&nbsp;State Senator Michael Murphy is calling for a temporary halt on new data center development in parts of south-central Kansas, citing concerns about water use, energy demand and long-term infrastructure impacts.

Murphy, a Republican from Sylvia representing the 34th District, issued a statement Monday urging county commissions in Reno, Kingman and Barber counties to adopt a three-year moratorium on new data center projects.

“While large-scale data centers may come with some enticing incentives, they also bring some very well-known, and unknown, problems,” Murphy said in the release. He pointed to the significant water consumption required to operate such facilities and the strain they can place on local electric grids.

Murphy said data centers “use huge amounts of water, water we do not have to spare,” and argued that a single facility could consume more electricity than a new power plant planned for Reno County could produce.

The senator also raised questions about transparency and long-term impacts, including who would bear the cost of increased power demand and the potential health effects of exposure to infrasound. He said residents have expressed concerns that have not been fully addressed.

“Before we bring these centers to our counties, we need some answers to these questions and more, data driven from serious studies, not just answers to placate the people,” Murphy said.

Murphy called on county officials in the three counties to enact a three-year pause on new data center development to allow time for scientific study and public review. He said such a moratorium would provide an opportunity for “meaningful, thorough scientific studies” and help restore public confidence.

The 34th District includes portions of Reno, Kingman and Barber counties.

Murphy also referenced comments by Senate Majority Leader Blasi, saying that if local moratoriums are not adopted, he would support the introduction of state legislation to address the issue.

“I hope we can continue the good relationship between the state and the district and look forward to working together in the best interests of our citizens and communities,” Murphy said.

Murphy calls for halt on data center development

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. ——————————————

Cynthia	Elaine	Reyes		2/27/2026 10:58&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Michelle	Lynn	Caldwell		2/27/2026 1:53&nbsp;PM	Viol protection order; Pre-trial order

Cody	James	Looney		2/27/2026 12:00&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Tarrant	Clay	Young		2/27/2026 4:35&nbsp;PM	DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+

Joseph	Mackencie Tyler	Morin		2/27/2026 4:36&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Dustin	Robert	Lytle		2/27/2026 5:01&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Stephen	Joseph	Bonnar		2/27/2026 6:26&nbsp;PM	DWS; 1st conviction

Charles	Joseph Bryant	Adams		2/27/2026 6:27&nbsp;PM	DWS; 1st conviction

Michael	Paul	Batchelor		2/27/2026 7:31&nbsp;PM	DWS; 1st conviction

Daily Bookings

Leadership is often defined not during easy seasons, but in moments of uncertainty, loss, and change. For Erica Rivera, resilience has become a defining characteristic of her six years as Executive Director of Beyond Barriers and her 19-year commitment to the organization overall.

Headquartered in Hutchinson with offices in Dodge City and Pratt, Beyond Barriers provides employment services, independent living resources, vision services, advocacy, and education. All services are free of charge. The organization believes individuals are healthiest and happiest when they are connected to and contributing within their communities.

Rivera stepped into executive leadership following a season of profound transition. The organization had experienced the retirement of its longtime Executive Director and the sudden passing of Assistant Director Andy Reichart, leaving both emotional and operational gaps.

“Loss changes you,” Rivera said. “It reminds you how important people are — the staff you work beside and the consumers you serve. It strengthened my resolve to lead with heart and purpose.” 

Her leadership has been marked not only by professional challenges, \but deeply personal highs and lows as well, including battling cancer \and welcoming a grandchild.

Those experiences shaped her leadership philosophy: steady, compassionate, and grounded in perspective.

“Over the past six years, I have grown in confidence and leadership. Stepping into the Executive Director role challenged me in new ways and helped me learn how to make difficult decisions, manage responsibilities, and lead with purpose. I have learned to trust myself more and believe in my ability to lead. I am still learning every day, but I am proud of how far I have come and how much I have grown both personally and professionally,” said Rivera. 

Colleagues describe Rivera as someone who blends institutional wisdom with courage. Having served in multiple roles over 19 years, she understands the organization from the inside out, from direct consumer services to strategic oversight. At the same time, she has not hesitated to innovate.

