The American Heart Association is renewing its push at the Kansas Statehouse this session, focusing on policies aimed at increasing survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest through improved CPR access, training, and emergency response systems.

Kari Rinker, the organization’s region senior state government relations lead, said advocacy has become a critical part of the association’s mission as cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. An estimated 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur nationwide each year, with only about one in 10 victims surviving without immediate intervention.

“One of our goals is turning bystanders into lifesavers,” Rinker said. “We want people to be prepared and confident to step in and act when a cardiac arrest happens.”

A major priority this year is expanding telecommunicator CPR across Kansas. Telecommunicator CPR allows 911 dispatchers to provide real-time, verbal CPR instructions to callers witnessing a cardiac arrest until first responders arrive.

Rinker said a recent work group involving the American Heart Association, the Kansas 911 Board, and the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association found that about half of Kansas counties do not currently have telecommunicator CPR protocols in place. That means whether a caller receives CPR guidance can depend entirely on where the emergency occurs.

“To us, 911 dispatchers are truly the first first-responders,” Rinker said. “They can make the difference between life and death.”

Legislation introduced last year, Senate Bill 11, would require all Kansas 911 medical dispatchers to receive standardized telecommunicator CPR training. Similar laws have already been adopted in Oklahoma and Nebraska. However, the bill has faced resistance, largely due to concerns over state mandates.

While statewide legislation has stalled, Rinker noted that free online training—four hours initially, with a two-hour annual refresher—has already been developed and could be accessed by dispatch centers. Even so, without a requirement, some agencies may choose not to participate.

Progress being made in Kansas schools

Another advocacy success cited by Rinker is the requirement that all Kansas public schools have a cardiac emergency response plan. The law, passed several years ago with bipartisan legislative support, requires schools to prepare for cardiac emergencies involving students, staff, and visitors.

As of July of 2025, about 87 percent of Kansas schools have submitted their plans to the state health department. However, surveys show that many districts—particularly in rural areas—still lack adequate automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training equipment.

“We’ve learned that having a plan and being able to fully implement it are two different things,” Rinker said.

The American Heart Association is now working with lawmakers to establish a grant program that would help schools purchase AEDs and training equipment, with hopes of securing funding during the current legislative cycle.

Kansas Advocacy Day set for March 4

These priorities will be front and center during Kansas Advocacy Day on March 4 in Topeka. Advocates from across the state will meet with legislators to share information and personal stories about cardiac arrest survival and bystander CPR.

“Personal stories are the most powerful thing elected officials can hear,” Rinker said. “We’ll be joined by survivors and by people whose lives were saved because someone stepped in and performed CPR.”

Rinker emphasized that learning CPR does not have to be intimidating or time-consuming. Short instructional videos are widely available, and even basic knowledge—pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest—can save a life.

“We train kids as young as 12,” she said. “Anyone can do CPR, and people shouldn’t hesitate because they think they need a full certification first.”

Those interested in heart-health advocacy or Advocacy Day can get more information by texting KS to 46839.

“Every person who learns CPR or speaks up for these policies helps make Kansas a safer place,” Rinker said.

American Heart Association advocating lifesaving policies

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. ——————————————

Raymond	Lee	Bell		2/6/2026 1:38&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Forgery; Making, altering, endorsing,					Making False Information,					Interference with Law Enforcement; Conceal /alter/destroy evidence Felony case,					Theft; By Deception; $1,500 to $24,999,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Travis	James	Wasinger		2/6/2026 1:43&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Meraly	Saramy	Menjivar		2/6/2026 10:55&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Elisha	LeAnn	Kinast		2/6/2026 10:57&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Gregory	Bryon	Norris		2/6/2026 12:28&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Nathan	Kent	Myers		2/6/2026 3:56&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Taylor	Nichole	Ryan		2/6/2026 4:34&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Matthew	Lee	Cole		2/6/2026 4:53&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear,					Theft; Possess Stolen Property; $1,500 to $24,999,					Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Marcus	Juanell	Hill		2/6/2026 5:11&nbsp;PM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Shyann	Taylor	Cullison		2/6/2026 6:44&nbsp;PM	Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct,					Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Jessica	Dawn	Wornkey		2/6/2026 7:16&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Abram	Jon	Roth		2/6/2026 9:10&nbsp;PM	Direct Contempt

