton was more available than he’d been in seven seasons, but their freefall in mid-August coincided with him hitting the injured list with hip inflammation. Getting a healthy Ryan back for the rotation would also be a big boost, too, after he missed the last six weeks with shoulder trouble. The Twins were 10th in the major leagues in runs in each of the last two seasons despite the series of injuries to several of their key hitters, and their flame-throwing pitching staff that ranked second in baseball in strikeouts in 2024 and first in 2023 features a reliable group of starters and a potentially dominant late-inning trio with Sands and Jax setting up Durán. There’s plenty of potential in a wide-open division for the Twins to bounce right back in 2025.

Opening Day: March 27 vs. Los Angeles Angels.

He’s Here: OF/INF Joey Gallo, INF Brandon Drury, LHP Martín Pérez, C Omar Narváez, INF Bobby Dalbec, LHP Tyler Gilbert, LHP Cam Booser, RHP Bryse Wilson, OF Mike Tauchman, OF Austin Slater.

He’s Outta Here: LHP Garrett Crochet, 3B Yoán Moncada.

Top Hitters: CF Luis Robert Jr. (.224, 14 HRs, 35 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.229, 20, 64), 1B Andrew Vaughn (.246, 19, 70).

Projected Rotation: RH Jonathan Cannon (5-10, 4.49 ERA), LH Martín Pérez (5-6, 4.53 with Pittsburgh and San Diego), RH Davis Martin (0-5, 4.32), RH Bryse Wilson (5-4, 4.04 in 34 appearances and nine starts for Milwaukee), RH Sean Burke (2-0, 1.42).

Key Relievers: RH Justin Anderson (1-2, 4.39, one save), RH Gus Varland (1-0, 3.42 with Los Angeles Dodgers and White Sox), LH Cam Booser (2-3, 3.38, one save with Boston).

Outlook: The White Sox have nowhere to go but up, right? After all, they set a modern major league record for losses last year in GM Chris Getz’s first full season running baseball operations. The team has new leadership in the dugout with Venable taking over for Pedro Grifol, who was fired last August. Venable was an associate manager under Bruce Bochy in Texas for the past two years. Chicago dealt Crochet to Boston at the winter meetings. But the White Sox hung onto Robert at least for now coming off an injury-riddled season. Benintendi was expected to miss four to six weeks after breaking his right hand when he was hit by a pitch during a spring training game in late February, and right-hander Prelander Berroa is out for the season. The White Sox announced last week he would have Tommy John surgery, leaving them without a key reliever. The 24-year-old Berroa had a 3.32 ERA in 17 appearances last season.

⚾ AL Central capsules as MLB season begins next Thursday

🎧 LISTEN: 🏀 NCAA Tournament begins; 🏀 KJCCC postseason awards

🏀 Dickinson earns a pair of All-American honors

SAN MARCOS, Texas –&nbsp;Wichita State was held scoreless in its Texas road trip opener at Texas State, 5-0, on Wednesday evening at Bobcat Softball Stadium.

Texas State struck first, piecing together two hits and a walk in the second inning to score two runs, taking a 2-0 lead.

Neither side scored again until the fifth, when the Bobcats boomed a two-run home run to right field, doubling their lead to 4-0. Texas State scored again later in the inning with a solo homer, taking a 5-0 lead through five innings.

Wichita State starter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ava-sliger/9327">Ava Sliger</a>&nbsp;suffered the loss, throwing 5.0 innings, and allowing five runs on seven hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ryley-nihart/9325">Ryley Nihart</a>&nbsp;dealt a scoreless inning in relief, recording a strikeout.

<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ellee-eck/9322">Ellee Eck</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-lucas/9314">Lauren Lucas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/brookelyn-livanec/9329">Brookelyn Livanec</a>&nbsp;were the lone Shockers to record a hit in the contest.

Next Up The Shockers make the short trip to San Antonio, Texas, to open their conference series with the UTSA Roadrunners on Friday at 6:00 PM CT.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 Shockers blanked by Bobcats

<a href="https://kjccc.org/sports/mbkb/2024-25/div1/Files/2024-25_D1_MBB_All-KJCCC.pdf">2024-25 D1 Men's Basketball All-KJCCC Teams</a>

COLBY, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference has announced the 2024-25 KJCCC D1 Men’s Basketball All-KJCCC teams and winners of the major postseason honors. The awards, which were voted on by each of the league head coaches, include four individuals bringing home major accolades.

