Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the northeast corner of 2nd Avenue and North Main.

The limestone building at 200 N. Main was built in 1886 and most of its life it was a bank.

In 1887, it was the National Bank of Commerce.

By 1892, it had become the Citizens Bank. The first photo shows the Citizens Bank during the 1903 flood, also showing the Midland and Santa Fe hotels.

The second photo shows the Citizens Bank in 1929.

The cement bunker in the street was for sitting on, waiting for the trolley car in relative safety.

The third photo shows the Citizens Bank during the July 13, 1929, flood. This also shows the Fair Cafeteria, 12 E. 2nd, and the Leon Hotel, 14 E. 2nd, under construction.

In 1936, the Citizens became the Hutchinson State Bank. The fourth photo shows that bank about 1950.

About 1956, the Hutchinson State Bank and the American National Bank merged, forming the Hutchinson National Bank &amp; Trust Co.

In the late 1960s, this bank built the One Polaris Plaza building and moved over to that location.

Since that time, the 200 N. Main building has been: The Emporium in the 1970s, Baize &amp; Sons Jewelers in the 1980s and three different securities companies.

The fifth photo shows the current occupants of 200 N. Main: Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk &amp; Loyd CPAs. The building is owned by the James Strawn Trust.

To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anchorinnhutch">Anchor Inn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Anchorawayhutch/">Anchor Away</a>

📷 Throwback Thursday: Citizens Bank - Vol. 155

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. ——————————————&nbsp;&nbsp;

Angel	Antonio	Estrada	III	12/31/2025 9:49&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Keeon	Patrick	Roberts		12/31/2025 12:02&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Dustin	James	Hanson		12/31/2025 12:39&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Jayme	Leigh	Allen		12/31/2025 1:48&nbsp;PM	Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct

Johnathen	Steven	Bishop		12/31/2025 2:25&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Jenay	Melody	Franklin		12/31/2025 4:10&nbsp;PM	DWS; 3rd or subs conv

Brenden	Michael	Harrison		12/31/2025 5:25&nbsp;PM	Poss of THC,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Sexual Exploitation of a Child; Possess media of child &lt;18,					Failure to Appear

Michael	Dean	Talent		12/31/2025 10:13&nbsp;PM	DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+

Chelsea	Page	Stuart		12/31/2025 11:16&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear,&nbsp;Possession of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant, Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Loyd	Albert	Leckliter		12/31/2025 11:50&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Daily Bookings

TOPEKA — Kansas boat owners will see a significant tax change beginning next year.

According to a notice issued by the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Property Valuation, all watercraft, boat trailers, boat motors, and marine equipment will be exempt from Kansas personal property tax starting Jan. 1, 2026.

The change follows the passage of House Bill 2231, which amended state law to remove watercraft from taxable personal property. In addition, Kansas statute K.S.A. 79-213 was updated to include marine equipment as tax-exempt beginning after Dec. 31, 2025.

While property taxes are being eliminated, the Department of Revenue emphasized that watercraft must still be registered with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks if they are used on Kansas waters.

The notice also reminds boat owners that watercraft remain taxable through Dec. 31, 2025. Boats owned as of January 1, 2025, must still be listed, valued, and taxed in the appropriate taxing district for the current year.

Under existing law through the end of 2025:

State officials encourage boat owners with questions to contact their local county appraiser’s office for guidance as the transition to the new tax exemption approaches.

The change represents a major shift in Kansas personal property taxation and is expected to reduce administrative burdens for boat owners, marinas, and county officials statewide.

Property taxes on boats and marine equipment eliminated in 2026

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.Info forecast.</a>

Three-day Outlook

On December 29th, 2025, officers with the Hutchinson Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence in the City of Hutchinson suspected of distributing illegal narcotics. During the search, an illegal clandestine lab manufacturing operation was discovered. The Kansas Bureau of Investigations Drug Task Force was requested to assist with the investigation. 

As a result of the investigation, Curtis K. Chappel, a 42-year-old male from Hutchinson, was arrested on multiple charges including unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance, distribution of a hallucinogenic, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of psilocybin, possession of a hallucinogenic, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and distribution of drug paraphernalia. Chappel is currently being held at the Reno County Correctional Facility without bond. Additionally, Jeremy W. Fundenberger, a 47-year-old male from Hutchinson, was arrested for possession of cocaine, possession of a depressant, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jeff A. Kennedy, a 46-year-old male from Hutchinson, was arrested for possession of a stolen firearm.

