Hutchinson Police Department Warns Residents of Ongoing Phone Scam

&nbsp;The Hutchinson Police Department is alerting residents to a series of fraudulent phone calls in which scammers impersonate law enforcement officers and falsely claim there is a warrant for the recipient’s arrest.

According to the department, callers are telling residents they have missed a court date or failed to appear for jury duty—common tactics used to pressure victims into providing personal information or making payments.

Police stress that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not make phone calls to notify individuals about warrants.

“If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately,” the department said in its advisory.

Anyone who wants to verify whether a call is legitimate is encouraged to contact the Hutchinson Police Department directly at 620-694-2816.

Residents who believe they have been targeted or who have information about these scam calls are urged to report it to police.

Hutch Police warn of phone scam

&nbsp; CANCUN, Mexico&nbsp;– K-State's attempt at second half rally against North Carolina on Friday fell shy, as the Tar Heels used a hot shooting first half to hold back the Wildcats, 85-73, in the Mayan Division of the 2025 Cancun Challenge at the Hard Rock Riviera Maya.

K-State (5-4) saw four players reach double figures on Friday, led by sophomore guard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/izela-arenas/12623">Izela Arenas</a>&nbsp;with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting including 2-of-3 from long range.

Sophomore forward&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jenessa-cotton/12624">Jenessa Cotton</a>&nbsp;registered her first career double-double with 13 points on 6-of-9 and 10 rebounds.

Junior forward&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/nastja-claessens/12677">Nastja Claessens</a>&nbsp;tallied 13 points, three rebounds and two assists, while junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/taryn-sides/12613">Taryn Sides</a>&nbsp;added 13 points on 3-of-5 shooting including 2-of-2 from long distance, two assists and three steals.

North Carolina (7-1) also had four players in double figures including a pair of bench players in Nyla Brooks and Nyla Harris with 14 points each to pace a bench effort of 35 points.

K-State returns to action on Saturday against South Dakota State.&nbsp; Tip-off is at 10 a.m.

🏀 K-State women unable to rally against UNC

The Salvation Army’s $20 Bill Challenge returns to the Reno County community the final 4 Saturdays before Christmas. This is all thanks to the generous support of local donors putting up a $2,500 challenge to match every $20 bill dropped in a Red Kettle. Each Saturday, beginning Saturday Nov. 29, there will be an opportunity to have each $20 Bill matched.

 However, there’s a catch, in order for the match to take place it must be a $20 Bill only or by The Salvation Army’s new Tap To Give devices. The challenge serves two purposes, increase awareness about the iconic Red Kettles that will be out at Hutchison retailers now through Christmas Eve, and raise additional funds to support The Salvation Army’s programs designed to support Reno County families in need. 

“This year we’ve already helped close to 800 families with Dillon’s gift cards for Thanksgiving through our partnership with Project Concern. We now have a little over 800 families who have signed up for Christmas food baskets, and over 900 children who are signed up to receive toys.” “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of Kiwanis, The Salvation Army Board, and a private donor who is matching so far and we’ll need more sponsors to help with the challenge for all four Saturdays this season. 

All of this is because they want to challenge the community to join them in support of our families being served during the Holidays and each day of the year,” said Major Paul James. The $20 Bill Challenge is a fun way for donors to get involved by dropping a $20 bill into a Red Kettle. This year The Salvation Army has gotten off to a slow start on their fundraising largely because of Thanksgiving being a week later, the government shutdown, and the increased costs for Christmas Food Baskets. 

Again, the bills must have Andrew Jackson’s portrait on them, or donors can use Tap To Give with a $20 Tap. Donors can help meet the challenge match by dropping their 20’s into any one of The Salvation Army’s 12 Red Kettle locations across Reno County, including the two in downtown Hutchison. You’ll see Kiwanis out ringing this Saturday at Smith’s Market and throughout the season.

Salvation Army launches $20 bill Holiday Challenge Match

Early weather forecasts from different weather services are showing the possibility of inclement weather affecting parts of Kansas as well as several northern and western states this holiday weekend.

If inclement weather does impact the highways, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is ready to treat roadways as needed.&nbsp;KDOT&nbsp;employees have been preparing since September: Salt, sand and brine materials have been ordered, trucks and other equipment have undergone preventive maintenance and crews have completed training courses.

“Whatever the obstacle,&nbsp;KDOT&nbsp;crew members work together and find a way to get the job done,” said Director of Field Operations Ron Hall. “Our crews always do their best to serve the public in their efforts to clear the highways.”

Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed&nbsp;shared a reminder for all travelers: “Check on road conditions and weather forecasts in advance and possibly delay travel plans. It’s important to stay informed, plan ahead and travel safe.”

Resources and safety reminders for motorists:

Kansas maintains about 9,500 miles of highways, including more than 25,000 total lane and ramp miles. Clearing snow from these highways takes time, especially while the snow is still falling.

Secretary Reed emphasized the importance of safety for the crews working to keep roads open.

“KDOT&nbsp;employees work challenging 12-hour shifts to remove snow and ice from the highways,” said Secretary Reed. “Don’t drive in their blind spots and give them space to work so they can focus on the job.”

KDOT has crews on standby for possible winter weather

Steve Conard stopped by the BW studios to visit about recent Throwback Thursday columns on Hutch Post.&nbsp; We've included the links to the columns below.&nbsp;&nbsp;

📷 <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/4eee54ad-8cec-4013-970f-96b5feaf66de">Throwback Thursday: Grace Episcopal Church - Vol. 147</a>

📷 <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/1c8fbe75-ef58-44a8-9d5e-1b462f9cb412">Throwback Thursday: Hutchinson Motor Car Co. - Vol. 148</a>

📷 <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/0c5fa015-1469-4ed3-8b75-4a91ff96fe83">Throwback Thursday: Luminous Neon - Vol. 149</a>

📷<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/88212150-47d3-42db-bd7f-1dfcd5c4daa5"> Throwback Thursday: Grandview Elementary - Vol. 150</a>

🎧 BW Morning Show: Steve Conard, Throwback Thursday

With&nbsp;holiday&nbsp;retail sales&nbsp;expected to top&nbsp;$1 trillion for the first time ever, AAA is reminding shoppers to make safety a priority as they shop on Black Friday&nbsp;and throughout the&nbsp;holiday season.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Traffic will be heavy around shopping malls and retail centers beginning early Friday morning and throughout the weekend,” said Shawn Steward, public affairs manager, AAA Kansas. “It’s vitally important that motorists and pedestrians alike practice patience, avoid distractions, protect their valuables and vehicles, and keep aggression in check while navigating parking lots and roadways."

While the holiday season is synonymous with feelings of peace, charity and good will, not everyone enjoys the season. For some, hectic schedules, long to-do lists, loneliness, financial hardship and familial loss seem magnified during the holiday season. Heightened emotions can spill over into frustration and aggression behind the wheel at a time when vehicle and pedestrian traffic are at their highest. Motorists with too much on their minds may become easily angered or distracted on the roadway and in parking lots.

AAA reminds drivers not to let emotions lead to destructive choices. That reminder is also good advice for those who practice&nbsp;good driving behaviors but become overly agitated by other drivers who are less than courteous. Policing the driving behavior of others by engaging with them can quickly escalate the situation. “You never know how the other driver might react,” Steward said. “Instead, maintain a cool head and focus on driving your own vehicle safely.”

As the holiday shopping season gets under way and retail areas become congested with vehicle and pedestrian traffic, AAA offers these tips to help prevent aggressive driving and road rage:

Pedestrians, motorists should avoid distractions. As motorists head out to capture Black Friday deals, the&nbsp;National Safety Council&nbsp;warns that tens of thousands of crashes occur in parking lots and garage structures annually, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. “Injuries and fatalities can spike this season simply due to the sheer number of shoppers determined to beat the crowd to the best sales of the season rather than focusing on where they are driving or walking,” Steward said. “Pedestrians and motorists share the responsibility of creating safe roadways at all times.”

For pedestrians, AAA recommends the following Black Friday reminders:

For motorists, AAA has the following reminders:

In addition to avoiding aggressive and distracted driving, AAA reminds shoppers to also protect their purchases and vehicles from criminals.

AAA offers the following tips to deter thieves:

“AAA advises shoppers to always stay aware of their surroundings,&nbsp;be patient&nbsp;while searching for a parking space and avoid distractions while out and about,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Steward.&nbsp;



Don’t let unsafe driving behaviors or theft ruin Black Friday

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the 1900 block of East 4th on the north side.

As Hutchinson's population kept extending farther east in 1910, the city was in need of an eastside elementary school.

In 1910, the city bought property next to the Grandview Evangelical Church at 2200 E. 4th Ave. and decided to build a three-room frame-school there and name it Grandview Elementary. The first photo shows this school after it was moved to Careyville in 1924.

