A central Kansas woman recently had a front-row seat—and a hands-on role—in one of the most iconic&nbsp;New Year’s Day traditions in the country.&nbsp;

Shirley Nisly of Pleasant View Home Improvements traveled to California over the Christmas holiday to volunteer on float construction for the&nbsp;Tournament of Roses Parade&nbsp;in Pasadena.&nbsp;Nisly&nbsp;joined hundreds of volunteers from service organizations across the country who help bring the elaborate floral floats to life each year.&nbsp;

Nisly&nbsp;said she was invited through a Rotary Club connection after her sister, a member of the Rotary Club in Camarillo, California, encouraged her to apply for a volunteer shift.&nbsp;

“It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,”&nbsp;Nisly&nbsp;said. “It’s something you really can’t appreciate unless you’re there, in the middle of it.”&nbsp;

A year-long process behind a single parade&nbsp;

While the parade itself lasts only a few hours, Nisly learned that float creation is a&nbsp;nearly year-round&nbsp;effort. Designers begin planning the next year’s floats the day after the parade concludes, with construction taking place in massive “float barns” around the Pasadena area.&nbsp;

Nisly&nbsp;worked in a 110,000-square-foot facility in Irwindale, California, where 14 of the parade’s 39 floats were assembled. More than 1,000 volunteers representing organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Trader Joe’s, and others worked simultaneously in the barn.&nbsp;

“All of the floats are built in stages and inspected constantly,”&nbsp;Nisly&nbsp;said. “There’s&nbsp;no such thing as ‘good enough.’ Everything&nbsp;has to&nbsp;be perfect.”&nbsp;

All-natural,&nbsp;down&nbsp;to the smallest detail&nbsp;

One of the&nbsp;parade’s&nbsp;most surprising rules, Nisly said, is that&nbsp;nearly everything&nbsp;on the floats must be natural. Aside from the metal frame and Styrofoam base, all decorations—flowers, seeds, leaves, beans, and grains—must be real and unaltered.&nbsp;

“They are extremely particular,” she said. “I actually got in trouble for taking a photo near containers of seeds because it could affect their quality.”&nbsp;

Volunteers worked on detailed tasks such as cutting leaf patterns for tree trunks, gluing split peas into precise rows, and applying flowers with&nbsp;different types&nbsp;of glue depending on drying time and placement.&nbsp;

“At one point, one split pea in my row wasn’t perfectly straight,”&nbsp;Nisly&nbsp;said. “I had to take off two rows and redo it.”&nbsp;

High pressure as judging approaches&nbsp;

Float judging takes&nbsp;place&nbsp;the morning of December 31, a day before the parade. By the time&nbsp;Nisly&nbsp;arrived for her volunteer shift—Christmas week—the pressure was mounting.&nbsp;

“All animation, music, performers, and floral elements have to be finished for judging,” she said. “That’s when the stress really kicks in.”&nbsp;

Nisly&nbsp;worked on a Rotary International float that measured approximately 45 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 20 feet tall. Despite its modest size compared to others, the float required an estimated 6,000 volunteer hours to complete.&nbsp;

The effort paid off. The Rotary float earned the&nbsp;Tournament Volunteer Award for Most Outstanding Floral, recognizing that&nbsp;roughly 90 percent&nbsp;of the work was done by volunteers.&nbsp;

Massive costs and modern technology&nbsp;

According to Nisly, float budgets range from approximately $275,000 to more than $550,000, with some of the largest floats—such as Trader Joe’s—approaching $700,000. Larger floats can exceed 80 feet in length and nearly reach the ceiling height of construction facilities.&nbsp;

Modern technology has also changed how floats&nbsp;operate. Drivers, who are paid professionals, no longer look through viewing slots. Instead, they rely on camera systems and screens inside the float to navigate the 12- to 16-hour journey from the float barns to parade staging areas.&nbsp;

“It’s incredible to think they’re driving an 85-foot float using just a screen,”&nbsp;Nisly&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

A new appreciation for a beloved tradition&nbsp;

