HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A longtime volunteer-run thrift store in Hutchinson is continuing its mission of stretching dollars for families while quietly funneling thousands of dollars back into the community each year.

Leaders with the Fair Price Clothing Center say the nonprofit donated just under $61,000 to local charities for 2025, while also helping nearly 1,700 people meet basic clothing and household needs through a voucher program.

Gregory Johnson, Jane McLaughlin and Beth Henshaw recently shared the store’s story and impact, noting the organization traces its roots back to the early 1980s.

“It first started as a small clinic that provided vaccines and checkups for low-income individuals,” Johnson said. “There was a little clothing area in the back. Over time, the clinic closed and it grew into what we are today — a nonprofit clothing center and thrift store.”

Supported by local Methodist churches

The store operates as a ministry of eight Hutchinson-area Methodist churches, and is powered almost entirely by volunteers.

“It’s all a labor of love,” McLaughlin said. “One hundred percent.”

After covering basic operating costs such as utilities, every remaining dollar goes back into Reno County through donations to community partners.

Organizations supported last year included Circles of Reno County, Meals on Wheels, Christian Soup Ministry, Reno County Food Bank, Friendship Meals, Everfull Aging, First Call for Help, BrightHouse, Interfaith Housing, Hospice &amp; HomeCare of Reno County, The Salvation Army, Cancer Council of Reno County, Special Olympics groups, Crime Stoppers, Honor Flight and several church and neighborhood programs.

Voucher system helps families in need

Beyond financial support, the center directly serves residents through a referral-based voucher system.

Partner agencies like First Call for Help, BrightHouse and The Salvation Army issue vouchers to individuals and families. Those vouchers can then be redeemed at the store for essentials such as:

Last year, 1,692 people received assistance through the program.

“They bring the voucher in, and we help them fill their need,” Henshaw explained. “Clothing, household goods, hygiene items — whatever we can provide.”

Like many nonprofits, inventory depends entirely on community donations. Some items disappear quickly. Current high-demand items include:

Smaller household goods such as dishes, silverware, crock pots and irons are also welcome. The store cannot accept large furniture or major appliances due to space limitations.

Volunteers encourage residents to follow the center’s Facebook page for updated needs.

The store is also known for its ultra-low prices, making it accessible for anyone on a budget.

In addition, the last Friday and Saturday of every month feature a popular bag sale, where shoppers can fill a paper bag with clothing for $4. Special month-long sales are also held in March and August.

Misson of dignity and sustainability

Store leaders say their work is about more than bargains — it’s about dignity and stewardship.

“Our goal is to serve the community with compassion and dignity,” McLaughlin said. “And to give a second chance to goods that might otherwise be discarded.”

The Fair Price Clothing Center is located at 15 West B Street, just west of Main.

Hours of operation are; Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.

Donations are accepted during open hours.

For volunteers and supporters, the message is simple. “This is the best place to come shop,” Johnson said. “Everything goes right back into the community.”

Fair Price Clothing Center gives back nearly $61K to Reno County charities

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Local artists have opportunities to showcase their work beyond traditional gallery walls, thanks to an ongoing partnership between the Hutchinson Art Center and the City of Hutchinson.

The Art Center coordinates off-site exhibits inside City Hall’s Council Chamber, rotating displays of artwork at least four times each year. The program gives Reno County artists added visibility while bringing local creativity into one of the community’s most active civic spaces.

Now, the Art Center is looking ahead to its next slate of shows and is seeking artists to schedule exhibits for spring 2026 and beyond.

Executive Director Emily Kohls said the initiative is designed to make art more accessible to the public while helping area artists connect with new audiences.

City Hall traffic includes residents attending council meetings, public hearings and other events, offering artists exposure to a broad cross-section of the community.

Artists interested in participating — or those who want to recommend someone — can contact Kohls directly at <a href="MAILTO:director@hutchinsonartcenter.net">director@hutchinsonartcenter.net</a> or 620-663-1081 for details on scheduling, eligibility and exhibit guidelines.

The off-site program is part of the Art Center’s broader mission to support local talent and integrate the arts into everyday community life across Hutchinson and Reno County.