Under her leadership, Beyond Barriers has:

Rivera’s willingness to try new ideas, combined with her deep loyalty to the organization’s mission, has positioned Beyond Barriers for long-term success.

For Rivera, leadership is not about titles or timelines. It is about people. “It’s important to stay connected to the individuals we serve,” she said. “If we lose sight of that, we lose sight of everything.”

Six years into her executive role and 19 years after first walking \through the doors as a young professional, Rivera’s commitment remains clear: remove barriers, strengthen communities, and ensure every individual has the opportunity to live independently and contribute fully.

Rivers marks six years guiding Beyond Barriers

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.info 7-day forecast.&nbsp;</a>

Three-day Outlook

By <a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Crispy, hand-breaded chicken fingers, house-made sauces and a full lineup of combo meals are coming to Hutchinson this spring.

The Coop Chicken Fingers plans to open at 420 E. 30th Ave., in the former Taco John’s building, with a target launch in early May. The Hutchinson store will mark the company’s first Kansas location, with a Wichita site expected to follow later this summer.

The concept centers on made-to-order chicken served in three, four and five-finger combos, along with a Coop sandwich combo and a grilled cheese combo. Each meal comes with fries and a drink.

“We care about serving food fast, serving fresh food fast,” co-owner Eliot McDonald said. “If you have good speed of service but the food’s not fresh, what’s the point?”

McDonald has spent nearly a decade in the chicken finger industry. Most recently, he served as director of operations for a national chicken chain, where he worked alongside current business partner Henry Panameño.

Panameño was McDonald’s third hire at that former brand in 2019, and the two have worked together for seven years.

“We know what each other’s strengths and shortcomings are,” McDonald said. “We complement each other well and raise each other up.”

After exploring franchising opportunities that did not materialize, the pair decided to launch their own brand.

“We decided we were going to start our own brand,” McDonald said. “So we started The Coop Chicken Fingers just this past year.”

The company opened its first location in November 2025 in Ames, Iowa, directly across from Iowa State University.

“It’s been a huge success so far,” McDonald said. “Students love it, people that live in the town love it. We do have a very good product.”

Unlike many growing quick-service chains, The Coop Chicken Fingers is not a franchise. McDonald said maintaining ownership control is key to protecting standards.

“We want to control our product and our service,” he said.

The Ames store thrives on foot traffic from the university and does not have a drive-thru. But McDonald said that model would not translate as effectively to most standalone markets.

“These types of concepts do better in drive-thrus,” he said. “If you’re going into just a city that doesn’t have that foot traffic, you have to have a drive-thru.”

Kansas offered multiple second-generation restaurant sites with existing drive-thru infrastructure. McDonald and Panameño toured the Hutchinson property and several locations in Wichita before signing leases in both cities.

“We wanted to stay fairly close,” McDonald said. “We were looking predominantly in the Midwest and stumbled on the location in Hutchinson, also a few in Wichita. We felt that would be easiest for us to expand to and build a big footprint there.”

The location on East 30th Avenue stood out for its traffic volume and visibility.

“We really liked it. Love the traffic there,” McDonald said.&nbsp;

Exterior painting has begun at the Hutchinson site, and interior renovations are underway. Kitchen equipment has been ordered, and the company is working through permitting and signage approvals.

The Wichita location is expected to open in early July. McDonald said spacing the openings will allow the company to focus on execution.

“I really don’t want to open two stores two weeks apart,” he said. “If you give it two months apart, that gives you a lot more time and a lot more leeway.”

In addition to original chicken fingers, the restaurant offers a spicy option with the heat built directly into the breading rather than added after cooking.

“You have other brands where their spicy is something that goes on after it’s cooked,” McDonald said. “Ours is inside the breading. It’s just like eating a regular finger, but it has a very good kick to it.”

Sauces are central to the concept. The Hutchinson location will feature eight house-made options: Coop Sauce, which is a mustard-based smoky sauce; Fox Sauce, a ketchup-and-mayo-based peppery sauce; Buttermilk Ranch; Jalapeño Ranch; BBQ; Buffalo; Hot Honey; and Honey Mustard.

The company is also exploring adding gravy to the menu, as McDonald noted that would do well in the Hutchinson market.

