HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Business expansion, downtown redevelopment, golf course improvements and neighborhood safety were all on the agenda Monday night as the Hutchinson City Council approved or advanced several measures aimed at strengthening the local economy and improving quality of life across the community.

From authorizing industrial revenue bonds for a long-time employer to setting hearings on a proposed downtown financing district and deteriorating homes, council members described the actions as strategic investments and housekeeping steps designed to support growth while protecting neighborhoods.

IRBs approved for SDI expansion, 50+ jobs expected

The council unanimously approved issuing up to $2 million in taxable industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) for Sales Data, Inc. to help finance a 101,754-square-foot expansion of its south Hutchinson facility.

SDI supplies and services point-of-sale systems for more than 2,700 McDonald’s restaurants nationwide and has operated locally since 1976.

City and Greater Hutch officials said the expansion will:

SDI currently employs roughly 120–130 people locally with about $6 million in annual payroll. Officials noted most of the company’s revenue comes from outside Kansas, bringing new dollars into the Hutchinson economy.

“This is revenue that is being brought into Hutchinson and infusing our local economy,” said Lauren Storm with Greater Hutch.

Finance Director Angela Richard emphasized the IRBs do not use city tax dollars or create city debt.

“The city will not be responsible for any expenses related to issuing the bonds, and no city funds will be used,” Richard said.

A Kansas Department of Commerce cost-benefit analysis found the project’s long-term economic return would outweigh the temporary incentives, with projections showing the city’s investment recouped within about four years.

During the hearing, some residents questioned whether a successful private company should receive incentives and suggested SDI seek private financing.

Council members responded that IRBs are not direct public funding and are a long-standing economic development tool available to qualifying businesses statewide.

“This is not public money,” one council member said. “It’s a tool that helps companies grow and create jobs here rather than somewhere else.”

SDI co-owner Jerry Boone said the company chose to expand locally rather than in larger metro areas.

“We could grow in Chicago or Denver, but we choose to grow here,” Boone said. “The workforce here cares a little more.”

Landmark CID hearing set for downtown project

The council also voted to set a March 3 public hearing on a proposed Landmark Community Improvement District (CID) requested by Landmark LLC for a downtown property.

Monday’s vote only schedules the hearing and does not approve the district.

If later approved, a CID can allow;&nbsp;An additional sales tax within the district, or special property assessments.

Revenue generated inside the district must be used solely for improvements within that area, such as renovations or infrastructure upgrades. Costs are paid by customers or properties inside the boundary, rather than citywide taxpayers.

Council members characterized the step as procedural, with no formal details presented yet.

Golf course bonds reduced, improvements move forward

Council members also approved a scaled-back general obligation bond authorization of up to $428,000 to complete improvements at the municipal golf course.

Originally, staff proposed bonding roughly $840,000. However, unused funds from a past Orchard Park project were identified to offset costs, cutting the borrowing amount nearly in half.

Parks and Facilities Director Justin Combs said the city is about 70% complete with upgrades to holes 15 and 16, including:

“If we stopped today, we’d still owe the contractor for the work already completed and would be left with an unfinished hole,” Combs said.

Officials warned that operating with fewer than 18 holes could reduce revenue and jeopardize tournaments. The course generated about $847,000 last year and currently covers roughly 75–77% of its operating costs through user fees.

Council members described the action as finishing a project already budgeted rather than launching new spending.

“These are quality-of-life services for the community,” one member said.

April hearing scheduled for five unsafe homes

Finally, the council set an April 7 public hearing to address five residential properties city staff say may qualify as unsafe or condemned structures.

Building Official Jason Lovelady called them among the “worst of the worst” in the city’s backlog of abandoned homes.

Issues cited include boarded openings, code violations, lack of utilities, delinquent taxes and extended vacancy.

The hearing will allow owners to respond and the council to decide whether repairs or demolition are required. If owners fail to act, the city can remove the structures and place costs as a lien on the property.

Officials said removing dangerous buildings helps reduce fire risks, crime and declining property values.

“These are the ones that rise to the top because of how unsafe they’ve become,” Lovelady said.

Hutchinson City Council approves IRB's, sets date for CID hearing

GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher

&nbsp; Last week I attended Kansas Farm Bureau’s Day at the Statehouse along with a couple hundred of my fellow Kansas Farm Bureau members. If you have never attended a Day at the Statehouse, I highly recommend doing so — it is truly an example of grassroots advocacy in action and proof of why Farm Bureau is so effective advocating for farmers and ranchers.

