Residents will have two opportunities to learn more about the upcoming City of Hutchinson sales tax ballot measure ahead of the March 3 special election.

The City of Hutchinson will host public information meetings at Memorial Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m., and Monday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m. Both meetings will feature the same presentation and be held at the same location.

According to the city, staff will explain what will appear on the ballot, why a city sales tax is being considered, and how the proposal was developed. The goal is to provide residents with clear, factual information ahead of the vote.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit questions, with responses provided by city staff and elected officials. The meetings are open to the public, and residents may attend either date.

Meanwhile, Hutchinson residents planning to vote in the special election must be registered by Tuesday, Feb. 10, according to the Reno County Election Office.

Voters may register online through the Reno County Election Office website or in person at the Reno County Annex, located at 125 West 1st Avenue in Hutchinson.

The 2026 special election is scheduled for March 3, 2026. Mail-in ballots will begin being sent to voters on Wednesday, Feb. 11. In-person advance voting will start on Feb. 23 in the Reno County Annex Conference Room and will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closing at noon on Monday, March 2.

Election officials encourage eligible voters to register or verify their registration before the deadline to ensure they can participate in the special election.

Voter registration deadline today, sales tax town hall tonight

A popular 90s country revival show is headed back to Hutchinson this weekend, with strong ticket demand already signaling a packed dance floor at the 1861 Club on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

The Kansas State Fair Foundation is hosting “90s Revival: All Hat, No Cadillac” on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the 1861 Club. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the concert beginning at 8 p.m. Table seating for the event sold out within hours late last year, leaving standing-room-only tickets still available.

James Fisher, with the Kansas State Fair Foundation, said the Austin-based band drew overwhelming positive feedback after performing at the foundation’s Boots &amp; Bling fundraiser last August.

“If we had one person ask us to bring them back, we had 100,” Fisher said. “Once they start playing, people hit the dance floor and they don’t leave.”

The concert features the band All Hat No Cadillac, known for high-energy performances and crowd interaction. Fisher said nearly all table purchases came from attendees who had previously seen the group perform.

The show also marks the launch of the Liquid Aloha Concert Series at the 1861 Club, sponsored by Kona Brewing.

Maddie Burns, venue and operations manager at the 1861 Club, said guests should be prepared to dance rather than sit.

“If you love 90s country, you’re not going to need a seat,” Burns said. “You’ll be on the dance floor all night.”

The venue will offer cocktail tables, a coat check, and indoor amenities to make winter travel easier for attendees. Organizers are also encouraging guests to support local restaurants before the show as part of a Valentine’s Day evening out.

Beyond the concert, the Kansas State Fair Foundation is also preparing for several upcoming events at the 1861 Club. On Sunday, Feb. 22, the venue will host Everything Weddings &amp; Events from 1 to 4 p.m. The showcase will feature local vendors offering services for weddings, corporate gatherings, fundraisers, and other special events. Admission is $10.

Later in March, the Liquid Aloha series continues with “HaHa Hutch” on March 27, featuring Hutchinson native and comedian Brett Riley. Tickets for that event are now on sale.

Standing-room tickets for the 90s Revival concert and information on upcoming events can be found at <a href="http://1861club.com">1861club.com</a>.

90s country revival coming to 1861 Club Saturday

Hutchinson Polar Plunge Returns Saturday to Benefit Special Olympics Kansas 

The Hutchinson Polar Plunge is set to return this Saturday at Midwest Superstore, raising funds to support Special Olympics athletes across Kansas after weather forced a postponement earlier this winter. 

The annual event, organized by Sgt. Andrew Soule of the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, is scheduled to begin with on-site registration at 9 a.m., followed by plunges starting at 10 a.m. or shortly thereafter. The plunge was originally planned for late January but was rescheduled due to extreme cold conditions. 

Soule said the local Polar Plunge began in either 2018 or 2019 after law enforcement officials saw the success of similar events across the state through the Law Enforcement Torch Run movement. 

“We looked at what other communities were doing and decided to give it a try here,” Soule said. “It’s been very successful for us since we started.” 