Rain on New Year’s Eve and parade morning added another challenge, as water-soaked flowers increased the weight of the floats, requiring extra reinforcement underneath.&nbsp;

Despite the stress,&nbsp;Nisly&nbsp;said the experience gave her a new appreciation for the parade millions&nbsp;watch&nbsp;on television every year.&nbsp;

“I would highly recommend it to anyone who gets the chance,” she said. “It’s hard work, but it’s fun, and you walk away with a whole new respect for what goes into that parade.”&nbsp;

Nisly&nbsp;said she would not rule out volunteering again in the future—proof that even a once-in-a-lifetime experience can be tempting to repeat.&nbsp;

Local volunteer helps build Rose Parade float in once-in-a-lifetime experience

But it’s not the whole story. Majorities in both parties believe there is more common ground than the news media and political leaders suggest. They report having constructive conversations with those holding opposing political views, and despite differences, say they’ve often worked together to address community challenges. 

Majorities in both parties also agree on fundamental democratic principles and overwhelmingly oppose election violence. They believe their parties should never tolerate officials who back groups promoting violence against the other party. 

Majorities in both parties think workers should earn at least the federal minimum wage, that government should establish a national paid family and medical leave program, that companies should limit greenhouse gas emissions, that immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children should have a pathway to citizenship, and that campaign spending should have limits.

 Supermajorities endorse term and age limits across all three branches of government. They support photo ID and citizenship verification to vote, alongside measures to make voting more convenient.

Even on issues presented as hopelessly divided, common ground exists. 

Both parties support abortion access when a mother’s health is at risk, when there are lethal fetal abnormalities, or in cases of rape or incest. At the same time, 80 percent of Americans agree that abortion should be illegal in the final trimester. 

Nine in ten say birth control is morally acceptable and want government to safeguard access to contraception. More than two-thirds say having access to in vitro fertilization is a good thing, while majorities of each party favor government protecting access and requiring insurance to cover costs.

About 90 percent favor requiring criminal background checks on all gun buyers. Both parties favor background checks at private gun shows, support a 30-day waiting period after purchase, raising the legal buying age, and confiscating guns from people deemed a danger to themselves and others. And when asked whether handgun possession should be banned by law, 80 percent said no. 

Polls show similar cross-party agreement in Kansas.

Majorities in both parties back Medicaid expansion, legal marijuana, and higher taxes on cigarettes and alcohol. They agree that women not politicians should make their own choices about abortion, and that legal migrants fuel economic growth.

Kansans agree on affordable childcare, saying it strengthens the economy, removes a major barrier to women’s progress, and deserves federal action to expand access. Both sides favor increasing the state’s minimum wage and consider postsecondary education a wise investment for students and the state.

These examples reveal a very different story than the headlines.

The story is about connection and collaboration, not conflict and cancellation.

This new year offers a chance to embrace that story and rediscover the common ground in our politics.

Dr. Mark Russell Joslyn is a professor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Political Science at the University of Kansas.

Insight Kansas: Rediscovering common ground

More than 38,000 cases of frozen tater tot products sold across 26 states are being recalled due to concerns they may contain plastic fragments, according to federal officials.

McCain Foods USA Inc., based in Idaho, has issued a voluntary recall of approximately 38,853 cases of frozen potato products, including Ore-Ida Tater Tots and Sysco Imperial Potato Tater Barrels, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA said the recalled products may be contaminated with “clear, hard plastic fragments,” which could pose a choking hazard or cause injury if consumed. No illnesses or injuries have been reported at this time.

The affected products were distributed in the following states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

Here are the lot numbers for the impacted products:&nbsp;

About 17,597 cases of Sysco Imperial Potato Tater Barrels are also affected. Product details include:&nbsp;

Consumers and foodservice operators are advised not to use the recalled products and to follow recall instructions provided by retailers or distributors. Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to contact the manufacturer or check the FDA’s recall database for additional details.