During the execution of the search warrant, numerous supplies and equipment used in the manufacturing of illegal narcotics were seized, including over 50 pounds of suspected Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), 25 grams of methamphetamine, 50 grams of marijuana, as well as cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms.

All suspects are innocent unless found guilty in court.

Three arrested following search warrant execution

The Kansas Highway Patrol has released its Christmas Holiday Activity Report, detailing enforcement activity and crash data from across the state during the 2025 holiday travel period.

The reporting period ran from 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 24, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 28.

According to the report, troopers worked one fatal, non-DUI-related crash during the holiday period, resulting in one fatality. The crash occurred December 27 in Ellsworth County. No fatal crashes or fatalities during the reporting period were determined to be DUI-related.

KHP enforcement numbers showed a significant increase in activity in 2025 compared to previous years.

Seat belt enforcement also saw an uptick:

Troopers issued 11 child restraint citations, compared to 9 in 2023 and 8 in 2024.

In addition to enforcement, KHP troopers provided 809 motorist assists during the holiday period, a sharp increase from 449 assists in 2023 and 218 in 2024.

The crash data reflects that while enforcement activity increased, fatal incidents remained limited:

In comparison, KHP recorded four non-DUI fatal crashes and fatalities in 2023, and one each in 2024.

KHP officials continue to emphasize safe driving behaviors, including obeying speed limits, wearing seat belts, properly securing children, and avoiding impaired driving — especially during high-traffic holiday periods.

KHP releases Christmas holiday activity report

<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

Jonathan	Wayne	Beer	12/30/2025 8:27&nbsp;AM	Agg endangering a child;Reckless &lt;18;Bodily harm,				Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction),				Agg assault; w/ deadly weapon

Shawna	Rikki	Mulford	12/30/2025 9:32&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Patrick	Levi	Moody	12/30/2025 3:29&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,				Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,				Probation Violation

Conor	Michael	Eickbush	12/30/2025 5:24&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,				Possession of THC,				Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,				DWS; 1st conviction,				Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance

From devastating emergencies to defining civic debates, 2025 was a year that tested Hutchinson and Reno County while also revealing the community’s resilience and resolve. Residents faced sudden crises that demanded swift emergency response, difficult conversations about public investment and infrastructure, and moments that brought the region together despite adversity. Severe weather, public safety tragedies, major policy decisions, and landmark community events all shaped the year’s news cycle and left a lasting imprint on the local landscape.

The following stories stand out as some of the top local news events of 2025 — moments that sparked widespread attention, prompted change, and underscored the challenges and priorities facing Hutchinson and Reno County. Together, they reflect a year marked by hardship, accountability, adaptation, and a continued focus on the community’s future.

Here are six stories from 2025. The stories are in chronological order and are not a complete list of top stories.&nbsp;

Fatal East Third Avenue arson - <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/0a5cf68a-586c-437f-9d82-c62780b53987">LINK</a>

A devastating house fire on Feb. 1, 2025, became one of Hutchinson’s most heartbreaking and consequential stories of the year. Responding to reports of screams and smoke at a home in the 1000 block of East Third Avenue, officers with the Hutchinson Police Department and local firefighters discovered a deadly scene. Thirty-two-year-old Kalsey Payton and her 4-year-old daughter were found dead inside the residence, with investigators later determining both deaths were homicides.

The investigation led to the arrest of 37-year-old Wendell Payton, who was charged with multiple felonies including two counts of first-degree murder and aggravated arson. In October, Payton pleaded guilty to all charges. He was later sentenced in Reno County District Court to consecutive life terms, resulting in a controlling sentence of 100 years without the possibility of parole.

The case, which involved multiple local and state agencies and deeply impacted the Hutchinson community, underscored the city’s focus on public safety and accountability and remained a defining story of 2025.

Downtown gas leak and fire - <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/da07b8a7-4579-491f-8698-50fcedbff4ab">LINK</a>

One of Hutchinson’s most serious public safety incidents of 2025 unfolded on Feb. 22, when a natural gas leak in the downtown corridor led to an explosion, fires, and large-scale evacuations. Crews with the Hutchinson Fire Department were investigating reports of a gas odor near Main Street when gas was found surfacing through the roadway. Moments after firefighters exited a downtown business, the structure exploded, fueled by a 10-inch natural gas line.