This year’s plunge returns to Midwest Superstore, a longtime host and sponsor. Additional local supporters include Pools Plus and People’s Bank and Trust.

Funds raised through the event benefit Special Olympics Kansas. While donations are collected locally, Soule explained that all funds raised through Torch Run–affiliated events go to the state level and are then distributed back to local athletes through Special Olympics Kansas programs. 

Registration remains open up until plunge time Saturday morning. Participants can sign up in advance online at soks.org by selecting the Polar Plunge tab and choosing the Hutchinson location, or they can register in person the day of the event. A $75 donation is requested to participate, though organizers work with individuals who want to take part. 

Those who prefer not to plunge can still support the cause by making a donation online or in person at the event. Spectators are also encouraged to attend, with food, drinks, and opportunities to meet local Special Olympics athletes available throughout the morning. 

Soule said the event is about more than just fundraising. 

“These athletes are wonderful people,” he said. “This is our chance to support them and help them continue to compete in the events they take so much pride in throughout the year.” 

Organizers have set a fundraising goal of $8,000 for this year’s Polar Plunge. As of Tuesday morning, approximately $2,445 had been raised.  

If you would like to donate, but don’t want to plunge, you can make a donation to their effort using this link.  

The Hutchinson Polar Plunge will take place Saturday morning at Midwest Superstore, with registration opening at 9 a.m. and plunging beginning around 10 a.m. Community members are invited to attend, cheer on participants, and support Special Olympics athletes. 

Rescheduled Polar Plunge set for Saturday

Here's a list of events happening around the area.&nbsp; If your club or organization has an event, you can e-mail the information to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">HutchPost@eaglemedia.com.</a>

Hutch High basketball vs Valley Center – 6 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Salthawk&nbsp;Activity Center&nbsp;&nbsp;

HutchCC Men’s and Women’s Basketball vs Dodge City 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hutchinson Sports Arena&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.hutchinsonfox.com/">“The Princess Bride” Fox Classic/Retro Film Series</a> — 7 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Fox Theatre – 18 East First&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/45b532b0-b050-4bc8-a05e-ccdf10f283d0">“Newsies” - Family Community Theater</a> — 7:30&nbsp;p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 301 North Main Street&nbsp;

“Crazy Little Cafe Called Love” - Stage&nbsp;9 — 7:30 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9 South Main&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hutch High basketball vs Derby — 6 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Salthawk&nbsp;Activity Center&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.hutchinsonfox.com/">“The Princess Bride” Fox Classic/Retro Film Series </a>— 7 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Fox Theatre – 18 East First&nbsp;

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/45b532b0-b050-4bc8-a05e-ccdf10f283d0">“Newsies” - Family Community Theater </a>— 7:30 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 301 North Main Street&nbsp;

Polar Plunge for Special Olympics&nbsp;— 9 a.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Midwest Superstore - 1100 East 30th Avenue

<a href="https://www.hutchinsonartcenter.net/">Saturday Morning Artists</a> — 9 to 11:30 a.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Art Center&nbsp;

Valentine’s Day Movie Night at the Cosmosphere – 7 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1100 North Plum&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.hutchinsonfox.com/">“Casablanca” Fox&nbsp;Classic/Retro Film Series</a> – 7 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hutchinson Fox Theatre – 18 East First&nbsp;

“Crazy Little Cafe Called Love” - Stage&nbsp;9 — 7:30&nbsp;p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9 South Main&nbsp;

90’s Revival "All Hats No Cadillac" - 1861 Club — 8 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Kansas State Fairgrounds&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Crazy Little Cafe Called Love” - Stage&nbsp;9&nbsp;— 2 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9 South Main&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.hutchinsonfox.com/">“Casablanca” Fox Classic/Retro Film Series</a> — 2 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hutchinson Fox Theatre – 18 East First&nbsp;

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/45b532b0-b050-4bc8-a05e-ccdf10f283d0">“Newsies” - Family Community Theater</a> — 3 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 301 North Main Street&nbsp;

 Happenings Around Hutch • Feb. 10 - 15

A familiar face has returned to the classrooms at Trinity Catholic Junior Senior High School — and is already earning recognition for his impact on students.