Hutchinson Art Center seeks artists for council chamber display

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.info 7-day forecast.&nbsp;</a>

Three-day Outlook

For today's learners, higher education must be as adaptable as the lives they lead. Built with flexibility at their core, Kansas State University's online programs support learners balancing careers, family responsibilities and full schedules, offering accessible faculty support, self-paced coursework and more.

Surrounded by her husband and four children, Sproul celebrated her in-person undergraduate commencement in 2024 before continuing on to her master’s degree.

Kelsy Sproul, a graduate teaching assistant for the K-State College of Education's Rural Education Center, has built her entire educational path online — graduating with her Bachelor of Science in elementary education in 2024 and working toward her Master of Science in curriculum and instruction, which she's anticipated to graduate with in the fall of 2026. As a first-generation, non-traditional college student, Sproul says that her worries surrounding finding support quickly subsided after starting her K-State journey.

"I was nervous about not receiving the level of mentorship that in-person classes offer. I had taken a few courses online through other institutions, and while the courses were very flexible, they weren't very personal," Sproul said.

"Success is never achieved alone, and K-State understands that. Not only is the content fantastic, but the mentorship is strong. The faculty teach the whole student, model what they teach and ensure you have all the support you need to be successful."

Sproul's story is just one example of why K-State's online programs have been ranked among the top in the nation by U.S. News &amp; World Report in its 2026 Best Online Program Rankings, reflecting the university's performance in providing high-quality education to learners across the state, country and world. With flexible, high-demand degrees and specialized resource offerings, K-State is growing the next generation of leaders by extending the university's land-grant promise to online learners.

Ranking alongside institutions such as North Carolina State, Pennsylvania State – World Campus, the University of Alabama and Purdue University, K-State posted gains across several categories, including Best Online Bachelor's Programs, which climbed 28 spots from 2025.

The university's online programs were recognized for academic quality, student support and program accessibility, earning nine repeat rankings and one first-time recognition.

"We believe that high-quality education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live or how they learn," said Jesse Perez Mendez, provost and executive vice president. "Our online programs are designed to empower all students with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to thrive and succeed in today's competitive workforce."

Made with Flourish • Create interactive content

With more than 150 programs available through K-State Online, students can access high-value degree pathways tailored to fit their career goals and learning preferences. Taught by the same expert faculty as on-campus courses, K-State Online delivers the same trusted, high-quality education as on-campus degree programs.

While enrolled, students also have access to specialized academic tutoring programs, 24/7 counseling services, career development support, and advising and success coaching, designed to support both academic and personal success. Through these offerings, K-State fulfills its land-grant mission of expanding educational opportunity and access, empowering tomorrow's leaders to take the next steps in their careers.

Strong paths for military learners

Several rankings highlight the university's support for military-affiliated learners. Reflecting K-State's military-friendly designation, these recognitions reinforce the university's mission to deliver high-quality education to veterans and service members wherever they are.

“Whether learning online or on campus, our military learners are earning degrees through programs that are rigorous, respected and nationally recognized, with support tailored to their unique needs.” - Col. Travis Habhab

Military-affiliated students who choose to study online have access to tailored support, including a full-time military student services coordinator who helps navigate applications and tuition assistance. The university also offers programs developed through a partnership with Fort Leavenworth, along with in-person support services for online learners stationed at Fort Riley.

"K-State has a strong, long-standing commitment to supporting military-affiliated students, and these rankings highlight something equally important — the academic quality of the education they receive," said Col. Travis Habhab, executive director of Military and Veterans Affairs. "Whether learning online or on campus, our military learners are earning degrees through programs that are rigorous, respected and nationally recognized, with support tailored to their unique needs."

By designing programs that accommodate working professionals, career changers and students balancing life's demands, K-State's online programs create nontraditional pathways that connect learners directly to high-quality, industry-related education, demonstrating that earning a degree doesn't always follow the traditional path.

Daniel Akina, a spring 2026 Master of Business Administration candidate and regional vice president of sales at Heartflow, Inc., says the program's structure has made pursuing his degree sustainable, letting him stay engaged at work and at home while developing his leadership and strategic perspective.

"For years, my biggest concern was balancing work, family and school, which is why I had never pursued an MBA,” Akina said. “In hindsight, I should have enrolled at K-State years ago. My program has strengthened my strategic perspective, sharpened my financial and operational thinking, and provided tools I can apply immediately at work. More importantly, it reinforced my long-term goal of continuing to grow as a leader while creating meaningful impact within my organization."

