On Thursday, March 5th, 2026, members of the Hutchinson Police Department Special Operations Unit, Repeat Offender Unit, and Investigations Division served a search warrant related to suspected drug distribution at 2620 East 2nd Avenue in Hutchinson, Kansas. As a result of the investigation, officers seized approximately 302 grams of methamphetamine, 239 grams of marijuana, 56 grams of THC wax, 14 pills, THC cartridges, one firearm, and U.S. currency. One juvenile was placed into police protective custody.

Following completion of the investigation, the listed individuals were arrested on the charges noted:

Travis R. Boyd, 42-year-old male of Hutchinson, was arrested for Distribution of Opiates x2, Distribution of Hallucinogenic, Aggravated Endangering a Child, Possession of Paraphernalia with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Opiates x2, Arrange Sale/Purchase of Controlled Substance Using a Communication Facility, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Jessica H. Ramey, 27-year-old female of Salina, was arrested for Possession of a Stimulant with 1 Prior Conviction, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

· Mark D. Benewiat, 57 year old male of Hutchinson, was arrested for Distribution of Opiates, Arrange Sale/Purchase of Controlled Substance Using a Communication Facility, Possession of Opiates, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While License Suspended.

Ashlynn N. Hamby Raya, 23 year old female of Great Bend, was arrested for Distribution of Opiates, Distribution of Hallucinogenic, Sell/Distribute/Possess Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Opiates, Possession of Marijuana with 1 Prior Conviction, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

· Rhyen J. Naab, 31 year old male of Hesston, was arrested for Possession of Stimulants with 1 Prior Conviction, Possession of Marijuana with 2 Prior Convictions, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

If you have information about the distribution of narcotics, please contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2816, your local law enforcement agency, or Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS. You can also use the P3Tips App on your smartphone, or text RENOKS to 738477 to receive a link to an anonymous tip form. (Msg frequency varies. Msg &amp; data rates may apply. Text HELP for help and STOP to cancel. P3 Terms and Privacy Policy.)

Five arrested in drug distribution investigation

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. ——————————————

Richard		Acosta	III	3/6/2026 9:37&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Timmy	Lee	True&nbsp; 3/6/2026 1:11&nbsp;PM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Reghan	Anastacia	ONeal		3/6/2026 1:44&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Clint	Devon	Keim		3/6/2026 2:40&nbsp;PM	Poss of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Kimberly	Stephanie	Ortiz-Portela		3/6/2026 3:08&nbsp;PM	Theft; Property or Services; Less than $1,500,					Criminal Trespass; Defiance of Order

Ian	Stuart	Laymon		3/6/2026 7:20&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Joshua	William	Kelley		3/6/2026 7:40&nbsp;PM	Traffic Contraband in Correctional Institution; Introduce Firearm, Ammo, Explosive or Controlled Subst,					Agg battery; Recklessly use deadly weapon

Nicholas	James	Loesch		3/6/2026 8:01&nbsp;PM	DUI; Alcohol or drugs; Felony

Daily Bookings

Reno Valley Middle School will host its 30th annual Empty Bowls Supper on Thursday, March 12, continuing a long-standing tradition that raises funds to help fight hunger in Reno County.

The event began three decades ago when former Reno Valley art teacher Jean Regier learned about similar community dinners from her sister, who was teaching art in California. Inspired by the concept, Regier worked with school administrators and fellow teachers to launch the program locally.

“Thirty years ago, my sister was talking about the Empty Bowls suppers they had around her school,” Regier said. “So I looked into it, and here we are 30 years later.”

From its earliest days, the project combined art, music and community service. Students created handmade clay bowls in art class while the school’s music program provided entertainment during the supper.

Today, the tradition continues under the coordination of Betsy Koon, an eighth-grade language arts teacher at Reno Valley Middle School. Koon has led the event for the past 10 years after Regier retired, working alongside a large team of teachers and staff who help organize the evening.

“We kind of have it down to a science after 30 years,” Koon said. “We have different teams that handle different pieces of the project, and everyone works together to make it happen.”

A central part of the event is the creation of hundreds of handmade ceramic bowls. Middle school students craft the bowls using several pottery techniques, including coil building, pinch pots and slab construction. In previous years, high school pottery students also assisted by using potter’s wheels to form bowls that middle school students then decorated.

