The Hutchinson City Council approved an ordinance adopting the city’s STAR Bond project plan—an action city officials emphasized is a required legal step that advances the proposal but does not authorize issuing bonds or spending city money at this time.

City staff explained the ordinance approves a framework document under the Kansas STAR Bond Act, formally known as Sales Tax and Revenue Bonds. Under the program, new sales tax revenue generated within a defined project district can be used to pay for eligible public improvements tied to tourism- and destination-oriented projects. Officials repeatedly noted the bonds are not backed by property taxes and not backed by the City’s general fund; instead, repayment depends on the project area generating incremental sales tax.

“This is approving the rule book, but not starting the game yet,” staff told council, describing the vote as a checkpoint that preserves the city’s ability to consider STAR Bond financing later, subject to additional approvals.

As presented Tuesday, the STAR Bond project plan contemplates three components

City leaders also referenced elements intended to reinforce Hutchinson’s identity around space tourism, including a proposed $1 million component previously discussed by the city.

Bond counsel Dominic Act, with Gilmore &amp; Bell, told council the primary “safeguard” for a future bond issue is the underwriting and revenue-sizing process. Following project plan approval, an underwriting firm would conduct deeper due diligence and commission third-party revenue projections to determine an appropriate bond size that can be repaid through incremental sales tax over time.

Council members and staff compared the earlier feasibility work to a preliminary screening, while underwriting was described as the more detailed step required to market and sell the bonds.

Act said the council would see the proposal again for additional votes, including a “sale resolution” authorizing preparation of bond documents and a later approval of the final bond terms after pricing, including interest rates and final amounts. He indicated the timeline from this point could be “another couple months,” driven by underwriting schedules and cash-flow needs across the project components.

Council members acknowledged ongoing public confusion, noting multiple overlapping discussions, including the city’s separate sales tax vote tied to eliminating a stormwater fee and broader infrastructure funding conversations. Several council members encouraged residents to contact elected officials directly with questions rather than relying on social media commentary.

To help clarify how STAR Bonds work, council members and bond counsel repeatedly stressed the concept of “incremental” sales tax: the program does not impose a new tax rate inside the district; rather, it redirects the additional sales tax generated above an established baseline within the project area toward bond repayment.

Examples cited: Strataca STAR Bonds paid off early

When asked for examples of STAR Bond projects, officials and community members pointed to Hutchinson’s own experience with Strataca, calling it one of the state’s most successful STAR Bond projects. Strataca Director Rachel Woods told the council Strataca utilized approximately $10 million in STAR Bonds and paid them off early, adding that the attraction likely would not have been possible without the financing mechanism.

Council members also referenced other STAR Bond-related developments around Kansas, including projects in Goddard, Salina, Manhattan, and those tied to major venues such as Kansas Speedway.

Council member Stacy Goss asked about discussion in Topeka regarding potential changes to the STAR Bond program. Act noted the STAR Bond Act currently has an expiration date at the end of June 2026, though it has historically been renewed. He said the city would retain authority to proceed under current law through at least that date, and that the city and bond team would monitor any legislative developments closely.

After closing the public hearing, the council voted unanimously to adopt the STAR Bond project plan ordinance and authorize the mayor to sign, moving the plan into the next phase that includes development agreement negotiations, coordination with the Kansas Department of Commerce, and further financial refinement.

City council approves STAR Bond project plan

The American Red Cross has issued a severe blood shortage warning after the national blood supply dropped by approximately 35% over the past month, raising concerns for hospitals and patients nationwide.

The decline comes as flu activity surges across nearly every state, sidelining many potential donors and placing additional strain on already overburdened hospitals. As inventories continue to fall, some hospitals are being forced to triage critical blood products, prioritizing limited supplies for the most urgent cases.

The shortage is particularly acute for blood types O, A negative, and B negative. Patients who depend on regular transfusions—including trauma victims, mothers in childbirth, and individuals undergoing cancer treatment or living with sickle cell disease—could face serious risks if supplies are not replenished quickly.

Winter weather has further complicated collection efforts. According to the Red Cross, approximately 400 blood drives were disrupted by severe winter conditions last month alone—more than three times the number affected during the same period last year. Those cancellations resulted in thousands of donations going uncollected, deepening the shortage.

