Hutchinson voters will decide today whether to approve a proposed city sales tax in a special election that will determine funding priorities for the community.

One significant change for this election affects voters who normally cast ballots at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Those voters will instead vote at Memorial Hall.

In addition to in-person voting, advance ballots must be received by the Reno County Clerk’s Office no later than 7 p.m. Tuesday to be counted. Ballots that arrive after the deadline cannot be accepted under Kansas law. Officials emphasize that ballots must be in the clerk’s possession by 7 p.m. — postmarks do not qualify.

The sales tax question has drawn significant public discussion in recent weeks, with supporters and opponents outlining differing views about the measure’s long-term impact on the community.&nbsp;

Voters who encounter issues at the polls or have questions about their ballot are encouraged to contact the Reno County Clerk’s Office for assistance.

Hutchinson residents to vote on sales tax

RAFAEL GARCIA K-State News and Communications Services

It may be months or even years before the long-term geopolitical ramifications of this weekend's airstrikes in Iran become clear, but a Kansas State University agricultural economist says gas prices are likely to spike in the coming weeks.

Gregg Ibendahl, associate professor of agricultural economics, specializes in agricultural production and finance, especially fuel pricing seasonality and impacts to the ag industry.

As a region, the Middle East is the world's leading producer of oil, and any uncertainty in the stability of the region's governments, economies and shipping capacity has typically resulted in price shocks, Ibendahl said.

Following airstrikes on Saturday that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and subsequent reciprocal strikes, crude oil futures had already risen 8%, from $67 per barrel on Friday to $72 on Monday morning.

What history suggests about pump prices

By analyzing 20 years of oil and gas price data, Ibendahl found that in the immediate term, gas prices typically go up about 2.4 cents per gallon for every $1 increase in oil's price per barrel.

"Prior to this weekend, U.S. regular gasoline averaged $2.98 per gallon nationally," Ibendahl said. "With the baseline $6 per barrel increase, prices could rise to between $3.10 and $3.16 within a month. Remember too, oil prices rose to $130 per barrel shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, leading to gas prices of $5 per gallon."

Spikes in crude oil prices usually lead to a similar change in gasoline prices in the subsequent week, Ibendahl said. But crucially, crude oil movements can influence pump prices for more than a month, especially when uncertainty remains about the future stability of an oil-producing region.

Gas prices could climb even higher

Ibendahl's forecast, he pointed out, does not take into account other factors, such as extended violence or suspended traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — an Iranian-controlled 21-mile chokepoint through which about 20% of globally traded oil passes.

A shutdown of the strait could lead to oil prices that are well over $100 per barrel, or even more if warfare in the region starts targeting oil production facilities.

At that point, gas prices at the pump quickly start approaching $4 per gallon — or even more, if oil prices follow a similar trajectory to the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"Longer term, the price increase could be 4.2 cents per gallon for every dollar per barrel," Ibendahl said. "While conflict may be occurring in the Persian Gulf, the resulting impact on gas prices will be felt at stations nationwide before the end of the month."

Gregg Ibendahl is an associate professor of agricultural economics, specializes in agricultural production and finance, especially fuel pricing seasonality and impacts to the ag industry at Kansas State University.

Will gas hit $4? K-State economist breaks down the numbers

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For Information Contact: Jeff Maes or Mike Wilson at (785) 493-8500, <a href="mailto:jeffm@comprorealty.com">jeffm@comprorealty.com</a>&nbsp;or <a href="mailto:mwilson@comprorealty.com">mwilson@comprorealty.com</a>

Pavement marking removal and replacement to begin in Reno County

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 The annual Women’s Show and Health Fair returns Saturday, March 7, to the Kansas State Fairgrounds, offering free admission and a wide range of health screenings, services and vendors for families across Reno County.

The event will be held in the Meadowlark Building. The Women’s Show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while the Health Fair is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jane Holzrichter and Kyran Losew said the event continues its mission of providing access to preventive health care and community resources at no cost to attendees.

“We started a couple years ago opening the doors to all patrons,” Holzrichter said. “The Family Health Fair has always been free to our community, and when we were able to put it all under one building, we decided to open it up to everyone. There are no tickets any longer.”

The Health Fair is sponsored by PrairieStar Health Center, with participation from nearly 60 booths representing local and regional health organizations. Holzrichter said the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System will have a strong presence, offering carotid artery imaging and select lab work, including lipid panels.&nbsp;

Losew said the event aligns closely with Prairie Star’s mission to provide quality care regardless of a patient’s insurance status or ability to pay.

“This fits in with our mission very well,” Losew said. “These are free services we can offer the community. They’re the beginnings of preventive health — getting screenings, getting ahead of any issues that could be coming up. It’s a great opportunity for those who may not have insurance or who can’t afford these screenings.”

Additional screenings will include breast exams, oral cancer screenings and eyeglass adjustments. Educational resources will also be available, including information related to autism spectrum disorders and other developmental conditions.