In 1921, they decided to rebuild a better structure to accommodate the 245 pupils then attending there. The second photo shows the building — which cost $117,576 — at opening at 1900 E. 4th.

The third photo shows Grandview Elementary in 1953 at its highest-use period.

The building was used for 75 years and razed in 1998. The fourth photo shows the current education facility left from the previous annex to the old building, named Grandview Alternative Learning Program, still addressed as 1900 E. 4th Ave.

To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anchorinnhutch">Anchor Inn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Anchorawayhutch/">Anchor Away</a>

📷 Throwback Thursday: Grandview Elementary - Vol. 150

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As the holiday season approaches, mental health professionals are reminding the public that the weeks ahead can be among the most emotionally difficult of the year for many people.

Beth Akins, LSCSW, LCAC, a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor, joined the BW Morning Show this week to discuss why anxiety, depression and grief often intensify during November and December. 

Akins spent 25 years at Horizons Mental Health Center as Department Head of Community Support Services, working primarily with adults with severe and persistent mental illness. She now provides behavioral health consultations at the Hutchinson Clinic and teaches Mental Health First Aid, ASIST suicide intervention training and QPR suicide-prevention courses.

She said one of the biggest challenges people face is the pressure to feel happy simply because it is the holiday season.

“People will just make some assumptions that it’s the holidays and I should be happy,” she said. “There are some people, for a variety of reasons, who just aren’t experiencing those feelings, and that can make depression even harder.”

She said stress, over-committing, financial strain and the first holiday season after losing a loved one can all intensify emotional struggles. Seasonal affective disorder also plays a role when colder weather, shorter days and limited sunlight contribute to depressed mood.

“Sometimes people aren’t able to get out and do the normal things, so their social networking might be limited,” she said. “The lack of sunlight definitely can impact that.”

Akins emphasized the importance of coping strategies such as regular exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep and staying connected with supportive friends or family — even if that connection happens through FaceTime or online platforms.

“Everybody has different coping strategies, so it’s very individualized,” she said. “Exercise really can increase endorphins. Hanging out with friends, meditation, mindfulness — everybody’s self-care plan can look very different.”

Setting boundaries is especially important during the busy holiday season, she said, encouraging people to give themselves permission to say no to social events, gift exchanges or commitments that feel overwhelming.

“There’s real value in understanding what your limits are,” she said. “Giving yourself that freedom to say no can go a long way.”

For those grieving a recent loss, Akins said the holidays can bring a flood of memories — both joyful and painful. She urged people to let themselves experience the full range of emotions without judgment.

“Feel all the feels,” she said. “It’s okay if you’re sad. It’s okay if you’re not sad. It’s okay if a memory triggers something intense. Allow yourself that space.”

Supporters also play a critical role. Akins said the best approach is to ask grieving loved ones what they need — whether it is a break, a conversation, help with tasks or simply someone to sit with them.

One of the most common misconceptions, she said, is that a person experiencing depression can “snap out of it.”

“With clinical depression, it’s not something somebody can just snap out of,” she said.

Akins will continue offering mental-health education and suicide-prevention training throughout the community as the holidays draw near.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Mental health expert says holiday season can intensify depression, stress and grief

🎧 BW Morning Show Interview: Beth Akins, Horizons Mental Health Center

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. today in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse, where commissioners are expected to work through a consent agenda filled with routine end-of-year financial transfers.

Commissioners will consider a series of resolutions authorizing fund transfers into reserve accounts, including the Economic Development Reserve Fund, Equipment Reserve Fund, Multi-Year Capital Improvement Reserve Fund, Special Highway Improvement Fund, Special Bridge Fund, Road and Bridge Special Machinery Fund, Noxious Weeds Capital Outlay Fund, and reserve funds for water and sewer districts.

The consent agenda also includes appointments or reappointments to the Reno County Public Building Commission and an appointment of one citizen to the Planning Commission.

During the business portion of the meeting, commissioners are scheduled to hear the annual reports from the County Clerk and County Treasurer, along with a joint memorandum of understanding involving the City of Hutchinson, City of South Hutchinson, Reno County, and Evergy Kansas Central.

Reno County Commission to review year-end fund transfers, annual reports

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Family Community Theatre is bringing a holiday favorite to the Flag Theatre stage as “A Christmas Story: The Musical” opens Nov. 28 in downtown Hutchinson. Performances run Nov. 28 through 30 and Dec. 4 through 7, with tickets available at <a href="http://familycommunitytheatre.org">familycommunitytheatre.org</a>.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 28 and 29. A 3 p.m. matinee will be held Nov. 30. The second weekend features shows at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, and a 3 p.m. matinee on Dec. 6.