The incident forced the evacuation of multiple blocks, displaced businesses, and left parts of downtown without natural gas service for days as Kansas Gas Service carried out repairs and safety inspections. Evacuation zones were gradually reduced as crews stabilized the area. No injuries were reported, but the explosion prompted an extensive emergency response and a prolonged investigation, making it one of the most impactful stories in Hutchinson during 2025.

Tornado strikes Reno County, Plevna escapes injuries - <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/3ef4dfaa-78a4-4897-b450-ecee24b35ff5">LINK</a>

A late-night tornado that tore through rural Reno County and the city of Plevna on May 18, 2025, ranked among the year’s most significant weather events. The storm touched down near Turon shortly before midnight, carving a destructive path through farmland before striking Plevna and continuing northeast for several miles. Homes, trees, and utility infrastructure were damaged, with snapped power poles and blocked roadways reported across the area.

Despite the extensive damage, no injuries or fatalities were reported. Officials with Reno County Emergency Management credited timely warnings and residents taking shelter quickly for the positive outcome. Emergency responders, utility crews, and public works teams mobilized immediately, while barricades were placed to keep the public out of hazardous areas.

The American Red Cross opened an assistance center in Abbyville to support displaced residents. The coordinated response and community cooperation highlighted Reno County’s preparedness and resilience in the face of severe weather, making the Plevna tornado a defining local story of 2025.

Draft floodplain maps raise alarm in Hutchinson, Reno County -<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/73fd6ded-6dc5-4576-9a24-9f45fc6e8c92"> LINK</a>

A newly released draft floodplain map became a major infrastructure and planning story in 2025, as it showed large portions of Hutchinson could be newly classified within the 100-year floodplain. The draft maps, unveiled by the State of Kansas and FEMA, represent a significant expansion from the floodplain boundaries currently in effect and prompted immediate concern from homeowners, businesses, and local institutions.

City engineers warned that if the maps are finalized, property owners could face new flood insurance requirements and stricter development standards. Officials with the City of Hutchinson emphasized that the maps are not yet final and that the city has time to pursue stormwater projects and technical reviews that could reduce the impacted areas before the earliest possible implementation in 2027.

The proposed floodplain also raised red flags for future development, including the location of a planned USD 308 middle school, and renewed debate about long-standing stormwater challenges tied to flat terrain and drainage limitations. City leaders characterized the maps as a critical call to action, making flood mitigation, infrastructure investment, and federal coordination one of Hutchinson’s most consequential policy discussions of 2025.

Hilton Garden Inn &amp; Conference Center opens, boosting tourism - <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/0232970f-3b28-4e5f-8291-bff05ece7ccc">LINK</a>

The opening of the Hilton Garden Inn Hutchinson marked a major economic development milestone in 2025, strengthening Hutchinson’s position as a regional destination for conventions, tourism, and large-scale events. After nearly two years of construction, the hotel and conference center opened along the K-61 corridor near Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, filling a long-identified gap in the city’s hospitality infrastructure.

Featuring 112 guest rooms and more than 14,000 square feet of flexible meeting and conference space, the project was hailed by local leaders and the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce as critical to attracting conventions, weddings, and major sporting events. Officials said the development helps secure long-standing events such as the NJCAA Basketball Tournament while driving new visitor spending across the community.

The hotel’s opening — along with the opening of the Old Chicago restaurant in December signaled renewed momentum in Hutchinson’s tourism strategy and stood out as one of the city’s most significant growth stories of 2025.

USD 308 reassesses path forward after bond defeat - <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5361d174-1080-425a-bb61-d79ce76042e9">LINK</a>

The failed USD 308 bond proposal emerged as a major local education story in 2025, prompting district leaders to pause, reassess, and refocus on community engagement. Following the defeat, Hutchinson USD 308 Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson said the district plans to launch a series of listening sessions to better understand voter concerns before determining next steps.

District leaders acknowledged that key planning data — including a community survey conducted two years earlier — may no longer reflect the economic realities facing residents in 2025, with rising costs and property taxes cited as central issues. While the proposed bond would have raised the district’s mill levy, officials noted it would have remained below several neighboring districts.

Despite the setback, Johnson emphasized that facility needs remain and that the bond effort was aimed at long-term growth, modernization, and competitiveness. The bond’s defeat and the district’s response highlighted broader community conversations in 2025 about taxes, school investment, and the future of Hutchinson’s public education system.