Isaac Miller, a 2019 Trinity graduate now in his second year of teaching, was recently named the recipient of the St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Outstanding New Teacher Award, presented during Catholic Schools Week by the Diocese of Wichita. The honor recognizes one outstanding early-career teacher among educators across the diocese’s 38 Catholic schools.

Miller teaches English at both the junior and senior high levels and is deeply involved beyond the classroom, coaching football and track while also assisting with forensics and theater. Trinity Principal Joe Godina said that broad involvement has been central to Miller’s early success.

“Isaac is kind of a jack-of-all-trades,” Godina said. “While he’s new as a teacher, he’s certainly not new to Trinity. He understands our culture, our students, and how important relationships are in education.”

Miller said returning to his alma mater was a decision shaped by both reflection and faith. After attending college in Nebraska, he felt called to bring new experiences back home.

“I had a lot of different experiences when I went away,” Miller said. “I thought it would be really cool to come back with everything I’ve learned and see what kind of difference I could make in a new role at the same school.”

That philosophy extends well beyond lesson plans. Miller emphasized that building relationships with students — on the field, at games, and in extracurricular activities — directly strengthens learning inside the classroom.

“When students see you outside the classroom, you get more buy-in,” he said. “You’re a bigger part of their life, not just someone teaching English. That makes everything smoother when you’re back in class.”

Godina, who previously taught for more than two decades at Hutchinson High School, said the emphasis on relationships transcends school size.

“Big school or small school, it’s really the same,” he said. “When students trust you and know you care, they’ll work for you. The difference is just the number of kids.”

Miller admitted he was caught completely off guard when his name was announced for the diocesan award.

“I had no idea,” he said. “When they said it was going to a young teacher, I started to suspect — but I was very surprised and very grateful.”

For Miller, the recognition affirmed the challenges and rewards of a demanding profession.

“Teaching is one of the most fulfilling jobs, but it can be hard,” he said. “To have your work acknowledged like that — it feels really good.”

Godina said the honor was well deserved and reflective of Miller’s early impact on the Trinity community.

“He really is a fantastic teacher,” Godina said. “This recognition speaks to the kind of influence he’s already having on our students.”

Trinity Catholic alum Isaac Miller honored with diocesan new teacher award

Kansas is recognizing Kansas Wildfire Awareness Week from Feb. 8–14, a statewide public information campaign aimed at reducing wildfire risk through education, preparedness, and cooperation among residents, fire agencies, and emergency partners.

The campaign is a joint effort involving the Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Division of Emergency Management, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Kansas State Firefighters Association, and the Kansas Association of Fire Chiefs. Federal partners include the National Weather Service and the U.S. Forest Service, including support through the Cimarron National Grassland.

The 2026 theme, “Working Together for Wildfire Awareness – Making Kansas Stronger,” emphasizes that wildfire preparedness starts at home and extends to neighborhoods, local fire departments, and state and federal agencies working together year-round.

Officials note that more than 90 percent of wildfires in Kansas are human-caused, often sparked by escaped debris burns, dragging trailer chains, welding, equipment use, or other outdoor activities during high fire danger conditions. Wildfire Awareness Week focuses on simple, practical steps Kansans can take to prevent fires and reduce their impact when they occur.

Homeowners are encouraged to reduce hazards around their properties by clearing dry vegetation, removing flammable materials, and managing the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)—the area in and around a structure where small changes can significantly reduce wildfire risk. Suggested actions include cleaning leaves and debris from roofs and gutters, moving firewood and combustible materials away from buildings, and trimming vegetation near structures and propane tanks.

Prevention also includes securing trailer chains, maintaining vehicles and equipment, clearing debris that could spark fires, and avoiding risky outdoor activities on days with elevated fire danger. Fire officials stress that responsible behavior during dry and windy conditions is critical to protecting both property and lives.