Holzrichter noted the Women’s Show, now in its 25th year, typically features around 100 vendors from across Kansas, ranging from financial services and chiropractic care to bakeries and retail businesses. Combined with the Health Fair, approximately 160 vendors are expected to participate.

Organizers estimate roughly 1,000 people attend the Health Fair portion alone each year, with many returning annually.

Holzrichter shared that her own carotid screening at a previous event identified a potential thyroid issue, prompting follow-up care. She said organizers have heard similar stories from attendees who credit the event with identifying serious health concerns early.

“We know the health fair saves lives,” Holzrichter said. “If it wasn’t for the health fair, some people might not be here today.”

While branded as a Women’s Show, the event is designed for families, organizers said. Services and vendors cater to men, women and children, from early childhood resources to senior care information.

The event also serves as a fundraiser and service project for Soroptimist International of Hutchinson, supporting educational awards for women and senior girls pursuing further education, as well as emergency assistance for women who are single or heads of household facing financial hardship.

Holzrichter said the goal is simple: provide a welcoming, informative and potentially life-changing day for the community.

“If you don’t go, you’re missing a great opportunity,” she said. “It’s a fun day, a day to relax, socialize and see what’s available in the community — and also to get your health care needs met.”

Women's Show and Health Fair to be held March 7

Summer enrollment is now open at the Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Hutchinson, offering families a safe and engaging option for children during the summer break.

The club is inviting new and returning members to sign up for its summer programming, which provides structured activities, supervision and enrichment opportunities for youth in the community.

Organizers say the program is designed to give children a fun and supportive environment while school is out, with a focus on learning, recreation and positive relationships.

Families interested in enrolling can contact enrollment specialist Margo Douglas at <a>mdouglas@bgchutch.com</a> for more information about registration and program details.

To help spread the word, the club is encouraging community members to tag families who may be interested in the program on its social media page. Those who participate will be entered into a drawing for free club merchandise. The winner will be announced March 6.

Club leaders say the summer program plays an important role in serving local youth.

Additional information about summer enrollment is available through the Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Hutchinson.

Boys and Girls Clubs summer enrollment now open

The&nbsp;American Red&nbsp;Cross&nbsp;urges donors to&nbsp;help&nbsp;the national blood supply recover from&nbsp;a&nbsp;severe blood shortage&nbsp;and&nbsp;empower their health&nbsp;by making an appointment to give blood or platelets in March.&nbsp;As a thank-you for helping save lives,&nbsp;successful donations will receive&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy00S4iAQxfHTwI6UNB-dLFi4yTWsDt0xUTI4kNLrT2nN9v_ejxOM2V-ilmQRwaK14PSWJDJ6h-viMiEB5jVatMgRgESY9Z7iRBbW6EfrfLhZcGjHccIRlb_0neW5_zUH7UVaN5GRQ2aPwTx9gMfwHXRJ23m-unJXBbOC-fP5DE04t9r7Umrloba7grnUTMVs9ZAX3UXBLG_5c3YF80Etb8N2HkUfwjuZJkWoi9k5_cLtf1DuCi76CXRLXzQ8KNelK38Ruhf5fYdcD93PJnJ8PbvgHcNoQvTeeMdiJktkFsAg4kOG1ep3gn8BAAD__5dgZFk">free A1C testing</a>, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes,&nbsp;in&nbsp;March (one result per calendar year).&nbsp;

New Red Cross&nbsp;data reveals&nbsp;1 in 5&nbsp;blood donors have elevated A1C levels&nbsp;— a sign that&nbsp;prediabetes and diabetes&nbsp;are prevalent&nbsp;among adults in&nbsp;generally good&nbsp;health.&nbsp;The findings are based on the first year of free A1C&nbsp;screening&nbsp;offered by the Red Cross, which provided results to more than&nbsp;920,000&nbsp;blood donors nationwide over three testing periods in 2025. Among donors with elevated A1C levels,&nbsp;80%&nbsp;had&nbsp;readings&nbsp;indicating&nbsp;prediabetes&nbsp;— a condition that can often be reversed through lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet and regular exercise.&nbsp;