Gwendolynn	Deann	Conde		2/6/2026 9:35&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Daily Bookings

Garage Fire Causes Damage on North Grimes Street in McPherson

McPherson emergency crews responded Friday afternoon to a structure fire involving a detached garage in the 800 block of North Grimes Street.

According to the McPherson Fire Department, the call came in at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, after passersby noticed smoke coming from a two-car detached garage behind a residence and alerted 911.

Firefighters arrived on scene with two engines and a command vehicle and found heavy fire involvement inside the garage. Additional fire department units were called in to assist with extinguishment efforts. Crews were able to bring the fire under control, limiting damage to the two-car garage, its contents, and a vehicle parked in front of the structure.

Fire investigators with the McPherson Fire Department, assisted by the McPherson Police Department, identified an area of origin but were unable to determine the exact ignition sequence. Officials say no foul play is suspected.

The McPherson EMS also responded to the scene as a precaution.

Garage fire causes damage on North Grimes Street in McPherson

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Three-day Outlook

MCPHERSON COUNTY - One of two suspects was arrested after breaking into a McPherson County bar through the roof.

Original:&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/192a82c8-cfad-4e26-ac62-c7924edb6f48">Investigation ongoing: Two masked suspects break into McPherson Co. bar through roof</a>

According to the McPherson County Sheriff's Office deputies have arrested 46-year old, Patrick Hull who was connected to burglarizing the Main Street Bar &amp; Grill through the roof by repelling on early Thursday morning.

Hull was arrested from his home in the county and booked into the McPherson County Jail late Thursday night.

He was booked for the requested charges of Burglary and Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property.

Deputies are actively searching for the second suspect connected to the burglary.

UPDATE: One of two suspects arrested after bar burglary in McPherson Co.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson is inviting residents to think differently about development with the launch of Build Hutch, a new initiative aimed at helping local property owners and aspiring developers redevelop vacant lots and blighted properties—one project at a time.

The program focuses on incremental development, a model that emphasizes smaller, locally driven projects rather than large, out-of-town developers building sprawling subdivisions. City officials say the approach can strengthen neighborhoods, expand housing options and keep investment dollars circulating locally.

Dave Sotelo, Hutchinson’s director of strategic growth, said Build Hutch was created in response to frequent questions from residents who want to improve properties but don’t know where to start.

“People come to City Hall and say, ‘I want to flip a blighted building’ or ‘I want to build on a land bank lot,’” Sotelo said. “City staff aren’t developers, so this program is about giving people real tools—how the math works, how financing works, and how to navigate city processes.”

To deliver the training, the city is partnering with Neighborhood Evolution, a national organization that both develops properties and teaches small-scale development in communities across the country, including South Bend, Indiana; Dallas, Texas; Buffalo, New York; and Minneapolis.

Neighborhood Evolution’s work is centered on helping communities build wealth locally by empowering residents to redevelop underused properties themselves.

Funding for Build Hutch comes from a $100,000 grant awarded by the Hutchinson Community Foundation as part of its housing development strategy, making the program available at little cost to the city.

City leaders say the initiative is not unique to Hutchinson’s challenges, noting that many communities across Kansas and the Midwest face similar issues with vacant houses and empty lots.

“This isn’t just a Hutchinson problem—it’s happening all over America,” Sotelo said. “Housing is a big issue, but it doesn’t have to be solved overnight. Incremental development is about taking small, manageable steps that add up over time.”

The public kickoff event for Build Hutch is scheduled for February 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall. Attendees will meet instructors and coaches, learn what incremental development means, and connect with others interested in investing locally.