Kansas Wildfire Awareness Week also highlights the importance of readiness and response planning. Residents are urged to know multiple evacuation routes, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a “go kit” for family members and pets. Having a plan in place allows first responders to focus on fire suppression rather than last-minute rescues.

Emergency officials say strong partnerships built before a wildfire occurs are essential. Local, state, and federal agencies work together year-round to provide weather monitoring, training, equipment, and coordinated response to wildfires across Kansas.

State fire leaders emphasize that individual actions have community-wide impacts. Preparing homes, preventing ignition sources, and planning ahead not only protect individual households but also help safeguard neighbors, firefighters, and entire communities during wildfire season.

Kansas observes wildfire awareness week, encouraging preparedness and prevention

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. ——————————————

Joshua	Matthew	Stubby		2/9/2026 8:33&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Carlos		Robledo		2/9/2026 1:00&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Sean	Michael	Dionne		2/9/2026 6:00&nbsp;PM	Theft; Property or Services; Less than $1,500,					Theft; By Deception; Less than $1,500

Michelle	Lynn	Caldwell		2/9/2026 7:16&nbsp;PM	Harassment by Telephone; Texting to harass or threaten

Karl	Eugene	Ferrell		2/9/2026 8:03&nbsp;PM	Poss of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Interference with LEO; knowingly flee by means other than motor vehicle for misdemeanor case

Jeremy Lee Grissom&nbsp;2/9/2026 11:13 PM Agg battery; Knowingly cause angry phys contact

Daily Bookings

USD 308 Board hears KESA accreditation update, OKs major curriculum and technology purchases

The USD 308 Board of Education received an update Monday night on the district’s Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) work, with Dr. Krystal Young crediting Director of Curriculum Lisa Yantes for leading the effort and reporting the district met its six-month and one-year strategic plan goals.

Yantes told the board KESA is now a yearly process and that USD 308 is in year two of the state’s newer accreditation model. She said the district remains in compliance with required measures and has been implementing its action plan tied to math and English language arts outcomes, graduation rate and postsecondary success. Yantes said the state has set a graduation-rate standard, but is still finalizing assessment and postsecondary metrics expected this spring; USD 308 will submit its updated plan by March 16, with accreditation feedback anticipated in early April.

Yantes also noted collaboration with “like systems” assigned by the state—Pittsburg, Kansas City Turner and Leavenworth—helped districts compare challenges, strategies and data trends, including academics and staffing.

In other business, the board approved several purchases and agreements, including:

The board also received updates on a bond survey process, upcoming no-school dates (Feb. 20 and Feb. 23), and a planned ribbon cutting for the Little Hawks Child Care Center on April 3 at 11:30 a.m.

The next meeting of the USD 308 Board of Education is scheduled for Feb. 23.

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

Three-day Outlook

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

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Luke Berblinger, a Buhler High School graduate and former college assistant coach, has been named the 28th head football coach in the 125-year history of Salthawk football, the Board of Education approved Monday.

For Berblinger, the opportunity is both a professional milestone and a homecoming.

“We’re really excited about it,” Berblinger said. “I’ve spent the last seven years as an assistant at the FCS level and learned a lot from great mentors, but I’ve always wanted to be a head coach. Hutchinson High School is an awesome opportunity. To run your own program, set the culture and set the standards, that’s something I’m really excited about.”

Berblinger grew up in Reno County and starred at Buhler, where he helped guide the Crusaders to the Class 4A state championship in 2013 during a 13-1 season. He graduated in 2014.

His former coach, longtime Buhler leader Steve Warner, said Berblinger’s path into coaching felt inevitable.

“I was very excited for Luke. I know this is a great opportunity for him,” Warner said. “Last spring my staff and I met with him and SEMO. He told us then that he was ready to try and coach at the high school level.”

Warner said Berblinger’s leadership qualities stood out even as a player.

“In Luke’s senior year we won the state championship. Luke was a very strong leader on the team,” Warner said. “Luke would do anything we ever asked of him. He was a very hard worker.”

Berblinger said returning to Reno County was a major factor in taking the Hutchinson job.