After the bowls are shaped, they must dry for about a week before being fired in a kiln. The pottery goes through a two-step firing process — first a “bisque firing” at roughly 1,500 degrees, followed by glazing and a second firing at temperatures near 2,100 degrees.

Because each kiln can only hold so many pieces at once, producing a full batch of bowls takes several weeks.

“It’s a long process,” Regier said. “But by the time we’re finished, we have a great variety of bowls made by the students.”

The evening itself centers on a community chili supper. Students help supply ingredients such as beans, tomatoes, crackers and other items through a schoolwide collection effort, allowing nearly all funds raised to go directly to charity.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Christian Soup Ministry in downtown Hutchinson, which provides meals and support for individuals facing food insecurity.

Koon said the cause is especially meaningful for students after learning about hunger challenges in the community.

“In Reno County, nearly 16 percent of residents face some level of food insecurity,” Koon said. “That’s a big number for a county our size, and we’re proud to support a place like the Christian Soup Ministry that helps those families.”

The 30th annual Empty Bowls Supper will take place at Reno Valley Middle School on Thursday, March 12. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with chili served beginning at that time. A student dramatic performance titled Yaron, the Yodeling Cowboy, written by teacher Dan Brinkley, will begin around 6 p.m.

The event is open to the public and operates on a free-will donation. Each family attending will receive a handmade bowl created by students as a keepsake of the evening.

Organizers say the tradition has grown into a meaningful way for students and the broader community to come together in support of neighbors in need.

“It really shows how our county pulls together,” Koon said. “People give what they can from the heart, and it all goes to help someone who needs it.”

Reno Valley Middle School to host 30th Annual Empty Bowl Supper

 New Beginnings has announced the hiring of Carissa Paxton as its new director of housing, a position aimed at strengthening efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities in the Hutchinson community.

Paxton brings extensive experience in housing development, community needs assessment and residential real estate to the role. Her background includes work in both public service and nonprofit initiatives focused on housing and community engagement.

Before joining New Beginnings, Paxton served as the youth leadership program coordinator for Rise Up Reno Prevention Network. She also previously worked as housing coordinator for the City of Hutchinson, where she was involved in local housing initiatives and community development efforts.

In addition to her nonprofit and municipal experience, Paxton continues to work as a residential real estate specialist, giving her additional insight into the local housing market.

Officials with New Beginnings said Paxton’s experience in housing policy, development and community collaboration will help support the organization’s work in addressing housing needs and expanding affordable housing options in the area.

The director of housing position was created through funding provided by the Hutchinson Community Foundation’s Housing Initiative. The grant supports efforts to strengthen housing resources and increase access to affordable housing in Hutchinson and Reno County.

New Beginnings hires Carissa Paxton as director of housing

Students from the International Baccalaureate Visual Arts program at Hutchinson High School will showcase their work during a special public reception Friday evening at the Hutchinson Art Center.

The event will take place Friday, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the art center and will highlight artwork created by students enrolled in the IB Visual Arts program at Hutchinson High School.

Organizers say the evening is designed to celebrate the creativity and dedication of local student artists while giving the community an opportunity to view their work in a professional gallery setting.

Guests attending the reception will be able to explore a variety of student-created pieces while enjoying light refreshments and live music performed by students from the Hutchinson High School Orchestra.

The event is free and open to the public.

Hutchinson Art Center to showcase Hutch High artists

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped nearly 27 cents since last week to $3.25. The conflict in the Middle East has sent crude oil prices higher to the mid $70/barrel range. 

The recent increase puts the national average at the same price as it was in early April of 2025. Springtime typically sees higher gas prices as gasoline demand rises and summer-blend gasoline production begins. 

The last time the national average made a similar weekly jump was back in March of 2022 during the start of the Russia/Ukraine conflict. 