Sotelo said the program is designed for a wide range of participants—from young professionals interested in development, to business owners who want to expand, to residents who want to turn a vacant house into a duplex or redevelop a long-neglected property.

In addition to training, Build Hutch will help participants understand and access existing city tools such as the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and the Facade Improvement Program, which many property owners are unaware of.

“We want people to know that becoming a developer doesn’t have to be intimidating,” Sotelo said. “If you’re willing to learn and put in the work, this can be a win for you, a win for the city, and a win for the entire community.”

City of Hutchinson launches “Build Hutch” to grow housing through local, small-scale development

<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

Reno County residents will have multiple opportunities this month to learn more about how property values are determined and how those values affect property taxes.&nbsp;

The Reno County Appraiser’s Office is hosting a pair of informational town halls this month. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The first is scheduled for&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;Feb. 16&nbsp;at 7 p.m.&nbsp;at the Blue Shoes Theater in Pretty Prairie. Reno County Commission&nbsp;Chairman&nbsp;Ron Hirst will also be in attendance. &nbsp;The second is&nbsp;scheduled&nbsp;for Saturday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. at Eastwood Church of Christ&nbsp;located&nbsp;at 2500 North Plum Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;

At the town halls, the presentation will&nbsp;focus on how property values are&nbsp;established, how market conditions influence those values, and how property taxes are calculated under Kansas law.&nbsp;County Appraiser Michael Plank will explain the appraisal process&nbsp;address&nbsp;common&nbsp;misconceptions and&nbsp;answer&nbsp;general questions&nbsp;from the public.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The appraiser’s office emphasizes that&nbsp;the town hall is intended for education and understanding, not individual property appeals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

All Reno County residents are welcome, and no registration is&nbsp;required. Representatives from the Reno County Commission and Hutchinson City Council have been invited to attend.&nbsp;

County officials say the goal of all the meetings is to provide clear,&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;information and help residents better understand how property valuation and taxation&nbsp;impact&nbsp;them.&nbsp;

County appraiser to hold town halls on property taxes

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Justin	Roy	Holmquist		2/5/2026 12:36&nbsp;PM	Rape; Overcome by Force or Fear,					Sodomy; AGGRAVATED; Non-Consensual, overcome by Force or Fear,					Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede Breathing by Pressure to Throat, Neck or Chest,					Endangering a Child,					Battery; Sexual; AGGRAVATED; Victim overcome by Force or Fear,					Abuse of a child; Knowingly torture or cruelly beat/strike/kickbeat child over 6yrs old and under 18yrs old,					Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede Breathing by Pressure to Throat, Neck or Chest,					Rape; Overcome by Force or Fear

Lamar	Lee	Williams	Jr	2/5/2026 2:20&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

James	Lee	Gilbert	Jr	2/5/2026 4:27&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Andrew	Michael	Wiens		2/5/2026 6:10&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Alphinia	Aliza	Toney		2/5/2026 9:43&nbsp;PM	DUI; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving

Diamond	Deshawn	Lewis		2/6/2026 12:06&nbsp;AM	Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (1st conviction)

Devon	Edward	Elmarr		2/6/2026 12:34&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear,					Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose; Felony Case, Execution of a Felony Warrant,					Possession of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Jeffrey	David	Boll		2/6/2026 2:39&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conv; blood or breath .08 or higher,					DL Violation; No Drivers License in Possession

A long-running local fundraiser supporting education and humanitarian work in Haiti returns this weekend, with two days of meals, music and a large benefit auction planned at the Pleasant View Activity Center.

The Share Haiti Benefit Auction and Dinner begins Friday evening and continues through Saturday, raising funds for a mission school and community outreach in southern Haiti, several hours away from Port-au-Prince. Organizers Abner Schmucker and Dale Lehman say the mission has seen growing need in recent years as families flee violence and unrest in the capital region.