38K cases of frozen tater-tot products recalled

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. ——————————————

Cory	Dale	Garrison		1/10/2026 10:57&nbsp;PM	Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Cody	Lynn	Driskell	Sr	1/10/2026 10:29&nbsp;PM	Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)

Becky	Sue	Crump		1/10/2026 10:00&nbsp;PM	Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant

Ray	Dean	Elfers		1/10/2026 9:09&nbsp;PM	Registration Violation; Apply for registration in different county

Dirk	Jacob	Kukula		1/10/2026 8:49&nbsp;PM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Daily Bookings

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Fire Department responded Saturday evening to a reported structure fire in the 1000 block of North Plum.

According to Division Chief of Operations Jeremy Unruh, crews were dispatched at approximately 6:55 p.m. and arrived to find minimal smoke visible from the exterior of a single-story duplex. Once inside the residence, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and active fire in the kitchen.

During the search, crews located two dogs inside the home and removed them; however, both animals were pronounced deceased. All occupants had safely exited prior to firefighters’ arrival.

The fire was brought under control quickly, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Two dogs die in duplex fire

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

Three-day outlook

Dear Dave, My wife and I are on Baby Step 2 of your plan. Right now, we’re almost finished paying off the last of our non-mortgage debt, which includes unpaid taxes from previous years and some old credit card bills.

We’re in a much better place financially than we used to be, and I’d like to start putting a little money aside for a vacation and a couple of other fun things down the road. 

My wife disagrees with this idea. She wants to stick to your plan 100% and finishing paying off the debt, then move on to fleshing out our fully-funded emergency fund. I think we make enough money to do both. What do you think?

Dear Jackson, In general, it’s okay to save up for things like vacations and other fun stuff. In fact, it’s what I recommend, rather than creating debt by piling things like that onto credit cards. But your idea isn’t what I teach when it comes to getting out of debt and gaining control of your finances. So, I can’t tell you I think it’s a good idea.

The reason people are successful following my plan is because I teach common sense and discipline, combined with an uncompromising, scorched-earth kind of intensity. You have unpaid taxes, not to mention credit card debt, still hanging over your heads. And you’re talking about planning vacations and buying toys? I’m sorry, man. That’s just plain irresponsible. Why would you want to take a chance on jeopardizing—or even slowing down—your journey to get out of debt, save money and achieve financial peace?

There’s a process here, Jackson. And millions of people all over the country can tell you, from experience, that it works. There’s an idea, a concept behind what I teach. And when you plug into it, and stay plugged in, you’re going to start moving in a positive direction faster than you ever thought possible.

Behaviors have to change. The more dramatically they change, the better the results and the faster you fix things. But if you don’t dive in head-first, if you try to cut corners here and there, you’re going to mess things up. Think about it. You two have already saved a beginner emergency fund, and you’re so close to being completely debt-free except for your home.

I’m begging you, man. Keep on keeping on just a little longer. I promise you it will be worth it!  

You can hear Dave Ramsey, Monday through Friday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. on KWBW, unless it is preempted by sports coverage.&nbsp;

Dave Says: Don’t jeopardize your journey to freedom

Meet Frankie — The Happy-Go-Lucky Explorer with a Heart Full of Joy! 

Frankie is a 6-month-old male Pit Bull mix who is smart, energetic, and absolutely bursting with happiness! This young pup loves being on the move and discovering the world around him.

 Ideal Home: Frankie would thrive in an active home that enjoys playtime, continued training, and lots of love. He’s eager to learn, ready to grow, and would do great with a family committed to helping him become the best dog he can be.

 About Frankie: Frankie is truly a ball of joy — playful, curious, and full of love. With his smarts, enthusiasm, and affectionate nature, he has all the makings of an incredible lifelong companion.

The McPherson Animal Shelter is located at 1115 West Woodside in McPherson.&nbsp;

You can reach them by calling 620-245-2583 or on their website.