The program was exceptionally good and informative, laying out the issues of the current legislative session. Kansas Farm Bureau’s action plan for the session was also laid out for all the participants. It was the culmination of our policy development from the past year that came from those same members who showed up to lobby at the Capitol.

The work Kansas Farm Bureau members did over that 24-hour period should make all of us proud. We had members from every corner of the state representing all segments of agriculture.

One theme that was repeated several times was the value of each member interacting with their elected officials. Do not get me wrong, we have the best lobbying crew, and I would not trade them for any others, but the real power of Kansas Farm Bureau is its members, and our elected officials understand that.

I watched legislators seek out Farm Bureau members during an evening reception and the next day at the Capitol. They were doing this because of the value and the power of each of the 105 county Farm Bureaus in Kansas. No other organization has that kind of grassroots in each community in Kansas.

I eavesdropped on some conversations, and we truly had the ears and attention of those elected officials. Repeatedly, I heard something along the lines of, “what are Kansas Farm Bureau’s priorities this session?" Then I listened as members articulated our positions on issues important to agriculture.

Important conversations that would have been hard for our staff to have had. For one thing, it would have taken hours and days to meet with all those officials. The more important piece was the attention paid to the message. The farmers and ranchers involved in the discussion understand the policy they are lobbying because they helped develop it in response to their experiences navigating current laws and regulations every day.

We all know we cannot be at the Capitol each day the legislature is in session, and that is why our staff are so critical, but it is the personal relationship between voters and elected officials that makes a visit from a member so important. It is the informed, involved members that make Kansas Farm Bureau so effective, and this is why Day at the Statehouse is so important.

While Day at the Statehouse is important, it is equally important that members reach out to their elected representatives to let them know what issues are important to them. Kansas Farm Bureau is as strong as its members and, from what I witnessed last week, we are rooted in strength.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Insight: Rooted in strength

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advanced American farmers and equipment owners’ lawful right to repair their farm and other nonroad diesel equipment. EPA’s guidance to manufacturers clarifies that the Clean Air Act (CAA) supports, rather than restricts, Americans’ ability to make repairs on their own, and makes clear manufacturers can no longer use the CAA to justify limiting access to repair tools or software. For America’s farmers, timely and affordable repairs are essential to planting, harvesting, and keeping operations running.

“EPA is proud to set the record straight and protect farmers. For far too long, manufacturers have wrongly used the Clean Air Act to monopolize the repair markets, hurting our&nbsp;farmers,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “Common sense is following the law as it is written, and that is what the Trump EPA is committed to doing. By protecting every American’s right to repair, we’re not just fixing devices, we’re securing a stronger, more independent future for our country.”

“This is another win for American farmers and ranchers by the Trump Administration. By clarifying manufacturers can no longer use the Clean Air Act to justify limiting access to repair tools or software, we are reaffirming&nbsp;the lawful right of American farmers and equipment owners to repair their farm equipment,”&nbsp;said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Thank you, Administrator Zeldin, for continuing to put farmers first. This is expected to save our farmers thousands in unnecessary repairs, saving much needed funds after Bidenflation drove up equipment costs on average 45%.”

“EPA’s guidance affirming the Right to Repair will save our agricultural communities thousands of dollars by eliminating corporate middlemen and empowering farmers to fix their own equipment,”&nbsp;said Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler.&nbsp;“The Clean Air Act has long crushed family farmers across America – but under the Trump Administration, they are finally getting the regulatory relief to break free from burdensome Green New Scam rules and focus on the vital job of feeding, clothing, and fueling America and the world.”

For years, prominent equipment manufacturers have interpreted the CAA’s emission control anti-tampering provisions as preventing them from making essential repair tools available to all Americans. This has forced farmers to take their equipment exclusively to manufacturer-authorized dealers to be fixed, even though the repair could have been made in the field or at a nearby independent repair shop. Not only has this made repairs more costly, but it has also caused many farmers to&nbsp;opt for&nbsp;older agricultural equipment that lack modern emission controls simply because they can fix that equipment themselves.