“That’s the reason we wanted to take this job,” he said. “My wife and I both have family here. We started our family away from everybody, but being back in the community is something we’re really, really excited about. We had great experiences growing up here and we want the same thing for our family.”

After high school, Berblinger played four seasons as a slotback at Emporia State from 2014 through 2017. He earned a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance in 2018 and immediately transitioned into coaching, first as a student assistant and later as a graduate assistant working with slotbacks and strength and conditioning.

Those early responsibilities ranged from breaking down film to handling practice logistics, experiences he said helped shape his work ethic.

His career continued at Southeast Missouri State, where he spent the past seven seasons on staff in a variety of roles. Berblinger served as offensive quality control, video coordinator for three years, recruiting coordinator, running backs coach for three seasons and most recently tight ends coach.

“I’ve kind of done everything,” Berblinger said. “Head coaches need to know how to do everything. Doing the jobs nobody wants to do really teaches you a lot and prepares you for this.”

Warner said Berblinger’s coaching instincts were apparent long before college.

“I knew Luke wanted to coach when he was in high school,” Warner said. “He had a love of the game. He studied a lot of film in high school. I knew he would be successful for that reason but also because he was a great leader for the team. Leadership and love of the game can carry a coach a long way.”

He also believes Berblinger’s ability to connect with players will translate well at the high school level.

“I felt like Luke was able to relate to all of the players on the team,” Warner said. “I feel this will help him be a successful high school coach.”

Berblinger now takes over a Hutchinson program with a proud history and high expectations. The Salthawks compete in Class 5A and have long been considered one of the state’s premier jobs.

He replaces Mike Vernon, who went 46-33 over eight seasons from 2018 through 2025.

“I’ve seen what it’s like when Hutch High is rolling,” Berblinger said. “The excitement it brings to Hutchinson and all of Reno County is special. I’ve got a lot of pride in this community, and hopefully you see a team that plays hard and is physical.”

Offensively, Berblinger plans to feature a run-first spread attack rather than the flexbone system Hutchinson used for years.

“I want to run the football,” he said. “Most of my experience has been in a run-first spread offense. We’re going to try to establish the run and get the ball to our playmakers. Every team is different, so we’ll fit what we do to our personnel.”

Defensively, he emphasized stopping the run and playing with toughness up front.

Beyond schemes, Berblinger said relationships will drive the program’s success. He hopes to stay visible in the community and work closely with youth football programs to build long-term continuity.

“I want kids to love football and have a great experience from a young age,” he said. “If they’re excited about the program early, that carries over when they get to junior high and high school.”

Berblinger and his wife (formerly Baylee Heitschmidt), a Hutchinson High graduate, will move back to the area with their daughter, Lucy. He said the chance to lead a hometown program with such tradition made the decision clear.

“I didn’t want just any job,” he said. “I wanted this job.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

🏈 Hutchinson High School hires Luke Berblinger to lead Salthawk football program

Hutchinson residents planning to vote in the upcoming City of Hutchinson Sales Tax special election must register by Tuesday, Feb. 10, according to the Reno County Election Office.

Voters can register online through the Reno County Election Office website or in person at the Reno County Annex, located at 125 West 1st Avenue in Hutchinson.

The 2026 Special Election is scheduled for March 3, 2026. Mail-in ballots will begin being sent to voters on Feb. 11.

Advance voting in person will start on Feb. 23 in the Reno County Annex Conference Room. In-person advance voting will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will close at noon on Monday, March 2.

Election officials encourage eligible voters to complete their registration or make sure their registration is correct before the deadline to ensure they are able to participate in the special election.

Deadline for voter registration, changes is Tuesday 

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man was sentenced to 34 years in prison last week after being convicted of multiple child exploitation charges.

Judge Kevin Smith handed down the 408-month sentence to Steven K. Davis following a jury trial. On Oct. 8, 2025, a Sedgwick County jury found Davis guilty on six counts of sexual exploitation of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

During the trial, Davis’ parole officer testified that he discovered numerous images on Davis’ phone following an arrest for a parole violation. Davis had been taken into custody for contacting minors, a violation of his post-release conditions.

