By <a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch Post

NICKERSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Nickerson High School Adaptive Special Education teacher Kily Peterson has been named the Allen Samuels Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Teacher of the Month for December.

Peterson, who is in her fourth year teaching in the USD 309 Nickerson-South Hutchinson school district, was surprised with the award in mid-December, surrounded by her students, saying the recognition was both unexpected and meaningful.

“I was speechless,” Peterson said. “Teachers in general don’t always get the recognition they deserve, so to be chosen and get that acknowledgment was really amazing.”

Her path into teaching began with a lighthearted childhood decision but ultimately became deeply personal.

“When I was in fourth grade, my teacher let us be teacher for a day,” Peterson said. “Only teachers got to eat the salad bar, and there was cottage cheese, which I really enjoyed. So I decided I should be a teacher. That’s honestly how it started.”

Peterson earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and taught briefly in Texas before returning to Kansas. After several years as a substitute teacher and paraeducator, she pursued a master’s degree in special education. Her decision was influenced by her experiences as a parent.

Peterson’s son, now an adult who graduated in 2017, is autistic.

“I live in the autism world,” she said. “So I understand it from both sides.”

Peterson said working with special education students is not something she views as extraordinary, but rather essential.

“People tell me it takes a special person to teach special education, and I don’t really understand that wording,” Peterson said. “To me, it’s the best job. These kids have my whole heart. I fight for them with everything I have because they don’t always get a fair shake in life.”

Peterson was nominated twice for the award.

One nominator, Diane Lyon, wrote that Peterson “loves her students like they are her children” and works tirelessly to ensure they gain meaningful skills for life after high school, including cooking and job-related abilities tailored to each student’s needs.

Another nomination from Stephanie Oden, along with input from Peterson’s students, praised her compassion and commitment to preparing students for independence, noting that many of them consider her their “second mom.”

Peterson said the nominations themselves meant just as much as the award.

“I was told I was nominated twice, and that made me feel really special,” she said. “I want to thank the people who nominated me.”

Peterson also expressed appreciation for teaching in a smaller district.

“The Nickerson-South Hutchinson district is small, but still large enough to provide a lot of opportunities for every student,” she said. “Not just special education students, but all of them.”

As part of the recognition, Peterson and her students celebrated with pizza provided by Pizza Hut and ice cream sundaes provided by Braum’s.

Peterson said she was eager to return to class after winter break, as students returned in the Nickerson-South Hutchinson district on Wednesday.

“I haven’t seen my kids over the break,” she said. “I’m very excited to see them again and get the new year started.”

Nickerson's Peterson named Teacher of the Month

The City of Hutchinson is pleased to announce that&nbsp;Scott Cooley&nbsp;has joined the City as its new&nbsp;Downtown Revitalization Manager, effective&nbsp;January 5.

The Downtown Revitalization Manager position was created to provide focused leadership for the City’s downtown area and to move implementation of the Downtown Master Plan forward. In this role, Cooley will lead the day-to-day work of downtown revitalization efforts, including business support, redevelopment coordination, and oversight of the City’s&nbsp;Kansas Main Street Program.

Cooley will work directly with downtown business owners, property owners, developers, and community partners to increase activity, reduce vacancies, and support continued private investment in the downtown core. The position serves as a key connection point between the City and stakeholders working collaboratively to strengthen downtown Hutchinson.

“I’m excited for the future of Downtown Hutch,”&nbsp;Cooley said.&nbsp;“There’s been a lot of great progress and projects over the years, yet there’s still so much future potential. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us!”

The City of Hutchinson remains committed to&nbsp;long-term downtown revitalization through strong partnerships. This position reinforces the City’s ongoing collaboration with downtown stakeholders to build on existing momentum, support private investment, and advance a shared vision for a vibrant, thriving downtown.

For more information or to connect with the Downtown Revitalization Manager, please contact:

Cooley named Downtown Revitalization Manager

Crews with the Kansas Department of Transportation are prepared to respond as a winter weather system moves into parts of Kansas, even as impacts locally are expected to remain limited.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory beginning at 2 p.m. Friday and continuing through midnight. According to KDOT spokesperson Nick Gosnell, conditions have already begun to deteriorate in parts of southwest Kansas, though central areas had not yet seen significant impacts as of early Friday afternoon.

“So far in southwest Kansas, southwest of where we are, they are starting to see some of the snow stick,” Gosnell said. “But most crews have been sent home to rest because the bulk of this is expected later, and we want everyone rested and ready.”