“This time of year is always challenging for blood collection — but right now, the perfect storm of a long holiday season, record flu activity and winter weather are all impeding donation efforts,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, executive medical director for the Red Cross. “Every person’s blood donation can help save lives — plus you help ease the tremendous burden on our doctors and nurses, allowing them to focus on caring for patients.”

With additional winter storms forecast in the coming weeks, the Red Cross warns the situation could worsen without immediate donor action. Eligible donors are urged to schedule an appointment as soon as possible by using the Blood Donor App, visiting <a href="http://RedCrossBlood.org">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Red Cross issues blood shortage warning

A bridge replacement project will begin Jan. 26 on Northwest 12th Street between North Ridge Road and North Emma Creek Road. The bridge is west of Newton.

Northwest 12th Street will be closed to through traffic at the project site for the duration of the project. Residents will continue to have access to their properties.

The bridge replacement will be completed by King Construction. The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of August, contingent on weather.

Bridge replacement to begin on NW 12th Street in Harvey County

Hutchinson first responders are once again teaming up with the American Red Cross to help save lives through the annual Hutchinson Community Battle of the Badges Blood Drive.

The friendly competition pits the Hutchinson Fire Department against the Hutchinson Police Department to see which agency can recruit the most blood donors. The fire department enters this year’s event looking to defend its title after winning Battle of the Badges three years in a rowHutch Community BOB_Flyer (1).

The blood drive begins Saturday, Jan. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Covenant Presbyterian Church, 700 E. 25th Avenue in Hutchinson. Additional donation opportunities will be held Monday, Jan. 26, from noon to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Jan.27, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 201 East Sherman.

All presenting donors will receive a commemorative Battle of the Badges T-shirt while supplies last.&nbsp;

Appointments can be scheduled online at <a href="http://RedCrossBlood.org">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or by using sponsor code Hutchinson. Walk-ins are also welcome as space allows.

Community members are encouraged to roll up a sleeve, support local first responders, and help ensure a strong blood supply for hospitals across the region.

Hutchinson first responders host Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

Farm Bureau members of Kansas were well represented at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Convention in Anaheim, Calif., earlier this month. Young Farmers and Ranchers representatives did well in their respective competitive events, with Lane County’s Mindy McMillen winning the national Discussion Meet and Jacquelyne Leffler placing in the top 10 for the Achievement Award.

The state’s voting delegates successfully lobbied to include policy supporting federal funding of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Laboratory in Manhattan to address current and emergent threats.

And four county Farm Bureaus were selected to share programs they developed through AFBF’s County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Awards. As part of the honor, the counties represented Kansas in the convention trade show and shared their award-winning programs with attendees from across the country who could take those ideas back to their own communities.

It’s worth noting that only 24 counties were recognized, so Kansas accounted for one-sixth of the CAE trade show booths, consisting of the following programs:

Atchison County: Started its Local Fresh for All program to provide gift certificates to the local farmers market for youth ages 9-19.

Franklin County: Partnered with a local recreation commission to host the Ag Education Summer Series, which facilitated and hosted lessons, demonstrations and farm tours over eight weeks in the summer.

Jackson County: Created a Livestock Summit to strengthen knowledge of 4-H exhibitors on livestock selection, nutrition, showmanship and carcass evaluation.

Meade County: Started the Silver Plate Project as a community-focused effort that provided shelf-stable and easy-to-prepare meals for senior citizens in rural areas to reduce food insecurity.

Walking through the two dozen booths, it was impossible to point to one program or activity as the best, aside from our four homegrown honorees, of course.

While the programs were broadly similar, they were also carefully tailored to the specific needs identified by county Farm Bureaus. One program provided broad instruction to a general audience while another sought to educate a narrow group on specific topics.

The other two counties identified those in need of nutritional assistance in their communities, even though the targets were at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of age.

They all started as good ideas, but ideas don’t actually do anything on their own. They require the effort of individuals or groups to move beyond the theoretical and make it reality. Ideas are easy, but their execution requires more than just a belief. Ideas require champions if they are to make any real impact.

While these four ideas originated in Kansas, it was their champions who rightfully got the change to present on a national stage. The best ideas inspire others. Hopefully, these ideas will ignite new champions across the country who will borrow the goals and intentions and adapt them into projects tailored to their communities.

"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.

Insight: Champions of ideas

KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has announced that applications are now being accepted for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). The application period runs from&nbsp;Tuesday, Jan. 20, through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

LIEAP&nbsp;provides a one-time per year benefit to help qualifying households pay winter heating costs, whether the home is heated with electricity, natural gas, propane, or other home heating fuels. In 2025, more than 43,000 Kansas households received an average benefit of about $680.