At the time of the new offenses, Davis was on post-release supervision for two prior convictions of aggravated indecent liberties with a child in 2022, according to the district attorney's office. Smith imposed the sentence after determining Davis is a persistent sex offender under Kansas law.

Davis will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

The case was investigated by the Wichita Police Department’s Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit, led by Detectives Jonathan Elledge and Hans Asmussen.

Parole officer found inappropriate images on Kan. sex offender's phone

JOHNSON COUNTY —A man who admitted his role in the drug deal death of a Kansas woman on February 14, 2023 is going to prison.

Last week, Johnson County Judge Jason Billam sentenced 21-year-old Treger Melique Samuels to 84-months in prison, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

Samuels pleaded guilty to charges of distributing drugs causing the death of 20-year-old Ericka Grisby of Olathe.&nbsp; In June of 2025, police booked Samuels into the Johnson County Jail, according to online records.

Prison time for drug deal death of 20-year-old Kansas woman

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jurors in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-instagram-youtube-social-media-addiction-los-angeles-1b409b31438e5ba46e2e8c064229b51a">landmark social media case</a>&nbsp;that seeks to hold tech companies responsible for harms to children got their first glimpse into what will be a lengthy trial characterized by dueling narratives from the plaintiffs and the two remaining defendants, Meta and YouTube.

At the core of the Los Angeles case is a 20-year-old identified only by the initials “KGM,” whose case could determine how thousands of similar lawsuits will play out. KGM and the cases of two other plaintiffs have been selected to be bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury.

Comparing social media platforms to casinos and addictive drugs, lawyer Mark Lanier delivered opening statements Monday in the Los Angeles Superior Court trial that seeks to hold Instagram owner Meta and Google's YouTube responsible for addictive features and harms to children who use their products. Two other defendants, TikTok and Snap,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-media-trial-kids-addiction-meta-tiktok-youtube-d3a6bf617f2d11521675412ffb275031">have settled the case.</a>

Meta lawyer Paul Schmidt spoke of the disagreement within the scientific community over social media addiction, with some researchers believing it doesn’t exist, or that addiction is not the most appropriate way to describe heavy social media use.

Luis Li, the attorney representing YouTube and Google, delivered an opening statement on Tuesday focused on KGM's user data, saying the five-year average of her watch time is 29 minutes per day. He said KGM's average daily time spent on YouTube Shorts, watching vertical short form videos with the “infinite scroll” feature Lanier called into question Monday, was just 1 minute and 14 seconds.

He also told jurors that all of the YouTube features Lanier challenged in his opening statement could be disabled and modified to match users’ preferences.

“When you strip away all of the rhetoric ... what you are left with is a simple truth. Infinite scroll is not infinite,” Li said. “In some cases, in this case, before this court, before you, the jury, it’s as little as a minute and 14 seconds. It’s not social media addiction when it’s not social media and it’s not an addiction.”

Lanier, the plaintiff's lawyer, delivered lively first remarks Monday, where he said the case will be as “easy as ABC” — which stands for “addicting the brains of children.” He said Meta and Google, “two of the richest corporations in history,” have “engineered addiction in children’s brains.”

He presented jurors with a slew of internal emails, documents and studies conducted by Meta and YouTube, as well as YouTube’s parent company, Google. He emphasized the findings of a study Meta conducted called “Project Myst,” in which they surveyed 1,000 teens and their parents about their social media use. The two major findings, Lanier said, were that Meta knew children who experienced “adverse events” like trauma and stress were particularly vulnerable for addiction; and that parental supervision and controls made little impact.

He also highlighted internal Google documents that likened some company products to a casino, and internal communication between Meta employees in which one person said Instagram is “like a drug” and they are “basically pushers.”

Li was insistent that KGM is not addicted to YouTube, pointing to sworn testimony where she directly said she wasn’t addicted to it. He also displayed three large boxes containing about 10,000 pages of medical records, saying that within all of those records, jurors would not see a “single example” of KGM being addicted to YouTube, or a single treatment plan for an addiction to YouTube.