While the system is expected to be relatively minor, Gosnell emphasized that even light snow can create hazardous conditions.

“It’s minor until your car goes in the ditch,” he said. “Drivers need to take extra time, slow down, and give plows room to work.”

Because of warm ground temperatures, widespread pretreatment of roadways has been limited. Gosnell said some bridges are being treated where possible, but applying chemicals too early could be ineffective.

“With as warm as it is, it would take some snow accumulation before treatments really work,” he said. “A lot of it would just wash off right now, so we’re in a wait-and-see mode.”

KDOT crews remain on standby and will respond as conditions change.

Although winter weather can be unpredictable—especially during the first event of the season—Gosnell said KDOT’s preparation is anything but.

“We start preparing for winter and testing equipment in October,” he said. “Some years you’ve got kids trick-or-treating in snowdrifts, some years you don’t see anything until after New Year’s. Either way, we’re ready.”

Gosnell urged motorists to exercise caution, particularly as this system arrives on a Friday evening when travel, including high school sporting events, is still taking place.

“This is the first time people have driven in winter weather in six to ten months,” he said. “You may also have younger or less experienced drivers on the road. Give yourself extra time, slow down, and if you don’t have to go, don’t go.”

KDOT officials say conditions are expected to improve as the weekend progresses, but drivers are reminded to stay alert, maintain extra stopping distance, and follow plows at a safe distance when encountered.

KDOT crews on standby as winter weather moves in

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Snow. Accumulations up to around 3 inches, with isolated higher amounts over 4 inches possible. * WHERE...Portions of Central and South Central Kansas. * WHEN...Until midnight CST tonight. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute.

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

Winter Weather Advisory issued

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Newly elected Lindsay Hatfield will take her seat on the Hutchinson USD 308 Board of Education for the first time Monday night, bringing with her a parent’s perspective, deep local ties, and a focus on rebuilding trust with the community following last year’s failed school bond.

Hatfield, a Hutchinson native and Buhler High School graduate, was elected to an at-large seat in November. After leaving Kansas for college and starting a family, she and her husband chose to return to Hutchinson — a move she describes as a “boomerang” homecoming.

“I’m raising Salthawks,” Hatfield said. “My kids go to school here, and I’m really invested in this community and this district.”

Hatfield is the parent of two children who attend Allen STEM Magnet School, where she also serves on the school’s PTO board. She said her experience as a parent and volunteer influenced her decision to run for the board, emphasizing the importance of having decision-makers who are directly invested in local schools.

Allen STEM Magnet School, she noted, offers specialized programming in science, technology, engineering and math and is open to students throughout the district and beyond. One highlight, Hatfield said, is the school’s KidWind program, in which students design and test wind turbines. Allen teams have earned national recognition through the competition.

As Hatfield prepares to begin her term, she acknowledged the strain between the district and some community members following the defeat of a proposed school bond that would have funded a new middle school and other facility improvements.

“The bond was overwhelmingly defeated, and that tells us something,” she said. “We have work to do moving forward.”

Hatfield said a major early focus will be reassessing district priorities and determining how to move ahead without immediately pursuing another bond issue. She cited ongoing needs related to school safety, aging elementary facilities, and operational challenges such as shared gym and cafeteria spaces.

Early childhood education is another area she hopes to emphasize, particularly kindergarten readiness. Hatfield said her husband works as a paraprofessional at Allen, giving her firsthand insight into classroom needs and the growing demand for para support across the district.

“When kids come into kindergarten at very different readiness levels, it’s challenging for everyone — teachers and students alike,” she said.

Hatfield described the board position as a significant time commitment with no financial compensation, but said she views the role as an investment in the community’s future.

“The payoff is making the district better for our kids,” she said. “I plan to live here the rest of my life.”

During her first year, Hatfield said she intends to focus on learning the district’s operations, completing the current strategic plan adopted in 2024, supporting curriculum improvements, and encouraging greater parent involvement.

She also highlighted mental health, social-emotional learning, and community service as priorities, saying students benefit when they feel supported, engaged, and connected beyond the classroom.

“It takes the whole community,” Hatfield said. “Public education works best when parents, schools and the community are all invested together.”

The USD 308 Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the district administration building. Hatfield’s first official meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 12.

Hatfield to begin term on USD 308 Board of Education Monday

WASHINGTON, DC – The new year begins with the lowest national average in years at $2.81. The last time the national average for a gallon of regular gas was this low was back in March of 2021. 