Major award winners from the 2024-25 regular season are Most Valuable Player and Newcomer of the Year Marcus Whitlock Jr. (Cowley), Freshman of the Year Eternity Eguagie (Colby), Defensive Player of the Year Emeka Opurum (Butler), and Coach of the Year Donnie Jackson (Cowley).

Most Valuable Player/Newcomer of the Year:&nbsp;Marcus Whitlock Jr. (Cowley) Doubling up on postseason awards, Whitlock Jr. was an integral piece to Cowley’s KJCCC regular season and NJCAA Region 6 Tournament title as the Tigers will play in the NJCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball National Tournament for a second-straight season. Averaging 16.0 points per game, Whitlock Jr. shot over 47 percent from the field and over 42 percent from beyond the arc while grabbing 4.1 rebounds per game and recording a 1.1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Defensively, Whitlock Jr. added 28 total blocks and had 56 steals (fifth-best in KJCCC) while upping his numbers to 17.0 points, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 blocks per game during conference play. Nationally, Whitlock Jr. ranked 13th in made three-point field goals and 27th in total minutes played (985).

Freshman of the Year:&nbsp;Eternity Eguagie (Colby) Eguagie put together a high-level freshman campaign by ranking fourth in the KJCCC in points per game (18.3) while shooting over 50 percent from the floor while helping Colby to a sixth-place finish in the KJCCC regular season standings after the Trojans finished 12th the previous season. Averaging 32.1 minutes played per game, Eguagie also grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game and had 29 games with at least 10 points this season which included a career-best 32 in a double-overtime win at Pratt on February 15th.

Defensive Player of the Year:&nbsp;Emeka Opurum (Butler) Opurum led the KJCCC this season in blocks (87) while ranking fourth in rebounds per game (8.1) in addition to helping Butler rank fourth in the KJCCC in points per game allowed this season (73.4). With Opurum in the lineup, opponents shot only 39.7 percent against the Grizzlies and turned the ball over 14.4 times per contest as Butler finished fifth in the KJCCC regular season and advanced to the NJCAA Region 6 Tournament semifinals. Nationally, Opurum ranked 14th in the NJCAA with 2.6 blocks per game and sixth in total blocks.

Coach of the Year:&nbsp;Donnie Jackson (Cowley) Jackson led Cowley to their first Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference regular season title and NJCAA Region 6 Tournament Championship since 2021 as the Tigers went 26-4 in the regular season and 21-3 in the KJCCC before adding three more wins in the postseason to earn the NJCAA Plains District automatic berth to the 2025 NJCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball National Tournament in Hutchinson. Cowley earned the number two overall seed in the National Tournament and has been consistently ranked in the top 10 of the NJCAA Division 1 men’s basketball top 25 poll this season while ranking in the top three in the conference in field goal percentage, free-throw percentage, assists per game, steals per game, blocks per game, and points per game allowed. &nbsp;

🏀 HutchCC's Aldridge, Dudley, Cannon all named to KJCCC postseason teams

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement investigating a fatal gun fight have two suspects in custody in connection with the crime and continue asking the public for help to locate a third.

The Wichita Police Department is asking for information on the whereabouts of 20-year-old Jerry Johnson.&nbsp; The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office charged Johnson in reference to his involvement to a homicide that occurred on February 11.

Just before 6p.m. Feb. 11, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of S. Bleckley in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesperson Brad Wright.

Officers arrived at the scene and found 23-year-old Manuel Roach with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a disturbance occurred involving Roach and three unidentified males dressed in all black. Following the incident, the suspects departed the scene in a white SUV before law enforcement arrival. The exact circumstances that led up to the shooting are still under investigation, according to Wright. Police do believe this was a targeted incident between individuals known to each other.

An 18-year-old identified as Sergio Clement arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Through the investigation, it was discovered that Clement and 21-year-old Alan Griffin, Jr. were involved in the fatal shooting of Roach. As a result, both were arrested and booked into Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact investigators at 316-268-4407, Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111, or See Something Say Something at 316-519-2282.