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eia.gov/" target="_blank">new data from the Energy Information Administration</a>&nbsp;(EIA), gasoline&nbsp;demand&nbsp;decreased&nbsp;last week from 8.73 million barrels per day to 8.29 million. Total domestic&nbsp;gasoline&nbsp;supply&nbsp;decreased&nbsp;from&nbsp;254.8 million&nbsp;barrels&nbsp;to&nbsp;253.1 million.&nbsp;

Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels per day.&nbsp;

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI&nbsp;rose 10 cents to settle at $74.66&nbsp;a barrel.&nbsp;The EIA&nbsp;reports&nbsp;crude oil inventories&nbsp;increased by 3.5 million barrels from the previous week. 

At 439.3 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 3% below the&nbsp;five-year&nbsp;average for this time of year.&nbsp;

Jump at the pump as gas average goes up nearly 27 cents

A bridge replacement project in rural McPherson County will require the temporary closure of a section of Comanche Road beginning next week.

According to McPherson County Public Works, crews will replace a bridge located just west of K-61 Highway along Comanche Road. To allow for construction, Comanche Road will be closed to through traffic between K-61 and 9th Avenue.

Officials said the area immediately surrounding the bridge will be closed to all traffic during the project.

The closure is expected to begin Monday, March 9, with construction anticipated to last about seven months, weather permitting.

Bridge Replacement to close portion of Comanche Road

Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across central Kansas Friday afternoon and evening, bringing the potential for damaging winds, large hail and the possibility of a strong tornado. 

Our weather partners at KSStorm.info say scattered severe storms are likely to form across central Kansas, including Hutchinson, Salina and Wichita. Storms are expected to begin developing after about 4 p.m. as a cold front moves southeast through the region. 

Storms that develop could produce several dangerous conditions, including:

The strongest storms are expected to move across central Kansas between about 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., with the potential for severe weather continuing overnight as the storm system tracks southeast. 

Areas farther east in Kansas and into Missouri could see storms arrive later in the evening, possibly after 8 p.m. 

Emergency officials encourage residents to prepare ahead of the storms by:

The severe weather threat could last into the early morning hours Saturday as storms continue pushing southeast across the region.&nbsp;

Severe storms possible across central Kansas

The Kansas Legislature has officially passed HCR5022, a resolution calling for a convention to propose congressional term limits.

Following the measure’s earlier approval in the Kansas House, the Kansas Senate finalized passage today with a bipartisan 30–8 vote, marking a significant step in a growing national movement aimed at advancing term limits for members of Congress.

The resolution was led by Sen. Mike Thompson and Rep. Bill Sutton and is supported by the nonpartisan nonprofit U.S. Term Limits, which has been working with states across the country to encourage congressional action on the issue.

By approving HCR5022, Kansas joins other states urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment establishing term limits. Advocates say the effort is designed to demonstrate that states are prepared to take action if Congress does not act first.

Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, a convention to propose amendments can be called if 34 states pass similar resolutions. Historically, when the number of states calling for a convention has grown, Congress has often acted on the issue before a convention is held.

“This achievement reflects the growing demand from Americans for reform in Washington,” said Philip Blumel, president of U.S. Term Limits. “Eighty-seven percent of Americans support term limits on Congress, with strong majorities across party lines. By passing this resolution, Kansas is helping remind Congress that the American people expect action — and that expectation is only growing stronger.”

HCR5022 received bipartisan support in both chambers of the Kansas Legislature. With the Senate’s approval today and the House’s earlier passage this session, the resolution is now officially enrolled.

Kansas legislature passes resolution supporting congressional term limits convention

Christian	Armando	Contreras Munoz		3/5/2026 1:18&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Jerome	Jason	Smith		3/5/2026 1:30&nbsp;PM	DUI; 2nd conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+,					Registration Violation; Fail to keep records on Vehicle registered for less than 6000 miles,					Insurance; Knowingly drive uninsured vehicle

Travis	Ray	Boyd		3/5/2026 10:58&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Honain	Steven	Culy		3/5/2026 2:48&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Erik	Dale	Pettay		3/5/2026 4:04&nbsp;PM	Poss of marijuana; 1 prior conviction,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Rhyen	James	Naab		3/5/2026 6:13&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Charles	Joseph Bryant	Adams		3/5/2026 6:40&nbsp;PM	DWS; 1st conviction

Ashlynn	Nicole	Hamby Raya		3/5/2026 7:06&nbsp;PM	Poss of marijuana; 2 or more prior convictions,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Poss of marijuana; 2 or more prior convictions,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Probation Violation,					In Transit From-To Other Agency