“Too many people still face gaps in access to preventive care, and the Red Cross is proud to help close them by giving our 2.5 million blood and platelet donors easy access to essential health information, like their blood sugar levels,”&nbsp;said Dr. Courtney Lawrence,&nbsp;Red Cross&nbsp;medical&nbsp;director. “By giving blood and downloading&nbsp;our&nbsp;Blood&nbsp;Donor&nbsp;App, individuals can be informed and empowered to better manage&nbsp;and&nbsp;advocate&nbsp;for their health.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The A1C test does not require fasting and provides an average blood sugar level over the past three months.&nbsp;Visit <a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy0uO6yAQheHVwAzLFMXDAwaZeBsRUOWExBb3gtXefitRT79zfooQCs5OctTeg_Zag5HPmAp7k-eciZYMAMEm3Mhu7KlsuQRZo1uShs1h0AbtXYPxOoTFBy9wHpX4Xf-rI9Wd-1COPNlC6K16o4XX9BnkHp_n-U-Ym4BVwHpd19SZSm9j5L01mlp_CFjlwVST6rxzGqwqxS_c_0CYGxiHC8gej9TL9Eql5SFw5vTY-fudSjvkODvz8enJWDQEQVmHqNAQq0WnpDJ4y4y2wKblT4TfAAAA___Qildm">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule your&nbsp;March&nbsp;donation appointment.&nbsp;All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31, 2026,&nbsp;will&nbsp;also&nbsp;receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email. See&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy00S4iAQxfHTwI6UNB-dLFi4yTWsDt0xUTI4kNLrT2nN9v_ejxOM2V-ilmQRwaK14PSWJDJ6h-viMiEB5jVatMgRgESY9Z7iRBbW6EfrfLhZcGjHccIRlb_0neW5_zUH7UVaN5GRQ2aPwTx9gMfwHXRJ23m-unJXBbOC-fP5DE04t9r7Umrloba7grnUTMVs9ZAX3UXBLG_5c3YF80Etb8N2HkUfwjuZJkWoi9k5_cLtf1DuCi76CXRLXzQ8KNelK38Ruhf5fYdcD93PJnJ8PbvgHcNoQvTeeMdiJktkFsAg4kOG1ep3gn8BAAD__5dgZFk">RedCrossBlood.org/March</a>&nbsp;for details. &nbsp;

Donating blood in March is part of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy8Fu8yAQBOCngRuWWRYwBw7RL-X2X_oC0ZpdJyR23YLVvH6VqMf5ZoYzTAXHoCXbGMFGa8HpWy4k42LnMbiUQqHCiZdgybtCMI_LomsOiSwsASfr0F8suGinKcUpKhx7ZXnUb7NRXaV1EziyL4zRmwd6uA-vQq_5dhxfyp0UnBWcn8_n0IRL23sf9nZVcP4Q_veK__fP46Y34UqmySrUxVTOb7j8gXIncAET6JY3amW4U9nnrnAUuq7y3g5l33Q_msj2-rPz6Bgm4wOiQcdikiUyM0Qvgr7AYvVPht8AAAD__3ATWhc">Red Cross Month</a>, a&nbsp;national&nbsp;campaign&nbsp;that encourages people to deliver support when help&nbsp;can’t&nbsp;wait by also making&nbsp;a financial donation,&nbsp;volunteering&nbsp;or&nbsp;taking a lifesaving skills class.&nbsp;

Why&nbsp;You Should Know Your&nbsp;A1C&nbsp;

Millions of U.S. adults are living with undiagnosed prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, which are often preventable&nbsp;and&nbsp;in many cases,&nbsp;reversible. These conditions often develop silently, though if untreated, they can lead to serious health complications such as stroke, heart&nbsp;disease&nbsp;and kidney failure.&nbsp;

Early detection&nbsp;isn’t&nbsp;just good&nbsp;for long-term health —&nbsp;it’s&nbsp;also a warning&nbsp;for&nbsp;people’s&nbsp;wallets.&nbsp;&nbsp;

An&nbsp;American Diabetes Association study found that, while&nbsp;people with&nbsp;prediabetes&nbsp;typically incur&nbsp;a few hundred dollars&nbsp;in&nbsp;additional&nbsp;medical costs&nbsp;each year,&nbsp;those with blood sugar levels that have progressed to the diabetic range could face several thousand dollars more in annual expenses&nbsp;—&nbsp;as much as 25 times higher.&nbsp;&nbsp;

How to Find Out Your A1C from the Red Cross&nbsp;

After making a successful blood, platelet or plasma&nbsp;donation in March, donors can&nbsp;access&nbsp;their A1C&nbsp;result&nbsp;within one to two weeks&nbsp;through&nbsp;the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy0uO6yAQheHVwAzLFMXDAwaZeBsRUOWExBb3gtXefitRT79zfooQCs5OctTeg_Zag5HPmAp7k-eciZYMAMEm3Mhu7KlsuQRZo1uShs1h0AbtXYPxOoTFBy9wHpX4Xf-rI9Wd-1COPNlC6K16o4XX9BnkHp_n-U-Ym4BVwHpd19SZSm9j5L01mlp_CFjlwVST6rxzGqwqxS_c_0CYGxiHC8gej9TL9Eql5SFw5vTY-fudSjvkODvz8enJWDQEQVmHqNAQq0WnpDJ4y4y2wKblT4TfAAAA___Qildm">RedCrossBlood.org</a>.&nbsp;Anyone with an&nbsp;elevated A1C level&nbsp;is encouraged&nbsp;to consult&nbsp;their&nbsp;health care provider.&nbsp;