The Coop expects to hire between 25 and 30 employees for the Hutchinson store, with hiring projected to begin in mid-April depending on permitting progress. Positions will include both part-time and full-time roles.

McDonald plans to relocate to Kansas within the next 30 days and will spend the majority of his time in Hutchinson and Wichita as the company builds its footprint in the state. He said finding a general manager with strong ties to the Hutchinson community is a priority.

Store hours are expected to run from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the possibility of extending to 11 p.m.

The Coop’s branding features orange and red tones and a fox mascot, a nod to the “fox in the henhouse” theme. Once renovations are complete, the Hutchinson building will feature a large neon fox outline on the exterior.

If construction and permitting remain on schedule, The Coop Chicken Fingers will open in early May along East 30th Avenue — the first step in what McDonald expects will be a significant Kansas expansion.

“We’re very optimistic about this market,” he said.

The Coop Chicken Fingers expands into Hutchinson and Wichita

Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday that her administration has reached an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture to protect Kansans’ personal data from being shared with foreign governments and to ensure compliance with state and federal privacy laws governing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Under the agreement, the USDA will cancel its disallowance letter and end efforts to withhold Kansas’ SNAP administrative funding after the state shares data under terms negotiated by the Kansas Department for Children and Families.

“The USDA’s decision to adhere to the DCF’s terms ensures that Kansans’ private, personal information, including full Social Security numbers, will not be shared with foreign governments,” Kelly said in a statement. “Kansas has complied with federal and state laws throughout this entire process and all we have wanted is for the USDA to do the same.”

State officials said the agreement resolves a dispute that began after the USDA requested extensive personal information on Kansans who have received or applied for SNAP benefits during the past five years. According to the governor’s office, the original request included provisions that would have allowed personal information — including full Social Security numbers and dates of birth — to be shared with foreign governments.

Kelly and her administration maintained that Kansas could not legally comply with the request until concerns about data protection were addressed. State officials cited confidentiality requirements under the federal Food and Nutrition Act and the Kansas Cybersecurity Act.

After the USDA rejected DCF’s corrective action proposal in September 2025, the agency issued a disallowance letter seeking to withhold $10.4 million in SNAP administrative funding. DCF appealed the decision, a move that immediately prevented the funding from being withheld.

The state has not lost any SNAP administrative funding during the dispute, and the program has continued operating without interruption, officials said.

With the new agreement in place, Kansas officials said data sharing can proceed under terms that safeguard personally identifiable information and comply with both state and federal law.

Kelly: Agreement reached with USDA over SNAP data

The City of Hutchinson is notifying residents and contractors of a recent scam attempt involving an individual impersonating Community Development Director Matt Williams.

The fraudulent message requested payment of an invoice via wire transfer. The City wants to make clear that this email did not originate from the City of Hutchinson, and there has been no compromise of City email systems or internal accounts.

Official City email addresses end in&nbsp;@hutchinsonks.gov.&nbsp;Residents and contractors are encouraged to carefully review the sender’s full email address before responding to any payment-related communication.

The City of Hutchinson will never request payment by wire transfer.

If you receive an email that appears suspicious or includes an unusual payment request, do not respond or send funds. Please contact the Community Development Department directly at&nbsp;620.694.2630&nbsp;with related questions.

Anyone who believes they may have received a fraudulent email related to this incident is asked to forward it to&nbsp;info@hutchinsonks.gov&nbsp;for review.

The Hutchinson Police Department is investigating the matter.

City warns of e-mail scam

Bath &amp; Body Works has opened in a new exterior location at Uptown Hutch Mall, marking another step in the transition away from the mall’s interior storefronts.

The national fragrance and personal care retailer relocated from its previous space inside the mall to a new storefront along the mall’s exterior. The move comes as remaining interior tenants prepare to shift locations or close as the interior portion of the mall begins to be remodeled.

Krista Johnson the manager for Bath &amp; Body Works tells us that she hopes that the outside exposure brings a lot more foot traffic.

Johnson said the store will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.&nbsp;

Buckle and Maurices are also relocating to exterior-facing spaces at the mall.

Buckle has announced plans to open its new location March 9. Maurices will close its interior store March 21 and reopen March 28 in a new exterior storefront located between Buckle and Bath &amp; Body Works.