Search continues for suspect in deadly Kansas gun fight

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 22-year-old Dayteonna&nbsp;Thompson, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 11:30p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to a disturbance at an apartment in the 600 block of E Minor Drive in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Becchina.

On arrival officers were directed to an apartment unit where they located two adult women inside with unknown injuries. One of the women was alert and talking with what appeared to be minor injuries and another was unresponsive with significant injuries.

Based on preliminary information obtained by the initial responding officers, additional responding officers were able to locate a male subject of interest and take him into custody, for further investigation, a short distance away within the apartment complex.

Initial officers rendered aid to the injured victims and called for EMS who transported both the victims to the hospital for treatment. The female victim with significant injuries later identified as Thompson was pronounced&nbsp; deceased at the hospital. The second woman was treated for what is believed to be non life threatening injuries.

Based on preliminary information it is believed the male subject of interest is known to the women.

Police ID woman who died in KC apartment disturbance

OSBORNE COUNTY —Investigators are working to determine the cause of train derailment in Downs, Kansas.

Early Thursday, a Kyle Railroad train passing through Downs derailed seven railcars carrying corn, according to Kyle Railroad spokesman Tom Ciuba.&nbsp;There were no injuries, and no hazardous materials were involved.&nbsp;

All railroad crossings that were blocked in town are now open.

Cause of Kansas train derailment under investigation

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities at Wichita State University are investigating after a bomb threat at 17th and Yale, near campus, according to an alert sent by the school late Thursday.&nbsp; &nbsp; 

The school sent an all-clear alert later. Police released no additional details.

All clear after bomb threat at Wichita State University

DOUGLAS COUNTY—The search continues for the&nbsp;driver who fled from an attempted vehicle stop Wednesday night leading to a pursuit through a Lawrence, Kansas, neighborhood before the driver struck a concrete barrier at Sixth Street and Schwarz Road, according to a social media report from the Douglas County Sheriff.

Just before 10p.m. Wednesday, a Douglas County Sheriff's deputy recognized the driver as someone with outstanding warrants and attempted to stop the vehicle near West Seventh Street and Lawrence Avenue before the driver fled in a 2004 Cadillac DeVille.&nbsp;

Striking the barrier deflated a tire on the vehicle, and the driver ran from the scene through backyards between residences in the 500 block of Schwarz Road. Lawrence police officers assisted deputies in searching the area, including using a drone and K-9.

Law enforcement did not locate the suspect. Deputies did identify the suspect and planned to submit an affidavit to prosecutors related to charges for felony fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement related to the pursuit.

Deputies took one passenger in the DeVille, a 21-year-old Lawrence man, into custody on warrants outside of Douglas County.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the suspects.

Kansas suspect at large after running from police chase, crash

WASHINGTON —The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in Middle East, pursue its nuclear program, and support its terrorist proxies.&nbsp; Iran’s oil exports are enabled by a network of illicit shipping facilitators in multiple jurisdictions who, through obfuscation and deception, load and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of State.

On Thursday, the United States announced it is taking action under National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-2, President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran.&nbsp; This action marks the fourth round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales to stop the flow of revenue the regime uses to fund their destabilizing activities.&nbsp; The Department of State is imposing sanctions on one entity engaged in the acquisition of Iranian petroleum.&nbsp; This target is being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, which authorizes and reimposes certain sanctions with respect to Iran.&nbsp; In a separate action, the Department of the Treasury is imposing sanctions on 19 entities and vessels pursuant to E.O. 13902, which targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors.

Specifically, the Department of State is taking action against a crude oil and petroleum products storage terminal in the port of Huizhou in China.&nbsp; The terminal received and stored Iranian-origin crude oil onboard a blocked tanker.&nbsp; Crude oil and petroleum products terminals based in China serve as the gateway for Iranian petroleum products to enter the Chinese market.&nbsp; As China is the largest importer of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, terminals in China play a critical role in supporting Iran’s efforts to maintain revenues from its energy exports and fuel its destabilizing activities.

The Department is designating the following entity pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran:

As a result of today’s sanctions-related actions, and in accordance with E.O. 13846, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).&nbsp; Additionally, all entities and individuals that have ownership, either directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.

All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt.&nbsp; These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

The power and integrity of U.S. government sanctions derive not only from the U.S. government’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.

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