<a href="https://dis.epa.gov/otaqpub/display_file.jsp?docid=64859&amp;flag=1">Click here to read the EPA's guidance.&nbsp;</a>

EPA’s guidance does not change the law, weaken emission standards, or reduce compliance obligations. Rather, it clarifies what the CAA already states, that temporary overrides of emission control systems are allowed when it is for the “purpose of repair” to that equipment to obtain proper functionality. This clarification applies to all nonroad diesel engines equipped with advanced emission control technologies including selective catalytic reduction and inducement systems as well as Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system repairs. Importantly, farmers and equipment owners are not required to rely on authorized dealers exclusively to fix equipment. This makes clear that the law should not serve as a barrier to timely, affordable maintenance of agricultural equipment.

Monday's action will not only expand consumer choice and provide opportunities for farmers but also encourage the use of newer farm equipment. This underscores the agency’s commitment to both America’s farmers and EPA’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment.

EPA advances farmers’ right to repair

Parents of future preschool and kindergarten students in Buhler USD 313 are encouraged to mark their calendars for upcoming application clinics designed to help families prepare for the 2026–27 school year.

District officials say the clinics allow staff to accurately plan classroom space, staffing and resources while making the enrollment process easier for parents.

Families may attend any of the scheduled dates and locations, regardless of which school their child will attend. Teachers and office staff will ensure enrollment information is forwarded to the correct building.

District leaders noted that current Buhler preschool students who will turn 5 before Sept. 1 and are moving on to kindergarten do not need to attend. Enrollment paperwork will be sent home with those students.

Additional details about preschool and wraparound care programs are available on the district website at <a href="http://USD313.org.">USD313.org.</a>

School officials say early registration helps ensure a smooth start to the school year for students, families and staff alike.

USD 313 schedules Preschool and Kindergarten application clinics

A familiar face in the classroom and on the sidelines is being recognized for making an early impact at Trinity Catholic School.

Isaac Miller has received the St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Award for Outstanding New Teacher in the Diocese of Wichita, an honor presented during Catholic Schools Week to celebrate excellence among early-career educators.

Now in his second year at Trinity Catholic, Miller teaches English at both the junior high and high school levels. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, he also serves as a coach for football, track, and forensics, giving students opportunities to grow both academically and through extracurricular activities.

School leaders say Miller’s commitment to students inside and outside the classroom has quickly made him a valued member of the Trinity Catholic community. His involvement across multiple programs reflects the school’s emphasis on mentorship, leadership, and well-rounded student development.

The St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Award recognizes new teachers across the Diocese who demonstrate dedication, faith-centered service, and a strong impact on their school communities.

Trinity Catholic officials say they feel fortunate to have Miller on staff and congratulate him on the well-deserved honor.

Trinity teacher recognized as outstanding new teacher

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Recent obituaries and service times

United Way Reaches Campaign Goal to Support Reno County Programs

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — United Way of Reno County is proud to announce it has met its 2025-26 campaign goal of raising $1.35 million, ensuring continued support for 37 local nonprofit programs serving Reno County residents in the year ahead.

Reaching this milestone was truly a community effort, made possible by donations of every size fromlong-time supporters to first-time givers. Contributions came in many forms—from direct checks and cash gifts to employee payroll deductions and business support—reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening Reno County.

“This achievement belongs to our entire community,” said UWRC CEO, Lacey Mills. “Because people chose to give in ways that were meaningful to them, and because they trust UWRC to invest their gift back into this community, we can continue supporting local programs which serve residents at every stage of life and meet a variety of needs.”

Meeting the campaign goal means local organizations can continue providing vital services to local residents, addressing needs across the entire lifespan—from newborns receiving free therapy services in their homes to end-of-life care being available on a sliding scale. Through these 37 funded programs, United Way of Reno County and its donors will help touch the lives of approximately 19,000 people, representing 1-in-4 Reno County neighbors.

“This goal was reached because our community said yes—to giving, to connection, and to taking action,” said Campaign Co-Chairs, Rion and Darcy Rhoades. “We’re proud to have helped champion this work, which will create real, long-lasting impact across Reno County.”

United Way of Reno County would like to extend sincere gratitude to every donor, volunteer, workplace partner, and business who helped make this impact possible. Together, their generosity ensures that local solutions remain available for local people—today and throughout the coming year.

United Way of Reno County reaches campaign goal

One of Cancer Council of Reno County’s biggest traditions is also its biggest lifeline.