Crude oil prices remain relatively unchanged from the end of 2025 and unaffected amid questions about Venezuela’s impact on the oil market.

Currently, the global oil supply is strong, as OPEC+, the coalition of oil-exporting countries, says it’s not planning any production hikes in the first quarter of 2026 due to lower demand.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;from 8.56 mill barrels/day to 8.17 million.

Total domestic gasoline increased from 234.3 million barrels to 242 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.0 million barrels per day.&nbsp;

Fuel Prices: Stable national average to start the year, lowest since '21

Zerger Field will remain closed and locked during the ongoing turf replacement project, with only very limited access permitted at this time for PAC students to use the playground under specific conditions.

According to school officials, the next phase of the project involves rebuilding the field’s base and ensuring the grade is exact before new turf and rubber pellets are installed. Crews will use laser-guided leveling technology to precisely prepare the surface. Any use of the field during this stage could disrupt the ground and compromise the accuracy of the grading process.

As part of the construction safety plan, the north gates at Zerger Field are now locked. PAC students who are dropped off by parents on Third Street will need to walk around using the sidewalk along Taylor Avenue. School officials emphasized that students should not walk through the construction area due to the presence of heavy equipment.

Access to the playground will be limited and determined on a week-to-week basis, depending on construction activity. When playground access is allowed, PAC students will be required to enter through the Band gate and follow the sidewalk route around to the playground area.

Officials say the project remains on schedule, and by the middle of February, students are expected to return to a newly resurfaced field with brand-new turf.

Pratt's Zerger Field closed during turf replacement project

HUTCHISON, Kan. (Jan. 9, 2026) - The Salvation Army of Reno County has ended its Red Kettle Campaign and the count is in. After just over 30 days of bell ringing, it has all come to a close. The Salvation Army has counted its last bucket for the year and for its goal of $85,000 they raised $75,627.55.

Major James said, “We are always humbled by the generosity of so many volunteers who ring each year, and those who give.” The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettle has been around since 1891 when Salvation Army officer Captain Joseph McFee wanted to provide a free Christmas dinner to the poor of San Francisco. This year was no different here in Reno County where The Salvation Army gave out toys to over 1100 children who were registered to receive toys, and even families who didn’t meet the cutoff date were able to come on a later day to select from the toys that were left. There were also over 900 families who received a Christmas meal in a box. After 134 Christmases, the spirit of The Salvation Army continues to bring hope to those who need it the most.

The Red Kettle Goal is only a little more than 28% of their overall $300,000 seasonal goal. “We have about $89,000 left in order to reach our overall goal of $300,000. This is actually a little bit ahead compared to last year, but The Salvation Army still has a ways to go. With the extremely slow start we had some major concerns and have been encouraged by people’s giving so far”, said Major James. With 3 weeks left in January you can still help The Salvation Army make a difference regardless of the size of your donation.

You may drop your donations off at The Salvation Army’s office located at 700 N Walnut, or send your donations in their return envelopes from their mailers. You can also donate online at www.GiveWithJoyHutch.com. Please call Major James at 620-663-3353 with any questions on how you might be able to give financially.

Salvation Army releases Red Kettle Campaign total, seasonal goal continues

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;

Sacha	Shalena	Sizemore		1/8/2026 12:50&nbsp;PM	Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Registration Violation; No/Expired License Plate,					DUI; Misdemeanor,					Possession of marijuana

Justin	Allen	Nelson		1/8/2026 1:07&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Zander	Kai	Sublett		1/8/2026 1:39&nbsp;PM	Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction),					Criminal Deprivation of Property; Other than Motor Vehicle or Firearm

Kayla	Rose	Roy		1/8/2026 3:40&nbsp;PM	DWS; 1st conviction,					DWS; 1st conviction

Kelly	Ann	Stallings		1/8/2026 6:07&nbsp;PM	Direct Contempt

William	James	Kuhns		1/8/2026 8:01&nbsp;PM	Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misdemeanor case, Execution of Misdemeanor Warrant,					Failure to Appear

Rene	J	Reaza Hernandez	Jr	1/8/2026 11:21&nbsp;PM	Possession of marijuana,&nbsp;Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Drugs; Distribute Marijuana or Analog thereof; &lt; 25g,					Drugs; Paraphernalia; Sell/Distribute/Possess for illegal use