Director Aaron Parker said the show carries personal significance.


“Well, being a Parker, it's kind of integrated into you, since the main characters are Parkers,” he said. “And my dad loved the show, and we kind of just grew up on it. So when I first joined FCT, I got pushed into being manager, a backstage manager, and this was actually my first show to backstage manage, about over 10 years ago, so it's kind of ironic now I'm directing that same play.”

Parker said he wants to give audiences something visually fresh.


“I'm trying to put a different spin on this one,” he said. “I mean, I'm not changing the original story or anything, but I'm trying to make it interesting for the audience, because different views. There's one view where you go from being outside, and then automatically, the way the set moves and the way people move, you're inside the store, looking out, and the people are looking at you, the actors. So that's just one of many scenes that I've got planned.”

The production is based on the long-running stage musical and includes fast-paced songs and the familiar storyline of Ralphie Parker’s quest for his prized Christmas gift.


“The songs are really catchy. They're really fast,” Parker said. “You get to cheer Ralphie on, and he, you know, he has his own little buddies that, you know, that they have to get in trouble too. So it's just kind of one of those things.”

Narrator Matt Christian plays Gene Shepard, the adult version of Ralphie.


“The character's name is actually Gene Shepard. He was an actual person. He was a radio personality,” Christian said. “Some people think that the stories that he wrote were semi-autobiographical, and I think we're kind of going with that in this show where he's reminiscing, even though his name is Gene Shepard and the little boy's name is Ralphie Parker, they are one in the same, or pretty darn close.”

One of the biggest challenges this year, Parker said, is the music.
“The music is really tough, and when it's hitting, it's great,” he said. “Truth is, the main character, Ralphie, has hardly any lines, because all his lines are in music.”

Maisie, who plays Schwartz, described the role simply: “Schwartz is like Ralphie's best friend, along with Flick.”

The cast totals 24 performers, ranging from age 7 to senior adults. Several families are performing together.
“We have several families that are acting,” Parker said. “What's so funny is we have people that are brand new to this stage, and they're older, while the younger people have been on the stage a lot.”

Assistant Director Sam Wilk encouraged the public to secure tickets early.
“They go to familycommunitytheatre.org, and you can purchase tickets directly from there,” Wilk said. “But don't wait to get them at the box office right before the show. Get them early. They are selling fast.”

Wilk said the cast has overcome early hurdles.
“You know, we had right off the cuff, our original music director couldn't continue with the rest of the show, so we were set back a couple weeks,” he said. “But I'll tell you what, we have an amazing cast, and they have handled it beautifully.”

Parker said the musical is a tradition that helps usher in the holiday season.
“One thing about us always doing FCT, doing something like this right after Thanksgiving, it's to get us in the Christmas spirit,” he said. “And I think ‘Christmas Story’ is one of the classics that can get everybody in the Christmas spirit and to cheer Ralphie on to getting his, what he used to, his prize, the Red Rider BB gun with the compass in the stock.”

Parker closed with a challenge in true “A Christmas Story” fashion:
“I think you should come. In fact, I triple dog dare you.”

Tickets are available at <a href="http://familycommunitytheatre.org">familycommunitytheatre.org</a>, Busy Bee Laundry, or at the box office prior to each show.

Family Community Theatre to present “A Christmas Story: The Musical”

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with a domestic incident in Shawnee County

Just after 12:30 p.m., November 24, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center was notified of a second domestic disturbance at a residence in the 6700 block of SW Fieldwood Drive, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The first was reported around 11:30 a.m.

Shaun L. Kendall, 40, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of&nbsp;Criminal possession of a weapon by felon and Stalking; reckless conduct causing fear person/family. He remains in custody on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Kan. felon jailed after 2nd domestic incident within an hour

PAWNEE COUNTY – Brian C. Langston, 54 of Houston, Texas, made his formal First Appearance via Zoom November 20, before Pawnee Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell on a two count Criminal Complaint for alleged fish and game violations, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

Langston is charged with two counts of Unlawful Taking of Big Game alleging to have occurred on or about November 25, 2021, and September 29, 2022, in rural Pawnee County. The specific alleged fish and game violation is the alleged use of residential deer permits at a time when the defendant was a resident of Texas.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife (KDPF) into a social media post indicating that a trophy whitetail buck taken in Pawnee County, in September of 2022, had set a new State Record for typical by muzzleloader with an official gross entry score of 213 5/8 and a net score of 190 7/8. The investigation revealed Langston also tagged a trophy deer in November of 2021 with a gross entry score of 183 5/8. The US Fish and Wildlife Services Task Force assisted with the investigation.