Christopher	Burdette	Stowell		3/5/2026 7:28&nbsp;PM	Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)

Mark	David	Benewiat		3/5/2026 9:51&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv,					Drugs; Distribute Opiates/Opium/Narcotic (Cocaine, Crack, Amphetamine); 3.5g to &lt; 100g,					Drugs; Arrange sale/purchase of controlled substance using a communication facility

Jessica	Hanna	Ramey		3/6/2026 12:49&nbsp;AM	Poss of stimulant; 1 prior conviction,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Indirect Contempt

Jeffrey	Allen	McCrory		3/6/2026 4:36&nbsp;AM	Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction),					Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Burglary; Dwelling for felony, theft, dv, sex,					Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Criminal Deprivation of Property; Other than Motor Vehicle or Firearm

Reno County officials are working to clarify questions surrounding nearly $900,000 in state health grants after the topic generated discussion during a recent county commission meeting and on social media.

During last week’s Reno County Commission meeting, Commissioner Randy Parks requested additional information on several health department grants that had appeared on the consent agenda. The request removed the items from the consent agenda so commissioners could review the details before approval.

Hirst said the decision was intended to ensure commissioners fully understood how taxpayer-funded grants would be used.

“We need to have as much information as we can about the use of the grants,” Hirst said. “Grants are funded by taxpayers, and we want to make sure those funds are being used properly and that services aren’t being duplicated.”

The grants, which total roughly $889,000 from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Aid to Local program, support a variety of public health services provided by the Reno County Health Department.

County Administrator Randy Partington said the grants fund programs that often serve residents who may not have access to care through private healthcare providers.

“There are quite a few line items,” Partington said. “Some include chronic disease risk reduction, education about vaping, smoking and substance misuse, and women’s health services. There are also programs that reach populations who may not be able to access private medical providers.”

Other grant-funded programs include maternal and child health initiatives, family planning services, immunizations and nutrition education.

Health officials say immunization programs help ensure vaccines are available for children who are uninsured or underinsured, while maternal and child health programs provide support for expectant mothers and young families.

“These programs fit directly into the county’s responsibility for the health and welfare of its citizens,” Hirst said.

Partington said grants represent a significant portion of the health department’s overall funding. The department operates on a budget of roughly $3 million, with funding coming from grants, property taxes and service fees.

“Grants are a big part of the health department’s budget,” Partington said. “Property taxes make up another portion, and the department also collects fees for certain services and reimbursements.”

One program funded through state support is childcare licensing, which Reno County administers for both Reno and Harvey counties. Partington said the arrangement was created several years ago as part of a regionalization effort encouraged by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Under the agreement, Reno County oversees inspections, education and licensing for childcare providers in both counties.

“The important thing to note is that the childcare licensing program is funded 100 percent by the state,” Partington said. “No Reno County property tax dollars are used to provide those services in Harvey County.”

Grant funding also supports public health emergency preparedness efforts. County officials said those resources help coordinate responses with local emergency management agencies and community organizations during disasters or other health emergencies.

Commissioners are expected to continue reviewing the grant details before final approval.

Reno County Commission meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays of the month in the Veterans Room of the Reno County Courthouse.

Reno County officials clarify health department grants

WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the region, according to two officials familiar with U.S. intelligence on the matter.

The officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly on the sensitive matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity, cautioned that the U.S. intelligence has not uncovered that Russia is directing Iran on what to do with the information as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-lebanon-03-06-2026">U.S. and Israel continue their bombardment</a>&nbsp;and Iran fires retaliatory salvos at American assets and allies in the Persian Gulf.

Still, it's the first indication that Moscow has sought to get involved in the war that the U.S. and Israel launched on Iran a week ago. Russia is in the rare club of countries that maintains friendly relations with Tehran, which has faced years of isolation over its nuclear program and its support of proxy groups that have wreaked havoc in the Middle East, including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.

The White House downplayed reports that Russia was sharing intelligence with Iran about U.S. targets in the region. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday told reporters that “it clearly is not making any difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a CBS' “60 Minutes” interview on Friday said the U.S. is “tracking everything” and factoring it into battle plans, when asked about the reports Russia was aiding Iran.