Share Haiti operates a school in the community of Cote Fer, providing education for children from age three through seventh grade, with plans to add an eighth-grade class next year. The school currently serves about 470 students and employs roughly 70 staff members, including teachers and classroom helpers.

Organizers say education is central to the mission’s work.

“Education gives these children a much better opportunity in life,” Schmucker said. “This school has become one of the premier schools in the area because of its values, quality instruction, and care for students.”

In addition to academics, the mission provides daily hot meals for students—often the only hot meal they receive each day—and offers assistance to families in the surrounding community who come to the mission with urgent needs.

The fundraiser begins Friday at 4:30 p.m. with an authentic Haitian dinner featuring chicken, rice and beans. A singing group from the Moundridge area will perform later in the evening. The meal is donation-based, with dine-in and carry-out options available.

Events continue Saturday morning starting at 7 a.m. with a waffle and sausage breakfast, served until 10 a.m. The benefit auction begins at 9 a.m., overlapping with breakfast service, and continues through the morning. Lunch will also be available, allowing attendees to spend the day at the event.

The auction features a wide range of donated items, including fishing trips, gift certificates, farm and lawn-care services, tools, handmade pottery, hay, baked goods and agricultural equipment.

One of the top items is a site-built building, constructed with donated materials and labor from local businesses and churches. The structure will be a high-quality, stick-built building, with concrete included. The winning bidder is responsible for site preparation, utilities and excavation.

Cedar Crest Amish Mennonite Church and Prairie Chapel Mennonite Church coordinate much of the fundraising and logistics, with additional support from other area churches.

Organizers emphasize that all proceeds directly support the mission’s educational and humanitarian efforts in Haiti.

“The need continues to grow, but so does the impact,” Lehman said. “This is a chance for the community to come together and make a real difference.”

The Share Haiti Benefit Auction and Dinner is open to the public and will be held at the Pleasant View Activity Center, located south of Stutzman’s on Dean Road.

SHARE Haiti fundraiser returns this weekend 

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <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 — Gov. Laura Kelly put a signature to a bundled law enforcement bill Friday elevating consequences for conviction of buying sexual relations, misuse of a laser pointer and crimes of vehicle and gift-card theft.

The legislation was a holdover from the 2025 legislative session that required final negotiations by the House and Senate. The deal was passed in January by a 119-4 margin in the House and a vote of 39-0 in the Senate.

“This bipartisan&nbsp;bill&nbsp;takes reasonable steps to ensure that Kansans are safe and that crime is being addressed in our communities,” the Democratic governor said. “Enhancing public safety is essential to building a Kansas where businesses and families want to put down roots.”

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2347/" target="_blank">House Bill 2347</a>&nbsp;created the crime of unlawful use of a laser pointer so individuals could be charged with assault or battery if accused of knowingly directing a beam at law enforcement officers performing official duties or into the flight path or cabin of aircraft. Exemptions were added to the bill for aviation research, operations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Defense or for a person using a laser in an emergency.

A measure also increased criminal penalties for purchasing sexual relations and limited use by prosecutors and defendants of diversion agreements. The offense would be classified as a level nine felony, even on the first offense, and the minimum fine would rise from $1,200 to $2,000. Individuals convicted of the offense would be required after July 1, 2027, to participate in a treatment program approved by the office of the state attorney general.

Kansas statute was amended so gift cards would be on the list of financial cards for which a prosecutor could charge individuals for illegally obtaining money, goods or services.

The last piece of the bill, which was recommended by the Wichita Police Department, altered theft of a motor vehicle valued at $500 to $1,500 to target a person who “has reason to know” a vehicle was stolen rather than a person “knowing” the vehicle was stolen.

Rep. Dan Osman, D-Overland Park, said he supported the bipartisan legislation because it made broad reasonable changes to combat crime and make communities safer in Kansas.