🐶 Adopt a Furry Friend: Frankie

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;

Michael	Paul	Mattox		1/9/2026 7:02&nbsp;AM	Disorderly Conduct; Brawling or fighting,					DWS; 1st conviction

Shailyn	Renee	Rowlison		1/9/2026 7:35&nbsp;AM	Disorderly Conduct; Brawling or fighting,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Failure to Appear,					Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

Racheal	Lee	Williams		1/9/2026 10:01&nbsp;AM	Drugs; Distribute of Depressant designated in 65-4105e, 4107b, 4107c, 4111b; &lt; 3.5g,					Possession of Parapernalia with Intent to Manufacture/Plant/Cultivate/Distribute Controlled Substance,					Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

Stephen	Webster	Dechenne		1/9/2026 11:21&nbsp;AM	Drugs; Distribute Opiates/Opium/Narcotic (Cocaine, Crack, Amphetamine); Unknown QTY,					Possession of Parapernalia with Intent to Manufacture/Plant/Cultivate/Distribute Controlled Substance,					Interference with Law Enforcement; Conceal /alter/destroy evidence Felony case,					Tax Stamp Violation; Failure to Pay Tax

Jennifer	Marie	Spencer		1/9/2026 12:51&nbsp;PM	Sexual Exploitation of a Child; Promote performance of child &lt;18

Adam	Casey	Leis		1/9/2026 2:51&nbsp;PM	DUI; 2nd conv; blood or breath .08 or higher

Meraly	Saramy	Menjivar		1/9/2026 3:25&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Javon	O'neal	Tate		1/9/2026 4:41&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Levi	Charles	Trammell		1/9/2026 6:35&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Micheal Eugene Root 1/9/2026 7:13&nbsp;PM
DWS; 1st conviction&nbsp;&nbsp;

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall says Kansans are safer following the recent arrest of Venezuela’s president, calling the action a major law-enforcement victory against international drug trafficking, while also outlining Republican priorities on health care reform, agriculture and federal spending as Congress returns to session in Washington.

Speaking during a recent interview, Marshall described the arrest as a coordinated operation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice, targeting what he characterized as an “illegitimate dictator” with long-standing ties to major drug cartels.

Marshall emphasized the impact of the arrest on domestic safety, noting that fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death among young adults. He said disrupting drug supply chains directly benefits American families and credited recent enforcement actions with sharply reducing maritime drug trafficking from South America.

Turning to domestic policy, Marshall addressed ongoing debates over health insurance and the Affordable Care Act. He said negotiations in the Senate remain difficult, citing Democratic opposition to addressing what he described as widespread fraud within Obamacare. Marshall estimated tens of billions of dollars in improper payments and argued that any extension of federal subsidies should be paired with accountability measures.

Marshall outlined a Republican proposal that would temporarily extend subsidies while redirecting future assistance into consumer-controlled health savings accounts. He also highlighted a long-running effort to require price transparency from health care providers, saying clear cost information would allow patients to comparison shop and reduce overall expenses.

With another potential government shutdown looming, Marshall acknowledged that bipartisan progress remains uncertain and said Republicans may ultimately pursue changes through budget reconciliation, which would require fewer Senate votes.

On agriculture, Marshall said farmers facing multiple years of weather challenges and weak markets are receiving federal support. He pointed to upcoming disaster and assistance payments and said trade expansion, particularly with Mexico, remains a priority as that country has become the top agricultural trading partner for the United States.

Marshall also addressed concerns about fraud in federal programs, referencing recent high-profile cases in Minnesota involving child care funding. He said similar scrutiny is warranted nationwide and framed fraud reduction as central to addressing the nation’s growing debt, which he said will cost taxpayers roughly $1 trillion in interest this year alone.

The senator said cutting waste, fraud and abuse is essential to restoring fiscal stability, though he acknowledged entrenched resistance in Washington. He also criticized regulatory burdens for driving up costs in housing, health care and other sectors, arguing that deregulation can coexist with public safety and environmental protection.

Marshall concluded by reaffirming his support for reducing the size and scope of federal government involvement, saying local communities are better positioned to address issues such as child care, while federal efforts should focus on core priorities and fiscal discipline.

Marshall discusses international arrest, health care reform, and government spending

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College will welcome Grammy Award–winning trumpeter Brian Lynch as the featured headliner for the 51st Annual Bryce Luty Jazz Festival, bringing a nationally recognized artist to campus for a two-day celebration of jazz education and performance.