“The American people can rest assured their commander in chief is well aware of who’s talking to who,” he said. “And anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether it’s in public or back-channeled, is being confronted and confronted strongly.”

Leavitt declined to say if Trump had spoken to Russian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;about the reported intelligence sharing or whether he believed Russia should face repercussions, saying she would let the president speak to that himself.

Asked whether Russia would go beyond political support and offer military assistance to Iran, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there has been no such request from Tehran.

“We are in dialogue with the Iranian side, with representatives of the Iranian leadership, and will certainly continue this dialogue,” he said Friday.

Pushed on whether Moscow has provided any military or intelligence assistance to Tehran since the Iran war’s start, he refrained from comment.

Russia has tightened its relationship with Iran as it looked for badly needed missiles and drones to utilize in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">four-year war against Ukraine.</a>

The Biden administration declassified intelligence findings that showed Iran supplies Moscow with attack drones and has assisted the Kremlin with building a drone-manufacturing factory.

The former U.S. administration also accused Iran of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-ukraine-ballistic-missiles-us-intelligence-1e637abe11396989c641fa5bf3f57b24">transferring short-range ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ukraine">Russia for its war in Ukraine</a>.

Details about the U.S. intelligence were first reported by The Washington Post.

Asked whether the revelation had shaken Trump’s faith in Putin’s ability to cut any peace deal in the Russia-Ukraine war, Leavitt said, “I think the president would say that peace is still an achievable objective with respect to the Russia-Ukraine war."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;says the United States and its allies in the Middle East are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drones-iran-5cafbae5d360a44c4502b69647269037">seeking Ukraine’s expertise</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-gulf-war-drone-49c8ea76358e579447ff839485f394ac">countering Iran’s Shahed drones</a>. Tehran has been supplying Russia with Shaheds for its war on Ukraine and are now utilizing them in retaliatory attacks throughout the Gulf.

Zelenskyy says that he's spoken to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait about possible cooperation.

“Ukraine knows how to defend against Shahed drone attacks because our cities have faced them almost every night," said Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna. “When our partners are in need, we are always ready to help.”

Trump, who has struggled to fulfill a campaign pledge to end the Russia-Ukraine war, has had an up-and-down relationship with Zelenskyy. He's frequently pressured the Ukrainian leader to heed Russian demands, including that Kyiv concede Ukrainian territory still in its control.

🎥Hegseth on report Russia is giving Iran intel on U.S. military targets

JOHNSON COUNTY —Lightning caused significant damage to a Kansas home Friday.

Just before 12:30 pm, firefighters at a “lightning strike investigation” discovered fire in the basement at a home near 143rd St. and Pflumm Road, according to a social media report from the Olathe Fire Department. 

Lightning appears to have struck the roof. Damage inside the home is significant. There were no injuries. Four people are temporarily displaced. Olathe Police Department, Overland Park Fire Department and Johnson County MED-ACT helped at the scene.

Lightning strike caused significant damage to Kansas home 

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

LAWRENCE — Kansans won’t know until at least Tuesday if a judge will delay implementation of the state’s new “bathroom law,” but a concession by Attorney General Kris Kobach means key components of the law can be delayed until March 26.

Douglas County District Judge James McCabria heard arguments Friday about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb244/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 244</a>, the controversial new law that forces people to use bathrooms in government buildings and gender markers on driver’s licenses based on sex assigned at birth.

The three-hour hearing focused on technicalities, including whether the law meets any one of five specific criteria that would lead the judge to approve a temporary restraining order and pause enforcement of the law for up to 14 days.

Attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union and the Kansas Department of Administration&nbsp; said the law’s speedy implementation provided no grace period to Kansans needing a new driver’s license and for government leaders statewide to put a system in place for tracking bathroom usage.

The law took effect Feb. 26, a little over a week after the GOP-led Legislature overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto. Kansans who held driver’s licenses with a gender marker that didn’t match their sex at birth were told their licenses were immediately invalidated and government leaders statewide were told they had to immediately enforce the bathroom portion of the bill.