The sole reference to YouTube within those records is an instance where her provider noted KGM was using a YouTube video to assist with sleep at night when feeling anxious, he said.

Plaintiff grew up using YouTube, Instagram

KGM made a brief appearance on Monday during Lanier’s statement and she will return to testify later in the trial. Lanier spent time describing KGM's childhood, focusing particularly on what her personality was like before she began using social media. She started using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9, Lanier said. Before she graduated from elementary school, she had posted 284 videos on YouTube.

The outcome of the trial could have profound effects on the companies' businesses and how they will handle children using their platforms.

Lanier said the companies’ lawyers will “try to blame the little girl and her parents for the trap they built,” referencing the plaintiff. She was a minor when she said she became addicted to social media, which she claims had a detrimental impact on her mental health.

Lanier said that despite the public position of Meta and YouTube being that they work to protect children, their internal documents show an entirely different position, with explicit references to young children being listed as their target audiences.

“For a teenager, social validation is survival,” Lanier said. The defendants “engineered a feature that caters to a minor’s craving for social validation,” he added, speaking about “like” buttons and similar features.

In his opening statement representing Meta, Schmidt said the core question in the case is whether the platforms were a substantial factor in KGM’s mental health struggles. He spent much of his time going through the plaintiff’s health records, emphasizing that she had experienced many difficult circumstances in her childhood, including emotional abuse, body image issues and bullying.

Schmidt presented a clip from a video deposition from one of KGM‘s mental health providers, Dr. Thomas Suberman, who said social media was “not the through-line of what I recall being her main issues,” adding that her struggles seemed to largely stem from interpersonal conflicts and relationships. He painted a picture — with KGM’s own text messages and testimony pointing to a volatile home life — of a particularly troubled relationship with her mother.

Schmidt acknowledged that many mental health professionals do believe social media addiction can exist, but said three of KGM’s providers — all of whom believe in the form of addiction — have never diagnosed her with it, or treated her for it.

A reckoning for social media and youth harms

A slew of trials beginning this year seek to hold social media companies responsible for harming children's mental well-being. Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify at the Los Angeles trial, which will last six to eight weeks. Experts have drawn similarities to the Big Tobacco trials that led to a 1998 settlement requiring cigarette companies to pay billions in health care costs and restrict marketing targeting minors.

A separate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-new-mexico-child-exploitation-trial-19195fc680dba782fb971d68082e11a4">trial in New Mexico</a>, meanwhile, also kicked off with opening statements on Monday. In that trial, Meta is accused of failing to protect young users from sexual exploitation, following an undercover online investigation.

A federal bellwether trial beginning in June in Oakland, California, will be the first to represent school districts that have sued social media platforms over harms to children.

In addition, more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/instagram-facebook-children-teens-harms-lawsuit-attorney-general-1805492a38f7cee111cbb865cc786c28">40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits</a>&nbsp;against Meta, claiming it is harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. The majority of cases filed their lawsuits in federal court, but some sued in their respective states.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-lawsuit-youth-mental-health-2993f8e70d2e3d4eab9988df168fb948">TikTok</a>&nbsp;also faces similar lawsuits in more than a dozen states.

Ortutay reported from Oakland, California. Associated Press Writer Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico, contributed to this story.

Google, Meta, push back on addiction claims in landmark social media trial

NEW YORK (AP) — The operator of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus said that it will close eight Saks Fifth Avenue stores as well as its Neiman Marcus Boston store as it focuses on its most profitable businesses and pares down debt during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saks-bankruptcy-neiman-retail-69767dc507055d394b54488b71626835">its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring</a>.

Saks Fifth Avenue’s locations to be shuttered include sites in Tulsa, Philadelphia; Columbus, Ohio; and Phoenix, the company said. That will leave parent company Saks Global with 25 Saks Fifth Avenue stores and 35 Neiman Marcus stores. The company will continue to operate its two Bergdorf Goodman stores.

The stores targeted for closing will remain open until the end of April, the company said.