As today's workforce continues to evolve, K-State's programs continuously adapt alongside it, equipping learners with the skills, knowledge and credentials needed to advance in their fields and stay at the forefront of industry.

By driving a culture of innovation, K-State continues to set the standard for online education designed for career-ready success.

"There is no way I could be where I am today without my degree and the faculty at K-State," Sproul said. "As someone from a small rural community, K-State has made it possible for me to pursue a dream that I only thought was possible if I lived in an urban or suburban community. Now, I'm able to help rural students across Kansas know that they can achieve their goals without having to leave the communities that they call home."

K-State's nationally acclaimed online programs position students for lifelong success

MICHAEL A. SMITH for Insight Kansas

It has been fourteen years since former Governor Sam Brownback’s disastrous “Great Experiment,” which cratered state revenues, slashed social services, and landed the state in court over school funding. Have policymakers already forgotten? Perhaps so.

Last year, the Kansas Legislature passed another income tax cut over Governor Laura Kelly’s veto.  Like Brownback, legislators claimed that the tax cut would pay for itself with economic growth and net migration.  Instead, this year, the Legislature seeks to close a $200 million shortfall by battering already hard-hit higher education and social services.  

On the border, Missourians had a front-row seat to watch the Brownback experiment.  Yet this year, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe proposed a near carbon copy of Brownback’s plan, including incremental reduction of the state tax rates (Brownback’s “glide path to zero”) and the false promise that lost revenues can be made up with economic growth and net migration, along with use taxes, which are sales taxes on services.

Since Kansans and their neighbors seem to have forgotten, here is a brief primer on the Great Experiment.  In 2012, Brownback convinced the Legislature  to incrementally lower the state income tax and replace the revenue with compensating use taxes, economic growth, and net migration. Three tax brackets were reduced to two, the top bracket was reduced from 6.45 to 4.9%, and LLCs paid no tax at all. 

Public revenues plummeted by more than half a billion dollars during the first year after the tax cut.  They remained at this lower level consistently until a bipartisan supermajority overrode a veto and ended the experiment in 2017.  Use taxes replaced less than a quarter of the revenue lost.

No economic growth or net migration resulted from the Experiment.  In fact, during this period, Kansas had lower net migration than all neighboring states– each of which has an income tax.  Nor was it popular.  Shortly before he resigned the governorship to become U.S. Ambassador of Religious Freedom, Brownback had the second-lowest popularity rating of any U.S. governor.

To cope with this manmade disaster, the state adjusted by cutting funding for social services so low that children were sleeping in welfare offices. The federal government threatened to pull funding from state mental health facilities due to understaffing.  Prison riots broke out in overcrowded conditions. The state also borrowed over $1 billion from the highway trust fund (the “Bank of KDOT”), and eliminated funding for the arts.  The state cut school funding so much that it landed in court.  The Legislature’s attempt to replace the Base State Aid formula for schools with block grants was also rejected by the courts. The formula was restored the following year.  During the Experiment, school districts were forced to rely more on property taxes to replace state aid.

None of this should come as a surprise.  According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, states without an income tax have property taxes that are 12% higher and sales taxes that are 20% higher, on average. Property taxes fall hardest on retired homeowners with fixed incomes, while sales taxes fall hardest on the poor.

They say that those who don’t learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it.  This year, both the Kansas Legislature and the Missouri Governor seem bound and determined to prove this true.

Michael A. Smith is a Professor of Political Science at Emporia State University.&nbsp;

Are we already forgetting Sam Brownback’s tax-cutting “Great Experiment”? 

Kansas was admitted to the United States on Jan. 29, 1861, after a tumultuous territorial existence as bloody as it was brief. Those early struggles likely informed the state’s motto: “Ad Astra per Aspera” or “to the stars though difficulties.”

In light of the Sunflower State’s upcoming milestone, here are a few bits of random trivia gathered from mostly reputable books, websites and memories.

Its status as the nation’s best state wasn’t cemented until Frank Stoeber created the world’s largest ball of twine in Cawker City. Certain sites on the internet qualify the claim of “world’s largest” by noting it’s the “largest ball of sisal twine built by a community.” What those sites fail to disclose is that Stoeber had the foresight to donate the ball to the city in 1961, which promptly built a gazebo over it to prevent it from rolling away.