However, one retailer will not be making the move.

Famous Footwear will close as a result of the interior mall shutdown. The store’s final day of sales will be March 21. Store management said they were unable to reach an agreement for a new location at the mall. The closest Famous Footwear location for area shoppers will be in Newton.

Another interior tenant, Selectel Wireless, is relocating outside the mall entirely. The business plans to move downtown to 325 N. Main.

The changes reflect a broader reconfiguration of Uptown Hutch Mall as they transition retailers from traditional indoor mall spaces to exterior storefronts or other locations within the community.

Hutch Post has reached out to mall management for more details but have not heard back.&nbsp;

Bath & Body Works opens at new location at Uptown Hutch Mall

Spring weather may be weeks away in much of the country, but the seasonal rise in gas prices is underway. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up by more than 5 cents this past week to $2.98. 

Refineries are beginning the process of producing summer-blend gasoline which contains pricier additives to help reduce evaporation during warmer months. Gas demand is also expected to increase next month as spring break season kicks off and more drivers take road trips.&nbsp;

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eia.gov/" target="_blank">new data from the Energy Information Administration</a>&nbsp;(EIA), gasoline&nbsp;demand&nbsp;decreased&nbsp;last&nbsp;week from 8.74 million b/d to 8.73 million.

Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 255.8 million barrels to 254.8 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.2 million barrels per day.&nbsp;

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell 21 cents to settle at $65.42 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 16 million barrels from the previous week. At 435.8 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Seasonal shift leads to rising gas prices

Jeff	Allen	Kennedy		2/26/2026 11:36&nbsp;AM	Probation Violation

Madyson	Rose	Imhof		2/26/2026 6:38&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Tamara	Lorain	Thompson		2/26/2026 7:21&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Stephanie Menjivar Alvarez 2/26/2026 8:51 PM&nbsp;Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conviction

Cory	Dale	Garrison		2/25/2026 8:51 PM&nbsp;Assault of LEO; Properly identified on duty,&nbsp;Viol protection order; Pre-trial order



Reno County officials say no action has been taken to close the Reno County Health Department or reduce its funding, addressing what they described as misinformation circulating on social media.

According to county officials, the Reno County Commission did not vote to eliminate the department or cut its budget during its Feb. 25 meeting. Instead, commissioners removed two health department grant items from the agenda to request additional details before taking action.

The items included approval of the Reno County Health Department’s Kansas Department of Health and Environment Aid-to-Local grant application in the amount of $889,513.80 and approval of the KDHE Outreach, Prevention and Early Intervention Services passthrough grant totaling $350,000.

Commissioners said they asked for a clearer breakdown of the services and programs supported by the grants to ensure informed decision-making. County officials emphasized that the request was informational and not a proposal to eliminate funding.

To allow for further discussion, commissioners scheduled a study session for 4 p.m. Monday, March 2, in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse, 206 W. First Ave. Study sessions are work sessions designed for commissioners to ask questions and gather information. No formal action will be taken during the session.

Any formal vote regarding the grant applications would occur at the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 11.

Commission Chair Ron Hirst said the commission’s intent is to make informed decisions.

“The Commission simply asked for an explanation of what services are supported through each grant before approving them,” Hirst said. “There has been no action taken to close the Health Department or cut its funding.”

Residents with questions are encouraged to contact Reno County Administrator Randy Partington at 620-694-2530 or by email at <a>randy.partington@renocountyks.gov</a>.

County officials said Reno County remains committed to transparency and to supporting essential public health services in the community.

County clarifies health department grant discussion 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on&nbsp;<a href="https://israel's%20defense%20minister%20says%20his%20country%20has%20attacked%20iran%20and%20declares%20a%20state%20of%20emergency/">Iran</a>&nbsp;on Saturday, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;calling on the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” and rise up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979.

Some of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/live-updates-israel-iran-february-28-2026">the first strikes</a>&nbsp;appeared to hit areas around the offices of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ali-khamenei">Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, and Iranian media reported strikes nationwide. Smoke could be seen rising from the capital. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the 86-year-old leader was in his offices at the time of the strike.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” Trump said in a video announcing “major combat operations” were underway. “For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that sweeping goal. “Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands,” Netanyahu said.