The festival’s public concert is scheduled for Friday, February 6, at 7 p.m. at the Stringer Fine Arts Center. Lynch will perform alongside the HutchCC Concert Jazz Band and the Bryce Luty All-Star Band under the direction of Dr. Jack Cassidy.

Lynch is widely regarded as one of the leading trumpeters in contemporary jazz, with a career that includes touring and recording with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver, and genre-spanning artist Prince. His appearance continues the festival’s tradition of pairing elite professional musicians with student ensembles for both performance and instruction.

Tickets for the public concert are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for students. HutchCC students and staff are admitted free with a valid ID. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling 620-665-3503.

In addition to the concert, the Bryce Luty Jazz Festival begins Thursday, February 5, featuring two days of intensive clinics for middle school and high school students from across Kansas. Participating clinicians include Lynch, Dr. Emma Taylor of Millikin University, and Dr. Kurt Reeder, offering students hands-on instruction and mentorship from accomplished jazz educators and performers.

College officials say the festival continues to play a vital role in sustaining jazz education in Kansas by connecting students with professional artists and fostering the next generation of musicians.

Brian Lynch to headline 51st annual Bryce Luty Jazz Festival

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —A series of recent drug arrests lead to taking methamphetamine and fentanyl off the streets in southeast Kansas.

On January 7, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a maroon Mercury Grand Marquis at the intersection of 10th Street and Walnut Street in Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Breeanna Conrad of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop. Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle. During the search, deputies located more than six (6) grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of cocaine, marijuana, multiple pills, and drug paraphernalia. 

Conrad was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where she was booked on the following charges:• Distribution of methamphetamine• Possession of cocaine• Possession of marijuana• No proof of vehicle insurance• Improper emerging from an alley, private roadway, or building.

Later on January 3, 2026, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Saturn passenger vehicle at the exit ramp from U.S. 400 to U.S. 75 Highway, north of Sycamore, Kansas. The vehicle was occupied by three individuals. Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Heather Leach of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop.

 Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle.D uring the search, deputies located more than nine (9) grams of methamphetamine, more than six (6) grams of suspected carfentanil, pills, and drug paraphernalia. Leach, along with Tyler Norton and Noah Daniel, both of Independence, Kansas, were taken into custody.

All three were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and booked on the following charges:Heather Leach• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernalia• Failure to stop or yield at a stop sign• No proof of vehicle insuranceTyler Norton• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernaliaNoah Daniel• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of a depressant• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Sheriff: Carfentanil seized during Kansas drug bust

JOHNSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Saturday in Johnson County.

Deputies responded to the area of Edgerton Road and 167th Street&nbsp; following an iPhone crash notification and an additional 911 call reporting a vehicle in a ditch, according to the Johnson County Sheriff's office.

First responders located the vehicle with significant damage and one occupant, a driver later identified as 36-year-old Bailey Boswell of Meriden, unresponsive inside the vehicle. Johnson County MED-ACT responded and attempted life-saving measures.&nbsp; Boswell was pronounced deceased at 3:58 p.m.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office at 913-715-5400.

Kansas woman dies after vehicle crash into a ditch

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man is going to prison for the murder of his mother at her Kansas home in 2023.

On Friday, Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced 24-year-old Devin Joel to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Last year, Joel pleaded guilty to first degree murder, kidnapping and robbery in the 2023 murder.

In May of 2023, police were dispatched to report of a&nbsp; clubbing in the area of 5700 E. Central in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders located the victim identified 46-year-old Kacey Joel of Wichita, laying in the back yard of a residence with visible injuries.

Officers immediately rendered aid and she was transported to a local area hospital. She sustained significant trauma to her body and later died from her injuries, according to Gupilan.

Eyewitnesses reported that her son, 21-year-old Devin Joel, who lived in California at the time of the crime, was seen running from the scene. Officers quickly were able to locate him after a brief foot pursuit. He made comments that he was going to die by suicide by cop and was yielding a knife when officers confronted him.

