Residents will have two opportunities to learn more about the upcoming City of Hutchinson sales tax ballot measure ahead of the March 3 special election.

The City of Hutchinson will host public information meetings at Memorial Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m., and Monday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m. Both meetings will feature the same presentation and be held at the same location.

According to the city, staff will explain what will appear on the ballot, why a city sales tax is being considered, and how the proposal was developed. The goal is to provide residents with clear, factual information ahead of the vote.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit questions, with responses provided by city staff and elected officials. The meetings are open to the public, and residents may attend either date.

Meanwhile, Hutchinson residents planning to vote in the special election must be registered by Tuesday, Feb. 10, according to the Reno County Election Office.

Voters may register online through the Reno County Election Office website or in person at the Reno County Annex, located at 125 West 1st Avenue in Hutchinson.

The 2026 special election is scheduled for March 3, 2026. Mail-in ballots will begin being sent to voters on Wednesday, Feb. 11. In-person advance voting will start on Feb. 23 in the Reno County Annex Conference Room and will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closing at noon on Monday, March 2.

Election officials encourage eligible voters to register or verify their registration before the deadline to ensure they can participate in the special election.

Voter registration deadline today, sales tax town hall tonight

USD 308 Board hears KESA accreditation update, OKs major curriculum and technology purchases

The USD 308 Board of Education received an update Monday night on the district’s Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) work, with Dr. Krystal Young crediting Director of Curriculum Lisa Yantes for leading the effort and reporting the district met its six-month and one-year strategic plan goals.

Yantes told the board KESA is now a yearly process and that USD 308 is in year two of the state’s newer accreditation model. She said the district remains in compliance with required measures and has been implementing its action plan tied to math and English language arts outcomes, graduation rate and postsecondary success. Yantes said the state has set a graduation-rate standard, but is still finalizing assessment and postsecondary metrics expected this spring; USD 308 will submit its updated plan by March 16, with accreditation feedback anticipated in early April.

Yantes also noted collaboration with “like systems” assigned by the state—Pittsburg, Kansas City Turner and Leavenworth—helped districts compare challenges, strategies and data trends, including academics and staffing.

In other business, the board approved several purchases and agreements, including:

The board also received updates on a bond survey process, upcoming no-school dates (Feb. 20 and Feb. 23), and a planned ribbon cutting for the Little Hawks Child Care Center on April 3 at 11:30 a.m.

The next meeting of the USD 308 Board of Education is scheduled for Feb. 23.

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

Three-day Outlook

Hutchinson residents planning to vote in the upcoming City of Hutchinson Sales Tax special election must register by Tuesday, Feb. 10, according to the Reno County Election Office.

Voters can register online through the Reno County Election Office website or in person at the Reno County Annex, located at 125 West 1st Avenue in Hutchinson.

The 2026 Special Election is scheduled for March 3, 2026. Mail-in ballots will begin being sent to voters on Feb. 11.

Advance voting in person will start on Feb. 23 in the Reno County Annex Conference Room. In-person advance voting will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will close at noon on Monday, March 2.

Election officials encourage eligible voters to complete their registration or make sure their registration is correct before the deadline to ensure they are able to participate in the special election.

Deadline for voter registration, changes is Tuesday 

The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin a road reconstruction project on U.S. 50 in Reno County on Monday, Feb. 16, conditions permitting.

The reconstructed section will be from 5.5 miles east of the east US-50/K-61 interchange near Brandy Lake Road east 1.5 miles to South Buhler/Haven Road in Reno County.

Work will occur Monday through Friday during daylight hours.&nbsp;One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction between now and summer 2026, with traffic guided by traffic signals after that point until completion.

Pearson Construction, of Wichita, is the prime contractor on the $3.4 million project, which is expected to be complete in spring 2027.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones.

For current road conditions, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinks-2.govdelivery.com%2FCL0%2Fhttps%3A%252F%252Fwww.kandrive.gov%253Futm_medium%3Demail%2526utm_source%3Dgovdelivery%2F1%2F01010199e36a64fc-93fce69b-44f1-44a1-8752-bdd6df0019b0-000000%2FWttZkfWnkeXjcNMQ7BhANqZPjcWOShUW76xWu5IjAbs%3D426&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cnick.gosnell%40ks.gov%7C2307b72cd6354edebb9908de0b396462%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C638960538275676177%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=R%2FzM61p3LWpRX4mqgVb8vFp2RGA7gdD9N%2FZ5xyhBO9Y%3D&amp;reserved=0">kandrive.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 511.&nbsp;

KDot to begin road reconstruction project on US 50

UPDATE:&nbsp;The SHARE Haiti Benefit Dinner and Auction held this past weekend raised $209,000 in support of the organization’s mission in Haiti.

