TOPEKA, Kan.&nbsp; – Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Secretary Christopher Kennedy has issued orders designating several Free Fishing and Free State Park Entrance days. The announcement was made at the April 24, 2025, Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission meeting.

The Free Fishing Days are June 7 and 8, 2025. On those days, anyone can fish by legal means without a Kansas fishing license. All length and creel limits still apply.

All Kansas State Parks will also offer free entrance on Saturday, May 3. Camping fees still apply.

“I encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to enjoy Kansas’ incredible natural resources,” said Kennedy. “Whether you're casting a line, hiking a trail, picnicking on a beach, or simply taking in the beauty of nature, these days are meant to inspire connection with your family, friends, and the great outdoors.”

Along with these statewide events, Secretary Kennedy has also designated several park-specific Free Entrance Days that align with local events and programs designed to engage families, outdoor enthusiasts, and newcomers to Kansas state parks. These dates are as follows:

For more information about Kansas state parks, fishing opportunities, and upcoming events, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fksoutdoors.com%2F%3Futm_source=news%26utm_medium=press-release%26utm_campaign=freedays/1/010101967e4567f6-74b07687-eeb4-4d03-828f-0efbd8141d17-000000/T2KpaVDusTNDFcTdlLyEEmGwTtNIh2VxGXyWDLDVVd4=402">ksoutdoors.com</a>.

KDWP designates free fishing and free State Park entrance days 

Spring is here and the Hutchinson CTE Academy FFA chapter would like to invite you to our plant sale on Thursday, May 1st from 1:30-7:00 PM in the agriculture classroom/lab space in the CTEA building at 800 15th Circle.

 Please enter the building in the main doors at the CTEA entrance and follow the signs straight down the hall. Check out our social media for chances to win a $15 plant sale gift card and other giveaway prizes!  

We have a variety of plants with great prices (some are cheaper than Walmart) for very high-quality plants. All money raised goes back to helping FFA members throughout the year with many opportunities.  

We will also have jerky for sale during the event.  

Some of our items include: -Aloe Vera -Coleus -Vinca -Dahlia -Spider Plants -10" &amp; 12" Hanging Baskets -Small and Large Combination Planters

Hutchinson CTE Academy FFA to hold plant sale on May 1 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two iconic bands from the 1960s will bring a wave of nostalgia to the Fox Theater next week, as The Association and The Cowsills take the stage for a special night of live music on Saturday, May 3.

Josh Davies, executive director of the Fox Theater, announced the upcoming show as part of the venue’s lively spring season, which also includes classic films, a summer kids’ series, and weekend movie events. But it’s the live music, Davies said, that truly brings the historic venue to life.

“This is going to be a nostalgic evening of the greatest music of the 1960s,” Davies said. “We’ve had a number of groups from that era, but these two haven’t performed here before. It just felt like the right time.”

The show pairs The Association, best known for timeless hits such as “Wendy,” “Cherish,” and “Never My Love,” with The Cowsills, the real-life family band that inspired the television series The Partridge Family. The Cowsills will open the evening, followed by a headlining performance from The Association.

Davies said the idea to book both groups came after discovering they shared the same agent. While not part of a prearranged tour, the pairing echoes popular throwback concert events like the “Happy Together Tour,” which regularly features acts from the 1960s and ’70s.

“There are still some original members performing with both bands,” Davies said. “It adds something really special for fans who grew up with their music.”

Tickets are already selling well, and season ticket holders can find their passes to the May 3 show included in their ticket packages.

“If you love music from the ’60s, this is the show for you,” Davies said.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Fox Theater website at www.hutchinsonfox.com or call 620-663-5861.&nbsp;

Classic pop groups to perform Saturday at the Fox Theatre

Chap is an awesome dog that is thriving in his foster home!  He wants to find a forever home where he can be your new best friend!

Here's what our foster has to say about Chap

 Holly and I have had him since March 22. Chap is a little over 4 years old. 

  He is an awesome dog.  He is house and doggy door trained.  When we leave the house, we can leave him without having to put him in a kennel or crate. 

 Chap loves to go on walks and car rides.  He does great with my other dogs and has done great around kids. 

 He is eager to please and is treat motivated, so training has gone really well.

  If you have any questions, you can contact me.  If you want to apply for Chap, visit Kingmancountyhumanesociety.org to fill out an adoption application or call 316-542-1812 for more info.