In addition, donors can access and track their&nbsp;blood pressure, hemoglobin,&nbsp;pulse&nbsp;and body temperature, which are taken during each donation’s&nbsp;mini‑physical&nbsp;to ensure&nbsp;they’re&nbsp;healthy enough to give.&nbsp;&nbsp;

How&nbsp;Blood Donation&nbsp;Can Help Bridge&nbsp;Health Care Gaps&nbsp;

As the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross is uniquely positioned to help bridge existing health care gaps by providing blood donors with critical health insights.&nbsp;Through the Red Cross Blood Donor App&nbsp;and online donor portal, donors can track their results and share them with their health care provider.&nbsp;

These efforts are part of the broader Red Cross mission, which has supported the health of communities for 145 years. Today in Kansas, this work includes installing free smoke alarms in neighborhoods at&nbsp;high risk&nbsp;for home fires, providing basic health and mental health services to disaster survivors, and supporting the well-being of military families,&nbsp;veterans&nbsp;and their caregivers.&nbsp;

Here is a list of blood drives in the area:&nbsp;

Harvey County Hesston 3/16/2026: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Hesston Mennonite Church, 309 S. Main

Newton 3/10/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Salem UMC, 115 Old Main Street 3/12/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Newton High School, 900 W. 12th St. 3/26/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Harvey County Court House, 800 N. Main&nbsp;

North Newton&nbsp; 3/24/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bethel College Memorial Hall, 300 E. 27th St.&nbsp;

Sedgwick&nbsp; 3/5/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Sedgwick High School, 400 W. 4th&nbsp;

McPherson County Galva&nbsp; 3/14/2026: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sugar Creek School, 1558 21st St.&nbsp;

Lindsborg&nbsp; 3/23/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lindsborg Evangelical Covenant Church, 102 S Washington St&nbsp;

McPherson&nbsp; 3/10/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Prairieland Partners John Deere, 2401 E. Northview&nbsp; 3/12/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., City of McPherson,&nbsp;400&nbsp; E.&nbsp;Kansas Ave&nbsp; 3/19/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 N. Elm&nbsp; 3/20/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 N. Elm&nbsp;

Pratt County Pratt&nbsp; 3/20/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Pratt First United Methodist Church, 100 N Jackson St&nbsp;

Reno County Buhler&nbsp; 3/27/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church, 415 North West&nbsp;

Haven&nbsp; 3/13/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., St Paul Lutheran Church, 8513 E Arlington Rd&nbsp;

Hutchinson&nbsp; 3/14/2026: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of&nbsp;Latter Day&nbsp;Saints, 518 East 43rd&nbsp;&nbsp; 3/23/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Central Christian School, 1910 East 30th Ave&nbsp; 3/27/2026: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Park Place Christian Church, 2600 N. Adams&nbsp;

Nickerson&nbsp; 3/10/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Nickerson High School, 305 S. Nickerson&nbsp;

Pretty Prairie&nbsp; 3/11/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pretty Prairie High School, 204 E Main St&nbsp;

Red Cross to offer free A1C testing in March

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries">Click&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners</a>.

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/35522b08-cd30-49e1-93e0-85962282628b">PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW OBITUARY POLICY.</a> Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="http://hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">hutchpost@eaglemedia.com&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a>

Recent obituaries and service times

The Hutchinson Police Department honored its officers, staff and community partners during its annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony this past weekend, highlighting achievements from 2025 and recognizing acts of exceptional service.

Among those recognized were Reverend Charles Crumble Sr. and New Resurrection Church for their support of first responders during a major incident last year.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 1, 2025, a large-scale emergency response unfolded in the 1000 block of East Third Avenue. First responders from five local and state agencies worked the scene for hours in temperatures hovering around 25 degrees.

During the incident, New Resurrection Church, located at 1001 E. Third Ave., opened its doors to officers, firefighters, agents and crime scene personnel, offering a warm place to rest and access to restroom facilities as crews rotated through the scene.

As the morning continued, Crumble informed authorities that the church would also prepare lunch for those on duty. First responders were served goulash, sandwiches and a variety of snacks, drinks and desserts.

Members of the congregation remained on site throughout the response, ensuring personnel had relief from the cold and offering spiritual guidance to those who requested it. Church staff stayed in communication with command personnel to identify any additional needs as the situation evolved.

Police officials said the church’s compassion and hospitality provided critical support during a traumatic and demanding incident.

In recognizing Crumble and New Resurrection Church, the department cited their extraordinary generosity and commitment to serving the community, noting their assistance helped first responders cope with the circumstances while continuing their work.

Hutch PD recognizes New Resurrection Church for support during 2025 incident

Trinity Catholic Junior/Senior High School’s TC Theatre will bring a sweet classic to the stage this week with its production of “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.”