Looking back at 2025 top stories

Hutchinson Regional CEO Addresses Leapfrog Safety Grade, Staffing Reforms, and Path Forward

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Benjamin Anderson, chief executive officer of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, is pushing back on concerns raised after the hospital received a low grade in the most recent Hospital Safety Grade issued by the Leapfrog Group, emphasizing that the score reflects historical data and does not capture the health system’s recent improvements.

Speaking during an in-depth interview on the BW Morning Show, Anderson said the Leapfrog score relies on a rolling multi-year data set, meaning performance issues from two to three years ago—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic—continue to weigh down the hospital’s current grade.

“Some of the data that affects this score goes back several years,” Anderson said. “As those older events fall off the reporting window, we are seeing steady improvement every six months.”

Pandemic Impact and Staffing Challenges

Anderson acknowledged that Hutchinson Regional, like many hospitals nationwide, struggled during the pandemic. The healthcare industry lost roughly 20 percent of its workforce nationally, he said, and Hutchinson Regional leaned heavily on traveling nurses and contract physicians to maintain operations.

“Those clinicians are essential in a crisis, but they don’t practice the same way as people who live here, shop here, and have kids in our schools,” Anderson said.

Over the past two years, the hospital has made a concerted effort to localize its workforce. Anderson said Hutchinson Regional has recruited 24 medical providers in the last 24 months, all of whom live in the community or will soon. By summer 2026, he expects the health system to be nearly free of contract physicians and traveling nurses.

Two years ago, Anderson said, only one emergency department physician lived locally. By next summer, nearly every physician will reside in Hutchinson.

“You practice differently when this is your community,” he said.

Recruitment Strategy and Community Role

To strengthen recruitment, Hutchinson Regional evaluated what it is like to live and work in Hutchinson using a “Community Apgar” framework developed by the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. The assessment found that while the community offers strong schools, food access, and childcare progress, internal hospital culture needed improvement.

“That told us the work we needed to do was inside the organization,” Anderson said.

The hospital shifted its recruitment strategy toward mission-driven providers with local ties or a strong desire to practice in rural medicine. Anderson compared the approach to collegiate athletics recruiting, bringing physician candidates to Hutchinson in groups so they could build trust and recruit one another.

“That momentum is real, and it’s making recruitment easier,” he said.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade compiles publicly available and voluntarily reported data into a letter grade from A to F. Anderson said Hutchinson Regional previously did not participate in the Leapfrog survey, which meant the grade was calculated using limited public data—negatively impacting the score.

“When we started fully reporting our data, the score improved,” Anderson said. “We don’t want a D, but we’ve owned where we were and focused on fixing it.”

Before the pandemic, the hospital held a C grade, he said. During COVID-19, it dropped to a D and briefly an F. Since resuming full reporting and implementing reforms, the score has climbed again, with leadership expecting continued improvement as older data cycles out.

Internal Review and Safety Culture

Hospital leadership reviews each Leapfrog report through a formal committee process, conducting root cause analyses and using findings to shape strategic priorities. Anderson said transparency is central to that work, with results shared internally among staff and with the hospital’s board.

Leadership also participates daily in an 8:30 a.m. safety huddle to review patient safety indicators, including falls, infections, and other serious events. When incidents occur, multidisciplinary teams investigate system failures rather than assigning blame.

“If harm is preventable, it’s morally unacceptable,” Anderson said. “We have an obligation to fix broken systems.”

Patient Communication and Transparency

Anderson highlighted several initiatives designed to strengthen patient communication, including a dedicated patient relations manager who reviews every complaint and survey response. The hospital also operates a Patient and Family Advisory Council made up of community members.

Standardized handoff procedures between shifts and a rebuilt care management department help ensure continuity of care, he said.

Beyond the hospital, Hutchinson Regional shares performance and safety information through employee forums, community newsletters, and public appearances.

“We can dislike where we are today and still love the trend line,” Anderson said. “And the trend line is moving up and to the right.”

Among the hospital’s forward-looking priorities is continued improvement in emergency department throughput. Anderson noted that in early 2024, nearly 9 percent of emergency patients left without being seen due to long waits. After staffing and process changes, that rate has dropped to under 1 percent.

The hospital is also preparing to participate in Kansas’ Rural Health Transformation funding initiative, which will invest millions statewide in workforce development, access to care, and healthcare technology.