 The officers were able to get him to put the knife down and he was taken into custody without incident.&nbsp;

Prison for killing his mother at her home in Kansas 

WASHINGTON (AP) —'Melania' the movie is set for a January 29, Kennedy Center debut.

Richard Grenell, president of the Kennedy Center, says a documentary film about first lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/melania-trump">Melania Trump</a>&nbsp;will make its premiere later this month, posting a trailer on X.

As the Trumps prepared to return to the White House last year, Amazon Prime Video announced a year ago that it had obtained exclusive licensing rights for a streaming and theatrical release directed by Brett Ratner.

Melania Trump also released&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/melania-trump-memoir-first-lady-0461dbb098a2218d41fbe7960c05a1a5">a self-titled memoir</a>&nbsp;in late 2024.

Some artists have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-center-new-years-eve-canceled-db4bc44f0d95cb40f794f2cb737562a3">canceled scheduled Kennedy Center performances</a>&nbsp;after a newly installed board voted to add President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-performing-arts-8b7159067174f3a0070b877c149ff0a7">to the facility</a>, prompting Grenell to accuse the performers of making their decisions because of politics.

🎥See the trailer: 'Melania’ movie set for Kennedy Center debut

Dr. Molly O’Shea has noticed growing skepticism about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/childhood-vaccine-schedule-trump-rfk-hhs-9b8df9e2767c1261aaac4e2331e77fa3">vaccines</a>&nbsp;at both of her Michigan pediatric offices and says this week's unprecedented and confusing changes to federal vaccine guidance will only make things worse.

One of her offices is in a Democratic area, where more of the parents she sees are opting for alternative schedules that spread out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-childhood-vaccines-fact-check-17c0cb6f2f208f11b3474b96d1726945">shots</a>. The other is in a Republican area, where some parents have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-fluoride-kennedy-trump-science-antiscience-legislation-73af8e65f407331e8f31b2909812a004">stopped immunizing</a>&nbsp;their children altogether.

She and other doctors fear the new recommendations and the terminology around them will stoke vaccine hesitancy even more, pose challenges for pediatricians and parents that make it harder for kids to get shots, and ultimately lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-measles-polio-whooping-cough-rubella-af4cd1aef8f408a960601df6372f9c32">more illness and death</a>.

The biggest change was to stop blanket recommendations for protection against six diseases and recommend those vaccines only for at-risk children or through something called “shared clinical decision-making” with a health care provider.

The phrase, experts say, is confusing and dangerous: “It sends a message to a parent that actually there’s only a rarefied group of people who really need the vaccine,” O’Shea said. “It’s creating an environment that puts a sense of uncertainty about the value and necessity or importance of the vaccines in that category.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rfk-gold-standard-science-research-autism-6e4c6bc2534252ab1e7add0942043778">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>, who helped lead the anti-vaccine movement for years, said in announcing the changes that they better align the U.S. with peer nations “while strengthening transparency and informed consent.”

But doctors say they are sowing doubt — the vaccines have been extensively studied and proven to be safe and effective at shielding kids from nasty diseases — at a time when childhood vaccination rates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-rates-cdc-kindergarten-0d261546a130dc256735d7b1ff8c6a5f">are already falling</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-flu-cases-cdc-subclade-k-29cc5a68eb100585c8e0dbd2ec47b3eb">some of those infectious diseases</a>&nbsp;are spreading.

On Friday, the American Academy of Pediatrics and more than 200 medical, public health and patient advocacy groups sent&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.aap.org%2FDOFA%2FChildhood%2520Vaccine%2520Schedule%2520Joint%2520Letter%2520Final.pdf&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clungar%40ap.org%7Ca1fb226ec30c4cdff05c08de4fc36b97%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C639035898073595504%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=o8rZF2%2BTwKkMqKrfe0eboUu%2FPrvyzOuqOuUveQ9lD8o%3D&amp;reserved=0">a letter to Congress</a>&nbsp;about the new childhood immunization schedule.