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. March 5, 6 and 7, with a 3 p.m. matinee on March 8 at the school.

The musical, based on the beloved story by Roald Dahl, follows the adventures of young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners as they tour the mysterious Wonka Chocolate Factory under the guidance of the eccentric candy maker, Willy Wonka. Along the way, the children encounter imaginative inventions, colorful characters and important lessons about honesty, humility and kindness.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. Seating is reserved and tickets may be purchased online at <a href="https://our.show/tcwonka">https://our.show/tcwonka</a>.

The production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are supplied by MTI.

TC Theatre’s presentation of “Willy Wonka” continues Trinity Catholic Junior/Senior High School's tradition of student-led performances showcasing talent in acting, music and stage production for the Hutchinson community.

Trinity Catholic Jr/Senior High School to present "Willy Wonka'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Homeland Security Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kristi-noem">Kristi Noem</a>&nbsp;defended her department’s immigration enforcement tactics in front of a Senate committee on Tuesday and pushed back against criticism from Democrats who say she wrongly disparaged two protesters killed by federal officers in Minneapolis earlier this year.

It was Noem’s first congressional appearance since the shooting deaths of the two protesters galvanized widespread opposition to how the Trump administration is executing its mass deportation agenda, a centerpiece policy of President Donald Trump’s second term. At the time, Noem portrayed the protesters, two U.S. citizens, as armed agitators, although accounts from local officials and bystander video contradicted assertions from her and other administration officials.

In the hearing, Noem defended her agency’s treatment of immigrants caught up in enforcement activities, and blamed activists and others for attacks against officers.

“I want to address the dangerous environment that our ICE officers face on the streets today,” Noem said. “They are facing a serious and escalating threat as a result of deliberate mischaracterizations of their heroic work and rhetoric that demonizes our law enforcement.”

Since the deaths in Minneapolis, the administration has taken steps meant to tone down tensions, including drawing down the operation there. But the administration has continued pressing restrictions against both legal and illegal immigration, has been buying up warehouses for immigration detention and persisting in federal enforcement in areas around the country. Noem said about 650 investigators remain in Minnesota as part of a broader fraud probe.

The immigration tactics of Noem’s department have triggered a clash in Congress over its routine funding, which remains unresolved, although a spending bill passed last year granted it a significant infusion of cash for the Republican administration’s mass deportation policy. Noem called the partial shutdown “reckless” and blamed Democrats for putting national security at risk.

Her appearance in front of the Judiciary Committee also comes after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/austin-texas-bar-shooting-7690f931ba00f950c1828cef25399bb6">a weekend shooting</a>&nbsp;at a bar in Texas that is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, leading to concerns that the escalating conflict in Iran could have repercussions for security in the U.S.

Noem blames chaotic situation for her characterization of killed protesters

In what was initially billed as an effort to root out fraud in Minnesota, Homeland Security sent hundreds of officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection to the state. They were met by protesters who organized marches, patrolled neighborhoods for ICE activity with whistles and ferried food to immigrants too afraid to leave their homes.

<a href="https://apnews.com/video/the-family-of-renee-good-talk-about-her-life-more-than-a-month-after-she-was-killed-in-minneapolis-9539004139804334b833384fd0e4db28">Renee Good</a>, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE officer on Jan. 7, setting off intense protests demanding pushing an end to the operation. Then on Jan. 24, Customs and Border Protection officers opened fire on another Minnesota resident,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">Alex Pretti</a>, who had been filming enforcement operations.

Those deaths led to cries for accountability and transparency. Noem, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-administration-alex-pretti-their-own-words-27b7233380c68306a64317b3bf2aa4a3">initial comments</a>&nbsp;portrayed both Good and Pretti as the aggressors, has come under withering criticism by Democrats and even some Republicans, who have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-shootings-kristi-noem-ice-congress-add9ac7b90f5677621009e8a603c0141">called for her to resign</a>.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the committee, repeatedly questioned Noem about her initial comments and called on her to apologize.

“You and your agency rushed to brand these victims as, quote, domestic terrorists,” Durbin said. “We have ample video evidence and eyewitness testimony proving you are wrong. Your statements caused immeasurable pain to these families.”

Noem said she was relying on information from people on the scene and blamed “violent protesters” for contributing to the chaos officers encountered.

“I was getting reports from the ground from agents at the scene, and I would say that it was a chaotic scene, as you’ve seen in Minneapolis and St. Paul,” she said.

After public outrage over the deaths, Trump sent border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to take control of operations on the ground there. Homan has since announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homan-immigration-agents-minnesota-enforcement-operation-drawdown-5a7940eb9b5100d46efc33a97f524da0">a drawdown</a>&nbsp;of the ICE and CBP officers who had been sent to Minnesota to carry out what had been dubbed Operation Metro Surge, although he’s been adamant that the president’s mass deportation agenda will continue.