“Hutchinson is a large, complex rural healthcare hub,” Anderson said. “We serve not just Reno County, but communities west and south of here. We take that responsibility seriously.”

Anderson said the hospital’s long-term goal is clear: continued progress toward a Leapfrog A grade through sustained cultural change, staffing stability, and transparency with the community.

“This is a health system on the rise,” he said.

HRMC CEO addresses safety report, staffing reforms and path forward

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Weather | Hutch Post</a>

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a statewide silver alert for a missing Kansas woman.

The whereabouts of 86-year-old Linda Holle of Wichita are unknown, and public assistance is requested to help locate her, according to a media release from the KBI.

Holle is likely driving a blue 2007 Ford Expedition bearing Kansas tag 1054ADS.&nbsp; She was last believed to be in St. Joseph, Missouri on Dec. 31, at approximately 11:20 p.m.

Holle is a white female who is around 5-foot-3 inches tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds. She has blonde and gray hair, brown eyes and wears glasses.

If you see Holle, or her vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about her whereabouts, please call the Wichita Police Department at (316) 268-4111.

KBI: Silver Alert for missing Kansas woman

The nation’s capital&nbsp; is celebrating the transition to a new year in a historic way.

For the first time ever, the Washington Monument was&nbsp; illuminated on all four sides with a large-scale projection light show that began New Year’s Eve. The display kicked off celebrations for America’s 250th birthday.

🎥 DC light show kicked off America's 250th birthday 

SEDGWICK COUNTY. -&nbsp;Wichita police, with help from the Kansas Highway Patrol and the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested a man wanted on federal and state warrants after a pursuit Tuesday.

Just after 2p.m., officers spotted the man identified on county booking records as 37-year-old Erik Harper, driving a stolen 2004 GMC Sierra near East Central Avenue and North Oliver Avenue in Wichita, according to a media release from police.

 Harper was wanted on a federal warrant and a felony state warrant for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault. Officers followed the truck and requested assistance from the KHP Air Support Unit.

A Kansas Highway Patrol unit equipped with a grappler attempted a traffic stop near East Central Avenue and North Edgemoor Street. The grappler was deployed to prevent the suspect vehicle from fleeing, but the suspect escaped. Shortly afterward, the suspect’s vehicle collided with a 2024 Subaru Impreza in the westbound lanes near the 6800 block of East Central Avenue.

Officers took Harper into custody at 4:53 p.m.

The Subaru’s occupants, a 72-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman, were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Harper was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for charging.

Kan. man wanted on federal warrant captured after pursuit, crash

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/charlotte-kramon">CHARLOTTE KRAMON</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/sarah-brumfield">SARAH BRUMFIELD</a>

The Trump administration has said it is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-child-care-funds-fraud-b511941de10f02fbb7349eff6738f748">freezing child care funds</a>&nbsp;to all states until they provide more verification about the programs in a move fueled by a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-fraud-immigration-enforcement-somali-76e246b70d582f1dd42f1242cf7d7a66">fraud schemes</a>&nbsp;at Minnesota day care centers run by Somali residents.

All 50 states will be impacted by the review, but the Republican administration is focusing most of its ire on the blue state of Minnesota and is calling for an audit of some of its centers.

Minnesota Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement Wednesday that he was “exploring all our legal options to ensure that critical childcare services do not get abruptly slashed based on pretext and grandstanding.”

It is unclear how much more robust the verification process for states will be than it already has been.

Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill called the decision a response to “blatant fraud that appears to be rampant in Minnesota and across the country” in a social media post announcing the change on Tuesday.

Here are some things to know about these moves:

More verification needed for all states to get child care funds

All 50 states will have to provide additional levels of verification and administrative data before they receive more funding from the Child Care and Development Fund, according to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson. However, Minnesota will have to provide even more verification for child care centers that are suspected of fraud, such as attendance and licensing records, past enforcement actions and inspection reports.

In his social media post on Tuesday, O’Neill said all Administration for Children and Families payments nationwide would require “justification and a receipt or photo evidence” before money is sent, but the HHS spokesperson said Wednesday that the additional verifications only apply to CCDF payments.

Walz says Trump is politicizing the issue

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, said in a social media post that fraudsters are a serious issue that the state has spent years cracking down on but that this is a political move that is part of “Trump’s long game.”

State Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy condemned the move in a statement Wednesday.

“Republicans are playing sick games and winning devastating prizes,” Murphy said. “And now, tens of thousands of Minnesota families will pay the price as Donald’s Trump’s agents strip away crucial funding.”

Fraud investigations could stretch to other programs, states

The administration launched efforts in recent weeks to track down fraud in other programs in Minnesota and is looking at fraud in blue states such as California and New York, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an interview with “Fox &amp; Friends” on Wednesday.

The administration will continue to send officers to investigate “potential fraud sites” in Minnesota and deport undocumented immigrants, Leavitt said, adding that the Department of Homeland Security is considering plans to denaturalize citizens.

The Department of Labor is also investigating the state’s unemployment insurance program, Leavitt said. The administration this month threatened to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/food-aid-snap-rollins-blue-states-edf7a10ab409fe471ae81a13823484ab">withhold SNAP food</a>&nbsp;aid funding from Democratic-controlled states, including Minnesota, unless they provide information about people receiving assistance.

The announcement came a day after U.S. Homeland Security officials conducted a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-minnesota-ice-immigration-noem-fraud-investigation-5f97cefc9adf9c0d14a90762dca3cfc8">fraud investigation</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis, questioning workers at unidentified businesses. Trump has criticized Walz’s administration over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-fraud-charges-fbad68312012dc02a4060852474f72ee">cases</a>, capitalizing on them to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/somalia-trump-immigration-explainer-f5155ea29c22441b6507e999b574e136">target the Somali diaspora</a>&nbsp;in the state, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/somalis-minnesota-trump-immigration-5b772dfcf1b342693f12083779247359">the largest Somali population</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.

In his post Tuesday, O’Neill, who is serving as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, referenced a right-wing influencer who posted a video last week claiming he found that day care centers operated by Somali residents in Minneapolis had committed up to $100 million in fraud.

Meanwhile, there are concerns about harassment that home-based day care providers and members of the Somali community nationwide might face amid the vitriol, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-garbage-somalia-minneapolis-immigrant-omar-03e31bba53519d8a39b419679a3b75d9">Trump’s comments earlier this month referring to Somali immigrants as “garbage.”</a>&nbsp;Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown released a statement saying, “Showing up on someone’s porch, threatening, or harassing them isn’t an investigation. Neither is filming minors who may be in the home.”

Maria Snider, director of the Rainbow Child Development Center and vice president of advocacy group Minnesota Child Care Association, said fear is rising among both families — many of which are living paycheck to paycheck — and child care centers that rely on the federal funding. Without child care system tuition, centers may have to lay off teachers and shut down classrooms, she said.

In Minnesota, the application process for the funding is complex and multilayered, Snider said. Her own child care center has been subjected to random audits, she said, and all centers are required to submit to licensing visits by officials.

“I don’t know what else I would provide,” she said.

Ahmed Hasan, director of the ABC Learning Center that was one of those featured in the video by the right-wing influencer, said on Wednesday that there were 56 children enrolled at the center. Since the video was posted, Hasan, who is Somali, said his center has received harassing phone calls making staff members and parents feel unsafe.

He said the center is routinely subject to checks by state regulators to ensure they remain in compliance with their license.

“There’s no fraud happening here,” Hasan told The Associated Press. “We are open every day, and we have our records to show that this place is open.”

Kramon reported from Atlanta and Brumfield reported from Cockeysville, Maryland. AP Writers Mark Vancleave contributed from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Margery Beck contributed from Omaha, Nebraska.

HHS to freeze future child care funding for Kansas and beyond

On Dec. 30, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted kinetic strikes against three narco-trafficking vessels traveling as a convoy.

These vessels were operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and had transferred narcotics between the three vessels prior to the strikes. Three narco-terrorists aboard the first vessel were killed in the first engagement. The remaining narco-terrorists abandoned the other two vessels, jumping overboard and distancing themselves before follow-on engagements sank their respective vessels. Following the engagements, the U.S. Southern Command immediately notified the Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system.

On Dec. 31, at the direction of&nbsp; Secretary Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.

Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and engaged in narco-trafficking. A total of five narco-terrorists were killed during these actions - three in the first vessel and two in the second

🎥US military strikes more drug boats killing 8 'narco-terrorists'

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in connection with a violent attack on Christmas Eve remains jailed after a court appearance on Tuesday

A judge charged 43-year-old Jason Eastburn of Wichita with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, criminal damage to property, aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child and criminal threat, according to online jail records.