The strikes opened a stunning new chapter in U.S. intervention in Iran and marked the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has used military force against the Islamic Republic. They also came just weeks after Trump ordered a military operation to capture Venezuela’s president,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">Nicolás Maduro</a>, and bring him and his wife to New York to face federal drug conspiracy charges.

Tensions have soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region. Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program at a moment when the country is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-economy-prices-aa1c14906b39f79b88cdf47616a4a755">struggling at home</a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-protests-students-nuclear-khamenei-096e7ede9bc9c1e7b889878af9d6e750">growing dissent</a>&nbsp;following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-memorials-chehelom-71e5db503a287126a2d31cb32a2809eb">nationwide protests</a>.

The immediate trigger for Saturday’s strikes appears to be the unsuccessful latest round of nuclear talks. But they also reflect the dramatic changes across the region that have left Iran’s leadership in its weakest position since the Islamic Revolution nearly half a century ago.

Israeli and American strikes last June greatly weakened Iran’s air defenses, military leadership and nuclear program. A regionwide war, sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has left Iran’s network of proxies across the Middle East greatly weakened. U.S. sanctions and global isolation, meanwhile, have decimated Iran’s economy.

Iran responded to the latest strikes as it had been threatening to do for months — first launching a wave of missiles and drones targeting Israel. It followed with strikes targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The United Arab Emirates and Iraq shut down their airspace.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a defiant statement, saying that the country “will not hesitate” in its response. In a statement posted on X, the ministry said: “The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemy’s military assault.”

Forty people were reported killed at a girls’ school in southern Iran in the Israeli-U.S. strikes, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency. At least 45 others were wounded in the attack in Minab in Iran’s Hormozgan province. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on reported strike on the school.

In an indication of the scope of the conflict, air defense fire thudded over Dubai, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates, Saturday afternoon. Associated Press journalists saw the aftereffects of the blast from an interceptor.

Four people were also killed by an Iranian missile striking a building in Syria’s southern city of Sweida, according to Syrian state television.

Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the capital of the UAE killed one person, state media said.

Attack was coordinated between Israel and US

The attacks came after weeks of the U.S. military massing forces in the region even as U.S. and Iranian envoys held talks in Switzerland and Oman aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to head off an American military operation.

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, a key mediator in the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, said in a post on X that he was dismayed that U.S. and Israel moved forward with the operation.

“Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined,” said al-Busaidi, who traveled to Washington on Friday to meet with Vice President JD Vance for talks. “Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer. I urge the United States not to get sucked in further.”

Israel said the operation was carried out as a “broad, coordinated, and joint operation against the regime” that has been planned for months between the Israeli and U.S. militaries.

Trump, in justifying the military action, claimed that Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach the U.S.

He also acknowledged that there could be American casualties, saying “that often happens in war.”

It was a notable call on Americans to brace themselves from a U.S. leader who swept into office on an “America First” platform and vowed to keep out of “forever wars” that had bogged down his recent predecessors.

Trump’s statement indicated the U.S. was striking for reasons far beyond the nuclear program, listing grievances stretching back to the beginning of the Islamic Republic following a revolution in 1979 that turned Iran from one of America’s closest allies in the Middle East into a fierce foe.

The U.S. president said he was aiming to “annihilate” the Iranian navy and destroy regional proxies supported by Tehran.

He also called on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to lay down its arms, pledging that members would be given immunity, while warning they would face “certain death” if they didn’t.

“They’ve rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore,” Trump said.

Trump had threatened military action — but held off — following Iran's recent crackdown on protests spurred by economic grievances and evolved into a nationwide, anti-government push against the ruling clerics.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency says it confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-campus-protests-crackdown-54149e9d49fe022d840f71eb5f5be106">more than 7,000 deaths</a>&nbsp;in the crackdown and that it is investigating thousands more. The government has acknowledged more than 3,000 killed, though it has undercounted or not reported fatalities from past unrest.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-enrichment-c0079c38746a896e2967a9a9cc2799d5">Iran has said it hasn’t enriched since June</a>, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed during a 12-day war then. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-nuclear-enrichment-satellite-d5c78b5fe974ec2fc338b8ad6d6a7d68">shown new activity at two of those sites</a>, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there.