“We urge you to investigate why the schedule was changed, why credible scientific evidence was ignored, and why the committee charged with advising the HHS Secretary on immunizations did not discuss the schedule changes as a part of their public meeting process," they wrote.

Many don't know what ’shared decision-making' means

O’Shea said she and other pediatricians discuss vaccines with parents at every visit where they are given. But that’s not necessarily “shared clinical decision-making,” which has a particular definition.

On its website, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices says: “Unlike routine, catch-up, and risk-based recommendations, shared clinical decision-making vaccinations are not recommended for everyone in a particular age group or everyone in an identifiable risk group. Rather, shared clinical decision-making recommendations are individually based and informed by a decision process between the health care provider and the patient or parent/guardian.”

In this context, health care providers include primary care physicians, specialists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and pharmacists.

A pair of surveys conducted last year by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania suggested that many people don’t fully understand the concept, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccines-cdc-kennedy-fd6ab0c7303a4a1698b319885a02ef54">came up last year</a>&nbsp;when the federal government changed recommendations around COVID-19 vaccinations.

Only about 2 in 10 U.S. adults knew that one meaning behind shared decision-making is that “taking the vaccine may not be a good idea for everyone but would benefit some.” And only about one-third realized pharmacists count as health care providers to talk with during the process, even though they frequently administer vaccines.

As of this week, vaccines that protect against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, RSV, flu and meningococcal disease are no longer universally recommended for kids. RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal vaccines are recommended for certain high-risk populations; flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal vaccines are recommended through shared decision-making — as is the COVID-19 vaccine, although that change was made last year.

Shortly after the federal announcement Monday, Dr. Steven Abelowitz heard from half a dozen parents. “It’s causing concern for us, but more importantly, concern for parents with kids, especially young kids, and confusion,” said Abelowitz, founder of Ocean Pediatrics in Orange County, California.

Though federal recommendations are not mandates — states have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren — they can affect how easy it is for kids to get shots if doctors choose to follow them.

Under the new guidelines, O'Shea said, parents seeking shots in the shared decision-making category might no longer bring their kids in for a quick, vaccine-only appointment with staff. They'd sit down with a health care provider and discuss the vaccine. And it could be tougher to have a flu clinic, where parents drive up and kids get shots without seeing a doctor.

Still, doctors say they won’t let the changes stop them from helping children get the vaccines they need. Leading medical groups are sticking with prior vaccine recommendations. Many parents are, too.

Megan Landry, whose 4-year-old son Zackary is one of O’Shea’s patients, is among them.

“It’s my responsibility as a parent to protect my child’s health and well-being,” she said. “Vaccines are a really effective and well-studied way to do that.”

She plans to keep having the same conversations she’s always had with O’Shea before getting vaccines for Zackary.

“Relying on evidence and trusted medical guidance really helps me to make those decisions,” she said. “And for me, it’s not just a personal choice for my own son but a way to contribute to the health of everybody.”

But for other families, confidence about vaccines is waning as trust in science erodes. O'Shea lamented that parents are getting the message that they can't trust medical experts.

“If I take my car to the mechanic, I don’t go do my own research ahead of time," she said. “I go to a person I trust and I trust them to tell me what’s going on.”

Abelowitz, the California doctor, likened the latest federal move to pouring gasoline on a fire of mistrust that was already burning.

“We’re worried the fire’s out of control,” he said. “Already we’ve seen that with measles and pertussis, there are increased hospitalizations and even increasing deaths. So the way that I look at it — and my colleagues look at it — we’re basically regressing decades.”

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Doctors: Changes to US vaccine recommendations are confusing parents

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman is going to prison for a DUI crash that killed a teen.

&nbsp;On Friday Judge Quinton Pittman sentenced 43-year-old Trisha Greer of Derby to 42 months in prison for the DUI crash that&nbsp; killed 18-year-old Bethany Aillen Callista Leggio in May of 2024, 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.&nbsp; After her time in prison, Greer will have to spend three years on post-release supervision, according to the district attorney's office.