 The featured auction item — a 30-by-40-foot building — generated $51,000 on its own. 

Abner Schmucker and the team of volunteers expressed their sincere thanks to everyone who attended and supported the SHARE Haiti mission.

ORIGINAL STORY:&nbsp;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.

UPDATE: SHARE Haiti Benefit Dinner and Auction raises $209K

Family Community Theatre is bringing the high-energy musical Newsies to the Flag Theatre for two weekends of performances beginning Thursday.

Directed by Craig Williams, the production tells the story of the real-life 1899 New York City newsboys’ strike, when young newspaper sellers organized against publishing giants Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst over rising paper prices that cut into their already slim earnings.

“This is the first time Newsies has been produced by our organization, and we believe it’s the first time it’s been staged in this part of the state,” Williams said during an interview on the BW Morning Show. “It’s a powerful story about young people finding their voice.”

Williams, who also serves as president of Family Community Theatre, said the show’s demanding choreography and music drew strong interest from local performers. More than 60 people auditioned, with a final cast of 40 selected from eight different communities.

At the center of the story is Jack Kelly, the charismatic newsboy who becomes the leader of the strike. The role is played by Leland Britton, a senior at Sterling High School. Catherine, the show’s female lead, is portrayed by a Wichita college student, while Pulitzer is played by Lee Keil, who shares the stage with his daughter Savannah, a member of the Newsies ensemble.

Producing a large-scale musical like Newsies presents unique challenges in the Flag Theatre’s more intimate space. Williams said creative staging solutions, including the use of scaffolding and multiple levels, helped maximize the 28-foot-wide stage and limited backstage areas.

“Adding music and choreography changes everything,” Williams said. “You need more rehearsal time, more staff, and the right choreographer and music director to make it all work.”

Rehearsals began in early December, with cast members logging nearly 40 rehearsals leading up to opening night. Williams said the process teaches young performers commitment, discipline, and collaboration.

Performances run February 12–15 and February 19–22. Evening shows are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with 3 p.m. matinees on Sundays.

Tickets are available in advance at Absolute Home, Busy Bee Laundry, or online through the Family Community Theatre website.

Williams said audiences can expect an energetic, uplifting production that blends athletic dance numbers with a message about standing up for fairness and community.

“It’s a show that’s fun to watch,” he said, “but it also reminds us what can happen when people work together for something they believe in.”

Family Community Theatre to present "Newsies"

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. ——————————————

Mathew	Ray	Castor		2/8/2026 4:07&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Thaddeus	Xavier Nathanie	Krill		2/8/2026 5:30&nbsp;PM	Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose; Felony Case, Execution of a Felony Warrant

Clara	Elizabeth Ann	Crumble		2/8/2026 10:09&nbsp;PM	DUI; Misdemeanor

Daily Bookings

The Reno County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, with a pair of agenda items tied to a proposed golf course development east of Hutchinson included on the consent agenda. 

Commissioners are scheduled to consider Resolution 2026-03 and Planning Case #2025-11, a request submitted by 2641 Wanamaker, LLC, represented by Andrew Goering, P.E., of Engineering Consultants, P.A. The request seeks to rezone approximately 180 acres of land from R-2 Suburban Residential District to AG Agricultural District. According to agenda materials, the rezoning is intended to eliminate the possibility of developing a high-density residential subdivision on the property. 

The land is located at the northeast corner of North Buhler Road and East 4th Avenue. 

A second item on the consent agenda related to the development project is Resolution 2026-04 and Planning Case #2025-12, which involves a conditional use permit request from the same applicant to develop a golf course resort. The proposal covers two parcels currently zoned AG Agricultural District, also located at the northeast corner of North Buhler Road and East 4th Avenue.