Adopt a Furry Friend: Chap 

The Hutchinson Monarchs' season is just around the corner. &nbsp;Earlier this year they stated that they still need host families for the upcoming season, and they need more families than last year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Owner Marc Blackim explained how important the host families are to the program. &nbsp;“The host family portion of our program is the most important. If I don't have housing for these young men, then we just can't, we can't run the program.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Blackim says that they need even more families than they ever have had. &nbsp;He said that in past years we have had a bunch of young men from HutchCC and they were in an apartment, so that took care of three or four of them. &nbsp;This year, the players are dorm residents, so they need to find hosts for those players. &nbsp;

The Monarchs season runs from the end of May until the end of July. Players report on May 26th and the season begins on May 30th. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A host family is a family that is willing to open up their home to a young man, provide a roof over his head and a bed to sleep in. &nbsp;The family also provides some food for him, and the Monarchs take care of some of the food as well. They also provide a place so that the player has a place to do their laundry. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Blackim expects the players to become part of the family. &nbsp;The host family sets the rules, and the players become involved with the family. &nbsp;He says that they expect the players to get involved with the kids, stuff they have going on in the summer and any other family events that mom and dad want them involved in. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Blackim tells us a about a relationship he has with two players from year two of the Monarchs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The second year we got involved with summer Collegiate Baseball, two of the young men that we hosted from California still come to our house for Thanksgiving time and and they're they still come for Thanksgiving” Blackim said. &nbsp;

If you are interested in having a host family, give him a call at 316-648-4882 or send an email to the Monarchs at hutchmonarchs@gmail.com. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Monarchs seek host homes for upcoming season 

Marc Blackim, the owner of the Hutchinson Monarchs, was in to visit about the upcoming season, and the need for host families for this summer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎧 BW Morning Show Interview: Marc Blackim, Hutchinson Monarchs 

Josh Davies stopped by the BW Morning Show to visit about an upcoming show at the Fox Theatre.&nbsp; The Association and The Cowsills will be at the theater on May 3.&nbsp;

🎧 BW Morning Show Interview: Josh Davies, Hutchinson Fox Theatre 

The USD 308 Board of Education approved a $109,530,000 bond proposal during its meeting Monday evening, setting the stage for major facility improvements across the district.

The bond would fund enhancements to elementary school buildings, the construction of a new sixth through eighth grade middle school, and renovations to the existing Hutchinson Middle School building. That facility would be repurposed to house an early learning center and a student services facility. The bond would also finance the relocation of the district’s baseball and soccer fields currently located at 23rd Avenue and Severance Street.

Rather than calling for a special election, the board opted to place the bond issue on the ballot for the Nov. 4 general election.

In other action, the board established the out-of-district enrollment capacity for the 2025-26 school year.&nbsp;

The board looked at the historical numbers for enrollment dating back to the 2018-19 school year.&nbsp;

Those numbers show that the district had an attendance high of 4,277 students in 2019-19 and an attendance low of 4,000 students in the 2022-23 school year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

District officials offered the following enrollment projections for the upcoming school year and the non-resident enrollment capacity for the upcoming school year.&nbsp;

 If a non-resident student in the current school year elects to continue to attend in the Hutchinson School District next year, they are not considered part of the Non-resident Student Enrollment Capacity, but are in the 2025-26 enrollment projections&nbsp;

The next USD 308 Board of Education meeting is scheduled for May 12.

USD 308 Board approves $109.5 million bond proposal, sets election for November 4

UPDATE:&nbsp; Captain Dayton Gates of the Hutchinson Police Department tells us that they collected 121 pounds of unused prescriptions at the event on April 26.&nbsp;

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Police Department, in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, will host the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dillon’s Marketplace, 3200 Plaza East Drive.

The event offers residents a safe, free and anonymous way to dispose of unneeded prescription medications. Tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs will be accepted. Liquids, such as cough syrup, must be sealed in their original containers with caps tightly secured to prevent leaks. Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs will not be accepted.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped Americans safely discard more than 19.2 million pounds of medications since the program began over a decade ago, preventing old or unused prescriptions from becoming a source of misuse or addiction.

The Hutchinson event is one of nearly 5,000 collection sites participating nationwide. For more information or to locate additional drop-off sites, visit <a href="http://www.DEATakeBack.com.">www.DEATakeBack.com.</a>

Hutchinson Police collects 121 pounds of unused prescription drugs at takeback event 

<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

WICHITA, Kan. — A Hutchinson man has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse material, authorities said Monday.