Prison for DUI crash that killed a Kansas teen

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/29/kansan-returns-to-the-catholic-church-as-the-states-first-woman-priest/">Kansas Reflecto</a>r

TOPEKA — The consistent, dramatic decline in Kansas’ wild turkey population prompted the state in 2023 to forbid hunting them in the fall.

Simultaneously, an influx of funding and research is attempting to reverse wild turkey losses.&nbsp;

The latest came recently when the Kansas state chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation approved more than $126,000 for habitat enhancement and hunting education projects. The federation promised an additional $730,000.

The funds will be dispersed across Kansas to boost invasive species removal efforts, a Boy Scout habitat project, turkey ecology and toxicology research at Kansas State University, scholarships, sponsorships and a habitat specialist position. The funding is fueled by volunteers who raise money at banquets and fundraisers, according to a Tuesday news release.

Annie Farrell, the federation’s district biologist for Kansas and three other states, commended the volunteers.

“These volunteers are our boots on the ground, putting their hard-earned dollars back on the landscape to support critical projects that will greatly benefit the wild turkey,” she said. “Thanks to their dedication, it’s going to be a great year for conservation in Kansas.”

The wild turkey encompasses five subspecies, including the Eastern and the Rio Grande, which are found in Kansas along with a hybrid of the two subspecies. Wild turkey can be found in nearly every county in Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks suspended the fall wild turkey hunting season in 2023 after years of restrictions.

Still, 13,862 turkeys were hunted and harvested in 2025, according to the department’s annual turkey harvest report.

In 2023, K-State received almost $2 million to conduct wild turkey research to deduce the root cause of the more than 40% decline since 2008.

Wild turkey populations were gravely diminished in the early 20th century because of human activity resulting in overhunting and habitat loss, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/wild-turkey" target="_blank">National Audubon Society</a>.

The society’s annual Christmas Bird Count shows a steady increase in observations of wild turkey in Kansas beginning in the 1960s, when they were reintroduced into the state. Observations peaked in 2011 and have since declined to levels comparable to those of more than two decades ago.

Kansas wild turkeys, plagued by years of population decline, subject of conservation funding

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/seung-min-kim">SEUNG MIN KIM</a>

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s new executive order on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-oil-pollution-0485a3d37f474bacb478e1d5160736fd">Venezuelan oil</a>&nbsp;revenue is meant to ensure that the money remains protected from being used in judicial proceedings.

The executive order, made public on Saturday, says that if the funds were to be seized for such use, it could “undermine critical U.S. efforts to ensure economic and political stability in Venezuela.”

The order comes amid caution from top oil company executives that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maduro-venezuela-caracas-us-a3607a328dbecaa30edc69ae6cc238ee">the tumult and instability in Venezuela</a>&nbsp;could make the country less attractive for private investment and rebuilding.

“If we look at the commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela, today it’s uninvestable,” said Darren Woods, CEO of ExxonMobil, the largest U.S. oil company, during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-chevron-exxonmobil-conocophillips-0e0619a991e92fd546504f1a613161e7">a meeting convened by Trump</a>&nbsp;with oil executives on Friday.

During the session, Trump tried to assuage the concerns of the oil companies and said the executives would be dealing directly with the U.S., rather than the Venezuelan government.

Venezuela has a history of state asset seizures, ongoing U.S. sanctions and decades of political uncertainty.

Getting U.S. oil companies to invest in Venezuela and help rebuild the country’s infrastructure is a top priority of the Trump administration after the dramatic capture of now-deposed leader Nicolás Maduro.

The White House is framing the effort to “run” Venezuela in economic terms, and Trump has seized tankers carrying Venezuelan oil, has said the U.S. is taking over the sales of 30 million to 50 million barrels of previously sanctioned Venezuelan crude, and plans to control sales worldwide indefinitely.

“I love the Venezuelan people, and am already making Venezuela rich and safe again,” Trump, who is currently in southern Florida, wrote on his social media site on Saturday. “Congratulations and thank you to all of those people who are making this possible!!!”

The order says the oil revenue is property of Venezuela that is being held by the United States for “governmental and diplomatic purposes” and not subject to private claims.

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