Stoeber’s sisal sphere continues to grow with annual “twine-a-thons” each August, and it has also served as the inspiration for some other comically large attractions around the state, like the world’s largest easel in Goodland. Standing 80 feet tall, it holds a 32-by-24-foot replica of a Vincent van Gogh painting of sunflowers.

Wilson is home to the world’s largest hand-painted Czech Egg, which clocks in at 20 feet high and 15 feet wide. Meanwhile, the northernmost stop on the Chisholm Trail was Abilene, and appropriately, since 2022, the city boasts the world’s largest belt buckle.

Kansas is also home to some notable firsts like Atchison’s Amelia Earhart who was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. Independence hosted the first professional night baseball game in 1930. Today Wichita is known as the “Air Capital of the World” for airplane manufacturing, but its culinary contributions include both the first White Castle and Pizza Hut.

In agriculture, Wichita also boasts the world’s largest grain terminal, capable of holding 20 million bushels across 246 silos that stretch more than 2,600 feet.

Contrary to popular belief, Kansas isn’t the flattest state. Florida holds that title with its highest point 345 feet above sea level. Kansas’ elevation ranges from just less than 700 feet above sea level in the southeast corner, rising to more than 4,000 at the peak of Mount Sunflower in Wallace County.

Formerly the “Queen of the Cowtowns” and “Cowboy Capital of the World,” Dodge City is perhaps better known as the United States’ windiest city with an average breeze of about 15 mph, roughly 50 percent more than “Windy City” poser Chicago.

There’s a long history of innovative and accomplished folks from Kansas who have shaped not just our state but the nation and world as well. They were undoubtedly influenced by the same natural wonders we are today.

It’s worth taking a moment or two on the day our state was born to acknowledge these accomplishments and note that in addition to hosting large objects and being first in many endeavors, Kansas and its vast sky are home to the best sunsets we get to share with some of the finest people.

There are certainly still difficulties to overcome before we reach the stars, but until we do, Kansas is a good place to call home.

"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: Sunsets and sisal twine

HAVEN, Kan. — Crews from Reno County Fire District #1 responded Saturday night to a residential structure fire in Haven that was quickly contained, with no injuries reported.

According to fire officials, units from Stations 91, 81, 82, 10 and 50 were dispatched at approximately 8:34 p.m. to the 100 block of South Topeka in Haven for a reported house fire.

When firefighters arrived, they observed smoke coming from the eaves of the home. Interior crews located the source of the fire in a second-floor bathroom and were able to contain the flames to that area.

Damage was largely limited to the bathroom, though smoke and heat affected other rooms on the second floor, officials said.

The occupants safely evacuated before crews arrived, and no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported. Haven EMS provided on-scene rehabilitation support for firefighters during the response.

Additional assistance came from Haven Police, the City of Haven, and the American Red Cross, which helped support the displaced residents.

Fire contained to second-floor bathroom in Haven home

The Pratt City Fire Department takes great pleasure in inviting you to the ceremonial push-in of our latest fire engine, which will be held at our station on Sunday, Feb. 1st at 2 p.m.

Our firefighters will participate in the time-honored tradition of manually pushing the engine into the station. Additionally, we will offer guided tours of our facility and be available to answer any questions about our fire service.

Pratt Fire Department to hold push-in of new fire engine

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. ——————————————

Leslie	Loya	Menchaca		1/31/2026 5:09&nbsp;AM	DUI; 2nd conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+, Ignition Interlock Device; Operate MV without device during restriction,&nbsp;Possession of a Firearm Under the Influence

Jarrett	Michael	Benewiat		1/31/2026 9:24&nbsp;AM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misdemeanor; unknown conv

Jason	Daniel	Stewart		1/31/2026 10:39&nbsp;AM	Distribute heroin/certain stim/fent;3.5 - &lt;100grams,					Drugs; Paraphernalia; Sell/Distribute/Possess for illegal use,					Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance

Crystal	Lynn	Board		1/31/2026 11:34&nbsp;AM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misdemeanor; unknown conviction,					Insurance; Fail to maintain liability insurance