The Reno Roundup fundraiser returns Feb. 21 to the Reno County Fairgrounds, marking the event’s 30th anniversary and bringing with it a sold-out crowd, a throwback casino theme and a renewed focus on helping neighbors facing cancer.

“We’re really excited,” said Katie Brown the Director of Development for the Cancer Council of Reno County “This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, but it’s more than just raising money. It’s about creating a sense of community and connecting our neighbors, patients and families.”

Nearly 860 attendees are expected for the evening event, which has grown from humble beginnings into one of the largest annual fundraisers in Reno County.

From kitchen table to countywide impact

Cancer Council leaders say the Roundup actually predates the organization itself. The event began in the late 1990s benefiting the American Cancer Society’s local chapter before community leaders formed the Cancer Council to keep more of the money raised local.

“Cancer Council started around a kitchen table in 1998,” Brown said. “The goal was to make sure funds raised here stayed here.”

Today, every dollar raised supports local patients directly through financial and emotional assistance.

Ashley Thompson, patient care director, works one-on-one with more than 360 patients and families across the county.

“We try to fill the gaps that insurance doesn’t cover — those unexpected out-of-pocket costs,” Thompson said. “From medication co-pays and prosthetics to rent and utility bills, we pivot with each patient because every cancer journey is different.”

Support doesn’t stop when treatment ends. Patients remain eligible for help for up to five years after diagnosis, including during remission and follow-up care.

“We recognize that even when there’s no evidence of disease, it’s not over,” Thompson said. “It’s still life-changing.”

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with food and drinks, followed by a program and live auction. This year’s “casino night” theme brings gaming tables where guests can win chips and trade them for chances at jackpot prizes.

A silent auction and raffle items will also be available, with online bidding opening the Monday before the event so even those not attending can participate.

Tickets and tables are sold out, but organizers say a wait list is available and raffle entries can be purchased online.

The event’s presenting sponsor, Midway Motors, is returning for its 11th year.

“We’re so thankful for their dedication,” Brown said. “Their support helps make all of this possible.”

In addition to financial assistance, the Cancer Council offers emotional support through monthly groups, including a women’s Hope Group and Cancer Connections for patients, caregivers and family members.

The nonprofit has also begun expanding into early detection efforts. Last year, it hosted a prostate cancer screening that drew more than 40 participants, with several requiring follow-up care. This year’s awareness focus will be colorectal cancer.

Organizers say the mission remains simple: take care of local people when they need it most.

“Everything we raise stays right here,” Brown said. “It’s your friends, your family, your neighbors. We’re completely funded by this community, and we’re just so grateful.”

Those interested in donating auction items, purchasing raffle tickets or making a direct contribution can find more information on the <a href="https://cancercouncilrenocounty.org/">Cancer Council of Reno County's website.</a>

Reno Roundup celebrates 30 years of supporting local cancer patients in Reno County

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. ——————————————

Hunter	Ray	Mcvey		2/3/2026 6:15&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Obery	Lee	Logan	Sr	2/3/2026 6:39&nbsp;AM	Criminal Trespass; Defiance of Order,					Probation Violation

Curtis	Wayne	Mattox		2/3/2026 1:20&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation,					Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Failure to Appear

Ashley	Nicole	Adkins		2/3/2026 3:35&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misdemeanor case, Execution of Misdemeanor Warrant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Poss of marijuana

Desie	Martez	Chatfield		2/3/2026 4:05&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Jeffrey	Jericho	Payne		2/3/2026 4:30&nbsp;PM	Dist. fentanyl dose 250 or more units;1000ft school,					Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction; Value &lt; $5,000,					Drugs; Arrange sale/purchase of controlled substance using a communication facility,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Distribute heroin/certain stim/fentanyl; &lt; 1 gram,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Distribute opiate/narc/stim; Dose &lt;10 1000 ft sch

Destin	Lucas	Pope		2/3/2026 6:08&nbsp;PM	Poss of THC,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Pedestrian; Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs upon Roadway,					Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

Erik	Dale	Pettay		2/3/2026 6:09&nbsp;PM	Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misdemeanor case, Execution of Misdemeanor Warrant,					Possession of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Steven	Arthur	Wooten		2/3/2026 8:09&nbsp;PM	Drugs; Distribute Marijuana or Analog thereof; 25g to &lt; 450g,					Possession of Paraphernalia with Intent to Manufacture/Plant/Cultivate/Distribute Controlled Substance

Kristi	Jean	Taylor		2/3/2026 8:27&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Daily Bookings

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt is backing new legislation aimed at helping Kansans set aside money for insurance costs through a state tax-advantaged savings option.