Sen. Kenny Titus, R-Manhattan said the&nbsp;bill&nbsp;“will reduce the demand for human trafficking and allow for easier prosecution of scamsters using gift cards to take advantage of vulnerable Kansans.”

Gov. signs 4-piece crime bill raising penalty for buying sexual relations in Kansas

KANSAS CITY —A woman was rescued from a storm drain Wednesday near the Ameristar Casino in Kansas City. Fire crews released additional details on the pipe.

Just before 7:30p.m., Kansas City Fire Department crews&nbsp;responded to a reported confined space rescue at 3250 N. Ameristar Drive, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

On arrival crews reported a woman, in her forties, was stuck in a storm drain. She was trapped several hundred feet in the pipe.

KCFD's rescue division secured the scene and sent a team into the pipe to free and retrieve the victim.

After 90 minutes, at 9:30p.m. fire department crews were able to finally rescue the victim. The woman had been stuck for several hours and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. 

On Friday,&nbsp; the Rescue Chief returned to the location and measured the length of the pipe to the rescue location, and it was significantly further than originally reported. The actual distance was 764 feet from the entrance to where the rescuer made contact with the victim.&nbsp;

Officials still do not have any information as to why she entered the pipe, according to Hopkins.

New details on woman rescued from storm drain in Kansas City

WASHINGTON —President Donald Trump’s social media post featuring a video about election conspiracy theories and a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-obama-racist-video-a48a6b8884a88f9ec30cd4913e352b51">primates in a jungle has been deleted</a>.

The Thursday night post was deleted Friday and blamed on a staffer after widespread backlash, from civil rights leaders to veteran Republican senators, for its treatment of the nation’s first Black president and first lady.

On his social media page, Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran was critical of the President's post.

The deletion of the post is a rare admission of a misstep by the White House and came hours after press secretary Karoline Leavitt said there was nothing offensive about the post. An Obama spokesperson said the former president, a Democrat, had no response.

The White House released audio of two statements from the Presdient on the controversy.

Trump said later Friday that he won’t apologize for the post. “I didn’t make a mistake,” he said.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

🎧Kan. U.S. Senator critical of Trump's racist post about Obamas 

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations.

Just after 10:30p.m. Feb. 8,&nbsp;&nbsp;a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2015 Dodge Journey for multiple alleged traffic violations on U.S. Highway 75 near 118th&nbsp;Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

&nbsp; The driver of the vehicle identified himself as Irving Dawayne Edwards, 26, of Topeka and the passenger was identified as Juantario Isia Roberts, 22, of Topeka.&nbsp;

During the course of the traffic stop, a Jackson County Sheriff’s K-9 (PSD) alerted to the presence of illegal drugs within the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and resulted in the discovery of illegal drugs and narcotics.

Edwards was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested&nbsp; charges of Distribute Certain Stimulant; &lt;3.5 grams, Distribute Marijuana; 25&nbsp;-&lt; 450 grams, Distribute or possess with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of Marijuana; 1 prior conviction, Possession of Drug paraphernalia, Taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Driving while suspended, Driving without vehicle insurance and License plates; Unlawful display; material affecting visibility or reflectivity.

Juantario was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of Distribute Certain Stimulant; &lt;3.5 grams, Distribute Marijuana; 25&nbsp;-&lt; 450 grams, Distribute or possess with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of Marijuana; 1 prior conviction, Possession of Drug paraphernalia and taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance

Sheriff: 2 suspects accused of selling drugs in Kansas

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — “West Wing” and “Field of Dreams” actor Timothy Busfield has been indicted by a grand jury on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under age 13, a New Mexico prosecutor announced Friday.

The allegations are tied to Busfield's work as a director on the set of the TV series “The Cleaning Lady” from 2022 to 2024.

Busfield has denied the allegations, initially filed in court by police, and a defense attorney on Friday said he would “fight these charges at every stage.”

Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman announced the indictment in a social media post.