Helen	Pauline	Ediger		1/31/2026 1:41&nbsp;PM	Criminal Threat; with Intent to Terrorize or cause Evacuation,					Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Vance	Jason	Mattox		1/31/2026 2:04&nbsp;PM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Shawn	Leon	Green		1/31/2026 8:46&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Interference with LEO; knowingly flee by means other than motor vehicle for misdemeanor case,					Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000,					Probation Violation

Myonje	Amore Keeonte	Rivers		2/1/2026 2:03&nbsp;AM	Poss of stimulant; 1 prior conviction, Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body					Failure to Appear

Katelynn	Nichole	Cavender		2/1/2026 2:12&nbsp;AM	Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Robert	Earl	Base		2/1/2026 2:33&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conv; blood or breath .08 or higher,					Leave the scene of an accident; Injury or Property Damage &gt; $1000,&nbsp;MVA; Failure to Report an Accident

Daily Bookings

The registration deadline for this year’s Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, hosted by StartUp Hutch, is Friday, Feb. 6, giving young innovators just days left to sign up for the opportunity to pitch their ventures and showcase their skills in front of judges and the public.

The annual event invites middle and high school students from across Reno County to develop real-world business concepts, create executive summaries and present their ideas in a live competition setting.

The challenge is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and includes two parts:

During the morning session, students will deliver formal presentations to a panel of judges. Later in the day, the public can attend a trade show where participants set up booths to market and explain their businesses.

Students must register online and will also need to submit an executive summary by Feb. 24.

Organizers say the event is designed to build confidence, creativity and practical skills while introducing students to entrepreneurship as a career path.

Community members can also get involved by serving as judges, sponsoring the event or stopping by the trade show to support students.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is powered by StartUp Hutch in partnership with Kansas State University, Network Kansas and K-State Research and Extension.

Students can register at: <a href="http://goventuredash.com/competitions/762">goventuredash.com/competitions/762</a>

Those interested in volunteering or sponsoring can contact Graham Klemme at <a href="MAILTO:graham@startuphutch.com">graham@startuphutch.com</a>

Deadline approaching for Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

KANSAS CITY—Kansas City, Missouri mayor Quinton Lucas joined CBS Face The Nation on Sunday to discuss critical issues facing American cities. From immigration policy and housing affordability to crime reduction and preparing for the 2026 World Cup.

On the proposed federal detention center for the region, Mayor Lucas said, "Converting a gigantic distribution facility into a warehouse for 10,000 people for which it was never designed is not right, and it is fundamentally something that is inhumane."

ICE was given $45 billion for detention centers in the tax and spending bill that President Trump signed last year.

🎥KCMO Mayor talks proposed federal detention center on Face The Nation

WYANDOTTE CCOUNTY—Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department are investigating a double-homicide.

Just before noon Saturday, officers were dispatched to a shooting in the&nbsp;in the 1000 block of Orville Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.

First responders located three adults inside a home; one man and one woman were pronounced deceased on scene and one man was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

 All three had apparent gunshot wounds. The initial investigation indicates that the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute. Detectives are not currently seeking suspects. Police did not release the names of the victims or additional details.

This incident remains under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit.

Police: 2 dead, 1 wounded in shooting at Kansas home

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating an injury accident that occurred just after 12:30a.m. early Saturday in Atchison.

A 2019 Honda pickup driven by Joshua Hosier, 42, Atchison, was westbound on Kansas Avenue in Atchison, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; A 2001 Toyota Highlander driven by Joshua Campbell, 18, Atchison, was southbound on 14th Street. The two vehicles collided at the&nbsp;intersection of 14th and Kansas Avenue. 

EMS arrived on the scene and examined and treated Campbell and a 21-year-old passenger for minor injuries but they were not transported. 

Hosier had fled the scene on foot but went to Police headquarters a short time later.&nbsp; EMS later transported him to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of injuries that he sustained in the accident. 

Charges are pending against Hosier, according to Wilson.

Kan. man hospitalized after running from 2 vehicle crash

KANSAS CITY– A former Grain Valley, Missouri police officer was sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge D. Gregory Kays to 20 years in the Bureau of Prisons to be followed by supervised release for Life.

August Price Gildehaus, 30, of Blue Springs, Mo., previously pleaded guilty to one count of enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and one count of producing child pornography.