Schmidt testified this week in favor of House Bill 2430, which would establish an Insurance Savings Account, or ISA. The proposal, introduced by the Kansas Department of Insurance, would allow residents to save money tax-free at the state level to cover property and casualty insurance expenses such as home and auto premiums and deductibles.

“Insurance Savings Accounts are a sustainable way for Kansans to save state-tax free for their insurance costs,” Schmidt said. “As the legislature works to address affordability, they should include this tool for Kansas families.”

If approved, Kansas taxpayers could open an ISA through a financial institution and contribute up to a set annual limit based on their filing status. Funds in the account could then be used for qualified insurance expenses, including premiums and out-of-pocket deductibles. According to the department, a married couple contributing the maximum could save as much as $670 per year on their state taxes.

Supporters say the accounts would give families more flexibility and a dedicated way to budget for rising insurance costs, while providing tax relief.

The bill was heard by the Kansas House Committee on Taxation. It marks the second consecutive year the department has proposed similar ISA legislation.

Schmidt also highlighted the agency’s broader consumer protection efforts, noting the department has recovered more than $202 million for Kansas policyholders since she took office in 2019.

The full text of HB 2430 is available on the Kansas Legislature’s website.

Schmidt proposes law to help Kansans save on insurance costs

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a shooting in Wichita have a suspect in custody.

Just before 1 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a reported shooting in the 900 block of S. Rutan, according to a media release.

Officers arrived and found a 40-year-old man who received multiple gunshot wounds. EMS transported him to a local hospital with serious injuries.

The suspect, identified from Sedgwick County booking records as 55-year-old Gary M. Scott, ran from the area after the shooting but was apprehended by Officers. Scott was later booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of of aggravated burglary and aggravated battery.&nbsp; He is being held on bonds totaling over $575,000, according to online jail records.

Kansas shooting suspect jailed after he ran from crime scene

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after an encounter with a sheriff's deputy on a northeast Kansas highway.

Just after 4 p.m. Jan. 31, that Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a person was slumped over the wheel in a Ford Edge in the intersection of 118th&nbsp;and U.S. Highway, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The reporting party attempted to wake the person up by using his horn in his vehicle. Deputies arrived on the scene to find the driver and passenger both asleep in the vehicle.&nbsp; One of the deputies reported what allegedly appeared to be a methamphetamine pipe in the hand of the driver.&nbsp; The driver and passenger were arrested.

The driver, Lloyd Allan Wabaunsee, 36, of Mayetta and the passenger, Raven Marie Barber, 44, of Mayetta were transported to the Jackson County Jail. Wabaunsee was booked into the Jail on requested charges of possession of methampehtamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of controlled substances, unlawful possession of a hallucinogenic drug, unlawful distribution of controlled substances, driving under the influence, possession of weapon by a felon, criminal possession of a weapon and no drug tax stamp.

Barber was booked into the Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, distribution of controlled substances, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, criminal use of a weapon and no drug tax stamp.

Sheriff: Kan. drug suspects were passed out in SUV on the highway

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The search for “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie’s</a>&nbsp;mother still had no suspect or person of interest Wednesday, authorities said, four days after she disappeared with signs of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-74d845b070fefe2d94cb92d655308e91">forced entry</a>&nbsp;at her home in southern Arizona.

Investigators believe&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;was taken against her will over the weekend and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said they don’t have credible information indicating Guthrie’s disappearance was targeted. Guthrie has limited mobility, and officials do not believe she left on her own. Nanos said she is of sound mind.

“Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement on social media Wednesday. “Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family.”

Multiple media organizations reported receiving purported ransom notes Tuesday that they handed over to investigators. The sheriff’s department has said it’s taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.

The Pima County sheriff and the Tucson FBI chief urged the public to offer tips during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-0d6b55fd24f54b2526fd5f8894a52ff2">news conference Tuesday</a>. Nanos has said Guthrie needs daily medication and could die without it. Asked whether officials were looking for her alive, he said, “We hope we are.”