“LIEAP&nbsp;plays a critical role in helping Kansas families remain safe and warm through the state’s often harsh winter months,”&nbsp;said DCF Secretary Laura Howard.

The federal government shutdown in late 2025 delayed the distribution of&nbsp;LIEAP&nbsp;funding to states for the 2026 season, which in turn delayed DCF’s planning efforts and the start of the 2026 application period.

To qualify, households must have an adult at the address responsible for the home's heating costs. Applicants must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level (see the 2026 income eligibility guidelines below).&nbsp;The level of benefit received varies according to household income, number of people living in the home, type of residence, type of heating fuel, and utility rates.

Applications can be accessed online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dcf.ks.gov/Pages/default.aspx">dcf.ks.gov​</a>&nbsp;by clicking the “Apply for Services” button on the top right side of the website.

DCF is planning in-person events to help Kansans submit their&nbsp;LIEAP&nbsp;applications. For a schedule of in-person&nbsp;LIEAP&nbsp;application events, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2Fservices%2Fees%2FPages%2FEnergyAssistance.aspx/1/0101019bdc5b0014-f87f2f0f-06ef-4863-b014-e164840cde80-000000/UrkU3ZX3i_7wEOXfwUbtudFgngWtVUEs_gN507hNe9c=441">lieap.dcf.ks.gov</a>&nbsp;and click on “Where are the in-person&nbsp;LIEAP&nbsp;application events being held this year” in the drop-down menu.

When applying for&nbsp;LIEAP, Kansans should have their identification, proof of income for all adult household members, copies of heating utility bills (gas, electric, propane, etc.), and a copy of their rental agreement if they are living in subsidized housing.

DCF opens applications for LIEAP

A small overnight electrical incident prompted a temporary closure Wednesday at The R-B, though owners say damage was minimal and no injuries were reported.

According to a post shared by the business on social media, an unused transformer dating back to the 1950s shorted out beneath an east-side soffit. The transformer had originally been installed to power early neon lighting but has not been in use since the 1970s.

The electrical failure caused limited exterior and eave damage. As a precaution, the business announced it would remain closed for the day while the issue is addressed.

Owners expressed appreciation for members of the public who noticed the issue and alerted authorities, as well as first responders who quickly arrived on scene — including Hutchinson Fire Department.

R-B Drive In closed Wednesday due to overnight fire

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries">Click&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners</a>.

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Recent obituaries and service times

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Corporation Commission has scheduled a public hearing on Evergy’s request to site a new high-voltage electric transmission line in Reno County.

Evergy is seeking approval to construct a 15-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line that would connect the future McNew natural gas plant near South McNew Road and Highway 50 to the existing Reno County Substation.

The public hearing is set for Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Hutchinson Community College Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th Ave. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. and will provide Kansas residents an opportunity to learn more about the proposed route, ask questions and offer public comment to the commission.

Prior to the hearing, commission staff and Evergy representatives will host an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. The open house will include maps of the proposed route and allow attendees to ask questions and discuss the project.

Those unable to attend in person may participate in the hearing via Zoom. Advance registration is required by noon the day before the hearing. The commission is also accepting written public comments through 5 p.m. CST on Jan. 26, 2026.

Residents can register to participate by Zoom or submit written comments online at <a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkcc-connect.kcc.ks.gov%2Fs%2Fpublic-comments%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019bbcf71e6a-2fda36a1-68d1-4d2a-b9fd-1e3b59995359-000000/Va6WGGD-r9bAaCqeoKLUQKDc8ThJuBudeFGCX5RuEmI=440">kcc-connect.kcc.ks.gov/s/public-comments</a>. The hearing will also be broadcast live on the commission’s YouTube channel and will be available for later viewing.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

KCC schedules public hearing on Evergy transmission line 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. ——————————————

David	Michael	Keever		1/20/2026 11:52&nbsp;AM	Theft; Possess Stolen Property; $1,500 to $24,999,					Theft; Property or Services; $1,500 to $24,999,					Criminal Trespass; Posted or Locked Premises,					Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000,					Burglary; Dwelling for felony, theft, dv, sex

Andrew	William	Avena		1/20/2026 12:44&nbsp;PM	In Transit From-To Other Agency

Thaddeus	Xavier Nathanie	Krill		1/20/2026 3:06&nbsp;PM	Interference with Law Enforcement; Conceal /alter/destroy evidence Misd. case