Gildehaus admitted that he engaged in illegal sexual activity with a 15-year-old female victim. Gildehaus and the victim met on an online social media platform. Gildehaus met with the victim on five separate occasions between Aug. 5, 2022, and Jan. 5, 2023, to engage in illicit sexual activity at different locations, including a middle school parking lot.

Gildehaus admitted that the child victim took photographs of herself when she was home, and he took photographs of himself that he sent to her. Gildehaus also admitted that he recorded videos of their sexual encounters.

Gildehaus will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Brackett. It was investigated by the Grain Valley, Mo., Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Prison: KC area police officer admitted to sex crimes with 15-year-old

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man who shot his wife outside a Wichita elementary school in 2024 is going to prison for a long time.

On Friday, Judge Sean Hatfield sentenced 47-year-old Vincent Solomon to 330 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In December a jury convicted him of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, criminal use of weapons and interference with law enforcement.

Just after 9a.m. September 23, 2024, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications began to receive reports of a shooting outside Cessna Elementary School, 2101 West 45th Street South in Wichita, according to a statement from Police Chief Joe Sullivan during a news conference.

The call was broadcast on all law enforcement radio channels. A Sedgwick County Deputy heard the call and responded. When the deputy arrived, he located Solomon who was armed with a handgun. Solomon made statements that the deputy would kill him while pointing the gun at the deputy, according to Sullivan.

Solomon then ran to and laid on top of a 30-year-old woman. The deputy gave commands for Solomon to drop his gun and observed Solomon place the gun to the woman's head.

In defense of the woman, the deputy fired his gun twice. Solomon would not let go of the woman. The deputy then attempted to disarm Solomon physically. It took two Wichita Police officers and the deputy to disarm Solomon.

Investigators later learned that Solomon and woman live together and have children together. The couple had an argument in a vehicle on the way to the school which led to Solomon shooting the woman multiple times. The woman ran toward the school and the suspect chased her. A Wichita Public School staff member saw Solomon with the gun approaching the school and pulled the door of the school shut and locked it so the suspect could not get inside.

EMS transported Somomon and the woman to an area hospital.&nbsp;The Advanced Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) was activated to conduct an investigation and Solomon was later booked into jail.&nbsp;

Prison for shooting his wife outside Kan. elementary school

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/dee-ann-durbin">DEE-ANN DURBIN</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are drinking more coffee than they have in decades. But fewer of them are getting it from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/starbucks-corp">Starbucks</a>.

The company that revolutionized the United States’ coffee culture remains America’s biggest player, with nearly 17,000 U.S. stores and plans to open hundreds more. But it’s facing unprecedented competition, which will make it harder to win back the customers it already lost.

Starbucks’ share of spending at all U.S. coffee shops fell in 2024 and 2025; it now stands at 48%, down from 52% in 2023, according to Technomic, a food industry consulting firm.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dunkin-nebraska-donut-shortage-5b543c958215ea5f749f3eb830653df5">Dunkin</a>&nbsp;', a perennial rival that just opened its 10,000th U.S. store, gained market share in both of those years.

Starbucks has other challengers, like the fast-growing drive-thru chains 7 Brew, Scooter’s Coffee and Dutch Bros. Chinese chains like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/luckin-a-starbucks-rival-in-china-rises-in-us-stock-debut-2e7a1340e4084e8389c4c08a43a9a080">Luckin Coffee</a>&nbsp;and Mixue are opening U.S. stores. High-end coffee shop Blue Bottle, which has 78 U.S. stores, has opened two more since the start of the year. Even McDonald’s and Taco Bell are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-cosmcs-closing-drinks-a30951a5ea9c0b996febbe9a2c10038e">bolstering their beverage offerings</a>.

“People haven’t fallen out of love with Starbucks, but they’re now polyamorous in their coffee choices,” said Chris Kayes, chair of the management department in the George Washington University School of Business. “People are now experimenting with other coffees, and they’re seeing what’s out there.”

Americans love coffee. In both 2024 and 2025, an estimated 66% of Americans reported drinking coffee every day, up 7% from 2020, according to the National Coffee Association, an industry trade group.

Coffee chains are racing to cash in on that demand. The number of chain coffee stores in the U.S. jumped 19% to more than 34,500 over the last six years, according to Technomic, a consulting firm that researches the foodservice industry.