Zachary Charles Hiskey, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography, according to court documents.

In June 2021, Hiskey used an account on the messaging app Kik to share videos depicting adult males engaged in sexually explicit acts with prepubescent children. Kik detected the videos and reported the account to law enforcement through a cyber tipline, leading investigators to additional child exploitation materials tied to Hiskey’s email account and to internet activity at his home, officials said.

During a search of Hiskey’s residence, investigators found an electronic device displaying a browser thumbnail of recently viewed child sexual abuse material. A forensic analysis also revealed that the Kik account had been installed and later deleted from Hiskey’s cellphone, according to authorities.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation handled the investigation.

Hutch man sentenced to over 12 years for distributing child sexual abuse material 

👟 HutchCC's Lester named KJCCC Track Athlete of the Week

⚾ HutchCC's Rosser named KJCCC Pitcher of the Week

TOPEKA, Kan.&nbsp;—&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) has taken a significant step toward investing in Kansas student athletes by approving a new bylaw requiring all member colleges to reserve at least 25% of their athletic Letters of Intent (LOIs) for Kansas students.

The decision was made during this week’s KJCCC meeting, where participating colleges came together to support the change. The policy will take effect starting with the 2026-2027 academic year and will apply across all sports offered by the member institutions.

"This move reflects our commitment to the communities that support our colleges," said Dr. Michael Calvert, President of Pratt Community College. "We’re proud to give Kansas student-athletes more opportunities to compete close to home."

Dr. Ryan Ruda, President of Garden City Community College, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the unique relationship between community colleges and their local supporters. "One of the strengths of Kansas’ community college system is the strong support we receive from local communities and taxpayers. There’s a special sense of pride and excitement when local students are on the field or court," he said.

Over the past seven years, the KJCCC has revised 20 recruitment-related rules. At one point, the league allowed unlimited out-of-state athletic scholarships. The new policy now limits out-of-state LOIs to no more than 75% of total offers, underscoring a renewed focus on Kansas and Kansas student athletes.&nbsp;

“We all want to recruit the best athletes, regardless of where they come from,” said Brad Bennett, President of Seward County Community College. “But ultimately, we’re Kansas institutions with a responsibility to serve Kansas communities—whether through academics or athletics.”

With the proposed roster limits being discussed at the NCAA Division One level and the increasing number of Kansas athletes wanting to stay close to home to compete, this change is the first step to ensuring Kansas athletes know that Kansas community colleges are committed to them to continuing their higher education and athletic participation in the state.&nbsp;The range of sports programs across the 20 colleges varies widely, from football rosters with more than 100 players to tennis teams with fewer than 10. All athletic programs will be subject to the new Kansas athlete recruitment requirement.&nbsp;

KJCCC members join together to provide additional opportunities for Kansas student-athletes

🎧 ⚾ Royals open series in Tampa, ⛳ HutchCC competing in Central District Championship 

SALINA, Kan. - The Hutchinson High School varsity baseball team travels to Salina Central to face the Mustangs in an AVCTL Division I doubleheader this afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. for Game 1, with Game 2 to follow.

The Salthawks enter the doubleheader with a 9-8 record and are fresh off a split with Salina South in Salina on Friday. The Mustangs are 9-7 dropping two games on the road to Goddard Eisenhower last week.

Click below to listen to the broadcast of both games.

🎧⚾ Hutch High travels to Salina Central for AVCTL doubleheader

⛳ Dragons 3rd in Central District Championship; Scullion tied for 1st

ARKANSAS CITY – The No. 3-ranked Cowley Tigers racked up 15 hits and scored 15 unanswered runs to defeat the Hutchinson Community College baseball team 17-3 in seven innings on Monday at Tigers Park.

The Blue Dragons (34-18) will now close out the 2025 regular season with a four-game Jayhawk West series against the Pratt Beavers. Games 1 and 2 will be at Hobart-Detter Field beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday. Games 3 and 4 will be at Stanion Field in Pratt at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Hutchinson and Butler are tied for third place in the Jayhawk West entering the final weekend with 15-13 records. Colby is one game behind in fifth place. Colby and Butler meet in the final weekend series.