Mariah	Nicole	Desmond		1/8/2026 11:46&nbsp;PM	Drugs; Distribute Marijuana or Analog thereof; &lt; 25g,					Interference with Law Enforcement; Conceal /alter/destroy evidence Felony case,					Drugs; Paraphernalia; Sell/Distribute/Possess for illegal use,					Possession of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Luisa	Kay Maribel	Zubia		1/9/2026 2:07&nbsp;AM	Battery; Phys contact rude/insult/angry manner,					Viol protection order; Pre-trial order

Daily Bookings

The City of Hutchinson has opened applications for its Commercial Façade Improvement Program, offering matching grants to help south Hutchinson business and property owners upgrade building exteriors along arterial streets south of and including 11th Avenue.

The program is designed to encourage reinvestment in commercial properties, reduce blight, and improve the overall appearance and economic vitality of the area. Through the program, the City will reimburse up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, with grants capped at $10,000 per property.

Eligible improvements include exterior paint, signage, windows, doors, awnings, roof and wall repairs, and exterior lighting. Projects must involve commercial properties located on arterial streets and be current on property taxes at the time of application and project completion. Each property is limited to one grant.

The minimum grant award is $1,000, meaning total project costs must exceed $2,000. For projects exceeding $5,000, applicants must obtain at least two cost quotes, and city approval is required before work begins.

Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until available funding is exhausted. In evaluating projects, city staff and the Planning Commission will consider factors such as code compliance, current condition of the property, project feasibility, and consistency with adopted city plans.

Applicants are encouraged to meet with Community Development staff prior to submitting an application to review project concepts and eligibility requirements. Completed applications must be submitted to the Community Development Department. City staff will review submissions for completeness and may conduct site visits. In some cases, site plans may require Planning Commission approval, which also makes final funding decisions.

Projects may not begin until written approval is issued by the City. Any costs incurred prior to approval are not eligible for reimbursement, and projects that are substantially complete or finished at the time of application will not qualify.

A limited exception may be considered for projects that were planned or underway before the application release, provided strict conditions are met, including written notice of intent submitted before construction began and completion occurring after Jan. 1, 2026. Approval of such exceptions is at the City’s sole discretion.

Grant-funded improvements must be maintained in good condition for at least five years. All projects must comply with city codes and applicable local, state, and federal regulations. In-kind labor provided by applicants is not eligible for reimbursement, and any changes to approved project scope or materials must receive prior city approval.

Because funding is limited, interested business and property owners are encouraged to apply early.

City of Hutchinson opens commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program for south side businesses

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

Three-day Outlook

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

On Christmas Eve, deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office located a stolen 2012 Hyundai passenger vehicle, originally reported stolen from Wichita at a residence located at 401 W. 1st Street in Cherryvale, Kansas.

Deputies obtained and executed a search warrant for the residence and property. During the execution of the warrant, deputies observed drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the residence. An amended search warrant for narcotics was subsequently obtained. During the search, deputies located more than three (3) grams of methamphetamine along with additional drug paraphernalia and items used for distribution.

Rachel McKenzie, of Cherryvale, Kansas, was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where she was booked on the requested charges of Distribution of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp; She bonded out of jail days later, according to online jail records.

Sheriff: Suspected Kansas drug dealer jailed on Christmas Eve

KANSAS CITY —There is a new 6-foot-tall bundle of joy at the KCZoo.

On Friday, the zoo introduced Aspen, a female Masai giraffe born to 4-year-old Alika on December 29. 

A neonatal exam has been performed and showed that the calf is in good health. Aspen is already spending quality time with 2-month-old half-brother, Beni, and getting a masterclass in zoomies courtesy of her half-sister, 1 ½-year-old Willow.

Aspen is Alika’s first calf and father Aidan’s third. Other members of the Zoo’s herd include adult females Makali and Chandy, who are the respective mothers to Willow and Beni. 

Due to construction currently underway on a new giraffe complex, the entire giraffe herd will remain behind the scenes until the new habitat opens by Summer 2026 but may be seen on a live video feed available only at the Zoo. 

<a href="https://kansascityzoo.org/giraffe-habitat?fbclid=IwY2xjawPOa15leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEwQW81UnhSVEVYSndJQW8xc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuOC9ZCL-3tzlxa3hyX6Wy5bTaqK6u0yt4O3Hq_RFHMLxZ4v8Lkcdjcbx3Sr_aem_0LEqDqkIQu3SXnWpvw0QsQ">Click here to learn more</a> about this exciting new complex.