Republicans largely kept the focus on the large numbers of migrants who came into the country under former President Joe Biden, portraying Noem as cleaning up the former administration’s mess.

Noem also faced some Republican criticism

Noem did face sharp criticism from one Republican, Sen. John Kennedy from Louisiana, who pushed her to explain why her department paid more than $200 million for an ad campaign she appeared in last year encouraging migrants to leave the country voluntarily and questioned whether Trump knew about the price tag ahead of time.

Noem defended those ads, saying they were effective and went through the regular department bidding process.

“Well, they were effective in your name recognition,” Kennedy said pointedly.

Homeland Security officials have often blamed conflicts in places where it’s carrying out immigration enforcement activities, like Minneapolis and Chicago, as the fault of Democratic politicians who, they say, encourage people to oppose officers as they try to make arrests.

Noem is also slated to appear Wednesday in front of a House committee.

🎥Hot seat: Senators grill DHS Secretary on immigration enforcement

By&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/konstantin-toropin">KONSTANTIN TOROPIN</a> Associated Press

The Pentagon has released the names of four of the six service members who have been killed in the Iran war, saying they died in a drone strike in Kuwait.

All four Army Reserve soldiers were killed Sunday when a drone hit a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. That was just a day after the U.S. and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran, which has launched retailatory strikes.

All were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, lowa.

Killed were Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Spc. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, lowa.

Pentagon releases names of U.S. soldiers killed in Iran conflict

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/julia-frankel">JULIA FRANKEL</a>

JERUSALEM (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-03-03-2026">unfolding war</a>&nbsp;in the Middle East has ricocheted across the region, with nearly every country sustaining damage from missile hits or shrapnel, many reporting casualties, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-03-03-2026#0000019c-b486-d9be-a19f-b6be8ec80000">key embassies</a>, economic engines and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-hormuz-iran-energy-war-5b60e82ef2fc68e2b43aa570a32404dd">passageways</a>&nbsp;closing down.

Foreign governments are urging their citizens to leave on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-travel-airlines-mideast-flights-93f2559eb57f05989fb1de8fda7f21ec">any available commercial flight</a>&nbsp;as Gulf airspaces largely close, cruise ships can’t pass through the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-hormuz-iran-energy-war-5b60e82ef2fc68e2b43aa570a32404dd">Strait of Hormuz</a>, and major airlines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-middle-east-travel-7fa70acc92e8250c36b64d7809ef013c">cancel flights</a>. The U.S. State Department says it has evacuated nonemergency personnel and families in six nations, adding the United Arab Emirates to its list on Tuesday. It also has advised citizens from 14 countries to leave. Governments from Russia to Germany and France also scrambled to run repatriation flights.

Here’s a country-by-country breakdown of the impact of the war so far.

All airspace information is from the real-time flight-tracking service Flightradar 24, as of Tuesday, or national authorities.

Damage and casualties: Iran has by far the highest reported death toll of countries in the region. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said the U.S.-Israeli operation has killed at least 787 people. That includes more than 160 the state-run IRNA news agency says were killed by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/all-girls-school-in-iran-struck-by-us-israeli-strike-over-100-casualties-78cead1fc4ba4ac39d57e8a0f53b0bf2">strike on an elementary school</a>&nbsp;in Minab. Israel says it was not involved in the incident. When asked by reporters about it, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he did not have details but that the U.S. would not deliberately target a school.

U.S.-Israeli strikes have targeted nuclear infrastructure, missile launchers, government buildings in Tehran and leadership compounds, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top military officials.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-nuclear-natanz-israel-enrichment-uranium-e42a4711f6d350d14c10e5f9981eca46">Satellite images</a>&nbsp;of Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility taken Monday show several damaged buildings, compared with imagery from the previous day, along with additional damage across the facility’s complex.

Damage and casualties:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/iran-israel-us-missiles-photos-5d5d519aef16d124bd11d361f8e0d9ad">Several locations</a>&nbsp;have been hit by Iranian missiles, killing 11 people. The extent of damage to Israeli military bases and other sensitive locations is unknown; the military does not reveal that information.

Damage and casualties: The Iranian-supported&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-hezbollahisrael-lebanon-b4daa0a6084df27099cef45b59120034">militant group Hezbollah</a>&nbsp;fired missiles at Israel on Monday, prompting Israel to retaliate. At least 52 people have been killed and 154 wounded, Lebanese authorities said.

Israel hit Beirut with more airstrikes early Tuesday, saying it was targeting “Hezbollah command centers and weapons storage facilities,” and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-airstrikes-beirut-rockets-troops-f3b27b80b54699f58deebf35c7b09fd2">sent ground troops</a>&nbsp;into southern Lebanon border areas. Hezbollah also said it launched drones targeting an Israeli air base. The Israeli military said it downed two drones.