One Monday, the Blue Dragons took a 3-2 lead with a three-run third inning. With the bases loaded and no outs,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/bios/stokes_taber_u8n0">Taber Stokes</a>&nbsp;hit a sacrifice fly to left so score&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/bios/maher_quinn_nqj4">Quinn Maher</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/bios/hochstein_finn_ygit">Finn Hochstein</a>'s RBI groundout scored&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/bios/allen_griffin_bmj4">Nick Glantz</a>&nbsp;to tie the game at 2-all and the Dragons took a 3-2 lead one batter later on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/bios/griffin_leo_z3t1">Leo Griffin</a>'s RBI double scored&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/bios/mustow_adam_sf8t">A.J. Mustow</a>.

But the Tigers answered right back with six runs in the third, five runs in the fourth and four more in the fifth inning.

Maher led the Blue Dragons offensively going 2 for 4 with a run scored.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/bios/tygart_baker_ked6">C.J. Reid</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/bios/mazza_antony_9347">Anthony Mazza</a>, Glantz and Griffin had the other Blue Dragon hits.

Cowley had 15 hits with three doubles and a home run against seven Blue Dragon pitchers.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/bios/usselman_reece_c48r">Reece Usselman</a>&nbsp;(2-1) was tagged with the loss.

⚾ No. 3 Cowley rolls by Hutchinson

⚾ KU's Voegele named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week

🥎 WSU's Lucas tabbed as AAC Player of the Week for second time

🎧 ⚾ Royals dropped series finale, 🥎 Blue Dragon Softball ties for conference title 

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20HANNA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;</a>

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Campgrounds, boat ramps and other facilities in at least 30 locations at federal lakes and reservoirs in six states will be closed or have their hours curtailed as of mid-May as the Trump administration tries to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-federal-cuts-job-musk-trump-kansas-city-06023cbc68c82fdaa021ced1069fd81c">rapidly shrink</a>&nbsp;the U.S. government.

Officials at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees the lakes and reservoirs and their amenities for boating, camping, hiking and sightseeing, said they are dealing with staffing shortages and other budgetary restrictions.

Corps spokesman Douglas Garman said concentrating staff at fewer recreational sites will allow those sites to keep the “full range of services” that visitors expect.

The Corps’ district office in Omaha, Nebraska, which oversees facilities across a large swath of the Great Plains from western Iowa and Nebraska to Montana’s border with Canada, said the changes also will protect hydropower and dam operations.

"Decisions to make operational changes at recreation areas are not made lightly, and we understand those decisions can be disruptive to the public’s travel plans," Garman said in an email to The Associated Press.

President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;imposed a federal hiring freeze after beginning his second term in January, and his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-tesla-government-cuts-c47211544c5382a6207779ee95c6060b">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;is trying to eliminate tens of thousands of government jobs.

In Pickstown, South Dakota, residents were “appalled” to learn the Corps plans to close its visitor center at the Fort Randall Dam and suspend tours of the dam's powerhouse on May 1, said Cindy Broyhill, the president of the town’s Board of Trustees.

“”We have a lot of fishing and boating, but we also have a lot of just plain tourists coming through to see the dam," Broyhill said of Pickstown, located a little more than a half-mile (0.8 kilometers) east of the dam on the Missouri River, about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) north of the Nebraska state line.

“I think there are other places where they could cut that would make more sense," she added.

In western Kansas, Sue Graham, manager of Knothead’s bait shop and camping supply store on the east side of Wilson Lake, was skeptical of a plan to limit a campsite there to daytime use as of May 15. The lake is about 230 miles (370 kilometers) west of Kansas City, home to the Corps district office for parts of Kansas, Missouri and southern Nebraska.

Graham doesn't think the move will save much money because the campsite is used only by residents who own boat ramps nearby, but Corps officials would “shoot themselves in the foot” if they went further because of lost fee revenues, she said, adding that she does not expect her shop to be affected.

“People are still going to come out,” Graham said.

The Kansas City district plans to close visitor information centers at two Kansas lakes including Hillsdale, outside the Kansas City area, and Kanopolis, in central Kansas. The Corps will not allow overnight camping in 25 “primitive,” no-amenities spots in two areas at Harlan County Lake in western Nebraska near the Kansas state line. The sites and water nearby still will be accessible during the day.

Emily Coffin, the district's natural resource section chief, said the district has pursued efficiency initiatives for five or six years that will lead to fewer visitor-staff interactions. They include self-service campsite registrations, cashless parking and payments through codes scanned with smartphones.

“It just may be a little bit more noticeable because we have more of that built on than maybe we did two years ago,” she said.