Masai giraffes are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The KCZoo is partnering with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/savegiraffesnow?__cft__[0]=AZZ9kK_jyA6olM47QfzZyfGivewk29wfjPxionuQlL3RawHl-biKXkaS72apNvb08B9wfamM_2AUA0OgznYjXmpTOdkPJdNragKvAOkqkQn2ulriczQxIAs33sxU8spA2uVkmp0z11dZ99uLsWIS-jH_w5TYv5w5EyhBwLXc9q_LzQ9m4yeTBHWP0NadFwX1Wek&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Save Giraffes Now</a> on co-existence projects in the Athi-Kapiti region of Kenya, a heavily populated region where human and wildlife conflict is a constant struggle.

In addition, the Zoo participates in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ZoosAquariums?__cft__[0]=AZZ9kK_jyA6olM47QfzZyfGivewk29wfjPxionuQlL3RawHl-biKXkaS72apNvb08B9wfamM_2AUA0OgznYjXmpTOdkPJdNragKvAOkqkQn2ulriczQxIAs33sxU8spA2uVkmp0z11dZ99uLsWIS-jH_w5TYv5w5EyhBwLXc9q_LzQ9m4yeTBHWP0NadFwX1Wek&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">The Association of Zoos and Aquariums</a> Species Survival Plan to ensure a genetically diverse and stable giraffe population in accredited facilities. This exciting new arrival is part of our Wild Beginnings program presented by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/saintlukeskc?__cft__[0]=AZZ9kK_jyA6olM47QfzZyfGivewk29wfjPxionuQlL3RawHl-biKXkaS72apNvb08B9wfamM_2AUA0OgznYjXmpTOdkPJdNragKvAOkqkQn2ulriczQxIAs33sxU8spA2uVkmp0z11dZ99uLsWIS-jH_w5TYv5w5EyhBwLXc9q_LzQ9m4yeTBHWP0NadFwX1Wek&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Saint Luke's Health System</a> that celebrates “zooborns” at the KCZoo. Saint Luke’s commitment to innovative, patient-centered maternity care has helped local families flourish for more than 140 years and is a perfect sponsor for the Zoo’s growing animal families. Photos by senior animal care specialist Julia

6-foot tall bundle of joy at the Kansas City Zoo

KANSAS CITY —Police investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 61-year-old Gary L. Norris.

Just before 1a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to&nbsp; a shooting reported in the area of 16th Street and Fremont Avenue, according to Officer Alyana Gonzalez.

First responders found Norris inside of a vehicle unresponsive and suffering from gunshot trauma. Officers attempted to render medical aid until EMS personnel responded and transported him to an area hospital for treatment. Norris ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by hospital staff.

Preliminary information indicates Norris was outside working on a vehicle when an interaction between the victim and another adult male escalated into gunfire. The suspect left the scene prior to police arrival. Police have not reported any suspect details.

Homicide: Police ID KC man shot while working on his vehicle

PAWNEE COUNTY —A&nbsp; Kansas couple made their first court appearance on Thursday following a more than two-year investigation of&nbsp;financial mistreatment and elder abuse.

Jeffrey S. Bates, 64 and Sandi K. Bates, 62, both of Larned, appeared before Pawnee Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

They were each charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Financial Mistreatment of a Dependent Adult/Elder Person, with an aggregate value of at least $100,000, but less than $250,000, alleged to have occurred between July 15, 2015, and December 31, 2022. This charge is a severity level 6 person felony.

Jeffrey Bates faces an additional count of Physical Mistreatment of a Dependent Adult/Elder Person, by allegedly knowingly inflicting physical injury, unreasonable confinement or unreasonable punishment upon a dependent adult or an elder person, alleged to have occurred on or about November 26, 2022. This charge is a severity level 5 person felony. In the alternative Bates is charged with Criminal Restraint, a Class A Person Misdemeanor.

The charges stem from a two-and-a-half-year investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department initiated by a report of alleged elder abuse. The sheriff department was assisted in the investigation by the Kansas Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Unit.

The Bates were arrested by the sheriff’s department without incident at their Larned residence on December 1, 2025, and released later that day after posting surety bonds.

&nbsp;A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for January 21, 2026.

