Community members will have an opportunity to learn about the growing role of data centers and digital infrastructure during a public forum scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, at the Stringer Fine Arts Center.

The event, titled “Trends in Data Center Development,” will begin at 11 a.m. at the Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th Ave. in Hutchinson. The program will feature a panel of industry leaders discussing the future of data center development and its potential impact on communities like Hutchinson and the broader region.

Featured speakers include Paul Hughes, Headquarters and Megaprojects Business Development for the Kansas Department of Commerce; Sergi Gerasymovych, founder of Ramiform AI; Jason Klindt, senior director of external affairs for Evergy; Don Whitman, president and CEO of Superior Boiler LLC; and Dwayne Corcoran, vice president of operations and co-founder of Cormor Inc.

The discussion will focus on trends shaping the rapidly growing data center industry, including infrastructure needs, energy demands, economic development opportunities and how communities can prepare for potential projects.

The program will conclude with an interactive question-and-answer session moderated by the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, allowing attendees to engage directly with the panelists.

Organizers say the forum is designed to help local residents, business leaders and policymakers better understand how data center development could influence the region’s economic future.

Panelists named for data center development forum

The second Legislative Forum of the 2026 Kansas legislative session is scheduled for Saturday, March. 14, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Hutchinson Community College Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th Ave.

Reno County legislators invited to participate include Sen. Michael Murphy, Rep. Joe Seiwert, Rep. Paul Waggoner, Rep. Kyler Sweely and Rep. Kevin Schwertfeger.

Written questions will be accepted the morning of the forum. Questions may also be submitted in advance through the advocacy page of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce website.

The forum is presented by AT&amp;T, with supporting sponsorship from Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, and is organized by the Chamber’s Public Policy Committee.

There is no cost to attend. Chamber members and the general public are encouraged to participate.

Second legislative forum to be held Saturday

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Recent obituaries and service times

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. ——————————————

Cole	Alexander	3/10/2026 3:45&nbsp;PM	Robbins		Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Poss of marijuana; 1 prior conviction,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Joshua	Aaron	3/10/2026 6:37&nbsp;PM	Milleson		Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction),					Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede Breathing by Pressure to Throat, Neck or Chest,					Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede Breathing by Pressure to Throat, Neck or Chest

Stephen	Gilmore	3/10/2026 8:17&nbsp;PM	Washington		Failure to Appear

Joshua	Adam	3/10/2026 9:03&nbsp;PM	Boyd		Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (1st conviction)

Michael	David	Cunningham		3/10/2026 11:05&nbsp;PM	DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+,					Poss of marijuana,					Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant,					Alcohol; Illegal Transportation of Alcoholic Beverage,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Possession of a Firearm Under the Influence

Kelly	Lynette	Pitchford		3/10/2026 11:29&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Daily Bookings

In a post on its Facebook page, Uptown Hutch announced the interior portion of the mall will close beginning March 23 as the property transitions to what it described as a “new shopping experience.”

According to the post, exterior storefronts will remain open and accessible to customers during the transition. Management said shoppers will still be able to visit the retailers located on the outside of the property.

Two merchants that were in the interior of the mall have relocated to locations on the outside of the mall on the west side.&nbsp; Bath and Body Works had their opening on Feb. 27, and most recently Buckle opened on the exterior on March 9.&nbsp; Maurices is scheduled to close on the interior of the mall on March 21 and will reopen on the exterior west side on March 28.&nbsp;

Famous Footwear will be closing on March 21 and will not reopen. Their closest location is in Newton. Another merchant Selectell Wireless has relocated to downtown Hutchinson.&nbsp;

Uptown Hutch interior to close March 23

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

Three-day Outlook

Kansas lawmakers have approved legislation that would require schools across the state to limit student cell phone use during the school day.

The Kansas House on Tuesday passed House Bill 2299 by a vote of 84–39. The Kansas Senate previously approved the measure March 5 on a 32–4 vote. The bill now heads to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly for consideration.

If signed into law, the legislation would require Kansas school districts and accredited private schools to adopt policies restricting student cell phone use during school hours. Supporters say the move is aimed at reducing classroom distractions and improving student focus.

Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Republican from Sedgwick County, said the legislation is intended to address growing concerns about the impact smartphones and social media have on students’ learning and mental health.

House Majority Leader Chris Croft, a Republican from Johnson County, also voiced support for the bill, calling cell phone use a significant challenge for educators.

However, some lawmakers questioned whether the issue should be handled at the state level.

Rep. Jerry Stogsdill, a Democrat from Overland Park, said many school districts have already begun addressing student cell phone use through local policies.

Gov. Kelly can sign the bill into law, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature. If she vetoes the measure, lawmakers would need a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers to override the veto.

The proposal reflects a broader national trend as states and school districts consider stricter rules on student smartphone use in classrooms. Supporters say the policies help restore focus to learning environments, while critics argue local districts should retain flexibility in determining how to manage devices in schools.

Legislature sends cell phone use bill to governor's desk

Charges have been filed in connection with a fatal rollover crash north of Hutchinson that left a 19-year-old man dead last year.

According to the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, deputies, along with the Hutchinson Fire Department, Reno County EMS and the Kansas Highway Patrol, were dispatched at approximately 3:06 p.m. on Aug. 27 to the 6100 block of North Plum Street for a report of a single-vehicle rollover crash with entrapment.

First responders located a 2010 Chevrolet Corvette in the east ditch after it had struck a tree and overturned. The driver, identified as Kaden J. Marcum, 19, of Hutchinson, was trapped inside the vehicle.

Emergency crews extricated Marcum and began life-saving measures before transporting him to a Wichita hospital in critical condition. Marcum later died from his injuries.

Investigators determined a second vehicle, a 2012 Dodge Charger driven by 20-year-old Ethan Kellen Goble of Plevna, was also involved in the crash. Goble sustained minor injuries and was transported by private vehicle to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

Authorities said both vehicles were traveling north on Plum Street when the Charger attempted to overtake the Corvette. The vehicles collided, causing the Corvette to leave the roadway, strike a tree and overturn. Investigators believe speed was a factor in the crash.

On Jan. 2, 2026, the Reno County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Goble, including involuntary manslaughter, a level 5 felony, and reckless driving, a misdemeanor.

Man charged in fatal 2025 crash

The Reno County Commission will hold its weekly meeting Wednesday, March 11, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse, 206 W. First Ave.

Commissioners will consider a number of items on both the consent agenda and regular business agenda, including equipment purchases for Public Works, grant applications for the Reno County Health Department, and an economic-development incentive request.

Among the items listed on the consent agenda is approval of county vouchers covering bills and payments owed by the county and related taxing units. Commissioners will also consider resolutions involving cancellation of certain county payments and adjustments related to commissioner district boundaries.

Other consent agenda items include approval of Board of County Commissioners meeting minutes from Jan. 14 and Jan. 28, along with special meeting minutes from Jan. 14 and Jan. 20.

Public Works is requesting approval to purchase a 2026 LeeBoy 4130B road widener from Kirby-Smith Machinery, Inc., at a cost of $296,365. The purchase request also includes declaring a 1986 Blaw-Knox RW100 road widener as surplus property to be sold at auction.

Commissioners will also revisit two grant-related items that were tabled during the Feb. 25 meeting. Those include a Kansas Department of Health and Environment Aid-to-Local grant application for the Reno County Health Department totaling $889,513.80, as well as an Outreach, Prevention, and Early Intervention (OPEI) passthrough grant valued at $350,000.

Under business items, commissioners will conduct a second review of a job incentive request submitted by Superior Holding, Inc. The proposal was originally denied at their Feb. 25, 2026 meeting by a 3-2 vote. The board will also hear the annual report presentation from Reno County Youth Services.