At the First Appearance, Judge Cowell advised the defendant of the charges, the possible penalties if convicted and his constitutional rights, including his right to counsel. If convicted, the defendant faces up to six months in the County Jail and a fine of not less than $5,000 on each count.

Arraignment has been scheduled for December 17, 2025.

Under Kansas Law, an antlered whitetail deer is considered “trophy big game” when it has an inside spread measuring at least 16 inches. In addition to the mandatory fines, violations involving trophy big game also carry mandatory restitution which is calculated by squaring the gross entry score minus 100 then multiplying by $2. For example, a whitetail deer with a 200 gross entry score would result in $20,000 in restitution (100 x 100 x $2).

Man accused of violations in taking a trophy whitetail buck in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;– The Cheney Police Department reported that 76-year-old Martha Brenneis was located and is in good condition. The statewide silver alert is now canceled.

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;– The Cheney Police Department requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Cheney woman, according to a media release from the KBI.

The whereabouts of 76-year-old Martha Brenneis are unknown, and public assistance is requested to help locate her.

Brenneis is likely driving a black 2019 Dodge Caravan bearing Kansas tag 1207ACD. She was last seen at her residence in Cheney on Nov. 27, at approximately 8 a.m.

Brenneis is a white female who is around 5 foot 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds. She has white hair and light hazel eyes.&nbsp;

If you see Brenneis, or her vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about her whereabouts, please call the Cheney Police Department at (316) 542-3173.

Statewide Silver Alert canceled; missing Kansas woman is safe

WASHINGTON (AP) —Democratic state attorneys general are suing the Trump administration to keep&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-how-it-works-cards-e061c2af0f3cc997b69a24296238783c">SNAP food aid</a>&nbsp;from being taken away from groups of permanent residents in the U.S., including people granted asylum or admitted as refugees.

The top state government lawyers from 21 states and the District of Columbia say in Wednesday’s suit that the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued guidance to states in October calling for groups to be denied help from the food aid program even though&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/food-stamps-snap-states-trump-2c604216d26a9edf84fe502136be6d6f">Trump’s sweeping tax and policy law</a>&nbsp;this summer didn’t specifically exclude them.

The states say the penalties for providing the benefits to excluded groups are so severe that they put states in danger of shutting down their SNAP programs entirely.

The filing in federal court in Oregon is the latest chapter in a battle over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which the administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-shutdown-reopening-food-aid-a11b6c83934d9c718cc413fc1f9435d3">tried to pause</a>&nbsp;during the government shutdown.

States sue to keep SNAP benefits for some lawful immigrants

By Barbara Ortutay and Matt O'Brien&nbsp; &nbsp;Associated Press

They’re cute, even cuddly, and promise learning and companionship — but artificial intelligence toys are not safe for kids, according to children’s and consumer advocacy groups urging parents not to buy them during the holiday season.

These toys, marketed to kids as young as 2 years old, are generally powered by AI models that have already been shown to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-chatbot-teens-congress-chatgpt-character-ce3959b6a3ea1a4997bf1ccabb4f0de2" target="_blank">harm children and teenagers</a>, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://fairplayforkids.org/pf/aitoyadvisory" target="_blank">advisory published Thursday</a>&nbsp;by the children’s advocacy group Fairplay and signed by more than 150 organizations and individual experts such as child psychiatrists and educators.

“The serious harms that AI chatbots have inflicted on children are well-documented, including fostering obsessive use, having explicit sexual conversations, and encouraging unsafe behaviors, violence against others, and self-harm,” Fairplay said.

AI toys, made by companies including Curio Interactive and Keyi Technologies, are often marketed as educational, but Fairplay says they can displace important creative and learning activities. They promise friendship but disrupt children’s relationships and resilience, the group said.

“What’s different about young children is that their brains are being wired for the first time and developmentally it is natural for them to be trustful, for them to seek relationships with kind and friendly characters,” said Rachel Franz, director of Fairplay’s Young Children Thrive Offline Program. Because of this, she added, the trust young children are placing in these toys can exacerbate the types of harms older children are already experiencing with AI chatbots.

<a href="https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ai-ratings/ai-chatbots-for-mental-health-support" target="_blank">A separate report Thursday</a>&nbsp;by Common Sense Media and psychiatrists at Stanford University’s medical school warned teenagers against using popular AI chatbots as therapists.