John	Timothy	Baker		1/20/2026 3:10&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear (13 counts)

Brandon	Thomas	McMann		1/20/2026 6:21&nbsp;PM	Burglary; Dwelling for felony, theft, dv, sex, Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Destin	Lucas	Pope		1/20/2026 11:00&nbsp;PM	DWS; 2nd or subs conviction

Everett	Stewart	Mclver	II	1/21/2026 2:11&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conv; blood or breath .08 or higher

Daily Bookings

The Reno County Commission voted 3-1 Tuesday to take no action on a request that would have asked the Kansas Legislature to grant the county authority to consider placing a countywide sales tax question on a ballot later this year.

County Administrator Randy Partington told commissioners the special meeting was prompted by a state deadline: local legislators would need to request bill drafting by next Monday for the county to have a path—through legislation—to potentially seek voter approval for an additional county sales tax. Partington emphasized the discussion was not a vote to impose a sales tax, but a preliminary step to ask the Legislature for permission to let voters decide at a later date.

Partington said Reno County currently lacks “home rule” authority to enact an additional county sales tax without state approval. He outlined possible legislative options referenced in the meeting packet, including proposals that would allow the county to submit a question to voters for a sales tax tied to property tax (ad valorem) reduction, economic development, and/or public infrastructure. He also cited survey results presented previously to commissioners indicating near 70% support among surveyed registered voters for a half-cent sales tax, with more than 50% support in an online public survey.

Commissioners discussed concerns raised by residents that the survey was not widely known and did not reflect broad county sentiment. Commissioner comments also addressed uncertainty over whether a sales tax would represent a true offset to property taxes or could effectively become an overall tax increase, depending on future commission decisions, economic conditions, and inflation-driven budget pressures.

Partington and commissioners noted that dedicating portions of a sales tax to replace certain budgeted property-tax-funded items—such as economic development allocations and road and bridge spending—could indirectly reduce pressure on the property tax levy, but exact impacts would depend on future decisions and election outcomes.

During public comment, several residents argued the county’s overall sales tax burden is already high and urged commissioners to focus on spending restraint rather than new revenue options. Others questioned transparency and outreach around the survey and asked for clearer public engagement. One speaker encouraged the commission to at least seek legislative authority so county voters could weigh in at a later election, noting the discussion was separate from Hutchinson’s upcoming city sales tax vote.

Commissioners also discussed the concept of exempting groceries from any potential new tax, but Partington said state law does not currently provide a mechanism for a county-level food exemption, though commissioners could potentially request the Legislature consider it.

Ultimately, the commission voted on a motion “not to do anything at this time” regarding the legislative request. Commissioners Vincent, Winger, and Boegner voted yes; Commissioner Hurst voted no, and the motion carried 3-1, ending the issue for now unless brought back in a future year.

Because the commission did not approve sending a request to Topeka, Partington said the county would be unable to pursue a countywide sales tax ballot question under the current timeline and would need to revisit the matter during a future legislative session if commissioners want to consider it again.

County commission votes to not pursue sales tax

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/29/kansan-returns-to-the-catholic-church-as-the-states-first-woman-priest/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Tony Mattivi, director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, described a high school wrestling coach, a paraprofessional, a speech pathologist and a bus driver who all had at least two things in common.

None was required to submit to a criminal history and background check before working in proximity to school-age children, and all were accused or convicted of criminal acts against children they worked near.

“I believe the public would be stunned to know how many people may come in contact with their child in the educational process during a school day who have not been subject to mandatory fingerprint-based criminal history and background checks,” Mattivi said at a Tuesday hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Mattivi urged approval of a bill that would require state and national fingerprint-based criminal history background checks for all employees and volunteers at public and private schools every five years. He characterized the absence of a requirement as a gap in public safety.

The Kansas State Department of Education already requires licensed teachers to undergo fingerprint-based background checks, but the bill would solidify that requirement in state law.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb246/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 246</a>&nbsp;also proposes a new fingerprinted background check requirement for other school employees and contractors, such as janitors, cooks, coaches, therapists, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, volunteers and some administrators.

Those positions, Mattivi said, sometimes have greater and more private access to students than teachers do.

Applicants would have to foot the cost of a background check, or a school district could cover it.