Busfield had turned himself in to authorities in January on related charges by police and was released from jail by a judge who found no pattern of criminal conduct or similar allegations involving children in Busfield's past. The grand jury indictment allows the case against Busfield to proceed toward possible trial without a preliminary courtroom hearing on evidence.

Larry Stein, an attorney for Busfield, did not comment directly on the sexual contact charge in the indictment but said the grand jury declined to endorse grooming charges sought by prosecutors. Prosecutors declined to comment on what accusations it brought before the grand jury.

Stein said in a statement that a detention hearing already “exposed fatal weaknesses in the state’s evidence — gaps that no amount of charging decisions can cure.”

“Mr. Busfield will fight these charges at every stage and looks forward to testing the State’s case in open court,” the statement said.

An investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department said a boy reported that Busfield touched his private areas over his clothing when he was 7 years old and again when he was 8, according to the initial criminal complaint from police. The boy’s twin told authorities he was also touched by Busfield, but he didn’t say anything right away because he didn’t want to get in trouble, the complaint said.

The indictment — filed Friday in state District Court — reiterates allegations that Busfield “touched or applied force to the intimate parts” of one of the boys on several occasions.

At a detention hearing last month, Busfield’s attorneys pointed out that the children initially said during interviews with police that Busfield didn’t touch them inappropriately. Busfield’s attorneys then accused the boys’ parents of coaching their children toward incriminating statements after the boys lost lucrative roles on the show.

But Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch has called evidence of abuse against Busfield strong and specific, with support from medical findings and the boys' therapist. She also said witnesses expressed fear about potential retaliation and professional harm.

Prosecutors have outlined what they said was grooming behavior and abuse of power by Busfield over three decades.

Each count in the indictment against Busfied carries a possible penalty of six years in prison that can be enhanced if it involves a sexual offense, according to prosecutors.

In freeing Busfield on Jan. 20, state District Court Judge David Murphy said that while the crimes Busfield is accused of inherently are dangerous and involve children, prosecutors didn’t prove the public wouldn’t be safe if he’s released.

West Wing actor  indicted on 4 counts of sexual contact with a child

WASHINGTON (AP) — A key participant in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3424346447545a1835453d82efc6de2">the deadly 2012 attack</a>&nbsp;on the U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans has been taken into custody and will be prosecuted in their deaths, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Friday

Bondi said in a news conference that Zubayr Al-Bakoush had landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland at 3 a.m. on Friday.

“We have never stopped seeking justice for that crime against our nation,” Bondi said.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said that an eight-count indictment charged Al-Bakoush with crimes including the murders of Ambassador Chris Stevens and State Department employee Sean Smith. It was unclear if Al-Bakoush had an attorney representing him.

The 2012 attack on the U.S. compound immediately emerged as a divisive political issue as Republicans challenged President Barack Obama and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on security at the facility, the military response to the violence and the administration’s changing narrative about who was responsible and why.

<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-congress-united-states-government-34c68bb91bbb41fdb2f8efa210c1d2b5">A final report</a>&nbsp;by a Republican-led congressional panel faulted the Obama administration for security deficiencies at the Libyan outpost and a slow response to the attacs. The report, however, found no wrongdoing by Clinton.

Clinton dismissed the report as an echo of previous probes with no new discoveries, saying it was “time to move on.” Other Democrats denounced the Republicans’ report as “a conspiracy theory on steroids."

On the night of Sept. 11, 2012, U.S. officials have said, at least 20 militants armed with AK-47s and grenade launchers breached the gate of the consulate compound and set buildings on fire.

The fire led to the deaths of Stevens and Smith. Other State Department personnel escaped to a nearby U.S. facility known as the annex.

A large group assembled for an attack on the annex. That attack, including a precision mortar barrage, resulted in the deaths of security officers Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty.