Fairplay, a 25-year-old organization formerly known as the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, has been warning about AI toys for years. They just weren’t as advanced as they are today. A decade ago, during an emerging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/70165102258e4d18aabc5247e284058a" target="_blank">fad of internet-connected toys</a>&nbsp;and AI speech recognition, the group helped lead a backlash against Mattel’s talking Hello Barbie doll that it said was recording and analyzing children’s conversations.

This time, though AI toys are mostly sold online and more popular in Asia than elsewhere, Franz said some have started to appear on store shelves in the U.S. and more could be on the way.

“Everything has been released with no regulation and no research, so it gives us extra pause when all of a sudden we see more and more manufacturers, including Mattel, who recently partnered with OpenAI, potentially putting out these products,” Franz said.

It’s the second big seasonal warning against AI toys since consumer advocates at U.S. PIRG last week called out the trend in its annual “&nbsp;<a href="https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/trouble-in-toyland-2025-a-i-bots-and-toxics-represent-hidden-dangers/" target="_blank">Trouble in Toyland</a>&nbsp;” report that typically looks at a range of product hazards, such as high-powered magnets and button-sized batteries that young children can swallow. This year, the organization tested four toys that use AI chatbots.

“We found some of these toys will talk in-depth about sexually explicit topics, will offer advice on where a child can find matches or knives, act dismayed when you say you have to leave, and have limited or no parental controls,” the report said. One of the toys, a teddy bear made by Singapore-based FoloToy, was later withdrawn, its CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/19/tech/folotoy-kumma-ai-bear-scli-intl" target="_blank">told CNN this week.</a>

Dr. Dana Suskind, a pediatric surgeon and social scientist who studies early brain development, said young children don’t have the conceptual tools to understand what an AI companion is. While kids have always bonded with toys through imaginative play, when they do this they use their imagination to create both sides of a pretend conversation, “practicing creativity, language, and problem-solving,” she said.

“An AI toy collapses that work. It answers instantly, smoothly, and often better than a human would. We don’t yet know the developmental consequences of outsourcing that imaginative labor to an artificial agent — but it’s very plausible that it undercuts the kind of creativity and executive function that traditional pretend play builds,” Suskind said.

Beijing-based Keyi, maker of an AI “petbot” called Loona, didn’t return requests for comment this week, but other AI toymakers sought to highlight their child safety protections.

California-based Curio Interactive makes stuffed toys, like Gabbo and rocket-shaped Grok, that have been promoted by the pop singer Grimes. The company said it has “meticulously designed” guardrails to protect children and the company encourages parents to “monitor conversations, track insights, and choose the controls that work best for their family.”

In response to the earlier PIRG findings, Curio said it is “actively working with our team to address any concerns, while continuously overseeing content and interactions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for children.”

Another company, Miko, based in Mumbai, India, said it uses its own conversational AI model rather than relying on general large language model systems such as ChatGPT in order to make its product — an interactive AI robot — safe for children.

“We are always expanding our internal testing, strengthening our filters, and introducing new capabilities that detect and block sensitive or unexpected topics,” said CEO Sneh Vaswani. “These new features complement our existing controls that allow parents and caregivers to identify specific topics they’d like to restrict from conversation. We will continue to invest in setting the highest standards for safe, secure and responsible AI integration for Miko products.”

Miko’s products are sold by major retailers such as Walmart and Costco and have been promoted by the families of social media “kidfluencers” whose YouTube videos have millions of views. On its website, it markets its robots as “Artificial Intelligence. Genuine friendship.”

Ritvik Sharma, the company’s senior vice president of growth, said Miko actually “encourages kids to interact more with their friends, to interact more with the peers, with the family members etc. It’s not made for them to feel attached to the device only.”

Still, Suskind and children’s advocates say analog toys are a better bet for the holidays.

“Kids need lots of real human interaction. Play should support that, not take its place. The biggest thing to consider isn’t only what the toy does; it’s what it replaces. A simple block set or a teddy bear that doesn’t talk back forces a child to invent stories, experiment, and work through problems. AI toys often do that thinking for them,” she said. “Here’s the brutal irony: when parents ask me how to prepare their child for an AI world, unlimited AI access is actually the worst preparation possible.”

Advocacy groups urge parents to avoid AI toys this holiday season

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Park Service said Tuesday it is going to start charging the millions of international tourists who visit U.S. parks each year an extra $100 to enter some of the most popular sites, while leaving them out of fee-free days that will be reserved for American residents.