County commission to consider Health Department grants

Ethan	Kellen	Goble		3/9/2026 10:28&nbsp;AM	Reckless driving; unknown conviction,					Involuntary manslaughter; Lawful act

Amber	Dawn	Sinclair		3/9/2026 12:16&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Shane	Clifton	Stone		3/9/2026 2:45&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Lonnie	Jefferson	Cole		3/9/2026 4:21&nbsp;PM	DUI; 1st conv; drugs or combination of drugs, Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Joseph	Daniel	Freeman		3/9/2026 4:41&nbsp;PM	Indecent Liberties with a Child 14-15YOA; AGGRAVATED; Sexual Intercourse,					Sodomy; with a child who is 14-15 YOA,					Sexual Exploitation of a Child; Unknown Circumstances,					Electronic Solicitation; Believes Child to be 14-15YOA

Gabriel	Jacob Benson	Gendreau		3/9/2026 11:28&nbsp;PM	Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Endangering a Child

Lilliana	Marie	Duran		3/9/2026 11:40&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear,					Poss of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Endangering a Child

Vernell	Eugene	Golston	Jr	3/10/2026 12:17&nbsp;AM	Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000,					Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; $1,000 to $24,999

Hutchinson Public School officials provided updates on several district initiatives during Monday evening's Board of Education meeting, including progress on a new daycare facility, upcoming capital improvement&nbsp; &nbsp;planning&nbsp;and the district’s annual insurance renewal.&nbsp;

Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson told board members that district administrators and finance staff have begun reviewing potential capital outlay projects for the coming summer. Officials recently walked through all district buildings to&nbsp;identify&nbsp;facility needs and prioritize projects.&nbsp;

Johnson said having the district’s finance director&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in the walkthrough process alongside staff requesting improvements should help the district better plan future maintenance and capital spending.&nbsp;

Johnson also reported progress on its new daycare facility. Playground equipment is expected to arrive this week, with installation planned for next week.&nbsp;District staff plans to move equipment from the old daycare location to the new building during spring break.&nbsp;

Johnson said they are hoping the daycare can open shortly after spring break, though some final items&nbsp;remain&nbsp;on a construction punch list, including completion of the building’s portico.&nbsp;A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for April 3 at 11:30 a.m.&nbsp;

Board members also heard updates on district activities and student achievements. The Hutch High&nbsp;boys&nbsp;wrestling team recently placed fourth as a team, with several individual medalists, while both boys and&nbsp;girls&nbsp;basketball teams completed their seasons during sub-state competition.&nbsp;Arya Byard&nbsp;also qualified individually for the state bowling tournament.&nbsp;

In other&nbsp;business, the board approved the district’s annual insurance renewal covering property, equipment, vehicles, cyber&nbsp;protection&nbsp;and other liabilities. Finance Director  Abby Stockebrand said the total annual premium is about $650,000,&nbsp;representing&nbsp;an increase of&nbsp;roughly 3 percent&nbsp;from last year — a smaller rise than the previous year.&nbsp;

Stockebrand said the district reviews its coverage annually and works with insurance providers to update&nbsp;policies&nbsp;as properties,&nbsp;equipment&nbsp;or leases change.&nbsp;

Two executive sessions were held during the meeting — one to discuss personnel matters and another related to a potential property purchase for district services. No action was taken following those discussions.&nbsp;

The meeting concluded with the board approving the personnel report and adjourning.&nbsp;

BOE receives update on daycare project

WASHINGTON (AP) — Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday that the Senate will consider a bill to impose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/midterms-voting-laws-photo-id-citizenship-republicans-feecb51a6efa41cf32d18fe4b15c08ce">strict new proof-of-citizenship requirements</a>&nbsp;in elections, but says “the votes aren’t there” to pass it through a marathon talking filibuster sought by President Donald Trump.

Trump has said he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gop-save-bill-citizenship-id-filibuster-744071b0a3c86ef64aa19aeb3b552509">won’t sign any other legislation</a>&nbsp;until the bill — known as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-save-act-citizenship-voting-elections-a37c139461d11eb5f82086680b67ffe7">Safeguard American Voter Eligibility</a>&nbsp;or SAVE America Act — is passed. But it faces unified opposition from Democrats, meaning that the Senate can’t pass it unless Republicans change the rules and eliminate the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-filibuster-shutdown-congress-2b46e610460d1c2448c3c7c816454de6">filibuster</a>.

Thune has said there aren’t enough votes to do that, or to launch a talking filibuster that would force Democrats to hold the floor indefinitely to block the bill.