In March, the Corps' Baltimore district closed three campgrounds at Raystown Lake in central Pennsylvania and a campground, swimming beach and boat ramp at Cowanesque Lake in northern Pennsylvania.

The Omaha district announced earlier this month that it would close six campgrounds in the Dakotas on May 1, as well as three visitor centers in South Dakota and Montana. It also plans to suspend or limit tours of four South Dakota dam powerhouses and decrease tours at Fort Peck Dam in northeast Montana.

The Corps district for southeastern Washington state announced last week it was closing two visitor centers and eight camping and recreation areas there.

“By concentrating our resources, we can better maintain essential missions,” Lt. Col. Katie Werbeck, the district's commander, said in a statement.

Campgrounds and visitor centers at some lakes are closing amid budget cuts

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

&nbsp;Just before 6p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 9th and Prospect, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Officers arrived on scene in less than one minute, and located a victim in&nbsp; a business parking lot suffering from apparent gunshot trauma and unresponsive. EMS transported the man to an area hospital with critical injuries. Officers received an update from the hospital the victim had died of his injuries.

Preliminary information provided to officers indicated multiple individuals entered the store and were involved in a physical altercation with another man that ultimately resulted in shots being fired. 

Responding officers escorted several bystanders out of the area to safety while canvassing for any potential suspects.Multiple individuals were taken into custody for further questioning. Currently, we are not looking for any additional suspects, according to Gonzalez.

Man killed after altercation at business in Kansas City

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Consumers across the U.S. still will be able to buy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethanol-e15-gasoline-midwest-epa-40550ba65a308617fdc490dcf9e57ad9">higher-ethanol blend E15 gasoline</a>&nbsp;this summer, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday, saving them a little money at the pump but risking potential damage to the air and water.

The emergency waiver issued by the EPA prevents retailers in most states from having to stop selling E15 gasoline on May 1. While the waiver remains in effect only through May 20, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin signaled that he plans to keep issuing waivers through Sept. 15, the date when the federal government typically would allow E15 sales in all states again.

Most gasoline sold across the U.S. is blended with 10% ethanol, but 15% blends are becoming increasingly common, particularly in the Midwest, where most of the nation's corn is grown. E15 gasoline generally costs at least 10 cents less a gallon than E10 gasoline, but the EPA had previously prohibited its sale during the summer over concerns that its use during the summer driving season could increase smog.

But the EPA has relaxed restrictions on E15, granting a series of short-term waivers in 2022, 2023 and 2024 to allow its sale nationwide through the summer. And last year, the EPA&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethanol-e15-gas-midwest-ba37597f6d1880e31d94180a13299e35">issued a rule</a>&nbsp;allowing year-round sales in eight Midwestern states — Iowa, usually the nation's top corn producer, as well as Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Trump administration officials said Monday's action will lower consumers' costs and give them more choices at the pump while also increasing the demand for corn. They also described it as reducing America's reliance on imported energy.

“Our nation’s great corn growers are critical to helping the U.S. achieve energy independence, which is essential to national security,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement.

While the ethanol industry and Iowa officials praised the EPA's action, the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade group for ethanol producers, argued that Congress should approve legislation allowing year-round E15 sales across the U.S.

“For the economic and energy security benefits of E15 to be fully realized, the marketplace needs long-term certainty,” President and CEO Geoff Cooper said.

The biofuels industry and politicians in both major parties argue that ethanol helps farmers, lowers prices at the pump and reduces greenhouse gas because the fuel burns more cleanly than straight gasoline.

But ethanol consumes about 40% of the nation's corn crop, and environmentalists argue that higher corn production leads to higher use of fertilizers that are a leading source of water pollution.

Zack Pistora, Kansas lobbyist for the Sierra Club, said ethanol plants also use high amounts of water, and states like Kansas are worried about the depletion of aquifers. He said it's “hypocritical” to portray ethanol as environmentally friendly and said the Trump administration should promote renewable energy, electric vehicles, public transportation and sustainable agriculture.

“We need to dramatically reduce our fossil fuel dependence, but relying on corn-based ethanol doesn’t put our country on the path it needs,” Pistora said in an interview.

Thanks to Sen. Moran's efforts: Cheaper E15 gas available this summer

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Five years ago, Lee Norman was trying to dissuade Kansans from ingesting chemical cleaners to prevent COVID-19, preparing for the end of a statewide stay-at-home order and deciding whether to send tests for everyone in long-term care facilities and prisons.