The Reno County Planning Commission approved the items during their meeting on Jan. 15.&nbsp;

Also on the consent agenda is a request from public works director don brittan to declare two freightliners as suplus, and an item removed and tabled from the Jan 28. Meeting for a tax abatement for a property at 4003 east 23rd street.   

All of items on the consent agenda are typically approved in a single vote unless a commissioner requests discussion or removal of an item for separate consideration. 

The board of county commissioners will also receive the annual report from the Reno County department of Emergency Management. County Administrator Randy Partington will also go over monthly department reports.&nbsp;

The Board of County Commissioners meetings are held the second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays of each month.&nbsp;

Commission looks to approve items for Salt Lick Golf Resort

Residents are invited to tour a new fire station in Nickerson later this month as Reno County Fire District 1 hosts an open house at Station 31.

The open house is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the new station located at 206 South Burr Street in Nickerson.

Fire district officials say the event is an opportunity for community members to see the new facility, meet local firefighters, and learn more about fire and emergency services in the area. Visitors will be given guided tours of the station and its equipment.

Food will also be available during the event, with potato soup, garlic bread, and dessert served to those who attend.

Parking for the open house will be available behind the station, with access from the north off Avenue G. Attendees may also park in front of the former fire station.

The event is open to the public, and residents of Nickerson and surrounding communities are encouraged to attend.

Correction: We have corrected this article; the original article had an incorrect day of the week.&nbsp;

Reno County Fire District 1 to host open house at new Nickerson Station

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —After a two-day search, law enforcement captured a stolen vehicle suspect.

Just before 10 p.m. Sunday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a caller who observed a pickup truck that had been reported stolen out of St. Mary’s, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The caller observed the vehicle in western Jackson County.&nbsp; Jackson County Deputies located the vehicle near N. Road on 158th&nbsp;Road.&nbsp; A pursuit ensued eastbound.&nbsp; The vehicle turned into a driveway of a residence located at 15505 158th&nbsp;Road and crashed through a fence.&nbsp; The vehicle caught fire, deputies and fire crews extinguished the fire as the driver escaped into a thickly wooded area. Deputies and troopers searched the area with K-9s and drones and were not able to locate the suspect.

Just after 10 a.m. Monday, the Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen who reported finding a man wearing a brown Carhartt Jacket with blue jeans in his chicken house. Sheriff’s Office personnel quickly came on scene.&nbsp; Deputies, State Troopers and K.B.I. agents assisted with the search including K-9s, drones and aircraft.&nbsp; As of 2 p.m. today, the subject has not been located.

The Sheriff’s Office identified William Joseph Goetz, 43, of Saint George. Goetz as the suspect and reported he believed that Goetz was without a phone and would access buildings or vehicles to stay warm at night.&nbsp; Deputies continued to canvass the area.

Late Monday afternoon, the suspect allegedly stole a 2005 Ford F-250 pickup truck from a residence on U. Road.&nbsp; The suspect headed south on U. Road and only after 1/8th of a mile rolled the truck and fled again on foot.&nbsp; Law enforcement continued pursuing the suspect southeast to a lake located east of U. Road on 150th.&nbsp; Law enforcement finally apprehended Goetz who was hiding in another pickup truck.&nbsp; Goetz will be booked into the Jackson County Jail for numerous requested charges.

Kansas stolen vehicle suspect captured after 2-day search

HAMILTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a violent incident in southwest Kansas.

Just before 9:30p.m. Sunday, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office received a report of an aggravated battery and assault in progress involving a machete and a firearm in the area of Grant Street, according to a media release.

Deputies located a man inside a small camper who was holding another individual hostage. After issuing verbal commands, deputies deployed a Taser, and the subject was safely taken into custody without further incident.

Deputies also located an additional victim at the scene who sustained a cut to the shoulder consistent with a machete-related injury. The suspect was identified as Jose Alfredo Miranda Dubon, who was taken into custody and transported to the Hamilton County Jail. The sheriff's office did not release details on possible charges.

Man jailed after machete attack in southwest Kansas

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of house fire in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 3p.m. Monday, crews&nbsp;were dispatched to a reported house fire in the 300 block of Benton Blvd., according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

On arrival, crews reported smoke showing from a 2-story house. An offensive fire attack was initiated and 2 hose lines advanced into the structure.&nbsp;

Searches throughout were performed and reported all clear. The fire was brought under controlat 3:19 p.m.. No injuries have been reported from this incident.