Nicole Maddox, information services director at the KBI, said the $57 fee for fingerprint-based background checks covers processing costs for both the KBI and the FBI.

Sen. Mike Argabright, an Olpe Republican, was concerned with turnaround time. Many school boards only meet once a month, especially in rural areas, he said, and the bill as written could create a potential time crunch for the KBI to quickly run checks so schools can onboard the appropriate staff or volunteers.

The KBI currently promises a turnaround for background checks within 7-10 business days. The current average response time, Maddox said, is 9 hours.

The bill’s requirements would apply to approximately 44,000 teachers and 32,000 non-licensed staff each year, according to a fiscal note attached to the bill. If the cost per background check remains at $57, the state education department would receive an additional $4.3 million annually.

The bill is backed by multiple state agencies, and it was introduced last February at the behest of Steven Anderson, the state’s inspector general. It had no opponents.

In a 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/22666/638597681756200000" target="_blank">audit</a>, Anderson recommended almost exactly what the bill proposes, cementing in state law that fingerprint-based criminal background checks be performed in a five year cycle for all school employees.

KBI director urges mandatory background checks for school employees to fill public safety gaps

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kelcie-moseley-morris/">Kelcie Moseley-Morris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">Anna Spoerre</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Two Missouri women who had abortions 50 years ago testified Tuesday to mental health effects they suffered from the procedure

KANSAS CITY — The first slate of witnesses from the Missouri Attorney General’s office in the fight to uphold statewide abortion regulations offered testimony that professionals and scientific studies have long disputed, including claims about mental health outcomes and abortion medication.&nbsp;

It’s the second week of a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/09/missouri-abortion-regulations-trial-access-trap-laws/">10-day bench trial&nbsp;</a>that will be decided by Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang. Missouri’s Planned Parenthood affiliates, along with the ACLU of Missouri, filed the lawsuit over Missouri’s few dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/12/missouri-abortion-rights-trial-focuses-on-two-decades-of-state-restrictions/">Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers, or TRAP, laws,</a>&nbsp;claiming they are now unconstitutional under the state’s reproductive rights amendment approved by voters in 2024.

Advocates say those laws made abortion almost completely inaccessible in the years leading up to 2022, when a near-total ban was implemented across the state.&nbsp;

The state constitution now prohibits the state from denying, delaying or interfering with abortion access unless it demonstrates “a compelling governmental interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”

A majority of the testimony on Tuesday focused on mental health, including two women who took the stand to talk about their own abortions more than 50 years ago.&nbsp;

Linda Raymond, who grew up in St. Louis, said she had an abortion when she was 18 after pressure from her mother, who she said was embarrassed and angry that her daughter had gotten pregnant. Raymond testified that her mother beat her when she discovered she was pregnant.

The nurse and doctors at the Planned Parenthood she went to in 1976 didn’t inform her about the risks or potential complications of abortion, she said, or about the alternatives of adoption or parenting.

“If I had those things in front of me, I would have reconsidered,” Raymond said. “I would have pushed back on my mother.”

Since then, Raymond has become an anti-abortion activist, testifying that she has prayed outside of a Planned Parenthood Great Rivers clinic and tries to talk to people going inside.&nbsp;

“I don’t want other women and families to make the choice that I ultimately made,” she said.

One of the laws at issue requires patients to be given a copy of Missouri’s informed consent booklet prior to an abortion — a<a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/families/womenshealth/pregnancyassistance/pdf/Mo.InformedConsentBooklet-Revisedpgs.12-15August2019jkOGCReviewed.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;26-page pamphlet</a>&nbsp;that begins with a statement that human life begins at conception and “abortion will terminate the life of a separate, unique, living human being.”&nbsp;

It also includes information about fetal pain beginning at 16 weeks or earlier, even though the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that a multitude of studies have established that fetuses cannot feel pain until<a href="https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/gestational-development-capacity-for-pain" target="_blank">&nbsp;closer to viability</a>, around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The law also mandates a 72-hour waiting period between an initial appointment and the procedure, when a doctor or other qualified professional must inform the patient of the “immediate and long-term medical risks to her and possible adverse psychological effects associated with the abortion.”&nbsp;

Attorneys for the state have previously emphasized the need for a “reflection period” for women before they move forward with an abortion. Those who testified for Planned Parenthood last week said it put a huge burden on patients, especially those who had to take time off work, arrange child care or travel long distances to get to the clinic.&nbsp;

Having a wanted abortion isn’t linked to mental health issues, but being denied a wanted abortion is, according to the<a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/09/news-facts-abortion-mental-health" target="_blank">&nbsp;American Psychological Institute.</a>&nbsp;Dr. Daniel Grossman, who was called to testify last week by Planned Parenthood’s attorneys, told the court he regularly reviews literature on abortion and mental health and hasn’t seen any evidence of abortion increasing the risk of mental health problems.