Saks Global also said Tuesday it will be winding down 14 standalone Fifth Avenue Club personal styling suites on Saturday, though it will keep three standalone sites. It also will close its home site called Horchow.com, a business that Neiman Marcus acquired in the late 1980s. As of Feb. 19, shoppers will be redirected to the home category on NeimanMarcus.com, where they will find the full assortment previously available on Horchow.com.

The moves mark the initial phase of store closures across Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, the company said. Saks Global said the stores earmarked for closing represent a small part of its business and were not profitable.

“We are initiating a series of actions to reinforce Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman as the ultimate destinations for luxury with a seamless multichannel shopping experience,” Geoffroy van Raemdonck, CEO of Saks Global, said in a statement.

The moves follow Saks’ announcement last month that it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saks-global-bankruptcy-saks-off-5th-88f6549b5b0def8ec69b9811bf214462">close most of its Saks Off 5th locations.</a>&nbsp;Saks Global operates 70 Saks Off 5th locations and plans to shutter all but 12 stores. The remaining outlets will serve primarily as a selling channel for residual inventory from Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, it had said.

Last month, Saks Global also announced it was shuttering the remaining five Last Call stores, which are outlet locations that serve as a discount channel for Neiman Marcus.

Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 reorganization on Jan. 14, buffeted by rising competition and the massive debt it took on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saks-fifth-avenue-neiman-marcus-takeover-4dc8ee9f03ed05def9a54043e1205d00">to buy its rival in the luxury sector</a>, Neiman Marcus, just over a year ago.

Saks Global had secured roughly $500 million of the broader $1.75 billion financial package. That money will help to pay its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saks-neiman-marcus-bankruptcy-suppliers-7db914b38a80284f803067be78df5404">suppliers,</a>&nbsp;who have faced a pile of unpaid bills from the retailer and who are critical for keeping the store stocked with merchandise.

Saks Global to close more stores amid bankruptcy proceedings

KANSAS CITY —One person was injured in a fire at a home in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 9p.m. Monday, Kansas City Fire Department&nbsp;companies were dispatched to a reported fire in the 3900 block of Wabash in Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

First crew on scene reported heavy smoke and fire showing from a 2-story house and initiated a defensive fire attack using their deck to gain control of the main body of fire.

&nbsp;Once this was accomplished, they transitioned to an offensive fire attack with companies entering the structure with multiple hose lines. The fire was brought under control at 9:32 p.m.

Red Cross was contacted to assist with 2 adults and a dog.&nbsp;One occupant of the house was transported to a local hospital by ambulance for smoke inhalation..&nbsp;A second patient, who was not involved in the incident, approached on scene personnel for medical assistance and was also transported by ambulance to a local hospital, according to Riley.&nbsp;The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD.

1 hospitalized after fire at home in Kansas City

TOPEKA —On Monday, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach&nbsp; asked a Senate legislative committee to pass legislation to protect Kansas kids from AI chatbots. 

"We can't wait for Congress. I don’t have any confidence that they will act soon. And who knows how many children will be harmed as we wait."

🎥Kan. AG asks lawmakers to protect Kan. kids from AI chatbots

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities investigating the disappearance of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;released the first surveillance images Tuesday showing a masked person on her porch the night she went missing, as law enforcement and her family intensified calls for public help more than a week into the search.

Law enforcement searching for the mother of “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>&nbsp;have not identified any suspects of persons or interest, and it's unclear if she is still alive. FBI Director Kash Patel posted the images on X.

“The video was recovered from residual data located in backend systems,” Patel wrote, saying the images show “an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance.”

Video released by the FBI shows the person wearing a backpack, long sleeves and pants walk up to the door and try to conceal a camera with a glove before turning around, grabbing some plants and then putting them in front of the camera.

Investigators had been hopeful that cameras at the home would turn up some evidence about how she went missing, but the doorbell camera was disconnected early Sunday. And while software data recorded movement at the home minutes later, Nancy Guthrie didn’t have an active subscription, so none of the footage could be recovered, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos had said.

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