“That is just a function of math,” Thune told reporters on Tuesday, making his strongest statements yet after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-bill-citizenship-senate-thune-trump-3709f2bd02d2c841e16d501529ec9198">weeks of discussions</a>&nbsp;among GOP senators. “For better or worse, I’m the one who has to be a clear-eyed realist about what we can achieve here.”

Republican senators are discussing, instead, voting on the legislation as soon as next week under regular procedure — meaning it will likely fail. Thune said that Republicans are “going to have a fight on the floor” and will force Democrats to vote on “whether they think noncitizens should vote in American elections.”

Trump’s aggressive effort to dictate Senate procedure has put Thune in an awkward position as he has tried to appease the president and increasingly angry base voters who have called for Republicans to do whatever they can to pass it ahead of the midterm elections. But most Republican senators appear to be backing Thune’s approach.

“There’s been enough dithering,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.. “It’s time to go and let the chips fall where they may.”

Trump has made the SAVE America Act a priority ahead of the midterm elections, arguing that Republicans need it to win — even as his party&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-trump-election-certification-capitol-b8284b9b6b22f78ab7f23f8c8b3c3da3">won the presidency</a>&nbsp;and congressional majorities in 2024 without it. Federal law already requires that voters in national elections be U.S. citizens.

“It’ll guarantee the midterms,” he told House Republicans Monday at their annual retreat at his Florida golf club. “If you don’t get it, big trouble.”

But Trump's push is running into the realities of the Senate, where minority Democrats can filibuster any piece of legislation and force Republicans to find 60 votes when they only hold 53 seats. Democrats uniformly oppose the legislation, arguing that it would disenfranchise some 20 million American voters who don’t have birth certificates or other documents readily available.

Republicans could change the rules and eliminate the filibuster to pass it, or they could attempt the talking filibuster. But Thune says they don’t have enough support within the GOP conference to do either.

Even if they did, a talking filibuster would not guarantee passage. Supporters of that approach say that Democrats would eventually tire of speaking or allow the legislation to pass. But Democrats would also be allowed to bring up an indefinite number of amendments on any subject, forcing Republicans to take hard votes in an election year and delaying the process even more.

“We can’t find a piece of legislation in history that’s been passed that way,” Thune said this week.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who has led the talking filibuster push with Trump, posted on X Tuesday that the “Senate should do everything it can in an effort to pass” the bill.

“While passage isn’t guaranteed, we can be certain that failure will be the outcome if we don’t try," Lee wrote.

But leaving a GOP conference meeting on Tuesday, several senators said it was time to move on the legislation, even if they couldn’t accommodate the president’s procedural demands.

“I think we just go ahead and try to get on the bill,” said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas.

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson suggested that they should debate the bill on the floor for an extended time. There should not be a “one and done vote,” he said.

“Our base would scream about that and that wouldn’t be smart,” Johnson said.

There was little anger at Thune, as many of his GOP colleagues agree that eliminating the filibuster would be unwise and the talking filibuster would be risky. Republicans have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-filibuster-resistance-senate-thune-shutdown-e2facc2a1a32811d294b1bd16853f307">long pushed back on efforts to “nuke” the filibuster</a>, arguing that minority rights need to be preserved for legislation.

“There’s a right way to do it, there’s a wrong way to do it,” said Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. “Nuking the filibuster doesn’t work. The talking filibuster would be a goat rodeo.”

Tillis said Thune “has the toughest job in Washington, D.C. He’s doing just fine. And he, quite honestly, has taken on a lot for the members.”

Trump said over the weekend that he also wants to add new priorities to the legislation, including a ban on mail-in ballots that he has pushed since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/why-fbi-seize-georgia-ballots-fulton-county-87300edb3ea86961c69132e6a2dfd6e8">losing the 2020 presidential election</a>. He said he also wants to add on two unrelated provisions around transgender rights issues — one that would ban those born as men from playing in women’s sports and another to block sex reassignment surgeries on some minors.

“Let’s go for the gold,” Trump told the House Republicans.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday at the Florida retreat that they are “looking at mechanisms” to do that, even though the House has already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/midterms-voting-laws-photo-id-citizenship-republicans-feecb51a6efa41cf32d18fe4b15c08ce">passed the bill</a>&nbsp;and sent it to the Senate. But it’s unclear if a ban on mail-in ballots would pass the House, as they are popular in many states.