Crews battle fire at 2-story Kansas City home

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The FBI said Monday it is unaware of any continued communication between Savannah Guthrie’s family and suspected kidnappers more than a week after the “Today” show host’s mom went missing.

The FBI has still not identified any suspects or persons of interest in the mysterious disappearance of 84-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">Nancy Guthrie</a>, said Connor Hagan, a spokesperson for the FBI.

Savannah Guthrie said the family was “at an hour of desperation” in a video released Monday, just hours before a purported ransom deadline apparently set by her mom's abductors.

She didn’t mention the deadline in the video, saying her family in Arizona continues to believe her mother is out there and hearing everyone’s prayers.

“She was taken and we don’t know where, and we need your help,” Guthrie said in the video posted on Instagram, urging people nationwide to be on the lookout. “No matter where you are, even if you’re far from Tucson, if you see anything, if you hear anything.”

The mysterious disappearance and search has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-guthrie-famous-kidnappings-4c4ac60734ea43d6e4edb3261a0d1732">riveted the country</a>&nbsp;— from President Donald Trump, who spoke with Savannah Guthrie last week, to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/search-nancy-guthrie-social-media-posts-e176abcc670af3844416946fb3bb5619">online sleuths</a>&nbsp;who’ve flooded social media with tips, theories and rumors.

The FBI is now asking for the public’s help on digital billboards up in several major cities in Texas, California, Arizona and New Mexico. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information.

Multiple news outlets received alleged ransom letters during the past week. At least one letter made monetary demands and set deadlines for receiving the money. The first deadline passed last Thursday but a second one was set for Monday evening.

Law enforcement officials declined to affirm that the letters were credible but said all tips were being investigated seriously. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Monday that law enforcement tip lines have received thousands of calls.

Authorities say they have growing concerns about Nancy Guthrie’s health because she needs daily medication. She is said to have a pacemaker and has dealt with high blood pressure and heart issues, according to sheriff’s dispatcher audio on broadcastify.com.

Savannah Guthrie expressed hope on Monday that her mom was still alive.

“We believe that somehow, some way, she is feeling these prayers,” she said, “and that God is lifting her even in this moment and in this darkest place.”

In a video Saturday, she said the family was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-92dff046a91f2c5c0093f17cd3b7ad42">prepared to pay</a>&nbsp;for her mother’s return. “This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-6c7b78d17d7b647c64f71f64ecaecf8b">taken against her will</a>&nbsp;from her home just outside Tucson. She was last seen there Jan. 31 and reported missing the next day after not attending church. DNA tests showed blood on Guthrie’s front porch was a match to her, and her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-nancy-adaa8af43efe04c252a52616d9037a05">doorbell camera was disconnected</a>&nbsp;in the early hours of Sunday morning, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said.

Outside the home on Monday, neighbors strolled by on their morning jogs and walks, while a county sheriff's deputy remained stationed out front.

Law enforcement's work at Guthrie residences will continue Tuesday “as part of the ongoing investigative process, including the expansion of the search and follow-up on new leads,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement Monday.

Detectives and agents carried out follow-up work in the neighborhood and other locations over the weekend as part of the investigation, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Sunday.

“Investigators have not identified any suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles connected to this case,” the department said.

Investigators on Saturday were inside daughter Annie Guthrie’s home, about 4 miles (6 kilometers) from Nancy Guthrie's house. On Sunday, an investigator was seen using a pole to search an underground tank behind Nancy Guthrie’s home.

FBI unaware of 'Today' show host talking with her mom's suspected kidnappers

On Monday at the direction of U.S. Southern Command commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations, according to a social media report from the U.S. Souther Command.

 Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. 

Two narco-terrorists were killed and one survived the strike. Following the engagement, USSOUTHCOM immediately notified U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivor.&nbsp;

🎥Two dead after another US strike on a drug boat

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities have&nbsp;arrested two suspects including a teen in connection with an aggravated assault with a firearm that occurred at a home in Garden Plain.

Just before 10 p.m., deputies and the Garden Plain Police Department responded to reports of shots fired into an occupied home in the 300 block of West Lavern Lane, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's office spokesman Branden Stitt.