Norman, then secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, jokes that reflecting on those years is like taking “a walk down bad memory lane.”

“We were meeting 24/7, 365,” Norman said on the Kansas Reflector podcast. “And trying to figure out — without having enough resources, without having (a) vaccine, without having any medications and without having any testing — what the heck we were going to do with this lethal virus that has now landed in the United States.”

Within two years of the first cases in Kansas,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/19/lee-norman-steps-down-as-kansas-health-secretary-months-after-internal-dispute/">Norman stepped down from his cabinet post</a>&nbsp;at the request of Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration.

The first case was recorded March 7, 2020, and about a week later, Kelly declared a state of emergency.

Less than a week after that, she ordered K-12 schools closed.

By the end of the month, national case counts inched toward 100,000, deaths reached 1,000, President Donald Trump signed a $2 trillion stimulus bill and Kelly issued a stay-at-home order for the entire state.

The first four weeks went “swimmingly well,” even amid uncertainty and shock, Norman said.

But, he said, things quickly became contentious as executive action from the governor, public health recommendations and attempts at understanding a brand new virus unfolded.

“You know, four weeks was pretty unusual to have that kind of engagement,” he said. “And after that, it became distinctly unfun.”

He admitted public health was slow to address the social and psychological impacts of the pandemic. But by the point he and other public health officials realized that, he said, resistance to following public health guidance had already begun to take shape.

The politicization that crept into Norman’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic still exists in public health today. The 2025 Kansas Legislature passed bills in April that hinder the governor’s authority to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/10/kansas-legislature-votes-to-remove-county-health-officials-power-to-ban-public-gatherings/">limit public gatherings</a>&nbsp;and pare back vaccination requirements for children.

Norman, who now works in the private sector, said investing in public health infrastructure is key for preparing for future health crises.

As Kansans faced last year a spike in&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/31/tuberculosis-toll-in-kansas-city-kansas-area-rises-to-nearly-70-active-cases/">tuberculosis cases</a>&nbsp;and more recently a growing&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/02/vaccination-rates-down-in-most-kansas-counties-where-measles-cases-occurring/">measles outbreak</a>, Norman emphasized the importance of vaccinations and adhering to public health guidance.

The governor signed into law in April modifications to vaccine requirements for children that make it easier for parents to claim religious exemptions as justification for their unvaccinated children. The governor vetoed another piece of legislation that created a pathway for people to sue state and county health officials for their decisions about quarantines and other public health guidance. The Legislature overrode Kelly’s veto, making the change law.

Masks and limiting large gatherings work, Norman said. They have for centuries, he added.

“Half of everybody, kind of wants to undo the benefits of public health, and mock it even, which is particularly hurtful,” Norman said. “I think that the Legislature needs to, one, respect personal autonomy and responsibility, and then secondly, if people are want to have more autonomy, I think they have to listen to very, very good guidance.”

Kansas’ former top public health official reflects on five years since COVID-19

KANSAS CITY, Kansas —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting April 24, in Kansas City have identified the victim as 21-year-old Eric Johnson-Linares.

Just after 5p.m. April 24, police responded to a shooting in the 600 Block of South 71st Terrace, according to a media release. First responders found Johnson-Linares outside, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect details.

Police ID victim in deadly Kansas shooting

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman arrested in connection with an accidental shooting that injured a 4-year-old girl made her first court appearance on Monday.&nbsp; Judge Shawn Elliott charged 50-year-old Ana Sorto Mejia of Wichita with one count of aggravated endangering a child.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just before 2p.m. April 11, police responded to the 2500 block of E. Harry in Wichita following reports of a shooting, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders found a 4-year-old girl who had sustained a single gunshot wound to her lower torso. She was immediately transported to a local hospital with critical injuries, according to Gupilan.

After preliminary investigation, it was found that the child's guardian, identified as Sorto, left a firearm unsecured, allowing the child to access it, resulting in the child unintentionally shooting themselves.&nbsp; 

Late that night, police booked Sorto into the Sedgwick County Jail. She is not longer in custody. She is due back in court May 12.

Kan. woman faces judge for accidental shooting of 4-year-old

KANSAS CITY—One person died in a hit-and-run incident on Monday in Kansas City, Missouri.

A pedestrian was standing on the left shoulder of westbound 210 Highway at N Chouteau, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.&nbsp; An unknown vehicle struck the pedestrian,&nbsp;throwing the person into the grassy center median. 