Israel and Hezbollah fought&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-war-numbers-hezbollah-military-6f1a651ebba0a88fbdb7ca59a57acd1e">a war for more than a year</a>, ending with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-lebanon-hezbollah-11-26-2024-aa165645d900a3d681ad127e05b0c561">November 2024 ceasefire</a>&nbsp;that left the militant group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-hezbollah-weapons-disarmament-israel-e5421702925f68040ee354fb7b06e368">greatly weakened</a>.

The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon said Tuesday it was closing to the public until further notice.

Airspace: Lebanon’s airspace is not fully closed. Flights are coming and going, but many airlines have canceled flights.

Damage and casualties: Iran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-03-03-2026-8755877b603e46ed3df8107689c1ee23">struck the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia’s</a>&nbsp;capital early Tuesday. The attack from two drones on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh caused a “limited fire” and minor damage, according to Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry, and the embassy urged Americans to avoid the compound.

Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery also came under attack from drones, but its defenses downed the aircraft, a military spokesman told the state-run Saudi Press Agency. The refinery has a capacity of over half a million barrels of crude oil a day.

Airspace: Partially closed in the area bordering Iraq and the Persian Gulf.

Damage and casualties: On Monday, the U.S. Embassy compound in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jets-downed-kuwait-friendly-fire-iran-f15-1151e092db4597e93e83c04f3b44bddc">Kuwait</a>&nbsp;was struck. On Tuesday, it announced it was closing to the public until further notice.

Six U.S. soldiers in a logistics unit were killed by a strike in Kuwait, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Kuwaiti Health Ministry said Sunday that one person was killed and 32 injured in an Iranian strike, all migrant workers from unnamed countries.

Damage and casualties: Three people were killed in the UAE — foreign workers from Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The city of Dubai, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-dubai-emirates-tourism-attack-b256f514b290c987b3004cc87744f038">a global reputation</a>&nbsp;as the safest place in the Middle East and a hub for global investment, has sustained damage to its international airport and, according to CENTCOM, hotels along its coastline. Iran also targeted two Amazon&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-aws-data-center-uae-iran-bahrain-71066b0a822c4cfd88b61e3fe79af917">data centers</a>&nbsp;in the UAE, the company said Tuesday.

Airspace: Closed for commercial flights. Some evacuation flights began Monday.

Damage and casualties: The ripple effects of the war have hit Egypt’s struggling economy, as global shipping firms decided to reroute vessel fleets away from the Suez Canal.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/suez-canal-egypt-gaza-houthis-israel-5a5fe98a74f64144f7aab9ceca9d87d3">The canal</a>, which connects the Mediterranean and Red Seas, is a major source of foreign currency for the cash-strapped country.

Airspace: Commercial flights are leaving the country, though there have been cancellations, and most countries are recommending residents travel through Taba and Sharm al-Sheikh instead of Cairo.

Damage and casualties: Jordanian police announced Sunday that five people were injured by falling shrapnel after Iranian projectiles were intercepted in the kingdom’s airspace.

Airspace: The Jordanian Civil Aviation Authority said the airspace will be closed from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily until further notice.

Damage and casualties: Iran has hit energy facilities in Qatar.

Airspace:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/disruption-at-qatars-doha-airport-as-attack-on-iran-affects-flights-across-middle-east-and-beyond-f96b624323634b7bbe421440bf8031ca">Closed</a>.

Damage and casualties: Strikes on Iranian proxy sites by the U.S. or Israel have killed militia members. Multiple drone and missile attacks have been launched at the U.S. bases and consulate in Irbil, and protesters attempted to storm the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Iraq’s Ministry of Oil said Tuesday that it would stop production in a key oil field because of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, causing crude&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-war-oil-prices-energy-strait-of-hormuz-21e634acba4c35801d28dfdbcc53824a">oil prices to surge worldwide</a>. The ministry cited a shortage of tankers entering the Gulf, forcing them to “stop production and pumping” from the southern Rumaila fields near the city of Basra.

Damage and casualties: Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said fire from a strike killed one Asian worker and seriously wounded two others early Monday morning. There was also a drone impact near an Amazon data center, the company said Tuesday.

Damage and casualties: Several people, including children, suffered minor injuries in the countryside outside Damascus from Iranian missile debris, Syria’s state news agency SANA said. Some areas in Syria’s southern provinces also saw missile debris fall from Iranian projectiles fired toward Israel, with no additional injuries or material damage reported, SANA said.

Damage and casualties: Oman has been attacked by drones multiple times since the Iran war started. The attacks targeted the country’s largest port of Salalah, as well as Duqm port. At least one vessel also was hit off the country’s coast.

Airspace: Open, but many commercial flights are canceled.

AP writers Abby Sewell in Beirut, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report.

Country by country, here’s how the unfolding war is affecting the Middle East

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another fatal shooting in Wichita and have made an arrest.

Just after 7:30p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting in the parking lot of the&nbsp; American Legion in the 1300 Block of North Hydraulic in Wichita. According to an online statement from police, the suspect called 911 and reported he had just shot someone.