A Libyan militant suspected of being a mastermind of the attacks,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cc953f1412f54cbab9b784ebecad5e9c">Ahmed Abu Khattala</a>, was captured by U.S. special forces in 2014 and was brought to Washington for prosecution. He was convicted and is serving a prison sentence. His attorneys argued that the evidence was inconclusive and that he was singled out because of his ultra-conservative Muslim beliefs.

🎥Militant is in custody for 2012 attack that killed U.S. Ambassador

ARLINGTON COUNTY, Virginia —On Thursday, the Arlington County, Virginia Police Department&nbsp; announced the arrest of a Maryland man following a month’s long criminal investigation, according to a media release from Arlington County police.

Colin Demarco, 26, of Rockville, Maryland is charged with Attempted Murder, Criminal Solicitation to Commit Murder, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Wearing a Mask in Public to Conceal Identity. He was taken into custody at his residence on January 16 and later extradited to the Commonwealth of Virginia. He is being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

At approximately 3:15 p.m. on August 10, 2025, Arlington County Police were dispatched to the 3800 block of 7th Street S. for the report of a suspicious person. 

A witness reported observing a suspect, who was wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves, carrying a backpack and appeared to be concealing a firearm under his shirt, on the victim’s porch. 

The suspect subsequently approached the witness and inquired about the victim before leaving the scene. The witness then contacted police and responding officers established a perimeter and canvassed the area for the suspect with negative results. The incident was captured on home surveillance video and the suspect was subsequently identified.

During the course of the investigation, the Arlington County Police Department executed search warrants for digital records associated with the suspect. As a result of these search warrants, police recovered digital evidence that the suspect had obtained directions to the victim’s residence, confirmed in court records as the home of&nbsp;t  Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought. 

The suspect also had information detailing locations of firearms possessed by a relative and had a guide detailing tips to prevent criminal detection. 

Additionally, the suspect had posted online about the victim and had online discussions appearing to solicit others to murder the victim. Within days of these online solicitations, the August 10 incident occurred where the suspect arrived at the victim’s address wearing a mask and gloves, possibly concealing a firearm and inquired about the victim. As a result of the investigation, detectives obtained the criminal warrants for the suspect’s arrest.

Man accused of trying to kill member of President Trump's Cabinet

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market roared back on Friday, as technology stocks recovered much of their losses from earlier in the week and bitcoin halted its plunge, at least for now.

The S&amp;P 500 rallied 2% for its best day since May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 1,206 points, or 2.5%, and topped the 50,000 level for the first time, while the Nasdaq composite leaped 2.2%.

Chip companies helped drive the widespread rally, and Nvidia jumped 7.8% to trim its loss for the week, which came into the day at just over 10%. Broadcom climbed 7.1% and erased its drop for the week.

They were the two strongest forces lifting the S&amp;P 500, and they benefited from hopes for continued spending by customers diving into artificial-intelligence technology. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, for example, said late Thursday it expects to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-earnings-fourth-quarter-f4cfda9dd8ee6e2cdfcfcd90265cf0bb">spend about $200 billion on investments</a>&nbsp;this year to take advantage of “seminal opportunities like AI, chips, robotics, and low earth orbit satellites.”

Such immense spending, similar to what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-alphabet-fourth-quarter-results-73922dd5d0c2398e1d4f23ddfccd0277">Alphabet</a>&nbsp;announced a day earlier, is creating concerns of its own, though. The question is whether all those dollars will create big enough profits to make the investments worth it. With doubt remaining about that, Amazon’s stock dropped 5.6%.

Even with Friday’s surge, the S&amp;P 500 still fell to its third losing week in the last four. Besides worries about spending by Big Tech companies, which are Wall Street’s most influential stocks, concerns about AI potentially stealing customers from software companies also hurt the market. Software stocks got hit particularly hard after AI firm Anthropic released free tools to automate things like legal services.

Bitcoin, meanwhile, steadied following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bitcoin-prices-falling-cryptocurrency-markets-investment-199a22ac65a675eb67bac89177ddf09b">weekslong plunge</a>&nbsp;that had sent it more than halfway below its record price set in October. It climbed back above $70,000 after briefly dropping close to $60,000 late Thursday.