 The Garden Plain Police Department requested the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office take over the investigation.

Four people were inside the home at the time of the shooting. No one was struck by gunfire, and no injuries were reported.

Detectives believe one of the victims, who was also the intended target, was involved in a drug transaction with the suspects that involved the use of counterfeit currency. Detectives believe the suspects then followed the victim back to his home and fired shots into the occupied house.&nbsp;

The investigation continued into the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 7, when deputies, detectives and forensic investigators identified and arrested the suspects. Detectives booked 20-year-old Cristian Yair Garcia and a 16-year-old male juvenile, both of Cheney, on charges of criminal discharge of a firearm into an occupied dwelling.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Counterfeit cash drug deal led to gunfire at Kansas home

JASPER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Sunday in Jasper County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom driven by a 24-year-old Joplin man was westbound on MO 66 one mile west of Joplin. The motorcycle struck a northbound 2017 Lexus RX 350 driven by a 25-year-old Overland Park, Kansas woman was northbound&nbsp; on MO. 66 one mile west of Joplin. After impact, the motorcycle traveled off the right side of the road, overturned and&nbsp; the driver was ejected. 

He was transported to Cox South in Springfield where he was pronounced deceased on Monday.&nbsp; The SUV driver was not injured and properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, according to the patrol. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

Motorcyclist killed after crash with an SUV driven by Kan. woman

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a weekend arrest.&nbsp;

On Sunday morning, Horton police notified police in Atchison that a suspect wanted on an outstanding Brown County warrant was at a residence in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Police officers located 29-year-old Thomas Pahmahmie at a residence in the 500 block Park Street and he was taken into custody on a Brown County warrant for aggravated kidnapping, attempted murder in the second degree, aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery, and criminal threat.&nbsp; Pahmahmie has previous convictions for aggravated battery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon jailed for alleged kidnapping, attempted murder

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. Opening statements for the first, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, began on Monday.

Instagram's parent company Meta and Google's YouTube face claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. TikTok and Snap, which were originally named in the lawsuit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-media-trial-kids-addiction-meta-tiktok-youtube-d3a6bf617f2d11521675412ffb275031">settled for undisclosed sums</a>.

Jurors got their first glimpse into what will be a lengthy trial characterized by dueling narratives from the plaintiffs and the two remaining social media companies named as defendants. Opening arguments in the landmark case began Monday at the Spring Street Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.

Mark Lanier delivered the opening statement for the plaintiffs first, in a lively display where he said the case is as “easy as ABC,” which he said stands for “addicting the brains of children.” He called Meta and Google “two of the richest corporations in history” who have “engineered addiction in children’s brains.”

At the core of the Los Angeles case is a 19-year-old identified only by the initials “KGM,” whose case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out. She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury and what damages, if any, may be awarded, said Clay Calvert, a nonresident senior fellow of technology policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.

It’s the first time the companies are arguing their case before a jury, and the outcome could have profound effects on their businesses and how they will handle children using their platforms.

Lanier said the companies’ lawyers will “try to blame the little girl and her parents for the trap they built,” referencing the plaintiff. She was a minor when she said she became addicted to social media platforms, which she claims had a detrimental impact on her mental health.

Lanier said that despite the public position of Meta and YouTube being that they work to protect children and implement safeguards for their use of the platforms, their internal documents show an entirely different position, with explicit references to young children being listed as their target audiences.

Lanier also drew comparisons between the social media companies and tobacco firms, citing internal communication between Meta employees who were concerned about the company’s lack of proactive action about the potential harm their platforms can have on children and teens.

“For a teenager, social validation is survival,” Lanier said. The defendants “engineered a feature that caters to a minor’s craving for social validation,” he added, speaking about “like” buttons and similar features.

The court broke for lunch before Lanier concluded his opening statement and before attorneys for Meta and Google delivered their opening statements.

“This was only the first case — there are hundreds of parents and school districts in the social media addiction trials that start today, and sadly, new families every day who are speaking out and bringing Big Tech to court for its deliberately harmful products,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of the nonprofit Tech Oversight Project.

Jurors are not being asked to stop using Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or any other forms of social media throughout the course of the trial — which is expected to last about eight weeks — but Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl emphasized that they should not make any changes to the way they interact with the platforms, including changing their settings or creating new accounts.