Kobach told McCabria he agreed to give Kansans who needed to update driver’s licenses until March 26 to complete that. He also said he wouldn’t enforce the law’s penalties — which could be as high as $125,000 per day for violations — for cities, counties, municipalities and schools that might violate the bathroom rules, as well.

Harper Seldin, an ACLU attorney representing the two Lawrence transgender men who brought a case against the law under pseudonyms Daniel Doe and Matthew Moe, told the judge the law violates the Kansas Constitution.

SB 244 infringes on the rights of personal autonomy, expectations of privacy, and equal protection under the law, and has other issues, he said.

“The attorney general is incorrect when he says that we’re asking the court to break new ground,” Seldin said. “This is not a novel set of theories that require the government to do anything. The thread through these individual rights claims is that this is about Daniel and Matthew’s right to be left alone by the government.”

Seldin also said the law targets transgender individuals, which can be shown by the results of its implementation even if it’s not stated outright. He said the way SB 244 was implemented violated the Kansas Constitution when the bathroom portion of the bill was “logrolled” into the bill that originally addressed driver’s license and birth certificate gender markers.

Logrolling refers to dropping a bill into an unrelated bill, sidestepping the opportunity for public input. Seldin said cramming two separate subjects into one law violates the Kansas Constitution, which has a “single subject” clause.

Kobach said the two issues are congruent in that they both deal with defining sex within Kansas government.

“It’s this idea that bills should mean what they say and say what they mean,” Seldin said. “There’s a particular perniciousness to a law that hides the law.”

Kobach told the judge that a driver’s license is a government document, used for government purposes, and the state has the right to define the information contained in the document.

McCabria questioned Kobach about briefs included in the plaintiff testimony outlining the negative psychological effects on transgender people being made to use documents that don’t match their gender identity.

“Whatever a person may feel about their need to be perceived by the world in a certain way, what right do I have to compel the government to identify me in that way?” McCabria asked.

Kobach said the driver’s license is a document that records pertinent information, and sex is one of the elements, along with eye color and birthdate, that doesn’t change over time.

Kobach said the bathroom portion of the bill maintains the status quo in Kansas, where he contended residents have always gone to the bathroom that matches their biological sex at birth.

Seldin said trans people in the state have been going to the bathroom without any harms for decades.

Kobach said women who hear a man’s voice or see a man in private spaces could become anxious about their safety.

He acknowledged plaintiff’s assertions about the psychological or emotional harm they may suffer but told McCabria that in a balance of equities, that didn’t outweigh the harms of “99-plus percent of the population.”

When McCabria asked him to substantiate that number, Kobach said he didn’t mean to imply that everyone outside of transgender individuals were harmed by the law.

“Many courts have recognized the fear that ‘biological females’ have when a ‘biological male’ is in the bathroom with them, and that is something that I think any Kansan can identify with, especially a female,” Kobach said after the hearing.

Asked how women would be affected by seeing or hearing a transgender man who now has to use a woman’s bathroom, Kobach said, “All kinds of hypothetical cases are possible.”

McCabria said he had hoped to make a ruling Friday but that he needs more time to study the filings in the case and examine constitutional issues. He said he expects to rule by Tuesday.

“I think most people want to be respectful,” Seldin said after the hearing. “I think most people don’t want to pry into other people’s private lives. I think a law like this suggests the opposite, that Kansans have some prurient interest in other people’s habits and private spaces. And I don’t think that’s right.”

Z Kemp attended the hearing because her partner and many friends are affected. She said the law has caused “a lot of stress and anxiety.”

“That’s just unnecessary because as they’ve stated before, there was — especially with the bathroom situation —- no prior problem,” she said. “It’s only a problem whenever you make it a problem. I don’t think it’s that radical to just let trans people be. Just let them go to the bathroom.”

Avie Fallis said she has been through a lot of physical and legal changes to find herself. She said she is tired of well-meaning people recommending that she leave Kansas, which is her home state where her family and loved ones live.

“I feel like it’s a fire that’s just growing,” she said. “I’m not going to run away from fire. I feel like it should be extinguished.”