Prices in the metals market also calmed a bit following their own wild swings. Gold rose 1.8% to settle at $4,979.80 per ounce, while silver added 0.2%.

Their prices suddenly ran out of momentum last week following jaw-dropping rallies, which were driven by investors clamoring for something safe to own amid worries about political turmoil, a U.S. stock market that critics called expensive and huge debt loads for governments worldwide. By January, prices for gold and silver were surging so quickly that critics called it unsustainable.

On Wall Street, the recovery for bitcoin helped stocks of companies enmeshed in the crypto economy. Robinhood Markets jumped 14% for the biggest gain in the S&amp;P 500. Crypto trading platform Coinbase Global rose 13%. Strategy, the company that’s made a business of buying and holding bitcoin, soared 26.1%.

Stocks of smaller U.S. companies also helped lead the market, along with companies whose profits depend on U.S. households spending more money. They benefited from potentially encouraging data on how U.S. consumers are feeling.

A preliminary report from the University of Michigan suggested sentiment among U.S. consumers is improving slightly, when economists were expecting to see a drop. The improvement was strongest among households that own stocks, which are benefiting from the S&amp;P 500 setting a record late last month.

To be sure, sentiment “remained at dismal levels for consumers without stock holdings,” according to Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu.

Airline stocks strengthened with hopes that more confidence among U.S. households will translate into more spending on trips. That included gains of 9.3% for United Airlines, 8% for Delta Air Lines and 7.6% for American Airlines.

The smaller stocks in the Russell 2000 index jumped 3.6%, well above the S&amp;P 500’s gain. Smaller companies’ profits can be more dependent on the strength of the U.S. economy than those for big, multinational rivals.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 jumped 133.90 points to 6,932.30. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 1,206.95 to 50,115.67, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 490.63 to 23,031.21.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across much of Europe.

That was even though Stellantis, the auto giant whose stock trades in Italy, lost a quarter of its value after saying it would take a charge of 22 billion euros, or $26 billion, as it dials back its electric vehicle production. The automaker acknowledged “over-estimating the pace of the energy transition” and said it was resetting its business “to align the company with the real-world preferences of its customers.”

Stocks fell across much of Asia, but Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.8%. It benefited from a 2% climb for Toyota Motor, which said CEO Koji Sato will step down in April and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/toyota-automaker-japan-tariffs-earnings-kon-sato-c46c1afb10990bbe2695bb5addc7566d">will be replaced</a>&nbsp;by Chief Financial Officer Kenta Kon.

In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.20% from 4.21% late Thursday.

History: Dow tops 50,000; US stocks soar to best day since May 

Pete Felten, limestone sculptor from Hays, who has been carving Kansas limestone for nearly 70 years, died this week in Hays. He was 92.

Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran issued a statement on Felten's passing.

“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Pete Felten, a native of Hays and a talented artist and sculptor whose work captured the beauty and spirit of Kansas. Pete devoted his life to Kansas art and history, and he served our country in the United States Navy before returning to Hays. To many, Pete was a symbol of Kansas, and he was even depicted as a character in the Western novel, ‘The Last Cattle Drive,’ by Robert Day.

“At 24, he first began to sculpt, a skill he would continue for nearly 70 years, creating landmarks, statues and monuments to honor our special way of life in Kansas. Today, his work can be found across our state: in the Kansas State Capitol, home to his statues of famous Kansans, near historic Fort Hays where his iconic “Monarch of the Plains” monument can be seen and in numerous other locations throughout Kansas. In my office in Washington, D.C., I have one of his pieces – a sculpture of a Kansas bison.

“Pete will forever be a part of Hays history, and his legacy will live on in the sculptures he crafted to represent the state he loved. My prayers are with his loved ones and friends in this difficult time as we mourn the passing of a great Kansan.”

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