Kuhl said that jurors should decide the liability of Meta and YouTube independently when they deliberate.

A separate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-new-mexico-child-exploitation-trial-19195fc680dba782fb971d68082e11a4">trial in New Mexico</a>, meanwhile, was also set to kick off with opening arguments on Monday.

KGM claims that her use of social media from an early age addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Importantly, the lawsuit claims that this was done through deliberate design choices made by companies that sought to make their platforms more addictive to children to boost profits. This argument, if successful, could sidestep the companies' First Amendment shield and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-technology-social-media-business-internet-eb89baf1fa30e245c030992b48a8a0ff">Section 230</a>, which protects tech companies from liability for material posted on their platforms.

“Borrowing heavily from the behavioral and neurobiological techniques used by slot machines and exploited by the cigarette industry, Defendants deliberately embedded in their products an array of design features aimed at maximizing youth engagement to drive advertising revenue,” the lawsuit says.

Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify at the trial, which will last six to eight weeks. Experts have drawn similarities to the Big Tobacco trials that led to a 1998 settlement requiring cigarette companies to pay billions in health care costs and restrict marketing targeting minors.

The tech companies dispute the claims that their products deliberately harm children, citing a bevy of safeguards they have added over the years and arguing that they are not liable for content posted on their sites by third parties.

A Meta spokesperson said in a recent statement that the company strongly disagrees with the allegations outlined in the lawsuit and that it's “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.”

José Castañeda, a Google Spokesperson, said that the allegations against YouTube are “simply not true.” In a statement, he said, “Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work.”

The case will be the first in a slew of cases beginning this year that seek to hold social media companies responsible for harming children's mental well-being.

In New Mexico,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-new-mexico-child-exploitation-trial-19195fc680dba782fb971d68082e11a4">opening statements begin Monday</a>&nbsp;for trial on allegations that Meta and its social media platforms have failed to protect young users from sexual exploitation, following an undercover online investigation. Attorney General Raúl Torrez in late 2023 sued Meta and Zuckerberg, who was later dropped from the suit.

A federal bellwether trial beginning in June in Oakland, California, will be the first to represent school districts that have sued social media platforms over harms to children.

In addition, more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/instagram-facebook-children-teens-harms-lawsuit-attorney-general-1805492a38f7cee111cbb865cc786c28">40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits</a>&nbsp;against Meta, claiming it is harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. The majority of cases filed their lawsuits in federal court, but some sued in their respective states.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-lawsuit-youth-mental-health-2993f8e70d2e3d4eab9988df168fb948">TikTok</a>&nbsp;also faces similar lawsuits in more than a dozen states.

Other countries, meanwhile, are enacting new laws to limit social media for children. In January,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-social-media-ban-children-d3c4010741dd1a39f61c1f6d5bb3c85b">French lawmakers approved a bill</a>&nbsp;banning social media for children under 15, paving the way for the measure to enter into force at the start of the next school year in September, as the idea of setting a minimum age for use of the platforms&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/britain-social-media-ban-australia-teen-harm-c59c76db73a8c1cfac28c8264738e395">gains momentum across Europe.</a>

In Australia, social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-under-16-children-8b992efa5138704bc02ee9fc974f6987">the country banned use of the platforms</a>&nbsp;by those under 16, officials said. The law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-children-1abadf5445418c8c14f5f68cf76b38d0">provoked fraught debates</a>&nbsp;in Australia about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health and has prompted other countries to consider similar measures.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/britain-social-media-ban-australia-teen-harm-c59c76db73a8c1cfac28c8264738e395">British government</a>&nbsp;also said last month it will consider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-children-2ae8c00402098db69797eb64c52e3d56">banning young teenagers from social media</a>&nbsp;as it tightens laws designed to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.

Ortutay reported from Oakland, California. Associated Press Writer Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico, contributed to this story.

Landmark trial on social media addicting children to their platforms begins

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/andrew-dalton">ANDREW DALTON</a>

LOS ANGELES (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catherine-ohara-dies-9fdc89411b4961c1d599f836503a6203">Catherine O’Hara died</a>&nbsp;from a pulmonary embolism, with cancer as the underlying cause.