But more recent studies, like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ansirh.org/research/ongoing/turnaway-study" target="_blank">Turnaway Study,</a>&nbsp;paint a better reality, he said. That study, led by one of Grossman’s colleagues at University of California San Francisco, where he serves as ​​director of Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, focused on 1,000 women who sought abortions between 2008 and 2010 years, and then followed them for five years after they either received an abortion or were unable to get one, including because of state laws banning or limiting abortion.

This study, Grossman testified, found anxiety rates were higher among women who had just been denied abortions. But after five years, he said, there was no difference in the mental health of the groups who had abortions versus those turned away. Grossman is also a liaison to Planned Parenthood’s National Medical Committee.

According to Missouri public records, post-abortion complication reports from 2018 to 2022 show no patients with a diagnosable psychiatric condition listed as a complication.

Stephanie Jacobson, who was a Missouri resident until about four years ago, had an abortion when she was 16 in 1978, and another when she was 18. Jacobson went on to have five children, but testified Tuesday that the abortions “ravaged” her and left her with depression and anxiety that lingered until she went through an abortion recovery program less than a decade ago.

Now Jacobson is a coach for an abortion recovery hotline, though she said that has exacerbated her mental health issues.&nbsp;

During her testimony, she recounted one “intense” call from a woman who was panicked and screaming after having a medication abortion at home. Jacobson said while she was trying to talk the woman through what she could do with the fetal remains that were sitting on a cloth on the counter, the woman said her cat started eating them.

Attorneys for the plaintiff immediately objected to Jacobson’s testimony as hearsay, and Zhang agreed to strike it from the record. However, the state opted to bring Jacobson back to the stand later in the afternoon to tell the same story again with more detail “on proffer,” which means it won’t be considered as evidence in this trial but could be considered on appeal.

The state also called Dr. Monique Wubbenhorst, who practiced as an OBGYN for more than 30 years but has never performed an abortion and is against abortion in all circumstances except to save the pregnant patient’s life. Her testimony included many of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/19/abortion-safety-missouri-amendment-trial-jackson-county/">same arguments</a>&nbsp;that were already discussed in the first week of the trial, such as the safety of medication abortion.

Wubbenhorst’s testimony will conclude Wednesday morning, and the trial is expected to end on Monday.

Mo. leans on disputed mental health claims in defense of strict abortion laws

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/fatima-hussein">FATIMA HUSSEIN</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — Days before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasury-irs-tax-season-5e939f5e271086d4ba51f24dc5200651">2026 tax filing season</a>&nbsp;begins, the head of the IRS announced a shake-up Tuesday, saying the personnel and operational changes are intended to improve taxpayer service and modernize the agency.

The timing of the announcement coincides with a critical moment for the agency, as the IRS prepares to process millions of tax returns while simultaneously implementing major tax law changes under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions" target="_blank">tax and spending package</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed into law last summer. There are new tax relief provisions for tips and overtime, and new deductions for qualifying older Americans.

In a letter addressed to the agency’s 74,000 employees and viewed by The Associated Press, Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano announced new priorities and a reorganization of IRS executive leadership.

Notably, Gary Shapley, the whistleblower who testified publicly about investigations into Hunter Biden’s taxes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-irs-tax-policy-biden-shapley-b60455836992c078f1177f6802755b91">served just two days as IRS Commissioner</a>&nbsp;last year, was named deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation division.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-tax-immigration-criminal-investigations-2f0ab7111f121bbcb7d653528a954017">Guy Ficco</a>, the head of Criminal Investigation, is set to retire and will be replaced by Jarod Koopman, who will also serve as chief tax compliance officer alongside Bisignano.

Joseph Ziegler, another Hunter Biden whistleblower, was named chief of internal consulting, the letter said.

Bisignano said in the letter that he is “confident that with this new team in place, the IRS is well-prepared to deliver a successful tax filing season for the American public.”