Kansas AG offers to delay enforcement of anti-trans law until March 26 while judge weighs challenge

On March 8, 2026, at 2 a.m., the majority of American citizens, or their digital devices, will set their clocks forward one hour, launching this year's daylight saving time. The practice continues despite the findings of the most recent Gallup poll, where 54% of United States citizens say they'd like it to end. Hawaii and most of Arizona are the exceptions to the rule, staying on standard time, which is the preferred time zone for 48% of the country.

In 2022 and again last year, proposals were put forth in Congress to end daylight saving time, but none of them passed. Nineteen states have submitted legislation in the last seven years to make DST permanent if the federal government allows it. But until Congress passes the Sunshine Protection Act, daylight saving time is here to stay.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/657584/half-daylight-saving-time-sunsetted.aspx">Gallup poll</a>&nbsp;found 40% of Americans are okay with the biannual switch of the clocks. In a 2024 study in the&nbsp;<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.5664/jcsm.10898">Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine</a>, scientists favored permanent standard time, as it aligns best with human circadian biology. Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/09/daylight-saving-time.html">Stanford researchers</a>&nbsp;say either permanent option is healthier than the back and forth twice a year, every year.

While daylight saving time may seem like it's been costing people sleep forever, the time adjustment is an American idea, first proposed by founding father&nbsp;<a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/did-benjamin-franklin-invent-daylight-savings-time-1232015/">Benjamin Franklin</a>&nbsp;back in 1784. The practice got piecemeal acceptance until World War I. England instituted it in 1816, and the U.S. introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/daylight-saving-time-state-legislation">the temporary time change</a>&nbsp;across the nation in 1918, as an effort to conserve fuel by extending daylight working hours.

During World War II, the U.S. brought back daylight saving time. Dubbed War Time, Clocks were moved ahead one hour nationwide from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/february-9/daylight-saving-time-instituted">Feb. 9, 1942</a>, to Sept. 30, 1945, to conserve fuel and energy for defense production. After the war, some states and communities kept the practice, while others dropped it until 1966.

In 1966, Congress passed the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/regulations/time-act">Uniform Time Act</a>, which established time zones for the country, a regulated railroad schedule and the standardization of DST changes in the spring and fall each year. In 2005, President George W. Bush signed into law the&nbsp;<a href="https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc935207/">Energy Policy Act of 2005</a>, which moved the dates a little wider apart.

Both time changes have negative effects on our bodies. For most people, these last up to five days. Recovery from the upcoming change often feels easier, in part because there's more sun. While most of the Western world also changes its clocks twice a year, more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/time/standard-time.html">60% of countries</a>&nbsp;use standard time all year.

While some tout the benefits of DST, science continues to prove them wrong. Researchers at Stanford estimate that permanent standard time would prevent some 300,000 cases of stroke per year, and keep 2.6 million people from struggling with obesity. They say the opposite, permanent daylight saving time would achieve about two-thirds of the same effect.

<a href="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/7-things-to-know-about-daylight-saving-time">Doctors say</a>&nbsp;they see more hospital admissions, elevated production of stress-induced inflammations and a heightened risk of mood disturbances. In 2020, the&nbsp;<a href="https://aasm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/sleep-prioritization-survey-2020-elimination-seasonal-time-changes-results.pdf">American Academy of Sleep Medicine</a>&nbsp;found 63% of Americans would prefer to eliminate seasonal time changes. More sun in the evening disrupts circadian rhythms. People go to bed later and subsequently get less sleep since work and school still start at the same time. More than half of the people polled experience tiredness following the switch.

Flipping our clocks back and forth won't be going away for the foreseeable future. So the best approach is to try to mitigate the effects of the time changes. Here are some suggestions to manage the forward spring. A few of them are also helpful in the fall.

Finally, on the weekend of the switch, get a good breakfast, like&nbsp;<a href="https://thehonoursystem.com/cinnamon-roll-muffins/">cinnamon roll muffins</a>. Then try to get outside as early as you can. More natural morning light can help preserve your circadian rhythm.

Even though technically the time change happens at 2 a.m., don't stay up. Set offline clocks ahead for an hour right before you hit the hay on Saturday, March 7. Online clocks, like on your phone, will adjust automatically at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8.

Since you're losing an hour of sleep, a daytime nap can sound great. And it will help, but you have to be strategic. Make sure it's a short nap, under 20 minutes, and do it in the early afternoon or right after dinner, not close to bedtime.