Seattle-based Starbucks was a small, regional chain when former CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-howard-schultz-053345a59f1bdb53b9f55355865b216e">Howard Schultz</a>&nbsp;acquired it in 1987. Now, other small chains are seeing explosive growth. Nebraska-based Scooter’s Coffee had 200 locations in 2019; it now has more than 850. Arkansas-based 7 Brew, which had 14 locations in 2019, now has more than 600.

“There’s too much supply relative to demand,” said Neil Saunders, a managing director and retail analyst at consulting firm GlobalData Retail

Saunders said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-china-stake-boyu-capital-coffee-290006ba2eec33168b42985eb6576818">Starbucks’ size</a>&nbsp;is somewhat of a disadvantage, since it has less ability to grow sales by opening new locations.

“Honestly, they’re pretty saturated,” Saunders said. “They’re a very mature business.”

Starbucks is undaunted. At a conference for investors on Thursday, the company said an ongoing effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-dress-code-lawsuits-union-9d1eff89242d00f65d459d8a393f409a">improve service</a>&nbsp;while making stores&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-ceo-niccol-coffee-b547ab2141e194b30675ad8d1caff90d">warmer and more welcoming</a>&nbsp;was boosting U.S. store traffic. It plans to add 25,000 seats to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-settlement-labor-law-wages-nyc-dfe280b1505fde8b23a847a342757155">its U.S. cafes</a>&nbsp;by this fall.

“Growth doesn’t require us to become something new. It requires us to be exceptionally good at what we already are,” Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams said.

Starbucks expects to open more than 575 new U.S. stores over the next three years. It developed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-coffee-open-new-stores-investors-c1ac462204ea97754380b6f6bd9f200c">a smaller-format store</a>&nbsp;that is cheaper to build but still has indoor seating, drive-thru lanes and mobile pickup. The company said the reduced scale would allow Starbucks stores to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-close-stores-layoffs-3aa70c7d3828520855998a490ebe865b">operate in locations</a>&nbsp;they couldn’t before.

Starbucks is also adding new products, like updated pastries and snackable foods that are high in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fiber-fibermaxxing-digestion-wellness-730bdd5f68f448fe979f4ebd598e2340">protein and fiber</a>, to try to win back customers.

Lack of menu innovation is one reason Starbucks has struggled, especially among younger consumers who like novelty and will try new places to find it, Saunders said.

Arizona-based Dutch Bros, for example, added protein coffee drinks in January 2024, nearly two years before Starbucks did. Energy drinks make up 25% of Dutch Bros’ business almost 14 years after the chain introduced them. Starbucks offered iced energy drinks for a limited time in 2024; executives said Thursday that customizable energy drinks would appear on the Starbucks menu soon.

Dutch Bros, which is led by former Starbucks executive Christine Barone, has just over 1,000 shops in the U.S. and hopes to double that number by 2029. It’s betting that customers want speed and convenience; nearly all of its stores are drive-thrus with walk-up windows.

Dutch Bros also focuses on value. In a recent meeting with investors, Barone pointed out that Dutch Bros’ medium drinks are 24 ounces; at Starbucks, a medium drink is 16 ounces.

Luckin, whose app brims with coupons and promotions, is also value-oriented. On a recent afternoon, one of its nine New York stores buzzed with customers picking up mobile orders. The tiny shop had no seating.

Xunyi Xie, who was visiting New York from his home in Delaware, said he stopped by to try a Velvet Latte because Luckin had a $1.99 drink promotion. Xie said he normally brews his own espresso, but if Luckin opened a store that was on his way to work, he would go there.

As for Starbucks? “I think it’s overpriced,” Xie said.

In 2024, the average customer spent $9.34 at Starbucks, compared to $8.44 at Dutch Bros and $4.68 at Dunkin’, according to an analysis by the investment research company Morningstar.

Starbucks didn’t raise prices in its 2025 fiscal year and has vowed to be judicious about future increases. But Ari Felhandler, an equity analyst with Morningstar, said it would be a mistake for Starbucks to try to win over customers with discounts because competitors will always go lower.

“Keep your prices the same and try to justify them,” Felhandler said. He thinks Starbucks’ store redesigns and new menu items will bring back traffic.