First responders found the&nbsp; shooting victim,&nbsp;56-year-old Darnell Guiden of Wichita,&nbsp;inside a 1998 Chevrolet pickup. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased just before 8p.m.

The suspect, identified from county booking records as 40-year-old Tristan D. Miles, was taken into custody without incident. He had previously been banned from the business from a previous incident, according to police.

He is being held on requested charges of first-degree premeditated murder and criminal discharge of a firearm.&nbsp; The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Police: Kan. homicide suspect called 911 to report he shot someone

NEW YORK (AP) — A sell-off for stocks wrapped around the world and hit Wall Street Tuesday, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-oil-gas-gallon-aaa-e2daee318b8e3e6a1124713909a410e4">oil prices</a>&nbsp;climbed even higher on worries about the widening&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-03-03-2026-8755877b603e46ed3df8107689c1ee23">war with Iran</a>. But the big moves that rocked markets in the morning eased substantially as the day progressed.

By the end of trading, the S&amp;P 500 had sunk 0.9%. That would be a solid loss on a typical day, but the index had been down as much as 2.5% in the morning because of worries that the war may do more sustained&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-economy-inflation-trump-b45192677b0751ec3550e363cdeb256a">damage to the economy</a>&nbsp;than feared.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 403 points, or 0.8%, after plunging more than 1,200 points earlier in the morning. The Nasdaq composite pared its loss to 1%.

It was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-gold-iran-trump-25fd9bfa1b20549a6cbbdee61b2ea05f">just a day earlier</a>&nbsp;that U.S. stocks opened the morning with a sharp loss, only to recover all of it and end the day with a tiny gain. Helping to drive that rebound was a record showing that past wars and conflicts in the Middle East have not usually meant long-term pain for U.S. stocks.

But that was with the caveat that oil prices did not jump too high, like above $100 per barrel. On Tuesday, oil prices rose again and raised more alarms. The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, briefly leaped above $84.

The jump lessened through the day, though, which helped moderate the losses for stocks. Brent settled at $81.40, up 4.7%. A barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rose 4.7% to $74.56.

The moves showed oil prices, and how much they’re set to worsen inflation, are among the central fears for investors. More expensive fuel will mean less money for U.S. and other households to spend. It would also raise expenses for companies worldwide, which would likewise hurt their profits. And corporate profits are the lifeblood of stock markets.

Tuesday’s climb for oil prices came after Iran struck the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, part of a widening of targets that also includes areas critical to the world’s oil and natural gas production. Worries are particularly high about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-hormuz-iran-energy-war-5b60e82ef2fc68e2b43aa570a32404dd">Strait of Hormuz</a>&nbsp;off the coast of Iran, a narrow passageway where roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passes.

Iranian Brig. Gen. Ebrahim Jabbari, an adviser to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, vowed that any ships that passed through the strait would be set on fire.

The fears about oil prices ebbed a bit later in the day as President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy could begin escorting tankers through the strait, “if necessary,” to “ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD.”

Making things uncertain for markets is the question about how long this war may continue.

A major attack by the United States and Israel has already killed Iranian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, but Trump said late Monday night on his social media network, “Wars can be fought ‘forever,’ and very successfully” with the supply of munitions that the United States possesses.

Some professional investors said again Tuesday they don’t think this is the beginning of a long-term down market and that stocks could rebound if the war doesn’t last that long. But they acknowledge it could take a while for that to become clear, and Tuesday’s swings for markets show how uncertain things are.

Tuesday’s sell-off started in Asia, where the Kospi stock index in South Korea, a big energy importer, plunged 7.2% as markets reopened after a holiday on Monday. That was its worst day since two summers ago, and it had been setting records recently.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 dropped 3.1%, even as analysts said Japan has a sizable stockpile lasting more than 200 days. In Europe, where prices for natural gas have soared because of the war, France’s CAC 40 lost 3.5%.

On Wall Street, nearly three out of every four stocks within the S&amp;P 500 dropped. Unlike a day before, influential Big Tech stocks weren’t able to prop up indexes, and Nvidia fell 1.3%.

Among the winners on Wall Street was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-earnings-sales-quarter-b3afa6d07912511f87e00af59c008d18">Target</a>, which rose 6.7% after the retailer reported a better profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 64.99 points to 6,816.63. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 403.51 to 48,501.27, and the Nasdaq composite sank 232.17 to 22,516.69.

In the bond market, Treasury yields leaped in the morning with worries about inflation. The yield on the 10-year Treasury briefly rose above 4.10% before pulling back just below 4.06%. It was at 4.05% late Monday and just 3.97% on Friday.

Higher yields can make it more expensive for U.S. households and businesses to borrow money, affecting everything from mortgages to bond issuances. They also put downward pressure on prices for stocks and all kinds of other investments.

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