Eastburn is accused of hitting a woman with a hammer at a home at&nbsp;7237 E 24th Street in Wichita, according to police. He remains jailed on a $2 million bond

Kansas man accused of Christmas Eve hammer attack

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he’s dropping — for now — his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, a move that comes after legal roadblocks hung up the effort.

Trump said in a social media post Wednesday that he’s removing the Guard troops for now. “We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time!” he wrote.

Troops had already left Los Angeles after the president deployed them earlier this year as part of a broader crackdown on crime and immigration. They had been sent to Chicago and Portland but were never on the streets as legal challenges played out.

The president has made a crackdown on crime in cities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-crime-cities-central-park-five-88b8ee178bf22e91ba205b32c458d060">a centerpiece of his second term</a>&nbsp;— and has toyed with the idea of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/trump-says-hes-open-to-invoking-the-insurrection-act-if-necessary-d374093d6436410f993c2f10b140277a">invoking the Insurrection Act</a>&nbsp;to stop his opponents from using the courts to block his plans.

He has said he sees his tough-on-crime approach as a winning political issue ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

In November, U.S. Northern Command had said it was ”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-portland-chicago-los-angeles-cd6e585615422461d7088b8ed04bb974">shifting and/or rightsizing</a>&nbsp;″ operations in Portland, Chicago and Los Angeles, but there would be a “constant, enduring and long-term presence in each city.”

Trump’s push to deploy the troops in Democrat-led cities has been met with legal challenges at nearly every turn.

The Supreme Court in December refused to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area as part of its crackdown on immigration. The order was not a final ruling but was a significant and rare setback by the high court for the president’s efforts.

In the nation’s capital, District of Columbia Attorney General&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-dc-trump-federal-takeover-national-guard-lawsuit-f2f76ef685676ee0d3bbd81496c74f2e">Brian Schwalb</a>&nbsp;sued to halt the deployments of more than 2,000 guardsmen.

Hundreds of troops from California and Oregon were deployed to Portland, but a federal judge barred them from going on the streets. A judge permanently blocked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-portland-oregon-national-guard-governor-416b40b480f51baa68a587a0c1fdb54c">the deployment of National Guard troops there</a>&nbsp;in November after a three-day trial.

California National Guard troops were removed from the streets of Los Angeles by Dec. 15 after a court ruling. But an appeals court had paused a separate part of the order that required control of the Guard to return to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

In a Tuesday court filing, the Trump administration said it was no longer seeking a pause in that part of the order. That paves the way for the California National Guard troops to fully return to state control after Trump federalized the Guard in June.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the development a “major litigation victory” in a press release Wednesday.

“For six months, California National Guard troops have been used as political pawns by a President desperate to be king,” Bonta said. “There is a reason our founders decided military and civilian affairs must be kept separate; a reason that our military is, by design, apolitical.”

Trump also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-memphis-national-guard-deployment-crime-washington-f678a17a66d3e49b2f67930a6ea70e6b">ordered the deployment</a>&nbsp;of the Tennessee National Guard to Memphis in September to combat crime, a move supported by the state’s Republican Gov. Bill Lee and senators. A Tennessee judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/memphis-national-guard-trump-88524219125b811fe6f558cdbc870dee">blocked</a>&nbsp;the use of the Guard, siding with Democratic state and local officials who sued.

Associated Press writer Jaimie Ding in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Trump ends National Guard deployment in 3 cities after Supreme Court loss

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/john-seewer">JOHN SEEWER</a> Associated Press

Why let New York City have all the fun with its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/times-square-new-years-eve-ball-test-ffc39fae74a728a384fdafc4cb3bf0db">Times Square ball drop</a>&nbsp;on New Year’s Eve?

Dozens of places across the U.S. will ring in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/the-2-0-2-6-numerals-arrive-in-times-square-ahead-of-the-new-years-eve-ball-drop-181fd52d0bb84098bda2b73673bb6921">2026</a>&nbsp;by dropping a quirky assortment of fruits, vegetables, sea creatures and balls of all shapes and sizes.

There’s the giant cheese wedge in Plymouth, Wisconsin, a chile pepper in Las Cruces, New Mexico, a pinecone in Flagstaff, Arizona, and a conch shell in Key West, Florida.

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