Under Kansas law, “elder person” means a person 60 years of age or older. As charged, the crime of Financial Mistreatment of a Dependent Adult/Elder Person means the intent to knowingly take the personal property or financial resources of a dependent adult or an elder person for the benefit of the defendant by taking control of the personal property or financial resources of said dependent adult or elder person through undue influence, coercion, harassment, duress, deception, false representation, false pretense or without adequate consideration to such dependent adult or elder person.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for January 21.

Kan. couple charged following an elder abuse investigation

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks hit records Friday following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-growth-3520ef449c36be8ca60eb046177200a2">a mixed report on the U.S. job market</a>, one that may delay&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-economy-inflation-jobs-442de589de9b99bb811f76e402b00948">another cut to interest rates</a>&nbsp;by the Federal Reserve but does not slam the door on it.

The S&amp;P 500 climbed 0.6% and topped its prior all-time high set earlier in the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 237 points, or 0.5%, and likewise set a record, while the Nasdaq composite led the market with a 0.8% gain.

The moves came after the U.S. Labor Department said employers hired fewer workers during December than economists expected, though the unemployment rate improved and was better than expected. It reinforced how the U.S. job market may be in a “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-hiring-economy-c48fd84dfaa71eee962feb3a88fd8575">low-hire</a>, low-fire” state and may hopefully avoid a recession.

On Wall Street, power company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/facebook-meta-zuckerberg-ai-vistra-oklo-terrapower-0eb051a9a11d96f7ce200e186ad13476">Vistra soared</a>&nbsp;10.5% to help lead the market after signing a 20-year deal to provide electricity from three of its nuclear plants to Meta Platforms. Big Tech companies have been signing a string of such deals to electrify the data centers powering their moves into artificial-intelligence technology.

Oklo jumped 7.9% after saying it also signed a deal with Meta Platforms that will help it secure nuclear fuel and advance its project to build a facility in Pike County, Ohio.

Homebuilders and other companies involved in the housing market were strong in their first trading after President Donald Trump announced a plan to lower mortgage rates. Trump on late Thursday called for the purchase of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-housing-mortgage-rates-79294cf8eac1579b17430b4cd0708fcd">$200 billion in mortgage bonds</a>, similar to how the Fed in the past has bought bonds backed by mortgages to bring down mortgage rates.

Builders FirstSource, a supplier of building products, jumped 12% for one of the biggest gains in the S&amp;P 500 along with Vistra. Among homebuilders, Lennar rallied 8.9%, D.R. Horton climbed 7.8% and PulteGroup rose 7.3%.

They helped offset a 2.7% drop for General Motors. The auto giant said it will take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-ev-byd-tesla-c9db4cd7030c9b58803e7375e25b9484">a $6 billion hit</a>&nbsp;to its results for the last three months of 2025 related to its pullback from electric vehicles. That’s on top of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-gm-ev-emission-tax-2d2e43fd9dc0e12864e590a018be280f">$1.6 billion in charges</a>&nbsp;GM took in the prior quarter. Fewer tax incentives and easier fuel-emission regulations have been eating into demand for EVs.

WD-40 tumbled 6.6% after reporting a weaker profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Chief Financial Officer Sara Hyzer said the soft numbers were primarily because of timing issues, not weaker demand from end customers, and the company stood by its financial forecasts for the upcoming year.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 44.82 points to 6,966.28. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 237.96 to 49,504.07, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 191.33 to 23,671.35.

In the bond market, Treasury yields were mixed.

Friday’s improvement in the unemployment rate was enough to get traders to ratchet back expectations for a cut to interest rates at the Fed’s next meeting, which is scheduled for later this month. Traders are now forecasting just a 5% chance of that, down from 11% a day before, according to data from CME Group.

But traders nevertheless still largely expect the Fed to cut rates at least twice this upcoming year.

Whether they’re correct carries high stakes for financial markets. Lower interest rates can goose the economy and push up prices for investments, though they can also worsen inflation at the same time. And inflation has stubbornly remained above the Fed’s 2% target.

“Until the data provide a clearer direction, a divided Fed is likely to stay that way,” according to Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. “Lower rates are likely coming this year, but the markets may have to be patient.”

The yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.16% from 4.19% late Thursday. It tends to track expectations for longer-term economic growth and inflation.

The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks forecasts for what the Fed will do with short-term interest rates in the near term, rose to 3.53% from 3.49%.

A separate report released Friday morning suggested sentiment among U.S. consumers is strengthening, particularly among lower-income households. Perhaps more importantly for the Fed, the preliminary report from the University of Michigan also said expectations for inflation in the coming 12 months may be at their lowest level in a year. That could give it more freedom to cut interest rates.