The vehicle left the scene without stopping. The pedestrian was declared deceased at the scene. Police don't know exactly when the pedestrian was struck. This is fatality #20 compared to #38 at this time last year.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim.

KCPD investigating fatal hit-and-run

On Monday, Kansas Governor Laura attended join the State of Kansas Holocaust Commission, the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, and community leaders for the annual Holocaust Commemoration ceremony. 

"We must take every opportunity to remember those affected by the Holocaust and renew our commitment to building a more inclusive tomorrow." "There is no place for bigotry and hate in Kansas"

Kansas Governor attends Holocaust commemoration ceremony

WASHINGTON (AP) — An F/A-18 fighter jet slipped off the hanger deck of an aircraft carrier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-warships-middle-east-carrier-increase-0801c2c12cac065eefa06bd73667fd69">deployed to the Middle East</a>, as sailors were towing the aircraft into place in the hangar bay of the USS Harry S. Truman on Monday, the Navy said.

The crew members who were in the pilot seat of the Super Hornet and on the small towing tractor both jumped out before the jet and the tug went into the Red Sea. According to a defense official, the sailor who jumped from the aircraft sustained a minor injury. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel details.

“The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard,” the Navy said in a statement. The jet was part of Strike Fighter Squadron 136.

Fighter jets are routinely towed around the hangar deck to park them where they are needed for any flight operations or other work. It is unclear whether there will be an effort to recover the jet, which costs about $60 million. The incident is under investigation.

The Truman has been deployed to the Middle East for months and recently has been involved in stepped-up military operations against the Yemen-based Houthi rebels. U.S. Central Command has said that the military has conducted daily strikes, which have been done by fighter jets, bombers, ships and drones.

The Truman’s deployment has already been extended once by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by about a month.

US Navy loses $60 million jet that fell overboard from aircraft carrier

KANSAS CITY —It was another deadly weekend of violence in Kansas City. Police are investigating four separate homicides involving five victims including a Kansas City firefighter/paramedic.

Just after 3:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 3100 block of Spruce, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. 

Officers were directed to a home on the block and led inside by people at the scene. Inside the residence officers located a shooting victim later identified as 42-year-old William Porter.&nbsp; &nbsp;EMS transported him to the hospital with life threatening injuries.

A short time later officers were notified he died at the hospital. 

Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim and one or more suspects were inside the residence when they had an interaction that led to gunfire and the victim being struck. The unknown suspect(s) then left the scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just before 6p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 8500 block of Sni-A-Bar Road, according to Captain Becchina.

On arrival officers were directed to the side of a residence there where they located a man later identified as 45-year-old Joshua Teel unresponsive. Officers summoned EMS to the scene who declared him deceased.

A preliminary investigation indicates that Teel was outside the residence when he had an interaction with an unknown suspect. That interaction led to gunfire which struck him .The suspect then left the scene in an unknown direction.

Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a check the welfare call at 152 Highway and North Oak Trafficway involving a woman, later identified as&nbsp; 38-year-old Shanetta Bossell walking on the highway.

Callers were concerned for her safety and called police. Responding officers located Bossell on the side of the highway there. Ultimately, they requested EMS to respond for further treatment.

EMS began to transport Bossell to the hospital for further treatment. While en-route to the hospital in the ambulance, at approximately 1:25a.m., she produced an edged weapon and stabbed the KCFD Firefighter/Paramedic Graham Hoffman causing significant injuries.

The ambulance driver then stopped the ambulance at 152 highway and Platte Purchase and signaled to a KCPD police officer that had been following the ambulance for help. That KCPD officer took Bossell into custody at that location. Additional EMS crews responded and transported&nbsp; Hoffman to the hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries.

Just after 2p.m. Sunday, police were notified that Hoffman had died.&nbsp; The Clay County prosecutor charged Bossell murder in the first degree and armed criminal action.

Just before 1p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at 12th and Belmont in Kansas City, Missouri , according to Becchina.

First responders were directed to a vehicle in the road there. Inside that vehicle officers located Ruiz and Suri unresponsive. Officers summoned EMS to the scene who declared the victims deceased.

The investigation indicates that the victims were inside the vehicle at the location when they had an interaction with one or more suspects and shots were fired. Both victims were inside the vehicle when they were struck by the gunfire. Initial responding officers took one subject of interest into custody for further investigation.

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