A Los Angeles County death certificate issued Monday lists the pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, as the immediate cause of the actor’s Jan. 30 death at age 71. Rectal cancer was the long-term cause.

The oncologist who signed off on the certificate indicated that he had been treating O’Hara since March of last year, and last saw her on Jan. 27. She died at a hospital in Santa Monica, California.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catherine-ohara-appreciation-5b1d5a80bbc1882616f0e60335861746">beloved Canadian-born comic actor</a>&nbsp;and “SCTV” alum starred as Macaulay Culkin’s mother in two “Home Alone” movies and won an Emmy as the dramatically oblivious wealthy matriarch Moira Rose in “Schitt’s Creek.”

Her death was a surprise to most, and an initial statement from her representatives said only that she died “following a brief illness.”

Collaborators including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catherine-ohara-dies-reaction-tributes-e097fcda898098f22055ad55ecec656b">Culkin, Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy</a>&nbsp;and Pedro Pascal paid her loving tribute after her death.

The document said she was cremated. It lists her profession as “actress” and her business as movies. It said she practiced her trade for 50 years.

Cause of death of award-winning 'Home Alone,' 'Schitt's Creek' star revealed

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Flory Bidunga had a double-double and No. 9 Kansas defeated top-ranked and previously unbeaten Arizona 82-78 on Monday night.

Arizona (23-1, 10-1 Big 12) entered Allen Fieldhouse with the second-longest winning streak in Division I men’s basketball. The loss ended a 23-game run for the Wildcats, second to Miami (Ohio), which has won 24 straight.

Kansas (19-5, 9-2) played without freshman guard Darryn Peterson,&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Fkansas-darryn-peterson-out-5966d6858bfe475b09471c82a6d58759&amp;data=05%7C02%7Csportsdesk%40ap.org%7C8b6e0747c4cc41a69f6b08de685bd103%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C639062940723389660%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=kPMhkI4JnYgnGY6SmAjT2F3C3gAORicDYmpc3CZ4Rkw%3D&amp;reserved=0">who was a late scratch</a>&nbsp;with flu-like symptoms. Peterson has missed 11 games with a combination of hamstring, calf and ankle issues.

Arizona held a three-point lead at halftime and led by as many as 11 before Kansas took its first lead of the game at the 9:32 mark in the second half.

Bidunga put the Jayhawks ahead with a layup, which capped a personal seven-point run. He finished with 23 points on 8-for-11 shooting and added 10 rebounds.

Arizona closed within one point with 34 seconds left in the game, but senior guard Melvin Council Jr. shot 3 of 4 from the line in the final minute and 10 of 11 in the game to help seal the victory for Kansas. He finished with 23 points. Tre White also added a pair of late free throws.

Four Kansas players scored double digits. Bryson Tiller finished with 18 points and Jamari McDowell added 10.

Freshman guard Brayden Burries led Arizona with 25 points. Motiejus Krivas scored 14 and Ivan Kharchenkov 13.

🏀 No Peterson, no problem; KU knocks off No. 1 Arizona

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

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Luke Berblinger, a Buhler High School graduate and former college assistant coach, has been named the 28th head football coach in the 125-year history of Salthawk football, the Board of Education approved Monday.

For Berblinger, the opportunity is both a professional milestone and a homecoming.

“We’re really excited about it,” Berblinger said. “I’ve spent the last seven years as an assistant at the FCS level and learned a lot from great mentors, but I’ve always wanted to be a head coach. Hutchinson High School is an awesome opportunity. To run your own program, set the culture and set the standards, that’s something I’m really excited about.”

Berblinger grew up in Reno County and starred at Buhler, where he helped guide the Crusaders to the Class 4A state championship in 2013 during a 13-1 season. He graduated in 2014.

His former coach, longtime Buhler leader Steve Warner, said Berblinger’s path into coaching felt inevitable.

“I was very excited for Luke. I know this is a great opportunity for him,” Warner said. “Last spring my staff and I met with him and SEMO. He told us then that he was ready to try and coach at the high school level.”

Warner said Berblinger’s leadership qualities stood out even as a player.

“In Luke’s senior year we won the state championship. Luke was a very strong leader on the team,” Warner said. “Luke would do anything we ever asked of him. He was a very hard worker.”

Berblinger said returning to Reno County was a major factor in taking the Hutchinson job.

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