Thune said that the House would probably have to pass a new bill to add those issues.

“It would probably make sense for them to send over another version,” he said.

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Lisa Mascaro in Washington and Steven Sloan in Doral, Florida contributed to this report.

Senate to consider voting bill co-sponsored by Kan. U.S. Senator

LYON COUNTY —A Kansas Highway Trooper in southeast Kansas stopped a car for failing to maintain its lane, according to a social media report from the patrol

During the stop, he noticed blood on the outside of the bed of the truck and upon further investigation, located a deceased buck which had just been poached. 

The Trooper contacted Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks was to assist. The game warden seized 2 rifles and the poachers were given over $5,500 in fines.

Kansas game warden seized rifles and issued fines after traffic stop

SHAWNEE COUNTY. —Law enforcement are investigating a violent domestic incident and have made an arrest.

Just after 3:38 p.m. Monday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported domestic disturbance in the 4200 block of SE 85th Street in rural Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the incident, a 61-year-old man sustained non-life-threatening injuries after being physically assaulted by his daughter. During the disturbance, the suspect, later identified as 39-year-old&nbsp;Chelsea M. Sinning of Berryton, Kansas,&nbsp;also discharged a firearm in the victim’s direction, striking the cell phone he was holding.

Deputies responded to the area and began searching for Sinning. At approximately 4:42 p.m., Sinning was located and taken into custody in the 2100 block of SW 66th Street. The firearm involved was also recovered.

Deputies arrested Sinning and booked her into the Shawnee County

Department of Corrections on requested charges of Attempted murder in the 1st degree; intentional and premeditated, Aggravated assault; use of a deadly weapon,&nbsp;&nbsp;Criminal damage to property,&nbsp;&nbsp;Domestic battery, Possession of marijuana and Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body.

Kansas woman jailed for alleged violent attack on her father

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects involved in a chase and crash involving an SUV stolen from a dealership.

Just after 9:30a.m. Tuesday, Kansas City Police officers were pursuing a stolen blue Ford Explorer that was involved in numerous property crimes, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.

The stolen Ford was traveling westbound on Independence Avenue at a high rate of speed. The driver attempted to make a left turn from Independence Avenue onto southbound Indiana. As the driver was making the turn, the SUV went into a slide and struck the curb. The Ford overturned, striking a wooden electrical pole and the east side of the building at&nbsp;3253 Independence Avenue. 

The driver of the Ford sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The front seat passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries but refused medical treatment/transport at the scene. 

The building and electrical pole sustained minor damage from the crash. The driver was reported in stable condition. There were no injuries to any of the involved officers and or uninvolved civilians as a result of the pursuit, according to&nbsp;Gonzalez.

KCPD: Driver hospitalized after police chase, crash with stolen SUV 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military said it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">took out multiple Iranian vessels</a>&nbsp;Tuesday as the Islamic Republic vowed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-gas-infrastructure-iran-war-persian-gulf-24c4b439d2c6a5b571fea90e4d1227d8">block the region's oil exports</a>&nbsp;and concerns grew about the country's threats to stop tankers from using a waterway through which 20% of the world’s oil is shipped.

The U.S. destroyed 16 mine-laying Iranian vessels, though President Donald Trump said in social media posts that there were no reports of Iran planting explosives in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-strait-hormuz-us-protests-persian-gulf-db7159d715453977279ab9cfd918e6e4">Strait of Hormuz</a>.

The American military released the figure, along with unclassified footage of some of the vessels, after Trump earlier warned Iran against laying mines in the strait.

Both sides sharpened their rhetoric as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump--03-10-2026">the war entered its 11th day</a>&nbsp;with Trump threatening to hit Iran at “a level never seen before” if the country failed to immediately remove any mines it might have deployed in the channel.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised the most intense strikes yet while the Pentagon detailed the broader toll of injuries sustained by U.S. troops.

The conflict's effects rippled across the Middle East&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-oil-prices-gasoline-economy-consumers-a5b47c09f83406adf2a00616382003f6">and beyond</a>. Iranian leaders ruled out talks, threatened&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;and launched new attacks against Israel and Gulf Arab countries.