Authorities say Nancy Guthrie was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-0d6b55fd24f54b2526fd5f8894a52ff2">last seen around 9:30 p.m. Saturday</a>&nbsp;at her home in the Tucson area, where she lived alone, and she was reported missing midday Sunday. Someone at her church called a family member to say she was not there, leading family to search her home and then call 911.

DNA samples have been gathered and submitted for analysis as part of the investigation. “We’ve gotten some back, but nothing to indicate any suspects,” Nanos said.

There were signs of forced entry at Guthrie’s home, evidence of a nighttime kidnapping, and several personal items were still there, including Guthrie’s cellphone, wallet and car, according to a person familiar with the investigation, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the case and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of an anonymity. Investigators were reviewing surveillance video from nearby homes and information from area license plate cameras and analyzing local cellphone towers data.

Guthrie’s upscale Catalina Foothills neighborhood is quiet and mostly dark at night, lit mainly by car headlights and homes spaced far apart. Long driveways, front gates and desert plants provide a buffer from the winding streets. Saguaro cacti tower above her home’s roofline, and wispy trees partially block the view of the front door. Decorative streetlamps and prickly pear cacti dot the grassy front yard.

Jim Mason, longtime commander of a search and rescue posse for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, said desert terrain can make looking for missing people difficult. Sometimes it’s hard to peer into areas that are dense with mesquite trees, cholla cactus and other brush, he said. His group is based 175 miles (280 kilometers) north of Tucson, and is not involved in the search for Guthrie.

On the other side of the country, Victory Church in Albany, New York, said it’s offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to finding Nancy Guthrie.

“Me and my wife, we watch Savannah every single morning. We’ve heard of her faith. We’ve heard of her mom’s faith. And she’s got such a sweet spirit,” Pastor Charlie Muller said.

For a third day Wednesday, “Today” opened with Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, but Savannah Guthrie was not at the anchor’s desk. NBC Sports said Tuesday that Guthrie will not be covering the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics “as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time.”

The “Today” host grew up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tucson">in Tucson</a>, graduated from the University of Arizona and previously worked as a reporter and anchor at Tucson television station KVOA. Her parents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">settled in Tucson</a>&nbsp;in the 1970s when she was a young child. The youngest of three siblings, she credits her mom with holding their family together after her father died of a heart attack at 49, when Savannah was just 16.

Billeaud reported from Phoenix and Balsamo from Washington. Associated Press writer Michael Hill in Albany, New York, contributed.

Authorities are looking for the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>&nbsp;after they say she was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-88e8731270d05e6e667730d2ed8633d3">taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona,</a>&nbsp;against her will over the weekend.

It’s imperative that Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen Saturday night, is found soon because she could die without her medication, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.

The sheriff held a news conference Tuesday and urged the public to offer tips, but revealed few new details about the investigation. Officials have finished combing through Nancy Guthrie's home and turned it back over to the family, Nanos said.

He declined to say whether Guthrie’s disappearance was thought to be random or targeted or to describe the evidence found at her home. Investigators still do not have a suspect or person of interest, the sheriff's department said in a statement Wednesday morning.

There were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-74d845b070fefe2d94cb92d655308e91">signs of forced entry</a>&nbsp;at Nancy Guthrie’s home, according to a person familiar with the investigation, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the case and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of an anonymity. Investigators also found specific evidence in the home showing there was a nighttime kidnapping, the person said.

Nancy Guthrie reported missing after she didn't go to church

Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday night at the affluent Catalina Foothills area home where she lived alone. She was reported missing Sunday. Someone at a church called a family member to say Guthrie wasn’t there, leading family to search her home and then call 911, Nanos said.

Initially, searchers used drones and dogs and were supported by volunteers and Border Patrol, Nanos said. But by Monday morning, he said search crews were pulled back.

“We don’t see this as a search mission so much as it is a crime scene,” the sheriff said.

There were signs of forced entry at the home and several personal items, including Guthrie's cellphone, wallet and car, were all still at the home, the person familiar with the investigation said. Investigators were reviewing surveillance video from nearby homes and information from area license plate cameras and analyzing local cellphone towers data, according to the person.

The motive remains a mystery. Investigators do not believe the abduction was part of a robbery, home invasion or kidnapping-for-ransom plot, the person said early Tuesday.

Later Tuesday, multiple media organizations reported receiving purported ransom notes that they handed over to investigators. The sheriff’s department said it’s taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.