Hopes for both lower interest rates and a solid economy have helped other areas of the stock market climb recently, wresting leadership away from the Big Tech and AI stocks that dominated the market for years. The smaller stocks in the Russell 2000, for example, climbed 4.6% this week, much more than the 1.6% rise of the S&amp;P 500.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across much of Europe and Asia.

Another record setting day on Wall Street 

A Minnesota prosecutor on Friday called on members of the public to send any video or other evidence in the fatal shooting of Renee Good directly to local investigators, challenging the Trump administration’s decision to leave the investigation solely to the FBI.&nbsp; Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance and the White House have released a new&nbsp;cellphone video showing perspective of federal agent at center of ICE-involved shooting.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-minnesota-jonathan-ross-b9ce88da676d74ec6a1ab36aa55fbda1">The federal agent who fatally shot Good</a>&nbsp;is an Iraq War veteran who has served for nearly two decades in the Border Patrol and ICE, according to records obtained by Associated Press.

White House releases phone video from ICE agent before fatal shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said on social media Thursday that he is directing the federal government to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds, a move he said would help reduce mortgage rates at a time when Americans are worried about home prices.

Trump and the White House have been trying to show they are responding to voter concerns about affordability ahead of midterm elections in November. Home prices have generally risen faster than incomes because of a persistent construction shortfall, making it harder for renters to buy their first home and for existing owners to upgrade to a new property — a challenge that dates back to Trump’s first term and the recovery from the housing market collapse that triggered the global financial crisis in 2008.

Trump said the two mortgage companies under government conservatorship, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have $200 billion in cash that will be used to make the purchase.

“This will drive Mortgage Rates DOWN, monthly payments DOWN, and make the cost of owning a home more affordable,” Trump posted on social media.

White House officials did not immediately respond to questions about the timelines for how purchases would occur.

The Federal Reserve has in the past bought mortgage bonds during times of economic turmoil in order to help reduce interest rates, leading many homeowners to refinance into rates of 3% or less. The low rates of the recent past make these homeowners reluctant to sell their properties, depriving the market of inventory.

“At a high level I feel this is putting a Band-Aid on a deeper issue and it probably wouldn’t lower rates enough to really undo the mortgage rate lock-in effect,” said Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at the real estate brokerage Redfin.

Fairweather estimated the government purchases of mortgage debt could shave 0.25 to 0.5 percentage points off the rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. But the purchases wouldn’t address other factors such as a chronic shortage of homes on the market, which has helped make homeownership unaffordable for many Americans, she cautioned.

Mortgage rates have been averaging around 6.2%, according to Freddie Mac, which went into conservatorship along with Fannie Mae in 2008 when the U.S. economy crashed during the Great Recession. Thirty-year mortgage rates haven’t been below 6% since September 2022.

“Lowering mortgage rates by maybe a quarter point or half a point maybe will encourage more demand on the margins, but I don’t think it’s going to solve the restrictions that exist in the housing market,” Fairweather said.

There is also a risk because Trump would be spending the cash reserves that are supposed to help be a buffer against an economic downturn akin to what happened during the Great Recession. In a sense, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could be more vulnerable if anything negative happens to the housing market, meaning Trump is betting that possibility is highly unlikely.

Separately, the Fed holds roughly $2 trillion worth of mortgage-backed securities on its balance sheet. That’s down from $2.7 trillion in June 2022. The Fed began to unwind its mortgage-debt holdings as the U.S. economy recovered from the global pandemic.

Mortgage rates began to climb as inflation spiked coming out of the global pandemic, with the consumer price index hitting a four-decade high in 2022. The average mortgage rate is down from nearly 7% at the start of Trump’s second term last year, yet the decrease has done little to reassure a public that feels pressure from the costs of housing, food and energy.

When interest rates fall it can become cheaper to service housing debt on a monthly basis. The reduced monthly payments can improve affordability for a period until home prices adjust in response to changes in the rates. There was roughly $21.1 trillion in outstanding mortgage debt as of the middle of last year, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve.

Many homeowners took advantage of low interest rates during the pandemic to refinance their mortgages at rates of 3% or lower.

Trump last month said he planned to unveil housing reforms -- and on Wednesday he said he wants to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-housing-plan-investors-davos-6ec9f96c03d16c0714a6804c5f703db2">block institutional investors</a>&nbsp;from buying houses.