The announcement declaring “America-first entry fee policies” comes as national parks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-national-parks-burgum-superintendents-trash-b5109ba06f1cb3baef9370f585650136">deal with the strain</a>&nbsp;of a major staff reduction and severe budget cuts, along with recovering from damage during the recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-reopening-process-df0388b2d685bab9aa61edce0eb51a15">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;and significant lost revenue due to fees not being collected during that time.

The fee change will impact 11 national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

As part of the changes, which are set to take effect Jan. 1, foreign tourists will also see their annual parks pass price jump to $250, while U.S. residents will continue to be charged $80, according to the department's statement.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a post on the social platform X that the changes make sure U.S. taxpayers who support the park service “continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations!”

A White House post on X laying out the increased fees ended with the phrase, “AMERICANS FIRST.”

The announcement follows a July executive order in which President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;directed the parks to increase entry fees for foreign tourists.

“There’s a lot to unpack in this announcement, including many questions on its implementation – all which NPCA will raise with the Department of Interior,” Kati Schmidt, a spokesperson for National Parks Conservation Association, said in an email.

The U.S. Travel Association estimated that in 2018, national parks and monuments saw more than 14 million international visitors. Yellowstone reported that in 2024, nearly 15% of its visitors were from outside the country, which was down from 30% in 2018.

The money made off the new fees will help support the national parks, including with upgrading facilities for visitors and maintenance, according to the statement.

The “resident-only patriotic fee-free days” next year include Veterans Day, which was one of the parks' eight free days open to everyone in 2025. The Department of the Interior had announced those days by saying they wanted to ensure that “everyone, no matter their ZIP code, can access and enjoy the benefits of green spaces and our public lands.”

National Parks to raise fees for international tourists

JOHNSON COUNTY —Last week, while on patrol, a State Trooper observed a stolen vehicle that had recently failed to stop for the Kansas City Kansas Police Department, according to a social media report from KHP Troop A.

When the Trooper initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle fled, prompting a pursuit. Thankfully, the Trooper was able to successfully conduct a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI), bringing the vehicle to a stop. The driver was then taken into custody on requested charges of felony flee and elude, felony possession of stolen property, misdemeanor interference, driving without a valid license, and a $5,000 fail to appear warrant out of the Johnson County, KS Sheriff's Office

🎥KHP Trooper uses Tactical Vehicle Intervention to stop suspect

KANSAS C ITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a Thanksgiving house fire.

Just before 3:30a.m., crews responded to a reported house fire in the 9500 block of Olmstead Road, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

 On arrival, crews reported heavy smoke and fire through the roof,&nbsp; from a 1-story residence. Interior operations were initiated on an offensive fire attack with 3 hose lines. Companies did encounter a broken natural gas line and power lines down in the rear of the structure and eventually evacuated. 

Moving to a defensive mode, fly piping operations of the structure began. After knocking down the majority of the fire, the aerial was eventually shut down, and the 3 hose lines resumed extinguishing the remaining fire and hot spots. 

Utility crews were on scene and secured their hazards.Searches of the structure were conducted and came back all clear. The fire was brought under control at 4:35 a.m.

One firefighter was briefly evaluated by an ambulance on scene but was not transported. No other injuries or patients have been reported.&nbsp;

Dangerous Thanksgiving Day house fire in Kansas City

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-shooting-white-house-afghan-national-138fbe6872d7ac30b20973783b39002c">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;vowed on Thanksgiving to “permanently pause migration” from poorer nations in a blistering late-night, anti-immigrant screed posted to social media.

The extended rant came in the wake of the Wednesday shooting of two National Guard members who were deployed to patrol Washington, D.C. under Trump’s orders,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-washington-shooting-suspect-b37bc92853ba14625678236318f80751">one of whom died</a>&nbsp;shortly before the president spoke to U.S. troops by video on Thursday evening.

A 29-year-old Afghan national who worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan War is facing charges for the shooting. The suspect emigrated as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-shooting-afghan-operation-allies-welcome-b11c48fb0b807e8f519c266e2a004d8e">a program to resettle</a>&nbsp;those who has helped American troops after U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “Other than that, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for — You won’t be here for long!”

Trump’s threat to stop immigration would be a serious blow to a nation that has long defined itself as welcoming immigrants.