The June&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/" target="_blank">National Taxpayer Advocate</a>&nbsp;report to Congress warned that the 2026 season could be rocky after a series of mass layoffs last year brought on by the Department of Government Efficiency.

“With the IRS workforce reduced by 26% and significant tax law changes on the horizon, there are risks to next year’s filing season,” said Erin M. Collins, who leads the organization assigned to protect taxpayers’ rights.

Bisignano, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-irs-bessent-bisignano-e58cfaf2c88299e728d9783c8f5476fa">named to his job in October</a>, also serves as the commissioner of the Social Security Administration.

His main priorities for the IRS in 2026 include enhancing customer service, improving tax collections and safeguarding taxpayer privacy.

The IRS expects to receive roughly 164 million individual income tax returns this year, which is on par with what it received last year.

The average refund amount last year was $3,167, according to IRS data. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said on several occasions that the effects of Republican tax law will result in bigger refunds in 2026.

IRS head announces a shake-up on the eve of the 2026 tax season

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two Fort Riley men for alleged barcode swapping at a store in Salina.

On Monday, security from Target on South 9th Street in Salina took two male suspects into custody for allegedly barcode swapping on trading cards.

Salina Police Department were dispatched to the store and arrested 23, year-old&nbsp;Austin Martin and 24-year-old Colby Flowers, both from Fort Riley, according to a statement from Salina Police.

Martin and Flowers allegedly stole two boxes of sports cards, valued at $100 and two packs of pokemon cards, valued $10. The suspects committed the thefts on January 11 and the 17.

Martin and Flowers were booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charge of Felony Theft.

Police: Two Kansas men accused of barcode swapping

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Tuesday in Atchison.

A 2017 Dodge Ram pickup&nbsp; driven by Matthew Carr, 40, Atchison, was northbound on 10th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The pickup turned west onto U.S.59, crossed the median and left the roadway on the south side of U.S.59.&nbsp; The vehicle continued southbound down an embankment, across a parking lot and then struck the north side of Hotel Eastin,&nbsp;401 S 10th Street.&nbsp;

The hotel room that was struck was unoccupied. 

EMS transported Matthew Carr, the only occupant in the vehicle, to Amberwell Hospital for examination. It is believed that the driver suffered some type of medical episode prior to the accident, according to Wilson.

Kan. man hospitalized after pickup crash into hotel room

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 4a.m. January 19, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a white 2005 Cadillac SUV near SW 17th Street and SW Washburn Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.&nbsp; It was determined that the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. He also had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. During the investigation, illegal narcotics were located.

Quamell C-C Eteeyan, 30, Topeka was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia and traffic violations.

Kan. man without a driver's license was transporting drugs

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Wichita and are expected to release a full report late this week.

Just after 1a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a 911 call at an apartment complex in the 2300 block of North Woodlawn in Wichita, acccording to an online statement from Wichita police.

Officers "did not hear loud yelling" but&nbsp; heard individuals inside the apartment and knocked on the door. Officers identified themselves as police. A man inside the apartment stated he was going to get his gun. Officers knocked on the door again and a man inside stated again he was going to get his gun and was threatening to shoot the officers.

Officers took a defensive stance and retreated from the apartment doorway. The man stepped out of the apartment and had a firearm in his hand. The man pointed a firearm at the officers. One officer returned fire and struck the man. The officer immediately ran to get his medical kit bag to provide medical aid to the man.&nbsp;

The man was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; No officers were injured. Police took one other individual from the apartment into custody.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff's office will be in charge of the investigation and a full report is expected by Friday, according to Wichita police.

Investigation of deadly Kansas officer shooting continues

State auditors urged Legislature to find new way of determining at-risk student aid

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Members of the Kansas House Welfare Reform Committee debated Tuesday implications of a jarring state audit that estimated 54% to 72% of Kansas students who qualified for the free-lunch program through a national application process were likely ineligible during the 2023-2024 academic year.

If that assessment was accurate, the Legislature’s auditors said, the U.S. Department of Agriculture overpaid Kansas school districts $10 million to $14 million during that year for meals that shouldn’t have been subsidized. The report held implications beyond the cost of school meals, because enrollment in Kansas’ free-lunch program determined how much the state paid school districts to deliver services to at-risk students. Auditors said $38 million to $53 million in extra at-risk funding was apparently distributed to school districts due to enrollment problems with the free-lunch program.

Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican and chairman of the committee, said the audit would be useful to the committee as it sorted out questions about oversight and fraud in state or federal programs.