Iran currently has a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile program, limiting their range to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles). That puts all the Mideast and some of Eastern Europe in their range. There is no public evidence of Iran seeking to have intercontinental ballistic missiles, though Washington has criticized its space program as potentially allowing it to one day.

Iran had hoped to avert a war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile program or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

The strikes could also have a huge impact on global markets, particularly if Iran is able to make the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. More than 14 million barrels per day of oil passed through the strait in 2025, about a third of total worldwide oil exports transported by sea.

Iranian media reported strikes nationwide. Roads to Khamenei's compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital.

Khamenei has not made a public appearance in recent days and wasn't immediately seen after. During the 12-day war in June, he was believed to have been taken to a secure location away from his Tehran compound.

In Tehran, witnesses heard the first blast by Khamenei’s office. Iranian state television later reported on the explosion, without offering a cause.

More explosions struck Iran’s capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes.

Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran’s military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack.

Hours after the strikes, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it launched a “first wave” of drones and missiles targeting Israel, where a nationwide warning was issued as the military said it was working to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. There was no immediate word on any damage or casualties from the ongoing attack.

Meanwhile, Bahrain said that a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. Witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to U.S. Army Central. Explosions could be also be heard in Qatar.

Iraq and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace, and sirens sounded in Jordan.

Iraqi officials also reported a drone strike hit a headquarters of the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia in Iraq, killing two people and wounding three Saturday. The group had earlier threatened to enter the fray should Iran come under attack. An Israeli military official said Israel was not aware of any Israeli strikes on Kataib Hezbollah headquarters in Iraq.

The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, meanwhile, vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel, according to two senior Houthi officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement from the Houthi leadership.

U.S. embassies or consulates in Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Israel posted on social media that they told staffers to shelter in place and recommended all Americans “do the same until further notice.”

Toropin and Madhani reported from Washington and Boak from West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Samy Magdy in Cairo, and Farnoush Amiri in New York contributed to this report.

US and Israel launch major attack on Iran; Tehran hits American bases

COWLEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Friday in Cowley County.

The Cowley County Sheriff reported a 2008 Volvo XC70 driven by Candice Bergeson, 43, Winfield was involved in a rollover accident in the 2000 block of US 160 Highway.&nbsp;The driver was ejected from the vehicle during the crash.

Witnesses who observed the accident immediately stopped and rendered aid until emergency personnel arrived.&nbsp;

EMS transported Candice Bergeson to William Newton Memorial Hospital for treatment and she was pronounced deceased.

Kansas woman dies after ejected in rollover accident

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>&nbsp;told members of Congress on Friday that he “did nothing wrong” in his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saw no signs of Epstein's sexual abuse as he faced hours of grilling from lawmakers over his connections to the disgraced financier from more than two decades ago.

“I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” the former Democratic president said in an opening statement he shared on social media. The closed-door deposition ended after more than six hours of questioning from lawmakers who said he answered every question posed to him.

The deposition in the Clintons’ hometown of Chappaqua, New York, marked the first time a former president has been compelled to testify to Congress. It came a day after Clinton's wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-hillary-bill-clinton-deposition-house-investigation-299d82e8549f4d994dcb081c3876585c">sat with lawmakers</a>&nbsp;for her own deposition.

Bill Clinton has also not been accused of any wrongdoing, and Republican members of the House Oversight Committee did not immediately level any accusations against the Clintons as they departed Chappaqua. They planned to review the depositions but said their attention was mostly shifting to other individuals.

Lawmakers are grappling with what accountability in the United States looks like at a time when men around the world have been toppled from their high-powered posts for maintaining their connections with Epstein after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.

“We have questions about anyone who spent time with Epstein post-conviction,” said Republican Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee. “Once you knew Jeffrey Epstein was a sex offender, why did you continue a relationship?”

Bill Clinton, in his opening statement, said that he had long stopped associating with Epstein by the time of his 2008 guilty plea. He also said it would be difficult to recall the specifics of events from more than 20 years ago, but expressed certainty that he had not witnessed signs of Epstein’s abuse.