Elected on a promise to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-violent-crime-trump-republican-convention-bd40d14546bc7eb9a1dbbadfcb190950">crack down on illegal migration</a>, Trump’s raids and deportations have disrupted communities across the U.S. as construction sites and schools have been targets. The prospect of more deportations could be economically dangerous as America’s foreign-born workers account for nearly 31 million jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The president said on Truth Social that “most” foreign-born U.S. residents “are on welfare, from failed nations, or from prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels” as he blamed them for crime across the country that is predominantly committed by U.S. citizens.

The perception that immigration breeds crime “continues to falter under the weight of the evidence,” according to a review of academic literature last year in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-criminol-030421-033048" target="_blank">Annual Review of Criminology</a>.

“With few exceptions, studies conducted at both the aggregate and individual levels demonstrate that high concentrations of immigrants are not associated with increased levels of crime and delinquency across neighborhoods and cities in the United States,” it said.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w31440" target="_blank">study</a>&nbsp;by economists initially released in 2023 found immigrants are 60% less likely to be incarcerated than people born in the U.S. Immigrants have been imprisoned at lower rates for 150 years, the study found, adding to past research undermining Trump’s claims.

But Trump seemed to have little interest in a policy debate in his unusually lengthy social media post, which the White House, on its own rapid response social media account, called “one of the most important messages ever released by President Trump.”

Trump pledged to “terminate” millions of admissions to the country made during the term of his predecessor, Joe Biden. He also wants to end federal benefits and subsidies for noncitizens, denaturalize people “who undermine domestic tranquility” and deport foreign nationals deemed “non-compatible with Western Civilization.”

Trump claimed immigrants from Somalia are “completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota” as he used a dated slur for intellectually disabled people to demean that state’s governor, Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee last year, calling him “seriously retarded.”

Trump has ramped up his rhetoric since the shooting. On Wednesday night,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-guard-washington-shooting-6548fbcba4b6efce59a38eeed32b4865">Trump called for the reinvestigation</a>&nbsp;of all Afghan refugees who had entered under the Biden administration.

On Thursday, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Joseph Edlow, said the agency would take additional steps to screen people from 19 “high-risk” countries “to the maximum degree possible.”

Edlow didn’t name the countries.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-travel-ban-exceptions-immigrants-visa-4d5a4d07a4430dd1e1cf24511370bc0e">But in June</a>, the administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-travel-ban-d4d74e856e06f1a2626cc1ddbdfaa9f7">banned travel to the U.S.</a>&nbsp;by citizens of 12 countries and restricted access from seven others, citing national security concerns.

The shooting of the two National Guard members appeared to trigger Trump’s anger over immigrants, yet he did not specifically refer to the event in his social media posting.

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is accused of driving across the country to Washington and shooting two West Virginia National Guard members, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24. Beckstrom died on Thursday from the shooting, while Wolfe remains in critical condition.

The suspect, currently in custody, was also shot and had wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening.

Asked by a reporter on Thursday if he blamed the shootings on all Afghans who came to the U.S., Trump said: “No, but we’ve had a lot of problems with Afghans.”

Trump: U.S. to ‘pause migration from Third World Countries’ after DC shooting

FINNEY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 11:30p.m. on Thanksgiving in Finney County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Silverado driven by Kason D. Ramsey, 18, Holcomb, was westbound on Railroad Avenue one mile west of Garden City. The vehicle struck a pedestrian identified as Lance R. Stucky, 31, Garden City, who was walking in the westbound lane.

Stucky was pronounced deceased. Ramsey was properly restrained and not injured, according to the KHP.

Man dies after struck by a pickup in southwest Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Devon Dampier threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns, Elijah Davis returned an interception 97 yards for another score, and No. 14 Utah came from behind to beat Kansas 31-21 on Friday and keep its slim Big 12 championship hopes alive.

Larry Simmons caught two TD passes, Wayshon Parker ran for 95 yards and Utah (10-2, 7-2, No. 13 CFP) picked off Jalon Daniels three times in the final game of his college career, helping the Utes reach the 10-win mark for the third time in the last five years.

More importantly, the Utes can still play for a conference title. They need Arizona State to beat Arizona on Friday night, then Texas Tech to lose to West Virginia and BYU to beat UCF on Saturday — a long-shot scenario, to be sure, but a reason to turn on TVs.

“We hope 10-2 gets us to what we want to do, but from my standpoint, we were not happy with how last season went," said Dampier, who transferred in from New Mexico after the Utes had finished 5-7 in their first season in the Big 12.

“Just happy it all came together,” he said. “We finished strong, and it was all that work we put in.”

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