Another good sleep tip to implement year round: avoid caffeine, soda, alcohol and screens for 1-2 hours before bedtime. Enjoy a healthy snack, like&nbsp;<a href="https://thehonoursystem.com/easy-banana-chocolate-chip-cookies-gluten-free-vegan/">three-ingredient oatmeal cookies</a>, but don't eat too late. Let your body and your eyes enter a restful state even before you lie your head on the pillow.

Once the change is complete, don't neglect your vitamin D fix. Head outdoors for early morning sunlight the week after the time change. The bright light will help set your internal clock to the new time. But leave the sunglasses off. Your eyes need sunlight exposure, too.

If you can try not to overload your schedule for the first couple of days, just in case you're groggy from lack of sleep. It bears repeating: get a full 7-8 hours of sleep Sunday night after the change. Can't fall asleep? Get up and walk around, drink some water, then try again.

Consider supplementing your body's natural melatonin with a plant-derived supplement, no more than 0.3 milligrams. That's just enough to help you fall asleep without interfering with your body's natural hormone levels.

If you can, shift to a morning workout. Exercise in the morning raises your body temperature, which can increase your wakefulness and help reset your internal clock.

And one last year-round sleep tip: create a sleep sanctuary. Your bedroom, or at least your bed, should be a place for sleep and nothing else. Make it a quiet, dark, cool sleep space. Eat dinner at least a few hours before going to bed, and limit how many spicy or carb-heavy foods you eat after 6 p.m. If you need a snack, lean on proteins, like&nbsp;<a href="https://thehonoursystem.com/peanut-butter-protein-balls/">peanut butter protein balls</a>.

Just because you're losing an hour's sleep doesn't mean it has to crush your day. Make the effort to prepare yourself and your environment, and you can navigate the time change just like any other day. And with any luck, you can look forward to the day when you can sleep through the night without worrying about having to change your clocks.

Secret hacks for surviving daylight saving time

A Kansas City man faces charges for allegedly placing explosive devices in a trash can near the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2823/CanizalesArguetaOwen_Charging-Packet-1">Owen I. Canizales Argueta</a>&nbsp;, 23, faces 20 counts of Possession of an Illegal explosive, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.&nbsp; Each count carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.&nbsp;

“Jackson County does not tolerate threats. Not to our landmarks, not to our gathering places, and not to our neighborhoods. I am proud of KCPD’s swift investigative work to identify and arrest the defendant, allowing our office to quickly file charges,”&nbsp;Prosecutor Johnson said. “With the World Cup just 100 days away, we’re prepared and committed to holding anyone who seeks to harm this community accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We’re working closely with local law enforcement, elected officials, federal partners, and KC2026, to ensure that when the world arrives to our community, we are prepared and safe.”

According to court records, Kansas City Police Department’s Bomb and Arson Section were called to 2 Memorial Drive on Feb. 24. Custodial staff were clearing out trash cans and discovered a red bag with what they believed to be explosives.&nbsp;

Detectives determined the bag to contain 20 homemade explosive devices.&nbsp;

Based on surveillance video, a vehicle entered the driveway near the Liberty Memorial on Feb. 23 and an individual, later identified as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2823/CanizalesArguetaOwen_Charging-Packet-1">Argueta</a>&nbsp;exited the vehicle and placed a red bag in the trash can.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2823/CanizalesArguetaOwen_Charging-Packet-1">Argueta</a>&nbsp;admitted in an interview with detectives to purchasing the devices and placing them in the trash can.&nbsp;

A Jackson County judge set the defendant’s bond to $100,000 cash only.&nbsp;

Kansas City man admits planting explosives near Liberty Memorial

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on child sex crimes.

On March 5,&nbsp;Alexander Holmes, 35 of Maryville, Missouri was booked into the Brown County jail on requested charges of Rape, Aggravated Sodomy and AggravatedIndecent Liberties with a Child, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

The requested charges are based on the suspect being over 18 years of age and victim less than 14 years of age.&nbsp;&nbsp; This was determined after a lengthy investigation by the Brown County Sheriff's office and upon sending reports to the County Attorney for review, a warrant was&nbsp; issued&nbsp; for Holmes arrest.

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