“One of the discussions we often have is, you know, should there be more oversight on welfare programs or less oversight? If there is fraud or is there not fraud?” he said.

The state auditors issued one recommendation for the Legislature: Consider an alternate method of calculating how much at-risk student aid should be paid annually to K-12 districts. Auditors concluded that figures of the children taking part in the free-lunch program “may no longer be an accurate measure for determining the number of students at risk of academic failure in a district.”

Rep. Charlotte Esau, R-Olathe, said that as a child her family probably would have qualified for a school lunch program, but her father refused to apply. She said she wasn’t an at-risk student, despite being part of a lower-income family. She told House colleagues it made sense to find a new method of calculating state appropriations for students struggling academically.

“I’m seeing your conclusion makes logical sense to me,” Esau told auditors.

Under existing Kansas law, no mechanism exists to claw back from school districts any overpayment of at-risk dollars. In most cases, individual school districts didn’t have access to information that would confirmed which students qualified for the free-lunch program. The state’s ability to evaluate applicants was constrained by accuracy of information gathered by several state agencies and rules enforced by the USDA limiting annual auditing to 3% of a district’s student applications or a maximum of 3,000 students in a district.

Rep. Alexis Simmons, D-Topeka, warned House colleagues eager to reform the at-risk funding formula for schools by relying on a different metric of poverty and need. She said there was a strong connection between feeding students during the school day and the ability to learn in the classroom.

Simmons said it would be a mistake to assume fraud when state auditors said it was challenging to verify whether students were eligible for free lunches at school.

State auditor Heidi Zimmerman said the report published in July outlined federal overpayments to school districts for the free lunch program. The audit also linked that idea to state overpayments to school districts for at-risk education, she said.

“We cannot claim there was fraud,” Zimmerman said. “We can tell you there are students who are ineligible. Ineligibility is not the same as fraud. Fraud requires a specific intent. You might have just made a mistake. That’s not fraud. So, this report does not claim that we found fraud anywhere.”

“Very much appreciate that clarification,” Simmons said.

Rep. Wanda Brownlee Paige, D-Kansas City, said the audit didn’t take into account the lower literacy rate among some parents expected to fill out school lunch program applications. She said the Kansas minimum wage of $7.25 per hour — less than half the $15 per hour minimum wage in Missouri — exacerbated financial hardships faced by families desperate for government assistance in providing nutritional meals to their school-age children.

“I can see a whole lot of people struggling,” she said. “The kids are hungry.”

Rep. Brian Bergkamp, R-Wichita, asked Frank Harwood, deputy commissioner of the Kansas Department of Education, to provide the committee with statistics on the quantity of food thrown away in Kansas public school cafeterias. He said the amount was more than most people might realize.

Harwood said USDA reimbursed school districts only for meals served to an eligible student. Under federal law, he said, children automatically qualified for free meals if they were in a household receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid or food distribution programs on an Indian reservation.

In addition, he said, a child was eligible for free meals at public schools if determined to be homeless, a runaway or migrant child, in foster care or enrolled in Head Start.

Kansas House studies free-lunch enrollment audit, implications of at-risk overpayment to schools

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a southwest Kansas man on multiple allegations a

Just after 8:30p.m. January 18, police responded to a reported robbery that occurred in the southwest part of Garden City, according to a media release.

Officers spoke with a woman who reported an altercation with a man known to her, identified as 37-year-old Enrique Rodriguez Hevia. The investigation revealed an argument between the two turned physical, after which Rodriguez Hevia took several of the woman’s possessions and refused to return them until she drove him to his vehicle. 

The woman attempted to drive to the police department, but Rodriguez Hevia got into the vehicle and interfered with her ability to leave by placing the vehicle into different gears and restraining the steering wheel. 

When the victim called out to nearby neighbors for help, Rodriguez Hevia fled the area with her possessions. Rodriguez Hevia later turned himself in at the Finney County Law Enforcement Center, where he was arrested and booked into jail on requested charges of Aggravated Auto Burglary, Robbery, and Domestic Battery.&nbsp;

SW Kansas robbery, domestic battery suspect turns himself in

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plane, Air Force One, returned to Joint Base Andrews about an hour after departing for Switzerland on Tuesday evening.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to return was made after takeoff when the crew aboard Air Force One identified “a minor electrical issue” and, out of an abundance of caution, decided to turn around.

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