Asked Tuesday whether officials were looking for her alive, Nanos said “we hope we are.”

DNA samples have been gathered and submitted for analysis as part of the investigation. “We’ve gotten some back, but nothing to indicate any suspects,” the sheriff said.

Savannah Guthrie asks for prayers to help bring her mom home

This week, Savannah Guthrie has been in Arizona and hasn't appeared at the anchor’s desk. In a social media post late Monday, she asked supporters to “raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. Bring her home.”

Savannah Guthrie grew up in Tucson, the youngest of three siblings and her father died of a heart attack when she was just 16. She graduated from the University of Arizona and previously worked as a reporter and anchor at KVOA-TV in Tucson. She joined “Today” in 2011 and became co-anchor the following year.

Nancy Guthrie held her family together after husband's death

Before the woman's disappearance, viewers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">got to know Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;through her daughter’s show. Savannah Guthrie credited her mom with holding their family together after her father’s death.

“When my dad died, our family just hung onto each other for dear life because it was such a shock. We were just trying to figure out how to become a family of four when we’d always been a family of five,” she said on “Today” in 2017.

During an appearance in a story Savannah Guthrie did about her hometown late last year, she was asked what made the family want to plant roots in Tucson in the 1970s.

“It’s so wonderful. Just the air, the quality of life,” Nancy Guthrie said. “It’s laid back and gentle.”

Sheriff issues new statement on search for mother of 'Today Show' host

TYLER, Texas (AP) — The father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been arrested in Texas after authorities said he violated his probation from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/patrick-mahomes-father-guilty-dwi-447e2f0c6a93b308b0bbd3871ed8d1a1">conviction for driving while intoxicated.</a>

<a href="https://portal.smith-county.com/app/JailSearch/#/search">Click here to view</a> arrest details

Patrick “Pat” Mahomes Sr., 55, was arrested Tuesday during a meeting with his probation officer after a warrant was obtained for a probation violation, authorities said. He remained in Smith County jail in Tyler on Wednesday. His attorney did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

The elder Mahomes was sentenced to five years probation after pleading guilty in August 2024 to a DWI charge. On Jan. 1, he had a high alcohol reading on his ankle monitor, according to a probation violation report.

Mahomes Sr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cfcca2814d423c6411948c30e38d98cf">had been arrested</a>&nbsp;on the DWI charge in February 2024, a little more than a week before his son led the Chiefs to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/366151ee795360fbc8d3e4d029a394a6">second straight Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;championship with a win over San Francisco.

Smith County jail records show multiple DWI arrests over the years for the elder Mahomes.

Mahomes Sr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for six teams during an 11-year major league career that ended in 2003, according to Baseball Reference.

Patrick Mahomes' dad is back in jail for alleged probation violation

Washington&nbsp;– On Tuesday, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026," into law. The legislation advances several key healthcare priorities long championed by Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, according to a statement from his office.

“The legislation provides $418 million for rural health, strengthens our healthcare workforce, maintains critical funding for Community Health Centers, and extends telehealth and hospital-at-home flexibilities that Kansans rely on,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“It also invests in maternal and child health, mental health services, and life-saving medical research, while cutting over $100 million in unnecessary HHS bureaucracy.”

Senator Marshall also emphasized that Republicans stepped in to prevent Medicaid spending from continuing on an unsustainable trajectory that threatened the program’s future.&nbsp;

Prior proposals would have allowed unchecked growth, threatening long-term access for the most vulnerable. This package introduces responsible reforms that protect beneficiaries while ensuring Medicaid remains viable for future generations.

“Medicaid was on a path to bust – crowding out care for the truly vulnerable and burdening states and taxpayers,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“Republicans fought to protect this vital safety-net program by improving oversight, targeting resources appropriately, and ensuring Medicaid remains available for those who need it most today and for generations to come.”

Labor, Health and Human Services (L/HHS) Appropriations Highlights

The package provides a&nbsp;discretionary total of $116.6 billion&nbsp;for the Department of Health and Human Services while reducing unnecessary federal bureaucracy by&nbsp;over $100 million.

Senator Marshall championed several of the provisions included in the package. These include:

Health Extenders Package: Strengthening Medicaid and Medicare Medicaid Reforms

The package includes targeted reforms to Medicaid while improving access and accountability:

The legislation delivers long-term certainty for providers and expanded access for seniors by:

Public Health Extenders and Programs

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