Trump taking action to make buying a home more affordable

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman will learn her fate for a deadly DUI crash that killed a teen.

Trisha Greer, 43, will appear in Judge Quinton Pittman's courtroom for sentencing on Friday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In October, Greer pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence before Judge Pittman. She originally pleading not guilty in June and was to face a jury trial.

Just after 11p.m. May 14, 2024, Greer was driving without headlights at 55th Street South and Hoover, according to Sheriff's Lt Nathan Gibbs. The vehicle struck and killed 18-year-old Bethany Aillen Callista Leggio who was standing with a group of people at the location.

Greer was booked into jail just after 1a.m. the following morning, according to online jail records. She met the requirements of bond and is no longer in custody.&nbsp;Sentencing is scheduled for January 29, according to the district attorney's office.

Sentencing day for Kan. woman in DUI crash that killed teen 

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

Just before 3p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 6600 block of Monroe Avenue, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. While officers were responding to the scene, several additional calls for a sound of shots were reported.

Upon arrival, officers observed a group of people summoning responding officers to the rear of an apartment complex building. An unidentified male victim, believed to be&nbsp;an&nbsp;adult, was located lying in a parking lot, unresponsive and suffering from believed gunshot trauma. EMS responded shortly behind officers and declared the victim deceased on scene.

Preliminary information indicates there was an interaction that took place between the victim and several unknown males. That interaction escalated into gunfire and resulted in the victim being struck. The unidentified suspects left the scene in an unknown direction occupying an unidentified vehicle. Police do not have any subjects of interest identified and no one is in police custody at this time.

Homicide: Man found dead in parking lot of KC apartment complex

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces boarded another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Friday, the U.S. military said, as the Trump administration continues to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">target sanctioned tankers</a>&nbsp;traveling to and from Venezuela.

The pre-dawn action was carried out by Marines and Navy sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, part of the extensive force the U.S. has built up in the Caribbean in recent months, according to U.S. Southern Command, which declared “there is no safe haven for criminals” as it announced the seizure of the tanker called the Olina. The Coast Guard then took control of the vessel, officials said.

Southern Command and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem both posted unclassified footage on social media of a U.S. helicopter landing on the vessel and U.S. personnel conducting a search of the deck and tossing what appeared to be an explosive device in front of a door leading to inside the ship.

In her social media post, Noem said the ship was “another ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil” and it had departed Venezuela “attempting to evade U.S. forces."

The Olina is the fifth tanker that has been seized by U.S. forces as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to control&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-oil-reserves-trump-exxon-8a6462e76315c7d1a6e6a5a879f98c16">the distribution of Venezuela’s oil products</a>&nbsp;globally following the U.S. ouster of President Nicolás Maduro in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">a surprise nighttime raid</a>.

U.S. government records show that the Olina was sanctioned for moving Russian oil under its prior name, Minerva M, and flagged in Panama.

While records show the Olina is now flying the flag of Timor-Leste, it is listed in the international shipping registry as having a false flag, meaning the registration it is claiming is not valid. In July, the owner and manager of the ship on its registration was changed to a company in Hong Kong.

According to ship tracking databases, the Olina last transmitted its location in November in the Caribbean, north of the Venezuelan coast. Since then, however, the ship has been running dark with its location beacon turned off.

While Noem and the military framed the seizure as part of an effort to enforce the law, other officials in the Trump administration have made clear they see it as a way to generate cash to fund U.S. goals in Venezuela.

In an early morning post on his social media network, Trump said the U.S. and Venezuela “are working well together, especially as it pertains to rebuilding, in a much bigger, better, and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure.”

The administration said it expects to sell 30 million to 50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil, with the proceeds to go to both the U.S. and Venezuelan people. But the president expects the arrangement to continue indefinitely as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-chevron-exxonmobil-conocophillips-0e0619a991e92fd546504f1a613161e7">meets on Friday</a>&nbsp;with executives from 17 oil companies to discuss his goal of investing $100 billion in Venezuela to repair and upgrade its oil production and distribution.

Vice President JD Vance told Fox News this week that the U.S. can “control” Venezuela’s “purse strings” by dictating where its oil can be sold.

The Olina has a listed cargo capacity of up to 890,000 barrels of oil. While it is unclear if the tanker was full or empty, at the current market price of about $60 a barrel, a full cargo of oil from the tanker would be worth about $53 million.

Associated Press writers Dánica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Josh Boak in Washington contributed reporting.

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