In Iran, residents of Tehran said they experienced some of the war's heaviest strikes. A woman said she saw a residential building get hit. She and others reached by The Associated Press spoke on condition of anonymity to prevent reprisals. Tens of thousands of Iranians have sought shelter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iranians-fleeing-war-73ed7f61f88e411b5fb13a888eb45cb3">in the countryside</a>.

🎥New details as US strikes 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities investigating a fatal apartment fire in Topeka have&nbsp;identified the woman who died as Lynette Newman, 60, of Topeka, according to a statement released Tuesday from the Topeka Fire Department.

Just after 9p.m. March 4, crews&nbsp;responded to an apartment fire located at 715 SW Western Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release.&nbsp;

Crews reported on arrival that there was heavy smoke coming from the multi-family apartment complex. Firefighters began an aggressive interior attack on the fire from within the structure. Firefighters rescued several residents from the structure. Four people were transported to the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries.

Newman was pronounced deceased at the scene. 9 apartment units were displaced by the fire.

&nbsp;The preliminary cause of the fire was determined unattended cooking and not an accidental electrical fire.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details on Tuesday.

Kansas woman identified as victim in deadly apartment fire

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">Sherman Smith</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Douglas County District Judge James McCabria declined Tuesday to pause enforcement of a new state law that invalidated driver’s licenses and criminalizes bathroom use for transgender residents, saying he doesn’t have enough information yet and that he believes Kansans are tolerant.

In a six-page ruling — which includes a section titled “Who to believe?” — McCabria said attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union and Attorney General Kris Kobach provided no examples to support their claims that the law will harm transgender people or that the law makes bathrooms more secure.

“In hearing the arguments of each side, the Court is struck by a basic assumption each side makes about the other — that our ‘lesser angels’ drive our choices,” McCabria wrote. “Yet, the very paucity of actual examples that&nbsp;either side&nbsp;has put forward in&nbsp;any&nbsp;of the arguments suggests the opposite — that the vast majority of Kansans are tolerant, understanding, accepting and generally supportive of each other and that the vast majority of transgender persons have experienced this as Kansans.”

Two transgender men from Lawrence&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/27/trans-men-file-lawsuit-over-kansas-law-that-restricts-bathroom-use-and-invalidates-drivers-licenses/">filed a lawsuit Feb. 26</a>, the day the law took effect, arguing it violates their constitutional rights to due process, privacy, equality and expression. They also argue the law violates a constitutional requirement that bills passed by the Legislature contain only one subject.

Attorneys with the ACLU and the Philadelphia-based Ballard Spahr law firm represent the plaintiffs, who are identified by the pseudonyms Daniel Doe and Mathew Moe. They asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order, which would have paused enforcement of the law for 14 days, which a possible 14-day extension.

McCabria wrote in his decision that the request for a temporary restraining order requires plaintiffs to pass multiple legal tests: They have to demonstrate a likelihood of winning the case, show the law would cause immediate and irreparable harm, and show that a restraining order serves the public interest and no other remedy is available.

“The conclusion became self-evident — this Court simply does not have the information the law requires to enter a Temporary Restraining Order at this stage of the proceedings,” he wrote.

Plaintiffs can continue to provide evidence and arguments in support of an injunction, which would block enforcement of the law while the case is being litigated. McCabria scheduled a case management conference for March 18.

“This is a devastating, but hopefully temporary, setback for our clients and transgender people across the state of Kansas,” said Harper Seldin, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU. “The harm of this law has already had sweeping impacts on the lives of transgender people like our clients, threatening their ability to hold a job, go to school, or go about their daily lives.”

The GOP-led Kansas Legislature this year fast-tracked&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb244/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 244</a>, limiting public input and debate at every step. The Legislature overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of the bill on Feb. 18, and the law took effect as soon as paperwork could be finalized.

Under the law, individuals in public buildings must use bathrooms and other private spaces, such as locker rooms, that align with their sex assigned at birth, rather than their gender. It isn’t clear how governments, schools, universities, libraries and other entities are supposed to ensure proper bathroom use, but failure to do so will result in a $25,000 fine on first offense and $125,000 fines on subsequent offenses.