Republican Rep. John McGuire accused Bill Clinton of having “selective memory” during the questioning, but other GOP members departed acknowledging that he had handled the deposition with skill and candor. Comer called Bill Clinton “charming” during the questioning.

“Clinton was quite candid, perhaps more candid than his attorneys were comfortable,” said Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy.

Republicans finally get a chance to question Bill Clinton

Republicans have wanted to question Bill Clinton about Epstein for years, especially as conspiracy theories arose following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">Epstein's 2019 suicide</a>&nbsp;in a New York jail cell while he faced sex trafficking charges.

Those calls reached a fever pitch late last year when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-justice-department-jeffrey-epstein-4a55e83b62b5a037c431e36cfa87f0dc">several photos of the former president</a>&nbsp;surfaced in the Department of Justice's first release of case files on Epstein and Maxwell,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-ghislaine-maxwell-fa2c504a6dfe30ce1686b857a4123b7b">a British socialite</a>&nbsp;who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-convicted-jeffrey-epstein-trial-verdict-63a71a2825eab41184a79e37bb967e90">convicted of sex trafficking</a>&nbsp;in December 2021 but maintains she's innocent. Bill Clinton was photographed on a plane seated alongside a woman, whose face is redacted, with his arm around her. Another photo showed Clinton and Maxwell in a pool with another person whose face was redacted.

Epstein also visited the White House several times during Clinton's presidency, and the pair later made several international trips together for their humanitarian work. Comer claimed the committee has collected evidence that Epstein visited the White House 17 times and that Bill Clinton flew on Epstein's airplane 27 times.

Democratic lawmakers said they also posed tough questions to Bill Clinton about his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell.

“We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long,” Bill Clinton said in his opening statement. “And by the time it came to light with his 2008 guilty plea, I had long stopped associating with him.”

Bill Clinton also went after Comer for calling his wife before the committee, telling him that “including her was simply not right.”

Comer said the committee was working to quickly publish a transcript and video recording of both days of depositions.

Democrats, who have supported the push to get answers from Bill Clinton, are arguing that it sets a precedent that should also apply to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>, a Republican who had his own relationship with Epstein.

“I think that President Trump needs to man up, get in front of this committee and answer the questions and stop calling this investigation a hoax,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, on Friday.

Comer has pushed back on that idea, saying that Trump has answered questions on Epstein from the press. Republicans also said they have not come across any evidence that Trump did anything wrong in his relationship with Epstein.

Trump on Friday expressed remorse at Bill Clinton being forced to testify. “I like Bill Clinton, and I don’t like seeing him deposed,” he told reporters as he departed the White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-texas-cornyn-paxton-hunt-gop-primary-cd31dbec10c54ce230ae915e51cbccf0">en route to Corpus Christi, Texas</a>.

Democrats are also calling for the resignation of Trump's Commerce Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-files-howard-lutnick-2ead9f281ba2491e0581aced50a0533d">Howard Lutnick</a>. Lutnick was a longtime neighbor of Epstein in New York City but said on a podcast that he severed ties with Epstein following a 2005 tour of Epstein’s home that disturbed Lutnick and his wife.

The public release of case files showed that Lutnick actually had two engagements with Epstein years later. He attended a 2011 event at Epstein's home, and in 2012 his family had lunch with Epstein on his private island.

“He should be removed from office and, at a minimum, should come before the committee,” Garcia said of Lutnick.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace questioned Hillary Clinton about Lutnick's relationship to Epstein during the deposition on Thursday. On Friday morning, Mace joined in calling for the commerce secretary to come before the committee.

“I believe we will have the votes to subpoena him,” Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said.

🎥What former President told members of Congress about Jeffrey Epstein

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The U.S. State Department said Thursday that it would pay up to $10 million for information leading to the arrests or convictions of two brothers identified as leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel in the state of Baja California, which includes Tijuana.

The reward offer came the same day that authorities announced a new indictment against Rene Arzate Garcia, 42, known as “La Rana” (“The Frog”). He was initially charged with drug crimes in San Diego. The superseding indictment includes charges of conspiracy, narcoterrorism and material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

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