Grams, Starbucks’ chief operating officer, said the company firmly believes its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-coffee-sales-results-d555357a6d70c0a144958826e92d91c9">best way forward</a>&nbsp;is not drive-thru-only stores or mobile pickup kiosks. It’s building cafes with comfortable seating — the “soul of Starbucks,” as he put it — that also serve mobile, drive-thru and delivery customers. Customers sometimes want something convenient, and they sometimes want to dwell, he said.

“There’s always going to be competition. We’re aware of it, we keep an eye on it for sure, but we don’t try to be them,” Grams told The Associated Press. “We offer something that most people don’t, which is a legitimate space to sit down, enjoy and use it for a variety of different reasons.”

But Kayes, of George Washington University, wonders if that strategy will be enough to keep Starbucks on top, or if customers who want a cozy or premium experience have already moved on to independent coffee shops or upscale chains like Blue Bottle.

“In some ways, I think they are a victim of their own success,” Kayes said. “I do think that the aura of Starbucks as being something special and unique and exciting isn’t there anymore.”

America is drinking more coffee but less of it from Starbucks

Contender Vicki Schmidt skips debate to protest mandatory $10,000 payment to state party

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>

WICHITA — Six Republican candidates for Kansas governor stepped onto the debate stage Friday intent on finding separation from their rivals despite unanimity on key issues of abortion, marijuana, judicial bias and praise for President Donald Trump.

The goal of offering voters a distinct vision of themselves at the event sponsored by the Kansas Republican Party surfaced quickly as Charlotte O’Hara, a former Johnson County commissioner and Kansas House member, launched into an opening statement that sought to undercut a couple of her peers.

“We’re going to have some real difficult discussions this evening because Kansas has a real problem, within the Republican Party, of a vast sea of RINOs masquerading as Republicans,” said O’Hara, who directly chastised Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and Senate President Ty Masterson for being too chummy with Democrats.

Masterson, an Andover Republican, said O’Hara’s broadside against fellow Republicans had been shown to be toxic for voters.

“That type of thing is why we lose in the general election. We spend time cutting each other off at the legs,” he said, glancing at the other GOP candidates. “This is not the enemy. The Democrats are the enemy.”

Philip Sarnecki, a financial services executive who has never before run for elected office, picked up the attack thread by noting Trump carried Kansas three times by double-digits in the same era that Kansans twice elected Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Without naming names, he criticized longstanding politicians next to him, including former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Masterson. He apparently wasn’t referring to Joy Eakins, who only has won election to the Wichita school board.

“Career politicians are failing us,” Sarnecki said. “I am tired of watching Republicans lose in Kansas. No more losing. It’s time to start winning again, and that’s why I’m running for governor.”

Eakins jumped into the fray by declaring that veteran politicians in Kansas were undermining the American dream. She said the state’s established politicians “have been stewarding our decline. You see it everywhere.”

Colyer, who was lieutenant governor to Gov. Sam Brownback before assuming the top job for one year, said he didn’t appreciate the notion experience working as the state’s chief executive was a handicap.

“Kansas needs a proven, strong, competent conservative governor who will fight for you and who will stand shoulder to shoulder with President Trump,” Colyer said. “This is about winning. This is about taking back our state so that we are the beating heart of America once again.”

Schwab, who struggled with a health issue that weakened his speaking voice, said he grew as a leader by working as secretary of state and serving in the Kansas House.

“Having experience to understand the terrain has always been a plus in America,” he said. “They call be a career politician, but no one’s insulting my integrity.”

Absent from the GOP debate was Schmidt, the state’s insurance commissioner. In a letter to GOP officials, Schmidt said she strongly opposed the state party’s $10,000 “pay-to-play” requirement for candidates who wanted to participate in the debate. She said the Republican Party should remain neutral during the primary campaign and that every GOP candidate for office ought to have equal opportunities to share their views at party-sanctioned events.

“Under this agreement, the party picks winners and losers,” Schmidt said. “President Trump has brought new voters to the party and we need to be encouraging good folks to run for office as Republicans, not creating road blocks and challenges that discourage them.”

Despite a bit of theatrical elbowing on the stage, the six candidates found harmony on the goal of reducing the number of abortions performed at Kansas clinics, rejecting legalization of medicinal or recreational marijuana in Kansas and endorsing a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution — on the August ballot — that would require justices of the Kansas Supreme Court to be elected by popular vote.

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