Individuals who use the “wrong” bathroom will receive a warning on first offense, a $1,000 fine for breaking the law on subsequent offenses, and be charged with a Class B misdemeanor crime on third and subsequent violations. They also are subject to civil lawsuits from anyone “aggrieved” by their bathroom choice.

Proponents said the law will make it safer for cisgender women to use the bathroom, even though there is no evidence to support the claim. They ignore the reality that the law now requires transgender men, who look and sound like men, to use the women’s bathroom.

In his ruling, McCabria said he rejected the assumption “that every restroom visit is fraught with the potential for violence or embarrassment if this law is not immediately suspended. Or, especially, to assume the Legislature intended to promote such negative experiences when the law was passed.”

The law also requires that gender markers on driver’s licenses and birth certificates match an individual’s sex assigned at birth.

Shortly before the law took effect, the Kansas Department of Revenue sent letters to 275 residents who had changed their gender markers to let them know their driver’s licenses had been invalidated.

Kobach said during a court hearing Friday that 138 of the 275 individuals who were affected by the law had already gotten a new driver’s license.

“You can’t take it seriously, the impossibility of complying, when so many already have,” Kobach said.

Trans Liberty, a national advocacy group, announced Monday it was launching Operation Lifeboat to serve transgender Kansans who need support. The organization previously issued a statewide evacuation warning for transgender people.

Operation Lifeboat provides&nbsp;<a href="https://www.translifeboat.org/" target="_blank">an online portal</a>&nbsp;for trans people to request help with transportation, packing, hauling and getting settled somewhere else, breaking leases, emergency financial aid, legal guidance, DMV escorts and other assistance. Allies can offer to help as drivers, hosts, movers and donors.

“Our goal is to meet this moment with both urgency and compassion,” said Brandon Callahan, an incident commander for the operation. “This operation is built to provide real support to people who need it while coordinating the many individuals and organizations stepping forward to help.”

Kansas judge rejects attempt to block law that restricts bathroom use, invalidates driver’s licenses

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces multiple charges for a 2023 murder in Kansas City, Missouri.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2819/Canady-RED-COMPLAINT-TC">Terry W. Canady</a>, 33,&nbsp;&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder, three counts of Armed Criminal Action, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Shooting at a Person and Exhibiting), and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2820/Canady-RED-PC-TCRedacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police responded to a shooting on March 31, 2023, and located the victim on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Video footage captured two suspects, one later identified as Canady approaching the victim near a vehicle. One of the suspects had their arms extended, holding a firearm. A flash was observed between Canady and the victim and then gunfire was exchanged as both suspects fled. A dark-colored Chevrolet Traverse was observed driving away from the crime scene at a high rate of speed.&nbsp;

Canady later arrived at a hospital in a black Chevrolet Traverse with a gunshot wound. Detectives collected a buccal swab from Canady and it matched the blood found at the crime scene.&nbsp;

Detectives are working to identify the second suspect.

A Jackson County judge set Canady's bond to $150,000 cash only.&nbsp;

Hospital swab linked suspect to Kansas City killing 

WICHITA, Kan. —&nbsp;Stephen R. Langa was sentenced Friday in Sedgwick County District Court for a series of robberies that targeted the community over a five-day period in late 2024.

District Judge Sean Hatfield sentenced Langa to 198 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections, followed by 24 months of post-release supervision.

The sentencing follows a conviction on seven counts of robbery, each classified as a severity level 5 person felony. The charges stemmed from incidents occurring between Sept. 24, 2024, and Sept. 28, 2024. During this window, the defendant engaged in a series of robberies that prompted an intensive investigation by the Wichita Police Department.

Prosecutors argued that the frequency and nature of the crimes warranted a significant prison term to ensure public safety and provide justice for the victims involved.

Lengthy prison sentence for 5-day Kansas robbery spree

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run and have made an arrest.

Just after 10p.m. Monday, police responded to a report of an injury accident at the intersection of SW 6th Street and SW Horne Street in Topeka, according to a media release.

Officers learned that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police did not release the name of the pedestrian.

As a result of the investigation, it was determined that the incident involved a hit-and-run crash. The vehicle driver, Elizabeth A. Neal, 38, of Topeka, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and remains jailed on requested charges of Driving While License Suspended, Failure to Stop at an Accident Resulting in Death, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer; Conceal/Alter/Destroy Evidence, Vehicular Homicide

Kansas woman accused of hit-and-run that killed pedestrian

Region 6 Tournament (Quarterfinal) FINAL: No. 13 Hutchinson 74, Colby 65

🎧🏀 Blue Dragon Rewind: HutchCC women vs. Colby (Region 6 Tournament - Quarterfinal)

🏀 Updated NJCAA Region 6 Tournament schedule and results

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — AJ Dybantsa had 40 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and No. 10 seed BYU use a big second-half run to break open a close game with No. 15 seed Kansas State and roll to a 105-91 victory in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Tuesday night.

Robert Wright III added 14 points and six assists, and Kennard Davis Jr. had 15 points for the Cougars (22-10), who set a single-game tournament scoring record while advancing to play seventh-seeded West Virginia on Wednesday night.

P.J. Haggerty matched Dybantsa into the second half and finished with 27 points for the Wildcats (12-20), who played their final game for interim coach Matthew Driscoll, who had taken control of the program after the firing of Jerome Tang last month.

Nate Johnson had 19 points for Kansas State. Khamari McGriff finished with 13.

The fact that BYU was playing at all Tuesday night was somewhat surprising.

Dybantsa could be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft this year. Wright has been a star in his own right. At one point early in the season, the Cougars were ranked seventh in the AP Top 25 and living up to the lofty expectations of their expensive lineup.

But things went sideways beginning with a four-game skid in January and February, and floor leader Richie Saunders was lost for the rest of the season to a torn ACL. The Cougars lost three of their last four games, and tiebreakers put them at the No. 10 seed.

They jumped out to a quick lead Tuesday night, though, as Haggerty and Dybantsa began to duel. And while they led just 50-49 at the break, the Cougars went on a 17-2 run beginning with about 9 1/2 minutes to play that allowed them to pull away.

The Cougars march on to face West Virginia, which beat them 79-71 a couple of weeks ago.

Kansas State turns its focus toward hiring its next permanent coach.

🏀 Despite 27 from P.J. Haggerty K-State falls to BYU in Big 12 Tournament

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The No. 13 Hutchinson Community College women extended their winning streak and advanced in the postseason Tuesday night, defeating Colby 74-65 in a Region 6 Tournament quarterfinal at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

The victory was the 11th straight for the Blue Dragons, who improved to 26-5 overall. Hutchinson also improved to 71-39 all-time in Region 6 Tournament play and advanced to the semifinals for the 23rd time in program history. Colby ended its season at 16-16.

The win was also a milestone for Hutchinson head coach John Ontjes, who earned his 300th career victory at the Sports Arena. Ontjes is now 300-34 in games played on Sam Butterfield Court.

Hutchinson will face No. 9 Dodge City at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the Region 6 Tournament semifinals at Fleske Fieldhouse on the campus of Barton Community College in Great Bend. The Blue Dragons and Conquistadors split their regular-season meetings, with each team winning on its home floor.

The game was tightly contested early as Colby built a small lead in the first half behind strong play from Dessirae Ulmer, who scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Trojans.

Hutchinson responded late in the half and used a balanced offensive effort to stay within striking distance before gaining momentum in the second half.

The Blue Dragons took control with their presence on the glass, outrebounding Colby 46-32 and turning 15 offensive rebounds into 25 second-chance points. Hutchinson also scored 30 points in the paint and finished 18 of 29 from the free-throw line.

Noelle Anthon led the Blue Dragons with 17 points and nine rebounds, including several key baskets in the fourth quarter. Katie Duncan added 14 points and six assists, while KaMyra Barber and Kaia Smith each scored 11 points. Whitney Brown chipped in nine points, and Delora Pricop added six points off the bench.

Smith knocked down three 3-pointers and grabbed seven rebounds as Hutchinson finished with six 3-pointers and 15 assists on 25 made field goals.

Colby remained within striking distance entering the fourth quarter and trimmed the deficit to 39-37 early in the period.